Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Preparing for the 6th Floor
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I accepted the invitation from the Joy Hog Party and left the inn.
They offered me a drink, but with my helmet on, it wasn't exactly feasible.
I waved them off politely and walked through the night streets, lost in thought.
The 6th floor. Worth a shot. They said it was much easier than the 5th floor, which had that unique environment influenced by the fountain or whatever.
'Still, something's bound to happen, right?'
I shelved the idea that nothing would go wrong. Of course it would—this was the Labyrinth, after all. Complacency was forbidden on any floor.
Pondering how to invest the loot I'd acquired this time, I made my way back to Diana's inn.
"Balkan. Are you heading into the Labyrinth this week by any chance?"
Diana asked, assuming I'd been discussing our next Labyrinth run with my new party members.
But I had no plans to enter the Labyrinth this week.
I figured I'd be busy enough handling my spars with Edelbert, and the outing with Joy Hog Party wasn't until two weeks from now.
"No. Not planning to go this week."
"Oh? That's a relief."
Diana let out a rare sigh of relief, patting her chest.
"What's wrong? Something happen?"
"Well... it's nothing specific, but an old superstition from my exploring days came to mind."
A superstition from Diana's exploring days? As I stared at her quizzically, she spoke up.
"The day the Labyrinth opens for the first time after the new year."
Her face darkened, as if recalling some bad memory somewhere.
"That's when my luck always ran out."
"Tap, tap... kuhk... ha... help..."
I slapped Edelbert's rock-solid thigh with my hand, and only then did the vise grip around my neck loosen slightly.
I coughed violently for a good while, gasping for air. Damn. I really thought I was gonna choke to death.
"You're such a drama queen."
"H-how is this drama? I nearly died."
"Training's supposed to mimic real combat. You never know what you'll face in the field, so you prepare for every scenario."
Edelbert justified choking me with her thighs like that, then offered me a hand. I pulled my exhausted body up and left the sparring room.
Three days since our first bout. Simple spars no longer left me sore. I even had a tiny bit of stamina to spare.
Proof that I was gradually adapting to sparring with Edelbert.
'Of course, I still haven't landed a single punch on her.'
Still, learning through direct hits was helping me grasp something bit by bit.
'My body's getting easier to control. And...'
Sixth sense? Instinct? Survival instinct, maybe.
Beyond mere awareness of the situation.
It felt like my senses were sharpening—knowing how to move to dodge in this scenario, how to act to survive that one.
"Not bad. You're getting sharper, more sensitive. Dodging my punches twice already."
Edelbert praised me too. The nuance was a bit off, but it was definitely praise.
Anyway, in this spar, I'd successfully dodged Edelbert's punches twice.
Considering I'd just been a punching bag during all my previous sessions, this was remarkable progress.
"Focus on that sensation you're feeling. In a crisis where you can't predict a thing, all you can trust is your own instincts."
"Yes, Master."
"Quick reply? Looks like you've still got some slack."
Oh no.
"Can't have you walking out on two feet. Run."
Edelbert pointed to the running track and the ankle weights placed before it.
"Ankle weights enchanted with gravity magic. Perfect artifact for building explosive agility."
Ah. Using even that precious artifact for her disciple's training.
"D-do we really need to go this far...?"
"Half-assed reps are pointless. If you're gonna do it, add constraints and run till you're on death's door. Don't worry too much, though. I wouldn't dream of letting you train alone—I'll run beside you."
Haha. Shit. Useless disciple. Overwhelmed by Master's grace.
As soon as I equipped the gravity ankle weights, immense pressure crushed my head and entire body.
"Gaaah!"
The world slammed down on me the instant I put them on, flattening me to the floor under the gravity.
Fuck. Run in this state...? I can't even stand.
"Master! Th-this isn't training, it's abuse! Abuse!"
Thud. Thud.
Subjected to far greater gravity than me, Edelbert shattered the track with each step as she approached.
Shing—
In her hand was an axe. Similar design to the battle axe I'd used before.
But this was something else entirely.
Its honed blade gleamed with razor sharpness and elegant curves beyond compare.
No doubt, just brushing against that axe could decapitate a 1st-floor goblin.
Whoosh—
She swung it from her hand.
Ah. Now it looked like it could take a person's head too.
"Abuse or not, doesn't matter. Combat's about survival."
