Chapter 2505 - SB 16

"Rotmiller, can you sense if anyone is inside?"

"The sewage smell is too strong, I can't tell."

"I see. Then I'll go down first, follow me when I give the signal."

It's a pit about 5 meters deep, reminiscent of a water tank.

With my shield on my back, I quickly descend the creaky ladder. And when I give the hand signal, the rest of the party follows.

"It's kinda spooky."

As the torchlight illuminates the area, I see a passage that wasn't visible from above due to the angle.

"You take the lead from now on."

I whisper quietly so as not to make any noise and have the man lead the way. And I hold the rope and proceed through the passage.

After about a minute...

'Damn it...'

I see corpses piled up like rags.

Dozens of corpses, mummified like 'Hans-on', devoid of life force.

No wonder the rotten smell was particularly strong.

"Uh, uh... what the..."

Judging by his flustered expression, it doesn't seem like this place was always like this...

"Be quiet and keep moving."

I push the man's back, who had stopped, and continue forward.

At the same time, I'm on high alert, ready to react immediately if something happens.

That's why I'm able to react.

Click.

A faint light starts to leak from between the pile of corpses with the sound of a mechanical device activating.

And a deep voice echoes through the passage.

[Sabeum, Bania, Hartia]

There's no need to see any more.

It's one of the trap skills possessed by priests of Karui.

I used to call it 'Sabaha' for short because of its unique sound effect.

「Character has entered the [Call of the Evil God] radius.」

Damn it, she set this up?

"Get back!!"

While I warn my companions verbally, I pull the rope with my hand and drag the man towards me.

The reason is simple.

'Sabaha' is not the kind of skill that can be blocked with Physical Resistance or a Laetium shield.

"Hu, huh?"

The man, who is now in my grasp instead of a shield, lets out a dumbfounded sound.

And at that moment...

Hundreds of wraiths that resemble banshees pour out from the other side of the passage.

"Aak!! Aaaaaak!!!"

Seeing this, the man screams and struggles, but I don't let go and hide behind him as much as possible.

It's a good thing this guy is tall.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get away with this much damage.

「Character has absorbed 102 wraiths.」

「Darkness Resistance is above a certain threshold.」

「Effect reduced by 30%.」

「Character's maximum health temporarily decreased by 29%.」

My vitality drains away as if I have a hole somewhere in my body. My skin dries up like someone who hasn't drunk water for days.

Misha is the first to sense my change.

"Bjo, Bjorn, are you okay?!"

Misha immediately runs to me and checks my condition.

I stop her from giving me a potion right away and straighten my hunched body.

My muscles ache from the tension.

'Damn it, I almost died.'

[Call of the Evil God]

It's a trap skill that unleashes hundreds of souls in a designated direction when activated. The characteristic is that your maximum health decreases by the number of times you're hit by the souls.

Naturally, if your maximum health reaches 0, you die instantly.

Just like this man in my grasp.

"Is everyone okay?"

"We're fine thanks to you blocking from the front. But that guy... is he dead?"

I don't bother answering.

It would be more surprising if he survived in that state with only bones and skin left.

As soon as I put the man down, the dwarf mutters in a daze,

"...It's not something I should say, but it's a good thing we made him take the lead."

I agree.

And I'm not ashamed of that fact.

We're ruthless explorers, after all.

"What are we going to do? If there are more of these, it's too dangerous to continue."

I contemplate for a moment and make a decision.

"Let's keep going."

Setting up [Call of the Evil God] requires various materials.

Most of them are people's life force.

Although there are many corpses around...

...it's probably just one trap since there aren't hundreds of them.

'Besides, I have a feeling that if we don't take care of it now, it will become a headache later...'

I have no evidence, but I have that hunch.

Just as we're about to set off, the dwarf hands me something.

"It's nothing special, but I found this while searching his pockets."

It's the mummified man's ID card.

I don't know why a fugitive would carry an ID card, but...

"We can submit it to the administrative office later when we receive the additional reward... wait, why are you making that face?"

I freeze as I check the ID card.

[Hans Marcom]

...This guy was a Hans too?

Tsk, I'm suddenly feeling uneasy.

_____________________________________

After about twenty steps, we reach Hans E's hideout.

It's more well-furnished than I expected.

There's something that resembles a bed, a table with leftover bread and coffee, and even a candlestick on the wall.

However…

"Hahaha, there's no one here?"

"Hmm, either she left this place entirely, or she's just away for a bit."

There's no sign of anyone.

And there's nowhere to hide.

"Don't let your guard down. She might be hiding."

We search the vicinity thoroughly, just in case.

Under the bed, under the table, even checking if there are any hidden spaces in the walls.

After about 5 minutes of careful observation, there's no progress.

Not until Dwarkey uses a spell.

「Liol Wobu Dwarkey has cast the 8th-grade support spell [Mana Detection].」

[Mana Detection]

It's a search spell that reveals anything that has been magically tampered with.

"How is it?"

"It's ambiguous."

"Ambiguous?"

"I can faintly sense mana from the floor here… but it's too faint. It's almost like I'm mistaken."

I then check the spot Dwarkey pointed to.

Since I'm not a mage, I can't see anything unusual.

There aren't even any subtle cracks or anything.

"Is there no way to find out more with magic?"

"No. But if I had to guess, this magic seems to be hiding something beneath it."

"I see."

After that one-word question, I immediately raise my mace.

The dwarf asks, seeing my actions,

"What are you doing?"

"Smashing it."

"…Smashing it?"

I don't bother answering the dwarf's question. Well, since magical means are blocked, it's time to use physical means.

Like a barbarian.

Kwaaang!

The mace, which has doubled in size and weight compared to before, hits the ground, and the earth trembles.

But that's all.

"Bjorn, you can't open a magical device like that."

Dwarkey, who was watching, throws in his two cents, but I continue swinging my mace.

Kwaaang! Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang!

The mace is still intact, probably because it's made of solid steel.

Of course, the ground is slightly dented, but that's it.

Therefore—

"Stop it. Even Dwarkey said that it wouldn't work…"

I take off my breastplate, my shoes, my helmet, and put down the backpack I was carrying on my back.

Everyone looks at me with a 'what the hell is he doing?' expression.

「Character has cast [Gigantification].」

「Character's size increases, and threat level and physical stats increase proportionally.」

My body doubles in size, and my strength surges. The dwarf still mutters discouragingly,

"Even if it's you, magic doesn't work that way…"

It won't work?

As a veteran of this game and a current barbarian warrior, I still find it hard to agree.

If you can't break it with strength—

Kwaaang—!!!!

—it's because you're not strong enough.

"...???!"

Ah, well, except for ghosts.

___________________________

"So it works."

"Dwarkey, what happened? Weren't you the one who confidently said it wouldn't work?"

"Uh, that is… I don't know either. Why this worked…"

Ignoring their muttering, I check the floor.

After two swings, light starts to leak out and cracks appear, and with the third swing, it shatters. There's a staircase under the hole.

"A hidden staircase in a sewer like this…"

It's so deep that I can't see the end even when I shine the torch down.

It feels like a passage to the underworld.

"Do we really have to go down there…?"

Misha looks at me with a disgusted expression.

Honestly, I don't want to either.

Since it was used as a hideout, I thought it would just be a small space big enough to hide one person…

'But what is this?'

I feel like I've gotten involved in something troublesome, but at the same time, I'm also a bit curious. After all, the sewers were a restricted area in the game.

Of course, I have no intention of risking danger just out of curiosity.

But…

"Bjorn, I can faintly smell that woman from down there."

"What?"

"She definitely passed through here. And not too long ago."

Damn it, what should we do?

Should I just call it quits here and tell them to handle it themselves?

I'm deeply troubled.

So I ask for Rotmiller's opinion as well.

"Rotmiller, what do you think? Do you think it's better to retreat?"

"…I think it's okay to just check for a bit. I can't smell anyone else down there besides that woman."

It's a slightly unexpected answer.

But did my surprise show on my face?

Rotmiller chuckles and adds an explanation.

"Somehow, I have a feeling it won't be too dangerous."

Hmm, so it's because of his Sixth Sense stat.

Although there's no clear evidence, I don't ignore his words.

'His accuracy is quite high.'

In fact, Rotmiller accurately sensed Hans E's presence when he was hiding.

The reason he was reluctant to go to the hideout?

If he sensed that it was dangerous because of traps, it would also explain why he was the only one who opposed going to the 4th floor during the vote.

'Sixth Sense… it might be a better stat than I thought.'

I finally make a decision.

"Rotmiller, you take the lead from now on. If you feel anything even slightly off, we'll turn back immediately."

Rotmiller's intuition is quite reliable.

_____________________________________

"Vice-leader, the 'gate' has been destroyed."

A man frowns at his subordinate's report.

The underground shelter built in the ancient times, when Lafdonia was just a lord's castle and had not yet undergone countless expansions.

