Chapter 861: Terrible News (4)
A total of nine waves. (Narration)
At the end of that long, long journey, the Collapse was over. (Narration)
Swaaaaaaah! (Narration)
The natural light felt even brighter in contrast to the darkness of the Labyrinth. (Narration)
At its warm touch, my body went limp before I knew it. (Bjorn Yandel)
If I had my way, I would just lie down on the ground right now and enjoy this moment… (Bjorn Yandel)
But it would be better to put that off for a little longer. (Bjorn Yandel)
Isn't there a saying? (Bjorn Yandel)
Joy doubles when shared. (Bjorn Yandel)
For that, there was still work to be done. (Bjorn Yandel)
Trudge, trudge. (Narration)
I slowly walked through the garden of the marquis’s residence, where a temporary Labyrinth Portal had been opened. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Here! Someone help over here! There’s an injured person!” (Survivor)
The surroundings were beyond just tragic. (Bjorn Yandel)
Every survivor had an injury, big or small. (Bjorn Yandel)
The Priests, who had been waiting for our return, were startled and rushed over to treat them. (Narration)
Fortunately, there was no shortage of Priests. (Bjorn Yandel)
No, is it even right to call this fortunate? (Bjorn Yandel)
Despite the ratio of injured being higher than any previous return, there was only one reason there was no shortage of personnel. (Bjorn Yandel)
It was because that many people had died. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘About 300 or 400 people, I guess…’ (Bjorn Yandel)
Of course, I wasn't talking about the number that had decreased. (Bjorn Yandel)
The number of entrants, which had been 4,300, was now down to about 300 or 400. (Bjorn Yandel)
Even with the most conservative estimate, it meant ninety percent had died. (Bjorn Yandel)
And that was only because the explorers who entered this Labyrinth were all skilled, High-Rank Explorers, making the survival rate relatively high. (Bjorn Yandel)
Join Discord
If this had been a normal situation… (Bjorn Yandel)
‘99.9%.’ (Bjorn Yandel)
Yes, the number would surely have been close to that. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Wh-what in the world happened in there!” (Priest)
“The Dimensional Collapse, that damned disaster, it happened.” (Survivor)
“That can’t be! Is that true? Kortan! Report this to the higher-ups at once!” (Priest)
The military personnel, who had only just now realized the situation inside the Labyrinth, began to run about frantically. (Narration)
Regardless of them, I walked on. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘Where could they be…’ (Bjorn Yandel)
Since we all went through the portal that opened in the marquis’s garden, if they made it out safely, I should be able to find them here quickly. (Bjorn Yandel)
Yes, that's how it should have been. (Bjorn Yandel)
Thump—! (Narration)
They weren't there. (Bjorn Yandel)
“B-Bjorn…!!” (Misha Karlstein)
Misha was there. (Bjorn Yandel)
Thump—! (Narration)
They weren't there. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah, ahaha…! I knew you would return safely!” (Guild Master)
The Guild Master was there. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah! Viscount…! You’re safe!” (Armin)
“Yes… The light of the moon has protected me…” (Priestess)
“Ooooh! Bjooorn!! I believed in you!” (Ainar)
Armin, the Priestess, and Ainar were there. (Bjorn Yandel)
Flinch. (Narration)
Even the Company Commander, who avoided my gaze when our eyes met. (Bjorn Yandel)
Even the Illuma Clan, who had left saying they were sorry but had to protect their comrades. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah, ahaha… S-sorry, but we couldn't help it! Ah, ah! Don’t hit m—huh?” (Special Mage)
Even the Special Mage was there, for goodness sake. (Bjorn Yandel)
What in the world was going on? (Bjorn Yandel)
Riiiiing—! (Narration)
They were not there. (Bjorn Yandel)
Only the members of my Anabada Clan were nowhere to be seen in the marquis’s garden. (Bjorn Yandel)
—
I walked, and walked, and walked again. (Bjorn Yandel)
Misha, who followed me silently, said nothing, and neither did Ainar. (Narration)
It was when I had circled the garden more than three times. (Narration)
Thump, thump! (Narration)
The sounds of my surroundings suddenly reached my ears, which had only been filled with the thunderous beating of my own heart. (Bjorn Yandel)
“…My, he’s completely out of it.” (Survivor)
“I can’t blame him… Only three of them.” (Survivor)
“To think that the Anabada Clan would be annihilated…” (Survivor)
“Well, in that hell… even a Viscount couldn’t have done anything.” (Survivor)
The conversation of the survivors, muttering as they looked at me. (Narration)
Tap. (Narration)
When I finally stopped walking, the survivors who had been stealing glances at me and chattering flinched as if they’d been caught and clamped their mouths shut. (Narration)
