STGB Chapter 100

Episode 100 Rumor (2)

The day of the regular meeting.

After a while, all the party members had a meeting at the bar.

It wasn’t the bar we used to hang out at.

That’s why the dwarf hated it.

[Go somewhere else! It must be a bad place there!]

It was a place where he was suddenly arrested by the Mozlans for insulting the nobility, so he must have felt uncomfortable.

Both Misha and Rotmiller were right, so they agreed.

Explorers tend to be superstitious.

‘It’s not like I don’t understand…’

It’s not strange to have a sensitive reaction to this kind of thing as it’s a job that loses if ‘luck’ is bad.

But…

‘Isn’t this a bit harsh though?’

I sighed.

It’s good to change the drinking place.

It’s annoying, but that choice didn’t affect reality.

Contrary to the bombshell that the dwarf spit out a moment ago.

“…why are you silent?”

As I let out a silent sigh, the dwarf began to fidget and look at me.

Yes, that much conscience remains.

“Wait a minute. I’m thinking about it.”

“That’s right.”

A heavy silence flows over the drinking party.

I quietly organized my thoughts.

“To put things in order, you guys aren’t going to go exploring this time.”

Ten days left until the labyrinth opens.

At the last meeting to check the plan, the dwarf declared that he would not participate in the exploration.

By the way, this was not his only opinion.

Rotmiller and Dwalki were of the same opinion, probably having had a conversation beforehand.

“Hehehe! Once there is smoke, there is no saying that there is fire.”

“Since the matter is the matter, I decided it was right to take a break for about a month and watch the progress.”

This is not a collective boycott.

Out of a team of 5, 3 people declared their absence.

The reason is simple.

Rumors that there will be a dimension collapse soon spread so much that they became anxious.

Because that’s what human psychology is.

Even if you think it’s not based on logical reasons, the atmosphere around you is easily swept away.

“All of my former colleagues said they wouldn’t go in this time.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to just rest? If it’s you, then next year’s taxes won’t be a problem…

”

At first, they brought up the story as if they were sorry, but now the three of them even worry about me.

“…What are you going to do with Bjorn?”

Misha carefully asks for my doctor.

Actually, it wasn’t hard to convince.

They will change their minds if you take the time to convince them by spilling what you know from Ghostbusters.

But…

‘I don’t think it’s necessary.’

Not bad if you think about it.

It’s been more than three months since I went to ‘Blood Citadel’.

‘It’s better I was going to enter the labyrinth separately, giving a reason sooner or later.’

In the beginning, clearing the 1st floor rift every time the cooldown is over is the rule.

“I can’t help it if you guys think that way. Then this time, just the two of us will go in.”

“Eh? Me too?”

“Then did you intend to send me alone?”

“Oh, that’s not it…”

No, that’s not what.

Just looking at her, she doesn’t want to go.

“If you’re that worried, just be alone—”

“Oh, you barbarian! First of all, shouldn’t you do the right thing first? Unlike usual, try to speak a little prettier!”

beautifully?

Um……

“…would you like to come with me?”

“Tsk Then you’re going to send it alone?”

I don’t know what to do…

“Anyway, that’s it.”

A decision has been made.

This time it goes into the cracks.

***

“Extra! Extra!”

Coincidentally, the day after the dwarf announced his absence, notices were posted all over the city.

It was an official document stating that the rumors related to the dimension collapse officially distributed by the royal family were in fact groundless rumors.

‘It really turned out as he said.’

There was also a story about the Tarutein school in the official document.

Did he intentionally spread such rumors because he was blinded by his research?

It was a little surprising.

It’s information that I bought with 40,000 GP, but I never thought I could predict the situation with such precision.

“Hahaha! Bjorn! Did you see that?”

Anyway, when evening came, the dwarf found me.

And with a happy face, he withdrew his declaration made yesterday and said that he could now enter the labyrinth.

but what about this

I’ve already decided which rift to enter.

“What? Let’s go in together? We’ve already received a request, so we can’t do that!”

“Huh? A request?”

I recited the answer I had prepared.

It was clear that he would not earn much if he hunted with Misha.

