The one who opened the rift.
In other words, who's the mafia?
It's a question I've been pondering ever since we entered the 'Glacier Cave'.
To me, the mafia is a 'variable'.
I needed to figure out beforehand whether they would be a positive or negative variable. That's why I gathered clues, considering all possibilities without assuming the bear-like man was the mafia.
As a result...
'Right, it was her.'
I found the one who is suspected to be the mafia.
However, that's all for now.
I don't know what this bastard wants.
'Phew, I can't just kill her.'
The more I don't know her intentions, the more uneasy I feel.
After all, if she's really the mafia, there's a high chance she'll become a negative variable in the future.
However...
'I'll have to keep observing for now.'
There's only one mafia.
And she hasn't done anything yet.
That means it would be a problem if I just killed her out of the blue.
Unless I also 'silence' the two innocent ones.
Whoosh-
___________________
"Michelle, are you feeling okay?"
"...Me? I'm fine?"
Misha answers innocently, but in reality, the fatigue from yesterday must be pervasive.
Unlike Jenson and the bear-like man, we only slept for three hours each because we had to keep watch.
"Don't worry, it's better than the Witch's Forest, right?"
"That's... true."
I chuckle and shake off my worries.
Well, someone who endured that much won't falter from something like this.
"Enough with the lovey-dovey stuff, let's get going."
As soon as the bear-like man says something, Misha hurries back to her position.
The very back of the formation.
It's a position where she can immediately notice if anyone tries anything funny. If it weren't for her, I would have been hesitant to take the lead as the tank.
Thud.
As soon as I take the first step, the party follows at my pace.
'So this is what it feels like in real life, not in 2D graphics.'
A dark, icy cave.
The frozen ground is slippery, and the overall terrain is more three-dimensional than the 1st-floor Crystal Cave.
There are even steep slopes and places where the path is cut off, requiring us to use ropes to cross.
However…
"It's a relief that there seems to be only one path."
We don't get lost even without a scout.
There are occasional side paths, but they soon lead to dead ends.
We just have to follow the main path and keep moving.
While smashing the monsters that appear from the ice walls.
Thwack-!
For reference, the monsters that appear here are Wormstones, Sabertooth Tigers, Frost Wolves, Ice Golems, and Owlbears.
Unlike the Crimson Fortress, where the 7th-grade monster 'Bone Knight' appeared, most of the monsters here are 8th-grade.
'But the actual difficulty level is higher here.'
The status effect [Hypothermia].
It's a debuff field effect that decreases Agility by up to -30 and doubles cold damage taken when you don't have cold resistance.
"Miss Nayfrin, be careful. Maybe it's because my body is stiff, but these guys' attacks seem to hurt more than before."
"Ah, that's... that's why!"
As the journey continues, 'Jenson', who is taking the second row on either side of me, starts groaning.
Of course, I don't slow down out of consideration for them. Their share of the loot is practically negligible anyway.
Thwack.
It's basically just Misha, the bear-like man, and me, the one protecting the bear-like man, clearing the path, and we're finally nearing the end of the chapter.
Did it take about four hours to get here?
As we're walking through the winding passage, going up and down...
...we reach a vast cavern.
"Whew, what a sight."
Three monsters are trapped in crystal-clear ice pillars.
"Judging by their white skin, they're Ice Orcs."
"...Ice Orcs?"
"Don't worry, they're only 7th-grade."
The weapons held by the Ice Orcs are all different.
One has an axe, one has a hammer, and one has a shaman's staff.
"...Do we really have to fight them?"
"They wouldn't be here for no reason."
The bear-like man answers cynically to Jensia's mumbling.
And at that moment...
Crackle-
The ice pillars that were trapping the Ice Orcs crack and start to shatter all at once.
"They're not even giving us time to admire the view?"
Anyway, regardless of the bear-like man's relaxed response...
"Don't panic and get into formation!"
I shout urgently towards Jenson, who are fidgeting.
Because it's easier for Misha to keep an eye on them if they're in formation.
"Ah, yes!"
As soon as Jenson takes their positions on either side of me and the bear-like man retreats to a sniping position...
Kwaaang, thud thud.
The ice fragments fall, and the three Ice Orcs awaken from their slumber.
They snort fiercely, as befits mid-bosses.
[Kriiik—!]
One shaman and two warriors.
It's a well-balanced composition, and with [Hypothermia] on top of that, they're quite formidable opponents.
If you don't know the strategy.
"Phew..."
I take a deep breath and raise my shield.
I'm quite nervous.
It's not because of the orcs, which can be easily defeated, but because of something else.
'If she's going to pull something, now would be the best time.'
There's a mafia in the team.
Of course, I don't know what her goal is.
Maybe she just wants to clear the rift and has no intention of harming anyone.
But I have to prepare for the possibility that that's not the case.
Therefore—
Kwaaang!
…I focus on defense rather than offense.
It's better to hide my strength just in case.
In that sense, I've also instructed Misha to just observe and not do anything unnecessary.
"Why aren't you running to your lover and still here?"
"Something might appear from behind. And he's not my lover."
"Well, not yet."
The bear-like man questions Misha's positioning, but he seems to accept it as a reasonable excuse.
And...
"Tsk, those guys are useless anyway, I guess I'll have to put in some effort this time."
He reveals an ability he hasn't shown before.
「Avman Urikfrit has summoned Iron Bear Iradun.」
A giant bear emerges through the portal that appeared in front of the bear-like man.
It's a Spirit Beast.
'...Iradun?'
Honestly, I'm a bit surprised.
I thought he might have already made a contract with a Spirit Beast since he's a 5th-grade explorer from the beastman race...
'I can't believe he's a summoner.'
Now I understand why he was able to solo even though he's an archer.
If you have a tank summon, there's no need to stick to a team.
[Gaaaaak!!]
The summoned bear runs on all fours and then roars next to me, rising to its hind legs. And it starts to focus on one of the warriors, as if it's used to it.
'I guess we'll have to go with Plan B.'
I act rationally.
Nothing has changed.
Since I hid my strength, the bear-like man also revealed his Spirit Beast, which he had been saving until now.
[Kriiik!]
Therefore, I allow the Ice Orc's hammer to hit me.
If I get hit in the body, it will be obvious that I'm faking it, so I just headbutt it like a head-on collision.
Kwaaang!
Since I'm wearing a helmet and have a decent Bone Density stat, my head doesn't explode.
I'm just a bit dizzy from the impact.
And even that is quickly recovering thanks to my natural regeneration.
However…
Thud.
…I collapse to the ground with a thud.
It's because I judged that if we take down the three orcs too easily, I won't be able to test the mafia's intentions.
"Ar, are you alri… ugh!"
Kalson rushes towards me in surprise and takes over the aggro.
And at that moment…
「Killed Ice Orc Warrior. EXP +3.」
…an arrow is shot and pierces the head of the hammer-wielding orc.
Although the shaman's aggro shifts to the bear-like man due to this…
…the 5th-grade explorer is experienced.
Tadat.
He nimbly dodges the spell with his 190-centimeter-tall body, nocks an arrow on his crossbow, and shoots accurately.
「Ice Orc Shaman has cast [Steel Ice Wall].」
Even the shaman's defensive skill is useless against that monstrous arrow.
How can a 7th-grade monster block something like that?
Kwaaang!
The arrow shatters the ice wall and explodes as it pierces the shaman's head.
「Killed Ice Orc Shaman. EXP +3.」
Now there's only one orc left.
'Is he going to take them all down with just three arrows?'
A sense of emptiness washes over me.
The battle is so one-sided that my plan of making things difficult if they're too easy seems pointless.
'Is this what a 5th-grade archer is like?'
Tsk, should I just get up and pretend to have come to my senses?
As I'm contemplating that…
Someone mutters,
"So that was his Spirit Beast."
It's a cold voice.
"Now I can do it as planned."
The bear-like man, who was loading another arrow, collapses, vomiting blood.
Thud.
The mafia has finally made their move.
___________________
There are a few prerequisites that must be met to be the mafia.
Having enough knowledge to know how to open rifts.
Having excellent pathfinding skills to travel to the 2nd floor and back in just 19 hours.
And having the ability to clear the rift alone.
With these alone, the picture becomes clearer.
A scout with the strength of a 5th-grade explorer.
That's the identity of the mafia.
The problem is that all three of them had the potential to be the mafia.
1. Bear-like man.
5th-grade explorer.
His way of thinking is similar to a player's.
There's no need to explain further.
