Bjorn Yandel the Barbarian

I called it a crack because there was no other word to replace it, but strictly speaking, it is not a crack.

Are the wizards saying that the unique properties of the crack portal are nowhere to be found?

So I just decided to do it.

In fact, unlike ordinary cracks, beyond the portal, there was only a boss room.

But…

‘This time, it’s a real crack…’

Hidden beyond the open stone gate that shared all the guardian statues was a crack portal.

‘Well… the first basement floor is also a layer.’

Are there class-specific cracks?

It’s not particularly strange.

Well, the village chief said that it is better not to expect too much since he has never seen a crack formed over such a long period of time, but…

‘Is it possible that it doesn’t exist?’

I did not suspect the existence of a crack.

This is not to say that there are cracks that do not occur randomly but only open in certain places.

I thought the first basement floor would be a similar case.

“Be careful! “If you get sucked in, there’s no turning back!”

“Do you have the wavelength measurement results yet?”

While the wizards gathered near the portal and collected various data, I walked away and took a moment to gather my thoughts.

‘I thought there might be cracks on the 6th floor or higher…’

My expectations, which I had carefully kept in mind, were spectacularly wrong.

‘Is it still too early to say for sure?’

Maybe if you take that portal, you can randomly enter one of the cracks on the 6th floor or higher.

‘…Well, I really don’t think that’s going to happen.’

A gamer’s intuition speaks.

There is a high possibility that beyond that portal there is a crack unique to the first underground floor.

“Whoa…”

My worry is greater than my curiosity and anticipation as to what kind of crack it might be.

Well, this place is different from the game.

There is no such thing as a retry.

You must succeed on your first try through an unknown crack where neither the guardian nor the appearing monsters know what the terrain is like.

“…Yandel?”

“Ah… Emily.”

Amelia saw that I was getting more serious and gave me a worried look, but she didn’t talk to me other than handing me a canteen filled with cold water.

How much time has passed like that?

A leadership meeting was held and the wizards shared what they had researched.

Excluding the little things, there were two main things.

“No decrease in magic density was observed in the rift portal. “It seems extremely unlikely that it will naturally disappear over time.”

There is plenty of time to relax and think before entering the crack.

In other words, there is no need to rush into forming a team right away. Although it was something I expected, I was quite relieved to hear this confirmation.

However…

“Our investigation team’s opinion is that this is a crack that allows up to 5 people to enter.”

This part surprised me in many ways.

Let alone that the maximum number of people is five, how do they know that?

Is it possible to find out something like that through research?

It wasn’t like that in the game?

When I asked about the detailed investigation process because I had such questions, I received a very disheartening answer.

“Because… there was a mural on the inside of the stone gate… After in-depth discussion, our investigation team concluded to interpret it as referring to the total garden.”

Now that I see it, I didn’t find it using magic, it was just a guess.

“Of course… since it is an interpretation observed from an arbitrary and subjective perspective, the investigation team is fully aware of the concerns about taking a negative stance on the possibility that the interpretation is wrong, and we are asking for your understanding on this. give.”

“What on earth are you talking about, this wizard?”

“……yes?”

Ah, I told you that I was only thinking to myself.

The atmosphere suddenly became cold, but no excuses were given, such as a slip of the tongue.

Not only is it unbecoming of a barbarian to do that, but

if we interpret it from the beginning, wouldn’t it mean that we should set up insurance in advance because our guess may be wrong?

“Then the meeting will stop here for a while. “I have something to share with the Baron, so would you all please make room?”

Afterwards, the village chief, who understood my glance, bit everyone and asked me.

“What would you like me to do?”

An expression of intention to leave all exploration decisions to me, as was the case during the stone statue exploration.

“The wizards’ guess is valid, so I plan to form a team of five people first. Oh, of course, I plan to prepare an additional team just in case.”

“That’s wise. Then, when the selection process is over, tell me—.”

“In that sense, there is one thing I would like to ask.”

As I entered, the village chief looked at me intently.

Those unique eyes make me even more creepy because I can’t read what he’s thinking at all.

“Try it.”

I guess I didn’t even get permission, so I just asked in a no-nonsense way.

“Do you ever want to go into the rift together?”

“The reason is?”

Well, even if I tell a clumsy lie, it won’t work, right?

