Levy 2: Dawn of the Frozen Quest
Morning sunlight filtered through the tightly packed buildings. The capital of the Heshet Empire, Heskal, was always bustling, and today the streets teemed with people. I climbed the steps to the Adventurer's Guild, drawing in a deep breath.
Already three years have passed... I pulled a gem-embedded metal badge from my pocket and gazed at it. Engraved with the official emblem of the Heshet Empire Adventurer's Guild and an A-rank mark, it sparkled in the sunlight. The sweat and tears I'd shed to earn this token ran deep.
Father's special training had begun just three months earlier when I took the F-rank adventurer exam. My hunting experience in the forest made it easy to pass, but the road ahead was anything but simple. From E-rank to D-rank, D to C... I clawed my way up, surviving near-death experiences each time. When I reached B-rank, the pain felt like my body was shattering—I lay unconscious for a full week. And finally, a month ago, I passed the A-rank exam.
Mom and Dad were so proud... I'd only written in my letter home that I'd become an A-rank adventurer, but the reply arrived the next day, stained with tears. That night, reading Mother's handwriting, I couldn't hold back my own. Lea was getting good with the bow now, they said—even hit a sparrow in flight recently. For a nine-year-old girl to show such skill, she truly carried our family's blood.
Every time I saw Lea's cute handwriting saying, "I'll be just like Sis!", my resolve to push harder surged anew.
Stepping inside the guild, the familiar clamor rang in my ears. Laughter from adventurers, serious voices checking requests, cheers toasting successful quests.
"Levy! You're here!"
Guildmaster Mason waved cheerfully. His face, scarred and fearsome, always softened warmly when he smiled.
"Any new requests?"
"No, a special guest wants to meet you today."
"Me?"
Mason beckoned me closer. "Liandel, chief researcher from the Golden Tower, posted an escort request to the Sia Kalt Labyrinth. He originally wanted an S-rank, but none are available right now..." He winked. "So I recommended our Levy. You're young, but your skills are proven."
My chest swelled with emotion. The guildmaster's recognition was always my greatest strength.
"Thank you. I'll do my best."
"I know you will—I've got faith in you. Liandel's over there. Let's go together."
We headed to the special meeting room at the back. Several adventurers were already gathered, and at the center stood a man with golden hair and a neat robe. I caught him carefully placing his crystal staff on the ice-clear table. In that moment, the blue gem inside the staff glimmered faintly—a gesture blending a scholar's precision and a mage's sharpness.
"Liandel, this is the A-rank adventurer Levy I mentioned."
"Ah, so this is her."
Liandel's voice carried the calm poise of the Golden Tower's chief researcher. He bowed politely to me.
"Levy, I've heard of you. To reach A-rank at such a young age—truly impressive."
His eyes scanned my bow with keen interest, appraising its quality like any mage would a weapon.
"Not at all. I hope I can be of help to you..."
"You'll be more than enough." Liandel smiled. "Most of the party is assembled, so let's make introductions."
Liandel introduced me to the others. "Everyone, this is Levy. One of the youngest A-rank adventurers in the Heshet Empire."
A grizzled black-haired veteran approached first. "Name's Roderick. A-rank adventurer, mainly swords. They used to call me Bloodsword back in the day. Now they just treat me like an old timer. But I've seen plenty of adventurers, and a young A-rank like you? First time."
Next came a cheerful young adventurer. "Karl here! A-rank too. Sword's my main weapon, but I'm really best at hyping up the mood! Haha!"
His upbeat energy drew a natural smile from me. Then three B-rankers: Elina, a female mage specializing in buffs; Torben, a dwarf trap expert; and Terry, a support mage. Terry stared at Liandel with admiring eyes throughout the intros, and when his turn came, he declared, "I joined this party to assist Professor Liandel's research!" His deep respect was palpable.
"Now our party of six is complete. Let me explain the request in detail."
Liandel looked pleased. We gathered around a large round table as he unrolled a map.
"Our destination is the Sia Kalt Labyrinth. The Golden Tower needs Frost Ether Ore for magical research—a rare resource found only in its lower levels."
He pointed to the labyrinth's location on the map with his precise crystal staff. A blue light flashed from the tip, tracing a magical path across the map.
"Frost Ether Ore isn't just any mineral." Liandel's voice rose slightly with passion. "Formed over a millennium from Sia Kalt's extreme cold and unique magical aura."
He pulled a small glass vial from his pocket containing a glowing blue crystal shard.
"This is a sample from the Tower. See how mana crystallizes inside, emitting light? This tiny piece holds enough compressed energy for a massive magical explosion."
The adventurers stared in awe.
"The Golden Tower is using this ore to push beyond current magical limits—tripling healing efficiency, combining multiple attributes in a single spell... The possibilities are endless."
His fervor made it clear: this wasn't mere mining, but a pivotal step for magical breakthroughs.
"The journey will take about two months. We'll pass through Set Hanryeong, home to highly dangerous monsters."
"Set Hanryeong..." I murmured instinctively. I'd heard of it often in Grandpa's tales.
Liandel nodded. "Yes, known as many adventurers' graveyard. But with skilled folk like you, I believe we can manage."
"What do we do if we find the ore?" Elina asked.
"I've brought special equipment for safe extraction and storage." Liandel produced a strange device from his bag—a dwarven ore detector, ringed with intricate gears and small crystals, centered by a compass-like dial.
"Finally, compensation: 500 gold per person."
Gasps rippled around the table. 500 gold was enormous—nearly twenty times a standard A-rank reward.
"The high risk demands fitting pay," Liandel said with a gentle smile. "The Golden Tower values this research immensely and pledges full support for your safety and success."
"Sia Kalt..." Karl muttered softly.
