Chapter 868: Influx (3)
Are they insane?
At first, that was my thought, and it seemed absurd, but after thinking about it, it wasn't an incomprehensible phenomenon.
I mean, it makes sense, right?
A game where people go missing?
Isn't that the kind of urban ghost story that would pique one's interest?
No, it wasn't even a ghost story.
It was something that was actually happening.
It was entirely possible for the number of newbies to explode as the rumors spread.
However, the problem was…
'This isn't an issue that can be viewed so simply.'
Why hadn't something like this happened until now?
Even if time on Earth flows much slower than it does here, almost twenty years have passed since the first Evil Spirit from Earth arrived.
And yet, not a single person knew the game was connected to the 'disappearances,' and no such urban ghost story even existed.
Simply put…
'Someone must have been intentionally blocking the information.'
But that information suddenly spread.
Could this really be a coincidence?
Of course, the possibility exists.
For instance, someone might have been nearby when they were clearing the game, and a witness account could have spread.
Or perhaps someone had been tenaciously investigating the disappearances.
Such cases were entirely possible.
After all, Hyunbyeol herself started the game because of my disappearance, didn't she?
However…
'Something feels off…'
In the first place, who made the cheat version?
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A game that automatically sends you to another world upon clearing it.
Could an ordinary person modify the code to do that?
Well, I don't believe it's that sloppy.
It would be far more convincing to think that the bastards who sent us here had a change of heart and distributed the cheat version themselves.
'Then… is the current explosion of new players also their doing?'
For now, that seems to be the highest probability.
But I just can't figure out their intention.
Since the Gate of the Abyss showed no signs of opening no matter how many people they sent, did they decide to switch to a swarm offensive?
"Hah, how would I know what those bastards are thinking…" (Bjorn Yandel)
"Pardon?" (Urben Havelion)
"It's nothing, just talking to myself." (Bjorn Yandel)
In any case, hearing more from the GM, there were many pitiful aspects to the situation.
Not only did the urban ghost story spread, leading to more people trying the game, but the cheat version was also modified, and now there was even a 300x difficulty mode?
So, even ordinary people with no knowledge of the game could easily clear it on their first try and were being kidnapped one after another into this world…
'My goodness…'
Once the Labyrinth opens, I could already see the future of the newbies who would be crushed the moment they entered.
I myself went through hell after stepping on a trap…
My heart feels heavy.
Is there anything I can do?
'It feels like a waste to just let them die.'
Hmm, I need to give this some serious thought.
The Tribe Chief of a tribe.
A Viscount of Rafdonia.
The Captain of the Anabada Clan…
No, let's leave that out for now.
Anyway, I don't like the idea of just standing by and watching.
I am no longer the bare-bones Barbarian who had nothing but a shield.
—
Time continued to fly by after that.
Looking back on what's happened, many things had occurred.
I participated in the Royal Family council and attended the tribal summit.
"You lied, didn't you? About the Purebloods." (Bjorn Yandel)
Ah, the Tribe Chief of the Fairy Tribe I met at the tribal summit didn't even bat an eye and completely ignored me, even as I glared at him and showed my displeasure.
"As you all will know from the Royal Family's notice." (Chief)
"Hah… what are we supposed to do when they send such a coercive notice out of the blue?" (Chief)
"I can understand supporting the armaments of the children who will become new explorers. But how are we supposed to create three thousand new explorers?" (Chief)
"Huh? Speak up! If you're the representative of the humans! Shouldn't you at least say something!" (Chief)
"Ah, well… Rafdonia is currently in a state of severe national crisis, so we must all work together…" (Representative)
The summit that followed was no different from a session to vent their frustrations on a scarecrow, and in the end, the notice sent by the Royal Family was not withdrawn.
Anyway, the summit ended like that.
"Oh, you're finally here. Have you made a decision?" (Bjorn Yandel)
"About half of one." (Armin)
"Half, you say…" (Bjorn Yandel)
Afterward, Armin, who came to see me, proposed a condition for my recruitment offer.
"I couldn't get the members' consent to follow you to the Underground First Floor, but they said it would be fine to explore the Labyrinth together for a while. Everyone's opinion was that they wanted to decide carefully regarding the Underground First Floor." (Armin)
"Hmm…" (Bjorn Yandel)
"I can't give you a definite answer, but even if we can't join you all the way to the Underground First Floor, we intend to fully assist you, Viscount, and follow your orders until then. How does that sound…" (Armin)
What is there to say?
"Do as you wish." (Bjorn Yandel)
I coolly agreed.
Either way, I had nothing to lose.
It wasn't as if I could go down to the Underground First Floor right away.
For now, I needed to form a group to make it easier to recruit more members later.
"Then I'll be on my way." (Armin)
"Yes, take care." (Bjorn Yandel)
After meeting Armin, I didn't go around recruiting more members, but I was still plenty busy.
Not only did I check the news every day, but I also had to stop by the Holy Land from time to time to look after the young warriors who would be the first to explore the Labyrinth when it opened.
Well, to be honest, I only made occasional appearances to give them some mental guidance, while Ainar and Karon were the actual training instructors.
"Bahella-a-a-a-a-a-a!" (Barbarians)
"If you see a Hans, smash his head on sight!!" (Ainar)
And if there was another special event…
'It would be that damn Guild Master.'
He was pestering me so much that I ended up taking a few days to go around campaigning with him.
My name being newly inscribed on the Stone of Honor.
The heroic tale of me rescuing many explorers from the Dimensional Collapse.
And even external factors like the extreme decrease in the number of high-rank explorers.
