C121, 122, 123
Chapter 121: Dark Cloud (5)
For a moment, I stand still, gazing ahead.
Inside the room where Misha assumed no one would be, there are two figures.
Misha and Erwen.
‘They couldn't possibly know each other, so did Erwen come to see me and run into her by chance?’
As soon as I enter the room, I habitually analyze the cause and effect based on the given circumstances.
But that's all it is.
Kwaaang!
Unlike the humid air outside due to the pouring rain, a strangely chilly atmosphere pervades my small, single room.
This room is full of mysteries.
‘What the? Why is she so pissed off?’
Having spent almost every day together for the past few months, I can tell just by her expression.
Right now, Misha is very, very angry.
It’s incomparable to the time when she was caught secretly throwing out carrots after eating all the meat.
Even her tail fur is slightly puffed up, as if she's feeling wary...
What's strange is that Erwen is the same.
‘…Is she crying?’
Tears well up in her eyes.
She's not bawling, but she's trying her best to hold back, as if enduring something.
It’s an expression closer to enduring with frustration rather than crying out of sadness.
‘Did these two fight or something?’
Based on the information I see, I reach a conclusion.
It seems like Erwen and Misha had a fight.
As for the reason, well, I don't know either.
I don't think either of them is the type to clash emotionally with someone they just met.
Clack.
As soon as I close the door, Misha and Erwen's gazes simultaneously turn to me.
It seems they only noticed my presence after the door closed, perhaps because of the sound of rain and thunder...
Misha is the first to speak.
“Ah, Bjorn, you’re back? This is your guest.”
Misha greets me with a smile as usual.
But her eyes aren't smiling at all.
And at that moment…
“Waaaaah! Mister…!!”
Erwen bursts into tears she’d been holding back and runs towards me, even jumping.
I instinctively dodged.
But was it an unexpected sight?
Erwen, regaining her balance like an agility-based character, bites her lip and asks me,
“Is it… because of that woman?”
What is she talking about?
Although it seems like her vibe has changed a lot since I last saw her…
Well, it’s been a while.
“Because of that woman?”
“Ah, it’s nothing!”
Erwen shakes her head violently as I ask back, thinking they really had a big fight.
And then she glances at Misha as if trying to gauge her reaction.
“Bjorn, why are you so late?”
Misha approaches me with quick steps as our eyes meet.
“You left in such a hurry, is everything okay?”
Her voice is filled with an unbearable nasal tone.
I shudder but answer her question,
“Everything is fine. Karon was accused of being a marauder, but after I went and said a few words, it was all resolved.”
“Hee, I see. Good job.”
Misha says something condescending and pats my head.
She would usually pat my arm or back.
At this point, I have no choice but to ask,
“What… the hell is wrong with you?”
“What do you mean? I’m praising you for doing a good job. You can’t consider a barbarian as a stranger.”
I involuntarily tilt my head.
That wasn’t even what I asked…
…and her answer itself is full of contradictions.
“Why? Barbarians and beastmen get along, don’t they?”
…Is that so?
Hmm, well, they’re better than fairies, who are sworn enemies.
“He, here’s a towel!”
Just as I’m about to ask another question, Misha jumps and places a towel on my head.
“Dry your hair first. You’ll catch a cold.”
“Ah, uh… alright.”
I dry my hair with a towel, feeling suspicious, and turn my gaze towards Erwen. I can’t keep neglecting my guest.
“Erwen, did you come here first?”
“Yes? Ah, ye, yes…”
Erwen shrinks back and avoids my gaze as I speak to her.
And she was the one who ran to me earlier.
Ah, so she feels a sense of distance because I dodged?
“Anyway, it’s good that you came. I was thinking of visiting you sometime—”
“Yes? You were thinking of visiting me?”
“…So?”
“Really? I’m happy. I thought you might have forgotten about me…”
I chuckle at the sudden change in atmosphere and answer,
“I won’t forget someone I met during my first labyrinth exploration.”
“Ri, right? How could that be? It just meant something special only to me, after all?”
Huh?
Although I feel a strange sense of dissonance…
…I nod at Erwen’s earnest gaze.
“…That’s right, isn’t it?”
“Yes! It was just that! As expected!”
Erwen’s face brightens up at my single answer, although I don’t know what happened.
I guess that’s enough socializing for now.
I decide to ask what I’m curious about first.
“Anyway, it’s been a while. So how have you been?”
“Me? You’re curious about how I’ve been?”
“So…?”
“Then I’ll tell you!”
Erwen then starts chattering like a bird, telling me everything that happened since we last met.
Most of it is about the labyrinth.
Going up floors with her sister, killing monsters, absorbing new essences. Ah, she also said that she usually stays cooped up in her room and trains day and night?