"Seraphina Bloom..."
The name caught my ear vaguely familiar, but I couldn't place it. Before I could ask, Liandel continued.
"I've prepared everything. Meet at the north gate tomorrow morning. Bring any needed gear or potions."
The meeting ended, and Liandel suggested, "Now that the team's set, how about dinner? Time to get to know each other."
We agreed and headed to the upscale inn "Golden Lion" nearby—Liandel covering all costs. Over the meal, stories flowed. Roderick sought revenge after monsters razed his village; Torben wanted to see his crafted gear in action; Elina was a former temple healer; Terry had studied at the Golden Tower, inspired by Liandel's papers to volunteer.
Liandel turned to me cautiously. "And you, Levy? What drew you to adventuring?"
My cheeks flushed. Better not mention the academy yet—we're not that close.
"My grandpa influenced me a lot. He was A-rank; I grew up on his tales. And... I'm saving for my own dreams."
As we finished, the sun was setting. We parted with promises for tomorrow.
…
But I didn't head straight to my lodging. Instead, I went to the guild library for more on Sia Kalt. Librarian Max's eyes lit up as I entered.
"Levy! Long time. What knowledge do you seek today?"
"Hi, Grandpa Max. Need info on Sia Kalt Labyrinth and Set Hanryeong."
His brows shot up. "Sia Kalt and Set Hanryeong? Dangerous spots. Don't tell me..."
"Yeah, got a request there tomorrow. Heard we pass through Set Hanryeong."
"Hmm..." Max climbed a ladder worriedly, pulling dusty tomes. "'Northern Unknown Realms,' 'Secrets of the Ice Labyrinth,'... this too: 'Monster Encyclopedia: Ice Regions'... And this: 'Set Hanryeong Maps and Monster Distribution.'"
I took the books to a corner table, flipping pages for Sia Kalt info.
One of the eight great labyrinths, Sia Kalt is an ancient ruin with thousands of years of history. Divided into upper, middle, lower, and deep layers with a maze-like structure... Fewer than 5% of adventurers who enter survive. Half of those never speak of what they saw inside.
Further on, a passage stopped me.
Sia Kalt hosts various ice monsters; S-rank beasts reported in the depths. Over the last three years, sightings of a mysterious entity called "Seraphina Bloom" or "King of Bugs."
Seraphina Bloom? That's what Karl muttered. The book was a fresh edition this year. Intrigued, I read on.
Accounts conflict. Some survivors call it a horrific ruler of all labyrinth bugs; others, a mysterious flower that saved them in crisis. Tales claim Saint Seraphina and Silver Warrior Beatrice received aid from it, hence the moniker "Seraphina Bloom."
Monsters helping humans? Hard to believe. Next, I opened "Set Hanryeong Maps and Monster Distribution."
🏛 Type: Massive ice canyon encircling Sia Kalt Labyrinth, formed by millennia of extreme cold. Walls are hundred-meter ice cliffs; floor permanent permafrost.
⚔ Guardians: Powerful monsters called "Guardians" defend territories. Key threats: S-rank Frost Wargs, Blizzard Wyverns, and the perilous S-rank Sentinel of Frost.
💀 Note: Guardians rarely leave domains; avoid habitats for safer passage.
"Found something interesting?" Max approached.
"Yeah, learned about Set Hanryeong's guardians."
"Ah, those terrors." Max nodded. "Frost Wargs move freely in ice. Blizzard Wyverns breathe frost. The Sentinel of Frost? Never heard of one felled."
"Their territories seem avoidable."
"True, but don't get cocky. Weather's fickle—blizzards can disorient you into their zones..." He trailed off, the warning clear.
After more reading, I headed to the gear shop for extreme conditions. "Ronin's Armory" was the capital's most trusted, run by retired S-rank Ronin with only top-quality stock.
"Levy! What brings you to this old man?"
"Grandpa Ronin, heading to Sia Kalt tomorrow—through Set Hanryeong. Need cold-resistant gear."
His face grew grave. "Sia Kalt and Set Hanryeong... perilous. Twenty years back, I faced a Frost Warg there. Those red eyes still haunt my dreams."
He fetched a special chest from the back. "Frost Drake scale cloak. Blocks any chill—even blizzards won't touch you."
A white cloak with blue sheen, warm to the touch.
"Grandpa, this is too expensive..."
"Don't worry—special discount. Pay full when you return alive. Guardians stick to ice realms; skirt them fine."
I bowed gratefully. He added more: "Icebreaker arrow set. Pierces toughest ice. For emergencies."
The red-tipped arrows warmed my hand faintly. I stocked up, then hit the potion shop for cold resistance vials and healing potions.
…
Back at my lodging, I checked gear. No longer Father's old bow—I wielded Moonlight Whisper, a silver longbow from A-rank beast Silver Moon Watcher. It subtly shifted to fit my grip like a living thing.
Quiver full: new Icebreakers plus ice arrows, explosive, poison, homing. At my waist, Dawn's Whisper dagger for close quarters. Potions galore: mid-grade HP/mana restores, antidotes, burn salves, and Sia Kalt specials—cold resistance.
Prep done, I lay in bed. Tomorrow, the long trek to Sia Kalt began. Staring at moonlight through the window, doubts crept in.
Is taking this quest right? Sia Kalt's dangers might dwarf the books. My riskiest adventure yet. But 500 gold... enough for all my dreams.
The Third Prince's face surfaced—golden hair, sky-blue eyes from that brief moment three years ago. Would he remember me? Probably not, but at the academy, sharing space...
Dad, Mom... Lea... and Third Prince... My path was set. Blizzard or blockade, labyrinth shadows— I'd survive and claim my dreams.
The moonlight faded, and so did my consciousness into quiet darkness.