Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Layer Boss
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Layer Boss.
Volkan had been giving me strange looks from midway through.
But that wasn't important right now.
'The ones behind us.'
There were guys chasing after Volkan.
"...No wonder it felt too quiet. These bastards were stirring up trouble."
"But why are the elves coming here?"
"It's because of their racial breeding."
In response to Rosenata's question, Glasses adjusted his spectacles and spoke.
"Racial breeding... you don't mean..."
"That's right, exactly what you're thinking. Elves have weakened males, so they use seeds from other races to breed."
"...So that's why they're kidnapping males?"
"Orcs have the highest fertility among the five races, and their stamina makes them natural warriors. To the elves, they're the perfect match."
Volkan scowled fiercely at Glasses' words.
He looked at Glasses and said,
"We live bravely and die bravely. Even if our hearts burst, we give our all to slay the enemy. That's what we orcs are."
"..."
"You might not understand it. But we fight to the end, dying for the greatest battle. Our entire tribe shares that instinct."
"Not everyone must be like that, right?"
"Not all, no. Some orcs want to die in peace. We leave those to the elves."
"I see."
"But they cross the line. They kidnap even those who wish to die on the battlefield and bind them. To us orcs, that's as good as death."
As he spoke, Volkan raised his sword.
A massive sword as tall as me. It was broad. Similar to the greatswords Volkan and I used.
"...Sorry it came to this."
"No matter. You might see us as barbaric, but we have our own way of life."
Volkan glared toward one side.
"So, my friend, lend me your strength."
"How should we handle it?"
I glanced at Ermé.
It was true that I had a big say in our choices, but Ermé was our party leader.
"You don't need to look at me." A voice pierced into my mind.
Ermé was speaking to me.
"It was planned anyway, but from now on, Yuseong, you take over as party leader." Her voice carried a sense of relief.
"It was a burden for me anyway, and you have sharp instincts. I'll relay it to everyone, so handle it as you see fit." 'She trusts me, huh.'
No, that was part of it... but it felt like she was leaning on me heavily.
"I'll help this time."
"Thanks, friend. I'll help you in return."
Volkan nodded and spoke.
The group prepared for battle.
I sidled up to Ermé and asked,
"The reason elves come here... there's more to it, right?"
No matter how I thought about it, something was off.
If they were hunting males, wouldn't ambushing elsewhere or in the lower layers be far better?
'Not the human labyrinth, but the orcs' labyrinth or something.'
It had bugged me all along.
From their perspective, the orcs' labyrinth would be ideal over coming here.
Yet the elves invaded the human labyrinth.
All the way to layer 4.
'There has to be a reason.'
If targeting males, they could snatch them quickly from the lower layers.
But the elves chose differently.
They came here specifically to negotiate with the orcs.
'Coming all the way to layer 4 on purpose...'
There was something.
"You noticed the weird part, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Do you know what the elves' labyrinth is like, by any chance?"
"No, not really."
"Well-informed people know, but
it's a flaw in their labyrinth, so no helping it."
"A flaw in the elves' labyrinth?"
"It's truly horrific there. I never want to go."
Ermé muttered in a gloomy voice. It was rare to see her so emotional.
Rishiel nodded in agreement.
Be grateful for the environment you're given. 'Are the labyrinths that different?'
It's that serious. Labyrinths differ fundamentally by race, spawning their natural predators. For example, where orcs like those have settled, golem-types appear, and where dwarves settle, spirits or inanimates spawn. '...From the lower layers?'
They match goblin strength. Low floor but high ceiling, with racial traits that are both present and absent. That's why... human labyrinths compile only the advantages of labyrinths. Other races come to conquer them too, except elves. 'So these elves...'
Yes, they sneaked into the humans' labyrinth. 'Isn't that a violation of some treaty or whatever?'
Not entirely, but... half right. Rishiel nodded as she spoke.
'Then why hasn't the Adventurer's Guild...'
As my thoughts connected, I looked ahead.
The faint presences were rapidly growing. From the darkness-melded cave, figures emerged from hiding here and there, led by one woman.
Ha, a daughter of the Black Lure house. Rishiel sneered as she looked ahead.
'You know her?'
Know her? Every Dark Moon family member harbors inferiority toward us. You know the elven houses worship swords, spirits, and bows respectively? 'Yeah.'
Dark Moon worshipped the sword.
The others, spirits and bows, as she said.
Rishiel claimed Dark Moon's sword was superior, inheriting the elves' essence, Dark Moon.
But other houses had equivalents.
'Hope it's bows.'
I knew various sword arts, but only charging shots for bows.
...Already thinking of looting their skills. 'If I get stronger, you benefit too, right?'
The result for elves... whatever, doesn't matter. Rishiel gave me a chilling smile.
