Light of Arad: Forerunner

Chapter 11

Jinseong was momentarily flustered, but Linus spoke up first.

“This person here is someone who won’t cause any trouble. I, Linus Smith, the blacksmith of Elvenguard, can personally guarantee that. So, please allow him to pass… Do you think I would say such a thing to someone I just met today?”

Even to Jinseong, it was clear that Linus’ words naturally prompted a shake of the head.

In modern terms, issuing a pass was equivalent to asking someone you had just met to vouch for you—a scenario that could easily have led to a scolding.

‘It’s a relief I didn’t get scolded.’

Jinseong suddenly remembered.

In the game *Dungeon & Fighter*, wasn’t there a clear reason why the player’s character could obtain a pass?

‘Because he rescued Seria, who had ventured alone into Granfloris. And after purifying the fairy’s magic circle with her… he essentially resolved the problem.’

That must have earned Linus’ trust, and since Seria was determined to venture out into a wider world alone, Linus had likely issued the pass to accompany her.

Without a valid reason, just outright asking for the pass was not going to work.

“Hmm, I believe you understand now.”

Jinseong could feel that Linus’ gaze was colder than before.

Given that this was reality for him, it was only natural to read a person’s expression to gauge their emotions.

‘That’s why that Ranger player’s eyes shone when they saw me—. No, now’s not the time to be thinking about that. I can’t let Linus leave like this. I must somehow get the pass to enter the Duchy of Bell Meyer, so then…’

What could he do?

Should he ask for a favor? A quest?

Should he ask if there was anything he could do to help and receive the pass in return?

‘It might be possible, but it’s too—too obviously manipulative!’

Linus might get suspicious instead.

While Linus was one of the first NPCs encountered at the start of *Dungeon & Fighter*, he was not someone to be taken lightly.

Offering to do something in exchange for the pass could make Linus even more suspicious of Jinseong.

Then, what method could he use?

Linus had fully turned and started walking back to the forge.

Jinseong made his decision.

“Well then, I don’t know where you’re headed, but take care. If you’re interested in blacksmithing—.”

“Krrh, my… my friend…”

“—Hmm? A friend? Suddenly?”

He decided to give the performance of a lifetime.

“My friend suffers from the Demon Shackle… writhing in agony—.”

Clang.

Jinseong deliberately made a clanging sound by fiddling with the Demon Shackle on his left arm.

His deeply furrowed expression was more awkward than sorrowful, as if he was about to cry, yet his face looked merely misshapen.

It was a strange scene, to say the least.

It was utter nonsense.

“How did that happen?”

But Linus looked back at Jinseong and asked in a serious tone.

Jinseong swiped his right hand over his eyes, pretending to wipe away tears.

“In a desperate attempt to ease the pain, he said he was going to find a renowned alchemist. But—Krrh, though he discovered who the alchemist was and where they were, I’m in a situation where I can’t even go there. Even if a cure is impossible, I’m worried sick about whether he might have at least found something to alleviate the pain.”

“…Where is this alchemist?”

“In the Duchy of Bell Meyer—it’s Roton Maximeug.”

Jinseong said.

And he didn’t miss the moment when Linus exhaled and his expression grew serious.

“Please, Linus! My respect for you has always been genuine! During the Screaming Cave incident, I know you fought alongside Master Aganzo, one of the Four Weapon Masters. I’m aware it’s shameless of me to ask you for a pass, but… Krrh.”

A lengthy plea uttered with teary eyes fixed on Linus.

Linus eventually closed his eyes slowly.

“…Alright. I also…cannot ignore such circumstances.”

Then he nodded.

“Are you serious? Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Jinseong bowed his head, confident.

‘As expected, it worked. The *Dungeon & Fighter* lore… it worked.’

Even though he had lied through his teeth, the lie had a solid foundation.

Everything Jinseong recited came straight from the background lore of Linus, the NPC in *Dungeon & Fighter*!

‘After helping a friend tormented by the Kazan Syndrome by “freeing” him, Linus laid down his sword and became a blacksmith… It seems Linus’ backstory is indeed true.’

As Jinseong watched Linus, who now had a dark expression as he filled out the pass, he couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty.

Had he made Linus recall unpleasant memories just to get a pass?

‘No… What’s more surprising is…’

And perhaps, Jinseong wondered, had he already begun to see Linus not as an NPC but as a person?

It wasn’t that he had already adapted to everything.

It wasn’t as though he had already accepted everything.

‘But, hmm…’

Jinseong clenched his fists.

His arms, now pitch black, still looked awkward, but the subtle discrepancy between how they appeared and how they felt was in line with his usual movements.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you, Linus. The next time I visit… I’ll definitely bring some good alcohol with me.”

Half sincere, half to confirm once again the validity of the game’s lore, Jinseong said.

“Eh? Haha! You truly respect me? Alright, I’ll be waiting for that day. I’ve also put some travel money in there… and take this too.”

“This is—”

Linus handed him a well-crafted sword.

“—Yaiba…”

Equippable at level 10, a sword, uncommon grade weapon, *Yaiba*.

Although it might be a useless weapon to current *Dungeon & Fighter* players, it was different for Jinseong.

Especially when considering how much gold it would have cost to buy it from Linus.

It was only natural that Jinseong felt a tightness in his chest.

“Linus…”

“Ahem, don’t look at me like that. Anyway, be safe. I hope you meet your friend.”

Linus awkwardly waved his hand.

Jinseong had only intended to get a pass, but now he had travel money and even a weapon he could use immediately thanks to the *Overlord’s Contract*.

