《The Hunter and the Mad Scientist》 Chapter 1 This is the new novel Ill be translating. I dont have a fixed schedule yet but Ill let you now in the next releases. As the hidden episode was released, a new building appeared on the map. [Count Avondales mansion] To be exact, it was a place that was originally there but could not be entered. A mansion of considerable size, located a short distance from Upper Lane, a residential neighborhood of the upper class. Oh, I didnt know this place would open The mansion looks rather stark. There were no beautiful fountains or gardens full of exotic trees, and there were no signs of human habitation. Count Avondales mansion is basicallyAn abandoned house. The settings in the virtual reality game Golden Claw are as follows. The hidden episode The Secret of Count Avondales began with newspaper boy Jack sending a note containing rumors about Count Avondale mansion. Jack, who knows all kinds of rumors from the mansions of socialites to the back alleys, also said that the quiet mansion at the end of Upper Lane is a haunted house. He heard a strange sound as he passed around the mansion at dawn and didnt forget to add that its real secret information that he hasnt told anyone in small letters on the corner of the crumpled note. A dungeon with monsters will not suddenly appear in the Golden Claw, which accounts for 80% of the game content. At best, there must be an item hidden by Count Avondale, who died 12 years ago or a monster that makes weird noises. If you go to the abandoned house and get a good item, the developer wont let you go. Once you get a decent item, you have to use it to fight bigger conspiracies, harder dungeons, and stronger monsters. Then you take the by-products of the monsters to the magic engineers to make them into good equipment, and then you take the equipment and break the dungeon. The game was a repeat of the pattern. Golden Claw is the story of hunters (players) who defeat dungeons and monsters that suddenly appear in a steampunk world based on 19th century London. Its okay if this imperial city disappears. But I have to protect the city to win the game, so I cant help it. I hope that the money gained from colonial management and the developed magic civilization will drop good items. When I stood in front of the door, a notification window popped up. I entered without hesitation. A huge gate opened with a screeching sound and I felt like I could hear bleak background music. Something like a mixture of the sound of a broken music box and the sound of a percussion instrument that gradually accelerates along with the beating of the heart. And at the right time a crows cry was heard. The weeds reached the dusty porch across the covered garden. I twisted the doorknob with my hands in Hunters gloves and of course it was locked. I brought something for a time like this. Its not like once or twice that Ive drilled an empty house while playing this game. If you are a user of Golden Claw, there is a disposable wire that you must carry in the inventory. When I put a wire in the keyhole and jolted, there were clack, clack, clack sounds. Of course, a typical magic engineers house would have had a device that sounded loud throughout the house as soon as a wire was inserted into the keyhole of the gate. . As expected, theres nothing. Its been 12 years since the owner of this house died. Twelve years will wear out the batteries. What did he say the Count Avondale died of? I went through the information Jack brought me, but I couldnt remember it properly. Well, its not important. Its open. It was a deplorable thing for the dead count to see. Some outsider its going to rob his house. No, he should be thankful that he hasnt been robbed since hes this sloppy. The door, much higher than the height of a person, was quite heavy. I pushed the door open and entered the hall. Thump. The door closed behind my back. Maybe it was because of the sound that cut me off from the world, but the air seemed to have changed from before. The mansion was not much different from an ordinary aristocratic mansion. The owner, Count Avondale, was said to be a freak, but it didnt show much. There are stairs that spread to both sides at the end of the hall where sculptures and ceramics are displayed. I thought there would be weird stuffed animals, but I dont think he was a freak on that side. I turned on the map, but the interior structure of the mansion is all black. It was a structure that did not show the map until you explored it. Like a dungeon. Where should I go first? The structure of the aristocratic castle or mansion is there. Lets refer to the royal castle, which is already completely