“…” (Survivor)
“…” (Survivor)
I didn’t bother approaching them. (Bjorn Yandel)
I didn’t throw any words of warning. (Bjorn Yandel)
Nor did I express any unpleasant feelings by staring at them. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Bjorn…” (Misha Karlstein)
I just started walking again, pretending I hadn’t heard anything. (Bjorn Yandel)
Then, someone approached me. (Narration)
He was a Knight, and he carefully asked if I could go with him for a moment to give a statement about the situation inside the Labyrinth. (Narration)
I gave no answer. (Bjorn Yandel)
Just. (Bjorn Yandel)
Shove. (Narration)
I pushed the Knight's shoulder aside and walked on. (Bjorn Yandel)
I had no intention of pointlessly circling the marquis's garden anymore either. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah, the order to disperse hasn’t been given yet! This expedition was conducted as a top-secret military operation, so…” (Knight)
The Knight at the entrance blocked me, flustered. (Narration)
“Gelton, step aside.” (Superior Officer)
A man who seemed to be his superior made the Knight back down. (Narration)
“But the order from the higher-ups…” (Knight)
“Who is your direct superior?” (Superior Officer)
“…I understand.” (Knight)
After that, there was no other conversation. (Narration)
I went out into the city through the path they cleared, and all the while, the superior officer just silently saluted me. (Narration)
As if to express his condolences for what I had lost. (Bjorn Yandel)
It wasn't particularly appreciated, nor did it offer any comfort. (Bjorn Yandel)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
I continued walking after leaving for the city. (Bjorn Yandel)
Passing through the Imperial Capital of Karnon, which felt so peaceful, I took a military Magic Circle to Commelby. (Bjorn Yandel)
Commelby was much like Karnon. (Bjorn Yandel)
The streets were bustling with people and it was peaceful. (Narration)
Of course, the aftermath of the recent war was still evident on the streets. (Bjorn Yandel)
A family that had lost their home and was sitting on the street. (Narration)
A woman holding a newborn baby, begging for alms. (Narration)
A drunk with one pant leg tied up, leaning against a wall and drinking in broad daylight. (Narration)
The streets weren’t as vibrant as Commelby usually was. (Bjorn Yandel)
But at least, to my eyes, it seemed peaceful. (Bjorn Yandel)
And… (Narration)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
For some reason, today of all days, no one approached me with a fuss. (Bjorn Yandel)
We passed through the streets of Commelby and arrived home. (Bjorn Yandel)
A prime three-story building, only a ten-minute walk from the Alminus Central Exchange. (Narration)
The Anabada Clan House, provided at a low cost with support from the Melves merchant guild. (Narration)
It had actually been a while since I was last here. (Bjorn Yandel)
After the war ended, I spent most of my time at the Holy Land, managing the tribe. (Bjorn Yandel)
The atmosphere in Commelby wasn't great either, so I didn't want to come. (Bjorn Yandel)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
As I stepped inside, the noise from the streets faded, and the silence felt even greater. (Bjorn Yandel)
Though it was called a Clan House, the second and third floors were used as living quarters. (Bjorn Yandel)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
The first floor was decorated like a living room, and we usually held meetings with the members there whenever something came up. (Bjorn Yandel)
No, even when there was nothing in particular, bored members would stop by, so the first floor was often bustling. (Bjorn Yandel)
In the mornings, Auyen would prepare meals in the kitchen, and Sven Parab, who stayed at a nearby inn, would often eat with us, saying the inn food wasn't good. (Bjorn Yandel)
Amelia and Erwen’s rooms were on the second floor. (Bjorn Yandel)
My and Auyen’s rooms were on the third floor. (Bjorn Yandel)
Ainar’s residence was in the Holy Land, but for some reason, she often stayed up late playing and then slept on the living room sofa. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Uh… Bjorn…?” (Misha Karlstein)
Misha’s words brought me back to my senses as I stood blankly in the living room. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Let’s wash up first.” (Bjorn Yandel)
Yes, that seemed like a good idea. (Bjorn Yandel)
We were all a mess. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah, u-un…” (Misha Karlstein)
Misha nodded in agreement. (Narration)
So I went up to the third floor, briefly organized my gear and clothes, and in the meantime, soaked my body in the bath that had been filled. (Bjorn Yandel)
Scrub, scrub, scrub… (Narration)
I rubbed my body with a washing cloth, scraping off the caked-on blood and flesh, then finished by lathering up several times. (Narration)
