Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Into the Depths
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As is widely known around here, floors around 10 are classified as the lower levels, around 20 as the mid levels, and anything beyond that as the deep levels.
In fact, the labyrinth in Labyrinth City has probably been explored up to around floor 40 by now.
Like in any populated place, important information tends to circulate only among those at the top. Plus, venturing down to the deep levels requires a ton of supplies like food, so only large guilds or capable small parties can manage it.
On top of that, pioneering itself is full of variables and dangers. Going down to uncharted depths is a true adventure, and if you have the spare capacity to challenge it easily, you're more likely to take jobs elsewhere than in Labyrinth City at this point.
I vaguely recall that in the original story, when Kane first stepped into society, there was a bit about Labyrinth City eyeing around floor 50 warily.
Even though it goes all the way to 99.
"So right now, mid-mid levels... up to around floor 15 is still doable......"
"But like other adventurers, managing food and sleep was a bit tricky."
"Um... anyway, since it's just the two of us...... Still, we found treasure chests here and there, so besides magic stones... we got all sorts of stuff. But why are those even there?"
Yeah, right? In the game, rewards popping up after clearing floors made sense, but this is reality. Why do they exist here?
From what I overheard while bedridden at the temple, locals figure it's to instill a sense of purpose with those minor midway rewards, ultimately drawing people to the depths.
That's why there's a lot of speculation that something powerful is sealed on the bottommost floor. Theories that the labyrinth is a prison trapping some immense force.
Monsters block access on behalf of the sealing faction, and the midway treasure chests are the prisoner's desperate struggles to lure in as many people as possible... something like that.
'Hmm... who cares. In the game, all you got up to floor 99 were revival potions, elixirs, epic items, and the ego sword on the final floor. No disasters tied to this came up.'
Anyway, as Luna said, if they made it to the mid-20s—what's known as the mid levels—that's impressive for two vanguards. I tailored my position to handle utility issues.
I patted Luna's head in praise and rewarded Kane with an extra green juice session.
"Damn."
Whoa, he's thrilled like that.
"Shall we check how much you've improved?"
"...Pardon?"
We slept our fill at the temple for days. We just finished eating.
"Time to digest. Right?"
"Th-then, don't we need time to talk with Halon using that Siren thing?"
"Oh, that? Halon suddenly yelled 'Thank you, young master!' and handed it over to Alkaid for research, so we've got a few days. Get up."
I planned to give them a day off, but after feeding them, their eyes were sparkling with energy to spare.
Ah, can't hold back.
If they'd looked weary from fatigue and post-meal drowsiness, I'd have let them rest out of pity. But they look overflowing with vigor—gotta put 'em to work.
You gotta push hard when the momentum's there.
No need for enchantment experiments right now.
As I keep saying, Kane's like a weed that thrives the more you work him.
Luna......
It's fine. Carrots later.
I led Kane—who looked reluctant as he rose—and Luna out of the restaurant toward the labyrinth.
Caaaaaaw!!
"What the—?"
We'd barely stepped out when I looked up at the cry.
I spotted a crow circling above my head, screeching as if terribly aggrieved or furious, and couldn't help but chuckle.
Where've you been, showing up now? Anyone'd think it follows me.
Ignoring the crow's prolonged tantrum, I headed for the labyrinth.
* * *
"Come to think of it, young master... I broke one of the labyrinth compasses......"
The labyrinth lives up to its name: stair locations vary per floor, and sometimes stairs span two or three floors at once.
Rumors say there are stairs leading to special floors, but who knows.
The labyrinth compass is an artifact from the labyrinth management office. It tracks mana flow inside to point to the nearest stairs.
Just that cuts down on getting lost wandering in circles, so it's essential for anyone entering.
Pretty pricey, so parties usually rent one or pool funds for a shared one.
'Whatever, I've got money.'
I bought one for each, plus spares.
"Luna's broke, and Kane?"
"Mine's still fine."
At Kane's words, I pulled a pocket-watch-sized labyrinth compass from my small sub-space and handed it to Luna.
"Alright, for the lower levels, I'll sit this out to see your teamwork. Show me what you've got."
I've got plenty of food and alarm spells stocked in the codex. Labyrinth has narrow paths, so no tent artifact needed—sleeping bags will do.
