Light of Arad: Forerunner

Chapter 60

The Bantu Tribe Federation descended all the way to the Duchy’s borders, even crossing them in some instances.

From the perspective of the Duchy of Bell Meyer, this was a highly threatening action, but it couldn’t be defined as a full-scale invasion.

If it were, it would mean the outbreak of war between the Duchy and the Bantu, so they were unable to take significant action.

Moreover, due to troop movements caused by tensions with the Kingdom of Fennes, the Northmire epidemic crisis, and other issues, the Duchy’s military forces were still struggling and hadn’t even completed proper reorganization.

Even more problematic, these nomadic tribes were secretive and avoided contact with outside forces, so they refused to explain their actions even when official envoys were sent.

When the Duchy tried to investigate independently, they couldn’t dispatch agents into the Bantu’s territory, and they weren’t allowed entry in the first place, making it impossible to investigate why the Bantu were moving.

“That’s why the Queen of the Duchy of Bell Meyer asks adventurers for help. Strictly speaking, adventurers aren’t affiliated with either the Duchy or the Empire, so she asks them to investigate what’s happening… In the end, though, it’s the players who end up solving it.”

In any case, the flow of this main scenario quest hinges on the premise that the Bantu move to the borders of the Duchy to proceed with the ‘Dungeon Area: Storm Pass’ in the eternal snowy mountains where the Bantu are located.

But what if such movements don’t happen?

What if the Bantu haven’t even approached the Duchy’s borders yet?

“In-game, the story connects immediately. Sure, in reality, you might say it requires some passage of time…”

Even so, it was strange.

“It hasn’t been like this up until now.”

In reality, it could take days.

If based on real-world standards, some events could take months, even years.

There had been several instances where, when Jinseong intervened, things that should have taken much longer were resolved in an instant.

Thus, it wasn’t necessary for the Bantu-related incident to align strictly with the flow of real-time; he could reach a preliminary conclusion as to why it hadn’t progressed yet.

“I was thinking of dropping by the Golden Cavern again, but tch, that’s not the issue.”

Jinseong finished packing the set in his [Inventory].

Sharan looked at Jinseong, who had suddenly grown serious, with a worried expression.

“Are you okay? If your abilities don’t work properly this time—”

“No, it will work. Just… it might be a little different. Anyway, don’t worry, Ms. Sharan. Here, these are some gold bars I brought a while ago. Could you appraise them again?”

“Huh? When—no way, you got this much gold in that short time?”

“Please take care of it! I’m heading out!”

Although Sharan glanced back and forth between the gold bars and Jinseong, he had already turned his attention away from her, heading straight out of the Mage Guild.

What was he to do immediately?

Jinseong grabbed a megaphone and spoke.

**(Ch. 1) Jinseong:** “Is Sunsujikgi, Sunsurasura, or any members of Sunsu’s guild around? If so, please check in.”

When it came to armor, the set would still function effectively, but Jinseong sought two specific things.

“One is a weapon. I need something stronger than the .”

Jinseong’s level was 40.

However, the dungeons in the Dungeon Area: Storm Pass started at a minimum level of 50.

“No, I can’t even enter those dungeons in the first place. You can only go where the Bantu open the path. I might need to go even further than that.”

Moreover, if the issue was precisely as Jinseong feared, there was a chance that this time, he wouldn’t progress through the dungeon stages sequentially.

If this matter involved contamination, Jinseong already had a vague idea of where and how this contamination was manifesting and operating.

“If the cause of the Bantu’s movements is due to a problem, and if I have to get there myself—”

He might have to reach the vicinity of the most treacherous peak of the eternal snowy mountains.

In that case, he might need to confront monsters in areas requiring at least level 55.

He would need to identify and remove the source of the contamination to return to the original flow of the main scenario quest.

“That item… I’ll need to prepare it adequately as well.”

Therefore, before departing for the eternal snowy mountains, Jinseong absolutely needed two items.

Fortunately, someone was there to assist Jinseong in his endeavor.

“Me! Lol, where are you?? In front of Kanna? Ok ok.”

As soon as he exchanged whispers about the meetup location, Sunsu found Jinseong.