Thanks to a combination of various factors, the Guild Master, who received my public endorsement, avoided dismissal and kept his position as Guild Master.
It seemed like the people inside the Guild thought I was his backer.
I didn't step forward to correct them.
It was that kind of deal in the first place, and anyway…
"He-here you go…" (Guild Master)
"Let go of my hand before you speak." (Bjorn Yandel)
"Ugh!" (Guild Master)
As for me, I just had to take what I was owed.
Besides, it's a good thing to have the head of a massive organization like the Explorer's Guild under my influence.
After receiving the Dragon Heart, I immediately went to the Holy Land and revived the Shaman first.
Well, is it right to say revived?
According to the young Shaman who had even shed tears to save his master, it would take some time for him to regain consciousness.
'Once the Shaman wakes up, I can continue with the Engraving as well…'
Of course, I haven't gathered the materials yet, so I'll have to collect them gradually.
After leaving the room, things seem to be proceeding smoothly, and I feel a surge of motivation.
If I don't get greedy and take it one step at a time, I'll eventually reach the Underground First Floor.
'The revival of the Ghost Busters is also making some progress.'
The GM's research finally showed results, and the first test run was completed a few days ago.
Though it was an empty community with only me and the GM.
He said he needed to do more research to move the server used by the existing players?
He didn't sound very confident, so I'm a little skeptical, but I'm not too worried.
If it can't be done, I'll just have to make it happen.
Anyway.
Fwip-!
Before starting today's schedule, I unfold the newspaper.
If my recollections so far were about how I spent my time, everything about how the outside world has changed is contained in these newspapers.
That the Rafdonia Royal Family finally suspended the executions of the Noark citizens due to public opposition.
That prices skyrocketed once again as if someone was manipulating them, fueling nationwide anxiety.
That with the current Magic Stone reserves, they would run out in a few months, accompanied by professional statistics that would normally never make it into an article.
It was news that stressed me out just by looking at it, but I couldn't just plug my ears, so I've read the newspaper every day without fail.
However…
'It's ruining my mood first thing in the morning, as expected.'
The headline of the newspaper I just opened makes me frown, just as it has all this time.
[Age of Chaos, Explorer Registration Rate Hits All-Time High. The Emergence of Young Heroes.]
What emergence of heroes?
Lately, the entire city has been creating an atmosphere where those who say they won't enter the Labyrinth are treated as utter cowards.
No, as traitors.
It was all due to the Royal Family's machinations.
[Retired Explorer Decides to Re-enter the Labyrinth. Family is Worried but Supportive.]
[Youths Complain, Want to Become Explorers and Contribute as Soon as Possible.]
With retired explorers who were enjoying their later years returning to the industry, and even kids who weren't yet adults rushing to say they want to enter the Labyrinth, how could such an atmosphere not form?
Anyway.
'It's about to come out.'
In fact, I already know what news will come out in the future.
After all, once this kind of atmosphere is created, what's next?
The talk of using Noark citizens as explorers will come out.
And that they'll have to live confined in Bifron.
They'll suppress the complaints and concerns by introducing various institutional measures to control the Noark citizens.
"Tsk." (Bjorn Yandel)
I fold the newspaper, toss it aside, and get up to leave.
Misha trots over to me.
"Where are you off to today?" (Misha Karlstein)
"To the Royal Palace." (Bjorn Yandel)
"Huh? Why there? There shouldn't be a Royal Family council today." (Misha Karlstein)
"Ah, my request for an audience was finally granted." (Bjorn Yandel)
"Eek? An audience?" (Misha Karlstein)
Misha was startled, but I didn't have much time before the appointment to explain in detail, so I just left the house.
And…
"Hoo…" (Bjorn Yandel)
Of the twelve royal castles, the one in the very center.
No, the Palace of Dawn.
The Palace of Immortality.
Hmm, perhaps the distinction is meaningless.
If what Marquis Terserion said is true, the two could be the same person.
Ah, by the way, I couldn't see the face of the Dawn King I had been looking forward to.
"It's been a while." (Astarotta)
"Where is the Dawn King?" (Bjorn Yandel)
"…Still, wouldn't it be better to be a bit more careful with your words?" (Astarotta)
When I sent him a look that said 'don't talk nonsense,' Astarotta, who had come out to greet me, chuckled and led me inside.
And I had to ask again.
"Where is the Dawn King?" (Bjorn Yandel)
"He is asleep, weary from the affairs of state." (Astarotta)
Weary from state affairs, my ass.
He's probably inside that strange mechanical device to preserve his remaining lifespan.
From the looks of it, he hasn't come out even once since then…
"If this was the case, why did you grant my request for an audience?" (Bjorn Yandel)
A hint of annoyance couldn't help but creep into my voice.
Hah, I had been waiting patiently until now, thinking it was taking time to wake him up or something.
To think the only face I get to see is this guy's.
"Despite appearances, His Majesty the King has delegated a considerable amount of authority to me. To be frank, I probably know and can do more than the current Chancellor." (Astarotta)
"So you're saying I should talk to you instead?" (Bjorn Yandel)
Astarotta shrugged as if it was obvious, and I, too, got straight to the point without further ado.
"Give me the Secret Security Force." (Bjorn Yandel)
Ah, was that too direct?
"…?" (Astarotta)
Seeing his expression of complete incomprehension, I kindly added an explanation.
"I've decided I want to become an Evil Spirit Hunter." (Bjorn Yandel)
He's a smart guy, so he should understand by now.
What I'm trying to say.
