Chapter 622

Episode 622: Golden Return (5)

The fact that Parav’s Golden Goblin Statue has been activated means only one thing.

‘bifurcation.’

Something very dangerous will soon unfold, and now is the only turning point to avoid that misfortune.

And in that sense.

‘…Was what the director said true?’

There is about a month left until the half-year anniversary that the director of the research center warned about.

Considering the time it took to get to Chief Island, this would have been the Maginot Line.

And here’s the important thing…

“Baron… why don’t you leave right now? No, you have to leave!”

“Calm down and go back to your seat. “I will decide this matter well.”

“yes? Ah… yes! Instead, quickly! You have to do it as quickly as possible!”

This guy, who lived with the mindset of a low-ranking person, had such strong intuition that he said this.

According to what he said, it wasn’t this bad when he was dragged to the ice rock?

‘…The situation is worse than during the Ice Rock expedition.’

At this point, I am also becoming impatient.

That’s because during that expedition, how many people collapsed and disappeared in that cold place?

I never want to experience something like that again.

“Deputy Commander, I will go upstairs for a moment.”

“…So suddenly?”

“I may have to leave here in a hurry. “I will tell you the details when I come back, but for now, you can command here instead of me.”

Afterwards, I instructed the second-in-command to go around the raid without me and prepare to leave if possible.

And then we quickly moved to the control room at the top.

‘Is this right?’

Even as I went, I didn’t stop worrying.

If you immediately respond to the director’s deal, receive qualifications, leave this island, and set sail, you will be able to arrive at the village chief’s island within the time the director warned.

That way, no one will get hurt.

I have no disagreement that it is the safest method.

‘But it’s such a shame that I can’t come back here.’

Another factor that makes it difficult for me to make a decision is that I don’t know why the director doesn’t want me to come down here in the first place.

But…

‘I can’t just ignore the goblin when he says that…’

Should I say I’m in a dilemma?

My head is complicated.

However, I decided to think simply.

Priority.

Every decision starts with what to prioritize.

As I headed to the control room, I reflected on myself.

After that, I felt much lighter and was able to make a decision.

‘…Let’s accept the deal.’

I don’t know what more pots of honey are hidden in the basement, but I’ve already had enough.

In the first place, didn’t the first basement floor feel like a bonus stage that I didn’t even know existed?

Above all….

‘There’s nothing more we can do here for the time being.’

If you want to find more hidden honey pots, our current specifications are not enough.

The same goes for the giant giants on Giant Island.

Are there still too many unsettling factors?

Just as many casualties occurred while hunting level 1 monsters on Library Island, sacrifices will be inevitable to continue the strategy.

Okay, so…

[You came.]

“Yes, you came.”

I slowly enter the control room that I have been absent from for over a month.

[It looks like you’ve finally made a decision?]

The director, who was floating on the screen as if he had been waiting, seemed to realize why I had come here again.

‘He’s a strange guy in many ways.’

Surprisingly, the director had been waiting ever since the first deal proposal. It only lasted a few days, and even though several months had already passed, there was no prompting.

As if he knew the outcome wouldn’t change anyway.

[Now tell me. It’s your decision.]

Maybe that’s why I don’t feel very good because it seems like this guy’s plan went as planned.

Once I made a decision, I had to take my emotions out of it.

My safety is not the only thing that depends on my decision.

“Give me that qualification or something. “Then I won’t even come here again from now on.”

[It’s a wise decision.]

“It’s okay, so please hurry. “Oh, should I write a contract or something?”

[There is no need for that.]

Soon, the cluster of light on the monitor curved sideways.

[The contract has already been concluded.]

…What does this mean?

It’s already been done?

‘Nothing in particular has changed.’

That was the moment I was thinking about that.

「Achievement Accomplishment」

Condition: Achieve 15% progress in Archive 7.

Reward: Permanent access to the Basement Level Archives.

Ssaaaaaa –

A golden engraving in the shape of a book appears on the back of my right hand, glowing, and then disappears as if seeping into my skin.

Also at the same time.

“A dimensional pact has been concluded.”

“The character’s entry into the archives on the first basement floor is permanently restricted.”

It was a feeling I had never felt before in my life.

It’s not like there’s anything particularly visible or any effect.

It

felt like something was gently grabbing my heart.

However, the period was so short that it suddenly disappeared without a trace, making me wonder if I had been mistaken.

“…What have you done to me now?” S~eaʀᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

[nothing. It was just an oath.]

“…an oath?”

[It’s easy to think of it as a slightly special oath. With mutual consent, a new rule was created that only applies between you and me within the labyrinth.]

Anyway, the director tried to end the conversation unilaterally, as if he had nothing else to do with me after the transaction was over.

[Then, now the business between the two is over. It’s going to be busy, so hurry up and go. If you go down, there will be good news.]

“Good news…?”

[You’ll find out when you go.]

It’s a mystery until the end.

