A woman was in a narrow room with a dim interior and wooden blinds that let in white light. There was a $200 single mattress and a work table with a laptop on top. A tea table for one person was leaning against the wall and only fit a chair. He had a very confused expression.
«This is…»
I knew this place. It was the first apartment she rented after moving to New York for work and the place she was called every month on December 15.
of the month
.
«Why am I here?»
The woman's head hurt as she tried to remember. The memories returned one by one.
«Dark wizards!»
«Wait a minute. I'll deal with it quickly».
War had broken out on the first day in the labyrinth. He arrived at a safe area with Multi Teleport magic, a ruthless decision that had to be made after a long meeting of leaders.
«The palace bastards are running away and abandoning us! Stop them!»
As the knights dealt with the scouts, she and her clanmates ran through the portal.
¡Shaaaaa!
A magic circle on the ground emitted a bright light.
Baaaaaannnnnnggggg!
A huge column of fire covered the sky.
«N-it can't be...» It finally made sense why, after returning to the city through the portal, he was here. «Fifteen days have passed...?»
The woman hurriedly turned on her laptop and, glancing at the bulletin board, tried to figure out what exactly had happened. As someone who had done these things often, it didn't take him long to get the information he was looking for. Of the explorers who left through the portal, only 103 survived. They were all unconscious, and even the High Priest of the Church of Tovera nicknamed the Agent had given up as there was no way to deal with them.
«N-no...» Faced with reality, the deputy commander of the Larer Clan, Versyl Gowland,
it turned white as a sheet.
***
As soon as the computer turned on, I checked the chat room first.
[Long live Korean independence] – 0 people connected.
Once again, Baekho had not returned. Well, he was sure that he couldn't do anything, since the Ghost Master had vetoed him. Ugh, it was definitely nicer when he was here.
So are the Round Table Watchers my only source of high-quality information?
I stopped complaining and moved the mouse. The Round Table would not take place until three hours after the community opened. Until then, I planned to take a look and check out the atmosphere.
As expected, lots of players died.
Normally, players who had been waiting for this moment to arrive would burst the free bag and bulletin board with messages. But now?
Almost a third.
Not only the board, but also the chat rooms. Even the large chat rooms that always had more than fifty people inside barely exceeded ten.
«Yes...»
Every time I encountered these changes, I sighed. It was as if a great flood had covered the world. People were dragged everywhere, leaving no normal place.
Will this rookie spot fill up over time? Hmm, probably.
Even Korea had nothing left after the war, but in the end it got here. When that time came, I would no longer be a rookie, but a high-ranking player. Was it already? Yes, he was pretty sure that there were no players with the title of noble yet.
Click, click.
Thinking about this and that, I scoured several bulletin boards as if I were surfing the web. Whatever bulletin board I was going to, it was full of conversations about this past incident. Looking around there was some - no, a lot - conversation about me.
[Bjorn Yandel, what the hell is that guy?]
I heard it's rank 5, so I thought he was in his 30s, but apparently he only finished his coming-of-age ceremony last year? What have I been doing for five years?
I was mentioned a few times during the incident with the Lord of the Third Floor, but that was not comparable to now. The number of posts in which I was the topic was copious, and each one had dozens of comments.
These99: For starters, it's not rank 5. How can it be rank 5? If it weren't for the guild's achievement points, he would have easily reached rank 4.
OP: Wow, so much? In a year? I feel more ashamed.
NEXTLEVEL: Range 4 is a huge scope. OP, you don't have to feel embarrassed. You can reach rank 5 in a year as long as you get a good essence.
NEXTLEVEL: Oh, and it doesn't seem like it has many essences. From what I've seen, it's barely reached rank 5.
These99: Is Rank 5 in a year easy? What, you play alone? How can you say that nonsense? He already destroyed Body Collector and proved it.
NEXTLEVEL: Are you American? That's clearly about heroes, do you believe it? And even if he won, do you think he did it alone? It's all thanks to your team.
Pnec: You are right. The Corpse Collector was fought one hundred to one. How can you call that shipwreck? You're stupid?
The players gave their opinions as if they were discussing celebrities on the internet. There were several comments that made my heart skip a beat.
fliccolo: In my opinion, he is also a player.
