Chapter 30

It came out of nowhere. What’s going on all of a sudden? The explorer who fired their pistol at the ceiling then swung the muzzle toward the crowd.

“Why aren’t you raising your hands? I said put your hands up! Don’t you know what hands are?”

The questionable individual, who was unclear whether an explorer or a criminal, pointed the gun at an explorer near the podium and made a subtle motion as if raising it. It seemed to mean raising their hands. Though their sudden appearance was unexpected, it seemed they weren’t planning to shoot someone out of the blue.

When the threatened explorer raised their hands, the stunned onlookers followed suit. I also cautiously raised my hands. What an eventful offline gathering this turned out to be. What were the hotel security doing, letting someone with a gun go unnoticed like this?

While transporting firearms through system logistics is difficult, methods like disassembling and reassembling after logging out exist, making complete prevention challenging. Still, there’s no excuse for their lack of response.

The criminal’s accomplices dramatically revealed their pistols and aimed them at the crowd. Oh, this is just absurd.

The perpetrator spoke.

“Since things have calmed down a bit, I’ll get to the point. Oh, before that, there’s something I need to do. You there. What do we call you, you know, over there?”

Pointing toward a young staff member near the podium.

“Are you a waiter?”

“Waiter? Not that. Oh, serving, yeah. Anyways, come here.”

The staff was dragged to the front of the podium.

“Since everyone might not know yet out of shock, I’ll warn you in advance. But how old are you? Twenty-one? Do you have a job? You’re a college student? Oh, a part-timer? There’s even part-time work for this. Impressive. Let me ask you one more thing – are you an explorer? No? Thank goodness.”

The person nodded, then patted the staff member’s head.

“Don’t worry; nothing bad will happen, right? Anyway, to get back to the point, there’s a warning I need to give you all. Although we’re doing this, explorer friends can just log in and easily get away from the situation, right? So!”

The criminal aimed the gun at the part-timer.

“If any of you log in, this young man will take the hit. I’ll be shooting at areas that could potentially cause harm—”

“Log in!”

One of the explorers shouted and disappeared. A moment of silence followed. The criminal blinked, stunned, then looked at the part-timer.

“Threatening people is really challenging, isn’t it? Why so surprised? There’s nothing you can do, right? When avoidance is impossible, enjoy it. Hostage situations might even suit you.”

“Miss.”

A voice came from the side. I looked over to see the security team leader had arrived. When did they get here? They skillfully approached unnoticed.

“Let’s log out.”

Should we? It’s tempting. The staff is pitiful, but there’s nothing else we can do. Doyugeon was watching with an enigmatic expression. Hmm.

I addressed the security team leader.

“That’s not really an option.”

“You should log out. We will handle the situation, so log out please.”

“There might be a better solution.”

“This is an emergency and it’s best if you follow my advice.”

They are the expert, so it’s probably necessary, but Doyugeon is watching.

“Still…”

The sound of gunfire and screams echoed. Looking at the podium, the staff member was holding their knee in pain. Ugh.

I discreetly checked Doyugeon, whose complexion had turned pale. This isn’t good for his emotional health.

“Is there a way to resolve this?”

“Logging out is the safest option. If you prefer, you can observe the situation for now.”

“Still… You’re essentially repeating yourself.”

I cleared my throat from the cold and continued.

“Is it safe to talk this much?”

The security team leader hesitated.

“Alright. Let’s do it then. When I step forward, you and your friend should lie as flat as possible.”

“Please ensure it doesn’t affect our mental health too negatively.”

“That’s not likely.”

The security team leader pulled out a wizard robe from their coat and put it on before heading towards the podium.

[C-Rank/Melophin Royal Guild Marphigna]

They were carrying this even though they didn’t need to wear it.

“Mr. Reporter, don’t you understand? You have a laptop; just write it as a news story. Are you seriously defying us? Don’t you feel sorry for the youth who’s lost a knee? Isn’t he about to get shot again? So, take notes.”

The criminal cleared their throat and continued.

“BNH, that is, the Business Networking Hub, is recruiting explorers. No restrictions on education, major, age, or experience. High rewards based on performance. Flexible and autonomous contracts. Oh, and something else.”

The criminal noticed the approaching security team leader.

“What’s the deal with this brave individual? Threatening people is surprisingly difficult, isn’t it?”

It’s time to lie down. I pulled Doyugeon down and gestured for the nearby necromancer to do the same.

Ignoring the words, the security team leader approached the podium and punched the criminal. What?

“Ugh!”

The once-loud criminal briefly hovered in the air before crashing to the floor. They seemed to have fainted. What’s going on?

Several gunshots rang out as bullets struck the security team leader. However, they were deflected by the wizard robe, leaving it completely intact. That must be a legendary item.

With each swing of their fist, another armed criminal was sent flying. As the last one tried to escape, the security team leader picked up the unconscious one and threw them, hitting the fleeing criminal accurately. Wow, the world is becoming truly strange.

The security team leader looked around at the crowd from the podium.

“There might be some stragglers hiding, but for now, just stay quiet. It’s better for everyone.”

While speaking, the security team leader made eye contact with me for a brief moment. Ah, it’s true. If there are any others, it could be dangerous.

I nudged Doyugeon.

“Let’s log out.”

