Chapter 77 Request (1)

Chapter 77 Request (1)

Request (1)

It’s already been 15 days since I returned from the labyrinth.

In other words, there are about 2 weeks left until the portals open in the Dimensional Plaza.

It’s a bit of a stretch to say I’ve rested well.

Time has flown by as I’ve been doing what I need to do every day, like homework.

Well, I guess I’m not the only one who’s been busy.

“Hahaha! Isn’t this the famous Little Balkan, Bjorn, son of Yandel! If you’re free tonight, how about a drink downstairs—”

“I’m tired.”

Except for the dwarf, who has been living like a free spirit for two weeks, all the members of Team Misfits have had a busy 2 weeks.

First, Rotmiller.

“Hmm, I think I’m starting to understand now. How to utilize the Sixth Sense stat.”

He absorbed the Mimic’s essence during this expedition and has been diligently training every day to get used to his new ability.

Dwarkey is the same.

“...Ah, me? Don’t worry. I just haven’t slept for about two days.”

With his financial problems resolved, he’s been learning new spells at the Magic Tower, even sacrificing sleep.

The dwarf once expressed concern that he was pushing himself too hard, but...

“No one knows what will happen on the next expedition, right? I need to prepare as much as possible while I can.”

He’s commendable.

When did he become so mature?

I feel like I made the right choice staying on this team.

Although I absorbed the Orc Hero’s essence, if everyone improves like this, there’s no way I’ll be holding them back.

‘From the next expedition onwards, we should be fine even on the 4th floor.’

The growth isn’t limited to them.

Misha and I have also changed in many ways over the past two weeks.

First, as for me...

“Hahaha! Congratulations. To gain a title in 3 months and even get promoted to a 6th-grade explorer? I’m almost worried that I’ll fall behind soon!”

“If you’re worried, why don’t you put in some effort?”

“I’m already looking for a decent artifact!”

I was promoted to a 6th-grade explorer a few days ago.

Contrary to my expectations, jumping straight to 5th grade was impossible.

From 5th grade onwards, there’s a test, and to take the test, you need to accumulate a kind of achievement points by completing requests registered with the guild.

‘Phew, there was no such thing in the game.’

Actually, it’s too late to complain now.

The game I played was set about 150 years ago. There must have been countless updates to the social system during that time.

Just like the library, which was marked as under construction in the game.

“Oh, is that the new weapon you bought? It looks impressive.”

There have also been some upgrades in the equipment department.

First, I bought a new mace.

For reference, the price was 400,000 stones, which is more than twice as expensive as the one I used before.

Well, it’s only natural since it contains more steel.

「Total item level has increased by +185.」

Overwhelming size and weight.

However, since my strength stat has increased significantly this time, there’s no problem with actually using it.

“By the way, Miss Kaltstein also said she was going to change her weapon, how did that go?”

“Ah, that? I don’t even want to talk about it, ask him.”

Misha points at me in response to Dwarkey’s question.

Hmm, I thought she was done complaining...

“I bought dual swords.”

I changed Misha’s weapon a few days ago.

A pair of swords with a reach of about 70% of the standard longsword.

I bought them for 550,000 stones at the blacksmith that Hikurod recommended.

“Dual swords?”

Misha sees her chance and whines as the dwarf and Rotmiller mutter in unison,

“Right? It sounds strange to you guys too, right?”

“Strange? There seems to be some misunderstanding.”

“Huh?”

“I was just surprised because it’s the same thought I had when I was playing solo. It’s good to use both hands since you’re ambidextrous, but I wondered if there was a reason why you insisted on using daggers.”

“...What do you mean?”

“If it were against humans, it might be different. But we mainly fight monsters, don’t we? And we’ll be encountering a lot of large monsters from now on.”

In short, he means that he found it a bit disappointing that she used short daggers before, but it’s a good thing that she changed.

Misha, flustered by the unexpected reaction, looks at the dwarf.

However...

“Dual swords... that’s definitely not a bad choice. After all, we’ll be firmly holding the front line. Hahaha!”

The dwarf, a tank, is pleased with the melee damage dealer investing in full offense.

That’s when Dwarkey steps in.

“I’m not an expert in that area, but it seems like it would be difficult to adjust to a new weapon, especially two of them...”

“That’s right! That’s what I was trying to say! At this rate, I might even get hit by goblins on the next expedition!”

Misha gains confidence from Dwarkey’s agreement and glances at me. But no matter what she does, all I can say is,

“Then practice more so you don’t get hit by goblins.”

I repeat, the easy path is the slow path.

It might be difficult to master new weapons now...

...but in the game, the Frost Dual Swordsman was the strongest melee damage dealer in the later stages.

It’s because there’s an OP Numbered Item.

“Whew, alright, just stop nagging.”

“It’s not nagging, it’s advice for your future.”

“That’s what I mean by nagging.”

Just as Misha and I are bickering, Dwarkey interrupts without reading the room.

“But if you hate it that much, why not just not change weapons?”

“Huh?”

“No, I mean... Bjorn isn’t your parent, do you have to do everything he says? Honestly, it was uncomfortable to watch from the side, it felt like he was crossing the line.”

Crossing the line?

Well, from an outsider’s perspective, he might be right...

But there’s one thing he doesn’t know.

“It’s, it’s not that I hate it that much. It’s difficult now, but there are definitely advantages compared to using daggers...”

“Is, is that so?”

“Yeah, so don’t give Bjorn too much flak. It was my decision.”

I’m not forcing anything on her.

I’m just strongly persuading her with valid reasons.

“Then let’s aim for the central area of the 4th floor starting from the next expedition. Hahaha.”

“If possible, I’d like to pass through areas on the 2nd floor that I haven’t been to yet.”

