Chapter 193

It has been a week since the World Boss was defeated.

Talikal had regained his former self, and the Letess territory with its snowy mountains had returned as well.

According to him, now that the harsh winter won’t strike, the residents shouldn’t suffer anymore.

However, I heard that Count Letess himself would face the judgment of the royal family, but personally, I am thankful to him.

Although it may have posed a danger to everyone, he allowed the discovery of Sre and Sugarado.

“I honestly thought everything was over.”

“Still, it’s a relief it ended without incident.”

On the last day of Talikal’s protection.

I stand before King Dria of Talikal.

My contract with Talikal was to protect him from external threats in exchange for receiving a masterpiece.

The external threat was the Empire, but the sudden appearance of Sugarado plunged the entire continent, including Talikal, into a crisis.

In the end, everyone joined forces to defeat the World Boss, and the Empire also provided assistance during this process.

“…To be honest, I still can’t believe it. The Empire really didn’t take any action.”

The Empire kept its promise.

As soon as the World Boss was captured, all the knights including Leo retreated, and no external forces invaded.

Of course, only a week has passed, but the Empire’s movements were not much different from usual.

“Perhaps the war was never their goal from the beginning.”

“Are you saying the Empire has other intentions?”

“Perhaps.”

The Saintess of the Empire. And Duke Huangyeol.

These core figures of the Empire wouldn’t suddenly invade foreign territories.

It lacked the aggression one would expect if war were the aim.

The objective must be…

‘Me.’

If not, they wouldn’t have invaded while spending so much gold to employ users.

For a level like Eight Swords, infiltration would be very easy.

In fact, the Saintess mentioned, “I was told to just watch…”

Duke Huangyeol likely intervened because the Saintess acted on her own.

“For now, the Empire won’t wage war for a while. Not until their other objective is resolved.”

“…I see.”

With Talikal’s protection over, I plan to stay away from Talikal for a while.

It’s been too long, and I need to tackle the content and dungeons I’ve been putting off.

Of course, if the threat of war or destruction arises, I’ll come back.

Personally, I hope that time doesn’t come.

“Then… I have one last question.”

Thud.

“?”

An old book is placed on the table.

On the worn cover, a familiar figure is depicted alongside a pure white woman holding a spear in the background.

A figure stood behind her, holding a spear with pure white wings.

You’d think you know what it’s about without needing to see it.

“Do you remember the question I asked the first time we met?”

The question.

“Do you happen to know someone named Talias?”

Of course I remember.

How could I forget that name?

“I thought it was a misunderstanding back then. It just didn’t make sense to apply what I had read in a childhood myth book to this outsider.”

But Dria saw it.

“That’s…”

A beautiful figure illuminated by white light.

The Empress, sweeping across the battlefield with her pure white angel wings.

It felt unreal, so I dug out a dusty old book buried deep in my memories.

The image, though worn, felt endlessly familiar.

Above all, the name of the Savior written in that book…

“Am I mistaken?”

Dria asks seriously.

If I say I’m right here, Dria would believe me without a shred of doubt.

She might even worship me, the one who could be the origin of Talikal.

But.

“…Yes.”

I don’t know.

I shouldn’t know.

Talikal no longer needs the long narrative of ‘Lily Elbrite.’

Above all, right now, I’m just an ordinary user.

“I see.”

Then it seems you don’t know Talias either.

Dria nodded and retrieved the unopened book.

With a flick of her wrist, Shadow Sword emerged from the shadows.

Thud! Thud!

Heavy boxes landed on the table.

“Though it is modest, I have prepared a reward for protecting Talikal. If you need more or miss Talikal, please feel free to come back anytime.”

“Thank you.”

I gathered the rewards and left Talikal without any lingering feelings.

“…Not catching?”

“Not someone you can catch just because you want to.”

Still, I could only hope they would return someday.

■

A week had passed since the crisis of the continent ended.

The world remained peaceful, and people enjoyed their lives and hunts, living on.

Deoen thrived mainly on dungeons and hunting, but farming, fishing, and gathering abounded…

Numerous PVE contents were diverse, allowing most modern people, distant from combat, to enjoy what they called ‘Healing Life’ through Deoen.

It cost a lot of money and time to enjoy travel and hobbies in reality, so they indulged in it through games instead.

