Chapter 9 — E-Rank Labyrinth: Fire Ant Nest (1)
Chapter 9 — E-Rank Labyrinth: Fire Ant Nest (1)
The labyrinth we were about to explore was located inside the cultist town.
That meant we could enter without going through the troublesome process of receiving the Harmony Church’s permission to leave and waiting several days.
“Is that really the entrance?”
Marlin asked cautiously, her expression stiff with tension.
“That’s right.”
“It doesn’t look like a labyrinth.”
“That’s true.”
In the middle of a deserted street.
A narrow hole had been opened in the ground—barely large enough for a person to enter, and too small for a large orc to pass through comfortably.
This was the entrance to the labyrinth we would clear next:
Fire Ant Nest.
Even considering that my assistant was a beginner explorer, its appearance was far from typical.
“Are you here to attempt the labyrinth? I’ll need to verify your identities!”
A Harmony Church priest came out from a nearby house, smiling brightly as he approached.
I handed over my identification plate with a nod, and Marlin hurriedly followed suit.
“Cultist of the Twisted Truth Kar from District 6. Civilian Marlin from District 6. Yes, confirmed! Do you know the method of clearing this labyrinth?”
“I do, but my companion doesn’t. Please explain it to her.”
“Of course! I’ll give a detailed explanation!”
The cheerful church priest smiled warmly at Marlin and began explaining.
“This place, the Fire Ant Nest, is an E-Rank labyrinth, the lowest rank. The difficulty isn’t high, and the danger level is low as well, so you can enter without worry!”
Perhaps her nervous expression had seemed pitiful.
He was not only explaining the labyrinth mechanics but also providing beginner mental support.
It was the kind of excellent service that proved why the Harmony Church was one of the six dominant powers of Pletika.
“The clear condition is extremely simple. Our tiger friend—do you know what it is? Just enter through the entrance and exit through the exit!”
“Oh? That’s simple.”
“Exactly!”
Thanks to the priest’s smooth explanation, Marlin’s expression relaxed slightly.
“The labyrinth is about the size of a small city and extremely complex, but you don’t have to worry about that either. There’s a map!”
“A map…!”
“Yes! Normally it costs five silver, but you listened so attentively that I’ll give it to you for free!”
In reality, it was always free.
“Wow….”
But what did the truth matter?
The kid was clearly happy.
“What do Fire Ants look like? Since they’re ants, they must be disgusting.”
“It’s alright. Compared to other insect-type monsters, they’re actually quite cute!”
The priest smiled and winked at me secretly while Marlin wasn’t looking.
I returned the gesture with a discreet thumbs-up.
“Marlin, ready to go in?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go. I’ll descend first.”
Climbing down the ladder inside the hole, my vision suddenly spun.
I remained still, letting the strange sensation envelop my body.
Soon my sight returned to normal.
Tap.
At some point I had dropped from midair and landed lightly inside a narrow tunnel.
The curse from the God of Nature had not yet activated, so I could still move normally.
I drew a dagger and examined my surroundings.
A cramped tunnel.
Warm air rising from beneath my feet.
Beautiful….
To think I could enjoy such scenery for free.
Was it really alright to be so fortunate?
It was a shame I couldn’t take a picture.
《E-Rank Labyrinth — Fire Ant Nest》
《Habitat of the Level 1 monster Fire Ants. It is enormous and tedious, but since it has already been perfectly explored in every aspect, why did you enter? The Wise One is disappointed.》
That statement was correct.
This labyrinth had already been completely cleared.
The monsters that appeared.
The treasures obtainable.
The hidden traps.
Everything had been thoroughly analyzed.
Naturally, such a place lacked the novelty Lidni preferred.
Of course, if you used the Hidden Piece, it could transform into a labyrinth intense enough to make anyone break into a sweat.
“Lord Lidni. Stop complaining and simply watch. I, Kar, am not the kind of cultist who performs boring strategies.”
That was enough to build anticipation.
If I spoke too much and spoiled everything, it would only ruin the excitement.
“Wow… it really is an ant nest.”
Marlin landed lightly behind me.
“But it’s too dark. I can’t see the map.”
“Take out the candle set.”
“Oh, so that’s why you bought it.”
Marlin took out a candle and lit it with a match.
It was crafted by an artisan class, so it illuminated the surroundings far more brightly than a normal candle.
“Give it here.”
I placed the candle on top of Marlin’s head.
Then I used Web That Binds All Things from my right index finger to secure it firmly.
“There. Now we won’t get lost in the dark.”
“…Is there some special reason it has to sit on my head? I could just carry it. You’re not messing with me, are you?”
“Why say something so hurtful? If you carry the candle, you won’t be able to fight properly.”
“Oh… that makes sense.”
“Are you not going to apologize? I’m hurt.”
“Which direction is the exit? There are five paths.”
Ignoring my complaint, Marlin studied the map and pointed to the left tunnel.
“We should go this way.”
“You figured it out already?”
