C58, 59, 60
Chapter 58: Rules of Survival (1)
“How did that woman follow us! Didn’t you say the Witch’s Forest was safe?!”
Misha shouts with a disgusted expression.
“That persistent bitch!”
I agree.
However, if we calmly analyze the situation instead of just cursing…
Once we entered the Witch’s Forest, that bitch wouldn’t have been able to pursue us alone.
So she must have looked for explorers to use.
By pretending to be a poor priestess who lost her companions to evil marauders.
“Excuse me, there seems to be a misunderstanding. That woman is a priest of Karui—”
“What! So they weren’t just marauders, but followers of that evil god!”
“No, I’m saying that it’s not us, it’s that woman—”
“Surrender yourselves and accept God’s judgment!”
The dwarf tries to reason with them, but the man, whose brain is pickled under the blessing of God, only understands what he wants to hear.
“Lord Davis! Please bring down God’s wrath upon these evil beings! Only then can my companions, who are wandering in the spirit world, let go of their resentment and return to God’s embrace!”
At the bitch Elisa’s cry, the opposing explorers draw their weapons in unison.
And we do the same.
Sometimes, fists come before words in conversations between explorers.
“Don’t worry about injuries and just focus on defeating the enemy! The blessings of Leathlas will be with you!”
At her words, which mean they should fight like dogs and she’ll heal them, the leader of the opposing side charges towards us, his eyes rolling back.
While shouting that annoying slogan.
“May the star that rises at twilight guide us!”
Honestly, I find it hard to understand why they’re going to such lengths to help that bitch.
I understand the guy who seems like a devout believer, but the other companions don’t have to do this, do they—
“Don’t hold back! If we kill them, our team will have a priestess!”
“Uooooooh!”
Ah, so that’s it.
They’re trying to kill us for practical reasons, not religious ones.
Now that I see it, that bitch must have made all sorts of promises as rewards…
Okay, I’ve grasped the situation to some extent.
Thud!
I block the leader bastard’s axe with my shield and shout.
It’s called sowing seeds of discord.
“Idiots! If a priestess joins, who’s going to leave the team?”
These guys were a 5-person team from the beginning.
In other words, if a priestess joins, one of them has to be kicked out.
As I bring this up right from the start, the leader bastard panics and shouts,
“Do, don’t be swayed by their evil words!”
Evil words my ass.
It’s obvious that they didn’t even think about this.
“Uh, uh?”
As if to prove it, the four explorers besides the leader hesitate for a moment.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long.
“Hmm, but it won’t be me.”
“Hmph, that’s something we can think about later.”
“One of us might die today.”
“I don’t care if she’s a priestess or whatever. Just selling those pieces of equipment alone will let me live comfortably for a year.”
Damn it, as expected of explorer bastards.
Each and every one of their reasons is fucking psychopathic.
So you guys just need justification and money, right?
‘Well, it’s good that they’re consistent.’
I start forming a shield wall with the dwarf and analyze the enemy’s strength.
‘Three melee warriors, two ranged attackers, and a priestess who’s cosplaying…’
As explorers who have reached the Witch’s Forest, the difference in our levels is negligible.
They even have one more person.
There’s nothing much to consider this time.
Even considering that the bitch Elisa can’t use the power of the evil god because she’s cosplaying…
We’re clearly at a disadvantage.
However, let’s at least try to come up with a strategy…
‘We have no choice but to take them out with a surprise attack.’
Therefore, I call the mage.
“Dwarkey!”
No need for long explanations.
“10 seconds! Just wait 10 seconds!”
He’s finally gained some experience, it seems, as he answers immediately when I call his name.
However, it seems like the other side has also gained experience.
“A mage! There’s a mage on the other side!”
They’ve also noticed Dwarkey’s presence and are focusing their attacks on him.
The dwarf and I can cover the three melee warriors…
Whoosh!
…but it’s physically impossible to block the arrow and projectile skill flying towards Dwarkey, who is chanting.
However, I’m not too worried.
We’re still an explorer ‘team’, aren’t we?
There’s no need for me to do everything alone.
“Ugh!”
Misha deflects the incoming arrow with her dagger, and Rotmiller blocks the projectile ability with his shield.
And at the same time, the spell is completed.
「Liol Wobu Dwarkey has cast the 8th-grade attack spell [Ice Spear].」
It’s not an Enhanced Ice Spear, but that doesn’t matter.
It’s not like our opponents are large monsters.
This is enough to send them back to God’s embrace with one hit.
Of course, assuming it hits a vital point.
Whoosh!
The resolve to shoot a spell at a person, not a monster.
The moment to exercise that resolve comes much sooner than expected.
What decision will Dwarkey make?
Kwaaang!
Contrary to my worries, the Ice Spear is shot directly towards Elisa’s head.
However, unfortunately, it misses.
This is why explorers are more troublesome than monsters.
“Whew, that was close. Are you alright?”
“Yes, yes! Thank you for saving me!”
She knew the magic was coming, and she knew it was likely targeting her, the priestess.
So there was no reason why she couldn’t block it.
An explorer who has reached the 3rd floor and is heading towards the 4th would have that level of physical ability.
‘…Phew, human bastards are the most annoying.’
It’s not easy.
