Chapter 140
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: 14th Floor - Lv. 459 The Forgotten Ones (1)
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Not needing sleep and not having to sleep are two different things.
No matter how sturdy and resilient a human body becomes, it still operates on a 24-hour cycle.
This holds true for most non-human beings as well.
The leader had turned undead so quickly, it seemed, to prevent overwork.
When there's so much to do, an undead is the best choice. From a distance, undead and machines look indistinguishable.
Even as humans, orcs, and goblins slept through the dawn, the leader was pondering something, conducting one-on-one meetings with each party member for the first time in ages.
The Hunter's turn was last.
Everyone knew his goal anyway, and it was on the verge of being achieved.
"No need to beat around the bush. Your goal is still the Temple of Time?"
"Of course. I just want to see my wife and kids."
"Any complaints about the party's situation?"
"What would an old man on the verge of retirement have to complain about? I just wonder if it's still right for me to hold a position above the others."
Twelfth year.
In the tutorial sections, he might be treated as a veteran, but in this tutorial that's already blasted off into space, he's just another rookie.
It's true there were no more senior Exiles in the party aside from the leader.
"When I'm gone, you're the only ones left to back the leader, you and the old man. No choice. Honestly, you've exceeded expectations. Even the difficulty before the Twisted Kingdom was higher than expected."
"How did a backwater bumpkin Hunter like me end up here?"
"Truth be told, you're quite the talent. You have to rely on gear in combat, but if we'd had someone as diligent and capable as you in the last Run, it would've been great."
"I actually completed my military service."
"That explains the organized combat experience. So you must've married young?"
"As for my family on Earth... after the divorce, I lost track."
Secure on stable ground, even talk of outside lives—usually taboo—felt natural.
For Exiles, whose comrades come and go like shadows, it's just a necessary defense mechanism.
If it remains a fond memory, there's no issue.
Those without enough tenure make fools of themselves because they don't get it, but even the little mage has the experience to know better.
"The 10th floor, the boss level. You'll probably draw the Fairy Card there. Take it as your retirement bonus."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Not certain. But indirectly, you can dodge the Luck God's eyes. Vague hints, skipping causes and processes, leaving just the rough outcome—it's ambiguous enough."
Cryptic to a Hunter.
But an Exile who converses as an equal with gods, and whom gods treat likewise, would know the method.
Being a god-like veteran isn't exaggeration.
"I'm really lucky."
"Luck. That's the essence of this Labyrinth."
After that, it was just chit-chat. The leader was affable, skilled at putting people at ease.
The Hunter sipped liquor for the first time in ages; the leader, fairy blood.
The late-night talk continued until the Fleet Commander arrived.
The Hunter bowed and stepped out.
Military spaceships are like submarines. Narrow corridors and small rooms for maximum space efficiency.
Slightly roomier, assuming vampire soldiers.
He traversed the claustrophobic hall back to his quarters.
Lying on the subtly short bed, he opened his Mind Map.
[1226th Run]
[Remaining Time: 1 minute 12 seconds]
It's rare for an Exile to see their final timer.
The Hunter watched the countdown signaling he could never revive again.
Moments later, he became an NPC from an Exile, losing qualification to clear the Labyrinth.
The Fleet Commander—Goddess's great warrior, incarnation, Federation founder, devotee wanting max time with me, her faith's proof.
Unfortunately, I was exhausted, so instead of chit-chat, we discussed the Federation military's future.
No idea why he admired my strategic insight so much, but my ass was sore, so I dismissed him.
Not meaningless time.
Stealing my time with nonsense under the Goddess's watch would spell trouble.
Mainly debating responses to dragons soon appearing in space.
As a fleet admiral, he'd spread it widely.
The Goddess chimed in gracefully; eyes sparkling in prayer, he left my room.
Which is actually his commander quarters.
Silent condolences to junior officers and soldiers bunking with Four Stars—no, Four Lollipops.
The Nature God, now quite chummy, spoke up.
「That guy's state seemed off.」
"Recognize that expression?"
「Yeah, that one. When the immortality you thought was a curse finally ends, and you wonder if it wasn't a blessing after all.」
"Hard to get that bittersweet mix otherwise. Retiring after a century."
Even Exiles who settle successfully in the kingdom don't always finish exile life there, enjoying longevity.
The kingdom is comfy compared to prior sections most can't clear.
But where people live, it's never ideal as imagined.
The kingdom ripples with new Exiles each tutorial opening.
It's a society.
And a kingdom, for a reason.
Just a nexus of worlds otherwise.
Called 'kingdom' because of the king.
Who? The strongest, most powerful Exile.
Exiles are superhumans.
Never seen Exile democracy work.
How can one who flips earth with a strike equal a healthy guy in votes?
The strong decide everything.
Not good for those barely reaching it.
Society breeds classes. No welfare for the vulnerable in the Labyrinth.
Just livable for Labyrinth standards.
Hence Fairies and such opting to live as NPCs on the continent.
"Anyway, it's decently tolerable. Attachments build up."
Exiles learn to embrace death, yet grow distant from it.
Kingdom access changes info levels.
Easier repeats after arrival.
Frequent stays lead to complacency, time flies for non-challengers.
Then realization: remaining time, once cursed, becomes precious.
In non-hellish spots, restartable death is blessing, not curse.
A century scrambles instincts.
Most returning to death's embrace feel complex, showing in demeanor.
Veterans spot it.
Rare in Labyrinth's short bonds: that deep, sticky regret on the face.
The Hunter exactly.
End-nearing Exile's look.
The natural made alien again.
Terror of normalizing it.
Yet joy in peaceful death.
Thick emotion unique to broken survival instincts.
「If I felt it alone, it'd be suspicion, but I think the same.」
"Then it's probably right. Could check with the Goddess, but..."
「Just send off the party member soon anyway. Leave it.」
"Likely lived with Fairies in some past Run, died old. Don't poke."
Humans live short.
Stepping into Fairy traps at middling age/time twists life oddly.
「If really Fairy Card, perfect retirement gift.」
"Our party's welfare is top-notch."
Kingdom has many card sources.
But finding Temple of Time post-kingdom?
Even with the Girl, pie in the sky.
「So why the Girl like that?」
"Weird probabilities? Probably Luck Incarnate or something."
「Literally?」
"In this Labyrinth, probability control means Luck God only."
「Temple of Time... Hm. Might learn something. Your party's unlike any I've seen. Even high gods watching, right?」
"Planning to visit a Deep God follower soon, might chat then."
「High god suddenly replying? Shocking.」
Indeed.
High gods vague even in game lore.
If Labyrinth secrets I don't know, likely tied to them.
First, reach kingdom quick.
Unlike our party's transport with mana-restoring hot springs, theirs lacked such, so mages hadn't fully recovered.
Mages are consumables, no matter strength.
No mana potions.
Balance needs limits on versatile, high-firepower mages.
Considered longer rest, but seeing my remaining time killed the urge.
Three months meant snag somewhere.
No need resting here if forced break prepared.
"Stairs located. Mobile unit secured position. Proceed now?"
I did, naturally.
Asked how: AI predicts stairs from Exile spawns/progress.
New to me.
Country too serious about Exiles.
All troops saluting, band playing march, we entered stairs amid fanfare.
Familiar floatiness hit.
Air is always with us, so we might not appreciate it!
Too late now, but check if your inventory has oxygen storage!
None? Good luck next Run!
That's why ignorance kills. Shouldn't this tip appear before stairs?
Shit game. Those exclamation points are nauseating.
Space theme, obviously: maknae carried oxygen tanks.
Me and kiddo? Undead anyway.