Trapped in a Game That Flopped

Chapter 74

Episode 74

'Vicious bastard.'

'No wonder he bought that.'

'It seems he plans to blow this whole place sky-high.'

'Come to think of it, the original scenario video didn't show exactly why, but I think it did show the underground cavern collapsing after Ballakk was defeated.'

'He must have been the one who blew it up then, too.'

It was a bit of a waste, thinking of the rare items that might still be left, but I wanted to get away from him before I got caught in the explosion.

"Well then, good luck cleaning up. I'll be going first. Goodbye."

Just as I spat out the farewell like a machine gun and tried to pass him without any lingering attachment.

"Uh, uh...!"

A force grabbed my shoulder, yanking me back, and I stumbled backward, ending up right back in front of him.

"Ah, why...!"

"Name."

Just as I was about to ask him what the hell he was doing, he spat it out.

"We should at least exchange names, in case we meet again."

Isn't it a little late to be asking for names now?

I stared at him wide-eyed, then immediately refused.

"I'm fine, thanks."

"You dragged my name through the mud, and you don't even have a shred of conscience?"

I didn't want to hear that from a guy who tried to shake me down twice upon first meeting me.

But I didn't have time to argue about every little thing.

I spoke in a strong tone, as if to drive a final nail into this needlessly uncomfortable feeling.

"Unfortunately, there won't be a next time for us."

At least, not in this form.

"We'll see. Will that really be the case?"

The reply came, full of meaning. And then.

"...They were purple."

With that incomprehensible mumble, Kassel turned and started to walk away.

"...What the."

I watched his back as he drew his sword and approached the Dark Society bastards.

Left all alone, in this weird state, wearing his outer garment like a cape.

Then, I remembered that while it wasn't an antidote potion, I had something else he could use.

I hurriedly pulled the last remaining teleport scroll from my garter belt with one hand and shouted.

"Hey!"

"..."

But Kassel didn't stop at all.

He wasn't so far that he couldn't have heard me. What a rotten personality.

'HP -20'

HP 92

Right on cue, the health-drain penalty that had been delayed by the Holy Water kicked in.

In the end, I angrily threw the teleport scroll with all my might.

Thwak!

I tried to hit his shoulder, but he was a hair's breadth too fast, and the scroll tumbled pathetically to the floor.

"If you have trouble getting out after setting the bomb, use it!"

As I yelled, out of time, the system window finally popped up.

[Warning! HP is below 10%! Auto-summoning to affiliated NPC region.]

Shushushuk.

My vision began to distort.

I urgently looked at Kassel, but he was still advancing without a single glance back.

A wave of regret washed over me for having done something pointless.

It was just a waste of a teleport scroll, thrown to the floor with my own hand.

"Ah, whatever! Pick it up or don't!"

I'm outta here...

[You have arrived in Dover Village.]

While I was muttering in annoyance, I was already standing in a familiar alley.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

"Keuek!"

"Aaaaak!"

"S-Save me!"

Kassel, having easily eliminated the last one, casually shook the blood from his sword.

He sheathed his sword and then picked a spot to set the bomb.

He had taken care of everyone who was out in the open, but there were bound to be others hiding like rats.

After all, it was a den riddled with countless trap passages, making a complete sweep impossible from the start.

But that, too, would all be over if he just blew it up with a bomb.

He finally found a suitably remote spot and set the S-grade Flame Time Bomb in a crack in the wall.

And the moment he stood up.

Something rolling on the floor caught his eye.

He strode over to it.

[Rihen Village Teleport Scroll]

Rihen Village was a place where few people lived, due to its rugged mountains and large population of plant-type monsters that ruined crops and harmed humans.

It was just as good for criminals to hide in.

"...She said she was from Dover Village."

Kassel muttered as he gauged Rihen Village's location.

It was too far to be near the capital, a journey of about two days.

But if you crossed the one mountain where countless monsters resided, it led directly to the Hailey domain.

"She certainly seeks out places just like herself."

He picked up the teleport scroll, nonchalantly muttering something that would make her cough up blood and demand it back if she heard it.

He had no use for it, but he had no intention of letting it disappear in the flames either.

Shoving it into his pocket, Kassel familiarly found and entered the passage leading to the exit.

As he climbed the dark stairs leading to the surface, something occurred to him.

The rumor that someone was defeating the monsters that had been rampant in various regions.

No one knew the identity of that someone.

What was clear, however, was that their path pointed directly to the capital via the shortest route.

A normal, conventional hero would never do that.

Heroes were bastards who were desperate to spread their name and achievements.

