Max Talent Player

Last time, he only saw her neck and face, and even that had left a strong impression on him. Her amber eyes and golden hair were exactly the same as before, but this time, the rest of her body was visible.

‘A white robe?’

She was wearing a robe almost like the ones worn by magicians.

‘And…’

When he saw Isabel last time, he saw the powerful mana storm enveloping her body. Now, that storm was encapsulated in a single form.

‘Isn’t that a staff?’

In her hands was a winged magic staff the same color as her hair.

‘And…’

Between the wings was a purplish jewel. It wasn’t an actual jewel, but a mana in the form of a jewel.

‘The mana it's giving off is insane.’

By all appearances, Isabel looked like a light-attribute magician. She looked far too mage-like for someone who claimed to be a sword.

“Huh?”

“This energy is…?”

“What?”

One by one, the white lights that had been floating around began approaching, roused from their slumber.

“Hey, Naphthan. What’s going on?”

They had shown zero interest before and had continued to sleep, but as soon as Isabel appeared, they suddenly woke up and took an interest in what was happening.

Isabel clucked her tongue.

“You guys have starved for a long time, haven’t you? That’s why you were just sleeping the whole time.”

Hyukjin could feel the power imbued in Isabel’s voice. Her presence was far more powerful than when she was a sword. She bore the ‘transcendent’ title even in sword form, but now, he had the feeling she was somewhere above transcendent.

‘How?’

Hyukjin hadn’t grown.

‘I think I get it.’

This place, the environment they were in, made this possible. The Sea of Clouds seemed to have a far greater density of mana compared to regular fields.

‘That’s why Isabel appears a little more complete than before.’

Now he knew: Isabel’s growth wasn’t purely tied to his growth, but also to environmental factors. It was an excellent piece of information for Kim Hyukjin.

Natalie’s father, Naphthan, responded.

“That is correct, noble sword… folk. We have starved for a long time.”

“I thought so. The mana here can’t fill your starved stomachs.”

Hearing that, Hyukjin had another realization. This place had mana dense enough for Isabel to appear in a more complete form, but it was nothing compared to the Endless Sky. Just how much mana was up there, and what would happen if he went there? Wouldn’t Isabel be able to appear fully?

‘I think her outer appearance is complete.’

In Hyukjin’s eyes, the only word he could use to describe her was “beautiful”. He could come up with no other word. Some people might say Senia was prettier, but not Hyukjin.

“But if I may ask, noble swordfolk. Are you truly a swordfolk?”

“...”

Isabel flinched. “What do you mean by that?”

“The aura I’m feeling is indeed from a powerful swordfolk, but…” Naphthan trailed off.

Hyukjin was curious, too. It was his first time hearing the term swordfolk, but Hyukjin was confused as to why that swordfolk looked like a magician.

“I am a swordfolk. My true name is Isabel.”

“...”

Naphthan chewed on the name ‘Isabel’ for a long time.

“Isabel… Isabel… Isabel.” And then, his eyes widened. “Surely not. --- --- ----!”

System interference kicked in again. It was information Hyukjin wasn’t allowed to know, which frustrated him to no end. Even though it was about Isabel, he couldn’t hear it.

“That’s right. That’s me.”

“It is an honor, oh noble swordfolk.”

That made Hyukjin realize that the leader of the whalekin, Naphthan, had been naturally speaking down to him, and Hyukjin hadn’t taken offense to it.

‘It just felt natural.’

It had felt all too natural. It could very well be that Hyukjin had cowered before Naphthan’s immense power without even realizing it.

‘But Naphthan is being extremely polite to Isabel.’

Whalekin.

Swordfolk.

What kind of relationship did the two have?

‘Isabel is my contractee, and my bride.’

He did bear the title of ‘sword’s bride’. And it was true that to him, Isabel was incredibly beautiful. But that had nothing to do with Playing.

‘The scenario must be led by me, not Isabel.’

For the Guardians watching above, the one creating the content had to be him. Because the protagonist of this scenario wasn’t them, but him. Back when it felt natural, he didn’t realize it. Since he didn’t realize it, it couldn’t be helped. But now that he knew, he just needed to confidently take charge.

Hyukjin cut in with a cough, speaking confidently in the informal.

“The swordfolk Isabel has a Sword’s Pact with me.”

“I see… sir. Please excuse my offense, I was unaware.”

Now, their positions were switched—Naphthan was speaking formally, and Hyukjin informally. To the Guardians, it would look like Hyukjin had the initiative.

“That’s why I’ll help you guys go up to the Endless Sky.”

“With the power you mentioned earlier, correct?”

“Yeah.”

“Understood. You are the pactee of Lady --- -- herself. We will do our best to do as you suggested. What is it that our people must do?”

Hyukjin smiled. As she streamed, Senia’s wings trembled.

‘That smile.’

Every time she saw that smile, the hapless target was fleeced for all they were worth. That went for Song Junghye, Michelle, and Song Kiyeol.

‘But my heart feels a little strange.’

Normally, seeing that smile made her happy. After all, it was a surefire precursor to a great deal of profit for Kim Hyukjin. But today, ever since Isabel showed up, she was having trouble getting fired up. Senia shook her head to clear her thoughts and consoled herself.

‘As a business partner, I need to focus on my job.’

Strangely, her gaze kept moving to Isabel.

