Chapter 150: Prelude to a New Era
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 150: Prelude to a New Era
The Guild Master, fearing the rampage of her Demon Eye, no longer descended into the Labyrinth.
The once-frenzied Saintess could no longer exert the same power she possessed during her prime.
Even the Tower Lord, who had acted recklessly in her youth, now had far too much to lose.
Most of the remaining Platinum Badges had retired from adventuring to become city executives.
With only a handful of active high-ranking adventurers left, the time for change had come.
‘An interesting young man.’
Tirahan, once hailed as the strongest in the Labyrinth City, chuckled to himself as he recalled the porter he had seen during the meeting.
There wasn't a single person in that meeting hall who wasn't old.
They were all well past their prime. While they were still formidable compared to average adventurers, they were undeniably weaker than they had been in their glory days.
‘They’ve all lost their fire.’
He remembered.
He still recalled the women who had once recklessly charged in to hunt the Light Dragon of the 7th Floor, despite the odds.
In their youth, the Guild Master and the Saintess were overflowing with ambition.
The Tower Lord, who had once lived in her master’s shadow, was far more daring back then as well.
They were the generation that followed Tirahan.
They were the heroines who had defined a new era.
Tirahan still remembered how they had graced the golden age of the Labyrinth City.
They had protected the city from the external pressure of neighboring powers and used their strength to tear up the unfair contracts that had persisted since the Empire’s founding.
In a sense, they were the heroes who had brought true freedom to the city.
But at some point, they stopped entering the Labyrinth.
Helena, the Witch of the Dark Moon of that era, died in battle against the Light Dragon. Moira, known as the War Maiden, also ceased her descents.
Mabel, one of the few who remained, ascended to the position of Tower Lord and shut herself away in her laboratory.
Lafnel, the only one who continued to brave the Labyrinth, was eventually banned from entering due to frequent accidents and mental instability.
Perhaps it was from that point on.
The Labyrinth City had suddenly stagnated. It had become a pool of standing water.
During the height of the exploration era, many adventurers descended to the 7th Floor.
Countless people, fueled by dreams inspired by the heroines' epics, made the Labyrinth their home.
The 7th Floor, shrouded in mystery, was the dream and utopia of every adventurer.
However, after the heroines stopped their descents, no one stepped forward to challenge the 7th Floor.
The 7th Floor, once called a utopia, was now known as the floor of death, and the footsteps of adventurers had long since ceased.
Everyone had realized they could earn a perfectly good living without going all the way down there.
Only a tiny fraction of Platinum Badges even bothered to try.
Tirahan believed the age of adventure was over.
“Is it truly right to grant that porter such authority?”
“What does it matter? If he succeeds, a new era begins. If he fails, it’s just another story that ended in disappointment.”
“But...”
“Don’t get so worked up. Our era is over anyway. If we continue like this, the Labyrinth City might collapse as people leave due to the ongoing stagnation. A new challenge might be exactly what’s needed to breathe life back into this city.”
“....”
The meeting ended, and Sion left the hall having obtained everything he wanted.
Soon, after finalizing the details of the contract, he would dive back into the Labyrinth.
“He said he would turn the Underground City into a second Labyrinth City first. How interesting. It’s something no adventurer has ever attempted. After all, pioneering is just another form of adventure.”
“Do you really think that’s possible? No matter how mysterious his abilities are...”
“I told you. If it doesn’t work, it’s a shame. If it succeeds, it’s a win. It’s more important to have someone young trying to do something rather than sitting around waiting for change. Once you’re old, you lose the strength to try anything new. Look at us. It’s not easy to do anything with these withered bodies.”
“That may be true, but...”
“Reis. Our time has already passed. Our role now is simply to help these young bloods so they don’t break. There’s no need to become a wall blocking those who are moving forward. In the end, the true masters of this city are adventurers like them.”
At Tirahan’s firm words, Reis, the elderly noble with a goatee, held his tongue.
From the beginning, creating an excessive number of opponents to pressure Sion had been their move; forcing Sion to reveal his true intentions had been their goal.
