One of the three fundamental principles and five moral disciplines of Confucianism, it taught that there is order between the younger and the older.

But on the other hand, there is a saying: When you are in Rome, you have to behave like a Roman.

In this world, age does not matter at all.

In Raphdonia, order was determined by the power of man. In other words, order existed between the weak and the strong. According to this law, I had no reason to tolerate this man.

— ... It seems that this chick does not know its place.

"Why doesn't that little bird kick your ass now?"

When I stood up, the atmosphere instantly became murderous.

"What?"

The tanned blond man was amazed, as if no one had ever treated him like this before.

Mr. Bear calmly put his hand on my shoulder, gesturing for me to stop.

— Yandel.

At this, the Blonde smiled triumphantly again.

"Why don't you listen to your teammate?" If you kneel down and apologize, I won't go any further.

What is this freak talking about?

I just challenged him to a duel.

"Shut up and let's fight."

This was the only way to conduct personal disputes in the city. If an agreement was reached on a duel and it was conducted fairly in the presence of a notary, then it was not classified as violence. Although, if he dies, it will be a headache. To do this, I just needed to apply it softer.

— ... Do you understand what a duel is?

"I don't care. I just want to crush your head.

"Crazy...

He had probably never met such a wild explorer before, because Blonde's face looked completely lost.

I'm sure he didn't expect to be challenged to a duel at a meeting he came to show off.

"What are you thinking about?" Are you afraid that this chick will bend you?

— ... I don't have to deal with a madman.

The blonde snorted and got up from his seat.

So you're going to use this tactic: psychologically win by claiming that he doesn't want to face a madman.

The method of counteraction for this was simple:

"A chicken."

At this very word, a vein appeared on the Blonde's forehead. Apparently, he didn't want to talk to me, since he took out his anger on Derves standing next to him.

"Pepe, you should be more selective about who you invite. Communication with such a barbarian will lower your level.

Derves did not answer. More precisely, he did not have time. The tanned blond, having said everything he wanted, turned around and headed for the exit.

*Top! Top!*

His back was straight, his gait was defiant, but I noticed that he felt shame and humiliation from the situation.

"Abman, did you see it?" His face is red.

"Yes, it seems that he knows what shame is.

Even Mr. Bear, who had stopped me at first, did not hesitate to throw a stone at him with me. If you can't avoid it, enjoy it: a highly desirable mindset for my teammate.

However, I think this insult was difficult to bear.

*Top!*

Soon Blonde's legs stopped in front of the doorway.

"Oh, he stopped. I wonder if he will accept the duel?

— Of course not. Obviously, without a clan, this snot can do nothing.

The blonde turned his head and looked at me. When I gave him a teasing look, he spoke through clenched teeth.

"Barbarian, don't think that you can behave like this just because you have earned yourself a paltry reputation.

"Yes?" Or what?

"With this kind of behavior, you won't be able to go higher than the 5th floor.

I laughed heartily, without realizing it. Who does he think he is?

"Funny," I said, walking slowly forward. "I don't know how long you've been an explorer, but you're an idiot who was cowardly in front of a first-year like me. And I am the one who got to the 5th floor in just 8 months. I'm someone who, unlike you, has a nickname, and who created his team to rise higher. I am someone who is already recognized for his potential and who is spoken of as the successor of the barbarian tribe.

Standing right in front of him now, I patted him on the shoulder.

"So, which of us will be at the top in a few years?"

The blonde could not say anything. As befits a person with an average height of 170 cm, he only looked up at me.

I gently lowered my face and said in his ear:

"Now get out." If you want to go and snitch on your clan, that's up to you.

When I opened the door for him, the Blonde went outside in a daze.

*Clap*

I immediately closed it. When I turned around, everyone was looking at me. I returned to my seat and sat down.

"Okay, I've solved the problem. We will continue to drink.

Strangely, no one answered.

—…

God, how embarrassing. Have you never seen barbarians solve problems with words before?

***

The silence was short. The shock of the unexpected incident passed, and we started talking, clinking glasses. The main theme, of course, was Jack Johnsonville, that pompous, cowardly jerk.

"Hahaha, did you see his face when you challenged him to a duel?" I will never forget it.

