14
Chapter 14
[hahahahaha]
Man, I can't stop laughing. Serves them right!
Maybe this is just the price for acting so arrogant?
[Not a Netkama: You're laughing?]
[Not a Netkama: Forget it]
[Not a Netkama: Just get lost]
Now they're sulking.
Still, I should probably help. We can't have any more casualties between the Holy Knights and the Barbarians.
[yep we're close]
A message arrived a few minutes later. I can tell they agonized over whether to send it.
[Not a Netkama: I'm near Linea, can you come help me out?]
[Not a Netkama: I'm not even expecting you to fight these guys, but can't you just ask that Barbarian woman you're supposedly close with for help?]
Does that even make sense? Do they even know what position the kid I saved (I didn't actually save them) holds?
What do they think, that I saved the Chief's daughter or something?
[Not a Netkama: Sigh]
Seems like they don't have any better ideas either. They're clutching at straws by asking me.
Even if they say Linea... I have no idea where that is. I don't have a map, and I haven't memorized the game's geography.
[What's the situation right now?]
[Not a Netkama: I've been disarmed]
[Not a Netkama: My hands are tied, there's a sack over my head, and I'm being dragged along. I'm gagged too]
I wonder if they've become a prisoner.
To be able to capture Not a Netkama, a Holy Knight, means there's someone incredibly skilled in that tribe.
[Are you still near Linea?]
[Not a Netkama: Probably? I think I've been walking for two hours]
[How about asking the Holy Knights living near Linea for help?]
[Not a Netkama: Your way of talking is seriously pissing me off]
[Not a Netkama: I'm probably the only one here]
[Just try posting on the community boards for help. Isn't being embarrassed better than dying?]
[Not a Netkama: Who would come help just because I posted? They'd just mock me]
[Then why did you message me? How did you even know if I'd help or not?]
[Not a Netkama: You said you were close with the Barbarians]
[Not a Netkama: I taught you the rules of the community, so help me]
[?]
[Not a Netkama: I'll help you out later too]
They're basically saying Just do it for me. I can't help but let out a hollow laugh.
What could I possibly do to help?
This is tough. Really tough.
Should I start by asking for the tribe's name?
[Do you know the name of the tribe? The one that captured you]
[Not a Netkama: How would I know that ]_];]
If you don't know, you're as good as dead, kid. I almost typed that, but I stopped myself.
How prickly for a Netkama.
[Can you even communicate with the Barbarians?]
[Not a Netkama: Of course not. We speak different languages]
[Not a Netkama: I can understand them, but they can't understand me]
Possessors can automatically learn all languages of the other world as a perk... I guess that's the setting.
Then again, I've been able to understand the Barbarians ever since I possessed the Blue Moss Tribe's totem.
Language cheats or auto-acquisition are pretty much the standard when you get possessed.
[Did you hear anything from those Barbarian friends of yours?]
[Not a Netkama: They said they're going to sacrifice me. Said I'm a heretic. That's all. Right now, there's a sack over my head, so I can't hear very well]
There's way too little information. Even if I had some, I have no clue how to help this guy.
If they could just communicate, there would be a way.
[For now, just be cooperative. Whatever you do, don't make them angry]
[Not a Netkama: What difference does that make? They're still planning to sacrifice me]
[Stop overreacting and listen. Take a deep breath first. It's not like there are zero options]
[Not a Netkama: Fine]
[If they're sacrificing you, they'll take you to the altar. I don't know where their altar is, but they probably won't harm you until you get there]
[Not a Netkama: k]
[I don't know how much time is left, but I'll keep asking the Barbarians to see if I can find a way]
[Message me as soon as you think you've reached the altar. I have one last resort]
The last resort. That is to shout my name in front of the altar to pique the Barbarians' interest.
They say the Barbarians know the names of all the Loas.
If a Holy Knight about to be sacrificed suddenly shouts the name of one of the gods they serve, they'd naturally be curious.
At the very least, there would be room for conversation—or rather, room for communication.
However, this method only works if the gag in Not a Netkama's mouth is removed before the sacrifice.
Also, there's the risk that Not a Netkama might figure out my identity. Even if they don't realize who I am, they won't be able to avoid suspecting me of being someone fishy.