Tirahan had felt a deep interest in Sion when he, a mere outsider from the East, dared to demand autonomous pioneering rights for the Labyrinth. Tirahan wanted to see the passion of youth in him.
And he had seen it. He saw the struggle of a porter trying to make something happen. He saw the eyes of a man dreaming of the future.
This had satisfied Tirahan immensely, and as a result, Sion was able to leave the meeting hall with everything he desired.
“Soon, a new wind of change will begin to blow through the city. I truly hope to see it before my time is up.”
Tirahan looked forward to the changes Sion would bring.
After the meeting, I received news that the renovation of the mansion had begun. I’d be able to move in soon.
I also received the payment for the Giant. Now that I had the funds, it was time to gather the necessary supplies.
“With these, I can settle the Three Villainesses in the Underground City, right?”
“Yes. Just drive these pillars into the Central Section and summon them.”
In the research wing of the Magic Tower, I stared at the three stone pillars Mabel and Helena had created.
The pillars were covered in mysterious characters. Apparently, driving them into the Underground City would bind the Three Villainesses there.
It was an essential task; only by bringing the Three Villainesses down to the Underground City could we regulate the monster spawn rate and prevent a Labyrinth Eruption.
“And there are two more people who helped create these.”
“Who?”
“Kesera and the Druid Club President.”
Kesera was the Librarian’s real name. She was a master of languages who possessed all sorts of knowledge, including ancient tongues.
‘So she helped too.’
That meant these stone pillars were a collaborative effort between the Tower Lord, Helena, the Librarian, and the Druid Club President.
The greatest intellectuals in the Labyrinth City had all put their heads together to create these.
“The preparations are complete. You decide when to go down.”
“Indeed. In the end, the most important part is you, the one who will call the Villainesses forth,” Helena added.
Just as Mabel and Helena said, the supplies were ready. Now, I just had to go down and summon them.
“There are still remnants of the Heretics in the Underground City. I should probably go down with the Saintess again.”
“Right. And since we’ll be sending personnel from the Magic Tower as well, it might be best to form a formal Raid Force for the descent.”
“Understood. I’ll have to recruit other adventurers as well.”
Even if the Three Villainesses could regulate the spawn rate, we had to deal with the monsters that had already spawned.
Therefore, before bringing down the workers, I needed to recruit adventurers to clear out the Underground City.
‘Now that the Heretics, the biggest threat, are gone, this is actually doable.’
Furthermore, Yuria and Lady Leah would be coming with me, and Rosier would be included as well.
First, I needed to write a notice—a recruitment notice for the 2nd Strategy Team.
“So, I’m thinking of heading in as soon as possible.”
As soon as I left the Magic Tower, I returned home and held a family meeting.
The main attendees were Yuria, Lady Leah, and Rosier. Since they were set to enter the Labyrinth with me for this expedition, I needed to break the news quickly.
“I’m fully recovered. I don’t mind whenever we go.”
Yuria’s wounds had already vanished. She stretched her limbs, saying she felt ready to enter the Labyrinth right this moment.
Her recovery speed was impressive as always. Reliable.
“It’ll be my first time in the Underground City, but with my current skills, I think it’s well within my reach.”
Lady Leah also seemed fine. She looked a bit nervous since it was her first time, but knowing her personality, she’d rather die than admit she was scared, so I decided to play along.
“When do you plan to enter?”
“I might head in as early as two days from now.”
“I see. Understood. Have you finished speaking with the Saintess?”
“Yes. I sent a letter yesterday and received a reply early this morning.”
“Good. You are as thorough as ever.”
Rosier seemed ready as well.
With this, the party from my household was set.
To be honest, I would have preferred it if they stayed behind and looked after the house, but their resolve was so firm that I had no choice.
‘It should be fine as long as we’re only going as far as the Underground City.’
We weren't going alone, either. This time, Helena and Mabel were coming down with us. Moira had also informed me that the Martial Arts Hall Master might accompany us.
It should be okay.
Besides, Yuria and Lady Leah’s goal was to descend below the 7th Floor anyway, so this would be a good opportunity to bolster their strength.
The problem was Rika, Erika, and Rien, who had followed Lady Leah. Could those three adapt?
