Taking into account today, it was four times:

Once in the Land of the Dead, once under the sewers, and once by accident in my inn after Noark was blocked. At this point, it wasn't just a stubborn coincidence.

Therefore, I had to gradually change my attitude towards this woman.

— ... Are you not coming?

"Yes, I've changed my mind.

They say that knowledge is power. Perhaps so far I have tried to avoid it so as not to get involved with this woman, but in the end we found out each other's names.

«... I am not a human woman." Amelia Reinvales."

Avoidance was no longer the solution.

We urgently need to find out what the hell this woman is up to.

If someone is constantly hanging around your house, of course, you need to find out what kind of person it is.

Is it worth reporting it to the police, or is it so scary that you should leave the house and run.

Only by knowing this could one react appropriately.

"Jincasar Feldjain!"

After waiting for a while, the door to the roof creaked open. The man who entered was some kind of slow-witted man with a black blindfold. He seemed to be the leader of the Eastern Gang.

"You dare to enter our territory without saying a word?" Then you should be ready for... Wait, what's wrong with your hair...?

The slow-witted man, who appeared cheerfully, did not finish his sentence. Apparently, Whiner's jellyfish haircut shocked him.

—... Was it a wig?

—…

The whiner did not answer, but hung his head. There was silence for a while.

It seemed that too much resentment had accumulated in him for sympathy. The situation resumed.

"Y-do you think I'll feel sorry for that?" Today I will put an end to our enmity!

"Pfft, poohahhaha!" Do you think that a fool like you, who has never been to a maze, can beat me with numbers alone? Me, a rank 6 researcher?

After the declaration of war on Slow-witted, exaggerated laughter and Whiner's confidence followed.

In essence, he is not of the 6th rank. When I interrogated him why he was so weak, Whiner admitted that he was actually a rank 7.

It can't be that such a guy would be so relaxed against a dozen people. Could it be that his confidence came from me?

It was quite funny, but Slow-witted was serious.

"Yes, I know that you used to be a rank 6 researcher. And that's why I brought someone more impressive with me.

— …?

"Guys, clear the way!"

When Slow-witted said this, dozens of thugs standing behind him stepped aside and showed the woman:

Amelia Reinvales, 8th floor researcher from Noark.

"A barbarian?" Why are you...?

She squeezed through the men with an annoyed look, then looked at me and frowned.

It was like a reward.

You have no idea how surprised I was to see you.

"That's what I want to ask. Why are you here?

Amelia ignored my words, as if collecting her thoughts, and Slow-witted spoke cautiously, watching us.

— ... Do you know this barbarian?

I guessed that he was worried that she seemed to know me, since he had completely trusted this woman.

"Quiet.

When Amelia muttered something incomprehensible, Slow-witted shuddered and fell silent. About three seconds passed.

"Bjorn Yandel, give me the man next to you."

When she had finished organizing her thoughts, Amelia suddenly made a request.

Of course, I would never agree to this.

"This guy is my subordinate.

The barbarians did not abandon their people. At least for no reason.

—... Boss!

When I answered immediately, without hesitation, the Whiner looked at me with a touched face.

On the other hand, Amelia didn't seem to understand anything.

— … Subordinate?

She looked like she didn't understand why I, a rising star in the research industry, was here to act as the leader of thugs.

I answered laconically:

"I had my own circumstances.

- I see.

Amelia nodded coldly.

You'd think she'd ask what those circumstances were, but it probably wasn't in her nature.

"Then I'll take it by force."

When the negotiations failed, Amelia immediately drew her dagger and took a fighting stance.

Did she think she was a barbarian, or what?

I quickly continued:

"Wait, let's talk first."

"Shall we talk?"

— Yes.

The situation was different from when we met in the inn. There were no comrades of mine who could help me, and Bifron was a zone of lawlessness.

Of course, it would be better to solve this without a fight. I didn't have the indicators to stop Aura yet.

— Interesting. I didn't think you'd say it first. Are you planning a surprise attack?

