What am I doing, and why am I doing it?
To be a good gamer, you always have to be aware of your goals and the means to achieve them. It's the starting point for an efficient gaming life, as it helps you avoid wasting time.
So...
Lick.
I licked my lips and organized my thoughts.
What was my goal for entering this community?
It was a simple answer.
To find out the identity of the GM.
And the means...
'Yeah, this is the best option.'
Lion Style.
Fourth Form, Possession.
It's a technique that allows you to seamlessly continue a conversation as if you're possessed by the other person, going beyond mere method acting.
Ah, I just made it up.
"Haha, surprised?"
I chuckled like an old man, and the white guy's eyes widened.
"Sir, is that really you?"
His voice was filled with relief.
But did he sense something was off?
His wariness, which had been fading, intensified.
"But... your height is different... And your skin..."
Haha, he's quite suspicious for a newbie. He'll go far.
I smiled warmly, as if enjoying his suspicion.
"You're also different, aren't you?"
I spoke in a gentle tone, like a grandfather teaching his grandson.
The guy seemed to realize something and looked around, checking his reflection in a window on the wall.
"Ah, is that your true form, Sir?"
"Yes."
"But why are you wearing a mask...?"
"I don't want to show my face to others."
"Ah..."
Ah, my ass.
He nodded in understanding, which was quite amusing, but I kept my composure.
I wasn't Lee Hansu right now.
"So, how do you like this place?"
I started with a light question, gathering information step by step.
"Ah, well... I'm not sure yet. I don't really understand what you told me..."
What I told him?
I had no idea what he was talking about, so I activated the Second Form, Silence.
"..."
It was a technique that always guaranteed at least a basic response.
"Um... the, the materialization you mentioned? It's not easy..."
Ah, that.
Fortunately, it was something I was familiar with.
It was a basic technique that you had to learn to participate in the Ghostbusters community.
'It used to only work in chat rooms or your inner world. But it seems like he can use it here because he inherited the Master position.'
I quickly assessed the situation and continued the conversation.
"Haha, it's natural to find it difficult at first. Let me help you. Is there any food you want to eat?"
"...Yes."
"Close your eyes and imagine it in detail. And then imagine holding it in your hand. Yes, good. You're a fast learner."
"...Yes...?"
"Open your eyes."
"Yes... huh?"
The guy opened his eyes and stared at the hamburger in his hand.
And he took a big bite.
"...I can't taste anything..."
Ah, that?
Sorry, that feature was removed when I created the Round Table before you arrived...
'There's no need to tell him the harsh truth.'
"It can't be helped. Don't be too disappointed."
"Yes..."
He nodded, but he couldn't hide his disappointment.
I could relate.
I was also disappointed when I first entered Ghostbusters and tried to drink a can of Coke from the fridge.
"Um... Sir."
"Yes?"
"What happened to the previous Master? He said we wouldn't see him again..."
He didn't seem suspicious, just curious.
It was an easy question to answer.
"I was worried about you. I thought I should at least meet you once and help you before leaving."
"Ah, I see...!"
He was so naive that he believed me without a doubt.
This was my chance.
I had gained his trust...
Now it was time to dig for information.
"Don't worry too much."
I patted his shoulder, pretending to be friendly.
"You have a talent for magic. You'll get the hang of materialization soon enough."
The GM was a mage.
I had confirmed it myself, but I deliberately used the word 'talent' just in case.
It's always better to be careful.
He might not have become a mage yet since he was still a newbie.
"Ah, magic... So that's why you chose me."
Judging by his tone, it seemed like he had already chosen the mage path.
"But I still don't understand. There must have been more skilled mages than me, a half-baked one... Why me...?"
"Don't put yourself down. How many people have adapted to this world as quickly as you? You'll become someone great."
I showered him with praise, and he looked away, embarrassed.
It was time for another attempt.
"By the way, what's your rank?"
"6th grade."
What?
I was genuinely shocked.
He had been here for less than a year...
But he was already 6th-grade? Was that even possible?
"It's just that I was lucky enough to get a high rank. I still can't use magic properly, so I'm always nervous..."
He muttered in a self-deprecating tone, and that solved the mystery.
He had called himself a 'half-baked mage' earlier, and he just said he 'couldn't use magic properly'...
'It means the character he possessed was already a mage!'
There's a statistic that possessed bodies are always fixed at 20 years old.
But unlike explorers, who can only enter the labyrinth after becoming adults, mages can choose their profession from a young age.
'Damn it, I started as a ground-dwelling barbarian...'
I felt a pang of jealousy, but I also memorized the information.
So there were cases like this among evil spirits.
"Um... why are you looking at me like that?"
"Haha, it's nothing. I'm just proud of you."
"...You're making me blush..."
He looked at me with grateful eyes.
Okay, this was practically a groggy state in gaming terms.
I subtly asked,
"By the way... what's your name?"
It was time to find out.
________________________
The GM's identity was a mystery.
I knew he was a mage, but I didn't know his name or face.
So I wanted to use this opportunity to find out.
But...
"Huh? My name? Why...?"
He tilted his head, confused.
And his eyes, which had been filled with trust, started to show a hint of suspicion.
'Damn it, this isn't working.'
I quickly switched to Plan B.
Plan A was just a test anyway.
"Haha, I was asking for your real name."
"My, my real name?"
He was flustered at first, but then he seemed relieved.
"Ah... I thought you were asking for my name here. There's no point in hiding my real name. It's Oliver Wiseman."
"That's a nice name, haha..."
I chuckled like an old man and brushed off the name 'Oliver Wiseman'.
It was meaningless in this world.
"By the way, Sir."
"Yes?"
"Can I ask for some advice?"
"Of course. Go ahead."
"You told me to manage this place well and make it a place where evil spirits... I mean, players can interact, right?"
Did I say that?
"You did, right?"
"You also mentioned a pill... I think I can make it myself if I study a bit more, but I'm not sure about the other parts. Can I get some advice on that?"
"Hmm..."
"I'm not sure how to manage this place."
If that's what he wanted, then I could help.
I had already made up my mind.
I would just tell him what I had seen in the future.
"This world considers you all evil spirits, so they'll be hesitant to enter this place. You'll need a system that guarantees anonymity."
"Ah! I have an idea! We could make it like an internet community..."
"Internet community?"
"Sorry, it must be an unfamiliar term."
The GM explained what a community was, as if teaching an old man about modern technology.
It was meaningless information to me, who had spent his entire life with the internet.
But I did learn one thing.
'So Auril Gabis didn't tell him much about himself.'
It seemed like he had only introduced himself as an otherworldly evil spirit.
Anyway, that wasn't important.
"Hmm, that's a good idea. But it would be even better if you used that 'computer' thing you mentioned. It fits the concept of a community, and it would be easier for them to adapt to something familiar."
"Oh... you're right!"
"You could also create something like a marketplace so that they can benefit each other. If they can trade real-world items without revealing their identities, this place will be very attractive to them."
"Wow..."
"And when you send the pills, you could write a letter in your world's language explaining what it is."
"That's amazing...! It's incredible that you understood the concept of computers and communities so quickly, but how did you come up with this idea so fast...!"
I continued to explain the final form of Ghostbusters, and the GM was amazed.
But then...
"It sounds like an amazing place. But how do I actually create it?"
The GM tilted his head and asked.
I had nothing to say.
How do you create it?
'That's for the engineers to figure out.'
How would I know?
I firmly said,
"You can do it."
"Huh...?"
"You're still inexperienced, but you'll get the hang of it. I believe in you."
"Ah, yes..."
The GM seemed unsure, but I didn't care.
It would happen eventually.
I continued with the design process.
"Ah, and one more thing. How about adding a password to the letter?"
"Password?"
"Yeah, if you use something like 'Fuck the royal family' as the password, you can filter out some spies."
The PS actually became the password later on.
Of course, it didn't really matter.
Even if they entered the correct password, they still had to be verified by 'SoulQueens' before they could join.
Well, I had a keen eye for detail, so I figured out the trick in the letter and entered the password before she even arrived...
'Wait, the abbreviation for password is PW, not PS?'
But why did it work?
Was it just a fluke?
I wondered if there was another way to solve the password, but it wasn't something I could think about now.
"Sir, are you alright...?"
"Ahem, I'm fine. Where was I?"
"You were talking about how to distinguish spies."
"Ah, right."
I then shared information about the content of the letter, individual private spaces, and measures to filter out and banish spies.
'This should be enough of a guideline.'
I couldn't cover every detail, but I wasn't worried.
This wasn't my first time messing with the past.
Whether I told him or not, this mansion would eventually become the community I knew.
'Hmm, maybe this is my role in this era...?'
I suddenly wondered if I would be sent back to my original time as soon as I left the community.
But...
