For nearly a year, there hadn’t been a single World Boss in Deoen.
Ever since the great incident where three World Bosses appeared simultaneously, World Bosses went missing, occasionally, a Field Boss would put on a strong show, resembling a low-class World Boss, but those cases were rare.
Of course, there was the most recent World Boss, the ‘Hungry Copycat.’
However, even that incident happened inside a dungeon, so others couldn’t even catch a glimpse beyond the screen.
This means there hadn’t been a World Boss powerful enough to summon the ‘army’ of the continent.
“It’s been ages since we had a World Boss.”
A World Boss after a year.
Not just any World Boss, but a mid-to-high-class one.
Surely, just catching it would guarantee a mythical item drop, and since it was related to a World Quest, substantial rewards and connections with the kingdoms would undoubtedly follow.
Yeah, that’s all great, but…
“…there are just too many.”
Too many.
Like, way too many.
As if this freezing snowy mountain was a tourist attraction, countless people from all over had gathered to gawk at the dragon bound in white chains.
Most of them were probably users, even now snapping photos to post online.
But do they know?
“One flap of its wings would wipe out 70% of us.”
It’s only sitting there because it’s sealed; usually, a World Boss attacks as soon as it sees people.
No matter how strong the ranker, they have to die multiple times, dozens of times, before they can finally take one down.
If it weren’t for Lady Lily, it wouldn’t be such a spectacle.
“But how did you seal it?”
“It’s easy. If you want to.”
In response to Yena’s question, Lily, still kneeling, turned her gaze away.
Her eyes looked completely different from the usual Lily as they locked onto Yena.
“If you understand the extreme essence of magic and the opponent’s nature, nothing is impossible. You can do it too, Miss Yena.”
“Extreme, what?”
“It means it’s nothing special.”
Lily gave a vague smile and returned her gaze.
As she gazed blankly at the spear she had planted, she murmured,
“…Saying that makes it sound a bit strange, but.”
“Say it.”
“You seem really saint-like.”
Not in terms of appearance.
Of course, that had been mentioned before, but it was for a different reason now.
‘Tonally different.’
Even though she was close, it felt painfully distant.
Is this really the Lily I knew?
‘Like an NPC…’
“Have you done your homework?”
“Out of nowhere?”
“I was just wondering since Miss Yena was the only one who didn’t do it.”
“…I’ve been a bit busy with work and mock siege wars.”
“If you don’t, you might not be able to participate in the next class. What a shame.”
Lily chuckles with a playful glint in her eyes.
“…….”
Nope.
That’s definitely the Lily I know.
■
“…So, the frozen wasteland, where the White Dragon Sugarado is sealed. The one who sealed it is the first discoverer, Lady Lily Elbrite.”
“Isn’t she the famous immortals’ guild member? Wasn’t she a warrior?”
“As far as I know, she employs various techniques and abilities. The sealing magic was just one of those abilities she showcased before.”
“Haha. Then isn’t the problem solved? If she can seal it, capturing it shouldn’t be hard either.”
“But Lily Elbrite only said ‘it’s difficult’ after sealing it. It seems a lot of power will need to be invested to hunt it down—”
Flap.
“Ugh. I can’t breathe.”
Yena, emerging from the tent, took a big gasp of air.
As the cold wind rushed in, it felt like her mind was clearing up.
She had sneaked into the temporary meeting place tent, using stealth, to overhear the nearby kingdoms discussing their plans.
Yena’s reputation with the kingdoms was pretty low.
No matter how much she claimed to have come to help, a warm welcome was definitely off the table.
It would be much better to move separately and grab the hunting rewards, rather than receiving bad news and meager rewards from them.
“Seems like there’s nothing of substance.”
She had only listened for a moment, but there was no real progress in the meeting.
It was just about how great Lily was, how the sealing went, and how users would be moving forward.
There was still no concrete plan in sight.
Which might be expected.
It had only been two days since the World Boss emerged, and the key player – Lily – was still maintaining her silence.
Honestly, she didn’t get why they were all just kneeling there.
It’s Lily, so she must have her reasons, but…
But that’s just a matter of time.
Given the 60-day time attack limit, Lily would have to break her silence and take action sometime.
And maybe a day later?
Finally, Lily rose from her seat.
■
Lily’s broadcast continued without pause.
Lily knelt on both knees, eyes closed, after sealing Sugarado with her spear and magic.
