Episode 66 Field Boss (2)
Hierarchical monarchy.
A field boss that exists on each floor.
These guys, who have different names, attributes, and patterns, have one thing in common.
It is impossible to deal with it no matter what you do at the level of an explorer on that floor.
For example, to subdue a first-tier monarch, you had to form an expedition force of at least 30 people.
Of course, assuming that everyone is at least a level 4 explorer.
That’s the minimum number of people we’ve set.
That’s why I was worried.
Misha and me.
If the two of you happen to run into him, it’s game over. He’s impossible to shake off at normal movement speed.
So where should we go?
Rather than just trembling and praying that we don’t run into each other, what should we do to increase our chances of survival, even just a little?
The answer was to head to the orc colony.
As have most of the explorers here.
“Bjorn, why are there so many people here?”
“Because the Djarwi Clan is here.”
The Djarwi Clan is a large clan that operates on floor 6 and above. From what the dwarf said, it seems like there are hundreds of members.
It’s unlikely that all of them were gathered in one place at the same time… … .
‘At least 10 teams must have come down. Even though it’s only the 3rd floor, that many people are needed to control the hunting grounds.’
Of course, even with this level of power, it is difficult to subdue them.
Well, it’s not like it’s impossible if you can take the damage… … .
This is assuming that you know the proper strategy and have prepared for several months.
‘Still, if I stay with these guys, I’ll be able to buy time to escape even if I encounter the class monarch.’
After making a decision based entirely on practicality, I led Misha through the dense crowd of explorers.
A rather strange situation was unfolding.
“Hey, listen! I heard there’s a high-ranking wizard among you! Please use the portal spell for me! I’ll pay as much as you want… …!”
“You guys! You’re the ones who summoned the Hierarch Monarch!!”
“Hey, what happens to us? It’s a big clan, they won’t kick us out, right?”
One who earnestly requests.
A person who ignores reality and seeks an object of resentment.
A person who tries to calmly understand the current situation.
Amidst the cries of various people, a leader of the Djarwi Clan opened his mouth.
“Everyone, calm down. This place is safe. Our priest has declared an end to evil, and our investigators are already on alert in all directions.”
“We, the Djarwi Clan, will do our best to ensure that as many explorers as possible can survive and return to the city lands, in accordance with the regulations agreed upon with the Crown and the Guild.”
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“But! If there is anyone who does not follow our control or causes trouble! We have no choice but to expel them, so please understand this part.”
Although it doesn’t feel detailed, it was a neat notice in its own way.
Especially, the last warning was effective, and those who had been shouting wildly disappeared.
“For now, I don’t have to worry about being kicked out anymore.”
“Whew, that’s a relief… … .”
After looking around for a while, I sat down with my back to a tree in a suitable spot.
“… Isn’t that too laid-back?”
“Isn’t there anything else I can do?”
You should rest as much as possible when you can.
Because no one knows how things will change in the future.
“Hmm, that’s true.”
Soon, Misha seemed convinced and sat down next to me.
“Misha, just in case, are you confident in your hearing?”
“I don’t know, but there are people who say they like my ears.”
What is he saying now?
“It meant whether you are good at hearing sounds from far away.”
“Ah, I’m pretty confident about that.”
“Then listen carefully to their conversation. Don’t stare at them so they don’t show it.”
“Okay.”
At my direction, Misha leaned back and closed her eyes.
And as if concentrating, he kept twitching the triangular ears that were sticking out on top of his head.
“Well, I’m not sure, but it looks like they’re fighting.”
“not without reason?”
“It’s far away so I can’t hear you clearly. One thing is certain, you’re talking about a hierarchical monarchy.”
Yeah, I guess so.
In this situation, what else could executives possibly be talking about urgently?
‘If I get any closer, they’ll notice, so is this the best I can do? … .’
“First, keep eavesdropping. If you hear anything special, tell me then.”
“Okay.”
Misha put the camera into eavesdropping mode for now, then slowly looked around to see how the crowd reacted.
Whatever the few complaints or symptoms of anxiety.
The overall atmosphere was one of relief.
“I only thought about what kind of shitty thing this was when I got kicked out of here, but you really can’t know what’s going on in the world.”
“That’s right. Such a widespread declaration of destruction. A clan of that size would probably have a priest like that involved.”
“I can only say that it was God’s help. After ten years, a 3rd floor monarch appeared, and they just happened to come down to the 3rd floor?”
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Despite the evil deeds committed by the Djarwi Clan while occupying the orc colony, most were satisfied and grateful with the current situation.
Well, not all of them were like that.
“Hey, are there just two of you?”
As I was observing the surroundings, a man approached me.
I don’t think you’re trying to start a fight here.
“What business do you have?”
“It’s nothing, it’s just that at times like these, shouldn’t we stick together?”
“simply.”
“The Djarwi side said they would protect us, but we don’t know what will happen, so will you act together?”
Well, I guess we’ll cooperate, even if it’s only temporarily.
“There are already about thirty people gathered. It seems that you have lost a comrade in this incident. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a place to rely on, even if only for a little while?”
I checked one thing before answering.
“I am Bjorn, son of Yandel. What is your name?”
“This is Jack Fletcher.”
Okay, as long as it’s not Hans.
“good night.”
Let’s just say we understand.
If something seems wrong, just shut your mouth and that’s it.
It’s not like I signed any documents or anything.
“As expected of a Barbarian, you’re so refreshing. Well, I’ll be going now, so rest. I’ll come back later if anything comes up.”
“i get it.”
The man left soon after, and about two hours passed without any problems.
Thanks to the declaration of destruction from the higher priests, the spirits of chaos could not even approach, and there did not seem to be anything that could be a variable.