'Nah, that can't be right.'
I dismissed the thought.
That's when...
"By the way, Sir..."
The GM cautiously spoke to me.
"I think I know who you were talking about."
"..."
"You said that a user who cleared the original difficulty would come here someday... the one who would fulfill all our wishes. You remember?"
Ah, I did say that.
I flinched as I understood the context.
'So he didn't just tell him about the future...'
He had given him a mission.
Well, the GM didn't know that.
'But what did he mean by 'fulfill all our wishes'? Was he talking about the Gate of the Abyss?'
Hmm, maybe the old man just said whatever to motivate the GM. Like, you can only return home when this guy appears.
Anyway, I'll think about it later.
"I did, but?"
The GM continued,
"I've been thinking about it, and I think I know who it is. A user who was very famous in the Stone Ivan community... someone I really respected. I learned a lot from his posts while clearing the 15x mode."
I already knew who he was talking about.
But I was pretending to be Auril Gabis, so I asked with feigned interest,
"Who is it?"
"A user who went by the nickname 'Elf Noona'."
"Hmm?"
"I can't be sure, but I think she's the only one who could have cleared the original difficulty. And you said that user would be a 'barbarian', right? Coincidentally, she also mainly played 'Shield Barbarian'."
"Is that so... I see. But we can't be sure, so it's best to keep all possibilities open. That person might not be a 'barbarian'."
I subtly misled him.
But was that a mistake?
"Huh? What do you mean 'might not be'?"
Whoa, why is he overreacting?
I chuckled and spoke calmly.
"Haha, I just meant that it's a possibility."
"I see..."
The GM seemed to understand, but his eyes didn't.
"Sir."
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you one more thing?"
The GM stared into my eyes and asked,
"What's your name?"
Damn it, this is going to be troublesome.
_________________________
I had underestimated him.
He might be a newbie, but he had been managing the community for over twenty years, hiding his identity.
His judgment might be a bit slower than usual, but he was still intelligent.
My appearance was different from before.
I was wearing a mask.
And I had asked for his name.
I had given him plausible explanations for everything, but he must have felt a growing sense of dissonance.
I couldn't perfectly imitate an old man. He must have sensed something was off.
"...Why aren't you answering?"
I chuckled bitterly.
This wasn't the time to be thinking about why things had gone wrong.
"Do you not know my—"
I cut him off and quickly spoke.
"Jerkip Elmen MacKinder."
I didn't just blurt out a random name.
[There are three of them?]
It was one of the three mage names that Lee Baekho had given me, the ones he suspected were the GM.
So...
'The probability is 33.3%.'
It was a good enough chance to take before giving up.
Then what was the result?
"..."
A brief silence followed.
And...
"Who... who are you?"
The GM's voice was filled with hostility.
-x-X-x-
The best-case scenario was for the GM to remain completely oblivious to my true identity until I had extracted all the information I needed.
But it seemed like hiding it until the very end was impossible.
'Well, it can't be helped.'
I dismissed my lingering regret.
The information I had already obtained was enough to justify using the Fourth Form.
'He's 6th-grade at 20 years old, even though I don't know which school he's from.'
And the number of candidates had been reduced from three to two.
Auril Gabis wouldn't have met him without knowing his name.
But judging by his reaction...
'He can't be Jerkip Elmen MacKinder.'
The probability had increased from 33.3% to 50%.
And this was probably the limit of what I could find out while hiding my identity. Well, that didn't mean I was going to leave satisfied.
'I could probably find out who he is just by investigating the remaining two candidates...'
But there was no need to take the long way when there was a shortcut.
I had been so aggressive with my information gathering because I had this trump card.
"Tell me. Who are you? How did you get in here, and why were you pretending to be him?"
The GM, having seen through my act, pressed me with confidence.
As if he was someone important.
'Cute.'
I chuckled and opened my mouth.
I was planning to reveal my true identity and tell him this before leaving anyway.
"Auril Gabis."
"...What? That's the game developer's—"
"That's the old man's name."
The GM frowned as I cut him off.
He understood the words, but not the meaning. I patiently explained, like a veteran player guiding a newbie.
"That guy summoned you all to this world, and he's only planning to use you. And he doesn't feel any guilt for doing this. Be wary of him."
"You think I'll believe you just because you're hiding your identity—"
What is he talking about?
"Believe it or not, that's your choice. I just came here to warn you."
"...Then why were you pretending to be him?"
"I wanted to know what kind of person you were before I told you this."
Of course, I didn't expect him to believe me 100%.
I hadn't told him the whole truth.
The GM was still wary of me, trying to figure out my intentions.
But...
'It's all about how convincing it sounds.'
Humans are sensitive creatures. Even if they don't believe it, they'll still feel a sense of unease. It's like a crack in a wall, you can't help but notice it. 𐍂áŊՕBƐS
What if, maybe, perhaps.
Planting those keywords in his mind was enough for now.
'That should be enough to sow discord...'
There were countless reasons to be wary of Auril Gabis, but I decided to stop there.
It was more effective to let his imagination run wild than to explain everything.
"...You think I'll be swayed by your words?!"
The GM was more concerned about my identity than Auril Gabis, so he raised his voice.
"Reveal yourself, or—"
It was pathetic.
'That's not how you ask a question.'
Especially not to someone who seems stronger than you.
I took a step forward and asked,
"Or what?"
The GM opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
He just gasped for air.
Lion Style.
Third Form, Contempt.
Step.
I took another step closer, and the GM started trembling, his eyes rolling back.
Hmm, I didn't expect his mental fortitude to be this low.
"You're weak."
You were a beast in my time, kid.
It seemed like he wouldn't even understand what I was saying, so I lowered my killing intent.
And I muttered,
"Aika Teratios."
It was the name of the second candidate Lee Baekho had given me.
But the GM's reaction wasn't what I expected.
What is this guy talking about? Is he casting a spell?
He looked at me with wary eyes.
'Damn it.'
So that wasn't it either?
Then I was left with one candidate...
"Yurven Habelión."
I didn't give him time to recover and spoke the name of the last candidate.
I was a bit worried that Lee Baekho might have been wrong...
But...
"...!"
His reaction was completely different this time.
His pupils dilated.
His breathing became ragged.
His facial muscles stiffened.
He was trying to maintain a poker face, but he couldn't hide his shock.
"So that's your name."
I felt a surge of joy, but also a hint of bitterness.
'It took me three tries...'
33.3% and 50%.
Both were good odds, but I was getting nervous after two failures. At least one of them was a winner.
Well, that's just how I am.
"Yurven Habelión."
I muttered his name again and slowly released my killing intent.
The GM, who had been frozen in place, collapsed to his knees, gasping for air.
But his eyes were still fixed on me.
"Wh, who... are you...?"
His eyes were filled with fear, not hostility.
But as the pressure lifted, his mind started to work again.
Flash!
A white light flashed, blinding me.
I wasn't surprised. I had experienced this countless times.
"See you later."
He had used the Master's authority to shut down the community server.
_____________________
"You're back."
I opened my eyes, and Amelia was sitting next to me.
She was always there when I returned from the community.
I was vulnerable while I was gone, so she was worried something might happen.
'What could possibly happen in 10 seconds...?'
It felt like overkill, but I was grateful.
"Here."
I reached for the water bottle on the nightstand, and Amelia handed it to me.
"Thanks."
"So, how did it go?"
I told her about what had happened in the community.
Amelia listened with interest, but she didn't overreact.
"Yurven Habelión, the recluse mage... he's an evil spirit? The city would be in chaos if this got out."
"Recluse mage?"
"You don't know? He's famous for being a shut-in, rarely leaving the Magic Tower. Most of his fame comes from his time as an explorer."
"I see."
It was the first time I heard that he was a recluse, but I had done some research on him before.
He had become independent and founded his own school after his previous school was destroyed in an incident, and he mainly used wind magic during his time as an explorer.
And he was considered the best in the field of magic tool creation.
'That's why his nickname was 'Magitechnician'.'
Anyway, I finished my story, and Amelia said it was a good thing the Fragment of Records hadn't activated.
"...A good thing?"
"Yeah, I thought I might have to leave without buying the essence if it activated while you were gone."
"Ah... right... I see."
"You seem disappointed."
Amelia looked at me with a strange expression.
I chuckled awkwardly.
"Haha, no, not at all. I'm just glad it didn't activate."
"I thought so."
I then brought up the topic of hiding the Demon Crusher.
"I'm not sure where to hide it... I've been to a lot of places, but none of them feel safe."
"The forest in the sanctuary would be ideal, but I'm worried that the shaman might find it."
"How about putting it in a bank vault?"
"A bank vault?"
It was an unexpected suggestion.
I would have to use the identity 'Nibels Enche' to use a bank.
