Chapter 364: Chapter 364: Responsibility (2)

Lihen Schuitz.

Come to think of it, it wouldn’t be so bad to live as him.

With my current specs, I could earn enough money to retire in a few years, even if I hid my true strength.

Of course, I would have to give up on returning…

‘But what’s so bad about that?’

I had already adapted to this world.

It wasn’t as horrible as before, and I often thought it was better than my original life.

There were people I could trust here.

And people who trusted me.

They were connections I didn’t have in Lee Hansu’s life.

But…

‘There’s no guarantee that I can hide my identity forever.’

Just how long could I live as Lihen Schuitz?

Well, no matter how careful I was, it wouldn’t last forever.

You never know what will happen in life…

‘And there are already too many witnesses.’

The story of Lihen Schuitz would eventually spread.

Even if Raven gave a false report, Clown was there.

He would definitely blab about meeting an interesting guy at the Round Table.

And Stag Antlers was also there, so the news would reach the royal family.

‘And I even showed them the Gachabon essence.’

It wasn’t a well-known essence, but if they researched it, they would eventually learn about it and realize that it increased Bone Density. Then they would figure out that my original height was much taller.

Well, there was a more important reason.

‘Auril Gabis.’

I still didn’t know what that old man had done to me when he gave me that useless ‘gift’.

In other words, it didn’t mean I would be safe even if I hid my identity and lived in the shadows.

Therefore, the conclusion was the same as when I told the shaman about my fate.

‘I have to get stronger.’

Strong enough to endure whatever came my way.

______________________

Whoosh!

The crystal ball on the desk started vibrating as we were discussing our future plans in the officer’s cabin.

“It’s the military message stone that’s directly connected to the command center. It seems like we’ll have to continue our conversation later.”

Well, they couldn’t focus on us forever during wartime.

Honestly, I was also starting to feel a bit awkward.

“We’ll wait outside.”

“No, you don’t have to. You’re technically my escorts. Just be quiet when I’m talking.”

“Alright.”

Raven then received a call from the command center and spoke in a professional tone, then summoned the other officers.

And…

“Vice-Captain, but who are they…?”

“Don’t worry about them. They’re my escorts.”

“But… we’re having a meeting…”

“Do you want me to repeat myself?”

“…….”

Wow, she’s a natural-born leader.

How can she be so intimidating with that small stature and that cold voice?

“Then let’s begin. We just received orders from the command center. They said they can’t detect any enemy life signs within the barrier.”

We stayed by Raven’s side and observed the situation.

It seemed like the enemy troops that had been surrounding the lake had suddenly disappeared. It happened two hours after they retreated to their ships.

“It could be a trap. To lure us out of the ships.”

“Well, I think it’s more likely that they retreated.”

“Everyone be quiet. Speculation is meaningless. The command has decided to send out search parties from each unit.”

Raven didn’t hesitate and assigned some of her officers to the search parties.

And after some time…

…we received real-time updates from the search parties.

[We can’t find anything around the lake.]

The lakeshore, which had been swarming with Clown’s undead, was empty.

And…

[The 2nd Search Team found traces of a large-scale magic spell.]

They found traces of magic.

It was a Multiple Teleportation magic circle.

You couldn’t enter the barrier from the outside with teleportation magic once [Wall of Thousand Gold] was activated, but it wasn’t the other way around.

The command concluded that the enemy had retreated.

But…

“We’re on standby again. It might be inconvenient, but we’ll wait on the ships until the [Wall of Thousand Gold] collapses and the main force returns. Maintain the current alert level.”

“Yes, I’ll relay the message to the explorers!”

All troops remained on the ships and didn’t go to the lakeshore.

And time passed…

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

…the [Wall of Thousand Gold] collapsed, its time limit reached, and the main force returned.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

We were finally able to go to the lake and start cleaning up the battlefield. The main force waited for about a day, confirmed that it was safe, and then left again after leaving behind some additional troops.

“So the main force’s goal is to find Noark’s base?”

“Yes, to be precise, the entrance. It’s most likely connected to a specific location, like the center of the Crystal Cave. If we can find it and occupy it, we might be able to figure out how they did this.”

Damn, the main force must be having a hard time.

Searching the 7th floor with a large army.

That’s when, as I was thinking that…

…Raven sighed.

“…I’m glad it’s over.”

It wasn’t completely over…

Well, at least no one died.

I also felt like it was finally over after the incident was resolved.

But…

“I hope nothing else happens until we return.”

Ugh, be careful what you wish for.

I felt a sense of unease at Raven’s words, but what could possibly happen?

We had more troops now—

“…Patrol team?”

I noticed something written on one of the documents on the desk.

“Ah, that? The higher-ups are upset about this incident. They couldn’t believe we didn’t even notice them infiltrating, even though it was just a small group.”

