10 The Tenth Makes Us Certain

Well, the pancakes turned out okay, but it was rather flat and not as fluffy as I wanted. The nutty flavor certainly has its own advantage. I could say this was more of a new type of bread at this point, but because I added honey and some of the vanilla bean, it became sweet as well.

To the people here who probably don't normally eat desserts, the sugary sweetness will probably be kind of...

Addictive? Oops...

"Hahahaha! Delicious! Okay, Chef. You can meet us here like this time. You make us some new food and we will exchange it for ingredients. You don't need to enter the village that way and you still get what you want. Now leave."

Dang it, this Chief is rather stuck up, isn't he? Oh well. Regardless of how perfect he appears, I should be on my guard. I gather my stuff and hand some things over to Drew to help carry. As we leave the forest, we walk towards the Plains Dungeon.

"Wow, Ardin, that was really delicious! Can we eat that all the time?!"

"...probably not. We don't have an infinite amount of the stuff."

"Aww...oh well, um...do I annoy you?"

Huh? What ever gave her that idea?

"N-no? I just...anyways, perhaps we should check out the Plains Dungeon..."

Right, let's change the topic. Any longer and I might become too stupid to do anything. We still have several spaces left, so going around the first floor should be fine before heading back to the City.

But I am worried about the people there. Only 8 years ago, the people here attempted to kill the elves. Then did that mean there used to be more humans? More players? How come things became like this?

"Ardin...do you hate me?"

"Eh? I...no? No. I do not hate you."

What the heck?! Why do you look like you are about to cry?! Okay, how can I make her feel better? Should I say I will make her some more pancakes at the Inn or...ah...

"You...you don't?"

"I don't. I can-

"Yay! I thought that if you hated me, I wouldn't get to eat delicious food again!"

Ehh...how troubling. I was going to confess...well, in a way. I mean, I wasn't going to say that I like her, I was just saying that I could never hate her because...she...I don't even know anymore!

Here we are. The Dungeon is...closed?

"Oh, someone must be using it. Let's wait a moment. It shouldn't be too long."

How would she know? Is there some sort of time compression thing I never noticed? Or perhaps the person inside has a way to see us?

"Here we go. Ah, it is Herad."

Suddenly, a tall and tanned man with a thick beard and a club appeared. The club looked rather crude, but he seemed to be dressed in shiny armor and held a certain aura that seemed imposing like Bear Man's, but...more sinister.

[Slimer Killer]

Ah, I see. He is another player. And one that seemed rather...bland? I don't actually remember his personality that much. And while thinking that, the man named Herad hefted the club onto his shoulder and smiled smugly.

"You finally left the city, little girl? And who is this? Another weakling, so...he must be the Newbie. Hehehe. Finally."

""Eh?""

It seems we both weren't aware of this person's real nature. My guess is that Gary must have kept Herad away...dang it.

I pull out my dagger just to be safe, but Drew stops me.

"I can take him. He was the Newbie before me. He isn't that much stronger."

"That is where you are wrong, you dirty woman. Your attitude needs some cleaning up. Your behavior is an affront to God."

Wait, what? Is he referring to this world's God?

"We don't live in that world anymore, Herad! And that way of thinking is old fashioned! I think it is time to beat some sense into you!"

I guess not, but...is this what happened before? There aren't just nice people here, and some get full of themselves thanks to this world's power?

Now I know why there aren't that many people. They must have fought each other to a terrible end. Alright, it seems my current predicament has changed.

This guy is dangerous. He must have snapped, thinking this world is a blessing or some other twisted delusion. I don't think even though Drew is strong she can 100% say she won't get hurt.

This dagger in my hand is a killing tool. And in some ways, a part of cooking. People will often freshly butcher their food as to make sure no other additives or chemicals are needed to keep them fresh.

But I don't plan on cooking this bastard. If I have to...

"Rising Slash!"

"Heh, Blessed Strike."

Ah...they have cool attack names. But they seem about even...Herad seems to be smiling, while Drew is straining. She is in trouble!

Right. I can't be weak forever. I need to fight and get stronger if I am to defeat this Dungeon and go home.

[You have strengthened the power of your first Creed! You don't use a sword to behead a chicken, you don't use a cooking knife to kill another person! You are a Chef, but you are also a Battler! Win!]

[+5 to all Stats for 15 minutes]

Hoh...what is this feeling? I see. So that is how the Creeds work.

"Hehehe, your harassing appearance has been left unattended for too long. A girl like you needs to be punished. And I will- hrk! Ah! You!"

I...uhh...I just...

"Ardin! Move!"

Eh?

>>>><<<<

The man named Herad slammed his club down onto Ardin's head, but didn't use a move and just assumed he had killed the young man. He turned angrily to Drew and smiled, blood leaking through his teeth.

It seemed that Ardin's stab had managed to pierce the lungs.

"Hakakak!"

As he laughed, blood splattered onto the ground. However, he began muttering in a different langauge and a light shrouded him. Soon, the stab wound stopped bleeding.

"Y-you! You hurt Ardin!"

"And you are next. I decided you aren't worth the trouble."

