Chapter 288: Chapter 288 Cause and Effect (4)

The week-long building renovation project passed quickly.

There were no major incidents.

I focused on my work and then talked to the children about how tough being an explorer was during breaks.

But even that stopped after Day 3.

The children stopped approaching me, even when I sat down in the shade to rest.

“…….”

“…….”

So it became my daily routine to spend my breaks quietly with Dwarkey under the shade of a tree.

Ah, of course, we chatted occasionally.

“Why are you here?”

“…The director said my parents couldn't afford to raise me.”

“I see.”

“Bu, but it’s better than the other kids. My family will come pick me up soon…”

“…Did you say that in front of the other kids?”

“I, I did?”

Ugh, I could see why he didn't have any friends.

Dwarkey started making excuses when I sighed.

“I, I’m fine. I won’t be here for long anyway. My, my parents are merchants. They’re just struggling right now…”

‘Struggling, my ass.’

I felt a bitter taste in my mouth.

Because I knew his situation.

The current Baron had sent Dwarkey to a branch family as soon as he was born, and they irresponsibly left him here.

‘His biological mother found out and told the Baron, and then he went to live with her in a separate annex…’

For reference, he had barely even seen his adoptive parents in over ten years. But they provided him with financial support, so he was able to live comfortably and even learn magic.

“You’re having a hard time. Here, have some jerky. You have to eat well when you’re young to grow tall.”

“Ah, thank you…”

Our break soon ended as we sat there, munching on jerky.

“Um… this is your last day, right?”

“Yeah, the repairs are done. The roof won’t leak anymore, even if it rains.”

“…Thank you.”

Well, at least he has manners.

The other kids thought it was natural for volunteers to come and fix their house.

“If you’re really grateful, don’t ever become an explorer.”

“What? What do you mean…?”

“Just answer me.”

“An explorer? I, I can’t do that… I don’t even want to.”

Little Dwarkey’s expression was sincere.

Well, that’s a normal reaction after hearing that story.

Even the other kids were sick of hearing about explorers, so there wouldn’t be anyone who would encourage him.

…Honestly, I’m still not reassured.

‘But I can’t stay here forever, so I have no choice but to leave the rest to fate.’

“Hey, Enche! Come help us with this!”

“Liol, I’ll be going now.”

“…Okay. Goodbye.”

I gave Dwarkey all the jerky and snacks I had in my bag and then returned to the work site.

He refused, but what could he do when a barbarian was determined to give it to him?

“Thanks to you, we finished early again today. Everyone, good work!”

The foreman announced the end of the work after a few more hours.

The end of the week-long project.

“We’re having a drink after this, do you want to join us?”

“But I’m an explorer?”

“Haha, everyone knows you’re not arrogant like the other explorers, so it’s fine.”

The foreman asked if I wanted to join their after-work party, and I hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

I didn’t have anything else to do anyway.

Raven wouldn’t be at the library at this hour.

“The church gave us a generous allowance, so everyone drink without worrying!”

We then went to a nearby bar and drank. But could it be because it was my first time drinking with non-explorers?

‘It’s a bit awkward.’

I couldn’t keep up with the conversation.

We talked about which blacksmith was good, and which clan member was dating whom, but…

“Um…”

…someone next to me spoke as I was feeling left out.

Her name was…

“Wobu Emiren.”

Ah, right.

She was impressive, carrying heavy luggage and working hard without complaining, despite her small physique.

“Do you have something to say?”

“That… I heard the stories you told the kids.”

Ah, no wonder she was looking at me with a strange gaze whenever I talked.

“About the labyrinth?”

“Yes.”

Emiren nodded shyly and then asked cautiously,

“Is it… really that horrible?”

“Not really.”

“Yes? But…”

“I told them that because I didn’t want them to get any wrong ideas. It’s definitely a tough place to endure with a half-hearted attitude.”

“Ah…”

I then told her a few stories.

Starting with the scenery on the 3rd floor that Dwarkey liked, the vast forest, the snowy field I saw in the ‘Glacier Cave’, and the various mysteries.

I could feel the people around us quieting down as the story continued. Well, adults and children alike love this kind of stuff.

“Snow… I’ve never seen it, so I can’t even imagine it.”

“Is it like cold sugar?”

The things that happened in the labyrinth were like stories from another world to them, who had lived their entire lives trapped within the walls.

Just like how their stories were unfamiliar to me, they rarely interacted with explorers.

“It’s been a while since I’ve heard such an interesting story.”

“I should tell my son when I get back.”

Of course, it wasn’t a one-sided conversation.

The topic naturally shifted back to their lives after I finished my story, and I joined in when I could.

‘This isn’t bad either…’

The party ended as people started leaving one by one, returning to their families, as the sun began to set.

“Um…!”

A woman stopped me as I was leaving the bar.

“Ah, Emiren. What is it?”

“I have a question. Is it okay?”

“Go ahead.”

Emiren hesitated for a moment and then spoke in a troubled voice.

“You said earlier that even you get scared sometimes.”

“That’s right.”

“I, I also get scared. There are times when I feel like my heart is going to explode just by thinking about it. How do you overcome it, Mr. Enche?”

It was a difficult question.

Especially since it was from someone I had never met before.

But I decided not to overthink it.

She was already standing in front of me, seeking courage.

