“Hmm, in that case, I’ll show you just one more. But what to show... Ah, this time, why don’t you pick one yourself?”

Auril Gavis’s suggestion wasn’t bad. Unlike before, he didn’t pick one for me but let me choose, which meant I could avoid any trickery.

“......”

I hesitated for a long time, and seeing my frustration, he added beside me:

“What’s there to worry about? No matter what you choose, it’ll be your fate anyway.”

“If that’s so, then why breathe or think at all?”

Though I snapped back, after hearing him, I felt it pointless to agonize over such things. So...

“That one there. Give me that solid, inverted-triangle-shaped one.”

I picked the biggest fragment I could see, thinking the larger it was, the more it would contain.

I wondered if he memorized all the fragments’ records.

“Hmm... of all things, you chose that one.”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“No, not a problem exactly... but, well, if this is your fate, it’s fate.”

Auril Gavis asked again if I really wanted to see it, and after a moment of thought, I said yes. Whoosh!

The fragment slowly descended toward his outstretched hand. Soon it was close enough to see the text.

But had I made a wrong choice? ‘Why are there so many empty spots?’ Though it looked biggest, many parts were broken or worn, so only a few letters were legible.

Still, reading the intact parts gave:

“[...On the day Noni burned, this... demon spirit ‘———’ was betrayed by trusted comrades...]”

The symbol that represented the name matched what I’d seen earlier.

So ‘———’ meant me...

“On the day Hwangdo Karnon burned... betrayed by trusted comrades...?”

Filling the unreadable parts by context, that was the gist.

“Did I interpret that correctly?”

“Interpretation is always up to the reader at any moment.”

“Ha, tsk...”

Had I been foolish to say I’d look? My already complicated head grew more so. Some accident caused three comrades to die.

Whether after or before, one comrade betrayed me. Knowing an unchangeable future is a curse, not a blessing.

“Interesting.”

“...Are you enjoying my suffering?”

“More than that, it’s strange that among so many fragments, you chose the one with you in it. That’s the power of fate, I suppose.”

Auril Gavis’s “interesting” wasn’t empty praise; he even asked if I wanted to see one more fragment.

But...

“No, I’m good. I don’t want my head to hurt more.”

“Hmm, if you say so, so be it. I won’t /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ offer more.”

Thus the Record Stone tour ended, and we descended the stairs back to the cave quietly.

“So, shall we leave now?”

“Yes, even leaving late like this, Ibaekho will make a fuss.”

“That guy’s like you, wanting to know everything.”

“Weren’t you the one telling me not to be close to him?”

“That advice still stands. Being close to Ibaekho brings no good.”

“Is that from your perspective, or the elder’s?”

“Both.”

Talking with this old man for a long time felt pointless again. I never knew if what he said was true or false, making it worse.

Though many words were exchanged, nothing felt trustworthy.

“Since we’re on the topic, one more thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“Be careful with Ibaekho.”

“...Didn’t you say that before?”

I tilted my head, and Auril Gavis continued as if to make sure I heard it.

“I said he’s a supporting role, but Ibaekho is a very unusual existence. See those?”

He pointed at the hundreds of fragments slowly orbiting the air.

“I’ve seen many records here, but none mention Ibaekho.”

“...?”

“That’s very strange. Someone with so much influence and closely connected to you not appearing in any record.”

If that’s true, it’s definitely odd. Could Ibaekho be hiding a secret we don’t know?

I don’t know, but Auril Gavis said again:

“So be cautious of Ibaekho. Not appearing in the ‘records’ means he is freer from them. He’s not without influence, but at least less than us.”

“Don’t worry too much; he’s already on alert.”

“That’s good.”

“We’ll meet again someday, won’t we?”

“That’s fate.”

“Well then, I’ll be going. Let’s hope it’s not too late next time.”

“I hope so too.”

With that, Auril Gavis watched me silently. I didn’t say anything either, just glanced him up and down once more, nodded, and stepped into the portal.

And then...

“Oh! You’re back!”

“Thank goodness! I was worried!”

“What? Why so late? Baron! You talked to that old man, didn’t you? Huh?”

Opening my eyes after the portal, I heard many voices all around. Ibaekho, Leg Auress, Jaina Flyer, Belvev Ruin Genesis, Yulben Havelion.

The fact that all but me were demon spirits was one thing. Including me, the group totaled six.

“What’s with that look? I just felt a chill.”

Ignoring Ibaekho’s fuss, I recalled the record I’d read.

Suddenly, a thought struck me like lightning.

[A demon spirit from another world ‘———’ lost three comrades and only then realized the path he must take.]

The three unnamed comrades.

“You all, become my comrades.”

It might just be a wild idea, but since the record said “three comrades,”

‘If I make them my comrades and travel together every day... maybe those three will die and it will pass.’

It sounds crazy at first, but logically there’s nothing wrong.

