Chapter 125
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: 33. 12th Floor
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Deep in impenetrable darkness.
A chilling gloom hung over the place, pierced only by the faint flicker of a few candles.
"The clan you had a contract with has vanished?"
The woman holding the candle scowled and shone its light on the man bowing before her.
A pair of jagged horns protruded from his head, and wings sprouted from his back.
It was the incubus Ain.
His terrified face came into view as well, and the incubus Ain spoke up again.
"Y-yes! I went there right at the end of the slave tribute period, but... the leader Vesta and all the key executives were completely gone."
"Hmm..."
At the woman's low groan, the incubus Ain trembled even more violently and rattled off his report in a rush.
"Th-there are many suspicious signs. The last trace led to the Academy, but no one in their right mind would target the Academy..."
Even as he reported to the woman, the incubus Ain clicked his tongue inwardly.
He had misjudged.
Vesta, the leader of the Blaz clan, was someone who had supplied high-quality slaves for years just to gain a bit more power.
Even if she'd made a foolish choice for greater strength, or botched a major incident out of fear of failing to deliver slaves on time, it all fit.
But right now, there was a far more pressing issue.
"Fine. What about the sacred relic he possessed?"
"...That's the thing. The relic vanished along with it."
"......"
Grind.
Hearing her teeth clench, the incubus Ain bowed his head even lower in sheer terror.
The [Sacred Relic] was a precious item.
It wasn't something to lose so pointlessly—it had to be recovered at all costs.
The woman thrust the candle closer to the man's face and asked.
Crackle—crackle—
Staring at the flickering flame, the incubus Ain swallowed hard.
Even if that fire suddenly blazed into a massive inferno and engulfed him, it wouldn't be unusual.
That would actually be a mercy.
Countless men—over a hundred—had their minds shattered forever just by catching the wrong glint in her eye.
And today, he might join their ranks if he slipped up.
Fortunately—or so it seemed—relief washed over the incubus Ain's face at her next words.
"The 'regular assembly' is just around the corner, and this happens now. What a bitter turn of events. Isn't it?"
The incubus Ain immediately grasped her intent.
She was telling him to go retrieve the relic right away.
"I-I will definitely recover it."
Thankfully, he had a lead.
Before any trace of the Blaz clan heading to the Academy surfaced, their slave management outpost had been raided by some individuals.
The attackers were a mid-level explorer from Wind Valley named Jjulsat-jjulsat and an unnamed whore with top-tier junior explorer skills.
After that, the clan's movements had grown frantic, so Ain suspected that's when the relic was stolen.
"Can you handle it alone?"
"I-I will definitely recover it."
"Enthusiasm is good, but I want results I can count on."
Click.
As her heel struck the floor, an overwhelming yin energy rose around the incubus Ain.
From that suffocatingly thick aura emerged three succubi.
Flinch!
The incubus man quickly averted his eyes from the succubi.
Just looking at them sent his mind into a haze from the yin energy pouring out.
If he were an ordinary human male, getting close would shatter his sanity and turn him into an idiot.
Without immense lust and the physical prowess to back it up, surviving them—male or female—was nearly impossible.
"Th-thank you for the generous support, O great worshiper of [Lust]."
"Think nothing of it. You're a fellow follower of Her. We're on the same path."
Her expression, which had been merciful as she gazed at the incubus Ain, suddenly hardened.
"But the price of failure is one you won't bear in full."
"...! Y-yes!!!"
The terror-stricken incubus Ain hurriedly fled the scene with the succubi she'd bestowed upon him.
And they set off for the labyrinth, tracking their trail.
I stretched as soon as I woke up. Going to bed early had paid off—my body felt refreshed.
Next to me lay the letter from Professor Mangkostil that I'd fallen asleep reading.
The letter mentioned a bizarre organization also known as the [Devil Worshippers].
But it didn't contain much information.
—Beware those who call themselves zealots while holding the black sacred relic.
That was the only message left.
'Still, it's not a warning given lightly.'
I tidied the letter and placed it on the desk.