Just like Rotmiller and Misha successfully protected Dwarkey, the opponents also don’t just stand there and take our attacks.
Therefore, it’s time to make a final decision.
We’ve tested the waters enough…
“Dwarkey! Use the voice control spell!”
“A, alright!”
As I give a firm order, not accepting any questions, Dwarkey chants the spell without objection.
Voice control.
Simply put, it’s a convenient spell that allows us to have team voice chat.
Now they can’t hear us even if we talk among ourselves.
I glare at the opponents and shout,
“Murad!”
“Why are you calling me!”
“Let’s run!”
“Euahahaha! That’s a great idea!”
Fortunately, even the dwarf, who has emergency command authority, agrees with my judgment.
Well, even he has that much brains, right?
Even if we win this fight, it will likely be a pyrrhic victory with only injuries. By then, that bitch will also use the power of the dark god without hesitation.
If we persist out of stubbornness, only a bleak future awaits.
“Misha! Take Dwarkey when you’re ready!”
“Got it!”
“Hikurod, use that thing when I give you the signal!”
“Alright!”
Misha and the dwarf nod without objection.
Rotmiller, who has the most important role, is left, but there’s no need to give him separate instructions.
He just gets it.
“Follow me closely as soon as I start running!”
As expected, this man is the only one I can rely on.
Anyway, I think that’s all the announcements…
“Now!”
The moment I give the signal, Misha slings the weak Dwarkey over her shoulder, finishing our preparations to escape.
And at the same time, the bracers worn by the dwarf emit a bright light.
「Hikurod Murad has used [Guardian’s Bracers].」
No. 3112 Guardian’s Bracers.
In the game, it had a constant 5% damage reduction, and its usage effect increased in power based on the amount of damage reduced.
For reference, that usage effect is…
「Strongly pushes back enemies and temporarily grants immunity to all harmful effects on allies.」
Area-of-effect knockback and debuff removal.
As befits a Numbered Item in the 3000s, its effect takes priority over field effects.
「Status effect [Disoriented] is removed.」
「Status effect [Auditory Hallucination] is removed.」
「Status effect [Visual Hallucination] is removed.」
「Status effect [Pain Amplification] is removed.」
The moment the three melee warriors who were clinging to us are thrown back…
My distorted vision returns to normal, and everything becomes clear.
Of course, the duration is short.
I don’t know how much the dwarf has been getting beaten up…
‘But it’s probably around 20 seconds at most.’
For reference, this time also takes into account the dwarf’s racial trait, which increases the efficiency of Numbered Items by 1.5 times.
But this is enough.
To buy time to escape.
“What are you doing! Let’s get out of here!”
Phew, it feels like we’ve been running away from something this whole time.
____________________________________________
Scout.
They are the ones who detect enemy movements first and guide their team members along efficient paths.
Then what are the qualities needed to become a scout?
The answer is simple.
‘Prior knowledge of the labyrinth and data accumulated through experience.’
With these two alone, you can find your way on the 1st and 2nd floors. And the 3rd floor, which is an open world with unchanging terrain features, is no different.
However, from the 4th floor onwards, it’s a different story.
Well, to be precise, should I say from the Witch’s Forest where the 4th-floor portal is located?
「The usage effect duration of the Numbered Item [Guardian’s Bracers] has ended.」
「Field effect - Witch’s Forest is applied.」
Compasses are useless, people’s sense of direction completely disappears, and the only landmarks are trees, but even those trees move as if they’re alive.
Therefore, from this point onwards, scouts need special abilities to find their way.
“This way.”
Rotmiller’s main ability is ‘sense of smell’.
Having adjusted his smell stat through essences, he accurately finds the path leading to the 4th floor even in this bizarre forest.
If your sense of smell reaches a certain level, you can smell the scent of magic power, and he uses that to find his way?
I don’t understand it well, but that’s roughly the principle.
However…
“The scout on the other side is also no ordinary person. Judging by the way they’re closing the distance towards us.”
Even so, those bastards are following us closely.
Of course, I can’t even sense their presence…
But if Rotmiller says so, then it must be true.
‘So in the end, the key is who reaches the 4th-floor portal first…’
Just as I’m organizing my thoughts…
Rotmiller, as if thinking the same thing, announces,
“We’ll increase our speed from now on.”
Now it’s a race against time.
If we can get there first, we can avoid unnecessary combat.
But if they catch up to us before that…
Then we have no choice but to fight until one of us dies.
‘The problem is, everyone is tired…’
Life doesn’t always go as you wish.
Especially when you’re exhausted and struggling.
“Miss Kaltstein, give me that guy!”
The dwarf decides to take over carrying Dwarkey to help Misha.
And that’s when the accident happens.
“Ack!”
Trying to save time, we attempt to hand over Dwarkey to the dwarf while running, which turns out to be a mistake.
Misha loses her balance and falls.
Fortunately, the dwarf had already taken over carrying Dwarkey like a sack of potatoes, but…
“Cramp! I think I have a cramp in my leg! I can’t move!”
Cramp my ass.
It’s obvious she sprained her ankle while falling.
“Don’t move and just stay still.”
I immediately stop and grab the back of Misha’s neck, lifting her up.
And the moment I sling her over my shoulder…
‘Damn it? What is this?’
