Chapter 184
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Stage 12 - Lv.652 Mad Mage (1)
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The biggest reason warriors shun mages is that if they're on equal footing, it's damn hard for the warrior to win.
In a world where modern nation-state rule of law doesn't function properly...
The kingdom's public safety is abysmal by Earth's standards.
If a warrior and a mage suddenly clash in the wilderness, it's hugely disadvantageous for the warrior.
So they keep their distance, and that's how they've ended up living in entirely separate territories.
That's also why titles serve as de facto IDs.
If you flaunt a title that doesn't look like easy pickings, you're largely safe from crime.
On the flip side, titles that are too flashy can be problematic.
To put it bluntly, the ones our party has don't fully match our combat prowess.
It's just the situation, some decent luck, and me being awesome that got us these.
For now, we need to hide the ones that shine too brightly.
"The scenery keeps getting more fascinating. It was weird from the start, though. The people walking around are really something."
We'd passed the outskirts of the city where we'd been enjoying our date and reached the central district where Hardrock's [Rift] was located.
There was a checkpoint for ID verification midway. Rifts are profit centers in themselves, so they don't let just anyone through.
It's far stricter than the boundary between the slums and the city proper.
In kingdom nations, the closer you get to the center, the rougher and tougher the folks you see.
They're the 'adventurers' you often see in fantasy stories.
These adventurers constantly coming and going from the [Rifts] form one pillar of the kingdom's plunder-based economy—the primary industry workers.
They roam various servers and dimensional rifts, extracting resources and supplying them to the kingdom.
Of course, sometimes they're merchants rather than raiders.
They trade with server NPCs or continental natives and run big operations.
But those Exiles are the upper echelon. Most are day laborers doing manual work.
And in the kingdom—especially Hardrock—the proportion of such laborers is high, and they're treated accordingly well.
"There are some seriously menacing faces here, almost as bad as our baby Uncle."
"But there are cops too."
"You mean the ones with the Hardrock guild emblem?"
"They can't survive without maintaining basic order."
Without even those basic systems, bandits would camp at Rift entrances and ambush for loot.
It's the top priority issue and the most tightly controlled one.
Adventurers can't self-regulate properly, so even posers need oversight from massive guild alliances.
That's the whole point of nations in the kingdom.
Not resident welfare or anything like that.
The central city district, where these adventurers ply their trade, had a very different vibe in many ways.
The slums' gritty, dingy feel lingered somewhat, but it coexisted with the tidy residential outskirts vibe.
On top of that, there were diverse races and colorful gear everywhere.
You'd see plate-mail-clad warriors lugging greatswords and assault rifles on their backs.
Or massive trolls lumbering by, covered in hand axes and grenades dangling everywhere.
In some alley corner, a pistol-packing dwarf might be gravely inspecting a chain sickle while grinding it.
As for us...
"Try not to use the guns on your back if possible."
"Why not! I'm a good shot!"
"The kid's better."
"Hiiing."
She's scared I'll get mad, so she won't tell the kid to shoot.
But guns are inherently prestigious gear.
True warriors don't avoid guns. Without relevant skills, they're still the most versatile ranged option and highly prized.
A plasma rifle? Any party's leader would applaud and welcome it.
Hell, it might even get you mugged right after entering the Rift.
Our whole party carries at least one gun.
Average Exiles rarely get chances to access future tech, so SF gear trades at premium prices.
Calling the kid a mage outright would be dicey, so we set her cover as a magic-trained sniper.
Warriors' hatred of mages is ironic—we can exploit that bias.
Inside Rifts, a spell-slinging ally is a godsend anyway.
So compromises like dual-classers or magic swordsmen in between work.
In warrior lands, those are valued party members. A sniper kid? Welcome anywhere.
Of course, her ten-year-old looks wipe out all those advantages as a massive drawback.
"With our [Key Items], we can skip quite a few stages, so let's borrow some other party help."
"'Stages' feels so gamey."
"Same as floors. Labyrinths have always been like that."
Plenty of party leaders recruiting members. Bulletin boards at rest areas list all kinds of jobs.
"If you spot one needing an agility DPS, tell me. Stage 10 or higher. Map doesn't matter. They need clear records."
"Got it!"
You can't advance to the next stage without clearing the prior one.
But that's for party leaders. They have to punch through first.
Once you find a match, head to the waiting area for interviews.
Let's go as a trio. The dwarf who'd been tending his chain sickle earlier was waiting.