That’s why it was commissioned.

It’s an escort request in the labyrinth, so I have to protect it until I return to the city.

“Couldn’t you… say no?”

“I’ve already received the advance payment, so are you going to break your promise?”

“That’s not it…”

A perfect answer that leaves no room for negotiation.

The dwarf had no choice but to lower his shoulders and return.

What are you talking about here?

In the end, the cause of this incident must be in the person’s declaration of non-participation.

‘Seeing him do that makes me feel sorry for him again.’

If it wasn’t for this time, in the end, Misha and the two would have made excuses and got out.

Because the five of us can’t enter the rift.

Putting aside the fact that there is more to share, the risks to be taken increase.

‘Still, this must be right.’

I tried hard to erase my lingering feelings.

I wonder if it is Misha who has built a relationship of trust beyond a simple colleague. It is a foolish act to open ‘Hidden Peace’ to the other three people.

thud.

Soon after the dwarf left and the door closed, Misha came running.

“An escort request? When did you get that?”

“Never mind. I’m just covering it up.”

“Are you looking around?”

Mischa tilts her head as if she doesn’t understand.

I spoke frankly.

The next time we explore, we’ll enter the rift.

There’s a way that normal people don’t know.

“I guess you found that in the library too?”

“Something like that.”

“Um… but why do you keep it a secret from Hikuro? Isn’t it nice to go in together?”

A question that sounds so innocent.

I asked with a smile.

“Have you ever told anyone about the contract with the soul tree with Misha’s frost soul ring?”

“Huh? You didn’t?”

“Really to anyone?”

“You told me to keep it a secret.”

“It did.”

I nodded and continued.

“But what do you think it would have been like if it had been Hikurod? Do you think you would have kept it when I asked you the same thing?”

Misha pondered for a moment, then shook her head.

“…If it’s Hikurod, I don’t think it’s strange to drink and wander around here and there.”

“What if it was Dwalki or Rotmiller?”

“Um… I think Dwalkie must have slipped his tongue even though he was sober, and Rottmiller… I don’t know.”

Are all human eyes the same?

To my surprise, Misha’s prediction almost coincided with what I was thinking in my heart.

Except Rotmiller.

‘Actually, that man is the easiest to understand.’

Rottmiller would have kept it a secret.

And thinking to myself how I knew that kind of information, I must have been suspicious inside.

“Ah! That’s why I kept it a secret!”

Anyway, at this point Misha seemed to understand what I was trying to say.

Did you just have another question?

“Then me? Why are you talking to me?”

There are several reasons.

Misha is surprisingly meticulous and has a heavy mouth.

I can’t lie by nature on such a subject.

So, just by asking, you can check in real time whether the secret has spread or not.

But…

one word will suffice again this time.

‘Cause I’m a barbarian

“You are someone I can trust.”

“…Heeep!”

Misha started to hiccup.

***

8 days until the Labyrinth opens.

This time passed quickly as I was still doing what I had to do.

To recap…

First day.

As the destination was a rift, there were quite a few things to prepare.

equipment first.

[Buying equipment again?]

[It’s not buying, it’s an enchantment.]

I gave properties to my mace and Misha’s twin swords.

「The energy of thunderbolt permeates the equipment.」

「A part of the damage done by the equipment is converted to the lightning attribute.」

The total cost is 600,000 stones.

It was a fixed-term enchantment that only lasted for 30 days, but since the two of them were trying to clear the rift, this amount of investment was worth it.

[If you’re going to do it anyway, shouldn’t it be permanently endowed?]

[If that’s the case, it’s 20 times more expensive.]

[…….]

And I also bought some consumables.

Items related to the Lightning attribute, such as Thunder Herb and Lightning Scroll.

All in all, it was only about 300,000 stones, but it was not a product that was in high demand, so I had to go around selling my feet here and there.

Oh, finally again.

[…Are you really buying this expensive one?]

[You bought an expandable backpack, so why not use something like this?]

[But isn’t this a consumable item! It disappears when you use it!]

After much thought, I also bought a bottle of the highest quality potion.

The purchase price is 1.03 million stones.

