The day after Raven and I left for Commelby, the whole team gathered at the tavern and made the final payment.

"We really made a lot of money.

Mana Gems Income: $25.19 million

Expandable backpack and miscellaneous equipment: 3.01 million

Ifrit Essence minus Test Tube Cost: $9 million

Mila Roden's by-products: 750 thousand.

A total of 37.95 million stones.

Of course, it wasn't fair to divide it into five equal parts. Regarding mana stones, it was decided that Einhar would take 15% and Mr. Bear would take 25%. Mila Roden's essence and by-products were special prey, so Raven took 40%.

Let's see, then my share is... 7.1 million and 2500 stones.

For comparison: my share was exactly the same as Misha's.

- Miss Einar receives 5,843,000 stones.

"Oh!"

"So, what are you going to do with the cost of the essence?"

"Uh, essence...?" How many were there?

Her delight at the absurd figure was short-lived, and soon an expression of confusion appeared on Ainar's face.

— ... I'll pay a part for it.

I took 2,157,000 stones from my share and gave them to Raven.

"What about Miss Karlstein's share?"

"Ah, I'll get it from Einar later."

"Well, if that's what you say. Uh... wait, then Miss Einar won't be paid anything today.

That was the problem. Although she had worked hard in the labyrinth, her debt only increased. She owed 4 million to Misha and 7.5 million to me (including the cost of the equipment bought last month), a total of 11.5 million stones.

"Impossible...!" I had money, and now I don't have it! Something is wrong!

— That's how the world works. However, with the essence, you have become much stronger.

Unlike Misha, who comforted her with words, I decided to give her a tangible reward.

- In any case, I want to raise the issue of increasing Einar's share.

She had a rank 5 essence. To tell the truth, Einar's combat power could hardly be called below average.

"Oh, I don't mind.

—... From the next expedition, I will take only 20%.

Mr. Bear readily agreed, so the proportion of Ainhar's mana gems distribution was increased to 20%. Now it was evenly distributed.

If I could, I'd like to change the ratio for special loot as well... But it's clear that Raven won't be happy, so I'll do it another time.

Actually, if you think about it, it was a bit unfair.

I was a tank, a leader, and now also a guide... In addition, I walked them through all the hidden elements.

Shouldn't I get at least 30%?

"Ah, now, as soon as everyone pays the team fee, today's meeting will be over.

— What is the size of the command fund?

- 300,000 stones per person.

"Are you taking even more money?!"

Ainar's debt increased by another 300,000 stones. However, this did not mean anything, considering that I was feeding and providing her with housing anyway.

***

3 days after the final calculation, while Misha went with Ainar to apply for promotion to the 6th rank, I was lying on the bed and collecting my thoughts.

I have already collected another 10 million stones, not counting the money borrowed by Einar and the money in the joint account with Misha.

When I came to the 5th floor, my growth accelerated. Now that I had the opportunity to play proactively, I could make full use of my in-game knowledge. I made a rough plan.

I will lay the foundation on the 5th floor and in a year I will go up to the 6th.

Of course, it would be difficult to advance as fast from the 6th floor as it was now. This floor cannot be overcome by combat power alone. Starting from this floor, you will have to fight for a long time.

… But on this floor, I can absorb the essence I need.

While a formidable enemy named Dragon Slayer is hunting for my head, I need to become stronger as soon as possible.

But even if this is not the case, then, given the situation that has developed today, my current state does not meet the requirements.

Recently, the atmosphere in the city has been very heavy. More precisely, a tense situation reigned in the research industry. This is understandable, because such an incident occurred.

On the 4th floor alone, 471 people died during this expedition. This was a serious problem, incomparable to how many had died at the hands of Lord Floor on the 3rd floor last time.

They died not at the hands of monsters, but at the hands of marauders.

It was a large-scale terrorist attack on veteran explorers who had been going in and out of the maze for almost 10 years.

"Bjorn!" When my thoughts reached this point, Mike hurriedly returned from the Guild with a sheet of paper in his hands. "Look!" The Royal Family has issued a notice to researchers!

I quickly picked up the paper and read it.

