Bjorn Yandel the Barbarian

Episode 182 Jinx (2)

A dog tag that could only be received before entering the labyrinth.

In fact, the horse’s identification mark is just a steel pendant with the emblem of the royal family stamped on it.

For reference, the estimated production cost of a Raven with a general appraiser license is less than 3000 Stone.

[It really means it’s an ordinary necklace.]

[No matter how royal, it would have been difficult to make and distribute magic tools in such a short period of time.]

Even the dog tag didn’t even have a name written on it, so even if someone took it, you couldn’t tell it apart.

However, as we looked closely,

There was a trick hidden in the dog tags.

It’s not that great, but…

It’s something that neither the civil servant who handed it out nor the article I met on the first floor pretended not to know.

[What the hell is written here?]

[…It’s an ancient language.]

Between the royal family patterns, there are small numbers written in an ancient language.

The number on the dog tags we received was 2.

Raven and I made several guesses about this and compared it to the dog tags of various explorers and came to one conclusion.

[All the clan dog tags I met earlier had 3 written on them.]

This ancient number means the explorer’s level.

It doesn’t indicate exactly what grade it is, but 1 is the bottom, 2 is the middle, and 3 is the top.

[I asked why you asked for the grade when handing it out, but it was hidden.]

[But why didn’t you tell me when you handed it out?]

[Because there is a concern that Noark’s side might abuse it.]

Of course, even if you can read the ancient language, you can guess like us. It’s such a flimsy device that it’s possible.

However, it’s not bad in terms of value for money.

Isn’t it very difficult to add one more number when taking a picture of a pattern?

I actually benefited from this now.

‘After the fucking Hans effect.’

I put strength into the hand holding the shield, paying attention to the management of my expression. The number written on the dog tag that the dwarf team showed me a moment ago

means 1. You are from Noark, who stole the dog tag.

Judging from the equipment they wear or whatever, they can never be low-level explorers.

‘Now what should I do?’

fuck off right now?

It was the first option that came to mind, but if you look at it item by item, it was the worst number.

Raven seemed to have a similar idea.

[I don’t know if that person’s identity has been revealed yet. So for now, let’s pretend we don’t know and start exploring.]

Yes, this is the best.

As I nodded in response to the transmission magic, the dwarf looked at me with a meaningful look.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, I don’t have one. It’s just a common name. It’s Yandel’s son, Bjorn. What about you?”

“Jagurth Martin.”

It’s a dwarven name, but it’s obviously a pseudonym.

“Ah! I am Ha Hans Krissen.”

Shortly after, Hans G revealed his name, and the communication between the leaders ended.

“A dog tag?”

“Oh, here it is. What are you all doing? Hurry up and don’t show me.”

Just in case, I also checked the dog tags of the Hans G team.

All of them were 2 except for one new recruit with a 1 on it.

“Hey… from now on we have to move together, so why don’t we introduce other people as well?”

“Hmm, we have to move together? Do you know anything about this rift?”

“Yes, to some extent because I like books.”

At the dwarf’s question, Hans G nodded confidently.

It was kind of funny watching it.

did you see it in the book?

Isn’t that the excuse I used often?

“Explain. What will happen next?”

“Since everyone has gathered, if we put our hands together, the road will open. If we follow the road, the forest will come out.”

“……You must be useful.”

“Haha… I’m glad you’re helpful. In that sense, why don’t we take some time to get to know each other about who’s good at what?”

Afterwards, under the suggestion of Hans G, we had time to briefly introduce each other’s composition.

To sum it up, it was:

[Hans G Team]

Summoner Wizard Blunt Weapon Warrior Guide Fairy Archer.

[Dwarf Team]

Dwarf warrior beastman swordsman wizard archer priest.

“Oh! There is a priest!”

Upon hearing the formation of the dwarf team, Hans G’s complexion suddenly brightened. It seems that the existence of the priest was welcome as much as he had to run raids in the future

.

“Hey then, how is the distribution……”

Like an explorer we met in a rift, after the introduction, we immediately discussed the loot.

and the result.

The team that defeated the mob acquires it.

The spoils obtained from hunting together were agreed upon by rolling dice.

However, the dice were not fair.

“Shouldn’t the one who contributed more get the most? You said Mr. Crissen? From the looks of it, he’s probably the least helpful of us.”

“Ah, like I said earlier, we don’t have information about this rift—”

“I’m familiar with the Doppelganger Forest, too?”

Raven’s negotiating mode that fools opponents with a quiet voice.

“Wait a minute. Aren’t you being too rude?”

In the middle, the Hans team’s fairy archer was furious, but nothing changed.

“Stop it, Meirin-nim. Isn’t that the wrong word?”

“Yeah, I’ll admit it. Didn’t I get in a lot of trouble earlier because of one of my barbarian friend’s doppelgangers? It’s unfair to them to demand fairness when there’s such a difference.”

“…….”

When the leader and the wizard said the same thing, the fairy archer kept her mouth shut with a look of resentment.

Soon after, Hans G spoke in a bitter voice.

“We will unconditionally subtract 1 from the dice scale that came out.”