“So they’re deploying patrol teams?”

“Yes.”

Raven answered curtly and then focused on her work again.

Damn it, doesn’t she get bored?

I felt restless.

“Mister, are you bored?”

“A bit?”

“Then let’s go for a walk.”

“Who will protect Raven?”

“What, do you think there’s a problem? She’ll be here anyway.”

Amelia was offended by Erwen’s words.

“…Who said I’m staying?”

“You’re so sensitive. You can rest when we get back.”

Ugh, these two are going to fight again.

“Both of you, stop it. I’m not going for a walk.”

I mediated and then sat there, spacing out.

But I couldn’t just sit here doing nothing.

‘By the way, a patrol team…’

It was a bit impulsive, but it seemed better than staying here.

Patrol teams would be going outside.

And they would encounter monsters, so I could naturally gain experience points.

‘Maybe I can even reach level 7 this time.’

I didn’t hesitate.

“Raven, how do I join a patrol team?”

“…You can’t.”

“Huh? Why?”

“They’re already full. And besides, you can’t change your assigned mission. Otherwise, everyone would try to get the easy tasks. It’s a fairness issue.”

Oh, I see.

I nodded and asked again.

“But there must be another way.”

“…You can change your mission with the permission of your unit commander.”

What the hell, she was just teasing me.

How mean.

“You’re the commander. Just change it—”

“That’s why I said you can’t. Because I won’t let you.”

“…Huh?”

“I’m saying I won’t let you. Who knows what kind of trouble you’ll cause while I’m gone?”

Raven drew a line coldly, not even looking at me.

Well, it wasn’t a big deal.

I wasn’t the type to give up.

“Haha! That’s the problem?”

Raven tilted her head as I chuckled, as if it was nothing.

“…?”

What’s with that look?

This is why bookworms are so useless.

Their brains are too stiff.

“You’re saying the problem is that you’re not there?”

“…?”

“Then just come with me!”

Raven narrowed her eyes and scanned me from head to toe as I presented my solution.

And…

“Just out of curiosity, are there barbarians or similar races in your world?”

Ah, uh, hmm…

“…….”

I was caught off guard by her unexpected question.

_____________________

As a result, I was able to join a patrol team.

Raven was a rationalist.

“Do it for me!”

“…….”

“Do it for me! I promise I won’t cause any trouble!”

“…….”

“Do it for me!”

I activated the Barbarian Parrot Mode.

I had used this mode effectively in the Crystal Cave.

I kept repeating the same phrase, and Raven, who had been ignoring me at first, eventually had to react.

“Damn it, you’re so persistent!”

“Then do it for me!”

“…I told you no! And I didn’t even answer for over four hours! You should know when to stop!”

“I don’t know, so do it for me!!”

“Sigh…”

A sigh meant resignation.

I kept pushing, and Raven finally gave in.

She judged that it was better to endure a few days of annoyance than to deal with my constant nagging.

Ah, but it wasn’t just because she gave in to my stubbornness.

“Ah, seriously! Why are you doing this?! You can just stay here for a few days!”

“…Because there are monsters outside.”

“…?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I have to get stronger.”

“Ugh… what am I supposed to do…?”

I got the OK sign.

Ah, of course, it wasn’t on the condition that she came with me.

I wanted her to, but she said the command center wouldn’t allow it.

“I’m the only mage here who can use [Wall of Thousand Gold]. I have to stay here just in case.”

Right, she was a valuable asset.

“Then I’ll leave Emily or Erwen behind.”

“You don’t have to do that. I was fine even when he… no, Schuitz, wasn’t here.”

Hmm, I’m still worried…

“I’m really fine, so just go and don’t cause any trouble. Especially don’t use [Gigantification]. And don’t neglect your patrol duties just because you’re hunting monsters. And also…”

I listened to her instructions, like an elementary school student going on a field trip, and then Raven finally contacted her superiors and changed my assignment.

And I was able to leave the tent.

There was a patrol team that was just leaving.

“You’re the new member. It’s an honor to meet you, Tersia.”

The squad leader greeted us and then checked our specs.

“The Blood Spirit Marquis is an archer and a spirit user, so you’ll be in the center… Are you two melee?”

“That’s right.”

The squad leader then asked for more specific information about our roles, and Amelia, who was an agility-based damage dealer, was assigned to the left flank.

And I…

“Judging by your heavy armor and shield, you must be a tank—”

Hey, where’s he going to hit me with this small body?

I quickly cut him off before I was labeled as a tank.

“I’m a smasher.”

“…Huh? Then what about your shield…?”

“It’s for show.”

I put my shield away and grabbed Kraul’s Demon Crusher with both hands.

“I’ll be on the right flank.”

I wouldn’t be able to use [Gigantification] anyway.

It wouldn’t hurt to play as a melee attacker for once.