After Amelia joined us, we first looted the bodies.
After all, one of them had fallen into the sea.
You'll be punished if you waste money like that.
"Navigator, sail the ship."
"Where to…?"
"Pione Island."
We returned to Treasure Island after the naval battle ended.
It was practically impossible to continue sailing without repairs. It had been a close call even getting here.
'The ship is in worse shape than I thought…'
We had to constantly bail water as we sailed back, using the sails and oars since the mana propulsion device was destroyed. It seemed like it wasn't the only thing that was damaged.
"…Finally, some rest."
"It was a fun experience."
Huh? Fun? She has strange tastes.
But it was a good experience, regardless of whether it was fun or not.
Erwen had even figured out how to use the water spirit to reverse the flow of water and bail it out.
We wouldn't have to go through trial and error next time.
'Right, that's how you become a veteran explorer.'
Anyway, we returned to the island, unsummoned the ship, and then went inland and summoned all the damaged ships.
And this time, I checked their condition properly.
None of them were intact.
"…Emily, what do you think? Would it be more profitable to repair them and sell them, or just sell them as they are?"
"Well…"
Even Amelia, who was usually good at buying and selling, couldn't give me an answer.
It meant that it was difficult to estimate their value.
"They'll still be worth something. The materials alone are expensive for ships like these."
"That's true, but… Hey, navigator!"
"Yes!"
"Repair the ships."
It wasn't a question, but an order.
The navigator tilted his head, confused.
Damn it, he's hopeless.
"Can't you do it?"
The navigator flinched and then shook his head frantically.
"I'll try… No, I can do it!"
His answer was filled with determination. He must have thought he would be abandoned like his companions if he was useless…
"Good, tell me if you need anything."
"…Thank you!"
The navigator then ran towards the ships and started examining them carefully.
He seemed to be figuring out how to repair them.
I left the ships to him…
"Mage."
"…Yes?"
"I want to transfer the ownership of the ships. Can you use that magic?"
"I can…"
Oh, really?
I had a hunch, seeing him hanging out with those pirates, but I didn't expect him to actually be able to use it.
It was a rare magic.
"Good, then get ready."
"Alright…"
"Wow, that tone… You don't want to do it?"
"No! I want to!"
You should have just said that from the beginning.
I transferred the ownership of the ships after persuading the mage.
The first one was the flagship, whose owner had died, and then the two ships owned by the other two men.
But…
"I can't transfer this one."
"What? Why?"
"It's too damaged…"
It was the ship that was hit by the 'Lightning Spear' that was amplified by 300%.
"The core magic circle is broken. It's impossible to—"
"The magic circle is broken? But summoning and unsummoning worked fine."
"Honestly, I don't even know why those functions are still working…"
"Then we have no choice."
I had to give up on one of the ships since the expert said it was impossible. We needed materials to repair it anyway.
The navigator, who had been looking at the flagship with a dejected expression, suddenly ran towards us.
"Um… can I take some planks from this?"
"Go ahead."
"And… can I also have some help…?"
"You can have all three of us."
"Thank you…!"
The navigator then started repairing the ships after receiving manpower support and consulting with the mage.
And we…
Swoosh.
…started organizing the loot we had dumped on the ground.
"This is… a jackpot."
I wouldn't know the exact amount until we sold it in the city, but the equipment was all high-quality.
Well, he was a 6th-floor explorer, so it was only natural.
Anyway, this should be enough to pay off the debt and even buy another mansion…
'Is it… really this easy to make money?'
It felt surreal, remembering the days when I mined magic stones worth a single rock by killing goblins.
I felt a strange mix of emotions.
"Mister… then we don't have to sell our house?"
"Of course not! Let's get a better bed too."
"A, a bed?"
Beds are important.
They improve your quality of life.
"Then can I get a new weapon too? There's something I've been wanting…"
Amelia also mentioned something she wanted to buy, sensing an opportunity.
"…Of course."
"This was worth it."
"But… how much is it?"
Amelia glanced at Erwen and then whispered in my ear.
"…stones."
It was double what I expected.
"...!"
I gasped but didn't take back my words.
"Okay, buy it."
It wasn't a waste to invest in my companion…
"Huhu, so you're going to forget about leaving me behind on the ship."
…and I owed her a lot.
____________________
It took two days to repair the ships.
I didn't know if it was fast or slow, but they were repaired perfectly.
Having a mage to assist with the repairs and the fact that the navigator had experience working at a shipyard were big factors.
'He even has some repair skills…'
He seemed like a decent asset.
"Hey, what's your name?"
"A-are you talking to me?"
"Who else?"
"It's Auyen Lokrob…"
Okay, at least it wasn't Hans.
He passed the screening.
"That's a good name. Good work, Nguyen."
"It's Auyen…"
"Ah, is that so?"
I patted the navigator's shoulder, praising him for his work, and then we launched the repaired ships.
And…
"What are you waiting for? Get on board."
"…Yes."
The navigator boarded the ship with a look of dread.
The mage was next.
"You too."
"…Alright."
The remaining two looked at me nervously after the mage boarded.
I had brought them to the island alive because they had the Ship Summoning engraving. I couldn't kill them on the ship because their ships would be released.
But I had only taken their equipment and left them behind because we needed help with the repairs…
"We'll get on…"
"Yes, me too…"
They sighed and headed towards the ship as I stared at them.
But…
"Stop."
"…?"
"You two can't come with us."
They weren't skilled enough to join us.
Thud.
They stopped, blocked by my shoulder, and looked at me with a strange expression.
"So… we're staying here…?"
They looked conflicted, as if they didn't know whether to be happy or sad.
But one of them was quick-witted.
"…Please take us with you. We'll be useful."
Hmm, maybe he would be…
But I didn't change my mind.
"Just rest here."
"Damn it…!"
Damn it, how common.
It was probably the most common last words I had heard since coming to this world.
Crack, crack!
I crushed their heads and threw their bodies into the sea. The sea monsters would take care of them.
Now, let's go.
Splash, splash.
I walked through the blood-stained water, climbed the rope ladder, and boarded the ship.
Everyone else was already on board.
"…!"
The navigator, who had witnessed his former companions being abandoned, trembled as our eyes met.
Geez, he's so easily scared.
'Well, it's good to be a bit tense.'
I patted his shoulder and then took out the map of the eastern sea that they had.
I pointed at a spot with my finger.
"We're going here—"
"Of course!"
He answered immediately before I could even finish my sentence.
It was a satisfying attitude for a subordinate.
Right, a subordinate should be positive.
Well, I'll have to fix his habit of interrupting.
Thud, thud.
I walked to the bow of the ship after seeing the navigator take his position at the helm.
And I shouted,
"Set sail!!"
I've always wanted to do that.
____________________
The navigator was like a bed.
He improved my quality of life.
"You're saying we don't have to stop at any islands?"
"Yes! Only unskilled navigators island-hop to confirm their location!"
He answered enthusiastically, not forgetting to promote himself.
"But I want to stop at these islands."
"Then I'll create a new route!"
"Oh, you're useful."
"Thank you! I'll engrave your words in my heart! Forever!"
The navigator quickly created a new route and started sailing.
But could it be that the mage didn't like it?
"Tsk."
He clicked his tongue, looking at the navigator.
What, is he saying he's different?
Mages always have to be superior.
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
The ship sailed through the vast ocean, cutting through the wind.
Erwen and I set up folding chairs and a parasol on the deck and relaxed.
'This is how you sail.'
Our previous ship didn't have this kind of space, and I had to constantly check our location and help Amelia.
A navigator made a world of difference.
"Emily, why don't you come and rest?"
"…I'm good."
"Why?"
"…Just…"
I tried to call Amelia over, but she just went back to her spot without even answering properly.
For reference, her spot was next to the navigator.
I watched them for a moment, and Amelia was observing the navigator as he steered the ship.
"Wait, why did you turn the wheel like that?"
"Ah, the sail is slightly tilted, see? It's called an angled wind, and you have to slightly adjust the wheel when…"
Amelia was asking questions and actively engaging in conversation with the navigator.
She even had that look in her eyes.
She was listening intently, nodding her head.
I chuckled.
'No wonder she looked a bit disappointed when I said I would let her sail the ship from now on.'
It seemed like she enjoyed steering the ship.
Well, she would deny it if I asked.
She would probably say she was just learning the skills for emergencies.
Anyway, time flew by.
It was a peaceful journey.
We sailed with the wind, stopped at islands when the navigator said we had arrived, killed monsters, and then moved on to the next island.
Amelia diligently learned navigation, and Erwen and I fished to kill time.
I found some fishing rods on the ship.
It's good to experience everything.
You never know, we might have to rely on fishing for food someday.
"Oh! I got a big one!"
