Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

“Do we really have to travel like this?”

“If-if you want to be late, feel free to run on your own feet!”

As much as I hated to admit it, the scenery was whizzing by several times faster than I could run. I stopped protesting and meekly rested my cheek on Lee Kang-to’s back.

Yes, I was currently being carried on Lee Kang-to’s back, being transported to the palace.

‘At this speed, we shouldn’t be late.’

Was he using some kind of special footwork technique? The ride was remarkably smooth, without any jostling. If one could endure the embarrassment, there was no better way to travel.

Since there was nothing else I could do anyway, I closed my eyes and organized the clues in my mind.

‘First, when we meet the fifth princess, I’ll try to bring up Baek-a somehow.’

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the direction of this quest hinged on whether we could find Baek-a or not.

Baek-a, the daughter of the Mountain Lord and the last remaining medium in On. Judging from the circumstances so far, she’s presumed to be the king’s hidden youngest daughter. It might be an overreach, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the royal concubine who was said to have been confined in that “cursed shrine” was likely Baek-a’s mother.

Lee Kang-to might not have realized it, but the description Sarome had given was crucial evidence.

‘Baek-a wears a jade necklace. She’s had it since childhood, like a part of her body, so she must still have it now.’

The jade in the necklace was said to have been in the box Baek-a had drifted in.

And coincidentally, the jewel in the ornament Lee Kang-to obtained from the shrine was also jade. When we return to Cheonsan, showing this ornament to Sarome will reveal whether my speculation is far-fetched or not.

‘If there’s time, I should investigate the shrine as well.’

It wasn’t just because of the royal concubine and Baek-a. We needed to find out why they were burying the black beads—the yokai essence—in that particular place.

Arajin, who was said to have been handpicked by the king and became the Commander of the Royal Guards overnight, currently wields absolute power within the palace. This is because the king, who has shut himself away, conducts all communication through Arajin. Up to this point, one might say, “Well, that’s how it is,” but…

Even while driving out all those who opposed him, Arajin issued the “Guardian of Dawn” quest to Players. It was unlikely that he, known for his self-aggrandizement, would do this out of a benevolent intention to protect the people from yokai.

‘If he had any love for the people, Sohan wouldn’t be in this state.’

It seemed more plausible that his goal was to collect the yokai essence. The Players, lured by the rewards, had willingly jumped into Arajin’s palm.

An NPC using Players. It was a thought far from the orthodox view, but then again, we’re in a situation where the main quest was established on lies. Looking for common sense in a hidden quest would get you nowhere.

And someone that cunning wouldn’t have chosen the shrine without reason.

While the possibility of Arajin practicing black magic there, as Lee Kang-to hoped, was extremely low, it was certain that he was after something.

“Other than this…”

“I’ve got to brag to Taeyang about meeting the princess!”

“Ah, right.”

‘And I shouldn’t forget about the youngest princess who suddenly became sickly overnight.’

Thanks to the goblin, I remembered something I had almost overlooked.

I tapped the pocket gently in gratitude, and the goblin burst into laughter. Perhaps because I had been thinking too deeply, the clear, ringing laughter was a welcome distraction from my throbbing headache.

‘Let’s not overthink this.’

I steeled myself as I saw the lights of Yeongwol Palace drawing near.

All questions ultimately led to one place. The one who could summon Baek-a, who could most easily command the youngest princess, and who had appointed Arajin.

‘The King of On.’

Approaching him would allow us to touch the hidden side of this level.

◆◇◆◇◆

“Ladies, please come this way.”

As soon as we entered the palace, Lee Kang-to and I had to part ways. We were required to purify our bodies before meeting the royal family.

“Sori, I’m counting on you.”

“Yeah! Leave it to me!”

The goblin, whispering in my ear, secretly moved over to Lee Kang-to without the palace servants noticing.

‘If we let him go alone, he’ll probably cause trouble again.’

With the goblin, who detested the unlucky Mr. Kim, by his side, he wouldn’t be able to act independently this time. Lee Kang-to pouted, openly showing his dissatisfaction, but I pretended not to notice and looked away.

A court lady with an impassive gaze led me to a wooden bathing area in a corner of the inner palace. Perhaps as a courtesy to a meritorious person, a few flower petals floated on the steaming bathwater.

“After bathing, please change into the clothes over there.”

“Do I have to wear those?”

I wasn’t keen on removing my equipment inside the World Tower. Wearing such flowing robes would make it difficult to react quickly in an emergency.

But the court lady was adamant. She said that outside clothing was not permitted when meeting the princess. She added a warning that they would conduct a body search after the bath, so I shouldn’t try anything foolish.

