Haruto staggered out of the crumbling dungeon, his mind still reeling from the events within. His body ached, and his senses were heightened from the battle with the Goblin King and the near-collapse of the dungeon. As he stepped into the open air, relief washed over him—he had made it out alive. But that relief quickly vanished as he was greeted by a sight that made his heart drop.

A group of heavily armored soldiers stood in formation outside the dungeon’s entrance, their armor glinting in the fading sunlight. Emblazoned on their chests was the symbol of a bow and arrow, marking them as part of a larger military force. These weren’t ordinary people—they were trained, disciplined, and ready for battle.

The soldiers, each at Level 17 or 18, immediately noticed Haruto. Their sharp eyes locked onto him, and in a matter of seconds, they closed in, surrounding him with swords and spears drawn. Haruto’s breath caught in his throat. What is this? he thought, his mind racing. He had no idea who these people were, but it was clear they weren’t here by coincidence.

The tension in the air was palpable. The soldiers, though highly trained, were cautious as they approached Haruto, their weapons gleaming in the light. Each one of them was at least Level 17, with some at Level 18, making it clear that they were far more powerful than the average fighter. Haruto, now at Level 5, felt the weight of their presence. He was significantly outmatched in numbers and strength.

His instincts told him to reach for his weapons, but he knew better than to provoke them. He was completely surrounded, their spears pointed directly at his chest, and any sudden movement could trigger a deadly response. His mind raced for a solution, but nothing came to him. He was at a loss for words.

Before he could say anything, one soldier stepped forward, separating himself from the ranks. This one was different—his armor was more ornate, with gold and silver embellishments around the edges. His presence commanded respect, and the way the other soldiers parted for him showed that he was their leader.

Haruto’s eyes flickered to a small glowing number above the man’s head: Level 29.

The man regarded Haruto with cold, calculating eyes, taking in every detail of his appearance. Unlike the other soldiers, he seemed calm and composed, as though he had already figured out who Haruto was.

"I am Robert Stein," the man said in a smooth but authoritative tone. "Eldest son of Maximus Stein, commander of Count Stein’s forces."

Robert’s eyes fell on the necklace around Haruto’s neck—the Heart of the Goblin—and Haruto could tell that Robert immediately understood its significance. The Goblin King’s slayer was standing before him.

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Robert took a step closer, his eyes narrowing slightly as he inspected Haruto. "We’ve been monitoring this dungeon for some time," he said, his voice measured. "Tell me, did you clear it?"

Haruto’s mind raced as he tried to think of a response. He knew revealing too much could put him in danger, but the necklace hanging from his neck—a trophy from the Goblin King—was all the evidence Robert needed to know that Haruto was the one who had slain the dungeon boss.

Before Haruto could answer, Robert held up a hand. "No need to speak. The necklace confirms it." His voice remained calm, but there was a subtle tension in his tone. He then motioned to one of his soldiers, who handed him a small parchment. Robert unrolled it, revealing a picture of Milinia.

Haruto’s stomach dropped. The image was unmistakable—it was the woman he had found in the dungeon, chained and pregnant, her fate sealed by the creature inside her.

"This woman," Robert said, his voice quiet but sharp, "have you seen her?"

Haruto’s mouth went dry. His mind flashed back to the moments before the dungeon collapsed—to Milinia’s pleas, the birth of the grotesque creature, and the portal it had escaped through. She was dead, and the creature that had come from her… Haruto shuddered to think of what it was now doing.

But he remained silent, unwilling to divulge everything. Robert’s piercing gaze seemed to penetrate his thoughts, as though he could sense Haruto’s hesitation.

Robert studied him for a long moment, then, to Haruto’s surprise, he stepped back and gave a small nod. "You don’t have to answer," Robert said, his tone suddenly indifferent. "She’s probably dead. And frankly, I have no reason to offend an Otherworlder over her."

Haruto blinked, unsure of what to make of the sudden shift in tone. Otherworlder? That word again. It was becoming clear that people in this world referred to players like him as something more than just outsiders.

Robert waved his hand, signaling his soldiers to lower their weapons. "You’re free to go."

Haruto breathed a quiet sigh of relief, but just as he was about to leave, something else caught his attention. A group of other players—people from Earth, like him—stood nearby, bound in chains. Their clothes were ragged, and their faces were gaunt from days of captivity. It was clear that they had been treated as prisoners, dragged into this world and held against their will by Robert’s forces.

As soon as they saw Haruto, their eyes filled with desperation. They stumbled forward, pulling against their chains as they begged him for help.

"Please! You’re one of us!" one of them cried, their voice cracking with fear. "Help us escape!"

Another player, their eyes wide with terror, added, "They’ve captured us! We’re prisoners here! Please, don’t leave us behind!"

The sight of his fellow Earthlings begging for help stirred something in Haruto. He had only just survived the dungeon himself, barely managing to escape with his life. But now these players—people who had likely been through similar horrors—were pleading with him to save them.

Haruto looked back at Robert, who was watching the scene unfold with an unreadable expression. The young commander seemed unfazed by the players’ cries, as if their suffering meant nothing to him.

"You’re better off not getting involved," Robert said calmly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "These prisoners are part of a deal between my family and the nobility. They belong to us now. I suggest you walk away."

Haruto’s mind raced. He was alone, outnumbered, and significantly out-leveled. Robert and his soldiers were far more powerful than him, and any attempt to fight would almost certainly end in his death. But could he really turn his back on his fellow players, leaving them to suffer at the hands of these people?

He hesitated, his hand instinctively tightening around the ring Milinia had given him, still glowing faintly in his inventory. The weight of the Heart of the Goblin around his neck seemed to grow heavier as he stood there, torn between survival and doing what was right.

"You don’t have to do this," one of the players pleaded, their voice trembling. "Please... don’t leave us."

Haruto’s heart ached with indecision. He had fought hard to survive, but now he was faced with a moral dilemma—one that could cost him everything.

What should he do?

(End of the Chapter).