2. Kalson.
He only gave his name during introductions.
He didn't mention the essence he possesses either.
And his low-level equipment was also well-maintained.
As if it were brand new.
I thought it might be a disguise, so I observed him closely, but he didn't absorb the Frost Wolf essence either, making excuses.
He was suspicious enough.
Well, not as suspicious as him, but…
3. Jensia Nayfrin.
She said she received training as a scout and is knowledgeable about traps and mechanical devices.
She also said that observation is her specialty.
I think it was all just insurance.
To make her subsequent lines sound natural.
[Do, do we really have to kill that and then go down?]
When we encountered the Yeti blocking the cave.
[Ah! It's glowing after I touched it.]
In the second chapter.
[I feel like my body is moving slowly…···!]
When the mid-boss cast [Suppression].
[By the way… is it all over now?]
Before the last wave started, when everyone was letting their guard down.
She kept subtly hinting at key points as if pretending not to know.
As if she already knew the strategy.
Of course, this was nothing compared to the bear-like man or Kalson.
If it weren't for the dirt on her shoes.
As soon as we entered the rift, the first thing I checked was their shoes. To open the 'Glacier Cave', you need to visit the 2nd-floor Beast's Lair.
Jensia was the only one with dirt on her shoes.
Well, it's understandable if she just didn't wipe off the dirt from the city…
[Now that I think about it, there's one strange thing. Jensia's scent changed after we fell into the water.]
Misha's tip made me certain.
Although she's not as good as Rotmiller, she still has a good sense of smell as a beastman.
[She used to smell a bit more… fishy.]
[Like the Beast's Lair?]
[Ah! Now that you mention it! That's why it felt familiar!]
Jensia is the mafia.
And I judged that she's a malicious variable with a high chance of becoming a negative factor.
And thanks to that…
…I was able to prepare beforehand.
Thump-!
The moment Jensia's sword pierces the bear-like man's abdomen…
…Misha, as if she's been waiting, throws a vial and hits her target.
Crash!
The glass shatters, and the contents spill out.
"Thank you, it's worth about 30 million sto— Kyaak!"
Jensia, who was about to say something smugly, is startled and steps back after being doused in the liquid.
"Wh, what! What did you do to me…?"
I quickly get up.
But did my fainting also play a part in her choosing this moment for a surprise attack?
"What, what is it…?"
Jensia looks even more confused.
I let out a battle cry instead of answering.
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!"
What is it?
It means…
…it's self-defense from now on.
-x-X-x-
Jensia Nayfrin.
Although it's a pseudonym she mainly uses when looting, anyway…
She entered the 'Glacier Cave' alone without much concern.
Because she's confident that she can clear it even if she has to kill everyone.
While purchasing information that the 'Frozen Breath' essence drops here, she also memorized the strategy.
However…
[…I won't be a burden. I'm Avman Urikfrit.]
Things went wrong from the start.
[I'm a 6th-grade, and Michelle is a 7th-grade explorer. We used to operate on the 4th floor.]
[I see, I'm 5th-grade.]
A 5th-grade archer, a 6th-grade barbarian, and a 7th-grade beastman.
'Why are these guys on the 1st floor at this time?'
She couldn't understand it at all.
Even though it's a rift that opened on the first day, she only expected one or two 7th or 8th-grade explorers to enter at most.
'Anyway, what should I do now?'
She originally planned to play around with them for fun and then kill the guardian and leave alone.
Because word can't get out to the city.
Her equipment, skills, and appearance are already known to the guild.
If it gets out that she's alive, there will definitely be trouble.
'It's too risky to exploit them alone, should I just stay quiet this time and wait for the next opportunity?'
She had that thought at first, but it gradually changed.
Sometimes, crises can become opportunities, right?
'Tsk, I can wait 3 months, but it's still a shame…'
Thanks to her abundant looting experience, she can roughly estimate their value just by looking at them.
'The archer bastard is worth 30 million, the barbarian 6 million, and that cat bitch… hmm, about 3 million.'
A total of 39 million stones.
It's not easy to loot this much in the labyrinth. Especially for a solo marauder like her.
'Alright, let's do it.'
She starts planning again.
If she uses the special circumstances of being inside the rift, it seems like there might be a way.
'The problem is this archer bastard…'
The barbarian and the beastman are low-ranked and warriors, so she's not particularly scared of them.
They're unlikely to have any detection abilities, so she's confident that she can win even in a 2-on-1 situation.
But one of them is different.
'Why is he so thorough?'
He's experienced, as befits a high-ranking explorer.
He tries to hide his abilities as much as possible in front of strangers, and whenever she tries to subtly move to a blind spot, he instinctively shifts his gaze towards her.
It was the same when we were sleeping by the campfire.
The archer bastard sat with his back against the wall, making sure that she and Kalson were within his line of sight.
'Ha, he's like a surveillance camera. And he didn't even care that the cat girl was behind him.'
Is it because she's also a beastman?
The archer bastard was particularly cautious around Kalson and her.
Of course, it didn't seem like he had noticed anything.
It was just a habit.
One that became as natural as breathing as he gained experience.
'…This is why humans are the worst.'
She waited patiently.
[And I've absorbed the Goblin Archer's essence, and I received training as a scout when I was young, so I'm somewhat knowledgeable about traps and mechanical devices.]
She acted like a newbie, as she had introduced herself at first, to lower their guard.
And then the moment came.
[I guess I'll have to put in some effort this time.]
The archer bastard finally revealed a new ability.
She had already figured out the four essences he possessed. This was finally the ability of the 'Spirit Beast' she had been most wary of.
[Gaaaaak!!]
A gray bear charges forward on all fours, roaring.
The corners of her mouth curl up into a smirk as soon as she sees it.
The archer bastard is a summoner.
And not just any summoner, but one with a tank-type summon that can only act as a meat shield, not one with any detection abilities.
And as if the heavens were helping her…
Kwaaang!
…the barbarian collapses after being hit in the head by a hammer.
It seems like a pathetic way to go down for a 6th-grade explorer, but considering that his agility stat was reduced due to [Hypothermia], it's not that unbelievable.
No, maybe even his 6th-grade rank was a lie.
In the first place, that barbarian wasn't that important.
「Character has cast [Equipment Transformation].」
She changes her equipment using a skill.
A single worn-out sword transforms into a poisoned blade, and the rest of her equipment also changes into items specialized for PvP that she collected one by one.
And in that state…
「Character has cast [Beast Walk].」
「Enters high-grade stealth and movement speed is greatly increased for 3 seconds.」
…she activates stealth.
It's the same one she usually introduced as the Goblin Archer's essence during her 'hobby activities'.
Thud-
She pushes off the ground and runs, but her footsteps are barely audible thanks to the high-grade stealth bonus.
The archer bastard, distracted by the orcs, still hasn't noticed her movement.
「Character has cast [Vengeance].」
「Penetration and cutting power are greatly increased for the first strike, and inflicts the status effect 'bleeding'.」
Her sword pierces the target's abdomen.
It's surprising.
Because she was originally aiming for the heart.
'To think he would react to that.'
Of course, it's not a meaningful struggle.
She can feel the sensation of his organs with the tip of her sword, and she even applied poison beforehand.
Nothing changes.
He's just going to die a bit more painfully.
"Keugh!"
Just as she's enjoying the afterglow for a moment, watching the archer bastard vomiting blood…
Crash!
Something hits her head and shatters, spilling a sticky liquid.
"Wh, what!"
She checks and sees that it was the cat girl's doing.
"What the hell did you do to me…?"
As she's stepping back, thinking something is wrong…
…she sees the barbarian who was unconscious slowly getting up.
"What, what is it…?"
She can't understand at all.
It took less than 2 seconds from the moment she used her skill to when she successfully landed the surprise attack.
And she knows from her experience.
When you're ambushed, you usually get startled and scream with a betrayed expression.
That's the normal reaction.
But what about this cat girl?
She ran up and broke the vial as if she had been waiting for this moment…
…and that barbarian who got up just fine is the same.
He doesn't ask why she betrayed them.
As if there's no need for that…
…he just charges towards her, shouting.
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!"
From their unusual behavior, she deduces one thing.
No, it's more accurate to say that she realizes.
'Could it be… they knew I was going to do this?'
It's not just that something went wrong.
「Character has cast [Beast Walk].」
「Stealth is dispelled by Witch's Lamp Solvent.」
Things have gone terribly wrong.
