Chapter 122 Veteran Player (1)

Chapter 122 Veteran Player (1)

Veteran Player (1)

Veteran Player (1)

Misha woke me up early the next morning.

"Wake up, wake up! How long are you going to sleep?!"

It was 6:30 AM.

It was a very early time, considering our schedule of going to Commelby.

"Let's eat out today. I couldn't pack lunch because I woke up early."

"Then let's have breakfast on the 1st floor—"

"No, no! Let's eat outside. Okay?"

"I'm hungry..."

"Come on, I'll buy you something delicious. Okay?"

I was dragged out by Misha before I could even have breakfast. And after escaping on a carriage, we finally had a meal after arriving in Commelby, the commercial district.

Misha took me to a restaurant that she claimed was famous, about 30 minutes away from the public transportation platform.

"How is it? Delicious, right?"

"It's delicious...!"

I don't know what she did to the stew, but it has a very familiar and savory taste.

I should make a note of this place and come back whenever I'm in the neighborhood.

"I'm glad you like it. Do you like it that much?"

"Except for the expensive price."

"That's because you ate four bowls, you barbarian!"

After our late breakfast, we went to the weapon shop and the general store I frequented and sold all the loot.

‘3 million stones...’

It’s the amount we earned from selling all the equipment and consumables of the three guys from the 2nd floor and Jensia.

It's not a small amount of money, but it doesn't feel that significant. If we had sold Viper's Fang and the 2nd-tier leather armor, it would have been several times more.

‘Well, we can sell those later.’

Afterwards, we went to the blacksmith recommended by Hikurod to get the equipment repaired. I was worried about the repair cost since my shield and breastplate were quite dented from the troll battle...

"It’s 300,000 stones in total.”

...but the repair cost was cheaper than expected.

Well, I guess it's easier to fix dents than melted parts.

“Do you also handle leather?”

“Yes, do you have something to repair?”

“Ah, this part here feels too tight...”

We had Misha’s armor repaired while we were at it.

Although I was worried that there might be a problem if we messed with it since it’s leather armor, there wasn’t any major issue.

"There’s no need to add new material for this. We can just use a softener to slightly stretch out the tight parts."

The repair cost was only around 50,000 stones.

Maybe it’s because we came here through Hikurod’s introduction, but they don’t seem to be ripping us off. It seems like a very honest shop.

"Come back in three days."

After leaving the blacksmith’s, we wandered around and purchased some exploration supplies.

I restocked Witch’s Lamp Solvent, a counter-consumable for stealth, and bought a few more items that came to mind.

And...

"I’ll give you two bottles for 2 million stones.”

...I repurchased two top-grade potions at the general store I went to before.

It’s because I didn’t expect to use up one bottle so quickly.

It was a significant expense, but it’s a little better since we’re splitting the cost.

"Fortunately, we didn't have to touch the money in the shared account. Here’s 325,000 stones.”

We split the remaining money.

Then I guess we’ve finished today’s schedule.

"Then I’ll be going! Sleep well, Bjorn!”

“You too.”

We returned to Ravigion in the evening, had a simple meal, and parted ways.

And when I returned to my room...

...what is this again?

I see a silver-haired fairy squatting in front of my door, her head buried in her knees.

“Erwen...?”

“Ah, you’re here?”

Erwen greets me with a bright smile as soon as she sees me.

Her eyes seem tired for some reason, so I ask,

“...How long have you been waiting here?”

“Not long. Were you two out?”

“Ah, we had to go to Commelby.”

“I see... As expected.”

“So what brings you here?”

I ask her what she wants since it’s almost time for me to wash up and sleep, but Erwen just keeps her mouth shut.

As if she’s organizing her thoughts.

She has a serious expression, but soon speaks in her usual cheerful voice.

“Mister, I won’t be able to visit as often as before. I came to tell you that.”

“Huh? Ah... well, the situation is different now.”

She’s not a one-month-old newbie explorer anymore.

Well, she hasn’t even been an explorer for a year yet...

...but she should know that now is the time to focus on her growth even more.

“Yes, I’m starting special training with my sister tomorrow. So I probably won’t be able to come more than once a week. I wish I could come more often, but... it would take too long.”

“Too long?”

“...There’s something like that.”

Erwen trails off as if making an excuse, and then she smiles brightly and disappears before I can ask any further.

“Anyway! I’ll come next week, so see you then, mister!”

“Uh, yeah...”

“Because it’s fun?”

“Of course, the reason was different at first. Do you remember what I said when we first met?”

