Episode 17 Lapdonia (1)
Open your eyes slowly.
And then I close my eyes again and talk to myself.
‘Get up and do what you have to do.’
Thinking about the many tasks I had to do in the city ahead of me, my still-waking body began to feel energized.
Okay, let’s do it.
First, I checked the time.
[21:18.]
It was noon when I came out of the labyrinth, so I slept for about 4 hours, excluding this and that.
But is that because I slept in bed?
I feel incredibly refreshed compared to the time I spent asleep.
Gulp.
Although we still had some bread to eat in the labyrinth, we decided to go out and eat.
It’s a world where money is as important as life…
That level of luxury is okay.
“… … .”
Even though I washed up during the day, I still felt like I smelled, so I quickly washed up again and left the room.
Thud thud.
Walking down the deserted streets at night felt a little stuffy compared to the daytime.
Not psychologically, but physically.
The beige shirt I’m wearing now is medieval-style, with an open chest and lace-like details on the sleeves and neck.
Instead of buttons, it has a deep V-shaped neckline with laces that are crossed and tightened like shoelaces… … .
It’s small even though all the strings are loose.
Now I know why the Barbarians walk around topless. It’s because they don’t have clothes that fit. What a sad race they are!
‘… But where should I go?’
The first thing I have to do now is go to the meeting place and meet Erwen.
But, I don’t know where the Black Whale Tavern is.
It is certain that it was located in the southern area of the Dimension Plaza where the Labyrinth Portal opens, but in the game, the city size was reduced by tens of thousands of times, so it is of no help in this regard.
So I ended up asking for help from passersby.
“Black Whale Tavern? Was there such a place?”
“This is the first time I’ve heard of it.”
Most people reacted as if they had never heard of it, but one middle-aged man with gray hair was different.
“Black Whale Tavern, it’s been a while since I’ve heard of it. You look young, but how do you know about it? It must have disappeared ten years ago.”
I appreciate being told I look young, but the content isn’t all that great.
“… Are you saying it disappeared?”
“Yes, it was a store that had been around for generations, but the son got addicted to gambling and the owner changed. And the name changed too.”
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It was a moment when the hypothesis that had been kept since the labyrinth gained more credibility.
After all, is the world view of the game I played from a time in the past?
If so, then things like the animosity between ‘evil spirits’ and barbarians and fairies can also be explained.
When it’s daytime, I should go to the library first.
“Thank you. It helped me a lot.”
“Haha, I think I’ve never seen such a neat barbarian like you before.”
After that, I parted ways with the local man and walked the streets at night. It seemed like the place was still operating as a bar, although the name had changed, so I thought I’d give it a try.
I hope Erwen comes to find you too.
‘Piedendupus.’
As soon as I arrived at my destination, I paused for a moment.
I can read the pronunciation, but I don’t know the meaning. Is this an ancient language in this world?
I think I need to study the linguistic knowledge that has naturally entered my head.
“Hahahahahahaha!”
“If you’re going to fight, go out there and fight, you little punks!”
The inside of the tavern I entered was exactly as I had imagined.
Drunk people, explorers, music, mess, cigarette smoke, and the occasional foreign species.
As I was scanning at the entrance, I saw a familiar silver head in the corner. Even the slightly protruding ears were pointed.
I’m so happy that I want to go and see it.
Bam.
Some drunken asshole taps me on the shoulder and walks down the aisle ahead of me.
Well, that wouldn’t be a problem, but… … .
“Fairy girls, you look bored alone. Do you want to go have a drink with me?”
He goes to where Erwen is and starts saying such cliche lines.
Well, actually, if you think about it, this wasn’t really a problem.
but…….
“Is it because it’s a cesspool? It only attracts worthless rats.”
Uh, Erwen… … ?
When did you become like that?
“… What? A rat, a rat?”
The bastard who was making sarcastic remarks makes a dumbfounded expression.
I’m probably not much different.
“Get out. If you don’t want a hole in your forehead.”