_____________________
「Character has used [Wild Release].」
_____________________
As I shout the name of the ancestor god…
…vitality flows into my body, and the attention of the Ice Orc who was beating up Kalson shifts to me.
[Kriiik?]
Of course, it's not a problem.
I took a hit to the head earlier, and it was manageable.
In that sense…
Tadat!
…I ignore the orc and dash.
The distance closes rapidly as I move my long barbarian legs.
Jensia still has a dazed expression.
Well, she wouldn't understand.
She executed a perfect surprise attack, so how could she have known that someone would have noticed beforehand?
Smirk.
Even I would have had a hard time noticing.
If she had entered the rift I opened, I would have just thought she was an ordinary low-level explorer.
I wouldn't have paid much attention to the dirt on her shoes or anything.
Well, I would have still been cautious, but…
'Why are there so many bastards in this world?'
Ah, could it be that she's not from this world?
I push aside the fleeting thought and push off the ground once more.
That's when…
"Uh…?"
Jensia's face turns pale.
It seems like she finally realized.
That her stealth ability is disabled.
"Wh, why…?"
Stealth was probably her trump card.
She was planning to kill the bear-like man first and then use stealth to take down each of us one by one.
Assuming there were no mages or anyone with detection abilities, it's a skill that boasts tremendous power in PvP even at medium levels.
It's practically an ability that warriors have no choice but to fall victim to.
I only have one thing to say to her.
"Idiot."
If you wanted to hide your identity, you should have watched your mouth.
If you hadn't blabbed about absorbing the Goblin Archer's essence, even I wouldn't have known about the stealth.
Whoosh!
I swing my mace as soon as I'm within range.
But it seems like she wasn't planning to just exploit people with stealth.
Jensia nimbly somersaults to the side and dodges my attack.
But what a shame.
That's the direction where the cat is.
"You bitch!"
"Ugh!"
Although she was just standing there, Jensia ends up back near me while dodging Misha's sword strike.
I have a feeling she'll dodge my slow mace swing.
Therefore…
Thwack!
…I use Shield Smash for the first time in a while.
I smash her face with my shield as if receiving a tennis ball, and Jensia's body flies away like a piece of paper.
But did she invest in defense as well?
Despite the satisfying impact, Jensia regains her balance in mid-air and lands on her feet, not even fainting.
Drip.
She has a nosebleed and shouts in annoyance,
"These damn NPC bastards…!"
You really were a player.
She's the first person from my home world that I've met since Tarik Liyen…
But nothing changes.
Whether they're players or just marauders, those who tried to kill me are all the same 'bastards'.
"Bjorn! Be careful!"
Huh?
Just as I'm about to dash forward again and smash her head for good…
…I turn around at Misha's shout and see an orc.
[Kriiik!]
The bastard is swinging his axe down, trying to split my head open without even understanding the situation.
I turn my head to avoid getting hit directly.
The giant axe blade then strikes the shoulder line of my Laetium breastplate.
Clang!
My bones feel a bit cold, but it's not significant damage.
So I ignore it and continue my dash.
Because if this guy dies, the final boss will appear.
But was my unwavering advance in the face of the orc's attack impressive?
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!"
As I charge forward, making noises like a tank deflecting bullets, Jensia starts running away in a hurry.
And she's heading towards the entrance where we came in.
I follow her out of curiosity, and soon she stops.
"Uh, why is there a wall…"
What the?
I diligently followed her because I thought there might be something else here…
But was she just an idiot?
Smirk.
It's kind of funny.
She calls us NPCs, but she doesn't even know this even though she's a player. Originally, when you enter the third chapter, the ceiling collapses and blocks the path.
In other words, this bitch ran into a dead end on her own because she didn't even know that.
Therefore, I also slow down.
A cornered rat will bite the cat.
I need to be a bit more cautious.
Thud.
I take a step forward, covering my upper body with my shield.
Although the passage is only wide enough for two or three people to pass through, I'm a big and important barbarian warrior.
It's practically impossible for her to squeeze through.
Clang-!
Well, even in the midst of this, the orc bastard strikes the back of my head again, but…
"Bjorn! I'll take care of this guy!"
After hearing Misha's shout, that doesn't happen anymore.
"Don't kill him."
"Huh? Alright!"
I take another step forward.
Now the distance between me and that bitch is only 2 meters.
We're practically within each other's range, but Jensia doesn't dare to attack recklessly.
The pecking order has already been established in her mind.
Thud.
I take another confident step forward.
Only then does Jensia shout desperately,
"Wait! Le, let's talk! There's been a misunderstanding…"
Misunderstanding my ass.
She just wants to buy some time.
I saw her sword glowing red earlier, so it seems like she uses [Vengeance].
'Was the cooldown 3 minutes?'
That's assuming she doesn't have any cooldown reduction.
In other words, there's no way for her to penetrate my shield for the next 2 minutes—
Whoosh!
As if her attempt at negotiation was just a distraction, Jensia cuts me off and swings her sword.
Clang, thwack!
I quickly block it with my shield and simultaneously smash her wrist with my mace. Her wrist bends at an unnatural angle, and the sword falls to the ground.
Clatter.
For now, it seems like a checkmate.
Unless this bitch has another skill or equipment effect that can turn the situation around.
I can't be sure yet.
So it's better to eliminate any variables.
She might have a self-destruct skill or something hidden.
"What misunderstanding? Tell me in detail."
"Will you… really believe me?"
"If it's a story worth believing."
Jensia's eyes become dazed at my words.
It seems like she's trying to come up with a story that will convince me.
No, even if she can't convince me, she's probably just trying to buy time by telling a plausible story.
"I… I don't know if you'll beli—"
The moment Jensia's lips open…
…I smash her head with my mace.
Thwack-!
Although she was showing some agility, this time she can't even react and collapses limply.
Thud.
Jensia's body convulses, and her mouth twitches.
It seems like she has something to say…
Smirk.
Looking at her eyes, I think I understand what she's trying to say.
That I shouldn't have broken my promise.
I answer honestly, like a barbarian.
"To believe that, do you have a problem with your head?"
Of course, it's a lie.
-x-X-x-
First, I checked outside the passage.
"Aak!"
"Don't run away and just hold on!"
Misha and Kalson were busy dealing with the orc. If it were just a matter of killing it, it would have been over quickly, but they couldn't do that because of my instructions.
'I don't have to worry about them for a while.'
I quickly stripped Jensia of her equipment while she was unconscious.
A 2nd-tier leather top.
Boots with blades that popped out when I was taking them off.
Bracers that shot hidden weapons when I pressed a button.
Looking at them, each piece of equipment was focused on fighting people rather than monsters. As I shoved them into my backpack and examined them, a smile naturally appeared on my face.
'I could just give some of these to Misha, this saves me money.'
Jensia's equipment was of a fairly decent level.
And the highlight among them was the sword.
It was a longsword that exuded an expensive aura from its hilt.
'Wait a minute... isn't this a Numbered Item?'
I stopped putting it in my backpack and took a closer look at the sword.
A green-tinged blade.
If my guess is right, this is the No. 5991 Viper's Fang.
It didn't have any usage effects, but it gave a large bonus to penetration, and the poison damage inflicted through the sword was doubled.
Well, I'll have to get it appraised to be sure...
'It seems like I got something valuable.'
Viper's Fang is a 'core item'.
Although it's not a graduation weapon, it's an item that can be used well into the mid-to-late game if you're going for a poison build.
Naturally, it's expensive regardless of its number.
'If it really is Viper's Fang, I'll have Misha use it until I sell it.'
With that thought, I got up.
Now that the looting was over, it was time to have a conversation.
Because I had a few questions.
But before that, I needed to prepare for the conversation.
Thwack-!
I swung my mace down.
The target was her ankle.
There was no reason to hesitate since I had already taken all the equipment that could be sold.
"Ugh, keugh!!!"
Jensia sat up as if she had been electrocuted as her thin, white ankle was crushed.
I pressed down on her upper chest with my foot to hold her in place.
And...
"N, no...!"
Thwack-!
...I did the same to her other ankle.
I had already taken care of one of her wrists, so now only her left wrist remained.
As I changed my position, our eyes met.
Has she done something similar to me before?
She seemed to know what I was about to do.
"St, stop... please... I, I'll do anything, so..."
Really?
"Then stay still. I'll finish up and then we'll talk."
I raised my mace above my head.
"Do, don't...!! I won't resist! So please, just talk it out—!"
Just wait a minute, will you?
Thwack-!
"Kyaaaaaak!!!"
