Chapter 439: Giant Step (1)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 439: Giant Step (1)

As soon as the chatroom opened, the man quickly entered, put on the deer mask, and walked out into the hallway, hurriedly moving toward the room with the Round Table. Unlike usual, it was empty.

"Thank goodness I'm the first one."

The man looked around for a minute before heading to a particular seat, four spots to the left of where Lion always sat. Unlike the early days, there were always empty seats around the table, so everyone sat one space away from each other. Assuming that all seven people attended, he was guaranteed to go second.

It's always annoying to go first.

The quality of the information given each round was determined by the information provided on the first turn.

More importantly, that seat would be right next to him.

Yeah, the second spot was the safest. Third and fourth weren't bad either, but location-wise, they meant you'd have to sit directly facing him. The last turn before his was high-pressure too.

Well, Clown seems to like the attention that comes from sitting there, but that's the type of guy he is.

Anyway, unbeknownst to him, the seat he was currently sitting in was the seat most preferred by the other members. Was that why?

"Oh! Mr. Deer? You're here this time." As soon as Goblin entered the Round Table room, he greeted the man before glancing around and sitting one seat away from him. "I'm going to sit next to you." That would make him third once the gathering began. "Anyway, did you have urgent business last time?" Goblin asked once he was seated.

Deer made up an excuse. "I didn't come last month for personal reasons."

"Oh, really?" Goblin asked. It seemed to be a polite question, though, as Goblin didn't seem to care much about his answer.

Deer took the opportunity to carefully ask a question of his own. "Did anything noteworthy happen?"

"Sorry?"

"Last month. I was wondering if something noteworthy happened while I was away." Deer's tone was far too submissive to be directed at someone like Goblin, but he was aware that this kind of behavior was arguably shady. It was an unspoken rule of the Round Table not to tell people who didn't attend what transpired during previous meetings.

Goblin might tell me, though.

That was the reason he came so early in the first place: to sneak in a question to someone before the other members arrived. And the first to arrive was Goblin. Luck was on his side.

Step.

Just then, there was a sound at the doorway. Someone else was here.

It has to be Fox.

That nosy woman would likely prevent Goblin from answering his question. He heaved a sigh.

"I couldn't help but overhear you," Fox said as she emerged from the hall. "Don't worry. Nothing happened. Or I guess you could say nothing could happen."

"What do you mean?"

"Lion didn't attend the last meeting."

"Lion didn't attend...?"

"Yes. So naturally, Clown and Queen left immediately. And without them, the meeting naturally came to an end."

"Ah..."

"If that answers your question, don't ask again next time," she warned, sounding rather irritated. "The moment someone breaks a rule, it stops being a rule."

"...I'll be careful."

When Deer obediently promised to watch himself, Fox's eyes shifted to the man in the seat next to him. "You too, Mr. Goblin."

"Eh? Huh? Why me?"

"Don't tell people things just because they ask. No, to be blunt, watch your mouth."

"Haha! Ms. Fox, you... watch my mouth... yes, I should... hahaha!" While Goblin laughed awkwardly, Fox scanned the empty seats and sat in the fourth one. "M-Ms. Fox, I guess that means Mr. Crescent will go first today?"

"If he attends, that is. But yes, he doesn't seem to like the last seat."

"...Hmm, Mr. Lion should show up today, right?"

"I don't know. I guess we'll find out."

"H-Haha. Right..."

As he watched Fox and Goblin interact once they were both sat down, Deer frowned.

Something feels off.

Fox seemed to be comfortable with Goblin, but Goblin, on the other hand, seemed to be uncomfortable around Fox. Deer didn't dwell on this matter too deeply, though. There were more important things for him to worry about.

Lion ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was absent, huh?

In a way, that was a good thing. He'd been disappointed that he had to miss the last meeting, but this meant he hadn't missed anything important. It didn't feel like a loss. However, there was one thing that bothered him.

"Lion is Bjorn Yandel."

Queen had said this in front of the jewel during a previous gathering. Of course, the red light had cooled the heat a bit, but for a split second, this was a hot topic at the Round Table. There were many ways Lion and Bjorn Yandel paralleled each other.