When I came down to the first floor after washing, Misha and Ainar were already there, looking like they had finished washing a while ago. (Bjorn Yandel)
Hmm, was I in the bath for that long? (Bjorn Yandel)
“Hey, Bjorn…” (Misha Karlstein)
“Let’s eat something first.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah, u-un… I’ll whip something up quickly with what I have, so just wait…” (Misha Karlstein)
Misha ran to the kitchen and cooked a meal using the ingredients she carried in her Pocket Dimension. (Narration)
We all sat at the table and ate in silence. (Narration)
“…Bjorn.” (Ainar)
After the short meal, it was Ainar, not Misha, who spoke to me this time. (Bjorn Yandel)
I shot up from my seat. (Bjorn Yandel)
“First…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“…” (Misha Karlstein)
“…” (Ainar)
“Let’s get some sleep first.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah… right, that would be better! A-after all, you must be tired too, Bjorn…!” (Misha Karlstein)
After that, I passed the second floor and went into my room on the third floor, locking the door behind me. (Bjorn Yandel)
The smell of rotten blood wafted from the armor and underclothes that had been left uncleaned, but I didn’t bother to do anything about it. (Bjorn Yandel)
I thought it would help me sleep better. (Bjorn Yandel)
Because it still felt like I was in the Labyrinth. (Bjorn Yandel)
Yes, I need to sleep. (Bjorn Yandel)
For the sake of tomorrow. (Bjorn Yandel)
Slump. (Narration)
Collapsing as if I had fainted, I fell into a terribly slow sleep, and as always, time flew by quickly. (Bjorn Yandel)
—
The sun rose and set, the sky turned black and then burned bright again. (Narration)
The world beyond the curtains repeated itself without rest. (Narration)
One day, two days, three days, four days… (Narration)
At some point, I stopped counting how many days had passed, and how many more days passed after that? (Bjorn Yandel)
During that time, many people came looking for me. (Narration)
“I left it in front, so make sure to eat when you’re hungry… okay? Got it?” (Misha Karlstein)
Misha would carefully prepare a meal every mealtime and leave it in front of my door. (Narration)
“They say it was 401 people… the number of survivors. But you know what’s amazing? Nearly a hundred of them survived because of you.” (Misha Karlstein)
Sometimes, she would sit down outside my door and talk about the outside world for a long time. (Narration)
Even if I didn't answer, she continued. (Narration)
Without tiring. (Narration)
“You can hear it even from inside the room, right? All the people outside looking for you. The city’s in an uproar again.” (Misha Karlstein)
That a new record had been added to the Stone of Honor. (Misha Karlstein)
That Duke Kealunus, the newly appointed Chancellor, was looking for me. (Misha Karlstein)
That Armin had stopped by this morning. (Misha Karlstein)
“Yandel, I cannot dare to fathom how you must feel right now. But… this isn’t like you.” (Bear Uncle)
Hah, this time it’s Bear Uncle… (Bjorn Yandel)
“Get up. Be yourself.” (Bear Uncle)
I really don’t know what being myself is. (Bjorn Yandel)
Why do people have such a high opinion of me? (Bjorn Yandel)
“I’ll come back later. Ah, and… thank you. For helping me back then. If it weren’t for you, reality would have been a cesspool even after I returned.” (Bear Uncle)
After Bear Uncle left, it was Ainar. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Bjooorn! Come out! The warriors of the Holy Land are all worried and waiting for you! If you come out and eat something delicious with us, you’ll feel better!!” (Ainar)
Ainar’s voice, cheerful to an excessive degree. (Bjorn Yandel)
Listening to it, I realized something new. (Bjorn Yandel)
Just how pathetic I was being right now. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ahem… It’s Adnus. As you know, your name has been newly inscribed on the Stone of Honor. Unfortunately, unlike last time, your other companions were not mentioned.” (Guild Master)
“…What are you talking about!!” (Misha Karlstein)
“So my position is a little awkward! If you have a chance, could you come out and mention that my help was significant—!” (Guild Master)
“If you came here to say that, get out right now! No, just get out!” (Misha Karlstein)
The Guild Master came and was chased away by Misha. (Narration)
The Dwarf came and drank silently in front of the door without a word before leaving. (Narration)
There were many events, but in the end, I did nothing and just let time pass by. (Bjorn Yandel)
For the time being, I just wanted to not think about anything, just like this. (Bjorn Yandel)
Like back then, when I shut myself in my room and played games. (Bjorn Yandel)
Ten days, fifteen days, a month… (Narration)
Time in the dark room passed so quickly, but its end clearly existed. (Bjorn Yandel)