Judging from the fact that you particularly like the space between the eyebrows, I don’t think you’ve made a mistake…
What the heck?
I had to check it out soon.
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But before that, I need to get this out of the way first.
“What, what are you doing again!”
As I approached him and grabbed his shoulder, the old man who had been harassing me suddenly turned his head and…
“Uh uh, uh.”
Open your eyes right away.
“Didn’t you hear me telling you to get out?”
“…I heard.”
“But why are you just sitting there?”
Instead of answering, the man carefully walked past me, then returned to his seat without even stumbling.
That was when.
“Oh, sir!”
I heard a tone of speech that I was very familiar with.
But I wasn’t surprised.
Because I never believed the rumor that Erwen had a split personality from the beginning.
…really.
By the way, didn’t that old man just say ‘fairy girls’?
“Are you that Barbarian?”
Although it was hidden behind a pillar and not visible because it was in a corner, there were two people sitting at the table.
“Yeah, that’s probably the Barbarian. But who are you?”
“Her older sister.”
You were really my sister.
Somehow, his side profile looked exactly like this guy.
“Is that her sister’s name?”
“… How stupid. Call me Tercia.”
Erwen’s surname was Tercia.
It seems like my sister has no intention of telling me her name.
“Okay. Tercia, can I sit down now?”
“as you please.”
I sat down without hesitation.
And observed Tercia.
First of all, they don’t seem to be twins.
He looked three or four years older, and when viewed from the front, his facial features were quite different.
The atmosphere was fierce, perhaps because of the eyes.
Oh, isn’t this just because of the eyes?
“Barbarian.”
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“I am Bjorn, son of Yandel.”
“Either way. Anyway, why on earth did you call this kid to a bar like this?”
“Me, sister… … ?”
“You stay still.”
Erwen sensed the mood and tried to mediate, but was blocked by her sister.
Hmm, things are taking a pretty interesting turn.
Putting aside why Erwen brought her sister, it seems like this sister doesn’t dislike me just because I’m a Barbarian.
I have that feeling.
I guess I need to figure this out first.
“Tercia, what was the purpose of your seeing me?”
“Erwen stayed out last night, so I asked her about it, and she said she waited for someone at the tavern all night. I was curious to know who stood my brother up.”
Wait, I don’t understand?
“What are you talking about? Last night?”
“Are you trying to ignore me?”
Judging from his expression, he doesn’t seem to be joking.
“…Erwen, how many hours has it been since you left the labyrinth?”
“Oh, uh… about thirty hours!”
Damn, I woke up after sleeping for over a day. I didn’t just sleep for 4 hours.
Somehow, I felt really refreshed.
“I apologize. I didn’t even realize a day had passed because I was sleeping.”
When I apologized honestly, Tercia looked at me with a look of surprise.
For some reason, I found that sad.
It seemed like there was no question about the fact that he had been sleeping for over a day.
“I never thought that the Barbarian would be punctual.”
I have nothing to say.
“So, why did you call Erwen?”
Well, I could give you quite a long and numerous reasons for this, but… … .
I drew a straight line.
“I have no obligation to tell you that. If you’re really curious, ask Erwen later.”
A direct translation would be, “Don’t worry about it and just get out of here.” Fortunately, Tercia seemed to understand this well, as the corners of her mouth turned up.
“How interesting. Even though I’m a beginner who just entered the labyrinth.”
“What does it matter if you’re a beginner? Erwen is an explorer. If you’re not going to take care of her for the rest of her life, you’d better give up that attitude.”
“It’s barbaric.”
“Me, Sister? Mister… … ?”
As the snowball fight begins, Erwen alone fidgets and stomps his feet.
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Within, Tercia placed the pouch on the table.
“It’s 350 thousand stones.”
“…Why are you giving this to me?”
“This is the value of the essence that Erwen absorbed.”
Oh, so this is telling me to eat this and fall off.
It feels strange because it’s a pattern I’ve often seen in morning dramas.