...Well, I'm sure it's a coincidence. There are just as many differences between them too.

First, Bjorn Yandel had only been an adventurer for four years. The first time Lion entered this community was about twenty years ago. They couldn't be the same person.

But... What is this? It feels like I'm missing something...

Deer discreetly glanced at Goblin, who was conversing with Fox. "When's Mr. Crescent coming?" Goblin was asking. "I think Mr. Clown and Lady Queen will come right at the end today like usual."

"I'm sure they'll come when it's time. But... Mr. Goblin, why is Queen the only one you call a lady?"

"Haha... is she?"

Come to think of it, it had been this guy. He was the first at the Round Table to raise the theory that Bjorn Yandel and Lion could be the same person. Goblin's basis was that if Bjorn Yandel was dead, the timing of Lion's disappearance was very coincidental, but at the time they'd mocked him for even suggesting it.

"The honorific just comes out naturally... um... and her nickname is Queen, so..."

Deer joined their conversation. "Hey, Goblin."

"Yes?"

"Do you still think Bjorn Yandel is Lion?"

"Uh... all of a sudden?"

"Yes, I'm suddenly curious."

"Hmm..." Goblin didn't seem to understand why he was asking but still answered, "No. I don't think that." His tone was very confident.

That was enough to convince Deer. "I see... Well, there's no way he could be the same person as someone who got brought here twenty-two years ago, after all...."

"...I'll be careful."

When Deer obediently promised to watch himself, Fox's eyes shifted to the man in the seat next to him. "You too, Mr. Goblin."

"Eh? Huh? Why me?"

"Don't tell people things just because they ask. No, to be blunt, watch your mouth."

"Haha! Ms. Fox, you... watch my mouth... yes, I should... hahaha!" While Goblin laughed awkwardly, Fox scanned the empty seats and sat in the fourth one. "M-Ms. Fox, I guess that means Mr. Crescent will go first today?"

"If he attends, that is. But yes, he doesn't seem to like the last seat."

"...Hmm, Mr. Lion should show up today, right?"

"I don't know. I guess we'll find out."

"H-Haha. Right..."

As he watched Fox and Goblin interact once they were both sat down, Deer frowned.

Something feels off.

Fox seemed to be comfortable with Goblin, but Goblin, on the other hand, seemed to be uncomfortable around Fox. Deer didn't dwell on this matter too deeply, though. There were more important things for him to worry about.

Lion was absent, huh?

In a way, that was a good thing. He'd been disappointed that he had to miss the last meeting, but this meant he hadn't missed anything important. It didn't feel like a loss. However, there was one thing that bothered him.

"Lion is Bjorn Yandel."

Queen had said this in front of the jewel during a previous gathering. Of course, the red light had cooled the heat a bit, but for a split second, this was a hot topic at the Round Table. There were many ways Lion and Bjorn Yandel paralleled each other.

...Well, I'm sure it's a coincidence. There are just as many differences between them too.

First, Bjorn Yandel had only been an adventurer for four years. The first time Lion entered this community was about twenty years ago. They couldn't be the same person.

But... What is this? It feels like I'm missing something...

Deer discreetly glanced at Goblin, who was conversing with Fox. "When's Mr. Crescent coming?" Goblin was asking. "I think Mr. Clown and Lady Queen will come right at the end today like usual."

"I'm sure they'll come when it's time. But... Mr. Goblin, why is Queen the only one you call a lady?"

"Haha... is she?"

Come to think of it, it had been this guy. He was the first at the Round Table to raise the theory that Bjorn Yandel and Lion could be the same person. Goblin's basis was that if Bjorn Yandel was dead, the timing of Lion's disappearance was very coincidental, but at the time they'd mocked him for even suggesting it.

"The honorific just comes out naturally... um... and her nickname is Queen, so..."

Deer joined their conversation. "Hey, Goblin."

"Yes?"

"Do you still think Bjorn Yandel is Lion?"

"Uh... all of a sudden?"

"Yes, I'm suddenly curious."

"Hmm..." Goblin didn't seem to understand why he was asking but still answered, "No. I don't think that." His tone was very confident.

That was enough to convince Deer. "I see... Well, there's no way he could be the same person as someone who got brought here twenty-two years ago, after all...."