Of course, it could be just a game, but unlike typical games, Deoen is identical or even superior to reality in all aspects, including sensations.

In fact, due to such characteristics, there’s even a travel agency specifically for Deoen.

“But why am I doing this~?”

In a small one-room apartment in Seoul, a woman with a weary expression is busily moving her hands while darting her gaze back and forth between two monitors, surrounded by stacks of chicken boxes.

Behind her are still unpacked delivery boxes, remnants of her moving preparations. She left them as they were due to being too busy.

“I’m happy. There’s so much work to do~”

White Autumn, Lily’s editor and manager, sent out the finished edit via email with tired hands.

Now, the thumbnail will be done by her manager, Joah, who also specializes in thumbnails.

Hot clips will be handled by Battery, while other main focus will be by…

Manager work is done by Hyuji and Joah…

“Ugh… Ughghghg…! It’s done for today!”

Seriously, I’m dying here.

Lately, I’ve seriously felt the need for people.

Making a lot of money is great, but no matter how much money I earn, there’s a limit to my hands, and above all, I’m really worn out.

“But still, it’s better than eating hardtack…”

Isn’t a ghost with better skin than a starving ghost a better option?

Hmmm. White Autumn rationalizes as much as possible, confirming that Lily received the email and then checking the Discord channel as well.

“…Ugh?!”

And she jumped out of her seat.

The small studio room was so tight that the fluffy chair she bought for an expensive price banged against the boxes behind it, but all her focus was on something else.

A single photo posted in the Discord announcement.

[Lily’s Group Travel Plan.

June 19

Hello. This is Lily, the president of Lily’s Group.

I’ve prepared a trip for everyone in Lily’s Group who has worked hard.

(Excited child meme)(Happy child meme)

Date: June 19, Saturday (Subject to change depending on the schedule.)

Location: Deoen Kiki Beach Resort, Net Canyon tourist site (may add more locations.)

Cost: Free (Just bring your body.)

Attire: Summer or travel outfit (additional outfit costs may apply if not available.)

The day before and this day are vacation days, so you can relax with no work.

Other than briefly turning on the broadcast, most of the trip will be turned off, so feel free to rest.

I’ve already found a standby manager, so managers can relax too.

(A bonobono meme occupying 1/4 of the picture.)

Participation status: Yes / Yes-Yes.]

“Travel?”

No, are we suddenly going on a trip?

Of course, I had wanted to go sooooo badly, and there were times in the Discord call when everyone said it’d be great to go on a trip together, but I never thought we’d actually go.

The boss is usually super busy, and the editor and manager who help him are exceptionally busy too.

And on top of that, the cost of this trip is more expensive than your average world travel—it’s one of the three major tourist spots in Deoen, ‘Kiki Beach Resort.’

And it’s free…

“Woaaahhh…”

People had started pouring into the call.

Ting!

“Bossaaaaaam!!!”

─Oh boy.

“Are we really going? Really? Really?”

─…Yes. So just relax a bit.

─Sis, my ears are bursting…

“Oh, sorry.”

After repeatedly apologizing to the boss and the entire Discord chat, I seriously asked.

“But why are we going all of a sudden?”

─Everyone’s been working hard, right? Deoen is a healing game, but it feels like everyone has only seen blood and flesh.

─That’s true.

─I’ve only seen snow for two months…

Everyone didn’t say it, but we lived busy lives because of raids.

The editor has to edit a flood of videos,

and the manager pretty much has to manage daily broadcasts.

No matter how much we get paid, sometimes you just need a healing time like this.

─First of all, I’ll cover all the costs. No saying no—just accept it.

“Is there anyone who would refuse?”

─Everyone’s available, right?

“Yes!!!!

─I can make it too.

─If there’s no work, I’m good.

─I can do it too!

─…I can do it.

Everyone says they can go.

If we go, we’ll probably all relax and have fun.

Being at Kiki Beach Resort means there’ll be special systems and effects, plus views that can’t be seen in real life.

Most importantly, if we have to wear summer or vacation outfits…

‘Will I get to see Lady Lily in those kinds of clothes?’

“Gasp.”

Oh my.

White Autumn paused, imagining the future with a grin, suddenly stopping.

‘…But every time the boss goes somewhere, something happens.’

Nah, there’s no way anything would go wrong.

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