CH 4

[We did it! I can see Rikushia!]

[We survived!]

[Quick, we have to tell them about what happened in Ash City!]

As I looked at them rush towards the town, I glanced around with a somewhat wary eyes.

Going through this path, I already knew what was going to happen next.

From what I read from the strategy guides I have seen from the internet, someone in the party will surely die in this “Burning City” event.

This is an event that absolutely can’t be avoided.

That’s why, I have “chosen”.

The path heading towards East……

The path that would have them as the sacrifice……

[Stop! If you get too far ahead……]

Making merry for their survival, the voice of their senior adventurer didn’t reach their ears.

And then, as if seizing that moment, the God of Death for them descends.

[! Run! It’s Gargoyles!]

Jet-black winged beings poured down on them.

Gargoyles themselves are just mid-ranked monsters, not the kind of opponent that newbie adventurers, and even a veteran adventurer of Rex’s ability would fall behind in a frontal one-on-one fight.

Still, with the distance between us, it would take no small amount of time to defeat the Gargoyles that attacked them and go to their rescue.

And that was far too much time to decide “their” fate.

[S- Stop! I will be the Hero……]

[Help me! I don’t wanna die……]

[I- It hurts! Mom……]

The screams of the newbie adventurers shook my eardrums one after another.

I just watched them die, listening to their screams emotionlessly.

[I didn’t have enough time huh.]

""

By the time Rex had cut down all the Gargoyles around him, the three newbie adventurers I had formed a party with had already turned into silent corpses.

Only two remained in the party.

With sad BGM playing, Rex and I mourned the corpses of our comrades who had been with us only a few minutes ago, before Rex and I entered the town of Rikushia.

[……This event really leaves a bad aftertaste in my mouth.]

Mumbling such words to myself, I saved my progress in the town and turned off the game.

※　※　※

[……D*mn it.]

Standing in this crossroad, I remember something unpleasant.

When I first played Brave & Blade, I chose <Young City Boy Dreaming to be an Adventurer>, which was at the top of the list as the Hero’s origins, and on my first run, I chose to have our party escape to the east towards Rikushia.

There, seeing all my comrades die, I was dumbfounded.

After that, I reloaded my game and instead opted to head North, and was surprised for the second time when I saw Rex die. Seeing all this happen, I searched the internet for a walkthrough, and deciding to head east to keep Rex alive and proceed with the adventure smoothly, I watched the event where my comrades died once again.

If we proceeded east here to the town of Rikushia, the same thing would happen here.

That being the case, I obviously won’t accept heading towards a future in which we head north and I die.

And so……

[We’re heading East! However, we aren’t heading towards the town of Rikushia!]

Whether it’s east or north……

I could see the confusion on these kids’ faces who were waiting for which decision I would pick between the two of those options.

Still, I told them clearly in a strong tone of voice, as if to shake them out of their confusion.

[————-Let’s head back to the cave.]

If either choice will always have someone be a sacrifice, then I’ll pick a third choice!

※　※　※

[Old man! What’s your plan running back to this cave!? If they block the entrance, we’ll have nowhere to run……]

[It’ll be okay. This cave has 2 entrances.]

Responding to the question of Rad, who was running behind me, I ran towards my destination.

This is a gamble.

If this doesn’t work, what Rad said could be the worst thing that could happen.

However, if this succeeds……

[……Found it.]

At first glance, the wall of the cave looks ordinary.

However, one could see a 3 meter-high wall that is unnaturally protruding out

From below, one can’t see what was like above it but……

(Is this climbable……?)

Feeling the eyes of the newbie party on my back, I stared at the cave wall.

Fortunately, the cave wall has a gentle slope that was somewhat climbable.

With my current physical abilities, I should be able to make it up there as long as I’m careful about my footing.

Besides……

[Hmph!]

The sword in my hand was thrust towards the wall, and although it felt hard, my sword slightly pierced the wall.

In the game, when I attacked the wall, my weapon would just be bounced off and nothing happened, but it feels like that wouldn’t be the case here.

(……Alright!)

With my heart fired up, I took a little distance from the wall and re-gripped the sword in my right hand with a backhand grip.

