SGB: Episode 173
Episode 173: Choice (1)
The day after I went to Commelby with Raven.
All the team members gathered at a bar for the final settlement.
"You guys really made a fortune."
25,190,000 stones from magic stones.
3,010,000 stones from the expandable backpack and miscellaneous equipment.
9,000,000 stones from the Ifrit essence, excluding the test tube cost.
And 750,000 stones from the Millarodden byproducts.
So in total...
'37,950,000 stones.'
Of course, we're not splitting it equally five ways.
It was agreed that Ainar would get 15% and the bear-like man would get 25% of the magic stone income...
...and Raven would get 40% of the essence and the Millarodden byproducts since they're considered special loot.
'Let's see, then my share is...'
7,102,500 stones.
For reference, it's the exact same amount as Misha's.
"Miss Ainar, yours is 5,843,000 stones."
"Ooh!!"
"Then what about the essence cost?"
"Uh, essence...? How much was it?"
Ainar makes a confused expression after a brief moment of joy at the ridiculous amount.
"...I'll pay for that."
I take out 2,157,000 stones from my share and hand it to Raven.
"What about Miss Kaltstein's share?"
"Ah, we agreed that Ainar would pay me back later."
"Hmm, if that's the case. Uh... wait a minute, then Miss Ainar doesn't get anything from today's settlement?"
Is that the problem?
Her debt increased even though she worked hard in the labyrinth.
4 million stones to Misha.
And 7.5 million to me, including the equipment I bought her last month.
A total of 11.5 million stones.
"Th, there's no way...! I had a settlement, but it's gone!! So, something's wrong!!"
"That's how the world works. But you got stronger by absorbing the essence, didn't you?"
Unlike Misha, who's comforting her with words, I decide to give her a practical reward.
"By the way, I think it's time to increase Ainar's share."
She absorbed a 5th-grade essence.
It's hard to consider Ainar's combat power as below average now.
"Ah, I don't mind."
"...I'll also only take 20% from now on."
The bear-like man also readily agrees, and Ainar's magic stone share is increased to 20%.
Now it's an equal distribution.
'Phew, I want to adjust the special loot ratio too... but she'll definitely throw a fit, so I'll do it later.'
Honestly, I feel a bit wronged.
Tank, leader, navigator...
And I even spoon-fed them the hidden pieces.
Shouldn't I be getting at least 30%?
"Ah, then just pay your team fees, and we're done for today."
"How much was it again?"
"300,000 stones per person."
"You're taking more money away from me...!!"
Ainar's debt increases by another 300,000 stones.
Well, what does debt even mean when I'm feeding and housing her?
The day after I went to Commelby with Raven.
All the team members gathered at a bar for the final settlement.
"You guys really made a fortune."
25,190,000 stones from magic stones.
3,010,000 stones from the expandable backpack and miscellaneous equipment.
9,000,000 stones from the Ifrit essence, excluding the test tube cost.
And 750,000 stones from the Millarodden byproducts.
So in total...
'37,950,000 stones.'
Of course, we're not splitting it equally five ways.
It was agreed that Ainar would get 15% and the bear-like man would get 25% of the magic stone income...
...and Raven would get 40% of the essence and the Millarodden byproducts since they're considered special loot.
'Let's see, then my share is...'
7,102,500 stones.
For reference, it's the exact same amount as Misha's.
"Miss Ainar, yours is 5,843,000 stones."
"Ooh!!"
"Then what about the essence cost?"
"Uh, essence...? How much was it?"
Ainar makes a confused expression after a brief moment of joy at the ridiculous amount.
"...I'll pay for that."
I take out 2,157,000 stones from my share and hand it to Raven.
"What about Miss Kaltstein's share?"
"Ah, we agreed that Ainar would pay me back later."
"Hmm, if that's the case. Uh... wait a minute, then Miss Ainar doesn't get anything from today's settlement?"
Is that the problem?
Her debt increased even though she worked hard in the labyrinth.
4 million stones to Misha.
And 7.5 million to me, including the equipment I bought her last month.
A total of 11.5 million stones.
"Th, there's no way...! I had a settlement, but it's gone!! So, something's wrong!!"