The light disappears, and deep darkness engulfs my vision.
The dwarf with the torch was right in front of me just a moment ago…
“Bjo, Bjorn?”
“…Be quiet.”
I calmly open my backpack and take out a torch.
And I light it and insert it into the slot on my helmet.
As expected, the team members who were next to me just a few seconds ago are nowhere to be seen.
“Don’t tell me we lost them!”
Misha shouts in dismay.
And I answer…
I don’t want to believe it, but…
“It seems… that’s the case.”
We’ve been separated from the group in just a few seconds.
“Then what are we doing! Let’s go after them!”
Misha urges me, realizing the situation, but I choose to stay put.
Do we even know where they went?
“That way! They definitely went that way!”
That’s just how it looks to us.
In the Witch’s Forest, you can’t rely on sight.
If we go in the wrong direction, we’ll just waste time and get even further away from the team.
“In situations like this, staying put is the best option.”
Let’s trust our companions and my judgment.
Rotmiller is a scout with olfactory abilities, isn’t he?
He’ll realize we’re gone and come back for us soon.
“Um, Bjorn…?”
Ah, uh, hmm…
That’s what should have happened…
“How long do we have to wait?”
Even after a minute, the party that went ahead doesn’t return.
Damn it, what is this? Should we wait a bit longer?
As my worries deepen…
“Aak!”
We faintly hear a short scream from the darkness.
“Bjorn! Did you hear that! It was definitely Murad’s voice!”
Although I can’t be sure, it does sound like him.
If it’s not another accident, they should have returned by now to look for us.
However…
“They’re definitely in trouble. We need to go help—”
“Lower your voice.”
“Why?”
“We could be in danger too.”
Making noise is not a good idea.
We still don’t know what’s going on over there.
If it was just a monster encounter, they would have had time to come back for us.
“That’s why we need to go help them even more—”
In the first place, there’s no way to help even if we wanted to.
If we could hear a continuous sound, it might be different…
But we can’t find the right direction based on hearing a single scream.
That’s the kind of place the Witch’s Forest is.
“Mmph!”
Therefore, I first cover Misha’s mouth with my hand.
And I focus on my hearing.
“…Miller …bitch is …here.”
“…create an opening…….”
“Ha…… …no choice but to……!”
“At least…scout…need to kill…so they can escape…!”
“………….”
“…good! Escape……!”
Afterwards, I hear a few more faint cries, and then they completely disappear.
The forest is silent, without even the sound of the wind.
“…….”
Although an eerie silence fills the surroundings, I stand still and wait for about 5 minutes.
The party we lost doesn’t return.
It’s still too early to say for sure whether they’re dead or alive, but one thing is clear.
They won’t be coming back even if we wait any longer.
That means—
“We’re fucked.”
The two of us, a beastwoman and a barbarian, are stranded.
In the labyrinth filled with monsters and marauders.
And in the middle of this Witch’s Forest, where we can’t even find our way back without a scout.
Damn it.
-----------------------------------------
Chapter 59: Rules of Survival (2)
What’s the most important thing in a disaster situation?
Water? Food? Stamina? Tools?
Well, they’re all very important…
But if I had to choose just one, I would choose mental strength.
“No… I can’t die like this, I can’t! After all the hardships I endured, to die so meaninglessly…!”
“Misha, calm down.”
When you’re in a shitty situation, you need the courage to accept reality calmly instead of denying it.
That’s the only way to objectively assess the situation.
Therefore, I abandon all questions.
‘It doesn’t matter what happened to them.’
Maybe a unique monster appeared, or maybe Elisa and her group used some clever method to ambush them in that short time.
All possibilities are open.
But that’s not what I should be focusing on now, right?
‘Think.’
I’m currently separated from the group.
I have one beastman companion with me.
Unfortunately, she’s a warrior-type who only deals physical damage.
And the possibility of the companions we lost returning here seems infinitely low.
Yeah, in short, we’re fucked.
This place, where monsters with physical immunity run rampant, is known as the graveyard of warriors.
It’s practically impossible for two warriors, a barbarian and a beastman, to get through here.
And on top of that, we also have pursuers targeting us.
Actually, this is the biggest problem.
If the two of us encounter them, it’s instant game over.
But if we’re not going to just bite our tongues and die, we need to think.
Not about how fucked up the situation...
‘What action should I take right now?’
What actions should I take?
Even if it’s just a struggle, what should I give up and prioritize for survival?
In short, what is the best course of action right now?
“…Let’s move.”
“What? But even if we do that—”
“Even if we can’t find our way out, it’s better to leave this place.”
Once I objectively assess the situation, I can see what needs to be done even in the worst conditions.
I prioritize among them and decide to tackle them in order of importance.
The first one.
“This place is dangerous.”
Leave this place.
The reason is simple.
We have no information about what the dwarf’s party encountered near here, except that it was dangerous enough to prevent them from coming back for us.
“If that bitch played some kind of trick, we’ll eventually find out.”
“But if that were the case, shouldn’t she have shown up by now?”
Well, maybe we’re just not their top priority. For reasons like the dwarf running in the opposite direction and them having to chase after him.
Of course, I have no intention of arguing about it for long.
The first things to give up for survival are intangible values like compassion and consideration.
