The City of Revelry and Ruin
Interlude (2)
At the very moment when someone, despite having died, calmly accepted that death and headed toward a land of opportunity for the sake of a chance to grow further.
"......."
"......."
The tavern, where over a hundred people had gathered, was filled with nothing but gloom. Even though it should have been a situation to raise a glass in a toast, shouting, "Congratulations! Tutorial 2nd Quest Cleared!", the expressions on everyone's faces were far from joyful.
Was it because one young man, his head buried in the table, was shedding tears while consumed by guilt, crying, "It’s my fault, it’s all my fault...!"? Or was it because the woman who had approached him was quietly patting his back while wearing a complex expression?
"......."
Or perhaps it was because, with the groups somewhat divided, two women were scanning their surroundings with cold, piercing eyes.
I wondered if the atmosphere might shift if even a shred of conversation took place, but there was no talk to be found.
Rustle.
That was until a winged, blonde woman appeared in the tavern-like space.
"Ah...!"
"You have all worked hard. I congratulate you on securing two victories in the tutorial stages."
Angel Estiel. The angel of the tutorial appeared with the same calm, indifferent expression as before and praised the prospective heroes.
"Now, for you all—"
"Excuse me—"
"Shh."
The moment those who were about to launch a barrage of questions at the angel tried to rise from their seats, she silenced them.
"I will not be taking questions at this time."
The angel quietly placed her index finger over her lips, and at that, everyone was rendered speechless. To be precise, even if they tried to make a sound, it seemed to resonate only within themselves, unheard by anyone else. While one could infer what they were trying to say by the shape of their lips, the angel seemed to have no intention of listening to a single word from any of the prospective heroes.
"Having passed the [Orc Habitat] stage, you will take a one-hour break before moving immediately to the next stage. There, you will determine your 'Class'."
Class Selection Phase Initiated.
Clatter.
Status windows appeared before the prospective heroes. Those who had wanted to ask the angel something began, one by one, to focus on the windows floating in front of them.
[Swordsman], [Lancer], [Blunt Weapon Specialist], [Martial Artist], [Guard], [Magic Student], [Archer], [Thrower], [Shaman], [Apprentice Bard], [Thief], [Scout], [Merchant], [Herbalist], [Apprentice Craftsman], [Monk], [Evangelist], [Pilgrim], [Apprentice Knight], [Undertaker]....
"After clearing this stage, you will all fundamentally receive the title of . That is the name by which we shall call you, and your essential role in that world over there. And the 'Class' spoken of here is... a sort of 'discovery of talent'."
Flash.
The screen shimmered, and a new scene emerged. A man with blonde hair and blue eyes, and a woman with dark skin. Their stances while holding a sword or a bow were clumsy and strange, but the moment the titles and appeared above their heads, their postures changed drastically.
"You each possess a talent unique to you. And unlike the talents of the modern world... in the other world, you need something to fight the Demon King's army. You could call these your role groups."
As dozens of classes were laid out, the angel clapped her hands.
"You are free to choose whichever class you wish. The 'Hidden Pieces' you spoke of earlier might perhaps be located where the siege battle takes place. I suggest you take a look through them and think about which direction you want to set your 'main focus' for the stage you are about to enter. Oh, and choosing one doesn't mean you are locked into it forever. You can change your position as much as you like depending on your role."
As the angel's words slowly began to fade from their ears, Angel Estiel scanned the prospective heroes and gave a short nod.
"Does anyone have any questions?"
Flash.
One person raised their hand. Every gaze in the room turned toward the young man who had raised his hand—Kang Daehan.
"Please speak, prospective hero Kang Daehan."
"What happened to my brother?"
"...Whom are you referring to?"
"...I'm talking about prospective hero Yu Siwoo. And that... blonde girl who fought the Orc Lord at the end and died with him—"
"Shin Yuhee."
"Yes. Shin Yuhee. What happened to those two?"
"Those two have been eliminated."
Angel Estiel replied in a voice that sounded like a machine delivering an automated announcement.
"Since they were eliminated in the Goblin Forest and the Orc Habitat respectively, they now have only one chance remaining."
"I-if they are eliminated again, then what happens...?"
"They will be judged as having no qualifications as heroes, and their souls will be sealed."
"S-sealed?!"
"Yes. Until other heroes defeat the Demon King, they will be sealed in the Hall of Glory and fall into eternal sleep. And after that... they will be resurrected as beings of the Middle Realm. That applies to you all as well."
"......."
Death meant the end.
"I-is there perhaps an afterlife or something like that...."
