I slowly opened my eyes. Then I closed them again and said to myself:
Get up and do what you have to do.
As I recalled the various tasks I had to do in the city, my tired body began to fill with energy.
Yes, we're going to do it.
First, I checked the time.
[21: 18.]
It was midday when I emerged from the maze, so I'd only slept about four hours. But thanks to sleeping in a bed, I felt incredibly refreshed despite the short sleep.
Snack!
I still had some bread from the labyrinth left, but I decided to eat outside.
Although this was a world where money equaled life… so much luxury should be fine.
«...»
Even after washing first thing in the morning, my body still smelled, so I quickly washed once more and left the inn.
Walking, walking.
Compared to the daytime, walking down the quiet street at night felt a little stifling. Not psychologically, but physically.
The beige shirt he was wearing now was medieval in style, with a hollowed-out chest and lace sleeves and collar. Instead of a button, there was a cord tied to the deep V-neck that could be tightened like a shoelace. Even with the cord fully untied, the shirt was too small. Now he understood why barbarians always went around half-naked. Nothing looked good on them. How sad this life was.
But where should I go?
Right now, the first thing I had to do was meet Erwen at the promised meeting place. But I didn't know where the Black Whale tavern was.
I was sure it was in the southern region, based on the area where the portal to the labyrinth opened, but the city map in the game was reduced tens of thousands of times from its real size, so it wasn't useful for this task.
So I ended up asking a passerby for help.
"The Black Whale Tavern? What's that?"
"I had never heard of her."
Most people responded that they had never heard of her, but one middle-aged man with gray hair was different.
"Black Whale Tavern... I haven't heard that name in a long time. You seem very young, how do you know about that tavern? It must have closed more than ten years ago."
I was flattered that he said I looked young, but I didn't like the content of his words very much.
"...Do you mean that he disappeared?"
"Yes, it was a restaurant run by several generations, but his son fell into the trap and that's why it had to change owners. The name has also changed."
It was then that the hypothesis I'd been keeping to myself gained credibility. The game was set in the past of this present world. If so, things like "evil spirits" or the rivalry between barbarians and fairies could also be explained. During the day, I would have to visit a library.
"Thank you. You've been a great help."
«Heh heh, I don't think I've ever seen a barbarian as polite as you».
After that, I said goodbye to the Rafdonia native and walked down the night street. The name had changed, but it seems that the tavern was still active, so I thought I'd at least stop by.
I was hoping Erwen would come visit me too.
«Fidenpus».
As soon as I reached my destination, I stopped for a moment. I could read the pronunciation, but I didn't know the meaning. Was it an ancient language even in this world? It was probably also a good idea to study my knowledge of this language that came to me intuitively.
«¡And, and, and, and!»
«If you're going to fight, get out, bastards!»
The inside of the tavern was exactly as I had imagined. Drunk people, explorers, music, sleaze, cigarette smoke, even the occasional otherworldly species. As I stood at the entrance and peered inside, I saw a familiar silver head in the corner. Even its ears, slightly protruding, were pointed. I was glad to see him and was about to step forward when,
Tuk.
A drunk jerk hit my shoulder and walked down the hallway first.
That alone wasn't a problem, but...
«Fairy ladies, you seem bored alone. How about a drink with me?»
He also approached Erwen and blurted out those cliché phrases to her. Well, actually, this wasn't a big deal either.
But...
«Suitable for a pub that smells like a sewer. It seems that all kinds of rats keep appearing».
E-Erwen? What happened to you?
«... What? Rats?»
The boastful idiot put on a bewildered expression at his superb pat on the back. My face was probably similar.
«Get lost. If you don't want a hole in the middle of your forehead».
Judging by his penchant for the forehead, he had to be the right person...
What the hell?
I had to go check it out. But first, I knew I had to get rid of this garbage.
«That? Who the hell are you?»
As I approached and grabbed his shoulder, the arrogant man turned his head and...
«Uh oh. e.g. »
He immediately looked away.
«She said, get lost».
«...True.»
«So why are you still standing here?»
Instead of responding, he carefully pressed himself to my side, then returned to his seat without even staggering and sat down.
That's when...
«Sir!»
I heard the words that were so familiar to me. But I wasn't surprised that I didn't believe Erwen's apparent split personality from the beginning.
...really.
Seeing how that guy had just said «ladies».
«Are you that barbarian?»
Hidden from view by a pillar in the corner seat, there were a total of two people sitting at the table.
«Yes, I'm that barbarian you're talking about. But who are you?»
«His older sister».
Oh, she was his real sister. No wonder they looked exactly the same in profile.
«Is 'older sister' your name?»
«...Idiot. Call me Tersia.»
