Chapter 182: Jinx (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 182: Jinx (2)
You could only have received an identification tag before entering the labyrinth. They were called identification tags, but they were really just pendants engraved with the emblem of the royal family. Before we started our journey, Raven did a general appraisal and valued each at less than three thousand stones.
"So it's just an ordinary necklace," I'd said back then.
"Even the palace can't produce and distribute magical items in such a short period of time."
The tags didn't even have our names on them, so it was impossible to discern if one had been stolen. However, upon closer inspection, the tags had a hidden trick. It was nothing special, but something both the civil servant and the knight on the first floor had neglected to tell us.
"What's this written here?"
"...It's in ancient script."
Inside the symbol of the royal family was a small number written in ancient text. The number on our tags was two. Raven and I came up with several hypotheses about this and, after comparing ours with various other adventurers', came to a conclusion.
"The tag numbers on those clan members earlier were all three."
This ancient number signified the adventurer's rank. Not their exact rank, but one for low rank, two for middle rank, and three for high rank.
"So that's why they asked our rank when they handed them out."
"Why didn't they tell us then?"
"Because they're concerned that Noark might abuse the system."
Of course, the system was crude and easy to figure out as long as you could read ancient script like us. But in terms of bang for your buck, it wasn't bad. Stamping an extra number while embossing wasn't that difficult, and we were benefiting from it now.
Goddamn Hans effect.
I focused on keeping my expression under control and gripped my shield tighter. The number on the dwarf team's tags was one. That meant they were from Noark and had stolen the tags. Just a glance at their equipment told me there was no way these were low-rank adventurers.
What should I do now? Destroy them right away?
That was the first option that came to mind, but upon close review, it was the worst possible option. Raven seemed to be thinking along the same lines.
"They don't know their identities have been exposed yet. So we should pretend we don't know anything either and start our quest for now."
Yes, that was the best option.
When I nodded in response to the transmission, the dwarf eyed me with a strange look. "Is there a problem?"
"No, there isn't. Let's introduce ourselves. I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel. You are?"
"Jagurth Martin." It was a dwarven name, but obviously a pseudonym.
"Ah! I am H-Hans Chrisen." Hans G also revealed his name and with that, the introductions between the team leaders were over.
"Identification tag?"
"Ah, here it is. What are you all doing? Show yours too, quick."
Just in case, I checked Hans G's team's tags too. All of them were two except for the newcomer, who had a one.
"Um... s-since we have to work together now, w-why don't we introduce everyone?"
"Hmm, work together? Do you know about this rift?"
At the dwarf's question, Hans G nodded confidently. "Yes, to some extent. I like books."
It was kind of funny seeing it in action. "I read it in a book"? That was my go-to excuse too.
"Explain. What happens next?"
"Since we are all gathered, if we put our hands together, the path ahead will open. And if we follow the path, we'll reach the forest."
"...You are useful."
"Haha... I'm glad to be a h-help. On that note, why don't we take time to share what everyone does best and get to know each other?"
Afterward, following Hans G's suggestion, we briefly introduced each team's comp. To summarize, it was like this:
Team Hans G: Summoner, Wizard, Blunt Weapon Warrior, Scout, Elven Archer.
Team Dwarf: Dwarf Warrior, Beast Swordsman, Sorcerer, Archer, Priest.
"Oh! There is a priest!" Upon hearing the composition of the dwarf's team, Hans G's expression suddenly brightened. Now that we had to run a raid, he seemed to be glad about the presence of a priest... But it was obvious it was just a priest of Karui.
"So, about the loot distribution..."
Like any adventurers meeting in a rift, after the introductions came a discussion about the loot. We decided that any team that defeated a trash mob would take its loot. For loot from joint hunts, we agreed to roll a die. However, it was not a fair dice.
Raven went into negotiation mode, where she wheedled her opponent with a soft voice. "Shouldn't the team that contributes more get more? Mr. Chrisen, am I right? It's obvious your side is going to be the least help."
"A-As I said before, we have information about the rift—"
"I'm well informed about Doppelganger Forest, too."
