The main street leading from the chief’s house to the entrance.

I was sprinting down it at full speed.

Boom–! Boom–! Boom–!

With [Giant Form] activated, each step sent out a noise comparable to a construction site, but I didn’t think it was really causing a nuisance.

Besides, it wasn’t the time to be sleeping now…

“F-Fire…!”

“Bring water!”

The village was already in chaos trying to put out the flames.

No one here would be sensitive to the sound of a barbarian’s heavy steps.

Ah, wait–maybe they’re not human?

That same doubt I’d mulled over several times resurfaced again.

“…Is this really okay?”

Versil, riding on Ainard’s shoulder–a traditionally crafted mage’s mount–voiced his concern to me.

“What do you mean by ‘okay’?”

Not understanding, I asked back, and Versil looked behind us.

The flames and smoke rising from the village center were swallowing the whole place.

“There are quite a few villagers who aren’t warriors…”

He was softer-hearted than expected.

Treating me like a human despite that fishy look on his face.

“So?”

I replied, annoyed, not wanting to be bothered while busy.

Versil closed his mouth tight.

And then…

“Um…”

For some reason, Misha took over.

“Why on earth are you like this…? This isn’t like you, Bjorn…”

Not like me?

That was the second time today I’d heard that.

“Exactly! I want to know too! What did you see down there to make you like this?”

Misha’s words sparked Ainard’s curiosity as well.

His fighting spirit may have waned, but his barbarian curiosity remained.

‘Human corpses.’

To answer simply: that was all I saw down there.

The chief showed the bodies and explained how they were obtained, hoping to clear up misunderstandings.

Up to here, no problem.

But…

[Since we have things to hide, we won’t hold you accountable for your ‘mistake’ of breaking village laws or your comrade’s intrusion. How about that?]

He said he would overlook Amelia’s trespassing and the fact that I smashed Nyuachichi’s head.

Strange, isn’t it?

My first night companion Hans A was exactly like that.

[…Fortunately, nothing happened while she was unconscious, so no complaints.]

Anyway, I’d learned a lesson then:

If a complete stranger treats you kindly, it means they have something to gain from you.

And from experience, I had learned even more.

[Why! Why did you harm Lady Elisa! What did we ever do…!]

Elisa, a priestess of Karui we met in the labyrinth.

After hitting that suspicious woman’s head, I realized:

The answer is to split the suspicious ones’ heads first.

Still, I felt no need to drone on about this.

Reasonable persuasion might be possible, but not necessary here.

“Tell me. What did you see down there to make you do this?”

I asked.

“Nothing much.”

Just like with the chief earlier.

One word was enough this time too.

“I just wanted to.”

A reason without basis.

Misha murmured quietly.

“That’s… intuition?”

Instinct.

A calculation based on unconscious big data from experience.

“Intuition!”

Ainard nodded as if satisfied.

“Oh, then there’s no helping it!”

“His intuition is usually right. Thanks to it, I’ve survived more than once.”

Elwen chuckled and agreed, while Versil added a word.

“Surely… there must be a reason for that feeling. Honestly, I was uneasy about that chief myself.”

White Hext and Muul Armin, who had been secretly eavesdropping nearby, also spoke up.

Well, they hadn’t known me long…

“I’m relieved hearing you say that.”

“Baron Yandel’s beast-like instincts are famous.”

They seemed to trust my reputation.

Mostly because explorers generally think results justify means…

And explorers are superstitious.

“These guys were all a bit strange.”

“Honestly, it’s a relief. I couldn’t sleep for worry before.”

“And they said it felt like a revelation? Ignoring that would be much more unsettling!”

“Ah, yeah. Whenever you ignore your gut, bad things happen.”

Apparently everyone had felt the unease.

I hadn’t meant to predict this answer, though.

“Let’s go!”

“Damn those monsters! Burn them all!”

For some reason, that motivated everyone and lifted morale.

Did all doubt really vanish with just one word from me? They firmly believed this was the right choice.

Well, I wasn’t completely sure myself.

“…Funny bunch.”

The words slipped out without me noticing.

Did someone hear?

“Funny is you, Yandel. You convinced everyone with nonsense.”

Huh? That voice…

“Come to think of it, you’ve always been like that. Always had a knack for making people believe you’re right wherever you go…”

“Emily?”

Turning sharply, I saw Amelia, awake, looking at me while carried on Auyen’s back.

“If you’re awake, say so. When did you wake up?”

“A little while ago.”

“Body okay?”

“No problems.”

Amelia jumped off Auyen’s back and started running.

“I think I get the situation. You’re trying to escape this village, right?”

“Yes.”

“Sigh… causing trouble while I was asleep. Tell me everything. What happened?”

This wasn’t a casual chat over tea, so I gave a quick briefing.

“The chief showed me the underground. Something felt off, so I hit his head. Then, I set the village on fire while fleeing. The chief is probably chasing us through the flames now.”

The report was complete.

Amelia fell silent for a moment, then spoke.

“…That’s just like you.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

I think that was the first time today someone said I was myself.

