Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Hidden
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“Hello, I'm from the Moonlight Serenade clan.”
“I'm from Light's Essence...”
Honestly, I was starting to feel a bit remorseful.
From Lucia and Volkan's reactions, and the way everyone around us responded, I'd anticipated this would get annoying to some degree.
I could sense the hassle in their eyes.
'But I didn't expect it to come at me this fast.'
This was the umpteenth time.
Even after politely turning them away, some people clung on persistently like this.
'Already getting annoying.'
Sighs kept escaping me.
But what I'd done... Initially, it was just because Volkan said it was fine and Lucia wouldn't wake up.
'I only tried it as a test.'
It felt so unfair.
Yet no one acknowledged my grievance.
Well, blaming others wouldn't change anything anyway.
What happened had happened. Now I had to figure out how to manage the fallout...
'Is it even manageable?'
I had no idea.
Still, the place was vast, so maybe I could hide somehow.
From midway on, dealing with people got too bothersome, so I used Rogue Mastery to slip into stealth.
-Huh? Y-You? Where did you go?
Rishiel sounded flustered. I ignored her and kept moving.
She'd find me on her own anyway.
'Since Rishiel's Soul Stone is near me.'
If we got too far apart, she'd end up by my side before long.
That bizarre setup made it no issue.
Once I broke free of the crowd, I spotted the Labyrinth portal opening in the distance.
And from it poured an endless stream of people.
'...The Labyrinth.'
They kept coming in droves.
All sorts were there. Mostly humans, but orcs and beastkin popped up now and then.
Just no elves.
Maybe they felt like public enemy number one or something.
'They said departure's tomorrow, right?'
I stayed hidden and headed to the open field the inn provided.
It was quiet, perfect for swinging my sword around a bit.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Skill: Swordsmanship level has risen.] Swinging the sword was genuinely fun.
*
The next day.
To head into the Labyrinth, Ermé made quick preparations.
We'd arrive at the same time no matter when we left, but she hated getting caught in the crowds.
And the reason was me.
When we reached the Adventurer's Guild, Teresa and Glasses were already there.
“The man of the hour has arrived, huh.”
“Hey.”
Glasses pushed up his lenses while saying something weird.
Teresa greeted us with her usual blank expression.
“Haa, thanks everyone for coming early.”
“Never thought I'd see our party leader make that face.”
“Well, yesterday was a bit of a hassle.”
Ermé brushed it off and took a seat.
“By the way, didn't you say yesterday you were off recruiting a new party member?”
“I did. A priest this time.”
“A priest? That sounds tough.”
“Priests are tough.”
Glasses and Teresa shook their heads as they said it.
But it didn't seem like they meant recruiting was tough.
'They mean pandering to them is tough, probably.'
That made sense.
Priests were supposed to be super rare here.
“Well, priests are what you'd call a noble class, so it's tricky.”
“Mages are better off. They're proud of their magic, so a little flattery and they handle themselves.”
“Priests are hugely influenced by their innate Gifts... so they tend to get spoiled rotten.”
I pondered their explanations—Glasses and Ermé's, that is.
So basically...
'Like healers and buffers acting all high and mighty in my past life's parties.'
Though it might differ since lives were on the line here.
Or actually...
'With real lives as collateral, they could pull that off.'
But if it was the priest Ermé brought, it'd probably be different.
She seemed pretty capable. As expected, really.
'She's got what it takes to become the Sword Hero.'
She'd handle it fine on her own.
“But there's one big downside.”
“Downside? I'm already dreading it.”
Teresa leaned on my shoulder, looking like she had a headache.
Glasses next to her wore a similar pained expression.
“It's the low floors anyway, so can't we manage with just us? Like, grab an orc shaman or something.”
“They're a bit ugly, but nice folks. Vitality shamanism, healing shamanism—all good.”
“Not that. They're hardcore alcoholics and chain-smokers.”
“Ah.”
Teresa made a face like that was tame by comparison.
Glasses looked the same.
'Aren't those two worse?'
Cigarettes could draw monsters with the smell.
Alcohol dulled judgment, leading to mistakes.
Yet Glasses and Teresa seemed to think it was tolerable.
'What the hell is the image of priests like around here?'
It was almost scary.
“Anyway, we need to scout the Labyrinth, so should we grab a nearby swordsman? We got here early, and there seem to be some diligent types around.”
“I'm all for one more if they pull their weight.”
“Same. A frontline who does their share is solid. But backline's fine too, right?”
“Backline?”
Ermé glanced at me.
Like she was asking my opinion.
'Because I handle both front and back?'
I didn't mind either way.
So I nodded. Her face brightened at that.
This made me feel like some kind of leader.
'She goes all out like that, but gets little in return.'
A girl like her was cut out to be leader. As I thought that and settled into my chair to wait, a shadow fell over my head.
Judging by the shadow, it was a massive bulk.
I looked up to see Volkan grinning broadly.
“Kiddo, what're you doing here?”
“Waiting.”
“Huh? For who?”
