If Sorry Is Enough, Why Do We Need the Police?

Being the target of envy and jealousy is only natural for a superstar.

So when I entered the Adventurers' Guild and heard people whispering 'con artist', I could let it slide.

After all, before I could even react, Barkal or Serena usually ended up beating them, and besides, such gossip would never harm the Dungeon God Party.

But this time, things got a little complicated.

There was no way to prove that there had been a necromancer in the dungeon.

Of course, I knew that this wasn't happening purely because of envy and jealousy.

Still.

"These damn con artists..."

It's pretty annoying to have someone whispering behind your back when there's a chance I might not even get paid.

"Can't I prove it with this?"

I took out the mana stone I had obtained by killing the 'Dullahan'.

This Dullahan's mana stone was from a 'necromancer' who had become undead at Mortis's hands.

A necromancer who served an evil god and lived in the dungeon is classified as a monster. So, a mana stone is produced in its body, and that's what I was holding now.

"Is this a necromancer's mana stone?"

"That's right."

"One moment, please."

The staff began examining the mana stone. Then, a dark aura slowly started to rise from inside the stone.

"Wow, it's true. This is definitely a necromancer's mana stone!"

Fortunately, the Dullahan's mana stone was recognized as belonging to a necromancer.

When I asked about the grade, the staff looked closely at the stone again.

"This seems to be a C-grade mana stone."

Unfortunately, C-grade.

Still, with this, I could earn a C-grade dungeon exploration commission fee.

This steady feeling of earning money. How diligent.

Ah.

Talking about money reminded me of something.

The money I had received until now.

I had been keeping all of it.

If I received this C-grade mana stone and the commission, I'd have about twenty gold coins left. If I split it among the three of us—

That's about six gold coins and sixty silver coins per person.

"Hmmm."

I sighed. Of course it's obvious I should split the money, since I didn't go on the adventure alone.

But.Still.Didn't I go through just a little more hardship than the others?

Think about it.

I take the commissions, pack the necessary gear, and even cook the food.

Of course.

I know Serena and Barkal are frontline classes and have a hard time up front.

Even considering that, didn't I still work a bit harder?

In that sense, giving Barkal and Serena five gold coins each—

I think keeping the rest for myself is only reasonable.

* 〈Thrag finds you repulsive.〉

What's so repulsive about it? This is only natural, idiot.

* * *

The next day.

Even though I said that, in the end, I decided to split the money fairly as I'd done so far.

The thought of my gold decreasing almost brought me to tears, but at the same time, I felt a sense of relief.

If there were more people, my share would have been even smaller, right? Phew, I'm glad it's only three of us.

"Is this a settlement?"

Serena, perhaps from experience with other parties, seemed familiar with the concept.

"I won't accept any money!"

Of course, this was Barkal's first time.

"You should take it, Barkal."

"Why should I take it! We are brothers! Why should brothers exchange money?"

Because you worked.

You should get paid for what you do.

But staring at Barkal's skull helmet, I couldn't think of an easy way to explain it.

Let's use the easy method.

"If you don't take it, you'll make me look like that scumbag from the auction."

The head of auction security who exploited barbarians. As soon as I mentioned him, Barkal took the pouch.

"That can't be! Bringing shame to a brother's honor is a disgrace to all barbarians!"

Right, that's all it takes.

"There's nothing to do for a while. So you can get new equipment or buy whatever you want."

Upon hearing that, Serena smiled and said she had somewhere to stop by, leaving for a bit.

A place to stop by, huh.

Maybe she wants to buy some clothes?

Regardless, I had no intention of interfering in personal matters, so I let her go without asking.

If she had business, she had business.

Barkal...

Uh... I can't quite picture what will happen if this guy walks around by himself.

"There's nothing I want to buy! I already received the greatest axe in the world from my brother!"

Fortunately or unfortunately, Barkal didn't seem interested in buying anything.

* 〈Thrag still finds you repulsive.〉

Brother Thrag.

What exactly are you dissatisfied with?

I shared the money.I don't use ranged attacks.I did everything you asked.

* 〈Thrag points at the Rune of the Abyss.〉

Bring back more?I collected two already, so let's rest a little. You need to show some consideration too.

* 〈Thrag points at your faith level.〉* 〈Thrag does not recognize you as a 'missionary.'〉

So that's it.

Now I get why our brother Thrag is acting up. The effect of collecting the 'Rune of the Abyss'—increasing my 'faith level' by one—must have rubbed him the wrong way.

Don't be so petty. Sure, I'm collecting the 'Rune of the Abyss' on purpose, but I'm risking my life for it.

Ignoring Thrag's ranting, I checked the 'Dungeon God' party's forum.

Maybe someone who recognized the name had posted something.

[What kind of party hits the same grade tier in such a short time?][They say there are two barbarians who serve Thrag.][Isn't that impossible?][Only two barbarians, and this fast?]

* 〈Thrag smiles.〉* 〈You have gained faith.〉

What the heck.

I opened the forum to look for clues about other players, why are you so pleased?

Part of me left the forum open for automated faith farming, but seeing him so happy made me feel a bit complicated.

Ignoring Thrag, who seemed over the moon, I kept reading through the posts.

