NoveLight ™
At the planned meeting the next day, the whole team gathered in the tavern for the first time in a long time. It wasn't the tavern we used to go to, because the dwarf was adamantly against it.
"Let's go somewhere else!" This place is full of bad luck!
He must have been unhappy that the Dvalki had suddenly arrested Mozlana in this place. Misha and Rothmiller also agreed, because the researchers were superstitious people.
Well, it's not like I couldn't understand.
As a profession that can become deadly without luck, such a sensitive reaction was not strange.
But isn't it too much?
I sighed. I didn't care if I had to go to another tavern. It was a bit of a hassle, but it doesn't look like this decision has affected reality, despite the explosives the dwarf had detonated a moment ago.
— ... Why are you silent?
As I sighed, Hikurod began to frantically observe my reaction. I think this showed that he had at least a little conscience left.
"Just wait. I think.
"I'm waiting."
A heavy silence fell on the drinking establishment. I quietly collected my thoughts.
"To sum up, guys, this time you will not participate in the expedition.
There were 10 days left before the opening of the labyrinth. At the last meeting to confirm our plans, Hikurod had stated that he would not participate in the reconnaissance, and he was not alone. Rothmiller and Dvalki, as if they had discussed it beforehand, were of the same opinion.
"Hm!" They say that there is no smoke without fire.
"Since the matter is serious, I decided that it would be right to take a break for about a month and see how everything develops.
Is this a collective boycott?
Three of the five team members declared their non-participation. The reason was simple: Rumors that the Dimensional Collapse was about to occur had spread so far that it should have alarmed them. This is how the human brain works. Even if you think that this will not happen, reasoning logically, it is easy to get carried away by the atmosphere around you.
"All my former teammates have said that they won't be participating this time.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to rest?" You don't have to worry about next year's taxes.
"If the Collapse really happens, then it will be the end!"
At first, they had said it in an apologetic tone, but now they were even worried about my safety.
— ... Bjorn, what are you going to do?
Misha cautiously asked my thoughts.
To be honest, it wouldn't be hard to convince them otherwise. I could slip in the information I learned from Ghostbusters, and with time and some convincing, these guys would change their minds.
But this is not necessary.
When I thought about it, it wasn't too bad, as it's been 3 months since I visited the Bloody Citadel.
It's even better this way. Sooner or later, I was going to enter the labyrinth separately, for my own reasons.
The rule was to clear the 1st floor rift every time it spawned at the beginning of the game.
Best Game Consoles
"If that's what you guys think, there's nothing I can do. Then this time Misha and I will enter together.
"Huh?" So do I?
"Then you're going to let me go alone?"
"No, but...
What does "but" mean?
She clearly looks like she doesn't want to.
"If you're so worried, then I'll just-...
"Ah, you are a barbarian! Shouldn't you at least ask me properly? And at least once speak politely?!
Is it polite? Hmm...
"Would you like to come with me?"
"Tsok, do you think I'll let you go alone?"
What does she want from me at all?
"Good, then."
But the decision was made. This time I was going to the Chasm.
***
"Breaking news!" Breaking news!
Coincidentally, the day after Hikuroda announced his non-participation, notices were posted all over the city. It was an official document circulated by the royal family, stating that the rumors surrounding the Dimension Collapse were actually unfounded.
Everything really turned out as he said.
The official document even mentioned the Tarutein School, which stated that, blinded by research, they deliberately spread rumors. I was a little surprised. I may have spent 40,000 GP on this information, but I didn't expect it to turn out to be so accurate.
"Hahaha!" Bjorn! Did you see it?
In any case, when evening came, Hikurod came to find me. With a joyful face, he withdrew his statement from yesterday and said that he could now enter the labyrinth.
But... I've already decided which Chasm I'm going to enter.
"What?" Do you want to go together? I've already received a request, so I can't do it!
"Hm? Query?
I pronounced the prepared answer:
"It was clear that Misha and I would not be able to earn much together, so I accepted the request. The job was to escort in the maze, so I had to stay close to the client until we got back to town.
"Is it possible... cancel the order?
"I've already received the advance, but you want me to break my promise?"
"N-no, but...
It was the perfect response, leaving no room for negotiation. The dwarf had no choice but to lower his shoulders and go home. What could he say here? In the end, the reason for this incident was his own statement of non-participation.