Looking at the NPC who had been a friend, teacher, and companion to low-level players in the past, Jinseong nodded.

“Yes, thank you.”

There was no hesitation about where to go next.

‘The Duchy of Bell Meyer… to its capital, Hendon Myre.’

Though Jinseong didn’t know when, where, or what he would do next, his next destination was clear.

* * *

Jinseong let out a hollow laugh.

“Haha… this is absurd.”

Elvenguard, where Linus had helped him, was located in the northern region of the Duchy of Bell Meyer.

He also knew that the capital, Hendon Myre, was located in the southern part of the duchy.

But his thoughts drifted back to his experiences in *Dungeon & Fighter*, where it had only taken two quick, simple map transitions.

『The Plane: Arad you experienced as an adventurer was a compressed version of everything. I hope you find a way to fulfill your mission in this real Plane: Arad.』

“That means… the game only presented a simplified version. Well, yeah, that’s true, but…”

Who would have thought the actual distance would take days to traverse!

Who would have thought he’d truly feel the vastness of the Plane: Arad!

Although Jinseong wasn’t an ordinary human, running at an incredible speed, he was certain he wouldn’t be able to reach his destination within a day.

‘The silver lining is the unlimited stamina—thanks to that misunderstanding, I guess? I can taste the food, but I’m not hungry. Even if I were, I could manage with the travel money Linus gave me, but… what if I suddenly needed to… relieve myself?’

What would he have done then?

In hindsight, wasn’t it a blessing that Nemer misunderstood and bestowed a blessing on him?

Even as he ran, Jinseong couldn’t help but marvel at the absurdity of his situation.

‘Plane: Arad? Nemer? Bucipke? Dark Knight? Attacked by the Lugharru tribe and in pain?’

Was he truly experiencing in reality what he’d only encountered in the game?

Could it be that he had simply been transported into the game world?

It could have been a moment to ponder the heaviness and bleakness of reality, but Jinseong’s expression was not dark.

“Well… in fact, this could be a good thing for me?”

It wasn’t because he used to earn money from *Dungeon & Fighter*.

He loved it because *Dungeon & Fighter* was a world he could immerse himself in and enjoy.

“Whew… If only it weren’t for the whole Bucipke thing, I could truly enjoy this.”

In that sense, the way Jinseong was accepting and processing the situation was likely different from others.

It was evident in his current attitude.

‘This is crazy…’

Jinseong paused for a moment, running his hand through his hair.

Then he looked up at the sky.

The reason

why this world of Arad, now a complete reality rather than just a game, evoked in Jinseong a subtle sense of anticipation and excitement.

‘When would I ever get to see something like that? In Korea—no, anywhere in the world, when could I ever see something like that?’

He hadn’t noticed it in the lush forests of Elvenguard, but now, walking out in the open, it was unmistakably clear.

“Haha, this is absolutely insane!”

A massive grand magic circle spread across the sky.

It was so distinct that it made airplane contrails look trivial by comparison.

Even though Jinseong had to tilt his head back to look up at the circular magic circle, it was so enormous that it was impossible to gauge its diameter.

The size alone, and the respect for its creator, made it a “Grand” magic circle, unlike other ordinary magic circles.

‘The grand magic circle created by Grand Magician Meyer… It’s truly incredible. Now I see why the NPCs in-game used to praise Meyer.’

Jinseong himself had “seen” it.

He had seen how the Grand Magician Meyer created the grand magic circle and completely transformed Arad through the game’s scenario quests.

‘The Grand Magician’s Dimensional Corridor, the Library of Memories.’

When Jinseong’s thoughts reached that point, he unconsciously clenched his fist.

Didn’t Nemer say?

She didn’t know when she would be able to summon him again, so he should come to find her.

‘I let it pass at the time, but thinking about it now… that’s an insane level of difficulty. To meet Nemer, even through the mere reproduction of memories, you have to go to that Dimensional Corridor.’

**Legion Dungeon: Grand Magician’s Dimensional Corridor.**

**Required level for entry: 110 or higher.**

**Adventure Fame required: 38,095.**

It was a place far more challenging than the Prey-Isis Raid, where the male Ranger player had died.

He had to reach such a place to meet Nemer “freely.”

‘Whew… Alright, let’s stay calm and try. The *Overlord’s Contract* applies indefinitely, so it’s fine. I can do it.’

Compared to the vague sense of uncertainty he felt after leaving Elvenguard, he was now in a better position.

His underlying confidence stemmed from countless experiences.

‘It wasn’t even a big deal to level up a character to max level and boost fame to 45,000 in no time, right? Even though surpassing 55,000 was a bit tricky, but that’s where Eoduk Island fusion—no, I don’t even need that now. The important thing is to reach the Dimensional Corridor! 38,000? Seriously, come on.’

He had done it more than a hundred times, without exaggeration.

Of course, achieving that in reality would not be easy.

But having at least an initial destination, an objective goal in mind, was a start.

“Having a visible goal…”

Jinseong cast his gaze into the distance.

It wasn’t just the grand magic circle stretching across the sky that caught Jinseong’s eye.

There was also a vertical line that stood out, far away yet surprisingly clear.

A line that extended from the ground up to the grand magic circle.

“Let’s go.”

Jinseong steadied his breathing and started running again.

That line, which might as well reach the heavens, was like the fame and level Jinseong had to attain—a distant goal.

It was Sky Castle.

And it was also Jinseong’s first destination on his way to Hendon Myre.