Because Lee Hansoo and Bjorn were different. (Bjorn Yandel)
Bjorn’s world was not so lenient as to wait until he could overcome it on his own and come out. (Bjorn Yandel)
Craaaaaash—!!! (Narration)
The firmly shut door to my room was shattered, and the light of the world was forced in. (Narration)
“Ah, I can’t take it anymore!!!” (Ainar)
“…?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“How long are you going to sleep, Bjorn! Get up! If you keep acting so pathetic, I’m going to take the Tribe Chief position from you. Huh?” (Ainar)
Ainar, backlit by the sunlight streaming into the room, approached the bed and looked down at me. (Narration)
“…Take it.” (Bjorn Yandel)
I said, turning my head away as if even the attempt was a bother, and immediately, Ainar ‘acted’. (Bjorn Yandel)
Stab! (Narration)
A spear pierced through my soft abdomen. (Narration)
Only after realizing what had just happened did an extreme, agonizing pain bloom belatedly. (Bjorn Yandel)
“…Argh!! What are you doing!” (Bjorn Yandel)
“What am I doing? Did the Tribe Chief forget our tradition? The position of Tribe Chief is won through a duel…!!” (Ainar)
“What kind of nonsense…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Get up, Bjorn! Or I’ll keep stabbing you!!” (Ainar)
Indeed, as if to prove she wasn't bluffing, Ainar poked my skin with the tip of her spear. (Narration)
In the end, I had no choice but to get up. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Oh, you’re up? I should have done this sooner!” (Ainar)
Ha, these Barbarians. (Bjorn Yandel)
They really don’t operate on common sense. (Bjorn Yandel)
“…Get out while I’m asking nicely, Ainar.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Huh? What are you going to do if I don’t? You have less strength in your eyes than a young warrior who just finished his Coming of Age Ceremony. Look! You can’t even meet my eyes properly! Who would think of you as a Great Warrior now!” (Ainar)
Indeed, as if she wasn’t scared of me at all, Ainar strode forward, closing the distance. (Narration)
“Well, go ahead and try something. It doesn’t have to be nice words.” (Ainar)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Whether you say mean things, whine like a child, spout incomprehensible nonsense, or we just beat the crap out of each other…! I don’t care either way, Bjorn. So…!” (Ainar)
Ainar grabbed my head with both hands and then, like a rhinoceros, slammed her forehead into mine. (Narration)
Crack—! (Narration)
The impact traveled through my skull and shook my brain. (Narration)
But I had no capacity to care about such a thing. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Please.” (Ainar)
We were so close our noses might touch. (Narration)
It was no longer possible to look away and ignore her. (Bjorn Yandel)
Finally, I could see Ainar’s face. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Let’s just talk about something now…!” (Ainar)
… (Bjorn Yandel)
Yes, so this was the expression she was making. (Bjorn Yandel)
—
For nearly a month. (Bjorn Yandel)
Holed up in my room with the sole intention of not wanting to think about anything, ironically, the thing I did most was think. (Bjorn Yandel)
Think, think, and think some more. (Bjorn Yandel)
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t believe it. (Bjorn Yandel)
I even had the delusion that I might still be in the Labyrinth. (Bjorn Yandel)
Isn't there that Dreamy Waterfall? (Bjorn Yandel)
What if, after the ninth wave ended and the stabilization period began, I fell into the Dreamy Waterfall? And that’s why I’m having this ridiculous dream? (Bjorn Yandel)
That actually felt more realistic. (Bjorn Yandel)
But… (Bjorn Yandel)
‘I can’t stay like this forever…’ (Bjorn Yandel)
So, I picked up a spoon and brought the warm soup to my mouth. (Bjorn Yandel)
At the dining table on the first floor. (Narration)
Across from me, Misha and Ainar were watching me cautiously. (Narration)
Misha, I could understand, but Ainar was a bit absurd. (Bjorn Yandel)
Just a moment ago she was breaking down my door, shoving a spear into my stomach, and demanding we talk. (Bjorn Yandel)
“…W-was it to your liking?” (Misha Karlstein)
Misha asked as soon as I finished my meal and put down the spoon. (Narration)
“Ah, uh… It was good.” (Bjorn Yandel)
I answered honestly, and for some reason, a strange silence fell afterward. (Bjorn Yandel)
“…” (Misha Karlstein)
“…” (Ainar)
Hah, this is really awkward. (Bjorn Yandel)
Even for me, it’s hard to be the first to speak in a situation like this. (Bjorn Yandel)
But still, I had to get through what needed to be done. (Bjorn Yandel)
“I’m sorry for making you worry.” (Bjorn Yandel)
Yes, an apology first. (Bjorn Yandel)
It was true I had been a pathetic sight. (Bjorn Yandel)
“N-no, no! Sorry for what! There’s no need for that!” (Misha Karlstein)
“That’s right, Bjorn! A-after all you’ve done for us!” (Ainar)
