AI: Artificial Isekai

The hall master turns to the two healers and requests, "May we have the room, please." Oh. He is being polite. Too polite. This is bad. He might be angrier than I anticipated.

The two healers give me a final once-over, magically cleaning me up, and making sure I am not going to spring a leak somewhere.

Satisfied with my integrity, Limio informs me of just that, "You are perfectly healed, but try to keep it easy for the rest of the day, alright. And we would really appreciate it if you could swing by tomorrow for a quick check."

After I give an affirming nod, Limio and Troynn vacate the premises with posthaste, having witnessed Hall Master Ren aggravated before.

When the door clicks closed behind them, the hall master starts taking slow and deliberate steps toward the pair of discarded bone spikes. A quick glance my way enhances his already neutral expression even further into undecipherable. He picks up one of the bones and grips it in his hand, not yet dried blood smearing on his palm.

"Am I right to assume that this is from a Bone Fiend Boss?" Quite the astute observation.

Miv is once again the bravest of the bunch. "Yes. But I can explai—"

A crunch cuts him off. The sound reverberates around the room. Hall Master Ren releases the splintered bone, letting the pieces make hollow clatters on the floor.

He regards the trio with a deceptively kind smile. "Continue."

"It was all my fault!" Alright, we are at the crux. Four heads snap in my direction. The Rangers are confused, while the hall master is still neutral. "I knew I should have listened to you, Miv. I am so stupid." I make some limp strikes against the gurney. "He told me to stay outside, but they were taking too long, and I got worried. When I jumped through the gate, I saw the fiend and tried to leave, but the portal was gone. Then everything just exploded, and I woke up here."

Pemik reads my intentions immediately, keeping quiet after my rant.

Sini looks confused. "Lucius, what are you—"

"I am so sorry!" Shush.

"An admirable effort, young Luci. But this is the end of the road for me." Huh. I guess I was right. Can I even feel good about this? No, I cannot. He turns to the hall master. "Kids these days are something else, aren't they?" There is absolutely no indication that Hall Master Ren even heard him, but Miv continues on, "Lucius did not enter the dungeon by himself. I brought him in, going against the wishes of my team. The motive behind my actions—he found out something he shouldn't have. What better way to keep someone quiet than to appeal to one's honor." That gets him a raised eyebrow. "My shame? I put a price on our assistance, taking from those we were meant to protect. My brother and Sini did not know about this sinister plot of mine. I used them. Alas, my golden castle crumbles."

"Brother, you are a fucking idiot." That one earns Pemik an angry glare from Miv, no real emotions behind it, just part of the act.

"Scorn me all you wish, not my fault you were fooled."

Sini sighs deeply and looks at Miv. "Thank you for trying to protect us, but do you really think Hall Master Ren believes anything you are saying?"

The door opens up and two guild attendants enter. The armed kind.

"Hold those three. I'll be a few minutes," Hall Master Ren says.

Miv deflates. His performance has fallen short, but his team sticks with him till the end. The Rangers surrender themselves and are escorted somewhere else, leaving only Hall Master Ren and myself. His eyes are locked onto mine.

"Alright, what the fuck was that all about. No way some D-grade boss lays you out." And just like that, the neutral mask shatters, and the boisterous adventurer returns. I am feeling an extra hard slap in my future.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"What I said can be the truth."

Both eyebrows are raised this time. The surprise holds them up there for a second, until he starts laughing. A hearty rumble, shaking the room.

"Man, we haven't had a slippery one like you since—" He cuts himself off. "Never mind." He waves his arm dismissively. "I am not doing a coverup."

"But..." It's the optimal decision—keeping the Rangers in good graces and preserving the Guild's legitimacy. I can pick up the slack in their absence, but having capable adventurers in that region is a must for coverage. Preventative measures are best, especially against the stronger monsters that my drones might struggle against. Deploying more powerful ordinance at this stage is not advisable for the plan. I don't see what the problem is, it's not like—

"I am not running some rogue {Best approximation: 'bullshit' (The excrement of a large, domesticated animal resembling cattle)}. This is the Adventurers' Guild. We have a simple job—kill monsters."