But before he could do anything, a figure blurred in between Drew and Herad. Then, Herad disappeared like a monster would, into a flash of particles. A large rucksack fell to the ground with a thud, probably carrying everything Herad had in his Inventory.

Gary flicked his sword, slinging the blood off of it before he turned towards Ardin.

"At least he wasn't a crappy person. Fine. You can stay near Drew for now...but if you hurt her..."

He flicked his hair and sheathed his sword before looking at the slack-jawed Drew.

"You...how strong are you?!"

"...strong enough."

That was all he said as he threw the rucksack to Drew and shouldered Ardin's unconscious body. Then the two began to walk towards the city. It was awkward how silent the two were, and Drew felt like she needed to say something.

"T-thanks..."

"No, I'm sorry. I should have explained things better. Now isn't the time to be secretive. Otherwise, we will only repeat our mistakes."

And so for Ardin to hear what Gary had to say, the two remained silent all the way back. Drew kept looking at Ardin's busted forehead, hoping he would be okay.

"Sheesh. I saw him earlier. He must have used his Creed. For a tiny bit of time, he can be as strong as you. The reason you couldn't fight Herad well was because of the same reason, though that guy's ability was Faith or Commandments or some other nonsense. Ardin will be fine. Once he sleeps, he will return to perfect health."

"...thank you..."

The two were back to being silent, but now soft smiles could be seen. It seems that their earlier arguments had settled.

<<<<>>>>

Ugh, my head feels...alright? Nice. Oh, we're back at the Inn...Beth is watching over me, I guess...though that is a little scary.

She smiles, which doesn't match what I thought her personality was like, but...okay.

"You should head downstairs. People are waiting for you."

Taking in her words, I walked downstairs to see a lot of people.

Actually, there are 13 other people. Are these all the players in the city?

They looked at me with expecting gazes, but said nothing. I sat down at an empty chair and waited. Sure enough, Gary was sitting next to Bear Man, oh...I guess his name is Lars. I didn't even notice.

"Ardin...how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine...Drew..."

"Now then, let us talk."

Gary cut me off, but I guess that is fine. I don't think I would have actually continued my thought. How can I say I am happier to know she is okay than to know I was able to wake up with no problem?

"Do you have any questions for us?"

Facing Gary now, he seems like Lars. He has a strong aura. Was he hiding it?

"I spoke with the Elf Chief."

At my words, many of the people actually gasped in surprise, but no one seemed overly shocked. In fact, Lars nodded with a smile.

"And?"

"A person is summoned every 5 days...where is everyone else?"

"...And you know a cycle is the span of 300 days, or 60 summons, right?"

"...yeah."

Gary sighed and leaned back in his chair, lettong Lars speak, instead. He wheeled up and became the center of the group.

"Essentially, the summons only happen every 12 years. 60 summons each year. And since you probably realized there are other regions..."

1 year of summons then 11 years of no summons? Then perhaps there might be 12 regions that are cycled through?

"You seem to get it. Yes, There are probably 12 total regions. However, there are other issues."

Hm? I think the room got colder.

"For example...your head injury."

Ah! He's right! Why is there such a game like effect?! I was healed perfectly.

"You are currently stuck in time. Not participating in a fight will cause you to revert back to perfection. That is to say...we don't age. Women can't give birth. Our mentalities tend to recover back to a specific point, too."

What, even our thoughts? Ah, right. No matter how much I try to convince myself to harden my heart or whatnot, I return to my cautious self. I just want to go home and be...huh?

"Do you recognize it? Your wish that drives you to act. Your...sweet indulgence. An unhealthy and lazy desire. What is yours?"

To be lazy and live in luxury. Ah...and the actions I take lead to that, in a way.

"Yes, even though we all have selfish desires, the way we deal with that desire sets us apart. You and Drew work towards that goal, whether it is to live easily or eat delicious food."

These guys, too? But if there are more like Herad...

"Herad joined the mountain faction. They are the group that selfishly lives however they like, including their nasty actions and attitudes. While most of us have since retired from Dungeoneering, we do not infringe on others when we can help it."

Ah, so those terrible people are still alive...

Wait...

"Did any of you kill the elves?"

"...I did. But that was to save Gary here. No one else here has killed an elf. We know that the people of this world are in fact monsters, but they have their own set of rules."

Wait...what? Everyone? I turn around to see Jim and Beth along with their other patrons watching from the stairs. They look a little sad, but they don't seem like they are going to act out.

Suddenly, one if the strangers dressed in a robe I have never met stood up. Above his head was an ominous name.

[Demon Tamer]

"The NPCs in this city are actually my subordinates. They are to follow my rules and then they can stay alive. They are rather dangerous Demons called Changelings, so don't drop your guard."

Sitting down again as if all he existed for was to explain that very thing, the Demon Tamer became a part of the background.

I...why?

"Have you been to the top of the Tower?"

Please...

"Yes."

No...then that means...

And Lars understands me, as he frowns slightly. It seems that what Gary confirmed for me was actually a lie. Then...why are we here? Can I actually go home? Or...

Am I stuck here forever?

"If you have any other questions...you will need to see the Tower Master. Climb the Tower. Your immediate goal is still the same. Do not worry."

But...my family...will I never see them again?