To an explorer, knowledge is a precious asset.

That’s why they never share their experiences or gathered information with others for free.

Ah, of course, that doesn’t mean they’re stingy.

It’s just that this attitude is widely accepted as normal in the explorer industry…

Great navigators like Pikma.

Abyss Scavenger Rimenin, and others.

The reason why such figures, called great men, are respected by all is largely because of this. They didn’t just achieve great feats; they lived lives of generously giving and sharing what they had for the public good.

Anyway, in that sense…

“Alright, now that we’re inside, let’s briefly cover the guardian we need to take down this time–”

I cut off Raven’s triumphant words the moment we passed through the portal.

“No need to explain.”

“Eh? But you said you needed me earlier?”

Raven looked flustered by my words.

Did he really think I meant I needed knowledge?

No wonder his skinny, anchovy-like shoulders rose all the way up as soon as he heard me.

“Raven, the reason I need you is different.”

“…What is it?”

His voice sounded somewhat sulky.

Since we’d been companions for a long time, I immediately recognized that he was pretending to be annoyed because he was embarrassed.

Well, later on he really seemed angry.

“Isn’t this a chance to get the essence of the 5th floor guardian? Of course, we have to bring it back in the test tube.”

“…What?”

His cold voice echoed after a long pause.

I quickly added, trying to excuse myself.

“And among the mages I know, you’re the most trustworthy. Raven.”

“…What are you saying? But isn’t Versil Gowlund also someone you get along well with? I deg* N o v e l i g h t *deg heard he acts almost like the vice-captain.”

“But trusting someone and being able to rely on them are different matters.”

“Hmm… really?”

Fortunately, Raven’s expression softened again.

It was curious.

Other people can be serious, but why does this guy give me chills down my spine? And he’s the shortest too.

While pondering that, Raven muttered in a logical tone.

“Well, I guess that makes sense. Mr. Gowlund wouldn’t know your true identity. So, it would be hard for Mr. Yandel to act freely.”

Well, one thing’s certain: if he took an MBTI test, he’d definitely get a T–.

“Unlike me, that is.”

“…Huh?”

“No, I just meant that. Don’t get weird ideas. It’s just… the truth, isn’t it?”

“Hmm… That’s not exactly wrong.”

In fact, Versil doesn’t know that I’m a player.

Besides, Versil is from the modern world, so unlike pureblood mages, he’s terrible at research and sees things and thinks differently.

That was why I chose Raven.

One player’s mindset is enough — I needed a local’s perspective.

“Anyway, can we get to the point now?”

“Alright.”

After that, Raven and I stayed at the start point talking about the upcoming boss battle.

Mostly, I would explain something, and Raven would question it with doubts, then accept or admire after hearing my answers.

“To think there was such a method… Is that knowledge from your world?”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t really from this world but knowledge I gained through my twenties.

“…Something like that.”

“Kind of a half-hearted answer, isn’t it?”

“What are you talking about? I’m always sincere.”

“That’s a relief. Anyway… since we have plenty of time, tell me more about your world.”

Just as I was about to start moving, he made the request.

I had received a lot from Raven before, so it was hard to refuse outright.

“Talking isn’t hard… but suddenly?”

“Not suddenly, I’ve been curious for a while. But until now, we never had a chance to be alone…”

I suppose talking about such things outside could be a little awkward. So even if curious, he wouldn’t have asked by coming separately.

“…For only 30 minutes. People will be waiting outside too.”

“Okay. Fine. Then just 30 minutes.”

“So, what are you curious about?”

When I smiled as if to say ‘say anything,’ Raven immediately asked.

“Internal combustion engines.”

“…Huh?”

A word I never expected from him.

“They say these engines move huge iron carriages without words or mana? I’m curious about the exact principle.”

“…”

“Don’t you know? I heard for sure such things exist…?”

Is it because he’s a mage?

When I told Amelia about the modern world, I spoke about giant flying machines in the sky and how the people directly elect their king — such romantic stories.

“I-I don’t not know.”

“Oh, really? Then tell me, exactly how do internal combustion engines work?”

“Well… they use steam? Heat energy? Something like that to turn wheels.”

“…Is that all?”

Raven’s eyes grew cold after my answer. Somehow I felt ashamed, but the more so, I shamelessly continued.

“That’s it. Such details are classified state secrets. People like us couldn’t easily know.”

If Hyunbyeol had been here, she’d have sneered and laughed contemptuously.

But what does that matter?

Hyunbyeol isn’t here.

There’s only an innocent local mage.

“Simply put, it’s like magic from your world? Then I understand. Even ordinary people don’t know the principles behind the basic devices of magic engineering.”

