Chapter 44
Chapter 44
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Rest Period (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The lord looked surprised for a moment, but his expression quickly returned to normal.
“Do I know the name Alice... Isn't that too common a name for such a question?”
“It doesn't seem that way to you, my lord.”
It was so obvious, yet he was trying to deny it.
“You're not just skilled, but quick-witted as well. Yes, I know the name.”
“May I ask what your relationship was?”
“She was my love, in a past life. Where did you hear that name?”
So they were lovers, it seems.
“I met Lady Alice while exploring the Labyrinth.”
“Nonsense! Alice died a long time ago. More than twenty years ago. We all built her a grave with our own hands...”
His expression was one of utter disbelief.
It seemed even the lord didn't know that some of those who die in the Labyrinth are reincarnated as monsters.
“You know that harpies and hippoels live on the 51st floor, correct?”
“I do.”
“The queen of the 51st floor's harpies, the Harpy Queen, is Lady Alice.”
“Preposterous! How can you say a person has become a monster? A dead one at that...”
I briefly explained the situation to the confused lord, but seeing he still didn't believe me, I took out Alice's letter.
“...What is this?”
“It's a letter Lady Alice asked me to deliver if I ever found her beloved.”
He snatched it from me and began to read.
The corners of the lord's eyes seemed to redden, and unable to contain his emotions any longer, clear droplets began to fall.
“...Are you all right?”
I happened to have a handkerchief on me, so I offered it to him.
“...I've made a fool of myself.”
“...Not at all. I would have done the same.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
I offered comfort, but honestly, I had no idea what the lord was feeling.
I couldn't even begin to imagine how one would feel if their dead lover came back to life, but as a monster.
It must be a complex mix of sadness and joy, or perhaps joy and sadness.
I was a little curious about the letter's contents, but I wasn't foolish enough to ask. I stepped back and waited for the lord to compose himself.
Fortunately, the lord quickly regained his composure.
“First, I must thank you.”
“It's nothing. I was only fulfilling a request.”
“No. Had you not told me, I would have lived my entire life in ignorance... You are my benefactor.”
He gave a deep bow and then slowly told me his story with Alice.
It was mostly the same story I had heard from the Harpy Queen.
Although, hearing it from the lord's perspective, there were some slight differences.
“...I didn't regret giving up much, but now, I truly do. I suppose I'll never be able to see Alice again...”
The lord's expression was more desolate than anyone's.
After all, Summoners who give up on the conquest can never enter the Labyrinth again.
He must have loved her deeply; he looked so utterly forlorn.
“Still, if you were to write a letter, I could deliver it for you like I did this time.”
I have to report the quest and pick up the items I left with her anyway.
“Really?”
“Of course. It's no trouble at all.”
“Then... it might be a bit long. Could you stop by again the day before you go to the Labyrinth?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, truly. I don't know how I can ever repay you... Wait here for a moment.”
With that, the lord left the office.
Despite saying 'a moment,' it was quite some time before the lord returned.
I think I waited for about thirty minutes. When he came back, the lord took a black box, the size of my palm, from his pocket.
“Take it.”
[You have acquired Mysterious Box x1.]
A Mysterious Box?
“Why don't you try opening it?”
I tried to force it open, but it wouldn't budge, as if it were sealed with superglue.
“What is this? It won't open.”
What on earth is this?
Even outside the Labyrinth, with my current Strength stat, I should be able to crush a boulder to dust.
But this box didn't move an inch.
“It seems you're not yet at the right level. A dear friend entrusted it to me.”
“A dear friend...?”
“He was a Pioneer, like you.”
“A Pioneer... you said you lost contact with him...”
[Item information has been updated.]
[Mysterious Box -> Gift Box from the Previous Pioneer]
“That's right. He gave this to me on the day I decided to stop, telling me not to give up my training.”
“I see.”
“I continued to train as my friend said, but I made no progress after giving up the conquest. Perhaps that's why I could never open it.”
For some reason, the lord's expression seemed even more desolate than before.
“I... I see.”
“It's better for a fellow Pioneer like you to have it, rather than me, who cannot even open it.”
A gift from the previous Pioneer...
“But it's a gift from your friend...”
“The letter you gave me meant more to me than this ever could.”
“But I can't open it either...”
“Of all the things that are truly mine to give, this is the most precious. I believe that you will one day be able to open it.”
After he put it like that, it would have been rude to refuse.
“Thank you for your high praise.”
“I should be the one thanking you. Just let me know what's inside when you open it.”
I was about to agree when there was a knock on the door.
“Who is it?”
“It is Barein, the butler.”
“Come in.”
The butler entered, shot me a disapproving glance, and approached the lord.
“What is it?”
“My lord, it is time for you to return to your duties. Your schedule is quite behind today.”
He said he could make time for me, but it seemed he was very busy after all.
“Ah, then I'll be on my way.”
“Very well. We'll see each other again the day before you enter the Labyrinth. I will make time on that day.”
“Understood.”
I bowed and left the lord's castle.
Perhaps because we had talked for so long, the sunlight felt harsh.
It would be lunchtime soon. I should hurry and stop by the Magic Tower.
It wasn't far from the lord's castle, so I arrived quickly.
It was daytime, so it was crowded.
I went straight to the second floor, which was even more crowded than the first, but that didn't matter to me.
“Excuse me, do you have a moment?”
