Chapter 878: Paradise Island (5)
The Canyon of Wraiths.
Of the four routes to the Sixth Floor, this one had the shortest path, but its tricky difficulty made it a place that mid-rank explorers avoided.
'Camping in this dreadful place… I just can't get used to it.'
The navigator, helmsman Jackson, who had been hired by Viscount Yandel and joined this expedition, shivered as he got up from his sleeping bag.
It wasn't particularly cold, but every time he heard the screams of the wraiths, goosebumps rose on his skin.
But he couldn't show it.
'Why is everyone so unfazed…?'
Everyone except him seemed unaffected by the wraiths' screams.
No, it was more than just being unaffected; they were as relaxed as if they were on a picnic.
For example…
"Oh, that smell…! Meat! Is that meat stew?" (Ainar)
"Wait a minute! We have to add pepper and wait another fifteen minutes." (Misha Karlstein)
"A wise warrior knows how to be patient!" (Ainar)
"You understand, right?" (Misha Karlstein)
"Yes!" (Ainar)
Cooking.
They were actually cooking.
Not in a sealed space like the Fourth Floor's Tower of the Sky, but out in the open canyon!
Whoosh!
They had even built a large fire, with a huge pot placed on top, bubbling away.
Whenever the wind blew, a fragrant smell that whetted the appetite wafted through the air, and naturally, it also drew in monsters.
And…
"Tsk, what are a bunch of souls going to eat? Scram! This is our food!" (Misha Karlstein)
"You think the monsters will listen to that? I'll take care of them this time." (Armin)
The monsters that approached were instantly vaporized by magic and various ranged attacks.
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'As expected of Viscount Yandel's companions…'
Truly extraordinary.
Then again, for those who have explored areas beyond the Seventh Floor, the Fifth Floor must pose no threat at all.
"Alright, everyone gather 'round! It's almost ready-" (Misha Karlstein)
"Bahella!" (Ainar)
"No, you get back! I'll serve you a bowl!" (Misha Karlstein)
And so, the meal began.
It felt a little strange to have such a proper meal in the Great Demon Realm, but other than that, it was an excellent meal.
It seemed that while eating, he couldn't even hear the annoying screams of the wraiths.
"It's wonderful again today. I'm always grateful, Lady Karlstein." (Jackson)
"Oh, it's nothing… The one who can, does it." (Misha Karlstein)
"Ahh! I missed the taste of this meat stew! The Golden Ghost Clan is terrible, and their food sucks! Misha, it was delicious today, too!" (Abman)
The explorer who had been in charge of cooking, Misha Karlstein, scratched her cheek awkwardly.
However, an undeniable pride was mixed in her expression.
'Looking at her like this, she's just an ordinary woman…'
But if she wanted to, she could probably take my life in a second.
After finishing his meal, Jackson discreetly approached Misha and helped with the dishes.
"Oh? You don't have to do that…" (Misha Karlstein)
"I have to earn my keep. Give them to me. I usually do this kind of thing at home." (Jackson)
"Oh, really? You're a wonderful husband." (Misha Karlstein)
"Well, the flaw is that I'm not home very often. Ah, of course, I did take a very long break this time! Haha!" (Jackson)
This was one of the tricks he had learned while being employed by various groups on expeditions.
Try not to be disliked, and if possible, earn their favor.
That way, they'll protect you when things get dangerous.
"By the way, it's already been three days." (Jackson)
"Yes. They said it would take ten days, so he should be out in a week." (Misha Karlstein)
"Aren't you worried, Lady Karlstein?" (Jackson)
Jackson brought up a question he had been privately curious about, as a bit of small talk.
And…
"Huh? Worried…?" (Misha Karlstein)
For some reason, the woman he asked tilted her head, even stopping her dishwashing.
She looked as if she didn't understand the question itself.
Did I ask something wrong?
I don't think I asked anything strange.
The atmosphere felt weird, but Jackson stubbornly continued.
But what was this?
"Yes… It may be a Fifth Floor Rift, but Viscount Yandel went in all by himself, didn't he?" (Jackson)
"Hahahaha!" (Abman)
The Beastkin man behind them burst out laughing.
"My goodness, friend. Were you worrying about that this whole time?" (Abman)
"?" (Jackson)
It was a completely incomprehensible reaction, so he looked back at Misha beside him, but she was no different.
"Haha, Abman is right. You don't need to worry, so don't fret. In fact… if you're going to worry, you should be worrying about the other explorers who went in with him…" (Misha Karlstein)
"Excuse me?" (Jackson)
Helmsman Jackson still didn't understand.
It was a Fifth Floor Rift, was it not?
And he went in alone, without his companions.
Even for Viscount Yandel, wasn't it okay to worry just a little?
Of course, having read the mood, he didn't voice such doubts any further.
"This reminds me of Bifron. Back then, Misha, you were extremely worried, weren't you?" (Abman)
"Ugh… I wasn't that worried." (Misha Karlstein)
"It was a spectacle when we heard what happened there later! He became some kind of boss or something." (Abman)
"Hmm, did something like that happen? I'd like to hear the details." (Armin)
Soon, Armin, who seemed to be Yandel's right-hand man, approached and joined the conversation, and Abman, seizing the opportunity, began to chatter away with old stories.
Helmsman Jackson's interest was piqued, so he sat down beside them to listen, but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel that something was off.
When the time came, they ate a delicious meal.
In their spare time, they lay down and rested.
They laughed and chatted to pass the time.
