I meticulously explained everything we had done to Sir Lucirt, who seemed to be struggling to keep up. I detailed our interactions with the Nadeus tribe, how we learned about the Black Wall from them, our explorations as adventurers, and our victory over the boss beyond the wall. I laid out these events in an orderly and comprehensible manner.
Throughout the explanation, Sir Lucirt’s eyes were wide as saucers. It appeared that for the residents of this region, the Black Wall deep in the mist and the monsters that emerged from within it symbolized terror. The notion that these creatures had been defeated seemed almost too incredible to believe.
“I don’t expect you to believe this immediately. If possible, please come with the other Centaurs. Though we can’t offer much in the way of hospitality.”
“I’d like some time to think. I’ll consult with my people and come to a decision.”
“Take all the time you need to be convinced. This is a token of our goodwill.”
“Oh, this looks delicious!”
Though Sir Lucirt was hesitant to respond immediately, it seemed he was seriously considering the offer. As the one who extended the invitation, it was only right that I show proper courtesy. I handed him some fresh ingredients from the Great Rock Crab that I had recently hunted.
Since I heard from Lady Muno that the Centaurs were omnivores, I was confident they would enjoy the gift. And indeed, Sir Lucirt gladly accepted it.
“Then, we think it’s time for us to take our leave. Karl?”
“Gwooon.”
“Are you leaving, Karl?”
When I called him, Kael gently set Lushin down on the ground. She looked up at him with tearful eyes as if saddened by their parting. It seemed they had grown quite close in the short time they had been together. Kal, too, rubbed his nose against her as if reluctant to part.
“Now, if fate allows, we’ll meet again.”
“Really, Mr. Skeleton?”
“Yes, really. If you’re a good girl, surely we will.”
“I understand! Lushin is a good girl, so we will meet again!”
“That’s right. …Sir Lucirt, I look forward to the day we meet again.”
With that, I left the scene with Kal. This inadvertently resulted in successful contact with the Centaurs. Now, I would like to meet other human-like beings.
The event was fast approaching, but it might be a good idea to propose this as one of the guild’s goals. While thinking about this, I returned to the base to log out.
“…Hey, Karl. That’s Shiratsuki down there, isn’t it?”
“Gwooon.”
When we looked down from the sky, we found that Shiratsuki had landed in a crumbling building. Now that this land was ours, it seemed possible to enter even within the mist.
I understood the logic behind it. I remembered that the building had already been crumbling from the start, so there was no issue with Shiratsuki landing there. Still, I wonder who had brought it all the way here.
“Isaaaaam! Kaaaaarl-chan!”
“I see, it must be Iris.”
Iris appeared on the deck of Shiratsuki, waving her tentacles at us as she looked up. In fact, Shiratsuki also served as her and Shiitake’s workshop. Whether we officially made the castle our base or not, it wasn’t a good thing to have their business tools so far away.
Moreover, it seemed cruel to leave Shiratsuki and Towa inside alone. Especially since Iris and Shiitake were being helped a lot by Towa, it must have been hard for them.
However, it was truly pitiful that our ship was left exposed and on the rubble. It was an ancient artifact capable of flying. It was an urgent matter to build a proper shelter for it. I would have to do something about that.
It felt as though one adventure had ended, yet the things we needed to do kept increasing. With a mixture of joy and dismay, I logged out in my private room on Shiratsuki.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
I logged in. Today marked the beginning of the deserted island event, but I planned to participate minimally and instead explore settlements of human-like beings here. If I could establish connections, perhaps they could make use of the space which was too vast for us alone to fully utilize. Currently, it was a gloomy city that resembled a ruin, but I hoped it could be transformed into a bustling place.
“Good evening. It seems we’ve all gathered.”
“Hey, brother.”
“Good evening.”
When I entered Shiratsuki’s lounge, I found Jigoro, Hanna, and Roja together. It was an unusual trio. According to the logs, those who weren’t here hadn’t logged in yet or had already left for the event area. They sure acted quickly.
“So, Isam-kun has arrived too. Perfect timing. How about the four of us head to the event area?”
“Hmm… Alright, let’s go. But first, I need to say something to Karl since he can’t come with us.”
I hesitated briefly, but it felt rude to decline the invitation, especially since I was curious about the event on its opening day. Human nature tends to lean towards such interests.
After excusing myself to the three, I went to the deck where Karl was sleeping and told him I would be leaving. He cried once in support, then curled up and went back to sleep. It seemed he was in the mood to rest today, which meant I could head out without worry.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“How’s Karl doing?”
“He’s sound asleep.”
“A sleeping child grows well, right?”
“That’s right. Shall we go then?”
“Let’s do that. Oh, I almost forgot.”
Before we formed a party and headed to the event area, I swapped my mask and staff for different ones that were both crafted by Iris.
The mask had three holes for eyes and was otherwise smooth with no other contours. However, the available space was decorated with the sacred seal of Lady Yifa, which depicted a skull and a whirlpool pattern. The staff that was carved from misting ash trees was a fine piece that enhanced the powers of [Flame Magic], [Water and Ice Magic], and [Mist Magic].
However, both items were significantly inferior in performance compared to the “Skull Mask” and “Hourai Staff”. So why wear such things? It was for disguise.
Since the incident where Jigoro and I caused a ruckus, my appearance had apparently become well-known. Therefore, there was no need to wear a conspicuous mask and staff. If I concealed my extra arms and tail as well, it would probably reduce the chance of being recognized by strangers. And for Jigoro? His appearance had changed so drastically since then that there was no need for him to disguise himself at all.
“Is that what you call a disguise?”
“It’s better than wearing a silver mask, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“And with that… here we go.”
