Chapter 81: If You're Late, You're Left Behind
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81: If You're Late, You're Left Behind
“Always aim for the eyes. If you can’t, kick them in the groin. Your opponents are humans who feel pain. Just slash them anywhere, and the pain will throw them off. Especially if you open up their stomach—the spilling guts will slow them down.”
“Uh, Yuria? We’re eating... maybe skip the talk about guts?”
“Oh, sorry.”
Spilling guts first thing in the morning. The stew Marin had made suddenly felt like tripe soup.
“Um... Master...”
“Yeah?”
“That... hidden function of the bracelet... please make sure to use it well...”
“I will. Thanks.”
“Yes...”
The hidden function of the Bracelet of Growth that I’d heard about from Olivia.
It didn’t just get stronger and produce better plants as I descended floors; it could be manually enhanced by feeding it the blood or fluids of monsters, or even the magical plants I already possessed.
As expected of a hidden piece, it had various effects.
“Well, I’m really heading out now. Take care, Marin.”
“Yes, sir!”
After saying my goodbyes to everyone, I left the house.
I’d be inside the Labyrinth for the next week or two. I probably wouldn't come out until we had cleared most of the Underground City.
I’m nervous.
I had prepared thoroughly. I’d purchased all sorts of supplies, from food to various consumables, and even received armor as a gift from the Guild Master.
It’s armor engraved with weight reduction and shock absorption enchantments.
The helmet, in particular, was made of rare metal and was incredibly sturdy.
I’ve also got scrolls to get me out of a crisis.
Three scrolls purchased from the Magic Tower. They were imbued with Teleportation, Object Translocation, and Spirit Summoning magic, respectively. Since I’d bought them specifically for escaping dangerous situations, they were bound to come in handy.
I need to plant the Vine Beans Lafnel gave me, too. And since I have the Ring of Intangibility...
The Vine Beans, which grow by consuming mana, would create a safe zone if I smeared them with blood before planting. The Ring of Intangibility would grant me immunity to physical attacks for three minutes—perfect for making a getaway.
With the Bracelet of Growth on top of all that, my preparations are perfect.
Most importantly, I had the hidden piece Leo gave me. I wasn't sure exactly how great of an item it was, but Olivia had assured me it would make my trip to the Labyrinth much easier. She said that beyond just producing elixirs, it would raise different stats depending on the monsters it was fed.
Feeding it monsters from the Botanical Garden increases Stamina and Vitality, while monsters from the Breeding Grounds increase Strength and Agility, if I recall correctly.
Feeding it the undead from the Underground Graveyard would significantly boost Willpower and Spirit, and monsters from the Sewers would increase Resistance and Regeneration.
Later, when I had the time, I could go around feeding the blood of upper-level monsters to the bracelet with the Young Lady’s Party.
“First, I need to hide my face...”
I put on the mask I’d received yesterday. Since I couldn't let it get out that I was the one entering the Labyrinth with the Saintess, I needed to conceal my face and physique in advance.
“No one’s watching.”
I ducked into an alleyway and changed into the disguise I’d kept in my inventory.
“Is this enough?”
I was wearing my armor with a black cloak draped over it, similar to what the black market slave traders wore. My face was hidden behind a white mask, and with the pitch-black cloak covering me from head to toe, everyone on the street stared at me.
I looked exactly like a heretic.
“You’re here, Carrier.”
As soon as I entered the guild, Moira called out to me. Since I couldn't let my voice be recognized either, I simply nodded.
The people in the guild began to whisper as they watched me. Seeing a person in such strange attire exchanging greetings with the Guild Master was a curious sight for them.
“She is already here. The rest of the expedition party is waiting on the second floor, so go up and introduce yourself.”
I followed the Guild Master to the second floor. The people from the Church were gathered in the reception room.
There was Saintess Freya, her face hidden behind a veil. And sitting on either side of her were four Inquisitors.
Gulp.
I instinctively swallowed hard.
They’re monsters.
The Church’s strongest forces were gathered here. I had only heard rumors about the Inquisitors; this was my first time facing them directly at such close range.
The pressure was unreal. Though they were smiling, they exuded an aura that felt like it could crush my head at any moment.
“Everyone, that’s enough testing. The Carrier isn't going in to fight with us. His role is that of a porter.”
“Our apologies.”
“Ahem. I was just excited to have him along. Hahaha.”
“I’m sorry. These people have been cooped up in the Church for so long that they naturally react this way when they see an outsider. Now, relax and come over here, Mr. Carrier. We won’t bite.”
The Guild Master stood by the entrance, looking at the Saintess with disapproval, while the Saintess smiled and offered me a seat.
Being told not to be nervous only made me more nervous.
“Now, to change the mood, shall we start with brief introductions?”
Since it was just us here, I figured it was okay to speak.
“I am the porter in charge of transport.”
“Good. I’ll call you Mr. Porter. As you know, I am Freya.”
Saintess Freya introduced herself once more. Her eyes were like a calm lake. She seemed to be suppressing that legendary madness of hers. The fact that she looked so normal made it even weirder.
“I am Inquisitor Rosier. I’ve been tasked with your protection, Mr. Carrier. It’s a pleasure.”
Rosier, a brown-haired, busty Inquisitor, greeted me with a beaming smile. She was the one in charge of guarding me during this expedition. She was a woman with quite a large chest. She had a very warm and gentle impression, but for some reason, the mace she carried seemed to reek of blood.
