Chapter 103
“...The Sage is among the four of us here?”
The frowning Wanderer muttered as he looked around.
The other two reacted similarly. Everyone took turns looking at each other.
Finding the Sage who hid their identity.
Is this also a Gate?
It seemed the test wasn't over yet.
[Combine Opinions of everyone except the Sage to select the Sage.]
[600]
Then, a number appeared.
The number was counting down second by second. It was a timer display.
I guess it means to find the Sage before the time runs out...?
The Knight opened his mouth.
“Speak the truth. Who is the Sage?”
The woman said.
“This seems to be the Sage's test as well. To hide among us, the Sage must have been quite a playful person.”
The Wanderer also spoke.
“...The Sage is a figure from a thousand years ago, right? How could the Sage be among us?”
“He's the person who keeps this Dungeon running perfectly even after a thousand years have passed. Perhaps the Sage didn't die and is still alive?”
“Are you saying he achieved immortality? That's nonsense.”
I looked around at the three people and thought.
‘What should I do?’
It was a kind of Mafia Game.
If I had to say, the Mage woman looked closest to the image of a sage, but...
Of course, I shouldn't just guess like that.
“You are the most suspicious. Aren't you the only Mage here?”
As soon as I thought that, the Knight pointed his sword at the woman.
The woman raised her staff defensively.
“Assuming I'm the Sage just because I'm a Mage—I'd appreciate it if you refrained from such simple thinking. If the Sage is hiding their identity, wouldn't it be more plausible for them to imitate a character far removed from a mage?”
The three people began to show faint hostility toward each other.
I stepped forward and said.
“Let's not fight and first have a discussion.”
Their gazes focused on me.
I pointed at the timer with my finger.
“We have to make a choice before that time runs out, right? The remaining three people, excluding the Sage, must combine their opinions.”
“...I suppose so.”
“Is a discussion necessary? If I execute the three of you right here, the Sage will have no choice but to reveal their identity.”
At the Knight's words, the Wanderer let out a sneer.
“Hey, that's hard to ignore. It sounds like you think you can take on all three of us by yourself.”
It seemed like they were about to fight again, so I quickly cut in.
“Do you think this is a problem that can be solved with force? The Sage is an outstanding ability user capable of trapping us here. You just saw it. Not even a scratch was left on the wall.”
I pointed to the wall where the Knight had launched his sword aura.
“So let's talk first. We might be able to figure out who is suspicious as we do.”
The woman agreed with me.
“He is right. The Sage probably wants to test our wisdom. Surely they wouldn't ask us to reveal their identity by fighting mindlessly?”
“...Wisdom. For that to be the case, did nothing but arrows fly at us endlessly to get here?”
The Wanderer scratched the back of his head and nodded.
“Well, I agree for now. What good would come from fighting each other here?”
Gazes focused on the Knight.
Soon, the Knight also sheathed his drawn sword.
“How do you plan to find the Sage?”
“...We'll have to figure that out from now on.”
[459]
The three people stood in a circle in the middle of the Cavern.
The woman offered an opinion.
“Let's all talk about ourselves. Where we're from, our professions, or what we were doing before coming here... Then we might be able to find something suspicious, right?”
Then she started her story first.
“I am Deillin Targorian. I am a mage holding the position of Vice Tower Master of the Red Magic Tower.”
The Wanderer asked back, seemingly a little surprised.
“Deillin Targorian? You're the Vice Tower Master of that Red Magic Tower?”
“Yes. Not to brag, but I don't think there's anyone here who hasn't heard of my reputation.”
The Knight also seemed to know.
It seemed she was quite a celebrity.
But Red Magic Tower, Vice Tower Master, or whatever.
I, who was no different from a stranger from another world, had no way of knowing.
“As I mentioned earlier, my motive for coming here is personal interest. I wanted to find out if the rumors about the Sage's Dungeon were true or false, and if they were true, I intended to explore the Dungeon myself.”
The Wanderer nodded.
“I have heard rumors that the Vice Tower Master of the Red Magic Tower has wanderlust.”