And…
No one worried about their Captain.
It was as if they had all agreed not to.
'Are they all on bad terms with the Captain?'
He simply couldn't understand it.
Yes, not yet, at least.
—
No.18 — Rift Generator.
A Double Numbers item with the ability to open a Rift of the corresponding floor when a Rift Stone is inserted.
Assuming they possessed this item, the picture becomes clear.
Putting myself in their shoes.
One must always think from the other person's perspective in these situations.
'Ten Fifth-Rank Rift Stones.'
That's the cost to open a Fifth Floor Rift.
Well, it is possible to open a specific Rift by inserting ten times that amount, but…
'The chances of that are practically nil.'
No matter how I thought about it, there was no reason to pay that cost just to specify 'Paradise Island'.
If it were the unique Rift 'Fortress of Souls', maybe.
It's just more cost-effective to open the Rift ten times.
It would take some time and effort, though.
Besides, with ten tries, 'Paradise Island' is bound to pop up at least once.
Anyway.
'They intended to clear a Fifth Floor Rift, but the one that happened to open was 'Paradise Island'.'
To summarize, that's their situation, and if I add a few more lines…
'Paradise Island opened, and of all people, Bjorn Yandel came in with them.'
'Bjorn Yandel said that the only good raider is a dead raider.'
'They managed to kill one person they encountered before gathering at the center, but too many are still alive.'
'Bjorn Yandel announced he would clear the Rift early using a special method and left.'
'At this rate, it's a loss.'
Yes, that's about it.
They spent ten Fifth-Rank Rift Stones to open the Rift, so if it just ends like this, the loss will be immense.
Considering the built-in cooldown of the Rift Generator, the loss becomes even greater.
Therefore…
'They have to do something.'
This is the natural flow of thought.
Hehe, everything is ruined because of Bjorn Yandel, so I'll just accept it and take the loss.
How many explorers would have such a mindset?
One hundred out of a hundred would try to find a way to minimize their losses.
'And that's probably what led to the current situation.'
I glanced around the empty clearing and smirked.
It was a laugh tinged with a bit of self-deprecation.
They probably knew I was still hiding nearby.
They were only wary of the twenty-eight people tied up in the center, not suspecting an outside presence.
John Tehan, who faked his suicide to escape, would have spotted me hiding long ago and discussed it with his companions through some means.
And…
Diversion.
While my attention was on one of them, the remaining companions kidnapped the other explorers.
The method of kidnapping was likely 'multi-teleportation'.
However, there's a problem here.
'Why did they take them away instead of killing them?'
This is also easy to figure out from their perspective.
If bodies are left behind, they can be used to deduce the culprits.
So they probably intended to kidnap everyone first and then 'dispose' of them without leaving a trace.
Well, since I checked all of their identification badges, I could still return to the city, check all twenty-nine of them, find the culprits, and make them pay the price…
'Somehow, I think those were fake identification badges too.'
I had a gut feeling.
If I don't catch them here and they get out to the city, I'll never be able to catch these guys.
Yes, so…
"Are you listening?" (Bjorn Yandel)
I start walking toward the central crystal, judging that they must be watching me in some way.
Thud.
Their current goal is obvious.
They plan to reduce the number of survivors to ten or five, and when the portal opens on the tenth day, they'll grab the reward and leave.
"You guys probably think you've got this. That no matter how much I comb this island, you won't get caught." (Bjorn Yandel)
Of course, it's not misplaced confidence.
Indeed, areas like tracking and mobility are things a Shield Barbarian cannot excel in.
No matter how much I run around, I won't be able to catch them.
But…
"Dream on." (Bjorn Yandel)
I can say it firmly.
Such a future does not exist for them.
Because I am no ordinary Barbarian.
A K-Barbarian, well-versed in both martial and scholarly arts, possessing the mind of a gamer who knew almost everything about [Dungeon & Stone].
I, Bjorn Yandel, declare.
"No one can escape." (Bjorn Yandel)
Of course, if they're hearing this, they are likely scoffing.
They probably think I'm just saying it out of anger.
Well, a sharp one might have felt a chill.
Anyway, that's not what's important.
Swoosh.
I raise the hammer that has crushed the skulls of countless enemies.
And…
Craaack-!
I begin to strike the crystal at the center of the island.
Once isn't enough, so twice, three times, four times…
Crack, crack, craaack!
Five times, six times, seven times…
After that, I strike the hammer relentlessly, to the point where counting becomes meaningless, reminding me of the time I dug a tunnel in the Mage Tower's basement.
That memory gave me confidence.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
No matter how dark and long the tunnel, it will eventually end.
And…
Craaaaaack-!
There will be light at the end.
Zzzzt!
A crack forms on the giant crystal.
Thud!
A piece from the edge breaks off.
With the heart of a seeker following the light, I smashed the crystal piece by piece, moving inward.
And at the end of it.
Swoooosh!
A small halo of light, hidden within the hard crystal, was scattering a fierce light.
Crunch!
The moment my hammer finally touched that halo.
The deserter’s wish has been destroyed.
Soon, the radiance flowing from the crystal vanished, and pitch-black darkness descended upon the entire island.
Its meaning was all too clear.
Special Condition – ‘Path of Betrayal' has been deactivated.
Now, even when the tenth day comes, the portal they were waiting for will not appear.
So, to put it simply…
"See you soon, you bastards." (Bjorn Yandel)
They will have to come find me on their own.
I grinned.
Ah, and with the Rift Generator, of course.
