Ch.173Reconnaissance+

# 173. Reconnaissance+

“Vice Commander. How should I interpret this?”

“Was my statement so difficult to understand that it requires separate interpretation? I thought my explanation was quite sufficient.”

“Vice Commander!”

“My ears are not damaged.”

“Adventurers? At such a critical time, in such an important position—adventurers with no proper background!”

The situation the Vice Commander had worried about occurred not even after leaving the fortress, but immediately after he announced the reconnaissance team selection.

Since this happened in the game and I had anticipated it in reality as well, I wasn’t angry or flustered. Putting myself in their shoes, their attitude wasn’t completely incomprehensible.

But they overlooked two factors.

One: The fortress situation is dire enough that they need to employ adventurers “with no proper background.”

Two: They directly challenged the Vice Commander’s authority in front of many people, and in a disrespectful manner.

“Vice Commander, these adventurer nobodies are—”

“Silence.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said be silent.”

The commander who had been gesturing wildly and arguing vehemently toward us became mute as a fish under the Vice Commander’s piercing gaze.

“I understand your concerns. But isn’t this contradictory to what you said earlier? Weren’t you trying to minimize your inclusion in the reconnaissance team just moments ago?”

“T-this is different!”

“Since when did we discriminate based on origins? Wasn’t our policy regardless of nation, race, or gender? Of course, verification is necessary. Skill alone isn’t everything. But this is an emergency situation, and I’ve personally verified them, albeit informally.”

“Vice Commander…”

“Is this the time to be picky about cold soup or hot soup? We’re already short on manpower. Hiring mercenaries during territorial disputes or wars is commonplace, isn’t it? Think of them as mercenaries I’ve hired during this war against monsters. Elite mercenaries, at that.”

Unable to further oppose the Vice Commander’s words, the commander glared at me instead. Neither I nor my party members showed any sign of intimidation as we stared right back, causing the commander to click his tongue audibly and turn his head away sharply.

The Vice Commander then unfolded his arms and took a step toward the commander. The commander’s face twitched slightly.

‘Not only is he intimidating face-to-face, but his back is no joke either.’

“What is the fortress motto that we repeat every day when we meet?”

“…For the safety and peace of the continent.”

“Yes. For the safety and peace of the continent. This isn’t merely an empty phrase to boost our ego or achievements. In some ways… it’s a foolish and old-fashioned mindset. But it was our ancestors with that old-fashioned mindset who built this fortress in this treacherous place despite enormous sacrifices, and generations like us have protected it since.”

The Vice Commander quietly yet powerfully commanded the atmosphere. Though only one person had protested, everyone knew it wasn’t just his opinion alone, so the Vice Commander looked around briefly and continued.

“I’m not demanding that you welcome them. Just don’t forget what our duty is.”

**

“Look at this atmosphere. I could cut my skin on it even from this distance.”

“Yuri.”

“Now I see why the Vice Commander wasn’t given the title ‘Lord Delton’ for nothing. Whether he has prejudices or not, he doesn’t show them outwardly.”

An uncomfortable journey began. We moved together at an ambiguous distance—not quite the same party, but not entirely separate either. Whether it was because of the Vice Commander’s guarantee of our independent action rights or because his pride was hurt, the reconnaissance team leader was treating us like we were invisible.

‘This is actually better.’

Though I felt bad for the Vice Commander who had expressed trust in us, this arrangement suited us better since we were planning to “make mistakes” if necessary. And wouldn’t they naturally request our cooperation if an emergency arose?

“Let’s just think of them as our navigation. To be honest, the higher we go, the less I trust the information in my memory.”

“Hmm… I wonder what Lord Delton is doing. It would have been nice if he were here.”

“Who knows. Probably at the fortress. From what I heard, he didn’t even get to rest after the battle because of us.”

Suddenly, since arriving at Paelm Fortress, it felt less like our adventure and more like we had become part of someone else’s adventure.

‘Maybe it’s because my anxiety is growing, making me think strange thoughts.’

When I was a gamer, the unknown was interesting—something to explore, conquer, and feel excited about. But now that my near-perfect omniscience was beginning to crumble, it had transformed into fear.