……Since I was sent from Japan to the Cave of Trials, I had been secretly thinking about trying “this”.

In the game, you can’t take any action other than those that were pre-set.

No matter how suspicious the title of a book may be, the player can’t check its contents unless the “Read” command pops out, and even if there’s a tree that you think you can climb, you can’t climb it unless the game is set up so that it was climbable.

That was a matter of course in the game.

However, what about in reality?

[Hmph.]

Letting out a small sigh, I started with a light dash, jumped up and ran up the cave wall.

[With this!]

Just as I was about to reach the limit of my starting dash, I thrust the sword in my hand into the wall, and using it as a handhold, I lifted myself up further.

And then……

[Finally reached it!]

I managed to hook his left hand on the ledge and lifted myself up.

Finally, both of my feet touched the flat ground and I breathed a sigh of relief.

The protruding part of the wall.

On top of it, there was the foothold I had been eyeing, and it was a rope ladder, rolled up in that place.

(It’s here, just as I thought.)

The Dungeon <Cave of Trials> is connected to another High-class Dungeon <Winged Dragon’s Pathway> and when you conquer the <Winged Dragon’s Pathway>, a shortcut would be opened up, allowing the player to come and go through that path as you please.

……However, that’s just “in the game”.

The shortcut is really a game-like procedure of “lowering a rope ladder to the ground”.

I thought I could climb that high without the rope ladder, so I gave it a try on the spur-of-the-moment.

[This way. Come on, climb up.]

Lowering the rope ladder, I beckoned the newbie adventurers to climb up.

It took a lot of effort to climb the rope ladder with the unconscious Lecilia in my arms, but we all managed to make it to the top of the ledge.

[T- To think that there’s this route in this place……]

I looked sideways at Mana, the priest, whose eyes widened in surprise, while I kept my vigilance around us.

This shortcut is connected to three places: the entrance of <Cave of Trials>, the entrance of <Winged Dragon’s Pathway> and the deepest area of the <Winged Dragon’s Pathway>.

There should be no monsters in the shortcut, but the recommended level for conquering the <Winged Dragon’s Pathway> is 30.

If we encounter a monster here, there’s a high possibility that not only the newbie party, but even I would have a hard time against them.

[Don’t drop your guard yet. The Wyverns’ nest is just ahead.]

[W- Wyverns……!]

Nuku, the mage, was about to shout, but I hurriedly blocked his mouth.

[L- Let’s get out of this place!]

Rad, who had been showing such a cocky attitude, turned pale, seemingly terrified of the Wyverns.

Even if we don’t keep our guard up, Wyverns wouldn’t come to a narrow path like this, but Wyvern whelps also appear on the <Winged Dragon’s Pathway>.

It would still be best to be on the lookout.

[……This way.]

Holding my breath, I lead the four newbies ahead.

I still had Lecilia held in my arms, but with “Rex’s” trained arm strength, it’s not a particular concern.

The four people behind me didn’t say any complaints, and perhaps, telling them about the Wyverns had some sort of effect, even that Rad was walking quietly with his sword at the ready.

(Now then, since we’re at it……)

While we were walking in silence, I checked my equipment again.

(From the looks of it, I have the same initial equipment Rex had in the game. But to be honest…… This equipment is shabby.)

Of course, I was using more expensive equipment than Rad and the others, who were just starting out, but it was still not enough for a Lv 50 Adventurer.

My only weapon, the <Brave Sword>, is a unique item and has a decent performance, but in the end, it’s only so-so.

(The problem now is the consumables huh.)

Humans in this world have a storage area called <Inventory> in their left hand.

When you focus your attention on your left hand, a list of the items in your inventory appears in your mind.

(As I thought.)

The last item in my inventory was the ones I used on Lecilia, who had been attacked by a Gargoyle earlier.

I’m supposed to be a first-rate adventurer, but I’m not carrying enough recovery items. Aren’t you quite negligent, Rex?

No, I know that the items he’s carrying was just in relation to the game progression but……

[The exit is over here…… but wait here for a moment.]

[O- Old man!?]