It would be troublesome to retrieve it as Bjorn Yandel, and besides, 'Nibels Enche' would be erased next year due to unpaid taxes.
In other words, anything I left in the bank would be seized by the government.
'I can't pay twenty years' worth of taxes in advance either...'
It was an unrealistic option, so I hadn't even considered it.
'But she wouldn't have suggested it if she didn't know about that...'
"Tell me more."
I leaned forward, and Amelia explained.
"Alminus Bank has something called an 'anonymous time-limited vault'."
"I've never heard of it."
It wasn't a system that existed in the game.
So it must have been an update that happened in the past 150 years.
"It's not surprising that you don't know. It's a little-known system, even among explorers who frequently use banks."
Amelia then explained how the anonymous time-limited vault worked.
'So basically, you can store items for a set period of time without revealing your identity. And you can retrieve them with a password.'
Hmm, not bad.
_____________________
The next day,
Amelia and I went to the bank and checked for any hidden clauses or risks.
And...
'This is better than Swiss banks...'
It seemed much safer than burying it, so I deposited Kraul's Demon Crusher in an anonymous vault.
I set the time limit to 22 years, just to be safe.
Well, the down payment was quite hefty...
"Don't worry, we can afford it."
Amelia's blessing was with me, so this kind of petty cash was nothing.
She had managed to get the money.
"You really got all the money we needed...?"
Amelia had been working day and night for the past two weeks, and she had actually managed to raise the necessary funds.
I asked her how she did it, and she simply said,
"I sold information."
She had used her knowledge as a regressor to sell information.
Her main customers were those interested in the upcoming auction.
She had sold them the name and color of the essence that would be auctioned...
"But why would they believe you?"
"I used my position as the branch manager of the central exchange."
"Used it? How?"
"I followed the branch manager and investigated him for a few days. It wasn't hard to find something incriminating. I used that to blackmail him."
The central exchange was very strict about security, so even the branch manager didn't know what essence would be auctioned...
But that didn't matter to us.
The important thing was to make the customers believe that it was insider information.
"We went to his office together, so they didn't doubt the information. They probably thought they could hold him accountable if it was wrong."
I was amazed by her skills.
She could have been a successful businesswoman.
"Amelia...!!"
"Wh, what...?! Don't touch me...!"
Thanks to Amelia, we had solved all our problems, from finding a hiding place for the equipment to selling it and getting the money for the essence and the remaining balance.
And...
"Phew, it's finally here..."
The day of the auction had arrived.
-x-X-x-
Alminus Central Exchange, Auction Hall No. 1.
Even during regular auctions, where only decent items were presented, this place was rarely more than half full. But today, it was packed with people.
And they weren't just any ordinary people.
"The master of the Nenma Clan is here too."
"He's not here for himself, but for the explorer known as 'Iron Wall'. Didn't the guardian of their 1st Team die recently? He's probably here to fill the vacancy."
Explorers with shiny equipment...
"Oh, is the Ragman Trading Company also interested in that essence?"
"A merchant wouldn't refuse a good deal, no matter what the item is."
"Hmm, but auctioned items rarely sell for their true value..."
"The value of an item isn't just about money. Duke Kudo's birthday is coming up, isn't it?"
"Ah, if you can use this as an excuse to attend the banquet, you can make a good impression on many nobles."
...and wealthy individuals who weren't explorers.
There were no casual onlookers.
It was understandable.
The auction had become a hot topic, and even the entrance tickets were being sold at exorbitant prices.
'It was a nightmare just getting tickets...'
If it weren't for Amelia, who had tipped me off about the auction before the information was released, I would have had to buy a ticket from a scalper and enter alone.
"Stop looking around. You'll attract unwanted attention."
I quickly changed the subject, sensing a lecture coming.
"By the way, have you been to this place often?"
"...Enough times."
Well, she had been an explorer much longer than me.
"Then I can ask you if I have any questions."
I continued to observe the surroundings discreetly.
"There are a lot of people wearing masks, just like us? I heard the winning bidder's identity is kept anonymous."
"There are always people who don't want to be known."
"Oh, what about that guy in the suit? He doesn't look like an explorer or a merchant."
"He's a representative from a powerful family. He's dressed neatly, but it's not a noble family. They always prioritize their reputation."
"Oh, really?"
She was like a walking encyclopedia.
Every question was answered immediately.
I continued to ask her questions, testing her knowledge, and soon the auction began.
"Amelia... can we even afford anything here?"
"...If we give up on the essence."
"So we can't afford it..."
It seemed like she had put a lot of thought into other items besides the 3rd-grade essence. The first item, and the ones that followed, were all high-quality.
'A Triple Numbered Item at the central exchange?'
And it wasn't even a trash Triple Numbered Item.
It was a general-purpose item that any damage dealer could use, even though it wasn't very useful to me.
'Damn it, if I had the money, I would have bought it and put it in the vault...'
I watched the heated bidding with a pang of regret every time a new item was presented.
"140 million stones! 140 million stones! Any higher bids?"
"..."
"...Sold to the anonymous bidder!"
The auction was very straightforward.
It wasn't the usual system where you gradually increased your bid in small increments, but a free-for-all where you could write down any amount.
But the bidding method was surprisingly modern.
Click, click, beep, click.
Each chair had a magic tool on the armrest where you could enter your bid, and your bid would appear on the electronic display on the stage when you pressed enter.
The bidder's identity was kept anonymous.
'Well, it would be a bloodbath if they didn't protect their anonymity.'
This method was first used at the Sky Auction House.
I had learned it while studying history at the library. There was an incident where two prestigious noble families got into a fight after bidding against each other in a public auction.
"Now, for the seventeenth item!"
The next item was presented on the stage.
It was a test tube stored in a luxurious box.
Several essences had already been auctioned, but this one was different.
"Yandel."
"I know."
Unlike the previous essences, a large painting was placed next to the box. A giant monster with thick shells, roaring ferociously.
Vol-Herchan.
'They even prepared this... They really put a lot of effort into this auction.'
The monster in the painting looked so lifelike that it seemed like it would jump out at any moment. The participants murmured in awe.
"Oh... indeed..."
"I thought this essence would be auctioned last."
"Yes, it's a bit strange. There are 35 items in total, so we're not even halfway through..."
Some were confused by the timing, but I didn't find it strange at all.
It was actually a clever marketing strategy.
"Alminus Trading Company is playing smart."
If the essence was auctioned last, those who had prepared their funds would have to wait until the very end.
That would reduce their chances of bidding on other items.
But if they auctioned it in the middle and quickly found a buyer?
The situation would change.
Those who had spent their money on the essence would be more likely to bid on other items.
"This item is Vol-Herchan's essence, obtained by 'Lightning Spark' of the Maruel Clan after slaying the ferocious beast during their recent expedition..."
The auctioneer began his sales pitch, and the atmosphere in the hall changed.
"Ahem..."
The participants, who had been chatting and socializing, started to eye each other warily.
The explorers' eyes gleamed with desire, and the merchants' eyes were sharp like wolves sensing an opportunity.
It was like a battlefield without weapons.
And in that situation...
'Who are you trying to outbid?'
Click, click, beep, click.
I entered my bid.
And...
"Starting bid is 50 million stones—"
As soon as the auction began,
Beep.
I pressed enter.
The number appeared on the electronic display.
[870,000,000]
870 million stones.
This was why the auction became so famous.
"...!"
"...!"
There was only one bid.
________________________
A brief silence followed the overwhelming bid.
"870 million stones...! 870 million stones! Any higher bids?"
The auctioneer, maintaining his professionalism, tried to keep his voice calm, but the hall erupted in chaos.
"870 million stones?"
"Who the hell would bid that much from the start..."
Some were dumbfounded.
"Who could possibly afford that..."
Others were curious about my identity.
Those who had given up on the competition were simply amused, but those who had been serious about the essence were different.
"You have to make a decision quickly before it's sold."
They hurriedly started discussing, their faces pale.
And as always, their reactions were mixed.
"870 million is impossible..."
Some had already exceeded their budget.
"We could afford it, but... it's insane to spend that much on an essence that only guardians use. We're out."
Others made a rational decision based on cost-effectiveness.
And...
"Why shouldn't we bid?"
"Maybe the exchange is trying to pull something."
Some were hesitant, suspicious of foul play.
"You mean shill bidding?"
"That's a possibility, but... maybe they never intended to sell it in the first place. It could be a bait."
Some even considered the possibility that the Vol-Herchan essence was a fake, just a lure to attract customers...
But that wasn't the important part.
"..."
"..."
The overwhelming bid had stunned them.
And they were lost in thought, unable to make a decision in the midst of the chaos.
But...
Tick, tock, tick, tock.
Time was ticking away.
"Any... higher bids...?"