To my surprise, no one criticized me. Well, if he was disgusting to those who had just met him, then he must have been even worse to them.

"But why did you keep inviting him?"

"He may have been condescending, but he was giving us information that only a clan member could know.

Hmm, it seems that this asshole was still of some use. If so, then I felt a little uncomfortable.

"Don't worry too much. Lately, we haven't greeted him often, so he has become less frequent. He would have gone somewhere else soon.

"As you say."

"Yes, and one more thing. You don't have to worry about him. He's at the bottom of his clan, so he wouldn't even think of taking revenge on you.

"Haha, Pepe." This is not a problem. With his temperament, he will be too embarrassed to say anything and will keep it to himself.

"Hmm, maybe. Well, if he said that, then the clan would treat him like an idiot.

It turned out well. Not to endure was the right decision.

Even if the clan retaliates, what will they do? Will they set up an ambush in the labyrinth?

If the big clan was caught doing this, it would be severely punished.

They will never cross the line for the sake of an insignificant person.

All they can do is, at best, deny me access to experience points.

They can abuse their power and prevent us from gaining experience points in a certain area. I don't know if it's just one area, but the 5th floor clans maintained a close relationship with each other. Therefore, getting on their blacklist entailed huge restrictions on leveling up. However, this did not apply to me. To begin with, I wasn't going to pay for experience points at all. Why should I pay when I can just hunt in the mirror?

"Well, let's have a drink!"

As the drinking continued, talk about the Blonde gradually faded away.

It was replaced by the theme of the conquest of Noark.

"Bjorn, will your team not participate?"

"Yes, I have a bad feeling. Derves, what are you going to do?

"We have already decided to go. The labyrinth is no less dangerous.

- I see.

"Most of us here would probably do the same. The rewards are tempting. If you translate everything into money, then you can't earn such an amount in less than a year.

"I wish you a happy return."

"Haha, thank you.

I did not say anything about this decision. There was no one here with less research experience than I had. They would not change their mind because of the advice of a beginner, and it was not polite.

Even a barbarian has to keep his mouth shut on some things.

"It's too late. Let's start going home. Abman, it's time for you too, otherwise you'll have problems with your wife.

—... I told her that I was with Yandel, so it was okay.

"Oh?" Your wife seems to have a very good opinion of this guy?

The meeting ended after two o'clock in the morning. Actually, one or two people left early for their own reasons, but I stayed until the very end.

"Will you come next time?"

"If you invite me."

"All right, I'll let you know through Abman."

I could not get any useful information. All I got was an idea of the thinking and logic of ordinary researchers. But I planned to participate next time, if, of course, they return alive. I was wondering how the conquest would go.

"Thanks to you, I drank well for the first time in a long time!"

When we went outside, the cool night air hugged my skin.

When I first got here, it was early spring. Now autumn was coming to an end.

"Let's go."

"Haha! Yes, let's go!

Mr. Bear was much more alert than usual, probably because he had drunk so much alcohol. In fact, he had drunk so much that it was strange that he could stand normally at all, but his mind seemed sober. However, this did not mean that he would be able to find his way home.

It seems to me that today I have become closer to him.

There were no cars running at that time, so we walked to the 7th sector to bring Mr. Bear home.

"Thank you for seeing him off." Would you like to stay and rest for a while? I've got something perfect for a hangover.

Mrs. Bear has been infinitely kind to me, perhaps because of the money her husband has earned on this expedition.

After refreshing myself with hot honey water, I went home.

Home, right?

Now the word stuck to my mouth.

*Click*

When I was unlocking my door, another one opened behind me at the same time: room 207, Misha's room.

"Mmm, are you back?"

"Oh, aren't you sleeping?"

"Why is it so late?" What is this smell of alcohol?

I stood in the hallway for a moment to tell her about the meeting I had been to with Mr. Bear.

"Oh, well, yes... You've done a good job. You are now like a real leader.

Such an exchange of views was part of the work of researchers. Misha patted me on the shoulder for my diligence.

"What's that paper bag in your hand?"

"Oh, I bought skewers with apples at the night market on the way.

"Hm?" But you don't like them.

"Don't you two like them?"

Mike grinned.

"Nyaha, you're like dad.