It was a story that left you feeling like you had been wronged until the very end.

[Marx, goodbye too. It was nice to see you again, even if just for a little while. This is sincere.]

Soon the warden greeted Hamsik, and Hamsik muttered briefly.

[…No.]

[No? What do you mean?]

In response to the warden’s question, Hamsik, who was riding on my shoulder, took a moment and spoke clearly.

[It’s Hamsik, not Marx.]

[…I told you before, but a witch gave that name. It meant so much to you before you lost your memories—.]

[That’s me before you lost your memories.]

The director remained silent for a moment as if he couldn’t think of anything to say at those bold words, and it took a long time before his voice came out.

[Yes, there is no eternity even in this world… You have changed… So have I.] It

was still a mechanical voice, but for some reason I sensed a trace of emotion in that voice.

It felt like memories and regrets.

[If that is your choice. I understand. Good luck.]

With that, the director said no more and I left the control room carrying Hamsik on my back.

[Hey, are you okay?]

As soon as we got out, Hamsik asked worriedly.

[That oath. Is it really okay?]

“How do I know that? Well, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything wrong right now.”

[You know that I went to the control room every day and talked to him when you were away, right? be careful. No matter how you look at it, he’s a suspicious guy.]

“Of course. “Thank you for your concern.”

[…It’s natural for friends.]

My mouth became silent at the word ‘friend’ without me even realizing it.

That’s because I heard it from the director when I was going in and out of the control room every day to get information.

Hamsik cannot leave the first basement floor.

And…

‘Now I can’t come down either.’

We both knew about it, but we never mentioned the subject.

As if such facts did not exist.

***

I knew this as soon as I arrived at the underground factory.

This is what the ‘good news’ the warden meant.

“mister! Come quickly! “Hurry!”

“Could it be that… it came from him?”

“yes! congratulations! “You wanted it!”

While visiting the control room, essence was dropped.

It’s also the green color I wanted.

As I walked absent-mindedly, Raven, who made eye contact, shrugged her shoulders.

“I was going to wait a little longer and put it in a test tube if it didn’t come, but luckily it came at the right time.”

“How many minutes has passed?”

“10 minutes.”

Yes, that’s right.

After confirming that I still had time, I set aside all the number items I was wearing.

Well, this essence requires some preliminary preparation before consuming it.

plod trudge.

After preparations were completed, I slowly approached Jeongsu.

Thanks to reaching level 8, there is still one empty seat even after eating the Velarios Essence.

If you can eat it without having to use a test tube, it is best to eat it on the spot.

But the question is…

‘Will it work?’

In [Dungeon & Stone], duplicating integers was impossible.

Of course, it was possible to consume guardian essence after eating regular essence.

‘In that case, the normal essence was just upgraded to the guardian essence.’

So what about this case?

The results were soon known.

Sigh.

The moment my fingertips touch the essence floating in the air.

‘…At times like this, it doesn’t get eaten at all.’

The outstretched hand passes straight through the essence.

As if there was no room for it in my soul.

“Tsk.”

Honestly, I had expectations.

If it were possible to consume double purified water, we would have been able to experiment then.

Is it really possible to use the same skill repeatedly?

‘It’s unfortunate in many ways.’

[Giantification], then [Transcendence] to ‘super-giantification’, and from there, [Giantification] once more…

It would have been a real hit if it had become ‘(true) super-giantification’.

‘As for this essence, then as soon as it goes out, erase the original one and eat it…’

Afterwards, with Raven putting the essence in a test tube, I erased all my thoughts about the essence.

“Are you ready to leave, Deputy Commander?”

“Yes, we can leave right away.”

“Then that’s it. “Let’s go home.”

It was time to leave.

***

After leaving the lab and coming out of the temple, we passed through the forest and headed toward one place.

After moving for a few days, we came across a large lake, which we had previously discovered while exploring.

No, to be exact, it was an open place.

It was originally blocked by something like a barrier, but I was able to enter after destroying the huge drone in front of it.

“Everyone get on the boat and head to your seats!”

For reference, the way to escape Rainbow Island was to launch a boat on this lake.

Well, this is my first time actually doing it.

The director clearly said that in the past, so it can’t be wrong.

Tick, tick –

Afterwards, I activated the pocket watch I obtained after destroying the super-giant drone and waited for the second hand to spin once. As I came, a brilliant rainbow-colored glow covered the lake, just like when I came here.

Flash-!

When I came to my senses, we were back in the wind-free area where we had spent the difficult rainy season, and I went straight to Library Island and dropped off Ham Sik.

“sorry. Because I couldn’t keep my promise. “I said I would help you get your memories back.”

[…Are you still paying attention to that? Don’t make that face. Anyway, I heard everything I was going to hear from the director.]

“….”

[Goodbye.]

Hamsik only said goodbye and didn’t say anything that hinted at a reunion.

So I just did it.

[Let’s see… again…?]

