A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 39

[Rene]

[Viewer Participation Content]

[New Dimension | 16 Viewers Online | 4:15:11]

Rivagar in Nibrload rarely sees monsters, perhaps due to its cold and barren environment.

But that absolutely doesn’t mean monsters don’t show up at all.

Among them, the monstrous Hreðsevalgr, which shoots icy crystal storms from the sky, and the wolf Freki, who haunts the rough terrain of Rivagar, are the type of monsters that make you feel overwhelmed just trying to keep up the first time you face them.

However, to put it the other way around, once you get accustomed to dealing with them, they just become a nuisance.

Kwaang!

Utilizing the weakness of their overly linear movement, I block their path and bring down my Warhammer vertically to deal with Freki first.

Next, I take advantage of the fact that Hreðsevalgr becomes sluggish right after unleashing a crystal storm, hurling the fallen crystals back to pierce through its body—end of story.

[Keyeeeeek?!]

The bird monster falls to the ground with a wretched cry.

At this point, it can’t do anything, so a simple swing of my weapon will finish the job.

Unfortunately, neither of the two monsters dropped any rare items.

Well, it’s not like rare items from Nibrload monsters are actually common anyway, so selling them for a high price is out of the question.

“Haah….”

─Rene, you think we can finish this today???

As I sighed in disappointment, only Lainel, who had survived in the chat, asked that question.

The atmosphere in the chat felt fatigued.

But I couldn’t say I didn’t understand it.

It’s already 11:30 PM.

That means it’s been about 3 hours and 30 minutes since our journey toward the peak of Rivagar started.

However, if my memory serves me right, we were still only about halfway up Rivagar.

In other words, it would take at least another 3 hours to reach the summit of Rivagar.

“Today… might be a bit ambitious. I think we’ll arrive by dawn….”

My words were met with sighs from those around me.

Is everyone really that eager to finish this journey?

Honestly, I enjoy moving together with a clear purpose like this.

─Is it fine to just watch and go to sleep?

“You’ll appreciate it more later if you follow in real-time….”

─It’s too much to stay until dawn;

“…Didn’t you say you’re a home security guard before? With lots of time on your hands….”

─Tenryan?

“Umm… Could you stay a bit longer…?”

─Fg…

After that exchange, thankfully, Lainel left a chat saying they’d try to hold out as long as possible.

Well, the other Rebongi around already promised not to drop out midway, so there’s no need to mention that.

Honestly, I can feel some dissatisfaction toward me, but I believe that once they see the spectacle, they will all be satisfied.

…However, to be fair, I never expected the time to stretch this long.

Last time I came alone, it took me 4 hours to reach the summit of Rivagar.

In that case, having passed 3 hours and 30 minutes now means we should be right at the summit.

But the speed at which we are advancing now is painfully slow.

Of course, with 15 people moving at once, it’s understandable that the time drags on, but even considering that, it’s at a serious level.

And the reason for that was the monsters.

In the harsh land of Nibrload, monsters rarely appear.

Especially in a place like Rivagar, even more so.

As evidence, when I came alone last time, I encountered monsters no more than 5 times before reaching the summit.

However, now this is the 13th encounter.

In other words, that probability is simply absurd.

“Uh, has anyone found some sort of weird device or something…?”

Everyone shook their heads in response to my question.

Well, it makes sense.

Considering they are shivering from the cold and unable to do anything, it’s only natural.

…Am I just the one caught in that nonsensical probability?

With that many people, perhaps our activity radius is wide enough to attract monsters.

“…I’ll start moving again.”

At my words, everyone nodded, and we stepped forward once more toward the peak of Rivagar.

★

The slope is becoming steeper.

No one is saying anything around me. Up to this point, we could at least chatter a bit, but now everyone seems genuinely exhausted, quietly exhaling white puffs of breath.

Though it’s not really my fault, I can’t shake off the feeling of guilt as I take one step, then another, leading them.

─So sleepy…

Currently, there are 16 viewers watching the stream.

Because the Heretic who got banned hasn’t returned, we’re at 16.

In other words, no new viewers have joined.

Considering that, this viewer participation content might just be utterly meaningless.

The reason I’m streaming is ultimately to make money.

But with no increase in viewers and no hefty donations coming in, this stream… could easily be laughed at as pointless by someone.

However, I have no intention of stopping my steps.

Because I know what lies at the end, even more so.

How much time has passed?

A second feels like a minute, a minute feels like an hour.

In that time, I take another step forward.

“…Huh?”

With a poof, my foot sinks deeply into the snow.

The steep slope I felt before is no longer noticeable.

I dash forward on the gentle hill with my exhausted body.

Since I had felt this sensation before last time, I hesitate not at all.

“Rene-san?”

The Rebongi calling out to me from behind seem to realize that the slope has eased, and one by one they start to quicken their pace.

After running, running, and running, what we found at the end was…

“Wow.”

The breathtaking scenery of the land covered in pristine white.

And the sky adorned with hues of blue aurora.

“Wow.”

One, then two.

Even the Rebongi who had lagged behind start to arrive.

And like the other Rebongi who arrived first, they utter quiet exclamations of wonder.

─Finally!!!!!!

“…How is it? Isn’t it incredibly cool?”

─It really is!

“Are you regretting not coming along…?”

─Not really lol

That’s harsh.

While giggling at Lainel’s chat,

“Rene-san.”

“Wah! Uh, yes…?”

Someone placed a hand on my shoulder from behind and called my name.

Startled but looking around, there stood a martial artist Rebongi who mentioned wanting to back out before we left.

“To be honest, I really didn’t want to come this far, and I even considered just running away midway.”

“Oh, I see….”

“…But it really is a magnificent view.”

“Right? Hehe….”

Yeah. True intentions connect.

“Don’t you want to come back and see it again…?”

“…I’m not sure about that.”

Oh wait.

“You mentioned you had already been here once before? What made you think of coming back for a second time…?”

The Rebongi spoke as if they couldn’t understand, yet a smile lay on their lips.

Just to be sure, I quietly scanned the surroundings, and everyone else looked satisfied as well, smiling contentedly.

I’m sure this will definitely leave a marvelous memory for them too.

Of course, including me.

As I thought this, peering at the aurora once more…

[You insignificant creatures dare disturb my slumber!]

It had appeared.

★

[The Ruler of Nibrload. The vicious ancient white dragon Albion has awakened!]

[System: From now on, entry to Nibrload is restricted.]

[System: The party that first confronts Albion will have the entry restriction lifted either by defeating Albion or choosing to give up.]

[System: The entry restriction will activate when it is lifted at that moment.]