Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse

Chapter 29: Testing Loyalties

Derek's face was gloomy, seemingly due to his failed attempt to re-establish his position within the group.

"Hey, loosen up. People might think we're dragging you away somewhere," Justin said.

"...."

"Answer me. I'm talking to you." Even after repeated attempts, Derek's lips remained sealed. Was he thinking it was better to stay silent than to show respect? It was a ridiculous effort.

Justin pointed a finger at Derek's head. "Black misa-"

"Argh! I'll speak! I'll speak!" Derek shouted in panic, just before Justin finished his incantation.

Only then did Justin nod in satisfaction. "That's right, you should answer when someone calls you."

"Y-yes, I'll do that from now on."

"Good. Don't take it too personally. There's a reason behind my actions," Justin said.

Derek's face turned bright red. What reason could there possibly be? Wasn't Justin just trying to mess with him? Derek's thoughts were evident, even if he didn't voice them.

Justin decided to correct that misunderstanding. "You need to keep showing respect to establish the hierarchy, understand? If you keep your mouth shut and suddenly switch to casual speech, it's going to be a problem. If you keep trying to treat us as equals, I'll have to kill you."

"...!"

"So, I'm making you keep using respectful language to prevent that from happening. If you get used to speaking respectfully, you'll keep doing it, and seeing you obedient will make me less inclined to kill you."

Hearing Justin's words, the blood drained from Derek's face. He had spoken sincerely, so it was hard for Derek to dismiss it as a joke. Even Cooper and Nathan, their teammates, were shocked by Justin's statement.

Cooper, looking alarmed, tried to intervene. "Justin, now that we're all on the same team, maybe you could..."

"Treat him kindly? There's no need for that," Justin interrupted with a smirk, pointing at Derek. "Why do you think this guy came to us in the first place? Because no one else would take him."

Derek had definitely started out ahead of most. However, one mistake in the early stages had ruined everything. After interfering with other people's quests, he hadn't even had the chance to attempt a rescue quest. No one wanted to team up with someone who had already been causing trouble.

By now, it was safe to say all opportunities had slipped away for Derek without teammates. Pioneers were starting to form their own bonds.

"Now, no matter which team he joins, he's at the bottom. He acted out in the beginning, and his level is low, so how do you think other teams will treat him?" Justin continued.

"Uh... ostracized? Errand boy?" Nathan guessed.

"That would be a good outcome. If he's unlucky, those who still hold a grudge for what he did might stab and kill him."

Even without personal grudges, people might think it was better to kill him to avoid future risks. Derek's behavior had not painted him as a good candidate for a companion or neighbor. They might simply think it was better to deal with a potential threat sooner rather than later.

"The strange thing was what happened in the beginning. Back then, skeletons were wandering just twenty steps away from the safe zone. Normally, the game was like this," Justin said.

"Still, shouldn't they have started appearing by now? We've been walking for thirty minutes," Cooper said.

"That's true, but..." Justin started to reply.

"Brothers! Look over there!" Nathan suddenly shouted in the middle of their conversation.

Turning their heads, they saw a humanoid figure in the distance. At first, they thought it might be a person, but as they approached, its true identity was revealed.

"Hobgoblins!"

They were a species similar to goblins but looked entirely different. They had yellow skin and were slightly shorter than an average human woman. In terms of in-game stats, they were much stronger than goblins.

As the hobgoblins noticed them approaching, they began to laugh.

"Grurrrk! H-humans! Die!"

"Kikik! Die! Die!"

"...!?"

Nathan froze in shock. He hadn't expected the monsters to be able to talk.

"T-they can speak!" Nathan exclaimed.

"Yeah, I'm surprised too. Although it doesn't look like we can have a conversation with them," Justin replied.

"What do we do? Are those things stronger than goblins?" Nathan asked, looking worried.

Justin nodded in response. Stronger than goblins? Absolutely. Their stats were incomparable.

"Yeah, they're much stronger than goblins."

"How much stronger!?"

"As strong as a skeleton. Their physical strength is about human level, and they can wield weapons too."

"Oh, my... As strong as a skeleton... Wait, what?" Nathan's eyes widened as he continued the conversation. He seemed to realize something odd about Justin's comparison.

"As strong as a skeleton? A skeleton...?"

Nathan's gaze shifted between Justin and Cooper.