"A surprise attack?" I don't do anything so cowardly.

I did not hide the fact that it was offensive to me.

Perhaps if I had been in the sewers, I could have suddenly thrust my mace into it while talking, but I stood my ground. My memory of that time was erased. At least from her point of view.

— ... It's not even funny.

This was not a situation in which she could argue with me. However, Amelia went on without a hint of disappointment. Her body was still preparing for a surprise attack.

Had she finally recognized me as a worthy opponent?

"Drive the people out first.

"Good.

An agreement was reached, and after receiving a look, Slow-witted led the bandits back down. Next was Whiner's turn.

"Uh...

"Don't worry. I won't leave you.

"Yes, boss!"

He looked alarmed, but still trusted me and went downstairs. Soon we were alone on the roof. It's time to have a heart-to-heart talk.

— Amelia Reinvales. What are you doing here?

"Why should I answer?"

"I think it's ridiculous that adults interfere in children's showdowns.

— ... Haven't you just turned 20 years old?

Well, okay, the details were not important. I was sure that Whiner and Slow-witted were older, but in this industry, the stronger side was usually the one who was older.

"Anyway, your answer?"

Amelia thought for a moment before speaking.

"Start with yourself. Why the hell are you in Bifron?

"I was arrested for using a special ability in the city. I thought it would end in a fine, but I was told that I had to live here for 20 days. Today is the 3rd day.

"And what about the subordinate?"

"He tried to rob me, I beat him in response and took him as my subordinate.

Amelia grinned.

"You really do whatever you want, don't you?"

There was no sarcasm in that grin. On the contrary, there was a hint of envy in it.

"It's your turn." Why did you come here?

A question that I have asked several times already.

At last Amelia answered it, albeit briefly.

"I'm looking for a researcher who might be here. In exchange for help, I agreed to help them with one thing.

- I see.

I got a rough idea of the situation. At first, I wondered why she would negotiate with such weaklings...

Probably, she wants to do everything quietly. Such a fuss as I have made will inevitably seep out.

Everything can turn out much easier than I thought.

"Just so you know, I'm not here to break my promise.

And?

When I tilted my head uncomprehendingly, Amelia continued, as if justifying herself.

"I... I didn't expect to meet you here.

Oh, that. It's her promise to never look for me again. I would never have thought that in such a situation she would care about it.

Does she really have some kind of frustration related to promises?

"Don't worry. I don't think you broke your promise.

"I see...

Now that I've figured out the situation, I've got straight to the point.

"In any case, it's good. We have absolutely no reason to fight over this issue.

"Do you mean you'll give it up?"

— No, there is no need for that. Don't you need subordinates? I'll lend you my people.

"I've heard that the Western Alliance is the smallest gang here.

"You're faster than I thought.

"Because it's been more than 10 days since I arrived here.

"I see," I nodded.

As she had said, the Western Alliance represented a small elite, although they were too weak to be called an elite.

Therefore, oriental bastards are more suitable for tracking people.

"Don't pay attention to the small number.

It's still not a problem.

Rather, I could hardly understand why she hadn't thought of doing something so simple.

Not enough subordinates?

Why bother with something like that?

"From now on, the eastern district is also my territory.

Subordinates could simply be added.

***

I wondered if she wasn't an unbending woman, given how much she valued promises, but she was remarkably similar to me in that sense.

Amelia was also obsessed with efficiency.

"Not a bad idea.

"So you agree?"

"And what will you get if you help me?"

— ... Do me a favor next time.

"Then I refuse. For some reason, I feel like you're going to ask me for something I can't handle.

Well, it didn't work. Well, okay, it doesn't matter. It wasn't the service that mattered.

"Then consider it charity. It's better than wasting energy fighting you.

Perhaps this was a convincing excuse, since only then did she nod in agreement.

So I went down to the 1st floor.

"What happened to that woman?"

"You forgot to add 'boss.'"

