Chapter 875: Paradise Island (2)
Paradise Island.
For the thirty explorers who set foot on this island, there was only one goal.
Survival.
Even if they did nothing in particular, as long as they succeeded in surviving for ten days, the Rift would be cleared.
The explorers who participated in the Rift could then return to their respective places, each with their own reward.
However, the surprising thing was…
'That there's nothing.'
On this island, where 'survival' was the only objective, there were absolutely no monsters or traps that could threaten the explorers' lives.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't that there were none at all.
But it was more accurate to consider them nonexistent.
As long as one didn't do anything foolish and simply rested on this island, they were beings one would never encounter.
You could say they had no effect on survival.
Moreover, this island lived up to its name, with clean water and delicious fruits scattered everywhere, so there was no need to worry about starvation.
To put it simply, one could rest comfortably for ten days, and when the time came, they could return with a decent reward.
It could be called an island that was literally a paradise on earth, but…
'There's no way such a place exists in the Labyrinth.'
This island was far from a paradise.
To prove that fact, there was no need to even mention the things I experienced while playing the game.
Because even just looking at the current situation, wasn't it obvious?
A time before even the first day had ended.
One casualty had already occurred, and because of this, the 'survivors' were suspicious of each other and had prepared to defend themselves.
Just like this.
"First, there are fifteen suspects. The rest of us can prove to each other that we haven't taken a single step away from here." (John Tehan)
The man who had established himself as something like the vice-captain of the Vigilante Party, John Tehan, scanned the Social Party and the Men's Party, who had gone out on an expedition, with a sharp gaze.
Needless to say, those who received such a look were not about to stay silent.
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"The same goes for us! When we discovered this man's corpse, the ten of us were in one place, and no one had left their spot until then." (Social Party Leader)
"That is your claim. Please understand that we cannot rule out the possibility that all ten of you conspired together." (John Tehan)
"By that logic, your claim is also just your claim." (Social Party Leader)
"Viscount Yandel was also here. Do you really think the Viscount would participate in such a criminal act?" (John Tehan)
At Tehan's words, which clung to me, the leader of the Social Party could not offer any rebuttal.
But the absence of a rebuttal did not mean the absence of a self-defense.
They say the best defense is a good offense, right?
The leader of the Social Party was a seasoned explorer.
"Ahem, in that case, it would be more reasonable to view them with more suspicion than us. After all, there are only five of them." (Social Party Leader)
If you can't break the arrow, it's the stance of a wise explorer to turn its direction.
"What do you mean by that! Suddenly dragging us into this!" (Men's Party Member)
"Wouldn't it be much easier for five people who just met today to come to an agreement than for ten people to do so? Furthermore, about half of our group are women." (Social Party Leader)
"Indeed… that is a reasonable argument." (John Tehan)
"Damn it! What kind of bullshit is that! What's the difference between ten and five, and what do women have to do with it!" (Men's Party Member)
The Men's Party, characterized by their rough looks, were going crazy, but the momentum had already shifted.
Because they were the minority.
"Would it be alright if we checked the belongings of the five of you?" (John Tehan)
"Bullshit! Just try and touch them!" (Men's Party Member)
"Why are you hiding them?" (John Tehan)
"If it were you, would you just obediently show everything?" (Men's Party Member)
"I would. Especially to prove my innocence." (John Tehan)
"Fuck, what did we do to be suspected? Fuck off, if you want to check our pockets, you all have to do it too! Otherwise, it's not happening." (Men's Party Member)
"As you heard, the estimated time of death for that man was about four hours ago. I believe our innocence has been sufficiently proven, but?" (John Tehan)
With those words, the Men's Party drew their weapons as if to say there was no room for negotiation, and the atmosphere became uncontrollably hostile.
"Now, now, everyone, please calm down a bit." (Ibella Rianelin)
As the situation escalated, Ibella, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward.