“Look! I can control all four spirits now! And I’ve even awakened three of them!”
“What? Three?”
“Yes! I worked really, really hard!”
Honestly, I’m also a bit surprised.
It’s hard to consider it as an achievement made in just a few months, even if she was raised like a secondary character thanks to her sister’s help.
‘Is this what talent is?’
In many ways, her case is different from mine.
If I became stronger with high-grade essences and equipment, she really achieved it through training and developing her abilities.
‘She hasn’t even been an explorer for a year, and she’s already a bow-wielding fairy who has succeeded in awakening three elements…’
This is definitely rare.
If she can awaken all four elements, she can do ‘that’ later on.
‘Tsk, if it weren’t for her sister, I could have added her to the team.’
I feel a bit disappointed as if I’ve lost a talented individual.
But I decide not to say anything unnecessary.
We’re not forming a team right now anyway, and she won’t abandon her family and come with me.
“Anyway, it’s a good thing you were busy training. I thought I couldn’t visit you because I moved accommodations. Well, you also had to focus on your growth rather than me.”
“Ah, it’s not exactly that…”
“Right, Bjorn is right. You should focus on your own survival first when you’re not even a 1st-year yet.”
Misha, who had been listening silently, gets up and puts her arm around Erwen’s shoulder.
Erwen flinches and—
“Yes…”
—nods weakly.
Is it just my imagination that she seems to be wary of Misha?
I belatedly ask,
“Ah, so what happened between you two while I was gone?”
Actually, I’ve been curious since the beginning.
But Misha just tilts her head innocently at my question.
As if she heard something strange.
“Huh? Nothing happened?”
“Nothing happened? I thought you guys had a fight or someth—”
“Nyaha! Fight? No way. We became really close, right, Erwen?”
“Yes, Miss Kaltstein…”
“What’s with ‘Miss Kaltstein’? Just call me sister.”
“Yes, sister…”
It’s like watching a delinquent girl taking an innocent schoolgirl to an alleyway.
I’m sure something happened…
But as long as they keep their mouths shut, I doubt I’ll get the answer I want even if I ask.
‘I’ll figure out what happened later…’
I walk past them and open the window.
The sky is clear, the dark clouds having disappeared. Sunlight shines on the wet street, making it sparkle.
So I give them a subtle order to leave.
“The rain has stopped, so you should both leave now. I need to wash up and get some rest.”
For some reason, I feel a wave of fatigue washing over me.
____________________
After leaving mister’s room…
Erwen faces a difficult situation.
“Huh? You’re going this way too?”
“Yes, but…?”
“Then go ahead. I’ll go a bit later.”
She’s heading in the same direction as the beastwoman.
Well, fortunately, it seems like this woman also doesn’t want to walk with me…
“Then you go first. I’ll go later.”
“No, you go first.”
This is the biggest problem.
Going later?
How can she trust those words?
She feels like the woman will turn around and go back to mister’s room as soon as she’s gone. Looking at her expression, it’s clear that she suspects her of the same thing.
“Ha…”
Erwen and Misha both sigh at the same time.
“Then should we go together?”
“Yeah, that would be better.”
An awkward silence fills the air as they walk.
No one speaks first, and they just focus on walking.
Well, it’s only natural.
Although she told him nothing happened, that wasn’t true.
[Well? Don’t you already know what I mean?]
The moment she heard those words, Erwen felt like her mind went blank. Her heart raced with anxiety, and she couldn’t bear it any longer.
So she blurted out something without thinking.
[You wicked cat…!]
It was the first time she had ever cursed at someone.
And on top of that, when she came to her senses, her hand was reaching for the dagger at her waist.
That’s when Erwen realized…
[Hey, is there something wrong with your head?]
…that if it weren’t for those words, she would have already drawn her dagger.
The beastwoman is strong.
Not just her imagination, but truly.
Fairies, with their naturally keen senses, can feel other people’s magical energy.
‘Twice as strong… no, maybe even three times.’
There was a huge difference in their magical energy.
It means that she has absorbed many more high-grade essences. And she could also tell from the aura and posture the beastwoman was emitting.
She felt dizzy as soon as she realized it.
Misha Kaltstein.
This woman is an enemy.
But she can’t defeat her in a fight.
That means… she’ll lose.
Just like she did before, she’ll lose something precious.
Yes, she’ll lose.
Her emotions, separated from reason, overwhelmed her.
A memory engraved in her mind paralyzed Erwen’s thoughts.
Her mouth moved on its own, driven by her emotions.
[Please don’t take him away… Please….]
A pathetic plea.
Words that she would never have uttered if she were in her right mind.