And the city of 'Noark' located there.

Most of the entrances to this place are guarded by members who are always on watch.

But…

"The gate is destroyed? Don't tell me it's an attack from the royal family?"

"The probability of that is low."

"…Explain in detail."

At the man's urging, his subordinate hurriedly explains the situation.

"It turns out to be a forgotten gate that's been abandoned since the Karui Church incident. According to the last reconnaissance report, a vagrant was using it as a hideout."

"Hmm."

The man strokes his chin.

It's a habit he has when he's contemplating something.

"There's no reason for the royal family to target us now… but it's clear that they're intruders, so we need to confirm."

"Yes. Which unit should I contact?"

"Is there a need to send a unit?"

The man asks rhetorically and looks at the woman next to him.

It's the woman he was talking to before his subordinate's report.

They were talking about how the barbarian he let go of has become a famous explorer in the city. It was an interesting story for once, but it was interrupted…

"Amelia, you can handle anyone quietly, right? Would you mind going there on our behalf?"

They can continue their conversation later.

-x-X-x-

We're descending the stairs.

Even with the torch and the light orb spell activated, the darkness seems endless.

It feels like we're wandering through an abyss.

"Let's pick up the pace a bit."

Following Rotmiller's judgment, we increase our speed as we descend the stairs.

How much time has passed?

"Huh..."

"I never imagined there would be such a vast space beneath the sewers."

"Hahaha! Humans alone couldn't have built something this big. No matter the reason, it must have been our ancestors who created it."

We finally reach the last step and a wide-open cavern appears.

The ceiling alone is over 6 meters high, giving the space an unbelievable sense of openness for an underground area.

"For now, there's only one visible path."

Rotmiller, who was scanning the surroundings, points to one spot.

Looking closely, there's a passage behind a weathered, unidentified stone statue.

"The woman's scent also leads this way. If my prediction is correct, we might encounter her soon."

Alright, so that's how it is.

"I'll take the lead from now on."

Since it's a straight passage, we change our formation.

I take the lead, and Rotmiller follows behind me, assisting with navigation. The dwarf is positioned at the rear to prepare for any surprise attacks.

"Dwarkey, stay close to her side."

"I, I will."

Misha's role is to protect the mage in the center and then actively support either the front or the rear.

"Then let's move out."

As we walk down the passage, we reach a fork in the road.

I don't know the way, but it's not a problem.

We have the sniffer dog, Rotmiller, with us.

"She definitely went that way."

We choose the left path, where the scent is coming from.

But what is this?

"...Another fork in the road."

We reach another fork.

And this time, there are five choices.

"Rotmiller?"

"Ah, it's a bit ambiguous. Her scent is coming from all the paths, as if she was wandering around."

"Does that mean we can't follow her anymore?"

"Not necessarily. Let's go that way. Judging by the strong residual scent, it seems like the path she took most recently."

"I see."

Pathfinding and searching aren't my areas of expertise, so I readily follow the expert's instructions.

However…

'What is this place?'

Soon, we reach another fork in the road.

I'm starting to get a sense of the shape of this space.

Although I can't tell what purpose this place was designed for...

...it has a maze-like structure.

"Hikurod, do you know what this place is? You're a dwarf."

"Ha, haha! It's a narrow-minded thought to assume that all dwarves are knowledgeable about architecture. So... Dwarkey, what about you? You're a mage, aren't you?"

"Do you think mages are all wise sages who have attained enlightenment? I have no idea why ancient people would intentionally create such a space underground."

Questions spread among the party members.

I nip it in the bud before it gets any more annoying.

"Stop the chatter. Wherever this place is, we just need to catch that bitch and go back."

"That's true, but..."

"If you're really curious, ask the administrative office. That would be more accurate than us speculating."

The three chatterboxes shut their mouths at my words.

Phew, why do I, a barbarian, have to be the disciplinarian?

As expected, Rotmiller is the only one I can rely on.

He's the only one who always does what needs to be done without complaining.

"Bjorn, stop."

"What is it?"

"The scent suddenly got much stronger. This is probably not just a residual scent..."

Rotmiller trails off and sniffs the air a few more times, then his eyes change.

"It's clear. She's coming this way from the other side."

Rotmiller points to the second path from the left.

I can't believe she's coming towards us.

Although it's a bit sudden...

I confirm the important thing first.

"Time?"

"I can't tell for sure since I don't know her speed."

"Tell me your best guess, even if it's just a feeling."

"...About 2 minutes, I think."

"Did she spot us first?"

"I don't think so. This is just speculation, but... I have a feeling she's lost."

Hmm, that's a plausible guess.

I come up with a plan, speaking on behalf of the dwarf who's just staring with wide eyes.

"Everyone, get ready to fight. We'll hide and ambush her when she comes."

First, we hide in the next passage.

Rotmiller readies his crossbow, and Dwarkey starts casting a spell, preparing for a surprise attack.

As soon as we finish preparing...

Thud, thud.

We hear footsteps from afar.

The sound gradually gets closer.

But...

Thud-.

The sound stops at a certain point.

'What happened?'

Just as I'm tapping Rotmiller's shoulder and asking with my eyes...

Tadatadat!

Urgent footsteps echo through the passage.

"Bjorn!"

Misha whispers, and I close my eyes.

Although it's confusing because the sound echoes, I can tell if I focus on my hearing.

She's not running towards us...

"She's running away."

"It seems like she noticed us hiding."

Rotmiller says urgently.

I agree.

After all, why else would she suddenly turn around and run while she was walking normally?

"What are we going to do?"

"Do you feel uneasy?"

"I'm not sure."

Right, that's how it is.

"What are you waiting for? Lead the way!"

Although we were the ones being chased in the Witch's Forest...

"We have to catch her and kill her before she gets any further away."

...the roles have reversed now.

_______________________________

Karui.

He's a being called the Evil God or the God of Darkness.

He's as fickle as he is rational.

Blind faith is always rewarded.

[I offer this blood, flesh, and soul, so please show me the way...!]

Elisa Behenk.

She was able to survive in the Witch's Forest thanks to the god's characteristics.

She offered three explorers she encountered by chance at the cabin as sacrifices and received advice that burning corpses would extend her rest time, as well as a new power called [Undead Transformation].

By using this power, she wasn't attacked by monsters first, and she was also immune to the area effects of the Witch's Forest.

That's why—

[Uh! That woman...!]

[What are you doing! Run!]

...she was able to chase the dwarf party she encountered in the forest.

Because it's just an ordinary forest without the area effects.

Unfortunately, the pursuit ended in failure.

She hurriedly followed them as they went up to the 4th floor, but the portal changed color and transported them to a different space just before she could enter.

The monsters that filled the area in front of the portal?

She endured for ten days using [Undead Transformation].

And she returned to the city.

[Priestess Behenk, where are you going with so much luggage?]

She immediately packed only the necessary belongings and ran away.

She had seen countless times what happens to priests who betray their faith. Now, the city was a more dangerous place than the labyrinth for her.

But they say there's always a way out, even when the sky is falling?

There was also advice from the fickle evil god.

The sewers, filled with filth and lowly fugitives...

He said that the hidden city beneath it would accept her.

[What! This is my spot! Get out of here!]

Afterwards, following the evil god's guidance, it wasn't difficult to find the 'door' hidden within the sewers. The vagrant who was living there first wasn't a big problem either.

However…

[Offer sacrifices.]

The fickle evil god didn't tell her how to open the 'door'.

Therefore, she wandered around the sewers and gathered dozens of sacrifices to offer. In return, she learned how to open the door and descended underground.

But…

'What the hell is this place!'

The path was too complicated.

She wandered in the darkness for hours.

The fickle evil god didn't seem to have any intention of telling her the way until she offered more sacrifices.

In the meantime…

'…?'

The [Call of the Evil God] she had set up using the remaining life force of the sacrifices activated.

From then on, she had an uneasy feeling.

They might be pursuers sent from the temple.

She navigated the maze more cautiously, keeping an eye on her surroundings.

That's when…

[Kihihihihihi!!]

The evil god suddenly burst into laughter.

She stopped walking, feeling ominous.

Usually, when he did that, danger and hardship lay ahead.

'Could it be pursuers?'

She stopped for a moment and focused on her hearing.

Amidst the silence, she could faintly hear the sound of breathing.

Beyond the path she was about to take.

The moment she realized this, she ran in the opposite direction.

As if it wasn't just her imagination, she soon heard the sound of someone following her from behind.

However…

"What are you waiting for? Lead the way! We have to catch her and kill her before she gets any further away."

A voice that ends abruptly, somehow familiar.

"Bjorn! Be careful! That evil bitch might have set up some kind of trap!"

She then realizes who they are.

Bjorn Yandel.

The thoughtless barbarian who smashed her head with a mace even after she revealed herself as a priestess, and his companions.

