Identification tags could only be received before entering the maze. They were called identification tags, but in reality they were nothing more than pendants engraved with the emblem of the royal family. Raven's overall rating valued each one at less than 3,000 stones before we began our journey through the maze.
«So it's just an ordinary necklace», he had said.
«Not even the palace can produce and distribute magical items in such a short time».
The labels didn't even bear our names, so it was impossible to discern if any had been stolen. However, upon closer inspection, the labels had a hidden trick. It was nothing special, but both the official and the gentleman on the first floor forgot to tell us.
«What is written here?»
«...It is in ancient writing».
Inside the symbol of the royal family was a small number written in ancient letters. The number of our labels was 2. Raven and I considered several hypotheses about it and, comparing it with other explorers, came to a conclusion.
«The tag numbers of the previous clan were all 3».
This ancient number meant the rank of the explorer. Not its exact range, but 1 for low range, 2 for mid range, and 3 for high range.
«So that's why they asked us our rank when they distributed them.»
«Why didn't they tell us then?»
«Because there is concern that Noark could abuse it».
Of course, it was a crappy device, deductible as long as you knew how to read ancient writing like us. But in terms of value for money, it wasn't bad. Stamping an extra number during stamping wasn't that difficult, and now we benefited from that too.
Damn Hans effect.
I focused on controlling my facial expression and grabbed my shield tighter. The number of the dwarf team's plates was 1. That meant they were from Noark and had stolen the plates. Judging by their equipment, it was impossible for them to be low-ranking scouts.
What should I do now? Destroy them immediately?
That was the first option that came to mind, but after careful thought, it was the worst possible option. Raven seemed to have a similar idea.
«They still don't know that their identities have been exposed. So we should pretend we don't know anything either and start exploring for now».
Yes, that was the best option.
When I nodded in response to the transmission, the dwarf looked at me strangely. «Is there a problem?»
«No, there isn't. Let's introduce ourselves. I am Bjorn, son of Yandel. And you are?»
«Jagurth Martin.» It was a dwarf name, but obviously a pseudonym.
«Ah! I am H-Hans Chrisen». Hans G also revealed his name and the presentations between the leaders ended.
«Identification label?»
«Ah, here it is. What are you all doing? Show yours quickly».
Just in case, I also checked Hans G's team labels. They were all 2 except for the newcomer's, which had a 1.
«Since we have to move together, why don't we all show up?
«Hmm, move together? Do you know this crack?»
At the dwarf's question, Hans G nodded confidently. «Yes, to a certain extent because I like books».
It was a little funny to see. Read it in a book? That was my excuse too.
«Explain yourself. What happens next?»
«Since we are all gathered, if we join hands, the way will open. And if we follow the path, we will reach the forest».
«... Useful.»
«Haha... I'm glad to be of help. In that sense, why don't we take some time to share what each of us does best and get to know each other?»
Then, following Hans G's suggestion, we briefly present the composition of each team. In short, it stayed like this
Team Hans G: Summoner, Wizard, Strong Weapon Warrior, Guide, Fairy Archer.
Dwarf Team: Dwarf Warrior, Beast Swordsman, Sorcerer, Archer, Priest.
«Oh! There is a priest!» Hearing the composition of the dwarf team, Hans G's countenance suddenly lit up. Now that we had to make a raid he seemed to rejoice at the presence of a priest... But it was clear that he was only a priest of Karui.
«So, about the distribution...»
Like explorers gathered in a crevice, after the presentations came the discussion about the loot. We decided that the team that defeated a garbage mafia would acquire their loot. For loot from joint hunts we agreed to roll a dice. However, it was not a fair die.
Raven went into negotiation mode, and cajoled the opponent in a soft voice. «Shouldn't the team that contributes the most receive more? Mr. Chrisen, am I right? It's obvious that your side is going to be the least helpful».
«A-as I said before, we have information about the rift-»
«I also know well about the Doppelganger Forest.»
«Wait a minute. Aren't you being too rude?» In the middle, the team's fairy archer Hans shot himself, but nothing changed.
«Miss Meirin, please stop. He's not wrong», Hans said.
«Yes, let's admit it. Before we got into trouble with that barbarian's double. Asking for an equitable distribution when the skill gap is so large is unfair to them».
When the leader and the wizard said the same thing, the archer fairy fell silent. Then Hans G said in a dejected voice: «We will subtract one from the number».
«We will subtract two. Instead, we'll use a die that goes up to ten».
«...Okay. But instead, p-please increase our share if we do assistance.»
