Chapter 113: Just Bind Him for Now
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 113: Just Bind Him for Now
“Shall we start heading up?”
“Yes. Everyone, make sure you haven't left anything behind.”
“I’m all set.”
“Me too...”
“Then let’s go.”
After butchering the Giant’s corpse and sweeping every piece into my inventory, we decided to head back up.
The Garden Section was already a wasteland, so finding a Transfer Stone was easier than expected. After rummaging through the scorched buildings, I managed to find one buried under the rubble.
There seemed to be a Transfer Stone below the Spire District’s layer division that connected directly to the Labyrinth City’s sewers, but we didn't have the strength left to conquer the Spire District or the areas below it. We decided to take it one step at a time.
“Looks like we’ve come up through the Breeding Grounds.”
“The smell of rabbit dung...”
Paramel grimaced and covered his nose.
We had teleported to the 4th floor of the Breeding Grounds.
Since rabbit-type monsters crawled all over this place, the air was thick with the distinct musk of wild beasts and rabbit droppings.
Perhaps because this was where I had fought a life-and-death struggle with the Young Lady a few months ago, memories of Lady Leah came flooding back the moment we arrived.
I wondered what she was doing now. She had definitely said she would begin her training before I entered the Labyrinth.
Maybe it was because I hadn't seen them for nearly two weeks, but I found myself missing Yuria and the Young Lady terribly.
“Oh? There’s a Vorpal Rabbit over there.”
“You can see that?”
“Ah, it’s not that I saw it, exactly. I just felt like it was there...”
Was it thanks to the Giant’s Fruit? My senses had become incredibly sharp.
I had caught the presence of a Vorpal Rabbit before even Rosier noticed. My senses felt almost on par with Raphael’s.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
I heard the faint sound of the Vorpal Rabbit’s paws kicking the ground.
Whoosh!
“Gotcha.”
“Squeak? Squee-eee-ak!!!”
I snatched the leg of the Vorpal Rabbit as it lunged for my throat.
A small cut opened on my hand, but it healed instantly. My skin had become so tough that a wound that should have been a deep gash was reduced to a mere scratch, and even that vanished in the blink of an eye.
To think I could catch a Vorpal Rabbit—the notorious killer of novice adventurers—with my bare hands so effortlessly.
“Hey, don’t struggle.”
Once its blade-boned leg was caught, the Vorpal Rabbit had essentially lost all combat capability.
I immediately slammed the rabbit onto the Labyrinth floor, crushing its skull.
“...”
“U-Um... Mr. Porter... did you just... catch a Vorpal Rabbit with your bare hands...?”
“Huh? Ah, yes. Somehow.”
“...That guy. He was munching on Giant meat yesterday, and now he’s turned into a monster. Hey, Porter.”
“Yes, Saintess?”
“When we get back up, you’re going to the Church for a thorough examination. Your sudden spike in strength, eating raw monster meat... these are the warning signs seen in those contracted to demons before they fall into corruption.”
“Excuse me, Saintess.”
“Yes, Rosier?”
“What is this about him eating raw monster meat?”
“You didn't see it, so you wouldn't know. I’m telling you, I saw the Porter rummaging through the Giant’s hide yesterday. When I got closer, he was actually tearing off and eating the Giant’s flesh.”
“No, Saintess. Like I said, that was... that was a side effect of the accessory.”
“Excuses won't work. No matter how I look at it, it’s too suspicious. Honestly, I should have killed you the moment I sensed something was off.”
“What? Wait, Rosier! Why are you grabbing me! Are you doubting me too?!”
“I’m sorry, Sion. Demon possession or contracts often progress without the person even realizing it. Let’s just receive a purification ritual at the Church. This is all because we’re worried about you.”
“No! I’m telling you, it was a side effect of the accessory!”
“The typical excuse of the demon-possessed... Mr. Porter... considering the worst-case scenario... let’s just go quietly and be purified, okay?”
“Aaaagh! Long live the Goddess! The Goddess is the best! I love the Goddess! There! I praised her, didn't I?!”
“There’s no sincerity in it.”
“This crazy Saintess!”
“The fact that you keep getting angry is definitely suspicious. Rosier. Knock him out.”
“Yes, Saintess.”
“Wait! Rosier! Are you really doing this?!”
“This is all for your own sake, Sion.”
Thwack!
Rosier struck the back of my neck.
She clearly intended to knock me unconscious.
“Huh?”
“Oh?”
“Why isn't he passing out?”
“Don't ask me...”
I didn't pass out.
What the... just how strong have I become?
In the past, I would have lost consciousness instantly and probably woken up three days later.
But now, I had taken Rosier’s neck chop head-on and wasn't even stunned.
“That’s strange. Why didn't it work? Let me try again.”
Thwack!
“Uh...?”
“Hey, that actually hurts a bit.”
“Ah, sorry. One more time.”
THWACK!!!
“Gah...! That hurts!”
“No, why... why isn't it working?”
“Hmm. Rosier, move aside. I’ll knock him out myself.”
“Uh... yes, Saintess.”
Unable to watch any longer, the Saintess stepped forward.
Rosier moved aside, and Saintess Freya stood behind me.
“Now then.”
“Whoa! Wait a minute! Saintess, your hand is glowing! Is that even allowed?!”
“Saintess! You’re going to kill Sion at this rate!”
“Is that so?”
It was a total mess.
If they held back, I wouldn't go down; if they didn't, I’d die.
These crazy people. There was no middle ground with them.
As they were debating what to do, Paramel timidly raised his hand.
“Um... why don't we just tie him up and take him with us?”
“Oh! That’s a great idea, Paramel. Hey, Porter.”
“Yes?”
“Could you take out some rope or chains?”
“...”
