In the castle, located deep in the Noark fortress, a man was talking to someone through a crystal ball.

— Amelia Reinvales. Did you find that explorer?

"[Not yet, my lord].

"I see...

This was the first regular report since the city was blocked. Naturally, there had been no results yet, but the castle lord fell silent nonetheless.

But the sad news did not end there.

"[There's something else I have to tell you.]

"What exactly?" Tell.

"[It is said that starting this month, the palace will distribute specially made identification tags to researchers].

— ... Is it a magical device?

"[Yes].

— Explain in more detail. I'm sure you've already found out more information about him.

The lord of the castle listened to Amelia's information about the identification marks that the royal family planned to distribute. The more he heard, the darker he became. The identification tags were developed by the royal magician.

"It will take us at least a few months to come up with something similar.

— [Yes, I think so too].

— Thank you for the news. Don't worry about us and focus on your mission. See you next month.

After finishing the call, the castle lord closed his eyes and fell into deep thought. Some time passed in this way.

"Ah, here you are.

Summoning the treasurer, the first thing the castle lord did was find out Noark's financial situation. More precisely, he asked this question.

"Treasurer, how long can we hold out without entering the labyrinth?"

– 3 months, if the pace does not change.

After the last battle, things were not going well.

However, there was no case when they were ahead of the other side, and it was habitual. It was the same with their ancestors.

"And if we starve, how long will we hold out?"

— ... Perhaps twice as long.

- I see.

The castle lord nodded curtly. Then he called his assistants and issued an order:

"Until I give the order, seal the labyrinth and make sure no one can enter."

—... The response will be serious. Can we find out how long it will take?

The lord replied firmly.

"At least until we can copy the identification marks made by the royal family.

If they had entered earlier, they would surely have been doomed to an ignominious death.

"Until then, we'll hold on as long as possible and let them let their guard down.

We must be patient and wait for the right moment. Then the very chance to change everything will definitely come.

***

[Labyrinth Closed]

[You're transported to Rafdonia.]

***

The light slowly penetrated my closed eyelids. When I slowly opened my eyes, for the first time in a long time, my vision filled a clear sky. The warm city air penetrated deep into the lungs with each breath. I felt the passage of time with my whole body.

Is it really already June?

Six months have passed since I was exiled to Biphron. Winter here, which was some kind of joke compared to Korea, was long over, and even the short spring was coming to an end.

Interesting.

When I got into this world, it was March. More than a year has passed since I came here. I felt it when I had to pay taxes for the first year, but the strange feeling remained. To be honest, the memories of my life on Earth were beginning to fade, which is not surprising, because if you add the time spent in the labyrinth, then my stay here will be almost 2 years.

"Hey, are you going to go back to the inn right away?"

"yes. Let's wash and have a drink.

"I'm back!!

After making sure that everything around me was as usual, I shook the thoughts out of my head.

Nothing special happened this time either.

I was curious about how things were on the other floors, but judging by the reaction of others, there were no special incidents. I'm starting to worry.

*Shaaaa*

I looked down and checked my wrists. Although it hadn't been long since I returned to the city, the ID mark engraved with the tattoo on my wrist was already dissipating like light. It was cumbersome to get a new one every time, but it was different in its characteristics from the old ID tags that could be stolen. Coincidentally, around the same time that this mark appeared, there was no trace of these underground bastards.

… I think that soon the time will come to show myself to them.

The ecosystem here is completely different from that on Earth. There are no rivers and fertile lands suitable for agriculture. In order to survive, both Noark and Rafdonia were forced to create food with the help of mana stones from the labyrinth.

But for six months now, there has been no news from them...

When I learned from the Fox that the major clans had formed an alliance in preparation for the ambush that Noark had set up at the last meeting of the Round Table, I became even more worried.

Where did they all go? It didn't seem like they had any other way to get food other than mana stones.

"Mr. Yandel!" Why are you taking so long?

As I walked around and collected my thoughts, I saw Raven waving to me from afar. Somehow, even Mr. Bear came before me.

"I had something to think about.

"Hmph, you could have done it while you were standing in line..."

Yes, she only cared about efficiency. In general, since I was late, I apologized and got in line. It only took a few minutes before the queue advanced. This was because it was a checkpoint for the 5th rank.

"The Apple Narak team, right?"

This was one of many changes over the past six months. I, Ainar and Misha received the 5th rank, thanks to which the rank of the team rose by one step. To get the 5th rank, you had to fulfill the guild's request, which was somewhat cumbersome, but we did it together 3 months ago.