They came pouring out.
[What…?]
Even the beastwoman, who was staring at her with cold eyes, was speechless.
Erwen knew how pathetic and strange she must look right now, even in her own mind.
But…
…she thought she could do even more if it meant protecting what was precious to her. No, she might have actually knelt down and begged, tears streaming down her face.
Clack.
If it weren’t for mister arriving just then…
[Waaaaah! Mister…!!]
Erwen shakes her head as if to dispel her thoughts.
It was a shameful memory she didn’t even want to think about.
For some reason, her thoughts become irrational whenever it involves mister.
‘…I must have seemed like a strange girl.’
Erwen glances at Misha, blushing with shame.
She’s now standing at a fork in the road.
“I’m going this way, where are you going?”
“Fortunately… it’s the opposite direction.”
“Hmm, I see…”
The moment to escape from the awkward silence has arrived, but neither of them can take a step, just staring at each other.
Misha is the first to speak.
“Are… you coming tomorrow too?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Ha… how did I really…”
Misha facepalms as if she can’t believe this situation.
Erwen feels the same way.
Before she rushed here, all she could think about was meeting mister and having fun together.
“Anyway, I’m going. You go too. Okay?”
“Um…”
“Huh?”
Erwen grabs Misha’s arm, who is about to head towards the other path.
She has something to say.
Although she doesn’t really want to.
“…Thank you.”
“Thank you…?”
“You didn’t tell him… about what happened earlier.”
“The part where you tried to attack me with your dagger?”
“Yes…”
Misha lets out a big sigh as Erwen hangs her head low.
“Alright, let’s make a promise.”
“Promise?”
“You’re going to come here anyway, even if I tell you not to. So let’s keep this between us. That… I guess it’s the same for you, but… I don’t want to make him worry about something like this.”
“…Okay.”
“Then I’ll be going. And you go home too, okay?”
“Yes.”
Erwen then parts ways with Misha and heads back to her accommodation.
Although it’s quite a distance, it doesn’t feel long, perhaps because her mind is so preoccupied.
She enters her room, and her sister greets her.
With a worried expression.
“Erwen.”
“Sister…”
Erwen collapses into her sister’s arms.
“Did you… meet him?”
“Yes. He was really alive.”
“I, is that so…? That’s good.”
She acts spoiled in her sister’s arms for a long time, as if seeking comfort.
And then she gathers her resolve.
“Sister, I’m going to become stronger.”
“Stronger…?”
“Yeah. Is something wrong with that?”
“No, I thought you were going to stop training…”
Erwen tilts her head at her sister’s meaningful words.
Why would she stop training?
Well, when she first found out that mister was alive, she felt like the years she spent training in her room were meaningless…
“But I have someone I have to defeat now.”
Erwen feels a burning desire, even more intense than before.
“So please help me from now on, sister.”
If she doesn’t want to be on the losing side…
…then she just has to be on the winning side.
----------------------------------
Chapter 122: Veteran (1)
Misha woke me up early the next morning.
"Wake up, wake up! How long are you going to sleep?!"
It was 6:30 AM.
It was a very early time, considering our schedule of going to Commelby.
"Let's eat out today. I couldn't pack lunch because I woke up early."
"Then let's have breakfast on the 1st floor—"
"No, no! Let's eat outside. Okay?"
"I'm hungry..."
"Come on, I'll buy you something delicious. Okay?"
I was dragged out by Misha before I could even have breakfast. And after escaping on a carriage, we finally had a meal after arriving in Commelby, the commercial district.
Misha took me to a restaurant that she claimed was famous, about 30 minutes away from the public transportation platform.
"How is it? Delicious, right?"
"It's delicious...!"
I don't know what she did to the stew, but it has a very familiar and savory taste.
I should make a note of this place and come back whenever I'm in the neighborhood.
"I'm glad you like it. Do you like it that much?"
"Except for the expensive price."
"That's because you ate four bowls, you barbarian!"
After our late breakfast, we went to the weapon shop and the general store I frequented and sold all the loot.
‘3 million stones…’
It’s the amount we earned from selling all the equipment and consumables of the three guys from the 2nd floor and Jensia.
It's not a small amount of money, but it doesn't feel that significant. If we had sold Viper's Fang and the 2nd-tier leather armor, it would have been several times more.
‘Well, we can sell those later.’
Afterwards, we went to the blacksmith recommended by Hikurod to get the equipment repaired. I was worried about the repair cost since my shield and breastplate were quite dented from the troll battle…
"It’s 300,000 stones in total.”
…but the repair cost was cheaper than expected.
Well, I guess it's easier to fix dents than melted parts.
“Do you also handle leather?”
