Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Law of Competition and Distribution (5)
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“……Regin.”
Seria, with her sharp eyesight, was the first to identify their pursuers.
Even in the darkness of night, she must have spotted them under the moonlight.
“It’s Elsilva and his party members.”
They were the ones from the 6th Floor.
The group that had faced off against the Skeleton Knights up front, then split the loot with Regin afterward.
Shh—
Regin pulled out a scroll, and Greg and Seria readied themselves for battle.
‘Are they targeting us on purpose?’
Since when had they been stalking them?
From the moment they approached while resting on the 6th Floor?
Regin’s mind was racing when—
“Hey!”
The archer’s voice from before echoed out.
“What’s going on! What if you’ve been kidnapped by Hogs!”
“……What?”
“You didn’t look that weak…… Anyway, we’ll take care of that Hog, so step aside!”
“……?”
What nonsense is this?
Before Regin could even grasp the situation—
Pew—!
Another arrow came flying.
Clang—!
“Well done.”
“No, shouldn’t we keep the Hog alive?”
“You’re right.”
If Seria hadn’t timed it perfectly to knock the arrow away with her dagger, Hog #2 would’ve been injured.
“……What do you think you’re doing?!”
“We’re the ones who want to ask. What the hell are you doing?”
Elsilva and his party members murmured among themselves as they rushed over.
Regin had hoped it wasn’t true, but their expressions confirmed it.
‘……Why do these guys look so confused?’
Elsilva and the rest of his party all wore baffled looks.
This side was the one baffled here.
“Regin Petrichio! What’s going on?!”
“……What are you the ones doing?”
“Why……? You looked like you were being dragged off by Hogs…….”
“Does it make any sense for explorers to be dragged off by Hogs?”
“We figured the Hog Riders might’ve tied you up. Or luckily not.”
The archer glanced around before looking at Regin.
“Hold on. So you were riding the Hog? Is your class Illusionist?”
“Spellcrafter. You saw last time.”
“You had illusion scrolls too?”
“……Do I have to tell you?”
“No, not that. But how’d you tame a Hog? Impressive.”
Their expressions didn’t look feigned.
They’d really thought something had happened and intervened.
‘……Riding the Hog drew attention. No, that can’t be it.’
Regin pondered deeply before asking.
“Did you follow the badge?”
“……Huh?”
“The 7th Floor is pretty vast. Too much for a coincidence.”
“…….”
“So the badge had tracking magic after all.”
Regin removed the badge pinned to his cloak and handed it to the archer.
He’d suspected it from the moment he received it.
‘If they were tracking us with this, I considered tossing it straight into my inventory.’
But that would’ve left him clueless about their intentions.
He’d taken a small risk, and hadn’t exactly discouraged them from catching up.
‘Elsilva’s beyond mid-Phase 2, sure.’
But it wasn’t a gap he couldn’t bridge in a full-on fight.
‘If they showed their true colors, I figured I’d subdue them and snag their gear.’
Worst case, he could build ties with the Phoenix Guild.
No reason for Regin not to test the waters.
“Yeah, we tracked the badge. Sorry for not mentioning it upfront…… Didn’t want any misunderstandings from loose talk.”
“You fired an arrow first thing and expect no misunderstandings?”
“That really was an accident. The tracking magic on the badge kept glitching. You were moving fast, barely resting.”
“Hmm.”
“So honestly, we thought trouble hit. Saw you on the Hog’s back and loosed the arrow.”
It was a plausible story under the circumstances. Not enough to erase suspicion entirely.
“And who rides Hogs around? Never even imagined it.”
“That’s fair.”
“……Ahem. Anyway, I’d appreciate it if you believed we weren’t tracking for revenge or anything.”
Regin nodded.
If it wasn’t deliberate, no point pressing further.
What could he do if it was well-intentioned?
‘But that’s that.’
Mistakes demand payment.
“We appreciate the intent to help, but…….”
Swoosh, Regin’s gaze shifted to Greg.
“What about my companion’s serious injury?”
“Huh? Regin. I…….”
“He can’t move for a while after tumbling off. Right, Greg?”
“How’d you know? It hurts so much.”
Catching Regin’s signal, Greg clutched his head, nodded, and slumped down.
“Damn it. Feels like my bone’s broken!”
“See?”
“…….”
Regin inwardly admired Greg’s twisted expression.
‘He’s got a talent for acting.’
Anyone unaware would swear a bone was dislocated.
“I’ll take responsibility and compensate.”
Elsilva stepped in as mediator. The party’s leader and gladiator.
And Regin had no intention of missing the opportunity.
“Can you stand by those words?”
“Gold coins work?”
“Hmm.”
Regin eyed his pouch before continuing.
“A Skeleton Knight’s banner might make it worth talking.”
* * *
Before Elsilva could respond, the archer let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.
“Fun proposal, but no dice. A potion or two’s worth for a banner?”
“Can’t be helped then.”
As expected.
He’d tossed it out on a whim, but they seemed pretty calculating.
“I fired the arrow, so I’ll handle it. Think a Phase 3 potion might cut a deal?”
“You have Phase 3 potions?”
“Not many. But your look says nothing less would do.”