explored! [Map: Royal Castle] I turned on the Royal Castle map. There are too many rooms but I dont think there will be this many rooms in this mansion. Id better refer to Lord Humphreys mansion, which I robbed last time. I turned on the map again and pressed Sir Humphreys mansion in the middle of Upper Lane. [Map: Humphrey House] Hmm. Now its a little similar. Where should I go first? Im going to open them all anyway. The best way to get information is to study. A good magic engineer would have filled his study with useful information. I went up the stairs referring to the structure of Lord Humphrey House. The place with the best light on the third floor is the perfect place for a study. Lets turn the handle, sure enough, it was locked. [Inventory] I pulled out a wire. There were 157 wires left now. Its kind of a waste. I should have stopped at a hardware store before I entered the mansion. The owner of obsessive-compulsive disorder thought that she would not be relieved if she did not have 999 pieces. The door opened. A big window with white sunlight, a desk in front of it and unknown instruments and small lights on the desk appeared along with a space surrounded by bookshelves on all four sides. The ceiling is open. Maybe it was just this room, with the ceiling open and up to the second floor were all bookshelves. Each shelf was full of books. The chandelier from the ceiling glistened brilliantly. Wait a minute. Chandelier? Does it make sense that the chandelier glows in a house where the front door alarm system is broken? I think theres something wrong. Is it a setup that someone still lives in this castle? An old butler or maybe young servants? Its obvious, but its usually like that. I step toward the study more cautiously than before and I turn my head toward the space inside the study. Who are you? Isnt that what I should say? There stood a man with two books in one arm and loose blond hair. His white face, about a million light years away from the working class, was pure and elegant. However, the physique under the one-layer shirt was seemingly solid. Putting in a handsome guy that suits my tasteIs it an Incubus dungeon? This mansion is just an abandoned house, not a dungeon. If it was a dungeon, Id get an alarm. But now, it doesnt seem like its even an abandoned house, so that was a problem. Was Jacks information wrong? When there was no answer, the man leaned against the bookshelf, smiled crookedly, and asked again. Who are you to come into my house without a word? No, lets do my best. It was definitely an abandoned house. The alarm was off, the garden was ruined and Jack never gives wrong information. There are times when I might say, Actually, there was this kind of backstory!, but it has to be revealed at the end. There was never a case where people lived normally in a house even though it was abandoned! Im Hunter. Hunter? Then you should go to the forest. A hunter who catches monsters! The man put the book down on the tray. Is it time to take out his weapon? The man strode up. Im ready to take out my weapon. One more step. I caught a long rifle in my hand as I was groping through the inventory. It was the first weapon I had mastered, and even after I started using other weapons, I could handle this rifle as if it were part of my body. Youre sloppy for coming to kill me, and youre proud that you came to steal something. The man, who rubbed his chin and raised his head up and down not far away, smiled brightly. Whats your name? Esperanza. Thats a nice name. Esperanza, take a seat. Put down that ignorant big weapon. Its a gun Ive never seen before, but Im interested in it. His tone of voice changed from rude to respectful. Then he pulled something out of his arms and pressed it. After a while, the door opened with a knock. Count, did you call? We have an unexpected guest. Get the tea ready and some food. The man, who checked his hand wearing gloves, added. Something you can simply pick up and eat. Yes, Count. But that lady? Im going to find out about her in the future. Millen, dont forget my stimuler when you bring the tea. The man named Millen, who appeared to be a servant, closed the door without asking a single question about the situation. Theres a servant? The voice that asked belatedly trembled. People can live in abandoned houses by making concessions a hundred times. The inside could be this normal but you cant live with a servant. He said it was an abandoned houseNo, it was definitely an abandoned house. The Avondale mansion abandoned? Thats an interesting story. This mansion has always had an owner in the last 150 years. But its been empty for 12 years.Theres no front door alarm, and theres