"Bjorn! I've got it! It's that person!"
"There's no need to explain. I remember it too."
Feeling strange, I combed through my memory. Time went back three months, to when I was trapped in the Evil Hiatus of the Lord of the Ground, Riakis.
"Be thankful I haven't killed you yet, you piece of trash."
When the Dzarwi Clan repelled the unruly explorers, they fell into a collective panic. It was this man who then appeared.
"I am aware of this phenomenon."
He opened a new path for the clueless explorers. Of course, it was difficult to believe him naively.
"I've been working with this guy for over a year. He's a mysterious person. He really knows everything. I have no doubt that his words will save us."
The explorers, who had no other option, followed her, trusting only in the safety of a fairy who, they said, was their companion.
Definitely.
They all died. That's all I knew when I looked into it later, so that's all I thought had happened, too, until I saw that man today.
It appears they are the only ones who survived after leading more than one hundred people to their deaths.
When I thought about it that way, he was an interesting guy. It wouldn't have been just luck that he came back alive. It would be fair to say he did something to stay alive. At the time, I thought he was just a jerk.
But to think that he knowingly led them to their deaths…
"Now! Get out of the way!"
Seeing the man predict the Death Knight's pattern and shout orders, I narrowed my eyes. He had a total of four summoned beasts. The synergy between the summons was good, but the essence's range itself wasn't high. I learned one thing here.
I suppose an average level of 7.
The man was a low-level explorer with nothing to his name. If he came from a wealthy family, at least his equipment would be of good quality. That raised even more questions. If he wasn't from a good family, how could an explorer with such a short career know Riakis's pattern and the conditions for the Death Knight to appear?
…It would be reasonable to say that he is a player.
The final decision was made through rational reasoning. That unknown summoner was a player. I didn't know why that guy made the mistake of choosing a job as a summoner when he was a human being.
Dang, but that makes it confusing.
Perhaps if it were a beastman, a dragon, or a dwarf, but humans had no synergy with the summoning types. Of course, this was only a small difference at first, but it led to a huge gap by the second half. In other words, the efficiency was very low.
Perhaps that's not important to him…
It was definitely plausible. Regardless of the perfection of character, it was human nature to want to choose a job of parasitism. After all, who wanted to fight face to face? Although that wasn't something I should say, having chosen a shield as soon as I realized I was starting out as a barbarian.
[You have killed a Death Knight. EXP +4]
I opened my eyes, delighting in the feeling of satisfaction that lived in my body. At the end of the fireball that the wizard had stabbed into the inner core, the Death Knight turned into a cluster of lights and dispersed. There was no essence.
«It's a shame. I even bought a test tube at a high price just in case».
«Be careful with your words, Participant...»
«Oh, sure.» The magician closed his mouth and looked here.
So now it must be our turn.
After watching them with a blank face for a while, I put on the naive barbarian mask again. «Oho, amazing! What kind of magic was that at the end?».
When I tried to approach the wizard friendly, the archer fairy stopped me, coldly cutting off my words. «I don't think we should have that kind of conversation... What did you mean before? If you don't explain it to me enough I will consider you an enemy».
Wow, I'm pretty sure he was nice in front of people then... Was it all a performance? Oh, right. Fairies and barbarians don't get along very well.
«Like I said before, I was just trying to help!»
«That's strange. None of us asked for something like that.»
«The Death Knight is strong! That's why I thought you were in danger».
The archer fairy looked at me suspiciously. How bad was the image of the barbarian among the fairies for him to look at me like that even in barbarian baby mode? «Is that really the only reason?»
«What else could there be?»
«Well, there is the essence. I don't know about you, but the beastwoman next to you would be very eager for one».
Missha was startled by the fairy's high-pitched murmur and dismissed it with her hand. «H-That's a misunderstanding! I do use a sword, but I can't even pick it up because all my essence slots are full!».
«...Is that true?»
«You can check it out for yourself!»
Check what? What exactly are you going to do here?
It was a really absurd answer, but the fairy just nodded. «So, I believe you». Apparently, this archer fairy's sarcastic behavior was limited to barbarians. «But if you only intervened to help us, there is something that doesn't add up».
«Oh, tree-hugger...»
«You! What did you just say?»
I asked him, annoyed by the cutting voice. «Are you so evil in your daily life that you doubt me at first sight?». It's not like she was really angry or anything. He also knew that it was wrong to meddle during battle. But so what? «Are you despising me for being a barbarian?» Coming out strong even in a situation where it was clearly my fault, that was a real barbarian. «If you insult me more, I won't stand it! Tree hugger!»
The fairy was taken aback when she saw me raise the shield as if I was willing to fight even in a four-on-two situation. «No, it's not that! Something is unclear, so I ask you to clarify!».
«What is not clear?»
«I understand that the essence is not your purpose. However, it is difficult to say that there was no intention to make an achievement on our backs«.
Wow, she was sharp. It was more or less the truth, but there was nothing wrong with it either. «Why would I go through that problem? I've already picked it up once before».
