Chapter 89 - Player (1)

“Name, Lee Hansoo. Age, twenty-nine. His company reported him missing after he failed to show up for work for a month. Tsk. Any family?”

“Just his biological mother. But when we contacted her, she said she wanted nothing to do with it.”

The man listening to the report sipped his coffee. That was hardly unusual. Plenty of people had complicated family histories.

“So, Detective Park, why did a missing-person case end up with our team?”

“Well... the security cameras only caught him entering his home. We haven't found any footage of him leaving. All the windows were locked, too.”

“That does... sound fishy.”

The man set down his coffee and began reading the report in earnest. He had seen all sorts of things in his fifteen years as a detective, but even to him, this case was highly unusual.

There were no signs of a break-in, and no valuables were missing. The last activity on his cards was a month ago. Most notably, the clothes the missing man had been wearing were found in his bedroom—not as though he had taken them off, but as though his body alone had simply vanished from inside them.

“Whoever the bastard is, he's completely out of his mind.”

His gut already told him this was no ordinary disappearance. It might even be a violent crime that would shake the whole of South Korea.

“You preserved the scene, right? Put in a request to the National Forensic Service first. Let's see what the forensic examination turns up.”

At his instructions, Detective Park hesitated a moment before speaking cautiously.

“Sir... there's something I'd like to show you first.”

Why hadn't he put it in the report? The question crossed his mind, but he nodded. Detective Park left and returned carrying a monitor.

“This is the monitor we found in the missing man's room.”

“What? Why do you have that? Don't tell me you just took it out of there on your own.”

He was raising his voice in disbelief when he noticed something and froze.

“Wait. Detective Park, how is that monitor on?”

“Well, I don't know either...”

Text floated against the monitor's black background, even though it wasn't connected to a computer—or even to a power cord. It was even making sounds as the text updated.

BEEP-BEEP, BEEP-BEEP-BEEP, BEEEP—

「You have safely completed the coming-of-age ceremony.」

「New equipment equipped.」

「Total Item Level increases by +24.」

「Bjorn Jan...」

「...」

「...」

What did those words continually appearing on the screen mean?

“Sir, I did some checking... Apparently, there have been a few similar cases overseas.”

“What? Overseas...?”

For now, they had no way of knowing for certain.

* * *

「The Labyrinth has closed.」

「Your character is being transported to Raphdonia.」

* * *

The darkness recedes, and my vision brightens. Out of habit, I tilt my head back, taking in the same hazy sky as always. I let out a long breath.

'... Made it back alive again.'

Actually, even saying I'd made it back alive was a little misleading. I'd spent every day on edge, convinced something was bound to happen... but in the end, nothing had. Twice in a row, at that.

'Hmm. I really thought something would happen this time.'

Honestly, I still felt a little dazed. The previous expedition had gone far too smoothly.

Thanks to favorable starting points, we'd reached the Stone Desert in just nine hours, taking a second-floor portal connected to the Gnome region. Well, someone had beaten us to it, so we hadn't earned any merit score for the portal.

「Corrupted Gnome defeated. EXP +1」

「Kobold Shieldbearer defeated. EXP +1」

「Stone Golem defeated. EXP +2」

「Megalith Soldier defeated. EXP +2」

「Sandman defe...」

「...」

Various grade-9 monsters, including a Gnome Mutant variety and the full set of three kobold types. Then all sorts of grade-8 monsters, including Stone Golems. Even though we hunted every type of monster along the way at my request, we still reached the third floor on day four.

'It was the same on the way to the Witch's Forest.'

We reached the heart of the Witch's Forest on day eight without any particular trouble. As for plunderers along the way? Not a single one. Once we entered the fourth floor, the Sky Tower, we didn't encounter any other explorers at all.

「Trial completed.」

「You have selected the Stairs of Courage.」

Then the hunting began in earnest. We kept climbing the stairs and fighting monsters. Every monster found on the third floor, Pilgrim's Passage, came pouring out in random groups, and about once every three days, we even encountered a grade-6 monster.

「Bitol defeated. EXP +3」

「Lizardman Scout defeated. EXP +2」

「Dullahan defeated. EXP +3」

「Banshee Queen defeated. EXP +3」

「Elatreck defeated. EXP +3」

「Dragoon defeated. EXP +4」

「Living Armor defe...」

「...」

We stayed until day twenty-three, when the fourth floor closed. Those grade-6 monsters I'd once worried about so much? We made a few mistakes since it was our first time fighting them, but thanks to our dramatically improved strength, we defeated them all without any serious danger. And in the process, my EXP began piling up.

'They don't call it the Training Tower for nothing.'

Every monster from the third floor appeared there. There were grade-6 monsters, as well as monsters that appeared nowhere else. Still, it hadn't quite been enough to get me to Level 4.