Therefore, a hero would never just defeat the problematic monster and hurriedly leave the area, as if they had urgent business elsewhere.

It was a movement that maximized efficiency, spending minimal time and effort.

Just like today.

As his thoughts reached that point, Kassel paused.

'I didn't expect to be able to kill that bastard Ballakk right away...'

Strangely enough, everything had happened simultaneously and been taken care of at once.

As if to leave no room for a second look.

And the woman who was always at the center of it.

Kassel stroked his chin, thinking of the mysterious woman he'd seen today.

"No."

"I'm fine, thanks."

"Unfortunately, there won't be a next time for us."

Like a cat with its fur on end, wary, the woman had been busy snapping back, never losing a single word.

She was like that even while wearing the clothes he'd given her, pinned securely with the brooch.

That disrespectful and impudent attitude, grudgingly spitting out a 'thank you' with a sullen face.

And yet, rather than making him angry...

"...They weren't blue, but purple eyes."

He muttered again and clicked his tongue.

As expected, there was a marked difference between what he'd glimpsed in his sleep and reality.

He'd just wasted money on a brooch that didn't even match.

It was then. His vision suddenly brightened, and the endlessly dark passage finally came to an end.

"My Lord."

Adam and a few knights were waiting for Kassel, who had climbed all the stairs.

"As you commanded, the ground floor has been cleared."

Only a minimal number of personnel had accompanied their lord on his night excursion for protection.

Despite being swept up in an unexpected situation, Adam and the knights had carried out their orders perfectly, without panicking.

But Kassel, without even a common word of praise, gave a curt nod and asked.

"The one I told you to find."

"...I apologize, but not yet."

Adam bowed his head, looking ashamed.

The legendary sword, reclaimed after killing the broker, was now gleaming at his waist.

They, who had been staying in a small townhouse near the capital, had visited the black market today at Kassel's behest to purchase suitable slaves and goods.

In addition, they had also planned to put Lumiekar up for auction.

Of course, it wasn't really to sell it. It was a trap.

One meant to catch someone.

"And this sword... if possible, return it to Adam Hailey and command his loyalty in return."

The hand that had hesitated before placing the sword in his was still vivid.

If she knew he was selling the sword she'd put her blood and sweat into restoring, she would surely lose her mind and show herself.

But even before Lumiekar could appear at the auction, he had witnessed her at the black market.

On top of that, the slave and relic he'd intended to buy had already been snatched up by someone else.

"However, we are still tracking her, and I've sent men to Dover Village, so soon..."

"That's enough."

"...Yes?"

"I rescind the order to find her."

A flicker of confusion crossed Adam's face at the sudden change.

But only for a moment.

"Understood."

His expression was quickly wiped clean, and he accepted Kassel's command as usual.

Despite having set a time bomb, they exited the building at a rather leisurely pace, killing the remaining Dark Society remnants.

The night had passed, and the dawn was breaking.

"...It is time."

Kassel looked up at the pale blue dawn and spoke quietly.

"Lead the knights. We are going to the Imperial Palace. Now."

Understanding his meaning, Adam and the few knights stiffened.

The day of the great event had come sooner than expected.

"The moment I am reinstated, I will hold a tournament, Adam Hailey."

"Yes. I am listening."

"When the opening ceremony is over, you will lead the knights to the Ogre Dungeon in the east."

"I will obey."

Adam, who had accepted the order without a word, paused for a moment before asking for confirmation.

"However, will you not be commanding them directly?"

He meant, would he not be participating in the tournament himself?

Unlike the fight for reinstatement, it was generally unheard of for the Crown Prince to participate directly in that dogfight.

But Adam, who had a rough idea of why he was holding the tournament, couldn't help but be puzzled.

The Crown Prince wanted to personally eliminate the source of the monsters and break his curse.

To do so, he intended to identify the most capable heroes and form a monster subjugation squad.

If he held a tournament, all sorts of people from across the country would undoubtedly flood the capital.

Among them, there would surely be groups who tried to use tricks or participated with seditious intent.

Knowing the Crown Prince's personality, he would want to see and filter them with his own eyes at least once.

If so, they would need to train a separate unit to escort him, making his participation a rather important issue for Adam.

Kassel paused at Adam's question, lost in thought.

Events were proceeding strangely, one step at a time, but faster.

In that case.

"...I will go to the Temple."

He had no choice but to move in step.

Kukwaaaaaaang!

A moment later, an enormous explosion erupted behind them as they walked away.

In the spot where the fierce flames and the storm of hot air had swept past, nothing remained but the ruins of the collapsed building.