Short Flashback: The Hidden Conference
Kriel stepped back from the registration mage's desk. His vision had gone dark.
"How in the world could this happen?"
[Is the owner being mistaken for a debt collector? It's because of his intimidating appearance. On that note, he probably reminded them of the most threatening person who'd ever visit this building.]
Kriel ignored Tuon's words. Or rather, he tried to.
Damn it.
He couldn't hold back the lament in his heart.
The Dark Knight look he'd meticulously crafted was all part of his character design. If he'd known he'd end up as this character, he would've picked something more universally handsome instead of an oppressively sharp, intimidating vibe. Not some infamous crown-stealing bastard or a chronic invalid stabbed by his own cursed sword.
No. If he'd known he'd become a game character, he'd have chosen a different class from the start.
Having mentally cursed the Dark Knight class once more, Kriel addressed Orishin. He didn't bother hiding the spirit's form. This was a building rented out by mages for the conference, after all—no one would bat an eye at a floating ghost horse head.
"This conference doesn't look like it's going to run properly."
[…Let's at least check it out. What's the harm in trying?]
It was a fair point. Kriel himself wasn't here with some do-or-die resolve like "If I can't fix Orishin's corruption, I'm done for!" He just wanted one more expert opinion saying, "Yeah, this ain't gonna work."
Kriel headed underground. B3 was, coincidentally, the very bottom floor.
The word "rock bottom" flashed through his mind.
Unlike the ground floors with their cluster of small rooms, the basement levels had only a couple of massive conference halls. And B3 had just one enormous room.
Kriel strode up and opened the door. The schedule said the conference hadn't started yet, so barging in wouldn't be rude.
Several round tables filled the space. At the far end, straight from the entrance, loomed a huge podium.
Sit at a table, get called, go up and present? If anything, it looked more like a wedding reception hall than an academic conference. Easy to picture a host chiming in from the stage while guests dined merrily.
Kriel scanned the room.
"Uh…."
[No way. This can't be the conference… it's too pathetic….]
Orishin muttered nonsense in a daze.
"Calm down. The conference hasn't started yet. A few more people might show up."
It was hard to believe even for him. But what could he do? He didn't have the attendee list.
All he could do was wait.
Time marched on faithfully as they waited. But no one ever opened the conference door.
[We're screwed.]
As Orishin let out a bizarre screech and headbanged on the podium, Tuon whispered.
[Master. Doesn't something feel off?]
"Off how?"
[Even if the mages who signed up can't attend due to personal issues, the organizers should be different.]
"Oh. And?"
[What if the conference is already underway… but in a different dimensional layer that you can't perceive?]
Kriel listened to Tuon's theory. A different dimensional layer would mean a parallel world created via barrier magic. It wasn't certain that the Abyss Suppression Conference attendees had such advanced skills, but it wasn't theoretically impossible.
Still, one question arose.
"Then why can't I get in? Those sub-spaces usually require a special code or item to enter, but I have the invitation delegated to me by Lrweyn."
[Master. Think about yourself.]
Know thyself. Socrates? Kriel pondered if Tirnanog had a scholar who'd left similar words, then grasped Tuon's true meaning.
How could a Dark Knight possibly attend an Abyss Suppression Conference?
It was a brutally pointed jab.
Kriel felt a punch to the solar plexus, breath catching. He could handle self-loathing, but others' contempt still stung.
Once the shock faded, he thought coldly: it was possible. But just a possibility.
For one, the holy power radiating from his heavy cloak and Champion emblem necklace should count for something. The Champion necklace had gotten him through Holy Capital Temris's gates without issue, proving its worth.
More importantly…
"If they'd detected Abyss on me, mages from this building would've swarmed out the door to hunt me down."
Wariness of the Abyss was a continent-wide sentiment, beyond national borders. Normal folk's mindset: if Abyss is suspected, crush it first, ask questions later.
No mages had come chasing him down, so Tuon's hypothesis that he'd been barred as a Dark Knight was probably wrong.
[Just one more hour. Exactly one hour… At least the founder will show up, even if no members do.]
Orishin muttered dejectedly. A far cry from his usual manic energy.
It wasn't like they had anywhere pressing to be. Kriel waited alongside him, sympathy in his heart.
And then it was the official end time listed in the pamphlet.
[……How could this be?!]
Orishin raged. By now, even Kriel felt the unease.
As Tuon had pointed out, they should've at least met the organizer.
But no one at all?
"Normally, they'd be clearing out the setup by now, and the next renters would show up."
He checked the rental list by the door. B3 hall bookings continued after the Abyss Suppression Conference.
Sensing something fishy, Kriel stayed in the room.
Another 30 minutes passed.
Crackle.
A spark flashed, and light bloomed in the empty air above the reception podium. The light started as a straight line, curved smoothly into a circle, and then people began pouring out from beyond the glowing ring.
"Heh heh, by now the debt collectors must think we've all slipped out and be searching outside the building."
"Renting the time before and after under different names guarantees worry-free entry and exit! I can't believe the conference chair came up with such a scheme. Haha!"
The mages, cheerfully exchanging compliments on dodging their creditors today, locked eyes with Kriel's bloodshot—well, just naturally red—irises.
"H-Hiiik!"
"Wait! Which house are you from? Tell us the debtor's name, and we'll send you on your way!"
"Vice chair! How can you sell out the members like that?!"
Tuon's guess was half-right. These guys had used advanced magic to create a sub-space and hold the conference there.
Pathetic that it was all to evade debt collectors, though.
Kriel felt a vibration from the sword at his left hip. A wail like a grieving ghost, seething with rage.
[This is what I came to see…?!]
The mages witnessing Orishin's howling form gasped in shock and awe.
"No way! Damn it, we have a debtor who owes a spirit?!"
"You can do financial deals with spirits?!"
Kriel rubbed his stiffening nape.
"We're not involved in any of your debt issues."
[A person?]
Tuon's sneak psychic jab. But Kriel was getting used to these attacks. He countered with aggressive interpretation.
Strictly speaking, Orishin is a spirit. Tuon's point is academically correct!
Ignoring Tuon's implication about a Dark Knight's "species," Kriel spoke up.
"I came to the conference with questions about real-world Abyss suppression cases. Could I speak to whoever's in charge?"
"N-No! The chair said if anyone bugs him about money even once more, he'd cut all support!"
"Look, we're not interested in your debts."
"What debt collector announces himself as one upon entry?!"
Kriel sighed at these mages' narrow-minded lives. How could wizards live so skewed?
"What's with all the commotion?"
A clear voice rang out from behind the mages. They screamed at the sound.
Conference chair, this wasn't our intention… they wailed.
"Ah, damn. The barrier's time limit is up anyway? Get out slowly for now. I'll handle the negotiations. Those who think it's me, face the wall."
The sullen mages filed out in neat double lines. The conference chair brought up the rear.
Kriel felt the voice was oddly familiar.