«...Sorry?» At my words, the fairy put on a dazed expression. It sure didn't make sense because it was a difficult monster to find before the sixth floor.
I quickly went on to explain myself: «I once went to the Bloody Citadel. Will that explain it?».
It was a mutant rift, so a vampire came out instead of a Death Knight, but that wasn't their place to know. It wasn't like they could find out the truth here. It was also half true.
«But! How can we believe that?»
«In that case you won't believe anything! If you want to fight, come to me, tree-hugger».
«You think not...!»
Seeing the fairy burst into anger, the man jumped in surprise and stepped in. «Miss Meirin. Q-Please stop! What you said is probably true».
«Excuse me? What is it...?»
«Now I remember! That barbarian... is the one I saw then! Bjorn, son of Yandel. The explorer who earned the nickname Little Balkan!» Although it was a brief encounter, the summoner seemed to remember my face.
Soon, the wizard and the warrior exclaimed at the same time. «No wonder he deflected the Death Knight's sword so easily in the middle of the conversation.».
«Oh, how amazing. Miss Meirin, it seems we were wrong. Why would someone as famous as him do something like that just to earn achievement points?».
The archer fairy pursed her lips, perhaps sensing that the situation was taking on a strange turn.
«I understand your feelings. Admitting something is sometimes the most difficult thing. But sometimes you also have to learn to let go of stubbornness and accept things.»
«Ugh, okay...» When all his companions decided that he had no bad intentions, the fairy did not insist any more.
Huh, is this why you need a good reputation?
Realizing once again the importance of fame, I stared at the summoner approaching me. «Nice to meet you, Bjorn, son of Yandel». It was easy to belittle him for his habit of stuttering, but he wasn't an ordinary guy either. After all, he once led hundreds of people to their deaths just to save his own life. «It was destiny that we found ourselves like this. Shouldn't we introduce ourselves?», the man asked me cautiously. I was sure he wasn't just curious about my name, so it was probably correct to say he wanted to meet me.
«Okay». I nodded without hesitation. There was no reason to refuse. After all, I was here because I wanted to learn his name. «As you know, I am Bjorn, son of Yandel. What's your name?»
Since I was sure he was a player, I thought I'd learn the name and investigate later. Nothing important, but I was curious. Looking at his performance, I thought it might be a reference to how normal players behaved.
«Soy Hans Chrisis ».
Damn, I didn't expect it either. A player in the body of a Hans? What kind of soap opera was this?
«If you don't mind, I'd like to meet you on p...».
I took a step back when he asked me for a handshake with a friendly smile. «Stop there. I'm busy with something so I'm leaving».
«Excuse me? What...?»
«Miss! What are you doing?! We're leaving!»
«Yes! Ok-Wait! Es-wait for me...!»
Damn, I should have brought some salt or something. My heart was already pounding for what was to come in the future.
***
As soon as I discovered Hans G's identity, I fled the scene. How long has it been since then?
«What are you doing?! Running is fine, but please explain to me why...»
«He was also a Hans».
"¿Hey? ¿Who mr.?.? ⁇
«Things have never gone well for me after meeting a Hans».
I spoke with sincere concern, but Missha put on a relieved expression. «Jeeez, is that all? I thought something big had happened».
No, this is really big. It's Hans! And also a player I met in the maze!
«Honestly, you have a peculiar side. I didn't think you'd believe in superstitions».
Seeing Missha act indifferently made me sad for some reason. «Missha... this is not a game.»
«Pft! Bjorn you... look a little cute today, don't you?»
What was this boy talking about? I told him one by one the incidents related to Hanses: Hans A, who marked the beginning; Hans C, who was Elisa's subordinate; and Hans D, who was the leader of the band of looters we met in the Witch's Forest.
«Come to think of it, you also said you didn't like that name back then...».
«Yeah. But at the time it seemed sinister to me».
When I told her about Hans B, who was nearby just before Mozlan took Dwalkie, Missha also changed her face. «W-what-! What the hell is wrong with Hans?». As befitted an explorer vulnerable to superstitions, at this point Missha also seemed a little uneasy. «And now what? We've already met him... Don't you think something bad is going to happen?!».
Well, I didn't know that, just that we should be more careful in the future. «Let's go to the third floor as soon as possible».
«...Not to the first floor?» Missha, now more serious than me, expressed her doubts, but at least this was the most reasonable decision.
First of all, I wasn't sure if this was a superstition or not... but even if the superstitions were real, it didn't change anything. If Hans' curse was real, running away would be meaningless. Fucking things were happening in the city too. Simply doing what we had to do was the way to reduce the damage.
«Ugh, if that's the case, you shouldn't have told me. Make me feel uncomfortable...»
That was true. Apparently meeting Hans, a former player, made it difficult for me to think rationally. Or had he come to trust her at some point?
«I don't know if happy things, but sharing hardships surely reduces suffering by half, right?».
«What are you saying?! Crazy barbarian!»
«... A joke.»
«Don't lie! Your eyes were sincere!» When I told her the truth, Missha became extremely angry.
