Hell Difficulty Tutorial Chapter 814 - Boys' trip

“What is this person doing here?” Morwag inquired, his voice possessing an unusual calm. “And why is he smirking like that?”

“Why shouldn’t I be smiling? The weather is beautiful, the food is exquisite, and I am in the company of my friends. Truly, I am blessed!” The lumoran, identified as Brich, beamed with a wide grin.

“Are we anticipating the arrival of someone else?” Weslin interjected, cutting in before Brich could further provoke the most demonic demon to have ever existed.

“Indeed,” I confirmed with a nod. “The most cowardly individual to ever draw breath.”

This pronouncement caused Brich to perk up once more. He turned his attention from Morwag and looked directly at me. “I was unaware that the young Savant would also be gracing us with his presence.”

“And why shouldn’t I be? I wager he has nothing more pressing to do,” I retorted with a scoff, leaning back in my seat.

The four of us were currently seated around a table situated on a terrace that offered no structures below, providing an unobstructed panorama of the immense canyons of the 4th floor of Beyond. The table was already laden with an abundance of food and several beverages. As we partook in the breakfast I had funded, I made a mental note to seek reimbursement from my guild, firmly classifying this as a business expense.

Each individual present had brought their own array of equipment, encompassing everything from armor and weapons to travel rucksacks. In Brich’s case, it was the colossal suit of metal armor he wore even while seated, his winged helmet placed casually on the table. Adorning his waist was the Ego weapon, Calvorn, and beside him rested a massive bag, its contents a mystery, slated for testing by the mora trio.

“You have yet to disclose your strategy,” Morwag stated, directing his question to me.

In response, I simply offered a shrug. “That’s largely because I devise my plans as we proceed. However, do not feign disinterest. Before you are compelled to return to the tutorial and face expulsion, you might as well indulge in a bit of exploration within Beyond alongside us. Surely you harbor some curiosity about the entities generating the lurkers, or indeed, about the surface world itself.”

“I possess no need for such a transparent fabrication,” the demon replied, crossing his powerfully built arms over his chest. “I merely question the caliber of companions you have assembled.”

“Well, it’s not as if I am acquainted with a vast number of individuals. My usual group is occupied with their own endeavors, and my sister is similarly engaged, leaving you as my available company. Yet, truthfully, I would not exchange you for anyone. You are the finest companions one could possibly wish for-”

“Oh, just cease your prattling,” Morwag interjected with a snort, signaling a waitress to bring more of the delectable snack he had been enjoying.

Glancing around, I registered the attention we were attracting. After all, four S-rank individuals congregating to plan an expedition was bound to draw notice. Even now, I pondered the reasons behind my decision to assemble this particular group instead of venturing forth alone, let alone the impulse that led me to contact Savant through Crimson Forge.

I find pleasure in spending time with Weslin and Morwag. Despite his intimidating presence, the demon proves to be a dependable ally, a fact solidified during our confrontation with that Champion. As for Brich and Savant, their unique abilities have always piqued my interest. I am eager to witness more of Calvorn’s prowess and subtly leverage this expedition to glean insights from Brich. Furthermore, my curiosity is ignited regarding the current pursuits of the universe’s most timid individual, hoping to absorb some of his knowledge while simultaneously visiting all the locales I vowed to experience.

Reflecting upon it, we are all men. Does this not render this a quintessential boys’ trip? An amusing notion, indeed. I ought to devise a fittingly epic moniker for our fellowship.

“Here you are!” Brich exclaimed just as Savant made his entrance onto the terrace. He retained his characteristic long black hair, those same timid green eyes, and the infuriating beauty mark situated just below the corner of his eye.

For a fleeting moment, his gaze swept across the scene, lingering on Morwag and then Weslin, before shifting to Brich and finally settling upon me.

I estimated a 40% probability that he would promptly turn tail and depart.

Ultimately, he appeared to grit his teeth and approached, setting down his bag with a thud on the ground before occupying the vacant seat beside Brich.

“You informed me it would solely be you and Brich,” he accused.

“Because it is likely you would have declined the invitation had I disclosed the presence of the other two,” I elucidated.

“Do you not perceive that as somewhat deceptive?”

“Quite deceptive, and rather an asshole move, I concede. By the way, could you perhaps activate your void heart? I wish to examine it.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Well, perhaps your resolve will waver in the coming minutes.”

“Never.”

“Consistent as ever. However, consider this: Weslin is present, and he is arguably the foremost authority when it comes to managing void energy. There is much you could learn from him.”

“That is precisely the primary reason I have not yet departed,” Savant stated, turning to face Weslin and offering a polite nod of greeting. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You may address me as you see fit, but my chosen alias is Savant.”

Before Weslin could offer a response, Morwag let out a short, derisive laugh. “Savant this, Savant that. How much arrogance can a mere human possibly possess? And that pitiful, withered thing you claim to be a heart, lying dormant within your chest. A mere pilfering from a deceased, feeble demon, no less.”

The pressure emanating from the demon intensifies. Though his eyes already blaze with the deepest crimson I've ever witnessed, that intensity only grows, causing the surrounding wood and stone to groan under the strain.

"Morwag."

My single utterance silences the room, and the demon slowly rotates his head to face me.

Meeting his gaze, I offer a smile. "I was the one who invited him, and you immediately resort to threats? Especially after he just learned I deceived him and chose to stay anyway? And during breakfast, no less! I understand you might want to assert dominance, but couldn't you at least wait a bit and do so in a manner that doesn't feel like a direct insult to me?"

Morwag's expression shifts into a smile mirroring my own. After a brief, silent exchange of glances, his smile widens as he speaks, "My apologies. I behaved rudely."