Anyway, after devoting ourselves entirely to hunting...

“Dwalki?”

“W-well... that would come to about 720,000 Stones each.”

“780,000 Stones.”

“Huh? Bjorn, what are you talking about...?”

“Uh, um... Now that I've calculated it again, you're right, Bjorn?”

“Whaaat?!”

Each of us received 780,000 Stones. Even that was only possible because the Mimic's Passive Skill, [Greed], increased the magic crystal drop rate by 30 percent. Without it, we'd have earned around 600,000 Stones each.

“Hmm. It's certainly not a small sum... but it feels a little disappointing. Am I the only one?”

“Somehow... I think I feel the same way, nyah.”

“Hahahaha! Well, that's only natural after how much we earned before! It seems that outrageous luck of yours has finally run out, Bjorn!”

I couldn't say about luck. We'd earned less because we hadn't run into any trouble. Plunderers might be fucking scum, but they certainly wore good equipment. In practice, they were worth far more than farming magic crystals.

'... Somehow, I earned less than on my first trip into the Labyrinth.'

I could see why those plundering bastards kept cropping up. People were easier to kill than grade-6 monsters, and much more profitable. Of course they were drawn to it like moths to a flame. Especially the ones who fancied themselves obsessive min-maxers.

'Don't be too disappointed. Everything before this was just unusually eventful. This is normal.'

Thinking back to the game, I finally managed to let go of my disappointment. Consumables for expeditions, all the expenses in the city—it was only natural not to make much money early on. That was why newbies kept dying to taxes in their first or second year, unable to scrape together a mere million Stones.

'... Reaching the fourth floor in just a few months is already an absurd pace.'

Telling myself that, I made good use of my time in the city, too. I met up with the team now and then to socialize and plan our expeditions, and visited the Magic Tower every week to work off the research sessions I'd promised Raven.

“Hmm, only four more sessions left already?”

“So when am I supposed to meet that senior of yours?”

“Oh, there's been a slight problem. If you don't mind, Mr. Jandel, I'd like to put it off until next month...”

“... Fine.”

Training, the library, socializing, gathering information. For the first time, my days were genuinely peaceful. It made me so anxious my hands and feet trembled... but until I entered the Labyrinth again, no one approached me—not an evil spirit hunter, a Hans, or anyone else.

So I'd thought something might happen this time.

'But nothing happened in the end.'

We went through the Goblin Forest on our way to the third floor, which let us hunt some additional monsters I'd missed. Then I finally leveled up during our stay on the fourth floor. Those were the only differences from our previous expedition.

“Bjorn! What are you thinking so hard about, nyah? We need to go, nyah.”

Feeling Misha shake me by the waist, I snap out of my thoughts.

“Come on, snap out of it. We'll have to wait forever if we're late, nyah.”

Forever, my ass. Maybe back when I was a no-name rank-9 explorer. Rank-6 explorers use a different checkpoint altogether, so the wait is less than half as long. The officials are much more polite, too.

“Right, let's go! Hahaha!”

Soon, we pass through our respective checkpoints and gather in one place. Then we quickly divide up the proceeds.

“That comes to 790,000 Stones per person.”

“Bjorn? Is that right, nyah?”

Dwalki's eyes dart nervously at Misha's question. How can a mage be this bad with numbers?

“I don't know either. If he says it's right, it must be.”

His calculations are correct this time, so I let it pass without a correction. And as a result, 790,000 Stones land in my pocket.

Is the world all about give-and-take after all? Whew. Things went smoothly, and the money we earned barely changed from last time.

“Then let's meet up for a return drink tomorrow. For today, everyone go home and rest!”

“Agreed.”

As soon as we're done dividing the money, we split up and head back to our lodgings. But what's this? For some reason, the room feels dirty and cramped today. It seems like only yesterday I was delighted to have a bigger room with a window.

I flop onto the bed.

Even after washing up and lying down, it doesn't feel real. This moment used to be when I felt alive with every part of my body. Suddenly, another thought comes to me. At this rate, how long will it take to move into a place like that inn room from before?

'... And my growth has practically stalled lately.'

The longer this peace continues, the more the impatience inside me grows. So I force a smile.

'... Even I can tell I don't know how good I have it.'

On the first day I woke up in this body, I made my plans assuming it would take at least several years—perhaps even a lifetime. But a series of coincidences had aligned to put me at least two or three years ahead of schedule.

Don't be impatient. Things are going plenty well enough. So—

'Fuck. What the hell am I thinking?'

I slap myself across the face as hard as I can.

SMACK!

Things are going well? That only makes this more dangerous. When has my life ever been the sort where things keep going smoothly forever?

Don't forget. The shit always hit the fan when I let my guard down.

