Where should we head next?

I tried to test the chief by asking where would be best, but he just kept parroting back that I should decide as I please.

‘I really have no idea what’s on his mind.’

In the end, I sighed and set the destination myself. The chief said he would announce it at the upcoming leadership meeting.

It seemed he truly had no intention to interfere with the expedition, sticking strictly to a figurehead role.

“So, how’s the research going?”

Before parting with the chief, I brought up the research again.

The study that had lasted over ten days, started from the possibility that the mages might forcibly activate the dimensional stele.

“Hmm, didn’t I say it failed?”

“We held on that long, so I was hoping there might be some result.”

“A result, huh…”

The chief trailed off but then spoke with a meaningful tone.

“Actually, it wasn’t completely fruitless.”

“Not completely?”

“We gained certainty that we can escape this place through the [Heretic Cult].”

How they arrived at that conclusion, I wasn’t told.

Still, that statement had to be true. After all, that was probably why he gave the mages more than ten days to research.

I asked bluntly.

“When do you plan to return to the city?”

In my opinion, the chief’s real reason for staying in the labyrinth was ‘uncertainty.’

The first basement level was quite unusual.

For example, when the expedition first arrived, they tried to open the dimensional gate, but it wouldn’t open.

That caused a lot of debate.

Could this be considered a normal labyrinth field?

There was fierce argument between mages and explorers, but eventually, the consensus leaned toward ‘yes.’

The decisive proof was the Honor Stone.

[The great barbarian warrior Bjorn Yandel and his comrades first discovered the first basement level.]

Despite many peculiarities, this phrase left no doubt that it was inside the labyrinth.

Why the gate wouldn’t open was unknown.

Well, it wasn’t unheard of for special spaces to exist inside the labyrinth where gates couldn’t be opened.

“Now that you’re certain, shouldn’t you just return?”

I pressed, but the chief shook his head firmly.

“We’re not ready yet. I’m not confident we can return immediately without arousing suspicion.”

Fair enough.

If I were in his position, I’d also stay for a while to gather information about Jerome Saintred.

“So, you want me to leave quickly?”

“Heh, do I have to say that?”

“Why? We’re supposed to be on the same boat.”

‘Why?’ Like I don’t know.

‘Same boat? You still haven’t told me how to activate the dimensional stele.’

“Well… it’s natural you don’t trust me.”

The chief grumbled but then nodded in understanding, lightly tapping my forearm like the upper-ups would.

“Don’t be so anxious. I will definitely leave this place, and when that time comes, I’ll tell you everything.”

That was a bit funny.

Did the chief even realize that his cryptic words only increased my anxiety every time he spoke like that?

‘…Maybe I should just take him out first?’

That thought flared briefly, but I decided to watch the situation a bit longer.

As I was about to leave.

“Oh, by the way, did that thing I gave you this morning work? The Broken Trust.”

“…Ah, I forgot to return it–”

“No need to return it. Seems you need it more than I do.”

Damn, that felt like a backhanded curse.

I got annoyed for a moment but still took the Broken Trust with me when I left.

When I returned to the mansion where I lived, neither Elwen nor Amelia were to be seen, and Misha was the same.

Instead, Versil Gowlund was waiting for me.

“You’re back?”

“Oh, right, you said you had something to say.”

I already knew what it would be but pretended not to and sat down. After casting a spell to block sound, we began our conversation in earnest.

Just as I expected.

“There’s a rumor that the assembly of evil spirits has been disbanded.”

Versil delivered the key information with the word ‘rumor.’

I was a bit dumbfounded.

“A rumor?”

“Yes. After all, not all of us are free of evil spirits.”

But where did he hear that rumor?

A normal person might press for details, but I nodded silently again.

Perhaps because I never asked about sources, Versil seemed a bit careless around me.

‘He shouldn’t do that elsewhere…’

It made me worry a bit as the leader.

Anyway, after talking about the ‘rumor,’ naturally, Misha became the topic.

“What about that from this morning… what happened?”

“Misha, you mean?”

“Yes. The info that Kalstein might be a traitor–is that still valid? It seems you two are a bit too close…”

Versil cautiously expressed concern.