a lot of grass in the garden! The gardener who worked on the weeding yesterday would be sad to hear it. Esperanza pursed her lips while the man, who sat diagonally on the sofa and folded his arms, looked at Esperanza with a face saying, Now that Ive heard all your nonsense, Ill say what I have to say. When their eyes met, the man with a light smile around his mouth asked in a gentle tone that gave her goosebumps around her neck. The shape of the gun is very unique, can I take a look? Yes, well, look. I wasnt in the mood to do something so I handed over my weapon. What the hells going on? The whole time I handed over the gun, I was full of thoughts that I didnt understand. He said the gardener worked on the weeding yesterday so I ran at the window and looked down. Chapter 2 Its true. The grass was grown up to the knees earlier. There was still grass on her clothes. Above her knees she was clean and the bottom was a mess as if the garden that passed by was not an illusion and the rusty gate that she opened earlier. Nothing rusted. Whats going on? You know that better, intruder. Did you enjoy looking around the garden? The gun on the back of my neck was cold. A slim tall man stood at the end of a long barrel and the gun was close to the skin to make sure that he could blow away my neck just in case. I could feel the threat. I have a rough idea of how to use it. This gun may look unique, but its obvious how to use it. It seems that advanced magic technology has been used, but it is strange that no one has announced such technology recently. Im sure youll make a lot of money so why did you do that? As the gun was pressed gently I could guess that he wouldnt shoot but the sensation of the gun touching the soft flesh of my neck gave me goosebumps. Ugh. I will listen to which underground organization developed the technology and why they aimed at this mansion. Please cooperate. You really dont know that? The gun was a basic item given from the start of the game. Although I raised my level, obtained various attributes and moved to new equipment from the beginning, I had affection for this gun from the beginning, so it has not been sold until even though I was using other weapons. Anyway, everyone knows the shape of this gun, from the queen to a backstreet kid. Its the gun that represents a Hunters weapon. But doesnt he know this? Who lives in a huge mansion and has a study of this size? Anyone whos confident that they know everything about the technology thats been announced? An ominous premonition flashed by like a fire. What year is it now? Its 1837. How many people are memorizing what year the background of a virtual era-based game is anyway? Even if I hear the number, I cant tell if its right. How old is Queen Harriet? Perhaps because he was still pointing the gun, the man answered easily. Her Majesty celebrated her 37th birthday this year. I remembered it as a quest just a month ago. The banquet celebrating the queens 50th birthday, envoys from all over the world, the disappearance of neighboring countries princes and princesses who attended the party, and all kinds of trouble during the massive event of her birthday. Its 13 years ago. So you must be Count Avondale? Dead? I didnt say that. The mans eyes narrow as if to grasp the situation and the gun on my skin twisted painlessly. Lord Avondale. Let me call you that. Everyone does it. The title of the nobility is quite complicated, but since Ive been doing Golden Claw for 7 years, its clear enough. Lord Avondale. Esperanza. 13 years ago? 13 years ago. A year before the day of disaster when Nine Hodder had a dungeon and monsters poured out. 13 years ago from the time of the game Golden Claw that I played until now. Now, there are no monsters in the city of 6 million people, the belly button of the world and there are no hunters. I suddenly became the worlds strongest. Ah, you damn Golden Four bastards. Why are you doing this to me? * * * The rifle aimed at my neck remained the same, but my seat was moved to the sofa. It was better to move calmly because he can fire at any time. I dont know about Lord Avondale, but hunters can open their inventory at any time to get new weapons, and these long guns have a loophole that they can be incapacitated just by swiping the muzzle. Thats why its more useful in large monster battles with a long range. So, 13 years later, this will be an abandoned house, and I will die next year? Is that your argument? What will the cause of my death be? Heart attack? Traffic accident? Paoran addiction? What was it? Jack, Im sorry I havent cherished you so far. I really dont remember. He died 12 years ago, so the most likely thing is the