“So what are you going to do? The choice is yours.”
I’m not going to carry around dead weight just because she’s my companion.
In the first place, that’s not even a real companion.
I draw a clear line.
“If you don’t like my judgment, we’ll go our separate ways from now on.”
“Wh, what are you saying?!”
“Answer me.”
I don’t want to waste time arguing.
Yes or no.
Misha, who had been silently meeting my eyes, bites her lip and makes a choice.
“…I’ll follow your lead completely from now on. In the first place, there’s nothing I can do since I’m injured.”
It’s a great answer that accurately grasps what the questioner wants and expresses it.
She’s more perceptive than I thought.
As expected, there’s a reason why she’s a 5-year veteran explorer, even though she usually doesn’t seem like it.
“St, still, that’s too harsh…!”
Misha whines as if hurt when I relax my expression, but this much…
It’s fine. As long as she follows my instructions.
“Drink this.”
I open a potion bottle and hand it to her, and Misha slowly drinks it as if it’s poison.
And then she starts groaning.
Not the sexy kind.
Potions are not the kind of thing that can elicit that kind of response.
“Hikk, keugh!!”
Listening to her pained sounds, it seems like the potion is working well.
So I carry Misha on my shoulder.
It’s just a sprained ankle, so the pain should subside within 5 minutes and she should be able to walk, but…
It’s better to save even that much time.
“Ugh, bleugh! My, foot! Please slow down! No, walk gently!”
As I start jogging, Misha begs with a groan.
It seems like she’s getting motion sickness.
However, I can only say this:
“Just bear with it even if it’s hard.”
Sorry, right now I’m a psycho barbarian who has forgotten about compassion and consideration.
Efficiency comes first when survival is at stake.
People don’t die from a little motion sickness, right?
Tadatadat!
Anyway, as I’m running through the forest and sprinting without any direction…
Misha starts pounding on my back like crazy.
“Put me down, keugh! Pu, put me down! I’m, I’m fine now!”
“Don’t lie.”
“It’s true! I, I swear on the guardian deity of my clan!”
“Hmm, then why is your voice so weak?”
I point out the logical flaw in Misha’s words.
But for some reason, I get scolded.
“How can I have any strength! You stupid barbarian! Anyway, put me down!”
“Alright.”
Since she’s hitting my back, it seems like she has enough energy to move, so I put Misha down without any resistance.
“Ugh, I thought I was going to die!”
Geez, stop exaggerating.
I ask her just in case, even though she looks fine.
“So your foot is okay now?”
“As you can see.”
“Answer properly. Does it mean you can fight right away?”
“For now… yes! But why do you ask?”
Because we have to fight, that’s why.
“Good timing, there’s a monster over there.”
Misha follows my gaze. At the end of her gaze is a giant tree moving along the ground with its roots.
The 8th-grade monster, ‘Snetri’.
It’s a creepy monster that attacks explorers using its branches that wriggle like tentacles.
For reference, along with the Half-Troll, it’s one of the few regular monsters that inhabit the Witch’s Forest.
In simpler terms, it can be hunted with physical damage alone.
“Do we really have to catch it? It’s slow, so it won’t be able to follow us… Ah! I’m not saying I won’t follow your lead!”
Hmm, that’s good then.
Anyway, since it was a reasonable question, I answer briefly.
“There’s a chance an essence might drop.”
“Essence?”
Misha tilts her head as if she heard a strange word.
It’s understandable.
If I weren’t in this situation, I wouldn’t even consider such a plan.
“The monsters that appear in the Witch’s Forest all have elemental abilities.”
To be precise, except for the Half-Troll.
Well, we’re not going to catch it anyway, so it’s an exception.
Misha grasps the gist of my plan and freezes.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to catch it just for that?”
Yes, not just this one, but every one we see.
We need to get our hands on an elemental ability somehow.
Avoiding incorporeal beings is fine for a day or two, but at this rate, we won’t even be able to sleep properly.
Well, if we’re lucky enough to find our way out of the forest while wandering around, it’s a problem we won’t have to worry about…
‘But that kind of miracle wouldn’t happen to me.’
Of course, the essence drop rate is still abysmally low.
But this is like a side quest.
I have no intention of solely focusing on this plan.
It would be great if it drops, but if it doesn’t, it can’t be helped.
That’s about it, right?
‘In the first place, if Elisa and her group find us, all of this will be meaningless.’
If the scout on the other side finishes off the dwarf, or if they start searching for us because we’re missing…
When that time comes, all these efforts will be for naught.
But…
That’s not a reason not to struggle.
“Anyway, get ready to fight.”
“Got it!”
Misha draws her weapon.
“Glgllgllgrrr!”
And she charges towards the Snetri, which is crawling on the ground with its roots.
Rule of survival number one,
To live, you have to fight.
___________________________
「Killed Snetri. EXP +2」
___________________________
I’m walking through the Witch’s Forest without a scout.
And if someone asks me how I feel, I’ll definitely answer like this.
It feels like I’m wandering around a mirror maze at an amusement park all day long.
And there’s even constant BGM in this mirror maze.
[Just kill her! Or enjoy it! Why are you being so nice to that useless bitch?]
[Keeheehee, keeheeheehee!]