“Yes, do you have something to repair?”
“Ah, this part here feels too tight…”
We had Misha’s armor repaired while we were at it.
Although I was worried that there might be a problem if we messed with it since it’s leather armor, there wasn’t any major issue.
"There’s no need to add new material for this. We can just use a softener to slightly stretch out the tight parts."
The repair cost was only around 50,000 stones.
Maybe it’s because we came here through Hikurod’s introduction, but they don’t seem to be ripping us off. It seems like a very honest shop.
"Come back in three days."
After leaving the blacksmith’s, we wandered around and purchased some exploration supplies.
I restocked Witch’s Lamp Solvent, a counter-consumable for stealth, and bought a few more items that came to mind.
And…
"I’ll give you two bottles for 2 million stones.”
…I repurchased two top-grade potions at the general store I went to before.
It’s because I didn’t expect to use up one bottle so quickly.
It was a significant expense, but it’s a little better since we’re splitting the cost.
"Fortunately, we didn't have to touch the money in the shared account. Here’s 325,000 stones.”
We split the remaining money.
Then I guess we’ve finished today’s schedule.
"Then I’ll be going! Sleep well, Bjorn!”
“You too.”
We returned to Ravigion in the evening, had a simple meal, and parted ways.
And when I returned to my room…
…what is this again?
I see a silver-haired fairy squatting in front of my door, her head buried in her knees.
“Erwen…?”
“Ah, you’re here?”
Erwen greets me with a bright smile as soon as she sees me.
Her eyes seem tired for some reason, so I ask,
“…How long have you been waiting here?”
“Not long. Were you two out?”
“Ah, we had to go to Commelby.”
“I see… As expected.”
“So what brings you here?”
I ask her what she wants since it’s almost time for me to wash up and sleep, but Erwen just keeps her mouth shut.
As if she’s organizing her thoughts.
She has a serious expression, but soon speaks in her usual cheerful voice.
“Mister, I won’t be able to visit as often as before. I came to tell you that.”
“Huh? Ah… well, the situation is different now.”
She’s not a one-month-old newbie explorer anymore.
Well, she hasn’t even been an explorer for a year yet…
…but she should know that now is the time to focus on her growth even more.
“Yes, I’m starting special training with my sister tomorrow. So I probably won’t be able to come more than once a week. I wish I could come more often, but… it would take too long.”
“Too long?”
“…There’s something like that.”
Erwen trails off as if making an excuse, and then she smiles brightly and disappears before I can ask any further.
“Anyway! I’ll come next week, so see you then, mister!”
“Uh, yeah…”
…What’s with this unsettling feeling?
_____________________
The next day, at lunchtime, we had a team gathering at a bar.
And we had our return drinks while distributing the loot from the previous expedition.
“It seems like we each get 550,000 stones. The byproducts of the Frogman Shaman sold for a higher price than I expected.”
“Haha, it’s all thanks to Rotmiller’s skillful dissection.”
“Ahem, I have to do at least that much since I’m not much help in battle.”
I roughly ignore Rotmiller’s humble words and finalize the income from this expedition.
400,000 stones from the magic stones we acquired in the rift, 1st floor, and 2nd floor.
320,000 stones left after subtracting the consumable expenses from the money we earned from selling equipment.
And 550,000 stones from the request completion reward and byproducts.
A total of 1.27 million stones.
‘I earned this much even after spending so much?’
Despite all the expenses, we still made much more than the previous two months on the 4th floor.
No, actually, considering the essence and leather armor that Misha absorbed, and Viper’s Fang…
…we practically made a huge profit.
And I also have the 5 million stones I’ll receive from the bear-like man.
‘At this rate, I’ll be able to reach the 6th-stage engraving soon.’
I grin and take a gulp of beer.
There’s still 2 million stones in cash left in Misha’s and my shared account.
My personal savings are about 2.5 million.
Although I was a bit anxious since our growth had practically stopped in the past two months…
…looking at my bank account balance makes me feel rich.
“Bjorn! How could you drink the first glass alone?!”
“Huh?”
“Let’s drink together! We haven’t properly celebrated yet.”
“…Yeah, do whatever you want.”
“To celebrate defeating that troll bastard and returning safely! Cheers! Everyone, bottoms up!”
After the settlement, we all have our return drinks and reminisce about the past expedition.
Is it because we overcame another crisis together?
The dwarf, our team leader, seems very happy.
However, the drinking party ends even more quickly than last time.
“I… I need to leave now. I have to stop by my family’s place.”
First, Misha leaves, and then Rotmiller.
“I should call it a night too. I have some business at the guild.”