Since a human life is at stake, I decided to put the identity issue on the back burner for now.
[Not a Netkama: k...]
[Not a Netkama: Thanks]
[You're welcome ^_^]
[Not a Netkama: ...]
I've managed to calm them down for now.
Regardless, this is a tough spot. The only barbarian tribes I know are the Blue Moss and Brown Rock tribes.
The Blue Moss Tribe is where I am, and the Brown Rock Tribe left their original plains to come this way.
...?
Wait.
The Brown Rock Tribe on a long journey, and Not a Netkama, who has been walking for hours. The tribe that kidnapped him has someone skilled enough to defeat a Holy Knight.
I don't know if I'm right, but it feels like a piece of the puzzle just clicked into place.
[What's your level?]
[Not a Netkama: Why? Does that matter?]
[Yep]
[Not a Netkama: Level 4]
They said anyone from level 3 isn't a newbie, and level 5 can wipe out a village, so I guess that's a decent mid-tier skill level.
[You're level 4, so why did you lose to a barbarian?]
[Not a Netkama: ...What? That's a bit harsh]
[No, I'm not blaming you, I'm just curious]
[Not a Netkama: She was strong. She looked different from the other barbarians, like some kind of special unit]
[Not a Netkama: Like an elite mob in a game?]
The barbarian who took down Not a Netkama was female. The chief of the Brown Rock Tribe is also female.
The picture is starting to form. I should ask Paya first.
[OK, I'll get back to you]
As I clear the message window, the community board comes back into view.
[Melee-type Spy: Is she pretty?]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: I'm jealous. Do you get a good erection?]
[Donuts: Here comes the humblebrag~]
[Ghoulle: Isn't this the same as the post from earlier?]
[Love Death Nyan: (Praising the kind Holy Knight) Nyan nyan nyan nyan~!]
[I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: So, is she a virgin?]
└ [Full Play: Why does that even matter?]
└ [Corner-room First-pick: LOL, they're called barbarians, but they're basically cavemen. You think she's a virgin? Probably has five kids already LOL]
└ [I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: Chosun. I have a pure heart too. If you keep trampling on my purity like this, I'll have no choice but to become a demon.]
└ [I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: I'll make you a favorite user.]
[Bramanda: Now that's romantic. So romantic it feels like a made-up story.]
[Corrupted Power Knight: Was that previous question about barbarians just build-up for this? He's calculated]
Quite a few comments were left on my post, 'The barbarian girl I saved is obsessed with me.'
More than half of the users I've seen so far have left a comment. Well, it's my masterpiece, so this kind of reaction is expected.
No, that's not the point right now.
I pushed the community window to the corner and granted High Priest Paya the Divine Descent blessing.
- High Priest Paya, I have an urgent matter...
"Kyaaa!"
- Call Kanto over too.
She was showering. I quickly deactivated the blessing.
...I've discovered the danger of Divine Descent.
***
"...What is it?"
"Lord Mallak! I'm here! Hahaha!"
Paya appeared at the altar, looking fresh and clean. Kanto was with her, his face flushed as if he'd been enjoying some drinks.
This guy is drinking in broad daylight. Still, he's worked hard to earn points so far, so I'll let it slide.
- Kanto. Do you know the Brown Rock Chief?
"Huh? Yes! I do, but..."
- Tell me her name and what she looks like.
"Uh... um... one moment."
Slap, slap!
Kanto, whose nose was now red, slapped his own cheeks a couple of times.
"Phew..."
Well? Wake up now?
"Her name is Rake. I'm not sure if she's actually a mixed-blood, but she certainly looks unique."
As I listened to Kanto's explanation, I simultaneously sent a message to Not a Netkama.
[What does the female barbarian who captured you look like? Tell me everything you remember]
"Her skin is white like a civilized person's, her eyes are a bright predatory yellow, and she's unusually tall for a woman with long limbs."
[Not a Netkama: Black hair, glowing yellow eyes. Tall like a model and looks incredibly fierce. Unlike other barbarians, she's white]
The testimonies were almost a perfect match. I'm not even surprised anymore.
How does this even happen?
I don't know whether to call this good luck or bad luck.
Anyway, I suppose it's a relief that this is something I can handle?