Chapter 18: Forming the Underground City Raid Force
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 18: Forming the Underground City Raid Force
“Alright. I’ll agree to the conditions you’ve set.”
“It’s a promise, then.”
“I said I got it.”
I nodded as I dipped my bread into the soup at a decent restaurant.
The conditions I had laid out for the Young Lady weren't anything major.
First, she was only to enter the Labyrinth when I said so.
Second, she had to follow my instructions as much as possible while inside.
Third, no matter what happened, she was not to get into a romantic relationship with an adventurer.
And so on.
The reason I told her not to date adventurers was purely to protect her mental state.
You never know when an adventurer might die.
If she poured her heart into someone only for them to get killed, her mind would shatter.
“By the way, there’s something I’m curious about.”
“Yes, go ahead and ask.”
“You mentioned earlier that you were going to buy a slave.”
“Yes. What about it?”
“Are you... planning to use them for that sort of thing?”
The Young Lady asked cautiously, looking embarrassed.
By "that sort of thing," she probably meant something sexual.
“Well, I’m at a point where I need someone to provide some domestic support. I was thinking of killing two birds with one stone.”
“I see...”
Why the long face?
I really couldn't tell what she was thinking. I had no idea what was going on in her head.
“Anyway, I understand. And thank you for your hard work. Everyone was able to make it out alive because of you.”
“You flatter me. I just did the job I was paid for.”
“So humble. So, when and where should we meet tomorrow?”
“I have some things to take care of tomorrow. For now, gather your companions and discuss your future plans. There might be someone who doesn't want to go back into the Labyrinth.”
“I’ll do that. We’re going back in the day after tomorrow, right?”
“Right.”
At my blunt answer, the Young Lady lightly grabbed my sleeve.
To an outsider, it would look like she was clinging to a boyfriend who was about to leave.
“Porter. Make sure to come say goodbye before you go in. Okay?”
“Yes, well. If I have time tomorrow evening, I’ll drop by.”
“Okay. It’s a promise.”
She even held out her pinky, insisting on a promise.
It seemed people in this world made pinky promises just like they did on Earth.
“Is a pinky promise really necessary?”
“I’m afraid you’ll just suddenly disappear. Do you not want to lock pinkies with me?”
“No, it’s not that.”
I hooked my pinky with hers.
Her finger was much smaller than I expected.
The Young Lady smiled, her face flushing slightly.
At this point, even someone as dense as me should have noticed.
Wait, could this girl... actually like me?
No way. No matter how you look at it, why would a daughter of a noble house feel romantic attraction toward a Labyrinth City adventurer—and a Porter, at that?
Thinking she liked me was just pure narcissism.
“Let’s head back then. I should get some rest too.”
“Yeah, let’s. The evening air is a bit chilly... could you hold my hand?”
“Are your hands cold? Should I get you a pair of gloves?”
“No, not gloves. I want you to hold my hand.”
If her hands were cold, she could just wear gloves.
I didn't understand why she wanted me to hold her hand.
But since she asked, I took it.
“Good grief. Fine. But won't your other hand still be cold? Is that alright?”
“Yeah. As long as one hand is warm, it’s fine.”
“Well, if you’re satisfied with that.”
I held her hand and walked her back to her lodging.
Only then was I able to head to the inn where I was staying.
My legs hurt.
My footsteps felt heavier with every step.
Tomorrow, I had to prepare for the Underground City.
And the day after that, I had to head straight back in.
I wonder what state it’s in.
True to its name, the Underground City was a vast place.
In reality, the 5th Floor Underground City was larger and more expansive than the first four floors combined.
A massive space filled with countless buildings where, for some reason, no one lives.
There were plazas and special facilities like towers.
One had to navigate through buildings tangled like a maze while fighting off monsters that lunged out without warning.
There were undead and beast-type monsters, of course.
But the Labyrinth’s ‘demi-humans’ also began to crawl out there.
Sentient beings indigenous to the Labyrinth.
