Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Explorers' Rest Area (2)
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Healing was complete. His tattered arm had been fully restored.
"Would you mind moving your arm a bit?"
"Ah, sure. It seems to move fine for now."
"Now try flexing and extending each finger... Hmm, it looks okay for the moment. Still, if anything feels off, please let me know right away."
"Got it."
Regin nodded as he flexed his arm this way and that.
'At least I avoided having my arm ripped clean off.'
The pain that had lingered since the Lycanthrope bite was gone too.
He'd brushed it off as just a game while playing DAT, but experiencing real healing felt strangely surreal.
Where else could you have an injury heal this fast?
"Anyway, that's the treatment done... The pain wasn't too bad during the process, right?"
Ernia asked with a gentle smile. Regin gave a wry grin.
...It hurt like hell, though.
She seemed aware that her healing was on the painful side.
That's why she was asking so cautiously.
"Yeah, well. It was bearable."
"...Haha. Right? If you get hurt again, I'll take care of it!"
Her smile was chilling.
It wasn't kindness—it was the face of someone hunting for guinea pigs.
'...No wonder users flocked to Ernia without knowing.'
He silently comforted all the characters who'd endured that agony alone.
There were users who'd detoured here just to get healed by her beauty.
...Now he had some idea how terrifying that must've been for those characters.
'It's weird. Ernia's an NPC you run into a lot even in the late game.'
He hadn't tried other priests' healing, but he knew from DAT playthroughs that Ernia's was notoriously painful.
From his extensive DAT experience, these quirks were often tied to late-game storylines.
She wouldn't have this unique trait for no reason.
'There might be more to Ernia's story that I don't know about.'
He'd have to dig into it someday.
Despite all his time in DAT, the fact that mysteries remained made Regin chuckle as he stood up.
"Time to make that report now?"
"Yes."
Ernia nodded.
"I figured it'd be better for you to explain it yourself than me relaying it. I'll just guide you there."
"Sure."
Now it was time to meet Chimihi.
"You must need some rest, but please bear with it a little longer. With a Lycanthrope involved... the commander needs to know."
They left the treatment center and headed to the commander's tent.
On the way, Manannan asked cautiously.
"Regin."
"Yeah?"
"But Chimihi... isn't that him? One of the kingdom's Five Great Swordsmen...!"
"Probably, yeah."
"I heard rumors he was stationed at the Tower... but I never imagined we'd meet him in person..."
"Yeah."
It was a bit disorienting. Regin thought with a wry smile.
In truth, meeting Chimihi on your first expedition was rare.
He managed the 5th Floor, but you needed to meet certain conditions to see him.
'You can only meet Chimihi by accomplishing achievements.'
As the 5th Floor overseer.
Something big enough to move him, or intriguing enough to catch his interest.
The surest way was racking up achievements.
'This time... encountering the Lycanthrope must count as one.'
Surviving the encounter probably helped.
Even in all his DAT play, no one pierced through from the first expedition with a Lycanthrope encounter.
So Regin couldn't predict exactly what Chimihi would say.
'But I do know what kind of person he is.'
He was someone you'd meet endlessly from mid-game onward.
Regin walked toward the tent, recalling his personality.
"Halt."
Clang.
The three arrived at the command tent.
As Ernia led them close, two guards at the entrance blocked her with spears.
"Priestess Ernia. What is it?"
"We have urgent news for the commander regarding the 4th Floor."
"The 4th Floor?"
"Yes. It seems that on the 4th Floor..."
Ernia hesitated briefly before continuing carefully.
"The Lycanthrope has awakened."
The guards exchanged glances at Ernia's cold expression and serious tone.
That was when it happened.
"Come in."
"...!!"
A deep, middle-aged man's voice came from inside the tent.
Just the voice alone made Regin and Manannan tense up.
'The sheer pressure from his voice...'
It drew a hollow laugh from him.
A sensation like facing the Lycanthrope.
To feel that from just a voice.
Rustle.
Even as the flap parted and they entered, it persisted.
The tent was about the size of a two-room Korean apartment, lit by pillars of flame scattered throughout.
In the center, furnished with a table, sat a man.
Chimihi, one of the kingdom's Five Great Swordsmen.
His presence made goosebumps rise on Regin and Manannan's arms.
'...Whew.'
A refined yet razor-sharp aura. You could feel he was the real deal.
Regin took a deep breath and looked at Chimihi.
Just as in the game, he was massive and solidly muscled.
Even his signature yellow slicked-back hair was the same.
He fixed Ernia with a sharp gaze.
"Ernia."
"Yes, Lord Chimihi."
"Was what you just said true?"
"Yes. I saw it while healing the wound... It was a larger fang mark than a werewolf's."