Mossy dwarf—looks like an old man.
"Oh, tall adventurers. Let's see your resumes?"
We hand over Hardrock certified docs. Forged, of course.
Didn't fake our years, though.
Ten-plus years are self-reported anyway. Face-saving means they just note if you're still an Exile or term's up.
Ours were all tweaked by our dear Mayer.
Labyrinth paperwork's reliability is about that level.
Clears are rigorously logged and verifiable, though, so trustworthy.
Ours are faked too, but whatever.
The dwarf leader seemed pleased with our trio's clear history.
"Impressive. Good gear, skill, long-term teamwork. Ours did the same, but our DPSes retired after contract end—bought a house."
"Whoever they were, we'll do better. Guaranteed."
"Hope we keep good relations. But why dagger warrior? Nah, genuinely curious. Super rare."
His gaze naturally went to Hwi-woo.
Hwi-woo smiled brightly and replied.
"Tutorial breakthrough method kinda locked me in."
"Huh, got it. Pretty doesn't always mean good. Veered assassin, huh? Weak shit—skip it next run."
"Noted."
Hwi-woo's wings and ring were hidden with illusion magic.
She looks human, so that hint alone suggested her ordeals.
The dwarf leader nodded without more questions.
"The little miss there—no, age unknown. What magic can you handle, miss?"
The kid answered in her bright, practiced voice.
We'd trained her to sound less childlike. Better she seem mature despite looks.
"Most support spells, and some fire attack magic."
"No need for attacks, so don't worry."
Finally, eyes on me.
"You're the most normal. Vampire swordsman. Rare too. Proboi Clan blood?"
"Barbarian, actually."
"Tree must be messed up. Kekeke."
Decision made, time to register.
The Hardrock state mage, looking exhausted, processed us after approval.
Now the party's logged in Hardrock's DB, accessible anytime.
"Introductions."
"I'm Orgel."
Hwi-woo's alias is Dagger. Asked why a weapon name; easy to remember, she said.
Kid's Little. Fits her tiny look.
"Real half-assed names. I'm Logan. Level 231, as posted. Hey, Jenny! Come say hi."
Wondered who; a fairy napping nearby bolted up and ran over. Cat ears—leaf fairy.
Dual swords. Not a tank at all.
"Nya, Uncle Logan. Got people?"
"Fairy tanking?"
"Nah, I solo tank. I'll handle aggro; just DPS."
"Nyahaha. Uncle Logan's from the [Black Bear] guild."
"Most famous tank group. That chain sickle for threat?"
"Long leash is comfy."
Veterans for sure. Good pick.
"Alright, off to work. Hope we mesh well."
Heading to the Rift altar.
The Rift looks like a massive energy blob.
Oval blue energy field shimmers invitingly.
Surrounding altars glow with its power.
Party leader offers [Key Item], teleports to suitable spot.
This time, not a dimensional rift—a server.
"Stage 12, not too hard. Just lots of strong beasts."
Logan's offering: horn from unnamed beast stamped 12.
Matches Tutorial Floor 12 difficulty; beast monsters mainly.
Ours was atypically brutal, so exception.
Unlike pure random Tutorial, Exiles can somewhat choose destinations within ranges.
Pick suitable [Key Items], grind efficiently.
So viable if not suicidally reckless.
Why cleared Exiles who skip challenges still adventure.
I glanced at Logan offering the item, then snuck a peek at Hwi-woo.
She knows now. Weird probability spikes might be her fault.
She's worried, puzzled plenty, but no clear cause.
If post-kingdom we keep busting designs, it might not be good.
Isn't the hardship enough already?
One hopeful note: As Time's Apostle now, Luck God's meddling might be blocked.
Transcendents don't interfere in domains.
Could be.
Light flashes.
The freshly formed quintet slips into the glow.
Only we three tense.
Logan and Jenny stand blankly as we teleport; we scan directions, ready to bail.
Logan quirks a brow.
"Not a multiple of 5. Why boss-fight tension at stage 12...?"
Words cut off.
Floating sensation; loading begins.
[TIP: What comes to mind for a grand mage doing bio-experiments on a remote island? Grotesque chimeras, cages of ultra-feral beasts? Correct.]
Ah, random encounter.
Vanishingly rare at stage 12. Suited for 25 boss fights.
Time God's slacking, huh. Damn.
[Main Dungeon] better not pull this crap.
Please...