Whoosh—whoosh—
"Survive. Give it your all."
I fucking ran.
Gravity be damned—with an axe-wielding monster chasing me, my legs somehow moved.
"...Ugh... uwooooh..."
How many laps did I run? Thirty? Forty? No clue. My legs feel like they're gonna shatter.
I passed out from exhaustion and woke up with my head on Edelbert's thigh.
Maybe oxygen deprivation to the brain—keep having weird thoughts.
'Goo goo. Big milk. Mama!'
"Here. Take it."
She handed me something else.
I instinctively gripped the axe handle. The friction and fit were perfect—excellent grip.
Even a glance told me it wasn't cheap.
Worlds apart from the battle axe I'd bought for 17 silver coins, superior from blade to handle.
"Y-you're giving this to me?"
"Compensation for the one you broke last time. Too good a weapon can hinder you at your level, so I picked something that'll last till the 8th floor."
"Thank you, Master!"
So this is the legendary master's grace.
The method was rough and crude, but I felt her care for me and was a bit touched.
Wait, thinking about it, she was the one who broke my axe in the first place—no need to be that grateful, right?
Still, upgrading from a 17-silver axe to this high-end one was a win for me.
"......"
Edelbert silently flicked her tail like a whip at my heartfelt thanks, then suddenly spoke.
"Disciple. Skip the Labyrinth this week and keep coming for training."
Her expression was dead serious.
Only then did I sense something ominous brewing.
'Diana too, and now Edelbert...'
Two freakishly strong women giving off this eerie vibe—it naturally put a relative weakling like me on edge.
"...Diana said something similar. Is something happening this week?"
"Diana mentioned it?"
"Yes. Some kind of superstition..."
"Hm... yeah, it's a superstition of sorts. Nothing to worry too much about, really. No signs in 9 years—no, 10."
Signs. I'd heard the term before. While waiting at the Labyrinth entrance, maybe.
—New Year's almost here. Think the signs will start?
—Hasn't happened in 9 years. Labyrinth's probably settled down.
Something like that from veteran explorers.
"The signs bring change and disaster to the Labyrinth. Last ones were 10 years ago, but better safe than sorry."
Seemed Edelbert and Diana had bad memories tied to these signs.
Hence their wariness of a phenomenon dormant for a decade.
"Noted."
If I had no info, fine—but heeding warnings from those far ahead of me was wise.
'Not like I'm entering the Labyrinth this week anyway.'
"Good. Training's over for today. Good work."
And so, today's session ended.
Three more days passed like that.
Mornings: intense training with Edelbert. Evenings: working the tavern at Diana's inn. Fulfilling days on repeat.
"Ooooh... milk... leaking... leakinggg... milk leakinggg...!"
"Kyaaah! Jubel! You crazy cow girl!"
"Everyone run! That cow girl's squirting milk again!"
"...Haa... Jubel. I have to clean all this up, you know."
"...Ooooh... love milk... milk... gonna squirt more..."
After dealing with Jubel the mad cow beastkin spraying milk from her nipples and other drunken troublemakers who couldn't control themselves, I noticed today felt oddly leisurely.
Glancing around, the inn—which was always bustling—had fewer customers.
"Labyrinth's open today, so it's quieter than usual."
Diana, who was perpetually cooking in the kitchen, occasionally poked her head into the hall.
Right. Today was the first Labyrinth opening of the new year.
The day the signs Diana and Edelbert warned about might appear.
'Relieved it's not me, or bummed out?'
Their caution proved spot on.
"Heard about it? Total shitshow in the Labyrinth this time."
"The signs? Fuck. Why now after 10 quiet years?"
"Heard a bunch of clueless young explorers who didn't know about the signs bit it. Eh, us old farts get knee aches this time of year and steer clear..."
"Gotta eat, so we go in anyway. At least they say it'll stabilize next week."
For two days after, the fiery hustle of Labyrinth City simmered down a bit.
In the inn and tavern always full of eating, shouting, and chatter, certain voices went missing.
Working at Diana's—full of explorers—that emptiness hit me harder.
Two days later.
"Diana, I'm heading to the temple for a bit!"
After morning training where Edelbert physically wrung me out, I used the time before evening shift to visit the temple.
Not for a blessing check.
'Only libraries in Labyrinth City are at the academy and temple.'
My goal: the library.