[It’s all your fault! If it weren’t for you!]
Is it just my imagination that the auditory hallucinations are getting more detailed?
Hmm, I don’t think so.
The visual hallucinations seem more vivid too.
[Hansu, why are you the only one who survived?]
It’s not just monsters in the form of hallucinations anymore, but people from my memories appear.
People I can never meet in this world.
[It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!!]
[When are you going to kill that girl? When are you going to kill that girl? When are you going to kill that girl? When are you going to kill that girl?]
Sometimes, those people appear as hallucinations and say shitty things to me.
It seems like the visual and auditory hallucinations have started to merge.
‘It’s not like the field effects suddenly got stronger, so it must be that I’ve become weaker.’
I calmly assess my condition.
However, that’s all.
I stayed up all night.
And I had a fierce battle.
I was half-dead from curses and even came back to life, and now I’m lost in a desperate situation.
It’s only natural for my mental strength to reach its limit.
But so what?
‘I have no choice but to endure.’
That’s how life is.
At least for me.
Endure, endure, and endure some more, and instead of dwelling on things I can’t change, let’s do what I can.
“Misha, use this instead of the dagger.”
“Huh? I haven’t used a spear before…”
After defeating the Snetri, we take a short break, and I check my expandable backpack. And I hand over the spear that was Tyson’s weapon to Misha.
It’s an item we agreed to sell and split the profits from when we return to the city, but it’s not the time to be picky about such things.
“Just use it without complaining.”
“Hmph, alright…”
I haven’t said anything until now, respecting her individuality and experience.
But my personal belief is that the longer the weapon, the more practical it is.
In fact, even when we were catching the Snetri earlier, if it weren’t for the dagger, we could have pierced it deeply and destroyed the core in one go.
“Ugh, it’s awkward! Can’t you give me a sword instead?”
No.
I don’t know which one is easier to handle, a sword or a spear.
But at least the spear is much longer.
It will be much easier for her to help from behind when I form a wall with my shield.
“Both are weapons you haven’t used before anyway. Just use that one.”
“Hmph.”
Stop whining and acting cute, it’s draining my energy.
I don’t know how you see me, but I don’t think of you as that close.
We’ve only known each other for less than 2 weeks.
‘This… I should use this myself.’
It’s not just Misha who upgraded her equipment, I did too.
「Character has equipped Steel Plate Greaves.」
「Total item level has increased by +45.」
First, I put on Hans C’s greaves over my shins.
It’s a type of greaves with leather on the inside and steel on the outside.
I wish there were thigh pieces too, but unfortunately, those seem to be in the dwarf’s backpack.
「Character has equipped War Boots.」
「Total item level has increased by +38.」
I also change my shoes.
They’re also what Hans C was wearing.
They’re leather boots that look quite good, but the instep is reinforced with iron plates.
And they’re in the shape of sharp spikes.
‘Explorer bastards are only practical in these aspects.’
I look for more, but there’s nothing else that Misha or I can use among the equipment.
However, I find something unexpected instead.
“Huh? Bjorn! Isn’t this holy water?”
“…It seems like it.”
After a series of misfortunes, is our luck finally turning around?
I’m much happier about this than any piece of equipment.
Because with holy water, we can enchant our weapons.
「The equipment is imbued with holy power.」
「Deals additional damage to evil-attribute monsters.」
Additional holy damage.
In other words, it means we can now beat up incorporeal monsters even without an elemental ability.
Although it’s limited to the evil attribute…
Most of the incorporeal monsters that appear in the Witch’s Forest are evil-attribute, so there’s no need to worry.
‘The problem is that there are only five bottles.’
Holy water doesn’t have a duration.
It just loses its effect once the additional damage has been dealt.
How many monsters can we kill with five bottles?
Well, who knows, but it’s definitely not enough to last until Day 15 when the 3rd floor closes.
‘…It’s best to use it sparingly.’
Still, it’s good news for once.
So I check my backpack more carefully.
I didn’t properly check the exploration tools and such because I was in a hurry before.
There might be something else that could be helpful.
“Hmm? Bjorn!”
As we’re each taking a bag and rummaging through it, Misha calls out to me.
“I found something strange, do you know what this is?”
It’s a pendant with a strange pattern.
And I know what that pattern is.
‘Isn’t this the symbol of the Karui Church?’
Unfortunately, that’s all I can figure out.
Besides being related to the Karui Church, I don’t know what this item is used for.
‘Anyway, I think I’ve checked everything I need to…’
I put the items back in and organize the backpack.
And since the variable of ‘holy water’ has appeared, I review the plan I had roughly made.
Initially, there were three options that came to mind.
1. Ask for help from explorers we encounter by chance.
The Witch’s Forest is vast.
And due to its terrain characteristics, encountering other explorers is rare. But if we keep wandering around, we’ll eventually come across someone.
Any explorer would be tempted if we offered equipment as a reward.
‘The problem is, we can’t trust them.’
There are many efficiency freaks among explorers.
Why bother helping when you can just kill and take everything?
There might be someone who thinks that way.
‘And besides, she’s a woman…’
I glance at Misha, who is munching on jerky as if she’s hungry, and continue my thoughts.
2. Wander around aimlessly until we reach the edge of the forest or the 4th-floor portal.
It’s a method that relies solely on luck.