'The Weakness Perception spellbook is gone too...'
Yesterday, along with the letter, I'd received the Weakness Perception spellbook from Ethelbert and read it cover to cover.
Once finished, the book dissolved into mana and seeped into my body.
'I can probably use it anytime I want now.'
Weakness Perception by name alone—it'd be handy in fights.
I yawned lazily, did some stretches, then washed my face with the lukewarm water Ellie had brought and wiped down briefly.
The thought of not even enjoying simple pleasures like a shower or a quick wipe-down once inside the labyrinth tugged at my heart, but there was no helping it.
For the record, ever since the day Ellie innocently fetched water and glimpsed my dick—leaving her deeply shocked—she'd been bringing washing water before I even woke up.
After cleaning up adequately, I geared up.
I strapped on greaves made from minotaur hide, then donned iron thigh and arm guards.
All three were high-end gear I'd bought for three gold coins. They had some weight, but the added safety was worth it.
Next, I slipped into the leather armor Zirnier had given me and donned my helmet.
The Great Helm—Zirnier's firstborn that I'd sent for repairs—now gleamed with an even brighter blue sheen.
'The perception range feels a bit wider.'
Not a dramatic change, but considering the relic alloy reinforcement made it tougher, it was excellent progress.
At my waist, I hung a battle axe about as long as my arm. Another artifact hand axe Zirnier had repaired, complete with an enlargement function.
On my back, I slung Bunny—the massive two-meter-long, hefty great axe.
I'd paid Harpy Mage Lamel fifty silver for a spell to secure weapons to my back, and it proved quite useful.
The extra weight from all the gear wasn't a big deal overall.
"Light as a feather."
Thanks to the subspatial backpack.
It held daily necessities, rations, mid-level healing potions, layer maps, cold-weather gear—and still felt empty.
'Must weigh at least twenty kilos.'
Without the subspatial backpack to nullify the weight, I might've had to ditch the guards or an axe.
Marching for weeks with a loaded pack isn't easy.
Once fully equipped, I checked the mirror.
"Damn, I look brutal."
A savage barbarian chieftain ready for war stared back.
The sight brought a twinge of bitterness.
Was adapting safely to this barbaric world really a good thing?
"It is. I'm alive because I adapted."
Shaking off the slightly masochistic mood, I cleared my head and stepped out.
"Balkan, sleep well? I'll bring breakfast—stay with Ellie a bit."
"Oppa, come quick. Foster Mom's making milk lattes for dessert."
The mother-daughter duo greeted me with their morning hellos.
These past few days had been blissfully relaxed mornings.
My eyes naturally drifted to Ellie's outfit.
A crisp white shirt with a fluttering tennis skirt.
Potion vials tied to a loose belt, plus a light brown robe draped over her shoulders.
Exactly like when we first met. But...
"That's the Academy uniform."
"Looks like it, but it's top-grade arachne silk. Tougher than most leather armor."
"Is it now?"
Fair enough. Mages don't tank upfront. Arachne silk provided solid base defense.
"Wearing a hat too?"
"Hehe. How's it look? Mages need wide-brim hats to look cool."
Ellie lifted the brim with her index finger and flashed a teasing smile.
"Cute."
"..."
She looked like a playful kid, so I laughed and patted her head. Ellie yanked the brim down to hide her flushed face.
"Food's here."
Diana slipped between us with breakfast in hand.
"Thanks as always, Diana."
"Hehe. Eat up."
On labyrinth entry days, Diana always whipped up a full special breakfast spread.
Thanks to her, I could start the day hearty and strong.
Diana's grace—nothing but gratitude.
I whetted my appetite with a fresh salad dressed sharply.
Todays main: thick confit steak and mashed potatoes.
Garnished simply with tomato and shallot, salt, and pepper.
The knifes edge scraped the surface with a crispy fried-like crunch—perfect sear.
Sliced thick, the inside showed a pink gradient. Evenly cooked.
Juices burst in my mouth with every chew.
Diana grilled it, so no wonder it was so juicy.