Erwen's last name was Tersia. Apparently, she didn't want to tell me her name.
«Okay. Tersia, can I sit down then?»
«As you wish».
I sat down without hesitation and looked at Tersia.
First of all, they didn't look like twins. She looked about three or four years older than Erwen, and looking at her from the front, her features were also quite different. She gave off a fierce atmosphere through her eyes. Or, maybe it wasn't just because of the eyes.
«Barbarian.»
«Bjorn, son of Yandel.»
«Whatever. Anyway, why the hell did you invite my little sister to this bar?»
«Um, Hermanita ...?»
«Stay still.»
Erwen tried to intervene and calm the tension, but was stopped by her sister. Hmm, things were getting interesting.
Aside from why Erwen had brought her sister, I didn't think the fact that I was a barbarian was the only reason her sister disliked me.
It was an intuition. I would have to investigate this first.
«Tersia, and for what purpose have you come to see me?».
«Erwen didn't come home last night. And when I dug deeper, he told me he'd been waiting for someone at the tavern all night. I was curious to know who would stand up to my sister.
Wait, I don't understand.
«What do you mean? Last night?»
«Are you going to pretend you don't know?»
Judging by his reaction, he didn't seem to be joking.
«...Erwen, how many hours have it been since we left the maze?»
«Ah oh... about thirty hours!»
Damn, so I just woke up after sleeping for over a whole day. Not just four hours.
No wonder I felt so fresh.
«I apologize. I didn't know a day had passed because I was asleep».
When I politely apologized, Tersia gave me a surprised look. That made me a little sad. She didn't seem to have any questions about the fact that I had slept for a whole day.
«Anyway, I never expected a barbarian to arrive on time».
I really had nothing to say.
«So why did you summon Erwen?»
Well, the reason was quite long and multifaceted... so I made it short and clear.
«I don't think I need to tell you. Ask Erwen later if you're curious».
Literally translated, it meant «don't worry about it and get lost», but luckily, Tersia seemed to understand it. I saw the corners of his lips twist.
«How curious. For a beginner who has just entered a maze for the first time».
«What does being a beginner have to do with it? Erwen is an explorer. Unless you're going to take care of her for the rest of your life, you better give up that attitude».
«How outrageous».
«Sister? Sir...?» erwen said quietly.
When a staring contest ensued, Erwen kicked restlessly. Shortly after, Tersia put a bag on the table.
«There are 350,000 stones».
«... Why are you giving me this?».
«It is the value of the essence that Erwen absorbed».
Oh, so take this and get lost?
It was a pattern I had seen often in morning dramas, so it felt weird.
«Why don't you take it? Did you have other intentions for this meeting?»
It is not like that.
If she wanted to pay with money, I had no intention of asking Erwen for a «promise» in exchange for the essence. However, he had not yet heard Erwen's opinion.
«Are you of the same opinion?»
«Um ...»
Erwen interrupted his words. Were you so afraid of your sister?
I was originally going to share this when we were alone, but now that this was happening, I decided to share it now.
«The promise I was going to ask of you was that you would help me until I obtained the essence I am looking for».
«Hey, is that all?»
«That's right. If possible, I would also like to continue as a team after that, but that is another matter. No promise is needed. In the future, we can divide the loot in a 5:5» ratio.
Simply put, I was asking him to form a group of two people.
How would Erwen respond?
She didn't need much time.
«Sorry.»
His response was rejection... Erwen lowered her head and her sister explained the reason instead.
«Erwen will go to the maze with me from now on».
"¿Por qué?"
«She only ventured alone on the first trip, as tradition dictates, and I had no intention of leaving Erwen alone from the beginning».
I see. So she had a bus driver waiting for her after tutoring...
Damn blood ties.
«If you understand, take this bag.»
I decided to give up Erwen. Although she was a good teammate, there was no reason to insist on her. But, even so, the assessment had to be correct.
«350,000 stones are calculated as half the average market price, right?»
«Of course. It's a joint loot».
Judging like a pro at this game, 700,000 stones was a pretty decent amount. But the proportion is wrong.
«So 280,000 stones are not enough. The promised distribution ratio was 9:1.»
"Good."
Tersia easily took out another bag.
I suspected it, but when I checked, it contained exactly 280,000 stones.
Damn, they almost scammed me?
If he hadn't said anything, this deal would have ended with only 350,000 stones.
These cunning fern faces... Now I understand why barbarians hate fairies so much.
«If your business is here, could you stand up? I have something to discuss with Erwen.»
«I don't see why it's necessary?»
Before another fight started, Erwen intervened.
«Sister, thank you for caring about me and coming here, but I think you can go now».
«¿Erwen?»
«I have to say goodbye to him too..... Hmm?»
