The Lords of the Floors, field chiefs who existed on each floor: Their names, attributes, and patterns were all unique, but they all had one thing in common. It was impossible to confront them at the level of a mere explorer. To subdue the lord of the first floor, for example, it was necessary to organize an expedition of more than 30 people. Of course, this assumed that everyone was at least a fourth-floor explorer. That was the absolute minimum.
That's what Missha and I were thinking. It would be game over if we both ran into the Lord of this plant, because it was impossible to outrun them at normal speed. So, where should we go? Instead of trembling and hopping we didn't bump into him, what could we do to at least slightly improve our chances of survival?
The solution was to go to the orc colony, like most of the explorers here.
"Why are there so many of them here, Bjorn?"
"Due to the presence of the Dzarwi clan."
Dzarwi was a large clan operating from the sixth floor upwards. Hikurod estimated their membership at hundreds. They couldn't all be in the same place at the same time, but at least ten teams must have arrived. Even if it was only the third floor, that many people were needed to control the hunting grounds. Even with this much manpower, subjugation would be difficult.
Well, if you're willing to accept retaliation, it's not a bad plan... But that assumes you know the right battle strategy and have been planning it for months. However, if we stay with them, we'll buy ourselves some time to escape, even if we run into the Lord of the Ground.
I led Missha through the dense crowd of explorers after making an informed decision based on practicality. A fascinating scene was unfolding.
"H-hey! I've heard you have a great wizard among you. Please use portal magic on my behalf! I'll pay you anything!"
"You! You have invoked the Lord of the Ground!"
"What will happen to us? They won't kick us out because they're a big clan, right?"
There were those pleasantly, those refusing to accept reality and seeing a target for their anger, and those trying to calmly understand the situation. As such a diverse group of people raised out, a Dzarwi executive took the floor.
"Everyone remain calm. It is safe here. Our priest has declared the end of the evil, and our scouts are already on the lookout in all directions. As stipulated in the agreement between the royal family and the guild, we, the Dzarwi clan, will do everything possible to keep as many scouts alive as possible in this disastrous situation. But! If anyone disobeys our orders or starts a mutiny, please understand that we will have no choice but to take deportation measures!"
It seemed a little cumbersome, but it was a pretty straightforward announcement. Since the screamers were no longer shouting, the last warning was especially effective.
«At the moment we don't have to worry about being kicked out», I told Missha.
«Ugh, I'm relieved».
I sat with my back to a tree in a suitable place after looking around for a while.
«... Aren't you too relaxed?».
«We can't do anything else». We needed to rest while we could. Nobody knows what will happen in the future.
«Hmm, that's right.» Missha sat next to me after accepting my explanation.
«I'm asking you just in case, Missha, but are you sure about your ears?».
«I'm not sure. People have told me before that they like my ears».
What was he talking about? «I meant if you're good at hearing sounds from afar».
«Ah, I'm almost sure of that».
«Then listen carefully to the conversation there. But don't make it obvious by looking at them».
«Okay.» At my command, Missha leaned back and closed her eyes. His triangular ears rose as he concentrated. «I'm not sure, but it seems like they're arguing».
«For what reason?»
«I can't hear the details because they are too far away. One thing is certain: They are arguing about the Lord of Floorrr».
Okay, okay. What else could executives talk about in this situation? It would be too obvious to get closer to them than this. This might be the best we could do. «Please keep listening. And please let me know if anything else comes up».
«Okay».
I slowly looked around after putting Missha into listening mode to see how the crowd reacted. Aside from some minor complaints and anxiety symptoms, the atmosphere was generally calming.
«I couldn't believe it when they kicked me out of here, but you never know what's going to happen».
«That's exactly what I'm saying. Only a clan that size could have a priest capable of such a widespread Evil Destruction spell».
«I can only say that the gods are on our side. The Lord of the Ground has appeared for the first time in ten years, but why are these guys here at the same time?»
Whatever evil the Dzarwi clan committed while occupying the orc colony, most of the orcs were happy and grateful for the current situation. Not all, of course.
«Are you alone?» A man approached me while I was looking around. You couldn't be looking for trouble right now, could you?
«What exactly is it about?»
«It's nothing important, but shouldn't we all come together in times like this?»
«Get straight to the point.»
«The Dzarwi promised to protect us, but we have no idea what will happen. How about we work together?»
So you wanted a short-term alliance?
«About thirty people have already gathered for this. It looks like you've lost a comrade in this incident, so it would be nice to have someone to lean on for a while».
Before answering, I checked one thing again. «My name is Bjorn, and I am Yandel's son. How do I address you?»
«Jack Fletcher.»
As long as it's not Hans. «Good.»
For now, let's say «okay». If it looks like it's going downhill, we can just back out. We are not signing a paper contract here.
«A barbarian with a great personality. Then I'll leave right now. Sleep a little. If something happens, I will contact you later. »
«Okay.»
