Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: 3rd Layer
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3rd Layer.
After acquiring the elf crafting ability,
I figured out a few of its effects.
By infusing my mana to draw out the inherent flavors of the ingredients, it temporarily boosts stats.
'Sure, they're just minor buffs.'
Like this, for example.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Stamina +3 for 30 minutes.] 'Minor, but hey, a boost is a boost.'
And one more thing.
If this works on preserved rations too...
'Could it provide direct buffs even inside the Labyrinth?'
That would be a solid upgrade.
I wrapped up my experiments and turned to Ermé standing in front of me.
She'd scarfed down that spaghetti last time, and now she'd eaten the fresh jerky I'd made.
"Heh, hehe..."
The reason was simple.
The smell was just too good, she said.
"B-but Yuseong, you felt it too. Even the innkeeper said he wouldn't charge for ingredients if you cooked."
"..."
Honestly, it was surprising. My cooking wasn't some comic-book miracle dish or anything.
His eyes had nearly popped out before he shoveled it in greedily.
'...It's just regular tasty food with MSG.'
Truly bizarre.
- ...I-I've never tasted anything this good before.
If the innkeeper was new to MSG, Ermé's reaction was different.
- Haa, it's been so long since I had something this delicious.
She acted like it had been ages since her last real meal.
Whatever, that was beside the point.
"Why are you still here?"
"To cross swords once more with my warrior comrade, of course!"
Burkan declared it with his arms crossed over his chest.
I'm not a warrior.
And not your comrade either.
Since when did we become comrades?
I pondered it seriously for a moment.
"...And what's this guy?"
Volkan was glaring at Burkan with a sour expression.
Burkan froze and stared back at Volkan.
"S-Sword King Volkan!"
"Yeah, that's me."
"Wh-what are you doing here?! No, are you here to see my comrade...? As expected, you're a true friend."
Who decided that?
I shot Burkan an incredulous look, but he snorted proudly and nodded.
Come to think of it, though...
"...Your names are weirdly similar."
"Naturally. My father received a favor from Lord Volkan and named me after him."
"That's how I got Burkan, huh? Kahahaha! Look at this guy. That's the kind of legend I am. Right?"
His eyes gleamed with smug confidence as he looked my way.
Like he was saying, This is the caliber of man I am.
'I knew that much already.'
But seeing it like this...
Something about it rubbed me the wrong way.
"So why are you here?"
"It hit me out of nowhere. Whether you focus on the rear guard or the front line, you need to pick one and train for it."
"I'm already training."
I mostly skipped fights, sure.
But I always carried the iron balls Volkan gave me.
They'd gotten surprisingly light, so they weren't much hassle anymore.
"Training with that body?"
"Comrade, I acknowledge you as a warrior, but that's no trained physique. Way too scrawny."
"..."
These two loudmouths together made it even noisier.
"Hahaha! But fear not, my comrade!"
Burkan struck a bizarre pose flexing his muscles.
"We orcs have a splendid potion. It bulks up your muscles just like ours..."
"Don't need it."
"As expected! Refusing to rely on such drugs."
"Impressive. You've got the bare minimum qualifications as a swordsman, at least for now."
"Heh..."
They eyed each other like they'd found a kindred spirit.
How did they click so well?
'Volkan's sharper than he lets on.'
Burkan must've synced up with him perfectly.
"Anyway, what I'm saying is this: true strength isn't built overnight. It's layers of steady training that suddenly blossoms into enlightenment."
"Exactly, comrade. Let's train together."
"..."
I gave in and joined their training.
Didn't expect the cursing, though.
If asked how brutally they trained, it was insanely so.
They added weights to the iron balls I'd just gotten used to, then strapped some weird tire I'd never seen before to my body and made me run till I dropped.
A few days like that.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Acquired Running (D).] Skills from actions, huh.
Other gains too.
In the training hall,
I raised Swordsmanship to Lv 20,
and Archery to Lv 18 practicing with the bow. Hand-to-Hand is Lv 5 now.
'Hand-to-Hand's progressing slowly.'
Guessing it's because no related Gift.
With my body honed, the promised week was up.
'Time to head in.'
To the Labyrinth.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Rejoining the party after so long, everyone looked different.
Starting with their gear—they all seemed stronger.
'I've powered up plenty too.'
I'd gotten better at handling my specs.
Ermé, Teresa, Glasses, and Rosenta felt like straight spec upgrades.
'They'll adapt quick.'
A guy dropped here less than a month ago reaching this point was the weird part.
"Looks like you've been well. Your face has more color."
"You... must've worked hard."
I was surprised looking at Glasses.
