Chapter 85

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere was as chilling as a sweeping gale. He had said he’d vouch for everyone, but the truth was, we knew absolutely nothing about Baron Jorge.

“...Even if you say you vouch. What basis do you have for trust?”

A man with a surly demeanor shrugged his shoulders.

“We may share the commonality of being ‘players’ and have aligned goals, but you... this is truly the first time we’ve met you guys. Is there any trust to speak of between us?”

“Isn’t trust something that’s built up over time?”

Baron Jorge, unfazed, then turned towards the castle and gave a signal.

“Thomas!”

“Yes, Lord Baron!”

Following the baron’s signal, men dressed in winter gear emerged from the castle, moving in orderly steps.

They were shouldering thick logs, likely the ‘materials filled room’ William Smith had mentioned earlier.

“I do have an eye for people. ‘Players,’ you said? You are... strong. And free. I mistook you for a mercenary group at first glance.”

Baron Jorge waited until the man called Thomas arrived, then continued.

“But, you see. Didn’t you say earlier about repairing the castle walls and reinforcing the gates?”

“...Yes, we did.”

“Does anyone here know how to do that? No. Has anyone ever lived in a ‘castle’ before? I have spent my entire life in one.”

“…”

Of course, with a hundred people gathered, there might be one or two with some knowledge. But the vast majority would not know.

They merely thought it involved blocking the gate with heavy objects and replacing old stones with ones found nearby.

“Hmm.”

Baron Jorge glanced over our reactions and then nodded slightly.

Baron Jorge’s domain lies in the mountains, a land ill-suited for farming and plagued by unfavorable geographical features. Fortunately, a sizeable iron mine within the domain ensures that livelihoods are sustained.

Thud!

A hefty wooden plank is placed upon the snow.

“Being a miner is a life-risking occupation, so we resort to using slaves... In a place where iron is abundant, what else would one do? Blacksmiths selling weapons are in overwhelming majority. Due to the dense forests, some find work as carpenters.”

The man who brought the plank had broad shoulders and thick forearms, his physique not standing out among the players, thanks to their enhanced condition through the status window.

“So... Let us handle the fortification of the castle, and you all can take on the exploration. Wouldn’t that be sufficient aid?”

“...”

It... helps. The thick arms of the men were more reassuring than any words could be.

Yet, there remained an issue.

“But... What if monsters appear?”

The woman with a protruding jaw, seen earlier, scowled and challenged.

“You’re probably better at repairing the castle walls than us. But what happens if monsters attack from outside? Or if they emerge from within the castle? Are we expected to risk our lives to protect you then?”

“...”

Baron Jorge’s expression hardened slightly.

“...Among those who have come to this place, there are about 10 soldiers. Thomas here is a knight. But... Yes. That might not be much help to you.”

He glanced momentarily towards the direction of his people in the castle, then back to the players.

“We will ensure our own safety. If we find ourselves in danger, you need not assist. It’s fine to divide and act separately. However, the castle must remain accessible to us. That is the entirety of my ‘cooperation’ condition.”

“If we end up sharing the castle, we might inevitably find ourselves in situations where we have to help you...”

“Now, now. Calm down.”

While calming the woman, I signaled to Baron Jorge.

“Let us discuss this among ourselves and get back to you. How about in that room next to the stairs we saw earlier?”

“...Very well. Thomas! Move the planks near the main gate!”

“Yes, Lord Baron!”

**

After Baron Jorge and his party returned to the castle.

“Let me see your sword for a moment.”

“Ah, uh, sure.”

I received a sword from a man nearby and slashed the air briefly three times.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Although the threatening sound of the air being cut was satisfying, I wasn’t completely satisfied due to the thick gloves that prevented my full strength from being exerted.

“Oh, wow…”

“What was that just now…”

However, it seemed most of the players didn’t share my dissatisfaction, as I could feel their perception of me changing.

Their eyes sparkled slightly, mixed with a hint of fear. It appeared the ‘Awe’ trait had activated as intended.

The message window appeared before my eyes.

“…”

I remembered the Awe trait had evolved. Initially, I activated the trait simply to lead the meeting according to my intention, but it turned out I was experimenting with the changed trait.

But the trait grades… E? F? At this level, it’s practically unusable. Unless in a unique case like Dok Su-hee, it seems to have little practicality.