Jensia's scream echoed once more, and finally, the environment for a conversation was established.
Her limbs were crushed, and I had stripped her of all her equipment.
So I could relax and...
Ah, I didn't take everything off, did I?
"Use [Equipment Transformation]."
Although they're just beginner-level equipment, she still has some swappable gear. However, Jensia just stared at me blankly, even stopping her pained groans.
"How... did you...?"
How did I know?
Is there any other skill that allows you to change your equipment instantly?
I raised my mace instead of answering.
Jensia's face turned even paler.
She must know that the only thing left to crush with this is her tiny head.
"I, I'll do it!"
New equipment appeared on Jensia's body.
Ordinary equipment that would probably be worth about 500,000 stones in total.
I took them off and put them in my backpack.
Then it's time to move on to the main topic.
"I have some questions."
"An, anything!"
First, I asked Jensia what essences she had.
She had a total of four essences.
[Equipment Transformation] from Iron Knight, [Beast Walk] from Dinictis, [Vengeance] from Saint Assassin...
'...and [Poison Infliction]...'
I was wary that it might be a self-destruct skill, but her last essence was the [Poison Infliction] of the Hop Goblin, which Misha also has.
In total, it seems like she absorbed two 6th-grade, one 5th-grade, and one 7th-grade essence.
She raised her character quite well.
It's a shame that she's using it for looting...
'No, come to think of it, maybe she found her true calling?'
In terms of explorers who fight monsters, Jensia is only around 6th-grade level. However, in PvP, she would definitely be above 5th-grade.
"Th, that's all…? I would have told you even if you just asked—"
What is she talking about? This is just the beginning.
I move on to the next question.
"Why did you attack us?"
"My information is spread throughout the Explorer's Guild. So I was trying to silence..."
"So you were planning to kill anyone who entered, regardless of who they were."
Jensia closes her eyes tightly and nods.
At this point, it would be understandable for her to give up and say, 'Just kill me'. However, she never utters those words.
It wouldn't change anything even if she did.
"Then why did you open the rift? It doesn't seem like you have any essence slots left, and you wouldn't have needed to silence us if you hadn't entered in the first place."
"It's because of the Heart of the Glacier. I heard that item only drops here."
Ah, so that's why.
"And I wasn't worried about silencing you. I thought you would be at most 8th-grade explorers—"
Just as I'm listening and nodding in understanding as the last piece of the puzzle falls into place...
...Jensia suddenly shuts her mouth. And her eyes widen.
As if she realized something huge.
"You… knew that I opened the rift…?"
…She just made a slip of the tongue.
"What are you talking about?"
I answer naturally while scratching my ear, but Jensia doesn't fall for it. And after a moment of silence, she finally reaches an answer.
"Don't tell me… you're also a player?"
Although it seems pointless to deny it after seeing her expression…
…there's no need to confirm it either.
"Player? Are you an evil spirit?"
She just stares into space blankly at my question.
And as if she's come to her senses, she squirms and presses her face against my leg.
I just look down at her.
"Mister, please save me…"
Hope.
"I want to go home. I can't die here. In this shitty place… I survived so much. Please… please."
Resentment.
"Ah, I haven't apologized, have I? I'm sorry. I, I was wrong. I thought you were NPCs. I would never have done that if I had known. We, we're real people… people, right? It would be murder!"
Desperation.
"Please… say something. Please? Fuck! Say something! Heuk, you bastard…"
Despair.
I just keep looking at Jensia's face, where all sorts of emotions are swirling.
Thump.
Surprisingly, my heart is calm.
Not even sadness, let alone a shred of sympathy, arises.
There was no PK (player killing) in [Dungeon and Stone].
Because it's not an online game.
However, killing NPCs was possible.
I also enjoyed playing as a looter in that way.
But…
'I killed them because they were NPCs?'
This is not just a game.
I desperately want to believe that, but there's too much evidence that forces me not to.
And she probably knew it too.
Therefore, I answer briefly,
"You are, an evil spirit."
Evil spirit.
A being that doesn't belong in this world.
But a being that has no choice but to assimilate its body, mind, and soul to survive here.
Well, who cares if they're a player or an NPC?
Nothing changes.
No matter what label you put on her, this woman is just a marauder, and she's a dangerous person who has figured out that I'm a player.
"You bastard!!"
Therefore, I raise my mace.
Thinking that even if the situation were reversed, it would be the same, since we've both adapted to this place.
Swoosh.
I put strength into the hand holding the mace.
Jensia doesn't beg for her life anymore.
She just stares at me with venomous eyes.
As if to say she'll remember my face and curse me even in death.
"Heu, heup, haak…"
With every ragged breath she takes, her plump chest rises and falls rapidly. I can feel how fast her heart is beating even without placing my ear against it.
I realize one thing.
Although she seemed to be filled with nothing but spite, there was one more thing left.
Fear.
Jensia then closes her eyes.
She lets go of her hatred and finally finds peace.
I wonder what she's seeing beyond those tightly shut eyelids?
"Mo, mom…"
I swing my mace down before hearing everything.
Thwack-!
Flesh and blood splatter.
Blood gushes from her nose and mouth with every small convulsion of her fallen body.
Of course, it doesn't last long.
Soon, her body completely stops moving.
I let out the breath I've been holding back and turn around.
「Achievement Unlocked」
Condition: First player kill
Reward: Mental stat permanently increases by +1.
I killed a player for the first time.
However, I push aside my emotions and take a step forward.
Thud-
Whether that act was easy or difficult.
Whether I felt excitement rather than fear at the sight of blood and flesh.
Whether I felt disgusted with myself for hoping that she saw what I wanted her to see beyond her closed eyelids when she woke up.
Or whether I felt pathetic seeing myself gradually becoming corrupted by this barbarian's body…
Emotions don't matter.
Thud-
It was something I had to do.
'....'
On the first day I woke up in this barbaric world…
…this was the path I chose to walk.
______________________
"Why did it take you so long! I thought something bad happened!"
Misha scolds me as I leave the cavern, leaving Jensia's corpse behind.
Hmm, but I finished as quickly as possible.
It didn't even take 3 minutes.
"He, help me!"
Kalson cries out desperately as the orc pushes him back relentlessly while Misha is distracted, looking at me.
However, I maintain an observational stance.
"Misha, you can finish him off now."
"Ah, is that okay?"
"Yeah, and try using the new ability you acquired."
"Huh? I haven't used it yet…"
That's why I'm telling you to try it.
The mafia is gone, isn't she?
And Ice Orcs are the perfect opponents.
"Ugh! I ca, can't hold on any longer… Heup!"
While Kalson blocks another axe strike with his dented shield…
…Misha closes her eyes.
And she uses a skill.
「Misha Kaltstein has cast [Enhance].」
A faint white light appears on her hand.
It's the active skill of the 7th-grade monster, 'Vitol'.
Normally, Misha's basic combo would have been to use [Poison Infliction] after this, but…
「Misha Kaltstein has cast [Cold Condensation].」
Blue particles, as if separating from the air, seep into Misha's body.
「Cold Affinity is greatly increased.」
Misha opens her eyes, as if she feels that it worked properly.
And…
Whoosh!
…she swings her sword sharply and cuts the orc's wrist, which was about to attack Kalson.
Slash!
It seems like she couldn't cut through the bone in one go.
The orc's hand, holding the axe, is half-severed and dangling.
However, I'm focused on something else.
[Kriiik!!]
A laceration on the wrist from the sharp blade.
However, no blood flows out. The wound is frozen shut, covered in frost.
'Is it Frostbite?'
The cold attribute stops bleeding.
This might seem like a disadvantage, but it also stops regeneration, so it's quite useful depending on the type of enemy.
The fact that it restricts movement is also an advantage.
[Kriiik!]
Of course, since the Ice Orc has high cold resistance, only the area around its wrist is frozen.
But it would have been different if it were a regular mob.
The frost would have spread to its elbow.
Hmm, if it were a monster with negative cold resistance, it might have even been completely frozen.
Misha hasn't finished setting up her build yet.
In that sense…
"Misha, aim for the neck this time."
"Huh? Alright!"
Misha's sword pierces the orc's neck.
Well, orcs have a high Bone Density stat.
It would have been difficult to cut through it in one go.
However, as the area around the orc's neck freezes, it stops moving and starts trembling.
It seems like the cold has reached its brain.
Kwagic-!
I've confirmed everything I needed to confirm, so I run forward and smash the orc's head with my mace.