After thinking about it for a while, I expressed my honest thoughts.

“Anyway, you can get away with it, right?”

Perfect as a scout.

***

First friend, first love, first breakup….

In anything, the first time is special and remains in the memory for a long time.

And it was no different for me.

First crack.

While playing [Dungeon & Stone], I really went into the cracks like I was eating, but I still have vivid memories of the first time I tried each crack.

Blood Fortress, Glacier Cave, White Temple….

A crack entered without any prior information.

I proceeded with the strategy as carefully as possible, but 99% of the time, I lost my cherished character after seeing the game over screen.

Hammer Dwarf Sniping Fairy Beastman Witch Doctor…

Pieces of my data disappeared in vain because I didn’t know anything.

Now, I don’t really feel any regrets, but because of those experiences, I naturally came to understand one thing.

It is natural to be wiped out at the first crack.

Of course, this does not apply when it is clearly over-specified.

But…

‘Looking at the difficulty level of the first basement floor, I don’t think we’ll be over-specified.’

Therefore, whether or not to recruit a village chief was a critical issue.

Because it means that you can handle Jerome St. Red, one of the strongest men, without any worries.

“More than anything, if I die, it will benefit you too.”

“…It’s not really beneficial.”

I said that while hiding my embarrassment, but I couldn’t deny it.

So is this still a rejection?

At this point, I was seriously wondering if I should give up and move on.

“I will do it.”

“…what?”

“If only you would do me one favor.”

“Tell me.”

Surprisingly, there was nothing special about the village chief’s request.

The intention hidden within was also very obvious.

“Keep a few things for yourself and return them to the city.”

“…You are asking me to deliver Karui’s heart. “I can’t take it with me due to the effect of [Pagan Altar].”

“That’s accurate.”

It was one of the biggest characteristics of [pagan altars].

You must visit periodically and register your equipment at the altar, but the equipment will follow you when you respawn.

“Hmm…”

“Isn’t this an offer where you have nothing to lose?”

“By the way. “I’m curious about what you believe and why you’re asking me for such a favor.”

When asked directly, the village chief burst out laughing, feeling less awkward now.

“Haha, you are the one who handed over the body of the commander of the exploration force sent by the royal family to some monster to try to survive somehow. But how could you not believe it?”

Simply put, it means that if you break your promise, you too should be prepared to be screwed.

“I’ll tell you in advance, but this is the only time the threat of dying together has worked.”

“Why is this a threat? I didn’t force you to promise, I just told you that you could break it if you broke it. “If you don’t like it, just decline my offer.”

Uh… logically, that makes sense too.

I ended the conversation coolly, having run out of things to rebut.

“…Then I will figure out that we will go in together and make personnel appointments.”

“So be it. But… you’re not going out?”

“What are you doing? “I have to come back and tell you anyway, but it’s a waste of time.”

“…Do whatever you want.”

So I sat down in my chair and started thinking about what to do with the remaining people.

‘Once the two people were decided…’

The village chief and I.

If the wizards’ guess is true, three more people could enter the crack in the future.

Then who should I choose?

‘It would be right to take a priest to a wizard as a fixed person.’

The wizard’s utility and the fuse’s stability.

If you take care of these two things, you’ll be at least halfway there in any situation…

The first decision wasn’t difficult.

“Gahyun Vesilus. “Let’s put that old man in the wizard’s place.”

He was the head mage of the 1st Exploration Army, with whom I had a conflict in the past.

“Hmm… Surprisingly?”

“What’s surprising?”

Gahyun Vesilus, the current head of a school, served as a military wizard for a long time in his youth. So, he has a lot of exploration experience and his skills go without saying.

I heard that the old man took the lead in the level 1 joint magic we saw before.

“To be honest, I thought you would take that wizard girl.”

“Ah, you mean Raven?”

“okay.”

In fact, Raven was also a candidate.

He has a lot of knowledge about the labyrinth and his skills are good.

Above all, their passion for unknown cracks will be much greater than that of the old man.

But….

“Because I’m not going there to play around with the kids. “There is no reason to choose another option when there is a more skilled wizard.”

The village chief just nodded at my words.

“It means that you are a colleague that I care a lot about.”

“…Are you sure you heard what I said?”

