WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Mordor
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Surviving the Frozen Dark Fantasy as a Genius Mage ◈
Chapter 111: Loot, Return, and Encounter
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[Aaagh! This hurts too much!]
[Turkan, traitor to the Frost Wolf Tribe and a Dragon Worshipper, has been laid to eternal rest by Ian!]
Ha, this is the power of a new spell!
This is insane!
“Goodbye, you murdering bastard.”
Cold sweat poured down my face, but after finally finishing Turkan off, I collapsed onto the floor with a smile.
Grimoires liked new knowledge and catalysts, but their proficiency also rose in environments suited to their respective affinities.
After spending the past few days exploring Storm-Tossed Waters, then summoning Lightning Storm and finishing off the guardian, I had finally crossed the threshold to learn a new spell.
Thunderstrike.
[Thunderstrike] [1 use]
I could only use it once, but unlike Chain Lightning, it fell from the air rather than my fingertips. That made it easier to avoid direct and indirect electrocution.
‘And it’s far more powerful!’
‘I saved it until the end because I didn’t know what else that bastard Turkan might be hiding.’
That was how I managed to beat the hell out of that sinister shaman.
‘More than anything, it looks cool as hell!’
“Ha ha ha ha ha... Urk.”
I groaned as I laughed at the power of my new spell.
“Fuck. My arm...”
As Ice Armor melted away, enormous pain surged from the wound that had been numb until then.
‘Is my arm going to fall off at this rate?’
The shoulder Turkan had struck was completely fucked up.
Kieeeeeek!
“Daisyyyyy! I’m dyinggggg!”
I called for the healer urgently but calmly.
“I’m coming!!!”
Daisy had been staring blankly at Turkan’s corpse. She jumped in surprise, then rode Nadia over to me in an instant.
“Waaaah. Daisy, it hurts. Blow on it and make it better! Waaah!”
Tears welled in my eyes as I spoke to Daisy.
But Daisy’s expression turned serious.
“I’m sorry. I used all my Heal spells treating Mr. Argus and the others...”
“What?”
What did you say, doctor? Does that mean my arm is getting cut off...
No, Daisy said something even more horrible.
“Don’t worry! I have potions instead!”
Pop!
“No...!”
Daisy took out a glass bottle filled with red liquid as though trying to reassure me, but my face went pale.
Unlike Heal, potions came with incredible pain when the wound regenerated.
Step. Squeeeak.
Despite my desperate struggle, Daisy merely smiled and slowly approached.
“It’s a mid-grade potion, so it should hurt a little less. Come on, Ian. Be good.”
Was refusing to say it would not hurt the last shred of conscience she had as a priestess?
“No, I’ll just endure until six in the morning. Then...”
“What are you talking about, Ian? Something really bad could happen if you do that! Come on, just bear with it a little~”
Daisy held me down gently but firmly and poured the potion over me.
Sizzle!
“Kieeeeeek!”
I let out a scream that was not very manly.
There was no candy this time, either.
* * *
Thirteen had entered, and nine survived.
Once the situation had settled, the surviving expedition members caught their breath.
Two of Lucian’s people had died.
One was a soldier named Ned, killed by Turkan. The other was Galio, a senior soldier swept away by the storm raised by the sea giant.
“Ned, and Galio. My friends, who followed me into this hell for my sake alone... Forgive me for being able to offer only such a meager farewell.”
Lucian placed a hand over his chest before the recovered bodies of the two soldiers.
“I will remember the courage and loyalty you displayed for all my life.”
Kenny had died among Argus’s group.
Cole had vented his rage on Turkan’s corpse, then gathered the remains of his brother, who had been torn to pieces. He wore a dazed expression.
“What younger brother leaves before his older brother... You stupid bastard...”
“...”
Argus, whose life had been saved thanks to Daisy’s treatment, was devastated.
More painful than Turkan’s claws digging into his chest and trying to tear out his heart was the thought that all this had happened because of his own stupidity.
He had never imagined Turkan had harbored such intentions.
This was his responsibility as the party leader, for failing to judge the character of the people he accepted into the party.
-Kieeeeeek!