His glasses were different.
From black horn-rims to flashy purple ones.
"Heh... Can you sense my changed mana?"
"...New glasses?"
"Ah, level-up celebration. And the first thing you notice is the glasses?"
Because that's the real you.
I swallowed that and looked at Ermé.
'...Ermé's stronger too.'
Everyone had leveled up once.
The biggest changes were Rosenta and Ermé.
Glasses too, but not as much as those two.
'...Compared to that.'
Teresa had changed outwardly.
Covered in unfamiliar new gear.
"I got new equipment."
"...Must've cost a fortune."
"...Yeah, so I gotta earn more money."
Teresa nodded vigorously with a dazed look.
I eyed her. Her club was over twice as big, and she was fully armored.
The others had minor gear tweaks, but Teresa looked entirely revamped.
From mercenary vibes to heavy-armored knight.
'She was desperate for cash before.'
Guess that's sorted.
And finally, Rosenta.
"...How do I look?"
She asked with expectant eyes. How do you look?
'Some change in aura, I guess.'
That's all I saw.
So,
"Shall we get ready?"
Time to change the subject.
Luckily, Rosenta didn't seem too invested—she puffed her cheeks briefly, then nodded.
Prep was quick.
They'd run the Labyrinth and rested yesterday.
'Usually rest three days after a run.'
Our party was diligent, so all good.
"Before entering, let's go over the plan for this Labyrinth run."
"Okay."
"We brought five days' rations and sundries. Goal's at least the 3rd layer."
"Fast."
"Heh, while you were building your foundation, we all leveled up."
Leveling this quick normal?
I glanced at Ermé. I'd rushed mine with side stuff.
'Still feels off.'
I soloed Rishiel against the elf raid.
Got tons of EXP, big jumps.
Ermé arrived same time as me, yet already leveled.
'...Must've grinded hard.'
If her identity's real, other methods wouldn't surprise me.
"Finally climbing the 3rd layer."
Glasses sounded thrilled.
But Teresa and Rosenta frowned.
"3rd layer... hate it."
"The bug floor, right...?"
Made sense they'd hate bugs.
"1st is Goblin Room, 2nd Hop Goblin Room. 3rd is Arachne Room. Hops sometimes rode Arachne because they come down from the 3rd."
"So..."
"Yeah, spiders."
"..."
Did I bring fire arrows?
If not, spam self-turning thunderbolt.
'Mana drain's heavy.'
I looked at Glasses.
"What's up, Yuseong?"
"Can you do fire magic?"
"Basics, yeah. But not very threatening."
"Thinking fire arrows, huh?"
"Fire Arrow. Basic spell plus your bow skills might work."
"Worst case, coat arrows in paralyze poison."
"Poison? You handle that too?"
"Learned on level-up."
Elf crafting from quest.
Others get Gifts innately.
They evolve through trials, but not repeatedly like me.
"That food we ate then too...?"
"Some utility."
"No wonder it was so good."
Ermé licked her lips nostalgically.
Chat wrapped up, time came.
Labyrinth portal soon opened.
I prayed inwardly as we entered.
If I had one wish.
'Please, just this once.'
No, even this time.
Clear the Labyrinth without incident.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Dimming vision.
Slightly acrid air.
Eyes open to familiar Labyrinth passage.
'Lucky.'
No weird changes.
That skeleton horse guy was from someone reaching 24th.
'...But odd.'
Cradle most inflated not now, but centuries ago.
Adventurer Guild weaker then, yet
Why Bonemare now?
Curious.
'Ask later.'
Volkan might tell me.
I scanned ahead. Clear nearby.
"...How's it look?"
"Nobody close."
"Forward then. Today's goal: 2nd layer."
"Slow pace?"
"Party safety first, after all."
I led at Ermé's word.
Wondered if I was too fast.
'They're keeping up fine?'
Speed up more?
Presence ahead.
"Enemies ahead, seven."
"...Phew, tough. Goblins a relief."
"You were handling it."
Drew bow chatting with Glasses. String taut.
"Tiring. Been running Labyrinth hard."
"But you rested between sections."
"We call rests 'clearing zones.' Mages need precision."
Chit-chat aside, all prepped for goblins.
Thwip!
Arrow flies, pierces goblin head, skewers two more behind before stopping.
Goblins froze.
"...Wow, your archery's insane now."
"No slacking."
Glasses gawked; Teresa charged like a tank, crushing goblins. Ermé and Rosenta mopped up.
"How's that?"
"Pretty strong."
I grinned at his words, eyeing the party.
Even if we split someday,
We'd roll like this for a while.