Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: I Want to Go to the Second Floor
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As dawn broke, my eyes snapped open.
Was I unconsciously tense? They opened a bit earlier than usual.
Glancing outside, the explorers' march hadn't started yet.
"Kuuhhh—!"
I finished my usual routine of stretching, wiping down, and meditation before gearing up.
Normally, I'd just throw on basic clothes, pants, and my backpack before heading out, but this labyrinth trip was different.
'Shin guards for six silver coins.'
Depending on the floor, but in the generally chilly labyrinth, they offered a touch of insulation, and they'd keep annoying debris out of my boots.
'Battle axe for seventeen silver coins.'
The blade was a little smaller than the axes I'd scavenged so far, but it was far sharper and keener than any wood-chopping tool.
Whoosh—
Swinging it through the air produced a crisp slicing sound. The grip on the handle was solid enough.
If that was the appetizer, now came the main course.
'A whopping breastplate for forty silver coins!'
My other lifeline.
Even goblin knives would need dozens of hits to scratch this thing...
Yeah, it'd leave a mark or two. But piercing it? No chance in hell.
...It damn well better not.
Finally, the Great Helm—impossible to put a price on now.
Back when I got it from that fly-blown weapon shop, it was just two and a half silver coins. But now I knew it was the most valuable piece in my entire kit.
I carefully donned the helmet and adjusted the fit.
The only flaw was the weak fit without a chin strap, but otherwise, it was flawless.
I packed all the essentials, daily items, and rations. Now I was ready to move.
"Good morning, Balkan."
"Good morning, Diana."
I bumped into Diana, up as early as ever, and we chatted briefly. Then she handed me something.
It was a plump pouch, made of glossy, luxurious fabric.
"What's this?"
"Hee hee. I remembered you mentioning it last time, so I whipped some up. Hope it suits your taste."
Untying the strings revealed a savory, salty aroma wafting out.
Beef jerky. The smell alone told me it was the good stuff.
"Diana...!"
Thinking of her preparing this for days after my offhand comment brought a lump to my throat.
"Thank you. I'll savor it. I'm off!"
"Hee hee. Alright. Don't get hurt, and make sure you come back alive. I've got plenty more cooking to do for you."
I skipped breakfast, sadly. Emptying your gut before the labyrinth was part of the job.
I waved goodbye to Diana, who saw me off with a worried smile, and stepped out. Soon enough, Kakchi came into view.
Bow in hand, dagger and map at her waist, a midsize backpack on her back with a quiver slung at an easy angle atop it. The picture-perfect archer-guide.
"All set?"
"You bet. But your gear looks a lot flashier than last time."
Kakchi gawked at my leveled-up equipment and let out an impressed "Heh."
"Sometimes scum try to eye your stuff and rob you blind without knowing their place. You'll have to watch out for that sort now, too."
Outlaws, bandits, slave hunters—social vermin like that were always a threat.
"Don't jinx it from the start. Let's go."
"Aye."
I took the leash she naturally handed over and headed for the labyrinth entrance.
The early morning streets, once sparse, were now filling with people streaming toward the labyrinth.
Rumble—rumble—
Opulent carriages, ornately engraved—probably for some bigwig—rolled by.
"New Year's in two weeks. Think the omens are starting soon?"
"Nah. Hasn't happened in nine years. The labyrinth's probably settling down. Even if it does, the cycle means at least three more weeks."
Grizzled explorers muttered cryptic nonsense, but it wasn't worth my attention, so I looked away.
"I'm betting everything on this expedition!"
"That's just code for 'screw my life, no looking back'..."
"No! We can do it! Don't wuss out just 'cause we're rookies!"
Turning to more my level, I spotted fresh-faced explorers brimming with excitement and burning with misplaced zeal for the labyrinth.
"Anya... Anya... I'll fight hard. Watch over me, Anya. Watch over me, Anya. Watch over me, Anya. Watch over me, Anya...!"
Among them, Jermi muttered to himself in a disturbingly unhinged state.
"Jermi."