High Orcs, Hob Goblins, Dungeon Trolls, and Werewolves—creatures rarely seen in the wild—would emerge.
The worst among them was, without a doubt, the Minotaur.
It could be considered one of the masters of the Underground City.
A nightmare existence that even Gold Badge adventurers struggled against.
It was a type of monster known as the "Adventurer Hunter."
For some reason, I had a strong premonition that I would encounter one during this expedition.
“Sigh.”
I couldn't run away just because I was scared.
I had already made a promise to Rohan.
If I didn't go down and bring his comrades back...
Rohan would hold a grudge against me.
There was no telling what he might do.
Besides, I wanted to repay him in my own way.
Rohan and Hachi had truly risked their lives to save Rika and Erika.
If I betrayed people like that, I wouldn't be able to complain even if I got stabbed in the back.
Based on my physical condition, I should rest for at least a week.
In truth, I wanted to rest for a whole month.
I wanted to get new equipment, join a swordsmanship school to learn how to fight properly, and do some thorough research on the Underground City.
But there was no time.
Rohan’s comrades were likely rotting away somewhere in the Underground City even now.
The biggest problem is that I don't know how the Underground City has changed since the Great Cataclysm.
Even in the Upper Levels, the 4th floor had developed a Layer Division, and the monster spawn rate had increased exponentially.
If the beginner zones were in this much chaos, what would the Underground City be like?
Ugh, let’s stop thinking about it.
Worrying wouldn't provide any answers.
For now, I just wanted to sleep peacefully.
Mental management was important.
“I’m back.”
“You’re alive.”
“Yeah. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”
This was Connor, the innkeeper.
We’d known each other for about three months, and he was supposedly a former adventurer.
“You’ve gotten stronger.”
“I went through another Mana Adaptation.”
“I see. Have you eaten?”
“I ate out.”
“Understood. Go wash up and rest.”
“Yes, sir.”
He was a man of few words, very taciturn.
And despite his appearance, he was quite a good cook.
“Phew.”
I washed my body at the well behind the inn.
I scrubbed away the blood, sweat, ash, and dust.
As the cold water hit my body, I felt my muscles tighten.
After roaming the Labyrinth restlessly for days, my arms and legs felt like they were about to fall off.
I need to buy new gear too.
I’d have to use the money I got from the Young Lady to buy all new equipment.
My boots were in tatters.
The leather armor I was wearing was also beyond repair.
I needed to restock my weapons as well.
During this trip to the Labyrinth, I had lost three swords, an axe, a javelin, and a kitchen knife.
Some broke during combat, and others I had to leave behind because there was no time to retrieve them.
I’d have to visit the weapon shop and the hole-in-the-wall shop after a long while.
“Ugh... so stiff.”
When I finally entered my room and lay down on the worn-out bed, every bone in my body ached.
Only now did it feel like I was truly home.
I pulled the blanket up to my chin and closed my eyes.
Drowsiness washed over me instantly.
“Ugh.”
The morning sun irritated my eyes.
It was morning already?
I wanted to sleep more, but I had to get up.
There was a lot to prepare before heading back into the Labyrinth.
If I didn't start the day early, I’d end up working late again.
“Ow, my shoulders.”
As I forced myself upright, my joints let out a loud cracking sound.
My muscles were twitching slightly; if I didn't stretch, I felt like I’d get a cramp.
“Damn it...”
I wanted to rest, but there was no time for that.
I changed into my everyday clothes, pulled a sandwich out of my Subspace Pocket, and chewed on it as I headed toward the Adventurer's Guild.
Man, look at all these people.
The Adventurer's Guild was as crowded as ever.
It felt like the crowds drawn by the Great Cataclysm still hadn't thinned out.
The interior was much noisier than usual, with people everywhere frantically trying to recruit party members.
I pushed through the crowd and finally reached the receptionist I knew well.
“Oh! Si-on! You’re safe!”
“Yes. I made it out alive.”
Edwin, the counter girl at the Adventurer's Guild, widened her eyes and grabbed my hand the moment she saw me.