“I am Judge Raphael. As you can see, I hail from the Barbarians. I have been tasked with the duty of slaying heathens to spread the Goddess’s will.”
A bald Barbarian Judge. I think this was the first time I’d seen a clergyman of Barbarian descent. He looked incredibly capable in combat, and the corners of his smiling mouth were strangely twisted. He seemed to have a very boisterous personality.
“I am called Torturer Sasaro. They call me the Goddess’s vanguard, but... I am just a worthless old man, so please treat me as if I’m not even here.”
A grey-haired old man. Aside from the Saintess, he looked like the most cruel and powerful person in the party. His exposed skin was covered in scars. Just how do you have to fight for a human body to end up looking like a tattered rag? Even his title, Torturer, gave off a dangerous vibe.
“And I’m Recorder Paramel. I’m in charge of researching heretics. Well, I look forward to working with you, Mr. Porter...”
A young man with freckles and a bowl cut. He looked timid, but at the same time, he seemed like he had a screw loose. He’d been muttering something and writing since a moment ago. Was he recording our meeting right now? He gave off the air of a paranoid obsessive.
“That concludes the introductions. The goal of this expedition is to wipe out all the heretics in the upper levels and the surface of the Underground City before we descend below the Layer Division, which is the heretics' main base.”
Below the Layer Division was a dungeon where even Platinum Badge parties frequently went missing. Thus, the goal of the first expedition was to clear out everything above it.
“Mr. Carrier, you will follow us down and collect the corpses in your subspace pockets. Please make it your priority to survive and bring those corpses back up.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Well then, shall we head down?”
The Inquisitors stood up. They soon filed out of the reception room, and as it was my turn to leave, the Guild Master approached me.
“Carrier.”
“Yes.”
“Be careful. It’s going to be dangerous.”
“I’ll come back alive.”
“Right. You must come back alive. If things go south, abandon the Inquisitors and escape on your own.”
“Wait, is that allowed?”
“Why wouldn't it be? They are business partners, not comrades. And they are people capable of surviving on their own. You, make sure you only look out for yourself. The Saintess will protect you as much as possible, but in the Labyrinth, things always spiral toward the worst-case scenario.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Come back in one piece.”
With the Guild Master seeing us off, we headed toward the entrance of the Labyrinth.
Saintess Freya, looking strangely excited.
Inquisitor Rosier, sticking close to my side.
Judge Raphael, the Barbarian, huffing through his nose.
Sasaro, the old Torturer, walking silently while looking straight ahead.
Paramel, the Recorder, busily scribbling something in his notebook.
And finally, me, walking among them like a captive, draped in a black cloak.
“Isn't that... the Saintess...?”
“Then is that black thing a heretic...?”
“Hmph... I guess they’re dragging a heretic from the city into the Labyrinth.”
“Are they going to hold an execution?”
“Oh, Goddess...”
The people around us whispered their own theories. Every single one of them took me for a captured heretic.
It made sense. I was draped in a massive cloak to hide my face and build, and I was even wearing a white mask. If this wasn't a heretic, what was?
It couldn't be helped. To prevent the heretics from identifying me, I had to stay covered. It was for the safety of Olivia and Marin back home.
“The entrance we’re using this time is the Underground Graveyard.”
Our destination was the Underground Graveyard. It was the location where the highest number of heretics had been reported in the upper levels. They planned to start the cleanup here.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been in the Labyrinth. Let there be light.”
As soon as we entered the Underground Graveyard, the Inquisitors lit up the surroundings with Holy Light. Furthermore, the Saintess tossed aside her veil and pulled out a Bible.
“Uwoooooh....”
“Oh, it’s a Mr. Skeleton!”
CRASH—!!!
The Saintess slammed the Bible down, grinding the skeleton’s head into powder.
“Mr. Porter. You said you have Map Creation, right?”
“Uh, yes.”
“Then we won’t have to worry about getting lost. Raphael.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Though she had only called his name, the Barbarian Judge began to move according to his role.
“Sniff, sniff. Haaaaah. Over there. I can smell them.”
Flaring his nostrils, he pointed in one direction.
“Now! Let the hunt begin.”
The Saintess and the Barbarian Judge, Raphael, began charging toward the direction where the heretics were presumed to be.
“W-wait a minute! The traps...!”
The Underground Graveyard was known for having an especially high number of traps, even for the upper levels. If they just ran blindly like that, they’d hit a trap and—
“Don’t worry. There’s no way the Saintess or that muscle-bound idiot will fall victim to a trap.”
“Ah...”
Just as Rosier said, there was no need to worry about them.
Those crazy bastards... they’re just smashing through everything as they go.
The traps of the upper levels couldn't pierce their skin. Were their bodies made of steel? I could understand the Barbarian, since their kind was known for having thick hides, but for the Saintess to charge out recklessly like that too...
The moment she threw off her veil in the Labyrinth, she started running toward the heretics like a child who was absolutely thrilled.
“Let’s hurry and follow them.”
“Uh, right.”
Torturer Sasaro and Recorder Paramel were already running after the two of them.
If I lost them now, I’d be left behind. I started running after the Saintess along with Rosier.
Wait, I have to chase after these high-tension freaks for a whole week? And they’re monsters with near-infinite stamina?
I’m already exhausted.
The future looked bleak. I might actually have to drink those tonics, even if it meant dealing with a permanent erection.