"Watch over... Ah. Big Brother."
Jermi spotted me and bowed his head. He looked even more haggard than last time.
"...Sleep well? You good to enter the labyrinth?"
"Yes. Condition's perfect. I could take on five goblins right now."
Jermi said, fondly stroking his backpack.
A strange madness seeped from the gesture, making me want some distance.
Still, with all three of us together, we walked to the entrance.
"This line's fucking endless."
A long queue snaked ahead for ID checks at the gate.
Last time, it was lunchtime, so it'd been quiet.
Thirty minutes in, and we'd barely advanced a few meters. This was holiday traffic jam levels.
'Never had parents to visit in the countryside anyway, being an orphan.'
Despite it being a quick glance-and-okay job, the line barely budged.
"Ah! Lady Adelrine! Hard at work. Please, go right ahead!"
"Eh. Just here to sightsee a bit."
'Adelrine?'
For a second, I thought Serif had shown up. Adelrine was her family name.
Cranning my neck at the familiar surname ahead, a guard was dealing with someone radiating the polar opposite vibe of Serif.
If Serif was a white cat, this woman was a black one.
'Whatever. Wrong guess.'
Only her back and hair were visible from the angle, no pointed cat ears in sight, so I chalked it up to coincidence.
After her, flashy carriages and veteran-looking explorers bypassed the line without waiting.
No special procedures—just straight VIP lane. Kinda jealous, honestly.
"Who are those people, skipping the line?"
"Can't you tell? Big shots. Or mid-to-high explorers. Different league from us."
Explorers shot them envious, admiring, jealous glances. After about an hour, it was finally our turn.
"Next time, come around lunch like before."
Standing in line all morning had drained my stamina more than expected.
—High-rankers sweep the upper floors in the morning, killing or dodging monsters. Follow right after, and it's relatively safe.
Adolf's advice came to mind. So that was another reason he suggested lunch.
His body might've ended up goblin chow, but his wisdom had taken root in my heart as a valuable lesson.
But Kakchi gave me a baffled look.
"What are you even talking about? High-rankers blast through the upper floors in no time. Show up late for lunch, and only rookies and the slave hunters targeting them are left. Isn't that way more dangerous? At least with some high-rankers around, you might get help."
"...You're right."
Thinking back, Adolf was that blue-pilled priestess kicked from the temple for womanizing. Gotta keep coming mornings from now on.
We clasped hands in order—Jermi, Kakchi, me—for portal entry, weapons ready: spear in Jermi's left, axe in my right.
"Why so tense, everyone?"
"...Just in case."
"Psh. You'd think we were gonna run into a monster right on entry. How rare is that?"
"......"
"......"
Kakchi smirked, then saw our silence and wiped the grin away.
"...For real?"
Unfortunately.
"Every time I've entered the labyrinth, shit hits the fan."
Her smile twitched at my confirmation.
"C-come on. I've been an explorer over five years—never heard of that."
Rookies in that spot usually wipe. No rumors if no survivors, right?
"W-well, then lemme share some of my luck. I'm pretty lucky, at least in the labyrinth."
Kakchi squeezed my hand lightly as she said it.
"If Master's luck sucks, my luck makes it even."
Sweet try at easing tension. I tugged the leash approvingly, steeling myself inwardly.
Labyrinth trip, goblin den brawl, rape event, dog-troll party member, instant combat on entry, outlaw trouble.
Every damn entry, something went sideways.
This time'd be different?
'Hell no.'
Something bullshit was bound to happen.
"Everyone ready?"
"Naturally!"
"Yes, Big Brother."
To my party, but mostly to myself.
Nam Sujin. You ready? Damn right. Keep your head on straight. Stay sharp in a tiger's den, you live. Labyrinth's no different.
Mentally locked in, I stepped toward the portal.
"What the..."
19 hours after entering the labyrinth.
"Why... why the hell..."
I muttered quietly on first watch.
"Why hasn't a single thing gone wrong?"
We'd reached the cusp of the second floor without a single incident.