Therefore, I judged that there’s no need to set this as the ultimate goal. We have to keep wandering around the forest anyway, whether we like it or not.
It’s not something that will happen just because we wish for it.
And it’s not something that won’t happen just because we don’t wish for it.
Anyway, next.
3. Focus on survival and hold out until the closing date.
We have enough food and water.
And by securing holy water, we’ve at least ensured our minimum safety.
If we happen to get an elemental essence along the way, our survival rate in this damn forest will increase significantly.
‘Assuming those bastards can’t find us.’
I let out a long sigh.
It’s only been 4 days since we entered the labyrinth.
That means there’s still a much longer journey ahead than what we’ve already been through.
Considering what we’ve experienced in the past four days, it’s hard to expect the remaining days to go smoothly.
‘It doesn’t seem like an essence will drop, and if I’m going to do it, it’s better to do it now.’
Therefore, I make a decision.
“Misha, are you married?”
“Huh? Suddenly?”
Misha flinches as she chews on her jerky.
She looks like she has no idea what I’m talking about.
Still, she answers, as she promised to listen to me.
“I’m not, but…”
Okay.
I ask again.
This time, more directly.
“Then do you have any beliefs like you can’t show your naked body to a strange man?”
“I, I don’t think so…”
“That’s good.”
It’s an option that I could never have chosen if I hadn’t played [Dungeon and Stone] for almost 10 years.
It’s a shame to use that item already, but…
4. Awaken Misha.
----------------------------------------
Chapter 60: Rules of Survival (3)
To save time, I immediately take off the ring.
No. 9425 Frost Spirit Ring.
The Numbered Item I obtained by exploiting the master of the Artemion school, the old man.
“Here, take it.”
“Huh? A ring? Why all of a sudden…?”
Misha, who absentmindedly accepts it, is flustered with a look of confusion as if wondering what it is.
“It’s a ring I was saving for someone deserving.”
“But… why are you giving it to me?”
Well, because the situation has changed.
I answer briefly.
“Swear to your guardian deity. That you’ll continue to be with me in exchange for receiving this.”
The market price of the Frost Spirit Ring is 1.5 million stones.
However, it’s a difficult item to acquire even if you want it because there are no listings.
If the true value of this ring becomes known, the price will skyrocket.
“Huh?! Bjorn! Are you crazy?!”
Misha is shocked and insults me, but my mind is sound.
Would I just give away something like this?
Although I’ll use it for survival, I at least need a promise that she’ll continue to follow and help me.
Of course, this isn’t a one-sided contract.
“The moment you receive this ring, I swear on my honor as a warrior to help you from now on. So I hope you’ll do the same.”
“Are you serious…?”
To prove it, I look into Misha’s eyes and speak clearly.
“I’m serious.”
It’s a win-win in the truest sense.
A kind of comrade oath.
And did she understand?
Misha stares at me for a long time with surprised eyes and then speaks in a voice devoid of her usual playfulness.
“…It’s sudden, but I understand that you’re not kidding. Honestly, it’s my first time receiving an offer like this, so I’m, I’m not without happy feelings!”
“Then that’s a relief—”
“But Bjorn, I’m sorry. I’ve never thought of you that way.”
“…What do you mean?”
Misha closes her eyes tightly.
And as if making a decision, she stares at me and answers.
“I… like skinny guys.”
“Skinny guys…? What are you talking about? I don’t understand—”
“Eek!! It means you have no charm as a man!!”
My mind goes blank for a moment.
Is this what it feels like to get rejected even though I wasn’t planning on confessing?
I don’t know, but one thing is certain.
“…There seems to be a misunderstanding.”
“Right, let’s just say that. We have to keep traveling together, and it will just make things awkward—”
What is she talking about?
I tried to phrase it indirectly, saying things like I would help her, because I didn’t want to seem too materialistic, but that was a mistake.
There’s a way to do things with barbarians.
“I meant that you should make a comrade oath in exchange for receiving this ring.”
“Comrade oath…?”
“Of course, if you get me the same ring or bring me 15 million stones worth of profit, you can end the contract whenever you want. Now, do you understand?”
“Ho, how could I?! In the first place, what the hell is this ring that it’s worth 15 million stones?!”
“15 million stones is a bargain.”
“No, I mean, what the hell is this ring—”
I cut her off and say,
“This ring can fulfill your long-cherished wish.”
“…What? Wish?”
“For example, your older brother won’t be able to call you a half-breed anymore.”
Was it a sensitive topic?
Misha freezes.
However, after a moment of contemplation, she forces an awkward smile.
“Aish, do you think I’ll fall for that? No matter how awkward things are, you can’t lie like that—”
“It’s not a lie.”
A brief silence follows as the conversation stops.
Misha, who was smiling awkwardly, stops smiling.
No, she’s actually staring at me with a cold gaze.
“This is going too far.”
Her voice is cold and stern, unlike usual.
“I clearly gave you a chance to laugh it off and let it go. But why do you keep lying? Did I look like a fool because I just smiled and followed along?”
Misha bites her lip as if she’s frustrated.
“…I shouldn’t have told you that story.”
It’s an unexpected reaction, but it’s actually natural.
Trauma.