And Jinseong sighed inwardly.

Exaggerating slightly, the figure, which could be seen from tens of meters away, was approaching him.

“Jinseong! Vib ha vib ha!”

A female mage equipped with an and avatar.

“Her class is probably Elemental Master. Sigh… I have a character outfitted with that avatar set too, but seeing it in real life feels… feels—”

Jinseong once again realized what “Sunsu’s purity” entailed.

* * *

Sunsu was smiling broadly as she stared at her monitor.

[“That character… a miner character, I see.”]

[“Lol, right lol. Quick on the uptake~”]

[“Your clothes… from the avatar appearance, it seemed likely.”]

“Puhuhup. How long has it been, and he’s already adapted, our old man.”

Jinseong’s reactions were always amusing.

For Dungeon & Fighter users, especially those not brand new to the game, the avatar was extremely familiar and famous. Still, for ‘seniors,’ it could be a rather bewildering appearance.

Since Jinseong was perfectly displaying the reactions Sunsu imagined older players would have, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Of course, to Jinseong, it looked like a bizarre expression of a giggling Elemental Master clad in an , but Sunsu was unaware of that.

[“Lol, it suits bumtak! Lolol.”]

[“Bumtak…”]

[“Hehe, you know? What’s better than Vib Mi is more Vib Mi!”]

[“Ah, yes.”]

It was a meme commonly used both in external communities related to the game and within the game itself.

A term once considered slang but now used affectionately, connected to female mage characters, made Sunsu giggle incessantly.

“Uhihihit, seriously, look at his reaction! It’s driving me crazy; why does the old man’s reaction seem so cute? Though if I said that out loud, they’d call me rude.”

Sunsu quickly opened Jinseong’s [Character Info] while typing.

[“What are you planning to do? Lol, the auction house feels cold, so today again, I’ll buy it for you? Lol.”]

[“Would you please do that?”]

Jinseong had never expressed ‘the auction house feels cold.’

It was just something that had settled in Sunsu’s mind.

[“Ok ok but if I buy from the auction house”]

After pressing enter, Sunsu’s hands paused.

The reason why the follow-up question, ‘Is there warmth among people?’ didn’t follow was simple.

“…What is this? set?”

She saw Jinseong, who had equipped all five parts of the armor.

Sunsu was genuinely bewildered.

“Not something that’s just sold at the auction house… Does this still drop anywhere? Isn’t this an unobtainable item?”

Even after swiftly searching the [Encyclopedia] within the game, no results appeared.

Sunsu’s eyes, behind her round glasses, rolled rapidly.

[“Sunsu?”]

[“Where did you get Arti Marfisa from? I thought it didn’t drop anymore?”]

Instead of answering Jinseong’s question, she asked her own.

Fortunately, her monitor didn’t show her constantly changing expressions, so Jinseong didn’t notice.

[“Ah… I bought it from an acquaintance who used to play DNF. They said it was suitable for my level.”]

This was the best excuse Jinseong could come up with.

Depending on the listener, it could be seen as an implausible response, but not for Sunsu.

A senior new to Dungeon & Fighter.

Someone financially well-off, who started gaming as a new hobby.

“Ah~ Aha! That makes sense!? Puhat, right. Could’ve bought it from the MZ employees at the old man’s company! A subordinate who quit DNF might’ve wanted to get in good graces with their boss—kekek.”

Since she had already formed a fixed impression of Jinseong, his response was automatically embellished with her own interpretation.

Misunderstanding and resolving it on her own, Sunsu quickly resumed typing.

[“Lol, so what should I buy for you today?”]

[“I’m planning to change my weapon. Could you check unique weapons up to level 50? I’d like to switch to a lightsaber or short sword.”]

[“Weapons ok ok let’s see hold on”]

Sunsu’s eyes were as fast as her typing speed.

As she adjusted her round glasses and completed her search, Sunsu spoke.

[“There’s a level 50 Black Light

Sword Kynas lol”]

[“But this one”]

[“Sometimes used as a skin”]

[“Expensive, one available, no more seal uses.”]

The , requiring level 50, was a unique lightsaber that Jinseong, with , could equip at level 40.