“Like I said, barbarians aren’t fearless beings.”

I was even less so, as an ordinary office worker.

But…

“We just know. That if we don’t do what we have to do because we’re afraid, the only thing that awaits us is the worst possible outcome.”

“The worst possible outcome… right… I see…”

An awkward silence followed.

I gave her some time to think and then asked,

“Is it something you have to do?”

“Yes.”

Although her voice was quiet, there was no hesitation.

Therefore, there was only one thing I could say.

“Then do it.”

A barbarian’s encouragement.

Her answer came after a pause.

“…Thank you for giving me courage. I’ll try my best.”

“Really? I hope it goes well, whatever it is.”

“Yes. And the stories you told us earlier were very interesting.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Especially about the sea. It sounds like an amazing place, even though I’ve only heard about it. I’ll probably… never be able to go there.”

I didn’t say anything to her self-deprecating remark.

What could I say?

That she could go if she wanted to?

I knew that would be a lie.

“…I’ll be going now.”

“Ah, right. Go ahead.”

I said goodbye to Emiren one more time and then parted ways.

But for some reason…

‘Wobu Emiren…’

…her name kept bothering me on the way back.

_____________________

Amelia was in my room when I returned, reeking of alcohol.

“Where were you? You weren’t here this afternoon.”

“Ah, I went to do some volunteer work.”

“Volunteer…?”

Geez, that frown.

Did I say something wrong?

“You have to learn how to give back to society.”

“…I see.”

“Anyway, it’s good to see you. I’m running low on money, so give me some.”

“You already spent it all?”

“Ah, I bought some equipment and stuff, and I don’t have anything left.”

“…I see.”

Amelia rummaged through her pockets and tossed me a pouch.

It was quite heavy.

‘I don’t have to worry about meat for a while.’

“I’ll put it to good use.”

I thanked her and then told her about a few of the restaurants I had visited, the ones that were still open twenty years later.

She didn’t seem like she would go, judging by her expression.

Phew, she’s going to get mad if I don’t get to the point soon.

“Ah! But how’s your work going? You said you met with that broker or whatever.”

“It’s still in progress. It’s going well, so if there are no other incidents, we should be able to leave next week. Get ready.”

“Alright.”

Amelia left as soon as the brief conversation was over, saying she had work to do.

‘Leaving next week…’

I lay down on the bed after washing up and changing my clothes, organizing my thoughts.

There wasn’t much to organize.

‘We’re leaving next week, so I should wrap things up with Raven.’

I should be able to receive the equipment I ordered next week, and then it would just be Raven.

I should go to the library tomorrow.

‘The important part is after we go down to Noark.’

I would have to be careful from then on. Although Amelia and I had made plans,

Nothing ever goes according to plan.

‘Phew… I want to go back soon.’

I slowly drifted off to sleep, my mind filled with hopes and worries.

______________________

I was laughing and chatting with my companions in a two-story house I had rented with Misha.

Although I didn’t realize it at first, I soon came to my senses.

‘It’s a dream.’

I was certain when I looked in the mirror.

I saw Lee Hansu in the mirror, not Bjorn.

It was something that couldn’t happen in reality.

The background blurred, and the space changed as soon as I realized it.

[Bjorn, what are you doing? Let’s go!]

This time, it was the labyrinth.

We were exploring, climbing the floors as usual.

But I was Lee Hansu, not Bjorn. The shield was heavy, and the monsters were all taller than me.

‘Why can’t you even block that?!’

I kept making mistakes, and my companions were getting hurt.

At first, it was just injuries, but then someone died.

[If it weren’t for you…]

It was Dwarkey.

I realized it was a dream again, and the background changed.

It was another familiar place.

A quiet room reminiscent of a medieval noble’s office.

“What the hell, it’s the Round Table now?”

I chuckled at first, but I soon felt a sense of dissonance.

‘It’s a bit different…’

The structure and atmosphere of the room were similar.

But the clothes, the accessories, and the masks that should have been on one of the walls were all missing.

Well, maybe it was lacking in detail because it was a dream…

“…But it’s too realistic.”

I blankly opened and closed my hand.

I could feel the movement of my muscles.

And my thoughts were clear.

Knock, knock.

The sound and texture of knocking on the wall.

Everything was the same as in reality.

Swoosh.

I looked at the full-length mirror in the corner.

Lee Hansu was standing there, not Bjorn.

Then what was going on?

Assuming it wasn’t a dream, I came up with a plausible guess.

‘Ah… today’s the day the community opens.’

I was summoned while I was sleeping.

That explained why I was in this form.

And why the way we communicated in this community was different from the community twenty years in the future.

It made sense considering it was the early days.

Maybe I would see the GM with a surprised expression if I opened that door and went out.

But…

“…….”

I suddenly remembered my conversation with Lee Baekho.

[There have been evil spirits in this city for over a hundred years. That’s over twenty years ago in Earth time. Then who are they?]

I told him to just tell me, and he said,

[They’re from another dimension!]

Evil spirits summoned from another dimension.

They were a minority compared to those from Earth, but they all had unique powers.

One of them created this space, and the GM we know inherited it?

‘Don’t tell me…’

It was a possibility.

That’s when, as that possibility crossed my mind…

Knock, knock.

…someone knocked on the door.