Episode 622

Glorious Return(4)

The activation of Parab’s intuition only meant one thing.

‘A turning point.’

Something incredibly dangerous was about to happen, and now was the only chance to avoid it.

And in that sense…

‘…Was the Director right after all?’

We were about a month away from the six-month mark the Director had warned us about. Considering how long it would take to reach the Village Chief’s Island, this was the absolute deadline.

“Baron… shouldn’t we leave right now? No, we have to leave!”

“Calm down and return to your post. I’ll make the decision on this matter.”

“Huh? Ah… yes! But hurry! You need to do it as quickly as possible!”

For someone so accustomed to obeying the chain of command, speaking like that must mean his intuition is screaming. According to him, even during the Ice Rock expedition, it hadn’t been this severe.

‘…A situation worse than the Ice Rock expedition?’

At this point, even I was starting to feel the urgency.

How many people had fallen and disappeared into that freezing abyss during that expedition? I never want to experience something like that again.

“Vice Commander, I’ll be heading upstairs for a bit.”

“…So suddenly?”

“We might need to leave this place in a hurry. I’ll explain the details when I return. For now, take command in my absence.”

I instructed the Vice Commander to continue the raid without me and prepare for departure if necessary. I then quickly made my way to the control room at the top.

‘Is this the right call?’

Even as I walked, doubts plagued me.

If I accepted the Director’s deal and obtained the qualification to leave now, I could reach the Village Chief’s Island within the timeframe he had warned me about. That way, no one would get hurt.

I had no objections to the fact that this was the safest method.

‘But it’s such a waste to never be able to come back down here.’

For one, I still had no idea why the Director was so insistent on preventing me from returning. That alone made it hard for me to make a decision.

But…

‘But if Goblin went so far as to say that, I can’t just ignore it…’

If I accepted the Director’s deal and obtained the qualification to leave now, I could reach the village chief’s island before the deadline. Then, no one would get hurt.

I was in a really tough spot. My head was spinning.

But the more I thought about it, the simpler I tried to keep it.

Priorities.

Every decision starts with what you prioritize.

As I walked toward the control room, I reflected on myself.

With that, my mind felt lighter, and I was able to make a choice.

‘…Let’s take the deal.’

Who knows what treasure might still be hidden in basement floor 1, but we already got more than enough.

B1 itself was like a bonus stage that we didn’t even know existed.

Above all…

‘There’s nothing more we can do here for now.’

If we want to find more treasure, we’re still not strong enough. We couldn’t even stand a chance against that colossal giant on Giant Island.  There are still too many uncertainties.

Just as countless casualties occurred while hunting the first-class monster on Library Island, pushing further would inevitably lead to more sacrifices.

Yeah, so…

[You’ve arrived.]

“Yeah, I’m here.”

I walked into the control room for the first time in over a month.

[It seems you’ve finally made your decision.]

As if he had been expecting me, the director floating on the screen seemed to immediately understand why I had returned.

‘This guy is seriously weird.’

Surprisingly enough, ever since making that first offer, the director had been waiting for me the whole time. Even as days turned into weeks and then months, he never tried to push me into deciding.

As if he knew the outcome wouldn’t change anyway.

[Now then, tell me. What have you decided?]

Somehow, the fact that things were going exactly as he expected left a bitter taste in my mouth.

However, since I had made my decision, I needed to set my emotions aside. And my choice didn’t just affect me alone.

“Give me that qualification or whatever. I won’t set foot here again after this.”

[A wise decision.]

“Whatever. Just hurry up. Oh, do I need to sign a contract or something?”

[That won’t be necessary.]

A streak of light swirled across the monitor.

[The contract is already complete.]

…What?

Already complete?

‘But nothing even happened.’

As I thought that—

「Achievement Complete」

Condition: 15% Progress in the 7th Records Archive.

Reward: Permanent access granted to enter and leave the Basement Floor 1 Records Archives.

A golden, book-shaped mark appeared on the back of my right hand. It glowed brightly before sinking into my skin as if it were being absorbed.

At the same time…

「A dimensional pact has been formed.」

「Your character is now permanently restricted from entering Basement Floor 1, Records Archive.」

It was a sensation I’d never felt before.

There was no visible effect or flashy animation, just a brief, inexplicable feeling as if something had lightly gripped my heart.

It was over so quickly, though, that I almost wondered if I’d imagined it.

“…What did you just do to me?”

[Nothing. Only a pact was formed.]

“…A pact?”

