Paradise Island.
Even in the Labyrinth, a place full of bizarre incidents and mysteries, a one-person entry Rift was a rare sight.
However, that didn't mean a one-person clear was mandatory.
It just meant you couldn't enter with your companions.
The total capacity for the Rift was thirty people.
Each participant would enter this island through one of thirty portals opened across the entire Fifth Floor.
Simply put, it was a Rift that had to be conquered by cooperating not with companions you trusted, but with unfamiliar explorers…
“It does feel like I’ve come to a resort.” (Bjorn Yandel)
Perhaps it was because the Canyon of Wraiths, where I had been just a moment ago, was a grim place where the screams of restless spirits echoed.
The sudden change in atmosphere upon entering the Rift felt strange.
The darkness of the labyrinth that had limited visibility had long since vanished without a trace.
Warm sunlight shone down.
The white sandy beach danced in the light, reflecting the sun’s rays.
It was the same for the clear, emerald-colored sea over there.
“I wonder what expressions they’re making.” (Bjorn Yandel)
Suddenly, I unintentionally thought of the companions I had left behind in the Great Demon Realm.
They must have been quite startled when the portal closed after only I had entered.
Well, that surprise probably didn't last long.
As they were all experienced veterans, they would have quickly realized why this had happened.
Paradise Island was quite famous, after all.
Ah, not in a good way, of course.
Flop.
With nothing to do until the full quota of participants was met, I simply lay down on the sand and enjoyed a sunbath.
And how much time had passed?
“H-Hello…?” (Explorer)
Opening my eyes, I looked in the direction of the voice and saw an explorer a short distance away, looking at me with cautious eyes.
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“Are you… a person?” (Explorer)
“What else would I look like?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Whew! What a relief! Do you happen to know what’s going on? For some reason, the companions who were supposed to follow me in haven't arrived…” (Explorer)
It seemed this guy didn't know what kind of Rift Paradise Island was.
He also didn't seem to recognize me yet.
“Don’t worry. Your companions are probably fine, waiting for your return.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Um… does that mean this is a Rift that only one person can enter at a time…?” (Explorer)
Fortunately, he seemed to lack knowledge, not intelligence.
“If you know anything, please tell me. I’ll reward you handsomely.” (Explorer)
“Forget the reward. Just sit down somewhere and wait. It’ll be a while before it starts.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“…?” (Explorer)
With those words, I closed my eyes again.
The man tried to say something more, but seemingly exhausted by my complete disregard, he shut his mouth and sat down nearby.
And how much more time had passed?
“…What is this! Wake up! It’s suddenly gotten dark all around!” (Explorer)
Waking up to the sound of his startled voice, I slowly stretched and loosened my body.
The island had become as dark as the middle of the night.
It wasn't particularly surprising.
“Looks like everyone’s gathered now.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Gathered…?” (Explorer)
“You’ll see when we get there. Follow me.” (Bjorn Yandel)
Saying that, I headed towards the center of the island, from where a colorful radiance was flowing.
The man, though confused about the situation, quietly followed behind me.
And then…
“It’s other explorers…!” (Explorer)
In a clearing where a giant crystal emitting a multicolored light was located.
About a dozen explorers were already gathered in front of the crystal.
‘Still only about half have gathered.’
Well, if we waited a bit, they would all gather on their own.
They had kindly lit up the center of the island, after all.
“Look, two more have arrived!” (Explorer)
Anyway, the people who had arrived first were gathered and talking, and one of them spotted us.
“Don’t be on your guard, come over here! I’ll explain the situation all at once when everyone has gathered… Huh? V-Viscount Yandel…?” (Ibella Rianelin)
The female Mage’s eyes widened as if she recognized me.
At this, the man next to me also widened his eyes.