That’s why I cut her off firmly.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I recently confirmed circumstances that could be considered betrayal myself.”

“…Really? Then why didn’t you tell me…”

“It was nothing serious. From what I heard, there was no intent to harm us.”

“I understand wanting to trust Kalstein, but how can I believe that?”

Ha, I knew that question was coming.

“I used the Broken Trust. After hearing everything, I confirmed there’s nothing hidden.”

Upon hearing that, Versil fell silent like a mute who’d just tasted honey. If she doubted any further, it would be unreasonable.

Of course, she was curious about what betrayal I was talking about, but I didn’t intend to explain that part.

“Anyway, there’s no problem with Misha now. No need to monitor her; treat her as a normal comrade from now on.”

“…Okay, I will.”

Okay, that ends this topic.

Afterward, I asked Versil to gather all the members of the temporary 4th Squad, and once everyone assembled, I told them to prepare to leave the island today.

“Ah…! We’re starting the expedition again?”

“So the stele research failed…”

“Sigh… my family must be worried.”

Some were disappointed they couldn’t return home immediately, but the mood wasn’t bad overall.

“I was getting bored anyway, so this works out.”

“There are still many unexplored places.”

They were all explorers after all.

Swoooosh.

Four ships cut through the silver waves.

By the way, our clan Anavada’s ship, infinitely smaller and more precious than warships, was at the rear.

Sitting at the bow, I stared blankly at the warships ahead.

‘How much more money do I need to buy a ship like that…’

Actually, I could sell the Aegis barrier and the Evergreen Monument, but then I’d just become a pauper.

Unless I had enough wealth to buy such a ship comfortably, buying it would be pointless–

“Yandel! What are you doing sitting there?”

While I was lost in thought at the bow, a sharp voice called from behind.

It was Raven, deputy captain of the 3rd Mage Corps.

“That’s dangerous! Come down now!”

Her tone sounded irritated, so I hurried onto the deck. Raven looked down at me with eyes smaller than my chest height, like looking at a child.

It was funny how she looked up like that.

“What’s with that look…?”

“…Nothing.”

Stretching, I glanced around the deck. Besides Raven, I saw familiar faces here and there.

Meland Kaislan, Sven Parab, and a few knights I’d noticed during the library island raid.

From now on, they were all members of the temporary 4th Squad.

Before departure, I asked the chief and he readily agreed.

“By the way, Raven, I have something to ask.”

“…What is it?”

“Did anything happen during the stele research in town? Weren’t you involved in it?”

“Oh, that?”

Having time during the voyage, I asked out of curiosity, and Raven explained passionately, even using technical terms.

But the result was–

‘I don’t understand a single word.’

Dimensional disconnection, spatial coordinates, and all that–it was impossible for a modern man disguised as a barbarian to understand.

I mostly listened half-heartedly, but Raven noticed and awkwardly changed the subject.

“Ahem! I think I spoke too complicatedly… But Yandel, can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Where exactly are we going? I thought you’d know.”

“Oh, you didn’t attend the last leadership meeting.”

“The mages were all exempt. We had to hurry to organize research materials.”

“We’re heading here.”

I unfolded the map I’d stolen from Ham’s House and pointed at the destination.

An uncharted island about a week’s travel from Library Island. Unlike Rainbow Island, it was closer, so I planned to explore it first…

When I asked the chief if he knew anything about the island, he said:

[It’s a very secretive island. Strange too.]

[Strange?]

[You’ll understand when you get there. I’ll tell you the rest upon arrival.]

I didn’t quite know what was strange, but it definitely sounded like a mysterious island.

“Hmm… I’m curious about this place. I hope we find clues to the secrets of this layer…”

Perhaps because it was uncharted, Raven didn’t ask what kind of place it was, and the conversation ended there.

Time then passed endlessly.

And–

“Captain! * Novelight * (Continue reading) The flagship has stopped!”

“We’ve received confirmation of arrival at the destination.”

After a week of sailing, I understood why the chief said it was a strange island.

“…Is that really an island?”

No trees, no soil.

Or rather, there was no ground for anything to stand on.

Swoosh!

Only a gigantic stele-like structure stood tall among the shimmering silver waves.