"Okay." Maybe I am wrong... Oh, no. Have I made a mistake? Not again. It's fine. He's not mad. I didn't make a mistake. Everything is okay. Everything is okay. Everything is—

His voice snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts. "Lucius."

"Yes?"

His eyes narrow at me. "Why didn't you come to me? Why would you put your life at risk for some assholes?" He adds another statement, reluctantly, "Even if you did expose them."

"When I made the greatest mistake of my life, there was nothing I wouldn't have done to get another chance. At least, that's what I would have liked to think. It took me so long to even comprehend how I failed. I... I am doing everything I can to earn my forgiveness. How could I condemn another. The Rangers made a mistake. Help them correct it." Please tell me I didn't make a mistake. "Please..."

"You are a real piece of work, kiddo. Fine." He sighs. "I appreciate how you didn't throw my own failures in my face. Can't fucking believe it. Right under my nose. Not like I can blame the people either... You either pay up or try your luck with the monsters."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. But I'll be watching you real close. No more edge-of-your-sword stunts." He wags a finger cheerfully, but I can tell he's serious.

"Thank you, Hall Master." Thank you.

"Don't thank me yet, I am gonna go tell my bottom three shit-listers how you saved their sorry asses. And you are coming with me." He walks up to my still seated form and stares expectantly.

Not optimal, but within calculations. "I recently came into some coin, how about—"

He yanks me off by the collar, interrupting my ill-timed attempt at escape. "Nice try." Before we start making our way toward the room where the Rangers are held, he adds, "How'd you know by the way? About the whole extortion scheme."

"Erysis and Nexen, the two adventurers I had my test with—"

"I remember."

"Well, they invited me on a mission with the Rangers. But they mentioned delving six dungeons. Why would you—an experienced adventurer party—invite a couple of teenagers to a quick dungeon run. Some huge dungeon that needs a lot of people to clear—maybe, but this—not really."

"Hah, 'slippery' is an understatement. You're really reckless for someone so sharp you know."

I look a little embarrassed, inwardly too. "Ahem. My best guess was that they were looking for new members. And I mean, I can kind of see it, building up a newbie just how you like them, but it just felt wrong. There are plenty of seasoned veterans they could have chosen. So I made myself an easy mark, and I guess I was convincing enough. They clued me in on the whole operation, mostly because they've taken on more than they can handle." Good enough of an explanation.

He shakes his head. "Fuckin' hate rogue bullshit. Come on, let's get this over with."

Before we exit the ward, I spot my sword leaned against the wall. Pemik grabbed it inside the dungeon and brought it with him. Thoughtful. I pick it up and sheathe it in place, tapping it a few times for good measure.

We reach a nondescript room. Inside are Miv, Pemik, and Sini. They appear solemn and resigned, amplified by the downright scorching looks the two attendants are giving them. The moment we enter, they look our way. The sight of the hall master turns resignation into acceptance. My presence morphs that into incredulousness. Miv and Pemik avert their eyes. Sini stares at me—so much regret.

"Lucky day, assholes." Before they can even say anything, Hall Master Ren continues, "Lucius here asked for a favor. During your trial, when the panel asks for my suggestion, I will recommend community service." Shock turns to confusion, with a hint of hope breaking through their desperate eyes. "Don't start celebrating just yet, my opinion might be worth nothing after I let this farce happen in my Hall."

Miv is the first one to say anything, "Luci?" So many questions wrapped inside my name. So many emotions. Why does it hurt so much? That little hint of betrayal—that even he knows is ridiculous—is like a knife twisting inside my mind.

I know he's not a bad person. I know so much about him, about all of them. I care about them all... Pathetic fool. I treat them like numbers, like a solution to an equation. Do this, and in the end, you get 'X' more. Simple math.

Enough wallowing in my own misery, time to have some decency and answer to the people in front of me.

"The moment I realized what you were doing, I decided to see if given the choice, you would do the right thing. That's all."

I turn around and walk out, blocking off anything that happens behind me. Coward.