"That's how the world works. But you got stronger by absorbing the essence, didn't you?"
Unlike Misha, who's comforting her with words, I decide to give her a practical reward.
"By the way, I think it's time to increase Ainar's share."
She absorbed a 5th-grade essence.
It's hard to consider Ainar's combat power as below average now.
"Ah, I don't mind."
"...I'll also only take 20% from now on."
The bear-like man also readily agrees, and Ainar's magic stone share is increased to 20%.
Now it's an equal distribution.
'Phew, I want to adjust the special loot ratio too... but she'll definitely throw a fit, so I'll do it later.'
Honestly, I feel a bit wronged.
Tank, leader, navigator...
And I even spoon-fed them the hidden pieces.
Shouldn't I be getting at least 30%?
"Ah, then just pay your team fees, and we're done for today."
"How much was it again?"
"300,000 stones per person."
"You're taking more money away from me...!!"
Ainar's debt increases by another 300,000 stones.
Well, what does debt even mean when I'm feeding and housing her?
___________________
Three days after the final settlement.
While Misha went out with Ainar to apply for her 6th-grade promotion, I lay in bed, organizing my thoughts.
'We've already saved 10 million stones.'
It's the amount excluding the money I lent to Ainar and the money in the shared account with Misha.
As expected, our growth has accelerated after coming to the 5th floor.
It's like I can finally utilize my knowledge from the game now that I can play more proactively.
'One year.'
I make a rough plan.
'Let's establish a foundation on the 5th floor for one year and then move to the 6th floor.'
Of course, it will be difficult to grow as quickly from the 6th floor onwards.
It's a floor where combat power alone isn't enough to clear.
From the 6th floor onwards, it will be a long game of attrition.
'...But once we reach the 6th floor, I can absorb that essence.'
With a powerful enemy like the Dragonslayer targeting me, I need to become stronger as soon as possible.
'And besides, looking at the current situation, it doesn't seem like we'll be fine in our current state.'
The atmosphere in the city has been heavy lately.
To be precise, the explorer industry is.
Everyone is on edge and tense, I guess?
It's understandable.
That incident happened this time.
'471 people.'
That's how many people died on the 4th floor.
And just during this cycle.
It's a much more serious problem than the 3rd-floor Floor Master incident.
Not monsters, but marauders.
A large-scale terrorist attack targeting veteran explorers who have been in and out of the labyrinth for almost 10 years.
"Bjorn!!"
Just as that thought crosses my mind, Misha returns from the guild.
She's holding a piece of paper in her hand, looking very urgent.
"Lo, look at this!! The royal family issued a notice to all explorers!"
I quickly take the paper and read it.
It's a notice stating that the royal family is forming a subjugation force and that explorers above 6th grade will be rewarded if they participate.
The target of the subjugation is Noark.
'...This is going to be a mess.'
The underground city was an open secret.
Everyone who should know about it knew, but 99% of the people didn't even know it existed.
But now it's been mentioned in an official notice from the royal family.
"Bjorn, what are you going to do?"
"Well..."
The reward is quite tempting.
Not only will they pay a set amount per person, but they'll also exempt taxes and exchange fees for three years. And they'll even grant essences owned by the royal family based on achievements, so many people will be tempted.
'It seems like they've already recruited the large clans.'
The names of the clans that agreed to participate are also listed on the notice.
They were probably promised a much larger reward.
It's a kind of promotional recruitment, I guess?
Just the fact that the top clans are participating will significantly increase the trust of ordinary explorers.
No, they might even think it's foolish not to participate in the subjugation, seeing it as a golden opportunity.
But...
[Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, don't participate.]
I gather my resolve, remembering Lee Baekho's advice.
"We're not participating."
I'll pass on getting caught in the crossfire.
And besides, we're already growing well enough.
I don't really see the need to participate in the subjugation.
"I see... that's a relief. I had a bad feeling about it..."
"Just in case, I should talk to Raven and Avman. Ah, what was Ainar's reaction?"
"She's looking forward to it as an opportunity to increase her fame. But don't worry, I'll talk to her."
"Then I'll leave that to you."
After finishing the conversation with Misha, I head to the Magic Tower.
I wonder what the mage's perspective is.
The answer is simple.
