Chapter 78: The Divine Topaz

For a moment, the chat window froze.

It was as if someone had cast an ice spell.

No one had forcibly blocked the chat, but the window quite literally froze for several seconds.

Time passed.

Then, the chat window exploded.

Far more messages than before poured out like lava from an erupting volcano.

  
-Wow, what the fuck!

-What the hell?

-What did I just see?

-That was creepy as hell, for real.

-I got goosebumps on my arm, seriously.

-Wait, he’s not actually a warrior?

-Legendary class?

-This is insane, hahahahaha.

-LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

  
Reactions varied.

But everyone felt the same emotion.

A thrill.

People shivered with excitement.

Twists are always more effective when there’s a preconception.

After that, Levan’s video, accompanied by a flood of messages, climbed the stairway to glory and ended with a scene of him being interviewed by various people.

When the video ended, the screen faded to black, and someone’s face appeared.

It was Lee Hwan, a member of the planning department.

Behind Lee Hwan, Bae Hyunwoo, who’d been watching the video with him, curled up one side of his lips and asked,

“How was it?”

“…It was amazing.”

“I’ve set things up so that part four will go up in 24 hours.”

“What about after that?”

“Everyone goes home.”

“Huh?”

“We pulled off a big one, so we need a team dinner, right? Today’s Korean beef!”

“Yayyy!!”

When Bae Hyunwoo raised the company card and declared everyone could go home, the entire team erupted in excitement.

  
---

  
“So this is the thrill of Wartyube.”

A rented room in Sinchon.

Sungwoo, having logged out, sat in front of his monitor, his cheeks twitching with delight.

“Damn! No matter how many times I watch this scene, it never gets old!”

The scene Sungwoo was admiring.

It was the scene where, after Master Orc’s death, his true identity was revealed through subtitles.

Sungwoo had watched this part over and over, sincerely impressed.

“As expected, when it’s a company on the level of Open World, the quality is on a different level. The way they muted the sound when summoning the Hold Cube… That’s a real veteran’s touch…”

Sungwoo praised Open World repeatedly, even though Bae Hyunwoo wasn’t there watching.

That’s how much the video quality exceeded his expectations.

So, naturally, his satisfaction was perfect.

If this level of quality continued, Sungwoo felt he could focus solely on gaming from now on.

‘With video quality like this, I really can just concentrate on playing.’

The growth quest, “Sending Repel to Prison,” had already been completed through negotiations with Jagald.

But the epic quest, “Return of the Artisan,” seemed like it would take a bit longer.

‘A masterpiece isn’t something you can whip up overnight… Besides, since I have to receive a gift, it’ll take even longer.’

In other words, he’d be playing solo without any quests for a while.

But he wasn’t worried.

He already knew what he’d do next.

  
---

  
[Connecting to Warlord.]

[May you become a hero who shines amid the great war.]

[Starting your Warlord play session.]

  
Fwish!

With a brightened view, Levan logged back into the game.

He opened his eyes to find himself in the royal palace of Paesna.

Since he’d logged out during the banquet, it made sense.

As soon as he entered the game, Levan went to look for the Masterials.

But just before he set out, a new notification popped up before his eyes.

  
[Rubix wishes to meet with you.]

[Will you accept the invitation?]

  
It was an invitation from Rubix.

What fortunate timing.

‘I was planning to see him anyway.’

Besides, meeting before he visited the Masterials was perfect.

Levan accepted Rubix’s invitation.

“I accept.”

  
[Moving to Rubix’s Tower.]

  
His vision flickered, and the surroundings were replaced by a familiar scene.

He was at Rubix’s Tower.

When he arrived, Rubix was already waiting at a tea table he’d prepared for Levan.

Seeing Levan, Rubix greeted him warmly.

“You’ve come, successor.”

“I heard you wished to see me.”

“Of course I did. You handled things so spectacularly; how could I not?”

“Are you just going to praise me?”

“Heh, of course I have to keep my promises too. But before we talk about passing on magic, there’s something else I want to say to you first.”

“It was nothing special.”

“No. I want to thank you for something else.”

‘Something else?’

A quest is always Rubix’s will.

If it wasn’t about the quest, what could it be?

Rubix grinned warmly, showing his white teeth.

“You’ve become the Tower Lord of Paesna, haven’t you? Even though construction hasn’t started yet.”

“Oh!”

That’s right.

He’d become Tower Lord.

So much had happened that he’d forgotten.

Levan recalled Rubix’s congratulatory message after he’d accepted Evergran’s offer to become Tower Lord, and he smirked playfully.

“Yes, I did. Are you satisfied?”

“More than satisfied! So I’m going to bestow a great reward upon you.”

“A great reward… I’m looking forward to it.”

“Haha, you should be. The reward I’m giving you is exactly what you wanted—teaching magic to the Masterials for free, without asking for anything in return.”

“Wait, really?”

Passing on magic with no compensation.

That was certainly generous.

His eyes widened in surprise.

If Rubix was telling the truth, then not just the second-generation Masterials like Ark, but even first-generation ones like Evan could use magic.

Impressed by Rubix’s generosity, Levan bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Lord Rubix.”

“Masterials have much in common with dwarves. Honest and upright. As long as they hold gratitude toward me, for your sake, I’ll allow the sharing of my magic only with the Masterials.”

