Chapter 45 – The Devil (Part 2)

 

Back at the inn, I was packing my things when I was lost in thinking about the metal helmet in my hand.

To sell it or not?

The official name of this helmet in the game is the Golden Mask, an item that could be obtained by defeating the Bloody Citadel boss monster and completing various special conditions. The effect was simple: It changed the appearance of the wearer's face for 30 days.

It is a consumable with a limited number of uses.

Maybe a maximum of 5 times? After that, it naturally disappeared. Of course, my memory wasn't perfect, largely because other than the first time I purchased it, I'd never used the item before. After that, I always sold it on the exchange for about 500,000 stones.

And yet... I don't know what to do about it.

Of course, if it was a game, I wouldn't even worry about it. It was obvious. A decorative object? What's the point of decorating a two-dimensional pixel character, and even for a short period of 30 days? Even if the market price was 10,000 stones, it would be more profitable to sell it. But now it was an undeniable reality. After a short thought, I made a decision.

You never know. I'll just hold it for now. It's not that I don't have enough money.

The situation was different from the game in many ways. Recently, I was even framed and sent to prison. If the time comes when this city turns into my enemy, this item will surely play a big role.

Perhaps it will even find another use.

After all, money is the best.

After these reflections, I once again realized the importance of money. If I didn't make a lot of money this time, I would definitely choose the sale option. As you can see from this, the more money you have, the more options you can choose from, whether it's a game or reality, or even a distant world.

***

"Hey!" Have you heard? The Crystal Union has been dissolved!

In the corner of the restaurant, a silver-haired elf ate quietly. Her name was Daria Vitember di Tercia, and she perked up her ears because the subject was interesting to her.

"What?" Is the Crystal Union dissolved?

The Crystal Union was a clan of explorers that had achieved explosive growth over the past 10 years, providing various amenities to 1st floor explorers, forming a vast network of contacts through countless message stones.

"Isn't that amazing?" An entire clan of ordinary explorers had evaporated overnight.

"Ha!" Conventional? When have these researchers ever done research?

From what Daria had heard, the members of the Crystal Union were mostly ordinary civilians who, under the pressure of having to pay taxes, had moved into the realm of researchers. She remembered that they had their main job in the city, and they found time one day a month to go to the maze. Of course, there was nothing wrong with that. No, it was rather good for this purpose. In fact, she had heard that the Crystal Union had saved many civilians from trouble for not being able to pay their taxes.

"Anyway, good news!" I'm starting to get tired of them calling themselves researchers and acting undisciplined.

Recently, however, the Crystal Union has become corrupt. As their power grew, they began to reject outsiders and even manipulate them into committing immoral acts against aspiring researchers. Her sister was one of them. It was not enough for them to commit an unforgivable crime, they even tried to silence her.

It is unpleasant to admit it, but if it were not for that barbarian, something unimaginable would have happened.

When Daria heard this story, she was determined to teach them a lesson one day. But now, it seemed, there was no need for that; Coincidentally, this time also thanks to the Varvar.

"By the way, why did they suddenly dissolve?"

"Oh, haven't you heard other news?"

"Other news?"

"Unchained Barbarian!"

Secretly overhearing the subsequent story, Daria involuntarily frowned. This story became more and more interesting. Not only did he escape from prison and clear his name, but he also took the daughter of the head of the county hostage.

"Now that the incident is out of control, it is said that the looting law, which was supposed to only apply to rank 9 researchers, may even be repealed.

It was indeed an incident that was worth happening. The man who had allegedly framed the barbarian had already been hanged, and even the Crystal Union, which boasted of its inflated influence, seemed to have retaliated for its past behavior and received a heavy blow.

"But you know what's even more surprising?" This barbarian is only a rank 9 researcher! In other words, it hadn't even been long since his coming-of-age ceremony!

For some reason, after hearing this story, Daria remembered one particular barbarian who behaved with dignity even in her presence, and also showed himself in many other ways.

It can't be a coincidence...

She shook her head as if to dispel thoughts, then left the restaurant and went home. But with every step she took, she began to doubt.

Is that barbarian really dead?

Until now, there had been no doubt as to the circumstances. But if the news was related to him, it would explain why he hadn't returned to the inn for two days. Could she really tell her little sister about it?

*Click*

When she opened the door, she saw her sister, who had noticeably lost weight. Sitting on the bed with her eyes closed, she manipulated three sparks of flame that seemed to be about to go out. In the labyrinth, its limit was two.

"Oh, you're back?!"

— ... You haven't summoned spirits since then, have you?

"Mmm. In this way, I can increase my affinity...

Daria's lips hardened at these words. The teaching method itself was not surprising. She once taught her sister this method. However, she had never pushed herself to such a limit before.

"You know, I think I heard the voice of fire.

"What?"

"Now I understand. How to become stronger. Why did I have to be weak all this time? Why did I always have to accept someone else's help? Her sister, who always averted her eyes and seemed shy when she spoke, looked straight into Daria's eyes and continued, "I wasn't desperate enough.

There was no vitality in her cracked voice, but despair was at least evident. It was a malicious anger. Finally, what her younger sister most lacked was fulfilled. It was clear what caused this change, so Daria kept her mouth shut.

Even if what I think is true... Now is not the best time to tell her about it.

