Chapter 596: RPG (4)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 596: RPG (4)

While playing games, you sometimes had moments like this, an event where rather than fighting, you needed to fulfill some other alternate condition to solve the puzzle.

"Hmm..."

Thinking about it now, if the goal was for us to endure Hamsick's attacks, it wouldn't have been that difficult. Hamsick didn't have any powerful single-target attacks. Even if it did, the casting time would've taken long enough for us to be able to defend against them.

A buff where my regeneration increases the more damage I take.

However, even with all that in mind, this mercenary body had been specialized for endurance, and Erwen, who was practically out of commission due to her debuff, was able to provide damage of her own while using her Chaos Circuit.

It all feels meaningless now...

We tried our best to defeat it, but all we had to do was endure. It felt like we had wasted our energy for nothing, but I decided to stay positive about it.

Nah, if you can defeat your enemy, you should defeat it.

Yeah, my judgment wasn't wrong. So what if I could progress through this just by enduring? What I did was better because I could've progressed by not doing anything. The reward gained from actively utilizing your own methods would be greater than if you had not.

Like so.

"Really... I just wanted to help—"

"Hamsick."

"...Speak, mortal."

Hamsick, who had said I didn't even have the right to ask questions and treated me like I wasn't human, suddenly became polite. It was a change that would have never occurred if the scenario played out as us holding on for our dear life and Hamsick showing us mercy in the end. In that case, it may have just given us this random item and left without giving us a proper explanation.

Well, that wasn't going to happen anymore.

"I understand that you didn't do it with bad intentions, so tell me. What is this?" I prompted.

"If you feed it to that human girl there, it'll be of great help to her in the future."

"Don't talk about some 'great help' or whatever vague things. Just tell me what it does, and make it exact."

I could tell that it was a type of elixir, but since I couldn't feed Erwen some unknown orb, I pressed Hamsick for an answer.

The effect of the elixir that Hamsick told me was simple.

If she ate it, then these "abandoned ones"...

So the "monsters" would not just not attack her, but she would gain a sort of authority of command over them.

"But be warned. It won't work on those with high soul quality like me." With that serious word of warning, Hamsick slowly got up and headed toward the wall.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"You've received the answer you wanted, so our business here is—"

"Not yet."

It looked back at me in question.

Heh, where did you think you were going without giving me my hidden reward?

It would be too much of a waste to let Hamsick go after going out of my way to overpower it like this. Not that I was expecting Hamsick to be hiding any more items or any physical devices like that, but nothing said rewards needed to be physical. In this place, every piece of information was valuable.

"Who are you? Are you also a monster...so one of the abandoned ones?"

And thus, I began my questioning.

"...I may look like that to the eyes of a mortal."

"Don't give me vague answers. Answer me properly."

"...I am. To be precise, I am one of the 'ones who abandoned.'"

"Ones who abandoned...?"

"We were the first to abandon our faith, and from that, we were able to escape the bindings and exist as independent beings."

The abandoned ones and the ones who abandoned.

After hearing the explanation, it was easy enough to figure out the difference between the two.

Whether they had intelligence or not.

Goblins, Kobolds, and Orcs were part of the "ones who abandoned." Unlike most monsters, they had civilizations, and they lived in tribes in the forests or the mountains. They even interacted with humans on rare occasions as well.

"However, today has made me realize this: There are some things you can never abandon, no matter how desperately you may want to."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"I told you that the authority won't work on those with a high soul quality, but don't worry. They will never harm that human girl. Just as I didn't today..."

Something that you could never abandon, even if you wanted to.

Although it wasn't the answer to my question, I didn't tackle it any further and moved on to the next topic. I had one thing I needed to check above all else.

"Hamsick."

"Speak, mortal."

At this point, Hamsick didn't even flinch at the name I had given it, and I carefully asked my question.

"I'm asking just in case...but is she the Earth Witch?"

