CH 310

“Chapter 310: Maze”

After that, we went back and explored the previous bifurcations.

– I wonder what this place is. If it were the intestines, why would it have such a complicated structure? (Deko)

I don’t have a watch, so I can’t tell how much we’ve been in this place, but an entire day must’ve passed already.

The only danger we’ve found is the slime. No dark jerks or other magical beasts guarding this place.

We have morale and some food left. Hopefully that’s enough to make it out of here.

– …Another dead end?

– No way.

After that, days passed until we realized that there was no exit of the maze.

There’s no way out.

There was only one spot we weren’t done with.

– Should we blow it up? (Mira)

– The exit might be behind the stones, but it could just be another dead end… (Takaya)

Not to mention the fact that we might get roasted by the explosion.

I’m willing to take a risk if it means getting out of here. In fact, I know I’ll have to.

But the more I think about it the more dangerous it seems.

– Takaya…

Somehow I ended up becoming the leader of the group.

– Takaya.

So it’s up to me to take a decision.

– Hey, Takaya. What do we do now?

Should we risk it all on this one path?

Should we retreat?

– …

I’m uncertain.

Just getting here took us an entire month of gathering materials.

If we back out now, it’ll all have been pointless. We won’t be able to escape.

It would be a huge blow to our hearts too.

– …Takaya, it’s okay.

Deko tapped my shoulder while I was immersed in my thoughts.

– We would rather keep rotting in this place. We’re supposed to have vanished from this world 10 years ago, but you’re still part of it. You have friends out there waiting for you. We can’t let you die.

– …Are you sure? Do you really want to live in this whale for the rest of your lives?

– Hey, I never said that. We waited an entire decade, and you came to help us. Who knows when more help will come? Besides, the Ralph we knew isn’t going to give up.

I finally understood Deko’s idea.

Not to give up, but to retreat in order to prevent myself from giving up.

But is that good enough? Just sitting there in a prison waiting for help…

– F̲u̲c̲k̲…

I can’t do it.

I don’t have the power or the courage to do anything.

– Fine. Let’s go back.

After a short silence, I decided to retreat.

※※※※

(???’s POV)

– Ahh, I hope he didn’t break. It was starting to get fun.

And here I was getting my hopes up when he blew up the dark jerks.

– What, are you still watching him? You’re glued to that screen all day. Do you love him or something? I can’t tell what’s so good about him.

– Hahaha. Everyone has different tastes, and as your friend, I respect yours. Anyways, how did it go?

– It was a pain in the a̲s̲s̲, but he gave up eventually. Why would you make me deal with that annoying brat? I won’t follow all your stupid orders just because you’re a cute girl.

– It’s all part of my little game.

The pathetic kid was walking back to the stomach, supported by his new friends.

– I might’ve overdone it… No, it wouldn’t be entertaining otherwise. It’s fun because it’s hard.

– What’s so fun about trapping a good-for-nothing like him until he dies?

– He’s not trapped forever. Games aren’t fun if they’re unbeatable.

He has all the keys to beat the game.

He even knows where the exit is.

He just hasn’t realized.