Standing in front of the mirror, Amelia adjusted her shoulder-length red hair behind her half-cut ear, revealing the scar on it, a wound that would surely become a defect if she wanted to live a life of women. At that time, he had no money to buy a potion, so he had no choice but to leave it at that. Of course, for her today treatment was not impossible, but she did not bother. Plus, it suited his slim, muscular six-foot-seventy physique and matched the tattoo under his eye.
«It's almost there».
This wound always reminded him who his enemy was.
«Amelia, the Lord is calling you.»
He slung his backpack over his shoulder and left. A figure was waiting for her. «I didn't expect you to come».
He was a member of Hercules, the most infamous evil spirit both above and below the surface, and a great criminal nicknamed the Corpse Collector. «The situation is urgent».
«How serious is it?»
«The palace has made an exorbitant movement. I never thought they would free that crazy man from prison».
«...Did he come out?» Not even Amelia, always expressionless, could hide her surprise. If the Corpse Collector was a well-known evil spirit, this man was the complete opposite. Few people knew his name, but anyone even remotely familiar with him could only feel afraid.
«Yes, it's here. Thanks to that, things got a little complicated. Our side is also dying en masse». The man with the glasses smiled and patted Amelia's back. «So, let's go. They are all gathered, now only you remain».
«...Okay. On going.» Amelia followed the man into a quiet hallway where only the sound of quick footsteps could be heard. «Did the dragon slayer enter combat?».
«Hm? Oh, he... his arm is crippled, what can he do? He's probably resting in his room now».
«...I see.» Amelia cautiously posed one more question. «Has there been any improvement?»
The man stopped dead and turned around. «Why are you curious about that?» As someone famous for his intelligence, he could have been making a connection between Amelia and the fact that the dragon slayer team was on the black market.
It was a mistake.
Late, he realized his haste, but Amelia responded as calmly as possible: «If he's no longer useful, I'm going to kill him».
«Hey? Are you two hostile?»
«I don't like his eyes».
A moment of silence followed Amelia's response. It didn't last long. The man burst into laughter. «Ahahaha! It's true! His snake eyes are a little annoying. Above all, because he doesn't know his place». The man began to walk again. «Be patient, though. It looks like your body will heal in half a year or a year».
«And the Dragon Hunting sword? Isn't it useless without it?»
«Ah, that. We'll have to look for her. The alchemist grandfather said that it is not impossible to restore his memories.»
«...Ya veo.»
A way to restore memories; She wanted to ask what that was, but held back. His normal self was not interested in others. This clever guy sure felt an incongruity.
I should investigate it later.
After walking down the hallway for about three minutes, a large door appeared before his eyes, the white door that led to the great hall. Upon entering, he saw the lord of the castle sitting on the throne. «It's been a while, my lord».
«Ven, Amelia Rainwales».
After a brief greeting, Amelia inspected the other four figures in the room. Three were familiar to him, and one was not.
«An explorer of Hercules. But since we don't have much time, presentations can come later. Let's move on to why we are here».
He erased his curiosity and waited for the man's words.
«As you can already deduce, I have brought you all together because the situation is not good».
«I heard! Did I hear that crazy guy is down here?», asked a woman.
«That's right, Miss Carmila. The captain is taking care of him now, but he won't last long», the castle lord continued with a bitter smile. Finally, the city would be sealed. No one would be able to enter or leave Noark for the next two years. «As soon as you all exit through the secret passage, the sealing magic circle will be activated. Do you have any questions?»
«No, my lord.»
«See you in two years! Handsome sir!»
«Carmilla, show some respect.»
«Shut up, you stinky man.»
After the brief exchange, Amelia headed to the secret passage with her four companions. It didn't take them long to reach the place where the red flag was planted. They exchanged communications with the lord through a message stone.
We've arrived.
I wish you good luck.
Then, an immense barrier of blue mana spread over the city.
«Wow, how cool. We really can't get through».
I didn't think I was going to leave town like this.
Amelia did her best to erase this strange emotion and remembered the goal of this mission.
«I heard you're the commander. What do we do now?» carmilla asked.
The mission was really simple: Gather information in Rafdonia. This was his main objective.