The two of them, who had only been sipping their drinks and going along with the atmosphere because of their prior commitments, leave. With Misha gone, the once noisy party becomes quiet.
I was going to stay a bit longer so that the dwarf wouldn't feel sulky if I left too…
But surprisingly, the dwarf stealthily moves to the next table.
“Hahaha, that’s right! Turns out that troll wasn't a big deal! Lie? No way. Do you see that barbarian over there? He’s called Little Balkan, maybe you’ve heard of him…”
The dwarf starts chatting and drinking with explorers he just met, leaving his teammates behind. So I’m about to leave too, but Dwarkey grabs my arm.
“Le, let’s talk for a bit.”
“What?”
“Co, come to think of it, we’ve never had a quiet conversation, just the two of us.”
Hmm, that’s true.
Although I often chatted with Rotmiller when everyone else was drunk and asleep, this guy was usually the one who passed out.
‘Does he have something to tell me?’
And that’s it.
Dwarkey just sips his drink awkwardly and doesn’t speak first.
‘Damn it, I should have just left.’
Unlike the noisy surroundings, an awkward atmosphere surrounds me.
So I speak first.
I have something I’m curious about anyway.
“Is your body okay?”
“Ah, yes… honestly, I felt a bit uncomfortable even after receiving treatment from the priest, but I’m completely fine now.”
“That’s good. Then how about this?”
Dwarkey tilts his head as I tap my forehead, asking him.
“It must have been your first time experiencing your body being folded in half. How is it? Can you still enter the labyrinth?”
It’s more common than you’d think for explorers to break mentally.
Sometimes, the cruel memories that remain in the body are etched in the mind like scars.
“Ah, that is…”
Dwarkey hesitates to answer as he understands the meaning of my question.
As expected, it seems like it’s not nothing.
“Whew… to be honest, I haven’t been able to sleep properly since that day. I thought it was because we were in the labyrinth, but it’s the same in the city.”
Dwarkey then lets out a long, alcohol-fueled sigh and confesses that just thinking about entering the labyrinth again makes his hands tremble.
“But don’t worry too much. It’s something that everyone goes through, and it’s something we overcome, isn’t it? I’ll be fine before the next expedition.”
He can overcome it…
Judging by his eyes, it doesn’t seem like he’s just saying that.
But there’s one thing that’s puzzling.
“Is there a reason for you to push yourself that much?”
Most people overcome their trauma and continue working as explorers.
Because it’s their only way to make a living.
In a city where you have to pay taxes to survive, they have no choice but to overcome it.
But Dwarkey, the mage, is different.
“You can earn enough just by working in the city, so why do you want to keep being an explorer?”
Dwarkey hesitates at my question, then chugs a glass of beer before answering.
“That’s… because it’s fun.”
It’s a completely unexpected answer.
“Because it’s fun?”
“Of course, the reason was different at first. Do you remember what I said when we first met?”
“I remember. You said you wanted to become a great explorer and bring honor to the barony.”
“That was all a lie. I just thought that maybe my father… no, the former baron, would pay attention to me if I became a famous explorer.”
Dwarkey is an illegitimate child of a noble family.
And as is typical of illegitimate children, he feels a deep love-hate relationship with his blood relatives. He resents them, but at the same time, he wants to be loved by them. It’s a contradictory emotion.
“As you know, the former baron passed away. And as you saw… the brother who inherited his position didn’t even know I existed.”
At first, he felt empty, he says.
He felt like he was adrift after losing his life’s purpose in an instant.
Dwarkey, poetically expressing his feelings at the time, looks me straight in the eyes.
“But I was able to overcome it. Because I had four people around me to rely on.”
“Don’t tell me… yo, you’re talking about us?”
“Then wh, who else would it be? At first, I didn’t know that’s what companions are like. They were more than just friends I could trust and rely on, it felt like fa, family…”
“I, I see?”
“That’s right. After my mother passed away, I always felt like I was alone in the world… but when I explored, laughed, and chatted with you guys, I didn’t feel that way at all.”
Dwarkey finishes his beer in one gulp, as if he knows he’s saying something embarrassing.
“Thank you, Bjorn. Thanks to you guys, every day is enjoyable these days. So… even though I went through that this time… I can overcome it.”
“…I see.”
“Yes. So don’t worry too much.”
“Alright, I won’t worry about that part anymore.”
I cleanly dismiss my concerns.
Whatever his motivation, it seems like Dwarkey’s mental state will be fine if he’s like this.
“Huhu, you know, you seem like a softie even though you’re not.”
“Enough, let’s drink.”
Thanks to the sincere conversation, the awkward atmosphere has disappeared.
Dwarkey, who was hesitant in front of me, starts talking enthusiastically, and I listen and respond.