The announcement stated that the royal family had developed a plan for the conquest, and that explorers of the 6th rank and above who took part in it would be rewarded. The goal of the conquest was Noark.

… There will be a hype.

The underground city was an open secret. Everyone who knew about it knew about it, but 99% of people didn't even know it existed. However, this organization was mentioned in an official notice from the palace.

"Bjorn, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know.

The reward was very attractive. Not only an impressive amount per person, but also the abolition of taxes and currency exchange fees for three years. In addition, the royal family promises them to bestow essence based on their achievements, so many might be tempted.

It seems that they have already recruited large clans.

The announcement also indicated the names of the clans that agreed to take part in the "competition". They probably received a much greater reward. Is this a kind of publicity stunt?

The mere involvement of large clans would increase the credibility of ordinary researchers. No, they would even consider it a pleasant opportunity and would consider it stupid not to participate.

But...

"In any case, I want to say that they violated the agreement first, so a punitive expedition can be organized against them. Therefore, never participate in this."

Remembering Lee Baek Ho's advice, I made a decision.

"We will not participate.

I refused to participate in the battle among the heavyweights and tear my back.

In addition, we are growing well as it is. I don't see the point in participating.

"I see... I'm glad. I don't have a very good feeling...

"I'll have to talk to Raven and Abman about it, just in case." Oh, how did Ainar react?

"She's looking forward to becoming famous. But don't worry. I'll explain everything to her well.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

After talking to Misha, I went to the Magic Tower.

I wonder what the sorcerer's point of view is?

The answer was simple.

"Ah, this announcement... I heard about it last night, too. I was going to ask you anyway, but I'm glad you're not participating.

"Do you mind it too?"

— Yes. I'm curious about the underground city, but no matter how they embellish it, it's just a war. I don't want to get involved in such a dispute of interests.

Whatever the reward on offer, Raven wasn't particularly interested. In many ways, it was luck.

Later, in Mr. Bear's tavern, I heard a similar answer.

"Everyone here talks about it all day, but I doubt it. The award, of course, is good, but...

Mr. Bear said that if he had worked alone, he might have joined the conquest. After all, he was almost 40 years old. 3 years of tax exemption was a huge amount. He almost single-handedly took care of his wife's share of taxes.

"Hoo-hoo, next year our child will also be born. Taxes will be reduced by 20 years, taking into account the allowance for the birth of a child, so there is no reason to rush so much.

- I see.

"If you guys stay away, then I don't intend to join either.

Thus, we decided not to participate.

… I will find out more information in the community when it opens.

In the meantime, I could not do anything. I was about to return to the inn to check my list of things to do in town for the month when Mr. Bear made a surprise proposal.

"Yandel, shall we have a drink tonight?"

"Shall we have a drink?"

"You're the leader of the team now. Apparently, you don't have any connections in this regard.

"So what?"

"Tonight there will be a meeting of the researchers of the 5th floor. Why don't you come with me?

Hmm, connections... To be honest, I'm not sure I want to.

However, researchers often gathered here to communicate and exchange information. It would be nice to try it at least once.

Well, since the Observers of the Round Table give out only advanced information, it is quite difficult to find out about this side of the work.

"Great. When and where will it be?

After listening to the time and place, I went to the library to pass the time. Ragna greeted me, as always, with a detached attitude. I wonder how she found out this news, constantly being in the library?

"Do you want to tell me something?"

"You... Participating in the Conquest?

— No, our team decided not to participate.

- I see. That's nice...

Ragna's complexion brightened.

For some reason, this seemed suspicious to me, and I asked directly:

"Okay?" Do you know anything about Noark?

"I... I don't know much about it. But I know what the royal family is like... There will undoubtedly be huge casualties," Ragna replied in a broken voice.

"The royal family?"

"Please, consider that you have not heard anything.

Soon, Ragna retracted her words with an expression on her face as if she had made a mistake.

I didn't try any further either. I knew how dangerous it was to gossip about the royal family.

"Thank you for your concern.

"Worry...

Ragna chewed the word over and over again. The reaction was unexpected. I thought she would correct me and tell me that, as usual, she did not worry about me.

— Yes. I was worried, but I'm very happy.

"Oh... I see.