From my experience in the Underground City, it was true that once you went below the 5th Floor, it was hard to endure without a genuine will to descend.
‘They’ll have to figure it out for themselves. I’m not their babysitter. If they don’t want to come, they don’t have to. I can’t intervene in every little thing.’
One must protect their own life. No one else will do it for you. I couldn't force Erika, Rika, and Rien to go into the Labyrinth, nor could I stop them.
“Then, Olivia.”
“Yes...?”
“While we’re down there, you have to act as the master of the mansion. You and Marin need to keep a good eye on the house. Got it?”
“Yes... I’ll do my best...”
“Marin, make sure you assist Olivia well. And train the new recruits properly.”
“Yes! Understood, sir!”
I had delivered all the necessary instructions.
The recruitment of those going down was mostly finished.
Once we went down this time, we might be staying for quite a while. At least a week, and possibly up to a month.
‘I need to expand our base as much as possible.’
We had to make the 5th Floor our territory before we could descend to the 6th.
From now on, the 5th Floor would become humanity’s supply line.
If there was any good news, it was that the Merchant Association had contacted me first.
I went to the Guild and spoke with the representative sent by the Merchant Alliance.
A stern-looking, middle-aged man with glasses delivered several demands, and I signed only after reading the contract several times.
With the Guild Master acting as a notary to verify our contract, there shouldn't be any strange clauses used to trap me later.
‘Contracting with the Merchant Association makes supplying materials easier, but...’
There were quite a few demands.
They asked for priority rights through an exclusive contract and insisted that adventurers belonging to the Merchant Association accompany us.
I couldn't agree to every condition, but I had to accept a few.
It couldn't be helped. If I didn't cater to them at least this much, they would openly interfere. Even if I couldn't do everything they asked, granting what I could would make for a smoother relationship in the future.
“I am Karent. I’ve been assigned to accompany you on this expedition, Master Sion.”
“Yes. I look forward to working with you.”
Karent was the adventurer sent by the Merchant Alliance.
He was a swordsman, and his primary weapon was a rapier.
‘A rapier user, huh.’
You can usually tell a swordsman’s fighting style by the blade they carry.
Judging by the rapier, he was likely the type to overwhelm with speed.
Taking a rapier into the Labyrinth meant he was confident in his ability to neutralize monsters by precisely piercing joints or vital points.
The fact that he used a rapier—a weapon prone to snapping or bending—as his primary weapon suggested he was a highly skilled expert.
“Forgive me, but what is your adventurer rank?”
“I am a Gold Badge, Master Sion. The wall to Platinum is so high that I’ve been stuck at Gold for several years now.”
As expected, he was exactly at the level of a Gold Badge.
Considering that the majority were Bronze or Silver, a Gold Badge was still a formidable warrior.
It was just that I had been meeting too many Platinum-level monsters lately.
“I see. Understood. I look forward to it. We’ll likely head in two days from now, so let’s meet at the Guild then.”
“Yes. I will be on standby. I look forward to working with you, Master Sion.”
With his small, slit-like eyes and a smile that never left his face, he looked like a total villain, but his reputation was surprisingly decent.
He was likely following me to gauge my level.
The Merchant Association would naturally want to know the true caliber of the man they were betting on.
‘Rumors about me are everywhere, but few have actually seen me fight.’
I had become one of the most famous people in the Labyrinth City.
It was impossible for people not to be interested.
‘Now, all that’s left is...’
I spent my time finishing the remaining preparations.
Once this expedition was successfully completed, I would send in a large number of workers through the transfer stone discovered in the eastern sewers. They would all be workers who had undergone Mana Adaptation at least five times, so the labor costs alone would be astronomical.
Since the Merchant Association promised to handle that part, they would build proper structures on the 5th Floor of the Underground City. I felt glad I had signed with them.
‘The ultimate goal of dominating the 5th Floor is to create facilities that can train adventurers to descend to the 6th and 7th Floors.’
I would do my best until then.
If I succeeded, it would bring a new revolution to the Labyrinth City.
If I failed, we would all die in a Labyrinth Eruption.
I had to succeed, no matter what.