AI: Artificial Isekai

I wonder, what could be making those peculiar gravitational waves about twenty meters behind us. Let's trace the origin. Going back on the recording I have of the general area reveals a clear path from us to an alley not too far from the Guild Hall, where, conveniently, Pemik dipped in.

To give him some credit, his stealth is leagues better than Hall Master Ren's. Other than gravitational disruptions, I can't detect any other indicators to his existence. No pressure when he steps, no displacement of the air when he moves, nothing radiating out. A ghost. I wonder if more robust active sensors would detect him, or any other skilled rogue. It depends on my definition of 'active' and 'robust'. I should try to come up with a less than lethal solution for this later, for now, it's time to play my role.

Let's help out Nexen with determining what the hypothetical dish will be, "Got any hints for me? Not a big fan of surprises."

He teasingly draws out, "I don't know." Briefly throwing a playful glance at Erysis. "Should I?"

She makes a show of looking frustrated. "If there's no meat in it, we're going to have a problem."

"You'll have to wait to find out. And Ery, you really need to eat more vegetables." That last statement wasn't really part of the act. Erysis just rolls her eyes but still smiles.

The Pemik-shaped gravitational anomaly follows us all the way to the restaurant, keeping a pretty short distance. It does not enter though. I guess it's not hungry or something.

Nexen creates some abomination of a vegetable calzone lookalike. Acceptable improvisational abilities concerning deception, not so much for the culinary arts. Hey, if it works. Erysis rightfully looks crushed, but after having a taste, reluctantly finishes her meal. It wasn't so bad. Maybe I misjudged you, vegetable calzone. Sorry for calling you an abomination.

We have a distracted conversation about the mission we were just on, and about me joining the Rangers. Can't fault them for that. I have been acting strange and cryptic ever since yesterday. Unfortunately, sharing too much would be counterproductive. The biggest problem is how to apologize after I am done. Ugh, this sucks.

As they are seeing me off, Erysis looks at me with worry. "Lucius, be careful, okay." Even Nexen appears concerned behind the aloof exterior.

Alright, I am scrapping— No, no, calm down. It's fine. This is the most optimal way to achieve a favorable outcome.

My shell returns an immaculate smile and waves them goodbye. My mind is churning with anxiety.

Let's see if the anomaly will follow me home. It does. Sorry, little guy, no pets in the dorm. The anomaly is a staunch follower of accommodation policy and settles to merely observe my room from a nearby rooftop. Most likely has some hearing enhancement spell as there is a limited line of sight.

I walk into my room and close the door. My next action is to drop to the floor and groan loudly while rolling around.

"Why didn't I tell Erysis and Nexen?" The anomaly, now renamed to Not-Pemik, shifts slightly. Hearing enhancement it is, a cracked window certainly helping. "No, that's dumb. I don't want to mix 'em up in my stuff." How convenient that my character likes to talk to himself when thinking about a difficult situation. "There's no stuff to mix into!" Rolling around stops. I am face down on the floor. "Right?" Turn over, looking at the ceiling. "I don't have the full picture. Yes, the full picture's important." Nodding sagely. "But... taking money as an adventurer is illegal. Granny always told me to follow the rules." Much more silent groan. "Okay." I spring up to a sitting position. "When in doubt—ask." Flop back down. "But what if they kick me out? I don't want that." Spring back up. "But what if the hall master gets mad at me!" Flop back down. Surprisingly good abs workout. "Okay, but for real this time." I stand up.

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I start writing out a vague hypothetical scenario—while mumbling the words under my breath—about people giving adventurers incentives for focusing on the dungeons around them. After I am done, I regard my masterpiece with pride.

"Perfect. I'll talk to Miv, Pemik, and Sini tomorrow. Keeping it vague, though. After that, I'll talk to the hall master, keeping it super vague. I am sure I am just overreacting."

Satisfied with reasoning myself out of a stressful situation, I get ready for bed, and the moment I am under the covers, wink out in seconds. My observer stays for another half hour before leaving. I follow it to—big surprise—Miv and Pemik's home. The house is heavily enchanted, so I guess I'll never know who, or what, the mysterious gravitational anomaly truly was.

The next day arrives, and the sun soon rises. As I once again head to the Guild, my character's nervousness is nicely complemented by my own. The Rangers don't generally stay away from home. Why would they? Sini can just teleport whenever she wishes. The whole inn sleepover situation was orchestrated with the intent of recruitment. A quick one-day excursion is much more their style, or our style, I should say. Well, our style for the next few hours that is. I am pretty sure they wouldn't want me in the party after today.

Finally convincing myself I haven't made a mistake, I make my arrival exactly on time, meaning the others are seated and waiting for me. Let's gauge the reactions. Miv and Pemik are the examples of tranquility, not a hint of concern nor any other negative emotion is present. Sini, on the other hand, is about to come apart at the seams. Anger, and guilt from the former, are mixing into an unstable concoction ready to explode. I sigh internally. One can never be a hundred percent sure how these situations will play out. Mathematically—I am in the clear. Morally—let's just skip that one.

Happy face. "Good morning, everyone." Sad face. "Can we talk?"

Damage control from Miv, "Morning. Yes, but it can wait when we are somewhere more private." He gives a few glances left and right. My, what a perfect read on the situation.

Sini doesn't even wait for us to exit the building. She abruptly stands up and engages her teleportation spell, dropping us in front of a dungeon gate somewhere deep in the mountains. Much more literally for the two sitting brothers, as they awkwardly try to regain balance from the unexpected displacement. Relatable.

Miv clears his throat, trying to salvage some dignity, and the situation. "Luci, you have qualms." I appear shocked. "It is understandable. Please, talk to us, we will listen. Isn't that right?" He turns to Pemik, who nods. Then he turns to Sini.

"We aren't doing anything bad!"

"Sini." She stiffens up momentarily, then averts her eyes.

"We aren't hurting anyone. We are helping them. And they are helping us. Why should we—"

"Sini!" He sighs. I expect him to be angry, but he appears... scared. In the next moment, the emotion is wiped away from his face. "Yes, we have agreements with people. And yes, those agreements are outside of the law. But that does not mean we are taking advantage of anyone. We are only getting our fair compensation." He turns to the gate. "Why don't we show you what we have to deal with, and why no one has reported us to the Guild."

Pemik and Sini share a glance behind his back. With a silent understanding reached, they step through together. Miv makes no moves to follow them.

"I haven't told anyone. I swear," I say.

"I know you haven't, Luci. Just... Please, see what we are protecting these people from and then make your decision."

"Miv, you are not a bad person, right?"

He makes a flashy smile, but it falters after a few moments. His eyes lose their spirit. "I don't know, Luci. I don't know." He turns towards the gate. "Preparations should be ready. It's safe for you to enter."

I visibly gather my courage and proceed. The moment my finger makes contact with the surface of the portal, I change locations. There was no transition. One instant I am outside, the next, I am in the dungeon. Immediately and without a sound, Miv appears next to me.

There is no gate to our backs.