It seemed unfair that when unknown variables blocked our path, we had no option to “avoid” them, and even a small mistake could send someone to their grave.

Though I was calmly following the reconnaissance team despite their hostility, and even planning to make “mistakes” with the seal if necessary, part of me wished that nothing would happen this time.

“Entering another cave.”

“…Subin.”

“I realized the thing I’ve most consistently done in my life while being afraid of it is adventuring. My natural disposition rejects adventure, but my circumstances keep pushing me toward it.”

As if somehow sensing my inner thoughts, Subin moved closer and nudged my side.

“We’re called adventurers here. We’re adventuring. You, me, and everyone else. We’re always together… it’s more fun than being alone, right?”

“I’m surprised. Are you really Eun Subin?”

“What? Does this kind of talk not suit me?”

I nudged her side back as she gave me a sidelong glance. She quickly grabbed my hand and interlaced our fingers.

“My latest dream is all of us eating meat you grill in the yard of a big house, raiding together in a room set up like a PC bang without headsets or voice programs, and falling asleep looking at the night sky on a large, soft bed instead of in tents.”

“That’s quite specific.”

“Yes. We absolutely must reach the top of the tower. Instead of thinking about that, how about thinking of yourself as a man fulfilling his beloved woman’s dream?”

“Oh. But that seems quite difficult too…”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. Sounds wonderful.”

I was grateful for Subin, whose face had turned slightly red as she deliberately looked straight ahead, yet still refused to let go of my hand.

It certainly wasn’t because someone was squeezing my hand until it went numb.

“By the way, Sunghyun.”

“Yeah?”

“If we really need to make a mistake with the seal, do you know what kind of mistake would actually break it?”

I shrugged. I didn’t know. That was indeed a problem.

– Hey! You’re such a loser! That’s why you were sealed! Feeling bitter? Come out if you dare!

Would shouting something like that solve the issue?

‘Probably not.’

This seal has lasted for over hundreds of years. But if the previous reconnaissance team made some mistake that cracked the seal, shouldn’t we be able to do something similar? Though it’s just the Vice Commander’s speculation.

“Whatever we do, we should do it as quietly and naturally as possible. If we get caught, we’d probably be headed straight for continental treason charges.”

“Thrilling.”

Soon we reached the landmark Lord Delton had told us about—the boundary between Zone 1 and Zone 2. We hadn’t encountered a single monster yet, which made me wonder if this reconnaissance team really deserved its name.

The team, which had been advancing continuously without rest or conversation, finally stopped. Two of them walked heavily toward us.

One of them was that commander from before.

“Adventurer.”

“Yes.”

The commander frowned. I had only responded—what did he expect?

“…Tch. From now on, you’ll stay close and follow our actions. Understand?”

“Understood. Are there any situations we should be cautious about?”

“You accepted a reconnaissance mission without even knowing such basics? Typical of adventurers with no proper background.”

Oh.

Being openly disrespected to my face was so fresh that I wasn’t even angry.

More accurately, someone whose name started with “A” did get agitated, but Seyeon held her back.

Anyway, when I showed no reaction, the commander clicked his tongue again. He seemed to have been hoping I would get angry or flustered.

“Didn’t I say you’ll stay close and follow our actions? That’s what you’ll do. I don’t know how you managed to impress the Vice Commander, but ignorant fools like you who don’t even know reconnaissance basics just need to follow along. Understood?”

“For now.”

“For now…?”

“We don’t know how situations might develop, do we? Besides, my party has been granted independent action rights by the Vice Commander.”

“Listen here.”

The commander raised his hand. The reconnaissance team members behind him slowly approached, surrounding us.

“The only useful thing about adventurer nobodies is their quick wits, but you don’t even have that? What independent action rights for the likes of you who know nothing about reconnaissance or proper conduct? Make your choice. Either follow us obediently, wait here until we return, leave the zone entirely, or go back to the fortress.”

I noticed that Seyeon, who had held Yuri back earlier, had somehow moved slightly ahead of me.

I said:

“Since my preferred answer isn’t among your options, I won’t choose.”