If the rank is low, it is inevitable that you will be looked down upon, and if you are looked down upon, then there is a high probability of trouble.

"Wow, they even give out candy here. Bjorn, did you know?

"I didn't know.

I put the candy that Misha handed me in my mouth and sucked on it.

"Sweet.

Rafdonia was a city infinitely cruel to the weak. Gradually, I began to feel respected wherever I went.

"Are we going to make the distribution tomorrow?"

"Why do you ask the obvious?"

"Oooh!" Then let's go! Home!!!

Just by exchanging mana stones, we went out into the city. At the checkpoint of the 5th rank, even a bathhouse was provided for convenience, but we did not use it this time either. Why, if you can just wash at home?

"See you tomorrow then." Honey, I'm here!

We parted ways in front of Mr. Bear's tavern to avoid the incident with the lost child and headed straight home to a four-story building in the inner 7th arrondissement, which was only a 10-minute drive from the Commelby shopping district. The 1st and 2nd floors were occupied by us, and the 3rd and 4th were occupied by another pair of researchers. The entrances were different, so we rarely bumped into each other.

"Oh, the house!

Unlike the previous housing, which was one room, the new house surpassed it in all respects. Only 2 months have passed since the move. It was a house that we really liked and the previous tenant moved out around the same time. Of course, we only rented it. The purchase price was insane.

"Since we've been washing for a long time, eat before that if you're hungry!"

Ainar and Misha went to the bathroom on the 1st floor with a bathtub, and I washed in the small bathroom on the 2nd floor. Although I called it "small", it was much better than in our previous home.

As I soaped up, I grinned.

This can also be considered a change.

We had a spacious house with a kitchen, soap sold in workshops rather than mass production, and even an expensive bed that I bought with great joy. Instead of spending every penny on returning home, I began to improve the quality of life here. However, I did not want to consider this an ineffective action. I don't know how many years I'll be here. Ever since the Genesis Treasures disappeared, I didn't even know if it was possible to go back.

And in general... I don't even know if it's worth going back.

I left the bathroom, wiping my hair dry with a towel, as if trying to shake off my weakness of will.

*Shhhh!*

Judging by the sound, they are still washing downstairs. I was hungry, but since Misha's food was much tastier, I sat down on the sofa and dozed off a little.

How much time has passed?

"You woke up just in time. Go and eat.

Feeling an appetizing smell, I turned my eyes towards the kitchen, and saw that a whole table was laid. Since there were two barbarians, most of the dishes were meat. During the meal, we had a casual conversation.

"Oh, that's right. Are you going to take the equipment today?

— Of course. It needs to be well cared for to make it last longer. As soon as we're done eating, hand it all over to me together. I'll go alone.

"Good. Will you go to Hikuroda's forge again?

"At least we should use it often. It doesn't seem like you need a special skill to test weapons.

In time, the dwarf opened a forge. About three months have passed, and it is still operating at a loss, since it was a business where the basis was regular customers. However, it seems that things have improved.

"But speaking of Hikuroda—" If his workshop failed, he would go back to researching, right?

"Don't say that... with him.

"Oh, am I crazy?" I also have brains. I'm just a little worried.

"Haha, Misha, why are you so worried?" If he fails, we can hire him as a butler!

"The butler...?"

"Hikurod is jolly!"

What did she think a butler was? I don't know, but it would be foolish to take seriously everything the barbarian says.

We exchanged meaningless phrases for a long time and laughed among ourselves.

"Then I'll go to the smithy, and you sleep in the meantime."

"Maybe we should go with you?"

"You shouldn't. I'm not going to do anything important.

After putting the children to bed, I gathered my gear and headed to the dwarven's workshop. Then, leaving it to be checked and repaired, I returned home and lay down in bed too—a very large bed bought for a whopping 350,000 stones.

Yes, here it is.

Satisfied with the unfailing softness, I closed my eyes. For some reason, I remembered the old days. Maybe it was when I had to spend the night in Commelbi with Misha because the last car had left? Then I thought when I would be able to sleep in such a bed every day, and that I still had a long way to go...

***

It's been more than a year since I arrived in this city. I was no longer afraid of the blood splattering my body, on the contrary, the days without blood seemed more embarrassing. At this point, I didn't even feel any emotion when I killed people.

Before going to bed, I asked myself if I had become more human than I had then.

***

The dream, which lasted until the next morning, ended with the arrival of Misha.

"You said you'd leave later. Wake up!

"Oh, thank you.

"Hungry?" Do you want to eat?

"No, we'll eat together when we meet."

"Really?"

