The Returnee's Hidden Strategy Stream - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

After returning home, Hanbit logged into the game after dinner.

Whir-

The data collection program, which he had asked Lee Minho to give him again, was working properly. There was a good chance he could find something else depending on the results. Since they had promised to gather more information together, he needed to make good use of this weekend.

‘Let’s turn on the stream first.’

Hanbit turned on the system and immediately started streaming.

“Ah, can you hear me?”

-Oh.

-Dragon, hi.

-Why is the stream starting so early today?

-Please write a notice.

-The unemployed are on standby 24/7.

-Is this guy the Edlen Challenge 1st place winner?

-Give us some strategy tips.

The chat window was filling up even faster than usual. Hanbit’s eyes widened as he checked the number of viewers.

[Viewers: 31,446]

‘…A lot of people came.’

The impact of breaking the challenge record was intense. There were people asking for strategy tips, but this time, he was done after leaving the video. The rest would be up to individual ability.

“Hello. Today, we’ll be focusing on the main quest. Since it’s Saturday, we might be able to stream for a bit longer.”

-Oh.

-Awesome.

-All-nighter possible.

-24-hour non-stop streaming, huh.

The viewers welcomed the good news with open arms. They must have been disappointed with the short weekday streaming hours.

“Hyung!”

While he was talking, Yeonwoo logged in. He appeared less than 3 minutes after sending a message saying he would log in.

“Aren’t you busy? You have a lot to prepare.”

“This is also part of the preparation. Ah, hello to the viewers as well.”

He had heard that Yeonwoo’s company startup preparations were going well. He was grateful that Yeonwoo was helping with the broadcast despite being busy.

“But when are you going to report the dungeon clear?”

Yeonwoo, checking the stream, asked, recalling yesterday’s events. The reason they had changed their direction to dungeon content in the first place was because of the main quest.

[Main Quest #2: Proof of Ability]

You have learned about the investigation team. First, you need to prove your ability.

Objective: Choose and complete one request.

Reward: 500 gold, 200 experience

Hanbit, who had chosen the dungeon request form, had already fulfilled the condition. If he showed the Elder Goblin mateLials to the guild, the main quest would be completed. But right now, there was something he had to do first.

“Wait a minute.”

Hanbit turned around and looked behind him. A blonde girl was approaching from beyond the screen. It was Lia, who had been watching them from earlier.

-?

-Welcome, Lia.

-Didn’t she have a quest too?

-Yeah, a sub quest.

-She was supposed to come today.

Her appearance wasn’t sudden for the viewers either. This was because it had already been foreshadowed in the sub quest.

[Sub Quest #1] You have greatly helped Lia, who was desperately searching for Flona.

It seems she cannot forget this kindness.

Objective: Wait for the next meeting.

Reward: Sub Quest #2 unlocked.

The sub quest that had appeared when they parted ways in the slum area. Originally, it should have taken a bit more time, but thanks to the training in Artsvel’s backyard, he was able to advance the timing.

“…Follow me for a moment.”

The girl, stopping a few steps away, spoke with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Hanbit, amused by this, asked on purpose, “Why? I’m very busy right now.”

“You’re not doing anything right now! Just follow me!”

Lia, her face flushed, pulled Hanbit’s arm. He thought about teasing her a bit more, but considering her cat-like personality, it could backfire.

“Alright.”

Nodding, Hanbit followed Lia. Her grip on his arm remained firm.

“Are you going to keep doing this?”

“…It would be troublesome if you ran away.”

“That doesn’t seem like something you should be saying.”

“…”

-Hahaha

-Speechless.

-Facts are banned.

Hitting a nerve, Lia shut her mouth. Nevertheless, she stubbornly continued forward, holding onto his arm.

“Brother, where are we going?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

Yeonwoo approached and asked. However, Hanbit had no intention of spoiling anything.

“We’re almost there.”

Entering the slum area, Lia continued forward. She stopped in front of an old building at the end of the alley.

Knock knock-

She knocked on the dilapidated wooden door.

“I brought him.”

After speaking to the other side of the door, Lia waited for a moment. But there was no response.

“…?”

Thump-

Thump-

Sensing something strange, Lia pounded on the door with her fist. Again, there was no response.

“Flona! Open the door!”

Her voice grew increasingly urgent. After watching for a while, Hanbit reached out and pulled the doorknob.

“The door was open.”

Whoosh-

As if she hadn’t heard him, Lia rushed inside.

“Ugh…!”

No one was visible in the small space inside. Hanbit turned his gaze and approached the wooden table with an overturned cup and spilled liquid.

“It’s still warm. She hasn’t been gone long.”

“Flona was preparing food to give to you! She said she couldn’t leave until it was finished! This is a kidnapping!”

-Whoa;

-Was this Flona’s house?

