Chapter 377: Chapter 377: Treasure Hunter (5)

I was momentarily flustered by the light that flashed as soon as I put on the ring.

But then I checked the color and licked my lips.

‘Yellow… ’

It meant only one thing.

There was something nearby that could either positively or negatively affect my future.

“Erwen, is there anything around us?”

Erwen focused her hearing without a word.

And…

“One of those guys from earlier is here.”

“Since when?”

“I don’t know. But… he’s hiding in the darkness, so he must have arrived recently. His breathing is stable…”

Erwen trailed off and then continued,

“Ah, he’s talking to someone now. He’s using a message stone. He’s saying they got a Numbered Item and asking how long it will take them to get here.”

So that’s why the ring lit up.

It seemed like he had witnessed everything, including us killing the Lafremimic…

“He must have left a scout behind. Erwen, keep an eye on him. We’ll pack up camp.”

“Okay.”

I quickly packed our things and prepared to leave after assigning Erwen to keep watch.

But they were faster than us.

“They’re here.”

“How many?”

“Eighteen in total. Ah, they’re discussing what to do with us right now.”

“I see… What are they going to do?”

“I don’t know. It sounds like they used magic, I can’t hear them anymore. Sorry…”

“It’s okay. We’ll find out soon anyway.”

As soon as I said that, a bright light erupted from their hiding spot, illuminating the area.

“Hey, buddy! What was your name again? I don’t think I asked earlier.”

He didn’t ask because he didn’t tell us his name either.

“Well, I don’t think we’re close enough to exchange names.”

“Haha, you’re shy, despite your appearance?”

He was smiling, but his eyes were cold. And he had been standing with his hand on his hip, his posture aggressive.

It was the closest position to the weapon on his waist.

“So, what do you want?”

“One of our members saw you kill a Lafremimic while on patrol.”

“That’s quite a coincidence.”

“That’s life. Anyway, I’ll get straight to the point. Hand over the loot.”

“Why should I?”

“Like I said, this is our territory. And you agreed to it earlier.”

“Agreed?”

I scoffed, but I could understand their position.

They had probably been searching for a Lafremimic on this island every day, and we, who had just stopped by, had taken the prize.

But too bad.

“You wanted us to leave by morning, and we agreed. That was the extent of our agreement.”

“That’s sophistry.”

“It’s not sophistry, it’s common sense.”

“…….”

He gritted his teeth, his jaw clenching.

I could understand how he felt.

He must have thought we had agreed to hand over the loot.

No, in the first place, he probably didn’t even think a monster would appear while we were here.

“There are unspoken rules in the labyrinth. No one can blame us if we harm you for violating our rights.”

It was a blatant threat.

I stared at him intently, and he met my gaze.

“…….”

“…….”

The atmosphere was tense, and either of us could draw our weapons at any moment.

Gulp.

The group behind him tightened their grips on their weapons as the silence continued, ready to attack as soon as I gave them a reason.

But I wasn’t going to be intimidated.

“I don’t know about unspoken rules.”

I spoke firmly.

“Anyone who tries to take what’s mine is a looter.”

“…You’re choosing violence.”

He shrugged, not even bothering to listen.

“Where are they?”

“…….”

“Well, at least the situation is clear now.”

I gave them my final ultimatum.

“Attack me if you’re going to, or get lost.”

The situation was completely different from our first encounter.

He had looked down on us and tried to boss us around when I said we would leave in the morning.

But now?

He was speechless, unable to handle my aggressive attitude.

He must have been confused.

He couldn’t understand why we were so confident when we were outnumbered five to one.

‘And it’s probably because of Erwen.’

They didn’t seem to have recognized her yet.

But they must have heard that the fairy archer in our team had killed the Lafremimic with a single arrow.

They would sense that we weren’t pushovers.

“…….”

But he still seemed hesitant to make a decision, perhaps because of his clan members.

Therefore…

“I’ll help you choose.”

“……?”

“I’ll count to three. If you’re still here after that, I’ll assume you’re attacking.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“…What?”

He looked dumbfounded, but his face paled as I started counting.

“Three.”

“……!”

“Two.”

I counted quickly, not giving him time to think.

And just as I was about to say the last number…

“…There’s no need for bloodshed.”

…he surrendered.

____________________

“Leader! Why did you back down?!”

Eksher Melik, the leader of the Huntsman Clan, frowned at his subordinate’s outburst. One of his lieutenants quickly spoke up for him.

