STGB Episode 405

Dilemma (2)

Creak, creak.

I kept moving, slowly chewing on my jerky.

A specially crafted high-calorie jerky supplied this morning.

If someone asks why I’m only eating breakfast now, the answer is simple.

Because this was the last supply.

Creak, creak.

As of today, all our stored food has been exhausted.

In other words, there will be no more food until we reach the 8th floor.

But is that why?

Creak, creak.

Somehow, today’s jerky tastes several times better than usual—

“What the… why is it gone?”

While I was enjoying the taste of the jerky and feeling happy, I became angry when I realized that my hand was suddenly empty.

“Already… finished it all?”

Really? This is the last meal.

And I feel so hungry I could die.

No, seriously, people consume different amounts of calories, so why is the supply amount the same for everyone?

Growl—!

This is discrimination, plain and simple.

I mean, it makes no sense? Mages and priests probably have a lower metabolism, and all they have to do is wave their staffs from the back. But they still impose a “one-person, one-jerky” policy?

This is an insult and contempt toward warriors fighting on the front lines.

If we had a reasonable leader, they’d never—

‘Ah, right. I’m the leader.’

Well, what can I do?

It’s not like I wanted this either.

But if I gave special treatment to the warriors, wouldn’t they accuse me of selfishness?

So I decided to lead by example.

‘Although… this policy feels like a failure.’

I’ve managed to gain a neutral attitude from the other classes and outright hatred from the warriors.

Oh, how do I know that the warriors hate me?

The source is me.

Because I’m feeling that way right now.

“Hehehehehe.”

“Mister, what’s wrong?”

“Warriors usually laugh when times are tough.”

“That’s… laughing?”

Erwin, who had briefly stepped out of formation and came up beside me with a troubled expression on her face, smiled and handed me something.

“Jer… ky…?”

“Yep!”

“You’re… giving it… to me?”

“Yes!”

I asked in disbelief, but Erwin nodded without changing her expression.

I stared blankly as I accepted the jerky, snapping out of my daze moments later.

“No, I’m fine! I’m not hungry at all, so you eat it!”

“If that’s the case, maybe you should say it without smiling.”

Huh, smiling?

While I was trying to figure out what she meant, Erwin summoned a water spirit to create a mirror. In it, I saw myself smiling like an idiot.

“See? That’s a real smile! Hehe.”

“…”

“Just eat it already. I’m fine, and everyone else is giving up their food to those who need it more.”

“…What?”

What does that mean?

I looked puzzled, and Amelia, who had been following behind, answered.

“Those in the back with extra stamina have been skipping meals, saving their rations in case of emergencies.”

“Saving? How? Wouldn’t it spoil quickly?”

“She means after we entered the cave. There haven’t been any ice storms since then.”

“Oh, right…”

Maybe it’s because I’ve been so hungry? I couldn’t even think of something so simple.

Anyway, that’s not what’s important…

“But is that true? Giving up scarce food to others?”

“If you don’t believe it, you’ll see for yourself soon enough.”

Yeah, I think I need to see that now.

“Stop!”

Using my authority as expedition leader, I halted the march.

Anyway, it’s about time we took a break.

“Oh, a break!”

“Now we can live!”

“Ahhh! Supplymaster! A blanket! Give me a blanket! I need to shut my eyes even for a moment!”

As the priest activated ‘Evil Banishment’, turning the surroundings into a safe zone, the members lay down to recover their stamina.

And then…

Step, step.

Pretending to patrol, I moved to the back, observing the surroundings.

To put it simply, Erwen’s words were true.

“Excuse me, please take this.”

Priests giving up food to warriors.

And…

“Jer… jerky? To me?”

A warrior, eyeing them with deep suspicion.

“Yes. You look exhausted, don’t you?”

“Are you… in love with me? If so, I can’t accept this jerky. I have a family back home—”

“No, it’s not that, so relax.”

“What? You’re giving me jerky even though you don’t love me…?”

Though the warriors were shocked, they accepted the jerky and began to eat it hungrily. Similar scenes were happening all around.

“This debt… I swear I’ll repay it with my life one day!”

Warriors everywhere were moved to tears over a single piece of jerky.

Even I found it incredibly touching.

“My policy… wasn’t a failure after all…”

The expedition, truly united and helping each other.

“Shuiz? Did you just say something?”

“Oh, Jun… It’s nothing.”

“Yes. But what brings you here…? Does it have to do with stopping the expedition?”