-“Seriously, stop exaggerating, Ian~”
Argus and Lucian’s group turned their eyes toward Ian.
Just moments ago, he had been the mage who had fried the outer dimension’s guardian and the shadowy shaman with terrifying lightning and spells.
The being who had exuded chilling charisma and awe was now whining like a child because a mere wound hurt.
“...”
The contrast was impossible to fathom.
The survivors found it unsettling.
‘They say every mage has something wrong with them...’
Still, to Lucian, Ian was the benefactor who had taken revenge on his behalf.
To Argus, Ian was the benefactor who had covered for his mistake and saved his life.
The dragonkin, normally so confident and stiff, approached Ian first.
“I’m truly sorry, Ian, Daisy.”
Argus bowed deeply in apology.
“I suspected you foolishly without even understanding what kind of people you were. It was all my fault.”
His sincerity was clear, but Ian was a veteran expedition member. He had no intention of ending it with a single sentence.
“You aren’t planning to get away with just words, are you?”
“Of course not. I will not take any share from this expedition. If that is not enough, I will compensate you separately.”
There was the outer dimension guardian’s treasure chest.
The sea giant had dropped two Grace Stones.
And another magic item.
As an apology, Argus intended to give his entire share to the others.
He had used all of his precious Dragon Blood ability, suffered a pierced chest, broken equipment, and enormous losses in consumables, but he had survived.
It was a sufficiently conscientious offer, so Ian nodded.
“The shares are enough. And you should apologize to this person too.”
Ian then pointed at the cowardly vampire mage standing beside him.
“Your name was...”
“Clive.”
Argus bowed deeply even to the vampire he had despised.
“I’m sorry, Clive. Blinded by arrogance and self-righteousness, I made an irreversible mistake against you. I am truly sorry.”
Clive, who had always received nothing but hatred as a member of a dark race, awkwardly scratched his salt-crusted cheek.
“Well, if you put it that way... all right. Whether they are dragonkin or vampires, anyone can make mistakes. Except dark elves, of course.”
“...Thank you.”
“Oh, and if you could give me a little monetary compensation... Heh heh.”
“Of course. I will certainly repay you when we return to the city.”
Argus frowned at Turkan’s corpse.
“Why did this bastard do such a thing...?”
Ian explained why Turkan had done it.
“They’re Dragon Worshippers. Fanatics who will do anything to shed the shell of their weak bodies and become dragons.”
They were one of the notorious groups stirring up trouble in this world alongside the Secret Society.
The problem was that their pursuit of becoming dragons actually worked.
In Turkan’s case, he had targeted Argus’s heart because Argus was dragonkin. He had also tried to kill everyone else while making some extra profit on the side.
“I remember hearing of them from the tribal elders... I see. In the end, it was because of me...”
“It wasn’t because of you, Mr. Argus. The ones at fault are the people who think of hurting others because of their own greed.”
Daisy comforted Argus.
‘Good. I’ve laid enough groundwork...’
Just as Ian thought that, Lucian approached.
“Thanks to you, I was able to avenge Ned and Gilliam. You have my gratitude, Mage of Thunderfall.”
The nobleman with blue hair and a face so beautiful he could have been mistaken for a woman placed a hand over his chest and showed Ian respect.
“I’m sorry, but unlike that dragonkin, I cannot give up much. I must look after the families of the dead, and I still have things I must protect.”
Lucian felt ashamed even as he spoke, but he boldly stepped forward for the sake of the lives he bore responsibility for.
“Really? Well, I don’t dislike people like you.”
Ian smiled at Lucian.
He was much more human than those sinister nobles whose thoughts he could never read, who threw people into lakes as feed.
“Fine. Then let’s discuss the shares. The way expedition members do.”
“Hm! Good!”
The barbarian Ulric joined in.
“Come on! Bring it on!!!”
Like a veteran expedition member, he wore a determined expression that showed his intent to take even a single extra coin.
“First, we didn’t clearly decide the distribution ratio before the expedition. We only verbally agreed to add bonuses based on contribution. Right?”
But none of them could overcome Ian’s dazzling gift for words.
“Nadia, whom I ‘saved,’ is a resident of this world with special abilities. She’s like a hidden helper, and the ability she possesses is...”