[Think of it as a special kind of contract. With mutual agreement, a new rule now exists between us within the labyrinth]

In any case, the Director seemed to think our business was finished and ended the conversation on his own.

[Then our business is finished. You must be busy, so go on your way. There’s good news waiting for you downstairs.]

“Good news…?”

[You’ll see.]

Even in the end, the director made me feel like I’d been manipulated.

[Take care, Marx. It was good to see you again, even briefly. I mean that.]

The director then turned to Hamsiki and greeted him, and Hamsiki responded with a quiet mumble.

[…No.]

[No? What do you mean?]

Perched on my shoulder, Hamshik paused briefly before speaking firmly.

[I’m not Marx. I’m Hamsiki.]

[I told you before, that name was given to you by the Witch. Before you lost your memories, it meant everything to you—]

[That was before I lost my memories.]

Hamsiki’s statement left the director momentarily speechless. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

[I see… Even in this world, nothing lasts forever. You’ve changed… and so have I.]

It was still a mechanical voice, but for some reason, I sensed a hint of emotion in it.

[If that’s your choice, so be it. Good luck.]

With that, the Director finished speaking, and I left the control room with Hamsiki on my shoulder.

The moment we stepped out, Hamshik asked worriedly.

[That pact thing… are you really alright?]

“How should I know? Seems fine so far.”

[You know I visited the control room every day while you were busy, right? That guy’s suspicious as hell. Be careful.]

“Yeah. Thanks for the concern.”

[…That’s what friends do.]

At the word friend, I went silent.

Back when I went to the control room to gather information, I heard from the Director that Hamsiki couldn’t leave Basement Floor One.

‘And I can’t come back down here either.’

We both knew it but didn’t mention it.

As it wasn’t true.

****

As soon as I arrived at the underground factory I understood what the director meant by “good news”

“Mister! Come quick! Hurry!”

“Don’t tell me… that dropped from that guy?”

“Yes! Congratulations! You wanted this, right?”

While I was in the control room, an essence had dropped, and it was the green one I’d been hoping for!

As I walked over, Raven shrugged at me.

“We were about to put it in a test tube if you didn’t show. Good thing you came just in time.”

“How long has it been?”

“Ten minutes.”

Good. That means I still have time.

I removed all of my currently equipped Numbered items. This Essence required some prep before consumption.

Step, step.

Once I was ready, I slowly approached the essence.

Thanks to reaching Rank 8, I had one slot left even after consuming the Bellarios essence. If I could consume it directly without a test tube, it would be the best.

But the problem was…

‘Will it work?’

In Dungeon & Stone, duplicate Essences were impossible. Sure, you could consume a regular Essence and then a Guardian Essence, but in that case, the regular Essence would just upgrade into the Guardian Essence.

So what would happen here?

I got my answer soon enough.

As my fingertips touched the floating essence—

‘…So it just passes through me, huh?’

My hand went right through it.

As if my soul had no space left for it.

“Tch.”

Honestly, I’d been hopeful.

If duplicate Essences had been possible, I could’ve tested something.

Would the same skill stack?

‘[Gigantification] + [Transcendence] = Super Gigantification, then another [Gigantification]…’

‘(True) Super Gigantification’ would’ve been insane.

‘Well, I’ll just erase the old one and consume this one as soon as we get out…’

After Raven stored the Essence in a test tube, I erased all thoughts about the essence.

“Vice Commander, are we ready to depart?”

“Yes, we can leave immediately.”

“Good. Let’s go home.”

It was time to leave.

***

After leaving the research facility and exiting the temple, we passed through the forest and headed toward a certain location.

Several days later, we arrived at a vast lake, a place we had discovered during an earlier exploration.

Or rather, we had unlocked it.

It had originally been blocked by a barrier, but we gained access after destroying the giant drone guarding it.

“Everyone, board the ship and head to your stations!”

Incidentally, this lake was our way out of Rainbow Island.

Though it was our first time attempting it, the director assured me it would work.

Tick, tick—

After activating the pocket watch I’d obtained from destroying the giant drone, I waited for the second hand to complete a full rotation.

A radiant rainbow light spread over the lake, just like when we’d arrived.

Flash—!

When we came to our senses, we were back in the windless zone where we’d survived the rainy season.

I made a quick detour to Library Island to drop off Hamsiki.

“Sorry. I couldn’t keep my promise to help you recover your memories.”

[You are still thinking about that? Don’t make that face. I’ve already heard everything I needed from the Director.]

“……”

[Take care.]

He said goodbye but didn’t mention meeting again.

So I did.

[We’ll… meet again, okay?]