“So, isn’t it possible to foresee things in the world even an inch ahead? “I plan to go out and find a way to come back somehow.”

[Is that really possible…?]

“At least I think so. That’s why I accepted the director’s offer in the first place.”

[……Hmph, then come again or not.]

“Till then, stay well. “If strangers come, never open the door.”

There wasn’t much time to spare, so after saying goodbye to Hamsik, I headed straight for the village chief.

Perhaps thanks to increasing our speed as much as possible throughout the voyage, we were able to arrive at Chief Island with three days left until the day the director mentioned.

“It’s an island!”

After getting off the boat, I immediately ran to the village and placed my hand on the dimensional monument, just in case.

“For portal! “The portal has opened!”

“So then we can really go back now?!”

“Long live Baron Yandel! Long live!!”

Fortunately, as if the director’s promise was true, the dimensional tombstone, which had been silent until now, started working and created a green portal.

But I didn’t get into the portal right away.

You wonder that too, right?

[If you don’t leave here within half a year, you’ll be in big trouble. Because it is time for him to appear.]

What on earth was the ‘him’ the warden was talking about?

My curiosity grows even more since nothing was said clearly until the very end.

‘Since the portal is properly activated… it wouldn’t be a bad idea to look at the situation for a while and then leave.’

With that in mind, the main unit positioned itself in the village and came inland, taking only Sven Farab with him.

“Why on earth am I….”

“Concentrate. “If you say it’s dangerous, we have to go to the portal right away.”

“If that’s the case, I’d like to go down right away… but isn’t the rainy season about to start again!”

“Seeing you say that, it seems like you still have some time to spare.”

“….”

A day or two passed, and there were only an hour or two left until the day the warden had mentioned.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow

Suddenly, a strong wind began to blow from behind, as if something was about to start.

“I… can’t I just leave now?”

“Are you very anxious?”

“Yes…”

“Just check one thing quickly.”

I quickly went to the cliffside and checked the shore. The silver sea was rippling violently and pushing forward, as if it were being pulled by some strong force.

“Why don’t you go back quickly? “I’m really getting anxious…!”

Seeing things like that, it seems like I really don’t have much time left…

I just checked the map one last time.

‘That’s the direction where the rocky island is…’

In the direction where the wind blows and the waves follow, there was a rocky island.

[However, if waves start rolling in while you are sailing, stop your journey immediately and find a place to hide.]

Could this be the guy written in the village chief’s ghost story notebook?

I don’t know, but around this time I took Sven Farab down to the village.

Then, one by one, they were placed in the portal one by one.

For your information, the last person in line was me.

Since it was a portal I had opened, I was concerned that it might close if I disappeared…

Wow!

Just as I was about to enter the portal, the entire village shook as if there had been an earthquake.

‘What is this again?’

For a moment, my curiosity as a gamer bloomed, but I decided not to go out and check it out.

Yeah, if I can come back someday, I might figure it out then.

If you can’t come, there’s no need to know.

“Lord of Records, Recardo, begins wandering the floor.”

Let’s just turn off the attention and leave quickly.

Whoa!

Soon I pushed myself into the portal.

When the rainy season begins, the entire labyrinth, including the crystal cave on the first floor, is closed…

‘But fortunately, the portal was opened.’

The portal opened.

So, where can I go if I use this portal?

My expectation was to return to the first floor, but the labyrinth was already closed.

I soon found out the answer to my question.

「The character moves to Lapdonia.」

If the labyrinth is closed, it returns to the city.

Well, maybe we just have to move to the city.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter.

“Oh man…”

The dimensional plaza in Area 7 that we used a long time ago when we entered the labyrinth.

When I looked around, I saw that only the Clan Anavada members who entered the labyrinth with me were standing in an empty square.

Of course, there was nothing particularly strange up to this point.

I heard that the exploration group used the dimensional plaza in another area, and this was the same for the Armin Exploration Team and the Hetz Clan.

Yes, there was nothing wrong up to this point.

We didn’t even expect to see everyone waiting and welcoming us back alive.

But…

“Why on earth is the square like this…”

The square we arrived at was very different from what we usually see.

Ssaaaaaa –

the wind that blew was carrying an acrid smell, and the checkpoint building, where there was always a long line, was completely destroyed and collapsed.

As if there had been a big war.

“It seems like something happened in the city while we were away.”

Amelia looked around and calmly analyzed the current situation.

And that moment.

“Leader! Here, here!”

I heard a man’s voice from far away.

“We just observed a portal response here…”

Our eyes met with the man who climbed up the remains of the checkpoint.

“Huh? What are you guys?”

When I checked the pattern engraved on the shirt of the man who asked that question, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Where on earth did it come from?”

Where did you come from?

Rather, this is what I want to ask.

‘What on earth happened….’

How can these Noark bastards run wild in the city like this?

***

Archives on the first basement floor.

Although there is a certain amount of error, time here flows at the same time as outside.