Chapter 212

[Views: 68,121,883]

It had only been a day since the video was uploaded.

The view count had surpassed 50 million and was nearing 70 million.

Jang Dae-hwi was repeatedly refreshing the page by hitting F5 with his hand.

└No, seriously, where is this place?

└Should I be running to South Korea right now?

└I want to run there, but please reveal the location!

└Seriously, even foreigners have joined in;; can we even eat this?

└I'm really losing it, lol.

The comments had easily exceeded 100,000.

Most of them were requests asking for the dungeon's location.

'Please reveal the location to the community once the video hits 50 million views.'

Jeong-hoon sent dozens of coordinates along with a message.

"Is this really correct?"

The coordinates he sent pointed to a specific area.

Wondering if it was sent by mistake, he asked, but Jeong-hoon confirmed it was right and requested to post it.

Ultimately, Jang Dae-hwi shared the coordinates Jeong-hoon had provided with the community.

Once the post was up, comments started pouring in as if they had been waiting.

└What is this place?

└Are you saying one of these is the answer?

└No way, lol. This is too much ㅠㅠ

└Wow, so it's basically a game of chance?

Jang Dae-hwi was feeling mixed emotions.

Why did he ask for so many coordinates?

As expected, the initial reactions were cold.

However, it didn't take long for the mood to change 180 degrees.

└Oh? What's this? This is the correct answer?!

└It's the answer!

└The road to the mine is correct!

└Wow, lol.

└What's going on? But why do all those coordinates point to the same dungeon?

└Incredible, lol.

Jang Dae-hwi widened his eyes as he read the comments.

'What the...? Are all those coordinates pointing to the same dungeon?'

* * *

Meanwhile, Jeong-hoon was resting inside one of the half-destroyed buildings.

'By now, the dungeon's location must have been revealed.'

Interestingly, there was not just one door leading to the dungeon.

They were scattered across the globe, meaning whoever found one first would claim it.

Moreover, with many of the mythic higher-ups dead, it was safe to say that the groups interfering with players in this dungeon had effectively been dismantled.

'I didn't want to eliminate the myth itself.'

Many who had contracted after following Sa Jae-hyeok had done so, but there were also those who had split from the myth and were working hard to finish the game.

Eliminating them all at once didn't sit well with him.

[So jealous... to think that engraving stone is just used as a headpiece.]

'...I should have said I would do it.'

Unaware of Jeong-hoon's feelings, Mukho and Anima continued to murmur in disappointment.

"They said you can do it later."

The headpiece was merely a condition for clearing the dungeon presented by Baal.

However, it wasn't an option to just keep waiting here.

While Ligriner stabilized the power of the engraving stone, there were additional tasks to attend to.

He hadn't come to this special dungeon solely to stabilize the engraving stone.

[A new special dungeon has been created.]

[You can now enter a new episode.]

This meant he was qualified to enter a new episode.

"It's also a key to finishing the game."

Simply avoiding penalties wouldn't allow them to complete the game.

[By clearing 100 episodes, you will acquire a crucial clue to end New World.]

Yes.

This was it.

Jeong-hoon hadn't just focused on survival; he was dedicated to growth.

With the reality of New World unfolding, the episodes began.

They had set up a few mechanisms, and he needed to clear these episodes to finally finish the game.

Of course, it wouldn't be easy.

Once he cleared one episode, he would need to tackle a higher-difficulty episode to continue progressing.

Before his regression, Jeong-hoon had cleared 99 episodes, leaving only one remaining.

Having been betrayed just one step away from completing the game fueled his anger even more.

<"The 'Irretrievable Ruiner' says you're faster than expected. They will keep a closer eye on you.">

<"The 'Guardian Consumed by the Abyss' expresses curiosity about you.">

<"The 'Judicator of the Sky' tilts their head, stating that it's too early for the episode to begin.">

Jeong-hoon lightly ignored the messages from the transcendent beings and opened the episode.

The newly added episode window appeared.

[Starting the first episode.]

[EP.1 The Fallen Kingdom of Märchen]

The episode that could be started in this special dungeon was the Märchen Kingdom.

Jeong-hoon had grown up in this Märchen Kingdom and had even received treasures from the king.

As the episode began, an alchemist approached him.

"Um... are you busy?"

[NPC Information]

- Nickname: Haphaeis

- Level: 165

- Class: Alchemist (Healing)

He was the alchemist named Haphaeis.

A question mark was flashing above his head.

[Episode Quest: Search the Märchen Kingdom]

- Requirement: Perfectly clear the wave of monsters in the Alchemist's Street

- Reward: Ability to proceed with the next quest + experience points

- Description: Search the Märchen Kingdom.

As Jeong-hoon accepted the quest, he asked, "Is there something you need?"

"...The truth is, since the sudden disaster, we can no longer cross into the Märchen Kingdom."

Before Jeong-hoon arrived, there had been a monster raid, and they intended to seek help from the Märchen Kingdom.

However, due to a barrier, they couldn't get through to the kingdom.

Although the barrier was lifted after clearing the monster wave, now the monsters were blocking the path, making it difficult to enter.

"I see."

"So... I'm really sorry to ask, but could you clear the path to the Märchen Kingdom for us?"

For some reason, the Märchen Kingdom had been neglecting the monsters blocking the way.

"Understood."

Since he had to carry out the episode, Jeong-hoon accepted without hesitation.

"Really?!"

Haphaeis rejoiced at his affirmative answer.

"Yes. I also happen to have business in the Märchen Kingdom."