'They're not from the temple…?'

She involuntarily slows down as she realizes their identity. Although she doesn't know how they found her…

'This works out well.'

She then stops running.

Last time, she had to retreat after being defeated by them, but that was because she had used up a significant amount of her strength while reviving.

「Elisa Behenk has summoned [Gate of the Dead].」

If they're both at full strength, there's no way she'll lose.

___________________________________

Just as the distance is starting to close…

Tadat-!

The sound of running that was echoing in the darkness suddenly stops.

And a bizarre sound is heard from beyond the passage.

[Kyaaaaaak—!]

[Gekekekekekeke!!]

The eerie sound approaches quickly.

And as it enters the radius of the torchlight, dozens of four-legged monsters come into view.

'[Gate of the Dead], huh.'

I'm impressed once again.

It's definitely different from before, since she didn't use up her strength reviving.

「Elisa Behenk has summoned [Shadow Guards].」

The quantity is different, I guess?

With the [Gate of the Dead] spewing out monsters for several minutes and the Shadow Guards being summoned recklessly, their momentum is like a tidal wave.

However…

"What are you doing? Go and smash them!"

There's no need to be scared.

Nothing changes even if we are.

"Hahaha! Barbarian! I was disappointed that you guys got away, but to think you would crawl into the jaws of death on your own! I won't let you escape this time!"

Bullshit, you won't let us escape?

That's what we should be saying.

"This time, I'll smash your head for sure!"

The battle begins as we exchange our respective resolves. The situation is completely different from the last time, where we had to fight a long battle for several dozen minutes.

Slash!

The Shadow Guards, who have a fairly high level of physical resistance? Misha slices them apart with her twin swords as if she's an executioner.

"…Was it always this easy?"

Well, because she now has the ice attribute bonus.

And the curses that were so annoying back then don't work anymore either.

「Elisa Behenk has cast [Low-Grade Decay].」

「Elisa Behenk has cast [Strength Reduction].」

「Liol Wobu Dwarkey has cast the 7th-grade support spell [Radiance].」

「All evil-attribute effects on party members are removed.」

Is it because he hit the jackpot?

I told him to learn curse removal, but he came back having learned [Radiance], a wide-area purification spell.

"Huhu, how is it?"

"Amazing."

I roughly throw him a compliment as I see Dwarkey bragging. I have a feeling he took what I said to him last time to heart.

Anyway, it's time for me to join the battle as well.

Just forming a shield wall and blocking the front is enough for one person's share, but…

It's inefficient.

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"

As I shout the name of the ancestor god…

…vitality flows into my body.

「Character has used [Wild Release].」

「Character's threat level is temporarily tripled, and physical stats increase proportionally.」

Although I can't use the [Gigantification] combo due to the narrow passage, the effect is still sufficient.

[Grrr…]

The summoned creatures, sensing the threat, start rushing towards me recklessly.

'This feels like I'm playing a hack-and-slash game.'

I swing my oversized mace like a madman, as if to release all the frustration I've built up.

Thwack-! Thwack-! Thwack!

Physical resistance or whatever, the Shadow Guards explode with every swing.

I feel a strange sense of pleasure as I recall my past self struggling against a few goblins.

Right, this is why I play RPGs.

Thump-!

"Aak!!"

Rotmiller lands a crossbow bolt, taking advantage of the opening created as the Shadow Guards are distracted by my aggro.

And the dwarf uses his 'Lightning Discharge' combo to temporarily clear a path.

I charge through that gap without hesitation.

"Bjorn, it's dangerous to go alone—"

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"

Ignoring the summoned creatures blocking the passage, the distance closes rapidly.

I can finally see Elisa's expression properly.

"Th, this can't be…"

She has a look of disbelief.

Why, did she not expect to be beaten so one-sidedly?

I shout in advance,

"Dwarkey, now!"

K22

"Now…?"

Dwarkey asks back as if confused, but…

I'm an elite barbarian who doesn't repeat past mistakes.

"Hurry!"

Misha, who has caught up, and the dwarf assist from the side…

…while I continue to clear the path.

30 meters, 20 meters, 10 meters…

The distance closes rapidly.

I leap forward and slide towards Elisa like a baseball player.

But just as I reach out to grab her…

Elisa's body becomes translucent and starts to float into the air.

「Elisa Behenk has cast [Wraith Form].」

It's [Wraith Form].

It's a high-level movement skill that grants physical immunity and allows gliding.

"You bastards! I'll never forget this humiliation—"

Forget what?

If you thought about what happened to us back then when we had to helplessly watch you escape, you're mistaken.

"Dwarkey!"

As soon as I shout behind me…

"It's done!!"

…the spell he prepared beforehand is completed and shot.

It's a spell that Dwarkey learned from the Magic Tower for a whopping 1.3 million stones.

「Liol Wobu Dwarkey has cast the 8th-grade curse spell [Materialization].」

[Materialization].

When hit by this spell, the target loses their physical immunity. In other words, even incorporeal monsters can be beaten up by a warrior with their bare hands.

Of course, it's useless if it misses, but…

「Liol Wobu Dwarkey has cast the 9th-grade support spell [Accuracy Enhancement].」

Our Dwarkey is finally graduating from being a half-assed mage.

"Ugh, ah! Kya!"

As soon as [Wraith Form] is dispelled…

I feel something in my outstretched hand.

It's similar to the feeling I had during my first battle with goblins.

Whether it's her wrist, ankle, or neck, it doesn't matter.

I just grab whatever I caught, be it her collar or something else, and…

Kwaaang!

…slam her to the ground with all my might.

And I immediately get on top of her.

Elisa's eyes are wide open, glaring at me, as if she's been stunned by the damage.

"Ugh! Ugh, ah, uh, ugh…!"

It sounds like she's cursing…

But she still hasn't fixed that shitty way of speaking.

Of course, I have no intention of letting my guard down just because my opponent is a dumbass.

After all, this is the bitch who got up like a zombie, dancing with her joints, even after her head was smashed.

Swoosh.

I immediately raise my mace.

But just as I'm about to swing it down with all my might…

"Wai, wait!"

Dwarkey calls out to me hurriedly and stops me.

"Wouldn't it be better to capture her alive to get a bigger reward?"

Hmm, that's true, it's written on the wanted poster… but I didn't expect him to care about that.

…Is it because he's tasted the true value of money?

He's really become an explorer now.

"Indeed, it would be a waste to kill her."

I get off Elisa.

And I have Dwarkey cast the [Paralysis Poison] spell on her.

Then…

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

…I smash each of Elisa's arms and legs with my mace, without any personal feelings.

Her bones and flesh are cleanly crushed.

"...Do you have to go that far?"

The dwarf frowns, but well…

"What if she escapes?"

My personal belief is that it's better to be excessive than insufficient in these matters.

In that sense, after thoroughly restraining Elisa, who is now crippled, with rope, I carry her on my shoulder like luggage.

"We've become much stronger. I didn't expect to win this easily…"

Misha, who has finished off the few remaining summoned creatures, mutters in an excited voice.

I agree.

After all, it took less than 3 minutes from the start of the battle to now. Since we fought her relatively recently, our growth is noticeable.

However, we can save the compliments and well wishes for when we're at a bar later.

"Rotmiller, lead the way."

I say and tap Rotmiller on the shoulder.

We've achieved all our goals…

…so it's time to leave this creepy underground space—

'Huh?'

What the, again?

Why isn't he moving even though I called him?

I call out to Rotmiller again, louder this time.

"…Rotmiller?"

There's no response again.

Only then do I realize something is wrong and hurriedly check on the other companions.

"Misha? Dwarkey? Hikurod…?"

No one answers.

I wish they would just tell me it was a game of invisible man…

But that's not going to happen.

"...."

A suffocating silence surrounds me.

I mutter quietly,

"We're fucked."

Ha, no wonder everything was going so smoothly.

-x-X-x-

I don't know exactly when it happened.

But when I noticed…

"Misha? Dwarkey? Hikurod?"

…everyone was frozen stiff, their eyes wide open.

'What the hell?'

At the same time as I feel a sense of doubt, I see something I hadn't noticed before.

Very thin and long needles.

One of them is stuck in each of my companions' necks.

And here's the important part…

'I probably have a needle stuck in me too.'

The muscles in my neck are stiff.

And that tingling sensation is gradually spreading downwards.

「Character has been poisoned by 'Basilisk Paralysis Poison'.」

「Character's physical stats are 300 or higher.」

「Poison effect is reduced by half.」

My heart, sensing danger, starts beating like crazy.

On the other hand, my brain calmly gives orders.

What I need to do right now.

Swoosh-

My strong arms raise the shield to cover my upper body…

…and my legs bend slightly, lowering my center of gravity so that I can react at any moment.

"...."

A silence that feels like it's choking my neck.

I hold my breath and focus on sound.

Drip- drip- plop-

I hear the sound of water droplets falling from afar.

