Chapter 63
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Fully Prepared
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally, the "resistance training" that Alensia had mentioned posed no problem even if attempted once preparations were fully in place. In fact, Alensia herself hadn't urged doing it right away—she'd suggested waiting until my body grew a bit stronger and my [Regeneration] skill had leveled up.
But I pushed to do the resistance training immediately.
The first reason was that, seeing Alensia's case where she couldn't acquire [Poison Resistance], if my body became too strong, I might miss the right timing to gain resistance skills.
The second was that I had the Intermediate Adventurer promotion exam coming up soon, so I wanted to achieve as much growth as possible beforehand. My instructor hadn't taught me a single thing yet, but I still had to complete the homework she'd assigned.
"I can't give you the details, but... you can assume all sorts of situations will arise in the promotion exam's simplified labyrinth. In that sense, those resistance skills of yours will be a huge help."
From what Alensia said, the promotion labyrinth seemed less about testing raw combat power and more about how well you handled various labyrinth scenarios. That's why I figured resistance skills perfect for coping with countless situations were ideal.
"And Ian, while you were doing the resistance training, the guild got back with their investigation results."
"Oh? What happened?"
"The guild employee who sold the info is already dead. Once he got a taste of selling information for cash, he couldn't stop and sold another adventurer's details, ending up killed in the eastern district."
That was a shame. I'd wanted to see the face of the guy who sold my info.
"The guild has also prepared compensation for you, since you were harmed by one of their own."
"Oh? What kind of compensation?"
The word "compensation" always sounded sweet. Especially considering all the hell I'd been through.
"The guild has decided to grant you access to their Grade 2 secret warehouse."
All sorts of treasures turn up in the labyrinth. Things like the [Skill Stone] I'd eaten last time, or byproducts from the various monsters that appear inside—they could all be considered treasures in their own right.
That meant the Labyrinth Guild, which managed the labyrinth itself, must have an enormous stockpile of treasures.
"The guild recognized the severity of this incident and decided to open their Grade 2 warehouse for you, the direct victim."
Under Alensia's guidance, as we entered an unfamiliar section of the guild building, she explained the secret warehouses to me.
The secret warehouses were opened either for those who'd made major contributions to the guild or, like me, as compensation for harm caused by the guild. Even Alensia, a guild member, had used one before.
"But this is surprising. Even though it was the guild's mistake, opening a Grade 2 warehouse instead of Grade 3..."
The compensation the guild offered me was permission to enter the Grade 2 warehouse and take one item of my choosing. Rather than me demanding something specific, they were basically saying they'd open the warehouse, so just grab what I wanted.
As my anticipation built from Alensia's explanation, we arrived in a cavernous chamber dominated by a massive door. The employee waiting there checked my adventurer's license, then temporarily confiscated my inventory and other belongings. Fair enough—they couldn't let me take those inside.
"I can't go in with you, Ian. I hope you find something that suits you perfectly."
After changing into plain clothes without even pockets, I left Alensia behind and entered the warehouse. My heart raced with excitement at this new event.
"Whoa..."
The moment I stepped inside, I couldn't help but gape like some country bumpkin. Naturally, spatial expansion magic made the interior far larger than it appeared, and the items were more systematically organized than I'd expected.
There were massive monster corpses preserved almost intact, dazzling weapons and armor, and all sorts of ominous-looking spirit elixirs that caught my eye.
Out of curiosity, I picked up a potion bottle from a display case and read the label below it.
-World Tree's Tear: An elixir condensed from a year's worth of dew from the World Tree's summit. Removes bodily waste and strengthens mana circuits.
'........'
Casually picking up what I assumed was a spirit elixir, I read an extraordinary description. What was this? An elixir made from World Tree dew? This was just the Grade 2 warehouse. That implied a Grade 1 existed, but how was something like a top-tier world-setting elixir popping up here?
I hurriedly checked other displayed items nearby, but every single one was on par with that elixir—no, none fell short.
They'd given me 24 hours, so with growing delight, I began browsing the items one by one. Should I start by checking all the elixirs?
As I toured the warehouse, I pondered what item would be most helpful to me right now.
I ruled out anything with overwhelmingly powerful effects. It wouldn't aid my skill growth, and carrying such items would just make me a target.
Elixirs were out too. Most were mana-related, and my [Mana Manipulation] was only Level 1. I doubted I'd get much benefit from them.
So I chose a magic tool. Specifically...
-Ring of Desperate Survival: Once every 24 hours, can deploy a [Magic Lv. 8]-level protective barrier.