The auctioneer, who usually hammered the gavel without hesitation, was stalling for time.
And...
"..."
"..."
He saw the participants hesitating, unable to make a decision.
So he announced the end of the bidding.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound of the gavel echoed through the hall.
I smiled in satisfaction and nodded.
Yeah, instant buy is the best part of an auction.
______________________
After the chaotic auction ended, we went to the item delivery room and paid for the Vol-Herchan essence.
"870 million stones... confirmed."
The employee who delivered the item seemed to be a high-ranking official in the exchange. He looked at us with a mixture of disapproval and curiosity.
But he maintained his professionalism.
"Have a nice day."
He didn't ask for our identities or engage in any unnecessary conversation.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go."
We left the delivery room, feeling the gazes of the other participants on us. They were all curious about what we had bought.
But they couldn't tell which item we had purchased, so no one dared to approach us.
"Any tails?"
"None. They were probably just curious."
"Really?"
"Where to?"
Where else?
"The church."
We left the exchange in a carriage and headed straight for the Leathlas Church. It was almost evening, the time when they usually stopped accepting visitors, but we made it just in time.
"You're here to remove an essence?"
"Here's the donation."
"Please wait outside."
I paid the priest and removed the essence.
I had decided to remove the Corpse Golem essence.
'I've never removed an essence at a church before.'
I had heard about it from others, but it was a strange experience.
'Look at the production value. In the game, it was just a few clicks on the keyboard.'
I was enveloped in a white light and arrived in a pure white space.
I was naked, and a blue dagger was in my hand.
And...
Giant monsters were all around me.
They were all locked in cages.
Ogre, Orc Hero, Stormgush, Manticore, Bion.
And my target for today, the Corpse Golem.
I observed them for a moment and then used the dagger to cut the thread of light connecting the Corpse Golem to me.
And...
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
I opened my eyes, and I was back in the church.
"It feels strange..."
"It's natural to feel that way. You've just severed a connection that was engraved in your soul. It's a common experience for first-timers. You'll get used to the empty slot in a few days."
It was a very Leathlas Church-like statement, but I couldn't help but agree.
It wasn't just the emptiness from losing stats.
It felt like a part of me was missing.
"Are you okay?"
"Ah, it's nothing serious. I'll be fine after some grilled meat."
We left the church and returned to the inn.
And I took out the test tube.
"Amelia, are you ready?"
"...?"
Amelia looked at me with a confused expression.
"I just meant, don't be surprised if the Fragment of Records reacts when you absorb this."
"Ah..."
I had already met the GM, and I had deposited the hammer in the vault.
Amelia had even taken care of her sister's finances, making sure she wouldn't be audited in the future.
So if my guess was correct...
'This is the last piece of the puzzle.'
I took out the Fragment of Records and absorbed the essence.
'Ah... this is why I farm essences.'
The feeling of fullness was overwhelming, even though I missed the Corpse Golem essence.
The light from the test tube flowed into my body, and I felt a surge of power.
Of course, it wasn't as intense as when I absorbed the Ogre essence.
Raw Strength wasn't a common stat for 2nd-grade essences and above.
'Well, the skill is what matters anyway.'
I opened my eyes, savoring the feeling.
And I looked at the Fragment of Records, which was still silent.
"...Could it be that this wasn't it either?"
What else did I have to do?
Was I going to be stuck here for years?
I was starting to feel anxious when...
"Well, it's about time..."
Amelia muttered, as if sighing.
"Huh?"
I looked at her, and she smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, we'll be going back tomorrow."
Her eyes seemed a bit sad.
-x-X-x-
"Tomorrow? What do you mean?"
Amelia averted her gaze at my question.
"I had a hunch from the beginning."
"From the beginning...?"
I was momentarily stunned.
'Was that why she had that strange expression every time we talked about returning?'
I realized that the strange feeling I had during our previous conversations wasn't just my imagination, but I still didn't understand.
"If you had a hunch, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
I stared at her intently, and Amelia glanced at me before quickly looking away again.
I had no choice but to ask directly.
"Do you... not want to go back?"
"That's..."
Amelia trailed off and shook her head.
"Absolutely not. I just thought it might be nice to stay here a little longer..."
"What? Why?"
I couldn't help but tilt my head in confusion, but after thinking about it from Amelia's perspective, I understood.
"That, that's—"
"Ah, I get it. Okay."
"You get it...?"
"You're worried about leaving your sister behind, aren't you?"
If we left, Laura would be alone in this world for the next 20 years.
It was natural for Amelia to want to help her live a better life, and she probably wanted to at least see how Laura would turn out before leaving.
"You could have just told me. I didn't know I was that untrustworthy."
"Ah..."
"We're companions, aren't we? Just tell me."
"...Okay, I'll tell you next time."
"Good."
I quickly cleared up the misunderstanding and moved on to the next topic.
The most important part of this conversation.
"So what was your hunch? Why are you so sure we can go back tomorrow?"
"Ah, about that."
Amelia finally focused and explained her reasoning, and I listened intently, asking a few questions along the way.
I nodded as she finished.
'Hmm, that makes sense.'
It was a plausible explanation.
No, to be honest, I had a feeling as soon as I heard it.
This was it.
The last role I had to fulfill.
______________________
The next morning,
We checked out of the inn early and went to a nearby restaurant.
Amelia said there was a place she wanted to go.
Well, I wanted to get this over with and go back as soon as possible, but...
"It's a restaurant that closes down in 20 years... Ah, of course, if it's too much trouble, we can just go straight to our destination."
How could I refuse after she said that?
'Besides, I'll be busy once we get back. She's been working hard all this time, running around every day.'
Amelia even seemed embarrassed to ask for such a simple favor. It was probably awkward for her to express such an ordinary desire.
It was a positive change.
It meant we had built a strong enough bond for her to feel comfortable asking for favors.
"If there's anything else you want to do, just tell me."
"Then... can we stop by the Arangje Art Museum in the 9th District?"
"...The art museum?"
"There's a painting I want to see. I wanted to see it again, but it wasn't there when I went back. It was sold to some rich noble."
We went to the museum after our meal. Amelia stood in front of the painting she wanted to see for over 30 minutes, lost in thought.
And then...
"...Can we look around a bit more?"
"Of course."
We walked around the museum, looking at the other paintings and sculptures.
I was a bit surprised.
'I didn't know she had this kind of hobby.'
I could tell from her eyes that she was genuinely enjoying herself.
Well, that's one thing, and this is another.
"Amelia, I know sightseeing is fun, but I'm hungry..."
It was already past noon, so we had lunch at a nearby restaurant.
And then...
"Yandel, can we stop by one more place?"
We got back in the carriage and headed towards Amelia's request.
It was the Leathlas Church orphanage.
The place where young Dwarkey had lived.
'This place is strangely connected to us.'
We didn't go inside, but sat on a bench across from the building and watched Laura through the window.
She had recovered from her injuries and was now working at a desk, sorting through documents.
It seemed like she had gotten a job at the orphanage through the priest's recommendation.
"I thought she would just be helping out with chores, but she's already reading and doing paperwork? It seems like she learned quickly."
I wondered if her memories hadn't been completely erased, so I asked Amelia, but she just shook her head with a bitter smile.
"That's impossible."
"How can you be so sure?"
"My sister... couldn't read."
"...What?"
Then she learned how to read and do paperwork in just a few weeks from the priest?
I was dumbfounded, but it wasn't completely unbelievable.
There are people like that in the world.
"...A genius, huh."
"I didn't expect her to be this talented. I knew she had a good memory, but..."
"What about the priest? Didn't she find it strange that Laura could learn so quickly?"
"She just thinks it's a sign that her memories are returning. My sister also thinks the same."
Maybe their true talent wasn't killing people.
Maybe they were just forced into that life by their circumstances.
If they had been born into a normal family, how would Amelia have turned out? She seemed to enjoy art, maybe she would have become a famous painter—
"What's with that look?"
Ah, was I staring too intently?
"...It's nothing. Anyway, how long are we going to stay here? It seems like your sister is getting off work."
"We should... go now."
We got up from the bench as Laura finished her work and put on her coat.
And then...
We entered the sewers through a hidden passage.
It was the only way to get to Noark.
"I didn't expect to be back here. I hope nothing happens."
"It will be fine. There's another way to get in, even if this passage is blocked."
We had to go through a broker to enter Noark legally last time because we needed Noark IDs, but this time, we could just sneak in through a secret passage Amelia knew.
It was connected to the Lord's Castle.
"By the way, what's going to happen to Noark?"
We talked about Noark as we walked.
I was curious about what had happened after the incident involving the royal family, Orculus, and us.
"Noark? They're probably busy picking a new Lord."
"Picking a new Lord?"
