Chapter 7: The Trump Card
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 7: The Trump Card
"Wake up. It’s time."
"Ah, yes..."
Four hours had already passed.
The Young Lady and I shared a light meal. Dry bread, thinly sliced ham, some tomato, and lettuce. We washed it down with a bit of water. Honestly, by labyrinth standards, this was a feast.
"Now that we’ve eaten, it’s time to move again."
"Right. Let’s get out of here quickly. It feels strangely suffocating in here."
She seemed to be feeling the pressure of being in the labyrinth for so long without mana adaptation. To be honest, it was impressive that a novice like her had lasted this long on the 4th floor.
I was hoping a rescue team would show up while we slept, but I guess that was too much to ask.
If we lingered any longer, she’d likely start having trouble breathing. I had to get her out before that happened. Carrying an unconscious or collapsed noblewoman through the labyrinth was practically a suicide mission.
"By the way, My Lady, I have some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first?"
"The good news."
"There’s likely a teleportation stone nearby. We should be able to return to the upper floors."
"That really is good news. And the bad news?"
"There’s a staircase, and we have to go down it."
"Go down? Why?"
She instinctively shook her head at the mention of descending. It was understandable; the 4th floor was already difficult enough, so the idea of going deeper was daunting.
"Because the teleportation stone is down there."
"We have to go to a lower floor for the teleportation stone? What are you talking about? You use teleportation stones to go to lower floors. Why would we go down to find one? Huh?"
Since she didn't understand the concept of layer division, she looked at me as if I were insane. I realized I needed to explain.
"It’s not exactly that we’re changing floors. Think of it as a layer division within the 4th floor."
"Layer division? What’s that?"
"Basically, even if we go down the stairs, we’re still technically on the 4th floor. Since we aren't using a teleportation stone to move, the actual floor level hasn't changed."
When a floor level truly changes, the environment and the monsters change with it. It’s hard to notice in the upper levels, but from the 5th floor down, you feel the shift immediately.
"Uh, okay. I think I get the gist of it. But why is that bad news?"
"Generally, the lower section of a divided layer is much more difficult. In all likelihood, we’ll run into a Bunnyman."
"A Bunnyman... that’s the strongest monster in the Breeding Grounds."
"Yes. Usually, they aren't that common, but with a layer division like this, there’s a very high probability one is either guarding the teleportation stone or roaming the area below."
Unlike Horn Rabbits, which are guaranteed to appear in the Breeding Grounds, a Bunnyman is a 'maybe.' However, with the layer division, that probability had shot up to nearly 99 percent.
If a team of adventurers escaped before us, they might have killed it on their way out.
If not, we would have to kill it ourselves. We were walking straight toward the very thing we had been desperately trying to avoid.
"Can we actually beat it?"
"If you’re asking if we can win in a fair fight... it’ll be tough. Neither you nor I have particularly high combat power, after all."
"What about that slingshot thing? Won't that work?"
"Even if I pelt it with stones, those things are incredibly fast. It’ll either dodge, or I’ll miss."
It would be a flurry of 'evade' and 'miss' notifications. My answer caused her expression to darken instantly.
"...Porter."
"Yes?"
"Let’s just stay here and wait for the rescue team."
"Sure, that would be the best way. However..."
However, My Lady. Your chest is already feeling tight, isn't it?
"Ah."
"This is the 4th floor. It’s a miracle you’re even standing right now."
Whether it was her high-born bloodline or a natural constitution suited for the labyrinth, she was holding out remarkably well. Otherwise, there was no way she could survive this long on the 4th floor without a single level-up.
"If we delay any longer, you’re going to faint or collapse. And I’m not confident enough to carry you out on my back."
"...T-then, I’d rather..."
"Rather?"
"If I collapse... just kill me."
"Excuse me?"
"Kill me... and put me in your subspace pocket. That’ll work, won't it?"
She was dead serious.
"I can be resurrected anyway. Don't struggle to get to the surface just because of me. If I die from mana poisoning, just put me in the pocket and wait for the rescue team."
She wasn't wrong. It was, in fact, the most rational method. If she died, I could put her in my inventory to prevent decay and wait for rescue.