Asking the person you’re about to bind to provide the rope. Does this even make sense?
Regardless, I pulled some rope out of my inventory.
“He won't be able to break free easily if I tie it this tight.”
The Saintess wound the rope around my wrists multiple times, tying them securely. She then handed the end of the rope to Rosier.
“Make sure you lead him well.”
“Yes, Saintess.”
And so, we resumed our trek through the Labyrinth.
“Are we really going like this?”
“Yes. Let’s keep going. Since we can't knock you out, this is the only way I can feel at ease.”
“Aha... By the way, you need to go right, not left.”
“Oops. Thank you, Porter.”
With my hands tied, I guided the team using my mapping ability.
I wondered what on earth I was doing.
But since they said this was the only way the Saintess would feel comfortable, I just had to go along with it.
—You certainly have a hard time.
It’s my fault for being suspicious, I guess.
—Fufu. Still, it seems you’ve gained quite a bit of trust from the Saintess.
I have?
—Yes. That girl has always been the type to crack heads the moment someone displeased her or seemed even slightly suspicious. Yet, she hasn't killed you even though you're acting exactly like someone possessed by a demon. That alone shows how much Freya trusts you.
Huh...
So it only ended at this level because she trusted me.
Aside from my wrists hurting a bit, it didn't really hinder my movement, so it wasn't too bad.
But Rosier... why does she keep sticking so close?
“Ahem. Cough.”
“Um, Rosier.”
“Yes, Sion. What is it?”
“Aren't you... a bit too close?”
“Too close? What are you talking about? It’s only natural to stay close since I have to monitor you.”
Isn't this too close, though?
We were practically pressed against each other.
“Even so, this is...”
“Just accept it.”
Rosier pulled the rope tied to my wrists even tighter.
She had an expression that looked like she was strangely stifling a laugh.
Just then, Paramel, who had been watching us from the side, grinned and asked.
“What’s this... you two... a blossoming romance...?”
“No.”
“Heh... even for the wild mare Rosier, spring finally arrives...”
“I said it’s not like that, Paramel.”
“Fufufu... does Raphael know about this...?”
“Paramel!”
“Agh! Don't hit me!”
“You’re asking for it.”
“P-Porter.”
“Yes?”
“This woman... she’s vicious—aaagh!”
Rosier finally landed a flick on Paramel’s forehead.
Paramel looked as if his crown had been dented.
“Ugh... damn... that hurts...”
“Stop being so cheeky, Paramel.”
“Yes, ma'am...”
“What are you all doing back there! Hurry up!”
“Ah, sorry, Saintess.”
At the Saintess’s urging, we moved again.
Since I already knew the direct paths to the Transfer Stones in the Breeding Grounds, we were able to exit easily. The Saintess swept away any monsters with a wave of her hand, and we took the shortest routes between Transfer Stones to reach the surface.
“We’re out...!”
“Haa... I feel like I can finally breathe.”
“Good work, everyone. Shall we head straight to the Church?”
“Wait, just a moment.”
“Hmm? Ah, Mana Adaptation.”
“Yes...”
As we emerged from the Labyrinth, a sense of refreshing relief washed over me, followed immediately by pain. The others didn't seem to undergo Mana Adaptation because their levels were already so high, but since I was still low-level, I had to go through the process.
With this, I’m Level 10.
I had heard that most Silver Badges had gone through Mana Adaptation at least ten times.
This meant I had finally become an adventurer on par with a Silver Badge.
In terms of pure physical ability, I suspected I might even be higher than an average Silver Badge.
Now, I felt like I could definitely deal damage even if I fought Gon.
—Ah... the surface...
—Thank you... thank you...
—Ah... the outside...
As I was immersed in the aftereffects of Mana Adaptation, the souls of the novice adventurers I had collected in the upper levels were sanctified and ascended.
Since I had collected them before obtaining the Spirit Chain, I couldn't hold onto them.
Besides, they were the souls of the weak who wouldn't have been much help anyway.
I decided to just let them go.
I guess I didn't get an ability.
To my disappointment, it didn't seem like I had acquired an ability... wait.
A headache began.
Once in the Labyrinth, and once here. I’m getting abilities twice in a row?
Either I had incredible luck, or it was the effect of the Ability Fixing Bracelet. It might have a hidden option that increases the rate of ability acquisition.
[Eternal Dominion]
This is...
I soon realized the nature of my new ability.
It was the power to pull out the souls of monsters I had killed and turn them into my familiars.
“Holy crap.”
The power to bind the souls of slain monsters with chains and turn them into summons. I wasn't a shaman who dealt with ancestral or animal spirits. I could actually extract and control the souls of monsters I had killed.
With this... I might be able to create an entire legion made of monster spirits.
If I could handle human souls with the Spirit Chain and control monster souls with Eternal Dominion... wouldn't the Labyrinth practically be mine?
But... there’s a penalty.
To dream of taking over the Labyrinth, this new ability came with a clear penalty.
When using the ability... the Roas of the Deep Layer will take notice.
It said that if I used the power, the ancient beings slumbering in the depths of the Labyrinth would become interested in me. I had no idea how this would manifest. Perhaps my mind would be violated by a mad ancient god, or I might be flung into some strange dimension.
I remembered hearing that among the Roas inside the Labyrinth, almost none were friendly toward humans.
And I already had the Three Villainesses to deal with.
Dealing with them was already a handful; now other Roas would be interested in me too? I’d have to face all of them?
This was a matter that required some serious thought. I felt the need to have a conversation with the Villainesses.
“Sion, are you alright?”
“Huh? Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
“Then let’s hurry to the Church and get that purification ritual.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
For now, let’s head to the Church.
I needed to receive the purification and hand over the corpses.