“Of course. We have the map.”
Even with the map, beginners usually struggled to navigate the Fire Ant Nest.
But Marlin’s Sense stat of 19 gave her excellent spatial perception.
That was exactly why she had the potential to become an excellent explorer.
“…Kar.”
While checking the map again, Marlin crouched and stared at a tunnel opening near the bottom of the right wall.
“They’re coming. Monsters.”
Her tail stiffened.
“What should we do? I’m really nervous….”
Her pupils trembled.
Of course she was nervous.
This was her first real battle.
She was probably remembering the ghoul that had pierced the rookie orc warrior during the previous labyrinth.
“It’s fine. Relax.”
Managing companions’ mental states was the expedition leader’s duty.
I massaged Marlin’s tense shoulders and handed her my cultist starter weapon—a dagger.
“Take this.”
It was a cheap item that could be discarded after a few uses, so giving it away didn’t bother me.
Besides, cultists didn’t fight monsters with daggers anyway.
They had their own methods.
“Handle it carefully. It’s a ritual dagger, so the durability isn’t great.”
“Okay.”
Just as we finished preparing, the labyrinth’s owner appeared.
— Grrrk.
A red ant larger than most humans.
A Fire Ant.
Aside from its size, it looked identical to a normal ant—except that flames flickered from the pits where its eyes should have been.
《Fire Ant (Level 1)》
《A monster that overwhelms enemies with large bodies and numbers. Somewhat threatening, but ultimately just a mindless insect.》
Ten Fire Ants approached slowly.
Marlin gripped the dagger tightly.
“That priest lied! He said they weren’t disgusting!”
“He didn’t lie. If you rank insect disgust on a relative scale, ants are near the bottom.”
In labyrinths, grotesque appearance was also a survival strategy.
It reduced explorers’ willingness to fight.
— Grrrk!
Suddenly the ants charged.
From the floor.
From the walls.
From the ceiling.
A coordinated assault.
Beginner explorers often panicked and died in such chaos.
“…Stay away!”
But a tiger beastman with the blood of a predator wouldn’t be intimidated by insects.
Marlin stabbed the first ant’s head and swung her arm left.
Slash!
The monster approaching along the wall was instantly split in half.
She kicked another charging from the front.
Then she slashed another falling from the ceiling.
This wasn’t a battle.
It was a one-sided hunt.
No matter how many insect monsters appeared, they couldn’t compete with a predator.
She really fights well.
She still wasn’t using the dagger properly, but otherwise there was little to criticize.
Perhaps only that she fought so messily I’d have to buy her new clothes.
For someone experiencing her first labyrinth battle, she performed excellently.
It suggested she had fought frequently in the slums.
Why did she become a thief…
If she had been a warrior or hunter, she would have been perfect.
— Grrrk….
It took barely three minutes for all the Fire Ants to ascend to whatever heaven or hell existed for insects.
Marlin finally crouched down to catch her breath.
“…Phew.”
“Good work.”
I wiped the blood from her face with a handkerchief.
A sponsor should at least do that much.
Marlin raised an eyebrow.
“They’re weaker than I expected. Those ghouls we saw before were monsters. They even resurrected.”
“That was the abnormal case. Sneaking Ghouls are far stronger than most monsters in an E-Rank labyrinth. Normally you only encounter Level 1 monsters like these.”
“What level were the ghouls?”
“Level 3. Monsters usually found in D-Rank labyrinths.”
“…Thinking about it now, we were incredibly reckless.”
At least she realized it.
“Marlin, if you’re rested, start gathering materials.”
“Gathering?”
I looked over the corpses of the Fire Ants.
“If you cut open the abdomen, you’ll find blue stones. Those are Magic Stones. Collect them all.”
“Oh! Magic Stones!”
Magic Stones—mana-infused crystals.
They served countless purposes.
Fuel.
Material.
Currency.
They were the reason labyrinth cities functioned.
“Why didn’t we collect them in the previous labyrinth?”
“They only appear from dead monsters. The ghouls weren’t dead—they were just dismembered.”
There was a reason Sneaking Ghouls were considered excellent treatment for low blood pressure.
“And if you carefully dig around the eye sockets, you’ll find a small organ that emits fire. It’s called a Fire Gland. Be careful—it’s hot.”
Marlin tilted her head while working.
“What are you going to use them for?”
“They’ll all be useful.”
Her Dexterity wasn’t very high, so the work took time.
I waited patiently.
“Done.”
“Good. Let’s move before more ants arrive.”
“We’re heading for the exit, right?”
“No.”
“What?”
Marlin’s ears perked up.
“Why so surprised?”
“If not the exit, where are we going?”
Instead of answering, I pointed to a location on the map.
[Garbage Dump]
“We’re going here.”
“Garbage….”
“When you say it like that, it sounds like you’re insulting me.”
“Why would we go there?”
“This isn’t a garbage dump.”
Not at all.
“For me—this place is a treasure vault.”