Chapter 6: Wolf's Vision
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 6: Wolf's Vision
Once you reach the 3rd floor, Direwolves start appearing in earnest. No matter how lucky you are, you’re bound to end up in a fight at least once.
Sunlight filters through the dense canopy of leaves overhead. I head straight for the portal.
Well, not exactly running. I have to pace myself.
I just hope the same thing that happened last time doesn't repeat itself.
"...This is incredible."
My five senses are going wild. I can hear the rustle of leaves as tiny rodents—creatures I’ve never heard before—scurry up trees, and the distant thud of mid-sized animals like deer or elk moving through the brush.
The animal density here is much higher than in the plains. I mean, what would they even eat out there? At most, there are some raspberry-like bushes that grow about waist-high. Even herbivores have some sense. They don't usually hang out in wide-open plains where they can be seen from anywhere and have nowhere to hide.
I’m not entirely sure how my hearing got this sharp, but the Labyrinth is a place where you have to make the most of every ability you have.
"Let's be thorough. Let's stay safe."
After taking a sip of water from my metal canteen, I set off in the direction indicated by my plate.
My vision isn't exactly perfect. Human eyes are still better than a Direwolf's during the day. The penalty of not being able to distinguish certain colors is significant. Of course, my right eye compensates for that, so it’s not a major issue.
Instead, once night falls, the Direwolf side of my vision asserts itself, illuminating the darkness.
I have a lantern, but being able to see well in the dark is a massive advantage. Once I get used to it, I might even save some money on oil.
Besides, the leaves in this forest are so thick they block out half the light. Even though it's daytime, it’s not exactly bright. Not that I can't see, though.
Something’s ahead to the right.
It’s definitely not human. It’s a four-legged beast with a low profile... and it’s alone. It’s probably not a Direwolf, since they usually hunt in packs.
Distance... about 40 meters. It’s walking in the same direction as me. It’s hard to get a clear look because of the weeds growing up to my knees.
Let’s just see what it is.
To keep my footsteps as quiet as possible, I walked on the dirt, avoiding the grass. I lowered my upper body and picked up the pace.
It is a Direwolf. Why is it alone?
It looks like a straggler separated from its pack. If there’s only one, it’ll be an easy kill.
Slowly. As fast as possible.
I drew my one-handed sword from its sheath and moved quickly toward its rear.
The wind was blowing from the front, so it wouldn't be able to catch my scent. The rustling of the leaves provided a decent amount of ambient noise.
I decided to be a bit more daring.
"Hup...!"
—Crack.
Slightly to the right of the center of its back. I avoided the spine and pierced the lung to keep it from making noise.
—Keugh... Kugh...!
"Rest in peace, you bastard."
This was the start of the 3rd floor.
* * *
It was already past 3:00 PM by the time I entered the Labyrinth.
After spending about three hours on the 1st and 2nd floors, two more hours passed, and night fell while I was still on the 3rd floor.
On my last trip, this was exactly when I ran into that pack of Direwolves.
But now, I think I understand why.
"I can't believe I used to walk around with a lantern in a forest this dark."
The best part about having a Direwolf’s eye is definitely this night vision. Looking through a wolf's eye, I can see just how crazy humans are.
The forest is dense, but it consists of conifers with thin trunks that grow straight toward the sky. Since the branches only start growing about three meters up, it’s actually quite easy to see far into the distance, contrary to the typical image of a forest.
The terrain is flat, and there’s nothing like fog to obstruct the view. If you walk around with a light on, you’d be visible from hundreds of meters away.
"Of course they’d come to hunt you."
It’s a shame, but it looks like I won't need to use the whale oil I just bought. Lighting a lamp now would do nothing but broadcast my position to every Direwolf in the forest.
Naturally, this is only because I have a Direwolf’s eye. A normal human would absolutely have to light a lamp. It’s a choice between "I can see and the wolves can see me" versus "I can't see but the wolves can see me." Plus, wild animals are generally afraid of fire by default.
Regardless, this is useful.
The circumstances were a bit unsettling, but the Direwolf eye is definitely helping with the Labyrinth exploration. Its performance is top-notch.
Even though it’s night, I don't feel particularly tired. Part of it is because I haven't had a real fight yet, but even so, I feel strangely energized.
"Am I a man who suits the night?"
Since there’s no one around, I find myself muttering embarrassing things out loud.
After walking for about thirty minutes, I sat down for a moment to soothe my growling stomach. It feels like the days are going to get longer from here on out. Summer is inefficient because of the heat.
I’ve heard the heat here isn't the "I'm going to die just standing here" kind like in Korea, but the human body naturally generates heat while moving. This period, where it feels slightly cool, is the peak season for exploration. Though, it might be different for someone who handles heat well but hates the cold.