And that's all.

But I have no doubt.

Just like when I stepped on the goblin trap…

The enemy is definitely nearby.

"...."

A few seconds of chilling silence follow.

It feels like every nerve cell in my body is on edge.

Thud.

That's when I hear a very faint sound.

It's not quite footsteps… more like the sound of small stones rolling in the wind.

'…A stealth skill?'

I quickly make a judgment.

Whatever it is, the poison is gradually spreading through my body.

So rather than wasting time…

「Character has used [Wild Release].」

…it's better to somehow force a confrontation.

That will at least increase the chances, even if only slightly.

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!"

I shout with all my might.

Of course, unlike with monsters, 'threat level' doesn't have an absolute effect on humans, but…

I've already researched this.

[Hmm… It, it was a very strange feeling. My head knew that there was no danger, but my body felt like I had to run away…]

When exposed to [Wild Release], those with weak wills feel fear. So there are cases where they run away instead of being provoked.

However, on the other hand, if the target is aggressive…

[Somehow, I felt like I had to kill you quickly. Ah, of course, that's before you transformed. After you became giant, I felt similar to Dwarkey.]

…it can be somewhat 'provocative'.

Then what about the unidentified enemy hiding in the darkness?

"That's a strange feeling, barbarian."

As expected.

Well, I should be the one saying that.

I don't know what she did, but her voice is coming from both in front of and behind me at the same time.

However, leaving aside the problem of not being able to pinpoint the enemy's location…

'Wait, her voice sounds familiar…'

I freeze.

The voice I just heard was a woman's voice.

It was a bit husky, but that much was clear.

'Who is it?'

My mind, sensing a question, starts combining keywords.

A 'woman' who hides like an 'assassin' and shoots 'paralysis poison needles'.

…I remember.

"It was you."

The psychopath bitch I met in the Land of the Dead.

It's definitely her.

________________________________

She had no intention of hiding her identity, did she?

"…I didn't expect you to recognize me just by my voice."

The woman reveals herself from the front.

A slim build, a little over 170 centimeters tall.

Fiery red hair and a half-torn right earlobe. Everything is the same as before, except that she's wearing everyday clothes.

Thud.

She takes a step forward, closing the distance.

Honestly, I'm breaking out in a cold sweat.

Although I've grown explosively recently and even gained the title of Little Balkan…

"You've gotten much stronger, barbarian. To be able to move even after taking that hit."

…I'm still no match for this bitch.

'An explorer who operates on the 8th floor and can even use Aura…'

There's no way I can win alone.

But I have no intention of just dying either.

I grip the shield and mace in my hands, strengthening my fearful mind.

The woman asks as she looks at me,

"Are you not running away because of your companions?"

Geez, as expected of a psychopath bitch.

The very fact that she's curious about something like that is creepy as hell.

"I'll ask first. I kept my promise, so why do you want to kill me now?"

I gulp and ask back.

I'm curious about her motive. Because if I know that, maybe I can come up with another way.

However…

"Want to kill you?"

She frowns and tilts her head.

"You're the one who opened the door and trespassed, barbarian."

"…Door?"

"Tell me, who told you about this place?"

'What the hell is she talking about?'

Somehow, the conversation is going astray from the beginning.

I ask directly,

"I don't understand, so speak plainly. Trespassed? What is this place that you're talking about trespassing?"

The woman frowns again.

It seems like she's finally realized that there's a huge problem with this conversation.

"…How did you open the door?"

"That magical thing in the sewer? I smashed it with my mace."

"Smashed it…?"

"Is there a problem?"

The woman closes her eyes for a moment at my confident question, then shakes her head as if convinced.

"No, there isn't."

As a top-tier explorer, it seems she doesn't blindly believe in magic like Dwarkey or the dwarf.

However, she seems curious about the reason and asks,

"But why did you smash it?"

"Because this bitch ran away here."

Only then do I naturally put down Elisa, whom I was carrying.

Honestly, she's been bothering me since earlier.

I had to carry her because there was no time, but it's clear that she would have been a hindrance if a battle broke out.

"…So it's that priest of Karui who was wanted recently."

"I'm glad you know. Then is the misunderstanding cleared?"

"The misunderstanding is cleared."

"Then that's good. It was nice meeting you. We'll be on our way now. Ah, you don't have to give us any potions. I'll take care of the rest myself—"

"Stop, now that you know about this place, I can't just let you go."

"…Even if I destroy the video recording device and swear to keep everything that happened today a secret?"

"The situation is different from before."

Damn it… as expected, it doesn't work.

I cleanly erase my weak thoughts.

Since I even got confirmation from her own mouth, I only have one option left.

Therefore—

Clack.

…I take off the armor I'm wearing.

"…What are you doing all of a sudden?"

Whether the opponent is confused or not…

I untie the greaves and throw the helmet and shoes away carelessly.

And…

"Hey."

…I speak to her.

Fortunately, she responds to the conversation.

"...?"

Her gaze seems to say, 'Go ahead if you have something to say.'

I quickly continue,

"Do you know the two ways to make someone angry?"

"...What?"

"The first is to stop talking in the middle of a sentence. And the other one is…"

"The other one is…?"

I don't know.

No one told me.

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!"

I dash forward with all my might.

Hoping that her attention is distracted even a little.

I pull my arm holding the mace back behind my shoulder.

The woman, who was momentarily startled, chuckles as if she belatedly realized my scheme.

"You're a funny one."

Well, even if I dash at this distance, it wouldn't be that surprising to you.

Then how about this?

Whoosh!

I swing my arm forward and throw the mace.

Whoosh!

As expected, she dodges.

The woman nimbly twists her body and dodges the mace, then looks at me as if wondering what I'm up to.

"...?"

It seems like she didn't expect a barbarian to throw his weapon right from the start…

I throw the shield I had in my other hand without hesitation.

Whoosh!!

The shield spins like a discus, thanks to the practice I did on my days off.

Its speed is incomparable to the mace.

However…

"...!"

…that unnecessarily flexible bitch dodges the shield by bending her back.

I'm not disappointed because I expected it.

Tadat-!

I push off the ground once more and continue my dash, using the gap created by the mace and shield.

The distance closes in an instant, as my physical stats have surpassed the realm of ordinary people.

'Now.'

I reach out my hand, just like when I slid towards Elisa.

Her expression is still relaxed.

It's just a 'what's this?' kind of look.

Tadat-

Indeed, she perfectly dodges by taking three steps back.

I'm not particularly disappointed this time either.

In the first place, I reached out so obviously on purpose.

'As expected.'

It's a straight passage that's not very wide.

If a large barbarian charges at you from the front, there's nowhere to dodge except backwards.

Of course, if she had retreated further back, there would have been nothing I could do, but…

She only moved just enough to dodge.

It's not a personality issue, but more like the efficiency-minded nature that naturally develops when you pursue a higher level.

'Plan A is good to go.'

Therefore, I cast [Gigantification] at the right timing.

It's a combo I came up with after being inspired by the time I miraculously survived against Riakis.

「Character has cast [Gigantification].」

My body expands, and my arms lengthen accordingly.

The distance that would have been about three steps short is instantly closed.

"...!"

For the first time, a look of surprise appears on her face.

And we haven't even properly started yet.

I immediately grab her shoulder and pull her towards me.

I feel considerable resistance from her.

But…

"You."

It's different from before, when I was completely overpowered.

Back then, I was a newbie barbarian with level 1 and zero essences.

"You need to work on your strength."

She's pulled towards me helplessly by the power left behind by the Corpse Golem, Vampire, and Orc Hero.

"Keut!"

I clench her neck so she can't escape and punch her in the face.

Thwack-!

A heavy sound and a satisfying impact.

As expected, one hit isn't enough to subdue her.

Therefore—

'One more time.'

I quickly retract my fist and strike again.

But at that moment…

My dynamic vision, honed to the limit, detects her movement. She's regained her composure and is swinging her dagger.

'Is she planning to cut off my entire wrist?'

I make a quick judgment.

This bitch is an Aura user.

Therefore, Physical Resistance, Bone Density, Magic Resistance, or whatever, are meaningless. That dagger will surely cut off my arm before it reaches her.

So…

'I need to switch to Plan B.'

I stop my punch.

It's not that I'm suddenly trying to be cautious.

I just thought it wasn't rational to take a one-sided loss.

I'm not afraid of getting hurt.

If it's something I have to do to survive.

'Flesh Explosion.'

The moment I finish visualizing it in my head…

…a powerful explosion occurs in the hand that was grabbing her.

Boom!

Flesh explodes.

And acidic blood splatters.

Sizzle!

That tough bitch only frowns without even a groan.

However, could it be that she doesn't have the Pain Resistance stat?

Although she endures the pain, her movements stiffen for a very brief moment.

'Alright, back to Plan A.'

I dodge the swinging dagger and punch her in the stomach.