Still, whether that will really happen remains a question. But what else can I do? I have to try as far as I can.

“Comrades... huh?”

My suggestion probably sounded confusing. Everyone froze without blinking at my sudden idea. Ibaekho’s expression was priceless.

“Wow, now I’m even more curious. What did you hear from that old man to suddenly say that?”

His stunned look faded, replaced by sharp eyes glaring at me. I realized I’d rushed.

Even with comrades’ lives at stake, I should have proceeded carefully step by step.

“Baron, what did you talk about with that old man?”

“...Not much.”

“Come on, who’d believe that? Nothing happened but you changed like that?”

“We just kept traveling together, and I thought it’d be reassuring if you joined us in the labyrinth.”

Of course, it was a lie. The labyrinth was the one place where you must watch your back the most. How could I go in with these guys?

They hid knives even when facing each other alone. If I joined, it’d be chaos.

“Hmm... but what about your clan if you travel with us?”

Ibaekho probed, clearly not believing my claim of no hidden agenda, but willing to listen for now.

“Well, that’s something to think about later. Besides, you haven’t agreed yet.”

I dodged naturally as if I hadn’t given it much thought. But...

“Oh! Baron Yandel the Giant wants to be our comrade? We really have to think seriously now?”

Ibaekho muttered in a tone like reading a textbook. Obviously mocking me, except for one person.

“Uh... Baekho...? If the Baron joins the team, I might get edged out...”

That’s the tank of Ibaekho’s team, Leg Auress. He still had the instinct to protect his role. If only he had a bit more tact, it’d be better.

“Aures... please just stay quiet...”

“W-why should I? My position’s being threatened—!”

Jaina’s quiet attempt to calm him failed, and Ibaekho snapped irritably.

“No, that’s not it! Just be quiet! You wanna get kicked out for real?”

“.......”

“Ah, seriously annoying.”

Ibaekho sighed deeply, deflated by Aures’s inability to read the mood. The textbook tone was long gone.

“Hey, Baron.”

“I’m listening.”

“Do you know what explorers are best at?”

He gave me a look asking what that was. Ibaekho stared and opened his mouth.

“Figuring things out.”

“......?”

“Whether I’m at an advantage or disadvantage, if they’re strong or I’m stronger.”

My heart thumped! Without hearing more, a bad feeling started. As expected, bad feelings never miss.

“You have to know that to do it right.”

“...Know what?”

“Know what you already know.”

After saying that, Ibaekho gestured, and Parmel Harbae, Leg Auress, and Jaina gathered by his side.

And then...

“Hey, are you just gonna stand there?”

He said bluntly to GM.

“If you do, you’ll catch stray fire and die.”

The threat was so intense it sent chills down my spine. GM froze and glanced between Ibaekho and me, tension deepening.

Of course, as ‘human,’ GM didn’t take long to choose. Facing those four with just a tank and a mage was almost impossible.

“S-sorry...”

Still feeling some guilt, GM apologized to me and hurried toward Ibaekho. I didn’t feel betrayed.

After all, that guy and I weren’t really comrades. I silently raised my shield, ready for combat at any moment.

Watching me, Ibaekho said:

“Don’t be too upset. Honestly, I’m more upset.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because it’s obvious you talked to that old man. I don’t know what about, but I have to hear.”

“......”

“Even if I have to use explorer’s methods.”

What does he think explorers are? While thinking that, I realized I agreed with him.

If you’re weak, you’ll end up feeling wronged. That’s just how this world works, like paying money to buy something.

Step by step, Ibaekho approached ready to strike. But he didn’t back down even a step. That’s right.

‘Running away is impossible.’

If I ran, where would I go? With this clumsy body, I’d be caught soon enough.

Maybe my resolve surprised him.

“Wow, you’re not backing down here either?”

Ibaekho muttered, a bit surprised, but I saw no reason to be.

After all, a shield is made to block attacks from the front, not the back.

“Do you think I can’t kill you?”

Well, I hadn’t exactly ruled that out. Ibaekho wants me to open the Abyss Gate. He can never kill me. But...

“What to do? Even if I can’t kill him, I already have dozens of ways to make him miserable.”

That doesn’t mean I’d ignore him. Like he said, there are countless ways to torment me without killing me.

No need to go as far as Briat’s ‘interrogation.’

“For example, take all his gear. Or neuter him so he won’t be distracted by women anymore.”

Ah, um... neutering wasn’t expected.

“......”

Damn, should I just say it all honestly?

“Or threaten to kill all your comrades when we get back—”

“No way.”

“Behe—laaaaaaah!!!”

I shouted to steady my weakening heart.

“What are you barking about?”

Ibaekho is a wild dog. A wild dog that tears apart the weak without leaving a scrap. So...

“Shut up and fight.”

This is no place to back down.***

Maybe he thought talking more here would only make him look like a noisy dog. Ibaekho closed his mouth, and silence fell.

“......”

“......”