“Take away the 2. I’ll use a 10 dice instead.”

“…I will. But instead, if we build a high ball, please increase it.”

“That’s a reasonable suggestion. Instead of throwing it away, I’d rather make it a rule. If either team makes a mistake, subtract one from the scale and add it the other way around. What do you think?”

Raven looked directly at the Dwarf and said, and the Dwarf nodded obediently.

“Nothing bad.”

‘Cause I’m going to stab you in the back anyway.

Was it because of my mood that I heard such gossip?

***

As they all gathered together and raised their hands at the altar located in the center of the common area, the vines blocking the aisle were pushed aside, revealing an uphill path.

“We’ll go first. Instead, I hope we don’t follow too closely.”

“That’s normal.”

Keeping a safe distance between the teams, the forest appeared before long.

This is where the second chapter begins.

「The character has entered a special area.」

「Field Effect – Doppelganger Forest is granted.」

「 Status abnormality [Disbelief] is applied.」

「Damage is doubled when attacking expedition members.」

The content is very simple.

Go around the forest, defeat the three bosses, and find an altar somewhere.

“Then which team leads the way?”

“I think it would be better to take turns.”

Rather than moving as one, like an explorer whose ‘Distrust’ is passive, each team moved in a divided formation.

A structure that looks like an isosceles triangle when viewed from above.

It was a way to take care of monsters in each direction and to provide support if they were in danger.

“Turn on the voice control magic first.”

Although the distance from the other teams is quite far, I turned on the team voice magic. And he continued his exploration by defeating the doppelganger that came out every few minutes.

How long has it been since then?

“Nyaha! What is that Dwarf! He took a lot of weight, but when he fought, there was nothing special!”

Naturally, we also hunted the other members’ doppelgangers and acquired information.

Hans G’s side was easy as expected, and the dwarf team wasn’t as strong as I thought.

‘It must be about level 5.’

For me, who had left open the possibility that he might be a dragon slayer, this is the most happy news.

“Turn on Raven voice control.”

“Yes? Are you already writing?”

oh i didn’t say that

“It’s just you and me.”

It is such a sensitive subject.

“Huh? Why only the two of us…”

“I’ll explain everything later.”

The three who were openly bullied expressed their doubts, but after seeing my expression, they nodded.

“…It’s done. But you don’t want to tell the three of them?”

“I thought all three of them had no talent for acting.”

It wasn’t particularly intentional, but our eyes naturally focused on Einar.

“…Let’s stop talking about this.”

“Yes. That would be nice.”

I got to the point.

“So how do you think it will come out over there?”

“It’s half and half. The other side might just want to finish the exploration peacefully and leave……. Or they might be greedy.”

It was a slightly surprising answer.

“Half and half?”

Of course, I thought he would see the possibility of being greedy more.

“First of all, they are fewer than us. When we actually deal with them, they’re not even more than us.”

um it’s not like that

“Still, one thing’s for sure, even if you’re greedy, it won’t be right now. Probably after you defeat the Guardians.”

This part matched my thoughts.

The doppelganger forest is a rift in the garden of 15 people.

It means that it is difficult to clear as a single team unless you are extremely skilled.

“You know? Conversely, it also means that we can’t hit that side first until we catch the Guardian.”

“Yes, I know.”

This is the most fucked up part of the current situation.

Subsquamous flexor muscle.

Traditionally, the root of a fire must be pulled out at once, but if you can be relieved, you can’t make a preemptive attack!

I’m going crazy because Mace is itching.

“Then how about over there?”

“A team with a man named Hans?”

“Yes. Did you notice anything suspicious?”

“I don’t know. He looks a bit clumsy, but he doesn’t seem like a bad person.”

“He doesn’t seem like a bad person…”

It certainly seems that way.

But i know

That Hans G was the one who led more than a hundred explorers to their deaths to save themselves when they were trapped in the [Evil Rift].

He’s a guy you can’t just look at as an idiot.

First of all, I am also a player.

“Haa……”

A sigh comes out of the temple.

Hans G was not enough, so the Noark Explorers team.

Why does hard mode open just by entering a rift?

“Bjorn’s doppelganger!”

“…Not just the Dwarves, keep an eye on the other side. If you feel anything strange, tell me right away.”

“all right.”

At this point, I finished the conversation with Raven and focused on the exploration. Contrary to expectations, no one inquired deeply into our conversation.

There’s no way I wouldn’t have been curious…

It would be correct to say that he just waited believing that there would be such a reason.

‘……I’m sorry for that.’

“Please support me!”

Anyway, aside from the occasional request for support from the Hans G team, time passed without incident.

And when it was time for the night.

Found one of the three mid-bosses.

“It’s Ma Manticore!”

One of the few non-doppelgangers in this rift, and rumored to be good value for money whether by-products or essences.

「The Manticore has been defeated. EXP +5」

Thanks to the information from Raven and Hans G, the capture itself was not difficult.

But the problem is…….

No, is it a little bit like a problem?

“Stop moving!”

Essence dropped.

It was really the essence I could eat that had been dropped for a long time.

“Raven, get out the dice!”

Must win.