A wound that has festered for a lifetime brings pain just by being touched.
“I didn’t bring up that story to hurt you. I really—”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing. How could you know something that even our tribe doesn’t know?”
Instead of answering, I keep my mouth shut.
It’s not something I need to explain in detail, and I don’t want to either.
We can’t just stay like this forever.
Let’s keep it short.
“Misha, I’ll ask you one thing.”
“Go ahead.”
“If everything I’ve said so far is true, will you accept my offer?”
“You’re still joking—!”
I cut off Misha, who is about to get angry, and shout back,
“Just answer me!”
Can’t she just answer the question?
Yes or no.
As I shout and force her to answer, Misha flinches and bites her lip again.
“…If everything you said is true, it wouldn’t be enough to treat you as my benefactor for the rest of my life. But—”
But what?
“Then that’s enough.”
I take a step forward and grab Misha’s wrist.
“Misha Kaltstein, it might be hard to believe, but I swear on my honor as a warrior that everything I’ve said so far is true.”
“…Wh, what?”
Misha looks confused.
Seeing this, I think it would have been easier if I had used the warrior’s oath earlier…
Well, it doesn’t matter now.
“So, when you wake up, keep your word.”
I pull Misha towards me and put the ring on her finger.
And…
Crack-!
I crush the blue glass jewel on the ring with the strength of my grip.
「Frost Spirit Ring has been destroyed.」
「Glacier Beast Skadi awakens from its seal.」
Like ripples on a lake…
Waves of cold air spread across the ground.
Whoosh!
No. 9425 Frost Spirit Ring.
It’s a special effect that occurs when this item is destroyed.
Since it deals practically no damage, it was essentially a useless option, but I discovered one thing after various attempts.
「Special conditions have been met.」
If the wearer is a beastman…
An event occurs along with the destruction effect.
「Ice Beast Skadi offers a contract to Misha Kaltstein.」
Spirit Beast contract.
It allows you to forcefully awaken the special ability of the beastman race.
____________________________________
「Contract successfully completed.」
____________________________________
A cold whirlwind surrounds Misha like the eye of a storm.
As it gradually subsides, Misha opens her eyes.
Her red eyes are filled with complex emotions, seeming somewhat empty.
“This, so easily… What have I been doing all this time…”
Misha, muttering incoherently, looks at me.
And she asks with a betrayed expression,
“Bjorn, what the hell is this ring? If something like this existed, why didn’t my father tell me about it!”
I don’t know if the beastmen are aware of this ring’s existence.
But to give her the answer she wants…
“He probably didn’t know either.”
“…Didn’t know?”
“Yes, it seems like a mage discovered it recently after a long period of research. He definitely didn’t hide it from you because he doesn’t consider you his daughter.”
This would be better for her mental state.
But even with my answer, Misha seems to have a lot of questions.
“Wait, then how did you know about something like this? Where did you get this ring?”
It’s not difficult to explain.
I have stories prepared beforehand.
But there’s something I need to do first.
“First, put on some clothes before we talk.”
“…Clothes?”
Misha tilts her head and then follows my gaze downwards.
And she sees her current state and…
“Uh, ah? Uh? Wh, why am I completely naked?!”
Misha, creaking like a broken robot, screams.
“I folded everything neatly next to you, so put them on first and then we’ll talk.”
“Ah, alright…”
While I turn my back for a moment, Misha gathers her clothes and puts them on.
“Yo, you can turn around now.”
“That was fast.”
“Then I’ll take my time!!”
I turn around, and Misha is wearing her usual clothes.
The thin cloth clothes she wore under her equipment.
They fit her body perfectly, emphasizing her curves even more.
“Aren’t you going to put on your equipment?”
“First, answer this! Why was I na, na, naked?!”
“Because I took them off.”
“Yo, yo, you, you took them off?! Yo, yo, you?!”
“I had no choice. I heard that all equipped items disappear when you perform this ritual.”
For reference, this is a lie.
I didn’t hear it, I experienced it myself.
Damn it, all my hard-earned equipment was reset, and I was left with nothing, leading to game over.
“…Wai, wait a minute! So you asked me those questions earlier because of that?”
“What questions?”
“About marriage and stuff.”
Ah, that.
I nod honestly.
“Wouldn’t she feel offended if she had a spouse?”
I’m a proud Confucian from Korea.
I could never do something as disrespectful as undressing a woman who even has a husband.
However, Misha shouts at my words, as if it’s absurd.
“Someone who thinks about that didn’t even think to tell me beforehand?!”
“I wasn’t planning on hiding it. But you didn’t believe a single word I said.”
“Th, that’s true, but…”
Misha seems to have nothing more to say as I give her logical reasons for everything she asks.
Therefore, it’s time to take a stronger approach.
“In fact, I had to undress you so quickly that it was a real struggle. Tsk, I didn’t expect you to have so many accessories.”
“…So, sorry.”
“Forget about apologizing, there’s something you need to do first, isn’t there?”
I look at Misha intently, indirectly hinting at what I want.
It’s always best to take credit when you can.
“…Thank you.”
“Is that all?”
Misha hesitates for a moment and says again,
“…Thank you?”
“Don’t try to brush it off. There’s something we need to address properly, isn’t there?”