OP: Oh, maybe. Why hadn't I thought about it?
That question was inevitable when one gains fame in a short time. Still, my previous job helped me.
arolf5205: Which player? If you ever saw it yourselves you could never say that lol.
stevencastle: Whoever says that is lucky to have never entered the labyrinth. If they saw him bite the Corpse Collector's ear at the end while he was blind, they could never call him a player.
cherylvander: A true man in himself.
Ykbell: His screams as he stepped into the goblin traps made my heart beat. Less than a year or not, it was something a modern person could never do. Everyone who was there at the time would agree.
¡¡¡¡¡COOOL75: Behell-ahhhhhh!!!!!
It was a very strange feeling to see slander and praise being written about me. I figured I had grown enough to become a hot topic. Although on the one hand the strong interest was overwhelming to me, I considered it a path that had to be crossed to reach higher. That was because it was going to keep going up. It was inevitable that the number of apartments and reputation would be proportional.
The time is approaching.
While looking at the bulletin board for quite some time, it had been three hours since I entered the community. Before I came in as late as possible to get attention, but this time I just came in as soon as the time came. I was curious about the small talk before the official meeting.
Everyone apart from the clown is still alive, right?
Leaving a little anxiety behind, I quickly double-clicked the mouse.
¡Flash!
A light flickered before my eyes for a moment, and when I came to, I was in the familiar personalization room. Wearing the same old suit and León's mask, I headed to the main room, where the round table was.
Creaakkk.
Three people were there first, Goblin, Fox and Antlers.
I guess Clown hasn't arrived yet.
When I entered, the three of them looked at me and let out strange exclamations.
«Ah...»
«I'm glad you came today».
These guys were like that every time I came. I would sit in my designated seat pretending I didn't care like the Lion mask I was wearing and resting my chin on. If he did this, they played alone. I just had to close my eyes and listen.
«The number of survivors is now four», Goblin murmured to himself as if the still air was uncomfortable for him.
«Interesting. I thought you would be the most at risk. How did you get back alive?».
That was the part I was also curious about. Apart from certain priests, most of the religious figures rode out through the portal. That meant everyone had kicked the bucket. So what happened to Goblin?
«Well. Since it is related to my identity, I will say that I was lucky».
«Tsk, as if it were a big deal». When Goblin evaded a response, Antlers clicked his tongue. Then the two struck up a trivial conversation.
Strangely, Zorro did not participate in the conversation. Did the two of them feel it too?
«Fox, you're acting strange today».
«Yeah. Sitting there blank since before...»
Cornamenta and Duende expressed their doubts.
Fox shuddered a moment later, then tilted his head. «...Sorry? What did you just say?»
«See? It's strange».
«If something has happened, tell us. I don't know about the others, but I can help you, Zorro». Goblin then began to act friendly.
Fox let out a long sigh and shook his head. «Thanks for worrying, but it's nothing. So please mind your own business».
«Oh, sure. If you say so...» Goblin changed the subject, embarrassed, at Fox's harsher-than-usual tone.
«By the way, I don't think the others will come».
There were only five minutes left to enter. The remaining participants were two: Clown, whom he had been waiting for all this time, and Crescent Moon, who was desperately craving the Renaissance Stone.
«Could it be that they are both dead?»
«Hmm, I don't know if Crescent Moon, but I don't think Clown is dead».
«...True? Sure?» Goblin answered in a somewhat disappointed voice.
Creaakkk.
Then the personalization room next to the hallway opened and a presence was felt.
¿Es Payaso?
I feigned indifference and turned my head to check it.
«¿Eh?»
Goblin and Antlers also froze because it wasn't the mask we expected.
¿Una rails?
Her mask was studded with colorful jewelry. The eyes were decorated with several pieces of gold as makeup and the forehead was shaped like a crown. The outfit she chose was an elegant red dress.
Are you a returning member?
The thought came to my mind, but after Queen's elegant greeting, I realized that was not the case. «Oh, hello. It's my first time, so there are a lot of things I don't know, but I hope you all help me».
I was a new member, the first new member since my arrival. Naturally, everyone's attention was focused on her.