"Pardon? Ahh... yeah, that's definitely true..."

Deer tilted his head at that vague response. "Hmm? Is there another reason?"

"Well... I don't really think Bjorn Yandel is an evil spirit to begin with."

"Ah, that's why."

Announcing that Bjorn Yandel was an evil spirit had been a strategic move on the palace's part. The news that this was not actually the case had already spread throughout the kingdom. That explained why Goblin believed he wasn't.

"No. I have a different reason to think that too."

What? That's not it either.

When Deer shot him an inquisitive look, Goblin glanced at Fox before opening his mouth. "I can't say much, but... Bjorn Yandel is definitely not an evil spirit. He can't be. That's for sure." Afterward, Goblin clammed up in a way that implied he wouldn't answer any more questions. Deer didn't pry.

Come to think of it, Sven Parav was part of that squadron.

Perhaps he'd gotten some sort of premonition while working with Bjorn Yandel. Evil spirits were good at recognizing each other. He could not ignore the opinions of someone who'd personally gone through hell with that man.

Then... I guess Bjorn Yandel really isn't an evil spirit.

Deer didn't ponder this issue any further. Not only had his inkling already disappeared, but the other members were arriving, starting with Crescent, who came fourth and took the first seat.

"Everyone's here."

"Good to see everyone again today." Queen arrived fifth and took the fifth seat.

"Pshehe." Then came Clown.

Once everyone except one person was sat down, all eyes shifted to the doorway on cue. It was ridiculous when you thought about it. Somehow, the only thing a gathering of all these people could do was leave the seat at the head of the table open and wait for a single man to arrive.

"Ahh, I really hope he comes today."

As if in answer to Clown's wish, there was a noise from down the hall.

Step.

It was the sound of a quiet footstep. The moment he heard it, Deer felt his shoulders tense. It was a very strange thing.

Step.

It was just the usual sound of someone walking. That man hadn't even appeared in the doorway yet. Why did he feel so intimidated? Deer idly wondered whether that man was using some kind of ability or skill, but he knew better than anyone that that couldn't be the case.

Step.

That's right. Those footsteps were nothing special. Anyone here would sound the same when they walked. Even still, the reason everyone clammed up as soon as they heard them was because they knew.

Step.

Though the sound may have been ordinary, the person making it was anything but.

Step.

There were a few more footsteps, and the man finally arrived.

"Pshehe, you're here—"

Clown stood up to greet him like the henchman he was, but the man headed to the empty seat without paying him any mind. Then he sat in his seat and propped his chin in his hand without a word.

I should be extra careful today.

Deer found himself gulping. He got the sense that Lion wasn't particularly amused today. And he definitely wasn't the only one getting that feeling.

"Pardon? Ahh... yeah, that's definitely true..."

Deer tilted his head at that vague response. "Hmm? Is there another reason?"

"Well... I don't really think Bjorn Yandel is an evil spirit to begin with."

"Ah, that's why."

Announcing that Bjorn Yandel was an evil spirit had been a strategic move on the palace's part. The news that this was not actually the case had already spread throughout the kingdom. That explained why Goblin believed he wasn't.

"No. I have a different reason to think that too."

What? That's not it either.

When Deer shot him an inquisitive look, Goblin glanced at Fox before opening his mouth. "I can't say much, but... Bjorn Yandel is definitely not an ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠evil spirit. He can't be. That's for sure." Afterward, Goblin clammed up in a way that implied he wouldn't answer any more questions. Deer didn't pry.

Come to think of it, Sven Parav was part of that squadron.

Perhaps he'd gotten some sort of premonition while working with Bjorn Yandel. Evil spirits were good at recognizing each other. He could not ignore the opinions of someone who'd personally gone through hell with that man.

Then... I guess Bjorn Yandel really isn't an evil spirit.

Deer didn't ponder this issue any further. Not only had his inkling already disappeared, but the other members were arriving, starting with Crescent, who came fourth and took the first seat.

"Everyone's here."

"Good to see everyone again today." Queen arrived fifth and took the fifth seat.

"Pshehe." Then came Clown.