“...Wanderlust? Where did such a rumor come from?”
Next, the Knight opened his mouth.
“I am Keillon Gaitan, the 11th king of the Ton Duchy.”
Deilin and the Wanderer were startled.
“...This is surprising too. That Knight King Kailon? You are His Majesty the Former King of the Duchy?”
It seemed the man was actually a king.
If he's a Former King, does that mean he was the previous king?
“As for my motive for seeking the Dungeon, it is also personal interest. I wanted to confirm the truth of the rumors myself, and since the Sage's Dungeon actually existed, I passed through the Gates and arrived here.”
Huh, wait a minute...
I felt a sense of crisis.
But if the flow goes like this, it's going to be a problem, isn't it?
“Haha, turns out everyone here is quite a big shot, huh?”
Finally, the Wanderer introduced himself.
“I'm just an Adventurer. I don't have as great a reputation as you all, but I think you might have heard the name Pahel.”
“...The Legendary Adventurer Pahel? That's you?”
Deilin asked back in surprise.
Wow, even a Legendary Adventurer is showing up.
“As I said, I came here to sell the Sage's treasure and make a big score. An adventurer can't just pass by a dungeon, can they? It's too good an opportunity to miss.”
The self-introductions of the three people ended.
Gazes naturally focused on me.
I used Stop Time and thought.
Right now, the three of them seem to be famous enough to know each other's names...
The problem was that I knew absolutely nothing about the background of this world.
I would naturally be suspected. What should I do?
‘...Let's try to make up a good excuse.’
For now, there's no other way.
I used Time Release and opened my mouth.
“I am called Hyeon. I am also just an adventurer.”
“...Hyeon? That's a name I've never heard of. If you're an adventurer skilled enough to pass the Arrow Checkpoint to get here, there's no way I could have avoided hearing of you.”
Pahel narrowed his eyes and stared at me.
Suspicion right away, huh.
But there was nothing I could do about it.
Stuttering would only make me more suspicious, so at least I maintained a confident attitude.
“There's no way my name would be known. I'm an adventurer from the distant Eastern Continent.”
“Eastern Continent?”
“Yes. I heard the rumors about the Sage's Dungeon and came a long way to get here. Just as Mr. Pahel said, an adventurer can't just pass it by, right?”
Pahel still sent me a suspicious look.
That's because I was the only one whose identity was uncertain.
“What does everyone think? Am I the only one who finds this guy suspicious right now?”
Deilin said.
“I actually find him less suspicious.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“If Mr. Hyeon were the Sage, wouldn't it be too obvious? Everyone else has a clear identity, but he's the only one with an uncertain identity... If the Sage intended to hide their identity, it's strange for them to be this sloppy.”
The logic was that because it was too suspicious, it was unlikely he was the culprit.
Kailon also nodded.
“That makes sense. It doesn't seem like that man is the Sage.”
Rather, the two of them were taking my side.
At that, Pahel also took a step back.
“Well... looking at his appearance, it doesn't seem like a lie that he's from the Eastern Continent. Come to think of it, wasn't the Sage an imperial citizen?”
“I don't think judging by appearance has any meaning. For a mage who has lived over a thousand years, changing his or her appearance would be a piece of cake.”
Anyway, it was good that I escaped suspicion, but...
Regardless, I had to find out who among the three was the Sage.
‘...Is it not Deilin?’
If she were the Sage, there would be no reason for her to step up and defend me, right?
Then, if I consider it to be either Kailon or Pahel...
I used Stop Time again and pondered.
I couldn't find anything particularly suspicious in the stories of the three people.
Well, I'd need to know something to find anything suspicious.
Technically, it was true that I was the most suspicious.
‘Demon Lord, do you know who it is?’
I asked Ma-Wang.
- That Knight bastard.
‘...Why?’
- It's ridiculous how he's acting all high and mighty just because he's a king.
A proper answer didn't come back.
[131]
The 10 minutes of time were too short.
After just introducing ourselves, we had only 2 minutes left.
