Chapter 17

Slowly, I opened my eyes.

I closed them again, and told myself.

‘Get up and get to it.’

As I recalled all the various homework I had to do in this city, my drowsiness started to subside.

Alright, showtime.

First, I checked the time.

[21: 18].

I’d come out of the labyrinth around noon, so leaving out the other odds and ends, I’d slept for around four hours.

But was it because I finally slept on a bed?

It felt incredibly refreshing compared to the last time I’d taken a nap on the ground.

My stomach growled.

I still had some leftover bread that I’d eaten in the labyrinth, but I decided to go out for a bite.

In a world where money was no different from life…

It felt like an acceptable degree of luxury.

“…”

Even after washing my body so hard during the day, I still felt smelly somehow, so I had another quick rinse before leaving the inn.

Trudge, trudge.

As I walked the night streets that were much quieter compared to the daytime, I was feeling a bit stifled.

Not psychologically, but physically.

The beige shirt that I was wearing was medieval-style, with an open chest, laced sleeves and neck.

Instead of buttons, there was a cross string like a shoelace on the deep V-neck…

It was tight even with the neck opened as wide as it could go.

I could see why barbarians went topless. Because they couldn’t get any clothes the right size. What a pitiful race.

‘… But where should I go?’

Right now, my priority was to go meet Erwen at the agreed meeting place.

The problem was that, I didn’t know where the Black Whale Tavern was.

I was sure it was south of the Dimensional Plaza with the labyrinth portal, but the city had been compressed in size by tens of thousands of times in the game, so that wasn’t very helpful.

So I ended up asking for help from some passers-by.

“Black Whale Tavern? Was there anything like that?”

“This is my first time hearing about it.”

Most responded that they’d never heard of it, until a middle-aged man with gray hair.

“The Black Whale Tavern? I haven’t heard that name in quite a while. You look young, how do you know about it? It must’ve been a decade since it was gone.”

Thank you for saying I look young, but the rest of it isn’t very pleasing.

“… You mean, it’s gone now?”

“Yeah, it was a store that had been running for several generations, but it changed hands after the owner fell into gambling debts. And the name changed, too.”

My hypothesis ever since the labyrinth gained more credence.

Had the game been set in the past compared to the current era, after all?

If so, issues like the ‘evil spirits’ or the relationship between the barbarians and the fairies could also be explained.

It looked like I’d have to go visit the library first once the sun rose.

“Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.”

“Heh heh, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a barbarian as polite as you.”

I broke up with the native uncle after that, and kept wandering the night streets. Although the name had changed, but it seemed that the pub itself was still in business, so I thought I’d give it a try.

I hoped that Erwen, too, would come to meet me.

‘Pydenpus.’

Reaching my destination, I couldn’t help but pause for a moment.

I could read the pronunciation, but I didn’t know the meaning. Was it in something like an ancient language from this world?

I thought it was necessary to actively study the language which my brain somehow had naturally understood.

“Hah ha ha ha ha!”

“If you’re going to fight, go out and fight, you bastards!”

The inside of the tavern was exactly how I had imagined it to be.

Drunk people, adventurers, music, messes, tobacco smoke, even the occasional demihuman.

As I was scanning that place standing at the entrance, I saw a flash of familiar silver from a back aisle corner. As well as a pair of slightly protruding, pointy ears.

A form I was only too happy to find.

Step.

One of the fucking drunk bastards bumped my shoulder as he staggered towards the aisle.

Well, that alone wouldn’t have been a problem…

“Fairy girls, you look bored by yourselves. Do you want to accompany this brother for a drink?”

He went to Erwen’s place and threw out some cliché lines.

Well, actually, thinking about it, it was no big deal.

But…

“Is it because this pub’s in the gutters? It’s only got whiny rat bitches like you.”

Er, Erwen…?

Did you transform or something?

“… What? R-, rat?”

The fucking idiot could only make a bewildered face at that sharp sting of sarcasm.

I probably wouldn’t have done much better in his place either.

“Go away. Unless you’re looking to get a hole in your forehead.”