Once everyone except one person was sat down, all eyes shifted to the doorway on cue. It was ridiculous when you thought about it. Somehow, the only thing a gathering of all these people could do was leave the seat at the head of the table open and wait for a single man to arrive.

"Ahh, I really hope he comes today."

As if in answer to Clown's wish, there was a noise from down the hall.

Step.

It was the sound of a quiet footstep. The moment he heard it, Deer felt his shoulders tense. It was a very strange thing.

Step.

It was just the usual sound of someone walking. That man hadn't even appeared in the doorway yet. Why did he feel so intimidated? Deer idly wondered whether that man was using some kind of ability or skill, but he knew better than anyone that that couldn't be the case.

Step.

That's right. Those footsteps were nothing special. Anyone here would sound the same when they walked. Even still, the reason everyone clammed up as soon as they heard them was because they knew.

Step.

Though the sound may have been ordinary, the person making it was anything but.

Step.

There were a few more footsteps, and the man finally arrived.

"Pshehe, you're here—"

Clown stood up to greet him like the henchman he was, but the man headed to the empty seat without paying him any mind. Then he sat in his seat and propped his chin in his hand without a word.

I should be extra careful today.

Deer found himself gulping. He got the sense that Lion wasn't particularly amused today. And he definitely wasn't the only one getting that feeling.

***

It was the kind of silence that made you want to roll over and take a nap.

Ugh, I'm so tired...

Propping my chin up, I fought to suppress the yawns that kept rising up my throat. Maybe I should've just skipped today. This went beyond exhaustion—I felt like I'd fall asleep the moment I closed my eyes for more than two seconds.

Why are they being so quiet today?

I couldn't be bothered to talk so I decided to stay silent until the others took charge of the meeting. For some reason, however, the silence dragged on for a long time.

Why are they acting like this? I thought they'd be bursting with questions about why I didn't come last time.

In the end, I spoke first. "How long are you going to just sit there?"

Get on with it, I'm tired as hell.

At my prodding, Goblin quickly answered, "Y-Yes! W-We'll get started! M-Mr. Crescent will start us off... today... I think..."

Hmm, I thought Fox would lead the meeting.

Goblin's stuttering didn't exactly inspire confidence, but thanks to him, all eyes shifted to Crescent, who was first.

"...I should have sat somewhere else." Crescent seemed troubled about having to go first but soon announced the start of the meeting. "All right, I'll get started, then."

The information he shared was about the elves. To be more specific, it was about Erwen. He received a green light for informing us that Blood Spirit had expressed an intention to retire from her role as Pureblood. Traditionally, the Pureblood was part of a sort of special unit in the elven tribe, and Erwen was currently on leave from it. She'd announced she would be fully stepping down soon.

Tap, tap.

So today's first bit of info was something I already knew.

"The expedition led by Bjorn Yandel was organized with total annihilation in mind." Deer went second and received a red light for the information that the expedition team had been discarded by the palace. After all, Fox, Goblin, and I already knew that. Deer, startled, tried again. "The palace has offered Bjorn Yandel a higher-ranked title for his contributions to the expedition."

That news got him a green light, but there was no feedback. Normally someone would ask something like, Then is he going to be a baron instead of a baronet? That means he can pass it on to his children! Come to think of it, Crescent's turn had been the same.

They really are unusually quiet today.

Fox, Goblin, and I may have known about the expedition already, but the others should have been shocked. Their reactions were a bit strange, but whatever. I was too tired to care.

Tap, tap.

Anyway, the second turn was also a bust.

Maybe I should've let Fox and Goblin know about my title in advance. Then it would've been another red light.

While I was busy regretting my decision, the third turn began. Goblin trembled and got on with it. I thought he would talk about the expedition, but luckily, he didn't. Maybe it was because Fox had warned him to watch his mouth. He could still disclose information that might be beneficial to us, though.

This is about the churches' internal affairs, which I'm not particularly interested in...

Typical Goblin. He sometimes disclosed important things, but on average the general quality of his information was low. But because it was a green light, he passed muster.

Yet another bust...

Something felt off today. Normally the others would've raised objections even if Goblin got a green light. Why was everyone being so quiet?

Tap, tap.

