Karma and Status Window

Inis and Isabella were diligently moving around the plain. They were collecting magic stones from the orcs and goblins we had defeated.

I chewed on jerky and drank water. I wanted to help them, but because of my magical power depletion, even maintaining consciousness was difficult.

“Master. We’ve brought everything here.”

Inis and Isabella, who had gone quite far, brought back pouches. When I received them and checked inside, they were full of blue magic stones.

“For the orcs and goblins that were killed by Master’s divine power, we couldn’t collect all the magic stones because they fell among the grass. I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay. You both must be tired too. Thank you for your hard work.”

I put the pouches in my bag and stood up with Inis’s help. I wanted to lie down and sleep right now, but staying at the site of the battle would be foolish.

“Let’s move locations first.”

I said this and took out the magic compass. As expected, the magic needle showed no reaction.

“It seemed like the orcs and goblins were tracking us, right?”

“Yes. They were searching the forest where we were. I can’t be certain, but it seems they came knowing we were somewhere nearby.”

“And the fact that they beat drums to call for reinforcements indicates they were moving systematically.”

“How did they track us? We killed every orc and goblin that attacked us.”

“They might have witnessed us during battle. Or they might have become suspicious because there were no bodies.”

“Bodies?”

I hadn’t thought of that.

“Even if you kill an enemy with a sword or arrow, the labyrinth eventually absorbs the bodies and they disappear.”

“But they don’t disappear immediately. If the orcs were tracking Master, wouldn’t they have found it strange that there were no bodies?”

“Perhaps it was a goblin shaman?”

Isabella, who had been listening quietly, joined the conversation.

“Goblin shaman?”

“Yes. I heard that when the Goblin King appears, his advisor, the goblin shaman, also appears. Even if the Goblin King died, wouldn’t it be possible if the shaman remained?”

“You mean they tracked us using the shaman’s strategy and shamanic arts?”

“Yes. I think that’s the most likely explanation.”

“Where did you get that information?”

Depending on the source, Isabella’s words would gain credibility. If she had read it from an adventurer’s guidebook like Inis, I might be a bit suspicious.

“I read it in a book provided by the Adventurer’s Guild. I tend to thoroughly research before entering the labyrinth.”

“Then it must be certain.”

Surprisingly, the Adventurer’s Guild collected information about the labyrinth. The problem was that they didn’t share it with adventurers.

“Did you read it when you were a noble?”

“Yes. I tend to be quite fearful, so I get anxious when there’s something I don’t know.”

“Then the goblin shaman theory seems likely. If shamanic arts were used, it means they came here and then disappeared.”

Seeing how they didn’t help the orcs and goblins and instead fled, these shamanic arts didn’t seem particularly special.

‘I’ve never heard of a goblin shaman before.’

I had heard of the Orc Tribal Chief and Goblin King while playing the game. However, there was no shaman at all. This might be a discrepancy between reality and the game.

“You must be tired, but let’s get away from the scene as much as possible. If the shaman reappears and tracks us, we might be discovered.”

“Yes.”

“And let’s try to avoid combat as much as possible.”

The difficulty level suddenly increased because of this unexpected shaman.

After traveling for a while, we arrived at a forest. As usual, we dug under a tree to create a hole. It had saved our lives before.

“I just remembered something. Inis and Isabella, you both used abilities I’ve never seen before at the end?”

It suddenly occurred to me as we were resting in the forest.

“Ah, yes. I’m not really sure about it either. I desperately wished in my heart, and suddenly my body became faster…”

“I don’t really know either. I just prayed for the arrow to hit while shooting.”

Both gave similar answers. The common point seemed to be that they had will and desire.

“I think it might be related to Egun’s blessing. I saw red magical power when you both used your abilities.”

“Then it’s definitely related to the blessing given by Lord Egun.”

“Or it could be that karma has accumulated and created abilities.”

“Karma?”

Why was she suddenly using a term that sounded like it came from Buddhism?

“Yes. The more monsters like orcs and goblins you kill, the more karma accumulates in your body. Eventually, it manifests as either abilities or curses.”

“What happens if it manifests as a curse?”

“Most commonly, you become a madman or monster and kill everything alive. Depending on the characteristics of the monsters you’ve killed, your body might rot. It’s unpredictable.”

I frowned at that. Didn’t this mean that such side effects could also happen to Inis and Isabella?

“Nobles strictly manage these abilities and side effects caused by karma. That’s why nobles rarely marry commoners.”

“Then nobles would never have their karma manifest as curses no matter how much accumulates?”

“That’s not true. The risk is relatively lower, but it still exists. There’s no guarantee that only abilities will manifest.”

There must definitely be benefits. That’s why nobles control their bloodlines.

“Even among nobles, the manifestation of karma varies by person. Some become stronger, others weaker. However, the abilities that manifest are those that were already in the bloodline.”

This was another setting that wasn’t in the game. It was interesting, but also somewhat disturbing. Wasn’t this essentially eugenics?

“So when nobles from different families marry and have a child, nobody knows which family’s abilities will manifest?”

“Yes. That’s why wars sometimes break out between families when a child is born. It’s an opportunity for one family to gain the abilities of another.”

“Are there never cases where abilities from both families manifest simultaneously?”

“It happens occasionally. In such cases, they either kill the child outright or go to war. One of the two.”

I clicked my tongue at that. The world of nobles was indeed ruthlessly cruel.

“Then Isabella, aren’t you in danger too? Nobles wouldn’t like their bloodline going outside, would they? Especially since your ability has manifested.”

“Yes. That’s why I made a contract. If I have a child and the Etly family’s abilities manifest, I agreed to hand over the child.”

“What?”

I frowned at that. Taking away a child? Isn’t that basically being a thief? And now, wouldn’t that child most likely be mine?

“But this contract probably won’t be fulfilled. The ability that manifested now isn’t from the Etly family.”

“Should I consider that fortunate?”

Isabella smiled instead of answering. It wasn’t a bright smile. Rather, it seemed self-deprecating.

“Isabella. We’ll treat you the same whether you’re a noble or not. You know that, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Yes. I know. Thank you, Master. And thank you too, Senior Inis. Um, may I go in first and rest for a bit?”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

I allowed it because she seemed emotionally unsettled. Isabella got up, bowed her head, and entered the hole.

“Um, Master.”

“Yes?”

“If I have a baby, I don’t have to give it to anyone.”

At her words, I chuckled and stroked Inis’s hair. She must have felt a bit jealous when we were talking about Isabella’s child.

“Right. Thank you. But could you go in and comfort Isabella? She might get more depressed if she’s alone like that.”

“Yes!”

Inis smiled broadly, got up, and headed for the hole. Left alone, I carefully uttered the words.

“Status window.”

『Name: Romon』

『Level: 3』

『Occupation: Egun’s Contractor』

『Subjugated Humans: Isabella. Inis』

It had been a long time since I’d seen the status window. Nothing had changed, but today it particularly caught my attention.

They said abilities are created as karma accumulates. So could the level shown there be related to that?

No, but with all the orcs and goblins we’ve killed so far, why hasn’t my level increased yet? Could there be some condition?

‘I don’t know.’

And somehow I felt that their newfound abilities were related to me. After all, Inis and Isabella’s abilities resembled skills from the game.

I turned my gaze toward the two women who had entered the hole. Judging by the soft sounds of conversation, Inis seemed to have spoken to Isabella.

‘That’s good.’

I smiled slightly and slowly opened my mouth. I didn’t have much expectation, but I said it just in case.

“Status window.”

As soon as I said that, two windows appeared before my eyes.