“Thank you very much, Lord Rubix.”

“No need to thank me. Thanks to you, I finally get to have my own tower. The method of passing on magic shouldn’t be a concern either. I’ll personally instruct them.”

“You’ll do it yourself, Lord Rubix?”

“Take this.”

  
[You have obtained Rubix’s Resonance.]

  
What Rubix handed him was a yellow gem reminiscent of topaz.

Rubix explained,

“Take this and build a monument to honor me. My voice will reach them through it.”

“Thank you, Lord Rubix.”

“Yes. When the tower is completed, I’ll call you again. Also, since the king of Paesna built the tower, I should offer him a reward as well.”

“What kind of reward?”

“For someone who already has everything, material gifts aren’t as meaningful. A tip that will help the nation would be better. Tell Evergran this: the queen and the Tower Council are up to something. If he wants to protect the kingdom, he must dethrone the queen as soon as possible.”

An unexpected reward.

It was reassuring.

After all, this was the advice of a god-seat.

Levan nodded in response.

“Thank you. I’ll be sure to deliver the message.”

“That’s all I needed. I look forward to seeing your achievements. Oh, and one last, small gift from me.”

  
[Strength has increased by 3.]

  
Three points to his Strength stat.

Nothing “small” about that.

Unable to hide his delighted grin, Levan beamed brightly.

“Thank you, Lord Rubix.”

“My pleasure. Take care, then.”

Fwish!

Rubix waved his hand, and Levan’s vision changed once more.

He was back in Paesna’s royal palace.

‘As expected, he’s straightforward.’

A short but intense meeting.

Levan nodded, satisfied, and approached a passing maid to ask about the Masterials’ whereabouts.

“The Masterials are in the palace’s technology wing right now.”

Hearing her answer, Levan immediately headed to the technology wing.

They really are diligent people.

They hadn’t been here long, and yet they were already in the tech wing.

Some things are inborn, it seems.

Levan felt pleased at their industriousness.

‘I want to deliver this to them as soon as possible.’

He needed to see them for another favor anyway, so it was perfect that he didn’t have to go empty-handed.

Just as he arrived at the tech wing—

“Levan!”

Ark ran out waving his hand, looking just like a country dog greeting a visitor.

Levan responded warmly.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Hehe, thanks to you, Levan. By the way, did I make any mistakes yesterday?”

“Ask your father about that. By the way, where’s Evan?”

“Father is with the royal engineers right now.”

“Of course. Ever diligent, that Evan. I have something to tell him—could you take me to where he is?”

“Yep! I’ll escort you myself!”

They headed deeper into the tech wing, where not just Evan but most of the veteran Masterials were gathered with the royal engineers, deep in discussion.

When Levan appeared, everyone—including the royal engineers and the Masterials—greeted him respectfully.

“You’ve arrived, Levan.”

“Hello, Evan. Did you have a good night?”

“Thanks to your care, I rested well and woke up without a hangover. His Highness suggested I rest a few more days, but my body gets restless.”

“You really are a model for all Masterials. By the way, could you spare a little time? There’s something I’d like to discuss in private.”

As Levan requested a moment, one of the royal engineers who’d been standing by quickly bowed and spoke up.

“We’re fine. Please, don’t mind us—feel free to talk.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Though they’d been in the middle of a discussion, the royal engineers readily yielded their places.

Thanks to that, Levan could speak freely.

Once the engineers had withdrawn, Levan spoke.

“I have one favor and one piece of good news for you. Which would you like to hear first?”

“The good news, please.”

“All right, then. I just came from meeting my patron deity. The god-seat said he will teach you magic, all of you, for free—no payment or obligations.”

“What? For free?”

“Yes. You don’t have to walk the path of a War Mage—he’ll still gladly teach you. This is the proof.”

Levan took out Rubix’s Resonance from his robe and showed it to everyone, explaining its significance.

Evan, with a moved expression, received Rubix’s Resonance and spoke.

“Thank you, Lord Rubix…! We will never forget your grace.”

With gratitude, Evan vowed to construct the monument to Rubix in his own name and make it as grand and splendid as possible. At that moment—

  
[Rubix is pleased with Evan’s vow.]

  
Rubix expressed his great satisfaction at Evan’s promise.

Evan asked,

“Thank you again, Levan. So, the favor you mentioned…?”

“Oh, it’s nothing much. I wanted to ask if you could craft something for me.”

“A commission? That’s out of the question. You are our benefactor, Levan. Whatever you need, just say the word, and we’ll drop everything to put your request first—please, speak freely.”

“Haha, thank you for saying that.”

Evan was sincere.

Just as he said, Levan was their lifelong benefactor.

As proof, every Masterial who’d settled in Paesna held absolute goodwill toward Levan.

So Levan didn’t hesitate to make his request.

He pulled out a piece of white leather from inside his robe.

It was the hide of Master Orc, the boss of the Infinite Tower’s first floor.

When Evan took the Master Orc’s hide, the leatherworker snatched it up, wide-eyed.

“This is…!”

He was a leather craftsman.

He didn’t know whose hide it was, but he could instantly tell how superb the material was.

Levan smiled and said,

“I’d like you to make a gown from this.”

“A gown?”

“Yes. A long, white gown, like the kind doctors wear.”