Turning my gaze away from the message window, I looked over the players and spoke.

“I believe there are pros and cons to cooperating with Baron Jorge. And we can’t fully trust them yet.”

“Then why…”

I didn’t answer but gestured towards the wooden materials laid next to the castle gate.

“That over there. Why do you think it’s there?”

“…”

It makes sense that there are weapons inside the castle. It implies we might need to use them. It’s understandable there’s food as well since it’s essential for survival. But why are there winter clothes and wooden materials?

From the moment we were summoned to the fourth floor, we were already wearing winter clothes. We don’t need them.

And as for the wooden materials, there’s practically no one among us who knows how to use them. They’re not of much use.

And then... there are the otherworlders, capable of making good use of what’s given.

Could it be... the tower didn’t just give these things ‘randomly’?

“Could it be that utilizing these otherworlders is part of the fourth floor’s challenge? That’s what I think.”

It’s unlikely the otherworlders were summoned here without reason. If those summoned were old, frail elders, women, or children, it might have been the tower’s way of asking, ‘Can you protect these people and survive?’

But that’s not the case. They are united around Baron Jorge and are capable. They’re not to be protected; they’re to be utilized.

“The fourth floor... might require us to mobilize everyone, including the otherworlders, to survive. I believe we should cooperate with Baron Jorge. Does anyone oppose?”

“...”

“...”

There was no opposition. The simpler minds were under the influence of my Awe trait, and those strong enough to resist it were smart enough to see reason.

“I’ll leave the detailed personnel arrangement to Mr. William Smith. Base it on patrol duties outside the castle, and rotate to explore the inside during breaks.”

“Understood.”

William Smith nodded, albeit reluctantly.

“Then, I’ll go talk to Baron Jorge.”

With things seemingly sorted, I headed towards the castle.

“...So who is that person?”

“...Don’t know. But he seems really strong, so let’s just listen to what he says.”

The stares from behind were sharp, but surprisingly, it didn’t bother me.

“...”

I passionately argued that we must utilize Baron Jorge.

But upon reflection, I was also ‘utilizing’ the players. Unhesitatingly using people as a means to my ends, for my regression.

To them, I attached no great importance.

...After clearing the fourth floor, I might need to take a break.

**

“So, what’s the decision?”

“We’ll be counting on you.”

“Ha-ha, we’re counting on you as well.”

Baron Jorge and I exchanged handshakes. Yet, not a muscle moved in my smile.

Perhaps, it was to be expected. I had no intention of giving my heart to others.

One must be cautious of underestimating others, but getting too close is equally risky. The mission of the fourth floor is ‘survival,’ and countless individuals will die.

...If someone close to me were to die a horrible death before my eyes, what would become of my mental state? I must always be on guard.

Hence, I had no intention of becoming close to anyone on the fourth floor. Maintaining a suitable distance while clearing the floor was my current goal.

“Alright, then we should discuss the specifics. How do you plan to manage the patrol of the walls? We can take care of it, but…”

“The players will handle it. Given our superior physical abilities, our visibility range will also differ.”

“Good. Now let’s talk about repairing the walls.”

“Since most of your people are blacksmiths, I would like to request weapon maintenance.”

“I also want to discuss what we’ll do in case of any unfortunate incidents between the players and your people.”

Baron Jorge and I discussed various potential scenarios, establishing rules one by one.

As we exchanged thoughts for about 30 minutes.

Flick.

Either the oil ran out, or a gust of wind blew, but a torch hanging on the wall flickered and went out.

There were no windows in the room, so darkness naturally descended.

“Ah, just a moment, please.”

But shortly after.

Whoom.

A glowing orb appeared in Baron Jorge’s palm, illuminating the room brightly.

“...Magic?”

“Ah, I am a third-tier mage. It’s not a power I’ve mentioned since it’s not particularly helpful... but please, don’t take it the wrong way.”

“...”

My mind raced faster than at any point since entering the fourth floor.

A mage. Someone who can manipulate mana.

“Baron.”

The second floor. Baron Lichte.

The Flash Orb.

An S-rank trait, dormant in my status window because I lacked the knowledge to manipulate mana.

“Let’s make a deal.”

I had no intention of getting close to anyone on the fourth floor.

But there’s always an exception to every rule.

– – – End of Chapter – – -

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