Surprisingly, you could catch something even on a moving ship if you left the fishing rod out.
"Wow… you're amazing, mister."
Most of the things we caught were ordinary fish.
Well, to be precise, they were 0-grade monsters, like the Deadmen we hunted in the Crimson Fortress.
They didn't drop magic stones or essences when killed, and their bodies didn't disappear.
But…
"It's a Sea Horned Lizard!"
…occasionally, we would catch a monster.
That was why I couldn't stop fishing.
[Sea Horned Lizard defeated. EXP +4]
Monsters that only appeared in the sea were difficult to encounter, let alone hunt.
It was a profitable hobby.
Anyway, we continued our peaceful journey east and left the starting area.
I heard Amelia and the navigator talking.
"Do you know why the compass stops working from here?"
"Well, there's a story about a Sea God who plays pranks on explorers who enter his territory, but it's probably just a myth."
Hmm, is the Sea God Leviathan?
I would have to kill him someday…
"Anyway, it's difficult to navigate from here, so the navigator's skills are crucial. This is where most novice navigators hit a wall."
"Then how do you find your way?"
"The stars, the sun, the temperature, the weather… they're all clues. Of course, experience is the most important."
"That's fascinating. Can you tell me more?"
"Of course. Ah, we've caught the wind. Do you want to try steering the ship?"
"…Is that okay?"
"Of course. I'll help you if you need it."
"Okay…"
When did Amelia get so close to the navigator?
Is she trying to recruit him?
'…Amelia wouldn't do that.'
I chuckled and then took a nap. When I woke up, the wind had stopped.
We were in a windless zone, one of the special areas in the Great Ocean.
"It's most convenient to use the mana propulsion device here."
We passed through the windless zone using the magic stones we had accumulated, without having to row.
Ah, for reference, we had replaced the propulsion device Erwen destroyed, not repaired it. The other three ships also had propulsion devices.
We took all three of them and installed them on our ship.
It seemed like we needed three small propulsion devices to match the original output since our ship was a mid-sized vessel.
"There's wind!"
After two days of sailing through the windless zone, we reached an area filled with reefs.
The Grand Rock, the easternmost region of the sea, where 99% of the islands were either rocky or volcanic.
I smiled, looking at the sea, which had its own unique charm.
'We actually made it here after finding a navigator.'
It was time to explore the Submerged Island, Atlante.
-x-X-x-
The Submerged Island, Atlante.
It was located in the Grand Rock, the easternmost region of the 6th floor, and it was the place where I could obtain my second core essence after [Gigantification].
It wasn't difficult to reach.
You needed a ship that could sail to the Grand Rock.
The ability to freely dive deep into the sea, whether it was through magic, spirits, or skills.
And most importantly, the patience to endure repetitive tasks.
Those three things were all you needed to reach Atlante.
'Time to grind.'
We entered the Grand Rock and carefully navigated the ship, avoiding the reefs and searching the area.
There was something we had to do before we could reach the Submerged Island, hidden beneath the easternmost region…
"Um… do you happen to know where we're going…?"
The navigator couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, and I hesitated for a moment before answering.
I didn't see the point in hiding it anymore.
"Huh? A red rock island…?"
The navigator tilted his head at my answer.
"Yes, big enough for about twenty people to stand on."
Three red rock islands were randomly generated in the Grand Rock every time the labyrinth opened. And we had to complete the unlock event on all three islands to reveal the hidden Submerged Island.
"…Okay."
Surprisingly, the navigator didn't question my orders.
"So that's where we're going."
It seemed like he knew about the Submerged Island event.
He must be an experienced navigator.
"Then I'll focus on searching and create the most efficient route."
"I'll leave it to you."
The navigator, who now knew my goal, steered the ship with a more proactive attitude, and we found the rock island we were looking for on Day 4.
Splash.
A flat rock island, partially submerged in water.
We went to the center of the island and checked a crevice, and there were ostrich egg-sized eggs neatly arranged inside.
"Eggs? What do we do with these?"
Erwen, who was right behind me, asked curiously, and I chuckled.
That's how hidden elements in [Dungeon and Stone] work.
Crack!
If it looks suspicious, you break it.
That's what exploration is all about.
____________________
「The character has destroyed the Mermal's nest.」
____________________
After smashing all the eggs, we waited.
"Something's coming."
"Huh?"
"Prepare for battle!"
As soon as I shouted, sea monsters started emerging from beneath the rock island.
Well, were they really 'sea monsters'?
Splash.
I scanned the monster that was glaring at us, holding a trident.
It was bipedal and had human-like proportions.
But its blue skin resembled scales, and its shiny skin was covered in glowing tattoos.
And it was wearing clothes and had various hairstyles, unlike the other monsters, which all looked the same.
Well, its intelligence was probably no different from other monsters.
[Kyaaaaaaaaaak!]
A savage howl that sounded like gibberish.
The monsters, which had surrounded us, all charged towards us at once.
And…
「Mermal defeated. EXP +3」
「Mermal Warrior defeated. EXP +3」
「Mermal Archer defeated. EXP +3」
「Mermal Shaman defeated. EXP +3」
「Mermal Great Warrior defeated. EXP +4」
We gained a lot of new experience points, thanks to their diverse classes.
The battle itself wasn't that difficult.
Hundreds of monsters were attacking, but their average level was below 6.
Crack, crack, crack!
I attracted most of the aggro with [Gigantification], and we were able to clear them all without any casualties.
But could it be that our performance was impressive?
"To think you did that against these monsters… It's no wonder you're in that state."
The mage muttered in disbelief, and the navigator nodded in agreement.
Damn it, there's no point in regretting it now.
"Mage, gather the magic stones if you have time to talk."
"…Alright."
We used the mage to gather the magic stones scattered around after the battle ended.
"An essence dropped. What should we do with it?"
"Leave it. It's not worth much."
"...."
A Mermal essence had dropped, but we didn't bother taking it.
We had a mage, and he even had a test tube, but it wasn't cost-effective.
We couldn't waste our two test tubes on this—
Rumble.
What the…
Why is the ground shaking?
"Mister?"
"Wait a minute."
We stopped and observed the situation as we were about to board the ship. The tremor, which was traveling through the water, lasted for about a minute and then stopped, as if nothing had happened.
But I think I knew the reason.
「An underwater city has emerged from the depths of the sea.」
Someone had already cleared another rock island.
Then we didn't have to waste time finding the other two.
"Is this good luck or bad luck…"
I couldn't tell.
We had saved time, but the fact that the events on the other two islands had already been completed meant only one thing.
There was another competitor who was after the Submerged Island.
Of course, it wasn't 100% certain yet.
Maybe they just cleared the event on their way to another location.
But…
'I'll find out when we get there.'
I decided to think about it later.
I had no intention of changing my plans, even if there was another competitor.
'So, what about the members…'
I thought about it one last time, but I concluded that it was best to take everyone.
We needed someone to store the essences in test tubes if they dropped.
I had to take the mage.
And I also had to take Erwen, who could breathe underwater, and Amelia, who was a Guide.
Well, I didn't need the navigator…
'But it would be unsettling to leave him alone.'
"Mage, you said you could use underwater breathing magic, right?"
"Yes, but…"
"How long can you maintain it?"
"For how many people?"
"Three, including you."
Erwen and I could breathe underwater with [Elemental Barbarian], so we just needed to cover Amelia.
We could also use the water spirit to help her breathe, but it was better to conserve our resources.
"About four hours, if I don't cast any other spells."
"That's shorter than I expected, but it should be enough. Everyone, get ready. We're going down."
"...."
The navigator and the mage nodded, gulping nervously.
Geez, they're so dramatic.
They're not even going to fight.
Splash.
I jumped into the water first.
I didn't feel any discomfort, even though we were underwater, since I was linked to Erwen through [Elemental Barbarian].
And my vision was clear, as if I was wearing goggles.
Whoosh.
My body, which was naturally buoyant, quickly sank to the bottom.
I looked up and saw Amelia following us.
She had tied a rope to the navigator and the mage and was holding it like reins.
Ah, for reference, the navigator's feet were shackled with heavy iron chains.
Thud!
My feet touched the ground after about ten minutes of descending. Amelia and the others soon arrived.
Click.
It was pitch black, so I activated the Light Gem and attached it to my helmet.
I hadn't turned it on before because monsters would attack if they saw the light while we were descending.
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
The light only illuminated a small area.
Whoosh, whoosh.
I couldn't speak, even though I could breathe, so I gestured for them to follow me.
We were in the dark depths of the sea, where even compasses didn't work.
But finding our destination wasn't difficult.
We had Amelia, the Guide.
「Deep Diver defeated. EXP +4」
「Sea Worm defeated. EXP +3」
「Shell Armor defeated. EXP +4」
「Mad Clopter defeated. EXP +5」
「Marimore defeated… 」
We killed various sea monsters as we traveled, and after about two hours…
…we reached our destination.