Finally. I've come this far.
Remembering the second mission ordered by his lord, his lips drew a long arc.
If possible... kill a certain explorer.
***
Rumors of all kinds circulated in the city, from the conspiracy theory that the failure of the conquest had been intentional by the palace to the apocalypse theory that the city would be annihilated by the war with Noark.
This world is no different either.
For the past few days, I had been touring taverns and hearing these absurd stories over and over again. It was a boring and stressful operation, but it was also an inevitable decision. It wasn't like I was Round Table Lion right now. What could a barbarian do on the ground except move his own body?
«Bjorn, are you drinking today too?»
«Yes, I'm going to be late so go to bed before me».
There was less than a week left to re-enter the maze. Also today, as soon as the sun started to set, I went outside and had a drink alone. As I did so, information landed in my ears.
«I have heard that death compensation is delayed until next month».
«True, not even the palace can pay for all those deaths».
«Haha, it's the opposite. They have enough money, but it's taking them a long time to count the bodies».
In some ways, it was similar to the early days. At that time I didn't have money to go to a tavern, so all I could do was be attentive during meals.
Today there is nothing special either.
After the failure of the conquest, the palace did not properly announce its position, leaving the rumors to be reproduced infinitely almost word for word. However, there were some facts.
First, Noark also suffered considerable damage and narrowly escaped defeat by sealing off the city. This part was true, since there were many witnesses. No matter how much they tried to keep it a secret, how could they do it when the number of participants was so high?
Second, the palace had a super explorer unknown to the public. I heard this directly from a drunk survivor. Mr. Derves from the meeting managed to return alive. Apparently, he fought on equal terms against the leader of Hercules. No wonder the palace had such a champion.
Third, three of the ten largest clans were disbanded during this conquest, rather they were annihilated. Not even 10% of its members survived, making its recovery practically impossible. It was not just the case of the ten clans. More than half of the members of the smaller clans active on the fifth and sixth floors disintegrated in mid-air.
Thanks to that, the limitations in hunting will be fewer.
That was the only positive factor in this situation, but the return that came with it was too dire to be happy about this.
If this enters a long-term battle, the only option is to see the end within the maze.
This was the part that had worried me since the first signs of war appeared. To be honest, the situation was laughable.
Unlimited Player Removal Content...
I didn't experience this even in the game. If the maze became a battlefield, a person like me, who had to earn money and grow my character within it, had no choice but to get involved.
If the supply of mana stones decreases, inflation will also increase.
Unfortunately, no one talked about this in cheap taverns. I figured anyone who already cared about inflation must be an evil spirit.
I'll have to make my decision soon.
The moment of choice was approaching: should I stop exploring until the situation subsided, or enter the maze as usual? In reality, the answer was already decided.
Entering would be the correct answer.
It was not known when this confusion would end. Staying on hiatus would be a bad decision, since my bad fate with the dragon-killing son of a bitch wasn't over yet. I had to get stronger before the vine ring broke. It was the only way to survive.
If they forcibly recruit me later, I'll have to participate in the war anyway.
More importantly, Noark suffered considerable damage in this battle. Simply put, they would also need time for maintenance. Even if that wasn't the case, we were in a better situation than other explorers. That is, the first floor could be broken by a bug. The fourth floor was self-contained, so that was out of the question, and as long as we entered the mirror on the fifth floor, we would be safe from PKing.
The problem is how am I going to convince those two...
He still couldn't be sure that Raven, the wizard, and Mr. Bear, the ten-year veteran, would enter the maze.
There was no choice but to collide head-on with him.
As soon as I made the decision, I emptied my glass and left the tavern. A barbarian had his own barbarian style. I headed to Mr. Bear's store.
Mrs. Osa greeted me. «Sorry, we're close-oh, Mr. Yandel. What brings you here? Is my husband?»
«Is Abman here?»
«He's probably knocked out by the drink. Wait here. I'll bring it to you.» Was it because of some proper financial therapy? Mrs. Bear seemed several times kinder than before.
I sat and waited at the half-clear table until Mr. Bear was brought in, rubbing his eyes. «Yandel, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?».