"Wait a minute. Aren't you being too rude?" In the middle of the conversation, Team Hans's elven archer got triggered, but it didn't change anything.
"Miss Meirin, please stop. S-She's not wrong," Hans said.
"Yes, let's admit it. We were in hot water against that barbarian's doppelganger earlier. Asking for equal distribution when the difference in our skills is this wide would be unfair to them."
When the leader and wizard said the same thing, the elf clammed up. Then, Hans G turned to us, resigned. "We will subtract one from any rolls we make."
"Subtract two. Instead, we'll use a die that goes up to ten."
"...All right. But instead, p-please increase our share if we make an assist."
"That is a reasonable proposition. While we're at it, why don't we make that a rule? If any team makes a mistake, subtract one from their roll, and add it to the team that assisted them. How about that?" Raven looked straight at the dwarf.
He nodded obediently. "Sounds fine to me." Because I'm going to stab you in the back, anyway.
Or did I just imagine that last line?
As we all gathered at the altar located in the center of the common area, the vines blocking the passageway unfurled to reveal an uphill path.
"We'll go in first. I hope you won't follow too close behind."
"Well, of course."
Keeping a safe distance between the teams, we reached the forest before too long. Now, the second stage began.
[You have entered a special area. Field Effect – Doppelganger Forest has been activated. Status effect Distrust is now active. The damage you deal is doubled when attacking other members of your expedition.]
At the dwarf's question, Hans G nodded confidently. "Yes, to some extent. I like books."
It was kind of funny seeing it in action. "I read it in a book"? That was my go-to excuse too.
"Explain. What happens next?"
"Since we are all gathered, if we put our hands together, the path ahead will open. And if we follow the path, we'll reach the forest."
"...You are useful."
"Haha... I'm glad to be a h-help. On that note, why don't we take time to share what everyone does best and get to know each other?"
Afterward, following Hans G's suggestion, we briefly introduced each team's comp. To summarize, it was like this:
Team Hans G: Summoner, Wizard, Blunt Weapon Warrior, Scout, Elven Archer.
Team Dwarf: Dwarf Warrior, Beast Swordsman, Sorcerer, Archer, Priest.
"Oh! There is a priest!" Upon hearing the composition of the dwarf's team, Hans G's expression suddenly brightened. Now that we had to run a raid, he seemed to be glad about the presence of a priest... But it was obvious it was just a priest of Karui.
"So, about the loot distribution..."
Like any adventurers meeting in a rift, after the introductions came a discussion about the loot. We decided that any team that defeated a trash mob would take its loot. For loot from joint hunts, we agreed to roll a die. However, it was not a fair dice.
Raven went into negotiation mode, where she wheedled her opponent with a soft voice. "Shouldn't the team that contributes more get more? Mr. Chrisen, am I right? It's obvious your side is going to be the least help."
"A-As I said before, we have information about the rift—"
"I'm well informed about Doppelganger Forest, too."
"Wait a minute. Aren't you being too rude?" In the middle of the conversation, Team Hans's elven archer got triggered, but it didn't change anything.
"Miss Meirin, please stop. S-She's not wrong," Hans said.
"Yes, let's admit it. We were in hot water against that barbarian's doppelganger earlier. Asking for equal distribution when the difference in our skills is this wide would be unfair to them."
When the leader and wizard said the same thing, the elf clammed up. Then, Hans G turned to us, resigned. "We will subtract one from any rolls we make."
"Subtract two. Instead, we'll use a die that goes up to ten."
"...All right. But instead, p-please increase our share if we make an assist."
"That is a reasonable proposition. While we're at it, why don't we make that a rule? If any team makes a mistake, subtract one from their roll, and add it to the team that assisted them. How about that?" Raven looked straight at the dwarf.
He nodded obediently. "Sounds fine to me." Because I'm going to stab you in the back, anyway.
Or did I just imagine that last line?
As we all gathered at the altar located in the center of the common area, the vines blocking the passageway unfurled to reveal an uphill path.
"We'll go in first. I hope you won't follow too close behind."
"Well, of course."
Keeping a safe distance between the teams, we reached the forest before too long. Now, the second stage began.