A submerged and ruined city.
We entered the city, and the remaining pillars emitted light, illuminating the surroundings.
Swaaaaaaaaaa…
[Wow…]
Erwen, the only one who could speak freely, gasped.
I felt the same way, even though I couldn't express it.
'It's really magnificent in 3D.'
It felt like a real adventure. It would have been even more thrilling if I had stumbled upon this place without knowing anything about it.
Whoosh, whoosh.
We passed through the deserted ruins and climbed the stairs, entering the temple.
And…
[Huh…?]
…we arrived at a small room at the top of the pyramid-shaped temple.
Erwen's eyes widened in surprise.
[It's a portal…?]
Ah, didn't I tell you?
I had expected her to know, considering I had Amelia, the Guide, lead the way.
I just shrugged and entered the portal since I couldn't answer anyway.
「Character has entered Atlante.」
I hope the essence drops on the first try.
____________________
The Submerged Island, Atlante.
A hidden island you could reach by diving into the deep sea after clearing the rock island event.
Unlike ordinary islands, you had to go through a portal, but that didn't mean it was a 'rift'.
There was no Guardian.
The drop rate was the same as outside.
And there were no rift stones or Numbered Items.
So I called it a hidden field.
Lalkas's Maze, where I first encountered the Dragonslayer, and the Otherworld, which I entered with the mirror I obtained after killing Milalorden on the 5th floor, were prime examples.
「Field effect - Atlante activated.」
「Status effect [Hyperventilation] applied.」
「Character is not affected by water, but all resource consumption is doubled.」
「Status effect [Challenger] applied.」
「Character cannot escape during battle.」
As expected of a special field, changes occurred as soon as we entered.
A red aura shimmered on the ground beneath my feet.
'That's the 'Challenger' effect…'
And although [Hyperventilation] didn't have a visual effect, it was already active.
I could talk properly now.
"You can deactivate [Elemental Barbarian] now."
Phew, I can finally breathe.
It was frustrating to communicate with hand gestures.
[Huh? But…]
Erwen hesitated.
[Huh? Mister, you can talk underwater?]
"I told you, didn't I? You can deactivate it."
[This is a strange place…]
Erwen deactivated [Elemental Barbarian], and the mage, after glancing at me, also dispelled his underwater breathing spell.
"This feels strange. I'm clearly underwater, but I don't feel any discomfort. And I can move freely, just like on land."
Amelia, as always, started examining her condition as soon as the environment changed.
"This is the Submerged Island, Atlante…"
"I've been on the 6th floor for over ten years, but this is my first time here…"
The mage and the navigator also expressed their admiration.
But then they seemed to get nervous.
"Um… what should we do now? We won't be much help in battle…"
The navigator cautiously asked for my opinion, and I chuckled and gave them an order.
"All four of you, wait here and then slowly follow me in five minutes."
"…Huh?"
The navigator tilted his head, confused, and the mage frowned.
And…
"Schuitz, you said 3rd-grade monsters appear here, right?"
"Yes. That's right. Even you… can't handle it alone…"
Amelia and Erwen expressed their concerns.
It was an understandable reaction.
The Submerged Island was one of the most difficult areas on the 6th floor.
And there were so many monsters that it was usually cleared by an expedition force.
But…
"Just listen to me. Have you ever seen me do anything dangerous?"
"…No."
"You would be hard-pressed to find an example."
…Damn it, that's embarrassing.
"Anyway, I'm saying there's no need to worry. Just because we can breathe and talk doesn't mean we're not underwater."
"Well… that's true."
"Call me if you're in danger! Okay?"
Erwen and Amelia finally let me go after I gave them a plausible explanation.
Okay, persuasion complete.
Thud, thud.
I slowly descended the stairs from the portal.
And the moment I stepped off the last step…
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
…dozens of red eyes gleamed in the darkness beyond the Light Gem's reach.
They were Sea God Stones, monsters that appeared in the early stages of Atlante.
For reference, they were 5th-grade.
They were tower-type monsters that couldn't move from their designated location, but they had high Physical Resistance and a slow but powerful long-range attack…
Thud.
…but I just stood there in the middle of them.
There was no need to draw my weapon.
This was much more efficient.
「Reflects 30% of the received damage to the enemy.」
「Reflects 30% of the received damage to the enemy.」
「Reflects 30% of the received damage to the enemy.」
「Natural Regeneration has reached its maximum due to the passive skill [Origin].」
「Powerful Luck.」
「Reflects 150% of the received damage to the enemy.」
[Gachaat—!!]
「Sea God Stone defeated. EXP +5」
Now, let's start the free exp grind.
-x-X-x-
The Submerged Island, Atlante.
In fact, this was the most difficult part of raising a Shield Barbarian.
It wasn't called the second core essence for nothing.
Usually, by the time you reached this point, you would only have 4th-grade or lower essences.
It was impossible to obtain Stormgush's [Origin], Bion's [Transcendence], and Gachabon's [Risk] beforehand.
So, it was impossible to solo this area, even after dying and being reborn. You had to gather suitable companions and prepare thoroughly before entering.
Only after absorbing the essence from this area would your combat power increase dramatically, allowing you to start looting 3rd-grade essences.
'But somehow, the order has been reversed.'
Looking back, it all started with the Ogre essence.
I was lucky enough to obtain a high-grade essence early on, and that accelerated my growth like a snowball.
Like this.
「Mermal Priest defeated. EXP +6」
「Ravitor defeated. EXP +5」
「Underwater Guardian defeated. EXP +4」
「Nagakullos defeated...」
「...」
I just had to run and attract the monsters' aggro, and the experience points flowed in. It felt like I was practically speedrunning the area.
Of course, I had to take breaks in between.
Even I couldn't have infinite MP.
Especially not in this area with the [Hyperventilation] status effect, which doubled resource consumption.
"Mister!"
After a short break, my companions caught up to me, having gathered the magic stones.
"There's an essence here. What do you want to do with it?"
"Leave it."
The Mermal Priest was a 4th-grade monster, so it would be valuable if it dropped an essence... but I had already confirmed that it didn't.
There was no reason to waste our two test tubes on an unknown essence. It would be a slight gain if it was 5th-grade, but a loss if it was 6th-grade.
"Schuitz, how far have we come?"
"We're over halfway there."
"We've been moving in a straight line since entering this area. Is there a reason for that?"
"We can take care of the outer monsters later."
While I was talking to Amelia, Erwen chimed in.
"Ah, you're doing this because of the competitor you mentioned, right?"
It was a bit ambiguous.
Usually, I prioritized solving the most important tasks first.
But...
"Yeah, it's a possibility."
I couldn't deny that it had influenced my decision.
Atlante wasn't a rift.
Once the portal was opened, it remained open until the labyrinth closed, allowing explorers to freely enter and exit.
"What will you do if you encounter them?"
"Well..."
I answered instinctively and then continued,
"If they attack, we fight. If not, we just pass by."
"I see..."
Amelia nodded with a dubious expression.
I was about to move on, but I couldn't help but ask,
"You seem to have something to say."
"I was just thinking about what you would prefer."
"Prefer?"
"It's exactly what it sounds like."
"...?"
I stared at her, demanding a clearer explanation, and Amelia cautiously asked,
"Schuitz, aren't you hoping that they'll attack first?"
As soon as she said that, I felt a strange sense of recognition. And countless reasons to defend myself came to mind.
But I held back and asked again,
"Why would you think that?"
"It's not sudden. I've been thinking about it for a while, seeing how you act."
Amelia shrugged and glanced at the navigator and the mage.
I followed her gaze, and they quickly looked away, pretending not to have heard.
I couldn't understand.
"Why would you say that? Are you saying I should have let those guys who attacked me go?"
Amelia shook her head frantically at my slightly offended tone.
"That's not what I meant. It's just..."
"Just?"
"...Never mind. It was a silly thought."
Amelia dismissed the conversation and stepped back, and I didn't press her further.
Of course, I wasn't completely uninterested.
What was the unspoken thought hidden behind her words?
I couldn't know since she didn't answer.
But...
[Have you ever thought about it? You kill anyone who gets in your way, you kill anyone you suspect, and whenever you meet someone new, you're worried they might attack you. Human lives... they feel like game characters to you. You're a complete psychopath.]
I suddenly remembered a conversation I had with Lee Baekho.
It was a relatable statement back then, but it felt different now.
Especially the part about human lives feeling like game characters.
[Crack!]
One swing of my hammer, and a person dies.
Of course, the targets were always those I deemed worthy of death.
But...
[I-I'm sorry! Please spare me!]
The man I first killed.
When I killed Hans A, it wasn't like this.