"How is it? To your taste?"
I told Diana, who watched me eat with eyes half-closed and a pleased smile.
"Even the veggies are perfectly cooked."
"Hehe. Glad to hear. Eat plenty, Ellie. There's more."
"Yes!"
Ellie munched her steak beside me.
Elves had a vegetarian image, but she clearly wasn't one.
After the meal, we had milk lattes for dessert.
"Wow, this is sweet and delicious."
"I-is it?"
Does she like sweets? Ellie sipped her latte with a happy face.
I took a sip of my coffee. Decent caffeine perks you up.
Gulp.
"..."
I pulled the cup away after one sip.
This sweet, deep flavor.
No ordinary milk could produce such richness.
I hadn't milked it myself, so no stat-up notification popped—but...
I instantly knew the milk in this latte wasn't ordinary.
"......"
"......"
Diana and I exchanged silent glances.
Breast milk with no stat bonus.
Worth drinking?
'It's a reward.'
I'm not some power-mad creep forcing it out.
If she offers it willingly, I gratefully accept.
I stared at Diana, who couldn't meet my eyes, then chugged her breast-milk coffee.
Gulp. Gulp.
Drinking noisily and rough on purpose, her face reddened further.
Thud!
"Ahh."
"..."
"Drank it all. Thanks, Diana."
"Y-yeah..."
After a short tea time chat, Ellie and I stood.
Time to go.
"Ellie, I know you'll do great, but the labyrinth demands constant caution."
"Of course."
"Be safe."
"Yeees... Ungh..."
Diana hugged Ellie, her face worried as she gave advice.
Ellie groaned in the foster mom's ample chest but hugged back tightly.
Watching the polar bear-like embrace, I noticed Diana's gaze on me.
Sure enough, she smiled invitingly, beckoning softly.
I carefully wedged between mother and daughter.
"Hoo..."
"Ngh..."
Arms wide, I hugged Ellie and Diana together.
Left: Ellie's warm, soft warmth. Right: Diana's thick, feminine pheromones.
Like a real family, we shared body heat in the tight embrace, then parted slowly, almost in sync.
"...I-I'm off!"
Ellie's face beet-red, she bolted from the inn. Diana smiled warmly at her retreating form.
Then that smile turned to me.
"Take care of Ellie, Balkan."
"Don't worry. She looks fragile, but Ellie handles herself fine."
"Hehe. True."
"Yep."
I grabbed the doorknob to leave.
"Balkan."
Just before opening, Diana gently caught my hand, stopping me.
"......"
She said nothing.
But her trembling hand and flushed face made her desire crystal clear.
We gazed a moment, then naturally leaned in for a kiss.
Not a passionate mating kiss.
A sweet, pure promise of safe return—aching yet tender.
My hand rested lightly on Diana's waist as I held her.
Her hands on my back.
Tension melted from my unknowingly stiff shoulders.
This hug—done entering and returning from the labyrinth.
To me, it was a sacred rite.
"I'm off."
"I'll wait."
We smiled at each other.
"...Hurry back, Oppa."
Flinch.
Turning, I saw Ellie with puffed cheeks, watching our hug.
Diana and I chuckled awkwardly and parted.
Leaving the inn and Diana's farewell, I reached the labyrinth entrance teeming with explorers and handled entry procedures.
"You're here."
The party was already there, packs loaded.
Frontline tank. Frontline axe warrior. Two mages. Cleric. Rear guard/midline swordsman.
Perfect party comp.
"Let's go, Ellie."
"Yes!"
Without fanfare, Ellie, I, and the Joey Hog party members clasped each other.
Whoosh—
Stepping into the labyrinth portal, a slight floatiness hit as surroundings and air shifted.
Cool, cold, alien yet familiar air.
—Heading to the 12th floor? This miracle of warm comfort will suit you.
The warm miracle from Seriph at the temple the next day pushed back the chill.
"Good start. Near the descent portal."
Joey Hog scouted, checked the map, and briefed.
"Alright. Let's move."
After lazing around, time to grind hard again.