Since news had been cut off, she must have thought I was dead.
“What a relief. Since you didn't come by, I thought something had happened to you.”
“I barely made it back. And I took perfect care of the noble party.”
Come to think of it, it was at Edwin’s suggestion that I had entered the Labyrinth with the Young Lady’s party.
That was already more than two days ago.
“Oh! So the members of that noble party all made it out alive too? The situation at the guild has been so chaotic that I couldn't keep track of every detail.”
Edwin seemed apologetic for not being able to check on us properly after sending us in, due to the Great Cataclysm.
I didn't really mind. She wasn't my exclusive counter girl, so it was understandable she couldn't pay attention to everything.
“It’s understandable that you’re busy. To report, one team member died, but the Count’s daughter is safe.”
“As expected, any party with Si-on has a very high survival rate. You truly are an S-rank Porter!”
Edwin clapped her hands in delight.
I informed her that a Layer Division had occurred on the 4th floor and that the monster spawn rate in the Labyrinth was far too high.
“Layer Division on the 4th floor and an increase in monster population... Everyone is giving similar reports. It’s clear that an anomaly has occurred. Thank you for the report, Si-on.”
So other adventurers had already reported it.
Well, since it happened in the Upper Levels, the reports would have come in quickly.
“Then, to celebrate your safe return, I’ll give you your reward.”
She soon pulled out a small reward from behind the counter and handed it to me.
Since I had agreed to act as a guide for the party containing the Young Lady in exchange for payment, it was time to collect now that they had returned safely.
“It’s 3 Gold and a Medium Healing Potion. Also, your fame will increase quite a bit.”
“Whoa! 3 Gold!”
I didn't expect to get 3 Gold just for acting as a guide for a beginner party.
If it hadn't been for the Great Cataclysm, I could have earned 3 Gold in a single day.
This was quite good. And I was very pleased with the Medium Healing Potion.
That alone would cost between 1 and 2 Gold to buy.
In essence, I had earned 5 Gold.
Taking care of a noble’s child certainly paid off well.
“Are you going back into the Labyrinth today? If you’re looking for a party, over there...”
“No. I already have party members. I came today to restock and post a recruitment notice for a Raid Force.”
“A Raid Force recruitment notice? Don't tell me...”
“I plan to head down to the Underground City. There are a few adventurers I need to recover.”
“The Underground City... Si-on, have you undergone Mana Adaptation six times?”
“Yes. I’m now able to go down to the Underground City.”
“Understood. I will relay this to the Guild Master.”
Edwin stepped out from behind the counter and headed up to the second floor of the guild.
Forming a Raid Force.
By custom, only Gold Badge adventurers or higher could apply for this at the guild.
However, my case was a bit different.
I received various special privileges from the guild.
That was because I was the owner of a Subspace Pocket.
As far as the Labyrinth City knows, there are only three people, including myself, who possess a Subspace Pocket.
One of the three was the owner of a large merchant guild and rarely entered the Labyrinth.
Another was a Platinum Badge adventurer who rarely came out of the Labyrinth.
There was a high possibility that he had descended to the Deep Layers and completely assimilated with the Labyrinth.
He hadn't surfaced in months.
That meant, in practice, I was the only Subspace Pocket owner available to the guild.
Special privileges were a given, and they were desperate to make me a formal member of the guild.
Of course, I refused.
If I became guild-affiliated, I would get more perks, but I would also be obligated to handle whatever tasks the guild assigned me.
Nothing in this world is free.
In the end, they just wanted to use me.
The only reason they didn't push further was because the Labyrinth City had a culture of respecting an adventurer’s personal circumstances as much as possible. If this weren't the Labyrinth City, wouldn't I have been kidnapped long ago to be used as a pack mule?
This was why I didn't want to leave the Labyrinth City.
Without martial power, you never know when or where someone might try to violate your human rights.
This was why I had to grow stronger.
“Si-on. The Guild Master is calling for you.”
“Got it.”
It was time.
I followed Edwin up to the second floor.