"After examining the corpse, I found quite a few strange things. So before we suspect each other and draw our weapons, how about we talk about that part first?" (Ibella Rianelin)
"Strange things, you say…" (John Tehan)
"First of all, this man. No matter how much I look, I can't find anything that could identify him." (Ibella Rianelin)
"That's because the culprit…" (John Tehan)
"In the first place, why did the culprit kill this person? If the motive was his gear, there are no signs of anything being taken." (Ibella Rianelin)
"Ah…" (John Tehan)
Simply put, it wasn't a robbery-murder for gear or valuables.
So why did this man die?
"It could be that the culprit is someone who knows about this island." (Explorer)
At the opinion someone muttered, the explorers' eyes sharpened.
Because if it was someone who killed for the island's reward, they wouldn't be satisfied with just one person.
We would all be targets.
"Well. We can't be sure yet, since it hasn't been confirmed if this man was truly innocent either." (Ibella Rianelin)
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" (John Tehan)
"This man might have tried to harm the 'culprit' first, and the culprit might have just fought back in self-defense." (Ibella Rianelin)
"But if the situation was that innocent, there would be no reason to hide it, would there?" (John Tehan)
"That… can all be explained by what just happened. With what could he have possibly proven his own innocence?" (Ibella Rianelin)
It's easier to conceal than to prove.
It was a statement that made sense in many ways, and perhaps because of the incident that had just occurred, the other explorers couldn't offer any particular rebuttal to that point.
"Then what about the identification badge? Why was it taken?" (John Tehan)
"That… I don't know either. But we still lack clues to confirm anything." (Ibella Rianelin)
—she was about to say.
Ibella's words, as if intending to say so, were cut off in the middle.
"Bahella!!" (Bjorn Yandel)
I was starting to get bored.
—
A silence descended upon the sudden shout.
However, no one pointed out my impulsive action.
"It seems the Viscount has something he wishes to say." (Ibella Rianelin)
After a brief pause, Ibella's summary focused everyone's attention on me.
The Men's Party, the smallest group, was looking at me with very worried eyes.
They must have judged that if I took their side here, there would be no way out.
"You all…" (Bjorn Yandel)
As I finally opened my mouth, the concentration heightened to the point where I could feel people's ears pricking up.
As it was my statement that could be a game-changer, everyone was holding their breath and listening intently.
I felt a little sorry about that part.
I had no intention of presenting a new logic, nor did I plan to.
In the first place, why is logic even necessary?
"Why are you all so stupid?" (Bjorn Yandel)
"… Pardon?" (John Tehan)
"Can't we just check everyone's belongings!" (Bjorn Yandel)
"But it's a reasonable procedure to first check those who are suspicious." (John Tehan)
Reasonable procedure, my foot.
That's something only weaklings do.
"Did you just call me stupid?" (Bjorn Yandel)
"Pardon? No, that's not what I meant…" (John Tehan)
"What do you mean, no! Didn't I just say it wasn't reasonable!" (Bjorn Yandel)
"So, that definitely doesn't mean you're stupid." (John Tehan)
"… You're even lying?" (Bjorn Yandel)
I couldn't believe it.
Only trash like raiders deceive barbarians.
Ah, right!
"You were the culprit, weren't you?" (Bjorn Yandel)
As I strode forward, hammer in hand, the man flinched and stepped back.
"Wh-what are you talking about! It's not me! I've been here the whole time…!" (John Tehan)
"Raiders always claim their innocence." (Bjorn Yandel)
"… Belongings! Then check my belongings! It will prove my innocence! If I were the culprit, wouldn't I have that identification badge!" (John Tehan)
"Oh, is that okay?" (Bjorn Yandel)
"Yes! Please check… but put that hammer down first…" (John Tehan)
"Hmm, if you insist. I suppose there's no reason I can't." (Bjorn Yandel)
And so, very peacefully, the first member for the search and seizure was decided.
His name was Matt Grail.
The explorer rank written on the identification badge from his pocket was 5.
He voluntarily laid out everything he had in front of everyone, but no suspicious items were found.
And…
"You, why are you looking at me with those eyes?" (Bjorn Yandel)
The next turn belonged to a member of the Social Party whose eyes I happened to meet.
"I-I, what kind of look did I give…" (Explorer)
"Suspicious. It seems a search is necessary." (Bjorn Yandel)
"What's with that dissatisfied expression? Could you be the culprit?" (Bjorn Yandel)
However, from the second time onward, there was no need to lift the hammer of peace.