I don't want to be the one to step in so I'll let it go. Besides, Goblin's technically my ally now too. Looks like it's Fox's turn.

To be honest, I didn't really expect much, since she was with me the whole time in the labyrinth.

"The large clans are planning a mass boycott. It seems they're unhappy that the palace organized an expeditionary force for a special mission without informing them."

This had been reported to me in the city already. Though she got kicked out of her clan while in a coma, Fox had served as a deputy commander for a long time and could thus access a variety of information through her wide network of contacts. That information network was now being shared with me too.

Man, even the fourth turn was useless. I hope the next one is different.

Tap, tap.

When I turned to look at Queen, who was next, our eyes met for a moment. But it seemed she found my attention a bit oppressive.

Slide.

Queen, startled, averted her eyes before speaking in an unusually subdued tone. "The GM... has lifted the ban on Baekho Lee."

She'd clearly announced this on the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠GM's orders—it was an attempt to appeal to me by pointing out that he'd granted my favor.

Jeez, give us actual information instead of something redundant like this.

Tap, tap.

Anyway, since this was a tidbit that would get a green light from everyone except me, the round moved on to the next person.

"...It's already my turn. Pshehe." Was it because everyone had revealed their information without any small talk in between? We'd reached the sixth person several times faster than our usual tempo.

Hah, yeah, this guy was always the wild card.

Even though I felt like I could pass out from fatigue at any moment, I listened with wide-open ears.

"I'm sure everyone already knows that the Dragon Slayer Regal Vagos is dead..." Clown started as if to test the waters, but what followed still ended up being disappointing. "The news that Bjorn Yandel received a special royal mission to hide among us is completely false."

Not only was it unhelpful, but it was actively inconvenient to me.

Tsk, I'll have to explain myself to Fox and Goblin later. Since they both believe that to be true.

Anyway, regardless of how I felt about it, Clown easily received a green light. With that, my turn finally arrived. All eyes turned to me one by one. This was always how it went when it came time for my turn. There had been an unspoken rule at the Round Table since I joined: if they brought me interesting intelligence, I would reward them with information as I saw fit. So what was the verdict this time? Did I find any of that interesting?

Tap.

My answer to that question was simple. I placed my hand on the jewel and spoke. Normally I'd have run this through my mental filters so it'd come out much more refined, but honestly? I was too annoyed to care. "Everything you all just said was trash."

This wasn't an act—this was my sincere opinion.

Do you know how many yawns I swallowed back to listen to this?

"I would've benefited more from just sleeping."

As soon as I took my hand off the jewel, a light came on.

Shaaaaaa.

Huh, that was weird.

"But it seems you guys didn't already realize that? Seeing as the light is green right now."

Man, I was so bored. I wanted to go home and get to bed.

***

It was the kind of silence that made you want to roll over and take a nap.

Ugh, I'm so tired...

Propping my chin up, I fought to suppress the yawns that kept rising up my throat. Maybe I should've just skipped today. This went beyond exhaustion—I felt like I'd fall asleep the moment I closed my eyes for more than two seconds.

Why are they being so quiet today?

I couldn't be bothered to talk so I decided to stay silent until the others took charge of the meeting. For some reason, however, the silence dragged on for a long time.

Why are they acting like this? I thought they'd be bursting with questions about why I didn't come last time.

In the end, I spoke first. "How long are you going to just sit there?"

Get on with it, I'm tired as hell.

At my prodding, Goblin quickly answered, "Y-Yes! W-We'll get started! M-Mr. Crescent will start us off... today... I think..."

Hmm, I thought Fox would lead the meeting.

Goblin's stuttering didn't exactly inspire confidence, but thanks to him, all eyes shifted to Crescent, who was first.

"...I should have sat somewhere else." Crescent seemed troubled about having to go first but soon announced the start of the meeting. "All right, I'll get started, then."

The information he shared was about the elves. To be more specific, it was about Erwen. He received a green light for informing us that Blood Spirit had expressed an intention to retire from her role as Pureblood. Traditionally, the Pureblood was part of a sort of special unit in the elven tribe, and Erwen was currently on leave from it. She'd announced she would be fully stepping down soon.

Tap, tap.