Well, seeing him in this state makes me feel a little sorry for him.
Even if it wasn't this time, I would eventually come up with an excuse to leave with Misha. It doesn't look like the five of us could enter the Chasm. In addition to having fewer slices of the pie, it also increased the number of risks.
This is the right decision.
I erased my regrets. Unlike Misha, with whom I had developed a trusting relationship, not just comradeship, it was stupid to reveal a hidden piece to the other three.
*Rumble*
When the door closed behind Hikuroda, Mike ran in.
"A request for escort?" When did you manage to do it?
"Don't worry about it. It's just a pretext.
- Suggestion?
Mike tilted her head as if she didn't understand.
I honestly told her that in the next study we would be going to the Chasm, and that there was a method that ordinary people did not know about.
"Did you find out about it in the library as well?"
"Well, something like that.
"Well... But why did you keep it a secret from Hikuroda? Wouldn't it be great if we went together?
The question sounded too innocent. I grinned and said:
"Misha, did you tell anyone about the contract with the Spirit Creature that you made thanks to the Frost Spirit Ring?"
"Hm? No!
"Really?" Nobody?
"You told me to keep it a secret.
— That's right.
I nodded and continued.
"But what do you think would have happened if it had been Hikurod?" If I had asked him the same, do you think he would have kept it a secret?
Mike thought for a moment, then shook her head.
— ... It wouldn't be strange if Hikurod told everyone after he had had a few drinks.
"What about Dvalka or Rothmiller?"
"Well... I think Dvalki would have made a mistake even in a sober mind, and Rothmiller... I don't know.
Do all people see it the same way?
To my surprise, Misha's prediction almost coincided with what I was thinking to myself, with the exception of Rothmiller.
In fact, this person is the easiest to read.
Rothmiller would have kept it a secret, wondered how I knew such information, and became suspicious.
"Oh!" So that's why you kept it a secret?!
In general, at this stage, Misha seemed to understand what I wanted to say. But then another question arose.
"What about me?" Why do you tell me?
There were several reasons. Misha was surprisingly meticulous and knew how to keep her mouth shut. At the same time, she couldn't lie by nature. So I could check if the secret had spread in real time just by asking her like now.
However, this time, one word was enough. I'm a barbarian after all.
"You're someone I can trust.
Mike hiccuped.
***
There were 8 days left before the opening of the labyrinth. Once again, time passed quickly as I checked what I needed to do. To summarize briefly...
1st day.
Since the destination was the Chasm, there were quite a few things to prepare.
First, equipment.
"Are you buying equipment again?"
"I don't buy, I enchant.
I added an attribute to my mace and Misha's twin swords.
[Lightning energy has permeated the equipment, and a portion of the damage dealt by the equipment is converted to lightning damage].
The total cost was 600,000 stones. It was a temporary spell that only lasted for 30 days, but since the two of us were trying to clear the Chasm, it was worth it.
"If you're going to do it anyway, wouldn't it be better to make it permanent?"
"Then it would be 20 times more expensive.
—…
I also bought some lightning attribute-related consumables, such as Thunder Grass and Lightning Scrolls. In total, it cost only 300,000 stones, but since the goods were not in high demand, I had to beat around the bush.
— ... Do you really buy something so expensive?
"You bought the Expandable Backpack too, why do you need it?"
"It's not a consumable!" It doesn't fade after use!
Finally, after much deliberation, I bought a bottle of advanced potion. The purchase price was 1.03 million stones, however, the advanced potion was not an investment in the Chasm. It was just a thing I wanted to have at my disposal and have only now acquired. For a researcher who didn't have a priest, an advanced potion was equivalent to another life.
"If there is a need to use it, I won't think it's a waste of money.
"Hmm, that's true...
"Since we both pay for it, it's not such a big burden.
For reference, the value of about 2 million stones that I have spent up to this point was taken from the total account.
"Phew, then we're done spending now?"
— Yes.
2nd day.
First thing in the morning, I went to the Holy Land. This time I was greeted by the chief in the same way.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel!" I've heard rumors about you! I'm so proud! I've heard that your new nickname is the Knight Crusher!
