Chapter 205: Chapter 205 A Fleeting Moment (1)

A Fleeting Moment (1)

A Fleeting Moment (1)

Inside a grand hall, located deep within the Noark fortress, a man was conversing with someone through a crystal ball.

“Amelia Rainwales. Have you found that explorer?”

[Not yet, Lord.]

“I see…”

It was the first regular report he received since the city’s lockdown.

Although it was too early to expect any results, the Lord couldn’t help but sigh.

But more bad news was delivered.

[But there’s something I need to tell you.]

“What is it? Tell me.”

[Starting this month, the royal family will be distributing specially crafted identification tags to explorers.]

“…Magic tools?”

[Yes.]

“Tell me more. You must have already looked into it.”

The Lord then listened to Amelia’s explanation about the ‘identification tags’ that the royal family was planning to distribute.

The more he heard, the more grim the situation seemed.

Identification tags personally designed by the royal family’s Archmage…

“It would take us months to create something similar.”

[Yes, I agree.]

“Thank you for the information. Focus on your mission and don’t worry about this. I’ll see you next month.”

The Lord closed his eyes and fell into deep thought after ending the call.

And after some time…

“Ah, you’re here.”

He summoned the treasurer and first checked Noark’s financial situation.

No, to be precise, he asked this:

“Treasurer, how long can we last without entering the labyrinth?”

“Three months, if we continue like this.”

The situation wasn’t good due to the aftermath of the last battle.

But they had never been ahead of them.

So this was a familiar situation.

Something their ancestors had also experienced.

“If we starve and endure? Then how long can we last?”

“…About twice that.”

“I see.”

The Lord nodded briefly.

And then he summoned his aide and gave him an order.

“Blockade the labyrinth until I give you further instructions. No one is allowed to enter.”

“…There will be strong opposition. Do you know how long it will last?”

The Lord answered firmly,

“At least until we can create identification tags similar to the ones the royal family made.”

It would be certain death if they entered before then.

So…

“We have to endure until they let their guard down.”

They had to wait for the right time and endure.

And then it would surely come.

A single opportunity to change everything.

___________________

「The labyrinth is closed.」

「Character is being transported to Lafdonia.」

___________________

Light gradually filled my closed eyelids.

I opened my eyes leisurely, and a clear blue sky filled my vision.

The warm city air filled my lungs with every breath.

I could feel the passage of time throughout my body.

‘It’s already June…’

Six months had passed since that day I was exiled to Bifron.

Winter, which was like a joke compared to Korea, had long since ended, and now even the short spring was coming to a close.

‘Interesting.’

It was March when I came to this world.

It’s really been over a year since I arrived here.

I felt a strange sensation, just like when I paid my 1st-year taxes.

Honestly, my life on Earth was becoming increasingly blurry.

Well, it’s only natural.

If you include the time I spent in the labyrinth, I’ve been in this world for almost two years.

“Hey, are you going straight back to the inn?”

“For now. Let’s have a drink after we wash up.”

“I’m back!!”

I dismissed my brief thoughts and checked my surroundings, which were no different from usual.

‘Nothing happened this time either.’

I was curious about the other floors, but judging by the reactions around me, it seemed like there weren’t any incidents.

Geez, making me worry for nothing.

Swaaa.

I looked down and checked my wrist.

The identification tag, engraved on my wrist like a tattoo, was already scattering into particles of light, even though it hadn’t been long since I returned to the city.

Although it was a hassle to get a new one every time we entered…

…its performance was completely different from the previous identification tags, which could be easily stolen.

Coincidentally, those bastards from the underground city disappeared without a trace since these were introduced.

‘…I thought it was about time for them to reappear.’

Earth and this world have completely different ecosystems.

A world without flowing rivers or fertile land for farming.

Both Noark and Lafdonia have to create food using magic stones from the labyrinth to survive.

‘But it’s already been 6 months without any news…’

I feel uneasy, especially since I heard from Fox at the Round Table last month that the large clans had formed an alliance to prepare for a surprise attack from Noark.

Where the hell are they hiding?

It’s not like they have another way to obtain food besides magic stones.

“Mr. Yandel! Why are you so late?!”

Raven waved her hand from afar as I was organizing my thoughts while walking.

Even the bear-like man, who’s always late, was already there.

“I had something to think about.”

“Hmm, you could have done that while waiting in line…”

Geez, she’s so obsessed with efficiency.

Anyway, I was the one who was late, so I apologized and got in line.

It only took a few minutes for the line to disappear.

After all, this is the 5th-grade checkpoint.

“Team Apple Nark, 5th grade… is that correct?”

It’s one of the many changes that occurred in the past six months. I, Ainar, and Misha were promoted to 5th grade, and our team rank also increased by one level.