"Witch?" Hamsick shook its head as if it had just heard some nonsense. However, the answer it gave didn't deny anything. "That human girl isn't anything like a witch."

What Hamsick said next gave me certainty.

"It is just...she is a pitiful child born with a brutal fate."

This rift.

It was really based on the Earth Witch...

***

Each rift had its own story.

Even when playing the game, I could figure out that there was some lore in the background through all sorts of events and conversations I could overhear, but I became certain of it after I had that conversation with the old vampire.

The Bloody Citadel where the Corpse Golem and the Vampire appeared. That place, which I had visited countless times during my playthrough, was molded after someone's life story. The White Temple and Doppelganger's Forest were probably the same in that respect.

A rift molded after the witch's story...

Instantly, there was no doubt in my mind that this was the most important point in time in my countless adventures.

The story of the golden book that I read in Hamsick's room also sprung to mind.

Long ago, in a countryside village, a brother and sister were living happily. However, the older brother said he would go and become a wizard, and then he left the village. The younger sister became very sad because of this.

"Who are you? Are you also a monster...so one of the abandoned ones?"

And thus, I began my questioning.

"...I may look like that to the eyes of a mortal."

"Don't give me vague answers. Answer me properly."

"...I am. To be precise, I am one of the 'ones who abandoned.'"

"Ones who abandoned...?"

"We were the first to abandon our faith, and from that, we were able to escape the bindings and exist as independent beings."

The abandoned ones and the ones who abandoned.

After hearing the explanation, it was easy enough to figure out the difference between the two.

Whether they had intelligence or not.

Goblins, Kobolds, and Orcs were part of the "ones who abandoned." Unlike most monsters, they had civilizations, and they lived in tribes in the forests or the mountains. They even interacted with humans on rare occasions as well.

"However, today has made me realize this: There are some things you can never abandon, no matter how desperately you may want to."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"I told you that the authority won't work on those with a high soul quality, but don't worry. They will never harm that human girl. Just as I didn't today..."

Something that you could never abandon, even if you wanted to.

Although it wasn't the answer to my question, I didn't tackle it any further and moved on to the next topic. I had one thing I needed to check above all else.

"Hamsick."

"Speak, mortal."

At this point, Hamsick didn't even flinch at the name I had given it, and I carefully asked my question.

"I'm asking just in case...but is she the Earth Witch?"

"Witch?" Hamsick shook its head as if it had just heard some nonsense. However, the answer it gave didn't deny anything. "That human girl isn't anything like a witch."

What Hamsick said next gave me certainty.

"It is just...she is a pitiful child born with a brutal fate."

This rift.

It was really based on the Earth Witch...

***

Each rift had its own story.

Even when playing the game, I could figure out that there was some lore in the background through all sorts of events and conversations I could overhear, but I became certain of it after I had that conversation with the old vampire.

The Bloody Citadel where the Corpse Golem and the Vampire appeared. That place, which I had visited countless times during my playthrough, was molded after someone's life story. The White Temple and Doppelganger's Forest were probably the same in that respect.

A rift molded after the witch's story...

Instantly, there was no doubt in my mind that this was the most important point in time in my countless adventures.

The story of the golden book that I read in Hamsick's room also sprung to mind.

Long ago, in a countryside village, a brother and sister were living happily. However, the older brother said he would go and become a wizard, and then he left the village. The younger sister became very sad because of this.

The simple story in the form of a diary entry could be summarized in just those three lines.

It's probably the story about the witch.

Maybe during this adventure, I would be able to learn more about the witch and could untangle more secrets of the labyrinth.

Despite the flurry of thoughts going on in the background, I continued to shower Hamsick with all my questions.

However, the look in Hamsick's eyes suddenly sharpened, and it gave a small growl. "Stop."

"...Stop?"

Did it think I was its friend because I was smiling while talking to it?

While I seriously considered how I should interact with Hamsick going forward, Hamsick seemed to notice what I was thinking and quickly tried to give an excuse.

