Chapter 192: This is the Spirit
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 192: This is the Spirit
"How much time has passed?"
The sky was either showing the glow of a setting sun or was a pitch-black night with no intention of letting the sun rise again. After storing the Mana Core that had belonged to the Knight Lord’s younger sister, I looked around, but there was no one in sight.
I couldn't tell if it was past midnight or not. Since I wasn't sure, I debated whether to head down to the 41st floor or go straight back up to the 35th.
"With this much time gone, I guess winning a prize is out of the question."
I didn't blame the Knight Lord in the slightest. I knew the weight of the decision he had to make—to personally send his own sister away—and that he had made that choice before a single night had even passed.
In the end, I decided to return to the surface.
"Ah, I had that, didn't I?"
First, I pulled out the bracelet Aurora had given me from my storage artifact.
Sshhh...
The bracelet emitted a faint, unique five-colored glow. By using this, I could start from the 40th floor the next time I entered the labyrinth. It had the advantage of not needing to go through the guild, but since I had to climb back up and exit through the guild to officially return anyway, it was better to use it once I reached the 1st floor. It might look suspicious if I suddenly popped out of a labyrinth portal without any record of entry.
Flash!
"Is it done?"
I wasn't entirely sure, but a complex magic formation was now engraved inside a ruin building located in a blind spot near the temple. It seemed like a fairly precious artifact; having something like this would make labyrinth exploration incredibly easy.
When I entered the labyrinth up to the 30th floor last time, I couldn't use it because I had lost consciousness. I thought about using it when I woke up on the 25th floor, but there were too many eyes watching.
"I should bring Dora next time."
Time to make a quick return.
* * *
"Explorer Aven...!"
"Dahlia. Is it past midnight by any chance?"
"Yes...! It’s already two in the morning...!"
As expected, midnight had passed, and the festival was nearing its end. Calax was currently spending its most brilliant final night. Since it was the opposite of the eve of the festival, I suppose you could call it the post-midnight festival.
"Unfortunately, I didn't win anything. Something came up on the 40th floor."
"Ah, right. Because of that..."
"Because of what?"
"Yo, Aven. You really pulled off something huge, didn't you?"
"Oh, Katrina."
Katrina, the Southwest Guild’s certified salary thief, approached while munching on a festival pie.
"You know that the events on the 40th floor were being broadcast, right?"
"Ah, right. I forgot about that."
"Everything that happened inside is common knowledge on the surface now."
"Hmm, well, this is awkward."
Katrina naturally rested her elbow on the head of the seated Dahlia. Using Dahlia as an armrest, Katrina continued her story.
"There was an emergency meeting at the Guild Headquarters. Because of what you did."
"Did... something bad happen?"
"A new strategy for the labyrinth—one that can neutralize a boss entity on a high floor and obtain loot—has been discovered. Of course it’s a big deal."
That made sense. However, I doubted everyone could neutralize that boss just by following my method. Besides, there probably wasn't anything left to gain by entering the temple anyway.
"So, what am I supposed to do?"
"First, our branch got a message. They told us to hand over Explorer Aven once the festival is over."
"I’m not an object. And I’m not even under the Southwest branch, so why should I?"
"That’s just how people at the top are. They don't know how things work down here, so they just give orders and expect the underlings to figure it out."
I guess that part is the same whether it's this world or my old one. Regardless, it meant I had to respond to the summons from the Explorer’s Guild Headquarters.
"What if I say no?"
"Do you have a reason?"
"Not particularly."
"Then I’m asking as a favor. Please go. The kids here are getting grilled."
"I was actually planning on going. Don't worry."
"Aren't you a sweetheart? Want some pie?"
"Haha... No thanks."
Why would you offer me a pie you're already eating?
"Oh, and one more thing. Don't act submissive when you go. They don't have the power to do anything to you anyway, and they can't stop you from leaving Calax. They’ll act high and mighty, but that’s just because they want to push you around."
"I see. Understood. When should I come by?"
"There’s no exact schedule yet. It’ll probably start the day after tomorrow, but we won't know the details until they come out. I’ll contact you, so just wait at your inn."
Since it was still the festival period, the guild was expected to be busy sorting things out. I decided to wait at the inn for a while.
"Yes. I'll do that. Dahlia, I'm heading out."
"Ah, good job with the match. It’s a shame you didn't win, but... you achieved something incredible."
"Haha, thank you."
That settled that. I had a mountain of things I wanted to ask Iris, but for now, I headed back to the inn to announce my return.
* * *
"Sera? Even Dora?"
"Yoo Eon...!"
"Aven! Why are you back so late!?"
"I-I'm here too, Yoo Eon!"
"Ravi's here too."
"What’s with that reaction!?"
In the inn's first-floor dining area, Sera and Theodora were waiting for me, half-asleep. Ravi came running out, shaking the water off her hands as if she had just come from the restroom.
