In the silence that followed, a man shouted:

"What do you mean, not everyone will make it?"

In his voice, you could clearly hear the worry that they might be abandoned by this tough team.

"Let me explain," Versil said calmly. "Our scout reported that the Noark explorers have set up camp in the passage leading to the dark zone, so that no one can get out or enter.

In front were troops incomparable in size to those we had seen so far.

At the same time, another person exclaimed:

— … Are you saying that sacrifices are inevitable to clear the way?

This was the true meaning of saying that not everyone would reach the dark zone. I also had the same interpretation as this man.

However...

— In a sense.

The moment I heard these empty but meaningful words, my heart began to beat anxiously.

*Tudum!*

Versil continued without hesitation, omitting all excuses, only conclusions.

"We're going to use the magic of [Mass Teleportation].

[Mass Teleportation] was a high-rank spell that could only be used by Magi of rank 4 and above from certain schools. Now it became clear why not everyone could make it.

—…

There was an even deeper silence on the pitch than the previous time.

"B-Bjorn?" Can't you pass without a fight if you use teleportation magic? But why does everyone have such an expression on their faces...

The reason was simple.

- Teleport magic can only be used for 20 people.

As Raven said, [Mass Teleportation] was only available to 20 people, and there were 35 of us now.

15 people.

Simply put, in a situation where the safe zone in the central region was right under our noses, we would have to throw three teams.

— If you were going to abandon people, why did you propose to join forces? Someone shouted in anger.

However, Versil did not change her expression and only apologized briefly.

"I'm sorry for that. We also did not know that everything would turn out this way.

Her voice seemed soft but unforgiving.

I sighed softly.

It was pointless to convince such a person. No matter what they say, this woman will not change her mind.

So, how are you going to choose the 15 people who will be abandoned?

When I asked, Versil looked at me with a strange expression. I guessed that I was behaving uncharacteristically calm for a barbarian in such a situation.

"Each team will draw lots.

"Everyone except your team?"

— No, I don't. We and the other team," Versil said and looked away. There was a team that fought alongside them, paving the way throughout the journey.

"I'm sorry about that. Deputy Commander Versil and I have known each other for a long time.

The leaders of each team expressed their regrets to us, without surprise, as if they already knew about it.

yes, so it was agreed in advance, right?

There is nothing strange in this. These guys are also from a large clan. But ...

Bloody hell.

The headache crept up instantly. Now there are only 2 tickets left for the teleport. On the other hand, there were 3 losing tickets. If you go by lot, then there were more chances to be abandoned here.

But was it because they knew about it? The faces of the remaining teams changed to despair.

"Please take us."

"5 million... No, we will pay 10 million stones per person.

Some offered money.

"We're the Blue Wall Clan team. If you take us with you, the head will definitely give you a big reward...

Some promised a future through influence.

"We don't have a clan yet. In addition, we are all women. Maybe now we are operating on the 5th floor, we used to be on the 6th. I've heard that the Larer clan is recruiting due to recent losses...

Some even put themselves as an object of trade.

No one voluntarily agreed to draw lots. This was expected. After all, no one wanted to leave their only life to chance.

"Yandel," Mr. Bear's heavy voice called out to me. He probably asked if we should do something, too. For the time being, I was just watching, trying to see if it would be too late to propose, seeing what Versil decided.

"I'm sorry. It would be wrong.

"That means...!"

— Yes. For the rest, I will draw lots to keep things fair and hope you understand my decision.

By making an exception for only one team, Versil, as promised, stuck to the principle she had been talking about from the beginning.

—Versil Gowland, Deputy Commander of Clan Larer She's exactly what I've heard," Raven admired that nobility, but I couldn't really sympathize with her.

Rather, there was simply no offer that would suit her.

If she had been a really fair person, she would not have excluded that team from the draw, especially when it was obvious in what situation the remaining team would find themselves.

In any case, we will have to make a decision about who to choose...

I didn't know if it was good or bad. I have never won in such a selection.

"We're short on time, so let's get started right now.

Versil prepared a bag with five stones and finished preparing for the draw. The rules were simple: Two white stones win. Pulling out one of the three black stones meant that you would be thrown here without a second thought.

– Which team wants to go first?

"I'll go."

The first to come out was the team, which announced that it would pay 10 million stones per person.

"I can't believe that my fate depends on the cursed stone.

