Chapter 81
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Floor 9 - Lv.60 Weaklings (1)
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The Kingdom is a settlement where Exile society has taken root.
A massive empty space carved out at the heart of the Labyrinth.
The reason it's called a kingdom is usually because that's exactly what forms here.
Before the Kingdom era, in the main medieval fantasy timeline, the Labyrinth residents don't have a clear grasp of Exiles.
They just see them as mysterious hordes endlessly popping up from somewhere to stir up trouble.
But time flows for the residents too.
They don't stay medieval fantasy folk forever.
Technology advances, magic evolves.
And inevitably, questions arise when they clash with them.
What the hell are those Exile bastards, really?
So, research naturally follows.
At first, they're dismissed as foreigners with no real value beyond miracle elixirs from sacred springs.
But as eras progress toward the future, Exiles' influence and position in history grow.
Exiles who fought alongside legendary ancestors, Exiles who become a race's arch-nemeses in myths.
These guys are alive and breathing right beside them, so they even hold value as historical records.
In unraveling the mystery, residents eventually learn one key fact.
The Labyrinth's existence.
Research into Exiles and the Labyrinth continues endlessly afterward, ultimately yielding answers.
Residents may be NPCs, but they're not idiots.
The Kingdom is undeniably Exile territory, but it's not exclusive to them.
The kingdom built there is typically a nation where NPCs live alongside them.
A kingdom where roughly half the population consists of Exiles.
"And this floor is basically practice for that sort of thing."
"Hm... I was skeptical when you said all my past years felt like a tutorial. But you're right."
The Hunter accepted the truth without much inner turmoil.
His goal was already within reach. No lingering attachments meant no shock.
This was a man chasing his own happiness, not Labyrinth secrets.
"Free PK floor, huh. It's feeling more and more like a game."
"Yeah. Who knows, maybe it really is someone's game."
"Heehee, I love games."
He hadn't revealed his gamer status to the party yet.
The Goddess had figured it out from her own experiences.
Not something to broadcast anyway.
It basically told listeners, "You're all just NPCs."
So Provence's approach on Floor 3 was pretty naive. Understandable in desperation, though.
"It's not a full-fledged setup like the Kingdom, but odd floors like this have settlers. No Sudden Death here."
Though the theme sucks. Snowfields are cold and barren. Farming's tough, living's uncomfortable.
Odd floors aren't chunks of the continent—they're entirely separate, sealed spaces. Yet somehow they have ecosystems and connections to somewhere beyond the 'map.'
Strictly speaking, it's confinement, but plenty of Exiles crave that life.
"Not all Exiles, of course."
Rumors of the Kingdom spread like it's paradise on earth, drawing believers who strive to reach it.
In these harsh, enclosed lands, dissatisfaction is rampant.
Those who figure they've got enough tenure and can make it soon.
Not inevitable killers, but folks numb to murder.
People become prey, EXP fodder.
The Hunter knew that feeling.
"At first, no one thinks of killing. Everyone's just exhausted..."
"But stick around without pushing on, and mindsets shift. Free PK gives big EXP bonuses for humans."
"Once they taste it, some can't hold back. Can't be helped."
Once progressed far enough, other Exiles make prime targets.
They farmed different even floors, so their gear differs. Everyone covets it.
But EXP-wise, it loses meaning.
Killing one wild troll nets ten times the EXP of a human Exile.
Unless for early pumping, Exile EXP is negligible.
"Here, though? One kill, one level. Guaranteed."
Eyes glaze over. Motive for murder sparks.
Then head to the next floor stronger? Reach the Kingdom?
Levels rise in real-time, so bonuses stack instantly.
Why do people get hooked on games? Instant rewards. Instant growth.
The thrill of achievement.
Free PK floors make the Labyrinth suddenly feel like a game.
Labyrinth level-ups aren't easy. EXP needs skyrocket, gains are capped.
Fighting strong monsters is burden enough.
But Exiles?
Not rotten backflow from the Kingdom—these are mediocre aspirants like them.
Very doable, right?
"That's nasty."
"Nasty as hell. The Labyrinth always tempts you. Never lets you coast."
"Ugh."
Paradoxically, only Kingdom veterans are free of that lure.
They know simple levels aren't optimal. No need to risk life.
Labyrinth levels measure strength importantly, but not absolutely.
"Not for Exiles who never make veteran."
Nothing beats levels for intuition and wonder. Skills especially.
To get it all, you level up.
A stable settlement turns into an easy EXP event.
The Labyrinth provides floors for secure life—then reasons not to settle.
Truly brimming with malice in the pettiest ways.
The little mage couldn't calm down easily and was handed to the Girl.
Shared womanhood helped, plus the Girl wanted to play big sis.
"Yeah, there there. All good now."
"Hwaaang, sis."
Sis beats mom, huh. Mom looks old. Fact of life, though. Obviously.
Watching the little mage cling, the Girl wondered when she'd last seen the Female Archer's party.
Floor 5. Giant winged snake spewing beams from its mouth.
Count the days—not even two weeks.
Felt like ages, though. Reunion after eons.
The teary little mage desperately needed someone to lean on.
The Female Archer's party, down a member, recruited a new warrior on Floor 7 and progressed smoothly.