[Selling: barbarian weapon, some blood stains.]

[Dungeon God bros! Can you give some advice to a new party!?]

[They say you took down a necromancer? Congratulations!]

No matter how much I looked, nothing particularly useful.

Even if anonymity is guaranteed, there are just too many pointless posts.

Hmm?

[To the Dungeon God leader.]

[I'll visit you today.]

They say they'll come see me soon? I feel a bit odd.

Since the forum is full of random ramblings, it's possible to ignore posts like this, but—

Why bother using the name 'Dungeon God'?

Could it be?

A player?

If they really are a player, I have no idea how to react.

Will they be friendly, or hostile? Only time will tell.

Even so, I'm a little excited.

I might meet someone from my world.

* * *

But contrary to my expectations, the adventurer who wrote the post didn't appear. In hindsight, it made sense.

Though it said "today," there was no proof the post itself was written today.

It could have been a prank, too. That's what random posts like that are usually for.

Enough. What was I expecting, anyway? Let's just return to the inn.

Leaving the Adventurers' Guild, Barkal and I headed toward the inn called 'The Bearded Cat.'

Thud.Someone bumped into my shoulder.

"Oh! I-I'm sorry!"

The man who bumped into me apologized, then started running to the other side of the alley.

Sheesh. Watch where you're going.

* 〈Thrag mocks you.〉

Suddenly, Thrag was laughing at me. What's so funny?

Wait.

On instinct, I checked my belongings—my coin pouch was gone.

Did I leave it somewhere? No way. Even while sleeping, I always sleep hugging my pouch.

Then...

I turned my gaze to the man who had bumped into me earlier.

He was trying to slip out of the alley like he was being chased.

"Barkal! Catch him!"

"What's wrong, brother?"

"He's a thief!"

"A rat, is it!"

I quickly pulled out the 'Blood-Colored Awl' from my cloak. Then sprayed blood at the back of the fleeing thief.

* [You use Hardened Blood.]

Clots of blood hung in the air. But it was my first time aiming at a moving target, so I couldn't hit perfectly.

Like a bullet fragmenting on impact, the dark alley sparked with crimson splinters.

"U-uwahhhh!"

The thief didn't take a direct hit from the 'hardened blood', but startled, he covered his head and crashed to the ground.

Clatter!

At the same time, my stolen coin pouch spilled out, and coins tumbled everywhere.

That bastard! Grab him, quick!

"U-aaaaaaaah!"

Fortunately, Barkal quickly grabbed the thief by the head. Staring with wide eyes, Barkal glared at him.

"There are three things I hate most in this world!"

Crunch.

"Aaaaargh...!"

"One, necromancers! One, traitors!"

"Rrrgghh..."

His grip was so fierce, the thief started foaming at the mouth just from being held.

"One, rats! One, rogues!"

"Barkal, that's four things."

"There are four things I hate most in this world!"

Quick to correct himself, as always.

* 〈Thrag expresses his displeasure.〉

What are you sulking about now?

* 〈Thrag opposes your ranged attack.〉

Ah.

Now that I think about it, using 'hardened blood' like that is a ranged attack.

But you'll have to understand. You're the one who gave me all of this.

The 'Blood-Colored Awl' is your gift.'Hardened blood' is also yours.So, you shouldn't harbor any complaints, idiot.

"Thrag, these are all your blessings. If you deny these blessings, you're denying yourself!"

I shouted loudly into the air.

* 〈Thrag is dissatisfied.〉

Still, does that mean there's no penalty? Well, if he was really upset, he could have sent an apostle to kill me.

He could've made Barkal do it, too. In that sense, attacking with 'hardened blood' seems to be allowed.

"I'll break his arm as-is."

While I was conversing with Thrag, Barkal began to grip the thief's shoulder.

"Aaaaargh!"

"W-wait a moment!"

Just as Barkal was about to squeeze, a shadow appeared at the other end of the alley.

As the figure stepped in, I could see clearly—a man.

"Are you an accomplice of this thief?"

"Th-that's right."

When I asked, the middle-aged man nodded.

"If you're a thief, I'll beat you up. If you're the thief's friend, I'll beat you too."

Without care, Barkal prepared to break the thief's arm.

With a cracking sound, the thief screamed in pain.

"W-wait! He is indeed a rogue, but he didn't come here to steal!"

What excuse is this now?

"We came looking for the 'Dungeon God' party."

"Trying to steal from us even knowing who we are?! Unforgivable!!"

"Calm down, Barkal. I think I get what they're saying."

When I stopped him, Barkal nodded and stepped back. The thief, clutching his shoulder, scrambled toward the middle-aged man.

"So, you came looking for the 'Dungeon God' party?"

I asked.

Was this the guy who posted on the forum?

If so, is he a player?

"That's right."

"Then before we talk properly, I'll be settling accounts first."

"A-accounts?"

The middle-aged man seemed puzzled.

"We were psychologically threatened because of your theft. You have to compensate us for that."

Player or not, the start was way too bad. If they want to move on, they need to show some sincerity.

"A-are you saying you want money?"

"That's right."

"B-but shouldn't we clear up this misunderstanding first?"

I shook my head.

"We don't negotiate with criminals."

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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