It was a bit of a hassle since we had to clear a guild quest to become 5th grade…

…but we cleared it together three months ago.

I judged that we would be underestimated if our rank was low, and being underestimated would lead to more trouble in this industry.

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

“No.”

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

“Sweet.”

Lafdonia, a city that’s merciless to the weak.

I’m starting to feel like I’m being treated well wherever I go.

“So we’re doing the settlement tomorrow, right?”

“Why are you asking something so obvious?”

“Ooh! Then let’s go! Home!!!”

We exchanged the magic stones and left for the city.

Although the 5th-grade checkpoint even has bathing facilities for convenience, we didn’t use them this time either.

Why bother when we can wash up at home?

“Then I’ll see you guys at the bar tomorrow. Honey, I’m home!”

We disbanded in front of the bear-like man’s bar to prevent him from getting lost and headed straight home.

It’s a four-story building located in the inner area of the 7th district, just a 10-minute walk from the commercial city of Commelby.

We use the 1st and 2nd floor, and another explorer couple lives on the 3rd and 4th floor.

We rarely see each other since the entrances are separate.

“Ugh, home!”

It’s a new house that’s superior to our previous single-room accommodation in every aspect.

Actually, it’s only been two months since we moved in.

It was a property we really liked, and the reason we were able to move in was because the previous tenants moved out at that time.

Ah, of course, we’re renting.

The sale price was insane.

“We take a long time to wash up, so eat first if you’re hungry!”

Ainar and Misha went to the bathroom on the 1st floor, which has a bathtub, and I washed up in the small bathroom on the 2nd floor.

Although it’s small, it’s still much better than our previous accommodation.

I chuckled as I lathered my body with soap.

‘Maybe this is also a change.’

A spacious house with a kitchen.

Soap from a workshop, not mass-produced soap.

And an expensive bed I bought after splurging.

I’ve started to improve my quality of life here, instead of stubbornly saving every penny and desperately trying to return home.

But I don’t want to think of it as an inefficient act.

I don’t know how many years I’ll be spending here.

No, with the Genesis Artifact gone, I don’t even know if returning is possible anymore.

‘And besides… I don’t even know if I have to go back.’

I dried my hair with a towel, as if to shake off my weak will, and left the bathroom.

Swaaa!

It seems like the others are still washing up downstairs.

Although I’m hungry, Misha’s cooking is much better, so I just sit on the sofa and doze off.

After some time…

“You woke up just in time. Come eat.”

I look towards the kitchen, drawn by the appetizing smell, and the table is filled with food. It’s mostly meat, as expected of a meal for two barbarians.

We chat while eating.

“Ah, right. Are you going to drop off the equipment today?”

“Of course. We have to take good care of it to use it for a long time. Gather it all after we eat, I’ll go alone.”

“Okay. But are we going to Hikurod’s blacksmith again this time?”

“We should at least be his regular customers. It’s not like it requires any special skills to check equipment.”

The dwarf opened his blacksmith’s workshop a while ago.

It’s been about three months, and it seems like he’s struggling to break even, as expected of a business that relies on regular customers.

Well, it seems like it’s getting better.

“But about Hikurod… if his shop fails, he’ll come back as an explorer, right?”

“Don’t say that in front of him.”

“Hey, are you crazy? I’m not that thoughtless. I’m just a bit worried.”

“Huhu, Misha, why are you so worried? If he fails, we can just hire him as our butler!”

“Butler…?”

“Wouldn’t Hikurod be fun!”

What does she think a butler is?

I don’t know, but it’s foolish to take a barbarian’s words seriously.

We giggle for a while, talking nonsense.

“Then I’ll go to the blacksmith’s, you guys sleep first.”

“Should I come with you?”

“It’s fine. It’s not like I’m going to do anything special.”

I put the kids to bed and then head to the dwarf’s blacksmith’s workshop with the organized equipment. And after dropping it off for inspection and repair, I return home and lie down on the bed.

It’s a super king-size bed that I bought after splurging 350,000 stones.

‘Right, this is it.’

I close my eyes, satisfied with the unchanging comfort.

I suddenly remember the past.

Was it when we had to stay in Commelby because we missed the last carriage? Back then, I sighed, wondering when I would be able to sleep in a bed like this every day, saying I had a long way to go…

“…….”

It’s already been over a year since I came to this city.

I don’t even flinch when I’m covered in blood anymore.

In fact, days without blood feel more awkward, and I don’t even feel anything after killing people instead of monsters.

I ask myself before falling asleep.

Am I living a more humane life now than back then?

__________________

The nap that lasted until the next morning ended with Misha’s visit.

“You said you were going out later, right? Wake up!”

“Ah, thanks.”

“Do you want breakfast?”

“No, we’re meeting and eating together.”