[You have entered a special area. Field Effect – Doppelganger Forest has been activated. Status effect Distrust is now active. The damage you deal is doubled when attacking other members of your expedition.]
The contents of this stage were very simple: go around the forest, defeat the three mini-bosses, and find the altar somewhere.
"Then which team leads the way?"
"I think it would be better to take turns."
Adventurers were distrustful by default, so we moved in separate teams rather than one big group. From a bird's eye view, the formation would look like an isosceles triangle. Our system was to take care of monsters coming our own way in each direction and provide support if others were in danger.
"Cast a voice control spell first."
Although the other teams were quite a long way from us, we used Voice Control magic to communicate. Defeating the doppelgangers that appeared every few minutes, we continued our quest. We passed quite a bit of time like that.
"Nyaha! What is that dwarrrf?! He acted so tough, but fighting him is nothing special!"
Naturally, we hunted doppelgangers of the other two groups and acquired information on them. Hans G's team was easy, as expected, and the dwarf's team wasn't as strong as I thought.
About rank five, I presume.
For me, who had left the possibility that he might be a Dragon Slayer-level opponent open, this was extremely fortunate news.
"Raven, turn on voice control."
"Pardon? I already did?"
Oh, I forgot to mention. "Just you and me." This was a sensitive subject.
"Hm? Why just you two...?" asked Missha.
"I will explain everything later."
Openly left out of the conversation, the other three expressed their curiosity but nodded after seeing the look on my face.
"...It's done," said Raven. "But you don't want to tell the other three?"
"I don't think they have a talent for acting." It wasn't particularly intentional, but our gazes both automatically shifted to Ainar. "...Let's not get into that."
"Yes. That would be best."
I got straight to the point instead. "So, how do you think that group will act?"
"I'm seeing a fifty-fifty possibility. They might just want a peaceful expedition and leave... Or they could be greedy."
The answer was kind of surprising. "Fifty-fifty?" I thought for sure she would see the greedy outcome as more probable.
"They have fewer people than us. And after actually fighting them, they are weaker than us too."
Hmm, that was true.
"Still, one thing is for certain. Even if they get greedy, it won't be right now. It'll probably be after the guardian is defeated."
That aligned with my own suspicions. Doppelganger Forest was a rift with a full capacity of fifteen for a reason. It was difficult to clear as a single team unless you were extremely skilled.
"You know what that means, right? On the flip side, that means that we also can't take down those guys first until we defeat the guardian."
"Yes, I know."
This was the most goddamn annoying part of the current situation. Nip it in the bud. The root of all evil had to be uprooted immediately in order to bring peace, yet we couldn't make the first move! My mace was itching to swing.
"Then how about them?"
"The team with Hans?"
"Yes. Did you notice anything suspicious?"
"I don't know. He seems a little dorky, but doesn't seem like a bad person."
"Doesn't seem like a bad person, huh?" It certainly did look that way, but I knew that Hans G was the same person who had led more than a hundred adventurers to their deaths while trying to save himself from being trapped in the Evil Rift. We couldn't just see him as an idiot. He was also a player. "Hah..."
I sighed involuntarily. Hans G and adventurers from Noark. Why did things go into hard mode every time I entered a rift?
"Bjorn, doppelganger!"
"...Watch that team carefully along with the dwarf's. If you notice anything strange, tell me right away," I told Raven.
"All right."
I finished the conversation there and focused on the expedition. Despite what I was expecting, no one inquired deeply into our conversation. There was no way they weren't curious... They probably just trusted it was necessary and were waiting for us to tell them when we were ready.
You're making me feel guilty.
"R-Requesting support!"
Anyway, aside from Hans G's team occasionally asking for help, time passed without incident. By nightfall, we found one of the three mini-bosses.
"I-It's a Manticore!"
This was one of the few non-doppelgangers in this rift, and one rumored to have good bang for its buck in terms of remains and essences.
[You have defeated a Manticore. EXP +5]
Thanks to the information from Raven and Hans G, the fight itself was not difficult. However, the problem was... well, I guess it wasn't exactly a problem.
"Everyone, stop!"
An essence had dropped, the first essence in a long while that I could absorb.
