Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Preparation
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The heart of Balerus's eastern district.
The Explorer's Union headquarters stood proudly on the busiest street in the explorer quarter.
"They really splashed out on this place..."
It cost twenty silver coins just to get in with a pass, but for an investment like that, it had to be worth it.
Among the squat medieval buildings, the Union's towering structure rose high like a modern corporate skyscraper. I gazed up at it before stepping inside.
My destination was the second floor, where they handled explorer registrations.
'Thought I got here early enough.'
Glancing toward the stairs, I saw a line of people snaking all the way there. How long was the damn queue to spill out like that?
Then again, I'd heard explorers were one of the most influx-heavy professions.
People with fantasies about the Labyrinth, or anyone with a shred of ambition, flocked to Labyrinth City from every corner of the continent.
'Why the hell would anyone willingly walk into that insane deathtrap?'
Sadly, I wasn't in any position to judge.
I was standing in this line precisely because I planned to crawl back into that Labyrinth myself.
I waited my turn, observing my surroundings. There were so many people that the dozens of counters looked insufficient.
"Haa..."
The clerks at each counter, handling dozens per hour, were visibly grinding down in real time.
"Welcome... uh..."
The clerk, mechanically starting her greeting, froze like a glitching machine.
Her body halted, but her eyes darted rapidly, scanning me from helmet to toe long before she stopped moving.
Her gaze lingered suspiciously long on my abs. Probably not my imagination.
"I'm here to get my explorer qualifications."
"...Ah, yes! Explorer qualification acquisition. That'll be twenty silver coins!"
'Bye-bye, my pretty silvers.'
I handed over the twenty silver coins to the clerk, feeling like I was giving away my own children.
My hands trembled. Money I'd busted my ass for!
"Please fill in your personal details in the circled sections on this form."
It felt oddly like withdrawing from a bank savings account. I wrote my name and address, checked off various items, and signed.
'Come to think of it, how do I even understand writing here?'
It was a question I'd always had since arriving in this world.
Reading, writing, speaking—it all filtered through my brain so naturally. But I had no clue about the underlying mechanism.
"Now, look into this crystal orb and state your name, affiliation, and age."
"Didn't I just fill that out on the form?"
"It's mandatory."
"...Do I have to take off my helmet too?"
"The Explorer's Union respects personal privacy."
"Name's Balkan... no affiliation... twenty-two years old..."
After dealing with the strangely excited clerk and some extra steps, I received a wooden ID plaque.
"Junior explorer registration complete. Lost plaques cost fifteen silver for reissuance."
At that moment, I realized just how money-hungry the Explorer's Union was.
Call me biased, but I was a blatantly suspicious guy in a helmet right now.
Sure, they spouted nice lines about respecting privacy, but didn't that mean they wouldn't even notice if a criminal registered?
"The Union building has special blessings that bar entry to 'Branded Ones,' so no need to worry."
"Ah, got it."
I nodded at the clerk's words.
Branded Ones—that's what they called serious criminals in Labyrinth City.
In a city where violence and rape were everyday scenery, getting branded meant you were the kind who murdered like it was breakfast.
"If you're looking for party members, head to the third floor."
Following her directions, I went up to the third floor.
Clunk!
As I opened the door, every explorer inside turned to stare.
The third floor looked much like the second: counters and crowds.
The difference? People weren't standing in line—they were sitting at tables.
I headed to the counter, puzzled by the piercing stares.
"Referred from the second floor. We offer party matching for newly registered junior explorers. Do you consent to party matching?"
I did need party members. Past experience had drilled into me that in the Labyrinth, two was better than one, three better than two.
But only with trustworthy people—or ones on a leash I controlled.
Otherwise, it was just awkward cohabitation.
'If I'd kept a proper leash on Kakchi, I wouldn't even be here...'
No helping it. Kakchi had thrown off all her chains and run off in pursuit of her own happiness.
Life doesn't always go your way.
Not every woman in this world had sex on the brain 24/7.
Besides, the risk of rape paled compared to sleep deprivation leading to a monster ambush.
'Take on a little risk to avoid the bigger one.'
"Yes. I consent."
I nodded, signaling my agreement to party up.
Clunk!
"Hey, stud. Wanna join our party?"
"No, join ours. Way more comfy than that cow over there."
"Shut it, you freaks. No human guy's joining a non-human party. He's not some deviant. Hey, what about our party? We'll treat you right."
As if waiting for those words, people leaped from their tables, swarming me with handshake offers.
If those invites had been genuine, I'd have been thrilled...
'I haven't even revealed my position yet.'
I hadn't said if I used sword, axe, shield, spear—or hell, if I was a mage or spoon-wielder.