"It's not that...! The imperial army is coming here!"

"The imperial army...?"

"Don't even think about fighting them! Not even you will be able to survive fighting so many of them."

Hmm...was that so?

I still didn't believe that was true, but Hamsick tried its best to persuade me.

"You might be fine, but what about that human girl? Do you think you'll be able to protect her while facing so many of them?"

I couldn't refute that logic. Not to mention, Erwen hadn't recovered from the aftereffects of using Chaos Circuit yet.

"We'll need to get out of the cave and quickly," I said.

"It'll probably be difficult. You're already surrounded..."

"Is that true, Erwen?"

"I can't tell," she admitted. "I'm not back to full strength yet..."

"If I didn't use up all my power just to fight you, I would've noticed it earlier..."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Hamsick's emotions were carried in that mumble.

I understood that it was angry, but it said something I couldn't overlook. "Are you saying this is my fault?"

"I didn't say that to try and push blame! Whatever, come here quickly!"

"Hmm?"

"This is the only way you can safely leave this cave!"

After pulling me to the center of the open area, Hamsick waved its hand, and a portal was created.

Vwoong!

I could immediately tell that this portal was unstable.

"Where will we come out if we go through this?"

"I cannot tell you. However...it won't be where you were trying to go."

Hmm, was there a different route to take other than using the compass to get through the cave? I couldn't get a sense of whether it was a positive or negative change.

"Mister, what will you do?"

"Let's go in. I don't think Hamsick is trying to harm us."

We didn't have a choice. If Erwen was injured during her recovery state, I wouldn't be able to do anything to help her.

After making up my mind and walking to the portal, Hamsick suddenly called out to me. "Mercenary. I'll leave that child in your care."

Heh, I was wondering what it was going to say.

The simple story in the form of a diary entry could be summarized in just those three lines.

It's probably the story about the witch.

Maybe during this adventure, I would be able to learn more about the witch and could untangle more secrets of the labyrinth.

Despite the flurry of thoughts going on in the background, I continued to shower Hamsick with all my questions.

However, the look in Hamsick's eyes suddenly sharpened, and it gave a small growl. "Stop."

"...Stop?"

Did it think I was its friend because I was smiling while talking to it?

While I seriously considered how I should interact with Hamsick going forward, Hamsick seemed to notice what I was thinking and quickly tried to give an excuse.

"It's not that...! The imperial army is coming here!"

"The imperial army...?"

"Don't even think about fighting them! Not even you will be able to survive fighting so many of them."

Hmm...was that so?

I still didn't believe that was true, but Hamsick tried its best to persuade me.

"You might be fine, but what about that human girl? Do you think you'll be able to protect her while facing so many of them?"

I couldn't refute that logic. Not to mention, Erwen hadn't recovered from the aftereffects of using Chaos Circuit yet.

"We'll need to get out of the cave and quickly," I said.

"It'll probably be difficult. You're already surrounded..."

"Is that true, Erwen?"

"I can't tell," she admitted. "I'm not back to full strength yet..."

"If I didn't use up all my power just to fight you, I would've noticed it earlier..."

Hamsick's emotions were carried in that mumble.

I understood that it was angry, but it said something I couldn't overlook. "Are you saying this is my fault?"

"I didn't say that to try and push blame! Whatever, come here quickly!"

"Hmm?"

"This is the only way you can safely leave this cave!"

After pulling me to the center of the open area, Hamsick waved its hand, and a portal was created.

Vwoong!

I could immediately tell that this portal was unstable.

"Where will we come out if we go through this?"

"I cannot tell you. However...it won't be where you were trying to go."

Hmm, was there a different route to take other than using the compass to get through the cave? I couldn't get a sense of whether it was a positive or negative change.

"Mister, what will you do?"

"Let's go in. I don't think Hamsick is trying to harm us."

We didn't have a choice. If Erwen was injured during her recovery state, I wouldn't be able to do anything to help her.

