Recovery and the Bare-Handed Giant
Dorne headed to the annex of the Oren Labyrinth Merchant Group, dressed in the simple upper and lower garments and shoes provided by the temple. Walking among the well-armed explorers of the Western Labyrinth city without any weapons or armor felt awkward. But after losing all his gear, he was grateful even for this single layer of clothing.
'The guards are patrolling everywhere—what trouble could there be?'
Dorne was inwardly worried someone might pick a fight, but no one in their right mind would mess with someone who clearly bore 【Giant】.
Opening the door to the annex's dining hall alongside Inoi, Dorne was greeted by his party members.
"Heard you're all better already. Glad you got up so quick, big bro."
"Congratulations on your full recovery."
"Thought we were in big trouble! So relieved you're okay... Hng."
The two beastkin and one human enveloped Dorne in hugs. He warmly embraced his three comrades in his massive arms.
With the Dorne Party now complete at five members, they expressed their joy before taking seats, and servants began serving the food.
As the explorers enjoyed their meal and chatted about light topics, they felt like a puzzle missing just one final piece.
"I slept for two whole days?"
"You were hurt bad, Dorne. Waking up after just two days is impressive."
"Yeah... the priests must be right. They've seen plenty of injured folks."
Dorne had dismissed the damage from the dragon's breath since his stamina showed 199/200 upon waking. But if he hadn't held his breath, that horrific breath capable of corroding flesh on contact would have ravaged his organs beyond salvation by just two priests.
"Oh, right. What'd you talk about with Lucian? We barely saw the third floor, so shouldn't we head back into the labyrinth?"
Dorne thought of the most promising candidate to become their final puzzle piece: a fixed-party mage.
"Hm. Well, the day we exited the labyrinth, things were too chaotic to talk much. Haven't seen him since."
"I think Lucian liked our party, though? He looked like he was having fun riding on your back."
Inoi, now committed to joining their team, joined the conversation.
"Is there a reason you're focused on Lucian? Is it because of the contract for the third floor?"
Dorne patiently explained the party's situation to Inoi, who wasn't yet fully briefed.
"Ah, so recruiting a mage as a fixed member is our biggest challenge in the Western Labyrinth city. And we need to use the contract with Lucian as an excuse to make contact?"
"Exactly. Our party's a bit unusual. While others roam solo, we need explorers willing to join a fixed party on faith alone. Most aren't keen on that."
"Aha..."
Inoi touched her chin thoughtfully, then offered Dorne some encouragement as he pondered.
"Hm, I have a good feeling it'll work out."
"Thanks, Inoi. Haha."
Inoi meant it sincerely, but Dorne took it as simple well-wishing. Unaware of the deep connection between Inoi and Lucian, it was only natural.
"But Lucian's holed up in a workshop making magic tools right now, so best not to bother him until he comes out on his own."
"Oh? How long does making magic tools usually take?"
"Hm, who knows... Magic tools vary wildly, and we don't even know what he's crafting. Still, since he didn't finalize the employment contract, he'll probably emerge in about a week."
"A week, huh... Then we can use that time to shore up our foundations."
Dorne and his comrades finished eating and solidified their plans. For Dorne, he'd discuss new gear with the merchant group. While waiting for it, the three warriors would get instructors from the warrior guild to train their weapon techniques. Eresa and Inoi would stock 【Inventory】 with emergency supplies like stretchers and build stamina with runs.
"By the way, anyone get new abilities? I woke up with one."
"None for us. Lucian was clutching his chest when he left... Probably got a mage-specialized ability?"
"Maybe related to his magic tool crafting? Anyway, no timeline now, so let's each stick to our plans."
The Dorne Party dispersed after the meal. Lilia and Raon headed to the warrior guild to find instructors for the three of them. Dorne would talk gear with the merchant group's head. Inoi and Eresa would buy supplies.
Inoi stroked the cute lesser panda beastkin's head as they left the dining hall. (Having grown up in the orphanage like Dorne, she naturally saw the adorable girl as a little sister.)
Inoi was pleased to see the party's leader, fresh from his sickbed, wasting no time and using it to prepare for the labyrinth.
"I'm here to discuss equipment."
"Yes, we've been waiting. First, congratulations on your recovery."
The small, refined branch manager of the Oren Labyrinth Merchant Group's Western Labyrinth city branch congratulated Dorne.
"Thank you. I lost all the gear I borrowed for this labyrinth run. What happens in cases like this?"
"No need to worry. We've already spoken with Lilia. We judge there was no negligence on your part. Just order new gear from the smithy we'll introduce you to."
"Oh, really? Can I get directions now?"
"Of course."
Dorne followed the servant the branch manager assigned to the smithy.