"Ah, that notice... I heard about it last night. I was just about to ask you, I'm glad you're not participating."
"So you're against it too?"
"Yes. Although I'm curious about the underground city, it's practically a war, even if they call it a subjugation. I don't want to get involved in that kind of power struggle."
Raven doesn't show much interest in the reward offered by the royal family.
It's a relief.
I hear a similar answer when I visit the bear-like man's bar afterwards.
"Everyone's talking about it at the bar all day, but I don't feel good about it. Well, the reward is tempting, but..."
The bear-like man says he would have probably participated in the subjugation if he were still soloing.
Well, he's almost forty years old.
A three-year tax exemption is a huge deal.
He's practically the only one paying taxes for his wife too.
"Huhu, and our child will be born next year. We'll get a 20-year tax exemption as a childbirth benefit, so there's no need to rush."
"I see."
"If you guys aren't participating, I'm not going to join either."
Okay, then it's decided that we're passing on the subjugation.
'...I'll find out more details when the community opens.'
There's nothing we can do for now.
So I'm about to head back to the inn and check the things I need to do in the city this month...
...when the bear-like man makes an unexpected suggestion.
"Yandel, how about a drink later?"
"Drink?"
"You're the leader of a team now, right? And it seems like you don't have any connections in this area."
"So?"
"There's a gathering of 5th-floor explorers tonight. How about we go together?"
Hmm, socializing...
Honestly, I'm not interested.
But it's common for explorers in this world to meet and socialize, exchanging information.
Maybe it wouldn't be bad to experience it once?
'Well, the Watchers of the Round Table only share high-level information, so it's hard to learn about this kind of thing there.'
"Alright. What time and where should we meet?"
After getting the time and location, I go to the library to kill time.
Ragna greets me with her usual bluntness.
But when did she hear about it, when she's been in the library the whole time?
"Do you have something to say?"
"Are you... participating in the subjugation?"
"No, our team decided not to."
"I see. That's a relief..."
Ragna's face brightens up.
I find it suspicious, so I ask directly,
"Relief? Do you know something about Noark?"
"About that place... I don't know much. But I know what kind of people the royal family is... There will definitely be a huge sacrifice."
Ragna answers in a small voice.
"Royal family?"
"Please pretend I didn't say that."
Ragna retracts her words with a flustered expression.
I don't pry further.
I know how dangerous it is to badmouth the royal family.
"Thanks for your concern."
"Concern..."
Ragna mutters the word as if pondering it.
But her reaction is unexpected.
I thought she would insist that she wasn't worried...
"Yes. I was worried, so I'm truly relieved."
"Uh... I see."
This makes me feel awkward.
But Ragna's neck turns slightly red as if she's also embarrassed.
So I just pretend not to notice.
"...Then can you cast the spell? I want to read some books."
"Ah, yes. The spell. Right."
I don't want it to be any more awkward than this.
Three days after the final settlement.
While Misha went out with Ainar to apply for her 6th-grade promotion, I lay in bed, organizing my thoughts.
'We've already saved 10 million stones.'
It's the amount excluding the money I lent to Ainar and the money in the shared account with Misha.
As expected, our growth has accelerated after coming to the 5th floor.
It's like I can finally utilize my knowledge from the game now that I can play more proactively.
'One year.'
I make a rough plan.
'Let's establish a foundation on the 5th floor for one year and then move to the 6th floor.'
Of course, it will be difficult to grow as quickly from the 6th floor onwards.
It's a floor where combat power alone isn't enough to clear.
From the 6th floor onwards, it will be a long game of attrition.
'...But once we reach the 6th floor, I can absorb that essence.'
With a powerful enemy like the Dragonslayer targeting me, I need to become stronger as soon as possible.
'And besides, looking at the current situation, it doesn't seem like we'll be fine in our current state.'
The atmosphere in the city has been heavy lately.
To be precise, the explorer industry is.
Everyone is on edge and tense, I guess?
It's understandable.
That incident happened this time.
'471 people.'
That's how many people died on the 4th floor.
And just during this cycle.
It's a much more serious problem than the 3rd-floor Floor Master incident.
Not monsters, but marauders.