The most enthusiastic among them was Fox. «First of all, how did you get in here? Could it be that you also met the Master?». Unlike before, when she was expressionless and distracted, Fox couldn't hide her excitement and questions.
«Yeah, well... Something like that?».
When Queen half stated that, Fox's voice became more excited. «Master! Where is? I need to meet him. There's something I have to ask you-»
«Oh, wow. I'm sorry. I don't think I can fulfill that request». Reina firmly drew the line. Then, smiling, she led the conversation in a relaxed, newbie-like manner. «Why don't we show up anyway?». Despite it being the first time they had seen each other, Reina spoke as if this were her home.
Cornamenta responded, upset: «The rule is not to use names».
«I see! So you are Goblin, this is Fox and then Lion. Hmm, so what should I call you?»
«Hornings».
«¿No Ciervo?»
«Your mask should have a name too».
«Ah! Had it. So I'll be Queen? Huhu».
While attention focused on her and Reina chatted with the other members, I continued watching her. A mask didn't cover everything. Goblin had copper skin, so I assumed he was from Southeast Asia or South America. So what about this woman?
But if you are wet western.
He had blonde hair and blue eyes. His skin was white like that of a Caucasian. Of course, that was all I could see from the outside, and even that didn't help me deduce his identity in this world. But he still couldn't stop looking at her.
I think I've seen it somewhere.
A feeling of déjà vu surgion of the nada. Did you hear me as much?
«Anyway, Mrs. Fox. It's a pleasure to meet you. As you know, there aren't many users, right? Oh, and Mr. Goblin. He has a very pretty voice. Mr. Antlers also seems very kind. Mr. León is...»
When Queen, who had the power to drain people's energy, turned to me, Fox quickly warned: «Excuse me».
«¿Sí?»
«I see what kind of person you are, but I think it would be best if you didn't become too close friends with him».
«Excuse me? Why not?»
When Queen tilted her head, Fox looked at me uneasily. Did I think I was going to exercise my dominance like with Goblin? Well, I could have done it if things were normal. If I managed to free myself from that diabolical energy with a burst of murderous energy it would be a victory for me.
«Mmm, you are very taciturn, Mr. León. Let's exchange a lot of conversation once we meet».
I ignored his words and did nothing. The reason was simple. I had to save energy.
Looks like it arrived just in time.
With a minute left until the final entrance, with a creak, another hallway door opened.
«Oh, I guess there are more members?»
The attention on Queen was short-lived. Everyone's eyes turned in the direction of the sound.
«Wow! Many of you have survived!». Clown struck up conversation from afar with his characteristic asshole tone. «Mr. Goblin, did I think you were d-Hmm?». Clown looked at Reina and tilted his head.
«Hello. Shall I call you Mr. Clown? I am very excited to meet such an interesting person».
«...Who is it? This frivolous woman?»
«A new member. It seems that he has come on the recommendation of the Master».
«Hmmm... Is that so?» The clown looked at Reina as if to observe her and sat down. Then, erasing his interest in her, he turned to me. «Pshehe, how are you, Mr. León?»
It was the same repertoire. This son of a bitch always pretended to be friendly to me, like only I was equal to him in this place.
«Wait. I have brought many interesting stories this time».
What is this idiot saying?
I slowly raised my murderous energy. Normally I had to do mind control and instill the desire to kill someone for that, but I didn't have to do that this time.
If it weren't for this bastard, Daria wouldn't have died, and many more explorers could have returned alive to their families.
But how was this son of a bitch now?
«Pshehe, I assume Mr. Crescent Moon is dead?»
Laughing as always. Yes so...
«But why are you so quiet today, Mr. León?»
Filling myself with an intentional thought, True Killer Energy, I opened my eyes.
«You are...?!» The moment our eyes met, clown grabbed his neck with both hands. Fighting as if inside a void, he soon fell to the ground, where his body twisted.
The members panicked, not knowing what was happening. I got up slowly and approached Clown. I looked him up and down.
«P-for…»
It was a little funny. He was always treating people like idiots with his stupid tone like he was someone important.
«You look like a bug».
From now on, I forbid you to act like you know me, idiot.