It was thanks to Ibella, who had roughly understood the situation, taking care of the traffic control on her own.
"I know it's uncomfortable for everyone, but let's cooperate. It seems the Viscount intends to check everyone. This might actually be better. Since everyone's belongings are being inspected, it's not unfair." (Ibella Rianelin)
"… I understand. However, the rest of you, please watch each other thoroughly. Someone might try to hide something during this." (Explorer)
After that, it was a smooth process.
Each explorer came forward in order to have their belongings inspected, while the rest watched each other to prevent any funny business.
And…
The second, the third, the fourth.
The inspection of belongings proceeded quickly.
"Hmm, what's this? You're clearly a man, so why do you have a woman's underwear…" (Bjorn Yandel)
"Th-that's my wife's! Everyone, don't look at me like that! It's just that I feel like things go well when I carry it around, so I always keep it with me!" (Explorer)
Pass.
It was a little suspicious, but the explorer industry is particularly weak to superstitions and jinxes.
In the first place, even in modern times, there were quite a few sports athletes with strange routines because of such jinxes.
"This is… a Firefly Ring?" (Bjorn Yandel)
During the seventh search, I flinched.
"Yes. But is there a problem…?" (Explorer)
"Of course there's a problem. For safety, I'll hold onto this for now." (Bjorn Yandel)
"… Pardon?" (Explorer)
"Just kidding." (Bjorn Yandel)
Wow, how does this guy have something so precious when he's only Fifth-Rank?
Afterward, I rummaged through his belongings much more thoroughly than usual, but unfortunately, there was nothing suspicious in the Firefly Ring owner's bag.
'Tsk.'
If he had been the culprit, I could have rightfully beaten him to death and taken the ring.
The eighth, the ninth, the tenth.
As the search continued, I was able to grasp some information about the explorers who had entered Paradise Island.
Isn't there a saying that you can tell what kind of person someone is by looking at their room?
It was a similar context.
An explorer's bag inevitably reveals the various characteristics of that individual.
'This one has a lot of spare daggers, so he probably has at least one throwing skill…
Three high-grade potions? Is he rich?'
Someone with many family photos cares for their family that much, and having a lot of empty space in a bag is also a piece of information.
Usually, professional raiders who plan to carry a lot of spoils of war tend to keep their bags empty.
That's why the explorers had reacted so sensitively to the act of revealing their bags.
"Nothing strange this time either." (Ibella Rianelin)
Ibella, who was assisting with the search beside me, spoke with a tone of disappointment, but I actually wasn't expecting anything.
I didn't believe an identification badge or a murder weapon would turn up just by doing this.
'Unless he's an idiot, he would have thrown it away a long time ago.'
Ah, of course, that doesn't mean what I'm doing right now is meaningless.
My goal was to understand each individual through their belongings.
I had already found a few slightly suspicious guys, so once the search was over, the real deduction would begin—
"Uh…?" (Explorer)
It was during the nineteenth search.
"Th-this person, why does he have two identification badges?" (Ibella Rianelin)
For the first time, a person with two identification badges appeared.
Checking the personal information, one of them was indeed his own.
The problem, however, was the other identification badge.
"Height 165, male, brown hair, warrior…" (Ibella Rianelin)
All the personal details written on the second identification badge matched the deceased.
"Uh… th-this, why is this here…" (John Tehan)
The cold gazes of the survivors gathered on the owner of the backpack.
John Tehan.
The man who had been the first to take the lead, saying that those who had gone on the expedition should be searched.
"This crazy bastard, so this is why you drove us into a corner earlier!" (Men's Party Member)
The Men's Party, who had been through a rough time, even took out their weapons and surrounded him, but…
Surprisingly, he made no excuses.
No, to be precise, he couldn't.
"Ugh, ugh…!" (John Tehan)
His face turned pale blue, and in an instant, John Tehan's entire body melted away.
Chiiiiik!
At the unannounced tragedy, everyone watching was at a loss for words.
Yes, this is Paradise Island.
—