“Do I really have to say it myself?”
Misha avoids my gaze with an embarrassed and awkward expression, but that’s not enough to make me relent.
These things always need to be clarified.
“Of course.”
When I speak firmly, Misha’s eyes change.
As if the playful atmosphere is over.
As if she never intended to let it slide.
She adjusts her posture and looks at me.
“Bjorn, listen. I… once… even tried to kill myself.”
Suddenly?
Although it feels a bit out of the blue, I listen attentively to her serious voice.
“It was my father who found me and saved me back then.”
“You should be grateful to your father.”
“I wish it were that kind of beautiful story… Do you know what my father said first when I regained consciousness? He told me to go die in the labyrinth if I wanted to die. He asked how much more I was going to shame the family.”
Ah, uh, hmm…
So her family was even more messed up than I expected.
Just as I’m seriously contemplating whether I should correct my previous slip-up, Misha continues calmly,
“So I entered the labyrinth. Of course, I didn’t come here to die like my father said. I just wanted to escape from that family. I thought that even without a Spirit Beast, if I became a great explorer and gained recognition, maybe my father would see me in a new light.”
Her voice is devoid of emotion.
I can feel all the emotions she must have experienced growing up even more clearly from her weary voice.
“Of course, I don’t know if this will make my father acknowledge me. But for some reason… I feel like it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Misha then bows to me.
“…Thank you, Bjorn. I’ll never forget this kindness and will repay you until the day I die.”
Although it might fade with time, doubting Misha’s sincerity right now seems meaningless.
And in that sense, enough with the melodrama…
“Swear to your guardian deity?”
I ask briefly, having listened attentively.
Misha chuckles and nods.
“I swear to my guardian deity.”
Okay, that’s clean and good.
_____________________________________
Summoning, Enhancement, Ability.
Beastmen who make contracts with Spirit Beasts generally acquire one of these three types of abilities.
Misha is Enhancement-type.
「The power of the Ice Beast Skadi permanently resides within Misha Kaltstein’s body.」
Not only has her physical ability taken a leap forward, but the ice attribute is also permanently imbued in her.
Just like my abdomen, which I was just hit on, feels cold.
“Ah! I hit you because you told me to, but I didn’t know that would happen. Are you okay?”
My skin, which has turned red as if frostbitten, is a bit painful.
I grin as I look at it.
‘It’s a bit disappointing that it’s not Summoning or Ability, but…’
Still, it’s better than nothing.
After getting hit, I’m even more certain.
We’ve gained the elemental attack means I’ve been longing for.
With this, we can now beat up those incorporeal monster bastards.
“Hey! Get a grip, Bjorn! Why are you grinning like an idiot?!”
“It’s nothing. Then let’s move. We’ve been here for too long.”
We roughly clean up the surroundings and move on, taking Misha with me. And on the way, we encounter a 9th-grade incorporeal monster, ‘Wraith’, and decide to fight it as a test.
「Wraith has cast [Corpse Flame].」
[Corpse Flame].
It’s an active skill that combines the darkness and fire attributes.
The power is even lower than a 9th-grade spell…
And for me, who has Darkness Resistance from the vampire essence, it only feels slightly warm even if I get hit by it.
Incorporeal monsters like this generally have low combat power compared to their rank.
They’re only troublesome in the early stages because you don’t have the means to attack them.
「Killed Wraith. EXP +1」
I use my mace that’s been sprinkled with holy water.
Misha uses her fists imbued with frost.
“Hmph, it feels strange every time I hit them…”
The reason she’s using her fists instead of the spear is simple.
‘As expected, it doesn’t apply to weapons at the 1st stage of awakening.’
Just like the barbarian’s Spirit Engraving has stages…
The beastman’s Spirit Beast contract also needs to be gradually developed.
Still, it’s fortunate that Misha was originally a martial artist class. She said she started using daggers because she felt limited by only using her fists.
「Killed Witch’s Lamp. EXP +1」
「Killed Diroter. EXP +2」
「Killed Mutated Lesser Spirit. EXP +2」
Anyway, we continue wandering through the forest.
We defeat any monsters we encounter as long as it’s not too risky. And we rest as much as possible whenever we have the chance, conserving our stamina.
「Killed Woodman. EXP +1」
「Killed Homunculus. EXP +2」
「Killed Owlbear. EXP +2」
About 11 hours have passed.
Although we haven’t encountered any 7th-grade monsters yet, battles with lower-ranked monsters haven’t been difficult.
There haven’t been any dangerous situations either.
And contrary to our worries, there’s still no sign of Elisa and her group finding us.
‘Did something happen to them?’
Well, maybe.
Or maybe not.
Instead of harboring naive hopes, let’s continue to prepare ourselves mentally.
While doing what we can right now.
‘Phew, as expected, no essences are dropping.’
I click my tongue in frustration.
Holy water and Ice Beast Skadi.
With these two attack methods, we can now hunt incorporeal monsters without any problems…
But nothing much has changed.
‘About 30%?’
I think to myself.
The probability of me returning to the city alive is probably around that much.
「12 hours have passed since entering the Witch’s Forest.」
「Field effect - Witch’s Forest is strengthened.」
「Status effect [Witch’s Eye] is applied.」
The real survival starts now.