"Were you waiting for me? I'm touched."
"You were so late.... We waited for so long, thinking something might have happened...!"
"Exactly...! Do you have any idea what time it is!?"
"Something came up. I'm sorry for making you wait so late."
When I apologized, the intensity of the three women's excitement died down a bit. For an ordinary person, just returning alive from the labyrinth on time would be a feat. I felt like their expectations had become a bit too high.
"Phew, you're okay, right? We saw everything. What happened on the 40th floor?"
"It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later. You all must be tired, what about sleep?"
"Sleep? On the last night of the festival? We all took naps during the day."
No wonder they were all dressed to go out. As I walked back to the inn, I had noticed the streets were incredibly lively.
I heard at the guild that the winners would be announced around 3 AM.
"I... see. So that means we have to enjoy the night?"
"Mom and Dad already went out. Let's go see the outside too!"
"Yes! We've been waiting so hard!"
Ravi certainly looked the part. She usually slept a lot, but it was obvious she had washed her face to wake herself up. Her bangs were still damp.
"Alright then. Since everyone's up for it."
* * *
It was the final night of the Calax Birth Festival. People were out on the streets drinking and eating meat, and they were supposedly holding massive bonfires in the Western Park and Northern Plaza.
Street vendors were slashing prices and calling out to customers to sell off their remaining stock. Some drunken merchants were even giving their wares away.
It was a mess, but a joyful one.
"That! Let's eat that, Yoo Eon!"
"Yes, yes. Let's go."
"Aven! I want to buy that."
"Sure, sure, let's buy it."
"Yoo Eon, how does this look?"
"It suits you well. Let's get one."
The storage artifact, an explorer's cheat code, was proving its worth on the surface as well.
"What is this?"
"Haha, this is an Oath Necklace! They come in pairs, and if you give one to the person you love, your love is guaranteed to come true!"
"Whoa. Isn't this a cursed item?"
Imagine the horror of receiving one from someone you hate. Of course, I was just being dramatic; it was likely just a sales tactic.
"Heh, hmmm..."
"I-It does look pretty...?"
"Ooh.... I-I wonder what kind of magic is on it...."
The three women with me had stars in their eyes. They looked ready to bury their noses in the display stand.
"Haha, everyone. It’s just a gimmick. This is obviously..."
"Aha? A gimmick? I truly had no idea."
"Wow, I almost got fooled. Our Aven is so smart, isn't he?"
"What!? There’s no magic on it!?"
The look in their eyes was terrifying. If I kept this up, I felt like I wouldn't survive the night. I had to find a way out.
"Um... can I buy a few more of the female necklaces?"
"Eh?"
The merchant stared at me blankly for a moment, then looked at the group standing beside me.
After showing a hint of fluster, he let out a boisterous laugh.
"Bwahahaha! You're quite the capable man! Here, take them! Just give me three gold coins!"
"Haha, may your business prosper."
They were probably meant to be pairs, so I had likely messed up his inventory of female necklaces. But what could he do? If a customer wants to buy, you sell.
'What is this?'
To my surprise, I ended up with four heart-shaped necklaces that had been split in half.
"Don't tell me..."
The companions who had been staring at the stand with sparkling eyes just moments ago were now pretending to be distracted, commenting on how pretty the sky was or how they wanted to eat meat. It was exactly how kids act before getting pocket money on a holiday.
'Did he give me one for Ravi too?'
I hadn't really thought about it, but now that I did, it would be awkward to leave Ravi out.
"Everyone, gather around for a second."
"Hmm~... What is it, Yoo Eon?"
"D-Did you call? What's up?"
"Gasp! The neckla—"
Before Ravi could finish her sentence, Theodora and Sera’s hands quickly clamped over her mouth. Fortunately, Ravi’s words were cut short.
"Well, uh... this is a gift. It’s nothing much, but please take it."
"W-Wow...! It’s a beautiful necklace...!"
"Hmph... The d-design is okay."
"A n-necklace...."
As I held the necklaces, Sera and Theodora naturally bowed their heads, offering the napes of their necks to me. Ravi didn't do that; she just reached out her hand.
"Haha..."
In the end, it was only after I personally fastened the necklaces around the two women's necks that smiles returned to everyone's faces. As the two of them spent a long moment admiring the necklaces around their necks, they were just about to say something.
"Yoo Eon—"
"Aven—"
Bang! Pop!
"Ah! Fireworks! I think they're starting!"
"F-Fireworks!?"
"Ugh..."
Because Ravi dragged Sera and Theodora away, the words they were trying to say were never finished. They looked incredibly frustrated.
"Let's go. It’s not like today is the only day we'll be together."
"T-That’s true, right?!"
"Well...! You're not wrong!"
The place was bustling. Fireworks were exploding in the sky, the streets were crowded, and the sounds of boisterous laughter filled my ears.
"Yeah."
A festival should always feel like this.