I thought about it for a long time while time was stopped, but...
...It's no use. There's no clue to go on.
I judged that finding the Sage through deduction was impossible.
‘Let's go with instigation.’
Anyway, I had to choose someone other than me.
If I guess right, that's good, and even if I don't, I can look forward to the next opportunity.
I used Time Release.
Silence continued as we only stared at each other.
When there were 100 seconds left, I spoke.
“Anyway, if we have to choose one person, I will go with Mr. Pahel.”
“...What?”
“Because you were the first to try to accuse me of being the Sage, and since there isn't much time left, we have no choice but to choose based on our gut feeling now, do we?”
When it comes to making an accusation, the first strike is often decisive.
Deilin nodded and said.
“We really are too short on time. In that case, I will also choose Mr. Pahel.”
“Hey, hey, wait a minute... Are you kidding me? What are you guys trying to do?”
Deilin seemed to have a bit of personal feeling mixed in, but anyway, she took my side again.
“Since we have to combine opinions of three people, it can't be helped.”
Kailon also looked at Pahel as if he would follow Deilin's and my choice.
In an instant, Pahel was cornered as the culprit.
Hmm... What is this?
Honestly, they were swayed so easily that even I was flustered.
Pahel's expression, needless to say, was full of absurdity.
“I will choose Mr. Pahel.”
Before he, dumbfounded, had a chance to argue back, I pointed my finger at him.
“I will choose Mr. Pahel.”
“I will choose Pahel.”
The two people also followed suit and spoke.
Does this mean our opinions are combined?
The timer disappeared in mid-air.
A single symbol appeared.
[X]
“...”
An X mark.
It seemed we were wrong.
The gazes of the three people pierced into me.
“...Haha.”
The moment I laughed awkwardly.
Kugugugu-!
Along with a loud vibration, the walls of the Cavern began to close in.
As if it were trying to crush all four of us to death.
“...!”
Is this the price for an incorrect answer?
Everyone was startled and launched attacks toward the approaching walls.
Bang! Kaaang!
Kailon and Pahel struck with their swords, and Deilin launched powerful magic.
But naturally, the walls didn't even get a scratch.
Pahel glared at me and shouted.
“You damn bastard...!”
Even hearing curses, I had nothing to say. Sorry.
“So you really are the Sage! Right? Hurry up and stop this!”
Pahel threw a dagger at me to attack.
I urgently dodged to the side.
The other two were also showing hostility as if they were going to attack me.
A situation where I instantly became the public enemy.
...It would be dangerous to get tangled up and fight in this narrow space.
I used Time Stop.
‘Demon Lord!’
I sent a help call to Ma-Wang.
‘Please freeze all three of these people.’
- Why should I?
‘What do you mean, why?’ You promised to actively cooperate in the Tower Clear from now on.’
Ma-Wang seemed annoyed.
‘Or can you not do it? They are somewhat strong opponents, though.’
- Switch.
As soon as I scratched his pride a little, Ma-Wang immediately stepped up.
As I handed over my body and used Time Release...
Hwaaaaa-
Extreme Cold covered the entire Cavern.
My Willpower bottomed out in an instant, and the three frozen people were there.
As expected, Ma-Wang's power was strong.
The Cavern was continuing to shrink.
I got my body back from Ma-Wang and quietly observed the three people.
If one of them was the Sage, wouldn't they take some sort of action?
However, contrary to my expectations...
Crunch! Cruuunch!
The three frozen people were crushed by the encroaching Cavern walls one by one. Blood soaked the floor.
‘...What is this?’
They just all died?
The Cavern had almost completely shrunk.
Anyway, it seemed this try was ruined.
[Do you wish to proceed with Exiting the Tower?]
I exited to avoid being crushed to death.
[You have Failed the Hidden 7th Floor Nightmare Difficulty Clear. (2/3)]
I returned to my room and fell into thought.
I thought the Sage might reveal their identity at the very end if they were in danger of dying, but...
Is it impossible to find out their identity with this kind of trick?
Anyway, I knew that Pahel wasn't the Sage.