As Roja and I, the party leaders, manipulated the menu screen, our vision briefly went completely white, and when it cleared, we found ourselves standing on an unfamiliar beach surrounded by ordinary people we wouldn’t normally encounter. It seemed we had arrived safely at the stage for the event.
Despite this, we were garnering a lot of attention. However, all eyes were focused solely on Hanna and Roja. This was no surprise since they were the champions of the first fighting tournament’s pair category.
The two of them had not joined any well-known guilds and had quickly disappeared to another continent, where they were almost untraceable. Now they returned with markers that turned into monsters, and they brought two unknown creatures with them. The only glances directed at Jigoro and me were questioning ones, wondering, “Who are they?
“As expected, they’re getting a lot of attention. There are quite a few people looking like they want to talk to them…”
“Then, as planned, let’s split up and go our separate ways from here. I’ll casually mislead anyone asking about Isam and Jigoro.”
“Sorry for the trouble. Let’s go, Jigoro.”
“Right on.”
It was good foresight to split up the group in anticipation of this. When we split up at the spawn point, Jigoro and I took off quickly. From behind, it appeared that Roja and Hanna were cleverly misleading some people who seemed to know them and were keeping them company.
“Hey, you guys. Wait a minute.”
“…What is it?”
However, it seems we couldn’t leave this place without incident. Five players stood in our way as if to block our path,
Judging by their gear, they seemed to be of quite a high level. They were of average height, with ordinary ears and no beast-like features, which led me to believe that they were all High Humans. Each of them was strikingly handsome. This was clearly the result of careful character creation.
I don’t think we have ever met them before. Perhaps they were among those we had annihilated in the northern mountains when we were in Firth, but such details are too numerous to remember, so let’s omit them. However, I had a vague sense of what they wanted from us.
“What’s people like you doing with those two? You don’t seem to have much of good equipment.”
“What do you mean ‘why’…. There’s no problem with it.”
“It is a problem. Those two are champions of the tournament, top-level players in PvP. They live in a different world than unknown players like you.”
“Oh…”
The man at the forefront said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I couldn’t hide my surprise that there really are people who use cheesy phrases like “living in a different world”. If he’s fine with it, then so be it.
But I could understand what he was trying to say. To him, it must seem like we are dead weights dragging down the legs of top players. Or worse, he might think we are leeches. I suppose he has his own sense of justice. It’s none of his business, though.
“So, what do you want us to do?”
“Don’t get any closer to them. Stay away from…”
“Hey, brother. Can I start knocking this guy around?”
Jigoro cracked his knuckles intimidatingly at those who approached him. He narrowed his eyes and glared which was unusual for Jigoro. Although he usually cursed his enemies during combat, he was not known to behave this way. It seemed he was quite angry right now.
With a body towering over two meters, muscled like a bodybuilder, skin as red as burning flames, thick and sharp magnificent horns, hair like bolts of lightning, and golden tattoos running across his entire body, Jigoro exuded the aura of a formidable warrior. It appeared that those unaccustomed to such a sight were indeed taken aback. I assumed they were ordinary people, so their reaction seemed normal. However, seeing that there seemed to be nothing to gain from fighting, I decided to restrain Jigoro.
“Stop it. There’s no point in fighting.”
“Heh, fine! Try me if you think you can. You might look impressive, but I bet you’re not that skilled. Besides, there’s no way a monster player can beat me.”
The young man who had approached us seemed slightly intimidated, but he retorted with a taunt to Jigoro. But what did he mean that a monster couldn’t win against him?
“What? Why would that be?”
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? Unlike ordinary beasts, monster players came from the second batch. There’s no way they can beat us, the first batch of players.”
The young man said this as if stating something obvious. So that was the general perception, huh? Our actions in private might have contributed to this, but it was somewhat sad to hear. It was as if there was a common belief that monster players were not good in the game.
“If you understand, then do as I say. Stay away from those two.”
“I refuse.”
I firmly refused the young man’s command-like request. Why should anyone follow the words of this unknown person who casually belittled all monster players as if it were the natural order of things? His arrogance was annoying, and admittedly, I was also starting to get a little angry.
“Hey! Didn’t you listen to what I just said!?”
“I have heard you. And I’ll say it again, I refuse. The idea that ‘the stronger is superior’ and ‘we should obey the orders of the superior’ is nonsense. If it’s really for their benefit, shouldn’t you convince them instead?”
“Ugh!”
If anyone should be persuaded, it should be Hanna and Roja, the pair in question. If they could be convinced of the disadvantages of being with us and agree to it, that would be acceptable. They approached us precisely because they knew it would be difficult.
What was particularly infuriating was his belief that he could easily intimidate us into stepping aside because we were inferior. His rotten attitude was thoroughly distasteful!
“After all, where’s the guarantee that you are stronger than us? If that’s all you have to say, then move aside and let us pass.”
“What did you just say!?”
Just as I had said my piece and was about to move on, the young man drew his sword and swung it at us… only to be punched by Jigoro. The young man was sent flying backward with the speed of a cannonball.
“Oops, I hit him…”
“Ah… can’t be helped. Jigoro, go ahead.”
“Hey, are you sure? We might get banned, you know.”
“They asked for it, and don’t ask me that after throwing a punch.”
“Haha! That’s more like it!”
The words, dripping with contempt, finally broke my patience. Still, I hadn’t expected the situation to escalate into violence. The purpose of the event made fighting between players meaningless, but the opponent had drawn his weapon, and we had already struck back. At this point, a peaceful discussion was probably impossible.
Since this happened, let’s just go wild, I decided to unleash my pent-up frustration. With that momentum, I readied my staff.
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