Master.
The founder of the secret community known as the Watchers of the Round Table. The members all let out sighs of disappointment when he disappeared without a trace.
"Whew, he's really gone."
"…It felt different from when he left the chat room."
"Yes, it was like… when he logs out."
Their voices were filled with questions.
Well, I feel the same way.
"But you can only log out by returning to your room, right?"
"Judging by what he said, it seemed more like he was forced out."
It's different from Lee Baekho's case.
He had a one-hour time limit from the beginning because he took an 'early version pill'.
But what about the Master?
He was originally fine, but then something happened.
And not in real life, but in the 'Ghostbusters' community.
Did they have a similar thought to mine?
"What the hell happened to the Master…?"
"Pfft, I don't know what it is, but one thing's for sure."
"What's that?"
The Clown lowered his voice at Fox's question.
"The fact that he disappeared for a year without a word is related to the GM."
A brief silence fell.
It wasn't because it was shocking, but rather a silence that arose as they each contemplated.
It seemed like they generally agreed with his guess.
"Well, that's the most likely possibility."
"But there's a contradiction. If the Master was really sanctioned by the GM, how could he reappear here?"
"He's a mysterious person. Since this is a space created with magic, maybe he found a solution using magic?"
"Th, th, then that means he's a more skilled mage than the GM who created this community! Our Master is."
"It's a plausible story. Pfft."
The members then exchanged various guesses, and I just listened quietly since it was quite interesting.
Of course, it didn't last long.
"…Um, Mr. Lion, do you happen to know anything?"
All eyes naturally turned towards me.
It was only natural.
After all, I was the one who pretended to be Lee Baekho and called him 'old man'.
They must have thought I might know something.
But…
"Well…"
How would I know?
I'm also curious about his identity.
Of course, I have no intention of saying that.
Geez, how embarrassing.
"Ye, yes, I see. As expected, even Mr. Lion…"
It doesn't suit the 'Lion' persona to say he doesn't know.
It would be better if it were like this.
"I have a guess."
I cut Fox off and muttered briefly.
Fox's tone, which was filled with disappointment, suddenly brightened up.
"A guess? Is, is that true? No, I don't mean to doubt you, Mr. Lion…"
Fox's eyes, visible through the slits of her mask, were filled with anticipation.
For reference, it's the same for the other masked figures.
'…Actually, I don't even have a guess.'
My remaining modern conscience twitched, but I ignored it and cut Fox off again.
"Te, tell us quickly. What happened to the Ma—"
"Stop."
"…Huh?"
Fox, who thought I would answer, looks at me with a dazed expression.
But there's no need for a long explanation.
Just a slight shrug is enough.
No one here doesn't know what that gesture means.
"So you're saying you'll tell us if we bring something interesting. Pfft."
If you want something from me, bring something that's worth it.
That's the rule 'Lion' established at the Round Table.
Then what will 'Fox' answer?
"…Alright."
As expected.
'Fox' was the one who was particularly obsessed with the Master's whereabouts.
"But the bar is a bit lower for me, right? It's not even certain, just a guess…"
I don't answer, and Fox lets out a deep sigh.
It seems like she didn't expect to be in this situation, after the Clown was baited with 'sacred relic' and Crescent Moon was obsessed with the 'Stone of Resurrection'.
"I feel like I have a new comrade. You'll have a hard time from now on, Miss Fox."
Fox smiles bitterly at Crescent Moon's words of comfort.
It means the quality of information will increase even further.
'Now only Antler and Goblin are left…'
I push aside my smugness and speak nonchalantly,
"Boring."
"...."
"Enough with the small talk."
"Yes, let's start the meeting."
It's time to reap the harvest since I've thrown enough bait.
It's already the 4th gathering, after the 3rd one where no one showed up.
Goblin is the first to go.
"The Magic Tower is working on finding a way to break through Noark's barrier."
At first, everyone reacted as if he was stating the obvious, but they all understood after Goblin's explanation.
"For reference, it seems like they need a certain amount of divine power, and they should at least be able to shorten the time it takes to dispel the barrier."
"So you're saying there's been some progress."
"Yes, that's right."
To summarize, it means that the magic barrier protecting Noark might be dispelled soon.
Well, I don't know how it will actually turn out.
'Raven said it would take about 2 years…'
Goblin's turn ends after he adds that the Magic Tower has set a goal of reducing it to 6 months.
Antler is next.
"The royal family has created a new type of identification tag. It's a magic tool in the form of an engraving that can't be forged. It seems like they've been preparing for a while, and they'll start distributing it to explorers next week."
"From next week…? Isn't that useless? It's not even the kind of information that can be used to gain an advantage beforehand."
"Then one more thing. The royal family is keeping an eye on the clans that stopped exploring out of fear."
"What exactly does 'keeping an eye on them' mean?"
"Judging by the atmosphere, it seems like they'll definitely be punished somehow.
"…I see."
Although she's trying to hide it, Fox seems relieved after hearing Antler's information.
So I also make a mental note of her reaction.
'Fox, she's highly likely a member of a clan. And not just an ordinary member, could she be the clan master?'
Of course, it's still just a guess, so I listen to the next turn.
It's Fox's turn.
"The large clans are preparing a large-scale boycott."
"Boycott? What do you mean?"
"What else could it be? They're all refusing to enter the labyrinth. They're already dissatisfied because of the subjugation, and there was a recent incident that fueled the fire."
"Ah, you're talking about that. I understand."
Crescent Moon interjects as if he knows what it is.
"Bjorn Yandel, right?"
Huh?
Why is my name coming up here?
"Yes, that's right. They exiled a perfectly fine explorer to Bifron over something that would normally end with a fine."
Ah, that…
"Although it's their jurisdiction, most clans interpreted it as a warning to us."
"Public opinion won't be good."
"Right. There's even talk that we might be forcibly conscripted next time if we back down any further."
My hands clench, and my mouth goes dry the moment my name is mentioned, but fortunately, no one seems to have noticed.
No one seems interested in Bjorn Yandel.
'Phew, that was close.'
Anyway, Fox's turn ends after she answers a few more questions from Antler.
"So, who's next? Should we continue clockwise?"
"…Clown, how about you go first?"
"Well, if you want me to."
The Clown readily takes the fourth turn at Crescent Moon's request.
It's the turn I'm most looking forward to.
But could it be that he didn't find any 'interesting' information this time?
"Honestly, I don't think it's something that Mr. Lion would find interesting, but I'll try anyway."
Unlike when he talked about the Bonding spell, the Clown speaks as if he's just trying to get his turn over with.
"Everyone knows that High Priest Ludwig of the Stars went missing."
"So?"
"The culprit was Orculus. They kidnapped him and were using him."
"Do you know who the target is?"
"Well? I don't know about that, pfft!"
The fourth turn ends with an ambiguous smile.
The Clown doesn't even ask if I found it interesting.
Well, how would he know that it was the most interesting thing I heard today?
'An assassin sent from Noark…'
One person comes to mind as soon as I hear it.
Amelia Rainwales.
Could she be one of the assassins sent up here?
Judging by her stats, she would be perfect for the job.
'Then is her target Auril Gabis?'
That thought briefly crosses my mind, but I don't think so.
It didn't feel like she was lying when she said she was looking for him for personal reasons.
Anyway, I'll think about this later.
"It's my turn now."
The long-awaited fifth turn begins.
The main character of this turn is Crescent Moon, who desperately wants the 'Stone of Resurrection'. Judging by how he asked if the promise was still valid, it seems like he was quite confident.
What did he prepare?
"Do you all remember when I mentioned the traces of the 'Sacred Relic Thief' before?"
"Of course."
The other masked figures nod as Crescent Moon subtly starts the conversation.
Well, everyone except for Goblin.
"Huh? Sacred Relic Thief?"
Goblin, who wasn't at the gathering back then, tilts his head, but no one pays attention to him.
"So what? Is it information related to the Genesis Artifact again?"
Fox asks, not hiding her curiosity at all, and Crescent Moon nods.
And…
"The Genesis Artifacts no longer exist."
He drops a bombshell.
____________________
Genesis Artifact.
The key to reaching the final floor where the Gate of the Abyss is located.
"…What do you mean the Genesis Artifacts no longer exist? I don't understand at all."
"Is this confirmed information? You're not just assuming it?"
"Pfft, this is shocking."
"Ho, ho, how could they disappear?"
It only takes a moment for the room to be filled with confusion, as expected of players who all desire to return home.