At the same time, the cavern starts shaking, and ice dust falls from the ceiling.
And I hear the roar I heard earlier.
[Groaaaaaaaaaar—!!]
"Wh, what?!"
What do you mean, what?
It means it's time for the fourth chapter.
「Tyrant Tarunbas, awakened from his long slumber, has recovered all his strength.」
We even had an unplanned PK…
…so it's time to kill the boss and leave.
-x-X-x-
Just as we finish our brief preparations, sending Kalson to the back…
Kwaaang!
…the ice wall in front of us shatters, and the bastard appears.
Tyrant Tarunbas.
The guardian of the 'Glacier Cave', based on the 7th-grade monster Lycanthrope.
[Groaaaaaaaaaar—!!]
This guy has a few characteristics.
He's 1.5 times bigger than a regular Lycanthrope.
His basic skill set is the same, but his stats are about twice as high.
And most importantly, he has that ice club in his hand.
「Tyrant Tarunbas has cast [Ice Crush].」
As soon as he appears, he slams his club on the ground.
[Ice Crush].
Originally, it's a skill that just gives a damage bonus to enemies with the 'Frostbite' or 'Frozen' status effect.
However, it's a bit different within the 'Glacier Cave'.
Kwaaang!
Tremors spread through the ground.
Although the floor doesn't collapse like in the second chapter, a layer of ice wall peels off, and about a dozen Frost Wolves awaken.
"Bjorn! This guy is different from regular Lycanthropes!"
Geez, it's Bjorn.
The mafia is dead, so there's no need to correct her, right?
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!"
I use [Wild Release] to draw his aggro…
…and block the incoming club with my shield.
Kwaaang!
Along with the heavy impact, a chill pierces through my bones.
Thick frost forms on the surface of the shield that blocked the club.
It's not the Lycanthrope's innate ability, but the effect of that ice club.
[Grrr!!]
[Woof!]
In the meantime, the Frost Wolves that have come to their senses also rush towards me, scratching and biting.
The damage is negligible even considering [Hypothermia] since they're just 9th-grade monsters.
Well, it would be different once the second pattern starts, but…
There's no need to worry since I plan to finish it in the first pattern.
"Now!"
I give Misha instructions and take out the item I prepared from my belt pocket and chew on it.
「Character has consumed 'Thundergrass'.」
「Lightning damage slightly increased for 10 seconds.」
Thundergrass.
It's a doping consumable that temporarily increases all lightning damage.
Before the duration ends, I tear the Lightning Scroll I was holding in my mouth and activate its effect.
Crackle!
The lightning that strikes the nearest enemy chains to the surrounding enemies.
Since it's a cheap, low-grade Lightning Scroll, the damage isn't enough to kill the Frost Wolves in one shot, but…
「Tyrant Tarunbas has entered a [Paralyzed] state.」
…that alone is enough to paralyze the bastard.
Because his lightning resistance is negative.
For reference, it's a characteristic unique to him, not regular Lycanthropes. He's particularly weak to the lightning attribute.
Although I'm not sure why an ice and beast-type monster has a weakness to lightning…
「Tyrant Tarunbas has cast [Indomitable].」
…the bastard then uses his second skill, [Indomitable], to remove the 'incapacitated' status…
…but it doesn't change much.
It's just removal, not immunity.
I can just do it again.
Boom!
Misha throws a stone, and it explodes.
Its in-game name is Storm Explosion.
I usually call it a lightning bomb.
「Tyrant Tarunbas has entered a [Stunned] state.」
The seven lightning bombs I threw without hesitation explode one after another, making Tarunbas roll his eyes.
And in this state, even [Indomitable] is useless.
'Stun' is a mental status effect, not an incapacitated state like petrification, paralysis, or freezing.
Thud!
The bastard, who appeared as the final boss, collapses to the ground, incapacitated in just 3 seconds.
What follows is simple.
Just like when we pounded Death Fiends, we run up and smash his head.
Thwack-! Thump! Thwack! Clang, kwagic-!
As Misha and I unleash a flurry of attacks with our lightning-enchanted weapons, his body soon shatters into tiny particles and scatters.
「Killed Tyrant Tarunbas. EXP +3」
「Guardian Kill Bonus. EXP +3」
It took about 10 seconds.
The effect of the 'Thundergrass' wore off just before he died, so there shouldn't be much error in my estimate.
I calm my pounding heart and check the spot where he died.
"What the…"
Kalson, who was watching from afar, lets out a deep sigh.
Misha's reaction isn't much different either.
Although neither a Rift Stone nor a Numbered Item dropped, unlike in the Crimson Fortress…
"Bjorn… this is that, right?"
…an essence dropped.
"Uh, you're giving this to me too…?"
I don't understand why she keeps reacting like this.
In the first place, it was decided from the beginning when we were negotiating the distribution with the bear-like man that Misha would get the guardian's essence.
"No, I mean… I thought you were just saying that. We didn't come here alone, after all."
Ah, so she thought I would take it later.
…What kind of image do I have in her eyes?
"Enough, just absorb it before it disappears."
"Kya!"
I'm too lazy to explain further, so I just pat Misha on the back and push her forward.
And while Misha is adapting to the new essence…
…I approach the bear-like man, who is lying motionless on the cold floor.
I feel a bit sorry for him.
Even though I was assuming the worst and preparing for it, I didn't expect him to go this far—
'…What?'
I freeze as I lower my posture.
"Ugh, uh…"
Surprisingly, the bear-like man is still alive.
He's not just barely clinging to life, but his consciousness seems to be intact as well.
Seeing how he desperately tries to say something despite his stiff body as soon as I approach…
'At least 4 minutes have passed…?'
When I realized that Jensia's sword was the 'Viper's Fang', I thought he would have died a long time ago.
And I was even more certain after hearing their conversation outside.
[Kalson! I'll take care of this, you check on that guy! He should have potions in his bag!]
[He's, he's already de, dead!]
While I was talking to Jensia, I heard that conversation outside. That's why I finished off the orc first, then the final boss, and then came here.
'…How the hell did he survive?'
While traveling with the bear-like man, I more or less confirmed the four essences he possessed.
Two of them were essences with poison resistance.
But even without poison, it's normal to die after being left alone for so long with a pierced stomach like that.
"Po, potion…"
The bear-like man speaks clearly as he looks at me.
But did Misha hear that small mutter?
"Uh? He's alive! Thank goodness! Hold on, I'll make you feel better…"
Misha, who was lost in the afterglow of absorbing the essence, is startled and approaches him. And she rummages through the bear-like man's bag and takes out a potion.
It's a high-grade potion.
"I'll use the best one I have, so don't complain later?"
"It's fine… keep po, uring, it… on me…"
"Got it!"
Misha opens the potion bottle and pours it on the bear-like man's wound.
However…
Sizzle!
Bubbles form on the blood that fills the wound, but it doesn't heal.
For reference, [Poison Infliction] doesn't have this effect.
'…She must have applied something to the sword.'
I have a guess.
I don't know exactly what it is, but it must be a 'wound deterioration' type poison that prevents healing and regeneration.
"Uh, uh? Why is it like this…?"
"Kee, ep… po, uring… it…"
"Keep pouring it, right? Ah, got it!"
Misha keeps pouring the high-grade potion at the bear-like man's request.
However, as she pours the second bottle and his condition doesn't improve, does he realize something?
"An, antidote… yellow, fang…"
"Ah, th, this! The yellow bottle with the fang drawn on it?"
"Ye, s…"
The bear-like man takes the antidote with Misha's help.
As expected of a solo player, he seems to have stocked up on emergency medicine.
However…
'[Poison Infliction] might be different, but that antidote won't work on deterioration-type poisons.'
As I expected, there's no significant effect even after he drinks the antidote.
The wound heals at a snail's pace.
And dark red blood keeps flowing out.
Sizzle…!
Two bottles, three bottles, four bottles…
Despite using up several potions, the bear-like man's condition is getting worse.
It's inevitable since the bleeding isn't stopping.
"...."
The bear-like man, whose consciousness seems to have become hazy from excessive blood loss, can't even give orders anymore. He's not even feeling the pain of the potion.
"Avman? Get a grip!"
Misha pats his cheek and shakes his shoulder, but the bear-like man doesn't come to his senses.
"Wh, what should we do? Ah, the top-grade potion! Bjorn, let's use that!"
Misha looks at me as if she just remembered the top-grade potion I bought.
I take out the top-grade potion without hesitation.
"Move aside."
"Ah, okay!"