The man soon left, and the next two hours passed without incident. The chaos spirits couldn't even get close due to the high priest's Destruction of Evil. There didn't seem to be any obvious variables either. At least, that was what it looked like from the outside.
«Wake up, Missha». I shook Missha, who had gone from listening mode to sleep mode, to wake her up.
«Is something bad happening?»
«No, not yet. But, if my predictions are correct... there will be soon».
«What exactly do you mean?»
«Take a look around you; there are too many people».
The Dzarwi clan had welcomed the refugees wholeheartedly. Finally, the maximum limit was reached. The area declared under the Destruction of Evil was only twice the size of a school athletics field. Also, we were in the forest, not in a clearing, but it seemed like there were already more than 500 people.
«Hey... Shouldn't we keep more people out?»
«More people and we won't even be able to sit down».
«If a monster enters here in these conditions...»
Selfishness is always fueled by context. Unrest was growing among those who had arrived first, and little by little these types of complaints began to arise.
«What are we going to do now, Bjorrrn?»
«Well, that depends on how the Dzarwi decide to act».
Whether they accepted people until they reached their limit, or stopped accepting people and closed the doors, the clan would have to make a decision.
In fact, the clan cadres made another announcement shortly after. «Due to the Evil Destruction declaration, this is the only safe area on the third floor. It truly is a miracle that will never be repeated. However...»
The content made it easy to edit the unnecessary parts.
«The priest would like all of you to express your respect for God».
Reverence. It should be noted that this did not imply any immaterial value such as prayer, conversion or worship.
«One million stones for each individual must be paid immediately, on the spot. Stones or mana items can be used».
Nobody believed it was the priest's request. There had to be an agreement between the two, but the clan had to suggest it first. At first, they pretended to be honorable by emphasizing their pact with the royal family, but in the end, they chose their own interests. If they prevented the refugees from entering, they would be condemned for their decision, so it seemed that they had decided to earn money in the process.
Of course, there would be a backlash.
«We don't have that many mana stones!»
«Are you suggesting we quit our team? You are telling us to die in this situation!»
Jack Fletcher was the one who raised his voice the most. «Your tyranny will not be tolerated by our squad of 100 men!». Jack looked around. Having foreseen it, I avoided his eyes. Was it the same for the other 100 people in the group? «Everyone, please talk. We will not be able to resist their tyranny if we remain silent!». Jack stuttered, bewildered.
The brief protest had come to an end.
«A million stones are a tribute to the gods and the price of your protection. You may be missing part of your team at the moment, but what worries you when you are with us?».
Of course you worry us, bastards.
Although the proclamation of the Destruction of Evil was a tricky skill, to the Soil Lord it was nothing more than a piece of paper. Of course, they were complaints that he had in his head, because he was a barbarian who could compromise with reality.
«Missha, leave the consumables as potions and only give them what we don't need».
«Okay.»
We searched our backpacks, like other explorers, in search of objects that could be converted into money. We didn't have to take off our clothes because we had some equipment that had been looted before by looters.
Ugh, a million stones for sleeping on a dirt floor...
It had an exorbitant price, but it was well worth paying the usage fee for the proclamation of the Destruction of Evil. Furthermore, he said it himself: This included the cost of our defense.
«If those guys have no intention of lowering prices, this should suffice».
We had gathered a few pieces of equipment from the religious fanatic's party and were ready to distribute them, but not everyone was doing as well as we were. Delivering the equipment they were carrying should be worth a million stones to the explorers on the third floor, but...
«Are we supposed to starve if we don't have this?»
«Would you give up a million stones just to live one day? It's ridiculous».
Many refused to give up their team and chose to leave. The clan also did not retain them and continued to demand payment for the newcomers to a minimum of 300 people.
Have they won 300 million stones since then? All in one day...
This was basically copied money. In the end, power truly makes you invincible and a god. At the end of the day, however, these guys were praying to the same gods. If the Lord of the Floor arrived, the market would immediately plummet.
These people would have paid the protection fee if they had assumed it from the beginning.
These idiots, as usual, lacked imagination. Of course, I was sure they had their reasons for their decision. Since the third floor was so large, they probably believed their chances of encountering the Floor Lord were slim. Since today was the fifth day, they also believed they only needed to get through today. With so much combat power, it should be possible.
That's what he was sure they were thinking, with the greatest possible enthusiasm and in the most advantageous way. But they needed to know. They never imagined being in this situation when the Floor Lord was summoned and all the scouts on this floor were forced to stop hunting.
Well, that goes for me too.
But at the very least, I imagined the worst that could happen. Of course, these scenarios don't usually come true, but... What do you think this time?
I guess I'll have to find out.
I closed my eyes in silence. Time passed like the eve of a storm after that. It was 7:07 pm, five hours until the end of the fifth day.
Tap... tap... tap.
Rainwater fell between the trees and soaked the ground black.
[The place has deteriorated. The Destruction of Evil has been unlocked.]
In an instant, the pure white pattern that covered the floor lost its light.
"Kwohhhhhh!"
Outside the forest, a huge beast howled.