Knowing that this is a chance that won't come again, I keep going as if there's no tomorrow.

Thwack-! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

As expected of a damage dealer with a fragile body, she soon reacts.

"...!"

Blood spills from her mouth, as if her internal organs have been mangled.

Seeing this, I feel an overwhelming excitement rushing to my head.

Damn it, the only way I can win against this bitch is—

「Amelia Rainwales has cast [Self-Replication].」

Just as my brain senses hope…

…my instincts sound the alarm and send a warning.

The reason is simple.

"Barbarian."

…Why is her voice coming from behind me?

She's clearly right here, caught by me.

Tadat!

I involuntarily stop punching and turn around at the sound. Another woman, who looks exactly like her, is running towards me.

'Damn it.'

I'm not curious about how this is possible.

[Self-Replication].

It's a super rare essence that can only be obtained from the guardian of the 4th-floor rift, 'Doppelganger Forest'.

"Since you absorbed the vampire's essence, this much should be fine."

The woman who was caught by me mutters.

And at that moment…

「Amelia Rainwales has cast [Sura Kick].」

The woman's clone leaps high and spins in mid-air, delivering a kick to my face.

Kwaaang-!!

It feels like my head has been blown off.

No, wait, did it actually get blown off?

Thud.

I hear a heavy thud next to my ear.

My vision goes dark.

My consciousness fades like a phone with a dead battery shutting down.

"Da, mn it…."

Damn it.

__________________________________

「Due to the passive skill [Source of Darkness], the character will not die until the heart is destroyed.」

「Character's regeneration is greatly increased due to the [Immortal] effect.」

-x-X-x-

Thud.

The moment the barbarian collapses to the ground, raising dust…

Amelia Rainwales clenches her teeth and hunches over.

'The price of carelessness.'

My ribs are broken.

My skin, splattered with blood, is not just stinging, but burning.

It seems like my internal organs are also badly damaged.

'I don't even remember the last time I was in a situation like this.'

My body will recover on its own soon enough.

But the pain I'm feeling for the first time in a long time is so vivid.

I prided myself on being used to pain…

Smirk.

A hollow laugh escapes my lips involuntarily.

Even though it's the result of my own arrogance…

…it's ridiculous to think that a 3-month-old barbarian caused this situation.

'He's a strange one.'

I'm not just talking about his abilities.

His split-second judgments, his boldness and decisiveness in putting them into action…

And above all, his will to live.

I even have this thought…

'If we had met a bit later… the outcome might have been different.'

Of course, it's realistically impossible.

I'm the one who grew up being called the most talented, and I've been in and out of the labyrinth for a whopping 20 years.

But…

'The fact that I'm even having that thought is the problem. It means he's that dangerous.'

Our first encounter was just a month ago.

It was a time when he would have only entered the labyrinth once or twice at most.

But how has this barbarian changed?

The barbarian who couldn't even touch my clothes back then has put me in this state.

Sizzle!

My flesh, which had its neck completely blown off, starts to heal without dying.

Amelia slowly walks towards it.

Thud-.

There are several abilities like [Source of Darkness] that have the effect of overcoming death.

But that doesn't mean they make you invincible.

Just look at this barbarian.

Thud-

With his head completely smashed, he's completely defenseless.

The fact that his body is rapidly recovering due to [Immortal]?

It takes an enormous amount of time to recover from this level of injury, and even that becomes impossible when Soul Power is depleted.

In other words,

If I want to kill him, I can do it anytime.

But she puts away her dagger without hesitation and takes out a potion.

No matter what anyone says...

'They're definitely not from the royal family, so there's no need to kill him.'

She's not a murderer.

______________________________

There were hints.

The voice that came from both front and back.

If I had been a little smarter and calmer, I might have been able to predict the variable of [Self-Replication].

Then Plans A and B would have been a bit different.

'Well, I guess the outcome would have been the same.'

I feel a strange sensation as if my fragmented mind is being reassembled, and I slowly open my eyes.

"What a monstrous regeneration ability."

The first thing I see is the psychopath bitch.

"To completely heal with just one potion bottle."

"Po, tion...?"

I cough and sit up.

Only then do I notice that my head area is quite wet.

It doesn't seem like it's all blood...

Could it be that this woman poured a potion on me?

"Why, the hell—"

"Why didn't I kill you?"

I nod.

Well, I'm glad I'm still alive...

Honestly, I was certain I had died the moment I lost consciousness.

The woman looks at me with an annoyed expression.

"You... haven't changed one bit from before."

"What...?"

"Back then too, why do you always attack me on sight? I never thought I would say this, but don't people usually try to resolve things through conversation first?"

She has a point.

It's all because of my habit of always assuming the worst-case scenario.

I answer in a calm voice,

"If you were planning to kill me, I thought that was the only way."

While there was still a slight opening.

Before the paralysis poison spread any further.

I judged that I had to force a confrontation.

The woman just sighs briefly.

"Why? I clearly let you go last time."

Her voice is still blunt, but somehow, I sense a hint of grievance.

But I'm the one who's truly aggrieved.

"Didn't you say yourself that you couldn't let us go after we learned about this place?"

It's the same thing.

Since the woman seemed receptive, I ask a bit more boldly,

"So, what are you going to do with me now?"

"I'm not going to kill you. So get your hand off me."

I stop my arm that was subtly moving towards the mace.

And I say firmly,

"It's a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?"

"I wasn't planning on ambushing you with this. I just—"

"You were just preparing in case I changed my mind?"

...Hmm, yeah, that's it.

The best defense is a good offense.

As I neither agree nor disagree, the woman stares down at me.

It's a look that says, 'what the hell is with this crazy bastard?'

"You really haven't changed one bit."

She says and spits on the ground.

For a moment, I think she might be the rough type, but looking closely, it's not spit, but blood.

It seems like my aggressive defense before passing out did some damage after all.

"...You didn't drink a potion?"

"My constitution doesn't allow it."

"I see."

It's a brief explanation that's lacking, but I don't say anything more.

There are some essences that actually penalize you when you drink potions.

Anyway, back to the main topic.

"Barbarian, eat this."

The woman takes out something that looks like a pill from her pocket.

It's blackish and looks like cat vomit.

"...What is this...?"

"It's medicine made by an alchemist from Noark. It completely erases your memory for 1 hour after taking it."

"It erases memories...? Then why didn't you use it when we met in the Land of the Dead?"

"It's not something you can easily obtain. In the first place, I wouldn't have had it if it weren't for someone giving it to me just in case."

So it's a valuable item.

But I have another question.

It's definitely not something I should be saying in my current situation, but...

"Wouldn't it be easier to just kill me, why go through such a hassle?"

There's a saying that nothing is more precious than a human life.

That saying only applies to the world I used to live in.

This is a world where there are countless things more valuable than a human life.

For example, even now, many people are dying on the surface because they can't pay their taxes.

In the midst of that...

'To go through the trouble of using a precious consumable to let us go...'

I say with certainty,

"There must be a reason why you have to do that."

"...Why do you think so?"

"If you kill the five of us, you'll get tens of millions of stones just from the equipment."

The woman remains silent for a while at my sharp observation.

I thought I hit the nail on the head.

But the words that come after the silence are unexpected.

"What the hell do you think of me?"

"That's..."

As I'm wondering if I can be honest, the woman cuts me off.

"You don't have to say it. I think I know."

It seems like she also has a guilty conscience.

But she doesn't want to make excuses, does she?

"Whatever, think whatever you want. It doesn't change anything."

The woman bends down and forces open my mouth, shoving the pill down my throat.

The pill melts away before I can even think of spitting it out.

Whoosh!

It feels like something is burning in my head.

It's a sensation completely different from pain.

"...Hey, this really just ends with memory loss, right?"

"If it didn't, would you have any other choice?"

Uh, she has a point...

I close my eyes, feeling speechless.

But then, the woman speaks as if she just remembered something.

"Ah, so what was the other one?"

Huh? The other one?

"The two ways to make someone angry."

Ah, that.

"That is..."

And I lose consciousness.

_______________________________

「The blessing of Lethe seeps into the character's soul.」

「This soul cannot be blessed. The blessing within the soul is removed.」

When I open my eyes, I'm in the sewer.

Our stripped equipment is scattered around, and it's the same for my companions.

Thud.

I use my hands as support and slowly get up, my body covered in filth. And as I'm gathering my equipment and putting it back on, my companions also regain consciousness one by one.

Everyone looks confused.

"Uh, this is the sewer...?"

"Wh, what happened? We were clearly chasing after that evil woman..."

"Video recording device! Let's check the video recording dev... Damn it, it's broken!"

My companions, as the psychopath bitch said, don't remember anything.

It seems like their last memory is following Hans E to his hideout...

'...But why am I fine?'

Even when I try to recall my memories, everything that happened before I lost consciousness comes back clearly.