That’s when…
“Um, Bjorn… I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“By any chance, are you and Misha… dating?”
I stare at Dwarkey instead of answering.
His flushed face is filled with anxiety and tension.
Only then do I realize one thing.
‘No wonder he suddenly wanted to talk alone.’
This was his real intention.
______________________
"Braun Rotmiller. Age 34, it's been 8 years since you became an explorer, right?"
As soon as I entered the office, I felt a contemptuous gaze. Feeling humiliated, Rotmiller answered,
"...That's right."
He was more curious than shocked.
He had received a summons from the Explorer's Guild this morning. So he arrived at the guild on time, even though he was in the middle of catching up with his companions.
And he followed the employee upstairs to this room.
A man was sitting in a chair, and he was a familiar face.
'Nile Urbans, the 7th Regional Manager of the Explorer's Guild. Why would someone like him call for someone like me...?'
A question welled up inside him, but he didn't act recklessly and waited for the man's explanation.
Because who knows what kind of trouble might befall him if he makes even a small mistake?
"Hmm, I like it. Especially the part where you wait patiently even though you're curious."
"Then can you tell me what this is about?"
The regional manager nods with a smug smile at his request and explains the reason for calling him here.
The more he listens, the more absurd it sounds.
"So you're telling me to betray my companions?"
"That's up to you. To be precise, I just need you to fix that barbarian friend's behavior."
Rotmiller clenches his teeth.
One of the only 13 regional managers in the city.
A being who can easily bring great misfortune upon a mere explorer just because they find him annoying.
That's why he needed courage even more.
"I'll... pretend I didn't hear that offer."
He forces out a refusal, his fist clenched tightly.
The regional manager smiles with interest at this.
"If you're done talking, I'll be on my way."
Rotmiller hurriedly turns towards the door before he's consumed by fear.
That's when...
"It's admirable that you cherish your companions. It's truly a wonderful belief. But... how long do you think they'll be your companions?"
Rotmiller involuntarily stops at the voice that follows.
"I looked at your records. I think you must feel quite wronged. It took you 8 years to reach 7th grade. Meanwhile, that barbarian became 6th grade in just half a year."
"I've never felt that way."
"If you say so. But shouldn't you start accepting reality?"
"......"
"Your companions will keep climbing the ranks. They're not ordinary humans like you."
Rotmiller bites his lip at his blunt words.
But he can't refute them.
Because he knows all too well that what the man said is true.
"How long do you think you can keep up with them? Three months? Four months? Hmm, maybe you can last longer. If they pity you, that is."
Rotmiller opens the door and leaves without listening any further.
"I trust you'll make a wise decision."
The regional manager, visible through the closing door, has a kind smile on his face.
-----------------------
Chapter 123: Veteran (2)
“Misha and I are just companions.”
“Is, is that so? Ah… as expected…”
What does he mean, ‘as expected’?
I try to ignore his knowing gaze and take a sip of my beer. Dwarkey then slams his head on the table.
Thud!
No wonder he was chugging several glasses even though he can't hold his liquor.
‘Damn it.’
Anyway, our daytime drinking session ends without even lasting a few hours.
I leave Dwarkey, who’s passed out, to his best friend, the dwarf, and step out of the bar. It’s still daytime.
Therefore…
‘I should just go to the library.’
I change my plans, deciding to head to the library instead of going back to the inn and resting.
There are still many things I don’t know about this place.
‘It’s almost the same, but subtly different.’
Just look at the troll we encountered this time.
We blinded it by stabbing its eyes, but it still charged towards Dwarkey, sensing mana.
There was no such setting in the game.
But who knows, maybe there’s something about it in the books of this world.
I need to keep studying, not just rely on my knowledge from the game.
‘Auril Gabis. I need to keep looking into that name too.’
Somehow, I think I’m reading more books here than I did in the civilized world.
“You’re safe, I see.”
I arrive at the library, and Ragna greets me with sleepy eyes.
It’s been a few months since we exchanged names…
But we’ve gotten closer than before.
Now she even offers unsolicited advice.
“I understand you rested on the day you came back, but why didn’t you come yesterday?”
“I had things to do.”
“I know explorers are busy, but you shouldn’t neglect your studies.”
She has a strange side to her too.
Telling a barbarian not to neglect his studies.
“Alright, then I’ll leave it to you.”
“…Bierdo Parsityev.”
After a brief greeting, I receive the [Special Book Detection] spell as usual and enter the library.
And this time, I focus on books related to monsters. I didn’t usually look into this area because I already had knowledge from the game, but the situation has changed.
“I’m getting hungry, so I’ll be going. Keep up the good work.”
“Um…”
“Huh?”