The dwarven warrior, dressed in bizarre gear, nervously lowered his hand into the pouch and...

"Hahaha... It's a go!

He succeeded on the first try. Laughter rang out in the dwarf team, while the faces of the other teams darkened.

"Stand here." Who's next?

Now there was only one ticket to heaven, and three to hell.

With all the odds stacked against them, no team was going to be first.

"Mr. Yandel, we need to wait. In terms of probability, if you draw now, you will have a better chance of drawing the black stone.

We had a 25% chance of winning and a 75% chance of losing, but as always, the probability was pointless.

"Well, let's do it.

While we were just looking at each other uncertainly, a team consisting of only women stepped forward.

"Kyaaaa!"

They pulled out the last white stone.

—…

Bloody hell.

***

"Then that's the end.

Only two lots decided the fate of all five teams. The other three teams didn't even have the opportunity to leave their lives to their fate.

"Kyahhhhh!"

What was I doing while the women's team was pulling out the white stone?

I was thinking about which of Misha, Einar and Raven should choose ours. I didn't think it would end in two rounds.

Does it make sense?

As soon as the thought crossed my mind, Versil turned the bag over and scattered three black stones on the floor, as if to prove that there was no deception involved.

"Then gather all around." We'll use magic as soon as we're ready.

At Versil's words, the chosen ones quickly gathered in one place.

And then...

"Wait!"

The leader of one of the three teams that were in a daze in this situation, Big Jaw from Ervena's team, hurriedly ran up to them.

"Take me with you!" Please, I'll do anything!

A desperate plea.

But persuasion did not work on this woman.

"The places are already taken.

Versil's emotionless voice caused Big Jaw to direct his pleading gaze to the side.

"If you give up your place, then 10 million!" No, I'll pay 20 million stones!

Trying to buy a seat for money, right? Now that I look at it, it's absolutely disgusting. He didn't mention any of his teammates, which means he wants to survive alone.

—…

Daria from the same team frowned, as if she was examining a bug, but Big Jaw did not stop there. When talking from a distance was not enough, he approached everyone and asked if they agreed to the deal, but everyone rejected him.

"Is there really no one?"

If you were them, would you give in?

Money is not a problem. Once you sell your seat for money, you will separate from your teammates.

"If you're done talking, could you move away?"

—…

At Versil's words, Big Jaw turned helplessly and returned to his team.

At this point, the incident was settled. A mage from Team Versil drew a magic circle on the floor to use [Mass Teleportation].

"Bjorn...

"We'll talk later.

I ignored Misha's call and spoke to the deputy commander.

"Versil Gowland.

— Yes. Talk.

Her voice was kind, but devoid of emotion, without sympathy or curiosity. Maybe she thought I was going to make a lousy request, like Big Jaw.

I grinned and asked one question.

"Why did you put us in the safest place in the ranks during the trip?"

Versil tilted her head, but I guessed that she wasn't particularly interested in why I asked this question. She simply replied:

"I cast lots. To be honest.

Yes, so everything she said was a lie. As expected, we were not put in the center because of the Big Jaw.

Okay, this confirms that this woman is a selfish.

Whether we like it or not, now the three abandoned teams will have to work together. It also became clear how to deal with Big Jaw.

— Did your questions end there?

"No, another one."

"I'm listening."

"Did you say that the enemy was camping in the passage?" I want to hear more about it. What is the layout and what is the number of troops?

—... Do you really intend to break through them?

Did you think we'd just lie down and die here?

"If necessary."

Maybe we went that far going with them, but that was my goal from the beginning. So it didn't change anything.

"So, what is your answer?"

At my request, Versil paused and looked at me intently.

—... You are what the rumors say. Ok. Xenia?

"Yes, deputy commander.

"Go and tell him everything you know

"Good.

Versil sent a scout from her group to me, and through her I learned general information about the surroundings. After about 5 minutes...

"Ksenia, come here.

All preparations for the use of the spell were completed, and Versil left, telling us only one sentence.

"I hope you won't hold a grudge against me.

From now on, we were left to our own devices. In general, there was nothing new in this.

***

—... They really left.

When more than half of the people were gone, the emptiness felt even stronger. But because of this, I had to focus even more on one thing:

What should I do now? Certainly not to waste precious time thinking about empty feelings.