I pointed to one side, and Volkan looked that way.
Ermé was asking something of a party there.
“Ho? Didn't you lot just come out of the Labyrinth the other day?”
“Yeah.”
“And you're heading back already? You've got potential.”
Volkan grinned in satisfaction.
He seemed to have some misconceptions about us.
'Doesn't matter.'
Or maybe it was a good thing.
Teresa stared blankly at Volkan, while Glasses trembled in full tension.
“V-Volkan, sir?”
“Sword King Volkan... For real?”
Glasses called out his name while shaking.
Teresa was pinching her own cheek to check.
“Kiddo, this old man's that big a deal.”
“How much infamy does he have to rack up for Glasses to shake like that?”
“Glasses? Oh, that guy? Hm, my infamy, you say...”
Volkan started counting on his meaty fingers.
“Like when some cocky prince from the neighboring kingdom mouthed off, so I planted one in his face. Or when an imperial guardsman got uppity, so I beat him down...”
And a few more petty incidents besides.
Well, damn.
No wonder Glasses was quaking in fear.
But was that even allowed? Adventurers had status, sure.
'Isn't that going too far?'
As if reading my thoughts, Volkan smirked and told me,
“Sorry, kiddo. You need this level of build to pull that off. Work these muscles, and you could too.”
Volkan eyed me pointedly.
Like he wanted to train together or something.
'Not really into bulking up that much.'
I was more the speed type anyway.
Maybe because my first sword art was Dark Moon. Better at that than brute strength.
As we chatted idly with Volkan,
Glasses shook his head vigorously.
“N-No, Yuseong. I respect him.”
Respect?
For Volkan?
'Fair enough.'
Objectively, Volkan was an outstanding adventurer.
His antics were just... a bit immature for his age.
“Kuhahaha! Hear that, kiddo? That's the rep this old man has.”
“...Tch.”
“Tch? This punk clicking his tongue?”
Volkan gave me an incredulous look.
I hadn't clicked out loud. Just in my head.
Our banter lasted a bit.
Then Ermé approached us.
“I tried recruiting everyone, but they're all locked into their own parties, so with our current numbers, forming one is...”
Ermé's gaze shifted to Volkan.
Volkan's went to her.
Their eyes flashed briefly, but then Volkan looked at me and stroked his chin.
“...What is this place, talent central? Frontline and backline don't mesh perfectly, but low Labyrinth won't mind much.”
“Must be the luck with people.”
“They look usable.”
Volkan glanced at me and Ermé, then at Glasses and Teresa.
The two tensed up.
“Those two ain't bad either. Work hard, and they could hit upper ranks.”
“...!”
“Thank you!”
They beamed and bowed deeply at Volkan's assessment.
Volkan stopped them and made them straighten up.
“No need to thank me for that. I just evaluated your talent.”
As he said it, Volkan handed me a box.
“Take it.”
“What's this?”
“You look at it all suspicious like you know what I'm giving. It's a training tool for you.”
“Training tool?”
Why would you give me that?
“The more strong adventurers, the better. Like it or not, you represent us.”
So it was an investment for the distant future.
'Pouring into those with clear talent.'
And later, they'd stand in for the guild.
Yeah, that kind of investment made sense.
Not joining clans, but strengthening the Adventurer's Guild itself.
“So four of us again?”
“One more would be nice, but...”
Ermé glanced at me briefly, then nodded.
“Let's head out like this. People are starting to gather.”
Sure enough, eyes were turning my way.
“That's the guy?”
“...A Rank 1 adventurer who smashed the dummy? Insane.”
“Level 1 broke the dummy? What the...!”
I pulled the hood of my robe low.
And used Rogue Mastery to muffle my presence.
“What skill's that?”
“Basic backline stuff.”
“...You're backline?”
Volkan looked dumbfounded.
I tilted my head a bit and replied,
“I'm a thief.”
“Why the hell are you a thief? Frontliners usually... Ah.”
Volkan scanned me and the party, then nodded in realization.
“No wonder. No way she'd assemble a crew like this otherwise. You handling backline makes it work somehow.”
“I shoot a bow too.”
“Hard to imagine what you can't do... You with a bow?”
Volkan looked thoroughly thrown.
Was me being a thief that shocking?
“Well, thanks for the gift.”
“Nah, it's heavy—pick it up later. I'll leave it with Hilda.”
“Hilda?”
“The woman who showed you around the training grounds yesterday.”
“Ah, her.”
“Now go. Labyrinth departure time's nearing.”
“See you later.”
“Later? We'll meet in a few days.”
“Labyrinth time, right? Yeah, see you then.”
Not a big farewell, so we headed to the Labyrinth.
*
An endlessly dim space.
Dampness hung in the air, faint light filtering in.
“Everyone good? No issues?”
“None. Condition's perfect.”
“Same here.”
“No problems.”
Glasses, Teresa, then me. Ermé shoved me from behind.
“Let's go.”
“...Don't you usually take point?”
“Thieves lead in places like this.”
“Then onward.”
We ventured into the Labyrinth.