Overhearing tavern gossip filled me with knowledge, but plenty was rumor or wrong.
Long overdue, but I needed solid common knowledge about this world.
"Academy's grand library is academy students and companions only, but the temple's open to all! Impressive, right? The Church of the Wisdom God, sheltering all humanity once more."
"10 coppers here."
"Smooth deflection. Thanks!"
Handed coins to the coachman. Temple district was sneakily far.
Not too far to walk, but time-waster—I took a cheap carriage.
Ride was predictably awful. Butt still numb.
Stepping off, I surveyed the grand temple entrance.
Last visit, explorers ousted from purification rite were venting discontent.
"Groooan... no feeling in my legs..."
"Arm... my arm... ugh... temple can fix it, right? Please..."
"What blessing? Or curse? Fuck. Scared shitless."
"Just not a curse. Please no curse...!"
This time, packed with post-Labyrinth explorers.
Some with severed limbs seeking miracles, others tense for blessing/curse checks.
'Ratio like 8:2?'
Signs' influence meant lots of injuries. Labyrinth was risky anyway, but this seemed extra brutal.
'Not my problem.'
Glad I skipped this week.
I headed straight to the temple counter.
"What brings you? Miracle? Blessing/curse check? Or..."
"Here for the library. Junior Explorer Balkan."
After simple ID check, as I turned toward the library.
"Hold up. Who? Balkan?"
A paladin in golden armor, sword in hand, standing silently behind the counter called my name.
"Ah. Yes. I'm Balkan."
"Balkan? Really you? Hm... looks just like described."
The odd paladin scanned me head to toe, nodding to herself, then dashed off somewhere.
"...Who's that?"
"Temple paladin. Always guards us if trouble starts at the counter."
'Why'd she react like that to my name?'
Any rumors spreading?
'Come to think, explorers at the Union whisper when they see me lately...'
Didn't think it'd reach the temple. Hm. Nothing came to mind.
"...Can I go to the library now?"
"Ah, yes. Paladin didn't say otherwise. Here's your pass. Show it to the librarian."
Thus, I got library access smoothly.
My confident stride to the temple library slowed.
'Me, studying...'
No brag, but I'd built a massive wall against books my whole life.
Wisdom 0 me cramming knowledge already hurt my head and made my heart race, but no choice.
Know or die. Can't be helpless outside my knowledge and get killed.
Resuming purposeful steps, the massive library loomed.
As I steeled myself to enter.
"Hnnng..."
In the repository of knowledge, sacred hall of learning, an utterly lascivious moan drifted to my ears.
My head naturally turned toward the sound.
First: snowy white hair. White cat ears. Gently swaying tail.
Next: those eerily familiar red eyes lately. And.
Bzzzzyyy—
Above her ample bosom, vibrating like a mad electric dildo: a suspiciously dubious cross necklace.
"W-we meet again. Balkan... s-such a coincidence..."
Senior priestess of the Wisdom God Church, Serif Adelrine, was there.
And far off, the golden-armored paladin watched us.
Out of sight, but my slightly expanded awareness picked up her presence.
'...She went to tell Serif I was here?'
Situational guess, anyway.
"Th-there for a while you didn't visit... thought you'd forgotten me."
"How could I forget Serif? Just been busy lately, no chance to enter the Labyrinth."
"R-really?"
I shelved questions, responding to Serif as naturally as possible.
"What brings you to the temple library...?"
Serif's gaze on me gradually soured.
"...?"
"...Serif. You look unwell. Sick?"
"N-no, not that... o-one moment...?"
Sniff sniff.
Serif's perky nose twitched faintly.
Sniff. Sniff.
Eyes closed, inhaling deeply, she approached me step by step.
Twitch. Twitch.
Fluffy ears quivering, tail whipping wildly in excitement.
Bzzzzyyy—
The holy power pouch—no, tits—necklace vibrated fiercer with each step.
Necklace. Yeah, necklace.
Serif drew closer, finally nose-to-nose.
Sniff. Sniff. Snort. Slurp.
Leaning waist and neck, she buried her nose near my nape, inhaling.
Her furrowed brow creased fully.
Like a cat finding its favorite toy territory-marked by a rival.
"Balkan."
Serif looked up at me, tense from the sudden situation, and asked.
"Have you... met Edelbert Adelrine by any chance?"