Back then, I felt a psychological resistance. I had to constantly convince myself that it was something I had to do.
It was the same for a while after that.
I no longer hesitated, but I still felt a lingering unease.
It was the same even after returning to the city.
The expressions and gazes of those I killed would come to mind, forcing me to take cold showers and deliberately clear my head.
Yes, that was me back then.
But now?
'What did the captain of that ship look like?'
I couldn't even remember the face of the man I had killed just a few days ago.
The only things that came to mind were his equipment, the valuables he had, and the thrill I felt when I obtained them.
Was I getting used to it?
Or was I slowly changing?
"Mister, what are you thinking about?"
"It's nothing. We'll move again in about 30 minutes, so you should rest too."
I lay down on the muddy ground without hesitation and looked up.
The endless darkness of the labyrinth, stretching beyond the reach of the Light Gem's glow.
It was strange.
7th floor, 8th floor, 9th floor, 10th floor.
Only four floors remained.
If I just passed through them, I could return to the modern world through the Gate of the Abyss.
But...
Even though I had climbed much higher than when I was struggling to survive on the 1st and 2nd floors...
That place felt even further away.
_______________________
After a 30-minute break to replenish our MP, we continued our exploration of Atlante.
I would go first and clear the area, and then the others would follow behind and gather the magic stones.
'If we kill all the outer monsters, we'll make a fortune just from the magic stones.'
I chuckled to myself.
It was a bit funny.
No matter how much we earned from the magic stones, it wouldn't compare to the loot from the previous battle.
Three ships, albeit damaged, and over ten sets of high-grade equipment. It was a level of profit that could never be achieved by just hunting monsters.
「Powerful Luck.」
「Reflects 150% of the received damage to the enemy.」
The last monster that had been persistently following me finally disappeared into particles of light after a critical hit.
And...
'We're already at the boss room?'
We had reached the heart of Atlante.
A vast open space with dozens of massive pillars arranged in a circle.
And in the center of those pillars lay a giant egg.
A blue egg, several times larger than my [Gigantification] form.
'It looks exactly like the egg in the game.'
I chuckled at the thought.
「Character has witnessed a part of the myth.」
Suddenly, my heart pounded, and a sense of fulfillment filled me.
「Achievement Unlocked」
Condition: Mythical Discovery (1/5)
Reward: Soul Power permanently increased by +10.
What? My MP increased?
If this was real, it meant the 'achievement' system was also active...
'Then I must have unlocked quite a few mental achievements by now.'
I wasn't sure because mental stats didn't show any noticeable changes, but I would have to start achievement hunting next time.
There were some useful achievements from the 7th floor onwards.
'...I should have brought the others.'
I briefly regretted it, but I decided to confirm it next time.
The essence drop rate was low on the first try anyway.
I could do it next time.
Besides, I didn't even know if the achievement system applied to the natives.
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
As I stepped inside the circle of pillars, a giant whirlpool appeared, blocking the exit.
It was a pointless effect, in my opinion.
With the [Challenger] status effect, I couldn't even think about escaping.
Thud.
As I walked towards the egg in the center, the whirlpool outside the pillars raged even more fiercely, as if the sea itself was angry.
And...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ground shook with deafening roars at regular intervals.
The roars were getting closer...
Boom!
As soon as the tremors stopped, I looked up.
Two piercing blue eyes glared down at me from the darkness.
A 3rd-grade monster, the Deep Sea Giant.
You could only encounter this monster on the 9th floor, except for Atlante. Of course, by then, they would be roaming in packs, their weaknesses hidden, making them much more difficult to hunt.
[Serkima Dio Merder.]
Just like in the game, the giant spoke in an incomprehensible language.
I couldn't tell what it meant when I just read the text...
But I could feel the disdain in its voice.
Therefore...
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
I activated [Gigantification] and charged forward, shouting my ancestor god's name.
There was no one else here anyway.
Tadat.
Ah, of course, I wasn't charging towards the giant.
I was heading for the egg in the center.
That was the key to defeating this monster.
Thump!
The egg pulsed, as if it were alive.
Or rather, was it a heart that looked like an egg?
Boom!
I swung my Demon Crusher at the heart with all my might.
The giant roared and slammed its hand down, but I quickly dodged.
[Risk] only reflected damage from skills that consumed resources.
There was no reason to tank a normal attack.
「Deep Sea Giant has cast [Blade Torrent].」
As soon as its attack missed, the giant cast a skill.
Hundreds of water jets, sharp like bullets, shot towards me in a straight line.
I had to tank this...
「Powerful Luck.」
「Reflects 150% of the received damage to the enemy.」
What? A critical hit from the start?
[Gachaaat!]
I shielded my vital points and took the hit, and a skeleton appeared behind me, shouting triumphantly.
And...
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
A torrent of water, much thicker than the one the giant had unleashed, shot back at the giant.
[Groaaaaar!]
The giant staggered, as if it had taken significant damage.
It then swung its hand again.
Normally, I would have dodged...
Boom!
But I had already absorbed several 3rd-grade essences.
'I can tank this.'
I blocked the attack with my shield.
The damage transferred to my bones was quickly healed by [Origin].
「Deep Sea Giant has cast [Life Spring].」
The giant then used one of its signature skills to heal itself.
It drew life force from the heart to replenish its HP.
On the 9th floor, the Deep Sea Giants didn't have their hearts exposed like this.
This allowed them to boast incredible regeneration, making them worthy of their 3rd-grade status.
Well, it was meaningless here.
There was a reason why I always chose this monster as my first 3rd-grade essence.
Thump.
The heart pulsed weakly, much smaller than before.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
I didn't even bother dodging its attacks anymore and just hammered away at the heart.
The giant retaliated with various skills, but they were all reflected back at it, dealing even more damage.
And...
「Deep Sea Giant has cast [Life Spring].」
The cycle repeated.
The heart transferred life force to the body, and its defenses weakened.
After several repetitions...
Thump.
I swung my hammer at the heart, now several times smaller than before.
And right after...
Crack!
I experienced both good and bad news simultaneously.
「Deep Sea Giant defeated. EXP +7」
The good news was that I had easily defeated a 3rd-grade monster.
And the second good news was...
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
The essence had dropped on the first try.
But this is where the bad news started.
'Damn it.'
The essence had dropped, but it wasn't the color I wanted.
Well, it didn't really matter in this situation.
I looked past the disappearing whirlpool and saw a figure standing there.
"...?"
Impeccably dressed in casual clothes, a stark contrast to the usual labyrinth attire.
Pale skin and a slender build, exuding an air of sophistication.
And platinum blonde hair, neatly styled in a pompadour.
"Wow, you really killed it alone?"
An unexpected encounter awaited me.
-x-X-x-
What the hell is he doing here?
Initially, I couldn't even process the situation.
Thump, thump, thump.
My heart pounded even harder than when I was fighting the Deep Sea Giant, and my head felt like it had been slammed by an 8-ton truck.
I only came to my senses when he spoke.
"Wow, you really killed it alone?"
Even though we had only spoken a few times, I could never forget his voice and tone.
'Lee Baekho.'
As I finally registered the reality of the situation, I noticed the old man standing next to him.
'The Ruin Scholar.'
There were two of them.
'I thought they were enemies... now they're companions with Baekho?'
My mind raced.
Forget being companions, what were they doing here? Were they after me? No, what happened to Erwen and Amelia?
I had told them to wait until I returned.
"That's strange. I've never heard of anyone like you."
"Not heard of him? You know that guy who was making headlines recently?"
The Ruin Scholar cut Baekho off, and he nodded with an 'Ah!' expression.
"Right, that's him. He looks similar, too."
"We can't be sure yet, but..."
"We can find out. Hey, are you that Schuitz guy?"
It was unbelievably rude for a first-time encounter, but I actually felt relieved.
'...They weren't specifically looking for me.'
Lee Baekho's target wasn't me.
And if that was the case...
'Their target must be this space itself.'
I had been wary of the 'competitor' who had cleared the rock island event.
Maybe it was them.
'Then this encounter was purely coincidental...'
I was lost in thought when...
"Aren't you going to answer?"
Damn, he's so rude.
"How about you reveal your identity first?"
He smirked, as if he liked my defiant tone.
"Lee Baekho. You?"
"You can probably guess."
"Wow, it's amazing to meet a celebrity here."
"Celebrity?"
"I heard you fought four of Noark's guys at once? And that you fell from the sky? And that the Blood Spirit Marquis is obsessed with you? Of course you'd be famous."
I couldn't deny it.
The higher you climbed in the labyrinth, the smaller the population became.
On the 7th floor, everyone knew each other, so the appearance of a nameless, faceless powerhouse would naturally attract attention.
"Wait, does that mean the Blood Spirit Marquis is here too?"