Mike took a skewer from the bag and returned to the room with it in her mouth. I'll give the rest to Einar tomorrow.

*Click*

I put the bag on the table and quickly washed my face. A moderate hangover and cool night air penetrating through the window.

Not bad.

It was one of those days when I began to think this way more often.

***

After the meeting, more hectic days followed. Now that we have the money, it's time to upgrade.

"Ainar, go to the Holy Land for the Spiritual Imprint."

"I have no money.

"I'll lend you some."

— … Hooray...

When I first lent her money, Einar acted as if she was getting it for free, but as it grew, she realized the weight of the debt.

"How much longer will I be broke!?"

Well, maybe a year or so?!

In fact, even after that, I still planned to tell her what to spend the money on. In total, the Stage 3 Imprint took 3 days.

"You look happy. Wasn't it painful?

"It hurts!"

"Then?"

"But pain is natural for growth!"

Oh, yes... And so it was.

After all, barbarians had a different mentality than ordinary people.

By the way, Einar's Imprint was "Killer", a typical Imprint for warriors, adjusting various combat stats. For the Stage 3 Imprint, I chose Predation, a well-functioning passive skill that restores a certain amount of Soul Power when you kill a monster.

For now, we will focus on the 3rd stage, and when we earn more, we will raise it to the 6th.

Meanwhile, Misha was also improving. Perhaps Einar's terrifying stature made her impatient. Misha spent most of the money she earned on Animal Blood.

And here is the result.

"Bjorn!" Finally, I did it!

Finally, the first awakening of her Spirit Creature had occurred. Her new power is [Blessing of the Glacier], an ability that reduces the consumption of skills and items with the attribute of cold by 2x.

I didn't expect her to appear before the sword...

Is this really compensation for all past difficulties? Ever since we got to the 5th floor, everything has been going smoothly.

"Are you going to use this equipment anyway?"

"It's normal on the 5th floor.

It's not like I didn't spend money. I sold the expandable backpack I've been using so far, and spent almost all the money to buy a subspace ring.

A person's heart can be so fastidious. Even the backpack began to seem uncomfortable.

I was going to replace it in the future anyway, so you can buy it in advance.

Personal storage was necessary in the labyrinth. You never know when you might be separated from your team. Moreover, perishable products could also be stored in the subspace.

There is nothing in this world that cannot be done with money.

Having decided to continue earning money, I prepared to leave. I was to meet Rothmiller.

"Fortunately, you came on time today.

"I'm a conductor now.

"Haha, I like your attitude.

Recently, I have been meeting with Rothmiller every day to train as a conductor. Not for free, of course. As with blacksmiths and other skilled professionals in the Middle Ages, asking for free lessons was outright theft. I paid a considerable amount every day.

"I haven't been to the 5th floor myself, so I can't teach you." But I have studied this issue a lot, so I can give you some advice. Well, learning how to make a map would be very useful.

I gained the basic knowledge needed to be a guide, and a few tricks and know-how that only practitioners could tell me. In addition, we underwent special training to develop a better sense of direction and so on. Gradually, I learned everything that Rothmiller had spent years perfecting on.

— ... Since I'm teaching you, it might be a good idea to set up a training center.

— Good idea. I am sure that many will want to learn from you.

"Haha, flatterer...

After classes with Rothmiller, I went to the inn to have dinner with everyone else. Oh, Ervena joined us today.

"How do you always know I'm here?" I could go somewhere.

"Mm... how to put it. This is the intuition of the elves, probably.

"What do you mean?" You just keep coming until you find him.

"Misha is right!" You're a liar!!

— ... Both of you, stop it.

Every time Ervena was around, the two would become rude. It's not that I don't understand. The barbarians hated the elves, and Misha simply did not like them.

I would like them to get along, because someday they can become teammates...

Am I not asking too much?

I may have to reconsider my decision to include Hervena in the team.

While we were eating, I learned about Ervena's current situation. It turned out that her sister had decided to join the clan as a mercenary for a few months, and that they would be hunting on the 5th floor.

This is what it means to be born with a golden spoon in your mouth.

"All right, I'll go!" See you next week!

After dinner, I went up to my room, washed my face, and lay down to rest. It was late, but I was awake.

[Your soul has resonated and is drawn to a certain world].

Today was this day.