“They killed a Lafremimic without a mage. That fairy archer is at least a 3rd-grade explorer. And judging by the fact that they’re together, the other two must be similar.”

“Even if they’re all 3rd-grade explorers, we still outnumber them!”

“Remilton, have you ever fought a 3rd-grade explorer? They’re monsters.”

“But they didn’t have a mage! We could have won!”

“Half of us would have died. Is that Numbered Item worth it?”

“That’s…”

The man who had initially objected trailed off.

And the clan was divided.

“But this will make us a laughingstock.”

“It hasn’t happened yet, and I think the leader made the right decision.”

“But who is that fairy? She killed a Lafremimic with a single arrow…”

“A silver-haired woman… could it be the Blood Spirit Marquis?”

“We would have been in big trouble if it was really her.”

“The Blood Spirit Marquis? Are you guys crazy? Why would she be here? She’s probably obsessed with the war and slaughtering people right now.”

The arguments intensified, and the clan members naturally formed factions based on their opinions.

That’s when…

“Leader! They’re leaving the island on their ship!”

A scout reported, and the arguing clan members all looked at Eksher Melik.

Their gazes were asking him what he was going to do.

Eksher Melik sighed, making sure no one saw him.

‘Damn it.’

Leading a clan was like captaining a ship.

Even when a typhoon raged, waves crashed, and lightning struck, the captain had to show his crew that he could overcome it.

Therefore…

“Everyone, pack your things.”

…he made a decision.

“Leader, are you saying…?”

“We’re going after them.”

The aggressive faction cheered.

But those who had been advocating for a peaceful solution expressed their concerns.

“But they’re strong.”

Three explorers, presumably 3rd-grade.

But the man wasn’t worried.

“I understand your concerns. But we can’t lose in a naval battle.”

“So that’s why you let them go!”

The aggressive faction was impressed by his strategy, and the other faction also seemed to agree to some extent.

They were confident in their naval combat abilities.

But there was still one question.

“But… is a single Numbered Item worth it?”

Eksher Melik chuckled at a clan member’s cautious question.

“Well, a single Numbered Item isn’t worth it.”

“You’re saying—?”

“But that’s not all they have, is it?”

The Huntsman Clan.

They were currently stuck on this island, searching for treasure…

…but they were once pirates who roamed the Great Ocean of the 6th floor.

Hunting people and earning money.

____________________

Dawn approached.

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

A refreshing breeze filled the sails, propelling the ship forward.

The stars twinkled in the dim sky behind us, and the sun, hidden beyond the horizon, cast a faint glow in the east.

It was a picturesque scene.

But we didn’t have time to enjoy it.

“Mister, there are ships following us. Three of them, no emblems.”

We had a tail as soon as we left the island.

It was obvious who they were.

‘So they were planning to attack us all along.’

No wonder it ended so abruptly, even though the ring had emitted a yellow light.

They probably let us go on purpose.

They had three ships, so they must be experienced in naval combat.

They probably judged that they could fight us more effectively at sea.

But there was one thing I didn’t understand.

‘Why yellow, not red?’

Wouldn’t red be more appropriate if we were going to be attacked?

What was so positive about this situation?

I was interrupted by Amelia’s question.

“Schuitz, what are we going to do?”

“We can’t shake them off, can we?”

“Probably not.”

They were fast, even with our mana propulsion device active. The distance between us was actually closing.

So we only had one option left.

“Emily, stop wasting magic stones.”

“We’re fighting?”

“Is there another option?”

Amelia didn’t answer.

She just let go of the wheel and started furling the sail.

I helped her, and the ship slowed down.

And…

Swoosh!

…three ships appeared on the horizon, approaching us rapidly. The one in the center was especially eye-catching.

“…….”

It was at least three times bigger than our ship.

It had magic cannons on its sides and front, and three sails.

And that wasn’t all.

It even had an icebreaker at the bow.

It wasn’t on the same level as a royal warship, but it was probably only a step or two below…

“Schuitz, our ship will sink if they start firing.”

Amelia expressed her concern, intimidated by its overwhelming size.

I could understand her worry.

Our ship would definitely be destroyed if a naval battle broke out.

But…

Lick.

I licked my lips and checked the Traffic Light Ring.

The yellow light had long since faded.

But I think I understood now.

Why it was yellow, not red.

“That’s a big and sturdy ship.”

Monsters aren’t the only ones who drop treasures in the labyrinth.