But was this a somewhat expected reaction?
Crescent Moon just continues explaining in a bitter voice.
"I wish it were just my mistake. But this is an undeniable fact. The Genesis Artifacts no longer exist in this world."
"Ar, are you saying they were destroyed?"
"At least that's the conclusion we reached."
"Bu, but they're indestructible items!!"
Goblin raises his voice as if whining, perhaps because he's so shocked.
And at that moment…
Swaaa!
…a green light emanates from the jewel embedded in the center of the round table.
It means that what he said is true.
"So it's true… that the Genesis Artifacts might be gone."
Antler mutters in a dejected voice, and a long silence follows.
Crescent Moon is the first to speak.
"So? Was it interesting?"
It's a difficult question to answer.
I was planning to say it was boring no matter what…
'But how can I say that here?'
Crescent Moon was staring at me the whole time while he was sharing the information. He must have even noticed me flinching when I heard it.
'What should I do?'
I make a decision after a brief contemplation.
It's not a good choice to say it was boring here.
So…
"You're resourceful."
…let's acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged.
But let's minimize the losses in other aspects.
"That means…"
Crescent Moon's breathing becomes ragged, as if he thinks the 'Stone of Resurrection' is within reach.
I mutter briefly,
"Honestly, it was quite impressive."
Of course, there are losses if I acknowledge this.
Not only will I have to tell him about the 'Stone of Resurrection', but Crescent Moon, having obtained what he wanted, won't be as enthusiastic in asking for information.
And…
…it doesn't suit the Lion image I've created.
For the 'Make Lion Laugh' corner to be cleared on the first try?
It's a blow to my pride.
But…
Smirk.
…there's no problem.
I'm not Bjorn Yandel right now, but a veteran player wearing the 'Lion' mask.
'Okay, that's enough for the line.'
As soon as I finish my mental check…
…I ask Crescent Moon,
"How did you find out?"
As if I'm surprised by something else, not the fact that the Genesis Artifacts are gone.
To be precise…
"There aren't many people who know that the Genesis Artifacts are gone."
…as if I already knew about it.
"...!"
Crescent Moon's eyes widen as he notices the nuance.
But could it be that he can't tell that I'm bluffing?
He doesn't even suspect me.
"…So you already knew."
He just looks resigned and defeated.
I can practically feel his despair, wondering what he has to do to satisfy me.
It's not a good situation for me.
"Pfft…"
Just look at the Clown, smiling awkwardly.
This will affect all the members who were baited.
Right, so in that sense…
Smirk.
I chuckle and say,
"You can obtain the Stone of Resurrection on the 9th floor."
I can at least give him a consolation prize.
Honestly, I feel a bit sorry for him.
-x-X-x-
The Stone of Resurrection is on the 9th floor.
Finding the Stone of Resurrection with just this clue is practically impossible.
Crescent Moon probably knows this.
He's also a player who played this hardcore game.
But could it be that even this is like a godsend to him?
"Wh, why…"
Crescent Moon asks me, pushing aside his joy.
"Why are you being so kind to me?"
He seems genuinely curious, but…
…there's only one thing I can say as 'Lion'.
"Because it seems like it would be fun."
Crescent Moon clenches his mouth shut for a moment, as if pondering the meaning of my words, and then he trembles.
"You… you're a truly frightening person."
Huh? Suddenly?
I just stare at him with my chin on my hand since I don't understand what he means.
Did he realize he made a mistake?
"…Please forget what I just said. I shouldn't have said that. It doesn't matter to me what kind of person you are. I would even offer my soul if it means I can obtain that item."
Crescent Moon mutters with self-deprecation after declaring his resolve.
"Well, you probably already know about my situation."
It's a statement I can't understand at all.
No, how would I know?
'Why does he misunderstand like that?'
I try to recall the events at the Round Table, but I can't figure out the reason, so I just stay silent again.
As always, that's the safest option.
"As expected… you really knew."
I don't bother denying it.
It would be a bit ridiculous to say I don't know in this situation.
I just change the topic as if I'm not interested.
"It's my turn now."
Everyone's attention turns to me as I speak.
It seems like they're expecting me to say something. I feel a strange sense of awkwardness and share one of the pieces of information I prepared.
It's information that's interesting to hear, like the 'Demonic Halfling' one, but useless in practice. And it's not even as impactful as the 'Stone of Resurrection'.
"Pfft, I knew about this one."
The Clown looks at me with a disappointed expression, even though the jewel on the round table emits a green light.
Of course, it's not something I should be concerned about.
In the first place, even the Clown seems to think it's his fault for not bringing anything interesting, rather than blaming me.
"If it's okay with everyone, I'd like to continue. What do you guys think?"
The meeting continues after the first round, as if they have a lot prepared since we skipped a month.
I consistently share similar types of information and pass my turn, and soon the third round begins.
"I, I'll be leaving after this turn."
Goblin, who was the first, barely manages to pass his turn after receiving four red lights, and then finally raises the white flag.
But could it be that everyone else is also running out of material, although not as badly as Goblin?
"Hmm, then I'll stop here too."
Fox also declares her withdrawal, and it's naturally decided that the meeting will end after this round.
I'm not particularly disappointed.
'I think I've heard everything worth hearing.'
Although I had no idea how the situation would unfold after the conflict between Noark and the royal family, I'm starting to get a sense of it.
It's the opposite of the rumors circulating in the city.
'As expected, the royal family has the upper hand.'
Although they suffered heavy losses from the subjugation's failure, the underground city is in a similar situation. Judging by what they're saying, Noark's lockdown seems like a last resort.
'And since they've created unforgeable identification tags, I don't have to change my plans too much. There doesn't seem to be any immediate danger.'
I subtly glance at the round table.
The jewel is emitting a green light at the information Crescent Moon just shared about Orculus.
"…Now only Mr. Lion is left."
Everyone's attention naturally focuses on me.
Their eyes are sparkling.
'Geez, this is pressuring.'
I tap my fingers on the armrest, contemplating.
What should I do for the finale?
I already have something in mind, but maybe there's something more fitting for the current atmosphere.
Indeed, something suitable comes to mind.
Thud.
I stop tapping my fingers and smile.
It's not one of the pieces of information I prepared beforehand…
"Goblin."
"Ye, yes?"
Goblin stammers, startled by my sudden question.
I look at him and say,
"Come to think of it, you said something earlier. That 'that old man' might be a more skilled mage than the GM who created this community."
"Ah, ah! Ye, yes, I did, but…"
Goblin trails off as if he doesn't understand my intentions, while Fox brightens up.
"Don't tell me, it's information about the Master?"
Although she's better than Goblin, who seems clueless…
"Wrong."
I completely ignore Fox and speak to Goblin.
As if to say that they're fundamentally mistaken about something, even though I let it slide earlier.
"This community wasn't created by the GM. To be precise, it's closer to him modifying an existing space into its current form."
I parrot the information I heard from Lee Baekho.
And at the same time, everyone's gaze turns to one spot.
The jewel embedded in the center of the round table.
"…It's green."
I'm not surprised since it's the expected result.
Although I didn't check it myself…
…I don't doubt this information at all.
"…I can't believe it wasn't created by the GM."
"Pfft, this is news to me too."
"Then who created this place?"
The members, who were pouring out questions, all shut their mouths at the same time as if they had made a promise.
And their gazes turn to one spot.
The only one here who can answer that question.
'Okay, I think the aggro worked well.'
I speak amidst the heightened silence.
In a voice that betrays no expectations.
Without a single emotion.
"I hope it will be more interesting next time."
I say that.
So that they'll bring something more useful next time.
___________________
"…He's gone."
A heavy silence hangs in the air in the Round Table room where Lion left.
The reason was simple.
His last words.
To be precise, the emotion behind those words.
"…Is he angry at us?"
The Clown scoffs at Fox's muttering.
"Pfft, Miss Fox, you overestimate us. Do you think we're even worth him getting angry at?"
"That's…"
Fox shuts her mouth, unable to refute.
She remembers what the Master said earlier.
[Wouldn't you have nothing to gain from participating here, at your level?]
A secret gathering that ordinary players wouldn't even know about. Fox had been using the information she obtained here to her advantage.
So it was hard for her to accept it at first.
But after hearing even the Master's words, there's no point in denying it.
This place holds no merit for Lion.
'No, it's not that there's nothing…'
Fox can't help but smile bitterly.
[I hope it will be more interesting next time.]