Still, the fact that he trusted her unknowingly seemed to satisfy her quite a bit. «Ugh! Anyway, you've done a good job telling me without hiding it. If something like this happens in the future, don't suffer alone and tell me. I'm older than you, remember?».
«Oh, sure». Missha was five years older than me; Of course, that only applied to Bjorn.
«What is that reaction?»
«It means you are more reliable».
«I don't think it was that...»
Anyway, the talk ended there and we resumed our journey. How long had it been since then? I started to feel fatigue building up in my body, which meant it was time to camp.
It's been almost a day since then, so we'll get to the third floor tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
I was also quite tired, but after settling in, I put Missha to sleep first. Then I stood still and vigilant, continuing with my thoughts.
When I looked at the time, it was after twelve at night. Since today was the seventh day, it meant that the glass cave on the first floor had already closed and spat the explorers back into the city. Whether we left early or late, we would all be in the same time zone when we returned.
I hope you returned home safely.
Suddenly I remembered Kharon, whom I had taken down to the first floor.
«I think it would be a good idea to intentionally find a human night companion and pretend to sleep. If they have an ulterior motive, that will definitely reveal it!»
Was it because of those last words? I was worried there had been an accident.
Oh, I'm sure nothing happens.
It was time to change, so I woke Missha up and closed my eyes for a while.
***
Dazzling light, the noise of a crowd and the humid air of the city surrounding the lungs. Kharon screamed involuntarily. «Behell-ahhhhhhhhh!»
He wanted to do it. Should I say it was refreshing? He didn't care about the looks of the people around him, who looked at him like a savage. He once felt intimidated by those looks, but...
Who cared!
«¡Behell-aaaaaaaaaaah!»
Kharon had changed. No, he had taken off his old shell, like a large horned worm that breaks its cocoon to become an adult. During this expedition, he became a true warrior.
«Tsk, they're always bragging like that. Those barbarians».
«Hey, he'll hear you. They might headbutt you recklessly, so be careful».
That condescending look seemed like a pleasant encouragement. It just showed how careless they were, just like the two night companions he killed in the last few days.
Was easy.
Everything was as Bjorn, son of Yandel, said. The first floor was full of garbage that hid his true intentions, and as soon as they showed a hole, Kharon went for it. Not knowing that this in itself was a trap, when people who previously looked at him like prey realized that they had been betrayed, the expression on their faces was enough to evoke a new kind of ecstasy.
Clink, clink.
One on the back, one on the right arm and one on the left; With a total of three bags on him, he proudly headed to the checkpoint. The queue was long, as befits an exclusive gate for level 9 scouts.
When he arrived, his people from all over the city found him and approached him. «Kharon, son of Tarson! What is that bag?»
«It's full of equipment! Have you been looting?»
Kharon shook his head. «Pft, looting? Of course not».
This was not a disgusting act like looting. No, it was a noble act to protect his own people. When he drew a clear line about his concerns, the barbarians' gazes changed.
«How can that be possible without looting?»
«I'm jealous! If you sell all that, how many stone loaves can you buy?».
They were colleagues who had completed the coming-of-age ceremony with him, but today they seemed young to him. That is why he summoned as many of his people as possible. He had once felt rivalry against them, but the real enemy existed elsewhere. «Hoohoo, don't be jealous. If you know the way you can earn the same. You won't have to eat stone bread for the rest of your life».
«What!? If there is such a thing, please tell me!»
«I'll tell you! But first... I have something to tell you first».
First, Kharon told them what he had experienced in the maze sequentially: being betrayed by his teammates, the reason being his heart, even though they considered the barbarians to be easy and rewarding monsters.
«¡No somos will monster!»
«We are warriors!»
As expected, the barbarians were very outraged. When they heard that it was Little Balkan who saved him, they raised their voices and praised him.
«Little Balkan, Bjorn, son of Yandel!»
«To read the thoughts of vicious predators, he is a great and wise warrior!».
The atmosphere heated up instantly. Among them, Kharon proudly exclaimed: «He taught me. Thanks to your teachings I have returned with so many trophies».
«Oooh! Is that true!»
«It's true! I will teach you what he taught me».
Finally, Kharon openly shared what he learned from Bjorn, and even the method he himself devised. Of course, all the credit went to Bjorn.
"I just need to find a human nighttime friend and pretend I'm asleep!"
"Bjorn, Yandel's son! Is he a genius?"
"It sounded a little strange at first, but it's the word of a great warrior! I will follow him!"
Looking at his compatriots burning with excitement, Kharon became convinced.
"Tsk, those guys are starting all over again."
"I don't know why they leave them alone if they always make so much noise."
"I'm sure that even if they take out their hearts and sell them, those lips will still look the same."
Until now, the barbarians had been the lowest-level prey in the labyrinth. Though he didn't want to admit it, that was the reality he'd faced not long ago. They might be strong in one-on-one combat, but they were defenseless against cunning tricks.
"Bjorn, Yandel's son, has spoken! This will be a noble first step for all of us!"
"Behell-ahhhhhhhhh!"
"Behell-ahhhhhhhhhhh!"
Things would be different from now on.