Chapter 160

-Report your damages.

-I've already saved and set aside all the key forces, including the guild masters. Those who volunteered from the get-go, and those we deemed in need of a break are being kicked out of the game as we speak.

Seojin received a report from Bigfoot, the representative of the guild alliance. The reason for appointing him as representative was simple. Seojin wanted it that way. Bigfoot was the most active person in opposing Ironblood, and was also the most favorable towards Seojin.

-What should we do now?

-For now… keep rotating the members and stay on standby.

Seojin assessed the situation first. The Tower of Valor side was currently tied up, keeping Robert at bay. Pretty much the same was true for the Tower of Guardianship.

'Should I move the prince now?'

That was the current dilemma Seojin faced. Heinrich had long ago handed over all authority to Seojin, allowing him to directly use the founding king's equipment lying dormant in the tower. Although by kingdom law, these items were permitted only for the king to use, Heinrich knew that such laws were irrelevant given the current situation.

'No, I can't. If Heinrich dies, everything's over.'

The ongoing task was Valaran's main episode. It could only be completed by satisfying all six conditions. Moreover, Seojin couldn't turn off his stream.

'I'll practically be exposing my weakness. If I were them, I would try to divert forces to target the prince. But if it's the founding king's items… there must be some sort of restriction.'

He was conflicted. Whether it was a trap, or restrictions on those items, there should be some strings attached since this was a game. A set of legendary items would probably come with some legendary strings attached as well.

'…It can't be helped.'

Seojin made a decision.

"I will now move to the Tower of Valor."

-Finally, you're taking action yourself?

-Wow… Go Anti-Mainstream!! We support you!!

-Please smash Ironblood's arrogance LOL, they're really annoying

The viewers had already seen the exposés flooding the community forums. While not entirely convinced, the once-solid foundation of Ironblood's support had begun to waver.

"You're watching this too, right? I am openly challenging you, and yes, this is your last chance. I'll be waiting."

The viewers cheered, and on the screen, Robert clenched his teeth. Seojin descended from the ramparts and began to move.

* * *

Of the three towers, the Tower of Valor was closest to the king's residence. The short distance was a relief, but Seojin's side was filled with key forces for this battle.

"Are you comfortable? If it's inconvenient…"

"Not at all. It's just a bit embarrassing, but I am okay."

Bigfoot, the guild master of the Resistance, was carrying Seojin on his back.

For Seojin, with his poor stats, this was a necessary choice.

-What's this? Conserving energy?

-Do you really need to a piggyback?

-That's so random LOL

"Thanks to you all, I'm even more embarrassed. Appreciate it."

-So down to earth, madude.

-LOL, LOL

-Geniuses are always a bit crazy, right? LOL

"Let's go."

"Hold on tight!"

Thump! Whoosh!

Instantly, Seojin felt like the world was moving backward. It was an incredible speed. The other players were left behind in an instant, due to this overwhelming start.

"This… doesn't feel like running."

"I'm an engineer, aren't I?"

Midgard had a steampunk setting, and now Bigfoot was moving forward with a propulsion device attached to his back, hovering slightly above the ground.

"Huh. Are we going to shoot missiles next?"

"I've actually prepared something for that. Anything that comes at me first will be blown away!"

"Can you get Robert with that too?"

"Nope. There are some things that science can't overcome."

-LOL, look at that banter

-Why are they so relaxed? LOL

-LOL, and Robert's side is gnashing their teeth

Then the top of the tower came into view, it was about the height of a ten-story building. At the top, a flag with a blatantly ornate sword was fluttering.

"What you see now is the Tower of Valor. Inside, there's the sword of the first king who founded Valaran. The condition to extract it is to secure two of the towers. Any side. Oh, and if you secure all three towers, the palace becomes yours."

Seojin informed the viewers with the basic details. The strange situation of being carried by someone caused no issue in the progress.

"Our precious Prince Heinrich is in a safe place. Ironblood is probably searching for him now, but don't worry! Our prince is safe!"

Then they saw Robert clenching his teeth again. Seojin chuckled, and at that moment, Bigfoot's mad dash came to an end.

Thud.

Seojin landed on the ground and looked up at the tower. After briefly hesitating, he moved.

"We're entering. The team going in will follow the previously distributed structure."

Too many people in the narrow tower could be problematic. It was difficult to engage in active combat, and there was a risk of damaging the tower itself. In the end, only five people entered—one party, including Seojin. Until they reached the top of the tower, there were no obstacles in Seojin's group's way.

-Tower of Valor: Friendly Territory

The tension built up until this point was finally released. But when they reached the top, Seojin got his party members back to their senses.

"Stay alert. We don't know what's inside."

"…Understood."

Beyond the message indicating it was friendly territory, there was a door with a rustic feel. Seojin cautiously placed his hand on the door and pushed it open. The door smoothly swung open.