After making up my mind and walking to the portal, Hamsick suddenly called out to me. "Mercenary. I'll leave that child in your care."

Heh, I was wondering what it was going to say.

"I will," I responded with a smirk. "I would even if you didn't tell me to."

With that, I held tightly to Erwen's hand and walked into the portal.

I guess this is chapter three.

I opened my eyes, looking forward to what would greet me.

[Special Condition—Misstepped Path has been met.]

[You are moved to the Great City Square.]

It was a huge city square brimming with thousands of people.

"Kill them!"

"May the wicked witch receive divine punishment...!"

We were kneeling on top of a gallows. To summarize the situation we found ourselves in, our four limbs were bound as we kneeled.

Did all my gear get taken? Shit, I'll be able to get it back later, right?

My precious gear had all disappeared, and in its place was a ragged cloth that flapped around in the wind. Erwen was in a similar state next to me. For some reason, though, she looked a little older than before.

"M-Mister...!"

She now looked to be around ten or twelve in age.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Standing between the bound Erwen and I was some nobleman, who began reading out our sins. From starting a rebellion to the murder of a noble, massacre, arson, and so on. Through these countless crimes stated against us, there was only one thing I focused on.

"This wicked witch and her follower Bjorn Yandel, who has thrown the world into chaos for over ten years, will now be executed for their crimes."

For over ten years.

Did that much time pass...after we left the cave?

Maybe all those crimes the noble stated really did happen during that time.

But Erwen is too young for that to be the case, no?

I still had a few questions, but I passed on that for now.

"Mister, wh-what do we do?"

"Calm down. I'm thinking."

After consoling Erwen, I continued turning our situation over in my mind.

Thankfully, we still had some time. I thought that as soon as the noble finished reading our sins and left the platform, our execution would immediately commence, but that wasn't the case.

"With that, the imperial majesty's message will be given!"

A knight in full plate armor that sparkled in the light stepped up with a decently sized roll of parchment. He then opened it up like he was going to make a royal decree as he began to read its contents.

"Citizens of the empire! We have endured and suffered at length! For these many long and arduous years! With the appearance of the wicked witch, the world turned into hell..."

His voice was amplified by magic as he continued to read the congratulatory and self-praising message of the emperor.

While keeping one ear open to listen to what he was saying, I continued to think about a method of escape.

Tap, tap.

But then, someone carefully tapped me on my shoulder. Due to my neck being bound as well, I turned only my eyes to see who it was, and a familiar face was standing there.

"It's been a while, Yandel."

"You are...?"

"Looks like you remember me. Even though we've only met that one time a decade ago."

"I will," I responded with a smirk. "I would even if you didn't tell me to."

With that, I held tightly to Erwen's hand and walked into the portal.

I guess this is chapter three.

I opened my eyes, looking forward to what would greet me.

[Special Condition—Misstepped Path has been met.]

[You are moved to the Great City Square.]

It was a huge city square brimming with thousands of people.

"Kill them!"

"May the wicked witch receive divine punishment...!"

We were kneeling on top of a gallows. To summarize the situation we found ourselves in, our four limbs were bound as we kneeled.

Did all my gear get taken? Shit, I'll be able to get it back later, right?

My precious gear had all disappeared, and in its place was a ragged cloth that flapped around in the wind. Erwen was in a similar state next to me. For some reason, though, she looked a little older than before.

"M-Mister...!"

She now looked to be around ten or twelve in age.

Standing between the bound Erwen and I was some nobleman, who began reading out our sins. From starting a rebellion to the murder of a noble, massacre, arson, and so on. Through these countless crimes stated against us, there was only one thing I focused on.

"This wicked witch and her follower Bjorn Yandel, who has thrown the world into chaos for over ten years, will now be executed for their crimes."

For over ten years.

Did that much time pass...after we left the cave?

Maybe all those crimes the noble stated really did happen during that time.

But Erwen is too young for that to be the case, no?