“I remember. You said you wanted to become a great explorer and bring honor to the barony.”

“That was all a lie. I just thought that maybe my father... no, the former baron, would pay attention to me if I became a famous explorer.”

Dwarkey is an illegitimate child of a noble family.

And as is typical of illegitimate children, he feels a deep love-hate relationship with his blood relatives. He resents them, but at the same time, he wants to be loved by them. It’s a contradictory emotion.

“As you know, the former baron passed away. And as you saw... the brother who inherited his position didn’t even know I existed.”

At first, he felt empty, he says.

He felt like he was adrift after losing his life’s purpose in an instant.

Dwarkey, poetically expressing his feelings at the time, looks me straight in the eyes.

“But I was able to overcome it. Because I had four people around me to rely on.”

“Don’t tell me... yo, you’re talking about us?”

“Then wh, who else would it be? At first, I didn’t know that’s what companions are like. They were more than just friends I could trust and rely on, it felt like fa, family...”

“I, I see?”

“That’s right. After my mother passed away, I always felt like I was alone in the world... but when I explored, laughed, and chatted with you guys, I didn’t feel that way at all.”

Dwarkey finishes his beer in one gulp, as if he knows he’s saying something embarrassing.

“Thank you, Bjorn. Thanks to you guys, every day is enjoyable these days. So... even though I went through that this time... I can overcome it.”

“...I see.”

“Yes. So don’t worry too much.”

“Alright, I won’t worry about that part anymore.”

I cleanly dismiss my concerns.

Whatever his motivation, it seems like Dwarkey’s mental state will be fine if he’s like this.

“Huhu, you know, you seem like a softie even though you’re not.”

“Enough, let’s drink.”

Thanks to the sincere conversation, the awkward atmosphere has disappeared.

Dwarkey, who was hesitant in front of me, starts talking enthusiastically, and I listen and respond.

That’s when...

“Um, Bjorn... I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“By any chance, are you and Misha... dating?”

I stare at Dwarkey instead of answering.

His flushed face is filled with anxiety and tension.

Only then do I realize one thing.

‘No wonder he suddenly wanted to talk alone.’

This was his real intention.

______________________

"Braun Rotmiller. Age 34, it's been 8 years since you became an explorer, right?"

As soon as I entered the office, I felt a contemptuous gaze. Feeling humiliated, Rotmiller answered,

"...That's right."

He was more curious than shocked.

He had received a summons from the Explorer's Guild this morning. So he arrived at the guild on time, even though he was in the middle of catching up with his companions.

And he followed the employee upstairs to this room.

A man was sitting in a chair, and he was a familiar face.

'Nile Urbans, the 7th Regional Manager of the Explorer's Guild. Why would someone like him call for someone like me...?'

A question welled up inside him, but he didn't act recklessly and waited for the man's explanation.

Because who knows what kind of trouble might befall him if he makes even a small mistake?

"Hmm, I like it. Especially the part where you wait patiently even though you're curious."

"Then can you tell me what this is about?"

The regional manager nods with a smug smile at his request and explains the reason for calling him here.

The more he listens, the more absurd it sounds.

"So you're telling me to betray my companions?"

"That's up to you. To be precise, I just need you to fix that barbarian friend's behavior."

Rotmiller clenches his teeth.

One of the only 13 regional managers in the city.

A being who can easily bring great misfortune upon a mere explorer just because they find him annoying.

That's why he needed courage even more.

"I'll... pretend I didn't hear that offer."

He forces out a refusal, his fist clenched tightly.

The regional manager smiles with interest at this.

"If you're done talking, I'll be on my way."

Rotmiller hurriedly turns towards the door before he's consumed by fear.

That's when...

"It's admirable that you cherish your companions. It's truly a wonderful belief. But... how long do you think they'll be your companions?"

Rotmiller involuntarily stops at the voice that follows.

"I looked at your records. I think you must feel quite wronged. It took you 8 years to reach 7th grade. Meanwhile, that barbarian became 6th grade in just half a year."

"I've never felt that way."

"If you say so. But shouldn't you start accepting reality?"

"......"

"Your companions will keep climbing the ranks. They're not ordinary humans like you."

Rotmiller bites his lip at his blunt words.

But he can't refute them.

Because he knows all too well that what the man said is true.

"How long do you think you can keep up with them? Three months? Four months? Hmm, maybe you can last longer. If they pity you, that is."

Rotmiller opens the door and leaves without listening any further.

"I trust you'll make a wise decision."

The regional manager, visible through the closing door, has a kind smile on his face.