I selected a ring that could protect my life. It had the limitation of once per day, but it created an incredibly powerful defensive barrier. Having seen skeleton mages and Hiro use barriers in the ruins last time, I knew their value. Life was irreplaceable, so the more ways to safeguard it, the better.
I pocketed the ring and headed out. After retrieving my belongings and getting searched, I found a message on the crystal ball I'd stored in my inventory.
[Class is in one week.]
.......Time was tight.
"Armor?"
After leaving the guild's warehouse, I headed to Gram's smithy. For once, Miranda was absent, and Gram was minding the shop alone.
"My daughter's in the labyrinth right now."
"What? The labyrinth?"
"We both gather basic materials ourselves from there sometimes. We post requests for collection, but who knows when an adventurer will take them, so we self-supply urgent stuff."
Fair point—considering Miranda's strength swinging that hammer, low-level monsters wouldn't stand a chance.
I informed Gram, whom I hadn't seen in a while, about my upcoming Intermediate Adventurer promotion exam and that I'd come to buy armor. He was impressed after hearing me out.
"Heh, it's been less than two months since you bought armor here, and now you're taking the Intermediate exam? My eye for talent doesn't fail."
With my position essentially set as a rogue, I focused on light armor that protected vital spots rather than heavy plate. That's when another standout piece caught my eye.
"Well picked. That's one my daughter made."
"Miranda did?"
"Yep. Recent work too—good enough for an Intermediate Adventurer. I guarantee it."
With no time for custom fitting, I chose from ready-made items, and luckily, this one fit my build perfectly, so I bought it on the spot.
"15 gold coins."
"Ugh."
Pricey... But not out of reach. I'd been getting healing fees from Alensia, plus cash from selling relics from the ruins.
As I handed over the coins with trembling hands, Gram chuckled and tossed me some boots as a "service." Trying them on, they were lightweight with minimal noise.
"You sure it's okay to give these for free?"
"Seller's call. Seems my daughter takes a liking to you, so here."
Miranda liked me? She always chased me off whenever we met. Still, I thanked Gram profusely and headed to the temple next.
"Huh? Uncle Ian."
Heading to the Temple of Light as usual without much thought, I ran into Clara playing in the hall. When I said I was there to buy holy water, she grabbed my hand and led me along.
Hm... Her dad died in the labyrinth, right? For a child raised alone by Gloria, she seemed remarkably cheerful.
As Clara guided me and I restocked my used holy water, she stared at my face intently.
"....? What's up?"
"Uncle, are you Clara's new daddy?"
"Cough!"
Her sudden question made me choke on nothing. As I hacked away, Clara patted my back. What the heck was this kid saying?
"What kind of question is that out of nowhere?"
"I told my friends I went to play at the place where you live with Mommy, and they asked if you're my new daddy!"
Were there soap operas in this world? What kind of questions were kids asking...?
"Clara, do you know what 'new daddy' means?"
"You marry Mommy?"
"Since big bro isn't marrying Miss Gloria, he's not Clara's new daddy, right?"
I explained gently with a forced smile, and Clara's face fell.
"What's wrong?"
"Mommy's been happier lately, so I thought maybe Uncle was becoming my new daddy."
Happier... Probably because Alensia's condition was improving, easing her guilt.
"Mommy really likes you... But still, it'd be nice to have a daddy at least once."
"....."
It was odd phrasing for "at least once," but understanding Clara's feelings, I just silently stroked her head.
"Clara, want me to show you that knitting I did last time?"
"Yeah!"
To cheer up the somewhat downcast Clara, I set aside my remaining errands and played with her for a bit. This much should be fine.
"But Clara, why do you keep calling me 'uncle' instead of 'big bro'?"
"She said all guys who want you to call them 'big bro' are uncles!"
".........."
Nothing to say to that.
For the promotion exam labyrinth, you could only bring designated items.
Spatial expansion magic tools were banned. Allowed were your own weapons, a few potions, food, and guild-inspected other goods.
Using expensive magic tools could be seen as skill, but the Labyrinth Guild forbade them in promotion exams.
You could bring your own armor and weapons, but having good gear didn't guarantee passing—the exam wasn't that easy.
"All set?"
At Alensia's question, I gave my gear one final check.
No inventory for once—just a backpack, red longsword at my waist, bow slung over my shoulder. The cursed dagger from the bandit Takara at my belt, along with recovery potions and antidotes.
Body in peak condition. I'd minimized training yesterday to focus on rest.
"Perfect."
"Good. Ian, you might pass on the first try."
When I said passing first time was my goal, Alensia cheered me on, saying it was plenty possible.
I shouldered my pack and left the mansion.
Destination: Labyrinth Guild. Time for the Intermediate Adventurer promotion exam.