"Let's go as deep as we can."
Luna checked her greaves, Kane his flying knives and swords, then nodded.
But the whispers behind us were kinda bugging me.
"She's so cute... but that monster pulverizer over there... and that guy next to her made Miya reject my date invite?"
"Shh, don't stare so obviously. Don't you know what happened to Max last time he tried hitting on her?"
What the hell?
Sounds like something went down while I was away. I'll ask later—dungeon first.
As expected, low-level monsters like slimes, kobold pups, or goblins from the lower floors? Kane's flying knives handled them solo.
To the point where he could throw while running, graze the dead monster to retrieve, and relay-throw without breaking stride.
So even switching Kane back and Luna forward, lower floors were a breeze.
"Haat!"
Luna sweeps the floor to unbalance it, kicks it airborne, then shoves it with her foot into others—two or three smash into the wall like bursting, crumbling to ash.
"At this rate, hunting monsters in the lower levels is inefficient. Compass says go deep and fast. What's the deepest you've hit?"
Even small magic stones take time to pick up.
Part of me wants to ditch 'em, but when you can't see items, you panic. Gamer habit of hoarding junk is scary real.
I dumped the rattling stones from my hand into the sub-space like peanuts and pulled out the compass.
Short needle: up stairs. Long: down.
I walked briskly toward the long needle.
Passed a pup orc, then skeleton spearmen and archers—not too tough since it was lower-to-mid transition.
Undergrown orc, weathered skeletons: one aura-clad sword slash split 'em, one codex spell from me crumbled 'em.
"Too easy?"
That swamp troll back then was definitely oversized.
With Luna and Kane synced tight after days of practice holding the front, and me supporting, we owned the early mid levels.
Lucky or not, after those skeletons, no more encounters as we hit mid-lower.
"Definitely... faster with you joined, young master."
"Having ranged attacks makes a big difference."
Games suck with all-melee short-range; reality too.
Me joining expanded rear visibility.
I checked the compass again, turning left.
"Oh, stairs right away?"
"Down these make floor 18?"
"Yeah."
I stowed the compass, eyeing Kane's bored face and Luna smacking her lips like she craved snacks.
"If no monsters right after descending this time, wanna eat something?"
"Yes!"
Seeing Luna beam, I turned and headed down first.
* * *
"What the hell is this?"
I'd been chatting with Luna about snacks—pulled a carrot from sub-space to munch—when we descended.
But stepping off the last stair, I was alone in a weird spot.
Walls unlike the usual labyrinth.
'No way......'
What... 'cause Kane's the protagonist? For real?
I'd thought about those rumored special-floor stairs just before entering today.
Did thinking it make it happen?
I swallowed rising irritation.
No clue which floor yet.
'Rumors must be rampant.'
At the temple, new patients came and went daily—hours to a day.
Long stays like mine cost too much; rooms were mostly for resting pre-priest visit.
Overheard plenty: baseless rumors, idle chatter.
'Treasure rooms, unique monster floors. Entire village floors. Cozy rest areas.'
Stuff like that. Gotta scout this special floor.
If monsters, hide till Luna and Kane find me.
'If not, I'll find them.'
I carry most food, water, supplies. Their small packs won't last days.
'Was gonna buy sub-space artifacts... gotta sell instead.'
I bit my lip, slipped from the corner quietly.
Passage wide for two abreast.
I activated phase shield and bracelet shield, opened codex, hand on wind spell page—for shoving foes.
Too iffy for instant attack magic if something jumps out or on first meet; but monsters possible, can't go unprepared. Defensive prep it is.
After stealth-walking awhile, brighter light leaked from a bending passage.
Poking my head cautiously: sizable cavern in view.
Faint hum buzzing—others already here besides me.
'Why?'
Designed to gather people there?
I shrank phase shield to body-hug, non-intrusive, then eased into the cavern.
"No... I told you, that's all I know, elder?"
"That's why I'm asking you—you seem to know something!"
"Not certain, so that's why. What if it's wrong? My fault?"
"Quiet down, both of you. Echoes everywhere—headache city."
Already seven or eight people.
Roundish cavern pocked with tunnel entrances all around. No ceiling light source, but dim glow rained down steadily.
* * *