Judging by the fact that she especially liked the forehead, I probably didn’t mistake the person…

What the hell?

I had to go and check this out.

But before that, I’d like to get rid of that guy first.

“What, what are you doing!”

As I approached and grabbed his shoulder, the arrogant uncle quickly turned his head…

“Uh, uhh.”

And closed his eyes right away.

“Didn’t you hear her telling you to fuck off?”

“… I heard.”

“Then why are you still here?”

Instead of answering, the uncle carefully skirted around me and went back to his seat, this time without a single stagger.

And then –

“Oh, uncle!”

I heard the tone I’d already been familiar with.

But I wasn’t surprised.

Because from the beginning, I’d never really thought that Erwen had some kind of split personality.

… It’s the truth.

Hey, didn’t that guy also say ‘fairy girls’ just now?

“Are you that barbarian?”

Because it was a corner table, it was hidden from view by a pillar, but there were a total of two people sitting there.

“Yeah, that barbarian is probably me. But who are you?”

“Her older sister.”

She really had a sister.

Somehow, she looked exactly the same from the side profile.

“Is ‘her older sister’, your name?”

“… Don’t be an idiot. You can call me Tersia.”

Erwen’s last name was Tersia, too.

Apparently, she didn’t want to tell me her name.

“I see. Tersia, can I sit down now?”

“As you please.”

I sat down without hesitation.

And observed Tersia.

First of all, they didn’t look like twins.

She looked about three to four years older, and when viewed from the front, their facial features were quite different.

The eyes especially seemed to hold a ferocious atmosphere.

Or, maybe it wasn’t just the eyes?

“Barbarian.”

“I am Bjorn, son of Yandel.”

“Whatever you say. Anyway, why the hell did you bring this little girl to this pub?”

“S-, sister…?”

“You stay still.”

Erwen felt the mood and tried to intervene, but was blocked.

Hmm, things were getting pretty funny.

Leaving aside why Erwen brought her sister along, I didn’t think she disliked me just because I was a barbarian.

I could feel that intuitively.

I’d have to figure it out later.

“Tersia, for what purpose did you want to see me?”

“Erwen stayed out all night last night. When I asked, she said she was waiting for someone at the tavern all night. I wondered what kind of guy it was stringing my sister along.”

Wait, I don’t understand?

“What do you mean? Last night?”

“Trying to wash your hands of it?”

Looking at her face, it didn’t look like she was joking.

“… Erwen, how many hours have passed since you came out of the labyrinth?”

“Ah, um… Thirty hours or so!”

Crazy. I slept for over a day, not just four hours.

No wonder it felt so damn nice.

“I apologize. I didn’t even know that the day had passed since I was sleeping.”

At my polite apology, Tersia gave me a look of surprise.

I was feeling somewhat pitiful.

She didn’t even raise a stink over the fact that I’d slept for over a day and missed it.

“I never thought a barbarian would be punctual, anyway.”

I had nothing to say.

“So, why did you tell Erwen to come here?”

Well, there was quite a long explanation and there were many reasons…

I just cut it short and drew a line.

“I have no obligation to tell you. If you’re curious, ask Erwen later.”

“How funny. A rookie who’s just entered the labyrinth doesn’t know his place.”

“What does being a rookie have to do with it? Erwen is an adventurer. Unless you plan to take care of her for the rest of her life, you’d better drop that attitude.”

“How barbaric.”

“S-, sister? Uncle…?”

While we were having a staredown, Erwen alone was fidgeting impatiently.

Soon, Tersia took something from her pocket and put it on the table.

“Here’s 350,000 stones.”

“… Why are you giving this to me?”

“Price of the essence that Erwen absorbed.”

Oh, so she was telling me to take the money and vamoose.

I was very familiar with this kind of development that was a staple of daytime soap operas, so it just felt weird.

“Why don’t you take it? Or do you have other intentions?”

It’s not like that.

If she paid with good money, I too had no intention of asking Erwen for a ‘promise’ in return for the essence.

However, I had to hear it straight from Erwen first.

“Do you have the same opinion?”