"I see... So it really could be a Lycanthrope."
"..."
"No one else, but you couldn't mistake a Lycanthrope."
As expected. Regin thought as he listened.
Ernia had seen a Lycanthrope before. Chimihi knew that too.
"If what you say is true, then all the explorers on the 4th Floor are wiped out. Except for two."
"..."
"I sincerely welcome you for reaching the 5th Floor safely. I'm Chimihi Hoffman, commander overseeing the 5th Floor. What are your names?"
"Regin Petrichio."
"M-Mananan Lil."
"Fine names."
Chimihi's eyes scanned Regin and Manannan.
"Both mages?"
"Yes. I'm a spellcrafter. This one's an elemental sorcerer."
"Two mages survived a Lycanthrope? What about your other companions?"
"None. It was just Manannan and me from the start when we entered the Tower."
"What? You two alone... broke through a Lycanthrope to get here?"
"That's right."
"...Two novices survived facing a Lycanthrope? And you're still at phase 1 level?"
Chimihi's eyes sharpened.
You could see his intent to see through them.
It wasn't normal for two beginners to escape a Lycanthrope's assault.
He needed to verify the truth.
Tap tap—!
Chimihi's fingers drummed the table.
"...Haha!"
He stared at them for a long moment before continuing.
"You've got spirit. Even with me staring you down, neither of you flinches."
"..."
"At least you kept your wits after meeting the Lycanthrope."
"To be honest, we just ran for our lives. We only bumped into it briefly at the end, and we got lucky."
"You outran a Lycanthrope on luck?"
Chimihi shook his head, his expression firm.
"It's not a monster you escape with luck alone. Good luck might create an opening, at best."
"..."
"If you can't seize that opening, you can't escape a Lycanthrope."
He was right. It wasn't something you could just luck out against.
The moment Regin realized it was coming, he'd thought they might die.
"I'll report this to the kingdom."
"Understood."
"By the time the royal investigation team arrives, the Lycanthrope will have vanished, but the kingdom needs to assess the casualties on the 4th Floor."
"..."
"If an investigation is needed later, I might call on you. It'll just be formalities, so don't worry too much."
The incident would be reported to the royals.
Of course, even if they knew, they couldn't catch the Lycanthrope.
'It usually vanishes in two days anyway.'
Without prey, it hid itself.
By the time the portal reopened and investigators arrived, it'd be gone.
They'd still send a team.
They had to check for changes or anomalies after a Lycanthrope appeared.
'In a way... we're under suspicion until it's proven one appeared.'
Bad luck. No gains.
It might seem like a grueling trip for nothing.
But Regin knew better.
He could tell from that intrigued glint in Chimihi's eyes.
"That's how it'll be handled. Oh, I should've said this first—congratulations on making it up safely."
Each NPC had unique ways to raise affinity.
Events varied by affinity, so you couldn't ignore the system.
'This incident should boost affinity with Chimihi.'
Regin nodded at that gleaming gaze.
By nature combative and drawn to strength.
Chimihi was an NPC who warmed to exceptional explorers like himself.
'Maybe...'
He might trigger Chimihi's events early and climb the Tower faster.
* * *
"Lord Chimihi."
"Yeah."
After Regin and Manannan left, the aide approached Chimihi.
"A Lycanthrope appeared, it seems. I'll prepare the report for the kingdom."
"Good. We need to assess casualties first."
"But... are we sure it's a Lycanthrope? Those two mages were clearly novice explorers."
"What, you doubt they broke through a Lycanthrope as beginners?"
"Honestly... yes. Maybe they mistook a larger werewolf."
The aide spoke carefully.
It made sense. Given the stakes, caution was warranted.
But Chimihi shook his head.
"Ernia testified too, so we believe it for now. Anyone else, maybe—but you know Ernia couldn't mistake a Lycanthrope."
"..."
"She wouldn't misidentify a wound like that. Anyway, that's not the point."
"Pardon?"
"If those two novices really got bit by a Lycanthrope and escaped somehow..."
Chimihi continued slowly.
The corners of his mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.
"Then they've got what it takes for the Tower, no? Whether luck or skill."
"That's... true."
"They're worth watching. That's my call."
Skill meant talent.
Luck was just as vital in the Tower as skill.
Gazing at the entrance where they'd left, Chimihi added.
"Aide. One favor. Head to Tent 7 right now and spread the word subtly."
"Tent 7? Isn't that where the party just starting real clears is?"
"Yeah. Short experience, but good attitude and vibe. Not your average group. Go tell them about these two mages."
The aide nodded immediately.
He'd served his boss Chimihi for years.
He knew once Chimihi took interest, he'd see it through no matter how long.
"Let's see how far they can go if they team up with others instead of solo."