Chapter 257
Chapter 257
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 257
Chapter Title: Chapter 6-2. Labyrinth
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"Can't believe how much you're packing away. Were you starving all this time or something?"
Even a dozen beggars couldn't put away this much. Basilisk suspected his friend Calicthes might have deliberately hired big eaters just to screw him over.
'If he'd left any, I might've felt a little bummed about wasting it.'
He'd worried if she could finish the full plates, but she'd polished off every last bit. With the dishes scraped clean like that, there wasn't even a twinge of regret. He'd never imagined he'd end up watching her eat with such satisfaction. If she hadn't finished, he might've taken it out on someone.
Basilisk let out a small sigh. The bill waiting for him later was more terrifying than any battlefield foe. It was pocket change for a duke like him, but losing a bet made it sting.
Once the meal wrapped up, several waiters approached to clear the table spotless, then brought out dessert: tea, ice cream, and a few pastries. Even the desserts screamed luxury. Only now, with sweets in play, did the mood loosen enough for real talk.
"That was delicious."
For the first time, Judah spoke with genuine gratitude. Basilisk just nodded, while Calicthes—grinning ear to ear like he'd won the lottery—nodded vigorously too.
"You're the Spirit Sword owner, right? Any thoughts on coming over to the Empire?"
Basilisk took a sip of tea and dropped the question out of nowhere. Judah felt a pang of annoyance at having to repeat what he'd told Calicthes earlier, flashing a wry smile. He politely apologized and declined. His excuse about wanting to travel the world landed like a free pass.
"I see... What a shame. His Majesty would be thrilled to snag a Spirit Sword wielder."
But for all his regretful words, Basilisk didn't press. He knew forcing it would just breed resentment. He savored his tea, inhaling its aroma leisurely. The pastries and little cakes meant to pair with it had long since gone to Arhil and Iris.
"What brings you to the Empire?"
"The labyrinth's supposed to be famous."
"Hmm. Yeah, the labyrinth's all the rage right now."
Of all things, he picks the labyrinth. Then again, for adventurers or mercenaries, it'd naturally top the list. Even Calicthes and Basilisk—usually tied up on the front lines—had returned to the capital, Rabeiga, because of this headache-inducing labyrinth.
A sudden monster outbreak in the labyrinth had turned into a total mess, letting the friends reunite like this. But the headaches ahead promised to be endless.
"Well, conquer the labyrinth and bring back proof, and the Empire will gladly reward you handsomely."
From there, the chat stayed light. After commenting on how young he looked and asking his age, Basilisk blinked in shock at the answer, then probed about his master. But explaining Caseun Sabnak was tricky—he held an honorary noble title from Baekje. Plus, as a Spirit Sword wielder with a platinum badge, he'd made a name as a mercenary. Judah couldn't just blab.
So he talked about Zentia instead. A beastkin who'd taught him from childhood and helped him rack up real combat experience. They looked puzzled at the unfamiliar name but nodded and moved on. Questions turned to Lime and Arhil next, while Iris fired back her own barrage.
While the spotlight shifted, Judah sneakily checked their info. They'd shared names, so it was fair game. Two windows popped up before his eyes.
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「Status Window」
[Name: Calicthes di Arcavasa]
[Title: Empire's Shield]
[True Name: The One Standing Tall on the Blood-Red Path]
[Level: 85]
[Job: Blue Lance Knight Grand Commander (S)]
[Race: Human]
[Strength: 88 (A) / Potential A]
[Stamina: 99 (S) / Potential S]
[Agility: 84 (A) / Potential A]
[Mana: 75 (B) / Potential B]
[Magic Resistance: 94 (S) / Potential S]
[Charisma: 85 (A) / Potential A]
[Leadership: 93 (S) / Potential S]
[Knowledge: 70 (B) / Potential B] ◀ Special
[Luck: 75 (B) / Potential B] ◀ Special
※All stats except special stats reduced by 20% due to aging
[Affection: 15 (Neutral)]
[Trust: 20 (Neutral)]
「Traits 10/10」
[Blue Lance Knight Grand Commander] - Rank: S
[Great Leader] - Rank: S
[Empire's Shield] - Rank: A
[Conqueror of the Battlefield] - Rank: A
[Guardian] - Rank: A
[Flow of Time - Aging] - Rank: A