“Yeah. Who knows what might happen? I’ll try to find a way to come back.”

[Think that’s possible…?]

“At least, I think so. That’s one of the reasons I accepted the director’s offer.”

[……Hmph, then come back or don’t.]

“Stay safe until then. Don’t open the door for strangers.”

Time was short, so after saying goodbye to Hamsiki, I headed straight for the village chief’s island.

Thanks to our maximum speed, we arrived three days before the Director’s deadline.

“The island is heeeere!”

After getting off the ship, I immediately ran to the village and touched the dimensional portal, just in case.

“The p-portal! The portal opened!”

“S-so can we really go back now?!”

“Long live Baron Jandel! Long liiiiive!”

Fortunately, the dimensional portal activated, creating a blue portal.

But I didn’t step through immediately.

How could I? I was curious.

[If you don’t leave this place within half a year, you’ll face grave danger. That’s when he will appear.]

Who was this “he” the Director had mentioned?

He’d never given a clear answer, which only fueled my curiosity.

‘The portal’s open… It wouldn’t hurt to observe the situation before leaving.’

So I stationed the main force in the village and brought only Sven Parab back to the surface.

“Wh-why am I…?”

“Focus. If you sense danger, we’re jumping into the portal immediately.”

“If that’s the case, I’d like to go down right now… The rainy season is about to start again!”

“The fact you’re complaining means there’s still time.”

“……”

One day passed, then two.

Finally, only an hour or two remained before the director’s deadline.

Swoooosh—

As if something was about to begin. A strong wind suddenly blew from behind us.

“C-can we please go now?”

“Feeling uneasy?”

“Yes…!”

“Just one quick check.”

I hurried to a cliff and looked down toward the coast.

The silver sea was receding violently, as if dragged by some massive force.

“W-We should leave now! Seriously, I’m really freaking out…!”

Seeing him, it seemed like time really was running out…

I checked the map one last time.

‘The direction of Rock Island…’

The wind and waves were heading toward Rock Island.

[If waves start to approach you during the rainy season, stop immediately and find shelter.]

Could this be the entity mentioned in the Village Chief’s ghost notebook?

No way to know, but I decided to take Sven Parab back to the village.

Then, one by one, I sent everyone through the portal.

I was last, of course.

Since I was the one who opened the portal, there was a chance it would close if I left first.

Boooooom—!

Just as I was about to step through, the entire village shook as if it had been struck by an earthquake.

‘What now?’

For a moment, my gamer curiosity flared, but I resisted the urge to investigate.

Yeah, if I ever came back, I could find out then.

If I couldn’t, it wouldn’t matter anyway.

「The Lord of Records, Recardo, begins patrolling the floor.」

Let’s just get out.

Fwoooosh—!

I stepped into the portal.

***

Basement Floor 1 – Records Archive

Although there’s a slight difference, time here flows almost in sync with the outside world.

 

When the rainy season begins, the entire labyrinth, including the Crystal Cave on the first floor, closes.

‘At least the portal opened.’

The portal was opened.

So where would it take us?

I expected to return to the first floor, but the labyrinth had already closed.

The answer to my question came soon enough.

「The character has moved to Raphdonia.」

If the labyrinth is closed, you return to the city.

Or maybe the portal always takes you back to the city.

Either way, it didn’t matter.

“Uh… mister……………….”

The dimensional square in District 7, where we had first entered the labyrinth long ago.

Looking around, the empty plaza was occupied only by the members of Clan Anabada, who had entered the labyrinth with me.

Of course, this wasn’t strange.

The expeditionary force had used dimensional squares in other districts, as had the Armin Exploration Team and the Hex Clan.

Yeah, nothing unusual so far.

I wasn’t expecting people to be waiting here to welcome our return either.

But then…

“W-Why does the dimensional square look like this…?”

The dimensional square we arrived at was completely different from how it used to be.

Ssssshhhhh—

The wind carried a smoky, pungent smell, and the checkpoint building, which always had long lines in front of it, had been completely destroyed and reduced to rubble.

As if a massive war had broken out.

“Looks like something happened in the city while we were gone.”

Amelia calmly assessed the situation while glancing around.

And just then—

“Captain! Over here!”

A man’s voice rang out from a distance.

“We just detected a portal signature from this locat—…”

“Huh? Who the hell are you guys?”

When I saw the emblem on the man’s uniform, I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.

“Where the hell did you come from?”

Where did we come from? I am the one who should ask that.

‘Just what the hell happened while we were gone………………..

That would let those Noark bastards roam freely through the city like this?”

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