"Raven, get out the die!"
We had to win this.
The contents of this stage were very simple: go around the forest, defeat the three mini-bosses, and find the altar somewhere.
"Then which team leads the way?"
"I think it would be better to take turns."
Adventurers were distrustful by default, so we moved in separate teams rather than one big group. From a bird's eye view, the formation would look like an isosceles triangle. Our system was to take care of monsters coming our own way in each direction and provide support if others were in danger.
"Cast a voice control spell first."
Although the other teams were quite a long way from us, we used Voice Control magic to communicate. Defeating the doppelgangers that appeared every few minutes, we continued our quest. We passed quite a bit of time like that.
"Nyaha! What is that dwarrrf?! He acted so tough, but fighting him is nothing special!"
Naturally, we hunted doppelgangers of the other two groups and acquired information on them. Hans G's team was easy, as expected, and the dwarf's team wasn't as strong as I thought.
About rank five, I presume.
For me, who had left the possibility that he might be a Dragon Slayer-level opponent open, this was extremely fortunate news.
"Raven, turn on voice control."
"Pardon? I already did?"
Oh, I forgot to mention. "Just you and me." This was a sensitive subject.
"Hm? Why just you two...?" asked Missha.
"I will explain everything later."
Openly left out of the conversation, the other three expressed their curiosity but nodded after seeing the look on my face.
"...It's done," said Raven. "But you don't want to tell the other three?"
"I don't think they have a talent for acting." It wasn't particularly intentional, but our gazes both automatically shifted to Ainar. "...Let's not get into that."
"Yes. That would be best."
I got straight to the point instead. "So, how do you think that group will act?"
"I'm seeing a fifty-fifty possibility. They might just want a peaceful expedition and leave... Or they could be greedy."
The answer was kind of surprising. "Fifty-fifty?" I thought for sure she would see the greedy outcome as more probable.
"They have fewer people than us. And after actually fighting them, they are weaker than us too."
Hmm, that was true.
"Still, one thing is for certain. Even if they get greedy, it won't be right now. It'll probably be after the guardian is defeated."
That aligned with my own suspicions. Doppelganger Forest was a rift with a full capacity of fifteen for a reason. It was difficult to clear as a single team unless you were extremely skilled.
"You know what that means, right? On the flip side, that means that we also can't take down those guys first until we defeat the guardian."
"Yes, I know."
This was the most goddamn annoying part of the current situation. Nip it in the bud. The root of all evil had to be uprooted immediately in order to bring peace, yet we couldn't make the first move! My mace was itching to swing.
"Then how about them?"
"The team with Hans?"
"Yes. Did you notice anything suspicious?"
"I don't know. He seems a little dorky, but doesn't seem like a bad person."
"Doesn't seem like a bad person, huh?" It certainly did look that way, but I knew that Hans G was the same person who had led more than a hundred adventurers to their deaths while trying to save himself from being trapped in the Evil Rift. We couldn't just see him as an idiot. He was also a player. "Hah..."
I sighed involuntarily. Hans G and adventurers from Noark. Why did things go into hard mode every time I entered a rift?
"Bjorn, doppelganger!"
"...Watch that team carefully along with the dwarf's. If you notice anything strange, tell me right away," I told Raven.
"All right."
I finished the conversation there and focused on the expedition. Despite what I was expecting, no one inquired deeply into our conversation. There was no way they weren't curious... They probably just trusted it was necessary and were waiting for us to tell them when we were ready.
You're making me feel guilty.
"R-Requesting support!"
Anyway, aside from Hans G's team occasionally asking for help, time passed without incident. By nightfall, we found one of the three mini-bosses.
"I-It's a Manticore!"
This was one of the few non-doppelgangers in this rift, and one rumored to have good bang for its buck in terms of remains and essences.
[You have defeated a Manticore. EXP +5]
Thanks to the information from Raven and Hans G, the fight itself was not difficult. However, the problem was... well, I guess it wasn't exactly a problem.
"Everyone, stop!"
An essence had dropped, the first essence in a long while that I could absorb.
"Raven, get out the die!"
We had to win this.