It's an item that costs over 1 million stones per bottle.
Well, even with this, the wound won't heal instantly, but at least it should stop the bleeding.
Sizzle!
As the top-grade potion, which can even heal severed limbs, is poured, the wound that was barely recovering starts to heal more significantly.
The bleeding stops, and his breathing stabilizes.
However, since he's still in a dangerous state, we continue to pour high-grade potions.
Sizzle!
One bottle, two bottles, three bottles…
For reference, they're all potions from the bear-like man's bag, not mine.
He carries around ten high-grade potions, but why doesn't he have any top-grade ones?
It doesn't seem like it's because he doesn't have the money.
"I think we can stop now."
After using up five more high-grade potions, the wound has healed more than two-thirds of the way.
So I stop the treatment.
With this much, his life shouldn't be in danger, so I judge that it's more rational to finish the treatment after the wound deterioration effect wears off.
"...."
The bear-like man, who had been screaming in pain from the moment his nerves started to recover, is now unconscious.
I slowly get up.
"Yo, you've worked hard."
Kalson says that to me as our eyes meet.
Worked hard my ass.
"Come to think of it, we haven't split the loot yet."
Now that the rift is cleared, we distribute the magic stones.
"Uh, it seems like the calculation is wrong…"
First, we divide the acquired magic stones by grade and give Kalson his share, and he cautiously questions it.
This guy is also strange.
I gave him a lot, not a little, but this is his reaction?
"Just take it. You didn't even get an essence."
Kalson's share was originally only 5%.
Well, it increased to 10% after Jensia died…
But I give him 20% of the magic stones.
It's the price of silence.
"If you feel bad about it, don't go around telling people about today's events."
"Ah, yes! I understand!"
Although I don't know if he'll actually keep his promise, it's better than nothing.
"But… why did that Miss Jensia do that?"
"Is there any other reason for looting besides money? It seems like it wasn't her first time either."
"I see…"
After receiving his share, Kalson leaves the rift through the portal after that one question. It seems like he doesn't want to stay here any longer after experiencing so much.
That's when, as I'm chuckling at the sight…
"This is…"
…the bear-like man comes to his senses.
-x-X-x-
"Keugh."
"Don't move yet. Your wound hasn't fully healed."
"…Did you save me?"
"Using a top-grade potion, no less."
The bear-like man's expression is complex.
He's happy to be alive and all, but there's something that doesn't sit right with him.
Well, he knows it too, right?
How much profit we could have made if he had died.
[Thank you, it's worth about 30 million sto—]
30 million stones.
Although it's not the exact amount, it's probably close enough since it was Jensia's estimate, and she had extensive looting experience.
The bear-like man, who's well-versed in the ways of explorers, mutters quietly,
"…You were lucky."
I agree.
In this situation, how many explorers would choose to save someone instead of waiting for them to die?
"I'll pay for the top-grade potion."
Well, that's only natural.
"How much do you want?"
"Hmm, I think 5 million stones should be enough."
"…Isn't a top-grade potion worth about 1 million stones?"
"Is that so? Then I guess I got ripped off by the merchants."
The bear-like man is momentarily speechless at my sly attitude and then chuckles.
"Indeed, the price of an item can vary depending on the situation."
As expected of an experienced 5th-grade explorer, he seems to understand exactly what I'm saying.
"5 million stones… that's a reasonable price."
"Thank you for thinking so."
"…You two, what the hell are you talking about?"
You just stay quiet.
The adults are talking right now.
"But I don't have that much money right now. I'll pay the 5 million stones when we return to the city."
"Hmm."
"Instead, I'll leave this item with you, and I would like you to return it after I pay you in the city."
The bear-like man then takes out a skull-shaped bracelet and hands it to me.
"It's a Numbered Item. I just used it once, but it's still worth much more than 5 million stones."
The bear-like man briefly explains the item, but I already know what it is.
No. 7611 'Deceiver of the Necromancer'.
It's an item that puts the wearer into a state of suspended animation with temporary damage immunity when they receive fatal damage.
For reference, it breaks after 3 uses.
'So that's how he survived.'
I ask if he would be willing to just give me this instead of the 5 million stones, but the bear-like man draws a clear line, saying that he's just leaving it as collateral and will pay me in money later.
"Don't even think about running away with it, Bjorn, son of Yandel."
What the, how did he know?
The bear-like man chuckles as I flinch.
"I've heard about a barbarian who travels with a beastman. That lady also mentioned your real name a few times."
"Uh, did I do that?"
"Don't worry. I understand that you don't want to attract unnecessary attention. I won't go around telling anyone."
That's a relief.
If Dwarkey or the dwarf were to find out, it would be a bit of a hassle.
After all, we snuck away saying we had a request.
"So what happened? Did that bitch die? Did you two defeat the guardian?"
The bear-like man, who almost died, first settles the matter of the price for his life and then asks about the situation.
There are many things I can't tell him, so I just nod. Fortunately, the bear-like man, with his explorer's etiquette, doesn't pry further.
"Little Balkan, Bjorn, son of Yandel. I thought the stories were exaggerated, but seeing what happened today, it seems like that wasn't the case."
He seems surprised that we defeated the guardian together, even though he understands about Jensia.
Anyway, we decide on a time and place to meet after returning to the city, and as I'm distributing the bear-like man's share of the magic stones, his wounds fully heal.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel, and Misha Kaltstein. Thank you for saving my life. I won't forget today's favor."
With those words, the bear-like man leaves the rift through the portal.
He's a cool guy until the very end.
_______________________
After the bear-like man leaves, I take a moment to examine the 'Deceiver of the Necromancer'.
Two of the three jewels are glowing.
In other words, there are two uses left.
'Let's just keep it on and return it later.'
I put it on my wrist just in case.
I remember the bear-like man saying that I should keep it safe and return it…
'Well, it should be fine as long as I use it well and return it.'
Anyway, I put that issue aside and take a moment to think.
'5 million stones…'
I received a decent reward in exchange for the top-grade potion. Well, it's just a drop in the bucket compared to 30 million stones…
'I've really become a barbarian.'
Honestly, it would be a lie to say that I wasn't tempted at all.
After all, I wouldn't even have had to do anything myself.
Whether the bear-like man was a good person or a bad person…
If I had just waited…
…I could have gotten enough money to upgrade my Spirit Engraving to the 6th stage in one go.
But…
…I poured the potion on his wound.
It wasn't because of some philosophical dilemma about whether there's a difference between me and a marauder if I let someone die because of money when I have the means to save them.
I just didn't do it because of Misha.
"...Why, why are you looking at me like that? I'm suddenly feeling uneasy…"
"It's nothing."
Anyway, regardless of my corrupted moral standards…
…I judged that it wasn't something I should do with a companion who will be with me in the future.
However, after everything is over, I have this thought.
'What if I were alone?'
It's not just for the sake of wealth and glory.
In this world, money is power, and it's like life itself.
If Misha hadn't been there, what choice would I have made in the face of that enormous temptation?
'…It's not something I need to worry about yet.'
Whether I want to or not, the moment will come when I find out as I continue working as an explorer.
Therefore, I finish my thoughts and pack my things.
"Huh? Aren't we leaving?"
Leaving? Where do you think we're going?
There are two things left to collect.
I take Misha and move along the ice passage.
It was originally blocked, but it was revealed when the Tyrant Tarunbas appeared.
If you follow this passage, you can return to the second chapter.
"Wow… how do you know things like this? Information about rifts is really expensive."
"It's thanks to Ragna."
"Ah, uh-huh… that woman…"
Misha seems to accept it when I use the secret library that Ragna opened as an excuse.
Since she doesn't usually read books, she tends to believe it when I say I read it somewhere.
Kwaaang!
After arriving at the second chapter, we climb back up the stairs and smash the third pillar from the top.
It's the item that increases cold resistance once when consumed, which I didn't bother taking while observing the mafia.
「Character has consumed 'Magic-infused Ice Shard'.」
「Cold Resistance permanently increased by +3.」
Since Misha has enough cold resistance, I eat it.
Well, I'm planning to give her the next one, though.
After passing through the first chapter, we come out of the Glacier Cave entirely. And we cross the frozen lake and head towards the starting point.
Kwaaang!
A small pond near the starting point.
I smash it with my mace and then dive into the icy water, retrieving a red ice bead.
"Here, eat this."
"Shouldn't you tell me what it is first?"
Would I give you something bad?
Still, I give her a rough explanation, and Misha lets go of her anxiety and crunches on the bead before swallowing it.