Interesting.
Something that would alleviate his boredom, even a little.
In short, entertainment.
That's the only thing Lion wants from this gathering.
But what have we been doing so far?
We couldn't even do that properly.
And we're just expecting him to tell us everything…
"…We must have seemed pathetic."
"That's right. He's a different kind of person from the Master. Although they're a bit similar."
Fox tilts her head at Antler's words.
"…Similar? In what way?"
Crescent Moon answers,
"At least since he came here, we haven't felt the Master's absence."
She's starting to understand what he means.
The Master was that special of an existence at the Round Table.
He was the one who gathered the current members, and he was the one who taught them valuable information and knowledge that no one else knew.
"The difference is that Mr. Lion isn't the type to volunteer like the Master. Pfft."
"Volunteer…?"
"What, am I wrong? Or do you really think the Master created this place to obtain information?"
Fox doesn't refute.
No, she can't.
Everything the Clown said is true.
The Master always knew everything.
And he shared it generously.
Like a teacher in a classroom full of students.
"Pfft, in the first place, that's why Miss Fox follows the Master so devotedly."
Fox doesn't deny it this time either.
"…You're right. If I didn't think he was volunteering, I wouldn't consider him as a benefactor."
This gathering has been maintained thanks to the Master.
Just look at what happened recently.
There were only four regular members before Lion came. The members' participation rate decreased significantly after the Master disappeared.
The other members would only occasionally enter the chat room to check if the Master had returned and then leave.
'I guess the others will also participate regularly if they know someone like this joined. Just like Mr. Goblin.'
She feels a strange sensation.
But Fox pushes aside her emotions and focuses on the conversation the other members are having.
The topic is the Master, who reappeared after a year.
No, to be precise, it's about Lion, who seems to be acquainted with the Master.
"Mr. Lion must be someone we've at least heard of. If the Master calls him 'amazing', he must be one of the best."
"Well, he even treated the infamous 'Corpse Collector' like a child."
"Child… Yes, he did say that. Pfft."
It's time for deduction again.
"His last piece of information is also meaningful. That the GM didn't create this community… How could he even know that?"
"Well, maybe he knows the GM."
"…You mean the GM who's shrouded in rumors?"
"That might be the case for us, but he's the one who calls the Master 'old man'. There must be a world we don't know about."
"I see…"
The Clown asks Goblin, who seems genuinely impressed,
"But why are you acting like this today? Last time, you treated everything he said as an exaggeration."
"…I didn't know much about him back then."
"Pfft, so your two eyes weren't just for show?"
Goblin avoids the Clown's gaze and coughs awkwardly.
That's when Antler speaks.
"More importantly, am I the only one who felt it?"
"What do you mean?"
"I felt intent when the Master left."
"Ah, if you're talking about that, I felt it too."
"Wait a minute, both of you. Intent? Are you saying he used 'Whisper'?"
Fox is genuinely surprised.
'Whisper' refers to an ability that can only be used in this spiritual space, a kind of telepathy.
The principle is similar to killing intent.
It's conveying your thoughts to the other person in the form of language.
"But the Master said even he has trouble using that…"
"Huhu, Miss Fox, why are you surprised again? Did you think Mr. Lion wouldn't be able to do that?"
"...."
Although it's an annoying tone…
…I have nothing to say.
Come to think of it, it's not that surprising, as the Clown said. He's a man who unleashed that much killing intent from our first encounter.
It would be strange if he couldn't use 'Whisper'.
"Anyway, so you're saying that the Master and Mr. Lion had a conversation before he left?"
"Yes. They must have had something to talk about in secret."
"And even Mr. Clown doesn't know what they talked about?"
"Of course not. Both the Master and Mr. Lion are practically monsters!"
Fox clicks her tongue, unable to hide her disappointment.
If she could just know the content of their conversation, it might have been a clue to the Master's situation…
"Kick, but it's not like there were no gains."
"Yes? Gains?"
Fox comes to her senses at the Clown's words.
The Clown chuckles, pleased with her attentive posture.
"I, I didn't feel anything at all."
"Please, can you elaborate a bit more?"
"Mr. Lion's intent! I couldn't feel anything, even though he was clearly focusing it. Unlike the Master, whose intent I could at least faintly sense."
Fox, who has some knowledge about 'Whisper', freezes.
It's only natural.
Although he spoke in his usual playful tone, the content itself wasn't lighthearted at all.
"Wait a minute. You're saying…"
The Clown reveals the 'gain' he obtained today on behalf of Fox, who can't even finish her sentence.
"Yes. Maybe Mr. Lion is an even bigger monster than the Master."
Everyone is speechless at the shocking guess.
Silence falls.
"I…"
That's when Goblin cautiously speaks.
"Maybe the Master just spoke to him? Then it would explain why Mr. Clown couldn't feel his intent… Ah, no, why are you all looking at me like that? I was just saying. Just saying. I didn't really mean it!"
The silence continues for a while.
-x-X-x-
Nickname 'Elfnunalove'.
A player more commonly known by the name 'Ghost Master' in official settings, whose true identity is shrouded in rumors.
He slowly opened his eyes and checked the time.
"...."
It was just past midnight.
The location was his personal lab, located in the upper levels of the Magic Tower.
As always, he spent a few moments organizing his thoughts while sitting in his chair.
'What will he do now?'
He had just permanently banned a player from the community as soon as it opened.
The target was 'Sergeant Lee'.
A Korean player with the unique nickname 'Sergeant Lee'.
'He must be fuming right now, wanting to find me and kill me.'
He didn't want to make an enemy of 'Sergeant Lee' either.
'Sergeant Lee' was the one who was closest to the 'key', and he was also the player with the strongest combat power.
…Among those from Earth, that is.
'…He's the one who didn't listen even when I tried to reason with him.'
Although he was a bit worried that he might have poked a sleeping tiger…
…it was something he had to do.
It was his last attempt to persuade him before permanently banning him.
And it was Sergeant Lee who refused.
Of course, he understood his situation, so he had left him alone until now, but he couldn't be considerate forever.
He would have to make a choice now.
'…I feel a bit sorry for that person, though.'
His thoughts naturally shifted to another man.
The Korean player with the nickname 'Elfnunna'.
'That person also seemed to be a fan of hers.'
Having met many Korean players, he knew…
…how few of them there were.
It wasn't for nothing that 'Sergeant Lee', who was desperately searching for a fellow countryman, begged for a few minutes to talk at the end.
'It's funny when you think about it. If he misses his hometown that much, he should be thinking about cooperating with everyone to clear the game and return.'
The man chuckled and got up from his seat.
His crystal ball was vibrating, indicating an incoming call.
"A call at this hour, it seems like something happened on your end, SoulQueens."
[Yes. I was just about to leave work, and I found a strange login record.]
"Strange login record?"
The man adjusted his posture.
It wouldn't be a trivial phenomenon, considering that it was her, who understood this space as much as he did.
[There's a login record, but it doesn't show who it is. And most importantly… the login time is around 3:00 AM.]
"So you're saying someone entered the community in the middle of the session."
[Yes. That's why I found it strange…]
"Can you give me some time to think?"
The man cast a spell on himself while staying on the call. It was his own combination spell, 'Meditation', which he created by adding a few spells to 'Thought Acceleration'.
One person came to mind.
"Watchers of the Round Table."
[Ah! That suspicious person you banned a year ago!]
Nickname '0720'.
He learned about his existence a year ago.
All the guides who helped newbies enter the community said they didn't remember helping him, and he was suspicious after entering his inner world and seeing him dressed in the clothes of this place.
People usually wear modern clothes.
He judged him to be a spy from the royal family who had somehow obtained a pill and secretly infiltrated the community. Or a player from somewhere other than Earth.
'…And most importantly, he was an old man.'
Players are generally young.
It's only natural.
They're people who enjoyed this hardcore game.
It's hard to imagine an elderly man over 70 clearing this game.
"Maybe Watchers of the Round Table is a group they created to avoid our eyes."
[But didn't you judge the remaining members to be normal?]
"Yes, I did back then. But just in case, SoulQueens, would you mind entering and checking for me?"
[…But it's a private chat room.]
"Don't worry about the invitation code. It might take a few months, but it's not impossible."
[Okay, if that's the case…]
SoulQueens agreed, and the man was about to end the call.
He couldn't give her any further instructions until he entered next month and checked again.
There was nothing he could do right now.
But…
"SoulQueens, do you remember a player named 'Elfnunna'?"