Raven accepted this seriously, and after that asked various questions while I continued talking about the modern world.

I had suspected since he asked about internal combustion engines, but Raven knew surprisingly much.

“I was pretty interested in the subject.”

“Really?”

“Yes… I studied it later on.”

“Studied?”

“After we met again, I got somewhat interested. Being in the army, it was easier to get related information…”

Certainly, before he was wary of evil spirits and avoided modern stories, but now his curiosity seemed bigger.

That’s probably why he started this talk when we were alone.

“Well… time’s almost up.”

“Already?”

Raven looked regretful but didn’t insist on continuing.

The essence of the 5th floor Rift Guardian is highly valuable.

Because there are twelve types of rifts, it’s harder to get a specific essence…

In fact, essences of 5th floor or higher guardians never appear at auction. No one wants to sell them, and even if they did, the royal family secretly takes them first.

“Have you been here before, Mr. Yandel?”

“No, it’s my first time. At least in this body.”

“Ah…”

“Didn’t I say the story isn’t over? Focus.”

Leaving the start point, we soon reached the boss room.

Flare–!

A small flame flickering in the middle of a charred forest. This area was the boss room of the 5th floor Rift called ‘Burning Forest.’

Normally, it’s a place you reach only after extinguishing all fires across the east, west, south, and north zones over several chapters…

Here, all that tedious process is skipped.

‘Experience points are basically copied here.’

Moreover, the guardians here drop essences guaranteed. Well, that’s not such a meaningful advantage if you think about it.

‘At least you can enter the 5th floor rift with two people. That’s a relief.’

Lower rifts only allow solo entry.

Simply put, you need to have the specs to take down the boss alone to get the essence.

But usually, those people don’t need guardian essences since they can solo hunt anyway.

Like the essences I’ve left untouched until now.

‘Theoretically, if a mage solos, they could bring the essence back in a test tube to sell.’

Of course, only theoretically. It’s not very realistic.

There might be mages who can fight a boss one-on-one, but to do that, the job characteristics require a huge gap in strength between them and the boss.

It wouldn’t be worth the labor cost.

Plus, the cost of test tubes consumed.

“What are you thinking about stopping suddenly?”

“Oh. I was just distracted for a moment. I’m going to summon it now, so you go over there. Cast the requested spell right away.”

“Yes.”

Ending my thoughts, I approached the crimson flame floating in midair and reached out my hand.

Flare–!

The moment my hand touched it, the flame flickered and emitted waves.

[Fire Lord Pianil cast [Mark of Ash].]

[Characters taking damage from skill use suffer fire damage.]

The 5th floor Rift Guardian woke, and a gray mark was etched on the back of my hand.

And then…

Blazing–!

The flame grew wildly, forming a shape.

The Burning Forest guardian, Fire Lord Pianil.

A grade 4 monster officially named Lavarod.

‘No lines here either.’

I watched it without attacking first, wondering if there’d be any difference.

Flare–!

A body made of flames.

Wearing a mask that exposes the lower jaw; upper body is roughly human-shaped.

The lower body resembles a genie from a magic lamp, with flames flickering where legs should be.

‘Appearance hasn’t changed…’

As always after meeting Duke Cambormiier, I tried talking, but again no response.

So I started the strategy immediately.

Among the 5th floor rifts, it’s mid-level difficulty, but if the plan goes smoothly, it won’t be too hard.

I’m not alone now.

I just have to fulfill my duty as a tank.

Like this.

“Behel–laaaaaaaaa!!”

Using [Gigantism] and [Wild Surge], inflating threat levels.

[Character’s threat level is over 500.]

[All monsters within radius prioritize attacking the character.]

Activating Aegis Barrier, I firmly pull aggro of this Rift Guardian with strict threat management.

And then…

[Fire Lord Pianil cast [Bell of Embers].]

Whether it uses summoning or attack skills, or changes phases to release unique gimmicks,

I simply hold the line.

Raven buffs me and uses [Swing], which could damage it…

‘But why bother?’

Damage is already enough.

Just like Bjorn Yandel during his desperate battles at the Blood Fortress grew strong, Raven has also achieved much growth.

[Forest’s Wrath empowers Fire Lord Pianil.]

Steadily pouring in damage, we reached the final phase.

“I told you before, the last part takes a while.”

“Take your time. It’s warm and nice.”

Bellarios essences counter magic damage.

[Character’s magic resistance is over 500.]

[All magic damage received is reduced by 50%.]

Halving damage, and then further reduced by the fire orb, it feels like a sauna.

Oh, the perceived temperature is 120 degrees Celsius.

“…You’ve really become a monster, Mr. Yandel.”