"Mr. Yandel, what are you going to do now?"

"Let me think."

There were two options: follow the route Versil had refused and head for her original destination, the central region, or turn around and find another location. The latter option was also not bad.

We can survive if we stick to the outskirts.

In the central region, the war was in full swing, and on the outskirts, the strongest explorers of Noark blocked the way. On the other hand, there will be relatively few people on the outskirts.

Since the area was vast, we would most likely be able to survive if we hid well.

However...

We will not be able to know how things are progressing.

This was the biggest minus. In this chaotic situation, where every second and minute passed in its own way, we could not get information about the situation if only we stayed in cover.

Besides...

The Lord of the Floor will also appear on the 3rd day.

We won't be able to defeat the Lord of the 1st Floor on our own. If he had appeared during a protracted battle, we would have been destroyed.

"First we have to prove our combat power.

"Excuse me?"

"Everyone get ready.

I held off on making a decision for the time being and gathered two other teams in the same situation and got straight to the point.

"Everyone will take turns revealing their rank as a researcher, essences, and specialties.

"Do you want us to reveal ourselves?"

"Does it matter now?" We must join forces.

"You sound like you're a leader.

Big Jaw frowned at my suggestion. The others seemed to be unhappy with me speaking as a leader, though not as much as he did.

How annoying it is.

- What difference does it make who the leader is? I've never seen an idiot who cared about something like that, even in this situation.

—... Wh-What? What are you just doing-...

"If you want it so badly, let's choose a leader first." What, do you want a vote?

Naturally, I brought the topic to a vote. Because Ervena was here. I reasoned that if a member of the other team voted for me, I would not lose.

However, the situation took a somewhat unexpected turn.

— I don't think it's necessary.

—…?

"If we hold a vote, then our team will vote for you.

These were the words of the leader of the remaining team.

— Including your own team, you already have 10 votes. There is no need to waste time.

Does this really happen?

To be honest, I was a little dumbfounded.

Perhaps Big Jaw felt the same way, though. He kindly asked the reason for this instead of me.

"What do you mean?" Do you want a barbarian to be your leader? Are you crazy?

— First of all, I don't know how to lead people.

"Then you must choose me, not the barbarian..."

"If I had to choose one of the two, that side is more reliable.

I thought I knew what he was thinking. He probably thought I was better than Big Jaw, who was trying to abandon his team to survive alone. However, from what I heard next, there was another reason.

"More importantly, while everyone was denying reality, only this man asked the woman to give him information.

... I'm even kind of embarrassed.

"What's your name?"

— Takelan Arbenon.

"I am Bjorn, son of Yandel.

After exchanging formalities with Takelan, I returned to the original topic.

"In any case, it's settled. Now, tell me one by one about your explorer rank, essence, and specialization. That way I can decide how to move forward...

"Wait, who said we made a decision?"

Ha, that son of a bitch keeps getting on my nerves.

"Are you in trouble?"

— Of course-...

Not wanting to waste any more time, I interrupted him and said firmly:

"Then get the hell out of here." Our two teams can move together.

— ... Shit.

Big Jaw clenched his fists in anger, but did not move away from us. Well, where can he go now?

I grinned and said to him:

"If you interrupt me once more or disobey my instructions, it will be all over." I got it?

—…

"Answer."

— ... Ok.

So, the hierarchy was defined. After that, I quickly finished my initial plan of action to find out who was in which positions and what essences they had.

Hmm, that's kind of vague.

Even though I learned our approximate combat strength, my anxiety only increased. Needless to say, I'm still not sure. I carried out an additional verification procedure.

— First, let's introduce ourselves. We must be able to call each other if necessary.

I even added a rationale to this logic and fished out the names of each one. To be honest, it was difficult to remember them all...

At least, Hans wasn't here.

This was quite a positive indicator. This meant that whatever decision I made in the future, the probability of success was somewhat higher.

"What are you going to do now?"

Raven's question brought 14 people to my attention. It was time to make a decision. I parted my lips, getting rid of doubts about the correctness of my choice.

"We'll go to the safe zone.

"What do you think our chances are?"

I answered Takelan's question with a bitter smile. Although we have just seen the meaninglessness of the term "probability," one thing was certain. Even if we succeed, not everyone will survive.

About half will die.

To get to a place where some could easily get with a single spell, we had to risk our lives.