“Hmm, is it because of achievement points? Then I’ll have to review those routes again.”

We finalize our exploration plans while eating, and our weekly meeting ends quickly.

Actually, calling it a meeting is a bit much, it’s more like a gathering once a week to catch up.

“Bjorn, are you two going together again this time?”

“We’re heading in the same direction, aren’t we?”

“Hmm, you two have gotten quite close lately.”

“...Paid 50,000 stones less? What do you mean?”

“Young warrior, you don’t need to worry about it. It was all the stupid chieftain’s fault.”

No, I’m telling you I’m worried.

I have a feeling, so I ask again as I lie down on the blanket as instructed.

“Shaman, how much is the cost for the 1st stage engraving...?”

“550,000 stones.”

“...I see.”

All my questions are answered with that one sentence.

The cost the chieftain mentioned at the time was 700,000 stones.

Of course, I don't think he intended to rip me off by saying that amount.

He just didn't realize it at the time.

[The cost for the Undying Engraving is... hmm, about 700,000 stones!]

The chieftain was also a barbarian.

Very weak with letters and numbers.

‘Phew, and he even acted like he was giving me a 200,000 stone discount.’

Well, I ended up saving 50,000 stones, so I didn’t lose anything...

But I feel like an idiot for being genuinely happy about it—

“Then let’s begin.”

The moment the needle pierces my skin, all the worries, anxieties, and thoughts that filled my head disappear.

It’s a vivid pain that I haven’t felt in a while.

“Young warrior, you can scream if you can’t bear—”

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaak!!”

Damn it, I thought I would be fine thanks to Pain Resistance...

I can’t believe it wouldn’t work.

‘...I’ll have to get the 3rd stage tomorrow.’

It seems like I need to re-evaluate my plan.

_____________________________________

「2nd stage of Undying Engraving activated. Endurance and Magic Resistance greatly increased.」

「Physical stat increased by +20.」

「Mental stat increased by +20.」

_____________________________________

I said it would be the longest 15 minutes of my life?

Past me was foolish to say that.

“There, it’s done.”

The 1st stage engraving took 12 hours, but the 2nd stage only took 10 minutes.

However, the pain was beyond imagination.

It was as if the pain that should have been spread out over 12 hours was compressed.

“Kuku, this is the first time I’ve seen someone stay awake.”

The shaman chuckles like a psychopath as he looks at me, half-fainting.

And then he hands me something.

“Here, pick one. I’ll read your fortune since we have time.”

What is this? Fortune telling?

Since it’s a fantasy world, it seems like it would be quite accurate...

“Fortune telling isn’t anything grand, so just pick one. I can at least tell you whether good things will happen in your future or not.”

Hmm, if that’s the case...

I don’t sense any malice, so I randomly pick one of the dozens of sticks in the jar.

The shaman then falls silent for a moment.

Why is he making me feel uneasy?

“Young warrior, what is your date and time of birth?”

Uh, I didn’t expect to need my birth date and time for fortune telling...

As I’m contemplating how to answer, the shaman chuckles again.

“Kuku, I was just kidding. How could a warrior know something like their birth date and time?”

“...So how was my fortune?”

“It’s unique. I’ve seen the fates of many warriors, but this is the first time I’ve seen one with so much misfortune.”

Hmm, he’s saying the same thing as the shaman I went to with my mother a long time ago.

As expected, my fate is just shitty from the start?

“You’ve probably experienced countless hardships that others would only experience once in their lives, and you’ll continue to do so.”

“I see.”

Whew, it wasn’t fortune telling after all.

I knew it inwardly, but it makes me feel depressed when a shaman from a fantasy world says it so bluntly.

“Don’t be too discouraged, young warrior. Misfortune isn’t always a bad thing.”

“It’s not always a bad thing?”

“Your fate is not only filled with misfortune, but also with an equal amount of good fortune. And if you don’t get swallowed by misfortune, it will eventually turn into good fortune.”

“What does that mean? Speak plainly.”

This time, I’m not pretending to be a barbarian, I’m serious. Is it a custom in this industry to speak in a way that’s hard to understand, whether it’s on Earth or here?

“Kuku, it means that you’re destined to experience countless things that would normally only happen once in a lifetime, whether good or bad.”

Somehow, my head feels dizzy.

“It’s the kind of fate that many who are called heroes are born with.”

Honestly, I don’t know about being a hero...

But one thing is clear.

There have been countless shitty things in my life, but I’m still alive and breathing.

I thought it was because I had strong misfortune.

But now that I think about it, it’s not like only shitty things have happened.

“Kuku, it seems like something has come to mind?”

Just look at the Crimson Fortress incident.

I almost died because the Vampire Duke Cambormier appeared, but in the end, I was able to obtain his essence.

The Floor Master I encountered a while ago?

He caused all sorts of trouble, but in the process, I obtained the Orc Hero’s essence.

“If it’s the fate of a hero, does that mean I won’t die no matter what happens?”

“No way.”

The shaman smiles as if he’s dealing with a pure, young warrior.

And then he speaks in a dignified manner,

“Some are devoured by fate, some submit to it, and others overcome it.”

“Make it easier to understand.”

“It’s not up to fate, but up to you.”

Phew, he’s spouting nonsense until the very end.

Whatever, fate or whatever, nothing changes.

Instead of relying on something, let’s always stay alert and do what needs to be done.

So that I can endure whatever comes my way.

__________________________________

「Bjorn Yandel」

Level: 3

Physical: 330 (New +20) / Mental: 124 (New +20) / Ability: 115

Item Level: 828 (New +145)

Total Combat Index: 772 (New +76.25)

Acquired Essences: Corpse Golem - Rank 7 / Vampire (Guardian) - Rank 5 / Orc Hero - Rank 5