Actually, I was having trouble breathing since a while ago, but hearing such praise from a companion makes a barbarian dance.

Holding the boss firmly, Raven’s magic was ready before long.

[Arua Raven cast grade 3 ice magic [Blooming Snowflake].]

The little mage who barely managed to use grade 6 solar magic at the Blood Fortress was no longer there.

Only the ‘Golden Mage’ who had risen to the vice-captain of the 3rd Magic Corps recognized by the royal family remained.

‘High-level magic names sure have poetic naming conventions.’

Since I’d never seen this magic before, I focused intently.

Swaa-!

First, cold air spread around Raven’s feet freezing the ground.

Then…

Hwoong-!

A translucent something shot like an arrow at the boss, seeming to have no physical force, but penetrated deeply into its body.

“…”

It stopped moving.

The hot heat vanished completely, and a chilly silence settled in the forest as Raven spoke.

“Mr. Yandel, do you know why this magic is called ‘Blooming Snowflake’?”

A quiet but relaxed question.

But Raven didn’t even give me time to answer and continued.

“Because it literally blooms.”

“…?”

“From within.”

Almost as if rehearsed, the magic triggered at the perfect moment.

Jjijjik-!

From inside the body, the magic began.

Dozens of ice spikes pierced through the skin and protruded outward.

“But.”

“…?”

“There’s a reason it’s called a snowflake, not spikes.”

Right as he finished speaking, the boss entered the final phase and instantly transformed into a cluster of light.

Watching that, Raven smiled.

“How is it? Doesn’t it look like snow is falling?”

What nonsense.

He obviously researched his lines alone.

I pondered how to respond, recalling the boss’s last form struck by the magic.

And thought what name I would have given it.

Since the magic made spikes all over its body…

‘Transformed sea urchin.’

Hmm, that sounds kind of off.

‘Transformed pufferfish.’

Yeah, that’s better.

After collecting Fire Lord Pianil’s essence in a test tube, Raven and I continued challenging 5th floor guardians.

This formed a routine.

After reviewing the strategy at the start point, we always chatted for about 30 minutes.

Ah, of course, it was Raven’s request.

“I’m helping you, Mr. Yandel. So stop acting annoyed.”

“Oh… helping? Such an unpleasant thing between us–”

“What kind of relationship do we have? I’m not even a member of your clan.”

I had no good reply.

So I just chatted away diligently.

At first, Raven was curious about modern civilization, but over time, he started asking more questions about me.

“So… what’s your name there?”

“Ah, didn’t I tell you?”

“…You didn’t.”

“Lee Hansu. It’s Lee Hansu. Never Hans. Watch your pronunciation.”

“Lee Han… Su…”

“Well, that’s decent enough.”

“What does ‘decent’ mean?”

Starting from my real name, we talked about whether family and friends were waiting, my job, and other topics.

Some of it was a bit heavy.

After this basic background check, the main topic shifted to [Dungeon & Stone].

“…So Mr. Yandel, you’ve opened the Abyssal Gate at least once?”

“In the game, yes. Besides, I was dragged here the moment I opened the Abyssal Gate, so I don’t even know what’s beyond.”

“…Wait. If you opened the Abyssal Gate and came here, what happens if someone opens it from this side?”

“…?”

“Then, does opening the Abyssal Gate mean returning? Going back to the original world?”

“Well… maybe.”

“Ah, uh… I see…”

“That’s the story. Let’s move on.”

We then entered the boss room and fought.

Raven almost caused a big crisis with a mistake, but luckily I carried him and we got through safely.

‘…We’ve already killed six.’

I was secretly worried about the 5th floor guardians, but progress was surprisingly smooth.

Of course, there were a few more dangerous moments than before.

But maybe because of all we’ve been through,

This didn’t even feel like a crisis.

“Mr. Yandel, if you’re okay, why don’t we enter the next portal?”

“…Huh?”

“I still have energy. We finished sharing all the information.”

Well, that’s true…

‘Weird.’

For a moment, I was suspicious of Raven’s urging.

I lightly tapped his shoulder.

“Raven, from now on, I’ll be going in with someone else.”

“…What?”

“You’ve done well so far. Take a rest.”

Simply put, the carrying duo of the Blood Fortress ends here.

But Raven’s face was cold, not pleased.

“Rest? What do you mean? You’re abandoning me now?”

“Abandoning? What nonsense.”

I just don’t need a mage anymore.

Besides, where I’m going now, there’s no need to collect essences in test tubes.

“That was careless talk. So… if not me, who are you going in with?”

I answered his question with a smirk and headed toward one person.

“Emily.”

“…?”

“Let’s go get the essence.”

She’s due for an essence now too.