SGB: Episode 131

Episode 131: Team Play (1)

Ten days have passed since I visited the Kaltstein residence.

On the first day, I was worried that Misha might have told her father everything…

[What?! Are you crazy?! You barbarian! How could you say something like that!!]

[Then what did you do there?]

[That’s…! You don’t need to know!!]

…but it was an unnecessary worry.

I don’t know why she’s keeping it a secret, but I could definitely feel that nothing like that happened.

I decided to focus on the immediate problem.

There are two ticking time bombs in the team.

[Dwarkey, let’s talk.]

The day after returning from the Kaltstein residence, I met with Dwarkey right away.

And I spoke indirectly while drinking.

[What? Is it true? That Misha likes chubby men?]

[Yes, she definitely said that last time.]

[I, I see. Thank you for telling me. I, I almost made a mistake by being too hasty.]

For reference, Dwarkey ordered a lot of food after that conversation and stuffed himself until his stomach was bulging.

One problem solved.

‘He won’t confess until he gains some weight.’

We’ve bought at least a month or two.

Dwarkey’s personality is such that he won’t have the courage unless he gains a significant amount of weight.

And by the time he does, Misha and I will be leaving the team.

‘This makes me feel like a real asshole…’

But it can’t be helped.

If his mental state were strong, it might be different…

But what if he confesses to Misha and gets rejected?

He won’t be able to focus even in the labyrinth.

And that could put the team in danger.

‘Uh, but why am I so sure that he’ll get rejected?’

That question suddenly comes to mind, but I don’t think about it too deeply. Sometimes, the data accumulated in the subconscious makes the most accurate predictions.

Anyway, next is Rotmiller.

[Be careful. My father must have done something to that Rotmiller.]

Julian Urbans, the Regional Manager’s daughter.

If her words are true and Rotmiller made contact with the Regional Manager, there’s a high chance that an unsettling conversation took place.

The Regional Manager and I have a bad history.

Although I’m not sure why he’s trying something now, after several months…

‘Anyway, I can’t show any signs of suspicion.’

In Rotmiller’s case, unlike Dwarkey, I approached the matter cautiously, taking my time.

This man is scary.

I haven’t seen him angry yet…

…but that’s why he’s even scarier.

These types of people tend to go all the way once they snap.

[Then let’s decide on the nearest destination based on our starting point on the 1st floor.]

[Haha, marriage? You ask strange questions. I have no intention of starting a family until I can truly take responsibility for someone.]

[You sit on the inside. You’re too big, and you’ll keep bumping into people if you sit near the aisle.]

I continued to observe Rotmiller during regular meetings and even casual gatherings.

There was nothing particularly different from before.

He was quiet, serious, and considerate of others in most situations.

‘Ha, this is a real headache.’

Even after hearing Julian’s warning, I can’t imagine Rotmiller betraying me.

No, I even feel guilty for suspecting him.

After all, we’ve shared joys and sorrows for months.

But to not trust him just because of a single word from an outsider?

‘It’s the epitome of contradiction.’

The more I think about it, the more ironic the situation becomes.

But the more that’s the case, the more I feel like I need to confirm it for sure.

What exactly did Rotmiller talk about with the Regional Manager at the Explorer’s Guild that day?

‘If he had told me first, I would have dismissed my suspicions without hesitation.’

Rotmiller didn’t mention anything about it.

So I called him out separately today to create an opportunity for conversation.

We’re really running out of time.

The labyrinth opens tomorrow.

Therefore, I finish my drink in one gulp and get straight to the point.

“Rotmiller. Why did you go to the Explorer’s Guild the other day?”

Rotmiller looks slightly surprised at my direct question.

But did he also have a hunch?

So something really did happen.

“I know someone at the guild.”

I answer briefly and then demand an answer to my first question.

Rotmiller sighs and replies,

“…I was called there, and the 7th Regional Manager was in the room. He offered me a reward if I betrayed you.”

“So?”

“I told him I’d pretend I didn’t hear it and left. Is that a satisfactory answer?”

Although he tries to hide it, Rotmiller seems quite annoyed by my questions.

But I take it all and ask again,

“Then why didn’t you tell me until now?”

“I told you, I said I’d pretend I didn’t hear it. And besides, I thought it would just make things awkward if I told you.”

“I see. Thanks for answering.”

The conversation ends there.

If I push him any further, it would just sound like I don’t trust him. I judged that it wouldn’t be a wise move, no matter what Rotmiller’s true intentions are.

‘It wouldn’t change anything anyway.’

I can’t enter the labyrinth without a scout.

The option of finding a new one?

That also has its risks.

It’s difficult to find a skilled scout if you don’t go through the guild.

In short, it’s the perfect environment for the Regional Manager to slip in someone strange into the team.

And I doubt the dwarf or Dwarkey would agree in the first place.

‘And most importantly, it doesn’t seem like Rotmiller is lying about refusing the offer.’

I finally make my judgment.

“Sorry for bothering you at night. Get some rest today, and I’ll see you at the meeting place tomorrow.”

Nothing changes.

Rotmiller will also be joining this expedition.

__________________________




The next day, afternoon.

In other words, about 7 hours left until the labyrinth opens.

“Mister, then I’ll come see you when you get back! Please come back safely!”

“Yeah, you work hard too.”

Erwen, who had been chatting at my accommodation since receiving the Bonding spell with her sister in the morning, leaves.