He couldn't help but ask, as the nickname suddenly came to mind.
[Ah, that person? He joined a few months ago, and I remember him clearly because he was unique. Not just his nickname, but other things about him were also impressive.]
"Impressive?"
[I couldn't see his inner world at all. It was my first time encountering someone with such a thick mental barrier in all my time doing this.]
"…I see."
The man felt a sense of dissonance.
Having an unusually thick mental barrier could be attributed to individual differences.
SoulQueens' time as a guide was short.
But he felt like he was missing something.
He didn't dismiss it as just a feeling since his 'Intuition' stat also increases in 'Meditation' state.
"Excuse me for a moment."
He asked for her understanding and checked the records in his head.
To be precise, it was the list of people who sent letters to Elfnunna around the time he joined, as SoulQueens had mentioned.
'They're all newbies.'
He expanded the search to 3-month intervals in case he obtained the pill later, but the result was the same.
There wasn't a single player who reached the 5th floor or higher.
But could his mental barrier be that high?
"…Bjorn Yandel?"
A name caught his eye as he expanded the search range.
A barbarian who chose a shield, which was rare.
He had sent him a letter, wondering if he might be 'that person', but he had dismissed his suspicion because he didn't enter.
"SoulQueens."
The man gave a new order.
"Investigate the player named Elfnunna. What posts he made, how much GP he has, what information he bought. Even if you have to restore deleted data."
He needed to check.
___________________
The morning after the community opened.
Amelia woke me up.
"…What's going on? This early in the morning."
"Morning? It's already past noon."
Geez, can't a barbarian sleep in?
I gulp down a glass of water and ask,
"So what's up?"
Amelia usually appears in the evening.
We also agreed to meet around that time when we parted ways yesterday.
Then why did she come looking for me in broad daylight?
Amelia's answer was simple.
"I thought I should at least tell you."
"You're leaving."
"Yes, so you can stop the search."
Judging by her tone, it doesn't seem like she's leaving because she found 'Auril Gabis'…
I naturally try to get more information.
"It seems like something came up."
Amelia didn't answer.
But that was enough for me.
She's a woman who's been busy doing something in the city every day.
[Noark sent a few people to the surface right before the lockdown. Their goal is to kill one explorer! Surprising, right?]
Maybe the assassination mission that Clown mentioned is starting today.
I had no intention of getting involved.
It's not something I can stop.
No, actually…
"Are you going to come back and look for him later? I can let them know if you need anything."
I make a good-natured offer.
She's the type who's sensitive to favors and debts.
I judged that it would be helpful to have her owe me one.
"There's no need. It doesn't seem like I'll be able to find him this way anyway."
"I see."
I don't offer again when Amelia refuses.
And so, the conversation ends cleanly.
"Then see you later."
I say goodbye briefly, and Amelia silently stares at me.
"See you later? What do you mean?"
Ah, so she was curious about that.
Well, I was the one who acted like I didn't want to be involved with her. It must have sounded meaningful to her.
I answer honestly,
"I have a feeling we'll meet again."
This is already our fourth encounter.
I don't know how long it will take for me to return home, but we'll definitely meet again at least once.
"…You're a strange person."
Amelia then disappears before my eyes like smoke, as usual.
Alright, then it's time for me to start my day.
Ding-!!
First, I press the call bell I installed next to my bed.
"You called, Boss?"
Jingjing appears in less than a minute, as expected of my right-hand man.
I first give him the order to stop the search and then have a simple lunch before going out together.
It's our daily after-meal walk.
There's nothing else to do in Bifron.
"Let's go to the distribution center."
"Distribution center… sir?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No, sir. I'll guide you to the nearest one."
Today's destination is one of the twelve distribution centers in Bifron.
When we arrive, I see a long line.
It's the line for receiving the food supplies that the city provides every morning.
It's a sight that was rare just a few days ago.
Originally, each faction would occupy the distribution centers and monopolize them.
"As you ordered, I made sure that at least minors can take whatever they want without any conditions."
"Good, keep it that way."
I look at the line of children with a satisfied smile and then turn around. And I start exploring the city, walking wherever my feet take me.
That's when I see a familiar child.
It's the kid who guided me to that inn on my first day in Bifron, offering to show me the way.
"Come here."
"Yes, sir!"
The child, who was subtly backing away as soon as our eyes met, approaches me and stands at attention.
"Where are you going?"
"I, I was just coming back from the distribution center…"
"You've gained some weight since then."
"Yes, sir…"
Is it because I've become the de facto ruler of Bifron?
The child trembles, even though I haven't harmed him since that day.
Geez, I just called him because I was happy to see him.
Is this the loneliness of an absolute ruler?
"How have you been?"
"I, I read books in my spare time. At the library that Ya, Yandel built…"
It's not a library I built, but rather one that I revived.
There are still many empty bookshelves since so many books were used as kindling, but I ordered them to gather all the books and fill them up, so it will get better over time.
"I, I swear I won't do anything like that again! If I need money, I'll register at the labor camp and earn it honestly!"
The child starts making excuses, as if he's anxious because I'm just staring at him.
"Come to think of it, you said your dream was to be a scholar."
"Ye, yes, sir!"
I chuckle and give him a piece of advice.
"Keep living like that. If you try to cheat others and get your head messed up, you'll eventually disappear someday."
"…Yes?"
"You can't be a scholar without a head."
"Yes? Ah, ye, yes…"
Although he doesn't seem to understand at all, I don't bother explaining further.
I don't want to be a nagging barbarian.
"Go."
I then continue my walk with Jingjing.
Distribution centers, libraries, residential facilities, labor camps, and so on.
I've been fixing the irrational aspects of the city since there's nothing else to do besides looking for Auril Gabis, and the city has definitely become more lively compared to when I first arrived.
The biggest factor is that the tyranny of each faction has disappeared.
'Well, it will probably go back to the way it was once I'm gone.'
In that sense, I head to the sewers with Jingjing.
"Um, why are we here…?"
Jingjing looks at me, trembling and speaking in a strange voice.
Geez, anyone would think I'm going to kill him and bury him here.
"I'm going to the city for a bit, do you need anything?"
"…Yes?"
Jingjing, who rarely repeats himself, asks back with a dazed expression.
"To, to, to the ci, ci, city…?"
"Ah, I didn't tell you? There's a passage connected to the city."
"Th, th, th, th, th, th, th… there's no wa, way?"
"Why are you stuttering? Did something happen to your head?"
"No, sir."
Jingjing hangs his head low, his face filled with despair, as he had only been thinking about being freed in a few days.
But did he belatedly realize that it might be a bluff?
"Anyway, you said you don't need anything—"
"No! I do!"
"Really? Tell me."
Jingjing makes one request as I'm about to leave for the city.
It's skewers from a certain shop in the 9th district.
"It will be cold by the time I bring it back."
"That's okay!"
I chuckle and nod.
I know what he's thinking.
He's trying to confirm whether I really have a way to go to the city.
"Then you can go back now."
"Yes, sir."
I then enter the sewers after sending Jingjing away. And I head towards the secret passage that Amelia told me about.
That's when…
Buzz.
The message stone I always carry with me, not in my subspace pocket just in case, vibrates.
It's the one I received from the Dragonkin man.
We agreed that he would contact me when they decided whether to give me the 'Dragon's Blessing' I requested in exchange for Dragonslayer.
'He said it would take a month or two, and it took exactly two months.'
I wonder what their decision is.
I press the button on the bottom, and a voice comes through.
[Tear the paper I gave you.]
"I'm more curious about what happened."
[The elders decided to meet you in person and then decide.]
"I see."
I tear the paper I had shoved in my subspace pocket as instructed.
'Meet me in person and then decide…'
It's not the 'YES' I was hoping for, but I'm not too worried.
-x-X-x-
A magic circle appeared on the sewer floor.
As I stood still, bathed in the light emanating from it, the stench of sewage vanished.
"You've arrived."
It was the Dragon Temple, the same place I had been transported to before.
The Dragonkin man stood at the forefront, and behind him, six Dragonkin caught my eye. They must be the elders he mentioned.
Although their eyes were reptilian slits, I could sense their gazes weren't favorable.
So, time for a battle cry.
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!"
I didn't use [Wild Release] since I wasn't here to pick a fight. But was that enough to draw their attention?
The elders frowned as they stared at me.
As if wondering, 'What the hell is this?'
"Ah, sorry. I just felt like it."