'Something is definitely here.'

The place was supposed to be accessible only to the king. Even the usual palace caretakers were absent.

'But there's no rust, which means there must be at least some maintenance magic in place.'

But surely, there was more than just that. There was a lavishly decorated case in front of him. Slowly, Seojin alone approached the box, gently grabbed the edge, and lifted it.

At that moment,

"Seojin!"

"Oh no…!"

A bright light burst forth. The party members' shouts of alarm were abruptly cut off. Seojin sensed that he had been pulled into a different place.

'The broadcast is still on.'

The noisy chat continued. Ignoring that, Seojin looked around. The atmosphere was similar to that of the Tower of Qualification he had experienced before. And right in front, floating at eye level, was a lone sword.

"I suppose I'm meant to grab it."

It was an obvious task. He had just reached the starting point, but the actual start was not expected to be challenging.

Clunk.

It was the moment Seojin grasped the hilt of the sword.

"Are you a descendent of mine?"

A knight appeared. His appearance was far from that of a traditional knight. His helmet and armor were thin and crude, and his well-trained physique resembled that of a barbarian warrior, rather than a knight.

"I am…"

"You must be my descendant since you're after my sword. Is it needed now?"

Seojin could only feel something had passed. Suddenly, the sword was in the man's right hand.

"I need it."

"Why? Do you have to smash someone's head with it?"

"There are those with ill intentions targeting the royal family."

"So, you plan to discipline them with this? With the founding king's sword. Something… something like that…"

The man seemed to struggle for the right words, then clapped his hands as if he remembered.

"Symbal! Yes, for some symbalic reason. Is that the word? I find hard words uncomfortable."

"It's symbolic."

"Is it that much different from what I said?"

"Quite a bit."

"Damn. Okay, I'll remember that."

The man muttered the word "symbolic" a few times, then looked back at Seojin.

"So, who is your opponent?"

"Adventurers."

"Oh, your father also mentioned that. Said these adventurers give him a headache. I can't quite grasp what they do though, just from hearing about them."

Hmm, hmm.

The man nodded.

"Take it. But remember to put it back in its place. Oh, and make sure to oil it."

"Thank you."

"Wait, something's missing. What was it again?"

He seemed to struggle again to find the right word. Gesturing wildly, he fumbled for words, and then, just like before, the man clapped his hands as if he had finally remembered.

"That thing, damn it, the Royal Emblem. You're supposed to uncover that first, right? How else would I know if you're a bad guy or my descendant?"

"Oh, about that…"

This was the dilemma.

Regarding the emblem of the royal family, the current king had fallen, and Heinrich hadn't completed a full succession ceremony.

Naturally, Seojin hadn't heard about it either.

"Well, actually…"

"Actually?"

"The current king has fallen because a villain sent by those adventurers."

"…You're not the king? Then who are you?"

The man narrowed his eyes, showing clear displeasure. A slip of the tongue could mean being sliced by the sword. While observing the viewers' reactions, Seojin took a gamble.

"I am his son."

No, he was about to.

Activating Quick Thinking

This wasn't Seojin's intended response.

* * *

-LOOOOL

-That's so shameless, isn't it? LOL

-Where's his shame LOL

His mind seemed to be working twice as fast as usual. While checking the viewers' chats, Seojin also gauged the founding king's puzzled expression.

'That was close.'

Quick Thinking. It was a passive skill that had never been activated since he started Midgard. It meant there hadn't been a situation dire enough to trigger it. Just before, Seojin was about to honestly reveal the current situation.

'That would have been the end of it.'

The founding king then gestured towards Seojin.

"So you're the prince?"

"Yes."

"Your name?"

"Heinrich Valaran."

"Has your father ever told you about me?"

"Yes."

Seojin answered immediately.

This was part of what he had heard from Heinrich. The current king had, on several occasions, told Heinrich stories about the founding king.

'About his likes, dislikes, and such.'

Especially among them were specific responses to certain questions.

'Had I not paid attention, I would've been in trouble.'

It was akin to quest clues that had naturally emerged during the narrative. What Seojin was undergoing now could be considered a kind of test.

"Alright, I'm going to ask you a few questions. If you're wrong, then you're not my descendant. Though I won't kill you, just in case. Understood?"

"Understood."

And Seojin's judgment led to a quest message.

Sub-episode in progress!

Test of the Founding King: Valor

*Sephiro, the founding king of Valaran, imbued his soul into his armaments, hoping they would aid his descendants in times of kingdom's peril.

*However, the king's armaments are permitted to be used only by the direct bloodline of the royal family. Prove that you are a descendant of the royal family through any possible means.

*The truth is not important. Successful completion of the quest will award you the Sword of Valor. There will be no second chance.

"What's my favorite fruit?"

The founding king's test began with this question.