Like 10 years ago, all of this had to happen for the sake of her precious younger sister.

***

It was past noon. I went to the Explorers Guild near the magic tower. To be honest, after the horror I experienced here, I didn't think I'd be back here anytime soon. But in order to continue completing the quests that arose yesterday, I had no choice.

The Guild Administrator asked strictly on the main points without further ado.

"How can I help you?"

"I'm looking for a teammate of the same level.

— Are you looking for a certain type?

I answered without hesitation:

"I need a team operating on the 3rd floor and consisting of at least four people.

Since I'm here to find a team, I had no intention of just filling Einar's vacancy. Rather, I planned to use this promotion to rank 7 to join the team with better skills and effectively attack the upper floors.

Well, this is provided that a good team is found.

As soon as I opened my ID along with the personal data report that I had prepared in advance in accordance with the procedure, the tired administrator shuddered. Then he looked at him several times with strange eyes.

— ... 5 stars?

— Any problems?

"N-no!"

The administrator was strangely wary. I didn't know what those stars meant, but for some reason, his voice became much friendlier.

— This is a list of teams that fit the criteria you requested. Would you like to check them out?

The list was compiled within five minutes.

"It's quite short!"

"I swear that among all the lists of recruits that have been posted, only these are the ones that fit the conditions!"

Did I say otherwise? I was just stating a fact.

I didn't know why they would swear anything like that at all.

"Hmm...

The document they printed out listed brief information about each of the 15 teams. The first of them read:

[Scout 3rd Floor - Ellen Bornev]

Preferred areas of exploration: Twilight Slope, Ironstone Hill, Black Mouth.

Average rank: 7

Current Strength: 2 Human Melee Warriors (Rank 7), 1 Melee Beastman (Rank 7), 1 Dwarf Melee Warrior (Rank 7)

Pack: 1 melee warrior

*Uniform distribution

*No elves

*Participation in the dinner after the battle is mandatory

*Drinking during the study is allowed if desired.

What the hell was that team?

I had just read the text, but I could already smell the sweat dripping from them. Shocked, I read the other recruit lists, but there was none that particularly interested me. If the members were good, then the distribution ratio was bad. If the distribution ratio was good, then there was a problem in the composition of the team.

If this is visible in the ad, then in reality everything was even worse.

Maybe it would have been easier to find a team if my career had been a little longer. My maximum reached the 2nd floor. If I wasn't a so-called rookie, the range of possibilities would be much wider and there wouldn't be a team so blatantly trying to cheat me with the distribution ratio.

What a pity.

If I could, I'd rather post my own ad to find my teammates, but in this case, no one would come. And if they did, they would not be normal.

In any case, I didn't think I'd find them so quickly.

– Is there a team that you would like?

"Not today.

I returned the documents with a shake of my head, and the administrator replied like an NPC:

"Oh, is that so?" I'm sorry we couldn't help you after you've come this way. If you prefer, we can make your information available to other teams...

"No, thank you. I'll come another time.

"Oh, is that so?" I'm Terbes, your ever-friendly member of the Guild.

His voice, words, and actions were very friendly.

There were no flaws in their performance either.

"Goodbye then!"

But... Why did I feel so strange?

Uncomfortably leaving the Explorers Guild behind, I was already returning to the inn when I stopped at the corner of the alley because of a barbarian.

*Top*

Bushy beard, shabby and mud-stained trousers; Most barbarians usually behave like beggars, but even so, this one is pitifully leaning against the wall of the alley.

What is this?

As soon as I saw him, I felt incongruous. Although I lived elsewhere, I often interacted with other barbarians. There was nothing strange in the fact that the barbarian was resting on the street.

But... Why doesn't he have a weapon?

This was a very serious contradiction. No matter how poor, hungry, and cold they were, the barbarians carried weapons as if their own lives depended on it. Usually I suppressed my curiosity, but I was instinctively drawn to this man. What could have happened?

"Hey.

"Eeek!" "The barbarian who had fallen asleep leaning against the wall saw me and was very frightened. Well, fear of strangers was a natural reaction for a living being, but that was for other beings. We, fearless barbarians, did not do this.

Damn, that bastard...?

The formless feeling of incongruity gradually began to take shape.

My heart sank, but I quickly pulled myself together and replayed everything that needed to be done in my head. First, I must ease his wariness.

"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you."

To prove that I am a friend and not an enemy, I took a slice of jerky from my backpack and placed it in the barbarian's hand—the greatest kindness one can show as a barbarian. Of course, he only took it, but he didn't eat the jerky in front of me. However, at least I could clearly feel the alertness engraved in his eyes weaken a little.

Well, that should be enough for a conversation.

I asked as soon as the opportunity presented itself:

"What are you doing here?"

"I, I... I... no money, sir.

I nodded silently. Barbarians initially had no money. It was plausible. No, in fact, it was a matter of course.

"And what about your weapon?"

"I sold it, sir..."

Did he sell his weapons and treat him with honors?

"Let's introduce ourselves." I am Bjorn, son of Yandel.

— T-Tarican, son R-Riena!

Realizing his mistake, he spoke louder, but it was too late. I was sure.

"Nice to meet you, Tarikan, son of Rien!"

This guy was an evil spirit, and it hadn't been long since he had come here.