"Then I'm counting on you! This is the best reward I can offer you."

Haphaeis presented a potion that slightly increased all stats.

For his level, it was a top-tier reward.

"Thank you."

Jeong-hoon gratefully accepted the reward and set off toward the Märchen Kingdom.

The barrier had been lifted, but the way was still blocked.

To pass through, he needed to use the green portal, which was also a dungeon.

[Would you like to enter the Lv. 165 North Pathway?]

'I'll enter.'

* * *

It wasn't just the Märchen Kingdom.

Many territories had become a mess due to monsters, and not a single survivor could be seen.

[Wow... This is really serious.]

'I've lived a long time, but this is the first time I've seen such a scene.'

That would make sense.

All the dimensions originally used for episodes should be considered destroyed.

Even so, the fact that NPCs were still alive was a mechanism created by the transcendent beings with the power of creation to alleviate their boredom.

To watch as the creatures struggle between hope and despair.

Of course, with monsters far above the required entry level swarming around, it was practically impossible to clear without using a top-tier disguise potion.

"Human! Die!"

At that moment, a giant lizardman, who had been hiding, lunged at Jeong-hoon.

Swoosh—

However, Jeong-hoon remained unfazed and swiftly slashed the lizardman's neck with Leviathan.

"Gah!"

Once he eliminated the last remaining giant lizardman, a portal appeared in front of him.

[You may proceed to the next area.]

Jeong-hoon stepped through the portal to the next area.

He arrived in the Märchen Kingdom.

'I wonder if anyone is alive.'

Upon arriving, Jeong-hoon's first destination was the stables.

As expected, it was a complete wreck due to the monsters, and he had to clear them one by one.

"Damn these bastards!"

Fortunately, he wasn't the only one hunting the monsters.

[NPC Information]

- Nickname: Ragan

- Level: 245

- Class: Commander of the Märchen Kingdom Knights

A familiar face.

It was Ragan, the commander of the knights.

He was busy exterminating monsters alongside his knights.

Jeong-hoon unfolded his heavenly armor and joined them in cutting down the monsters.

"It's been a while."

As he got closer, Jeong-hoon greeted Ragan first.

Ragan, who had been focused on the monsters, turned his head toward Jeong-hoon, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Hoon!"

"Let's assess the situation first."

With Jeong-hoon's assistance, the monsters were swiftly dispatched.

Once the situation was under control, the knights sat down, exhausted.

"Hoon! Thank you for coming. Are you hurt anywhere?"

Ragan asked with a mix of gratitude and concern.

"No, I'm fine."

Jeong-hoon smiled faintly.

"I see. But you've become much stronger compared to last time. Your level still seems low, though..."

"I had to keep my level down for some circumstances."

"Oh, is that so?"

"By the way, what happened to the others?"

"......"

Ragan's expression darkened instantly.

That alone was enough of an answer.

"......I see."

Jeong-hoon approached the knights and cast an Advanced healing spell.

[Using Advanced Healing.]

There were about fifty knights remaining.

The rest must have perished.

"Thank you..."

"How can we ever repay this kindness...?"

The knights expressed their gratitude, but their faces were grim.

There was not a hint of hope in their eyes.

"Hoon... Is the situation better in other places?"

Ragan asked.

"What do you mean by other places?"

"Other regions. The portal isn't functioning, and communication has gone silent."

"It's probably not much different..."

"I see..."

Ragan nodded without showing any surprise, as if he had expected this.

"Is the royal palace safe?"

"It is. If the palace had fallen, we wouldn't be alive to talk."

"I see."

At that moment, an exclamation mark flickered above Ragan's head.

[You have completed the quest.]

[You have gained 2,000,000 experience points.]

[You can proceed to the next quest.]

Then, a question mark flickered above Ragan's head once again.

[Episode Quest: Märchen Kingdom Search (2)]

- Restrictions: Complete the Märchen Kingdom Search Quest

- Rewards: Ability to proceed to the next quest + Experience points

- Description: Eliminate all red portals lurking in the Märchen Kingdom.

*If you accept the quest and fail to eliminate the portals within the time limit, the episode will end forcefully.

The next quest is to eliminate the red portals threatening the kingdom.

The original dungeon has been destroyed, and the red portals have appeared.

The problem is that monsters are continuously pouring out of these red portals.

If the portals are not eliminated, the episode will end forcefully, and Märchen will collapse entirely.

'It would be beneficial not to accept the quest.'

However, the fact that the episode ends forcefully means that the Alchemist's Street would also be destroyed.

If that happens, the Celestial Engraving Stone entrusted to Legriner would also disappear.

Of course, that won't happen.

This is an episode that cannot fail.

'I accept.'

Jeong-hoon accepted the quest.

As soon as he accepted it, Ragan spoke with a serious expression.

"The monsters will probably keep pouring out."

"Why is that?"

Jeong-hoon pretended not to know and asked back.

Ragan sighed heavily and continued.

"Red portals have been discovered all over the Märchen Kingdom... That's why the monsters are pouring out."

"Have you attempted to eliminate them?"

"We couldn't even attempt it..."

It was dawn.

With a sudden deafening roar, the Märchen Kingdom was thrown into chaos.

To make matters worse, the attacks from the monsters continued, causing the kingdom to collapse overnight.

Ragan hurriedly led his knights to confront the monsters, but it was already difficult to defend the royal palace.

"I see."

Jeong-hoon finished his healing and stood up.

"Hmm? Where are you going?"

"I'm going to eliminate the portals."