When I washed my face and was about to leave, I heard snoring from the 1st floor. It seemed that Einar was still asleep.

For reference, Misha and I each occupied a bedroom on the 2nd floor. Although there were also two rooms on the 1st floor...

*Hraaaaaap!*

... This girl snored louder than me. The remaining room on the 2nd floor was used only as a storage room.

"Then I'll see you later at the tavern.

"Okay, see you later!"

I said goodbye to Misha and left the house. Instead of riding in a carriage, I walked to Commelbi, which was a 10-minute drive away. After crossing the fortress wall and walking another 30 minutes, I reached the public platform, where we agreed to meet.

Raven was already there.

"You're too late. The car has long arrived.

— .. Don't you think that you came early?

"Tsok, you're thinking too fast. Come on, let's go. Until I starved to death.

After I joined Raven, we ate at a restaurant we frequented and went to the usual shops and exchanges, disposing of the loot we had from the previous expedition. This time, sales were more solid than usual. This was due to a rank 5 essence that had dropped in the Hidden World on the other side of Mila Roden's mirror.

"It looks like it's going to take some time until it's sold." Let me give it with my money, and later I will take the money from the sale.

"I don't mind, but are you okay with that?"

— And what does not suit you? Waiting for it to sell and then getting back together to divide it is troublesome and useless.

That's true, but that's exactly what we've done so far, believing that it would lead to the least problems.

— ... A what? What kind of look is this?

"Nothing.

"It doesn't look like anything.

"It looks like it.

Barely holding back my laughter, I walked forward.

Come to think of it, this girl has also changed a lot, although she is still not very honest.

"Everything ended faster than I expected. Let's wait in the tavern.

After selling all the loot, we headed to the tavern that was the place where we met. As expected, no one has come yet.

"That's even good. Last time, I didn't even have time to organize.

After ordering only drinks, Raven took out a piece of paper and began to write down all the points of calculation for today in advance. It took longer than I expected. Every time I asked if she needed help, she always told me that she would do it herself.

"Thank you.

—... Why all of a sudden?

"You always take care of all the trouble for our team.

"If there was at least one other person besides me who could do this, I would not do it. Why don't you pay me while I'm at it?

"Okay, I'll pay." How much do you want? The rest will be happy.

— ... No matter. I can't get rich with this money.

God, if it weren't for that grumpy tone of voice, she would have been a lot more popular.

"Oh, I thought I'd be the last."

Time passed, and Mr. Bear appeared. Soon, the melee sisters arrived.

This is how the calculations began.

– 8.5 million per person.

Thanks to the fact that the mirror fell out of Mila Rodin, a large sum of money fell into our hands. I already paid off my debts 2 months ago, so all this income went into my pocket.

— Then let's talk about something else now.

After the calculation, we comfortably settled down over drinks and food, discussing plans for the next expedition. Although it would be more correct to call it not a discussion, but a notification.

"We won't go to Hellfire Gorge again.

"What?" Why?

For the past half a year, we've been hunting in the Hellfire Gorge and have used the mirror to enter the Hidden World three times. We've finished exploring the Ash Mountains and Lava Lake, which we couldn't get through earlier. It wasn't too difficult. With the Fire Sphere preventing fire damage from being inflicted, our combat power is much higher than when we first entered this place.

"Is there a reason why we should leave the place most suitable for us and go to another?"

Since she was having fun in Hellfire Gorge, Raven expressed her concern about my decision.

However, this issue was not subject to discussion.

"We can't stay on the 5th floor forever. It's time to explore other places.

In Hellfire Gulch, we got everything we could, and it was time to move on to the next chapter.

"So where are we going?"

"Into the Frost Canyon."

"Uh, Frost Canyon...

Mike stammered and looked at me. She knew that unlike the Hellfire Gorge, this field could be an opportunity for her.

Well, she wasn't wrong. In the Frost Canyon, there were several essences that went well with Misha's cold attribute.

It's one of those things that I need too. Once we get this essence, the Frost Canyon will be finished.

After that, I planned to just collect experience points from the two remaining fields in the Greater Demon Realm and make my way to the 6th floor.

However, this will take another year.

Nevertheless, we have already come a long way.

It was just when I thought about it that a light appeared from the vine ring on my finger.

*Shaaaa!*

"Bjorn, it's...

Unlike the first time, I did not deny and deceive myself. I didn't even try to twist the vines with saliva to put them back together. It wouldn't help anyway.

[The conditions for activating the Star Blessing have been met].

The second vine that was blocking my death flag associated with the Dragon Slayer snapped.

Bloody hell.