Dark Labyrinth

"I've talked with all the slaves yesterday and decided who to sell and who to keep."

Fighters: Namgung Seojun (leader, guide), Gisohee (attacker), Lee Guho (attacker), Jo Jaehun (guard), Dmitri (sub-guard), Li Zhangwei (freeroll), Isu-yeon (tail)

Porters: Kim Hoon (sub-guard), Jin Soyoung

Sex slaves: Yuki

A total of 10 people were selected, and the party members nodded in confirmation. It was regrettable to see comrades they'd suffered alongside get sold off, but it was an understandable choice.

"To head into the 10th floor field, we need various skills, but I already have the others. The one skill our party lacks is just one: Direction Sense."

"But buying that skill costs 5,000 Merit Points. Does anyone want to purchase it?"

Everyone from the slaves to the regular party members knew they didn't have 5,000 Merit Points, so it was impossible. Still, Namgung Seojun asked for procedural sake. And as expected, no one raised their hand.

"Then, we'll finalize the party composition by recruiting a final party member with Direction Sense or buying a slave who has it."

Everyone agreed with his words.

Namgung Seojun wandered the slave market with Jo Jaehun, searching for a slave with Direction Sense. But there were none.

"Direction Sense? Slaves with that skill sell out immediately regardless of 1st or 2nd class—at extremely high prices!"

It was an essential skill from the 10th to 19th floors, making it hard to even find stock. So the two roamed the plaza and checked guilds for party members with the skill, but none were available right away.

In the end, Seojun put in a request at the guild to introduce anyone—slave or party member—with Direction Sense and decided to wait.

The group didn't sit idle while waiting for someone with Direction Sense. They roamed the areas around the 10th floor to adapt to the darkness and leveled up at the same time.

Dark, damp, and uncomfortable maze region—after exploring it himself, Namgung Seojun realized patience was key, teamwork was crucial, and the leader's charisma was even more vital.

"Dmitri! Your primary role is guard! Get your head in the game and hold that shield up!"

"Jo Jaehun, be ready for side ambushes at all times. The 10th floor section is full of them."

"Porters, keep thinking of positions that don't hinder the team and move accordingly."

"Isu-yeon, keep up quickly while handling every role. Wipe traces, guard the rear, everything! That's what a tail does!"

"Everyone, snap to it and focus! On the 10th floor, mistakes or lapses in attention mean a high chance of fatal damage."

Seojun firmly pointed out issues to the team and drilled their duties into them.

Upon reaching the 10th floor, the monsters' quality had risen sharply. Goblins and kobolds common up to the 9th were nowhere to be seen, with orcs now the lowest tier.

These powerful monsters ambushed through the darkness. Climbers had to stay vigilant or risk their lives.

In this situation, Namgung Seojun once again felt how amazing his Super Sense was. It perfectly detected traps in pitch-black darkness and played a huge role in disarming them. It sensed enemies flawlessly even in the dark, warned of ominous signs to avoid ambushes, and enabled safe movement.

This god-tier talent made the dark 10th floor no different from lower sections.

Trusting his Super Sense, Seojun focused on leveling the party. Their average level was around 14-15 now; symbolic level 20 was just around the corner.

At level 20, they would receive a new main skill—at least Rare grade—which influenced the job received on the 20th floor.

Thus, the party roamed the 10th floor, adapting while leveling up. After a day's short adventure, they returned to Prakoss, the 10th floor city. Seojun assigned Gisohee to handle party maintenance and loot sorting, then headed straight to the slave market.

He asked at the largest temple-certified shop.

"Uh, about what I mentioned last time?"

"Ah! The slave with Direction Sense? Nothing yet."

Ten days had passed, but they couldn't even glimpse a slave with Direction Sense.

"I'll pay a lot of money to buy one. Please let me know if any come in."

"Yes, sure..."

From the merchant's half-hearted reply, Seojun sensed many adventurers like him were hunting for Direction Sense, making it tough.

Next, they visited the info guild.

"Namgung Seojun! Welcome!"

The guild staff greeted him brightly. Though Seojun had given up hope, he asked anyway.

"No one with Direction Sense today either?"

"......"

But unlike usual, the staff didn't reply. Seojun's eyes widened at this first reaction in 10 days.

"Wait, is there one?!"

"Well, there is... but... We've heard around, and yes, there is one, but..."

The guild staff hesitated before explaining.

Liu Dajing was a long-time resident adventurer on the 10th floor section. With Direction Sense, he enjoyed perks shuttling between the 10th and 15th floors. But his personality was rotten, his tendencies trashy—guilds didn't want to recommend him.

"Are you sure about this?"

The staff asked worriedly again, but Namgung Seojun nodded.

"Yes, I'd like to meet him."

Trash or not, his god-tier Super Sense said it was fine, so he decided to meet Liu Dajing.

The moment he saw Liu Dajing's slovenly appearance, Namgung Seojun thought, Is this for real?

Liu Dajing had Direction Sense, but everything else about him was subpar. Even his thoughts were scheming how to freeload rather than contribute properly.

"Hahaha, hello. I'm Liu Dajing. The guy you've been dying for—with Direction Sense! Hahaha!"

From his first words, he spoke as if he were sacrificing for the party.

"Parties desperate for me are lining up, but I heard you have an inviter, so I decided to meet you!"

"I won't join combats ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at all. Carrying luggage is too hard for me. In exchange, I'll use Direction Sense exactly twice an hour to check directions."

"So, treat me well, yeah?"

Seojun didn't want him. But Super Sense clearly signaled to accept him.

"Sigh... If you join our party, even as a porter you'll gain plenty of EXP and Merit Points. We'll treat you as a full party member—14% of total income. That should cover your finances nicely."

Seojun stated flatly: standard party member rewards, no extras.

Liu Dajing eyed him, judging he couldn't squeeze more here.

"Well... a bit dissatisfied, but I'll take it."

Truth was, Liu Dajing was desperate too—his money had run dry, forcing him to work. So he accepted.

With negotiations done, Namgung Seojun pulled out a god's contract.

For ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a deal to climb to the 20th together. But Liu Dajing shook his head at the sight.

"I don't sign contracts. Never."

He rambled excuses: past losses from contracts, none ever fair.

Namgung Seojun sighed at his attitude.

"Then how can we trust you to climb together?"

"Hohoho, we trust each other! I've survived fine without contracts. I'll do my part."

Liu Dajing flatly refused. He'd skip joining over ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a contract.

Seojun really didn't want him. Yet Super Sense urged acceptance here too.

Rejecting him meant Seojun had to grind 5,000 Merit Points for the skill himself to proceed.

Seojun tabled the decision on Liu Dajing's joining and returned to the inn. He summoned the regular party members for a meeting.

"......"

When Seojun honestly explained Liu Dajing, everyone looked uneasy—especially Gisohee.

"Seojun... Do we really have to take him as a party member?"

Her unusual complaint was understandable, but he trusted Super Sense.

"Trust me on this one too."

Gisohee nodded at Namgung Seojun's words, and they decided to accept Liu Dajing.

The next day, since Liu Dajing refused contracts, Seojun prepared alternatives.

"Since you won't sign a contract... I'll record the terms via status modification."

Not as binding as a god's contract, but recordable for disputes as reference.

Liu Dajing nodded, deeming it acceptable.

"First, once joined, follow my orders unless something major happens."

"Yes."

"Settlements: as I said yesterday, 30% party funds, remaining 70% split equally among regular members."

"Yes."

"Use Direction Sense when I, the leader, request it."

"Yes."

"Next..."

Namgung Seojun explained at length; Liu Dajing replied perfunctorily.

And so, he joined the party.