Completely unaware of Senia’s feelings, Hyukjin continued. “Before that, there’s something I need to be sure of. Leader of the whalekin, Naphthan. You proposed a marriage contract between me and your daughter.”

Earlier, this topic nearly aroused the anger of someone who looked as mild as milk and showed no anger towards the waterdrakes who robbed his homeland and the skybirds who almost killed his daughter. That was just how important this matter was.

“That was essentially a show of the greatest sincerity you can offer. Correct?”

“Of course.”

A whalekin’s contract must be the best thing they could give.

“You’ll need to promise me something else of equivalent value, then.”

“...”

“As you can see, I am in a Sword’s Pact. My bride can be only one person, Isabel.”

At those words, Senia’s wings quivered, and Isabel’s face reddened a little.

“I am aware that in a Sword’s Pact, each pactee becomes the other’s bride, but if my memory serves, it is not a contract that requires monogamy,” Naphthan replied.

Simply put, there could be multiple brides, whether they were male or female.

“I wish to contract with only one person, Isabel.”

“Since the Sword Pactee says so… I understand. We will do our utmost to show our sincerity. When we return to our homeland, I will give you our treasure.”

A notice rang at the same time.

[The ‘Leader of the Whalekin’ influences the quest rewards.]

[The quest rewards have changed.]

Clear rewards:

1. Blessing of the Whalekin

2. Whalekin Sinew

3. Treasure of the Whalekin

Contract of the Whalekin was changed to Treasure of the Whalekin.

‘I did it.’

Hyukjin guessed it was something incredible. Just going to the Endless Sky would net him three rewards. He was also sure there was a reason why he would get three rewards simply by reaching the place.

“One more thing.”

He couldn’t exclude the possibility he might meet the Demon King in the Endless Sky.

“If something dangerous happens to me there, protect me.”

“Husband. Nothing of the sort will happen in the Endless Sky.” Isabel stood right by Hyukjin’s side. “You may still be weak, but in the Endless Sky, I will be far stronger than I am now.”

“...Really?”

“I will be the one to protect my husband.”

“...”

“You’re too weak, so I have no choice.”

Those words sounded so very reliable. Hyukjin thought he had grown a lot, but he still had a long way to go. He wasn’t sure if he should be happy or dismayed.

“What Lady Isabel says is true, but we will provide our assistance nevertheless,” said Naphthan.

With that, he had a promise from the whalekin.

“In that case, I will help you guys.”

He had to tinker with the settings using Judgment of the Law.

[Use Judgment of the Law?]

* * *

* * *

In the end, Judgment of the Law only served half of its intended purpose. It could not change the settings entirely. Even though he acquired the Arbitrator role, it was only half effective.

“I think we will be able to defend ourselves against those who attack us or our friends,” said Naphthan.

The whalekin couldn’t initiate an attack, nor could they counterattack. They could only defend. That was all Hyukjin’s Judgment of the Law could do.

“What will happen if the skybirds attack you?”

Naphthan’s face darkened a little. “The moment they touch us, they will die.”

Like an egg splattering against a rock. Thanks to the vow of the whalekin being weakened, that analogy would really come to life.

Hyukjin said, “Even so, it must be done if you are to return to the Endless Sky.”

“Indeed.”

The other whalekin expressed their affirmation as well.

“That’s right.”

“We’re too hungry.”

“I want to go back home.”

“Well thought, Naphthan.”

“Husband,” called Isabel. “It’s a good idea to take them and go to the Endless Sky. If things work out, the Endless Sky is a place that will be of assistance to you, as well.”

“...”

“What? Is there something on my face? Why’re you staring at me like that?”

Hyukjin nearly blurted, ‘Because you’re pretty’, but barely managed to catch himself.

“Keep talking,” he said instead, knowing she would volunteer the answers. The Guardians were probably wondering what she was saying, too.

“We’re good on defense, since the whalekin should be able to block the Steel Wyverns’ attacks.” Isabel paused. “But if we are to reach the Endless Sky, only relying on defense won’t get us there.”

He understood exactly what she meant. Hyukjin had a clear view of the situation as well. He picked up where she left.

“The whalekin have starved for too long, and simply ascending up to the Endless Sky will take every bit of energy they have. That’s what you wanted to say, right?”

“Right.”

“So ultimately, we’ll have to take care of the Steel Wyverns before we begin the ascent.”

Isabel nodded. “As expected, my husband’s got great acumen. Do you have a plan, then? Why are you so full of confidence?”

“I have a plan, yeah.”

He glanced at where he thought Senia was. She wasn’t visible, but he was sure she was hard at work, streaming.

Isabel asked him another appropriate question.

“What’s your plan?”

“You’ll see when we go above the surface.”

The whalekin would be hard-pressed to swim through the sky all the way up to the Endless Sky. They were weakened by centuries of starvation, so they had to first clear the way in the Sea of Clouds, where they could move with relative ease.

“Above the surface?”

“We’ll be hunting the Steel Wyverns in the Sea of Clouds.”

“And how exactly do you want to do that? The whalekin can’t attack.”

“I’ll do it.”

“You will? I don’t think you can kill those birds with your current skills.”

Hyukjin smiled once again. He intentionally cut things off here, leaving Isabel and the Guardians hanging.

“You’ll see when we get there.”

That would fire up their anticipation a little more.

“I have a way.”

Conjuring a way forward when none seemed to exist, that was a producer’s job.

“Let’s go.”