It was an item that could also be used with items like for weapon appearances.

Most high-level items in Dungeon & Fighter are non-tradeable. However, by using ‘wax seal,’ items can be reverted to ‘sealed’ status, making them tradable.

However, there’s a limit to the number of times this can be done, and the current item Sunsu found had no remaining seal uses, meaning if Jinseong bought and used it, he wouldn’t be able to resell it.

“Will he buy it? He’ll still buy it? ‘Dungeon noob’ doesn’t actually need it yet. He can still go with Lotus for now, but if he insists on buying…”

Suppressing her racing heart, Sunsu waited for Jinseong’s response.

Jinseong asked.

[“How much is it?”]

[“It’s 8.88 million gold lol but I don’t think you need it right now”]

[“Level up more, later on”]

Sunsu was about to advise him, but Jinseong interrupted.

[“I’ll buy it. Strengthening even a little is crucial. I have the money. Could you purchase it for me?”]

This, too, made Sunsu clap her hands in delight.

[“Lol, as expected”]

“As expected, a rich noob! Dungeon noobs don’t buy it, but the rich noob does! Power wallet warrior! This is what being an adult is about, you jerks! Right? He even bought the Clab.”

The way wealthy seniors enjoy the game.

Instead of weighing cost-efficiency, they use their financial resources to pursue overwhelming power!

To her, seeing a level 40 character already in a fully emblem-decorated wasn’t just amusing.

[“As expected?”]

[“Sorry sorry lol”]

Worried that Jinseong might catch onto her thoughts, Sunsu quickly apologized.

Of course, Jinseong didn’t have any such suspicions.

Rather, he was merely puzzled, wondering what strange thoughts this eccentric person might be having to make her say ‘as expected.’

Regardless of her personality, Sunsu’s presence was undoubtedly helpful to Jinseong.

[“Sunsu, could I ask for one more favor? There’s another item I want to get.”]

[“Lolol just say the word lol”]

Sunsu was essential for obtaining another item, besides the weapon, necessary for the upcoming task.

She tilted her head as she heard the name of the item Jinseong wanted.

“…How curious. Why would you need such an item? You bought the Clab… Seeing you have more gold than from the Lotus sale, maybe you bought stuff from the Cera Shop to sell—no, you wouldn’t buy from the Cera Shop if you don’t want to use the auction house, right?”

Even though Sunsu thought of Jinseong as a “wealthy Dungeon & Fighter beginner,” there were things she couldn’t quite understand.

Tap, tap, tap, even while she harbored questions, her long fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard.

[“Oh, there are some lol sometimes there’s none lol how many should I get you?”]

Fortunately, the item Jinseong wanted was listed in the auction house.

Sunsu asked.

Jinseong answered.

[“Phew… I’d like about 100 if possible.”]

That answer also puzzled Sunsu.

“This item requires 100 units? It’s not even used for debuffs; why?”

Unable to contain her curiosity, Sunsu asked, but she didn’t get a satisfactory answer.

[“Really? You need 100 of these? What are you doing?”]

[“Just… personal use. Please buy them if the quantity fits.”]

[“If I buy them all, there are about 78; will that do?”]

[“Yes, please let me know the total amount.”]

It wasn’t just about paying 8.88 million gold to buy the .

His willingness to purchase 78 seemingly useless items as well.

On top of that, she had just laughed off the set a moment ago.

She immediately switched to guild chat and asked questions.

To see if there was any possibility that the item Jinseong just purchased might have a hidden usage she wasn’t aware of.

However, the responses were predictable.

In the current Dungeon & Fighter, it was an item with no reason to hoard.

Let alone in any dungeon, it’s an item with no utility anymore.

All the seasoned members of Sunsu’s guild couldn’t provide clear answers regarding its use and methods.

Jinseong bid farewell to Sunsu as he turned around.

[“Then I’m off. Thanks for your help.”]

[“Yes, feel free to reach out anytime.”]

Sunsu also replied to him.

Her eyes sparkled.

“What is this old man planning to do…”

And for the first time, the usually playful Sunsu, who chatted in internet lingo, responded to Jinseong with a properly structured sentence, something even Jinseong noticed.