Clang clang clang clang—a magic tool hammered rhythmically in place of the smith.
"Someone wants gear—gasp."
The blacksmith, responding to the call, inhaled sharply at the sight of the massive Dorne.
"I'll be ordering."
"Ah, well..."
The blacksmith looked troubled.
"What's wrong?"
"Well... We don't have anything for 【Giant】 users in stock."
"Then just make new ones, right?"
"Fair enough. Let's take measurements first."
The blacksmith climbed onto a stool and meticulously measured Dorne's body. Unfamiliar with crafting for 【Giant】 in the Western Labyrinth city, he noted the figures carefully.
After jotting down the final measurement, the blacksmith asked,
"What gear do you want?"
"Plated armor set and helmet first, plus a long iron hammer and iron shield."
"Hammer length, shield size and shape?"
"About like this..."
Dorne sketched the shield's design on the paper. Then he asked,
"How long will it take?"
"Hm... Shield won't take long—three days maybe. But full armor and hammer? It'll be a while."
The blacksmith tapped his pen, calculating mentally.
"At least a week, no more than three. We'll contact you through the merchant group—wait for word."
"Hm... Got it."
Dorne's expression darkened at the longer-than-expected timeline. Even if Lucian emerged soon, they couldn't dive the labyrinth. He worried it might derail recruiting the mage.
Returning to the annex after his errand, Dorne found two unfamiliar explorers standing in the courtyard with Lilia and Raon. One matched Dorne's height and build.
"Ah, you're back."
"Whoa—that's one solid 【Giant】."
Lilia and Raon greeted Dorne warmly with nods. The shorter of the two explorers craned his neck to size Dorne up. The man presumed to have 【Giant】 crossed his thick arms, silently regarding Dorne with calm eyes.
"Big bro Dorne, these are the explorers we met at the warrior guild. Here to teach weapon techniques. Everyone, this is Dorne, our party leader I mentioned."
As Lilia finished, the burly man with crossed arms extended a hand.
Crunch.
"Nice to meet you, Dorne. I'm Torman."
Torman's immense physical prowess transmitted through the handshake. Crack crack—like twisting two ropes together, but neither man grimaced.
"Impressive. You have 【Iron Man】, huh?"
"Yes."
The two 【Giant】 users' gazes burned fiercely.
"Ever fought a 【Giant】?"
"No."
"Troll or ogre?"
"Those neither."
"Plenty to teach, then. Start with fighting a 【Giant】!"
Releasing the handshake, Torman stepped back a few paces and charged Dorne barehanded.
Though barehanded, he wore iron-plated armor, so one might call it unfair against Dorne's unarmored body—but Dorne didn't.
Thud thud.
Torman's rushing punches were blocked by Dorne's solid guard. Dorne, who normally wouldn't want to take punches from someone clearly sharing 【Iron Man】 and 【Giant】, couldn't dodge; Torman was faster, forcing him to block.
Thud thud, thud! Relentless jabs and fluid, destructive kicks! Torman's barehanded combat was no joke. Why a labyrinth explorer, used to fighting monsters with weapons, was so adept at fisticuffs was a mystery, but his skill was real.
Torman's bare fists accumulated damage on Dorne's guard. Dorne was impressed.
Without abilities, bare-knuckle fighting on Earth had far surpassed MMA. Even boxers back then didn't guard their faces without gloves—skulls are tougher than knuckles. Punching a head risked breaking the attacker's hand, as fists are delicate clusters of thin bones and joints, while heads have thick skulls, membranes, and cerebrospinal fluid.
Yet Torman's punches shattered Dorne's common sense, battering his guard.
To escape the one-sided barrage, Dorne countered.
Thud! Timing a high guard kick's retraction, he grabbed the Achilles tendon of Torman's swinging leg with one hand, extended his long leg to pin the supporting foot, and shoved Torman's chest with the other.
Pulling the leg while pushing the chest and tripping him, Torman stumbled with a "Wha—", crashing into the courtyard.
Dorne didn't pounce on the fallen Torman. Victory wasn't the goal. He was gleaning insights on wielding 【Iron Man】 and 【Giant】.
Glancing around, he saw only the shield Torman had discarded. Lilia and Raon had moved aside with the other explorer; the courtyard held just Torman, Dorne, and the shield.
'Wait... so this guy fights barehanded?'
Torman's only weapon was the shield. Dorne was stunned by the bizarre scene—like someone ignoring chewy Dubai cookies for tiramisu.
A 【Iron Man】 and 【Giant】 user could make fists their weapon, and potently so. But why? Not poor; why forgo reach-extending arms? Did he just prefer bare hands?
Dorne's mind reeled.