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen the mage. They probably didn't run into each other because of the teleportation magic."
I breathed a sigh of relief at their conversation.
It meant Erwen and Amelia were safe.
"So, what's your business?"
I asked as I slowly walked towards the essence. If a fight broke out, I would absorb it immediately.
It would be helpful, even if it wasn't the color I wanted.
"Stop right there."
Lee Baekho spoke in a playful tone.
"Don't touch the essence."
'Essence?'
It was a clue that could help me analyze the situation.
Lee Baekho's target was the Deep Sea Giant's essence.
Normally, that would be the end of my deduction... but my survival instincts, honed by countless battles, wouldn't let me ignore the inconsistency.
'Why would he come all the way here for an essence he could easily obtain on the 9th floor?'
There were two possibilities.
[You cleared the 10x version, right? Maybe you'll be as strong as me in 10 years. I've already reached my limit...]
Unlike what he had said before, maybe he wasn't that strong yet.
Or maybe he couldn't go to the 9th floor.
Thud.
I stopped walking.
I didn't want to provoke him by getting any closer.
But...
"This is my loot."
I couldn't just obey his orders.
I had to assert myself.
I spoke in a slightly aggressive tone, and Lee Baekho raised his hand, as if telling me to calm down.
"Whoa, whoa, why so sensitive? I just stopped because I thought we could make a deal."
"A deal?"
"Yeah, I need that red essence. If you don't need it, how about we trade?"
It was hard to believe.
I couldn't help but ask,
"Why would you want to trade?"
Lee Baekho's attitude was clearly condescending.
But then why was he offering a deal?
There was a much easier way.
"You want me to just kill you and take it?"
Lee Baekho gave an unexpected answer.
"Honestly, I'm pissed that I came all the way here for nothing... but you didn't cheat or anything, and it'd be pathetic to whine about you getting here first."
"...What if I refuse?"
"Well? I'll just come back later."
It was a perfectly reasonable response.
I couldn't help but be speechless, but it wasn't that hard to understand.
His ultimate goal was to return to Earth.
He must have drawn a line somewhere.
Just like I had in the past.
"Fine."
It was surprisingly peaceful.
I had expected a fight, but it seemed like it wouldn't come to that.
The offer itself wasn't bad either.
"What will you give me in exchange for the essence?"
He thought for a moment and then placed an item on the trade window.
"A Deep Sea Giant essence."
"...?"
"I've been farming them lately. I have blue and green..."
What?
I immediately cut him off.
"Green."
Another piece of good news.
At least for now.
______________________
"What, you wanted that?"
"The green one is more expensive. And we can save on the cost of a test tube."
Lee Baekho nodded, as if he understood, and took out a test tube from his subspace pocket.
"But how do I know it's really a Deep Sea Giant essence?"
"If I was going to scam you, I wouldn't have offered a deal."
He glared at me as if he was offended by my suspicion.
"So, are we trading or not?"
"...I'll trust you."
As soon as I agreed, Lee Baekho tossed the test tube towards me.
It was a concept I still couldn't understand, throwing a test tube...
But I caught it.
"Okay, move aside. The old man is scaring me."
I stepped aside, and the Ruin Scholar approached the test tube and inserted the essence.
The deal was done.
'He didn't obtain it for himself. Then he must be planning to give it to a companion.'
I observed them quietly, thinking, and Lee Baekho spoke to me.
"Schuitz, right?"
"Yes."
"You're back to your usual self? Just be comfortable."
"This is comfortable."
"Whatever. I have a question for you."
He got straight to the point.
"Are you Bjorn Yandel?"
This guy really doesn't have a reverse gear.
Thump!
My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my composure.
I just responded with a question, as if I had heard something strange.
"Why would you ask that?"
"A nameless, faceless guy suddenly appears, and the Blood Spirit Marquis calls him 'mister' and follows him around? That's a bit suspicious, don't you think?"
It was a reasonable question.
Even the Round Table members had suspected me for the same reason.
"So, what's your answer?"
He stared at me intently.
I knew what he was doing.
'He's using a lie detector.'
Lee Baekho had a lie detection skill.
'If I stay silent, he'll interpret it however he wants. He might even get aggressive.'
I quickly analyzed the situation.
There were two possible lie detection skills that Lee Baekho could have.
One could distinguish between truth and lies, and the other could only detect lies.
Some might think they were the same...
But they were different.
I had Auril Gabis' gift.
If it was the latter, and the skill didn't react to my answer... he would believe me.
'...I might even be able to figure out what essence he has.'
I didn't hesitate.
"I'm not Bjorn Yandel."
I met his gaze and answered, and he chuckled.
"Really? Too bad."
His tone and expression suggested he didn't doubt my answer at all.
Thanks to that, I could figure out one of the essences he had.
If it was the former, he wouldn't have been so easily convinced.
He would have been suspicious, wondering why his skill didn't react.
'I had a hunch from our previous conversation, but this confirms it.'
This gave me an advantage in our future interactions.
But I wasn't satisfied yet.
"Can I ask you a question too?"
"Sure, give and take."
"..."
"Yeah, you can ask."
I had earned a question.
I hesitated for a moment.
"Aren't you going to ask?"
There were countless questions I wanted to ask.
What was he planning to do with the Stone of Resurrection?
Why was he companions with the Ruin Scholar?
And...
[That woman is one of Lee Baekho's companions now.]
How did Misha become his companion?
Where was she now?
What had he done to her?
"..."
I swallowed all those questions.
If I asked, he would become even more interested in me.
It wasn't the right time.
I didn't even know how he would react if I revealed my true identity.
I didn't know what his plans were.
So...
"Lee Baekho."
I called his name.
And as he smiled, seemingly pleased that I had pronounced it correctly, I asked,
"Since we're talking about Bjorn Yandel..."
"Yeah?"
"Why did you spread the rumor that he's an evil spirit?"
Lee Baekho's smile faded.
"You already knew who I was, didn't you?"
"Of course. You're famous."
"Really? Well, I guess everyone knows by now."
He was briefly surprised, but he didn't seem suspicious.
"So... the Blood Spirit Marquis found out that I was the one who spread the rumor?"
"That's right. So, what's your answer?"
He thought for a moment, tapping his fingers on his waist.
And as he was about to answer...
"They're coming."
The Ruin Scholar, who had finished transferring the essence, spoke up.
Lee Baekho's expression changed.
"Really? Then we should get out of here."
"Do we have to?"
"Yeah, the old man will be pissed. And Meowmeow told me not to mess with her former companions."
"...Okay, let's use the Multiple Teleportation spell."
I felt relieved at their conversation.
But also angry.
'Meowmeow' must have been referring to Misha.
The realization that Misha had become Lee Baekho's companion hit me hard.
But...
"Wait."
I suppressed my emotions and spoke.
"You haven't answered my question yet."
"Ah, right. You asked why I spread the rumor?"
Lee Baekho looked at the Ruin Scholar, and he sighed and nodded.
I felt a strange sense of familiarity from that sigh.
It felt like I had seen it somewhere before...
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
A blue magic circle appeared, centered on the Ruin Scholar.
'What?'
It was so sudden that I couldn't process it.
'Are they ambushing us?'
That possibility flashed through my mind.
"Ah! Come on, old man!"
Lee Baekho shouted in his usual dramatic tone.
"We're in the middle of a conversation, and you activate the teleportation spell? Now I can't answer!"
"..."
"Schuitz, right? Sorry, I'll tell you next time. It's not because I don't want to answer, really. Okay? Okay—"
Flash!
Lee Baekho's voice vanished as a bright light engulfed the room.
I was speechless.
It was so absurd that I couldn't even be angry.
Clench.
Yeah, he was Korean too.
I had been played.
'Wait...'
I quickly came to my senses and smashed the test tube.
「Character's soul has absorbed the [Deep Sea Giant's Essence].」
...Thankfully, the essence was real.
-x-X-x-
"Mister!!"
Erwen appeared in the distance as soon as I finished checking the essence. She was bringing the remaining members with her.
It seemed like they came because I wasn't returning.
But I told them to wait.
"Are you done? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Erwen reached me first and checked my body for injuries, worried.
Amelia was standing a distance away with the mage and the navigator, making sure they couldn't hear our conversation.
But...
'She's really trying her best to keep them alive.'
That's what I felt from Amelia's actions.
Maybe sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
The more they knew about us, the lower their chances of survival.
She was trying to protect them by keeping them in the dark.
And maybe that's why she sent the two of them away earlier.
'Anyway, it seems like they don't even know that Baekho and the Ruin Scholar were here.'
Thankfully, they had followed my orders and waited.
Or maybe it was fortunate they didn't?
If a fight had broken out, having more allies would have been better. With the [Challenger] field effect active, we couldn't escape during battle.