The Dragonkin man, the only one here who had experience with me, spoke with a strange look in his eyes as I scratched the back of my head and apologized.
"You… haven't changed."
Is that a compliment?
Now that the introductory shout was over, I got to the point.
"So, what should I do now?"
Whether they would give me, a barbarian, the Dragon's Blessing.
The Dragonkin man said the elders would decide after meeting me in person.
But they weren't really curious about my face.
What kind of 'verification' were they planning?
"It's nothing special."
The Dragonkin man said.
"Before making a final decision, each elder will ask you a question or make a request."
"I understand 'question', but what do you mean by 'request'?"
"Well, I'm not sure either. But just so you know, you can refuse if you want."
Refuse my ass.
They'll definitely vote against me if I do.
'Is it because it's the Dragon's Blessing? They're being awfully picky.'
"So, are you going to do it?"
I nodded, grumbling inwardly.
It's annoying that they're being so demanding, even though I returned Dragonslayer…
But the Dragon's Blessing is definitely worth it.
"Alright, then it's decided. There's no need to waste time, shall we begin right away?"
"Okay."
The Dragonkin man glanced at the elders behind him at my answer.
It was a sign to start the 'verification'.
The first to step forward was one of the two female Dragonkin.
"I'll go first."
It was impossible to guess her age based on appearance due to the Dragonkin's characteristics, but her tone and gaze gave off the youngest vibe among them.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel. What is your greatest desire?"
I had a hunch about the purpose of this hearing as soon as I heard that question.
It was literally verification.
To confirm what kind of person I am before passing on the Dragonkin's secret art, the 'Dragon's Blessing', to another race.
After a moment of contemplation, I answered honestly.
Returning to Earth?
That's just a secondary goal.
"To survive."
My top priority has always been survival.
But it's changed a bit now.
Survival is still my top priority, but there's something I want to add.
"With my companions, if possible."
I feel a strange sensation as I answer.
Maybe this is the biggest change since I fell into this strange world.
Then what's their feedback to this answer?
"…I see."
The Dragonkin woman, who was looking at me with a meaningful gaze, asked an additional question.
"If your companion could survive because of your sacrifice, what would you do?"
"…Didn't you say you would only ask one question or make one request?"
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
The Dragonkin woman said so in a voice that truly didn't seem to care, and I answered honestly again.
"I don't know yet."
Liol Wobu Dwarkey, the mage of Team Misfits.
If you asked me if I could make the same choice as him, this is the only answer I could give.
Because I know that any words and promises I make before that situation arises are meaningless.
Death always puts humans to the test.
"But when that time comes, I'll make the choice I have to make."
"…You could have just said you would."
The Dragonkin woman looked at me as if she didn't understand, and I dismissed her briefly.
"It wasn't a question I wanted to answer."
It wouldn't be respectful to him to do that.
The Dragonkin woman, who couldn't possibly know what happened to me, stared at me for a moment and then stepped back.
"That's all for my question."
I couldn't tell from her expression whether she liked my answer or not.
The next turn began without a moment's respite.
"I'm Geornavehanuters."
A middle-aged man with a physique as impressive as mine made a request instead of a question.
"Let's spar."
He even subtly unleashed his Dragon Fear as he made the offer.
I answered without a moment's hesitation,
"Alright."
It would be ridiculous for a barbarian warrior to refuse that offer.
And besides, it's a good opportunity.
A Dragonkin elder should be at least 7th-floor level, right?
If I can fight him without worrying about dying, there's no reason not to.
That was my judgment, but…
"Everyone, stop it."
The Dragonkin man intervened.
"We agreed not to make requests like that."
"What's more certain than a fistfight? Don't you think so, barbarian warrior?"
Uh, I was going to use a mace…
Although I believe that equipment is also a skill, I agreed with him for now.
"Of course."
"Hahaha! I like this guy!"
The macho Dragonkin laughed heartily, pleased with my answer.
"…I didn't expect him to agree to fight without even a moment's hesitation."
It seemed like the other elders also found the situation interesting.
"So what are you going to do?"
"Then I'll ask a question and move on."
The macho Dragonkin asked me in a slightly disappointed voice,
"Barbarian, what are you most afraid of?"
The first thing that came to mind was death.
But giving the same answer as the first question wouldn't be good for the interview.
I elaborated on my answer.
"Fighting someone stronger than me."
"…What?"
The macho Dragonkin tilted his head as if he misheard.
But did he have a different thought?
"Don't tell me you thought I was weaker than you?"
The macho Dragonkin asked, sounding a bit angry, and I shook my head.
"No."
"But you just…"
"You weren't planning to kill me."
"That's true, but…"
I cut him off and muttered briefly,
"I have to fight because I'm afraid. Even more so."
I know it might sound un-barbarian-like to some.
But so what?
This is the essence of a barbarian.
Fortunately, it seems like they understood the meaning of my words.
"To not run away because you're afraid, but to prepare for that moment… It's a truly rational answer."
The macho Dragonkin chuckled.
"Interesting. Are all barbarians like you?"
"Similar."
Actually, it was Ainar who taught me what it meant to be a 'warrior', and the advice she gave me back then showed me the path I had to take when I was cornered.
"I see. That's all for my question."
The macho Dragonkin then returned to his seat with a satisfied smile.
At least I know one thing.
I definitely secured one vote.
_________________
The third one was also a question, not a request.
And a rather strange question at that.
"Do you have someone you love?"
"…No."
"Your answer was a bit late. It seems like someone came to mind."
The female Dragonkin with sleepy eyes returned to her seat without asking anything further.
And so, the fourth turn began.
"I will test your insight."
The old Dragonkin with a thick mane of white hair handed me an item. I could tell what it was as soon as I saw it.
A puzzle ring.
"Try to separate them all."
Huh, I didn't expect there to be a mission like this.
"To give you a little help, you can only separate them all by using the correct order and the correct method."
The old Dragonkin chuckled and even gave me a hint as he handed me the puzzle ring.
He probably thinks there's no way I could solve it.
Geez, does he really think I'm a barbarian?
I played with puzzle rings a lot when I was a child in the hospital.
"I'll give you as much time as you need. After all, sometimes you reach the truth through perseverance."
I first examined the structure of the puzzle ring, looking at it from all sides.
There's no way I couldn't solve it if I had enough time.
Hmm, that should have been the case…
"Huhu, 5 minutes have passed."
Damn it.
What the hell is this?
"10 minutes have passed. Are you still far from solving it?"
I admit it honestly.
It doesn't seem like I'll be able to solve it even if he gives me more time.
Therefore, there's only one way.
'Gigantification.'
My body expands in an instant.
I grab the rings with my enlarged hands and pull them apart.
And…
Kwagic.
…I successfully separate the seven rings.
"Wh, what are you doing!!!"
"I separated them."
"…Th, th, that's impossible!!"
"You didn't say I couldn't break it."
I answer confidently.
Because I already figured out the trap in this puzzle.
The old man said he would test my insight, not my intelligence, at first.
He also gave me the hint about reaching the truth through perseverance.
In other words, this puzzle ring was impossible to solve from the beginning!
'He probably gave this to me to see how I would solve a problem with no solution—'
"Th, this is! This is how you solve it…!"
The old Dragonkin mutters, staring blankly at the puzzle ring with a few more pieces, fiddling with it.
His eyes seem sad.
"Ahem."
"I, I can't even get another one…"
"Who's next?"
I ignore the old Dragonkin and look at the elders, and the verification resumes.
The fifth one is a question about my past.
"How many people have you killed so far?"
I recall each and every one of them in my mind and then tell him the exact number, and the elder asks me why I killed them.
The answer isn't difficult.
Although the methods were diverse, the reason boils down to one.
"Because they tried to kill me."
"I see."
The fifth one ends as the elder who asked the question nods and steps back.
Now only the last one is left.
I don't know if it went well.
'At least that old man who gave me the puzzle seems to be against it…'
The macho Dragonkin will vote in favor.
The rest? Well, I don't know.
"Then it's my turn."
A handsome man in his late twenties steps forward.
And he asks,
"Did you tell the truth?"
His tone is as if he has the ability to distinguish between truth and lies.
Although I'm a bit uneasy, I've answered all the questions truthfully so far.
I judged that if I fail, I can start the K-Barbarian negotiation then.
"Yes."
"Alright, then it's over."
The hearing is finally over.
The Dragonkin man, after exchanging glances with the man who went last, speaks.