Unlike the previous time, when he passed by for a short time, the chief praised me for a long time. Apparently, rumors about me have already spread throughout the Holy Land and have flared up among the young warriors. In any case, it was a pointless time for me, so I gave a rude answer and headed to the shaman's tent.
"Heh heh, warrior, it seems that you are resourceful since you were able to make so much money in just 2 months.
I paid 4 million stones to activate the 4th stage of the Imprint of Immortality.
[You have activated Imprint of Immortality: Stage 4].
[Willpower and Soul Power increased].
[Spirit +30].
[Special Abilities +10].
All the money I had made by contacting the baron had vanished, but it was still a steady business. Aside from Willpower, which gave a strong bonus to resist psychic magic or anomalous states, it was safe to say that there was virtually no way to increase the Soul Force that served MP other than leveling up and a few essences.
Day 3.
Returning to the dorm almost half-dead, I checked the MP change as soon as I woke up. The duration of [Gigantization] has been increased by 1.5 times.
"Why did you come so early?" Go wash your face. Let's eat.
Misha came, and we just had breakfast – something that happened every day and somehow became a routine.
"Are you going to the library?" Can I come with you?"
"You...?"
"What kind of expression is this?!" Sometimes I also want to read a book!
After eating, I went with Misha to the library.
— [Parsitiev].
Why did Ragna use basic [Book Discovery] magic instead of advanced magic? Since it was strange, I asked why, but the answer I got was even stranger. Obviously, since this was done in secret, she couldn't have done it in front of someone else.
"Well, if that's the case, can't you cast it quietly and only on me?"
— This is also true. But it's Miss Karlstein, am I right? Please forget what you've heard about it.
What the hell?
I didn't want to think about it, so I just took Misha and started reading.
Day 4.
I visited the magic tower and helped Raven with her research. This was my last collaboration; I have fulfilled my entire quota. Now I didn't have to come here every week.
"You did a good job.
"Thank you for noticing.
"God... In any case, don't die.
Since it was a business relationship, the goodbye was short. However, contrary to my expectations, Raven did not take my pass to the magic tower.
"You can come if anything happens." But that doesn't mean you can bother me by coming in from time to time... You know what I mean, don't you? It seems that you often get involved in strange happenings. I'm sure I'll be curious about what you're up to.
"Good.
I met the old man on the way out, but he showed surprisingly little interest in me. It was not anger or frustration, but absolute indifference. Then I realized that from the first meeting this old man suspected an evil spirit in me. That's why he pretended to be friendly then.
Day 5, Day 6, Day 7.
The days passed as usual. In the morning I ate with Misha, in the afternoon I trained with her in sparring, and in the evening I went to the library and read books. And so time flew by.
"Everyone stand back!"
Finally, the long-awaited time has come.
*Shaaaa!*
From the center of the Dimension Square, where many researchers had gathered, a dazzling brilliance began to flare up.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel!" Thank you for your advice! I'll go inside first!
'Behellaaa
As soon as the city and the labyrinth were connected, a group of barbarians rushed into the portal at close range. To think that they even knew how to say "thank you." Why are we, barbarians, so polite?
"Hahaha!" I'm very jealous that they have a good mentor like you.
"I just showed the way.
"Don't be embarrassed.
Standing next to me were Hikurod, Rothmiller, and Dvalki. Obviously, they didn't want to miss a whole month.
"Be careful. If someone is kind to you, always be suspicious," I advised.
"Hahaha!" Do I look like those young barbarians?
Similar, actually.
Well, I was sure that Rothmiller would take care of them. Since they would only go up to the 2nd floor this time, it wouldn't be dangerous even for the three of them.
"Then we need to get in quickly... Aren't you guys going to?
"Ah, our client hasn't come yet.
- I see. Then see you tomorrow... No, see you!
After a short greeting, the three entered the labyrinth first. I stayed where I was and watched the people pass.
Mike asked curiously:
"Bjorn, won't we come in?"
"Just wait.
"Hm? Until when?
Oh, newcomers... Just wait, since I'm telling you.
[You entered the Crystal Cavern on the 1st floor].
This is how we copy experience.
***
[Bjorn Jandel]
Level: 4 (new +1)
Constitution: 330
Spirit: 154 (+30)
Special Abilities: 128 (new +13)
Item Level: 828
Total Combat Strength: 865 (new +43)
Acquired essences: