Are you what I think you are?

Having said his piece, Han waited for a reply. Joseph’s mind was unusually calm, most of Han’s words fading into background noise as he focused on the names.

‘Rukvar? Elder Rukvar? So they’re not orcs or some kind of minotaur? But how does he know that? Is he assigning them names the way I do, or… no, it’s the way he says it with such confidence. You don’t toss out names like that unless you’re certain. Could that knowledge be written down somewhere else? Maybe in the other section…’

His eyes roved over Han, weighing every detail—the short black hair, the defined but slightly lean body, the dark cloak, and equipment suspiciously different than the default. A sudden spark of recognition jolted through his thoughts.

‘No… that’s insane… but it lines up.’

Looking at the other two, puzzle pieces slotted into place, though the picture still felt hazy.

Han and his companions gave him time, whispering among themselves quietly enough not to distract him.

Che whispered first, sharp but worried. “This is pointless. He’s not going to agree. He looks like he’d sooner slit our throats. Those eyes… he looks at me like I don’t exist.”

Logan muttered back, grimacing as his wound throbbed. “I’ve seen people like him before, If he wanted us dead, we’d already be corpses. Our best option is to keep our mouths shut and leave, or...” His voice trailed off, using his eyes to signal his other thought instead.

Han’s voice was calm, quiet, steady. “No. This is an opportunity. He’s stronger than any of us, and if we want to not die attempting the next boss, we’ll need him. If we can’t bring him in, then at least we need to keep him close. Don’t provoke him, don’t lie badly, just follow my lead. You trust me, right?”

Logan and Che sent a look to each other; both nodding quite firmly despite their reservations. Han simply smiled back, returning his attention to Joseph who heard everything but didn’t react, more focused on other things.

Joseph finally let out a long breath, blinking slowly before locking eyes with Han.

He’d never been a people person, but he knew how to wear the mask when needed. And in Han’s eyes, he thought he saw it—depth, a weight carried by someone who had seen too much. Just a feeling, but one he couldn’t shake.

“I’m… not sure yet,” Joseph admitted. “Normally I’d deny you outright as working alone suits me best, but… I feel like you’re hiding more than you’re letting on…”

Han gave a nervous but friendly smile, steering the conversation to lighter ground to hopefully show him otherwise.

As they talked, Joseph grabbed his sack and stole a few mouthfuls of dried meat. The sheer bulk of the bag and the weapons strapped to it drew their attention, but their eyes locked on the food more than anything.

Sarcastically Joseph muttered, “What, never laid eyes on meat before?”

Han shook his head, embarrassed, as Che’s gaze glued itself to the food. “Not that. We just didn’t have room to bring much. Goblin meat’s barely edible, and the bitter greens back at camp don’t help.”

Joseph waved the meat around, smirking. “Well, I’m open for trade. You don’t look like you’ve got much, though.”

“Stingy pig,” Che muttered. “Sharing won’t kill you.”

Logan’s eyes flicked nervously, almost agreeing, but he whispered for her to keep quiet. Han only sighed, apologetic. “I’m sorry about her. She’s usually less sharp-tongued.” Logans eyes lingered towards Han’s direction, a clear lie but kept his stoic façade regardless.

Joseph shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me. But trade, and it’s yours.”

Che puffed her cheeks in a pout, knowing she had nothing of worth. With a resigned sigh, Logan slid a silver ring off his finger and held it out.

Joseph inspected it— perfectly ordinary, no noticeable enchantments or special effects, but finely crafted at least. He had no real need for it but also no shortage of food. “I’ll give you four portions. Make it last as long as you want.”

Logan nodded and took the cloth-wrapped meat without complaint, dividing it between them.

“The meats from the orcs in the first section,” Joseph added. “Dried about five days ago. Keep it away from moisture, and it’ll last a while.”

Che nearly cried as she bit into it, savoring the salty, mild flavor after endless goblin flesh and bitter greens. Her thoughts immediately flooding with a positive association, forgetting entirely there was a tense, methodical air still brewing between Han and Joseph.

Joseph finished his portion, slung the sack over his shoulder, and stood. “I’ll leave first. Had a nap earlier, so I’ll mark off more paths. If we cross again…” His gaze lingered, torn between two options, practicality or science.

Han swallowed quickly to speak up. ‘I can’t let it end like this; at this rate we very well end up dead without even realizing.’

“Wait, Joseph—is there anything I can do to convince you sooner? We have a camp, food, a safe place to rest.”

Han’s slight desperation only increased Josephs suspicion, focusing more intently on him more than ever with his every move, his gaze on the other two loosening.

“I’m not interested in camps,” Joseph said flatly. “The sooner I’m out, the sooner I’ll be in a real bed and be able to do as I please.”

“Then at least let us join you,” Han pressed. “Just for the maze. Temporary cooperation, until the trial ends.”

Joseph frowned, weighing the ups and downs.

‘Normally I’d stick to being solo—reliable, free. No ties. But… numbers are safer, especially if they’re competent and I am a little interested in their information. Still, this Han guy is strange. He fits almost too perfectly into the role…’

His gaze lingered on Han.

‘Plus, he knows my name. I’ve been very careful to not say it this whole time, yet he knows. Either he knew from before somehow or… he can view my status. Skills like that are usually incredibly rare, specifically only for a certain role… protagonists.

He has the look, personality, companions... he fits nearly every trope of the typical Korean or Asian lead: good-looking, draws people in, wise beyond his years with information not possible to have learned. If he is one, sticking close could pay off—plot armor, opportunities, just safety even. But if he’s not…?’

Joseph straightened. “If you want me to join, answer me this one question. Be honest, and I’ll put at least some trust in you. Let’s step aside, it’s a more private query.”

They moved a short distance away, leaving the others out of earshot.

Before Han could speak, Joseph fired his barrage of questions. “Are you some sort of protagonist? I know that’s a bit strange, so if you’re not sure then have you regressed or reincarnated? Have you met a god? Did you get hit by a truck?

Have you inherited any sort of special power from a higher being or alternate version of yourself? Have you read this world in a book, played it as a game? Do you have a spirit clinging to you? Is your system broken or different from the usual? Any of those in any capacity?”

Closely examining Han’s reaction, the response was immediate.

Han froze. For the first time, Joseph saw real cracks in the mask—panic, shock, and then, for a fleeting instant, something sharper. Dangerous. Han forced it down almost instantly, his lips curving into a practiced calm, but Joseph caught it all.

Han’s mind raced. ‘He knows too much. More than he should. Does he suspect me? Or is he just guessing? If I deny everything, I’ll look guilty. If I admit too much, I give him power over me. Think. Control yourself.’

The two men didn’t break eye contact. The air between them pressed heavy, thick with unspoken truths and the threat of what would happen if either one misstepped.