I kicked Slow-witted in the stomach as he stood in an awkward confrontation with Whiner. When hiring employees, it was customary to show who was in charge here.

"Ahem!"

From a kick directly in the stomach, Slow-witted fell to the floor.

"Oh, you bastard!"

With these words, the oriental thugs who filled the entire 1st floor rushed at me.

Swords, hammers, spears, skewers...

The bandits mercilessly struck with weapons that they held in their hands. There was no need to stop them.

"Why is this...

Despite the fact that the weapon aimed at exposed skin, it bounced off without even leaving cuts. It was natural.

These guys came by the dozens to catch one Whiner, and they thought it would work with my current Physical Resistance?

"Are you done?"

— ... No.

'Behellaaa

It didn't take long.

By instilling fear in them with the [Wild Splash] and crushing a few guys as a demonstration, the battle was over. Dozens of men didn't even dare to run away out of fear of the overwhelming difference in strength.

I grabbed Slow-witted by the collar and lifted him off the ground.

"What's your name?"

"F-Philippe Leiser!"

"From now on, I'll call you Slow-witted.

This was the end of the acquaintance. Just as I was about to move on to the next step, Slow-witted asked uncomprehendingly:

"Wh-Who are you?"

I corrected his mistake.

"Boss."

"What...?"

"I'm your boss.

"Boss...?"

With confused eyes, Slow-witted turned his gaze to Whiner, who was hiding in the corner. Only then did he seem to understand the situation.

Yes, it was the same with him.

"You came on time. Give me a potion.

— ... Potion?

"My subordinate is wounded. I need to cure him.

Amelia looked at me as if I were an incomprehensible creature, but then she took out a vial of potion and handed it to me.

*Chhhhhh*.

The slow-witted man screamed and squirmed as I gave him the potion. After a minute of waiting, he woke up in a cold sweat. It was as if he was still dreaming.

Enough of the stick, it's time for the carrot.

"I'll be leaving in 17 days.

"What?"

"I'm just saying.

Simply put, consider yourself unlucky and hold on until then. After that, I ordered Slow-witted and Whiner to go gather all the people.

"Since there are a lot of people, the Dimension Square will do. Is 5 hours enough?

"Th-that's absurd-...

"Yes, boss!" Enough!

The whiner loudly and energetically interrupted Slow-witted's words. Should I appoint him as a senior?

Answering "yes" to anything was the greatest virtue of a subordinate, especially if your boss was a barbarian.

"Well, then, get started.

Time was running out, and my subordinates quickly rushed to carry out their tasks. The sight was quite satisfactory.

So why is everyone so hungry for power?

I smiled, looked at Amelia, and asked as if I wasn't interested.

"Now tell me." Who are you looking for?

I was curious from the very beginning. After all, this woman was from Noark. It is possible that she is looking for someone not of her own free will, but at the behest of Noark.

They even let her out of the underground city at a time like this...

This can be an important clue. Any information can be useful. If this information was not relevant to me, I could use it to seem important at the Round Table. In any case, I had nothing to lose.

Contrary to my expectations, Amelia replied only with a description of the person.

"He looks like an elderly man, but he can be disguised.

"You mean that he can't be distinguished by his appearance. Then how will you find it?

— By the tattoo on the back. I've heard that it can't be hidden by any magic.

Hmm, so we have to check every person's back?

"Are there any other traits that can help?"

— None.

"You don't even know his name?"

— ... It doesn't make sense, because he would have used a pseudonym anyway.

"Who knows. Let's listen.

When I nudged her, Amelia hesitated for a moment, as if she were thinking. I guessed that she had decided that I would find out anyway. Then she said the name.

— Auril Gevis.

A what?

— Auril Gevis??

— ... You know him?

"No, I just pretended to know.

I made a mistake, but I made a poker face.

*Tudum-tudum-tudum!*

My heart beat like crazy. This was not surprising.

Auril Gavis?

That was the name of the author of the [Complete Books] series and the creator of Dungeon & Stone!