“Ah, right?”

I wash up again and prepare to go out, and I hear snoring from the 1st floor.

It seems like Ainar is still sleeping.

Ah, for reference, Misha and I each have a room on the 2nd floor.

Although there are two rooms on the 1st floor…

Snore!

…she snores louder than me.

We’re just using the remaining room on the 1st floor as a shared storage room.

“Then I’ll see you at the bar later.”

“Okay, have a good time!”

I leave the house after saying goodbye to Misha.

And I walk to Commelby, which is a 10-minute walk away.

After passing through the gate and walking for about 30 minutes, I reach the public transportation platform where we agreed to meet.

Raven is already there.

“You’re late. It’s been a while since I got off the carriage.”

“…I think you just came early today.”

“You’re so perceptive. Come on, let’s go. I’m starving.”

After meeting up with Raven, we first have a meal at a restaurant we frequent and then dispose of the loot we earned from the last expedition by visiting various general stores and the exchange.

We earned more than usual this time.

It’s thanks to a 5th-grade essence dropping in the other world inside the mirror we obtained by hunting a Millarodden.

“It might take a while for it to be sold, but I’ll distribute it with my own money first and receive it later.”

“Well, that’s good for us, but are you okay with that?”

“What’s there to be not okay about? It’s just a hassle to wait until it’s sold and then gather again to split it.”

That’s true, but we’ve always done it that way.

We judged that it was the least problematic method.

“…What’s with that look?”

“Nothing.”

“It doesn’t seem like nothing.”

“You’re imagining things.”

I try to suppress my laughter and walk straight ahead.

Come to think of it, she’s also changed a lot.

She’s still not very honest, though.

“It ended faster than expected. Let’s go to the bar first.”

We finish selling the loot and head towards the bar, our meeting place.

As expected, no one has arrived yet.

“This is better. We didn’t have time to organize last time.”

Raven orders drinks and takes out a piece of paper, then starts writing down the settlement details.

It takes longer than expected.

She always said it was nothing special when I asked.

“Thank you.”

“…Hmm, suddenly?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“You’re always taking care of the annoying tasks for our team.”

“I wouldn’t have done it if there was at least one other person who could. Why don’t you pay me for it?”

“Alright, I’ll pay you. How much do you want? I’m sure everyone will agree.”

“…No, thanks. Do you think I’ll become rich from that?”

Geez, she would be much more popular if it weren’t for that grumbling tone.

“Oh, I thought I would be the last one.”

The bear-like man arrives, and the melee damage dealer duo also comes soon after.

And so, the settlement begins.

“It’s 8.5 million stones per person.”

We each receive a large sum of money thanks to the Millarodden dropping a mirror. I already paid back my debt two months ago, so all this income goes into my pocket.

“Then let’s talk about other things.”

After the settlement, we relax, eat and drink, and plan the next expedition.

Well, to be precise, it’s more like an announcement.

“I’m not planning to go to the Hellfire Canyon anymore.”

“Yes? Why?”

We’ve been hunting in the Hellfire Canyon for six months and entered the other world through the mirror three times.

And we finished exploring the ‘Ash Gray Mountains’ and the ‘Lava Lake’, which we couldn’t clear before.

It wasn’t that difficult.

We had the ‘Orb of Fire’, which blocks fire damage, and our combat power had increased significantly compared to when we first entered that place.

“Is there a reason to leave the place that’s most compatible with us and go somewhere else?”

Raven expresses her concern at my decision, as if she’s enjoying the Hellfire Canyon.

But this is non-negotiable.

“We can’t stay on the 5th floor forever. It’s time to explore other places.”

We’ve obtained everything we can from the Hellfire Canyon.

So it’s time to move on to the next chapter.

“So where are we going?”

“Frost Canyon.”

“Uh, Frost Canyon…”

Misha glances at me, trailing off.

She knows it’s a field where she might have an opportunity, unlike the Hellfire Canyon.

Well, she’s not wrong.

Many essences that synergize well with Misha, who’s ice-attribute, drop in the Frost Canyon.

And one of them is what I’m aiming for.

‘Once I absorb that essence, we’re done with the Frost Canyon.’

After that, I plan to level up in the remaining two fields of the ‘Great Magical Forest’ and then find a way to reach the 6th floor.

Well, it will take at least another year to get there.

‘Still, we’ve come a long way.’

That’s when…

Swaaa!

…the vine ring on my hand emits light.

“Bjorn, don’t tell me…”

Unlike the first time, I don’t try to deny it or deceive myself. I don’t even try to reattach the vine by licking it.

It wouldn’t change anything anyway.

「The activation condition for the Star’s Blessing has been met.」

The second vine, which was blocking death flags related to the Dragonslayer, has broken.

Damn it.