「Misha Kaltstein has consumed 'Ice Crystal'.」
「Cold Affinity permanently increased by +3.」
Actually, 'Ice Crystal' is the signature item of the Glacier Cave.
It increases Affinity and you can eat it up to three times, so I always came here first when building a freezing build in the early stages.
'I'll have to come here first next time too when the cooldown is up.'
Since I'm quite cold from diving, we make a bonfire and dry off.
I put on the clothes I took off and folded beforehand.
"Then that's it."
"Oh, are we finally leaving?"
What is she talking about?
I take out a blanket from my bag.
"…Why are you laying out a blanket?"
"We didn't get much sleep last night because of the watch, let's rest for a while."
Honestly, there's no safer place in the labyrinth than a cleared rift.
Although it's a bit cold…
…there's no better place to get a good night's sleep.
"Don't worry, there's no one here but us."
"…I, I see. Then we're just taking a short break?"
"Yeah. Come here, it's cold. Let's just share the blanket."
"…Sh, should we?"
A cool wind brushes against the bridge of my nose.
The warmth of the bonfire.
As night falls, a dark blue Milky Way stretches across the sky, twinkling.
And within it…
"Bjorn… are you asleep?"
Snore, snore!
"You're, you're asleep?"
We close our eyes for a while.
______________________
「Entered 1st Floor Crystal Cave.」
______________________
Avman Urikfrit, a 5th-grade explorer.
He lets out a long sigh as he opens his eyes in the Crystal Cave.
Only then does it feel real.
'…I made it back alive.'
He had been operating alone after leaving the team he had been with for a long time due to an incident.
And he experienced many dangers along the way.
Because this labyrinth is not an easy place to wander around alone.
But there had never been an enemy as dangerous as this time.
It was literally a situation where he barely made it back alive after practically stepping into the gates of hell.
'…I was lucky.'
He feels it again and again, that he was lucky.
Anyway, he encountered a crazy bitch who entered the rift with the intention of looting while hiding her identity.
And there was a kind explorer on the team who saved him even though they had no connection.
And that person even had a top-grade potion.
What are the chances of that?
'I should make a donation to the temple when I get back.'
No matter how many times he thinks about it, it's truly a miracle.
He briefly enjoys the afterglow of survival and then changes the subject in his mind.
'By the way, Bjorn, son of Yandel…'
Little Balkan, Bjorn, son of Yandel.
He had heard that name several times in the city.
Of course, he didn't think much of it at the time.
He just thought, 'huh, so a unique guy appeared?'
To him, a 5th-grade explorer, an explorer with a title wasn't anything special.
But…
'He's an interesting guy.'
He was different from typical barbarians.
He was experienced despite seeming simple-minded, he was quick-witted, and he was good at negotiating.
If he had to describe him, he was similar to a barbarian who had been exploring the labyrinth for a long time.
Pure, but not naive.
That's why he was able to notice it.
The woman's true intentions, which even he was unaware of.
'To gain a title in 3 months and already possess this level of experience… he'll definitely achieve great things.'
He doesn't have any ill feelings towards him.
No, he only feels gratitude.
Although it's an explorer's destiny to pursue money, how many of them have been consumed by greed?
The fact that he was asked for 5 million stones as a treatment fee?
He considers it as having fulfilled his duty as an explorer by not taking all his equipment.
Well, it's because many people have forgotten that duty that his actions seem even more special.
'Well, that's why that lady follows him, I guess.'
Avman recalls the beastman lady who seemed to be the barbarian's companion. The barbarian gave her the Yeti and guardian's essences without asking for anything in return.
'That lady is also quite lucky.'
Having a companion like that is a blessing.
Phew, if only his former teammates had been half as good as that guy, he wouldn't have to be traveling alone—
'Wait a minute…'
At first, it was just a fleeting thought.
But he changes his expression and contemplates seriously.
'Indeed, someone like him wouldn't be bad.'
He's been feeling doubts about traveling alone after experiencing this incident.
'…Well, I can't keep going solo forever. It seems like they only have two people for now.'
Avman makes a decision.
Although the various clans and regular teams that tried to recruit him would be disappointed if they found out…
Who cares?
'I should at least bring it up when we meet in the city.'
He really likes this barbarian.
-x-X-x-
[00:51]
Around the time when Day 3 was just beginning…
We left the Glacier Cave and returned to the Crystal Cave.
Although there were many troublesome incidents, the rewards from this rift were beyond imagination.
Jensia's equipment.
The bear-like man's 5 million stones.
And the Yeti and guardian's essences.
It's a ridiculous profit for clearing a 1st-floor rift.
I earned less than 2 million stones in two months on the 4th floor with a 5-person party.
'Damn it.'
I realize once again…
…that I can only get this kind of luck after going through shitty things.
Slash!
Misha cuts down a Blade Wolf that was approaching us with her newly bought sword and exclaims in admiration,
"Ooh!! What is this sword? It's amazing!"
Although it's still a one-shot kill, the feeling of hitting things seems different.
"We'll have to get it appraised to be sure, but it's highly likely a Numbered Item."
"Wh, what? A Numbered Item? Th, then isn't this super expensive?"
I can't help but laugh at Misha's flustered expression.
It's not just the 'Viper's Fang'.
The leather armor she gave me is also a high-value item.
It's made of 2nd-tier Wyvern leather.
'With these specs, we'll have no problems until the 5th floor.'
It feels like I've completed one task.
Now that our early-to-mid-game setup is complete, she'll be able to pull her weight for a while even without any further upgrades.
"So are we going to the 2nd floor now?"
"Of course."
Misha and I follow the compass and keep moving.
Although we've achieved the main goal of entering the labyrinth this time, it would be a waste to spend the remaining time doing nothing.
'We don't have a scout, but... if we're lucky, we might be able to reach the 3rd floor.'
Anyway, Misha takes care of any monsters we encounter while we're moving. Since she changed one of her swords and her stats have increased significantly, she needs to get used to the new feeling.
"Um, Bjorn? I think I'm done now..."
"Are you sure?"
"Uh... that's... no. I'll keep catching them. But just in case, I'm asking... you're not doing this because you're lazy, are you?"
"...Are you doubting me?"
"Ah, no! Absolutely not!"
Anyway, regardless of Misha's reasonable suspicion...
I just move comfortably and help Misha with her training. She needs to get used to the essence's ability, not just the new sword.
It makes me feel happy just watching her.
'I never thought the guardian's essence would actually drop...'
In terms of freezing builds, the Lycanthrope essence is as good as the Yeti's.
[Lycanthrope] 7th grade
Agility +10, Cutting Power +12, Cold Affinity +15, Cold Resistance +10, Physical Resistance +7, Fighting Spirit +10
First of all, it has Cutting Power, which is a core stat for swordsmen, in addition to the stat increases.
And the passive skill is OP.
(P) Blood of the Snowfields - Cold Affinity is increased by 1.5 times.
1.5 times increase in Cold Affinity.
It will shine even more in the later stages, and it also synergizes well with the Yeti's [Cold Condensation].
The active skills are the same.
(A) Ice Crush - Damage dealt to enemies with the 'Frostbite' status effect is slightly increased, and damage dealt to enemies with the 'Frozen' status effect is greatly increased.
I don't need to explain the usefulness of this, so let's just move on.
(A) Indomitable - Removes incapacitated status effects.
Although it has the downside of consuming a lot of Soul Power, [Indomitable] is also a good skill that significantly increases the stability of damage dealers who are vulnerable to CC.
'Most importantly, with this, there's no need to worry too much about the Magic Resistance stat.'
Originally, she should only be able to choose one of these skills, but...
...the essence Misha absorbed is none other than a guardian's essence.
She can use both skills, and the stat increases are about 1.5 times higher than regular essences.
"Try attacking areas other than vital points."
"Uh, they still die in one hit..."
"Then just use your fists."
"Okay... Huh? They still die in one hit?"
I click my tongue as I see the Blade Wolves instantly freeze and disappear into light with a single punch from Misha after she used [Cold Condensation].
Is it because they're 9th-grade monsters?
It didn't become a proper training session since they disappeared before she could even use the follow-up skill, [Ice Crush].
"We'll have to do the rest when we go up."
"...We have to do it even when we go up?"
Tsk, she's trying to take it easy again.
"I repeat—"
"I know. The easy path is the slow path, right?"
Uh, hmm... right.
Misha smiles brightly and takes the lead as I lose my words. The tip of her tail is wagging, showing that she's quite happy.