-Let the girl be happy.

-Story developers confirmed psychopaths.

The reason Lia had come to get Hanbit was Flona’s wish to treat him to a meal as a way to express her gratitude.

‘…It’s natural for her to think it’s a kidnapping.’

The security system didn’t function properly in the slum area. Even if a human trafficker kidnapped and sold a child, as long as they weren’t caught, that was the end of it. However, this situation was different.

“Calm down. If it was a kidnapping, this place would be more of a mess.”

“Do you think Flona would leave the table like that? We need to quickly find traces of the kidnapper and chase after…”

“Ruby!”

Just then, a youthful voice suddenly came from outside.

Thud-

Unable to mistake the voice, Lia hurriedly dashed outside. Following behind her, Hanbit found a red-haired girl running with all her might.

“Ruby!”

A cat was running far off in the distance. It was so fast that it had already disappeared from sight.

“Ruby… Huff, huff…”

Flona, the girl who had reached her physical limit, was breathing heavily with her hands on her knees.

“Ha…”

Lia, who had witnessed the situation with him, collapsed as if her strength had given out. But only for a moment. She soon regained her composure and stood up.

“Please look after Flona.”

Thud-

Kicking off the ground again, Lia ran towards where the cat had disappeared.

“Lia!”

Flona, watching her retreating figure, shouted her name, but Lia was already far away. Hanbit slowly walked over and helped the girl up.

“It’s okay.”

“Adventurer…”

Flona’s eyes welled up with tears when she saw Hanbit.

It didn’t take long for those tears to spill.

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Black Dragon made her cry.

-Boohoo, you trash.

-He’s trash.

-Find Ruby.

Seeing the crying child, the viewers poured out playful criticism. Even amidst this, Flona showed no sign of stopping her tears.

Chirp-!

Just then, the little bird on his shoulder chirped. It flapped its wings and flew towards Flona.

“Huh?”

The girl lifted her head at the feeling of a gentle breeze brushing her cheek.

“You’re…”

Flona remembered the bird she had met in the dungeon. Reaching out her hand, the girl carefully cupped the bird.

“…Ruby.”

Remembering her lost cat, Flona softly called out its name. Anyone could tell that it was a precious pet and friend to her. Although tears were still falling like raindrops, she had calmed down to some extent.

-Whoa.

-Even babysitting skills.

-This is what a spirit is.

Sylph’s power was potent in many ways. Even searching through his old memories, there weren’t many beings who could offer better comfort than Sylph.

“Let’s go inside the house for now.”

Hanbit first led Flona back into her house. Gently sitting her down on a chair, he looked into her eyes and stroked her head.

“Lia and I will find the cat. Lock the door and wait here.”

“…Really? Can you find her?”

“I found Lia in one go, remember? Don’t worry.”

Chirp-!

The spirit drew attention again at that moment. Flona gave a faint smile at the sight of it flapping its small wings. Then, getting up, she bowed her head.

“I’m being shameless, but I beg you. Please… find Ruby.”

Ding-!

At that moment, an alarm sounded along with Flona’s voice. A message appeared before his eyes.

[Sub Quest #1 completed.]

[Sub Quest #2 unlocked.]

[Sub Quest #2]

Flona has lost her cat.

Follow Lia, who left earlier.

Objective: Find the cat, Ruby.

Reward: Sub Quest #3 unlock.

The quest was simple. Stroking Flona’s head once more, Hanbit left the house. Yeonwoo was quietly continuing to film.

“Let’s go.”

The two of them started walking and left the slum area. Passing through the complicated alleyways, Hanbit arrived in front of an abandoned building piled with junk.

“Where did she really go?”

The blonde girl was there, searching through the small gaps. Approaching quietly, Hanbit called her name.

“Lia.”

Thud-

Startled by the sudden voice, Lia jumped back. She was holding an old dagger in her hand.

Whoosh-

Lia turned around, on high alert. Seeing his face, she let out a short breath.

“Ha, why did you follow me here? I told you to stay with Flona.”

Lia, who had been extremely tense, spoke as she put away the dagger. Hanbit approached the abandoned building she had been searching.

“Flona is fine. Even if a kidnapper comes, he’ll be blown away by the wind.”

“What are you talking about now?”

-What the…

-Wind (real spirit)

-Auto defense is awesome.

Lia, unaware of the situation, sighed, pressing her hand to her forehead. She was starting to remind him of her sworn sister, Artsvel.

“Forget it, just go back to Flona. I can handle this alone.”

“But you haven’t even found a trace yet, have you?”

“Stop picking a fight and go! I know Ruby better than you do!”

Lia, flaring up, turned sharply towards the main street. However, if she went in that direction, she wouldn’t be able to find the cat even if she searched for days. Hanbit spoke towards her retreating figure.

“I know where she went.”

———