[Moonlight Fragment Owner] - Rank: A
[Master of Shield Arts] - Rank: B
[Bearer of the Emperor's Favor] - Rank: B
[Status Ailment Resistance] - Rank: B
「Skills 8/8」
[Lead from the Front] - Rank: S
[Empire Shield Arts - Blue Lance Knight] - Rank: A
[Empire Spear Arts - Blue Lance Knight] - Rank: A
[Empire Throwing Arts - Blue Lance Knight] - Rank: A
[Earth Shatter] - Rank: A
[Indomitable] - Rank: A
[Command] - Rank: B
[Keen Insight] - Rank: B
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「Status Window」
[Name: Basilisk di Deanol]
[Title: Empire's Spear]
[True Name: Destroyer]
[Level: 87]
[Job: Spear of Judgment - Knight Order Captain (S)]
[Race: Human]
[Strength: 99 (S) / Potential S]
[Stamina: 89 (A) / Potential A]
[Agility: 79 (B) / Potential B]
[Mana: 89 (A) / Potential A]
[Magic Resistance: 89 (A) / Potential A]
[Charisma: 89 (A) / Potential A]
[Leadership: 85 (A) / Potential A]
[Will: 70 (B) / Potential B] ◀ Special
[Knowledge: 62 (B) / Potential B] ◀ Special
[Luck: 79 (B) / Potential B] ◀ Special
※All stats except special stats reduced by 15% due to aging
[Affection: 10 (Neutral)]
[Trust: 10 (Neutral)]
「Traits 9/9」
[Destroyer] - Rank: S
[Spear of Judgment - Knight Order Captain] - Rank: A
[Kingdom Conqueror] - Rank: A
[Conqueror of the Battlefield] - Rank: A
[Gaia Fragment Owner] - Rank: A
[Sworn Friend] - Rank: A (A)
[Flow of Time - Aging] - Rank: B
[Bearer of the Emperor's Favor] - Rank: B
[Caller of Angels] - Rank: B
「Skills 7/8」
[Avatar of the Battlefield] - Rank: S
[Empire Spear Arts - Spear of Judgment] - Rank: A
[Empire Melee Arts - Spear of Judgment] - Rank: A
[Crush] - Rank: A
[Battle Stance] - Rank: A
[Descent of the Angel of War] - Rank: A
[Descent of the Angel of Valor] - Rank: A
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'Incredible.'
The moment he saw their stats, he inwardly whistled in awe. Sky-high numbers across the board, with traits and skills that were nothing short of phenomenal. No wonder the hero title fit them like a glove.
Sure, aging had dinged their stats a bit, but they were still way beyond rash challenges. Judah cracked a wry smile. As expected. To gather the fragments, he'd have to stick to the scenario he'd plotted in the game.
Talk flowed on until the desserts were gone. It never dragged or annoyed. And it wasn't just him—Lime, Arhil, and Iris looked engaged the whole time. An unexpected meal had turned into a surprisingly great time.
Calicthes pulled out his pocket watch, checked the hour, and spoke with real regret.
"Looks like meal's over. Sorry, but we've gotta meet a friend soon... And you all should head back to your inn. It was a pleasure. Who knows when, but I'd love to cross paths again."
Basilisk eyed Judah.
"If you ever feel like pledging to the Emperor—no, working for the Empire—just look us up, me or Calicthes. I don't know your skills firsthand, but becoming a Spirit Sword wielder at your age screams talent. We'd welcome you with open arms."
Grateful words, but unlikely to happen. Judah bowed his thanks for the offer, stood at their urging to leave first. Descending from the third floor to the first, he tried settling the second-floor bill, only to learn it'd already been paid. Calicthes must've covered it with the order. He asked the front desk staff to pass on his thanks, then led his group back to the inn.
With Iris joining as a companion, she roomed with Arhil now, leaving Judah bunking with Lime. Arhil wore a deeply disappointed pout but couldn't very well cram Lime and Iris together, so she sighed softly and shuffled to her room.
Judah showered first, ahead of Lime, then flopped onto the bed. Staring at the ceiling under the fluffy blanket, he replayed Calicthes and Basilisk from dinner. They were even cooler old warriors than he'd imagined. Knowing he'd eventually have to fight them for their fragments hurt. A short chat, but they'd grown on him.
'If only I could recruit them like Iris.'
In the game, toppling them was the only way to claim the fragments. But here, actions could rewrite fate, so recruitment wasn't impossible. Still, their loyalty to the Empire and Emperor meant Judah would need to naturalize—or resort to hypnosis—to make it happen.
'Tch, I'll figure it out later.'
No rush to snag the Byron Empire's fragments anyway. He couldn't beat them yet, and his priority was the labyrinth's. With a long exhale, he closed his eyes.
A bit longer in the capital Rabeiga, then off to the labyrinth.