“Anyway, your turn. What happened to you?”

“I went down underground, got caught, was interrogated, and that’s it.”

Hmm, I see…

No extra info, unfortunately.

More info probably wouldn’t change much now anyway.

“Mister, everyone’s here!”

Now the real problem began.

This village was built underground like Noark.

The only way to leave the island was through the exit…

“What do we do now?”

The door was closed, and all we could see was a rock wall blocking the way.

Only the chief could open or close the entrance.

Officially, at least.

“Move aside.”

Holding my hammer, I approached the wall.

Versil, a former mage, looked doubtful.

“Will this work… like that?”

That’s why I don’t trust eggheads.

“You’ll see.”

I swung the hammer with all my strength.

[Character cast [Swing].]

Kraaaaangggg!

The thick smoke around us momentarily dispersed from the impact.

Still, the wall was completely intact.

“…”

“That didn’t work.”

Hmm, no luck.

A barbarian looking foolish.

“Don’t worry. There’s a way.”

“A way?”

“Yes.”

Whether magic, skills, or whatever else.

Nothing physical is unbreakable.

If it doesn’t break, it’s because the force wasn’t enough.

So, time for plan B.

“Elwen!”

Hit it harder.

[Elwen Fornaci di Tersia summons [Dark Spirit King Dichloe].]

Kwak kwak kwak–!

Hundreds of dark orbs slammed against the wall with a roar.

Still, the wall held firm.

So it’s no use?

‘[Swing] alone was never enough.’

The orbs cracked and chipped the stone a bit, but the rock had great regeneration, quickly restoring itself.

Seems like it needs focused damage instead of burst.

“Elwen.”

No need for a long explanation.

Calling her name again, a fierce glow gathered on her arrow.

‘Yeah, for focused damage, nothing beats [Concentrated Shot].’

The only downside is it takes a long time to cast.

One second, two, three…

The colors in the arrow grew deeper and more intense as time passed.

After some time passed.

“Yandel.”

“You don’t have to say it. I can see it myself.”

Something was rapidly approaching from the smoke-filled village.

At first a dot, then it grew into a large shape in no time.

‘…They’re not letting us leave easily, huh?’

Still, it was later than I expected, so no complaints.

“Prepare for battle!!”

I shouted loudly as I stepped forward.

As I leaned into my shield, the thing charging at us collided with it.

Whooooosh!

Smoke scattered like an explosion.

At once, our ranged dealers unleashed focused fire.

Curses, wind blades, fireballs, arrows, energy waves–all shot swiftly in straight lines.

Unfortunately, none hit the target.

Swoosh–

Magic and psychic powers vanished into light before reaching the monster.

It was somewhat similar to the [Speechless Curse] used by the Orculus captain, but there was a clear difference.

We could use skills against that thing before.

So then…

‘If this isn’t the Essence of Stillness…’

There’s only one skill with similar effect.

‘Tol-Lapufa.’

A grade 1 monster Tol-Lapufa’s skill.

[Cosmic Protection]

A broken OP skill that blocks all ranged projectiles in advance.

Note that [Cosmic Protection] is a passive skill, so the chief’s active skills are unknown.

‘Could he even have a grade 1 Essence?’

Feeling the weight on my shoulders, I ordered a ceasefire on ranged attacks.

Shooting now would just waste MP.

‘…They’re probably losing MP too, but it’s not a long battle.’

No reason to waste MP unnecessarily.

Especially since we plan to head to the monster-infested land later.

So then…

“Later than expected, chief.”

I tried to start a conversation.

Even gaining a second was a benefit.

“Someone has to clean up the mess you made.”

Oh, I didn’t expect him to accept that.

But the chief didn’t seem willing to give me much time.

“It’s raining outside, so why the hurry?”

“I’m too restless staying in the village.”

“Stop. I’m saying this for your sake.”

“For my sake?”

Smirking, I heard the chief’s final offer.

“It’s not too late. Stop now and all that happened today will be forgotten.”

If I were a trapped mouse, that would sound sweet.

But for me, it only strengthened my conviction.

‘I was worried I chose wrong.’

Who would forgive someone who smashed a hammer on their face and set fire to their NoveIight (Original source) village?

No sane person.

If I hadn’t decided to flee today, anything could have happened.

So…

“Can I think about it for a moment?”

Feigning hesitation to buy time.

But the chief seemed to have learned about me.

He responded immediately.

“Do you think I’m an idiot?”

Uh…

“…A little?”

“…I’ll count to three. Decide by then.”

“Three’s too few. Make it four.”

The chief counted without responding.

“Three.”

Well, I at least gained a few seconds.

No point letting him count all the way.

“Two.”

As he said “one,”

Tap tap.

I dashed forward.

Elwen still needed time to finish her skill.

If the fight was unavoidable…

“…!”

Let’s see.

Through the eyes of a veteran player who’s spent nine years mastering every combination.

How strong a character trained for an eternity really is.

And then…

“Behe–laaaaaargh!!”

What the weaknesses were.