“I’m still… never mind. Don’t worry about it.”
It’s evening when I leave the library.
But what is this?
“Hello, Mr. Yandel.”
Just as I’m returning to the inn, thinking I had a productive day, someone is pacing in front of my room.
A woman dressed in black from head to toe, as if attending a funeral, with an elegant aura.
So, her name was…
“You’re… Urbans?”
“…Julian. Julian Urbans.”
“Right, that was your name.”
“…I heard about it from Peta, but I didn’t expect you to really not remember.”
She mutters dejectedly, twisting her curly brown hair with her index finger.
It might just be a habit, but maybe it's an unconscious manifestation of her anxiety.
‘She doesn’t look like it from her expression, but is she nervous?’
With that thought, I ask,
“So who is Peta?”
The regional manager's daughter’s eyes tremble at my question.
As if she heard something unbelievable.
“…You don’t even know Branch Manager Peta’s name?”
“Ah.”
So that was the mustached man’s name.
But how would I know?
We've never even introduced ourselves before.
Honestly, it’s a bit embarrassing, but I don’t show it and get to the point.
“So what brings you here? Alone, at that.”
“I had no choice but to come since you wouldn’t meet me.”
“I’m pretty sure I refused that offer.”
“Can’t you understand that I’m desperate?”
Desperate…
For the regional manager’s daughter to say something like this, there must be a reason. It’s probably something she can’t tell others.
Or else, she wouldn’t have come alone to meet her hostage-taker.
But I’m a barbarian who doesn’t know the meaning of being nosy.
“Just go back. I don’t want to get involved in troublesome things.”
I suppress my curiosity and enter the room.
However, just as I’m about to close the door…
Clack!
…Lady Urbans quickly wedges her parasol into the gap.
Of course, there’s no way it would work.
Bang!
The parasol shatters with a bit of force, and the door closes tightly.
“Huh?”
Perhaps she didn’t expect things to go this way. Lady Urbans hurriedly knocks on the door.
“Wai, wait a minute! Let’s just talk! It won’t take long—”
“Stop it and go back.”
“No, really! Aren’t you even curious about why I’m doing this?”
“I’m not curious.”
“Ugh!”
Did my firm attitude work well?
Lady Urbans, whose parasol even ended up broken, kicks the door in frustration and then leaves with the sound of her clicking heels.
Only then do I breathe a sigh of relief.
‘Phew, it seems like it worked out—’
Click, clack.
That’s when the receding sound of heels starts coming back towards me.
Could it be that she hasn’t given up yet?
Knock, knock, knock.
As soon as I hear the knocking, I start snoring.
Snore, snore!
I judged that this would be enough for her to completely give up, without any further response.
“Ha… why am I doing this…”
I hear a lament from beyond the door.
However, did she decide to change her tactics?
“I know you’re not sleeping, so just listen.”
Lady Urbans whispers from behind the door.
“Braun Rotmiller. Be careful of that man. I don’t know the details, but he met with my father today… Kyaak! How could you suddenly open the door!”
…It was worth listening to.
_______________________
An awkward atmosphere fills the room where a man and a woman are together late at night.
Well, that’s only natural.
I opened the door for her, but there’s no substance.
“So that’s all?”
“Yes…”
That Rotmiller was summoned to the Regional Manager’s office and then left after 5 minutes.
That’s all the information Lady Urbans gave me.
I shouldn’t have opened the door.
“So what’s your goal?”
Since things have turned out this way, I decide to satisfy my curiosity.
I’m even more curious now.
Why would the Regional Manager’s daughter tell me this, even betraying her own father?
Lady Urbans says with a determined expression,
“My goal is my father’s downfall.”
“…Huh?”
“It can’t be helped. If this continues, I’ll really have to live like a doll. Anyway, I need your cooperation to achieve this—”
“Get out.”
“Yes? No, it seems like you’ve misunderstood. You’ll benefit greatly if you help me—”
Benefit my ass.
There’s nothing to gain by making an enemy of the Regional Manager.
“Kyaak!”
I realize how persistent this woman is in this short amount of time, so I pick her up and throw her outside.
And I close and lock the door.
But did my consistent attitude finally work?
“If… you change your mind, please come find me. Ah, and be careful. My father must have done something to that Rotmiller.”
With that, Lady Urbans leaves without making any more fuss. So I also wash up and go to bed.
‘Rotmiller… I’ll have to keep an eye on him.’
Afterwards, the days pass as usual.
Misha grills meat for me every morning, and I spend my time at the library during the day.
When Erwen, who said she would come once a week, visits, the three of us eat together and build our friendship.
Ah, we also had a regular meeting to plan the next expedition.