But if I did that, the chances of me getting a proper reward would plummet. I needed to bring her back alive to ensure I got paid in full.
"Waiting for rescue with your corpse is certainly an option. Let’s try my way first, and if that fails, we’ll switch to your plan."
"I’m not joking, I’m serious..."
"I know you are. But I do have one method."
"A method?"
"Yes. But, well... it’s a bit..."
"What? What is it?"
"It’s expensive."
"Huh?"
"I have a scroll. It should be enough to kill a Bunnyman."
It was a scroll inscribed with 6th Circle lightning magic. I had acquired it by chance. It was my ultimate ace in the hole. I had no idea how much it would even go for if I sold it.
"What kind of magic is it that you're so confident...?"
"Lightning Shock."
It was the high-tier version of the 3rd Circle lightning attack, Electric Shock. One hit from this would turn a 4th-floor Bunnyman into a charred heap of fur.
"If I’m lucky, it might even blow the thing apart."
"Wait, 6th Circle magic? What about the mana cost?"
"That’s why I’ve been buying mana potions whenever I had the coin. I’ll drink them until I hit mana backflow if I have to, then take it down in one shot. What do you think?"
"...It sounds like it could work."
"Right?"
It was possible. This way, we could escape the labyrinth without anyone having to die. Now, the important part: the price negotiation.
"The issue is whether you can reimburse me for the cost of the scroll and the mana potions."
As I mentioned before, nobles tended to view resurrection as something foul. They believed the soul of someone who had died and returned was tainted. Above all, the cost of resurrection was astronomical. There was a reason those who were resurrected often ended up in debt and sold themselves into slavery. The voluntary slavery system was essentially a form of bankruptcy.
More importantly, there was no set market price for a 6th Circle scroll. In short, she would have to pay a premium for me to preserve her 'purity.'
"So, what will it be? It’s either this, or I put your corpse in my subspace pocket and wait."
A choice between two options. Pay up and keep her soul pure, or die and wait for resurrection.
"I’ll pay for the scroll. It’s better to buy my life with gold than to have my family fall into chaos over a resurrection. If I die here, my father will never let me step foot in the labyrinth again."
"Wait, you want to come back? Is the labyrinth lined with honey or something?"
"It’s just... it’s my dream to reach the very bottom... What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
What a bizarre dream.
"Well, fine. Whatever floats your boat. Let’s start heading down. There will probably be a lot of Vorpal Rabbits, so wrap that scarf tightly around your neck. It should block an attack or two."
"Okay."
I wrapped the scarf around her neck. It was better than nothing.
Shield attached to the arm.
I strapped the shield to my left arm. Since I’d need to rip the scroll the moment we encountered the Bunnyman, I held it in my left hand. I also hooked three high-grade mana potions to my belt, ready to be downed for the necessary mana.
The unwritten rule is that there’s only one Bunnyman on the 4th floor.
Even with a layer division, I didn't think two Breeding Ground bosses would spawn.
Please, just let there be one. If there’s more than that, we’re both dead.
The Young Lady’s breathing was getting heavier. We had to move fast. If she fainted, I wouldn't even be able to use the scroll strategy.
"Watch your step on the stairs."
"Right."
We reached the bottom of the divided layer—a place that could be called Floor 4.5. The air in the labyrinth grew even heavier. Her breathing became ragged. I had to hurry.
Just then, my mapping ability picked up a location that looked like it held a teleportation stone. The closer we got, the more certain I became. Just a little further...
Thud.
Thud-thud.
"Hup!"
"Kyaa!"
The moment I heard the sound, I grabbed her arm and pulled her behind me. The Vorpal Rabbit that had been lunging for her throat missed its mark, and I slammed my shield into it, sending it flying.
I wanted to finish it off, but it wasn't alone.
Shit. Three of them at once.
The difficulty had spiked visibly. Vorpal Rabbits don't usually hunt in packs. But because of the layer division, three of the bastards had swarmed us. If I let my guard down for a second, my head would be off my shoulders.
"My Lady!"
"Ugh, ah...!"
She was showing clear symptoms of mana poisoning. She was struggling to breathe and losing focus. This was bad.
Thud.
Thud-thud.