I knew they would eventually find a way to stabilize the city, but I was curious about the process.
"How can they even think about picking a new Lord after losing to Orculus?"
"Because Orculus needs the city too."
I thought they would just take over the city, but there was a reason why they couldn't.
"The portals to the labyrinth won't open in Noark unless someone from the Lord's bloodline is present."
So the new Lord immediately killed all his blood relatives after his father's death.
He was worried that Orculus would use his weak siblings as puppets to control the city.
'He's a ruthless one. To make that decision so quickly.'
The new Lord then negotiated a truce with Orculus, giving them some concessions, and gradually stabilized the city.
That was what would happen in Noark over the next 20 years.
"We're here."
We exited the sewers through a hidden passage in the Lord's Castle and then walked through the city, still smelling of smoke, until we reached a small mansion.
"Wait here for a moment. I'll be back soon."
"Okay."
It was Amelia's house.
______________________
Knock, knock.
There was no need to knock.
Amelia knew her past self didn't lock the door.
She had given up on everything.
Creak.
Amelia opened the door and entered the house. It was sparsely furnished with basic furniture, but it felt familiar.
The house the alchemist had given them was always like this.
Even when they left for good after becoming adults.
"..."
A girl, huddled in a corner, looked up as Amelia entered.
"Emily...?"
A glimmer of hope appeared in her dull eyes.
Amelia couldn't read minds, but she knew what her past self was thinking.
"Do, do you..."
A desperate hope.
That her sister was still alive.
"Your sister is dead."
"Ah..."
Amelia's blunt words made the girl lower her head.
The glimmer of hope in her eyes had vanished.
But Amelia pulled her to her feet.
And she spoke.
"You'll be going back to the labyrinth soon. And you'll live a life like before, meeting and killing people."
"...So what?"
Her harsh words seemed to have an effect, as the girl, who had been like a lifeless doll, looked up at her.
Amelia then held out her hand.
"Promise me. That you won't kill any barbarians."
"...Why should I?"
Amelia answered without hesitation.
"Because someday, you'll realize that keeping this promise was the luckiest thing you ever did."
The girl remained silent.
Amelia could tell what she was thinking.
She didn't understand why Amelia was saying this, but...
She didn't think Amelia was lying.
No, she even felt like Amelia was genuinely trying to help her.
Like her sister, who was no longer here...
Amelia intertwined her fingers with the girl's and squeezed her hand three times.
It was a gesture they used when making promises.
"How... how did you know that?"
Amelia didn't answer.
She just let go of the girl's hand and turned to leave.
Step, step.
As Amelia reached the door, the girl spoke in a tired voice.
"What if..."
"..."
"What if I have to kill a barbarian to protect myself? Even then, should I keep this promise?"
It was a question her past self would ask.
Her sister had always taught them to never make promises they couldn't keep.
But Amelia answered confidently.
"You can do whatever you want then."
Because it would never happen.
Amelia opened the door and stepped outside.
And...
"Ah, one last thing."
"..."
"Lock the door when you're alone."
Amelia closed the door quietly and turned around.
She saw the barbarian waiting for her in the distance.
"Are you done?"
"Yes."
The promise would be kept.
Even though her past self didn't understand why, and even though she couldn't save her sister.
She had received their help.
Her sister had always taught them to repay their debts.
"Amelia, there's a blonde kid staring at me from over there... Shouldn't we do something about him?"
Amelia followed the barbarian's gaze and saw a familiar boy.
"Ah, I recognize him. Is that the Guardweaver Drowus kid?"
"Yes, that's him. He has another name, but..."
Amelia felt a strange sense of detachment as she looked at the boy.
He would eventually tell her about the Fragment of Records. And then he would betray her and run away, leaving her with a scar on her ear.
That's why she had made a pact with the Lord to never kill anyone in Noark. Well, it didn't work in this time period because there was a time limit on the pact, but...
'I don't feel anything.'
She didn't feel any anger towards him.
It was as if all the resentment and hatred she had been carrying had vanished.
"Shouldn't we do something about him?"
The barbarian's worried question made her realize why she felt so calm.
"No, it's fine. Leave him alone."
"Leave him alone?"
It was all just a process.
The pain she had experienced because of him...
It was all just a stepping stone to meeting this man.
"...What? Why are you smiling?"
"I didn't smile."
"You did."
"..."
Amelia ignored the barbarian's persistent questions and walked ahead.
The barbarian quickly caught up.
"Hey, why isn't this thing working?"
"It will work soon."
"But what if it doesn't?"
"Then we'll just have to live here. I don't mind."
"Uh... that's a bit... No, I don't mean I don't like you..."
The barbarian trailed off awkwardly.
Amelia couldn't help but smile again.
It was a genuine smile, not the awkward one she had practiced in front of the mirror.
She stopped walking and turned around, and the barbarian bumped into her.
And at that moment...
Flash!
The world was engulfed in a white light.
______________________
'Iron Mask...?'
The blonde boy had found them by chance. He was wandering around the city, looking for someone to rob, when he saw them.
He wasn't wearing his signature iron helmet...
But there was no one else in the city with such a massive physique.
No one, except for a barbarian.
'And the red-haired woman next to him...'
It was the infamous Iron Mask and Emily.
The boy hid himself and watched them enter a house.
And a few minutes later, the woman came out and joined the barbarian.
Did they sense his gaze?
"...!"
The boy ducked, feeling like they had made eye contact.
And at that moment...
A brilliant light erupted, illuminating the dark underground city.
Flash!
It was a fleeting flash.
And then...
The street was filled with chaos. Drunkards stumbled to their feet, and people rushed to their windows.
"What, what was that?! That light!"
"...Magic?"
"Did something happen to us?"
Everyone was confused, trying to figure out what had happened.
But the blonde boy hiding in the alley was different.
'Iron Mask is gone...'
They had disappeared.
But he didn't question why.
The boy, who had lived his entire life in Noark, instinctively ran.
And...
'This stone! This stone was glowing!'
He picked up a stone that had fallen on his clothes and put it in his pocket, then quickly disappeared into the alley.
And a few minutes later...
"Over there! The light came from over there!"
"I saw it from my window! The light flashed, and then someone disappeared!"
The guards arrived, alerted by the commotion, and started asking questions. They soon realized who had been standing in the center of the light.
"A barbarian-looking man and a red-haired woman?"
"Iron Mask! It's Iron Mask! The one the Lord has been looking for! Search the area!"
"An ID card! There's an ID card in his clothes!"
"6th-grade explorer, Nibels Enche... Is this Iron Mask's real name? What about the woman?"
"We couldn't find hers!"
"Captain, a kid said he saw someone pick something up from the ground."
"What? Where did he go?!"
The guards rushed into the alley, but they couldn't find the boy.
He had already disappeared.
-x-X-x-
A chill ran down my spine.
I opened my eyes, and everything was dark.
And then...
Beep!
I heard a beeping sound coming from somewhere.
What was that? I couldn't have misheard...
Swoosh.
I sat up.
It was very dark, but I could still see my surroundings. There was a white stone emitting a faint light next to me.
'The Fragment of Records?'
I quickly picked it up.
But...
'It's just a Light Gem.'
It was a normal magic tool.
A common item used by explorers as a substitute for torches.
Why was it here?
I held the Light Gem up, illuminating the area.
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
The light revealed my surroundings.
「Character location confirmed.」
A stone building with no distinct features.
An unpaved road, unlike Lafdonia.
Everything looked exactly the same as the place I had been in before. The only difference was that it seemed like a lot of time had passed.
Hmm, it seemed like I had returned...
'But where's Amelia?'
She wasn't here.
Had she woken up first?
She had woken up before me on Parune Island.
Maybe she had found this magic tool and turned it on before leaving.
Then she must be nearby...
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat and shouted.
"Amelia—!"
My barbarian vocal cords were powerful enough to echo throughout the city.
But there was no answer.
"..."
An unsettling silence.
Had I returned alone?
That thought crossed my mind.
But...
'Let's wait a bit longer.'
I decided to stay put for now.
But I couldn't just sit here doing nothing.
'Let's check my status.'
I started examining my body.
「Information synchronization rate: 83%.」
「Character information needs to be updated.」
「Updating and synchronizing...」
As expected, the essences I had absorbed in the past were still there.
But I continued with the checkup.
I hadn't had time to properly organize my essences since I had absorbed the Vol-Herchan essence right before returning.
「[Corpse Golem Essence] removed from character's soul.」
「Pain Resistance -70.」
「Strength -15.」
「Bone Density...」
My dulled senses returned as my Pain Resistance decreased.
It wasn't completely gone thanks to the +30 from Bion's essence, but the loss of 70 Pain Resistance was noticeable.
It wasn't a big problem.
My overall stats had increased significantly.
