Escape - Chapter 17.2
Chapter 17.2
“Uh, she’s sleeping in the guest quarters. She said she was tired.”
“Pleeping? In our guild quarters?” Rahul, who had been quietly typing on his laptop in the corner, finally spoke. It was remarkable enough that the introverted, taciturn Rahul had opened his mouth at all.
Pleeping.
A portmanteau of playing and sleeping, it referred to the act of sleeping within the game. While not impossible, it was unnecessary, so no one did it except for a few eccentric artists. Because the brain remained connected to the device, players still felt tired even after sleeping.
“Yeah, and the guy she brought with her is pleeping too.”
“…Strange people.”
Rahul muttered, looking down. That was the end of his commentary. His hands, which had paused over the keyboard, resumed their rapid tapping.
“Wake her up and bring her here.”
Erik gestured impatiently. Bruja shrugged and stood up. She had no intention of defying her boss, who seemed particularly irritable today. Still, she was curious.
“Why is he so grumpy? What did Hero say?”
“There are survivors.”
“Oh?”
“And they’re isolated, hiding in the starting zone.”
“Then, does that mean…?”
“Yes.”
Erik’s words were clipped, his voice heavy with fatigue.
“The ranked players will gather.”
He had always hated playing the hero, even more so in a game that wasn’t real.
Erik didn’t particularly enjoy Escape in the first place. With his innate entrepreneurial spirit, Escape was just another business venture for him. A creative economy with the potential for enormous profits through manpower alone.
In-game gold had real-world monetary value, as did items traded within the game. Therefore, his guild operated more like an international corporation. The reason they spearheaded the development of other zones was solely for resource development. Leon only engaged in quests that yielded substantial profits.
That was why Erik had absolutely zero interest in the proposed ‘Reclaiming the Starting Zone’ discussed at the guild leaders’ meeting.
It wasn’t a system-issued quest. There was nothing to gain from saving the starting zone. Even if it was a raid that had captured the attention of players worldwide, even if the top ten guilds contributed their ranked players, all they would gain was the players’ pride in defeating monsters.
However, there was no way to avoid it without damaging Leon’s reputation.
“For that reason, I would like to offer them some information.”
Erik spoke politely, looking directly at the woman sitting across the table.
“I have no intention of sacrificing my valuable guild members. Instead of participating in the raid, I need information to provide to the other guilds. Tell me what you know, and I’ll compensate you appropriately.”
“Why do you assume I know anything about that person?”
The woman, who had been listening silently, finally spoke. Erik frowned slightly at the phrase ‘that person.’ Referring to a monster as ‘that person.’
“Because I also saw the video.”
“Video?”
“The live stream your companion appears to have broadcast. I saw you conversing with it. Other viewers wouldn’t have known, but I recognize it as the lord of District 12.”
Icador, the guild member who had died in the snake den, possessed the skill ‘Memory.’ He could transmit his memories to others. Before dying, he had sent his comrades information about the lord of the snakes. All of his memories about it.
Thanks to that, all of Leon’s key ranked players now knew the face of the snake lord. Jet-black hair and golden eyes. It matched the figure in the video perfectly.
“Ah, I see. Alright. And if I give you information? What will you do for me, Guild Leader?”
The woman asked with a wry smile. Erik raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering for a moment on her faint, almost sorrowful smile.
‘Why such a sad face?’
He was immediately taken aback by his own uncharacteristic interest. Erik wasn’t usually one to care about others, let alone analyze their expressions, especially not during work.
‘Has my abstinence been too long?’ From the moment she entered, this woman had strangely captivated his attention. He stared at her for a long while, then quickly looked away when their eyes met. After a brief silence, he offered the standard, prepared response for these situations: “I’m willing to offer you any financial assistance, both in the real world and in the game. Beyond that, anything within my power…”
“Can the Guild Leader also participate in the raid?”
Erik’s fingers, which had been leisurely tapping on his desk, abruptly stopped. His bright blue eyes swiveled towards Adeline.
“I don’t need money. But I’d like you, the Guild Leader, to participate in the raid. Then I’ll cooperate.” Adeline offered a deliberately nonchalant smile. Erik simply stared at her, frozen for a moment. Then, his fingers slowly resumed their rhythmic tapping.
“…May I ask why?”
“You’re strong. If you have that kind of power, shouldn’t you be able to save people on the verge of death?”
Erik almost laughed out loud. ‘Ah, this woman. She’s that type.’ He’d almost been fooled by her seemingly normal demeanor. ‘Those crazy gamers, lost in their virtual worlds.’ He tightened his lips. Not sneering was his last courtesy.
“Yes. If someone were truly on the verge of death, I would act accordingly.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, it’s just a game.”
Adeline’s shoulders visibly flinched.
Erik turned away, feeling a pang of disappointment. He was disgusted by people who couldn’t differentiate between reality and a game, those who acted as if this well-crafted reality was real. ‘Idiots.’
“Just a game?” Then, Adeline slowly murmured to herself, “Retract that statement, please.”