“Why don’t you take it? Do you have other intentions?”
That’s not it.
If I were to pay with money, I would not ask Erwen for a ‘promise’ in exchange for the essence either.
However, I have not yet heard Erwen’s opinion.
“Do you agree?”
“that is…….”
Erwen trails off.
Is my sister that scary?
I originally planned to share it when we were alone, but since it’s come to this, I decided to do it now.
“The promise I was asking for was that you would help me until I got the essence I wanted.”
“Uh, is that all?”
“Yes. If possible, I would like to continue forming a team after that, but that’s a separate matter. No promises are needed. From now on, the ratio will be split 5:5.”
In short, it means to organize a two-person party.
I wonder what Erwen will say.
It didn’t take long.
“sorry.”
The answer is no.
Her older sister even explained the reason on behalf of Erwen, who had her head bowed deeply.
“Erwen will enter the labyrinth with me from now on.”
“Only now?”
“It was tradition that I had to do my first experience alone, but I had no intention of leaving Erwen alone from the beginning.”
…I see.
This guy had a bus driver who would give him a ride once he finished the tutorial.
Fucking blood.
“If you understand, take this pouch.”
Erwen decided to give up cleanly.
Although he is a colleague with whom I get along well, there is no reason to insist on him.
But I have to do the math properly.
“350,000 stones would be half the average market price of Jeongsu, right?”
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“Of course. Because it’s the spoils we got together.”
As a veteran, I would say 700,000 stones is a pretty good amount.
But the ratio is wrong.
“Then we’re short 280,000 stones. The promised distribution ratio was 9:1.”
“good night.”
Tercia readily took out another pouch.
I checked because I was suspicious and found that it contained exactly 280,000 stones.
Nimi, am I almost caught?
Obviously, if I hadn’t brought it up, it would have ended with only 350,000 stones.
Oh, you dirty little bastards… … .
Now I understand why barbarians hate fairies.
“If you’re done with your business, would you mind stepping aside? I have something to discuss with Erwen.”
“Is there anything we need to talk about?”
Another fight was about to start when Erwen intervened.
“Sister, I appreciate you worrying about me and coming all the way here with me, but I think it’s time to go now.
“Erwen?”
“I should say hello to you too, sir… … . Okay?”
“… Well, you’re not a child anymore, are you?”
Tercia sighed deeply, saying something she didn’t mean, and looked at me.
“Barbarian, swear to me that you will not sleep with Erwen, and I will leave you immediately.”
Huh? Did I hear that wrong?
“Huh, unnie?!”
Well, I think I heard you correctly.
Don’t sleep… … .
Is all skinship below that allowed?
“I swear it. On the honor of a warrior.”
“Oh, sir?”
“Okay then.”
Finally, Tercia stood up from her seat.
and…….
“Oh, I forgot this. Thank you, Barbarian, for saving Erwen.”
After saying one more word, he coolly left the tavern.
***
Tinkle, tinkle.
Erwen slumps down on the table as the bell on the door rings.
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“Ugh! What should I do! I’ve never talked back to you like this before… Is my sister angry?”
“I don’t think so.”
“How do you know that, sir?”
Well, before I left, I looked at you and smiled faintly. You probably didn’t see it, though.
… Wait, if that’s the case, why did you ask?
Erwen scratched his head several times and then came to his senses.
“Oh, right! I’m sorry. I appreciate the offer, but we’ve already discussed moving together since a long time ago… … .”
“There is nothing to apologize for.”
Even if it were me, I don’t think I’d go through all that trouble by sticking with a low-level barbarian out of loyalty, even though they say a high-level fairy would be awesome.
“Please take this first.”
Erwen took out a small pouch and placed it on the table.
“It’s exactly 63,000 stones.”
It would be the value of the crossbow and the magic stone that the leader had.
I have no way of knowing what the actual amount was, but I had no doubts.
Because even if you do that, it’s meaningless.