“That is…”

Erwen wiggled in place.

Was she that scared of her sister?

Originally, I was going to discuss it once we were done sharing and were alone, but now that we were done, I decided to do it now.

“The promise I was going to ask you for was that you would help me until I got the essence I wanted.”

“Eh, is that all?”

“Yes. If possible, I’d like to keep the team running even after that, but that’s separate. No promise required. In future, we’ll divide the loot 5:5.”

In a nutshell, it meant having a two-person party.

How would Erwen respond?

She didn’t take long.

“Sorry.”

It was a rejection.

In place of Erwen, who was bowing her head, her sister explained the reason.

“Erwen will enter the labyrinth with me from now on.”

“From now on?”

“According to tradition, she had to go alone the first time, but I never intended to leave her by herself.”

… I see.

Since the tutorial’s over, a chauffeur was here to carry[1] her for the rest of the game.

Fucking bloodlines.

“If you understand, take the pouch.”

I decided to cleanly give up on Erwen.

Although she was a good friend, there was no reason to forcefully stick with her.

But the calculation had to be done properly.

“350,000 stones is probably the half average price of an essence, right?”

“Of course. It’s a loot you two earned together.”

From the standpoint as an old hand at this game, experienced enough to be called ‘rotten water’[2], I judged 700,000 stones to be a pretty decent amount.

But the ratio was wrong.

“Then 280,000 stones are not enough. The promised distribution ratio was 9:1.”

“Fine.”

Tersia pulled out another pouch from her pocket without a fuss.

Suspicious, I checked it, and it contained exactly 280,000 stones.

Motherfucker, was she just treating me like some pushover?

Obviously, if I hadn’t said anything, she wouldn’t have given anything other than the 350,000 stones.

Oh, you mean bitch…

I could see why barbarians hated fairies so much.

“If your business is over, will you please step away? I have something to discuss with Erwen.”

“What exactly do you plan to discuss?”

Another fight was about to start, but Erwen intervened.

“Big sis, thank you for taking care of me and coming all the way here, but I think you can go now.”

“Erwen?”

“I have to say my farewells to uncle too… Yeah?”

“… I get it, you aren’t a child anymore.”

Taking a deep breath and saying something she didn’t even mean, Tersia finally looked at me.

“Make an oath, barbarian. That you won’t sleep with Erwen. Then I will leave immediately.”

Yes? Did I hear you wrong?

“Uh, sister?!”

Well, I guess I heard right.

Don’t sleep with…

Does it mean that all types of skinship before that is allowed?

“I swear. On my honour as a warrior.”

“U-, uncle?”

“Done.”

Finally, Tersia got up from her seat.

And…

“Oh, I forgot. Thank you for saving Erwen, barbarian.”

Leaving a last sentence, she coolly left the tavern.

Jingling.

Hearing the bell hanging over the door, Erwen drooped over the table.

“Huh! What should I do! I’ve never been treated like this before… Could sister be angry?”

“She isn’t.”

“How do you know?”

Because she looked at you once before leaving and fucking snickered. You didn’t see her.

… Wait a minute, if that’s the case, why did she ask me that shit?

Erwen scratched her head a few times before coming back to her senses.

“Oh right! Apologies. I appreciate the suggestion, but it’d already been decided long ago that I’d go with my sister… “

“No apologies necessary.”

Even if it were me, a high-levelled fairy carrying me out of familial loyalty would’ve been a dream come true, although I couldn’t imagine one of them willingly hanging out with a fucking barbarian.

“Well, just take this first.”

Erwen took out a small pouch and placed it on the table.

“Exactly 63,000 stones.”

The price of the crossbow as well as the mana stones the leader had.

I didn’t know what the actual amount was, but I had no doubts.

Because it’d be meaningless.

Anyway, how much should I pay if I divide this by 9:1?

“Ah, I took care of my share, so you don’t have to pay anything back.”

Yeah, alright.

I mean, anything else at this point would be crazy.

“I left the backpacks the two of them had at my dorm for now. There are many things, but… I think it would be good to see them for yourself tomorrow.”

