"That’s...that’s everything that happened. I-if it wasn’t for them, I would be dead right now. It should’ve been me...," I trailed off as I made my voice crack, clenching my fists with a rueful, frustrated look on my face, my shoulders trembling.

Man, if only I could cry on command, that’d really sell this performance.

"Y-yeah...if they, um, hadn’t protected us, um...they might have survived...," Added Ilex quietly.

He’s somewhat recovered from the shock of what happened down there, and he’s back to his usual self, at least to some extent. Everyone else in the Guild is shocked as fuck though, most of them reeling in disbelief and denial.

"N-no, this can’t be...they can’t be dead!"

"I refuse to accept it, there’s just no way it’s possible!"

"Damn it...you two, this is all your fau-...!"

"That’s enough!" Snapped the Guildmaster, before adding with a sorrowful grimace, "They sacrificed themselves so that these two could live, you all know that they would have done the same for any one of you. Well, unless you think that you could have done any better against a Catastrophic Grade Monster.

And knowing them...the last thing that they would want is for us to blame these two for what happened. It’s truly tragic...but I will not stand here and let you sully their selfless sacrifice by pointing fingers!"

"I...I’m sorry."

"It’s not fair to blame you...it’s true, there’s not much any of us could’ve done in the face of a Catastrophic Grade."

"Fetch a healing Magic Item, their injuries aren’t too severe but they’ve lost a fair bit of blood," The Guildmaster instructed a receptionist, who nodded and went into the back.

"If only...if only I were stronger, then maybe, just maybe, we could’ve defeated that thing without any sacrifices. Um...I have the Pocket Dimension Skill, so I was able to bring back their bodies, as well as the corpse of the Dragonoid," I informed the Guildmaster somberly.

Yeah, I want to get their bodies out of my Pocket Dimension already, don’t want the three bigots stinking up the inside of it.

Even if an autopsy is carried out, I doubt they’ll be able to figure out that I’m the one who killed them. After all, I made sure to close up the injuries I’d inflicted on them, healing their corpses, and then tore up their bodies again using the fangs and claws of the Dragonoid.

"Oh, I see...we’re grateful for that. At the very least, we can give them the proper burials that they deserve," Replied the Guildmaster, sounding pretty emotional.

As the receptionist returned with the Magic Item, they first healed Ilex’s wounds, before moving on to me. Ooh, I think I just got a great idea as to how to sell this act even better...

"Wait...leave the slashes below my wrist as they are, I’ll bandage it and let it heal naturally. The Dragonoid inflicted this on me right before Ekspen pushed me out of the way and sacrificed himself...let me keep it," I requested with a firm look in my eyes.

Nailed it!

"Yes...of course, I understand. Let me disinfect and bandage it for you," Nodded the receptionist with a crestfallen look on her face.

"Thank you...," I replied with a forlorn smile.

Once our injuries were taken care of, the Guildmaster took me to a separate room to bring out the corpses, which I was more than happy to oblige with. Naturally, I acted all upset and remorseful upon seeing their bodies again.

I was pretty tempted to ask for the reward for killing the Dragonoid, but yeah, I definitely shouldn’t. First off, I’d said that the dead trio-...oh, heh, their party name was Deatrio...-were the ones who were most responsible for killing it, I just claimed that I dealt the finishing blow once they’d weakened it at the cost of their lives.

And second, it’d come off as insensitive, probably suspicious as well, which would ruin all the great acting I did. And I’m pretty proud of my performance, so I’m not gonna spoil it by getting too greedy.

Plus, I’m not exactly in dire need of money right now, I’ve got a decent amount saved up. With all that in mind, I kept my mouth shut. I’m about done here, it’s time to leave...it has gotten pretty late, and I’m tired too.

Time for a bit more acting...I then stumbled back with slight groan, shaking my head as I put on a dazed, worn out expression on my face.

"I’m sorry, I just feel kinda faint all of a sudden," I muttered apologetically.