Anyway, if I divide this by 9:1, how much should I give?
“Oh, I took care of the removal myself, so you don’t have to give it to me.”
Yeah, that’s right.
In this kind of place, you really have to be tough.
“I left the backpacks the two of you had at my place for now. There are a lot of things here and there, but… I think it would be better for you to see them for yourself tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Maybe because we’ve been together for a few days, he knows very well what I’m curious about.
Without saying a word, the agenda regarding the distribution of spoils was quickly settled.
However, as the next agenda item came up, Erwen opened her mouth with a more cautious attitude.
“Then… how can I repay you?”
“pay?”
“I told you. I will definitely repay your kindness.”
Oh, I’ve said something like that before.
“Grace… … .”
Erwen gulps as the words trail off.
… Is this really why her older sister made such a fuss about making her swear at the end?
Are you afraid I’ll expect some weird reward from him?
“Stop teasing me and tell me quickly.”
I’ve become a lot more perceptive.
He can tell right away when you’re teasing him.
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“I can’t think of anything right now. I’m going to order something for now. Is there anything you want to eat?”
“I’m not hungry… … .”
“Then I’ll just order mine.”
As I was looking at the menu hanging on the wall, I thought of Erwen and said:
“Oh, then alcohol! Please order some alcohol!”
“alcohol?”
“Yes. I deliberately didn’t drink a single sip yesterday. I wanted to drink the first drink with you! Hehe.”
Erwen smiles brightly and looks at me with eyes that seem to be asking for praise.
Return to the main… … .
Now that I think about it, there was a culture like that.
Well, it’s a bit different from the feeling of drinking a can of beer after work.
For the races that grew up only in the Holy Land until they became adults, the ‘first returnee’ has a greater meaning than one might think.
Well, what should I say in this situation?
“… That’s really fortunate.”
“That’s when you say thank you!”
“thanks?”
“Thank you! We are comrades who have been through thick and thin in the labyrinth, so it is only natural that we should be together on our first return trip.”
What on earth does this guy want?
While I was thinking about it, Erwen scratched his cheek.
“Of course, this isn’t your first return, sir… … .”
“What are you talking about? This is my first return as well.”
“yes?!”
Why are you surprised?
“I thought I said I was 20 too?”
“… That wasn’t a joke?”
No matter what I said, he kept calling me “uncle.”
“This is my first time entering a labyrinth.”
“Oh, I see… … .”
Soon, Erwen noticed me and went to the waiter to order for me.
The food came out after about 20 minutes.
“Thank you for your hard work, sir.”
I guess I’ll just keep calling him uncle.
Yeah, do whatever you want. We won’t be seeing each other for long anyway.
“…You worked hard too.”
We talked about various things while drinking and eating. In the labyrinth, we mostly talked about things that were absolutely necessary, so this was my first time having such a private conversation.
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But it can’t go on like this forever.
“Sir, are you wearing a shirt today?”
Yeah, you’re wearing a skirt.
We’ve talked about that enough.
“Erwen, you said you would repay the favor earlier, right?”
“Yes? Yes, I did.”
“Then, try using the ability you used back then here and now.”
Erwen tilts her head.
I wonder if this can really be considered a reward… … .
It’s an important issue to me.
What are the differences and similarities between the integers in the game and the actual integers?
It is necessary to check in advance.
Maybe you need to modify your vocal technique.
“But why this ability all of a sudden?”
“There is something I would like to confirm.”
“But isn’t it illegal to manifest your powers in the city? You’ll get caught right away. By the guards.”
This is why skills don’t work in towns when playing games.
So is there no way at all?
While I was thinking about it, Erwen made a suggestion.
“What if we go somewhere where there are no people? Oh, not our quarters. Other races are not allowed to enter.”
I guess fairies have their own private quarters.
Hmm, what should I do? Should I take you to a dark back alley?
While I was thinking about it, Erwen found the answer first.
“So… how about we go to the old man’s room?”
Okay, that will work.