"Maintaining such things is a waste of cost for the Heavenly Realm. It might be a somewhat harsh expression, but it is no different from storing waste in a warehouse."
"Waste...."
"Creating a separate stage for those who have been eliminated... such things cannot exist. Maintaining them is also a waste of mana. They will simply have their souls sealed without being able to think of anything."
It was called a seal, but in reality, it meant waiting for an indefinite amount of time in a place where there was no freedom and one could not even be called alive.
"If the Demon King is not defeated...."
"At that point, the Heavenly Realm itself will be in trouble, so there is no need to think that far ahead. Therefore, I ask that you only think about defeating the Demon King."
"......."
"It is fine. You just need to pass safely. We are those who sincerely hope that you will become excellent heroes and defeat the Demon King's army. Now, please take enough time to prepare."
With a pop, Angel Estiel vanished. The prospective heroes, scanning their surroundings and the status windows that had not yet disappeared, began to rise from their seats one by one.
"Unnie. What are you going to do?"
"Well. ...If I keep using the spear I used in the arena, it's [Lancer]."
Kim Chaerin approached Choi Yujin to ask.
"Brother. Do you want to form a party with me?"
"What are you going to do?"
"...If we think about safety, wouldn't it be better for me to be a mage? Looking at Han Bitna over there, it seems like being a mage is really good."
"You want me to guard? Damn it, do I have multiple lives?"
"No, that's not what I meant...."
Those who had been close to each other previously exchanged opinions.
"Jeongho Oppa. Is there a hidden piece here too...."
"...I ended up killing someone while trying to find a hidden piece, so what does that matter now."
"Oppa. Get a grip. They aren't completely dead, are they? If it's that Oppa, he will definitely come back alive, so if you want to apologize, you can do it when you meet him later."
"Bitna...."
"So get a grip. You know these things best, Oppa. Okay?"
"...I know. *Whew*, everyone, listen up. For now...."
As those who had momentarily lost their minds began to pull themselves together one by one.
"...Unnie."
"Yeah."
While everyone's attention was focused on Han Jeongho, Choi Yujin and Kim Chaerin slipped toward the back.
"Thinking about what Oppa said...."
"There's no excluding anyone. We have to go together."
"Then, in a direction where we complement each other as much as possible?"
"That's true, but it's a matter of life and death, so will forcing it work?"
As the two discussed seriously, those who had survived the arena pretended to stand up to listen to Han Jeongho's story, shielding the two with their bodies.
"Just know that something like this exists. The rest... okay?"
"You two, wouldn't you like to talk to me for a moment?"
Kang Daehan approached Choi Yujin and Kim Chaerin and spoke.
"...What is it?"
"If we can choose our classes, wouldn't you like to form a team?"
"A team?"
"Yeah. I'll be the [Guard]. No, to be precise, a tanker."
"...What are you plotting?"
"Protecting you. I don't know the details, but... it seems you two were the closest to that brother."
"......Among these people, that is."
Choi Yujin drew a line with a displeased face.
"I'm sorry, but if you're approaching us to hit on us, find another woman. We are—"
"I want to join the strongest party, is that wrong?"
"Hmm...."
"It's a misconception if you think I approached you because I'm targeting you. What I'm targeting is... the brother."
"What?"
"Because—"
"Are you gay?"
"......Are you crazy?"
Hearing the word 'gay', Kang Daehan tried to spit out a curse but barely held it back.
"Choi Yujin. The brother called you separately. Whether you're the leader or not, I'm certain you're within that brother's boundary."
"Using English unnecessarily... so?"
"When that brother comes back alive, if I'm acting as a tanker in front of your team, what do you think he'll do for me?"
"......."
"He might not introduce me to a good woman, but at least I think some scraps will fall my way. Han Jeongho said something like that. If I can't become an S-class hunter, I should at least belong to an S-class hunter's guild."
"...I don't know what you mean, but you're saying you'll grab onto Siwoo Oppa's lifeline, right?"
"That's right."
"......."
Choi Yujin and Kim Chaerin looked at each other for a moment, then gestured to Kang Daehan.
"Sit down. Let's talk about this seriously for once."
* * *
And, in a certain city.
"Wow."
As soon as Shin Yuhee and I crossed the gate, we couldn't hide our astonishment.
"Oppa. ...What is this place?"
"The City of Revelry."
"I know that, but...."
What greeted us as soon as we entered Lampades was.
"...Is there a festival going on right now?"
"Maybe it's a funeral."
Waaaaaaaah—!!
It was the scene of a festival, filled with alcohol and food, laughter echoing through the streets, and decorated with flashy ornaments.