Yet they'd sized up my looks alone and extended offers.
Frontline, backline—didn't matter. Male? Good enough.
'These guys' heads are stuffed full of cock.'
So packed it was obvious their attitudes would flip the second we hit the Labyrinth.
Then a thought flashed.
Ah. Skip these guys, and half the pool's gone.
I ignored the crowd around me and spoke to the clerk.
"Filter out everyone around me now. Match me from the rest."
"Nice helmet. Name's Adolf."
A dwarf priest with a dangerous name. Shockingly, a woman.
"Jermi here."
"I'm Anya."
Spearman Jermi, archer Anya. Fresh-faced boy and girl.
"Nice to meet you. Balkan."
Melee warrior. Spearman. Archer. Priest.
Not a bad combo. All junior explorers, though.
We exchanged names and got down to business.
"Only I've got Labyrinth experience here?"
We all nodded at the dwarf's words.
I'd been trapped in the Labyrinth before but kept it hidden. It was pre-registration, and explaining how I'd entered could've led to questions—or worse.
Getting caught would've been a mess.
"This is our first time in Labyrinth City."
"Yeah."
Anya and Jermi were fresh juniors like me.
The difference? They were childhood friends born and raised on the continent, drawn here by the call. TMI I hadn't asked for.
—If you filter them all, you'll only get total newbies or folks with issues. You sure?
As the clerk warned, I got matched with a newbie party. What can you do?
I'd never expected an easy carry.
"First time for me too."
"Hm. Better that way. No cursed folk. I've only got three runs under my belt, but no need to stress. We're all aiming for floor one, right?"
Nods all around. In the Labyrinth, where unpredictability was routine, safe plays were king.
'If it'd been a half-decent strong party, we'd get cocky and screwed. This is fine.'
We sat at the table, hashing out plans.
"Stay five days. Push to the escape portal, then hunt goblins safely around it. Agreed?"
"Yes. Sounds good."
"Great!"
"Straightforward answers. I like it. Meet back here at noon when the Labyrinth portal opens."
"Why noon specifically?"
"Mids and high-rankers sweep down in the morning, clearing or dodging monsters. Right after, it's safer to reach the escape portal."
"Oh. Smart..."
Three runs versus one, and the experience gap showed.
I felt the vet vibe as we wrapped up.
Labyrinth opens in two days.
Lots to prep by then.
In the eastern district, near the Labyrinth entrance, weapon shops crammed every street.
Among them, I eyed the massive double-edged axe in the glass window of the flashiest one—practically a luxury boutique.
Was it my imagination, or did those sharp blades gleam with a blue sheen?
I stared blankly at the tag on the display's end.
Zirnier Besil's Double-Edged Axe. 500 gold coins.
"Gold... five hundred..."
Snapped back to reality. Insane. 500 gold? That's... a fortune.
"Dream on. That's not for the likes of you."
A man who looked like a forge clerk smirked at me pressed to the glass.
Suit suggested not a smith—salesman, probably.
"Can you afford it?"
"Nah, wasn't mocking. Literally, weak, uncivilized... doormat guys like us can't even lift it."
"Don't lump me in with 'us.' Pisses me off being compared to trash like you."
"...?"
Mood soured, I left the luxury shop. Not scared of the 500-gold price, nope.
Down to three silver left.
After stocking five days' preserved rations, spare potions, antidotes—barely that much remained.
Took a month to earn, half a day to burn.
Anyway, time to gear up defense with what was left.
'Axe and dagger can be sharpened more. Helmet's... iffy.'
That goblin brawl trashed it—chin strap loose, dents everywhere. Felt sketchy.
Helmet was non-negotiable. Maybe a breastplate for vitals too.
But shops selling gear for my budget were scarce.
From luxury streets full of ornate armor-wearers, I'd sunk to flyblown alleys where even my ilk avoided eye contact.
"Sluuurp... You want this repaired?"
"Yes. Can you?"
"Not impossible... but cheaper to buy new."
"That so? How much then?"
"Hm. Four to eight silver min-max."
"Why the range?"
"Well..."
Slurp. Slurp.
The smith obscenely licked his lips, sucking noises and all.
Explained the flies.
"No deal? Fine. Shop elsewhere. Or dig through that cheap junk box."
Even flyblown forges treated it like trash.
Gut said no, but no choice. Better than my current helmet, and nowhere lower to go.
Six rejections already.
Rummaging the un-displayed, dusty pile of flawed gear...
"...Huh?"
From the box's depths, packed with crap, a blinding light poured out.
Felt like that luxury axe...
Entranced, I shoved gear aside, chasing the glow.
Finally in hand:
A rough-designed great helm, wreathed in ethereal blue light.