No spike in difficulty, cold was rough but manageable.
Trouble hit right after entering Floor 9.
Ambushed.
Spawn points have fixed ranges.
This floor's a perpetual battlefield latecomers stumble into.
The Girl recalled Uncle and Hunter's reactions entering PVP Floor 7.
That's what they were wary of.
The Female Archer's group scattered instantly. No time to check welfare. Human hunters were organized, thorough.
Surviving till now was near-miraculous.
The Girl eyed the little mage's temporary allies.
All hunted, exhausted, weakened.
Scattered from parties mid-floor, regrouped somehow.
Combat needs minimum units.
They judged banding together allowed resistance.
But something felt off, eerie.
This was Floor 9.
Second theme's snowfields battered harder.
Luck alone doesn't get you here.
Why wait here? Good intentions?
If the little mage hadn't recognized us...
Her brows furrowed at their shifty eyes.
Didn't want to kill anyone.
Thought since Floor 7.
"Oh? She's asleep."
That comforting, huh.
The little mage slept soundly in her arms.
"Hmhm, wonder if Uncle's finished the house."
Shelter, food, rest matter. Camping wears you down after a day or two.
With massive even boss Floor 10 ahead, planned to dawdle maximally here.
Needed a proper house for that.
Unlike early days, levels boosted physical stats.
Even Hunter, who marched dozens of km casually, was superhuman by outside standards.
I had the know-how. Trdongt was skilled too. Old orc's still an orc—strength unmatched by humans.
But stopped them building open orc-style walls.
Humans freeze sleeping exposed.
In just over two hours, a log cabin stood sturdy.
Split decent rocks for a hearth. No fabrics for beds, so bunks instead.
Inside like old Korean army barracks dorm.
Maknae unloads gear, beaming.
"Figured you lugged so much for a reason like this."
"Knew no Sudden Death, needed a spot to rest long."
Planned since party formed.
Floor 5 rest and talks went smoother than expected, but no guarantees.
Humans are fragile.
"Probably last real breather too. Space theme's a frenzy."
Per future intel. Nonstop dashing.
Little slack—delays snowball issues.
Gestured to little mage's temp allies.
"We got plenty food. Eat up. No funny business, yeah?"
They nodded, hurried in. Bewildered by our leisure.
Wary at first, but bat-transform scatter demo tamed them.
Can't flee. Can't win.
Vampires are nightmare matchups for humans.
Trdongt's Stormhowl Brigade loot was mostly meat.
Quiet meal. Awkward crowd.
Daytime, but dim as night.
Blizzard hit soon. Lasting a full day.
No one wants to freeze—human hunters likely hunkered down.
Clear them at night. Perfect power-leveling pre-boss/space.
And scout for Female Archer while at it.
No high hopes. Usually dead in such spots.
Honestly, not super useful now. No more relying on her party.
Adding to ours...
If alive, maybe consider. But pre-Time Temple grind? Not recommended.
Trdongt spoke.
"Exiles got their own hardships. Wanderers gonna wander. Homeless life tires anyone. May the gods watch over them."
Trdongt clicked surprisingly with Maknae. Similar looks, devout believers.
War god priests were shamans originally.
Cleric role fits, god swap or not.
"Funny how all the gods we served were Exiles. Not surprised?"
"Surprised. Gods never breathed a word to followers. Who'd imagine?"
"Omniscient for Exiles."
"Goddess seems different."
"She'll have tons of followers soon."
"Goblins? Never crossed my mind."
"Sigh, handing hegemony to the saintess? Beyond me too."
"Hilarious. Absolutely hilarious."
Residents' Exile ignorance? Simple reason.
NPCs who follow Exiles rarely return home.
No returns means rumors fester.
Trdongt already saw most as misunderstandings.
"Fight? Good. Tomorrow post-blizzard, sweep the ones who did that to the kid?"
"Aigoo, elder. Calm down, sleep."
"Hm, right. Rest well to fight well tomorrow."
Ditched shaman for orc warrior vibe.
Thrilled.
Checked comatose little mage. Girl looked glum.
"What? Something wrong?"
"No, it's just..."
She lay next to the Girl's charge.
What now?
"Weird, right?"
"What?"
"Felt it hugging her earlier—her height's catching up... When do I grow?"
Hm, yeah, big change. Used to look up at Girl a bit.
Labyrinth [Child] tags grow fast anyway.
"Pumped Strength a lot, probably."
"I pumped more!"
"Growth varies."
"Need milk."
Girl's grown some too, I think.
Doesn't notice, but posture's shifting. Limbs lengthening. Needs fixing.
And everyone's Mind Map needs a full reset.
Last prep, lots to do.
First, sweep local Exiles.
Human blood matters more than EXP now.
Gorge to Vampire Lord tier if possible.
Then, another issue popped.
"Goddess has a message."
Girl hugs from behind, whispers. Could just hold hands, this kid.
Goddess spoke.
「It's about Barbaroy.」
Knew he survived. Was pondering a personal hit.
Need to devour his clan.
'Escaped the abyss?'
That'd be annoying.
「Found my altar eventually. Begging to be a follower. What to do?」
'Oho...'
Good idea sparked.