To summarize:
「[Vol-Herchan Essence] absorbed into character's soul.」
「Physical Resistance +70.」
「Natural Regeneration +40.」
「Poison Resistance +120...」
Physical Resistance and Natural Regeneration.
The two essential stats for tanks, along with Poison Resistance.
And although I hadn't gained any Strength, there was a bonus stat that compensated for it.
「Muscle Mass +15.」
Muscle Mass.
An extremely rare stat only obtainable from certain 3rd-grade and above monsters.
Its effect was simple.
Total Strength increased by 1% per point of Muscle Mass.
'With my current stats, 20% would be equivalent to over 60 Strength...'
And I had also gained Endurance +30, Vision +20, and Bone Density +80, so my overall stats had increased significantly from just one essence.
Of course, there were also penalties.
「Agility -30.」
「Flexibility -50...」
「Synchronization complete.」
「Character log transmission resumed.」
The loss of Flexibility was more noticeable than the loss of Agility.
My body felt much stiffer.
I couldn't even perform some of the movements that I could do before.
And my movements were slower because of the decreased Agility.
'Well, it's a small price to pay for the benefits.'
Stats aside, the biggest advantage of Vol-Herchan's essence was its skills.
(P) Evolved Hide — Grants permanent bonus stats based on Physical Resistance.
First, the passive skill [Evolved Hide].
This skill granted additional effects when Physical Resistance reached '70', '350', '750', and '1,500'.
The first stage effect was this:
「Character's Physical Resistance is 70 or higher.」
「Grants 50% resistance to sword-type weapons.」
I called it 'Sword Immunity'.
This was why it was considered a counter to Aura.
Aura was always classified as a sword-type attack.
This skill alone reduced the 90% armor penetration of Aura to 45%.
'The second stage requires [Gigantification]...'
The third stage would be unlocked once I absorbed one more essence, and the fourth stage was impossible at my current level.
Percentage-based buffs usually had limits.
For example, the Orc Shaman's [Frenzy], which tripled Physical Resistance for 10 seconds, wouldn't go above 300 Physical Resistance.
'But... is she really not here?'
I checked my status and waited for Amelia, but I was starting to get anxious.
It felt like I had been waiting for almost two hours.
But there was still no sign of her.
"This doesn't make sense..."
It didn't add up.
The Light Gem was already on when I woke up.
Someone had to have turned it on, even if it wasn't Amelia.
'...Let's look around.'
I couldn't just keep waiting, so I started exploring the area with the Light Gem.
There was another thing that bothered me.
'Why is the city so deserted?'
Noark had escaped the city before the royal family's invasion. And the royal army had occupied the city.
But now...
It was eerily quiet.
"Could it be..."
A bad feeling crept up on me, but it was too early to jump to conclusions.
So I focused on what I could do.
For example, finding some clothes.
Kwaaang!
I entered the nearest building, which seemed to be an inn, and ripped a tablecloth off a table.
I wrapped it around my waist.
I didn't think I would find any clothes that fit me.
'Well, at least I'm not naked anymore.'
I felt a bit more civilized, but human greed is endless.
'...Is there anything to eat?'
I was starting to feel hungry, so I searched the empty rooms, opening drawers and cabinets.
It was an inn frequented by explorers, so I soon found some preserved food.
'This feels like an apocalypse...'
It was a strange feeling, eating scavenged food in a deserted building.
"Let's... look around some more."
I finished my meal and left the building, then wandered through the eerily quiet city.
And after some time...
I reached the empty Dimensional Plaza.
There was a military tent in the center.
'The royal family...?'
It had the royal family's emblem on it.
It must have been left behind by the army that occupied Noark.
Swoosh.
There was no one around, so I cautiously entered the tent.
Had they taken everything with them when they retreated?
The tent was empty except for a large desk covered in dust.
And...
"This is fucked..."
That was the biggest problem.
I had already dismissed the possibility that time had stopped in this city after I returned, seeing how it was deserted.
"But I didn't expect the time ratio to be this off."
I brushed the dust off the desk with my finger.
It was almost 2 centimeters thick.
It couldn't have accumulated in just six months, not in this environment.
"...What year is it?"
A chill ran down my spine as my premonition became reality.
"You're finally... awake."
And then I heard a familiar voice behind me.
I turned around, and there she was.
"Amelia...!"
Amelia Rainwales.
My SSR companion, whom I had recruited after traveling 20 years into the past.
I wasn't alone.
"Where have you been? I thought you were gone..."
I was about to ask her where she had been, but then I froze.
"What the... what's with your equipment?"
Amelia was fully equipped, unlike me, who had woken up naked. Her armor looked custom-made.
'How did she get that equipment in such a short time?'
I was confused, but...
"...I'll explain later. Just follow me!"
Amelia grabbed my wrist and started running.
____________________
What would you do if someone suddenly pulled you into a car and told you to get in?
I would say yes.
'There must be a reason.'
I would hesitate even if it was a stranger, but if it was a companion...
I would trust them.
So...
"Huff, huff...!"
I was running through the dark streets.
I was trying my best to keep up with Amelia.
I had a lot of questions...
But I decided to ask them later.
"Amelia...! What's going on? Can you at least give me a brief explanation?!"
Amelia answered curtly.
"We're being chased."
"Chased?"
"By one of the Seven Strengths, the Blood Spirit Marquis."
"What?"
"Sorry, this is my fault. I didn't expect her to be able to track me this quickly..."
I was confused.
I didn't understand a word she was saying.
What were the Seven Strengths?
And who was the Blood Spirit Marquis?
I had a lot of questions, but time was running out.
So I asked the most important one.
"Can we even outrun her?"
"She's strong. If we fight her here, I'll definitely lose."
"What? Who is she...?"
"...You wouldn't know. It happened after you died."
Amelia looked back at me and said,
"Erwen Fornachi di Tersia."
"...What?"
"The current Pureblood and the contractor of the Ninth Spirit King. That's her name."
I was stunned.
The Pureblood? The Spirit King?
"...Erwen?"
She had become that strong?
No, wait...
"How much time has passed...?"
I couldn't help but ask.
Amelia answered in a bitter voice,
"Two years and six months."
"..."
"It's been two years and six months since you died."
Holy shit...
-x-X-x-
Two years and six months.
I had spent about six months in the past, so time had flowed five times faster here.
The problem was that the time ratio wasn't fixed.
"Amelia, did you arrive before me?"
I asked, even though I was already certain, and she answered immediately.
"Yes, it was a long wait. I left that magic tool you were holding. I set it up to signal me when you returned. I didn't expect it to take over two years, though."
So that was why I heard the beeping sound when I woke up.
It was the magic tool activating.
"Anyway, I'll explain everything later. Just keep running for now."
Amelia wanted to leave this place as soon as possible, but I couldn't just follow her blindly.
There was something I didn't understand.
"Wait, if Erwen is the one chasing us, why are we running away?"
"You wouldn't know, but she'll definitely try to kill me. And if we fight in this city, I'll definitely lose."
I understood that she would lose...
"But why would she want to kill you?"
"Because she thinks I'm responsible for your death."
"Ah..."
I could finally picture the situation.
But I still couldn't understand why Amelia was running away.
"But I can just talk to her and explain—"
"It won't be that easy."
"...What?"
I asked, confused, and Amelia stopped running. She turned to me and said in a serious voice,
"Yandel, she's not the Erwen you knew."
She looked like she was talking about a monster.
Amelia was certain that I wouldn't be able to control Erwen.
"But what happened to her...?"
"A lot has happened. I don't have time to explain everything."
Amelia cut me off and continued,
"It doesn't matter if she still wants to kill me or not. The important thing is..."
"What is it...?"
"She can't protect you."
I felt confused and frustrated.
I couldn't understand what was going on.
"...Protect me? From who?"
I asked, dumbfounded, and Amelia answered curtly,
"From everyone."
What did she mean?
I was about to ask another question when...
"Bjorn Yandel."
Amelia called my name and said,
"This happened two years ago."
Her voice was firm and bitter, like a doctor giving a patient a terminal diagnosis.
"The royal family announced that you were an evil spirit."
...What?
______________________
A lazy afternoon.
Sunlight streamed through the window of a spacious office.
But the atmosphere inside was far from peaceful.
"...That's all."
Alex Hailo, the Vice-Captain of the 3rd Magic Corps.
He finished his regular report and stood at attention, his chin held high, observing his superior's expression.
She was frowning as she read through the documents.
"Hmm..."
She finished reading and looked up at him.
Her eyes were filled with exhaustion, a familiar sight.
He sighed in relief.
He knew from experience...
That he would be safe this time.
"Good work. The report is well-written. The part about Noark's movements was especially interesting. It's just speculation, but it shows imagination. It's much better than the garbage you usually bring."