I still had a few questions, but I passed on that for now.

"Mister, wh-what do we do?"

"Calm down. I'm thinking."

After consoling Erwen, I continued turning our situation over in my mind.

Thankfully, we still had some time. I thought that as soon as the noble finished reading our sins and left the platform, our execution would immediately commence, but that wasn't the case.

"With that, the imperial majesty's message will be given!"

A knight in full plate armor that sparkled in the light stepped up with a decently sized roll of parchment. He then opened it up like he was going to make a royal decree as he began to read its contents.

"Citizens of the empire! We have endured and suffered at length! For these many long and arduous years! With the appearance of the wicked witch, the world turned into hell..."

His voice was amplified by magic as he continued to read the congratulatory and self-praising message of the emperor.

While keeping one ear open to listen to what he was saying, I continued to think about a method of escape.

Tap, tap.

But then, someone carefully tapped me on my shoulder. Due to my neck being bound as well, I turned only my eyes to see who it was, and a familiar face was standing there.

"It's been a while, Yandel."

"You are...?"

"Looks like you remember me. Even though we've only met that one time a decade ago."

Even if he said a decade or whatever, it had only been a few hours for me. It was the mercenary who had moved with me during chapter one. Unlike before, when he had traces of his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠youth left, he now had wrinkles on his face with streaks of white in his hair.

"You haven't changed since that day. You are too young," he marveled. "Is this also a power you obtained after becoming a follower of the witch?"

"Well, you could say that."

"When I first heard your name, I was very surprised. For you to be the follower of the witch who threw the world into chaos... To be honest, I didn't believe it until I saw you here like this." When I was silent, he continued, saying, "Did you know? Just to stand here this day, this one day, I gave my everything."

"...Why did you do that?"

He didn't answer my question. "After you left, I entered the imperial army. It was still a rough life, being a soldier or a mercenary, but I was able to find stability. I met a woman I didn't deserve, married her, and even had a child. It was quite a happy time. A decade was long enough to turn my entire life around, but the time was also somehow still quite short."

His voice, calm at the beginning, grew rougher as he continued his story.

"Did you know? I don't have anything anymore. When Fort Nelbus fell to the army of monsters, I lost everything."

...Damn it.

"Does that answer your question? The reason I had to be here."

Although I knew I didn't do it, receiving such a direct show of aggression was enough to send my heart racing from stress.

"I hear that some sinners survive because the rope breaks, but don't worry...I've checked it countless times."

With that, he stepped back as if he said everything he needed to and didn't talk to me anymore.

"M-Mister? I think our ending is coming soon..."

I could tell that our end was right in front of our faces even without her telling me that.

The riled crowd was roaring as they burned with fury.

...No, what am I supposed to even do here?

Recognizing that I would die if I stayed still, I tried to put as much power into my body—maybe enough to pop some veins—but the ropes didn't show any signs of budging.

Isn't this...too unfair?

At first, when he spoke to me from behind me, I thought he would be a helpful NPC, but that wasn't the case.

Was I really going to die here? No, maybe I would be transferred to the next chapter after I died? There was no telling. The one truth I did know was that whether or ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠not I knew, that didn't mean I could concede my life here.

"Aaaaargh!"

I put all my strength into my body to resist. Even so, the rope refused to break.

Rip.

However, it did become a little looser. Drawing on that small bit of hope, I used the loosened space to struggle even more.

"Stop!" A soldier approached me to stop me from struggling so much.

...It's the same guy from before.

Crack!

Using the small bit of movement I gained, I headbutted him.

"—Uh? Aaaack!"

He fell from the elevated platform.

"Kill them! Kill them! Kill them now!"

"Yaaaah!"

The crowd became even more riled up as they saw what was happening on top of the gallows. I ignored them and struggled even harder to escape.

The knight who had read the message of the emperor let out a loud sigh. Due to the voice amplification, the sigh echoed throughout the city square.