«I have something urgent to tell you».
«Oh yeah? Wait, let me clear my head first. Honey?»
When Mr. Bear called her, Mrs. Bear served him water with honey. «Drink it all». Seeing that comforting hospitality, it seemed that he had regained his authority as head of the family.
«Ugh, that hits the nail on the head. So, your urgent matter?»
«I'll get to the point. Are you going to join the next exploration?»
«Hmm, does it seem like you've already made up your mind?»
«I sign up».
When I nodded without any farce, Mr. Bear giggled. «Oh yeah? Then I'll join».
«That was fast. Do you know something I don't know?».
«No, but we are a team. If the leader has made a decision, you should trust him». It was a completely unexpected response. Thinking that you would respect the authority of the leader. This man was more conservative in these areas than I thought.
«End of conversation, then.»
«Why not have a drink while you're here?»
«No thanks. Your wife needs to rest too. Now that you're awake, you can help her clean up».
The conversation ended in an instant and I left the tavern. It seemed that with that phrase he had gained some points with her, because Mrs. Bear's eyes became much softer.
It was after three in the morning, but I headed to the magic tower without hesitation. For Raven, this was the same as day. In fact, she was locked in her laboratory working on an experiment.
«Hm? Mr. Yandel? What are you doing here?»
«I came to ask you something».
«Oh yeah? Let me finish this. You can sit wherever you want while you wait».
I thought he would call me out for my rudeness for coming at this hour, but surprisingly he didn't. Was it because we were teammates now? At least he didn't treat me like a stranger.
«So what do you want to ask?» Raven cleaned the surroundings and sat down.
I told him bluntly: «Labyrinth. You're going?»
«Ah, that... Well, we had to talk about that. What did the others say?»
He asked as if it were obvious that he was coming to ask him the last thing. It would hurt my pride a little, but it was the truth. «Everyone except you has agreed to enter».
«Is that so? Then I will go with you».
«That was fast. Do you know something I don't know?». I repeated the same thing I told Mr. Bear and this time I received a different response.
«yes»
"...¿What are?"
«Nothing important. Only this time the palace did not send an official notice to the magic tower.»
«An official notice?»
«Normally, when something dangerous happens, the magic tower is notified first. Like, 'don't go to the maze this month'».
My head went blank for a moment, but it made sense. It was kind of a VIP deal. As magicians were considered high-quality human resources, the palace directly took care of their safety.
«So don't worry. They are the ones who led the conquest, but there is no official announcement yet? It means that the palace has judged that it is not dangerous».
«...I see. If there is something like that, tell me in advance».
«If the leader wants it».
After that mocking smile, I left the magic tower, returned home and woke Missha and Ainar from their sleep.
«Ugh, what's up? Was sleeping.»
«Ugh, this smell of alcohol! Have you gone drinking without me again?»
«Uh huh, just eat this.» I gave them chicken thighs and notified them of the decision. «We're going to the maze».
Ainar reacted as if it were something natural. Missha let out a big sigh. «I knew it, you crazy barbarian».
Ugh, it would be nice if the rest of the team was like them.
«So that's all?»
«Yes that's all. Go to sleep.»
«Ugh, tell us these things in the morning!». Missha complained and returned to her room.
Ainar did the same. «Good night, Bjorn!»
I also took out my key and inserted it into the slot. However, just as I was about to open the door, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
Click, clack.
This white noise was not particularly strange considering that it was an inn, but for some reason that sound penetrated my ears today.
Click.
In the end, I unconsciously turned towards the staircase and made eye contact with the person climbing. I thought maybe I was wrong about the skirt, but of course not.
What is she doing here?
This person had made me experience an insurmountable wall twice, once in the Land of the Dead and once in the sewers, the eighth-floor explorer of the underground city, commonly known as the psychopathic fox.
Gulp.
As soon as I saw the face that had stuck in my mind, I swallowed without realizing it. But was she just as confused?
«To think I'd see a familiar face here... This is a problem». The woman looked at me, frowned, and adopted a posture with one foot thrown back. It seemed like he had already found a solution. «Well, I just have to beat you up and erase your memory like last time».
Damn sea.