"We need to discuss it among ourselves, so please wait for a while."
"How long will it take?"
"Well, it should be over in an hour."
Hmm, then it's fine.
I then follow the Dragonkin woman who asked the first question and head inside the temple.
And we arrive at a room.
I thought it would be a reception room for guests since she's guiding me to a place to rest…
"You're the barbarian who's supposed to come today?"
…but there's someone already inside.
An unknown Dragonkin child, seemingly in his early teens.
The child looks at me and giggles.
"Wow, you're ugly!"
What the hell? This impertinent kid?
I'm momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack, but I laugh it off, like a mature adult.
"Haha, it seems like you don't have a mother."
"…Huh?"
"If you had received a proper upbringing, you wouldn't tell such a ridiculous lie!"
-x-X-x-
If you want to embark on a path of revenge, dig two graves.
It's a saying by Confucius.
However, the book I read only had that sentence, it didn't explain the intention behind it.
Then what was Confucius trying to say?
The importance of resolve?
Or just how self-destructive and dangerous revenge is?
I have no way of knowing as a 21st-century person, so I just interpret it in a way that resonates with me more.
Right, Confucius knew.
That when you're about to hit someone, you have to be prepared to get hit too.
'But it seems like he didn't know that.'
I click my tongue and stare at the child.
The child, who insulted me as soon as we met, is staring blankly into space, as if he's lost his mind.
"What… what do you mean? I don't understand…"
I didn't use any difficult words.
So, if he doesn't understand, it means he doesn't understand the 'situation', not the 'words'.
Hmm, is that right?
"Why, why don't I have a mother!!"
The child shouts, glaring at me, and I ask briefly,
"Then do you?"
"No, she passed away, but…"
The child flinches and trails off.
Honestly, I'm also a bit flustered.
I can't believe he answered 'yes' to that question.
Of course, it's not a problem.
"As expected."
I nod as if I knew it.
He really doesn't have a mother?
So what?
Bjorn Yandel also grew up without a mother.
And besides, considering the Dragonkin's characteristics, he's probably older than me, even though he looks like a child.
There's no reason for me to stop punishing him for his first attack.
"Bu, but how… how did you know…?"
"It shows."
"It… shows?"
"Yes, if you had received a proper upbringing, you wouldn't tell such a lie."
The child grits his teeth as I say it matter-of-factly.
Even though there are no parental insults in this world, words related to family are still sensitive…
Uh, is this also wrong?
"Apologize, barbarian! A lie? I didn't lie!"
The child, having somewhat recovered, explodes in anger at being accused of 'lying'.
I feel a pang of sympathy.
For him to deny it so vehemently…
…it means he was truly serious when he said I was ugly.
Bjorn Yandel would have been hurt.
But this isn't a problem either.
A K-barbarian with the Korean spirit of returning a blow for a blow.
That's me.
"You don't even know that you lied…"
I look at the child with pity.
"Oh dear, don't tell me you don't even have a fa—"
"I do! I have a father! You crazy bastard!!"
The child shouts, cutting me off.
So I also stop messing with him.
He should have learned by now that he could suffer greatly if he messes with a barbarian.
And besides, this is the Dragonkin's home ground—
'Uh, but why is the elder just standing there?'
I finally sense the dissonance and turn around.
And I see a Dragonkin elder watching me with an amused expression.
"You're amazing."
Huh?
"You're the first person to make Penitaseauro angry like that."
He's too emotional for that.
He's still glaring at me, breathing heavily.
But I focus on something else.
'-nim?'
The elder used an honorific after his name.
In other words, it means this child has a high status within the Dragonkin tribe.
Wait, don't tell me…
"Is he the shaman?"
The Dragon Shaman.
It's a similar position to the barbarian tribe's sole shaman.
In short, only he can use 'blessings'.
"Ah, you didn't know?"
"······."
How would I know if you didn't tell me?
The child is now glaring at me with a confident look, unlike before.
"What? Are you finally going to apologize?"
There's a clear sneer on his lips.
I hesitate for a moment and then decide to continue with my attitude.
"Kid, why should I apologize?"
"…You said you wanted to receive a blessing, right?"
That's true.
But even if he's the shaman, he's still below the chieftain, the Dragonkin man. If he gives the okay, this kid will also have to give me the blessing.
"That's for the Ancient Dragon to decide."
The child smirks at my words.
"Ah, my dad?"
"······."
I freeze, still smiling.
No, don't tell me he's the Dragonkin man's son…
______________________
The tribe's shaman and the Ancient Dragon's son.
It's a truly impressive status, but I erase the option of apologizing from my mind.
It's not barbarian-like.
And most importantly, if I apologize, it would be like admitting that I'm ugly.
"…What are you looking at?"
"No? I wasn't looking."
After the child's shocking revelation, we have a subtle battle of nerves in an awkward silence.
And after some time…
"Both of you, stop it."
The elder mediates.
No, to be precise, he scolds both of us.
"Bjorn Yandel, your words to Shaman-nim were very rude. This is a sacred temple where our spirits reside. Even if you're a barbarian, you need to show respect."
The elder, who calmly and logically pointed out my mistake, then turns his gaze towards the child, who's secretly smiling.
"Shaman-nim is also at fault."
"…Me too?"
"Bjorn Yandel is the Ancient Dragon's guest and a benefactor of our tribe. It was rude of you to comment on his appearance when you first met him."
"But I wasn't lying."
"There are times when you have to stay silent, even if it's the truth."
The child hangs his head low, looking dejected.
But I don't feel any satisfaction.
No, actually…
'…What? Is he subtly scolding me?'
To stay silent even if it's the truth?
It means he also agrees that I'm ugly, but it was wrong of him to say it.
"Then I'll be going now since I have to attend the meeting."
The elder then leaves me, whose bones are aching, and returns to where he was before.
I just sit down on the floor since I can't just stand there.
A suffocating silence follows.
The child is the first to speak.
"Tell me a story."
"…?"
"You're an explorer, right? Don't you have any interesting stories?"
"…Why should I?"
The child glares at me at my question.
"Words have power. And I have the ability to sense the nature of that power."
"I don't understand."
"Ah, so I have to get used to your wavelength to engrave the blessing on you later. My dad probably sent you here early for that reason."
It's the first time I'm hearing about the power of words and wavelengths. But there's something that interests me more.
"You're talking as if it's already decided."
"If it were a rejection, you wouldn't be here."
"Then what's that meeting they're having about?"
"Well? Maybe they thought it was too easy to just give it to you."
Hmm, it seems plausible.
"Anyway, just say anything. I need to hear you talk to read your wavelength. It will also be less burdensome on your body when I engrave the blessing."
Although I'm not used to his overly reasonable words, unlike our first encounter, I obediently follow his request.
"Anything you're particularly curious about?"
"Why you became an explorer."
"That's a strange question. We're born warriors. We die if we don't fight."
"So you became an explorer because of taxes?"
Well, to put it simply, that's right.
"Our situation isn't as good as yours."
"Ah, I see…"
Dragonkin don't pay taxes.
It's because they made a great contribution in a war thousands of years ago. On the other hand, the other races are struggling with taxes every day.
"I heard that tribes usually lend money to pay taxes, but not barbarians?"
I smile bitterly at his question, which seems genuinely curious.
"Right, not us."
Dwarves get tax exemptions if they become blacksmiths.
Beastmen and fairies are financially well-off because they use their unique abilities to help with agriculture and livestock in 'Gnometree'.
So they give interest-free loans for up to two years, and they rarely have to sell their hearts.
But barbarians?
They just get a weapon.
'If I become the chieftain, I'll collect donations and change everything.'
Barbarians are the most disadvantaged.
They need improvement in many aspects.
But does my expression look bad?
"…Forget about that, tell me about that."
The child changes the subject first.
"That?"
"You said you fought my uncle… no, the Dragonslayer, right?"
Ah, that.
Since it's our only common ground, I explain what happened, slightly embellishing the story.
It's nothing special, I just omitted the parts that could be disadvantageous.
How I obtained the Ogre essence, and the things that could make me seem suspicious as an evil spirit.
But it's still an interesting story even without those parts.
"Liol Wobu Dwarkey… It's a name I think I'll remember for a while."
Just like everyone else who heard this story, the child listened most intently to the part about Dwarkey.
Honestly, I feel a sense of pride when I see this kind of reaction.
It's like he's being acknowledged by others.