A large-scale terrorist attack targeting veteran explorers who have been in and out of the labyrinth for almost 10 years.
"Bjorn!!"
Just as that thought crosses my mind, Misha returns from the guild.
She's holding a piece of paper in her hand, looking very urgent.
"Lo, look at this!! The royal family issued a notice to all explorers!"
I quickly take the paper and read it.
It's a notice stating that the royal family is forming a subjugation force and that explorers above 6th grade will be rewarded if they participate.
The target of the subjugation is Noark.
'...This is going to be a mess.'
The underground city was an open secret.
Everyone who should know about it knew, but 99% of the people didn't even know it existed.
But now it's been mentioned in an official notice from the royal family.
"Bjorn, what are you going to do?"
"Well..."
The reward is quite tempting.
Not only will they pay a set amount per person, but they'll also exempt taxes and exchange fees for three years. And they'll even grant essences owned by the royal family based on achievements, so many people will be tempted.
'It seems like they've already recruited the large clans.'
The names of the clans that agreed to participate are also listed on the notice.
They were probably promised a much larger reward.
It's a kind of promotional recruitment, I guess?
Just the fact that the top clans are participating will significantly increase the trust of ordinary explorers.
No, they might even think it's foolish not to participate in the subjugation, seeing it as a golden opportunity.
But...
[Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, don't participate.]
I gather my resolve, remembering Lee Baekho's advice.
"We're not participating."
I'll pass on getting caught in the crossfire.
And besides, we're already growing well enough.
I don't really see the need to participate in the subjugation.
"I see... that's a relief. I had a bad feeling about it..."
"Just in case, I should talk to Raven and Avman. Ah, what was Ainar's reaction?"
"She's looking forward to it as an opportunity to increase her fame. But don't worry, I'll talk to her."
"Then I'll leave that to you."
After finishing the conversation with Misha, I head to the Magic Tower.
I wonder what the mage's perspective is.
The answer is simple.
"Ah, that notice... I heard about it last night. I was just about to ask you, I'm glad you're not participating."
"So you're against it too?"
"Yes. Although I'm curious about the underground city, it's practically a war, even if they call it a subjugation. I don't want to get involved in that kind of power struggle."
Raven doesn't show much interest in the reward offered by the royal family.
It's a relief.
I hear a similar answer when I visit the bear-like man's bar afterwards.
"Everyone's talking about it at the bar all day, but I don't feel good about it. Well, the reward is tempting, but..."
The bear-like man says he would have probably participated in the subjugation if he were still soloing.
Well, he's almost forty years old.
A three-year tax exemption is a huge deal.
He's practically the only one paying taxes for his wife too.
"Huhu, and our child will be born next year. We'll get a 20-year tax exemption as a childbirth benefit, so there's no need to rush."
"I see."
"If you guys aren't participating, I'm not going to join either."
Okay, then it's decided that we're passing on the subjugation.
'...I'll find out more details when the community opens.'
There's nothing we can do for now.
So I'm about to head back to the inn and check the things I need to do in the city this month...
...when the bear-like man makes an unexpected suggestion.
"Yandel, how about a drink later?"
"Drink?"
"You're the leader of a team now, right? And it seems like you don't have any connections in this area."
"So?"
"There's a gathering of 5th-floor explorers tonight. How about we go together?"
Hmm, socializing...
Honestly, I'm not interested.
But it's common for explorers in this world to meet and socialize, exchanging information.
Maybe it wouldn't be bad to experience it once?
'Well, the Watchers of the Round Table only share high-level information, so it's hard to learn about this kind of thing there.'
"Alright. What time and where should we meet?"
After getting the time and location, I go to the library to kill time.
Ragna greets me with her usual bluntness.
But when did she hear about it, when she's been in the library the whole time?
"Do you have something to say?"
"Are you... participating in the subjugation?"
"No, our team decided not to."
"I see. That's a relief..."
Ragna's face brightens up.
I find it suspicious, so I ask directly,
"Relief? Do you know something about Noark?"
"About that place... I don't know much. But I know what kind of people the royal family is... There will definitely be a huge sacrifice."
Ragna answers in a small voice.
"Royal family?"
"Please pretend I didn't say that."
Ragna retracts her words with a flustered expression.