However, the highest quality potion could not be said to be an investment for rifts. It’s just that I’ve been wanting to stock up on one bottle for a long time, and now I’m just excited about it.

For an explorer who wanders around without a fuse, a top-notch potion is like another life.

[If you have something to write, you won’t think it’s a waste of money.] [

Um, that’s the case…]

[It’s just the two of you, so there’s nothing to be burdened with.]

For reference, about 2 million went into this far. Stone’s expenses were all drawn from a public account.

[Ugh, so I guess spending money is over now?]

[For now, you’re done.]

[……?]

Second day.

Headed to the Holy Land from the wind in the morning.

This time, too, the chief of the tribe welcomed him.

[Bjorn, son of Yandel! I heard your rumors! How proud you are! To get a new cool title of knight crusher!]

Unlike the last time, which was short-lived, the tribal chief praised me for a long time.

Rumors about me have already spread in the Holy Land, so young warriors are hot?

Anyway, it was a meaningless time, so I gave a rough answer and headed to the shaman’s tent.

And

……. To make that kind of money in just two months.]

He paid a whopping 4 million stones to activate the 4th stage imprinted on the Undead.

「I have activated the 4th stage of Immortal Imprint. Mental strength and soul power increase

. 」「Spirit level increases by +30.」

「Spirit level increases by +10.

」

It was a business.

Aside from ‘mental strength’, which gives a strong resistance bonus to mental magic or status ailments.

It is safe to say that there is no way to raise ‘soul power’, which acts as an MP, except for leveling up and a few essences.

third day.

I returned to the dorm with almost no sound and checked the MP change as soon as I woke up after passing out.

[Giant] Duration increased by 1.5 times.

[Why are you here in the morning? Come and wash up. Let’s start with eating.]

Misha arrived just in time, so we had a simple breakfast.

A daily routine that happens every morning at some point.

[Going to the library? May I go with you?]

[You…?]

[What is that expression! Sometimes I want to read a book too!]

After eating, I went to the library with Misha.

But why?

[Parsitiev.]

Ragnar used a general [book detection] magic.

[Detecting special books] Not magic.

I asked because it was strange, and an even more strange answer came back.

First of all, since it is secretly done ‘specially’, you said that you can’t use it in front of others?

[Well, if you’re going to do that, shouldn’t you just talk to me quietly?]

[That’s also true. Did you say Carlstein? I hope you will forget what you just heard.]

What is it?

I didn’t want to think about it, so I just took Misha inside and read a book.

fourth day.

Visited the Magic Tower and helped Raven research.

By the way, this was the last collaboration.

Yes, I have filled all the counts.

You don’t have to come here every week from now on.

[You’ve worked hard.]

[Thank you

for noticing.] [That’s really true……. Anyway, please don’t die.]

Since it was a business relationship, the goodbye was short-lived.

However, contrary to my expectations, Raven did not retrieve my Mage Tower pass.

[If something happens, come. Oh, but I don’t mean to come and bother you all the time… You know what I mean? Because Mr. Yandel often seems to get involved in strange things. I think I’m curious about the current situation.]

[I got it.]

On the way out, I ran into an old man, but surprisingly, he didn’t show any interest in me.

It wasn’t like anger or futility…

it was really complete indifference.

Only then did I realize one thing.

From the first meeting, this old man suspected me of being a demon.

That’s why you pretended to be friendly at that time.

Day 5 Day 6 Day 7.

After that, the days continued as usual.

In the morning, I ate rice with Misha, practiced sparring with Misha during the day, and in the evening I went to the library and read a book for a while.

Time flows like that, right now.

“Everyone back down!”

The long awaited time has finally arrived.

Shaaaaaa-!

A dimensional plaza where many explorers are located.

A dazzling brilliance that began to explode from its center.

“Yandel’s son Bjorn! Thank you for the advice you gave me today! I’ll go in first!!”

“Behel—laaaaaaa!!”

As soon as the city and the labyrinth were connected, a group of barbarians in close range rushed into the portal.

Do you even know how to say thank you?

Why are we barbarians so polite?

“Ha ha ha! They are very envious of having a good senior like you.”