"There’s no need to apologize, you’ve been through quite an ordeal today. You should go and get some rest, Ilex too," Replied the Guildmaster sympathetically.

"I’ll take your advice, thank you, sir," I responded with a weak smile.

Heh, Dicaprio, eat your heart out, you wish you could give as good a performance as I just did! And the Oscar goes to...me, me, and me!

I then headed out to the main hall of the Guild, giving Ilex a nod as I made my way to the exit. He followed after me, the two of leaving the building as I glanced at all the depressed faces in the Guild.

You’d think there was a funeral in here or something...oh, wait, there kinda is. Hah.

Fuck, I’m tired.

I did lose a ton of blood, after all, literally an entire arm’s worth and then some. I think I’ll take a few days off to just laze about and chill.

Yeah, that sounds good...plus, I might seem heartless if I’m back taking quests just a day or two after such tragic deaths.

I’ll head back to the Guild after a few days of relaxing and say something like ’I owe my life to them, I won’t waste it by moping around forever, I’ll get stronger just like they intended’...or something like that. Damn, I’m good at lying!

"That was so stressful, everyone was staring at me," Sighed Ilex, breaking the silence once we were well away from the Guild.

"Well, yeah, given the circumstances, of course they were, it’d be weird if they didn’t," I shrugged in response.

"What do you plan to do after this?" He asked me.

"Kick back and relax for a few days, and then get back to questing," I replied as I stifled a yawn.

"Oh, I see. Um...if it’s okay with you, could, um...could I join you?" He suddenly requested awkwardly.

"Huh? Why?" I responded in bemusement, kinda taken aback.

"W-well, uh...I don’t know, I don’t have a specific reason. I just...I have a gut feeling that it’s what I need to do. You’re really strong...and not just with your Magic and fighting ability, you aren’t like other Adventurers. And, well...it’s weird, but I don’t feel as uncomfortable around you as I do with most-...or, pretty much all...-other people. It’s probably because of the shared experience we had, but even so...," He muttered, his gaze darting about.

"Yeah, absolutely not...is what I’d usually say. But I owe you one, big time. And you know my secret-...well, one of my secrets...-so there isn’t any real risk to working with you. And you’re pretty damn strong yourself, your presence could be quite helpful...okay, fine, you can join me.

For a moment there in the Labyrinth, I’d actually begun to warm up to those three...and despite the way it ended, I think I’ve learnt something. Having allies definitely isn’t a bad thing, it’s just about choosing the right people to ally myself with.

People who think like you do are a real rarity, I’d be a fool to pass this up. Hm, do you have a phone or something through which I can contact you?" I inquired as I made up my mind.

"Yeah, I have a landline at home," He nodded in response.

"Cool. Give me your number and I’ll call you once I decide to get back to the Labyrinth," I remarked, as the hotel came into sight, taking out a pen and paper from my Pocket Dimension and giving it to him.

"Sure, okay..."

Once he wrote down and handed me the number, we split up as I walked towards the hotel and he made his way home. Now, then, I’ve got something important to say to a certain couple of people.

I headed into the hotel and took the elevator up to the floor I was staying in, before making my way to the door and swinging it open with a huff. Rosary and Prysm looked up as I entered and shut the door...looks like they were playing a game of checkers.

Ah, how nice, to be blissfully unaware of how wrong they were and how right I was. Well, it won’t last, because I’m about to let them know, damn it!

"Hey, welcome back, Larrk," Prysm greeted me with a grin.

"So, how was the last day? Come on, admit it, this wasn’t as bad as you had been dreading, was it?" Smirked Rosary knowingly.

"Heh...yeah, I suppose that’s true. Because it was so much worse!" I shot back in exasperation, deeply inhaling before I exclaimed, "I...TOLD....YOU...SO!!!!"

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Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this Chapter! Don’t forget to vote, and feel free to leave a comment, I appreciate any and all feedback and criticism!

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