«...Well, since you are no longer a child.»
Tersia said something she didn't even want to say, took a deep breath and looked at me.
«Barbarian, swear by this. That you won't sleep with Erwen. Then I'll leave immediately».
Hey? Did I hear it wrong?
«Her-mana?!»
Hmm, I guess I heard it right.
No «dormir» con Erwen...
Did that mean that everything up to that point was allowed?
«I swear. For the honor of a warrior».
«Sir?»
"Good."
Finally, Tersia got up from her seat.
The...
«Oh, I forgot this. Barbarian, thanks for saving Erwen.»
With that, he left the tavern coldly.
***
Ring, ring.
Hearing the bell ringing at the door, Erwen fell onto the table.
«Ahh! What should I do? I had never answered him like that... Do you think he will be angry?»
«He won't be angry.
«How do you know?»
«Because, before leaving, he looked at you and smiled. Although you wouldn't have seen it».
«...Wait, if that's the case, why did you ask?».
Erwen scratched her head several times and then came to.
«Ah yeah! I'm sorry. I appreciate the suggestion, but I've been talking about working with my sister for a long time...»
«You don't need to apologize».
If a high-level fairy offered to take me, not even I would follow an amateur barbarian and go through all those hardships just out of loyalty.
«Um, take this first.»
Erwen took out a small bag and put it on the table.
«Exactly 63,000 stones.»
It would be the price of the crossbow and boss mana stones. I didn't know what the real amount was, but I didn't doubt it. Doubting didn't make sense. Besides, how much would you pay him if you split it 9:1?
«Oh, I already took care of my income, so you don't have to give me anything».
Yes, I see. She was very astute in these areas.
«I left his two backpacks at my house for now. There's a lot going on inside, but... I think it would be nice if you saw it for yourself tomorrow».
«Use haré.»
Since we had been together for a few days, she knew very well what would pique my curiosity. I didn't say a word, but the loot distribution agenda was resolved in an instant. However, regarding the next agenda, Erwen opened her mouth with a more cautious attitude.
«So... how can I pay you?».
« What are you?»
«I told you I would definitely return the favor».
Oh yes, she had said that once.
«Favor…»
Erwen swallowed when I interrupted the sentence.
... Is that why your sister forced me to take that oath? Why could I make a strange request?
«Please don't joke, just tell me».
She had gotten better at reading the room, so she knew right away that I was making fun of her.
«Right now I can't think of anything. First, I want to order something, is there anything you want to eat?».
«I'm not hungry...»
«Then I'll ask for mine».
As soon as I looked at the menu on the wall, Erwen remembered something and said,
«Oh, then a drink! Please order me a drink!»
«¿Alcohol?»
«Yeah. Yesterday I didn't take a sip because I wanted to have the first drink back with you! Hehe».
Erwen smiled happily and looked at me with eyes that seemed to ask for praise.
A drink back, eh... I had forgotten about that tradition.
Well, it was a little different than drinking a can of beer after work, but still. For otherworldly creatures who grew up only in the holy land until they reached adulthood, the «first drink back» had greater meaning than one might think.
Hmm, but what should I say in this situation?
«...That's great.»
«Now is when you should say thank you!»
«Thanks?»
«You're welcome! We were comrades who have been through many things together in the labyrinth. Of course we should have the first drink back together».
What did he want from me?
As I wondered this, Erwen scratched her cheek.
"Of course, for you, this won't be your first home drink..."
"What do you mean? It's my first time too."
"Oh really?!"
Why is he surprised?
"I told you I'm 20 years old too."
"...Was it a joke?"
It doesn't surprise me that he kept calling me sir.
"This was the first time I entered a labyrinth."
"O-Oh, I it..."
Shortly after, Erwen began observing my reaction and went to the waiter and started ordering on his own. The food arrived about 20 minutes later.
"Sir, you have worked hard."
I guess she's going to keep calling me that. Sure, well… do what you want. We won't be seeing each other for long anyway.
"You worked hard too."
We chatted while we ate and drank. In the maze, we had only spoken essential words, so this was the first time we'd had such a private conversation.
But it couldn't be like that forever.
"Sir, you're wearing a shirt today."
Yes, and I'm wearing a skirt. Enough talk.
"Erwen, did you say you'd return the favor?"
"Excuse me? Yes? I said it."
"So, use the skill you used then right now."
Erwen tilted his head.
I didn't know if this could really be called a reward, but... It was important to me.
What was the difference between the essence of the game and the real essence? I needed to know this beforehand because I might have to revise my leveling method.
"But why all of a sudden?"
"There's something I want to check."
"But it's illegal to use your powers in the city. The guards will take me away."
So this was the reason why skills could not be used in the village in the game.