First of all, if we look at only external factors, then yes.
“Misha, wake up.”
I shook Misha awake, who had switched from wiretapping mode to sleep mode.
“Is something wrong?”
Not yet.
But, if my prediction is correct… … .
“It will happen soon.”
“What do you mean?”
“Look around you, there are too many people.”
The Djarwi clan accepted the refugees unconditionally.
And finally, we reached our limit.
The area currently declared a no-fault zone is only about twice the size of a school playground.
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It’s not even a forest or an open space.
But now I think there are already over 500 people.
“… Hey, shouldn’t we make it so they can’t come in anymore?”
“If you take it any further, you won’t even be able to sit down.”
“If a monster were to come in while you’re in that state… … .”
Selfishness always has a way of flourishing by exploiting circumstances.
Among those who first entered, anxiety began to spread, and such claims began to emerge little by little.
“Bjorn, what happens to us now?”
“Well, it depends on how Djarwi decides.”
Accepting to the limit.
Here the demand stops and the door is locked.
The clan will also have to make a choice.
In fact, not long after that, there was a re-announcement from the clan leaders.
“Because of the Declaration of Eradication, this place is the only safe zone within the third floor. It is truly a miracle that will never happen again. However… … .”
To summarize, leaving out the small talk, the content was simple.
“His Majesty the Goddess wishes for you all to show reverence to God.”
Respect.
By the way, it did not mean immaterial values like prayer, conversion, or worship.
“One million stones per person. It must be paid immediately, on the spot, and can be paid in either magic stones or in kind.”
No one believed that this was the priest’s demand.
Well, there must have been an agreement between the two… … .
It must have been the clan guys who suggested it first.
‘At first, they pretended to be honorable, saying they were from the royal family and a guild, but in the end, they chose practical gain.’
Even if you block the refugees’ entry, you will still be criticized for that choice later.
So, it seems like he decided that it would be better to at least make some money.
Of course, there is bound to be backlash.
“There’s no way there’s that many magic stones, and in the end, they’re asking us to hand over our equipment in this situation. Isn’t that just telling us to die?”
The one who raised his voice the loudest was Jack Fletcher.
“Our 100-man suicide squad will never sit idly by and watch your tyranny!”
With a loud shout, Jack Fletcher looked around. I, who had noticed it before and looked away earlier, could not avoid making eye contact.
But was it the same for the other 100 suicide squad members?
“Uh, uh uh… … Everyone, say something. If we just sit still, we won’t be able to stand up to their tyranny… …!”
Jack Fletcher stutters, looking embarrassed.
That ended the brief protest.
“The one million stones are a tribute to God and a protection fee. Some equipment parts will be missing right away, but we have them, so what are you worried about?”
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Of course you shouldn’t worry, you little punk.
Even though Declaring Annihilation is a great skill, it is just a piece of paper to the class monarch.
Of course, it was just a complaint I kept to myself.
Because I am a barbarian who knows how to compromise with reality.
“Misha, leave aside consumables like potions and only take out the things we don’t need as much as possible.”
“Okay.”
Like other explorers, we quickly rifled through our backpacks, picking out anything we could cash in.
There was no need to take off what I was wearing since I had already looted the gear from the looters.
‘Wow, a million stones a day just resting on the dirt floor… … .’
It’s a real shame, but if you consider it the cost of using the Declaration of Eradication, it’s worth paying.
Besides, didn’t you just say it in the deposit?
The amount also includes protection costs.
“This should be enough, unless they start beating me up over the price.”
After gathering a few pieces of equipment for the religious cult party, we finished preparing the tribute.
However, not everyone was as fortunate as we were.
Still, since he is a 3rd floor explorer, if he handed over the equipment he was wearing, it would be 1 million stones… … .
“If I don’t have this, I’ll starve to death next time?”
“I only have to hold out for one day, but you’re asking me to give you a million stones? That’s ridiculous.”
A fairly large number of people, although a minority, chose to refuse protection money and go out voluntarily.
Even the clan didn’t catch those people.
And they continued to charge protection money to new arrivals.
To at least three hundred people.
‘You earned at least 300 million stones. And that was in just one day… . . ‘
What is this, it’s almost like money is being copied.
Damn, is strength really what makes you invincible and divine?
I don’t know, but in the end, these people also had to pray to heaven.
If the hierarchical monarch arrives here.
At that moment, the rice cake market will start.
‘If I hadn’t assumed that situation from the beginning, I wouldn’t have had to pay protection money.’
I always feel that the kids here all lack imagination.
Of course, they will have their own reasons for making this choice.
The third floor is wide, so I think the chances of not encountering the class monarch are higher than the chances of encountering them.
Today is the 15th day, so I thought I only had to endure it for a day if we met.
With this level of power, that much is possible.
Yeah, I guess so.
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In the best possible way.
Only in their own favor.
But they need to know.
In the first place, no one knew that a class monarch would be summoned and that all explorers on the floor would stop hunting and face this situation.
‘Well, that applies to me too.’
But at least I imagine.
The worst thing that could happen to me.
Of course, this imagination becomes reality more often than not… … .
I wonder what it will be like this time.
‘You’ll know if you wait and see.’
I closed my eyes quietly.
From then on, time passed like the calm before a storm.
[19:07]
Five hours left until the end of the 15th day.
Thud, thud, thud-
From the ceiling, black raindrops fell between the trees, soaking the ground black.
“The location is eroded and [Declaration of Destruction] is lifted.”
The pure white pattern covering the ground lost its luster in an instant.
also.
[Goooooooooo—!!]
Outside the forest, a huge beast began to howl.