But the broadcast didn’t stop.
She occasionally replied in chat and explained the situation to those arriving at the snowy mountain.
Aside from her actions that resembled praying to something divine, she looked just like her usual self.
Since the day after, her words had drastically decreased.
Conversations dwindled, and she didn’t respond to each and every person approaching her.
It might be somewhat dull from a broadcasting perspective, but considering it was a proper World Boss appearance after a year and that it was Lily’s stream, the viewer count didn’t drop significantly.
In fact, there were even more viewers than when she was taking regular quests.
[What the heck is going on?]
[???]
[Is this the noble Lily…?]
[¿]
[This feels like something, something]
[What’s up with Lily for real]
[Is this the sealing…?]
[She’s really putting in effort]
[60-hour non-broadcasting challenge lolololol]
[Why is this person being punished?]
[Who has the 60-hour no-broadcasting mission?]
[LOL]
[Thought she was a saintess]
[But she’s been doing this continuously except for meal times; incredible]
[What is she trying to do]
No matter how many questions were asked, she kept her place.
It was a situation where one couldn’t dare interrupt her, the original discoverer who looked so incredibly divine.
How long had it been?
Sre.
Finally breaking the silence, Lily raised her body.
[Oh]
[Is it over?]
[Is the sealing finished?]
[Don’t we need to catch it?]
[Are we catching it now?]
[Let’s hunt it]
[Finally]
[Dragon hunting, let’s go]
[But wasn’t there a hatchling?]
[Wow, it’s finally ending]
[Wait, just sitting there and still 210,000 viewers wtf lol]
[It’s dizzying]
[Did we defeat it?]
“Impossible.”
It’s just beginning.
Above me, a crack in space opens.
From that gap falls a pure white hatchling.
The hatchling snuggles into my arms, much less vigilant than before.
“Uuuuuu…”
[¿]
[What is it?]
[Cute]
[Wondered where it went; turns out it was with Lily]
[Wow, it’s nuzzling into Lily’s arms; can this be real?]
[Me too…! I want to cuddle too!]
[Huh]
[LOL]
[What is this?]
[Why can’t I cuddle? Why can’t I cuddle? Why can’t I cuddle? Why can’t I cuddle?]
[LOL]
[It’s a hatchling, ah lol]
[This might get controversial]
“Lily.”
A man dressed in a black robe approached from behind.
The man who had been lingering by her side for the past two days, introducing himself as “Shadow Sword.”
I couldn’t tell how long it would take, but I kept my ground.
This was no ordinary assassin; a sharp aura was embedded in his being.
“I’ll formally introduce myself. I am Shadow Sword, the Black Knight of the Talikal Royal Family. His Majesty summoned you.”
“Got it. I’ll go.”
“Then…”
“Before that.”
I turned my head.
Hundreds of eyes were fixated solely on me.
“Please gather everyone. I have something to convey.”
■
In the territory of Letess, located beneath the snow-capped mountains.
Countless dignitaries had gathered in a grand hall that was once used for the Count’s social gatherings.
Since everyone came in such a hurry, none had decided on a meeting location or even asked for permission, setting up makeshift tents or buildings in the snowy mountains. However, Count Letess readily offered his building.
“……”
Readily? He offered it.
Anyway, present at this gathering were the generals of Talikal and dignitaries from nearby kingdoms, along with many users affiliated with the kingdoms.
“When can we fight?”
And also user-mercenaries who had come only for the hunt’s rewards.
Among them, a man with a massive axe resting on his shoulder spoke bluntly, putting his feet on the table.
Ranked 17th, the Berserker Lycan.
At his words, some of the gazes that had been focused in one direction shifted toward him.
Receiving the attention as he expected, he shrugged his axe.
“I know the first discoverer is sealing it. As the discoverer, I understand that some respect is warranted… but isn’t this dragging on a bit too long?”
“But her seal has prevented the ‘First Damage’…”
“No, I get that entirely.”
Sre.
After a noble’s comment, Lycan released a growl, exuding an intimidating presence.
“What I’m saying is, after making us wait for three days, shouldn’t we be starting to talk by now?”
Despite feeling discomfort, most people somewhat agreed with his statement.
It had been 30 minutes since Lily had gathered everyone.
Lily sat quietly, only petting the white dragon hatchling while observing the situation.
Swoosh… swoosh…
Thud.
“The White Dragon cannot be captured.”
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