Was that a compliment or an insult?
He didn't know, but he had only one answer.
"Thank—"
"You thought I would say that?"
Oh, shit.
Gulp.
Her voice had suddenly changed, and he instinctively swallowed.
Her eyes were no longer filled with exhaustion.
They were still tired, but...
They were sharp, like a predator about to pounce on its prey.
He knew he couldn't just stand there.
"Tell me what needs to be fixed, and I'll fix it."
"The format is wrong. I told you last time, but you made the same mistake again. Don't you know that this report goes to Captain Febrosk after I approve it?"
"...I'll fix it."
"And the content is even worse. Noark surviving in the labyrinth? You should write novels instead. Well, they probably won't sell, though."
"I'll fix it."
"Are you a parrot? How will you fix it? Tell me."
Finally, it was over.
"...I'll rewrite it."
"Good. Then get out."
Her gaze shifted to another document, and he clung to his shattered soul and turned around.
He carefully closed the door, trying not to disturb her.
Creak.
He could see her through the closing gap. She was focused on her work, her tired face illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the window.
There was something captivating about her dedication.
He understood why the soldiers in the corps feared her, but didn't hate her.
'She would be much more popular if she was just a little nicer...'
The Golden Mage.
The Vice-Captain of the 3rd Magic Corps, known as the 'Little Ghost' within the corps.
'She's definitely beautiful—'
"What are you doing? Get out!"
"I, I apologize! Nia Lafdonia!"
He hurriedly slammed the door shut and saluted.
And then...
"Sigh, when will he be useful..."
Arrua Raven, the Golden Mage, sighed as she watched the door close.
But her attention quickly shifted back to her work.
She picked up her pen and continued working through the pile of documents on her desk.
And after some time...
"That's enough for today."
Raven stretched, her stiff muscles aching.
She looked out the window.
The sun had already set, and the sky was dark.
'I finished all the important tasks today. I'll come back early tomorrow and finish the rest...'
She unbuttoned her uniform jacket, then stopped and buttoned it back up.
She would have to wear it again tomorrow anyway.
She put on her officer's coat, finished organizing her desk, and then checked the calendar.
December 2nd, 156th year of the Change Era.
She still felt a strange sense of detachment whenever she looked at the calendar.
It should be getting better by now.
But she still felt a tightness in her chest, her body stiffening from time to time.
She had experienced loss, and that made her realize...
How precious those short expeditions with him and his companions had been.
But those days were gone.
'It's already been over two years...'
Two years and six months.
So much had happened during that time.
But to summarize it briefly...
It had been a long time.
The bonds she had tried so hard to maintain had been shattered.
She had joined the royal army as a 6th-grade mage from the Artemion School and had become the Vice-Captain of a corps.
She opened the window.
A cold winter breeze blew in.
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
She closed her eyes and thought about her former companions.
The barbarian warrior, Ainar Frenelin.
Avman, who was often unreliable but always came through when it mattered.
And Misha.
'It's been over six months since I last saw them...'
The last time she saw Avman was six months ago.
It was an awkward encounter in the 6th floor. They had briefly talked about their lives and then parted ways.
She had seen Erwen two months ago, but...
They were no longer companions.
They had just made eye contact and walked past each other.
'At least Avman and Ainar seem to be doing well...'
She closed her eyes, thinking about her former companions.
And then she thought about the one who hurt the most.
"Misha..."
How was she doing?
Raven reached out and caught a snowflake in her hand. She remembered her last conversation with Misha.
[There's something I need to tell you...]
It had been two years and four months ago.
The end of summer.
______________________
Intuition.
Explorers often called it their sixth sense.
It was surprisingly useful in life.
It wasn't uncommon to hear stories of explorers dodging a fatal blow because they had a bad feeling and ducked, even though there was no logical reason to.
Thump!
But it wasn't something you were born with.
The more experienced and intelligent you were, the more accurate your intuition became. It was a combination of countless pieces of information stored in your subconscious, like grains of sand.
You just couldn't explain how you arrived at that conclusion.
But there was a reason for it.
"What do you need to tell me...?"
Raven tried to ignore the unsettling feeling and asked.
There was nothing concrete yet.
Intuition was often wrong.
No, it was more common for it to be wrong than right.
But...
"I... need to tell you... something..."
"Um... your speech..."
"Ah, this...? I'm trying to change it. I can't stay like this forever, so..."
"Ah... I see? Good for you! I'm rooting for you."
On the surface, Misha's change was positive.
Raven knew about Misha's past.
She had injured her tongue a few years ago. It had healed, but she still spoke like that because of a mental block.
But...
Thump!
Why was her heart racing?
It felt ominous.
"...So what did you want to say?"
"That's..."
Misha trailed off and averted her gaze, then finally spoke with a heavy heart.
"I'm leaving the team."
She was quitting.
Raven wasn't surprised.
She had expected this to happen eventually.
No one could fill the barbarian's shoes. The team's expeditions had been put on hold indefinitely, and it was only natural for the team to disband eventually.
But...
"Okay... I understand. But what are your plans?"
She didn't want their bond to end just because they weren't exploring together anymore.
"I'm going back to my family."
"Ah, you're going to take a break? I support your decision—"
"And I'm going back to the labyrinth. No... I'm going back."
"...What?"
Raven couldn't understand.
She was quitting the team, but she was going back to the labyrinth?
It didn't make sense.
"The labyrinth? With who? Did you already find a new team?"
Raven felt betrayed and asked frantically.
But Misha didn't answer.
She just changed the subject with a bitter voice.
"That's not all I wanted to tell you..."
Raven felt a chill run down her spine.
The ominous feeling intensified.
"...Go ahead."
Her voice was cold and calm.
Misha looked down at the ground.
And then she spoke in a barely audible voice.
"There's a rumor going around... that Bjorn is an evil spirit..."
"...What?"
"Ah! It's, it's just a rumor! Don't, don't believe it! I, I just wanted to tell you..."
What was she talking about?
Had she lost her mind because of his death?
Was this even a normal conversation?
Raven felt a sense of dissonance, and then it hit her.
It was intuition.
Her sixth sense, telling her the truth.
"You're going to spread that rumor, aren't you? I don't know why, but..."
Misha backed away as Raven spoke.
"You wanted to tell us beforehand, right? You didn't want us to remember him as an evil spirit."
Raven took a step forward.
"But..."
She had already realized it.
"You said it was just a rumor..."
The truth behind the unsettling feeling.
"It's not just a rumor, is it?"
Raven grabbed Misha's wrist and asked.
It was a foolish mistake.
A mage couldn't overpower a physical explorer.
"...!"
Misha pulled her hand away and ran.
And the next day, the rumor that Bjorn Yandel was an evil spirit spread throughout the city.
And...
"Where did she go...?"
That was the last time Raven saw Misha.
-x-X-x-
My mind went blank.
It felt like someone had crushed a can, and Amelia's last words echoed in my head.
'The royal family announced that you were an evil spirit.'
'The royal family announced that you were an evil spirit.'
'The royal family announced that you were an evil spirit.'
It was a shock that felt like dozens of men were hitting my head with hammers.
If it weren't for her, I would have been stuck in this state for a while.
"Yandel."
"Ah..."
"...Are you okay?"
I came to my senses and saw Amelia's face close up. She was looking at me with worried eyes, her small right hand on my chest.
"Uh, uh..."
"I understand how you feel, but this isn't the time to be spacing out."
"Ah, sorry..."
Amelia grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward, and I followed her in a daze.
She was right.
[It's unclear if she still has that intention...]
Erwen also knew that I was an evil spirit.
It meant I couldn't expect her to treat me like a companion anymore.
This... probably applied to the other companions as well.
'So...'
I clenched my jaw.
'The day has finally come.'
I accepted it, but I couldn't help but think...
Maybe it's not too late.
Erwen was chasing Amelia because she thought Amelia had killed me. Maybe she would still treat me like a companion, regardless of whether I was an evil spirit or not.
Yes, that possibility definitely existed.
But...
"You don't have to hold my hand anymore."
I let go of Amelia's wrist and started running on my own.
Amelia was right.
Erwen couldn't protect me.
Even if she wanted to, she was a member of the fairy tribe.
If she helped me, it would harm her tribe, and she was more likely to prioritize her tribe over her personal feelings.
'...That's just an excuse.'
I chuckled bitterly as I ran.
No matter how sly and cowardly I was, I couldn't deceive myself.
I didn't want to see Erwen yet.
To be precise, I was afraid.
I was afraid of what I would hear from her.
[That's right! The chieftain said the same thing! We have to kill evil spirits as soon as we find them!]
Ainar's words.
[Yeah... I didn't know before, but after today, I finally understand. Why people told me not to trust evil spirits...]