"Sword… So that's how you got it. You're really an idiot. Anyway, so? What happened next?"
After the Dragonslayer story ends, we naturally move on to the part about finding new companions, and I hear something interesting.
"You know? My older sister could have joined that team."
He seems to be talking about the 2-year contract 'companion' that the Dragonkin man offered…
"What kind of person is your sister?"
"She's kind. Although I don't see her often because she's busy."
No, I was asking how strong she is.
I try to ask a few more questions since I'm curious, but I can't.
The door opens.
"So you two are getting along?"
The Dragonkin man, who enters, smiles as he sees us chatting amicably.
Thanks to that, I realize one thing.
That elder didn't tell him what I said to the child. If he had heard about the upbringing talk, he wouldn't be making that kind of expression.
"So, is there a result?"
"Yes."
Geez, he could have just told me the result.
"What is it?"
"We decided to accept your request."
"I see."
I nod and glance at the child.
I'm starting to think that what he said might be true. The decision has been made, and the reason why the meeting lasted for an hour was just because of their pride?
'And in the first place, wasn't that why they were asking those strange questions?'
That's when, as that rational doubt arises…
…the Dragonkin man mutters softly,
"However, there's one condition."
"Condition?"
"We confirmed through the Leathlas Church that you received an oracle. You'll probably meet Regal Vagos… the Dragonslayer, again someday."
"I understand, just tell me."
"When that happens, if you can kill him, bring us his heart."
"…His heart? Why do you need it?"
I ask for the reason first since it's a meaningful condition.
And the answer comes from the child.
"It's because of me. I was the one who cursed my uncle back then."
"Curse…?"
It was a curse that made him a Dragonkin who wasn't a Dragonkin.
Because of that, Regal Vagos was restricted in using Dragon Speech, and he couldn't properly wield Dragonslayer, which he obtained by betraying his clan.
"Wait a minute, but wasn't that a curse left behind by the previous Ancient Dragon?"
"That's what's known to the public. But it was our daughter who actually cast the curse."
"…I see."
It feels like I'm listening to a Dragonkin legend.
But that's not what's important right now.
"So what does the curse have to do with you needing his heart?"
"My time stopped as the price for casting the curse. I've become unable to leave this temple, even a single step."
"So you can return to normal if you have his heart?"
The child doesn't answer my question.
The Dragonkin man just mutters sadly,
"At least, that's what we believe."
I suddenly have a thought.
Maybe that's why he offered to assign a companion to my team for two years.
So that they could follow me and kill the Dragonslayer when he appears and bring back his heart.
'But then how old is he?'
At first, I thought he might be a few years older than me, but now it seems like it's not just a few years. It's been over 30 years since the previous Ancient Dragon died.
Well, he looks and acts much younger than his age…
'…He's only lived in the temple, so that might be the reason.'
"So what are you going to do?"
"Alright, if I kill the Dragonslayer, I'll definitely bring back his heart."
"Then it's settled."
I accept the offer without any further negotiation since it's not a difficult condition.
Now it's time to receive the reward in advance.
"Then when can I get the blessing engraved?"
"If you want, we can do it tonight."
The child answers my question.
"But I should ask this first. What kind of blessing do you want? I need to know to prepare."
"What kind of blessings are there?"
I ask to confirm.
There might be differences between the game and reality.
"You didn't know? I thought you were asking for this because you knew."
"I only know one for sure."
"Really? Then I'll have to explain the rest."
The child explains each one in detail, although he looks annoyed.
It seems like there aren't any changes from the game.
"The first is the Earth Dragon's Blessing."
Earth Dragon's Blessing.
If you engrave this blessing on your body, the additional stats you obtain from essences increase by 20%.
It synergizes well with me, since base stats are important.
Well, actually, what wouldn't synergize well with this?
"The second is the Volcano Dragon's Blessing."
Volcano Dragon's Blessing.
If the first one is about stats, this one increases the effectiveness of all skills.
I think it's about 30%.
In other words, if I choose this, the size of my [Gigantification] state will increase even further, and the performance of [Iron Hide] and [Swing] will also increase significantly.
"And lastly, there's the Sea Dragon's Blessing."
Sea Dragon's Blessing.
It's a blessing that increases a fixed stat, unlike the other two.
The effect is Soul Power +100.
Considering that your Soul Power increases by 10 every time you level up until level 5, you can imagine how high that number is.
If I choose this, the duration of [Gigantification] will increase several times over.
I probably won't have to worry about running out of MP until I absorb a few more core essences.
"Alright, the explanation is over. So which one will you choose?"
The child says he can give me more time if I need it, but I firmly refuse.
"I'll go with this one."
-x-X-x-
The Dragon's Blessing.
One of the several characteristics that make the Dragonkin an OP race. But unlike Dragon Speech, this blessing can be engraved on other races too.
However, I received it less than ten times in the game.
You could only get it after building a certain level of friendship with the Dragonkin and clearing a hidden quest.
'If you chose the Dwarves, who have a bad relationship with them, you couldn't even try.'
Of course, I'm a barbarian, not a dwarf, but I had practically given up on the 'blessing'.
The conditions for the 'hidden quest' itself were insane, and from what I found out, the 'hidden quest' itself has disappeared in the current era.
It's been 150 years since the game's world setting.
The history books stated that the problem, which was a headache for the Dragonkin, had already been solved by a hero.
'Wait a minute, if it can be done like this, doesn't it mean that other things aren't completely impossible?'
I organized my thoughts, recalling a few hidden pieces that were already blocked. Maybe I could obtain them through other routes.
No, even if that's not the case…
Things that were completely blocked by the system in the game.
For example…
"Just in case, you can't choose multiple blessings. Your body wouldn't be able to handle it, as a barbarian."
"What do you mean my body wouldn't be able to handle it?"
"Literally. You'll die."
Hmm, so that's not possible.
Although it seems like she would try if I insisted…
…I wasn't going to be that stubborn.
The price is my life.
Even among the Dragonkin, only a few, excluding the Dragonkin man, have engraved more than two blessings.
It means it's very burdensome on the body.
"So, have you decided? I can give you more time if you need it."
"No, it's fine. I'll go with this one."
I shook my head and grinned.
Because I already made my decision before coming here.
The Sea Dragon's Blessing.
This is definitely not it.
Although MP is an important resource, I won't be lacking if I manage it well while hunting.
And in the first place, I'm not a sorcerer.
Having just enough is sufficient.
In that sense…
The Volcano Dragon's Blessing.
This isn't bad.
Since my skills are built around synergy, the performance enhancement won't just be limited to 30%.
But…
"I'll receive the Earth Dragon's Blessing."
I ultimately judged that it's better to increase stats than skills.
The reason is simple.
Many of my skills use stats as a coefficient. If my stats increase by 20%, it's practically the same as enhancing the performance of my skills by that much.
"Good choice. Are you mindful of that guy?"
The Dragonkin man nodded at my choice.
He seems to think I chose this because I'm wary of the Dragonslayer, so I just agree.
It's not like I wasn't thinking about him.
[Soul Silence]
This OP Dragon Speech that the Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos, possesses reduces your MP to zero, preventing you from using skills.
That's why I had to fight him with my bare hands.
However, if you asked me if that was the main reason for my choice, the answer would be no.
The Earth Dragon's Blessing has a hidden effect.
'But there's no way they don't know about that…'
I narrowed my eyes, looking at the Dragonkin man and the child.
I'm not particularly offended.
They wouldn't tell a member of another race about that.
In the first place, I don't need that kind of consideration.
"Then it's settled. I'll leave you two alone."
The Dragonkin man left as soon as the decision was made.
With a smug smile.
"Have a good time with my daughter."
No, that sounds weird.
______________________
After the Dragonkin man left…
…the child and I talked until nightfall. The main topic was my exploration experiences so far.
"Do I really have to talk about myself?"
"It's better if you do. I told you before, didn't I? Words have power. It's easier for me to feel your wavelength since it's the path you've walked."
"If that's the case…"
I also thought it would be better than just rambling on, so I told him my story, filtering out some parts.
Although it hasn't even been a year since I became an explorer, there were more stories to tell than I expected.
Is that why?
"It's almost evening, are we almost done?"
We even had dinner while talking, and it was already evening.
But is it not enough to engrave the blessing yet?
"…Not yet. Your wavelength is strangely difficult to read. Hmm, right… so just continue where you left off."
"Where did I leave off?"
"The Doppelganger Forest. You met other explorers and realized that some of them were from the underground city."