monster situation. Although he didnt seem to believe it very much. But do you smoke paoran? Its not very good for you. I know. Oh, you smoke even though you know it. I see Your way of talking makes me feel like trash. My neck shuddered. I didnt mean to criticize him. After all, one year later, he will die, and no one will say anything if he smokes enough to die. No, smoke a lot. Youre going to die anyway, arent you trash? Is that what you mean? Why do you keep saying trash? Are you saying that my speech is not elegant? Thats true. Youre not well-dressed either. I was shot out of nowhere. Whats wrong with my outfit? Its a game, but it doesnt look good on me? Esperanza, even poor people dont wear pants that stick to their legs like that. Oh, no one will be able to say that in a year. How are they going to run away from the monster in a dragging skirt? Monsters were predators. Humans, who were proud of their magic civilization, were reduced to mere food. Their great architecture, luxuries coming from the colonies across the sea, and piled gold bars meant nothing in front of the fear of death. Its pointless to judge the clothes of a person carrying such a weapon. But its better not to think about going out in that outfit with something like this. The officers will take you. He stroked the long barrel of his long gun as if pleased. His fingers were straight and long. The back of his hand with bulging tendons wrapped around the gun barrel still aimed at me. Im very lucky to be the first person you met. I dont intend to report it, whether to the police officers or a mental hospital. The round muzzle moved along my neckline while he raised his head. It was a good angle for eye contact. Lord Avondales eyes were gray, traditionally the eyes of the wise. Of course, its all prejudice, but in the world of games, eyes and hair color are important indicators for interpreting characters. Gray eyes are really pretty. You have a place to go, Esperanza? No. I had money, but I couldnt find a house because I didnt have any status. There was a Hunter ID card issued only after the tutorial, but it was useless because it was dated a few years later. Do you have any more of these? I can give you a place to sleep. I realized that he was a freak. Believe it or not, he was going to live with a woman who popped up in his house with a rifle? Its an incredible insensitivity to safety but I think its okay to put yourself in danger a little for research. It was good for Esperanza because she now had a place to stay but she wished she could go back to her original time right away through the front gate. Theres no menu window. She didnt even know that the same color menu window disappeared because it was covered by the red tree color of the study. The absence of a menu window means that it is impossible to log out. If it was a more shiny and conspicuous color, she would have noticed it quickly. She couldnt return to her original time or log out of the game and she hasnt even received the quest so she desperately needed Lord Avondales dubious goodwill. If I give you more of that? I treat you as a guest. At last the gun came off her neck but Lord Avondale took her rifle for granted. Even if it was his from the beginning, it could not have been as natural. Ill give you something better, so cant you give it to me? Its my first weapon. Take out your weapon first and show it to me. I chose the cheapest and lowest level item in the inventory. He wont know until he uses it properly. This is a sickle. While using a gun, you also use a sickle? Its not just a sickle, its a magic tool. Great Monster Magic Tool. It was rewarded for an achievement, so its level is copper, but it will be fine for research. Thats unique. All right, lets go with this. My original rifle was placed in the inventory and Lord Avondale looked carefully at the figure and asked. Is it a magic bag? I guess thats going to be available in about 10 years. Its similar, but I dont want to give you this. I dont need it. Yeah. NPCs used to carry magic bags, so the technology mustve existed 13 years ago. Its different from inventory, but I dont have to tell him that. Lets do these for now. Millen is late. You just made him bring something weird. Stimuler? Esperanza, is this your first time seeing a magic engineer? Its not my first time, but. Even among the NPCs Esperanza met, there was the magic engineer Dr. Sullivan, an Einstein-haired, half-witted scholar. But there was no way to communicate properly with him. He always sat in a large circular study or a laboratory where strange solutions were bubbling in beakers and muttered nonsense. However, he was quite useful if she could bring him good