I don't see any Direwolves since I don't have a light on.
I leaned my back against a tree for a short break and opened my pouch. My gambeson is well-padded, so leaning back for a bit doesn't hurt.
Inside the pouch, I found eight grain cubes wrapped in a white cotton cloth. Most people use these when they need to store food during a Labyrinth run.
This white cloth is basically the Labyrinth’s version of Tupperware. Unless it’s jerky, dry rations, or something else that needs an airtight seal, people just use the cloth. Most of the food brought into the Labyrinth is dried anyway, so it doesn't matter if it's exposed to the air. You just wrap it up and stuff it in your pouch, and you're done.
The grain cubes don't taste like much, but if you chew on them for a while, a faint sweetness comes through. It’s like an energy bar without the chocolate.
The weather has gotten warmer than before, but the water in my metal canteen is still refreshingly cool.
"Whew, this is nice."
The intake of carbohydrates seems to send a surge of energy through my body.
No matter how much of a Direwolf it is, there’s no way it can find me sitting on the ground in the middle of the night without a light.
I carefully wiped the sword I’d used only once to make sure it didn't smell of blood. Normally, you’re supposed to wipe a blade with an oiled cloth after use, but I’m not wealthy enough to waste oil on a cloth just because I put one nick in a Direwolf’s back. For now, I just wiped off the blood before sheathing it.
There are people passing by over there.
The portal is currently to my left. Maybe that’s why I can see a flickering light—the kind humans carry—far off to the right. They’re walking toward the portal.
Damn, is that a party with one guy and two girls? I'm jealous! They look young, too.
The boy leading the way with a torch is wearing metal armor on his upper body and chainmail that reaches his knees. He’s equipped with a one-handed sword and a buckler.
His eyes look quite brave. Yeah, kids like you are the ones who get to be the protagonists of this world. He must be rich, too; that armor looks high-quality.
The problem is that because he’s holding the lantern in his right hand, his buckler and sword are awkwardly clustered on his left.
I'm sure they'll figure it out. You're just a Brass Grade. Get a grip, Yoo Eon.
They look like Brass Grades as well. Looks like they’re heading for the 5th floor.
"Hmm."
Anyway, my night vision has definitely improved. Even with the moonlight since there are no clouds, they’re clearly over a hundred meters away. Being able to check their equipment from this distance is pretty incredible.
"Phew, let's get up."
Sitting alone in the pitch-black forest without a single light makes me feel a bit depressed. It might be because of that party I just saw.
Once I rank up from Lead Grade, I need to find a party first.
They're still there.
One of the two girls in the back looks like an archer. The other has a buckler and an arming sword, just like the guy in front. Two in the front, one in the back? A classic formation.
Looking at them from a wolf's perspective, they look like complete lunatics. Carrying a light in a dark forest makes them visible from hundreds of meters away.
Should I go over and say something?
No, forget it. I'm not some uneducated jerk who interrupts a man's happy hour.
I’m used to the darkness, but seeing a light ahead does make me feel a bit more at ease.
Shit. "Used to the darkness." What a cringey thing to say.
Of course, the way I’m walking around in the middle of the night without a light would probably look just as insane to anyone else.
On the 1st and 2nd floors, the area around the portal is a plain, so it’s not an issue, but from the 3rd floor on, the portal is tucked away in the middle of the forest. Naturally, the vanguard explorers have cleared the surrounding area to build a base and protect the portal, so it’s usually visible.
I think I’ve been walking for about three hours on the 3rd floor now. I still don't see the portal. They said it’s very bright even at night, so I should see it as I get closer.
"Wait."
To the left of the party walking ahead... isn't that a pack of Direwolves?
"Whoa."
They’re in that characteristic pre-hunt posture. Bellies pressed flat against the ground, bodies lowered, eyes turned upward, staring at their prey.
Wait, they're that close and they haven't noticed?
The party is walking along, oblivious, looking only straight ahead. Isn't a perimeter watch mandatory?
...It's because of the torch.
They’re definitely rookies. Holding a bright light source—one where you can't even adjust the brightness—right in front of your eyes means your pupils are flooded with light, making it impossible to see into the dark forest.
This is why you have to buy a lantern. They have covers divided into eight sections, so you can block the light coming toward you and only illuminate what’s in front. Auntie’s advice really is a lifesaver.
Still, I should probably help.
"Watch out! There are Direwolves on your left!"
When I shouted at the top of my lungs, both the Direwolves and the explorer party jumped in surprise.
The Direwolves were the first to snap out of it.
Twelve of them. They have the numbers, but there are four humans here. I took down six by myself, so by my calculations, this is a winnable fight...!