“Are you saying you don’t mind falling down?”

“….”

If you just look at him, he seems to be becoming more and more sly as the days go by.

“Then what are you going to do with the remaining two?”

“First, we will take one person to the new building.”

Paladin Sven Farab was a candidate for this part, but that idea was quickly abandoned.

Just me and the village chief are enough for the vanguard.

Looking at healing ability or utility alone, a paladin cannot follow a priest even if he dies.

Well, there is a deceptive intuition ability, but…

‘It’s a meaningless ability if there are no other options.’

What is more important than recognizing a crisis is the ability to overcome it.

As you live, you are bound to come across a dead end at least once.

“If you’re thinking of taking a priest, interest would be good.”

“Who is it?”

“I am the Archbishop of the Leatlas Church.”

After listening to the story, it seemed like a not bad choice, so the position of priest was decided on the archbishop recommended by the village chief.

And just like that, there is one long-awaited spot left.

‘I need a dealer.’

After the village chief is out during the expedition, there is only one dealer, the wizard.

Therefore, the dealer line needs to be strengthened.

‘…No matter how much I think about it, there is no better option.’

In the end, after contemplating for a while, I decided on the last seat.

It’s truly a pity.

“The remaining position will go to my colleague Erwen Fornacci di Tercia.”

There was no dealer in the entire exploration force who could replace Erwen.

***

Just in case you missed it, after completing the selection of all the members except for the 5 members.

All five members of the advance team were gathered in one place.

Well, we need to get to know each other better before exploring, right?

‘You can’t change members once you’re inside, so you have to watch carefully here.’

There was a possibility that the final members would change depending on the interview results.

“It’s called Hesteia. Although he is a poor person, he somehow manages to hold the position of archbishop of the Leatlas Church.”

“nice to meet. “Is this your first time talking to me in person?”

“I have heard many stories about the Baron from Sir Haona Parab. Please take care of yourself inside.”

Archbishop Eden Hesteia made a better first impression than expected. I had seen him catching Parab like a rat in passing, so I honestly thought he was just an old guy.

“It’s a shame, but I don’t know much about the labyrinth. “I hope the Baron informs me well and guides me.”

“I will. “What divine spells do you know how to use?”

“Haha, you can use all the spells the Baron knows—.”

“Oh, then is the origin of stars also possible?”

“…It seems like the Baron knows quite a bit about sacred spells? “The origin of stars is difficult.”

“Is that so? It’s too bad. Then what about star calling?”

“Oh, that’s possible.”

In this way, a full-fledged census began, and in the end, no priests were replaced.

The archbishop was truly a very capable priest.

Anyway, next it’s the wizard’s turn.

“Can you tell me all the magic that can be used?”

Gahyun Besilus expressed his dissatisfaction, as if asking if he really had to do something like that, but he sighed at my next words and raised the white flag.

“If we fail, the hundred or so people following us could all die.”

“It will take a long time, so I will only tell you about spells that are level 3 or higher.”

“What about down there?”

“I can handle it all. “Unless it’s unique magic.”

Oh this is kind of awesome.

Is it because they only chose the best among those carefully selected by the royal family?

The level is higher than you can imagine.

Should we call it a dream team?

‘I think it’s really worth doing at this level…’

After that, Erwen, I, and the village chief also introduced the abilities we had to help them understand, and then we spent time teaching them about positioning and things to watch out for during exploration.

In the case of the Archbishop and Gahyun, they had almost no experience in small-scale exploration with five people or less.

There was a lot to teach….

‘There’s no time limit anyway.’

I stayed for a few more days, gathering as much knowledge as I could and checking and checking again to see if there were any problems with my personality.

And finally, today’s preparations are complete.

“Go in first, Yandel. If the portal doesn’t disappear, I’ll follow you right away, so don’t worry. And Tercia.”

“…why?”

“If we can’t go in after you…”

“I know. I’ll take good care of you.”

“…okay.”

Who is taking care of whom?

As I was grinning and saying hello to the rest of my colleagues, the village chief came up next to me.

Huuuuuung-!

I don’t know what dangerous thing might be hidden beyond that unknown portal.

“Is the greeting over?”

Now it was time to go in.

***

「The character has entered the third archive.」

「Field effect – a role is assigned.」