In reality, I felt guilty about accepting Erwin’s jerky, so I came to check, but I nodded for now.

Yes, I have to maintain my dignity as the expedition leader.

“How’s the mood today?”

“Today?”

“We ran out of food rations this morning.  Is anyone discontent?”

“They’re strong people. They’ve been through worse, so going without food for a day or so is nothing to them. Everyone knows this is inevitable.”

“I see…”

Since I wasn’t actually curious, I nodded slightly and left.

***

After finishing the conversation with Jun, on the way back to the front where my team was.

“Oh, Schuiz! Thanks for last time!”

“You’re looking skinnier every day!”

“It’s something I was eating, but would you like some?”

Familiar warriors greet me.

It might be the biggest change since we executed Pike Neldaine.

No matter which team they belonged to, when a major battle erupted, we’d all pull out our shields and charge together, so camaraderie inevitably developed.

And it wasn’t just the warriors I’d grown closer with.

“…”

“…”

While some were still awkward around me, they now looked at me with a gentler gaze.

When I think about how they used to glare and whisper every time I passed by, it’s truly moving.

“Perhaps this is thanks to that Neldaine guy.”

Nothing unites a group like an external threat.

When his betrayal was exposed, all the arrows of resentment aimed at me turned toward him.

Moreover, it was I who uncovered it.

Naturally, my evaluation had to improve—

“Schuiz, that person… I can’t tell if he’s smart or stupid, can you?”

“I heard he once suggested eating monster meat and got scolded by his team…”

“He seems eccentric but not exactly foolish. After all, he did identify that traitor.”

“Oh, that? I heard he just took credit for what the mage had already deduced.”

Haha, who would have thought there were more traitors here.

I wondered if I should suppress them immediately, but I changed my mind when I heard what they said next.

“But having capable subordinates is also a leader’s ability. Besides, isn’t he a decent person?”

“That’s… true. I haven’t talked to him much, but he seems kind.”

“If he were just in it for power, he’d never take on all the dirty work himself.”

“Yeah, people like him are the most reliable allies in tough times.”

What, they were just normal comrades.

Pretending not to hear their conversation, I arrived where my team was, and the 20-minute rest time was almost over.

“Mister! See, what I said was true, right?”

“Yes, it was.”

“Then hurry up and eat. Okay? Don’t feel burdened; everyone is doing it.”

“Oh, that… I already ate on the way.”

“Hehe, good! I’m the best, right?”

“Yes, you’re the best.”

After giving a vague answer, I leaned against the wall and fiddled with the ring during the remaining rest time.

As I was doing that, Amelia approached.

“Are you thinking why the light vanished?”

“Oh, yeah…”

No. 6111, Fate Tracker.

This ring, which I called the traffic light ring had lost its glow.

About four days ago.

“It’s certainly strange. A detected fate wouldn’t just disappear without reason.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

No matter how I think about it, it’s a very strange matter.

It’s not like anything particularly good or bad happened recently…

“By the way, Schuiz, it’s about time.”

“Oh, already?”

“Everyone, get up. It’s time to depart. If you took any luggage from the sled, return it all before we leave.”

As I said that and was stretching my stiff body, I saw the Dragon Tribe woman munching on something.

“Ravien, didn’t you already finish your morning ration? Where’d that jerky come from?”

“Ashid gave it to me?”

“Ashid… gave it to you?”

Wondering if she might have taken it by force, I turned my head to check, and Ashid chuckled.

“I gave it willingly, so don’t worry.”

“But you’re struggling too, aren’t you?”

“Haha, it’s in times like these that we should help each other out. Besides, if Miss Ravien is solidly at the front, I’ll be safer too.”

“Well, if that’s the case…”

Since she didn’t take it forcibly, I couldn’t say more, but I felt uneasy.

No way, does he like her?

“Ah, that can’t be.”

Yes, considering their age difference.

***

Day 20 since entering Ice Rock.

We finally reached the end point of Ice Rock.

“I didn’t expect to arrive exactly on the 20th day.”

When making the plan, we had estimated 20 days to traverse Ice Rock.

Even after multiple setbacks and pushing our pace to the limit, we arrived on the exact date.

“Maybe the plan was too tight from the start.”

If we had moved according to the original schedule, we would have arrived here two or three days later.

Back when the royal family made the plan, I had attended as the expedition leader, so if I had to explain—

‘There were too many variables.’

Most of the team had never been here before, which we factored into our plans.

But at that time, I only saw it on paper.

An expedition team with exceptional hunting speed but somewhat lacking in safety and mobility.