“What?”
Moreover, Ian had contributed the most in this battle.
In the end...
[Ulric tried to argue, then closed his mouth.]
[Knight Pierre is confused by the calculations.]
[Archer Cole has lost Kenny and is overwhelmed by grief.]
[Soldier Zig has stopped thinking.]
[Noble Lucian is convinced.]
[Using his innate knowledge and contributions as leverage, Ian persuaded everyone.]
“I, I’ve lost...”
“I have no choice but to acknowledge it.”
By agreement, Lucian’s group, Ulric, and the archer Cole would take one Grace Stone, Mana Stones from the outer dimension, miscellaneous items like the random scroll from the drowned captain, and so on.
Ian’s group received all the valuable goods, including the remaining Grace Stone, the magic item from the guardian, and the dead Turkan’s equipment.
‘The lightning staff Castlelight gave me broke, but...’
‘Hahahahah!’
Even so, this is a massive profit!
Ian laughed.
The Grace Stone alone was worth at least several hundred gold coins, and Turkan had carried two magic items.
‘Frost Wolf Hide Steeped in Resentment.’
‘Heretical Dragonbone Staff.’
‘The wolf hide will be useful on the fourth floor!’
But best of all was this loot dropped by the outer dimension guardian.
[Storm Robe]
Increases the proficiency and power of Water- and Frost-type spells by 22%.
Can consume spell parchment to raise a storm.
Grants the wearer some lightning resistance.
Grows sturdier in areas with more humidity or water.
* * *
According to my veteran-player knowledge, it was equipment with these options.
The fact that it was armor, not a weapon, was even more important.
It could be worn over light armor and would not only aid all kinds of damage dealing, but also let me use the auxiliary spell called Storm.
‘The fight against that bastard Turkan would have been easier if I could have freely spammed lightning spells, which had been restricted by the environment.’
‘It may not be on the level of the Tome of Starlight, but it’s excellent equipment for me right now!’
‘And vampire Clive barely did anything, so I only need to settle up with Daisy!’
Heh heh heh heh heh! Hee hee hee heek!
Mage-exclusive equipment was more expensive and rarer than other equipment.
I laughed deeply, dignifiedly, and impressively as I stroked the luxurious robe, its blue fabric embroidered with elegant designs.
Just wait, Elena.
Your big brother is coming home with an armful of loot.
Ah, and that troll dwarf bastard should prepare to die.
As I smiled in satisfaction over my loot, Nadia pointed at herself.
“What about me!? What do I get?!”
“Uh, well...”
My expression stiffened awkwardly.
No, you’re going to disappear once we leave anyway...
“I worked hard too!”
Yeah, you’ll die when we leave, NPC. So just stay quiet.
I wasn’t a psychopath like Elena. I couldn’t say that in front of her.
I carefully controlled my expression and stroked Nadia’s seaweed-like hair.
“Nadia, I’ll settle up with you after we return to the city.”
“Really? Yay! I’ll buy pretty clothes! And tasty food!”
Seeing her so happy left an unpleasant feeling in my chest.
Daisy whispered to me.
“Um, Ian... Is Nadia going to disappear like this? Like Sir Hodrick?”
“That’s likely.”
The outer dimension was an endlessly generated instance dungeon.
If we left like this, Nadia would probably lose her memories and repeat the same situation again.
“I feel so sorry for Nadia... Is there really no way...?”
Unable to meet Nadia’s eyes, Daisy held my hand and fidgeted.
I thought about it too, but Nadia was not an ordinary Labyrinth resident. I had never heard of anyone taking an outer dimension being outside, so there was no obvious solution.
“...I see.”
“Yeah.”
Whew.
Still, guilt or not, we had things to do.
-Then.
-Let’s have a drink in the city, genius spellcaster Ian!
-We’ll meet again if the opportunity arises.
Lucian’s and Argus’s groups left through the portal.
Before long, only we remained.
There were still things to investigate.
I spoke to Nadia.
“Nadia.”
“Yeah?”
“That old story you mentioned before. Can you tell it now?”
Knowledge known only to Labyrinth beings capable of intelligent conversation.