“You were Viscount Yandel…? I had a feeling when I saw you were a Barbarian…” (Alend Daren)
“Is that important right now?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah… my apologies.” (Alend Daren)
“With the Viscount here, we have even less to worry about! We can just think of it as relaxing for a bit before leaving.” (Ibella Rianelin)
“Relaxing before leaving? What does that mean?” (Alend Daren)
“Ahaha… Please wait a moment. I was planning to explain everything about Paradise Island once everyone is here. Oh, I’m Ibella Rianelin.” (Ibella Rianelin)
“Alend Daren. As you can see, I’m an archer. I can also handle close combat and serve as a Scout.” (Alend Daren)
“Haha, you don’t need to introduce yourself like that. There’s no need to fight in this Rift.” (Ibella Rianelin)
“…?” (Alend Daren)
The two exchanged brief introductions.
Since I didn’t feel the need, I just found a spot a little away from the group and sat down.
Alend, who had followed me this far, glanced at me and then joined the group.
Well, the company of a friendly-looking female Mage was probably far more appealing than that of an unfriendly Barbarian.
“Everyone, your attention for a moment, please!” (Ibella Rianelin)
As a little more time passed, almost all the explorers who had seen the light from across the island had gathered.
Ah, the reason I say almost all and not all is simple.
There were 29 people, not 30.
“For some reason, one person hasn't arrived yet, but since we don't know when they'll come, I'll start the explanation. This place is called Paradise Island, and it's a very unique type of Rift! You don’t need to fight.” (Ibella Rianelin)
“No need to fight? Then how do we kill the Rift Guardian? And how do we return to the Labyrinth?” (Explorer)
“I’ll explain everything, so please listen without interrupting! If you have any questions, I'll answer them all afterward!” (Ibella Rianelin)
Exhibiting a very gentle leadership, Ibella explained ‘Paradise Island’ so clearly that even a child could easily understand.
However, was there someone who understood even less after hearing the explanation?
A fierce-looking axe warrior scowled.
“So, what you’re saying, missy, is that if we just hold out for ten days, an escape portal will open and we’ll get a reward, is that it?” (Axe Warrior)
“Yes, that’s right.” (Ibella Rianelin)
“Then aren’t we in big trouble? The one person who hasn’t arrived yet. That person might already be dead.” (Axe Warrior)
“Um… I don’t think that’s likely, but even if it were, it wouldn’t be a big problem. No, to be blunt, it’s actually to our advantage.” (Ibella Rianelin)
“Advantage…?” (Axe Warrior)
“Since some of you may already know about this island, I’ll just be honest. When ten days have passed, the fewer people are left, the bigger the reward each individual gets.” (Ibella Rianelin)
“What?” (Explorer)
At Ibella’s explanation, the axe warrior looked around in bewilderment.
He probably got the gist of it.
A reward is given to all survivors.
However, the fewer the survivors, the greater the reward.
How dangerous these two simple rules were.
In fact, when I was active in Stone Iven, I used to call Paradise Island ‘Battle Royale Island’.
“But don’t worry too much. Just think of it as a comfortable rest before we—” (Ibella Rianelin)
“Ha, rest? With a crazy rule like this?” (Axe Warrior)
“Yes. Of course. Do you see over there?” (Ibella Rianelin)
Ibella then pointed her hand at me, who was standing far away.
“Viscount Yandel is right there, so what could be the problem? No one would harm another person just to get a slightly better reward.” (Ibella Rianelin)
At Ibella’s words, the explorers who had been secretly anxious showed expressions of slight relief.
And the same was true for the axe warrior.
Well, it wasn't an incomprehensible sentiment.
As long as I was here, it was safe to say that a complete massacre was impossible.
It was perfectly reasonable to think that the feared event would never happen.
However…
‘Well, I wonder about that.’
I, on the other hand, was skeptical.
Because among all those playthroughs, it had only happened once.
The time everyone managed to survive.
—
Perhaps it was difficult to be completely reassured by Ibella's explanation.
The explorers gathered in front of the crystal kept glancing at me with strange looks.
I had a rough idea of what they were thinking.
Up to this point, it had all been Ibella’s words.
They wanted me to state my position more clearly.
Well, it was not a difficult request.
“The only good raider is a dead raider.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“…”
“And if you commit murder for a reward, you’re no different from a raider.” (Bjorn Yandel)
Was it helpful that I had clearly stated my position?
Only then did the explorers who had been watching me nod their heads in relief.