Erwen and Amelia were no longer just companions I had to protect.
They were capable fighters who could hold their own.
"We felt a strong magic wave on the way here. What was that?"
Erwen cautiously asked about the multiple teleportation magic.
I thought for a moment and decided to lie.
"I don't know."
"Really? Well... I heard that special magic waves occur in rifts and such."
As expected, she didn't question me.
She must have thought it was normal in a special field with little information. Or maybe she just trusted me completely.
It made me feel a bit guilty.
But...
'This is better.'
The Ruin Scholar was the one who killed Erwen's sister.
Not just as an accomplice, but directly. If I told her about Lee Baekho, I would have to mention the Ruin Scholar as well...
There was no need to unnecessarily shake her mental state.
'And there's no reason to talk about Lee Baekho if I'm not going to tell her about the Ruin Scholar.'
After a short conversation with Erwen, Amelia approached us with the mage and navigator.
She asked, omitting the subject,
"Schuitz, did you get what you wanted?"
"Yeah, I was lucky."
I decided to explain the details of the trade later.
__________________
After the conversation ended, we resumed our exploration.
We hadn't had time to visit the other areas because we came straight here.
There would be plenty of monsters in the other areas.
Some I hadn't encountered yet, some with valuable essences.
So...
Thud.
I took a step forward.
"I'll go first. Follow me."
The hunting method was the same as before.
I would clear the path, and they would follow behind and collect the magic stones.
But...
'I should test out my new essence.'
I had obtained a new essence, so it was time to experiment.
I still wasn't used to the increased stats.
'It's definitely 3rd-grade. The stat increase is noticeable.'
The Deep Sea Giant's essence had some unique stats, making it even more unfamiliar.
[Deep Sea Giant]
Strength +55, Physical Resistance +35, Natural Regeneration +35, Magic Resistance +35, Darkness Resistance +55, Endurance +40, Adaptability +70
The physical stats were evenly distributed, typical for a 3rd-grade essence, and they were all valuable.
But they weren't particularly rare.
They were good stats, but you could find them in most essences.
'Adaptability' was different.
'In the game, it just reduced the duration of debuffs...'
It felt different in reality.
Of course, that effect was still there...
Thud, thud.
But it felt like the 'Adaptability' stat made it easier to move underwater.
I had always been comfortable moving underwater, but now I barely felt any resistance unless I focused on it.
Well, it wouldn't be this easy if we were in the actual sea, not in this special field that nullified the effects of water.
'Let's check the passive skill.'
I activated [Gigantification] to test the passive skill that I hadn't had time to experiment with.
The Deep Sea Giant's passive only activated when you used a transformation-type ability.
「Character has cast [Gigantification].」
「Character's size increases, and physical stats and threat level increase proportionally to the size.」
[Gigantification] increased my size by 1.77 times and also increased my 'threat level', which helped attract monsters.
「Character has used a transformation-type ability.」
「[Primordial Cell] effect reduces the Soul Power consumption of the skill by half, and the highest stat is increased by 1.5 times.」
And then the [Primordial Cell] effect was added.
My highest stat right now was...
「[Transcendence] effect increases the effect of [Primordial Cell] by 1.5 times.」
「Character's Strength is increased by 2.25 times.」
This was the difference between my current build and the standard Shield Barbarian build.
Since I had the Ogre essence instead of the Steel Giant (4th-grade) essence, my Strength was higher than my Physical Resistance.
'This will make it harder to unlock the 3rd stage of [Evolved Hide].'
Of course, it wasn't a major problem in the long run.
I could just focus on increasing my Physical Resistance after obtaining the Bellarios essence.
「Size increases proportionally to Strength.」
I activated [Transcendence] and used [Gigantification] again.
Swoosh.
I looked down, and the ceiling of the submerged building, which I had to look up at before, was now clearly visible.
'I must be over 6 meters tall.'
I would have to measure it properly when we got back, but that was my rough estimate.
Even though my height had decreased because of the Gachabon essence, I was still much bigger than before.
However, my Strength didn't seem as high as it should have been for my size.
It was because the 2.25x Strength multiplier had been reduced to 1.5x by [Transcendence].
'Well, at least the other stats have increased, so it's not a complete loss...'
The real drawback of using [Transcendence] actively was the increased Soul Power consumption.
75% and 50% were a big difference.
'But with my current MP pool, I can maintain [Gigantification] indefinitely without [Transcendence].'
In [Dungeon and Stone], MP regeneration speed was proportional to your total MP. And I was currently level 7, with a decent amount of Soul Power from various sources, making my MP pool comparable to most ability users.
'I'm finally on track.'
I maintained [Transcendence] to get used to my new height.
Even though we were underwater, the feeling of being 6 meters tall was exhilarating.
'...I wonder how big I'll be if I remove the Gachabon essence.'
It was too early to think about it, but I couldn't help but imagine.
My base height would increase from 185 centimeters to 225 centimeters, and then [Gigantification] would be applied...
I would probably be big enough to wrestle the 3rd-floor boss, Riakis, without looking out of place.
Crack, crack, crack!
I indulged in that fantasy as I swung my hammer.
[Transcendence] could only enhance one skill at a time.
And in my current state, there wasn't much difference between killing the monsters with reflected damage and killing them directly.
「Character has cast [Swing].」
I didn't even bother defending and just focused on swinging my hammer.
「Liumobidic defeated. EXP +6」
The monsters were obliterated by my massive Demon Crusher, enhanced by my increased Strength.
However, I could feel my MP draining rapidly from spamming [Swing].
So...
「Character has cast [Soul Dive].」
I activated a skill.
[Blade Torrent], [Life Spring], and the transformation skill [Giant's Blood]... among the seven active skills of the Deep Sea Giant, this was the one associated with the green essence.
This skill was unique.
It didn't consume MP.
Or rather, it was the opposite.
Breathe in.
As I took a deep breath, an empty feeling filled me.
「Soul Power is regenerated proportionally to the amount consumed.」
It was an MP recovery skill that didn't consume MP.
However, it had a cooldown.
I think it was around 30 minutes in the game.
It might seem insignificant, but it was a great skill.
I could use it in emergencies, and it significantly reduced the time I had to spend resting to recover MP during hunts.
'And most importantly, it counters that bastard...'
Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos.
And his Dragon Speech, Soul Silence.
This skill countered it.
Even when my Soul Power was drained, I could recover with a single skill.
'Then I'm more than prepared.'
I grinned as I smashed the sea monsters that were swarming towards me.
I remembered the vow I had made.
[Can we win?]
The day I felt a deep sense of loss for the first time after waking up in this body.
I had swallowed my helplessness and made a promise.
I would survive.
And when the time came... when I no longer needed luck...
[We'll meet again, Dragonkin.]
I would find him.
Crack!
That time had finally come.
__________________
Five days after entering Atlante.
I had finished hunting all the monsters that only appeared in this area. But I continued hunting.
There were still other islands to explore...
'But the magic stone income is amazing.'
This was a special field, after all.
Special fields were usually difficult, but they also offered high rewards. And for me, hunting here was actually easier than on the 5th floor.
'Well, I wouldn't come back here just for the magic stones...'
Anyway, I continued my high-speed hunting spree, and I even managed to obtain a 4th-grade essence, filling one of my two test tubes.
'It would have been better if it was a Deep Sea Giant essence.'
One 4th-grade essence was a decent reward, but I was still a bit disappointed. It wasn't like there was only one Deep Sea Giant in Atlante.
I had encountered them several times while exploring the area, but none of them dropped an essence.
Well, it was to be expected.
Unlike the one we had encountered in the whirlpool-filled temple, the field monsters didn't have a drop rate bonus.
"Schuitz."
I was lost in thought when Amelia approached me and sat down.
She clearly had something to say.
But it wasn't to suggest a break...
"The labyrinth closes tomorrow."
Ah, she was reminding me of the schedule.
A typical Amelia-style curt statement, but I could read between the lines.
She glanced at the sleeping navigator and mage.
"What are we going to do?"
It was a much more direct question than before.
She must have been frustrated by my silence.
"We'll kill the mage."
That decision was easy.
I hadn't planned on keeping him alive anyway.
Mages were troublesome.
They were arrogant, proud, and held grudges.
And most importantly...
"It would be difficult to control him once we're back in the city."
"I see. Okay. Then what about the other one?"
Amelia glanced at the navigator, and I immediately stood up.
And...
Whoosh!
I stood over the sleeping mage, raising my hammer.
It was a familiar scene.
I had experienced it once before, when I woke up to find Hans A standing over me with a weapon.
But I was different from him.
I wouldn't fail.
Crack!
The mage didn't even have time to scream before his skull was crushed.
"Gasp!"
The navigator woke up, startled by the sound.
And...
