The Returnee's Hidden Strategy Stream

Chapter 63

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter: 63

The moment Hanbit leaped into the smoke, a battle had already begun. Thanks to Asla's wind magic, the interior was clearly visible.

Whoosh-

Clang-!

Royal Knights, who had joined the fray at some point, were engaged in combat. Dozens of people were fighting, both inside and outside the smoke.

Swish-

Asla slashed at the thugs who were attacking Lia.

A little further away, Leon was facing off against a giant swordsman.

Thud-!

Leon parried the swordsman's downward strike with a punch. Leaping high into the air, she met the enemy's gaze. Then, she struck the enemy's head with the hilt of her sword.

Bang-!

With a tremendous impact that dented the helmet, the enemy let out a scream. The thug quickly fell unconscious.

-Wow;

-Info) Leon is a powerhouse.

-Didn't she use physical enhancement magic?

-Yeah, but she's also good at other magic.

-She's just a huge hexagon.

-Our queen.

Leon immediately turned her gaze towards Lia.

At that moment.

Swish!

Two daggers flew from within the smoke.

They were aimed directly at Lia.

Clang-!

Hanbit and Asla deflected the daggers and turned to look.

Four figures emerged from the smoke.

"We'll take that ring."

They were clad in black and white robes and their voices were distorted. They were the assassins from the Holy Kingdom who had been monitoring the situation.

"I'll handle this side. Take the child and escape."

Asla took a step forward and spoke to his disciple.

Of course, this was all part of the plan.

"You're from the Holy Kingdom. I'll help you."

Leon joined Asla, standing side by side.

Hanbit nodded at Lia and leaped out of the smoke.

"So it was you!"

At the same time, Barres appeared beside him.

He tried to activate the magic tool in his hand.

But Hanbit was faster.

Smack-!

"Ugh!"

With a kick to the chest that shattered the magic tool, Barres was sent flying backward. While Barres was reeling, Hanbit grabbed Lia's hand and began to run.

"Damn it!"

Barres roared and got back on his feet.

At the same time, an alarm sounded.

Ding-

[Main Quest #14 Completed.]

[Progress increases.]

[Main Quest #15: Survival]

Although the situation had reversed with Leon's arrival, Barres was counterattacking.

Protect Lia and move to a safe place.

Objective: Protect Lia until Leon and Asla arrive.

Reward: 200,000 gold, 80,000 experience points, 10 stat points

*Current progress: 93%

Hanbit quickly checked the quest as they ran away from the courtroom.

The final quest was simple.

The goal was to protect Lia.

Originally, he would have needed the help of Asla and Leon, but now he could handle it alone.

After all, he never intended to simply protect Lia.

Thud-!

Hanbit kicked off the ground again and ran towards an alleyway. He was running at top speed to put distance between them.

"Hyung, this is too intense!"

Yeonwoo, who was following closely behind, was struggling to keep up.

"Endure."

"No, it's not about enduring...!"

Ignoring the response, Hanbit continued to move.

Their destination was an abandoned lot at the eastern end of the city. By taking every shortcut possible, they arrived quickly.

"My lady!"

Cowen rushed towards them as soon as they entered the lot.

"Are you alright? Are you injured? I have potions..."

"I'm fine, you can see that. Calm down."

Lia reassured Cowen, who was pouring out his worries.

Satisfied that she was unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Hanbit.

"It seems everything went according to plan."

"It was more like a lucky guess. How about you?"

"I've finished cleaning up. As you said, there were quite a few adventurers who were trying to join Barres's side."

While the trial was ongoing, Hanbit had tasked Cowen with monitoring the adventurers.

Fortunately, none of them were particularly strong, and he was able to subdue them. For example, like those adventurers who had bullied Lia in the guild.

"But are you really going to be okay alone? Barres must have hidden some weapons for self-defense,” Cowen, his gaze fixed on the quiet surroundings, asked.

"Well, the best thing would be if he brought them with him."

Barres had collected various equipment and magic tools through the black market and other shady channels. He could obtain powerful items, even if in small quantities. Of course, given their origin, there was no telling what kind of problems they might cause.

'He's really obsessed with power.'

His ambition had existed long before he plotted to frame William. He craved absolute power. His choice of the Holy Kingdom was simply because it was the strongest nation. Barres was the kind of person who would make a deal with the devil if he could.

"Lia."

Hanbit looked at the blond-haired girl.

She looked a bit nervous.

"Remember what I told you?"

"Yes. To use the necklace if I'm in danger. I remember."

Lia nodded and gripped the necklace tightly.

Then, she removed the ring from her finger and handed it to Hanbit.

"Are you really going to be okay?"

"The power of the Norton family is here too. Don't worry."

“…….”

Though he patted his chest in reassurance, Lia's expression grew darker.

She must be worried about the side effects of such extraordinary power.