materials because he would reward her with big money and good equipment. He wasnt the type to talk. I dont know if Dr. Sullivan was a doctor 13 years ago. Maybe a graduate student? There are a lot of prejudices in our profession since we catch people and dissect them. Lord Avondale bent his eyes and laughed. Even with a scythe and a gun in one hand, he made good use of his original brightness. That made it sound like a very funny joke. Only the dead, legally. He spoke discontentedly. His eyes were fixed on the sickle, so he seemed to say, If hes not dead yet, make him a dead person. Oh, yes. Well have time to talk about prejudice. Chapter 3 This will be a side project with 2 releases per week until Ill have more time. I wont accept donations for this project as long as its a side project. He seemed excited to analyze the sickle so he lost interest in conversation and stared at the weapon. I think Ill tear the sickle to pieces just by looking at it, so I shouldnt even think about getting it back. Anyway, I give my weapons for research, and LordAlbunsdale? Avondale. Lord Avondale clapped his tongue. How could Esperanza be blamed for the name being so difficult, but she memorized it hard thinking it would be better than making mistakes twice. Avondale, Avondale. Lord Avondale is offering me food, clothing, and shelter, right? Its kind of like that. Thats a good deal. Complaints about the name mistake seemed to remain, but they were satisfied with the deal. Thats all it takes. Do I have to write a contract now? Or a handshake? Ive never written a contract before, so I didnt know how but Lord Avondale shrugged. Ive never shook hands with a lady, but its not bad. Strictly speaking, I am not a lady. Since youve become my guest, youll have to pretend to be. He rose from his seat without telling me what pretending was specifically. Now that I see it, he was much taller than I thought. Compared to Esperanzas height, which was not small, a man with half a head taller held out a big hand. It was the hand of a man who touched pens and tools. Creeping, I stood up and tried to reach out his hand, but the door opened with a ceremonial knock. Count, I brought. The scene seen by Millen, who dragged a tray in, was a confrontation between a defenseless woman and his master with a cold sickle. Am I in a situation where I have to aim the Stimulus at the count for your safety? The servants hand faltered and rummaged through his front pocket. Still, it was pretty ridiculous to roll her eyes and somehow try to find the answer to this situation. The room, which had been quiet due to the sudden appearance of Millen, was now surrounded by an uncontrollable cold silence. Lord Avondale shook his head. It was an attitude that seemed closer to Id rather die than get sick rather than no. Esperanza couldnt stand it and laughed. The giggling her laughter mixed with the sound of the clocks second hand. She covered her mouth and bowed her head, but she could feel a gaze pouring over her head. Hes staring at me a lot right now. When I slightly raised my head, Lord Avondale, who was shedding his eyes, suddenly closed his eyes and smiled. Only then did Esperanza realize that she had not yet finished her laughter and strengthened the corners of her mouth. Her lips, which were barely in a straight line, trembled. I feel like hes going to retaliate Millen? Tell Mrs. Lux to prepare my mothers closet since the lady couldnt bring her clothes because she was in a hurry. Its not a bad story at all. Let the maid who took care of my mothers clothes be her clothes attendant. Dont forget to say, It doesnt matter how much it costs. Uh, really? However, to her surprise, it was not the Count, but Esperanzas side that Millen looked at. Isnt that a good thing? Thank you? I had a strong premonition that I would take this back. Lord Avondale replied with an ominously tender smile. Youre welcome, Esperanza. You wont be able to go out in those clothes. Millen, who was wary of both sides, went out of the door again. The hunters costume was basically a steam-punk outfit, so it wasnt very out of touch with the times. Some of the events outfits include ears, but what Esperanza was wearing was a normal one. Tight-fitting black trousers, a green blouse and suspenders, a small bag dangling from the waistband, and a chain fastening a cloak that did not even cover the knees. Decorated cogs along the arms and a brimmed hat of the same color as the overcoat and boots of the same color as the trousers. By all accounts, it is an outfit that women of this era would never wear. The same was true of men, of course. Not even at home. Even if I allow it, the employees wont let it