Chapter 208 Leader (1)

Chapter 208 Leader (1)

Leader (1)

Leader (1)

We’re moving forward slowly, cautiously observing our surroundings.

It’s a change that occurred a few minutes ago.

We stopped running towards the 2nd floor and started focusing more on safety.

It was an unavoidable choice.

Because fog had engulfed the entire cave.

“...I’ve heard of this. It’s dark magic. They said dark mages used it during the subjugation.”

My heart beats slowly.

Thump!

Our visibility is only about 5 meters, even though Raven is using wind magic to clear the fog.

It’s difficult to deal with danger in this environment.

This isn’t a game where everything is just HP and MP.

A single mistake can lead to death.

And there’s no ‘retry’ button.

Thump!

I have to stay alert.

To return alive without losing anyone.

“Mr. Yandel...”

We were too weak to protect ourselves.

That’s why we lost a companion.

It was a crisis we couldn’t overcome otherwise.

Then what about this time?

‘Right, we’re much stronger than back then...’

I engrave the positive aspects in my mind to prevent my body from stiffening with tension.

That’s when...

“Mr. Yandel!”

“Don’t shout.”

“Then answer me quickly.”

“So what is it?”

Raven, riding on Ainar’s back, asks cautiously.

“Is going to the 2nd floor the right choice?”

“What do you mean?”

“There are a lot of royal knights who entered. And many large clans too. Wouldn’t it be safer to join them?”

It’s not a completely unreasonable suggestion.

No, if we were near the starting point, I would have definitely chosen that option.

But in the current situation...

...it doesn’t seem like a good choice.

And there’s one thing I need to correct.

“Raven, more than half of the large clans didn’t enter the labyrinth.”

I heard it from Fox at the Round Table.

The large clans that were dissatisfied with the royal family started a large-scale boycott.

Well, some of them backed out after realizing that the royal family was making a list of those clans...

But it wouldn’t be a significant number.

“...At a time like this.”

No, they did it because of this situation.

“Avman, which direction?”

I continue navigating, confirming the portal’s location with the bear-like man. It’s another change that occurred after the fog engulfed the cave.

The compass stopped working.

“...Will it be okay if we just find the portal?”

“It won’t be safe just because it’s the 2nd floor. But we just have to reach the 4th floor.”

The Tower of Heaven is an independent floor.

If we just get there, we’ll be able to return to the city safely, even in the midst of this war.

As expected, that’s our best option—

“No. I meant, what if there’s no defense at the portal?”

“What do you mean?”ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

“Literally. If I were a Noark tactician, I would first find a way to block the path to the 2nd floor.”

That’s... true.

But what am I supposed to do about it?

We have to at least try.

We’re already in the outermost area thanks to the dimensional instability phenomenon.

“If it’s impossible to go to the 2nd floor... what are you going to do?”

Raven keeps asking me questions, unlike usual. It seems like she’s also feeling uneasy.

Well, she needs someone to rely on.

She’s inexperienced in this area.

“Then we’ll join the people from the city, as you said. In the first place, there’s no other way.”

I try to speak calmly.

Although I don’t know if it’s really the best option, at least someone has to do it.

“If you understand, let’s keep moving.”

“Okay...”

That’s when, as we’re heading towards the 2nd floor as quickly as possible...

“We’re finally meeting someone. Do you guys know what’s going on?”

...we encounter explorers.

A team of three humans and two beastmen.

Their equipment is about the same level as ours, or even better.

Well, they wouldn’t be low-level explorers if they’re here at this time.

Our strength would increase significantly if we joined forces.

But there’s something I need to confirm first.

“Identification tags first.”

Are they trustworthy?

____________________

“They’re real.”

“Then would they be fake?”

We first confirm that we’re all from the city by checking the identification tags engraved on our wrists.

And we naturally start talking.

Normally, we would have gone our separate ways after confirming the identification tags...

...but it’s clearly an emergency situation.

“Do you guys know anything?”

“Not much. Just that Noark is up to something.”

Did I make the right choice?

Smirk.

I force a smile as if to erase my doubts and anxiety.

When did I ever make a choice knowing the outcome?

“Let’s go too.”

We have no choice but to trust and move forward.

_________________

About 5 minutes after parting ways with Hansen’s party, we find five corpses.

They’re not from Hansen’s party.

Although they’re naked, as if their equipment was looted, it’s not a problem to confirm their identities.

“It’s a knight.”

“...A knight?”

“Yes. The tattoo on the back of his neck. It’s the emblem of Viscount Terten’s family.”

“To engrave their family emblem... it’s like a brand.”

To be precise, it’s like they’re not even people, but objects.

Is that why?

I feel a bitter taste in my mouth.

It’s a stark reminder that even knights are treated as consumables in this world.

“...Not all noble families are like this.”

I organize my thoughts, ignoring Raven, who’s speaking defensively.

The corpse of a knight and four soldiers.

And the surroundings, devoid of any signs of battle.

It means one thing.

“There’s a monster out there.”

“Yes. Judging by the wounds, they were all killed in one blow. And the wounds are identical, so it doesn’t seem like they were attacked by multiple people.”

Knights, who use Aura, are the strongest in PvP, the swords that protect the privileged in this world where magic and abilities exist.

But to think they died without being able to do anything...

It makes me realize that we’ve entered the eye of the storm.

A knight who probably spent his entire life wielding a sword and enjoying immense authority died like an extra.

No, they’re probably still dying.

Just like during the Noark subjugation that took place in the underground a few months ago.

“Time of death?”

“About 20 minutes ago.”

Right, so it’s not like he’s right next to us.

It’s a positive clue, but it’s too early to relax.

Anything could happen from now on.

“Are those bastards... really planning to start a war?”

The bear-like man frowned and muttered.

It seemed like he finally realized the gravity of the situation after seeing the knight’s corpse.

Well, we haven’t fought anyone yet.

I said firmly,

“They’re not planning to, Avman.”

“.......”

“The war has already begun.”

We’re lucky to be in the outermost area.

So we haven’t experienced the aftermath directly yet.

Well, it’s just a matter of time.

“What are you going to do?”

I sighed at Raven’s question.

I’ve lost count of how many times she’s asked me this since we came down to the 1st floor.

We’re at a crossroads again.

“There’s nothing but a portal in this direction.”

“You don’t have to explain. You’re saying that bastard who killed this knight went that way.”

The only escape route I judged to be possible, the 2nd-floor portal.

A monster is lurking there.

But even if we turn back, the situation is grim. The battle that started in the center will soon engulf the entire 1st floor.

‘Damn it, we shouldn’t have come down to the 1st floor, even if it meant going through the Beast’s Lair.’

I can’t help but regret it.

I can’t believe that trivial choice put me in this shitty situation.

It’s like the cruel world is testing me.

Do whatever you want.

But you’re responsible for the consequences.

I involuntarily look at my companions.

“.......”

Misha, Ainar, Raven, the bear-like man.

They’re also looking at me.

As if to say the choice is mine.

“...Let’s go back.”

I finally make a decision.

I don’t know who’s ahead of us.

It might even be a member of Orculus.

There can’t be many people at that level even in Noark.

Just as I’m about to turn back...

“Ha, are you really just going back?!”

...I hear a voice from beyond the fog.

Thud.

Footsteps follow.

Swaaa!

Raven immediately dispels the fog with a gust of wind.

A man is revealed.

A man wearing a simple black outfit, with no visible equipment.

He’s wearing a skull mask.

“What kind of barbarian is so timid? Huh?”

My body freezes at his voice.

It’s a voice I’ve never heard before.

That much is certain.

But...

“Pfft.”

...it’s familiar.