I don't pry further.
I know how dangerous it is to badmouth the royal family.
"Thanks for your concern."
"Concern..."
Ragna mutters the word as if pondering it.
But her reaction is unexpected.
I thought she would insist that she wasn't worried...
"Yes. I was worried, so I'm truly relieved."
"Uh... I see."
This makes me feel awkward.
But Ragna's neck turns slightly red as if she's also embarrassed.
So I just pretend not to notice.
"...Then can you cast the spell? I want to read some books."
"Ah, yes. The spell. Right."
I don't want it to be any more awkward than this.
________________
10:00 PM.
It's the time when I would usually be washing up and getting ready for bed.
But I'm at a bar I've never been to before.
And it's not even in the 7th district where I live, but in the 8th district, across the wall.
"Avman! It's been a while! How have you been?"
"I'm doing fine. What about you?"
"Haha! I'm just barely surviving!"
About fifteen explorers are gathered in a private room.
It seems like this kind man with a friendly face is the host.
"Who's that next to you?"
"He's the leader of our team."
"Oh, I was wondering who took you, and it turns out it was that lucky guy."
We have a brief introduction as soon as we enter the room, led by the host.
"I'm Perfe Derbes. Call me whatever you like. You can just call me Pepe. It's a nickname only close friends use."
Pepe...
It's too cute of a nickname for a bearded man.
"...I'll call you Derbes."
"Alright."
"I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel."
"Can I call you Bjorn?"
"Whatever."
The nickname situation is quickly resolved, as expected of explorers.
"Wait, Bjorn Yandel? That name sounds familiar."
One of the explorers tilts his head.
And then he remembers where he heard it.
"Ah, Little Balkan! The barbarian who became famous during the 3rd-floor Floor Master incident! Right?"
"That's right."
Derbes's gaze changes slightly as I readily agree.
He looks surprised and curious.
"Oh, so you haven't even been an explorer for a year yet?"
"Don't worry about that. We just came back from the 5th floor."
The bear-like man assists, and the curiosity disappears, leaving only admiration.
"To reach the 5th floor in less than a year, that's amazing..."
Derbes then introduces each of the participants.
Perhaps because of my fame as Little Balkan...
...and my explosive growth...
...everyone's reaction is favorable.
Except for one person.
"I'm Jack Johnsonville, from the 5th-grade clan Nebiswolf."
A blond, tanned man introduces himself with a somewhat aggressive gaze.
'Why is he looking at me like that? Does he want to die?'
My barbarian instincts are kicking in, and my body is itching to fight, but I endure with superhuman patience.
I'm one of the few modern people in this world.
Right, I should be the understanding one.
"Haha, let's have a drink."
Derbes, sensing the tense atmosphere, raises his glass and lightens the mood.
And so, the gathering begins.
People naturally drink and chat about everyday things or industry news.
"How is it? Not bad, right?"
The bear-like man whispers in my ear.
I chuckle and nod.
I thought it would just be trash talk since it's an explorer gathering, but this is pretty decent.
Well, there is one guy who's ruining the mood.
"How about we meet at a different place next time? Not this old bar?"
Jack Johnsonville.
"Our clan has a bar, and the alcohol there is amazing. Of course, it's much more expensive than here. Hahaha!"
"Subjugation? Of course we should participate. Ah, maybe you guys are a bit scared since you're a team?"
"Well, try your best. Who knows? You might catch a scout's eye and join a clan."
He's the only one in this gathering who belongs to a clan, and he keeps bragging about it.
And he even interrupts whenever the attention is on me.
"I can't help but ask. Yandel, what's your secret? How did you climb up so quickly?"
"It's obvious, isn't it? He met a good team."
"......"
"...Haha, having good companions is also a skill."
Derbes tries to smooth things over and prevent conflict every time there's an awkward silence.
"By, by the way, Bjorn. What about you? I'd like to hear your thoughts on attending our gathering for the first time."
Should I be honest?
I hesitate for a moment, but the answer is already decided.
"I like it."
"Pfft, of course you do. You're just a fledgling who just arrived on the 5th floor."
I'm a K-barbarian who possesses the mind of a modern person, the values of Confucianism, and the boldness of a barbarian.