go. Yes, well, its a combat uniform anyway. There was no reason to refuse free clothes, so I thought that what Lord Avondale was saying over and over was just the repulsion he felt as a conservative aristocrat. But I learned later that he wasnt such a sane, common-sense person. Did you call me, Count? Theres a ladyOh my goodness. Then a middle-aged woman, who must have been Mrs. Lux, but who had not yet introduced herself, came naturally and placed her hand on her waist. I didnt know you were such a lovely person. Then, she glances at the count with her eyes as if she were a mother who saw her grown son bring a woman home but the count did not blink an eye. Mrs. Lux, I ask you to entertain this guest for me. Mrs. Lux said without losing a word. How could you say that? We must strive to please the lady in our respective place, as a housekeeper, and as a lord. It was only then that she was officially introduced to Mrs. Lux. It is considered rude to call an unintroduced person by name, so Esperanza kept her mouth shut and smiled as if she had never been introduced by Mrs. Lux. It will take some time to prepare the room, but we can use the drawing room in the meantime. I think we can take the measurements and mend Madame clothes a little. Have you eaten yet? Oh, no. You are respectful to your employees and so kind. Lord Avondale seemed to have completely lost interest, fiddling with the sickle, but did not take off his polite smile but Esperanza couldnt understand how Mrs. Lux hadnt noticed its existence. To the end, Mrs. Lux didnt say a word about the sickle, and Esperanza didnt get a chance to ask if she really didnt see the sickle or if she pretended not to see it. From the moment she got out of Lord Avondales study and entered the drawing room, she was almost out of her mind until sunset. The blue dress with puff sleeves was elegant and pretty. It was certainly out of fashion for nearly 10 years, but in Esperanzas eyes, it was an old-fashioned garment. Lord Avondales attire is also an ancient artifact at the time Esperansa was playing the game. However, considering the amount of time and physical strength it took to try on nearly a hundred clothes one by one before choosing this outfit, and to mend it to fit her body type. If she hadnt eaten in the middle, she would have really been lying on the floor by now. He did this on purpose. The fabric is fine satin, and the skirt hem is long and decorative. The arms were tightly laced. Its a dress that no one would be able to wear except for a figure as high as a countess. After wearing it, she felt a sense of shame. However, when she thought of the current owner of this garment and the son of the original owner, his evil intentions were clearly engraved. He made fun of her for laughing at him. It may not be that there was no goodwill, but it was a trouble anyway. Looking at him again, she doesnt know whether to thank him or be offended. No. I should definitely thank him for this. It was hard for her to pretend that she didnt notice his dark intentions. Originally, Esperanza liked pretty clothes and was interested in character customization. Thats why she created her avatar with such a pretty face and splendid colors. It was just that Mrs. Luxs enthusiasm was a little, no, a little bit higher than Esperanza could tolerate. Still, its a good start for being dropped into the world 13 years ago from the games background. Logout. I muttered to myself. In fact, the menu of Golden Claw did not have a voice recognition function. If there was such a function, users wouldnt be able to talk to each other like, Ill log out in a little while. But I was just wondering. Log out! Nothing happened. Embarrassed, she buried her face in the satin blanket. Miss, whats wrong? May I help you? The maid knocked on the door, as if she had heard a noise. She was doubly embarrassed. Esperanza, who barely returned her maid, exhaled her breath. Okay, lets think about it. Im glad I came here while exploring Count Avondales mansion. If it was like finding a killer variant monster in the back alley like the last quest, I might have been sitting in a shack by now. Even if I fell into a strange place out of nowhere, the room was comfortable and the bed was soft, so I didnt feel a sense of crisis. But now is the time to think. Logout doesnt work either. In front of the count, I even tried voice recognition, which I couldnt bear to do, but it was of course useless. What should I do from now on? I dont think its impossible to stay in this house forever, given the Counts behavior now. Telling him about the technology from 13 years in the future and taking things out of the inventory little by little by