"Still, I suppose the preparations finished on time."

Only then did I notice. That voice was very familiar to me.

"Sir Ervan was found dead...!"

"What? Then who is that person up there?!"

"Stop him!"

With that, the knights shouted and hurriedly ran up the stairs.

"Begin."

At that moment, the ground of the square, which had thousands of people standing on it, began to glow.

Shine!

A mega-sized magic, the likes of which I had never before seen in my life, was created.

The knight roughly threw off his helmet and faced us, the light from the square illuminating his form.

"Now go. Do you know how much we suffered because of you?"

It was the village chief.

Even if he said a decade or whatever, it had only been a few hours for me. It was the mercenary who had moved with me during chapter one. Unlike before, when he had traces of his youth left, he now had wrinkles on his face with streaks of white in his hair.

"You haven't changed since that day. You are too young," he marveled. "Is this also a power you obtained after becoming a follower of the witch?"

"Well, you could say that."

"When I first heard your name, I was very surprised. For you to be the follower of the witch who threw the world into chaos... To be honest, I didn't believe it until I saw you here like this." When I was silent, he continued, saying, "Did you know? Just to stand here this day, this one day, I gave my everything."

"...Why did you do that?"

He didn't answer my question. "After you left, I entered the imperial army. It was still a rough life, being a soldier or a mercenary, but I was able to find stability. I met a woman I didn't deserve, married her, and even had a child. It was quite a happy time. A decade was long enough to turn my entire life around, but the time was also somehow still quite short."

His voice, calm at the beginning, grew rougher as he continued his story.

"Did you know? I don't have anything anymore. When Fort Nelbus fell to the army of monsters, I lost everything."

...Damn it.

"Does that answer your question? The reason I had to be here."

Although I knew I didn't do it, receiving such a direct show of aggression was enough to send my heart racing from stress.

"I hear that some sinners survive because the rope breaks, but don't worry...I've checked it countless times."

With that, he stepped back as if he said everything he needed to and didn't talk to me anymore.

"M-Mister? I think our ending is coming soon..."

I could tell that our end was right in front of our faces even without her telling me that.

The riled crowd was roaring as they burned with fury.

...No, what am I supposed to even do here?

Recognizing that I would die if I stayed still, I tried to put as much power into my body—maybe enough to pop some veins—but the ropes didn't show any signs of budging.

Isn't this...too unfair?

At first, when he spoke to me from behind me, I thought he would be a helpful NPC, but that wasn't the case.

Was I really going to die here? No, maybe I would be transferred to the next chapter after I died? There was no telling. The one truth I did know was that whether or not I knew, that didn't mean I could concede my life here.

"Aaaaargh!"

I put all my strength into my body to resist. Even so, the rope refused to break.

Rip.

However, it did become a little looser. Drawing on that small bit of hope, I used the loosened space to struggle even more.

"Stop!" A soldier approached me to stop me from struggling so much.

...It's the same guy from before.

Crack!

Using the small bit of movement I gained, I headbutted him.

"—Uh? Aaaack!"

He fell from the elevated platform.

"Kill them! Kill them! Kill them now!"

"Yaaaah!"

The crowd became even more riled up as they saw what was happening on top of the gallows. I ignored them and struggled even harder to escape.

The knight who had read the message of the emperor let out a loud sigh. Due to the voice amplification, the sigh echoed throughout the city square.

"Still, I suppose the preparations finished on time."

Only then did I notice. That voice was very familiar to me.

"Sir Ervan was found dead...!"

"What? Then who is that person up there?!"

"Stop him!"

With that, the knights shouted and hurriedly ran up the stairs.

"Begin."

At that moment, the ground of the square, which had thousands of people standing on it, began to glow.

Shine!

A mega-sized magic, the likes of which I had never before seen in my life, was created.

The knight roughly threw off his helmet and faced us, the light from the square illuminating his form.

"Now go. Do you know how much we suffered because of you?"

It was the village chief.