The Regressor Is Panicked (6)
The Regressor Is Panicked (6)
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere was as cold as the blade wind whipping around us. I'd said I'd vouch for him, but we knew nothing about Baron Jorge.
"...You say you vouch for him—on what basis?"
A sullen-faced man shrugged.
"We have the common ground of being 'players' and share a goal... but those people are total strangers. Is there any trust between us?"
"Isn't trust something you build?"
Baron Jorge parried the remark, glanced toward the castle, and gave a signal.
"Thomas!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Soon, responding to the baron's signal, men in cold-weather gear marched out from the castle with disciplined steps.
They carried thick wooden planks on their shoulders—likely from the 'room full of materials' William Smith had mentioned.
"I have an eye for people. You call yourselves 'players,' yes? You people are... strong. And free. I even mistook you for a mercenary company at first."
Baron Jorge waited until the man called Thomas arrived, then continued.
"But you mentioned repairing the walls and reinforcing the gate, didn't you?"
"...We did."
"Do any of you know how to do that sort of work? No. Do any of you have experience even living in a 'castle'? I've lived in one my whole life."
"..."
No one.
Of course, with a hundred people, one or two might have some relevant knowledge. But the vast majority don't.
At best, they'd thought vaguely about blocking the gate with heavy things, or finding stones nearby to replace damaged ones...
"Hmm."
Baron Jorge glanced around at our reactions and gave a small nod.
"My territory, the Barony of Jorge, lies in the mountains. The land isn't suited for farming, and the location isn't ideal. But fortunately, we have a sizable iron mine, so making a living was never a problem."
Thud!
A heavy plank was set down on the snow.
"Miners risk their lives, so we use slaves... but at a source of iron, what work do you think is most common? Blacksmiths make up the vast majority. And since the forests are dense, some work as carpenters."
The blacksmiths who'd brought the planks had broad shoulders and thick forearms. It hadn't been obvious because they were standing among players whose bodies had been enhanced by their Status Windows.
"So... we'll handle the fortification work, and you handle searching the castle. That would be sufficient help, wouldn't it?"
"..."
It was... a help. The blacksmiths' thick forearms were more reassuring than any words.
But a problem still remained.
"But... what will you do when the monsters actually appear?"
The woman with the jutting chin from earlier glared and pressed the point.
"You're far better at repairing walls than we are. But what if a monster appears outside? Or inside the castle? Will we have to risk our lives to protect you then?"
"..."
Baron Jorge's expression hardened slightly.
"...Among the territory residents brought here, there are about ten soldiers. Thomas here is a knight. But... yes. That won't be much help to you."
He glanced toward the castle where his own territory residents would be, then looked back at the players and spoke.
"We'll see to our own safety. If we fall into danger, you have no need to help. We can divide our areas entirely. Only let us use the castle. That's the full extent of the 'cooperation' I'm asking for."
"If we share the castle, inevitably there'll be situations where we have to help you..."
"Now, now. Calm down."
I stopped the woman and gave Baron Jorge a look.
"We'll have a discussion among ourselves and get back to you. Please wait in that room next to the stairs."
"...Very well. Thomas! Move the planks near the main gate!"
"Yes, my lord!"
**
After Baron Jorge and his people went back inside the castle.
"Let me see your sword."
"Ah, uh, sure."
I took a sword from a man nearby and slashed the empty air three times in quick succession.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The slicing sounds were menacing, but I wasn't satisfied. The thick gloves kept me from putting proper strength into the cuts.
"O-ooh..."
"What was that just now..."
But most of the players obviously felt differently—I could sense their gazes changing.
Eyes that held a faint gleam, mixed with a subtle fear. The 'Awe' trait had activated just as I'd intended.
-Awe [A]
-Praise to your greatness. Fear of the incomprehensible.
-You can use a degraded copy of an affected target's trait, once per target.
-Lee Jeong-hyeon: Roar (B-) >>> Battle Cry (E-)
-Kim Ji-hoon: Heavy Strike (C) >>> Hit (F-)
-Yoon Min-soo: Leap (D-) >>> Hop (FF)
- ...
A message window scrolled down before my eyes.
"..."