Two people left.
Since there were also two chances left, even if I just guessed, it was possible to reveal the Sage before using up all the chances.
[You have entered the Nightmare Difficulty 7th Floor.]
The second try.
I passed through the Arrow Checkpoints and met the three people again.
“Let's not fight and try to have a discussion first.”
It flowed in the exact same way.
After introducing ourselves to each other, Pahel suspected me just the same, and Deilin defended me just the same.
This time, I had to point out Kailon as the culprit.
When there wasn't much time left, I started making accusations again.
“...We don't have time. If we have to choose one person, I will choose Sir Kailon.”
“What did you say?”
“Weren't you the one who first accused Lady Deilin of being suspicious because she's a mage, Sir Kailon?”
Kailon glared at me.
But, quite surprisingly, she did.
“Then I will have to choose Sir Kailon as well.”
Deilin immediately took my side again.
“Hmm... Is that so? Well, since we don't have time, it can't be helped. I'll also choose the Knight King, Sir.”
And Pahel did the same.
No... Are these people's ears paper-thin?
It was good for me, but I was a bit puzzled as to why they were so easily swayed.
“You foolish fools, you are all making the wrong choice.”
Kailon protested, but it was no use.
The three of us, including me, chose Kailon, and...
[X]
“Ah.”
Wrong again.
Then Deilin was the Sage?
Kugugugu-
The Cavern shrank again.
I came outside before a fight broke out.
[You have Failed the Nightmare Difficulty 7th Floor Hidden Clear. (1/3)]
The last remaining chance.
But since I found out the Sage's identity, it was fine.
I entered to make the final try.
[You have entered the Nightmare Difficulty 7th Floor.]
I passed through the Arrow Checkpoint and met the three people.
The situation flowed in the exact same way.
“...It seems Sir Kailon's thought was right after all. If we have to pick one person, I also think it's Lady Deilin.”
This time, a bandwagon effect for Deilin as the Sage is occurring.
Kailon nodded with his arms crossed.
“Right. It's only right to pick the Mage after all.”
Pahel also nodded without a word of complaint.
“Since we don't have time, it can't be helped. We have to pick one person, after all.”
Deilin, who was suddenly cornered as the culprit, looked around at us in panic.
“...Wait a minute. You are all making a huge mistake. Do you think it makes sense to assume I'm the Sage like this?”
Protesting was useless.
Now, all we had to do was choose Deilin and it would be over.
However...
“...”
I used Time Stop.
I've been feeling this sense of disparity and discomfort since earlier.
‘...Is Deilin really the correct answer?’
Why is it this easy?
It's not like I meticulously designed the situation to manipulate them.
I just attached some trivial reasons and started a bandwagon.
Why on earth is everyone accepting it so well...?
Whenever I picked someone, they agreed with my choice as if they had been waiting for it.
Even though I was, objectively speaking, the most suspicious person here.
How should I put it...
Should I say it felt more like I was being toyed with?
A thought suddenly came to mind.
One chance left.
If I got this wrong, the Hidden Clear would be a failure.
Still, I decided to follow my gut.
I used Time Release.
“...Wait a minute. I think I thought wrong.”
Gazes focused on me.
“That's right! I'm really not the Sage.”
Deilin said as if she felt wronged.
“You thought wrong? Then who is the Sage?”
Pahel asked with a frown.
“As for who the Sage is...”
Deilin, Kailon, Pahel.
I pointed my finger at the three people one by one.
“All of you.”
In that instant.
The expressions were wiped from the faces of the three people.
The three of them stared at me intently without saying a word.
That was the moment I got slight goosebumps at that bizarre reaction.
Crumble.
The bodies of the three people collapsed just like sand.
As I looked in bewilderment at the sand dust poured on the floor.
The dust clumped back together and squirmed, molding into the shape of a single person.
And the person who appeared was an Old Man with a full head of white hair.
The Old Man, with his hands behind his back, looked at me and smiled.
“Congratulations on getting the correct answer.”
...It seemed he was the Sage.