I endure when I have to.
I'm confident that I can endure even greater insults with a smile.
But...
"What the hell are you talking about, you idiot?"
"Wh, what? Are you talking to me?"
"Is there another idiot here besides you?"
I don't endure when I don't have to.
That's what a K-barbarian is.
10:00 PM.
It's the time when I would usually be washing up and getting ready for bed.
But I'm at a bar I've never been to before.
And it's not even in the 7th district where I live, but in the 8th district, across the wall.
"Avman! It's been a while! How have you been?"
"I'm doing fine. What about you?"
"Haha! I'm just barely surviving!"
About fifteen explorers are gathered in a private room.
It seems like this kind man with a friendly face is the host.
"Who's that next to you?"
"He's the leader of our team."
"Oh, I was wondering who took you, and it turns out it was that lucky guy."
We have a brief introduction as soon as we enter the room, led by the host.
"I'm Perfe Derbes. Call me whatever you like. You can just call me Pepe. It's a nickname only close friends use."
Pepe...
It's too cute of a nickname for a bearded man.
"...I'll call you Derbes."
"Alright."
"I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel."
"Can I call you Bjorn?"
"Whatever."
The nickname situation is quickly resolved, as expected of explorers.
"Wait, Bjorn Yandel? That name sounds familiar."
One of the explorers tilts his head.
And then he remembers where he heard it.
"Ah, Little Balkan! The barbarian who became famous during the 3rd-floor Floor Master incident! Right?"
"That's right."
Derbes's gaze changes slightly as I readily agree.
He looks surprised and curious.
"Oh, so you haven't even been an explorer for a year yet?"
"Don't worry about that. We just came back from the 5th floor."
The bear-like man assists, and the curiosity disappears, leaving only admiration.
"To reach the 5th floor in less than a year, that's amazing..."
Derbes then introduces each of the participants.
Perhaps because of my fame as Little Balkan...
...and my explosive growth...
...everyone's reaction is favorable.
Except for one person.
"I'm Jack Johnsonville, from the 5th-grade clan Nebiswolf."
A blond, tanned man introduces himself with a somewhat aggressive gaze.
'Why is he looking at me like that? Does he want to die?'
My barbarian instincts are kicking in, and my body is itching to fight, but I endure with superhuman patience.
I'm one of the few modern people in this world.
Right, I should be the understanding one.
"Haha, let's have a drink."
Derbes, sensing the tense atmosphere, raises his glass and lightens the mood.
And so, the gathering begins.
People naturally drink and chat about everyday things or industry news.
"How is it? Not bad, right?"
The bear-like man whispers in my ear.
I chuckle and nod.
I thought it would just be trash talk since it's an explorer gathering, but this is pretty decent.
Well, there is one guy who's ruining the mood.
"How about we meet at a different place next time? Not this old bar?"
Jack Johnsonville.
"Our clan has a bar, and the alcohol there is amazing. Of course, it's much more expensive than here. Hahaha!"
"Subjugation? Of course we should participate. Ah, maybe you guys are a bit scared since you're a team?"
"Well, try your best. Who knows? You might catch a scout's eye and join a clan."
He's the only one in this gathering who belongs to a clan, and he keeps bragging about it.
And he even interrupts whenever the attention is on me.
"I can't help but ask. Yandel, what's your secret? How did you climb up so quickly?"
"It's obvious, isn't it? He met a good team."
"......"
"...Haha, having good companions is also a skill."
Derbes tries to smooth things over and prevent conflict every time there's an awkward silence.
"By, by the way, Bjorn. What about you? I'd like to hear your thoughts on attending our gathering for the first time."
Should I be honest?
I hesitate for a moment, but the answer is already decided.
"I like it."
"Pfft, of course you do. You're just a fledgling who just arrived on the 5th floor."
I'm a K-barbarian who possesses the mind of a modern person, the values of Confucianism, and the boldness of a barbarian.
I endure when I have to.
I'm confident that I can endure even greater insults with a smile.
But...
"What the hell are you talking about, you idiot?"
"Wh, what? Are you talking to me?"
"Is there another idiot here besides you?"
I don't endure when I don't have to.
That's what a K-barbarian is.
Time to fix someone's head
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