The 31st Piece Overturns the Game Board

At the Northern Federation's Investigation Bureau.

Gail, an investigator affiliated with the Federation, had been dispatched to the frontline outpost.

It was to uncover the whereabouts of the soldiers who had gone missing.

"Why have the military bastards passed this down to the bureau?"

"It’s not that they don't do anything at all. It's just that they're clueless about this kind of work. So they gave up midway and dumped it on us…"

"Aren't we busy too? And more than anything, don't they know how nerve-wracking it is to come near Hwigeltong?"

"Are you scared, perhaps?"

"S-Scared?! Who is?! I'm just saying that because of how cold it is!"

"Ah, is that so? That makes sense."

The Investigator, Gail, and his subordinate, Jomon, commanded a lot of respect even within the Federation. Their reputation often allowed them to use investigations as an excuse to slack off during dispatches. However, this situation was different—this situation required their full attention.

After all, they would likely freeze to death if they slacked off here.

It had been a full day since they arrived here. The idea that the missing soldiers were still alive had long been erased from their minds.

They weren't here to save the missing. This mission was solely determined to determine where they had vanished.

"Could it have been wild animals?"

"There is no way they would send soldiers who couldn’t hold their own against wild animals to the frontlines. The Federation’s soldiers are elite."

"Are they…?"

"How else would you call those who survive in a polar region like this?"

"That's true. But… could they have starved to death during the supply cutoff?"

"That makes sense. How long have the supplies been cut off?"

"They have been cut for two consecutive months."

"The supply depots must be run by lunatics. Why were they cut off?"

"As you know, they just give a plausible excuse, and everyone nods along."

"So, they might have pocketed the supplies and come up with a cover story?"

"We didn't come all the way here to discuss that, did we? After all, that's an open secret…"

"Exactly! So, let's keep searching."

Hours had passed as they continued searching for traces.

"Could they have committed suicide?"

"Abandoning their outpost and heading into the snow to end their lives?"

"That doesn't seem likely, does it?"

"Of course not. And, did you notice?"

Clank…

Paf…

"Ugh… It reeks of alcohol."

"Exactly. There's still alcohol left. They had things to indulge left, so I don't think they just decided to die."

"True. If it were me, I would have drunk all of these before dying."

"Exactly."

"You really do act like an investigator sometimes."

"Did you think I became one by gambling?"

"Honestly? Yes."

"Honesty is your biggest flaw."

"Others say it's my strength."

"Saying that because it is none of their concern is their flaw."

Gail raised a finger and said.

"Hwigeltong."

"What…?"

"They crossed to Hwigeltong. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense."

"Come on… why would anyone in their right mind go to Hwigeltong? That's even more nonsensical than suicide."

"Why doesn't it make sense?"

"That's where the Frostmaw and the Emon are fighting constantly, right? It’s also much colder than here."

"There's no reason to cross over?"

"Exactly. Unless they went insane from hunger, there's no reason to go to Hwigeltong. Getting spotted by a mole or a troll meant death. Unless they were taken, it doesn't make sense." ř�

"…"

"…"

Gail and Jomon blinked at each other, having just uttered a plausible theory aloud.

"Could they have been taken?"

"I think there's a good possibility."

"Maybe they were trying to find something out? Or perhaps they failed at hunting for too long, and…"

"Don't rule out either. They're both worth considering."

Jomon anxiously added.

"But neither the Frostmaw nor the Emon have crossed the boundary of Hwigeltong, right?"

"Not until now… This time, it might be different."

"Are you planning to tell that to the deputy director…?"

"Are you crazy? That stubborn old man warms up in the morning just to argue against me. I'll have to set up a meeting with the director instead. He's someone reasonable, at least."

Gail took out an uncut, rolled cigar and put it in his mouth. It was twice as thick as other cigars.

Click… Click…

Gail grew irritated as the match refused to spark.

"Damn… this thing won't light."

WHOOM…

At that moment, the ground suddenly shook.

"What was that noise?"

"I'm not sure."

"I was asking you to go out and find out."

"Ah, my bad. I didn't realize."

"Oof… My friend, you're getting cheekier."

At that moment…

WHOOOOM…

The tremors grew more intense.

Now, it was clear—something unusual was happening.

"What is that? An avalanche? An earthquake?"

From afar, an employee came running toward them.

"Investigator! Investigator!"

"Yes, what just…"

"Look… Look over there, please."

"Has a rank 8 Demonic Beast appeared? Just the fuss…"

The direction the employee pointed to was visible from where they were—the mountains of Hwigeltong.

"The snow… the snow is melting…"

Whoosh…

As he said, the white blanket gradually changed colors, and a wave of greenery surged.

The snowfield could no longer be called a snowfield. Like a green tide, the snow covering the outskirts of Hwigeltong was gently melting.

That hail passed by investigator Gail as well.

Thud…

The unlit cigar fell to the ground, slipping from Gail's lips as his jaw dropped.