Misha's words.
[It's wise to kill them when you have the chance. That's what happened to those who trusted evil spirits. The result is right there.]
Avman's words.
Clench.
They stabbed me like daggers.
Just thinking about it made me feel this way, how would it feel to actually experience it?
What would it be like to see them doubt my sincerity and express their anger at being deceived?
"..."
If I could just get past this situation, I might be able to smooth things over and prevent that day from ever coming.
So I ran after Amelia.
"Yandel, this way!"
We left the empty plaza and headed towards the Lord's Castle in the center of the city.
There was a secret passage in the Lord's Castle, not just in the cemetery.
We had to escape through that passage—
Creak!
As we arrived at the Lord's Castle and I was forcing the closed door open.
"Yandel, get down!"
Amelia pushed me through the gap in the door.
Whoosh.
And at that moment...
Thud.
An arrow, shot without a sound, pierced Amelia's back.
"...!"
Amelia gasped, her body swaying.
She collapsed on top of me.
"You're... okay..."
"...What the—!"
"Your face... you don't seem like... you'll hurt her..."
I couldn't understand what she was saying.
But I didn't have time to ask.
I quickly picked Amelia up and stood up.
"I'll... take her..."
Amelia was still trying to say something, but she couldn't finish her sentence.
Crack!
Amelia exploded.
While she was in my arms.
_____________________
「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has cast [Rupture].」
_____________________
Thud, thud, thud.
Dozens of pieces fell to the ground.
It was a surreal scene.
"Am, Amelia...?"
The weight in my arms vanished.
But I couldn't move my arms, even though they were empty.
I just stood there, thinking.
Amelia is dead?
Like this...?
And... because of Erwen...?
My body froze, but then I noticed something strange.
"Blood."
There was no blood.
If a person had exploded into pieces like that, there should have been blood splattered everywhere.
But there wasn't a single drop of blood on my body.
And then...
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
The hundreds of pieces of Amelia's body turned into particles of light and disappeared.
Just like a monster dying.
「Amelia Rainwales' clone has taken fatal damage.」
「The summon is dispelled.」
Right, it was a clone made with [Self-Replication].
Whew, that startled me.
I really thought she was dead.
'If she was going to use a clone, she should have told me beforehand.'
I was annoyed, but I quickly dismissed it.
This wasn't the time to be complaining.
'I have to run.'
I started running.
I had memorized the path to the secret passage while following Amelia to Noark.
The problem was whether I could get there safely.
Thud.
No arrows yet.
But I didn't know how long this would last.
So...
'Can I win if we fight?'
I considered the worst-case scenario.
That Erwen was hostile towards me and wanted to kill me.
And as I thought about that possibility, I remembered the scene of Amelia's body exploding.
'That effect...'
It wasn't a normal explosion.
There were no flames.
And no shrapnel, like a grenade.
Her body just crumbled into pieces, like a Jenga tower collapsing.
'...It must have been [Rupture].'
The effect of [Rupture] is simple.
Whether it's an arrow, a sword, or an axe, if the blade pierces the flesh and deals a certain amount of damage...
It deals fixed damage based on the caster's main stat.
It ignores Physical Resistance, Magic Resistance, and all elemental resistances.
Just like Aura, which is unique to humans.
'And she even obtained the 'Pureblood' and contracted the Spirit King...'
Whether it was [Rupture] or not, I didn't think I could win in a one-on-one fight.
She would have high-grade equipment to match her specs.
'How can I possibly win against that with my bare hands?'
I was running with all my might when...
Whoosh.
The Light Gem in my hand, which was illuminating the dark underground city, suddenly went out.
It wasn't a natural phenomenon.
I had used Light Gems before.
This magic tool gradually dims and then goes out when it runs out of mana.
It doesn't just suddenly turn off like this.
'...Darkness Spirit?'
I didn't expect her to have mastered this element as well.
I stopped running.
Thud.
I was confident in memorizing paths.
If I focused on my steps, I could probably find my way to the secret passage even in the dark.
As long as there wasn't a pursuer behind me.
'Escape failed.'
I closed my eyes.
It was time to abandon my useless vision and focus on other senses.
And then...
My heightened hearing caught the sound of footsteps.
Thud.
It was unexpected.
I thought I would hear the sound of an arrow first.
'Well, even if she thinks I'm an evil spirit, she would probably want to talk to me first.'
I tensed up, ready to move at any moment, and thought about Amelia's last words.
[Your face... you don't seem like... you'll hurt her...]
She must have seen his face.
Amelia had much better vision than me.
She might have made eye contact with Erwen, who was shooting arrows from the darkness.
But...
'How could she be so sure just by looking at his face?'
No one knew what Erwen was thinking as she walked towards me in the darkness.
So...
"Erwen?"
I called her name.
There was no answer.
And the footsteps stopped.
Thump!
The only sound was my heartbeat, echoing like thunder in the silence.
"Mister."
And then, after a long time, I heard that familiar name.
The Light Gem started working again.
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
The light spread out, illuminating the surroundings.
And...
"It's really..."
I finally understood.
Why Amelia said it was fortunate.
Why she was so sure that Erwen wouldn't hurt me.
"It's really... you...?"
Her eyes were filled with emotion.
Joy, relief, anticipation, anxiety, fear.
And...
"H, how..."
Distrust.
"You... you're supposed to be dead..."
"Ah, that's... what happened."
"What happened? How can you say that so casually?!"
Erwen's voice rose in anger, but then she suddenly stopped talking.
"...Could this be... her doing?"
She muttered, as if realizing something.
And her eyes turned sharp.
"Who are you?"
Uh, I didn't expect her mood swings to be this severe...
I started to feel uneasy, but I tried to hide it and answered.
"Who am I? I'm Bjorn Yandel."
"Liar."
"What? You don't believe me? I'll use [Gigantification] if you want."
"Go ahead."
Her tone was curt, but I didn't hesitate and activated [Gigantification].
"Wh, what... It's really you?!"
Erwen's voice returned to normal.
Well, only for a moment.
"It's really you—!"
"No, I don't believe it yet."
"...Huh?"
"Use something else."
Erwen's eyes, filled with tears a moment ago, turned cold, and I quickly used [Leap].
And...
"It's really you...!"
"Yeah, I'm glad you finally believe me—!"
"...You think this is enough? It's not."
The same thing happened several times.
Erwen wouldn't be satisfied until she had seen all my essences.
I felt a chill run down my spine when she told me to use [Flesh Explosion].
"...You're a fake."
Her eyes were filled with madness and killing intent.
But I explained that I had removed the essence, and then I started talking about things only we knew.
"Our first meeting. What did you give me?"
"Licorice leaf."
"The name of the inn where we spent our first night together."
"..."
"Can't... answer...?"
"It, it was Garlic and Salt Inn."
"Too late."
"No, I was just flustered because you said 'first night'. We just went to see the essences..."
"Hmm."
We continued talking about the past.
As I shared stories that only we knew, her mood swings gradually subsided, and finally, she seemed to have completely dismissed her suspicion.
Although I still didn't know when she would suddenly change her mind and point an arrow at me.
But at least for now, she had accepted me.
"Mister...!"
"It's been a long time, Erwen. It's been two years and six months, right?"
After a long time, she finally greeted me.
Erwen put away her bow and clenched her fists, her eyes filled with tears.
"Why... why did you come back now?! You were alive all this time... Why didn't you come find me?!"
Ah, she must have felt that way.
I didn't want to come back, but...
"There were some complications."
I quickly answered, worried that she might suddenly change her mind.
Erwen then cautiously asked,
"Complications... are you talking about the announcement that you were an evil spirit?"
It was the most important question of this conversation.
A hurdle I had to overcome.
"Yeah, that's..."
I felt a mix of guilt and relief.
Erwen had clearly decided not to believe the announcement. She was talking to me now, wasn't she? That was proof—
"No? What does that have to do with anything?"
"...Huh?"
Erwen tilted her head, as if I had asked a strange question.
And then she started explaining, as if teaching me something.
"Mister, we met after I became an adult, right?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Evil spirits only appear on the day you become an adult."
"...So?"
"So what does it matter if you're an evil spirit or not?"
"...Well, that's true..."
I couldn't help but stammer.
Erwen then grabbed my hand.
"You protected me in the cave, taught me things I didn't know, and helped me get back on my feet after my sister died... It was all you, mister."
Her hand was warm.
"No matter what anyone says, you're Bjorn Yandel to me."
I was touched.
There were people who thought this way too.
"..."
I wanted to say thank you, but I couldn't.
Erwen probably didn't know how much her words meant to me.
"But..."
She let go of my hand.
And her eyes and tone returned to their previous coldness.
"Are you really... mister?"
I felt like I was going crazy.