Perhaps it held secrets about the Labyrinth.
“Ah, that... It’s just a strange old story my mother told me...”
Nadia swept back her wet hair, hesitated, then slowly opened her mouth.
“A very, very long time ago, a great serpent lived deep beneath the sea. Its scales were adorned with all kinds of dazzling jewels. People called that serpent the Snake King. The Snake King was huge and frightening, but it did not eat or torment people. Instead, it loved to gobble up all the misfortunes and sad memories that flowed into the deep sea.”
‘She’s talking about the king of the Naga.’
The Seven Kings who ruled the world before the eternal winter arrived.
A being who betrayed everyone alongside the Giant King to reach divine power, coveted the Eternal Furnace, and brought Winter’s Curse upon this world.
Because of the Snake King, the Naga had lost their sense of self and reason, becoming monsters trapped in the Labyrinth.
‘In other words, a traitor to its descendants.’
“A snake that eats sorrow. That’s unusual.”
Nadia nodded at my prompt.
“Yeah. When a terrible disease spread through a village or someone died and people became sad, they prayed to the Snake King. Then the Snake King would appear and swallow all of their sorrow. But after eating too much sorrow, the Snake King became black and grotesque one day. Its clear, beautiful jewel scales all rotted away.”
Nadia pressed a small hand to her chest.
“Unable to endure the sorrow any longer, the Snake King eventually became a monster and began to rage. It came onto land and swallowed people’s happiness too, gobbling it all up. People called the Snake King a demon, cursed it, and stabbed it over and over with swords and spears.”
Nadia continued.
“But the Snake King did not resent the people. It quietly looked into the eyes of those stabbing it... Then it returned to the depths of the sea with its descendants and tried to sleep. It blocked the sea floor with its enormous body, so the sorrow it had swallowed would not flow back out into the world.”
Hm.
This was a story presenting a different view of the Snake King, humanity’s traitor.
It was the kind of story that would get you stoned if you told it to most citizens who revered the Five Kings.
The same was true for believers and followers of the Faith of Light.
Like Clive, the vampire devotee of Meia here.
As I rubbed my chin, Clive grew angry.
“What an absurd story! Aren’t all the monsters that appeared here the Snake King’s underlings? And because of those bastards, the whole world froze over!”
“S-so that’s why I said it was a strange story! And what do you mean, froze over?”
That was when I realized.
‘Labyrinth beings don’t know about the world outside. About the eternal winter!’
I told Nadia about the world we lived in.
But she only shook her head with a confused expression.
“I’ve never left this island since I was little...”
Just as I thought.
Like placing NPCs at fixed locations in a game, they were not allowed to stray from their designated route.
I asked various other questions, but none of the answers were as useful or interesting as the first.
Finally...
“Let’s go back.”
“Yeah. Elena, Mr. Hans, and Mr. Gimlius must be worried.”
We decided to return as well.
“If I ride that, I can leave the island, right?”
Nadia looked at the exit portal with equal parts expectation and fear.
“No, you can’t ride it.”
“Yeah?”
“I-Ian!”
Squeeze!
“Urk!”
My inner thoughts slipped out without me realizing...
Daisy pinched me, and I clutched my aching arm.
Sorry, but reincarnate, Nadia.
At least you’ll be reborn as a pretty young girl instead of a bug, so it won’t be too bad.
After offering a brief prayer in the Buddhist spirit, I threw myself into the portal.
The moment my vision was dyed in strange colors.
Whirl.
A familiar sound suddenly rang out.
[Heads/Tails]
What the hell? Why did the Coin appear while I was taking a portal?
This had never happened before.
‘Tossing it might make things even worse!’
I panicked, but I did not toss the Coin.
If I failed by mistake, I thought I might get thrown into some dimensional rift.
Yet the strange events continued.
I had clearly entered a return portal, so I should have returned to the Labyrinth...
[The moment Ian entered the portal, a vast will intervened.]
[Ian encountered a being that had slept deep within the Labyrinth.]
Where the fuck am I now?
A space filled entirely with darkness.
Before me, after I opened my eyes, a gigantic black serpent flicked its tongue as it watched me.
Hissss!
“Uh... who are you?”
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