[Although a troll appeared on the 4th floor last time, it seems like we were just particularly unlucky. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the floor itself, so I think we can proceed as planned. What do you guys think?]
I observed Rotmiller throughout the meeting, but I couldn’t find anything strange.
If I had to point out one thing, it’s that he was quieter than usual.
This made my mind even more complicated.
I was hoping he would mention it at the meeting if he had talked about something with the Regional Manager.
‘…Should I just bluntly ask him what they talked about?’
There’s the option of confronting him directly, but I put it on hold for now.
We still have time before the labyrinth opens, so it’s better to approach it cautiously.
Anyway, time passed, and three days ago…
[With this, I’ve paid back my debt. Return it to me now.]
[…Can’t you just give me this?]
…I received the 5 million stones from the bear-like man.
I asked if he would be willing to just give me the bracelet, but he firmly shook his head.
Geez, it’s not even for ranged attackers.
This item is most effective when used by a character with high regeneration.
Their health recovers quickly during the damage immunity period.
‘I should try to persuade him later when we become companions. To sell it to me cheap.’
With that thought, I open my eyes and check the clock.
[23:59]
It’s just 10 seconds to midnight on the 15th.
I close my eyes again.
「The character's soul resonates and is drawn to a specific world.」
It’s time to enjoy a special kind of daily life.
___________________
Lee Hansu’s room, not Bjorn Yandel’s.
I lie down on the bed first, thinking it’s strange even though it’s not my first time.
‘As expected, the softness is different.’
I can definitely feel the gap in civilization.
It’s not like I bought an expensive mattress.
Well, I guess it would be different if I went for the highest quality in this world too, but.
Click.
I turn on the computer using my toe while lying on the bed, and the monitor lights up instantly without any booting time.
Therefore, I get up and sit in front of the computer.
It’s a space that I can only access once a month, and even then, there’s a time limit.
I have to use it efficiently.
Click, click.
First, I enter the exchange.
Most of it is the same as when I last saw it, but new posts are being uploaded in real time.
‘I’ll check this again later…’
I open the chat room list.
When I first came here, I didn’t have enough time to use this function leisurely, but that’s not the case this time.
[Wizardry]
[Beastmen Gather]
[Elves of the Night]
As I look through them, I see that many people are gathered in the class or race communities, unlike the [Newbie Room], which had less than 10 members.
Well, I guess you would have to go to those places to get useful information.
Things like build guides.
‘But… why are there no barbarians?’
As I keep scrolling down, I freeze.
Except for the dragonkin, whose character selection is blocked, every race has a dedicated chat room, but there’s none for barbarians.
Well, it’s not that there isn’t one…
[Behel-laaaaa!] – 0 members online.
…but there are no people inside.
Looking closely, even the last login record is from months ago, and the nickname is crossed out with a red line.
It means that person was either banned or died in real life.
Why are barbarians the only ones like this?
When I think about it carefully, there are a couple of reasons that make sense.
Two reasons, actually.
1. Barbarians aren’t very popular as main characters.
Even I often chose beastmen or elves before I completed the shield barbarian build. Or I would choose humans, who have high potential in the later stages.
2. Barbarians have to grab their weapons and enter the labyrinth as soon as they start. Otherwise, they starve to death.
The insanely difficult coming-of-age ceremony.
And the hardcore growth condition of having to enter the labyrinth as soon as you wake up.
‘There were already few people, and most of them probably died in the early stages.’
For some reason, I feel a sense of empathy, and my heart aches.
So I look for class communities.
[Noblesse] – 21 members online.
[Treasure Hunter] – 34 members online.
[Swordmaster] – 17 members online.
Healers, archers, swordsmen, etc.
They all have over 10 members online.
But…
[Shielder] – 3 members online.
There are only three tanks.
Zero in the race community and three in the class community.
“…….”
What kind of path am I walking?
I feel a bit miserable, so I try looking for country communities.
Fortunately, there’s a chat room.
[Long Live Korean Independence] – 1 member online.
Even if it’s just one person, it’s something.
It’s a foreign game that didn’t even have Korean translation.
Honestly, I thought there might not even be one.
‘Korean…’
I double-click without hesitation.
___________________
Surprisingly, the moment I open my eyes, I see a room that looks like a noble’s mansion.
I thought it would be a default skin like a clearing or a field—
“You cameeeeeeeeee!”
Before I can even leisurely look around, the player who was online greets me with a loud shout.
He’s a man in his early twenties with short hair.
[Sergeant Lee]
I freeze as soon as I confirm his nickname.
“Sergeant Lee… don’t tell me…”
“Hyungnim… you recognize me. It was the day I was discharged.”
What the hell is this bullshit!