"I-I'll keep my mouth shut! I'll quit being an explorer, too!"
He immediately prostrated himself, his head bowed.
It was a bold move, considering the blood-stained hammer in my hand.
'...It's a shame to kill him.'
I looked at Amelia.
She didn't say anything, but I could see the greed in her eyes.
So...
"Amelia."
"What is it?"
"Can you keep an eye on him in the city?"
"Don't worry about that."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I've already poisoned his meals and only given him enough antidote for one day."
It was a terrifyingly calm statement.
Meanwhile, the navigator, oblivious to his fate, flinched.
"Eek...!"
I thought for a moment and then made my decision.
"Nguyen Lokrob, right?"
"...Yes!"
"Listen to her. Do you understand?"
"Yes! Of course!"
We had gained a veteran navigator (unpaid).
-x-X-x-
「The labyrinth is closed.」
「Character is being transferred to Lafdonia.」
The sunlight of the city after almost two months.
Having spent the last few days in the dark depths of Atlante, the light felt even brighter.
'Humans need sunlight.'
I briefly looked up at the gloomy sky of the city and then headed towards the checkpoint.
"You're here!"
Erwen was already there, waving at me.
We joined the line, and Amelia arrived soon after.
"You're late."
"It took longer than expected."
She answered, glancing at the navigator standing awkwardly next to her.
"So he really did wait at the 7th District plaza?"
"He doesn't lie."
It was a bit absurd to be so sure after just a few days...
But I didn't say anything.
"...But was there any trouble?"
"None. He waited patiently for me."
Amelia sounded proud.
Was she really that happy that he had followed her orders?
The navigator, Auyen Lokrob, seemed to be having a delayed realization...
"Hehe..."
He forced a smile as soon as our eyes met.
It was a bit pitiful...
But then again, he was one of the ones who attacked us first, so it was his own fault.
"It's our turn."
We reached the front of the line, exchanged all the magic stones we had gathered for money, and then passed through the checkpoint.
And then we entered the crowded streets.
We changed our formation here.
Amelia was at the back, with the navigator right in front of her.
"Haha... I-I won't run away..."
"You might get lost."
"I've lived in the 7th District for 20 years..."
The navigator mumbled, but he didn't stray from the formation until we reached the house.
And...
"This... is it...?"
The three-story detached house.
The navigator gasped as we entered the garden.
But he seemed to sense something was off.
"But... why are the windows all..."
He trailed off, staring at the boarded-up windows.
"Don't worry about it. It's for security."
"Ah, yes..."
He didn't say anything more, but his eyes were filled with curiosity and fear.
What kind of people live in a house like this?
'It seems like he already knows who Erwen is...'
I would have to confirm it later.
We entered the house, and after a brief discussion, we decided to give the navigator one of the spare rooms.
It was in the basement.
"...The basement? Did we have a basement?"
I looked at Erwen, and she blushed.
"I specifically looked for a house with a basement. Just in case..."
Hmm, is that so?
I had heard that rich people have panic rooms...
Creak, creak, creak.
I watched as Erwen removed the carpet and activated a hidden mechanism, revealing a staircase.
We descended the stairs, and a spacious room, designed as a storage area, appeared.
It was completely empty, and at the far end, there was a thick iron door with a lock.
Click.
Erwen unlocked the door, revealing a room with a large bed.
There were even shackles on the wall.
"This... isn't this a prison...?"
The navigator's face turned pale.
I felt the same way.
I had goosebumps as soon as I saw the basement.
Well, it wasn't my problem anymore.
"...A prison? It's a normal room."
"..."
"Look, there's even a bathroom and a shower. You can use it all you want, no one else will."
"..."
"Ahem, then I'll go upstairs. I'm suddenly feeling a bit sick..."
Why is my heart racing?
I don't have claustrophobia.
I quickly pushed the navigator into the room and closed the door, and Erwen immediately locked it.
Click.
"Wait! Wait a minute!"
The navigator pounded on the door, but we ignored him.
"I'll keep the key."
"Okay."
Amelia took the key, and that was the end of the navigator's housing issue.
She would take care of his meals and everything.
'I've been meaning to ask this...'
"Amelia, is there really such a poison? You said he'll die if he doesn't take the antidote every day. I've never heard of it."
It sounded like something out of a martial arts novel.
It was a classic cliche, the evil sect using poison to control their subordinates.
If it was real, it would be useful in various situations...
"Schuitz, you're so naive."
"...Huh?"
"There's no such poison. Thankfully, he doesn't know much about poisons."
"Ah..."
So it was a bluff.
I had a hunch, but I had to confirm...
"What?!"
Erwen suddenly flinched.
"That poison... it's not real...?"
She sounded disappointed.
I asked her if she needed it for something, but she avoided my gaze.
"J-just in case..."
Just in case what?
I wanted to ask, but I knew she wouldn't give me a straight answer, so I let it go.
__________________
We all rested in our rooms on the first day back from the labyrinth. And then, from the next day onwards, we were busy.
We had a lot of loot to process.
"Erwen, you should come too."
"What? Me? You can handle it—"
"You won't even do that much for Schuitz?"
"...That's not what I meant."
From the second day, Erwen and Amelia were constantly out, exchanging the loot for money. I spent most of my time guarding the house.
"I've prepared your meals in the basement. Make sure to eat on time."
That was my daily routine, except for visiting the basement three times a day to deliver meals.
But on the third day, we had a visitor.
"Raven."
"I was going to come yesterday, but I was busy. Can I come in?"
"Of course."
She entered the house and looked around.
"Where are the others?"
"They're out, selling the loot."
"Hmm..."
She mumbled, a strange look in her eyes.
I asked her if something was wrong, and she shook her head.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking... they're doing the work I used to do."
"I'm sorry about that. I didn't have anyone else to ask."
"Don't apologize. It's not your fault. And besides, it's not something you should apologize for."
"Thank you for saying that."
I led her to the living room, and we sat down facing each other.
We talked about our recent experiences.
"How was it?"
"It went well. You?"
"It's the same here. This war isn't ending anytime soon."
"I see."
"..."
It felt different from when we were companions.
There was a distance between us.
We hadn't seen each other for almost two months.
Thump, thump, thump!
A tremor came from the basement.
"What was that sound?"
"Ah, we had some plumbing work done recently. Don't worry about it."
I lied to her about the reason for the noise. I couldn't tell her we were holding someone captive.
Thankfully, Raven didn't seem suspicious.
We continued our conversation, and she told me about the recent events in the war.
But the most important information came at the end.
"Oh, and about what you asked... you know, about the integration proposal."
"You found out who brought it up?"
"Yes. It was Viscountess Peprok."
"Peprok...?"
What?
I couldn't help but be surprised.
It was a familiar name.
Ragna Ritanyel Peprok.
Maybe it was just a coincidence... but I couldn't shake off the feeling.
I had checked before, and there was no noble family named Peprok in Lafdonia.
"Raven, what's the viscountess's full name?"
"Ragna Peprok. That's what I heard."
"...What?"
It was really her?
She was missing a middle name, but...
"...Do you know her?"
"Maybe. Can you tell me more about the Peprok family?"
"They're a minor noble family. They lost their title a while ago, but they were reinstated last year."
What? Then it made sense that I couldn't find them when I checked before.
They had been reinstated after I left for the past.
Could it really be Ragna?
I was lost in thought when...
"I looked into it because it didn't make sense. How could a minor noble family regain their title and rise to a position where they could participate in the royal council meeting in such a short time?" ŖＡꞐȎ฿Еṡ
Raven continued, her voice lowering.
"The answer was simple. They had a backer."
"Who?"
"The Prime Minister of Lafdonia, Marquis Terserion."
"...What?"
My head spun.
Forget about the Viscountess being Ragna, if Raven's information was correct, it meant that the Viscountess was part of the Prime Minister's faction.
"Then... the Prime Minister must be the one who proposed the integration..."
I mumbled, and Raven shook her head slightly.
"No, it's not that simple. He actually strongly opposed the proposal, calling it absurd. The other nobles were surprised and quickly dropped the topic."
"Maybe it was just a performance."
"Performance...?"
"A staged act. He showed his anger to prevent the other nobles from even considering it."
"Ah..."
Raven looked at me, surprised.
"You seem knowledgeable about politics...?"
"Not really. I'm just interested in people."
Of course, it was just speculation.
I didn't have enough information.
"Raven, can you look into Viscountess Peprok?"
"I will. I'm curious too."
"Thank you."
"I'll be going then."
"Okay, be careful."
That was the end of our conversation.
And a week later.
One sunny afternoon, while Erwen and Amelia were out in the commercial district exchanging the loot for money...
Boom!
Knights bearing the royal family's emblem stormed into the house, smashing the front door.