After roughly mooring nearby, I boarded the flagship with the chief and had a private talk.

“Now that we’ve arrived, tell me. What exactly is that stele floating on the sea?”

As soon as I entered, I activated the Broken Trust and asked, and the chief gave me a baffled look.

“Why? Didn’t you say you might need it?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“Enough, answer. Time is precious.”

I wasn’t letting this slip by again.

Perhaps sensing my resolve, the chief finally told me.

“That’s not a stele, but a gate.”

“A gate…?”

“When you touch it, the gate opens, letting you enter an unknown space.”

“What’s inside?”

The chief paused for a moment.

“I don’t know.”

Not the answer I wanted.

“Don’t know?”

“Yes, my previous body couldn’t even open that gate.”

“How did you know it’s a gate then?”

“I experimented. Unlike you, I used a survivor who drifted here by chance. But I couldn’t enter it myself, so I have no idea what’s inside.”

“…”

“The one who entered never returned alive.”

That sentence sounded chilling somehow.

Putting the ominous feeling aside, I quickly sought confirmation.

“What do you mean by survivor?”

“Didn’t I say before there were humans who sometimes drift in here? Some survived.”

“I don’t understand. Then why didn’t you take their bodies away?”

The chief pulled a black stone from his pouch.

“At that time, this stone hadn’t collected enough sacrifices. Actually, only recently has it gathered enough. As you know… quite a few came in this time.”

He meant the Silver Lion Clan, missing from the village and found dead in the basement.

That cold look in his eyes that doesn’t see people as people really irritated me today, but I listened carefully without showing it.

“The explorer who entered alone was as strong as you. Still, they didn’t come back. That’s all I can tell you. I’m not even sure how many can enter.”

“…”

“And yet you still plan to explore inside as scheduled?”

Maybe it was just my imagination, but his tone sounded like he was testing me. Whatever the tone, my answer was decided.

“Of course, I’ll investigate inside.”

I resolved to uncover everything about this layer.

Before the Broken Trust deactivated, I seized the moment to ask various questions.

The chief simply remained silent, so I had to settle for satisfaction and returned to my ship.

After selecting who and in what order would enter, I informed the chief.

“I’ll arrange personnel as you said. But… is that okay?”

“What do you mean ‘okay’?”

“You’ll be the first to enter. A dangerous place with unknown threats.”

“That’s why. That’s why I want to go first.”

“Hmm?”

The chief only gave a curious look but said nothing else.

Back on the ship, we finished preparations and took a small boat toward the massive stone gate.

Swoooosh!

The stone gate, wide open thanks to the previously sent survey team.

Inside, a dazzling mirage swirled.

A portal.

Any explorer would recognize it instantly.

But it was the first time I’d seen such a gigantic portal, so I was fascinated.

“Yandel, maybe you should reconsider?”

Amelia, on the same ship, spoke to me.

“We don’t mind, but you going first seems reckless.”

“What are you saying? Weak as you are.”

Those who know would understand–the barbarian never listens to those weaker than himself.

So in that spirit:

“I’ll go in first. Wait one minute before following, just in case.”

After exchanging glances with my comrades, I prepared to leap in front of the boat.

What awaits inside?

Honestly, I was a little scared and tense too.

But I trusted my experience.

[Dungeon & Stone] is an unforgiving game, but monsters and traps rarely spring out immediately after a portal.

Yeah, so…

Thud.

I leapt through the portal.

Whoooosh!

Multicolored light wrapped my body.

That peculiar sensation of floating.

Thump.

When I opened my eyes again, darkness surrounded me.

No need to light a torch or turn on the barbarian candle mode after so long.

After all, what level am I now?

Fwhoooosh!

I fired the flare I had stuck on my waist anywhere in the room.

At that moment–

Flare!

The area lit up, securing my vision.

‘Looks like indoors.’

The floor was smooth marble.

Walls on both sides, ceiling above.

And…

“…”

Monsters filled the surroundings.

More precisely, statues crafted to resemble monsters.

‘Death Knight, King Slime, Lycanthrope, Iron Cavalry…’

I immediately realized what these statues represented.

‘The Rift Guardians.’

Statues of Rift Guardians stretched endlessly down the long corridor.