Hanbit turned his gaze to Cowen.

"They'll be here soon. Let's go."

"Alright. I'll escort you to a safe place, my lady."

"...Okay."

Lia nodded slightly, her lips slightly parted.

If she insisted on staying here, she would only be a hindrance to the Black Dragon. She couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"Be careful. Don't die."

"I won't. Go now."

After their exchange, Lia and Cowen disappeared into the alley behind them.

Hanbit pulled up his character information.

[Black Dragon-Lv.29]

[Title: None]

Strength: 25

Dexterity: 31

Intelligence: 25

Vitality: 10

Remaining stat points: 27

-?

-Damn, why are his points like this again?

-The rewards were insane.

-He'll get 10 more when he finishes this main quest;

-Info) The ending quest gives the most rewards.

-Is this the final quest?

-No, the ending will be marked differently.

He had quite a few points accumulated since he hadn't touched them for a while. Usually, he would increase his stats to face stronger enemies, but this time was different. He needed a stronger physique to withstand the debuff of the newly acquired skill, Manifestation.

Hanbit carefully considered the numbers and moved his hand.

[Black Dragon-Lv.29]

[Title: None]

Strength: 30

Dexterity: 35

Intelligence: 30

Vitality: 23

Remaining stat points: 0

-Wow.

-Level 29 with a total stat of 118?

-Isn't the average around 60?

-The vanguard is going to be so pissed. LOOOOOOOOL

-Even if they're pissed, they can't prove anything, right?

-LMAO

The chat window was buzzing with comments about the incredibly high stats. Many were taunting the vanguard, but they probably wouldn't want to face him. Unless they were as unique as an advanced player.

"Are you the only one?"

At that moment, Barres, who had been searching the area, appeared. New magic tools were attached to his arms and neck.

He walked around, surveying the area, and fixed his gaze on Hanbit.

"Where did you hide Liventia?"

"I don't know. Maybe she escaped from Edlen?"

"What a ridiculous lie."

Barres snorted at the statement. With the Royal Knights involved, escape was an impossible scenario. It meant that the adventurer before him was simply buying time until reinforcements arrived.

"Are you standing alone out of confidence? Or is it arrogance?"

"I don't know. Which one do you think?"

"It doesn't really matter. Either way, you're going to die..."

Swish-!

Suddenly, a dagger flew through the air.

Clang-!

Hanbit, who had been on guard against a surprise attack, deflected it.

"Tsk."

A voice hissed as a figure emerged from the darkness. It was the black-and-white-robed assassin from the Holy Kingdom.

"So it was you who was following me."

Barres narrowed his eyes upon seeing him.

The assassin, meeting his gaze, spoke in a voice filled with anger.

"Barres Loberger, the judgment of God will surely fall upon you."

"If I obtain the remnant of the Spirit King, I'll kill you too. I wonder whose side God will take."

"The answer is clear. Only I will be standing at the end."

-This guy is so clueless, it's hilarious. Rofl

-But can you beat the assassin?

-Spirit. King.

-I believe in you.

The two, both seeking the traces of the Spirit King, were naturally in competition. Their goal was not Hanbit, but Liventia. After all, killing her and obtaining the Norton ring would be considered a victory.

However, their plans were disrupted by the following words.

"Looking for this?"

Hanbit held up the ring on his finger.

Barres and the assassin turned their heads simultaneously.

"It's a fake."

"Don't waste my time."

Both were certain the ring was fake. The Norton ring bonded with its owner and couldn't be possessed by others. While the ownership could be transferred among the Norton bloodline, the adventurer before them was an outsider. He didn't even look like a hidden child of the family.

"Is that so?"

Swish-

Anticipating their reaction, Hanbit took a stance with his sword drawn.

He focused his mind and activated the Manifestation skill.

Whoosh-!

Flames erupted, instantly enveloping his blade.

The two men's expressions twisted.

"What the...?"

"Impossible!"

Both had magic tools that could sense the presence of spirits. The tools in their pockets were reacting, proving that the scene before them was real.

Whoosh-!

Hanbit focused on the flames, which were growing stronger. When he had used this skill at the meeting place, he had felt something. To fully manifest the fire attribute, it needed a warm-up.

'It's still okay.'

Thanks to the increased stats, he didn't feel the same immediate backlash as before. He simply felt a faint heat surging through him.

The problem was that this was just the beginning of the warm-up. He didn't know what state he would be in when it reached full manifestation.

"The remnant of the spirit king is mine now."

Hanbit looked at the two startled men.

He pointed his flaming sword at them and said, "So go ahead and try to take it from me."

“…….”

Barres and the assassin stopped moving.

Silence fell over the clearing for a moment.

Glancing at each other warily, they both gripped their weapons.

And then.

Thud-!

They both jumped and charged towards Hanbit.

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]