"Lihen Schuitz, you are under arrest for colluding with Noark."
Well, it was bound to happen.
-x-X-x-
Kwaaang-!
The knights stormed in, smashing the front door while I was taking a nap on the sofa.
It felt like a bolt from the blue.
Even in my half-awake state, the knight's words registered in my mind.
"Lihen Schuitz, you are under arrest for colluding with Noark."
Colluding with Noark...
It was probably just an excuse to arrest me. They would investigate me properly once I was in custody.
There were too many suspicious things about me.
'But they came sooner than I expected.'
I had been mentally preparing for this.
I had attracted attention by associating with Erwen and by getting involved with Raven on the battlefield.
It was only a matter of time.
Clank.
The knights quickly secured the living room and surrounded me, drawing their swords.
They weren't underestimating me.
They kept their distance, their gazes fixed on me.
"Lihen Schuitz, drop your weapon."
The knight who seemed to be the leader ordered me.
And in that situation...
'Okay...'
I looked around.
'What should I do?'
There were no mages.
It meant that they had only sent knights to arrest me.
Considering the knights' reputation in PvP, it was overkill... but it was also good news.
It meant I could break out and escape if I had to.
'But then I wouldn't be able to stay in this city...'
It was a last resort.
And it would conflict with my ultimate goal of reclaiming my identity as Bjorn Yandel.
'It's time to enter the tiger's den.'
I would have to contact the royal family eventually to clear my name.
Of course, it would have been better if I knew their intentions beforehand...
But I had learned something.
[...The royal family knows the GM's identity.]
The GM was practically a spiritual leader for the players.
According to SoulQueens' information from the Round Table, the royal family knew his identity.
And not only that...
They had even suppressed the information to protect him.
It meant they weren't indiscriminately killing all evil spirits.
Even if my identity as Bjorn Yandel was exposed, and my status as an evil spirit was revealed... there was still room for negotiation.
But...
'I should at least try to gauge their intentions.'
I made up my mind and spoke.
"I'll cooperate with the investigation, but can I at least tell my companion before I go?"
The reason for this request was simple.
They knew my companion was Erwen.
If they refused, it would be a positive sign.
It would mean they had deliberately waited until Erwen was away, and that they didn't know much about me.
"If you're talking about the Blood Spirit Marquis, there's no need. You can see her when we arrive."
The leader's words stunned me.
"..."
What? They arrested Erwen too?
Then what about Amelia?
No, I had to confirm this first.
"How can I be sure she's there?"
The leader answered without hesitation.
"I swear on the name of the Lafdonia royal family."
Damn it, that means he's not lying...
This is bad.
They even arrested Erwen, whom the fairies treasured?
It meant the royal family had prepared thoroughly. They had a reason to arrest me and Erwen.
'Shit...'
I wanted to resist and run away...
But I couldn't leave Erwen behind.
"This is your last chance. Lihen Schuitz, drop your weapon. Or you will be charged with treason against the royal family."
The leader issued an ultimatum, and a powerful wave of magic energy, easily detectable even with my barbarian senses, pulsed from outside the house.
So there was a mage.
They had just been hiding.
'These bastards are thorough.'
I reluctantly lowered my hammer.
Swoosh.
I had no choice.
I would have to be extra careful from now on.
__________________
Things moved quickly after I surrendered.
I put my weapon away as instructed, and the knights confiscated my subspace ring.
And...
"Your belongings will be returned to you once your charges are cleared."
The leader's voice had softened.
And it wasn't just his tone.
The treatment I received was far from that of a criminal.
"We have a carriage waiting for you."
A carriage awaited me outside.
It wasn't a prisoner transport wagon.
It was a luxurious carriage, fit for a high-ranking noble.
"Get in. We're going to Karnon, the Imperial City."
And there was only one escort, the leader.
The other knights were on horseback, escorting the carriage.
It was a level of treatment I had never received, even as Viscount Yandel.
Clatter, clatter.
The carriage started moving smoothly along the paved road, and I cautiously observed the leader.
"Is something bothering you?"
He asked, and I wanted to say, 'Of course!'
It was an absurd question.
But I couldn't be rude.
I asked cautiously,
"What are my charges?"
"As I said—"
"Don't say colluding with Noark. I wouldn't be treated like this if that was the case."
"..."
The leader fell silent and then frowned.
But he must have realized that I wouldn't stop asking.
"I can't tell you anything right now."
"But—"
"You'll find out when we arrive."
He drew a firm line, ending the conversation.
In the end, I only learned two things.
"What will happen to me?"
"That will be decided by 'him'."
Someone important was waiting for me.
And...
"Was anyone else arrested with Erwen?"
"I heard she was alone."
Amelia was safe.
We continued our journey in silence, and after about an hour, the carriage stopped.
We were at the 7th District military transfer station.
A facility with teleportation magic circles connected to each district.
It was originally built for rapid troop deployment in emergencies, but it was mostly used by nobles for transportation.
This was my first time here.
I had the right to use it after receiving the Viscount title, but the cost was exorbitant.
'I'm using it like this...'
We didn't even have to get out of the carriage.
We were teleported directly to the military transfer station in the Imperial City.
And...
'It's not the royal palace.'
The carriage entered a large mansion near the royal palace. Thanks to that, I could guess who had ordered my arrest.
The family crest was displayed prominently at the entrance.
A shield with a thorny rose.
It was the symbol of the Terserion family, a symbol almost everyone in the city knew.
For over a decade, the King had rarely appeared in public, and the Prime Minister of Lafdonia, Marquis Terserion, had been handling most of the official duties.
'The second most powerful person in the kingdom...'
I had thought it might be a member of the royal family since the knights were wearing the royal family's emblem...
'But this isn't bad either. I'm meeting the second most powerful person in the kingdom.'
I felt a surge of anxiety.
It felt like entering a tiger's den.
High risk, high return.
If I played my cards right, I might be able to solve all my problems with a few words...
But if I made a mistake, it could be disastrous.
"Get out."
The carriage stopped, and I was surrounded by knights. I was escorted inside, receiving their 'respectful' treatment.
Click.
A lavishly decorated reception room.
"...Where's Erwen?"
I quickly scanned the room and asked, and the leader frowned.
"That was a lie."
"...What?"
My head spun.
He swore on the name of the royal family!
I glared at him, and he averted his gaze.
"I had to bring you here quietly."
"You'll be in trouble if they find out you lied about the King."
"I'll be fine as long as they don't."
...This guy is flexible.
I couldn't help but admire him.
"You would have made a good explorer."
"You can mock me all you want. I was just following my lord's orders."
He had a way with words.
'Damn it...'
It was something I had often done.
Using the barbarian stereotype to make false oaths and deceive people.
It was an effective method.
No one would expect a knight, especially one from the Royal Knight Order, to lie about the King.
'But...'
Forget about being deceived.
If Erwen wasn't arrested, it was actually good news.
It meant she was safe.
'And it's something I'll have to face eventually.'
The important thing wasn't dwelling on my mistakes, but figuring out what to do next.
"So, what happens now? Do I just wait here? For that 'him' you mentioned?"
"There's no need."
The knight shook his head and placed a crystal ball on the table.
I didn't have to ask what it was.
It was obvious.
That's why there weren't any other escorts.
They were going to use this to communicate.
"I'll be leaving then."
He told me to activate the crystal ball after he left and then exited the room.
I was alone.
"..."
I quickly scanned the room for any hidden observers and then lifted the carpet.
'Holy shit.'
There was a magic circle underneath.
A complex, geometric pattern, filled with colorful magical circuits.
I felt a chill run down my spine.
'Are they going to blow me up if I try to escape?'
The second most powerful person in the kingdom...
The scale was different.
This entire mansion was practically a giant execution device.
'...Let's just activate the crystal ball.'
I was overwhelmed by their thoroughness, but I followed the knight's instructions and pressed the button on the crystal ball.
Swaaaaaaaaaa!
The crystal ball lit up and started projecting an image.
It was a familiar face.
The Prime Minister of Lafdonia, a high-ranking noble with the title of Marquis.
Ageny Rotten Terserion.
The man who had presided over the title bestowal ceremony in the King's stead.
[It's been a while.]
He greeted me in a deep voice, and I froze.
'...Been a while?'
I felt a pang of unease.
Thump!
Was it just a mind game?
How much did he know?
I swallowed my questions.
I had something more important to think about.
What should I say?
I quickly made my decision.
"Are you..."
I spoke cautiously and respectfully.
"Marquis Terserion?"
It was a natural reaction for an explorer who had been suddenly arrested and brought here.
But...
[You haven't forgotten my face already, have you...? You're quite cunning, unlike them.]
The Marquis chuckled and then called my name.
[Viscount Bjorn Yandel.]
It was my full name, a name I hadn't heard in a long time.