Ah, right. The Awe trait had evolved. I'd only triggered it to steer the discussion my way, but I ended up testing its new functions.
But E-rank? F-rank? Those traits are practically unusable. Unless someone's a special case like Dok Su-hee, they don't seem to have much combat application.
I looked away from the message window, scanned the players, and spoke.
"I believe there are pros and cons to cooperating with Baron Jorge. We can't fully trust them yet."
"Th-then why..."
Instead of answering, I gestured with my chin at the timber stacked by the gate.
"Why is that there?"
"..."
"It makes sense that there are weapons—we'll face situations that require them. It makes sense that there's food—survival demands it, indispensable. But why cold-weather coats and lumber?
We've been wearing cold-weather gear from the moment we were summoned to Floor 4. We don't need more.
And almost none of us know how to work with lumber. We don't really need it.
And as it happens... there are otherworlders here who can make good use of what's been provided.
Do you really think... the Tower just 'happened' to give us these things?
"From the start, isn't using those otherworlders part of Floor 4? That's what I think."
There's no way the residents were summoned here without reason. If they'd been the elderly, frail, women, and children, the Tower would be asking: 'Can you survive while protecting them?'
But that's not it. Those people are tightly united around Baron Jorge, and they're capable. Not people to protect, but people to utilize.
"Floor 4... isn't it a stage where we can only hold out by mobilizing everyone, including the residents? I think we need to cooperate with Baron Jorge. Any objections?"
"..."
"..."
There were none. The simple fools were under the effect of my Awe trait, and those strong enough to resist it had enough brains to figure out the logic.
"I'll leave the detailed personnel assignments to William Smith. Use guard duty on the outer walls as our base, and rotate people to explore the interior during rest periods."
"Understood."
William Smith nodded, looking somewhat reluctant.
"Then I'll go speak with Baron Jorge."
With things more or less settled, I walked toward the castle.
"...So who the hell is that guy?"
"...Dunno. But he seems strong as fuck, so let's just listen for now."
The gazes boring into my back stung, but surprisingly, I didn't mind.
"..."
I'd spoken passionately about the need to make use of Baron Jorge.
But if you think about it, I was also 'using' the players. I was exploiting them without a second thought as fuel for my regressions.
Because they meant nothing to me inside.
...After clearing Floor 4, I should take a break.
**
"So, what's the verdict?"
"We're counting on you."
"Haha, and we on you."
Baron Jorge and I shook hands, but not a corner of my mouth moved.
In a way, it was only natural. I had no intention of giving my heart to anyone.
I had to be careful not to look down on others too much, but also careful not to get too close. Floor 4's mission was 'Survival,' and countless people would die.
...If someone close to me died horrifically in front of my eyes, what would happen to my mental state? I had to stay on guard.
Therefore, I wasn't planning to get friendly with anyone on Floor 4. Keep a proper distance, clear Floor 4. That was my goal.
"Good. Then we should discuss the details. How do you plan to handle watch on the walls? We can do it, if needed..."
"The players will handle it. Everyone's physical abilities differ, so our visual range will vary."
"Good. Next, let's discuss the wall repairs."
"You said most of your territory residents are blacksmiths. I'd like to ask you about weapon maintenance."
"I'd also like to discuss how we handle any unsavory incidents between players and territory residents."
Baron Jorge and I discussed a wide range of possible scenarios, and one by one we established rules.
We'd been exchanging opinions for about thirty minutes when—
Fwoosh.
Whether from a draft or because the oil ran out, the torch on the wall went out with a soft puff.
Without a single window in the room, darkness descended naturally.
"Ah, damn... one moment."
But a moment later.
Oooong.
A sphere of light appeared over Baron Jorge's palm, brightening the room.
"...Magic?"
"Ah, I'm a 3rd-rank mage. I didn't mention it before as I'm not much of a combat asset, but... I hope you'll not take offense."
"..."
My mind spun faster than it had since arriving on Floor 4.
A mage. He can manipulate mana.
"Baron."
Floor 2. Baron Licht.
Flash Step.
An S-rank trait lying dormant in my Status Window, unused because I lacked the ability to control mana.
"Let's... make a deal."
I had no intention of getting close to anyone on Floor 4.
But there are always exceptions.