It was a different staff member than the one who helped me last time, but when I said I was a Pioneer, they confirmed my identity and guided me to the elevator.
“It seems this isn't your first time, but you know how to use it, correct?”
I nodded in affirmation.
The doors opened just as I was hoping there would be a lot of new items this time.
“You have one hour in the VIP shop.”
“I know.”
I scanned the area and thought nothing had changed... but then a bow glowing with a red light in the back caught my eye.
[White Zero (Unique)
A masterpiece crafted by a master artisan before his death, using materials from the monsters of his homeland, the Frigid Lands.
The bow is made from the bone of a White Elder Drake, the string from the sinew of a Yeti, and the center is adorned with an Ice Soul Stone, a rare gem found in the Frigid Lands.
Attack Power 48, Physical Damage +90%, STR +20, AGI +30, LUK +20
Special Effects
Ice Soul
40% chance to Freeze the target on hit.
20% chance to inflict Frostbite on the target on hit.
Reduces target's Defense by 30% on hit.
Price: 20,000 Gold
※This item is protected by anti-theft magic.]
Oh, for a Unique item, these stats are quite good.
It would be a great gift for Milli.
Milli had a bow, but it wasn't special like Hanna's sword or Timi's staff.
I set the bow aside and looked around some more, but there was nothing else to buy except for two Orbs of Traits.
“I'd like to buy two Orbs of Traits and the White Zero.”
“That will be 20,200 Gold.”
I took the gold from my inventory, paid, and left the Magic Tower.
I returned to Kabisa, had lunch, and logged into the community while resting.
Just like last time, I posted on the verification board that I was looking to buy Blessed Armor Enhancement Scrolls.
I told them to start coming tomorrow, so today should be fine.
I lay down on the bed, intending to take a nap for the first time in a while, but sleep wouldn't come.
“Kkyuing!”
“Ppoyo! Ppoyo!”
The Gold Dragon and Nix squabbling loudly with each other was part of it, but the truth was, I was getting restless just lying around.
Maybe I'd been working so hard for so long that I'd forgotten how to rest...
Figuring sleep was a lost cause, I took out the items I'd received from the lord today.
“Gold Dragon, come here for a second.”
“Kkyuing?”
The Gold Dragon flew over to me, glanced at the gift box from the previous Pioneer, and then flew back to Nix.
I'd taken it out just in case, but it showed no interest at all.
Is it because it's not a consumable item?
Or maybe the Gold Dragon just doesn't have an appetite.
Should I go out and see the city?
Come to think of it, I've been in Kramis for over a month, but I've never properly explored the city.
My only leisure activity had been grabbing drinks with Tae-soo and the other executives.
Tae-soo must be busy as a guild master, so it felt a bit much to visit him again so soon.
Should I really make a guild of my own?
But if I did, managing it would be a pain.
And I doubt any guild members could even keep up with me.
Still, it felt like a waste to spend my rare break cooped up in my room, so I changed into some comfortable clothes and left Kabisa.
The Gold Dragon and Nix seemed to be playing well together, so I left them in the room.
Half the day was already gone, but I decided to spend the rest of it enjoying some time to myself.
“Mr. Hyeon-ung? Going out again? Oh? You've changed your clothes.”
Just as I was about to leave the entrance, Luke spoke to me.
“I already met with the lord this morning, but I'm glad I ran into you.”
As a local, Luke would know the best spots in Kramis.
“Yes? Is there something you need?”
“There is. Are there any interesting places to see in Kramis?”
“To see?”
The guy tilted his head, not understanding.
“I mean tourist spots. Famous restaurants, places with good views, that sort of thing. It's a rare break, and it feels like a waste to stay in my room, so I was thinking of looking around. Any recommendations?”
Luke's eyes lit up.
“Please wait a moment. I will escort you.”
Escort me? What for?
Even if I'm a guest who tips well, it's not right for him to abandon his guard duty to follow me around.
“No. I'd like to be alone today, so just give me some recommendations.”
Luke looked a little disappointed.
“Understood. I'm an expert when it comes to that. The Rapanol pub on Leveira Street has the best scene. I heard some Summoners started going there recently...”
“I'm not looking for that kind of place.”
I'm not fond of nightlife, but for some reason, Luke took a step back with a strange expression.
“What's wrong?”
“M-Mr. Hyeon-ung... then, are you perhaps into men instead of women...?”
What's he on about now?
“Don't be ridiculous. I just don't enjoy those kinds of places. Like I said before, do you know of any unique restaurants or scenic spots?”
“As for restaurants, the ones near the lord's castle are all quite good. Though not as good as our Kabisa, of course.”
He said he didn't know any scenic spots, but he did recommend a few restaurants.
I decided to wander around the city first and then have dinner at one of his recommendations, and with that, I left Kabisa.
I had a map I'd bought before, but I intentionally didn't take it out, walking along paths I'd never taken.
Along the way, I came across a small market used only by the local residents.
Looking around and trying the street food was more enjoyable than I expected.
It seems walking down an unknown path isn't a bad thing after all.
I couldn't do this every day, but exploring like this once in a while seemed nice.
Before I knew it, the sun was beginning to set. Figuring it was time to find a restaurant, I took out my map.
I found a shortcut, confirmed my location, and started walking again, but... what's this?
Did I take a wrong turn? The path was getting narrower and darker.