'...If she does something wrong, it seems like things will be resolved easily if I just pretend to give in during arguments...'
I add Misha's user manual number 13 to my mental notes and follow after Misha, whose mood has improved.
That's when, after about 7 hours since we left the rift...
'It should be about time for the dark zone to appear—'
...I stop walking.
Whoosh!
The ground trembles slightly, and the crystals embedded in the cave walls start to glow.
The color of the light also changes.
From a soft purple to an intense red.
'As expected, it seems like someone summoned it.'
It means that a Floor Master has been summoned on the 1st floor.
____________________
"It's nothing, just keep moving."
"Nothing? I've never seen anything like that in my life—"
"Someone just summoned the Floor Master. There won't be any repercussions, so don't worry—"
"What? Floor Master?!!"
Ouch, my eardrums.
Could it be that the Floor Master we encountered on the 3rd floor left a trauma? Misha clings to me as if she's having a seizure.
Geez, there's no need to be that surprised.
"Misha, calm down."
Unlike the 3rd-floor Floor Master, the 1st-floor one is well-behaved.
First of all, the summoning method is based on probability and only happens after Day 3 if 5 or more people are gathered in one place...
...and even if it's summoned, the portals don't close, and the monsters that appear on the floor don't change.
Moreover, while Riakis roams the entire field and causes a massacre once summoned, this guy just disappears quietly if the raid fails.
"Th, then we're okay?"
"Yes, so relax."
As I calmly explain the situation, Misha seems relieved and takes a deep breath, regaining her composure.
But as her anxiety subsides, is she becoming curious?
"But who the hell summoned it by mistake? Everyone knows that you shouldn't travel in groups of more than five people here."
"Well, maybe it wasn't a mistake."
"Not a mistake?"
I just shrug and say no more.
Judging by the circumstances, there's a high chance that the person who bought the 1st-floor Floor Master strategy from the community summoned it...
...but I can't just say that.
'He's quite impatient. There were only about 2 weeks of preparation time.'
Hmm... on the other hand, maybe it means he's not impatient but has enough power to gather all the necessary materials within that time?
'If I'm lucky, I might be able to find out who that player is.'
I make a mental note to look for rumors about clans or parties that successfully hunted the Floor Master after returning to the city and continue our journey.
It's a time when I really feel the absence of Rotmiller.
'Tsk, I can't believe it will take almost a whole day.'
We finally reach the 2nd-floor portal after wandering around, relying solely on the direction shown by the compass.
For reference, I chose the south, the Land of the Dead connected to the ghoul district.
「Entered 2nd Floor Land of the Dead.」
Black earth that squishes with moisture.
A particularly short line of sight even among the 2nd-floor areas.
And the screams of banshees echoing like background music.
"It's been a while."
I feel a sense of nostalgia as soon as I step on the ground.
I remember smashing skeletons and pounding Death Fiends with Ainar, happily exploring, and then almost dying after encountering that psychopath bitch…
'Damn it.'
Maybe it's because those memories came to mind…
…but my mood suddenly sours.
"Ugh, this place feels bad every time I come here. I prefer the 'Rock Desert'."
"It can't be helped since Rotmiller isn't here."
Although we could have gone anywhere since we were in the central area, the reason I chose the Land of the Dead is simple.
It's the easiest way to reach the 3rd floor among the 2nd-floor areas.
We'll have to wander around a bit at the end, but we just need to head north.
'And since it's just the two of us, let's summon and defeat the Death Knight too.'
Although I don't need the essence, it's a monster that's difficult to defeat with five people, so I decide to gain experience points now.
It's a monster that you can only encounter on the 6th floor, except for a few rifts.
'Since it's a 6th-grade monster, we can also test how much stronger Misha has become.'
Of course, we need to complete Misha's training before summoning it.
"Let's go."
We head north and quickly leave the area where 9th-grade monsters like skeletons and ghouls appear.
Did it take about 5 hours?
The terrain has changed from a damp swamp to hard stone ground.
[KuoOOOOO—!!]
Soon, Death Fiends appear.
As expected of Day 3, they're traveling in groups of four, the so-called 'newbie slayers'.
I remember struggling to defeat just one of them with Ainar.
'Well, now I'm at a level where I can't die even if I want to.'
Death Fiends are monsters specialized in defense and regeneration.
Although they summon ghouls, there's no way they would deal any damage to 9th-grade monsters.
In short, they're the perfect opponents for Misha to test her new skills.
"I'll distract them, so just focus on using your new abilities without worrying."
"Got it."
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
As soon as I cast [Wild Release], the Death Fiends, who were watching us from the edge of the torchlight, roar and charge towards us.
[KuoOOOOO—!!]
I first block the charge of two of them with my shield, and I dodge to the side to avoid the third one. And the last one…
Kwaaang!
…I just take the hit because I'm lazy.
I feel a strange sense of nostalgia, perhaps because it's the first 8th-grade monster I successfully hunted.
Back then, I was even overpowered by just one of these guys.
[Kuo?!]
I push back with my shield, and the Death Fiends are helplessly pushed away.
"Are you done yet?"
"All done!"
Misha, who has finished 'Enhance-Cold Condensation', swings Viper's Fang.
Clang!
Although it's blocked by the Death Fiend's shield-hand, which is made of bone and muscle, it's not a significant defense.
The shield-hand is frozen up to the elbow with a single normal attack.
「Misha Kaltstein has cast [Ice Crush].」
Misha swings her other sword at the frozen part, and it shatters into pieces, scattering on the ground.
[Kuo… ?!]
It's a wound that doesn't regenerate with [Physical Preservation] because of the ice attribute.
The Death Fiend just looks confused, as if it doesn't even feel pain.
Well, it seems to instinctively sense that it's in danger.
「Death Fiend has cast [Call of the Dead].」
With all four of them using the summoning skill at the same time, a whopping forty ghouls emerge from the ground.
Of course, this also doesn't mean much.
My body, which used to be easily torn apart by their claws, is now covered in Laetium armor…
[Grrr…?]
…and my bare skin has become quite tough due to increased Physical Resistance. Honestly, even if I just let them hit me, I would barely even bleed.
And even if I did bleed, the ghouls' hands would melt away because they're weak to acid. And since the wounds were healing quickly in the meantime…
"Bjorn… what kind of… monster are you?"
Calling me a monster after seeing a human…
I hide my smugness and answer grumpily,
"Stop watching and finish them off."
Geez, she's going to treat me like nothing once her build is complete, huh?
__________________
Afterwards, we continue north and continue training.
Thanks to that, Misha also gets a sense of how much she needs to freeze something to trigger 'Frostbite' or 'Frozen'.
And she also perfectly masters the usage of [Indomitable] after encountering a Chimera Wolf with an incapacitating skill.
"Hmm, well? It just worked when I put in a lot of effort?"
After she learns how to use it, I advise her to only use it when absolutely necessary because it consumes a lot of Soul Power.
If her Soul Power is depleted, she won't be able to use [Enhance], [Poison Infliction], [Ice Crush], or anything else.
"Do I look like a child to you?"
…She's not wrong.
Because she only had two skills until she reached level 4. She wouldn't have had to worry about MP management since there was no way for it to run out.
'…This is something she won't understand no matter how much I tell her. She'll have to experience it herself.'
Therefore, I continue to hunt relentlessly. And as a result of her using her skills without holding back, her Soul Power is finally depleted.
"…It's a strange feeling. It's not that my body is tired, but it feels empty, I guess?"
"That's why I told you to manage it properly."
"…I thought this much would be enough."
Since Misha's MP is also depleted, and it's about time for us to rest anyway, we decide to camp.
We find a building remnant with a wall and build a bonfire, taking turns sleeping.
And after some time…
"Hahaha, is that true?"
"I'm telling you."
We hear chatter from about 20 or 30 meters away.
At first, I thought they were just explorers passing by, but it seems like they've settled down without realizing that we're camping nearby, as the conversation continues.
'Well, it's about time to wake Misha up anyway. There's no need to go and tell them to get lost.'
Just as I'm quietly passing the remaining time with a somewhat generous heart…
"Anyway, that barbarian is sleeping soundly, oblivious to the world?"
"Quiet down, you might wake him up."
"Let him sleep. He's a valuable body, isn't he? He needs to rest now."
I hear something I can't just ignore.
Snore, snore!
Now that I see it, a baby barbarian must be sleeping among those hyena-like explorers.
-x-X-x-