Why?

As I'm thinking about the reason...

'Wait, then what happened to that bitch?'

I suddenly remember Elisa and come to my senses.

'...Don't tell me she took her alive?'

She's not around here.

Damn it, if I had known this would happen, I should have just killed her back then, regardless of the bounty—

"Everyone, look over there!!"

"Huh? Isn't that the woman?"

What?

I immediately turn my head and see a woman lying on the ground a short distance away.

Her blonde hair is covered in filth.

It's the back of her head that I want to smash.

It's definitely Elisa.

"She's, she's dead!"

The dwarf rushes over and checks her pulse, declaring her death.

This only adds to the confusion.

"This is, this is unbelievable. Why don't we have any memories, and why is this woman dead...?"

"Dw, Dwarkey, don't tell me that monster you mentioned appeared?!"

Various speculations run wild, along with bewildered voices.

Rotmiller, who was relatively calm, comes up with a plausible hypothesis.

"...I think it was all this woman's doing."

"What? This woman's doing?"

"We probably found this woman after chasing her. And we probably won."

Rotmiller presents Elisa's limbs as evidence for his claim. He says that unless it was my mace, it would be difficult to crush them so perfectly.

"Co, come to think of it, I can sense traces of my magic on this woman."

Dwarkey also finds traces of [Paralysis Poison] on the corpse, solidifying his suspicion.

Then there's only one question left for them.

"Then why don't we remember anything?"

Why did we lose our memories?

"If my prediction is correct, we were probably trying to capture this woman alive and take her back to the city. However... she must have pulled something when she regained consciousness."

It's a plausible story.

Even if I had lost my memory, I would have analyzed the situation in that way.

"Indeed... if it's the power of an evil god that little is known about, it's possible that something like this could happen."

"Hahaha! Still, seeing her dead like this means we must have handled it somehow!"

"...Bjorn, what do you think?"

"Well..."

I contemplate for a moment and then answer.

Although the conclusion they reached and accepted is quite different from the truth I remember...

"I think Rotmiller is right."

There's no need to say anything more.

If it becomes known that I didn't lose my memory, that psychopath bitch might come looking for me again.

"Let's get out of here and visit the temple first. Not only have we lost our memories, but there might be something wrong with our bodies."

Everyone hurriedly prepares to leave at Rotmiller's worried words.

So I also end my thoughts.

'Something hidden beneath the sewers...'

A secret that exists in this world that I don't know about.

As a veteran player, it would be a lie to say I'm not curious...

'But I shouldn't go anywhere near the sewers again.'

After all, life is more important than curiosity.

-x-X-x-

When I emerged from the sewers, I was greeted by the already darkened sky and two familiar faces.

"Mr. Bjorn! You're safe!"

"Shabin? Why are you here?"

"Why am I here? I came because I was worried since you hadn't come to report on the request even after several hours!"

Hmm, I see.

I'm grateful that she came looking for me.

But…

"Just the two of you?"

If something really happened to us, wouldn't the rational decision be to send other explorers after daybreak?

Instead of personally forming a party consisting of an administrative office worker and a library librarian.

"What! What's with that look? Do you know how skilled of a mage Ragna is?!"

Only then do I properly observe the librarian who came along.

Her attire is definitely different from what I saw at the library.

"Hmm."

A glossy robe.

Scrolls and potions hanging from her belt.

And she's holding a magic wand that looks quite expensive.

I don't know how skilled she is, but it's definitely equipment that you couldn't even dream of affording with a typical librarian's salary.

Is she actually rich?

"Bjorn, who are these people?"

"Shabin Emuer. She's the administrative office employee who gave me the request. And this is… Ragna Ritaniyel Peprok."

"It's Ritaniyel, not Ritaniyel!"

"Anyway, she's the librarian at the library I go to."

"Heeing, I see."

After briefly introducing everyone, starting with Misha, I say formally,

"I'm sorry for making you come all the way here at night."

"There's no need to apologize."

"Then I'll say thank you. I didn't expect you to come this far."

"…Thank Shabin. I was just dragged along."

The librarian says that and turns her head away.

Why does she seem even colder than usual today?

Just as I'm wondering if it's just my imagination, Shabin grins and clings to her.

"Ragna, dragged along? You were worried too."

"Wo, worried? When did I ever!"

"You said that they might have gotten lost because the sewer paths are complicated."

"Shabin, stop fabricating things. I was just stating a possibility. And I meant that it wouldn't be a big deal."

"Hmm, is that so?"

Shabin smiles as she looks at the embarrassed librarian. That alone gives me a rough idea of their relationship.

Well, that's not what's important right now.

"Let's stop the chatter and report on the request."

I need to move quickly if I want to get back to the inn and rest before the day ends.

_________________________________

The result of the sewer patrol is simple.

One vagrant found and killed, nothing else unusual.

Although there's no evidence that we completed the request properly since the video recording device is broken…

…it was a good thing I kept the ID card.

"Hans Marcom. I remember him. He's a criminal who was wanted for robbery and murder and then escaped. Including the request fee and additional reward, it's 180,000 stones. If you come to the administrative office tomorrow, we'll pay you right away."

"Do I not have to pay for breaking the video recording device?"

"That's… I'll try to resolve it by talking to my superiors. I think they'll be understanding. After all, you went through something quite extraordinary this time, didn't you?"

"Extraordinary…"

It's not wrong, but I didn't expect them to be considerate of even that aspect.

However, it's probably more accurate to say that Shabin showed me favor than that the administrative office is a flexible organization, unlike the guild.

"May the star that rises at twilight guide us…"

After a short wait, someone arrives from the temple that Shabin contacted.

It's not a regular priest…

…but a paladin carrying a menacing greatsword on his back. He examines the corpse we presented and nods.

"It's definitely the apostate Elisa Behenk. Our church will never forget this contribution."

His voice is kind without any arrogance, and I can even sense respect for us.

But never forget?

Isn't that a bit vague?

"By contribution, do you mean a reward?"

I ask directly, as befits a barbarian who doesn't know how to sugarcoat things.

The paladin just smiles kindly.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding. The bounty was offered by the Explorer's Guild."

"So you're saying we won't get any money if we hand her over to you?"

"Haha, don't worry about that. I'll send an official document to the guild as soon as day breaks tomorrow."

"…I see."

Geez, that's embarrassing.

He should have said that from the beginning.

"Um, paladin, we lost our memories while fighting that woman… could you check if there are any other abnormalities?"

"Of course."

Afterwards, the paladin casts [High-Grade Purification] on each of us and leaves. He says he needs to take the corpse to the temple right away.

"We'll be going too. I think I'll have a lot of reports to write tomorrow, so I should at least get some sleep."

Shabin and the librarian also leave as soon as their business is concluded.

Hmm, then I guess we've finished everything we need to do for now?

"Let's meet again tomorrow to discuss the reward."

"Ugh, we're finally going back!"

"I think I smell worse than when we came back from the labyrinth! Hahaha!"

We also disband and head back to our respective accommodations.

It's 11:30 PM when I arrive.

I want to rest immediately, but I go into the bathroom first and scrub my body clean of the filth for a long time.

Only after that do I lie down on the bed and realize…

'It was a tough day.'

I don't know why I have to feel this way after going on a 150,000-stone request…

But I made it back alive again.

______________________________

The next morning, we all gather and visit the guild to receive the reward.

Fortunately, it seems like the paladin took care of things quickly, as we were able to receive the reward simply by presenting our ID cards.

For reference, the amount is…

"10 million stones? I can't believe it. Hahaha!"

It's a huge sum of money, even when divided into five, it's 2 million stones each.

Smiles bloom on the faces of those who were complaining earlier this morning that the sewer smell hadn't gone away yet.

"Now that I think about it, Bjorn, you're a lucky charm, aren't you? Since I met you, it feels like money just falls from the sky!"

Yeah, you might feel that way.

I was the one whose head got smashed by that psychopath bitch.

Even Rotmiller adds,

"…I don't believe in superstitions, but at this point, I can't help but believe. Bjorn, the goddess of fortune must be with you."

I know it's meant to be a compliment, but it doesn't make me feel good.

Why is it that what I achieved through hard work and suffering is thanks to some goddess I've never even met?

"Then I'll be on my way."

"Huh? Where are you going? We should have a drink!"

"I need to go to the administrative office."

"Ah, they told you to come to receive the request fee. We'll have a drink among ourselves, so have a safe trip."

Hmm, they don't even offer to come along, even if it's just empty words.

"Bjorn! Should I come with you?"

"No, you rest since you worked hard yesterday."

"Hmm, alright."

After finishing the reward distribution, I head straight to the administrative office.

It's a 5-story building reminiscent of the old Seoul Station building.

I climb the stairs to the 3rd floor Facility Management Department, and it's easy to find Shabin.

"Mr. Bjorn! You're here!"