Well, since it was an expedition created with war, not exploration, as the goal, it was natural.

“Sir, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

“…Oh, nothing.”

I shook off my thoughts and surveyed the surroundings.

At the lowest point of the glacier eye was a symbol resembling a human eye.

“Alright, everyone, calm down and wait! We’ll be drawing lots for the order!”

We just had to take the portal to ascend to the 8th floor, but the expedition’s atmosphere was chaotic.

This is “Ice Rock,” a harsh place that no one else dared venture.

Meaning, we’re the first to arrive.

“How will we decide the order?”

“Does it matter who goes first? I’m starving.”

“What? Then you’re out!”

“What? Out? I wasn’t planning on joining anyway! I’m a mage!”

The maximum number of participants for the binding spell is six.

Accordingly, only six people can gain the first portal activation experience.

Therefore, we decided to draw lots fairly.

Regardless of position or merit like team leader or expedition leader, just pure luck

“Ugh! Dammit! Why’s mine blank?!”

“Hey! Don’t even think about using your powers to peek inside the box! I’m watching!”

“Wowww! Opening the 8th floor! I never thought such a day would come!”

Cheers and groans erupt with each draw from the lineup.

As I watched that scene from the very back.

“Don’t you feel regret?”

Ravien came next to me and said that.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re the leader of the expedition. You could’ve taken a spot by authority, and no one would have objected.”

“Oh, you mean that.”

Actually, we discussed it among the team leaders.

They suggested that we should gain the experience ourselves and draw lots for the remaining spot.

For reference, Kaislan went even further, saying that instead of drawing lots for the remaining spot, it should be awarded to the person who made the greatest contribution. That’s how he said subordinates should be managed.

“…Excuse me, are you listening to me?”

“Ah, yes, I’m listening.”

“Why did you give up so easily?”

Then Ravien asked, and I simply shrugged in response.

What kind of answer is she expecting?

She must already know why I did it.

“Tsk, it’s a blank.”

Amelia, who drew her lot before me, clicked her tongue and tapped me on the shoulder.

“Schuiz, it’s your turn now.”

“How many tickets are left?”

“One.”

I see…

I turned my head just enough to check the number of people remaining behind me with my eyes.

‘There are four people left.’

In other words, a one-in-four chance.

And…

‘Hans isn’t among them.’

All signs of luck are pushing me forward.

Swoooosh—

A cold gust descends from above, sweeps the ground, and rises again.

Swish.

I took off the ring I was wearing on my hand.

Because I don’t need such things right now.

Step, step.

Fate is something you carve out with your own strength.

“Good luck.”

As I stood in front of the box, Kaislan offered words of encouragement.

Now it’s time to test my luck.

“Ahhhhhhh!!”

I let out a manly shout and drew a ticket.

And…

“Too bad. It’s a blank.”

So it doesn’t work after all.

Ha, maybe it’s because there’s no BGM (background music)?

Usually, it’s a rule to play some when doing this kind of thing.

Step, step.

As I turned away in disappointment and stepped aside, Ravien brushed past me.

Oh, it’s her turn after me.

No way she’s actually going to draw it—

“Is this the one with the round mark? Is this correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Congratulations.”

Wow, she actually drew it?

‘If only I had drawn one turn later…’

I felt a pang of envy.

“Is it possible to transfer this ticket to someone else?”

“Did you not hear when I explained earlier? After much debate, we agreed it would be allowed.”

“Really?”

After a brief conversation with Kaislan, Rabien turned around without hesitation, approached me, and then…

“Here, take it.”

She suddenly held out the ticket.

“……?”

I couldn’t understand at all.

Didn’t she even join us at the 6th floor separately, saying she had to speedrun?

She must have been in a situation where she urgently needed experience…

“Why are you giving this to me…?”

“No matter how I think about it, I don’t think this belongs to me.”

“…What?”

As I tilted my head in confusion, Raven replied in an awkward voice.

“I’ve been beside you all along, so I know. You worked the hardest.”

What is this…

“Whistleee!”

“Yes, yes! You’re the one who led us here, so you should be the one to open it!”

“Too bad. If no one was going to transfer, I was planning to give mine.”

“Liar! You were so happy earlier!”

“No, really! During the discussion earlier, I was on the side advocating for transfers to be allowed!”

“Enough, just accept it! As explorers, you should seize opportunities when you can!”

Deep underground, where the wind chill is enough to make your breath freeze.

‘It feels… warm.’

For some reason, I felt like crying.