"It's quite alright. I've been rather easily agitated myself recently, and perhaps I could have been more tactful."

"No, the transgression was mine. Your reaction is entirely justified."

"Still, I feel somewhat amiss now that you're being so understanding. I fear I might have jumped to an unfounded conclusion, expecting you to act in a way you never intended."

"Are you two going to kiss or fight?" Brich pipes up with excitement, his mouth full of pastry, the metal of his armor clinking with every enthusiastic movement.

Is it possible that one simply needs to possess unquestioning, utterly delusional self-belief? And would that belief then manifest as the skill's success, simply because that's how one perceives it? All due to being somewhat... well, unhinged and genuinely incapable of thinking otherwise?

I suspect there may be some truth to this, and perhaps all truly powerful individuals harbor a degree of peculiarity. The pertinent question then becomes: what does that reveal about Earth, that it fosters so many potent beings?

Yet another disadvantage for ordinary individuals like myself.

"Rookie, why this sudden urge to meet these specific people first? What about Lochi and Duncan? You even utilized the guild's intelligence network to locate them," Weslin inquires.

Shifting my attention to him, I respond with candid honesty, "Just a passing whim."

"A whim?"

"Yes, is that so strange?"

"Considering everything else you've done? Not particularly. Overall, slightly peculiar? Perhaps, but nothing to be overly concerned about." The foremost void user currently in Beyond offers a faint smile. "Perhaps it simply reflects a degree of occasional nostalgia on your part."

"That's a possibility," I concede with a nod. "And yourself? You agreed to join quite readily. What prompted that?"

"Just a whim?" he retorts with a smirk. "It sounded like a fun opportunity for one final grand adventure before concluding my tutorial, especially with you and my other peculiar companions."

"Weslin, you are far too pure for this realm. Should Malika ever break your heart, I shall exact a terrible vengeance on her behalf."

This remark elicits further laughter from him. He runs a hand through his now-growing white hair, and I notice he's sporting a surprisingly decent haircut. It turns out Weslin is quite a handsome individual.

It's not that he wasn't attractive with his formerly gleaming bald head; back then, he exuded a more formidable, austere aura. Now, he appears gentler, even though his fundamental personality remains unchanged.

"Well, why not, indeed," Weslin states. "Although, it does present a certain complication, given that we both hail from two distinct, newly awakened planets. We might have to defer our plans for a few years, or perhaps decades, before finding a way to reunite."

"Ah, I hadn't considered that. That's rather unfortunate."

"It certainly is," Brich concurs, drawing the attention of both Weslin and myself.

The Lumoran takes another bite, chewing deliberately, while Morwag maintains a stoic expression, discreetly flicking grape seeds towards him whenever he consumes one.

My gaze drifts, settling on Savant, who regards us all with an expression perfectly aligned with my expectations.

"Brich, were you aware that Savi possesses a Sword of Aeons?" I inquire.

"Naturally, I am," the Lumoran replies, his metal armor clinking as he nods. "Most of the major guilds were aware of it even before he joined Crimson Forge. Whether weakened or not, the Sword of Aeons represents the most potent mana reservoir in all of Eladore. I know of individuals who hoard them, possessing several dozen, though they are seldom restored to the condition that young Savant's is. How many times have people attempted to steal it from you, or worse, kill you for it?" he asks Savant.

The man, whose patience seems unnaturally boundless, pauses thoughtfully before calmly responding, "Twice on the first floor of Beyond, once on the second, once on the third, and on six separate occasions on the fourth."

"And how many of those attempts involved Crimson Forge or Brich directly?" I press.

"Approximately half," Savant replies evenly.

Brich displays no hint of remorse, and Morwag proceeds to flick more seeds in his direction. They tumble past his neck, landing within his armor, causing Brich's eyelid to twitch visibly.

Ultimately, it is the Lumoran who rises first. "Gentlemen, perhaps we should depart? I've just received word that Lyraen has exited Beyond to return to his tutorial for a few days, which should make it safe for me to leave the Megacity."

At the third level of Beyond, our group opts to linger for a full day. My personal agenda involves tracking down a particular catboy. Meanwhile, the others, in a peculiar display of unity, concur that venturing outside under the cloak of night, when the most formidable monsters emerge, would be a prudent course of action.

These are the kinds of beasts notorious for decimating entire outposts.

Naturally, the conditions on this particular floor remain unchanged from my previous visit. While the daytime offers sanctuary, nighttime demands refuge within an outpost. These settlements are designed to accommodate populations ranging from 10, 100, 1,000, up to a maximum of 10,000 individuals. Such outposts serve as secure havens after dark, but exclusively if their citizenry count does not surpass the established limit. Once that threshold is breached, the safety functionality of the zone is irrevocably deactivated.

It is a foregone conclusion that all inhabitants would prefer to unite and repel any newcomers from afar rather than grant entry during the night, should the settlement already be at its capacity.

Consequently, we find ourselves within the Black Tower outpost, the site of the most significant contingent of the Primordial Knights on this level. As the day commences, Morwag, Weslin, and I proceed directly to the headquarters, while Savant and Brich pursue their own endeavors until dusk.

The scrutinizing glances from fellow guild members as we traverse the corridor are most unwelcome. A significant portion of them clearly recognize my presence, serving as a stark reminder that I have ascended to the position of guild master here—a role I had hoped to merely fulfill by collecting my stipend and leveraging the available resources with minimal accountability.

We part ways with Weslin, who proceeds to pay his respects to the branch leader. I, on the other hand, descend to a lower level to rendezvous with the Doc.