“I agree.”

Because we’d already been together for a few days, she really knew what I was curious about.

I didn’t have to say a single word, but the loot distribution agenda was settled in an instant.

However, moving to the next agenda, Erwen spoke with a more cautious attitude.

“Then… How can I repay you?”

“Repay?”

“I told you. I will definitely repay your grace.”

Oh, she did mention that in the past.

“Grace…”

Erwen gulped nervously.

… I guess this was why her sister made me swear that oath at the end?

I wonder if she’s expecting something strange from me?

“Stop teasing me, out with it.”

Her eyesight had sharpened a lot.

She noticed right away that I was messing with her.

“I can’t think of anything right now. I want to order something first, anything you want to eat?”

“I’m not hungry…”

“Then I’ll just order mine.”

As soon as I glanced at the menu hanging on the wall, Erwen spoke as if she’d just remembered.

“Oh, then, drink! Let’s have a drink, please!”

“Drink?”

“Yes. I didn’t even drink a sip yesterday on purpose. I wanted to drink my first returning wine with you! Ehehe.”

Erwen smiled brightly and looked at me with eyes that seemed to be fishing for praise.

Returning…

Come to think of it, there was such a custom.

Well, it was a bit different from the feeling of drinking a can of beer after work.

For demihumans who grew up in their holy lands until they reached adulthood, the ‘week of first return’ had a greater meaning than one might think.

Um, but what should I say in this situation?

“… That’s nice.”

“This is when you say thank you!”

“Thank you?”

“Thank you! We’re friends who’ve lived together in the labyrinth, so of course we should be together for the week of first return.”

What the hell did she want?

While I was pondering, Erwen scratched her cheek.

“Of course, for you, this isn’t your first return…”

“What do you mean? This is my week of first return, too.”

“Yes?!”

Why are you surprised?

“Didn’t I say that I was twenty, too?”

“… Wasn’t that a joke?”

So that’s why, no matter what I said, she just kept calling me uncle.

“This was my first time entering the labyrinth.”

“Is that so…”

Soon after, Erwen slowly peeked into my eyes, went to find the waiter and started ordering on her own.

The food arrived about twenty minutes later.

“You’ve worked hard, uncle.”

She was just going to keep calling me uncle, looked like.

Fine. Do whatever you want. We won’t see each other again for a long time, anyway.

“… You worked hard, too.”

We drank, ate and continued to chat. In the labyrinth, we’d mostly talked when absolutely necessary, so this was our first time having such a private conversation.

But things couldn’t go on like this forever.

“Uncle, are you wearing a shirt today?”

Yes, and you are wearing a skirt.

We’ve exhausted all other possible topics.

“Erwen, didn’t you say that you’d repay the grace?”

“Yes? Yes, what is it?”

“Then, try using the ability you used back then here and now.”

Erwen tilted her head.

Now whether this could really be called a reward…

It was an important issue for me.

What’s the difference between an essence inside the game and an essence in reality?

I needed to definitively confirm this in advance.

Maybe I’d need to revise my training methods.

“But why all of a sudden?”

“There’s something I want to check.”

“But, isn’t it illegal to use your abilities inside the city? You’d get caught right away. By the guards.”

This was the reason why skills couldn’t be used inside the city while playing the game.

So there was no way at all?

While I was thinking, Erwen offered a suggestion.

“How about going to a place where there are no people? Oh, my place isn’t an option. Other races are prohibited from entering.”

The fairies seemed to have their own accommodations.

Hmm, what should I do anyway? Should I just take you to a dark alley?

As I was pondering, Erwen found the answer first.

“So, I mean… How about going to your room?”

Ah, I guess that works.

Editor’s Notes:

[1] 버스 (lit. bus), ‘riding the bus’ is a gaming slang (League of Legends etc), similar in meaning to a weak team being ‘carried’ by one expert member. See Namu Wiki.

[2] 고인물 (lit. stagnant water), part of the expression ‘stagnant water rots’. It’s vanishingly unlikely for a KR webnovel reader to be unfamiliar with the term, but here you go anyway.