Pretending not to hear the voices behind me, I lowered Lecilia down behind a rock, and just in case, I readied my swords and continued on the path leading to the deepest part of the <Winged Dragon’s Pathway>.

I’m not trying to fight any monsters.

I just want to stop by a few spots since I’m here.

(If it’s the same as in the game, it should be around here……)

Concentrating magic into my eyes, I used the Scout Skill: <Rogue’s Eyes>.

The world became monochrome, and only the significant places would glow a faint blue.

[Over there huh.]

Putting down the weapon in my hand, I ran to the spot where the light was shining, and held my left hand there.

Thereupon, the light on that spot was sucked into my left hand.

If it’s the same as in the game, that means “harvesting” is now complete.

The item should be stored in my <Inventory> in my left hand.

At that moment……

[What the heck are you doing at a time like this, you old man!?]

A suppressed shout echoed through the cave.

Rad, who had apparently followed me, had a frown on his face.

[As you can see, harvesting. And also, watch your step. That water is poisonous.]

[P- Poisonous!?]

Rad, who had hurriedly ran away from the foamy waters, soon snapped.

[W- What’s the big idea here, harvesting in this situation!?]

[It’s exactly because we’re in this situation. This <Mysterious Liquid> is harmful for your body, but if you drink it, it’ll boost your status. It should be useful for a fight.]

[B- But that’s poisonous, right?]

[Don’t worry, the <Healing Phantom Dust> here will negate the side-effects of the <Mysterious Liquid>.]

Even when I confidently said that, Rad still softly refuted me.

[H- However, I’ve never heard of something like that……]

[Of course, you wouldn’t have heard about it. It’s a valuable item after all.]

Although volatile within 7 days of harvesting, it’s useful as an alchemical ingredient and a strengthening item.

It can only be obtained once every few months, but the <Healing Phantom Dust> is one of the best recovery items and sells for a very high price.

If it’s possible, it would be more useful to use it to raise money than to use it as an item.

[However, we are in an emergency situation. We have to be prepared.]

The same way as before, I harvested the <Mysterious Liquid> from the small spring flowing near Rad’s feet.

[……Don’t put your sword down when you’re in enemy territory, old man.]

Looking up, I saw Rad picking up the weapon I had put aside and held it out to me.

He’s acting clumsily, but it seems like he’s trying to compromise in his own way.

[Thanks.]

Saying this, I accepted the Brave Sword Rad held out to me.

However, even as he handed me the sword, Rad’s gaze didn’t leave my sword.

I noticed that his gaze was moving back and forth between my waist and his own waist, when it hit me.

[Are you jealous of my sword?]

[Wha!? I- It’s nothing like that!]

I felt the tense feeling I had loosening a bit when I saw Rad’s honest reaction, as if I had hit the bull’s-eye.

[Let’s see, if I die, you can take this sword with you.]

[Don’t say something like that! Also, I don’t need it!]

It certainly was like Rad to say things like that, but in the event of Rex’s death in the game, the Hero was to receive the Brave Sword.

It’s not too far-fetched to say that in their current newbie party, Rad could possibly be the Hero……

[I’m just kidding, let’s go.]

That future won’t happen.

No, I won’t allow that future to happen.

With renewed determination, Rad and I headed back the way we came.

※　※　※

Fortunately, we didn’t encounter any monsters, and we passed through the <Winged Dragon’s Pathway> without incident.

""

The next city wouldn’t be far from the <Winged Dragon’s Pathway>.

After walking for a while, we soon saw the gate of the city in our sight.

[We did it! I can see the city!]

Nuku, the mage, reflexively shouted.

[Quick, we have to tell them about what happened in Ash City!]

Prana, the archer, who seemed unusually distracted, said this was and was about to break into a run.

However……

[————-It seems like things won’t just be that easy huh.]

There was a shadow flying straight towards us.

However…… It wasn’t the herd of Gargoyles that flew in just before the party arrived in the town of Rikushia in the game.

[T- That is……?]

It was only one monster that flew in.

[Good grief. Can’t you freaking give me a break?]

Staring at the status revealed by <Inspect>, I swore as much as I could with my trembling voice.

—————The Demon who is destined to bring “Rex” to his death swoops down from the sky.