Uh… Was that a mistake? (Bjorn Yandel)
I didn’t expect them to wave their hands in such a startled denial. (Bjorn Yandel)
Anyway, since the apology is done… (Bjorn Yandel)
“Uh… I’ve been thinking about it all this time…” (Bjorn Yandel)
I got straight to the point. (Bjorn Yandel)
One of the many thoughts I had over and over while cooped up in my room, and… (Bjorn Yandel)
The last, somewhat realistic possibility. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Maybe they’re all still alive.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“…Huh?” (Misha Karlstein)
“Yes, I know what you’re thinking. I’ll explain, so just listen quietly for now.” (Bjorn Yandel)
With a dubious Ainar and Misha before me, I explained at length about that ‘possibility’. (Bjorn Yandel)
And… (Narration)
“Uh… so… to summarize, you’re saying there’s a chance that all the other members fell to the Underground First Floor during the Dimensional Collapse… Is that what you’re saying…?” (Misha Karlstein)
“Yes, you understood correctly. You know it too, don’t you? That countless explorers have entered the Underground First Floor before.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“W-well, that’s true…?” (Misha Karlstein)
“I’ve thought about it over and over, but it just doesn’t make sense that not a single one of the members made it back to the city.” (Bjorn Yandel)
Misha was able to survive on her own until she met me, wasn’t she? (Bjorn Yandel)
It would only make sense for at least a few of the Anabada members to have returned alive as well. (Bjorn Yandel)
But the number of survivors is exactly zero? (Bjorn Yandel)
What’s more, according to Misha, who went around asking, not a single person has seen them in the Labyrinth after the third wave. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Thinking about it calmly, that outcome is actually the one with the lower probability, isn’t it?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah, u-un… I-is that so?” (Misha Karlstein)
At my question, Misha looked at Ainar beside her with a troubled expression. (Narration)
And… (Narration)
“Why are you looking at me, Misha Karlstein! Don’t pass the buck!” (Ainar)
Even for a Barbarian, she wasn’t so dense as to not have any thoughts after seeing those reactions. (Bjorn Yandel)
“You don’t believe me at all.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“No, it’s not that I don’t believe you…!” (Misha Karlstein)
“That’s enough, Misha. You have to say what you have to say, don’t you?” (Ainar)
Ainar cut off Misha, who was waving her hands in denial. (Narration)
“We can’t postpone the funeral forever. Bjorn, just accept it. They are dead.” (Ainar)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Don’t insult them any longer and let them go.” (Ainar)
Ainar’s appearance, speaking with cold, sunken eyes, was somehow unfamiliar, yet it suited her very well. (Bjorn Yandel)
If you looked closely, she always showed a more rational and mature side than me in matters like this. (Bjorn Yandel)
But that was that, and this was this. (Bjorn Yandel)
“No, there will be no funeral. At least not until I’ve searched every corner of the Underground First Floor with my own eyes.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“…” (Ainar)
“This is my decision. Do you have a problem with it?” (Bjorn Yandel)
I stated it clearly. (Bjorn Yandel)
Ainar stared at me for a long time before letting out a small laugh. (Narration)
“How could I have a problem?” (Ainar)
A reaction far more compliant than I expected. (Bjorn Yandel)
No, it had long since passed the realm of simple compliance… (Bjorn Yandel)
“If you have so decided, then I will follow. No matter who points their fingers at you.” (Ainar)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Bjorn son of Yandel, because you are a Great Warrior.” (Ainar)
Seeing the look in her eyes, filled with such blind faith, I couldn’t help but chuckle as well. (Bjorn Yandel)
For the first time in a very long time. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘She got me.’ (Bjorn Yandel)
It didn’t feel bad. (Bjorn Yandel)
—
A shimmering, silvery sea. (Narration)
And on those silver waves, a variety of junk floated about. (Narration)
“Ha, I just can’t believe it.” (Amelia)
The red-haired woman standing on a Rock muttered, looking down at the crashing waves. (Narration)
“To think I’d end up in this damned place again.” (Amelia)
A monologue that perfectly conveyed the irritation she held inside. (Narration)
At this, the dozen or so men and women gathered around her each let out a deep sigh. (Narration)
“They probably think we’re already dead outside, right?” (Raven)
“…That means we have no choice but to return on our own.” (Sven Parab)
“Ha, I wonder how long it will take to get back this time.” (Erwen Forun)
Sometimes, knowing too much is what makes a situation feel even more hopeless. (Narration)