The three Vorpal Rabbits took turns lunging at us. It was impossible to block them all. I had no choice. I’d just protect our necks to stay alive. My arms were going to get shredded, but she’d better pay for the medical bills.
You damn vermin.
I knocked one aside and immediately thrust my sword into the second rabbit. A gash opened on my arm, but there was no time to feel the pain. I crushed the face of the rabbit charging from behind and drove my blade into its body to keep it down. No time to pull the sword out. I drew another blade from my inventory and hurled it at the remaining Vorpal Rabbit.
Thwack!!!
"Ugh, dammit."
By the time I finished off the rest, my shield was in tatters. It was useless now. I unstrapped the ruined shield, tossed it aside, and shook the Young Lady, who was still dazed.
"My Lady! My Lady!"
"Uwhe... retch..."
"Ah, for heaven's sake."
We had to get out.
"S-sorry... ugh."
She dry-heaved but managed to stand. We had to walk. The teleportation stone was on the map. Just a few more steps and...
"I knew it."
I knew it was coming. There was no way it wouldn't show up. I’ve been to the labyrinth enough times to know how this hellhole works. It loves to give you a glimmer of hope just to smear it with despair. I was well-acquainted with the malice of the labyrinth. If you always assume the worst, you’re never surprised.
"Squeak!"
As expected, the Bunnyman crawled out. The rabbit monster emerged at the worst possible timing and sprinted toward us at full speed. I let go of the Young Lady and immediately downed the high-grade mana potions. Half of it spilled down my chin, but I didn't care. The thing was almost on top of us. No time to think. No time to aim. I had to fire now.
Right—
"Lightning Shock!"
I ripped the scroll and unleashed the lightning forward. The recoil sent me flying backward, my body lifting off the ground. A bolt of lightning tore through everything in its path. The power of a 6th Circle spell was beyond words. I’d seen up to the 4th Circle in person, but this was my first time seeing the 6th. It was incredible.
The labyrinth lit up instantly. The light was blinding. The Vorpal Rabbits lurking nearby fled in terror, and the static in the air made every hair on my body stand on end. Dust billowed up.
"Sque... ak..."
Thump!
The Bunnyman collapsed. Half of its upper body was gone, and its snow-white fur was scorched black. Instant death. It would have been weirder if a mere 4th-floor monster had survived a 6th Circle spell.
"Cough... hack..."
Something that felt like blood welled up from deep inside me. My vision blurred. Maybe it was because I’d chugged the mana potions to the point of backflow, but my limbs were shaking, and the side effects made me feel like I was about to pass out. I could barely stand. My body had hit its limit. I wasn't a mage; I was just a porter without a single mana circuit. Forcing a 6th Circle spell was bound to cause internal damage.
"Cough... cough... Lady... shit... wake up... and drag me... to the stone... please..."
Thud.
My legs gave out, and I collapsed. Honestly, I didn't think it would be this bad. I’d heard the recoil was severe, but this was something else. I felt like I was going to vomit. We couldn't stay here. I could hear the faint sound of Horn Rabbits approaching. If we didn't move, we’d be killed by trash mobs. Imagine killing a Bunnyman only to die to a Horn Rabbit. That would be a pathetic way to go.
So please, get up, My Lady.
"Ugh... dammit..."
Finally, she stood up. She looked incredibly precarious, struggling to breathe from the mana poisoning.
"D-do we go... that way...?"
"Yes... straight... ahead..."
Stumbling, she grabbed my ankle and began to drag me toward the teleportation stone.
The Bunnyman's corpse...
As I was being dragged, I reached out and grabbed the Bunnyman’s body. I wasn't sure if there were any salvageable parts left, but since it was within reach, I shoved it into my subspace pocket. If I could take it, I would. This was how I scraped together the money for survival supplies that saved my life today. I had to take everything I could. Every little bit added up to the mountain of assets that kept me alive.
"Huff... huff... ugh..."
She stopped several times, but she eventually made it to the teleportation stone. I was damn proud of her.
"Hey... hey... was it... blue? Not red, right?"
"B... Blue..."
"Right... okay."
She dragged me into the blue gate. Behind us, the monsters of the Breeding Grounds were closing in. Fortunately, we managed to escape that godforsaken 4th floor just in time.