“Now?”

“Yeah. It should be okay now, but there could still be some risk. Let’s wait in the pre-room until things calm down.”

Doyugeon looked around. Is there more to think about? While glancing around, I accidentally spotted a criminal crawling toward the corner. It was the one who had yelled from the podium earlier. When did they crawl over there?

The criminal stood up suddenly, broke the glass window, and fled. They’re wanted now, but the police will handle it.

“See? Unexpected events happen. Let’s log out.”

Doyugeon agreed, and we both logged out together. The tension was lifted, and I casually sat down on the preparation room floor. Life isn’t easy. Even after reincarnation, I question if it’s truly for the better. I’m not saying I dislike it, but I wonder.

Doyugeon lay down beside me. This floor isn’t clean enough to lie on. A glance showed some fine dust. The system isn’t doing its cleaning duty. How odd they’re slacking off.

I coughed, as the environment is terrible for a cold.

Muttering voices could be heard.

“I’m tired.”

“Yeah, same.”

“Will the offline meeting end soon?”

“Probably.”

The police will arrive, and ambulances will come for the injured. Considering the atmosphere, the event will likely be thrown off course. It might not, but many attendees will be tired and choose to leave.

I’m also exhausted and just want to go home, but I’m hungry. We couldn’t have dinner because the podium incident disrupted the meal. They shot guns without waiting for food as if they had no consideration. With all their talk about business networking hubs, it shows they lack thought. I’m hungry.

Thinking about it, the hotel might refuse to provide food due to the disposal costs of wasted meals. Will logging out get us food? Unclear. It would be nice, although the pre-dinner bread wasn’t promising. Still, it’s better than eating something simple outside.

Doyugeon was silent, deep in thought, so I spent some time waiting idly. Then, deciding it was enough, we logged out together.

The banquet hall was chaotic upon our return. Servers carrying meals, people eating, others leaving from fatigue. The police were already there, investigating with the event organizer. Bloodstains were cleaned up by staff at the podium. What a mess.

We should be able to eat now.

“Let’s eat.”

“Here?”

Doyugeon wore a slightly reluctant expression.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“Hungry, but eating here… seems off.”

“Shall we eat outside then?”

He nodded. I’m hungry, but it’s cold, so I might catch a cold eating outside.

Still, he agreed.

We were briefly stopped by the police before leaving the hotel. Scanning for nearby restaurants while walking, Doyugeon headed toward a convenience store.

“Convenience store?”

“Is it a problem?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Its speediness is a plus. We warmed up instant meals in the microwave and sat down. My meal is a hamburger steak bento. Standard.

“Level 25, you know.”

“Huh?”

Looking at Doyugeon, he seems somewhat down.

“At level 25, when the mob appears in the city, will I be able to handle it well?”

So that’s what he’s been thinking about. There’s no need to worry. Leave the mobs to the police and just go home.

Though tempted to say that, since we’ve had this conversation a few times and this isn’t what he wants to hear, and his mood seems low, I let it go.

“Why the sudden lack of confidence despite being so sure earlier?”

“Just now, a terror incident happened at the hotel, and I couldn’t do anything.”

That’s reasonable.

“Of course not. We’re middle school students.”

Not just that, even adults would likely react the same.

“But you managed to do something.”

What did I do?

“You asked the bodyguard to handle it, and it resolved quickly.”

“Ultimately, it was someone else’s work.”

“Well, staying calm while the gun was pointed and being threatened also counts.”

“That was more absurdity than fear. It was more bewildering, though I was scared.”

“You were also calm talking to the bodyguard. It wasn’t just me who thought so since the necromancer nearby was just staring blankly, did you know?”

That might be because they were indifferent.

“Perhaps internally I wasn’t calm, but it came across that way.”

“You show all your thoughts on your face.”

What? That can’t be true.

I glanced at him, startled, and he quickly retracted his statement.

“You don’t show everything, but overall, you appear composed. I didn’t feel that way. Given my current abilities, will I be able to handle it when mobs appear in the city?”

Doyugeon paused, then continued eating. I should comfort him, but I’m at a loss for words.

Though I wasn’t composed, his sense of crisis differs from mine. I had the security officer present, could log out if needed, and knew my father could intervene as a last resort. I have significant value, so there’s no reason they would let me die.

Serious calmness comes from exit strategies, not inherent calmness. Doyugeon lacked that, but I didn’t.

We’re still middle school students—why the unnecessary concern?

“Doyugeon.”

He stopped eating and looked up.

“Haven’t we seen something like this before?”

“No.”

“Then it’s fine to not meet your expectations. Accepting the situation is already challenging, maintaining composure is even harder. Everything is like this at first.”

“But you were composed.”

Why keep bringing me up?

“Well, that’s me. Isn’t comparing yourself to me a bit too extreme?”

He shrugged silently.

It’s not getting through. Let’s change the subject.

“Since you’re troubled by the difficulty, if I can help, remember I will. Anytime you need, I’ll be there to support you. I can be your safeguard.”

Aside from the police, of course.

Doyugeon smiled.

“I don’t want that.”

Then what should I do?

Watching him continue to smile, he used to depend on me easily… Now it makes me feel a bit betrayed.

But if it improves his mood, it’s all fine.

We finished our meal.

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