'An evil spirit hunter? The Guild? Mozlan? A noble? Who will it be this time? Or am I safe until I enter the Labyrinth?'

Recalling the experiences etched into my mind like trauma, I tighten the screws that have worked loose.

'No. No way.'

I can't stop. I have to keep getting stronger. It's the only way to survive.

Anyone watching might think I was paranoid... but the truth is, I haven't changed one bit since that first day.

'Always assume the worst.'

If I have to become a madman anyway, I want to be a madman who survives.

* * *

「Bjorn Jandel」

Level: 4 (New +1)

Physical: 386.1 (New +56) / Mental: 198.3 / Ability: 302.4 (New +10)

Item Level: 967

Overall Combat Index: 1128.55 (New +10)

Obtained Essences: Corpse Golem - Rank 7, Vampire (Guardian) - Rank 5, Orc Hero - Rank 5

* * *

“Bjorn? Did something bad happen, nyah?”

“No. Why would you think that?”

“Your eyes look a little fiercer, nyah...”

That's the first thing Misha says when we meet the next day. So I decide to loosen the screws a little—just a little. I need at least that much breathing room in my brain to make rational decisions—

“Want me to let you touch my ears, nyah?”

“... What?”

For a moment, I wonder if I've actually lost it and misheard her, but no.

“Well... my older brother said touching my ears made him feel better. Though that was when we were really little, nyah...”

What? That rude little shit said that? I can't picture it, even if they were kids.

“Oh, I mean my eldest brother, nyah! He's still nice to me, nyah...”

Nice or not, what kind of perverted bastard does that? This is why your home environment matters when you're young. Just look at those eyes, offering a favor out of pure goodwill. She probably doesn't even know what's wrong with it.

“Misha, don't say that sort of thing to just anyone. They might misunderstand your intentions and get strange ideas.”

If I hadn't known Misha liked skinny men, I might have misunderstood her myself. Had some ridiculous idea that she was trying to seduce me.

“But you're not just anyone, nyah?”

Oh, now she's talking back.

“Just say you understand.”

“... I understand, nyah. Anyway, if you don't want that, should I grill you some meat instead, nyah?”

“... I'd appreciate that.”

And so, grilled pork is decided on for breakfast. Even if we buy it and cook it ourselves, it's still meat, so it's fairly expensive for a single meal... but I make what I consider a rational judgment. If eating this meat makes me grow even a little taller, it certainly won't be a loss.

“Slow down! Let me have some too, nyah!!”

“... Didn't you say you didn't like meat?”

“You completely insensitive barbarian, nyah!!”

Whatever that little incident over breakfast was about, I get a proper start on my day with a full stomach. We're not meeting the others until evening, so...

“I'm heading out for a bit.”

“Oh, does that mean I can take today off too, nyah?”

“Practice swinging your sword if you're bored. Seeing you lose your grip on it last time, I'd say you still need more practice.”

“That was! Just because I wasn't strong enough, nyah!!”

“Then you should work out.”

“You musclehead, nyah!!”

Anyway, I leave Misha behind and head out.

“Have a good time! And stay out as late as you can, nyah!”

Well, I doubt she'll actually spend the time training like I told her to... but that's her choice.

I walk steadily along. Making good use of my two sturdy legs, I soon reach my destination.

The place I always come to when I have time to spare. The library, of course.

“It seems nothing unusual happened.”

Perhaps because we've exchanged names and been through a few things together, Lagna now greets me as soon as I arrive. Not that we're particularly close.

“As you can see, no. Have you been well?”

“Of course.”

“Then I'll be counting on you again today.”

We've exchanged brief pleasantries, and I'm about to have her cast [Greater Book Detection] on me when, for some reason, she hesitates. She probably doesn't realize it herself, but it's a habit of hers whenever she has something to say.

“If you've got something to say, just say it.”

“... How on earth can you tell?”

“It's just the look in your eyes.”

At my honest answer, Lagna's eyes take on a wounded look. Hearing that from a barbarian seems to have bruised her pride considerably. Still, like an intellectual who values reason, she gets straight to the point without further comment.

“I'll say this first: this information is not confirmed. But since you're an explorer, I thought I should warn you.”

“Warn me?”

That's a word I hadn't expected at all. But it brings me sharply to attention. She might have covered herself by saying it wasn't confirmed, but knowing her, this won't be idle talk.

“What is it? Tell me.”

At my urging, Lagna speaks cautiously.

“A Dimension collapse may occur in the Labyrinth sometime in the near future.”

The moment I hear it, a reasonable suspicion comes to mind. Dimension collapse. A true “disaster” within the Labyrinth, something a mere Floor lord can't even compare to.

'I'd been wondering why things were so quiet lately...'

Had it all been leading up to this?