“What a relief. After he said that much, I doubt anyone would have any foolish thoughts.” (Explorer)
“True, who would do such a thing when you get a reward just for staying put. It's not like we're Noark scavengers.” (Explorer)
An atmosphere that had visibly softened.
Within it, the explorers engaged in conversation, befriending strangers, and naturally, groups began to form.
The first group consisted of five men.
They were all characterized by their aggressive and fierce looks.
“Everyone, where are you going?” (Ibella Rianelin)
“We can’t just sit around like this for ten days, can we? We plan to scout the area first. A Rift is bound to have valuable things hidden in it.” (Explorer)
“Ah…” (Ibella Rianelin)
Naturally, Ibella had no way to break the explorers’ free will, and so the party of five men…
The Men's Party for short, left the central area.
And…
“Lady Ibella, we’re also going to do some scouting.” (Explorer)
“As far as I know, there isn’t anything that valuable hidden here…” (Ibella Rianelin)
“You never know. Besides, I’m still worried about that one person who hasn't arrived. If we find them, we'll explain the situation and, if possible, bring them here.” (Explorer)
“Ah, yes…” (Ibella Rianelin)
Thus, the second group also followed the Men's Party and left the central area.
The second group was characterized by having ten members and a good balance of men and women.
‘I’ll call them the Social Party.’
After the Social Party left, a total of 14 people remained.
Here, there was a third group.
It was the group centered around Ibella.
“Miss Ibella, is it alright to just let them go like this?” (John Tehan)
“What do you mean?” (Ibella Rianelin)
“The one person who hasn't been found yet. We don't know what kind of person they are.” (John Tehan)
“Still, they’ll be moving in a group, so I doubt anything will happen, right? Ah, perhaps you all are also…” (Ibella Rianelin)
“No, we plan to stay here until the Rift ends. As you said, Miss Ibella, this is the safest place. We don’t want to attract any unnecessary suspicion either.” (John Tehan)
“Suspicion…?” (Ibella Rianelin)
“I’m worried that those who left might stir up some trouble. And when that happens, we will have to be the ones to punish them. If even the bare minimum of law disappears, these ten days will be hell.” (John Tehan)
“You’re right, Mr. Tehan.” (Ibella Rianelin)
Although it seemed centered around Ibella, a closer look revealed that a man named John Tehan also had considerable say and presence.
‘They’d be good as the Vigilante Party… Anyway.’
If they were the third group…
The fourth was me.
To be precise, it was the type that, like me, didn't belong to any group and maintained their individualism.
Ah, the number was the smallest, at just four.
‘Sigh… what’s going to happen now?’
Honestly, I thought it would be best to just spend ten days here safely and then leave.
While there was an additional reward if the number of people decreased, it wasn't that attractive.
Besides, if I were to get blood on my hands for such a reason, how would that be any different from a raider?
‘Should I have just locked them all up in the central area and not even given them the chance to do anything else?’
That thought came to me belatedly, but I let go of the lingering regret.
Yes, this was just about right.
I had already given them a minimal warning, hadn’t I?
If someone were to cause trouble despite that, they were likely the type to do similar things on a regular basis.
It would be better to nip the bud here.
‘I also lacked the justification for complete control.’
If something were to happen, then I would have a reason to intervene.
Of course, it would be best if nothing happened.
“Did your scouting yield any results?” (Ibella Rianelin)
As time passed, the groups that had gone out to scout returned one by one.
The first to return was the Men's Party.
They didn't reveal whether they had found anything, but at least all of them were safe.
“Lady Ibella…!” (Explorer)
The second to return was the Social Party.
They returned to the central area not long after the Men’s Party, and they too had no injuries or fatalities.
Hmm, no, that might be a bit of a misstatement.
“Who is that on your back?” (John Tehan)
Unlike the Men's Party, they had a noticeable result from their exploration.
“We found him during our search. He seems to be the thirtieth explorer we were looking for…” (Explorer)
“He’s already dead…” (Explorer)
“Yes. Please gather everyone. We must find the culprit.” (Explorer)
So, all-out survival failed again.
Still, I didn't expect it to be on the first day.
—