«It is a reasonable proposal. Why don't we make that the rule while we're at it? If a team makes a mistake, we subtract one from its scale, and add it upside down. What do you think?» Raven stared at the dwarf.
He nodded obediently. «It seems good to me». Because I'm going to stab you in the back, anyway.
Can you imagine this last sentence?
When we all gathered at the altar in the center of the common area, the vines blocking the way moved aside to reveal an uphill path.
«We will enter first. Instead, I hope you don't follow us too closely».
«Well, that's obvious.»
Maintaining a safe distance between the teams, we reached the forest in no time. Now, the second chapter began.
[You have entered a special area. The Doppelganger Forest Field Effect is granted. The Distrust status abnormality is granted. Damage is doubled when attacking expedition members].
The content of this chapter was very simple: Go through the forest, defeat the three middle bosses and find the altar somewhere.
«So which team leads the way?»
«I think it would be better to take turns».
As scouts who came with distrust by default, we moved in separate teams rather than a large group. The formation looked like an isosceles triangle from a bird's eye view. The procedure was to deal with the monsters coming our way in each direction, and support if the others were in danger.
«Turn on voice control magic first.»
Although the other teams were quite far away from us, we activated voice magic. Defeating the doppelgangers that appeared every few minutes, we continued the exploration. A lot of time passed like this.
«Nyaha! Who is that dwarf?! He acted tough, but there's nothing special about fighting him!».
Naturally, we hunted the other members' doppelgangers and obtained information about them. Hans G's team was easy, as I expected, and the dwarf's team was not as strong as I thought.
Around rank 5, I guess.
For me, who had left open the possibility that he was a dragon slayer level opponent, this was the happiest news.
«Raven, turn on the voice control».
«Excuse me? I already did it?»
Oh, I forgot to mention it. «Just you and me.» This was a delicate topic.
«Hm? Why just the two of you...?» missha asked.
«I'll explain everything later».
Openly excluded from the conversation, the other three expressed their doubts, but nodded after seeing my face.
«...It's done», Raven said. «But don't you want to tell the other three?».
«I don't think they have a talent for acting». It wasn't particularly intentional, but our eyes naturally turned to Ainar. «...Let's leave this topic here».
«Yeah. That would be the best».
I got straight to the point. «So how do you think that side will come out?».
«It's half and half. They may just want a peaceful exploration and leave... Or they may be greedy».
The response was somewhat surprising. «Half and half?» He was sure that she would see the greedy outcome more likely.
«Their number is less than ours. And fighting them, they are also weaker than us».
Hmm, that was true.
«Still, one thing is certain. Even if they become greedy, it won't be now. It will probably be after the guardian is defeated».
This part matched my suspicions. The Doppelganger Forest was a crevice with capacity for fifteen people. It was difficult to clear as a single team unless you were extremely skilled.
«You know what that means, right? Conversely, it also means that we cannot attack that side first until we catch the guardian.»
«Sí, use sé.»
This was the most cursed part of the current situation. Nip in the bud. The root of the problem must be uprooted to bring peace, and we still couldn't make the first attack! My mace felt like hitting.
«So what about them?»
«The team with Hans?»
«Yeah. Did you notice anything suspicious?»
«I don't know. He seems a little silly, but he doesn't seem like a bad person».
«He doesn't seem like a bad person, huh?». It certainly seemed that way, but I knew that the person who led more than a hundred explorers to their deaths while trying to save himself from being trapped in the Rift of Evil was Hans G. We couldn't just see him as an idiot. He was also a player. «Ugh...»
I sighed involuntarily. Hans G and the Noark Explorers. Why did things get into hard mode every time he entered a crack?
«¡Bjorn, doppelganger!»
«...Keep a close eye on that team along with the dwarf's. If you feel anything strange, tell me right away», I told Raven.
«Okay».
There I ended the conversation and focused on the exploration. Contrary to my expectations, no one delved deeply into our conversation. It was impossible for them not to be curious... They probably trusted that it was necessary and waited for us.
Making me feel bad.
«I request support!»
Anyway, apart from Hans G's team asking for help from time to time, time passed without incident. When night fell, we found one of the three middle bosses.
«It's a Manticore!»
This was one of the few non-doppelgangers in this rift, and was rumored to have byproducts of good value and essence for the money.
[You have defeated a Manticore. EXP +5]
Thanks to information from Raven and Hans G, the tactic itself was not difficult. However, the problem was... well, I guess it wasn't exactly a problem.
«Everyone still!»
An essence fell, the first essence in a long time that he could eat.
«Raven, roll the dice!»
We had to win this.