Since we've been talking all day after coming here in the afternoon, we've already reached my recent journey.
There's nothing left to talk about after this.
I'm a bit worried, but fortunately, it seems like he doesn't need to read my wavelength any further.
"Hmm, I think this is enough."
"That means?"
"Follow me. I'm going to engrave the blessing on you now."
I follow the child and see a cave hidden behind a thin cloth.
A cave connected to the temple wall…
'This feels like an exploration.'
We walk for a few minutes, and a space that seems to be about 10 square meters appears.
It's a cavern with a bed and a few pieces of furniture.
A jewel embedded in the ceiling emits a faint light and smoke, creating a mystical atmosphere.
"Lie down here."
"The bed is too small for me."
"······."
"Just lie down on the floor."
I lie down on the floor, as expected of a barbarian. The child chuckles and then starts preparing to engrave the blessing on me.
It doesn't take long.
Although it takes the form of a tattoo, the essence of the blessing lies in the shaman's special ability.
"Where should I engrave it?"
"How big is it?"
"This much."
The child opens his palm and shows me.
It's much smaller than I expected.
"Does the location matter?"
"No, it doesn't. But why?"
"I want to engrave it somewhere that's not visible."
It's a blessing from another race, after all.
It would be a big problem if the barbarians see it before I become the chieftain and change the tribe's conservative rules.
"…Somewhere that's not visible?"
The child's gaze naturally shifts to one spot, as if he's realized something.
And he makes a troubled expression.
"I, I don't think I can do it there…"
I follow his gaze and look down, and I'm truly shocked.
No, seriously, who would get a tattoo there?
"…I, I can do it on your butt."
What is he talking about?
"Forget it, do it here."
I tell him the spot I had in mind from the beginning.
"The sole of your foot? Ah, I see…"
This world has a Western culture.
They wear shoes even indoors, so they rarely take them off.
The child, who seems to understand, then expresses his doubt.
"But can't we just engrave it small among your other tattoos? It wouldn't be noticeable. You said you always wear armor."
"The shaman will notice."
"Ah, right."
Of course, judging by the shaman's personality, he wouldn't say anything about it.
But I want to hide it as much as possible.
I don't know how things will turn out, and the shaman is strangely suspicious.
"Then it's settled. Shall we begin?"
"Of course."
"It will be quite painful."
"It's fine, just finish it quickly."
I'm not too worried, despite the child's warning.
Would it be as painful as the Spirit Engraving?
Even if it's the kind of pain that Pain Resistance doesn't work on, I'm not afraid.
"I'm a barbarian."
A barbarian.
A being who always moves forward through struggle.
"Hmm, really?"
The child smiles meaningfully and then conjures a white flame on his index finger.
And…
Sizzle!
…he presses the flame against the sole of my foot and says,
"You can scream."
Ah, really?
「The Earth Dragon's Blessing has been imbued into the character's soul.」
「All additional stats are increased by 20%.」
I shout with all my might.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaak!!"
This isn't the time to worry about my barbarian pride.
__________________
「Bjorn Yandel」
Level: 5
Physical: 555 / Mental: 198 / Ability: 191
Item Level: 3,068
Total Combat Index: 1,907.6 (New +176.6)
Acquired Essences: Corpse Golem - Rank 7 / Orc Hero - Rank 5 / Ogre - Rank 3 / Manticore - Rank 5
__________________
The process of engraving the Earth Dragon's Blessing on the sole of my foot was short.
Did it take about 3 minutes?
It's practically a blink of an eye compared to the Spirit Engraving, which could take hours.
However, the total time spent was similar.
I passed out as soon as it was over.
"You're awake?"
I slowly open my eyes and see the child sitting against the wall, reading a book.
"…I must have fallen asleep."
"Not fainted?"
"······."
"You're funny."
I ignore the child's mockery and check the time first.
9:00 AM.
It's already time to start a new day.
"Drink this."
I gulp down the water the child gave me and sit up.
Although I'm mentally exhausted, I feel a surge of energy in my body.
Well, it's only natural since my stats increased by 20%.
I'm already excited.
I only have three essences above 5th grade, excluding the Corpse Golem.
Just filling up those spots will increase my stats as much as absorbing one high-grade essence.
"Kid."
"It's Penitaseauro."
He doesn't like being called a kid?
"Right, Penitasaur."
Although I call him by his name, it feels strange.
Is it a person's name or a dinosaur's name…?
"…Just call me Pen."
"Alright, Pen. So, is it over now?"
"Yeah. It went well. But just in case, come back when you have time. It's my first time doing this on another race, so there might be side effects."
"Okay, if I have time."
"Make time. I already told my dad."
I roughly agree and then leave the cave with Pen. And I ask for the Dragonkin man's location to go back.
"My dad will be where you first met him. Should I guide you?"
"I can find him myself."
I'm confident in memorizing paths after receiving navigator lessons from Rotmiller.
Therefore, just as I'm about to leave…
"Sorry."
…I hear a voice from behind.
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry. For yesterday… for saying you were ugly."
I chuckle.
I can't tell if it's an apology or another jab…
…but I decide to just state the facts, like a mature adult.
"I'm not ugly."
"What?"
"I'm handsome."
Pen stares at me and then nods slightly.
"…Okay."
It seems like I successfully instilled a proper sense of aesthetics before he was corrupted by the world.
"See you later. I'll tell you more stories then."
"…Okay."
I then part ways with Pen and find the Dragonkin man.
And after returning Dragonslayer, I return to the sewers through Dragon Speech.
The familiar stench of sewage makes me lose my appetite.
I briefly consider going back and sleeping…
…but I quickly move my feet.
'It's really connected to the city.'
Just as Amelia said, I follow the secret passage and reach an exit connected to the city.
It's the 8th district, next to the 7th district where I live.
I was originally planning to meet Misha and Ainar and catch up…
…but I'm too tired.
'I'll see them in a few days anyway…'
I cover my face with the hood I prepared and buy the skewers Jingjing requested before returning.
"Here are the skewers from the shop you mentioned. I ordered the spiciest ones, like a man."
"...."
"Why are you so quiet? Aren't you happy?"
"…I'm happy."
"Your voice is too quiet."
"Thank you!!!"
Jingjing expresses his joy loudly, making my efforts of buying them while exhausted worthwhile.
I'm relieved, seeing him like this.
The warning that I can come back anytime should be enough. Bifron won't return to its previous state just because I'm gone.
"Are you crying?"
"The skewers are spicy… that's why…"
"Tsk. That's why you're going bald, crying so easily."
"Yes, sir…"
"I'm going to sleep now, don't wake me up."
I spend almost the entire day sleeping as soon as I return, and I continue to rest comfortably, enjoying my last vacation.
Time passes, and that day finally arrives.
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!!!"
The end of my short but long exile.
I head towards the city wall, receiving a warm farewell from all my gathered subordinates. And I say goodbye to Jingjing.
"I'll visit sometimes."
"Yes, sir! I'll be waiting!"
Jingjing seems to have regained his composure compared to the first day.
I emphasize once again that only the two of us know about the secret passage, and then I call for the guard at the wall.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel. Confirmed."
I enter the checkpoint and go through a simple identification process, and the guard opens the other gate of the double-door structure.
"The knight from the Moselan left a message. He said not to cause any more trouble."
Trouble my ass.
I was imprisoned here because of their circumstances, even though it should have ended with a fine. I grumble and enter the city, taking a deep breath.
The air feels different here.
And the sunlight feels unusually warm today.
'…But why is there no one here?'
I stand still on the street, having returned to the city after 20 days of exile.
Several minutes pass, but my companions don't appear.
Tsk, I expected them to at least come and greet me.
'Well, they didn't know what time I would be coming out.'
I quickly hail a carriage and head towards the inn.
And as soon as I arrive, I knock on Misha's door.
Bang, bang!
The door doesn't open no matter how many times I knock.
And I don't hear any sounds from inside.
'What? Did she go out?'
Maybe she went to greet me and we missed each other.
That's when…
Creak.
…a door opens.
It's not Misha's room, but Ainar's.
"Bjorn…!!!!"
Ainar greets me hurriedly, as if she just woke up.
I feel a sense of dissonance.
'What?'
At first, it was just an instinct, but I soon realized the cause of the dissonance.
If Misha had gone to greet me, Ainar wouldn't be here alone.
She would have brought her along.
"Why…! Why are you so late!!"
Something happened while I was gone.