little. Perhaps I could prevent the death of Count Avondale. All I have to do is stick around and save his life. Is the cause of his death also the monster incident? The monster incident. In fact, if an event of the same magnitude occurred 13 years later, there would have been few casualties. There were dungeon breaking methods to deal with monsters, magic tools, magic weapons and even hunters who are experts in dungeon breaking. But it became a terrible accident because it happened at a time when nothing could be prepared. I had no idea about the accident I saw as a game prologue except that it was the background of the game, but if I dont get out of the game world in a year, I may actually face it. Chapter 7 Instead of a proper answer, a fierce voice came out. Oh, arent you angry? Cedar clicked his tongue. I dont get angry over things like that. Im sure you were pretty upset earlier. Esperanza clapped her lips. He was definitely angry but its not wise to make fun of him now. I knew your face, but I didnt recognize it, did I? Oh, he did. He was so sneaky that I didnt even apologize and forgot. Then I dont have to apologize either, right? Esperanza warmed up to get down to business but Cedar clapped his tongue and tilted the teapot to fill her empty teacup. The cold and bitter tea moistened her tongue and lips and she opened her mouth. A year later, dungeons will appear indiscriminately and irregularly. They can appear in the palace, in the back alley, anywhere, and within that realm, monsters will appear to slaughter people. The dungeon disappears when all the people in it die and the monsters have nothing to eat or if its completely destroyed.. Even though it was a terrible story, Cedar listened to it without blinking and Esperanza added, wrapping a cold teacup in her hand. I heard that the item Im looking for is an item that can completely eliminate dungeons. Its very abstract. Is that so? Isnt that specific? How does that thing get rid of dungeons? I dont know. Wouldnt the developer of the Golden Claw announce the end of the server by the time the game starts to lose money? Wait a minute, is this the time? Am I a sacrifice for subservience? It was a pretty plausible idea. After finding the golden claw and closing the dungeon, the game is bound to end. How much money have I spent on this game so far? What a ridiculous declaration of subservience. Are you kidding me? I dont know what youre thinking, Esperanza. Cedar, who called out her name in a strangely sweet voice, said. Think about how the dungeon will disappear. Isnt it just that they wont show up anymore? On the contrary, what if the whole world becomes a dungeon? I never thought of that. The world where hunters disappeared has become a monster world? Isnt it too nasty to leave the world weve been together for years? That cant be true. The golden claw isnt like that. Its a legendary item that all hunters are looking for. Theres no basis, just speculation. Cedars thoughts are the same but Esperanza declined to comment. She couldnt convince him without revealing that its a game but Esperanza had no intention of telling the truth even though Cedar already knew Esperanzas existence. Its very strange to be a woman from 13 years later? Maybe its more of a miracle. But isnt it shaking ones existence from its roots that this world is just a game? The two are different in weight. Either way, its the same if I can find it and go back. I mean, its weird. Why do you think you have to find it so you can go back? What does the disappearance of the dungeons have to do with you going back? Quest. I can see your eyes rolling. Esperanza, who was drinking tea, choked and Cedar shook his head and chuckled as he watched her hit her chest. Esperansa, who had cleared her itchy throat several times, barely spoke in a hoarse voice but it was a crude answer compared to the waiting time. Well, theres a way we hunters know. Cedar raised his eyebrow. If you cant explain, dont. Can I do that? Its for your good. Thats right. I was just asking for advice. Fortunately I seem to have succeeded in attracting his interest. When he said that I dont have to say it, I changed my mind instead of asking more questions. I dont know anything about dungeons from the magic engineering approach. I can tell you everything I know. You dont know anything about magic engineering. I know. However, it is impossible to bring Dr. Sullivan, a future magic engineer and dungeon scholar. Dr. Sullivan from 13 years ago cant be a better magic engineer than the man in front of me. Anyway, being a scholar is similar to a detective in that its a job to find the truth. Oh, yes. Is that how it works? Isnt it