Investigator Gail had gone through countless ordeals to reach his current rank. Along the way, he had done things the Federation would never approve of and solved cases that left him marveling at the complexity of the world.

"…"

He pulled out a new cigar and put it in his mouth. This was also part of his thinking process.

Click… Click…

This time, the match caught fire.

He inhaled the acrid smoke, letting it linger in his mouth—a smoke so harsh that inhaling it was the perfect recipe for an early death.

Despite the cold dulling his senses, he savored the taste on his tongue. There was nothing better to clear his mind.

Just as Jamad learned Great Circulation to turn the waterwheel, Gail stimulated his brain by making the smoke circulate.

"Investigator…"

"Silence."

The Frostmaw and the Emon. If someone asked Gail which side he feared more, he would have undoubtedly chosen the Frostmaw.

Although the Emon were a rising powerhouse, they were still beasts devoid of anything that resembled culture.

The problem was that this series of events left him with a growing sense of unease. If the endless conflict in Hwigeltong were ever to come to an end…

He reached his conclusion.

Oof…

The smoke and negative thoughts came out from Gail's lips.

"I'm damned. I'm going to be dragged around all over the place now…"

The situation in the North would drastically change due to today's events.

* * *

['HelloMyNameIsJamad' has donated 30,000,000 madness!]

[My left fist is called Dream World, and my right fist is called Road to Hades. Say hello.]

- I just wet my pants.

- This is true romance… A chivalrous hero!

- His subordinate, Snowman, deserves some credit too.

- Ah, that's right. There was a guy called that.

- Troll President, Jamad! Take me!

['Break it' has donated 25,000,000 madness!]

[Break Irizard! Break the Old God! Break the overtime! Break the manager!]

- It seems like work has been really hard on you…

- Oof… Oof… Smash it all…

- Mr. Manager, if you happen to be reading this, run for your life.

- RUN!

Swoosh…

Swoosh…

Perhaps, due to the changes happening at the summit, a massive waterfall began flowing down the mountain’s ridge.

This was most like the best place to absorb energy in Hwigeltong.

"…"

Jamad was sitting there with his eyes closed as if he were envisioning something.

Pant… Pant…

For the first time in a while, Koko was with him. Seemingly expectant, Koko sat silently next to Jamad, waiting for something.

Whoosh…

Before Jamad, a black orb was floating while emitting an eerie wave.

This had been going on for many hours.

Crack…

Crack…

Finally, there had been some results.

The black orb started to fracture, releasing a huge amount of energy.

BOOM—!

The shadow eventually took shape.

BOOM!

[Awakening! You have made a new creation.]

[Your new creation is Kukuru, the Lively.]

[Your creation has inherited memories from Early Evening's Kukuru.]

[Your creation has inherited some skills from Early Evening's Kukuru.]

[The attribute of the new creation is designated as Sticky Shadows.]

[The type of the new creation is designated as 'medium beast.']

[New, related skills can be derived from this.]

[Awakening! Your creation awakens a new skill.]

[Your creation is now able to use Shadow Move.]

[Awakening! Your creation awakens a new skill.]

[Your creation is now able to use Blood Scent.]

[Awakening! Your creation awakens a new skill.]

[Your creation is now able to use Passive: Shadow Beast.]

[Awakening! Your creation awakens a new skill.]

[Your creation is now able to use Passive: Pack Leader.]

Grrr…

Kukuru growled as soon as she awakened while scanning her surroundings, seemingly displeased with something.

Pant… Pant…

Koko approached her and rubbed his snout against her back.

Pant… Pant…

At the same time, Kukuru relaxed and began engaging with Koko.

[Koko, the Happy is affected by Passive: Pack Leader.]

[Koko, the Happy gradually grew stronger.]

[A pair of Shadow Wolves, male and female, now exist.]

[They can produce offspring.]

[Your creation can now function as a mount.]

[Their speed is influenced by Horseback Riding, Agility, and Shadow Affinity.]

He had finally taken out Kukuru's core, which he had retrieved from the Library of All Knowledge.

Under normal circumstances, this would have required a proper sacrifice and Ur’s help. But for Jamad, who had ranked up, it had become a trivial matter. That's why he resurrected Kukuru.

Swoosh…

Swoosh…

Jamad stroked the two wolves.

- C-Cool!

- The owner is Snowman, guys!

- Hey, guys?

Seol, who was sitting beside Jamad, patted the wolves as well. He then asked him.

"Don't you need time like Karen?"

"Yes. But I don’t necessarily have to spend it in the Void."

It seemed that the summons who reached Supreme-rank needed some time to manifest their power fully.

Karen's prolonged absence suggested that her return wouldn't happen soon.

Seol had been worrying about what to do if Jamad disappeared into the Void. However, Jamad said that he wouldn't leave.

Jamad curtly said.

"If I disappear, wouldn't you be in trouble?"

"That's true."

Seol had finally found a moment to check the rewards he had received from the recent Adventure.

Given the massive incident that had taken place in Hwigeltong, everyone had been busy.

"Let's see…"

Creak…