Shabin is wearing her usual uniform, but since everyone is wearing the same clothes, she doesn't stand out.

No, wait, maybe I'm the one who stands out?

"Hee, is that guy Little Balkan?"

"I heard he becomes huge when he uses that ability…"

"What are you all talking about! Oh my, how indecent…"

Is it a female-dominated workplace?

As soon as I enter the Facility Management Department, I hear excited whispers from everywhere.

It feels like I'm a monkey in a cage.

I decide to finish my business and leave quickly.

"Here, just sign this payment confirmation. If you don't have a registered signature, just write your name."

"Alright."

I receive the money and sign the document.

But just as I'm about to turn around and leave, Shabin stops me and says something.

"Ah! Right! If you have time, please stop by the library."

"Library?"

"Ragna, that girl, prepared something for you, isn't that sweet?"

She did?

Judging by her playful eyes, I should take it with a grain of salt…

"Alright, I'll stop by when I have time."

"Yes! Please do!"

Since she seems to have a reason, I should visit.

________________________________________

After leaving the administrative office, I return to the bar where the others are.

Needless to say, it's a mess.

I thought they would at least show some restraint since it's still daytime.

"No way, it's true? Hwahahahaha!"

"Don't lie, dwarf! How can someone's name be Dick Johnson… Nyaha! Nyahahaha!"

The dwarf and Misha are drunk and laughing while talking, and Dwarkey is face-down on the table, giggling to himself.

"Kuku, I am the great mage Liol Wobu Dwarkey…"

As I sigh at the sight, Rotmiller greets me politely.

"Ah, you're here? How was it, everything okay?"

"That's what I should be asking. Why are things like this already?"

"Didn't we just make a lot of money easily? Everyone was in a good mood."

"...I see."

I answer and approach Misha.

And I take away the beer mug she's holding, grab her by the scruff of her neck, and lift her up.

"Aak! Wh, who…? Bjorn? When did you get here?"

"Just now. And stop drinking."

"…Ugh! Are you my dad?"

Misha looks at me with a disgusted expression and resists.

Just as I'm about to say something before she gets any more out of line…

Misha suddenly bursts into laughter.

"Ah! Right! Our dad wouldn't care about this kind of thing? Nyahahaha!"

…She's really not in a good state today.

Phew, I was just going to rest today…

"Enough, drink this if you're bored."

"Alright."

I can't let her get any drunker, so I order tomato juice, put it in Misha's mouth, and sit next to her.

I don't care about the dwarf, but if she gets so drunk that she can't stand, I have to take her home.

I'm the only one going in the same direction.

"Hwahaha! You two are so strange!! There's something going on! There's something going on, I'm telling you!!"

"Stop talking nonsense and drink some water if you're drunk."

"Kehaha, you're still young. Does this look like beer to you? To me, it's just water! Water!"

"…Do as you please."

I decide to ignore the dwarf and order some food to satisfy my hunger.

After a while, as if she's sobered up a bit, Misha fidgets next to me and stares at me.

"What… do you have something to say?"

"Yes!"

She answers immediately, as if she's been waiting.

I feel a bit uneasy, but I nod for now.

"…Go ahead."

Misha slaps her flushed cheeks a few times, catches her breath, and speaks.

"Father wants to bring you—"

"Oh! Who is this! Bjorn, son of Yandel!"

"Huh? Who's that?"

A man calls out to me in a loud voice, interrupting Misha.

I remember him.

"You're…"

"Did you forget my name already? It's Hans! Hans Hodge!"

"…That's right."

I remember his name immediately, but I'm confused about the order.

This guy with a skinny physique and freckles is Hans code B.

For reference, I met him by chance at a bar when Ainar left the party. He even gave me advice to go to the guild if I wanted to find companions.

'But what does this guy want from me?'

Is it because I've encountered so many Hanses since then?

I start to feel uneasy as soon as he talks to me.

Somehow, I feel like something shitty is about to happen.

"Can I sit down?"

"No, I have nothing to say to you."

"Hmm, it's a coincidence that we met like this—"

"I'm leaving soon. So just go."

"I, I see. I was just happy to see you…"

Hans B looks dejected and turns to leave, as I put up a wall to avoid getting involved.

I feel like I've just overcome another hurdle, even though I have no basis for it.

That's when…

Slam!

The door on the 1st floor opens, and a group of knights with the same family crest on their chests enters the bar.

"Moselan!"

Moselan.

It's one of the strongest military organizations in this city, with only knights of noble birth allowed to join.

"Why the hell are they in a back-alley bar like this…?"

As soon as they enter, everyone's attention is drawn to them, as they have a reputation for leaving nothing but blood and death in their wake.

The bar is filled with silence.

"Over there."

Following the commander's instructions, the knights move towards one spot in unison.

Unfortunately, it's the direction I'm in.

'Damn it.'

What is this again?

Just as I'm retracing my recent actions, wondering if I made any mistakes…

[Always be wary of those with deep grudges.]

…the words of the tribe's shaman during the fortune-telling suddenly come to mind.

And I see Hans B, who was walking back to his seat after making way for me, sticking close to the wall.

'Wait a minute, those with deep grudges…'

Don't tell me, he meant HansHans?

It's true that things haven't gone well whenever I've been involved with them…

That's when…

Clack.

The knights stop in front of our table.

And they look at us and speak in a deep and intimidating voice.

I freeze with my fork in hand.

"Liol Wobu Dwarkey, you are under arrest for insulting a noble."

Surprisingly, it wasn't me this time.

-x-X-x-

The Moselan knights were swift and efficient.

"Kuku, I am the great mage… huh? Who are you…?"

"It's him, take him away."

The knights grab Dwarkey by the hair, who was face down on the table, and confirm his identity before quickly restraining his arms.

"Um, excuse me, what's going on…"

The dwarf, who had been drunk, finally comes to his senses and tries to figure out the situation, but to no avail.

"You don't need to know."

"Bu, but…"

"Do you have a problem with our methods?"

It seems like they'll drag him away too if he nods.

I cover the dwarf's mouth and answer instead,

"No."

"…Are you Little Balkan? You're quite wise for a barbarian."

His tone and gaze are hard to interpret as a compliment.

As soon as they leave the bar with the intoxicated Dwarkey, the dwarf starts making a fuss.

"Bjorn! They must have gotten something wrong. Th, there's no way that guy would do something like that!"

He's not wrong.

Insulting a noble?

If it were impersonation, maybe. But honestly, I find it hard to understand the charge of insult.

However…

"We have to help him!"

What should we do to rescue our companion who was dragged away by the authorities?

I close my eyes.

"Hikurod, ca, calm down. Bjorn is doing that because he has a solution!"

Phew, I was just planning to rest today…

Why is this happening again?

________________________________

Before trying anything, we need to understand the situation accurately.

Because we don't have any information yet.

Whether he really insulted a noble, or if they just got it wrong, or even who framed him, I don't know anything.

Therefore, I quickly leave the bar and head towards the Moselan headquarters.

But…

"Please wait until the official investigation is over."

The Moselan knights, who were exclusive and arrogant even in the game, refuse to give us any information.

So I go to Shabin.

"He was taken away by the Moselan? I'll try to find out. I can't promise I'll be able to get any information, though…"

"That's enough. Thank you."

"No problem."

Since Shabin is a civil servant, I figure she'll have easier access to information compared to a ground-dwelling explorer.

"…He's at least alive, right?"

"Hikurod! I know you're worried, but please stop jinxing it and just stay still!"

"Ah, alright."

As we wait for Shabin's reply, spending the whole day waiting in front of the Moselan headquarters…

"Uh, uh? Isn't that Dwarkey?"

"Seems like it."

Dwarkey, with his shoulders slumped, comes out through the main gate. Contrary to the dwarf's worries, he doesn't seem to have been tortured or injured anywhere.

"Hey! Are you alright? How did the investigation go? Ah, the fact that you're out like this means they must have gotten it wrong, right? Yeah, I knew it!"

"Ah… that is…"

Dwarkey just hangs his head low without even looking happy to see us.

"…Let's move to a different location. I'll tell you everything then."

We follow Dwarkey's suggestion and move to a different place.

It's a private room in a bar that we often visit for labyrinth-related meetings. As soon as the snacks and the beer we ordered arrive, Dwarkey speaks in a dejected voice.

"It seems… I'll have to leave the team."

It's the third time I've heard something like this, after Erwen and Ainar.

The dwarf is shocked.

"No, what do you mean! Explain in detail!"

"That is…"

Dwarkey trails off and then lets out a long sigh.

"It's pointless to hide it now. Actually, there's something I haven't told you guys until now."

"Something you haven't told us?"

"My older brother… is Baron Martoan."

"What?!"

"Th, then you're really a noble?"

Everyone, including Misha, is shocked and gapes in disbelief, but Dwarkey keeps talking with his eyes closed.