different? Esperanza leaned her head and thought. Of course, the genius magic engineer was not interested in other peoples thoughts. If I dig into my work carefully, I think Ill find something more interesting than ever. I think Ive even managed to touch the essential thing that makes up the world. I suppose so. The core of this world is monsters, dungeons, hunters, and magic engineering. Esperanza thinks he doesnt want to get to the point but hell know when he gets to the deep end that this world is an illusion, that it was only created for others to play and to make money out of it. What should we do now? Us? I didnt expect this answer. We need to gather information. My study, library, maybe rumors or legends. I suddenly remembered Jacks information. [Inventory] There was information even if its not about the golden claw. Esperanza laughed with a confident face for the first time in a long time. [Item: Jacks note] Dungeons, monsters, rumors, legends. Papers of the same name poured out and a pile of notes piled up under my feet to my calves. Cedar Clyburn muttered, unable to hide his surprised face. What the hell is that dirty paper doing in my drawing room? In a completely different direction than Esperanza thought So what about this? She took out one more item as I was trapped in the paper and couldnt move even a step. [Item: Monster Encyclopedia 7th Edition (Author: Alfred Sullivan)] It was Alfred. Alfred Sullivan. Well, you might like it. The thick encyclopedia was passed over to Cedar who took it carefully. Unlike when he saw Jacks note, he shook off the leather cover with a humble gesture. Is it okay if I dust the room? Ill take care of it. Cedars attitude toward knowledge was pious and he caressed the pages of the book carefully. The bridge, which had been roughly crossed, was neatly lowered as he read the book slowly as if he was savoring every page. Cedar Clyburn, who was reading the fifth page, looked up. Dr. Sullivan is not an insignificant person. Is that so? Hes useful. It seemed the best compliment he could give. Well, he just called him a nobody a while ago. I wouldnt have organized it this way, but its inevitable. Yes. Cedar glanced at Esperanza, who answered in an insincere voice, then returned his gaze to the book. Anyway, I think its academically valuable. After reading all of this, I think Ill have a rough idea of what a dungeon is like. At least its better than the gibberish explanations of a layman like me. Because I didnt like to throw things away, the miscellaneous things in my inventory will be of a great help to me now. How many times did I spend money to increase my inventory capacity? No, lets put this aside. By the way, what is that? This is a note. Its written by a newspaper seller named Jack, but he knew a lot of rumors, so I paid him some money for it. Rumors. Rumors are often worthless, but very occasionally, they contain real information that is unknown elsewhere. Stories that dare not be told through official routes roam underground and in back alleys. You have to pay an information vendor to buy filtered information, but you can get rumors just by making friends with people in the back alley. Its just a note, so I dont have much information, but just in case. There were a lot of quests related to the golden claw. Quests? Missions for Hunters like the destruction of dungeons, acting as an escort or transporting items. You might also get caught up in a dungeon in the middle. There are also cases where you participate in events or stand guard. You use a lot of unique terms for a 12-year-old job. A prickly Esperanza mumbled, burying her nose in Jacks note. Because it is such a closed community, slang developed a lot. In a sense, its really closed because the only ones that can be hunters are the players. I guess not everyone can be just because they want to, right? Yes, you need to be qualified. I dont know exactly what qualifications I have. Well. Cedar, who turned over the book by tapping the tip of his chin with his finger, nodded. He didnt seem to care much about Hunters qualifications. This monster leather. Is it the leather wrapped around your scythe? I went over and checked the book and as our foreheads almost touched, Cedar pulled his body back a little. Which one? Oh, thats right. The book was meticulous so I cut a little bit of thick ogre hide and pasted it on but it was possible because it was a limited edition book. I remember getting it as a reward for completing an episode but I never opened it, so I didnt know it was described so carefully. But even this is not enough for that man to see. How can I meet the limitless eye level of a genius? I have to be self-sufficient.