I reluctantly nodded, and the court lady left the bathing area.

“Well, if worst comes to worst, I can always pull something out of my inventory and wear it.”

Having fought beyond the city walls all day without proper rest, the bath itself was welcome. I must have really been through the wringer. Shrugging my shoulders, I removed my equipment.

“Ah, it does feel good to cool off.”

I must have been tired because my body seemed to melt starting from my toes dipped in the hot water. Add to that a cool mana potion, and it couldn’t get any better.

I played with my hair, now limp like seaweed, for a moment before scrubbing my body with the powdered soap provided. I wasn’t sure what it was made of, but it left my skin squeaky clean.

If this were outside the tower, I might have enjoyed it a bit longer, but now was strictly business hours. I rinsed off with water I had set aside earlier and got up without lingering.

“Hmm, is this how you wear it?”

I hurriedly put on the chima and jeogori before my body cooled, but I wasn’t entirely sure I had done it correctly.

It felt subtly uncomfortable, suggesting I might have gotten the order wrong somewhere. Let’s not worry too much about clothes I’ll only wear briefly. Quickly giving up, I put on the quilted vest over the jeogori.

“…Do I have to wear this too?”

The last item remaining was a hat with fur trim. It looked warm with its ear flaps, but I hesitated to put it on. Its overly cute appearance seemed ill-suited to me.

‘Well, it’s not like anyone’s watching, so maybe I’ll just try it on?’

Just as I picked up the hat after a brief deliberation, as if reading my thoughts, I sensed someone’s presence. I turned to find the court lady looking at me with disapproving eyes.

“What on earth are you wearing?”

The court lady, regardless of my wishes, stripped me bare and redressed me properly. While at it, she conducted the body search and even neatly braided my hair, which I had haphazardly tied up without fully drying.

Though I had no way to check, I could easily imagine that I looked completely different from before.

“What beautiful eyes you have. It’s rare to see such eyes.”

As she finished by putting the hat on me and tying the straps, the court lady unexpectedly complimented me. I had kept Explorer’s Eye activated just in case, and it seemed to have caught her attention.

Unsure how to respond, I silently lowered my gaze, and she nodded with satisfaction.

“It’s even better that you don’t flap your lips carelessly. Now that you’re properly dressed, you have a dignified air. Though you’re a Player, the princess might find that refreshing.”

The court lady, who had been evaluating me arbitrarily for reasons unknown, pulled out a small amber button from her bosom and pressed it into my hand. Upon closer inspection, I saw it was carved with a figure riding a dragon.

“If you desire wealth and honor, come to Cheonyojeon after the audience. Show that button to the palace servants, and they will guide you.”

Though it sounded like a suggestion at first glance, her tone was full of confidence that I wouldn’t refuse. Even a child could understand the hidden implications.

‘Cheonyojeon is the king’s quarters. …So, she’s telling me to serve the king?’

As I blinked, wondering if I had understood correctly, the court lady turned her back and left the room. I followed her, struggling to compose my twisted expression.

‘It’s unpleasant, but I’ll keep this button for now.’

After turning five or six corners, we met Lee Kang-to, whose face was gleaming. He immediately smirked when he saw the hat I was wearing.

“Nice hat!”

“You don’t need to be sarcastic.”

“Heh, if it weren’t for that expression, it might have suited you better.”

We had barely spoken, but the court lady warned us not to act rashly.

“We will soon arrive at where the princess is. Do not behave improperly.”

True to her words, we soon reached our destination. Though it was quite different from where I had expected us to stop, in front of some pavilion.

“A pond! Mr. Kim, it’s a pond! And it’s incredibly beautiful!”

The goblin couldn’t contain himself and climbed onto my shoulder. Fortunately, the court lady didn’t seem to hear his voice thanks to the music being played from the pavilion above the pond.

I quickly tucked the goblin into my sleeve, but I could understand his feelings.

The entire area was dyed crimson by the light seeping from the lanterns around the pond. As if that weren’t enough, the celadon roof tiles placed atop the pavilion sparkled in that light.

‘It is indeed a sight to marvel at.’

And atop the pavilion stood a woman in red clothes. Her long skirt, trailing on the floor, fluttered in the winter wind.

‘Is that the fifth princess we’re supposed to meet?’

The princess, having noticed us as well, raised her hand in greeting. The sleeve that had been naturally covering her hand slid back, revealing the princess’s wrist.

And then I saw it.

“What is that……”

A red snake, tightly coiled around her pale wrist.