"Sort of. I'm the son of the former Baron Martoan and a maid from the mansion."

An illegitimate child of a noble family.

As someone who has seen many soap operas in the modern world, it's not that unfamiliar of a story.

And the subsequent development is not much different either.

"Since I was a disgrace to the family, I was adopted by Mr. Tirba, the third younger brother of the baroness, as soon as I was born. Of course, it was just a formality, and it was my birth mother who actually raised me."

The Martoan family still sent money periodically, and thanks to that, he was able to learn magic and grow up comfortably.

It's a complicated family history just to hear about.

However, the dwarf doesn't seem to have the patience to wait.

"So what does that have to do with you leaving the team?"

"My father, the former baron, passed away a year ago. And my second older brother took his place."

"Hmm, not the first?"

Rotmiller interjects with a question.

Dwarkey continues in a candid voice,

"That's right. The second son. That's the problem."

"I don't understand, why is that a problem…?"

"After the former baron passed away, many people died. Starting with my first older brother, and many other distant relatives…"

That alone is enough.

To understand the cause of this incident, the bloody power struggle within the Martoan barony.

"So it was that second brother of yours who sent the Moselan knights."

"That's right. It's probably a warning, to live quietly like I always have."

"But why now?"

"It seems like he's bothered by the fact that I became an explorer. I've also been learning a lot of magic lately… and with a famous person on the team, he must have been concerned."

Ah, uh, hmm…

Is he blaming me for this?

Honestly, I think it's a bit of a stretch…

I summarize Dwarkey's words briefly.

"Anyway, you're saying you can't enter the labyrinth anymore because you're scared of your second brother?"

"…You really don't know how to sugarcoat things. You're not wrong. But… it would have been the same regardless of my will."

"What do you mean?"

"They took away my labyrinth entry permit instead of punishing me for insulting a noble."

In short, it means that he can't enter the labyrinth even if he wants to.

"Bjorn, is there no way?"

The dwarf and Misha look at me with pleading eyes.

I close my eyes silently.

And instead of trying to find an answer to a question that has no answer, I think about what day it is.

'Phew, this is troublesome.'

There are 9 days left until the next labyrinth opens.

Can we really find a new companion before then?

Nothing ever goes smoothly for me.

__________________________________

"First, let's each think about this problem and meet again tomorrow to discuss it."

"Right, it's not like you can come up with a solution right away. Let's do that."

We disband after making an appointment for the next day.

The dwarf and Dwarkey seem to have decided to have a drink somewhere quiet, and Rotmiller heads back home.

For reference, I decide to go to the library.

"Huh? You're going to the library?"

"I have some business with that librarian."

"…At this late hour?"

"I'll get there before closing time if I hurry."

"I see… Sh, should I come with you?"

What is she talking about?

"No, you go and rest."

"But I don't have anything to do when I get back…"

"Why wouldn't you have anything to do? If you have time, just swing your swords some more. You didn't do anything today."

I send Misha away, who is persistently trying to follow me, and quickly head to the library.

I was originally planning to rest today and go tomorrow…

But the situation has changed a bit.

______________________________

"Parsitye…"

As I arrive at the library, the librarian, who was dozing off, starts to cast a spell mechanically but then flinches.

"You're…"

"Come to think of it, we haven't properly introduced ourselves. I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel."

"…Of course I know that."

Hmm, right.

Anyway, after that exchange, a brief silence follows.

I feel a bit awkward with her.

"…It's almost closing time, are you going to enter?"

"No, I didn't come to read books today."

"…Then?"

How should I explain my situation?

After contemplating for a moment, I just get straight to the point, like a barbarian.

"Ragna Ritaniyel Peprok."

"You can just call me Ragna."

"Ragna, what grade mage are you?"

Although I asked straightforwardly, the answer doesn't come for a while.

She looks at me as if I'm some kind of rude bastard.

Well, Raven also gets angry when she's asked this question.

"I'll ask this first. Why are you suddenly curious about that?"

Ragna, who is a bit more gentle than Raven, calmly asks for the reason first.

So I answer honestly.

"The mage on our team can't enter the labyrinth anymore. So, how about you take a break from your librarian job and enter the labyrinth with—"

"I refuse."

Yeah, so it's a refusal.

I cleanly let go of any lingering thoughts at her firm voice.

"I see. If you're too low-ranked to enter the labyrinth, then it can't be helped."

"…When did I ever say that?"

"Then it means your skills are sufficient."

Ragna, who was about to get angry, realizes that it was a test and makes a dumbfounded expression.

"You… don't tell me, you were curious about that?"

"…What are you talking about? Anyway, let's end this conversation here. It can't be helped if you don't want to."

I change the subject.

"So what was that thing? Shabin Emuer said you prepared something for me if I came here."

"…What? Prepared for you?"

She frowns as if she's never heard of it before, then facepalms as if she understands.

"Ha… did she really phrase it like that?"

"Speak in a way that I can understand."

"Let me tell you beforehand, don't misunderstand."

Ragna gives a long-winded explanation only after I assure her that I won't misunderstand.

"Shabin said that her standing within the department has improved thanks to you. So she asked for my opinion on how to repay you, and I… said that you like reading books."

"So?"

"That was all, but she suddenly mentioned something I owed her and told me to repay you instead. So this isn't from me, it's from Shabin. Do you understand?"

"…I understand."

In short, there's something prepared for me.

I don't know why she's so insistent on emphasizing that it's not from her…

If it were me, I would have taken credit for it.

"Do you really understand?"

"Yes. So what is this repayment?"

"Books."

"…Books?"

Ragna closes her eyes and chants a spell as I tilt my head in confusion.

"Bierdo Parsityev."

A brilliant golden light flows into my body as the spell is completed.

The chanting sounded a bit different from usual.

"What is this?"

Ragna gives me a detailed explanation, unlike her usual self.

There are books in this library that don't react to the regular [Book Detection] spell because they have a high security clearance, and this spell allows me to find those books as well.

"…I didn't know such things were hidden."

"It's normally a privilege reserved for nobles or a few authorized individuals."

It feels like I've received an unexpected gift, but I'm also bewildered.

"Is it okay to do this for me?"

"If you don't go around telling people about it, there won't be a problem. In the first place… I haven't used this spell many times since I became a librarian."

Ragna continues in a slightly sad voice,

"Who would even care about this place?"

Tsk, I'm starting to get curious about her story too.

___________________________________

Click, clack.

The only sound that echoes through the silent, empty library is the sound of shoes.

I'm reading books in that atmosphere.

It's thanks to Ragna's consideration.

[So that's why you came at such a late hour. Whew, alright. I'll make an exception and let you stay today.]

Although all the other users were kicked out when it was closing time, Ragna allowed me to stay until she finished organizing the books.

It's a strange feeling.

It's like I've sneaked into a restricted area, right?

Click, clack.

I put down the book I was reading and glance at Ragna.

'I was wondering how she organizes the books, and she does it all with magic.'

The books automatically go back to the empty shelves as she slightly moves her staff.

I wonder if she knows their places and puts them back…

Come to think of it, the books in this library don't need designated places. They have magic that helps you find the book you want.

Wait a minute.

"Ragna."

"Yes?"

"When we first met, didn't you tell me to put the books back in their original places after reading?"

"I usually say that because I'm too lazy to explain in detail. Many people ask unnecessary questions because it's magic."

"…I see."

Although it's quite hurtful as a barbarian, I don't show it and continue reading the books I was reading.

Is it because they're books with high security clearance?

The content is definitely different.

[Lafdonia Organizational Chart]

The book about public institutions in this city not only includes information about the Secret Security Department, the one that includes the Evil Spirit Hunters…

[World of Evil Spirits]

…but also a book that delves deeply into 'Ghostbusters'.

For reference, this book contains the last words of an agent who entered their spiritual world and returned half-dead…

'With this kind of system, there's no way I would be in danger.'

Thanks to this, I'm now certain that I can take the pill I'm keeping whenever the time comes.

As I continue to focus on reading books…

Just as I finish one book and reach for the next one…

[Compendium of Rifts II]

My hand freezes as I read the title.

Compendium of Rifts?

Isn't that the name of the book Raven mentioned? I quickly open the first page and check the contents, and I immediately understand her attitude.

'…It's no wonder she's so obsessed with it.'

It's like a strategy guide.

All the hidden pieces that I discovered through countless trial and error and experiments are written down without omission.

Although there are only four rifts described due to the physical limitations of a book…

'This must be like treasure to the people here.'

The content is organized so perfectly that even I, as a veteran player, can't find any gaps to fill.

And maybe because it's well-preserved…

Unlike what Raven said about it being written by an unknown person, the author's name is written on the last page.

"Auril Gabis…?"

I read the name out loud involuntarily and freeze.

'Crazy, why is this guy's name suddenly appearing here?'

Auril Gabis.

It's the name of the game developer of [Dungeon and Stone].