So today's first bit of info was something I already knew.

"The expedition led by Bjorn Yandel was organized with total annihilation in mind." Deer went second and received a red light for the information that the expedition team had been discarded by the palace. After all, Fox, Goblin, and I already knew that. Deer, startled, tried again. "The palace has offered Bjorn Yandel a higher-ranked title for his contributions to the expedition."

That news got him a green light, but there was no feedback. Normally someone would ask something like, Then is he going to be a baron instead of a baronet? That means he can pass it on to his children! Come to think of it, Crescent's turn had been the same.

They really are unusually quiet today.

Fox, Goblin, and I may have known about the expedition already, but the others should have been shocked. Their reactions were a bit strange, but whatever. I was too tired to care.

Tap, tap.

Anyway, the second turn was also a bust.

Maybe I should've let Fox and Goblin know about my title in advance. Then it would've been another red light.

While I was busy regretting my decision, the third turn began. Goblin trembled and got on with it. I thought he would talk about the expedition, but luckily, he didn't. Maybe it was because Fox had warned him to watch his mouth. He could still disclose information that might be beneficial to us, though.

This is about the churches' internal affairs, which I'm not particularly interested in...

Typical Goblin. He sometimes disclosed important things, but on average the general quality of his information was low. But because it was a green light, he passed muster.

Yet another bust...

Something felt off today. Normally the others would've raised objections even if Goblin got a green light. Why was everyone being so quiet?

Tap, tap.

I don't want to be the one to step in so I'll let it go. Besides, Goblin's technically my ally now too. Looks like it's Fox's turn.

To be honest, I didn't really expect much, since she was with me the whole time in the labyrinth.

"The large clans are planning a mass boycott. It seems they're unhappy that the palace organized an expeditionary force for a special mission without informing them."

This had been reported to me in the city already. Though she got kicked out of her clan while in a coma, Fox had served as a deputy commander for a long time and could thus access a variety of information through her wide network of contacts. That information network was now being shared with me too.

Man, even the fourth turn was useless. I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hope the next one is different.

Tap, tap.

When I turned to look at Queen, who was next, our eyes met for a moment. But it seemed she found my attention a bit oppressive.

Slide.

Queen, startled, averted her eyes before speaking in an unusually subdued tone. "The GM... has lifted the ban on Baekho Lee."

She'd clearly announced this on the GM's orders—it was an attempt to appeal to me by pointing out that he'd granted my favor.

Jeez, give us actual information instead of something redundant like this.

Tap, tap.

Anyway, since this was a tidbit that would get a green light from everyone except me, the round moved on to the next person.

"...It's already my turn. Pshehe." Was it because everyone had revealed their information without any small talk in between? We'd reached the sixth person several times faster than our usual tempo.

Hah, yeah, this guy was always the wild card.

Even though I felt like I could pass out from fatigue at any moment, I listened with wide-open ears.

"I'm sure everyone already knows that the Dragon Slayer Regal Vagos is dead..." Clown started as if to test the waters, but what followed still ended up being disappointing. "The news that Bjorn Yandel received a special royal mission to hide among us is completely false."

Not only was it unhelpful, but it was actively inconvenient to me.

Tsk, I'll have to explain myself to Fox and Goblin later. Since they both believe that to be true.

Anyway, regardless of how I felt about it, Clown easily received a green light. With that, my turn finally arrived. All eyes turned to me one by one. This was always how it went when it came time for my turn. There had been an unspoken rule at the Round Table since I joined: if they brought me interesting intelligence, I would reward them with information as I saw fit. So what was the verdict this time? Did I find any of that interesting?

Tap.

My answer to that question was simple. I placed my hand on the jewel and spoke. Normally I'd have run this through my mental filters so it'd come out much more refined, but honestly? I was too annoyed to care. "Everything you all just said was trash."

This wasn't an act—this was my sincere opinion.

Do you know how many yawns I swallowed back to listen to this?

"I would've benefited more from just sleeping."

As soon as I took my hand off the jewel, a light came on.

Shaaaaaa.

Huh, that was weird.

"But it seems you guys didn't already realize that? Seeing as the light is green right now."

Man, I was so bored. I wanted to go home and get to bed.