This only puzzled me. However, after she said that, her neck turned red with embarrassment. So I pretended not to notice it.

— ... So you can cast a spell? I want to go read it.

"Oh, yes. Magic. Of course.

I didn't want to add to the awkwardness.

***

At 10 p.m., I usually washed my face and got ready for bed. However, I was in a bar that I had never been to, and not in the 7th sector where I lived, but through the wall in the 8th.

"Abman!" Long time no see! How are you?

— Yes, everything is the same. How about you?

"Haha!" I live as long as death eludes me!

When we entered the private room, there were about a dozen researchers. It seems that this affable man was the organizer.

"Who is this friend next to you?"

"He is the leader of our team.

"Oh?" And I was wondering who took you. And the lucky one was right here?

As soon as we entered the room, it was time for brief performances led by the organizer.

"I'm Perpe Derves." Call me whatever you want. You can call me just Pepe. This nickname is used only by my close friends.

Pepe... It was too cute a nickname for a bearded brute.

— ... I'll call you Derves."

— Of course.

"I am Bjorn, son of Yandel.

"Can I call you Bjorn?"

"As you wish."

The titles were arranged with the speed of a researcher.

"Wait, Bjorn Yandel?" Sounds familiar.

Then one of the researchers scratched his head and belatedly remembered where he had heard it.

"Ah, little Balkan! A barbarian who became famous in the battle with the Lord of the 3rd floor! Am I right?

— Yes.

As I readily admitted this, Derves's gaze at me changed slightly to one of surprise and a little doubtful.

"Oh, so it's only your first year?"

"Don't worry about it. Anyway, this time we went up to the 5th floor.

With Mr. Bear's help, doubts were completely dispelled, and only admiration remained.

"To get to the 5th floor in less than a year... It's amazing.

Derves then introduced the rest of the participants in turn. Given the fame of "Little Balkan" and knowing about my rapid growth, the reaction of everyone was positive.

Except for one person.

"I'm Jack Johnsonville, a member of the Nevis Wolves clan, rank 5," a tanned blond man with a somewhat aggressive look introduced himself.

Why does he look like that? Is he running into trouble?

My body itched from the barbaric way of thinking, but I showed titanic patience. After all, I was one of the few modern people in this world. Of course, I have to be understanding.

"Haha, then let's have a drink."

Feeling a chill in the air, Derves defused the atmosphere with a toast.

And so the meeting began. Everyone drank freely and exchanged friendly or business conversations.

"How is it?" Not bad, huh? Mr. Bear whispered in my ear.

I smiled and nodded. The thought was spinning in my head that there would be a lot of empty chatter, because this was a bunch of researchers, but everything turned out to be not so bad. True, one asshole still muddied the waters.

"Why don't we meet next time somewhere other than in an old bar?"

Jack Johnsonville.

"There's a tavern affiliated with our clan, and the drinking is amazing. Of course, it is much more expensive than here. Hahaha...

"Conquest?" Of course, you have to participate. Oh, maybe that's scary for a team unit like you guys. Nevertheless, try. You never know. Maybe you'll catch the eye of a recruiter and join a clan.

He was the only person in this gathering who was a member of the clan, and this bastard kept bragging about it. That son of a bitch even ruined the conversation every time the attention turned to me.

"I can't help asking. Yandel, what's your secret? How did you get up so fast?

"Isn't that obvious?" I met a good team.

—…

—... Haha, finding a good team is also a skill.

Each time there was silence, Derves did his best to defuse the argument.

"All right, Bjorn. How about you? I would like to hear your impressions of your first visit to our meeting.

Should I tell them the truth or not? I hesitated for a moment, but the answer was already predetermined.

"I like it.

— Of course, I like it. He's a rookie who has just arrived on the 5th floor.

I was a Korean barbarian who combined the spirit of civilized man, Confucian ideology, and the generosity of a barbarian. If I had to endure, I endured. I was sure that with a smile I would endure insults even worse than this.

But...

"What kind of nonsense are you talking about, you stupid son of a bitch?"

"Wh-what?" Are you talking to me now?

"Is there another stupid son of a bitch here besides you?"

When I didn't have to endure, I didn't.

After all, I am a barbarian.