“……Haha.”
“You seemed nice, but you’ve got spine. Makes sense for an explorer.”
Shh—
The archer handed over a Phase 3 potion.
Regin nodded as the dark red liquid sloshed.
‘Phase 3 potions are rare.’
They worked even on the 15th Floor and beyond, but to Regin, who knew their full potential, it meant something else.
‘Potions cap at Phase 3 anyway. No recovery item beats it.’
Other NPCs probably thought potioncraft would advance to Phase 4 or 5.
He’d chatted plenty with herbalists in-game, and they were slaving over higher phases.
‘Sorry, but Phase 3 is the recovery ceiling.’
Phase 1 for light scratches. Phase 2 for torn flesh.
Phase 3 for severed limbs or broken bones.
……Beyond that, no ingredients yielded more recovery.
‘Pain relief or buffs, sure. But raw healing? Maxed out.’
Meaning, don’t get hurt worse than amputation.
Though at that point, you’d die anyway.
“Greg. Take it.”
“Thanks.”
A quick act for a Phase 3 potion? Good enough.
Max DAT recovery—handy someday.
“Now, let’s continue. What brings you wandering the 7th Floor?”
“Hmm.”
“Searching for the Sword of the Saint?”
“……!!”
Elsilva’s shocked expression hit Regin’s eyes.
The archer cleared his throat awkwardly before asking.
“How’d you know?”
“Just a guess. Phoenix Guild means high caliber. Why else linger on the 6th Floor?”
“Crystal orb farming?”
“You wouldn’t have come to the 7th then.”
“……Huh. Fair. We’re after the Sword of the Saint. Chimihi gave it up, rumor says it’s on 6th or 7th.”
“For the Phoenix Guild?”
“Nah. We don’t do group hunts outside raids.”
“Hmm.”
“No one’d follow orders like that anyway.”
Regin nodded at the archer.
“So the four of you chose to pursue it.”
“Yeah. They say Chimihi used it to first climb the 15th. piqued our interest.”
“Know how to find it?”
“Heard flimsy rumors. Sword picks its owner? Stuff like that.”
“Hmm.”
“So we’ve been roaming 6th and 7th blindly, hoping it shows. No luck yet.”
Skeleton Knight appearance marked the point—they’d scoured the area, no dice, so up to 7th.
Regin pondered the archer’s words.
‘Three swordsmen, one archer.’
Solid setup.
If Regin weren’t a spellcrafter and needed long party hunts, he might’ve gone similar.
Three sturdy fronts holding the line.
Backline archer handling variables.
‘Mages aren’t common, so this ain’t bad.’
Most mages couldn’t spam combat skills anyway.
Better a skilled archer than a mediocre mage.
‘They think opposite, though.’
Regin eyed them before continuing.
“If a chance to claim the Sword of the Saint arises, what then?”
“What?”
“Say it’s right there. We fight for it.”
“Keep going.”
“Then I propose traditional distribution…… What say you?”
The archer read Regin’s seriousness.
“……Hey.”
“Yes.”
“You know where it is, don’t you?”
“Pardon?”
“The Sword’s location.”
Regin kept his solemn face.
“I’d share if you forfeit ownership.”
No joke.
If Bern’s party entered the Witch’s Garden, he could team up and take the boss.
But if not?
……Or if they were dead?
‘Just us three won’t cut it.’
Why he hadn’t planned to rush the Red Portal on sight.
Find it first, then decide.
“If that’s too much, compromise. Assume fair contribution—give us priority, and I’ll share intel.”
“……So intel, and you join us.”
“Yes.”
As the archer mulled—
Sniff sniff—!!
The Hog suddenly thrashed wildly, trying to break free.
“No time.”
“That the method? Using the Hog?”
Regin’s group undid the Hog’s bonds without hesitation.
‘Red Portal path nearby.’
Reason enough to check.
As Regin prepped to leave, Elsilva stepped forward.
“Understood.”
“…….”
“We’ll swear if needed. But if our contribution’s clearly higher, we claim it.”
He continued firmly.
“That’s the law of distribution too.”
No sword planted, but as resolute as his prior declaration before parties.
Best attitude toward a rival.
They wouldn’t betray rashly.
‘Need extra hands myself.’
Regin met Elsilva’s eyes.
“Follow me.”
Tatak!!
Negotiations sealed just in time.
The freed Hog bolted, seven explorers—including Regin—chasing after one beast.
Papapak!!
They reached a small ruined house site.
The Hog plunged in, clawing madly at the dirt floor.
“Greg!”
“Got it!”
Greg swung his axe at Regin’s signal.
Rotten wood floor.
Kwaduduk!!
It shattered, red light leaking from below.
“Red Portal……!!”
Regin and the rest readied for combat without pause.
Primed to enter.
“Greg. Seria.”
While eyeing the portal, Regin pulled them aside for a whisper.
“Empty your bags before going in.”
“Bags?”
“Once inside.”
The 7th Floor: Witch’s Garden.
Tricky stage, but useful if needed.
“We’ll haul tons. Sword of the Saint and everything else.”
If surviving, no empty hands.
Sword and all contents—prime targets.
‘Time for a feast. Ketchup thief.’