And Misha arrives just in time.

“What the, why is she coming out of here?”

“She said she came to say hello. Since she has nothing to do after receiving the Bonding spell.”

“Hmm…”

“Anyway, you came at the right time. Let’s go in and get some sleep.”

We set the alarm on the alarm clock I bought recently and sleep to adjust our condition.

And after some time…

“Bjorn, wake up.”

We have a simple meal and then pack our pre-organized luggage and leave. Since we came a bit early, there’s no one at the meeting place yet.

“Hmm, those two aren’t here yet?”

As always, Rotmiller arrives on time.

“Yeah, it seems like Dwarkey and Hikurod are running late.”

“…It’s not even surprising anymore.”

Since those two are either early or late, we continue to wait.

That’s when…

“Uh, Bjorn! Look over there!”

I look in the direction Misha pointed and see a group of young warriors who just finished their coming-of-age ceremony.

Therefore, I quickly approach them.

It would be rude not to greet them now.

“Are you guys lost? If you are, just follow those people who look like explorers.”

“Who are you to say something so obvious?”

“…Bjorn, son of Yandel.”

“What! Little Balkan! It’s an honor to meet you!”

After revealing my name, I ask,

“But what do you mean obvious? Are you saying you’re not lost?”

“Of course not! We just have to follow the explorers like we learned in the sanctuary. Why would we be lost?”

“The sanctuary taught you that? Not by showing you that strange map and telling you to memorize it?”

“Map? We’ve never seen a map!”

I’m stunned at the young warrior’s answer.

What is this?

Did the training method change or something?

Well, it’s not bad for me.

It’s a much more rational method than telling them to memorize a map.

However…

“We still have some time, so listen to my story.”

“Story?”

“Yes, stories that will help you.”

I tell them the same stories I told the previous group of newbies.

But what is this again?

“Be wary of humans? That’s only natural. We have to protect our own hearts, don’t we?”

This group of baby barbarians is clearly different from before.

Every time I say something, they react as if it’s obvious.

“Wow… barbarians have evolved.”

Misha seems to feel the same way, so it’s not just me.

So why this change?

“Who taught you that in the sanctuary?”

I ask out of curiosity and freeze.

“Karon, son of Tarson!”

Without me knowing…

…a change is brewing from the bottom.

“Then we’ll be on our way! Bjorn, son of Yandel, it was an honor to meet you!”

I wanted to ask more, but the baby barbarians leave, eager to enter the labyrinth.

And as soon as they disappear, the two we were waiting for arrive at the meeting place.

“Ah, sorry for being late! Did you wait long?”

“Hahaha! Forgive us, Dwarkey here had an upset stomach!”

“Wh, wh, what are you talking about?!”

“Geez, you too. What’s there to be embarrassed about? It’s just us.”

“Enough, let’s get going.”

Since the two of them were 20 minutes late, we hurriedly head towards the Dimensional Plaza.

The portal is already open.

“Alright, then let’s go!”

After Dwarkey casts the Bonding spell, we enter the labyrinth.

______________________

「Entered 1st Floor Crystal Cave.

______________________

The Crystal Cave, filled with brilliant light.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen this sight, as I skipped it last month using a bug, but there’s no time to leisurely admire the view.

It’s because we decided to speedrun this time.

At Rotmiller’s request.

[If you guys allow it, I want to try it properly. Although it’s unlikely we’ll get any achievement points, I’m curious how well I can do.]

Since he doesn’t usually assert himself strongly when planning expeditions, everyone unanimously agreed.

“Then let’s depart right away.”

He immediately starts navigating after checking our current location by touching the walls and the ground as soon as he opens his eyes.

And he starts running as if jogging.

‘It’s actually quite fun.’

Rotmiller is at the forefront, finding the path…

…and Misha takes care of the trash mobs right behind him.

The formation that’s solely for movement is novel, and since we started running as soon as we entered, I see things I couldn’t see before.

“Wow, they’re running too!”

Explorers are dashing through the cave to find portals, just like us. It’s a sight that’s hard to even see when you’re moving leisurely.

‘Now I understand why it’s difficult to shorten the time on the 1st floor.’

I also realize something new.

The 1st-floor cave has many sharp turns.

So it’s difficult to run at full speed.

In other words, if you exceed a certain level, the movement speed of all explorers is similar.

This makes the scout’s ability even more important.

Hmm, or the stamina of the team members.

“Phew, phew…”

Although we have stamina that far surpasses ordinary people, sweat is pouring down as we jog for hours.

Is that why?

Conversation naturally disappears among the party members.

“Hikurod, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Although the dwarf, who lacks agility and endurance, looks like he’s almost at his limit, he doesn’t complain.

Well, how could he say that in front of Rotmiller, who’s like this?

“This way.”

As if his words about wanting to test his limits were true, Rotmiller doesn’t lose his focus and continues to find the path for hours.

It’s passion, in a good way.

It could be seen as madness, in a bad way.

‘Is this man this passionate?’

I’m impressed by his unexpected side, but I keep moving my feet.

And after some time…

[06:12]

…we reach the portal in a whopping 6 hours.

However, unfortunately, the portal has already been opened by someone else.

“Wow, I didn’t know we could get here this fast.”

Misha exclaims, but the dwarf and I first check Rotmiller’s expression.

“Damn it! Why am I…!!”

It’s the first time I’ve seen him make such an expression.

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