Since it's come to this, smash them all. 'Of course.'
I glared at the elf at the front.
The elves glared back at us.
The woman in the lead shifted her glare from us to Volkan.
"Volkan, ignoring our deal to side with humans."
"The deal you offered was choosing honorable death or shameful one."
"Our offer shameful? Where? We feed you, make you comfortable, and if needed..."
"We have our own will! We won't submit to the likes of you!"
"Sigh, that's orcs for you. Humans obey once they see the looks. Hey, you there, human."
The elf looked at me and said,
"Want to come with us?"
"An elf said that to me before."
"...Still alive means she died, huh. Dumb Dark Moon types, or scheming Dark Spell? Ah, heard they have no heir recently, so Dark Moon."
"Black Lure, huh."
From badmouthing the other two houses, it was Black Lure house.
I smiled brightly.
Their main force was bows.
One house producing Thief Heroes generation after generation.
They wielded hero weapons made from World Tree branches, infused with spirit and darkness power.
"Hm, knows my house, so decent sprout. Human, but better looking than us... Fine, I like you. Join our house."
"Pass."
"Sorry, it's decided. Ah, no name yet. Sylvarien Blacklure. The woman who'll be your wife."
Sylvarien Blacklure.
She said that and lowered her hand.
Snap!
Mana-charged bows from behind aimed at us.
'In such a narrow space.'
Dozens of arrows flew.
Each brimming with immense mana, feeling dangerous.
'But weaker than expected?'
Weaker than my charging shot. Should be something else, but didn't seem so.
You're the abnormal one from the start. No normal can output that from one arrow. 'Is that so.'
I drew a throwing dagger and hurled it at Sylvarien.
'Shadow Dance.'
Mana infused the dagger, dwelling within, then it began splitting.
'Truly useful.'
Steals attention from stronger foes, takes lives from weaker.
I scanned around. Orcs charged first, Teresa behind them.
Rosenata and Ermé guarded rear with Glasses.
I fell back far, nocked an arrow.
"Ha, bows against us? Arrogant."
Sylvarien spoke while slicing an orc's forearm clean off.
"Not ordinary arrows, I bet?"
I nocked, activated charging shot.
Crackle.
Mana drained sharply, purple lightning sparking at the arrow tip.
It began condensing.
Sylvarien's eyes widened at the fully charged arrow.
"Block that guy now!"
The arrow flew. But Ermé's sword deflected it.
There were arrows at Glasses too.
Boom!
Rosenata punched an arrow aside.
'Doesn't that hurt her hand?'
Smacking arrows like that so brutally?
Question lingered, but set aside. Charging shot mana peaked.
Whoosh!
It pierced with a tearing sound, slamming into the elves at monstrous speed.
Rumble!!
Purple lightning scorched the elves.
*
High level maybe.
Or magic gear and spirits.
Surprisingly, no elves died.
'Meant to kill.'
No deaths was shocking.
"Kuhahaha! As expected of my friend. Sharper than most elf arrows."
"Better than our shaman."
A nearby orc thumbs-upped me.
I smiled awkwardly, eyed the elves.
"Surrender your weapons quietly."
"You'll spare us?"
"..."
Honestly, not keen on sparing, but
'Eyes around.'
They seemed somewhat humane to captives, half-dampening kill urge.
Elves meekly yielded weapons and armor.
"How much is all this worth..."
Ermé gazed at the elf gear in rapture.
'Rishiel.'
What? 'No Whisper of the Wind equivalents?'
...Something similar, but seems they left it. More importantly, Whisper of the Wind is one of Dark Moon's treasures...! 'None, huh.'
I ignored Rishiel's angry face, helped collect elf weapons.
Teresa, strongest in strength, carried bags contentedly.
Normally Glasses, but orcs here now.
"Hm, with this, we can take the layer 4 boss."
"Layer 4 boss alive?"
"Yes, friend. We met these on the way to boss room originally."
"Makes sense why they had such good gear. Ah, silk from layer 3 Arachne boss! Not hunters, golden goblins."
"Human dares compare us to goblins?!"
"Lalala~."
Ermé beamed, eyes glittering like gold coins.
"Feels lucky? Hits rest day for deep divers."
"Claimers might return soon. Hit fast and descend."
We grinned, headed to boss room.
'Something.'
Bad feeling.
Eerie. Every boss room felt like instant riches.
This feeling,
'When was it.'
Recent, recalled quick.
'Bone Horse.'
When it ravaged lower labyrinth.
But bad feelings alone can't halt party raids.
Soon, boss room arrived.
"Two orc party members. Check contributions at guild's golden scales, loot as is."
"Like it. Watch orc combat style, friend."
"Feeling off."
"...Feeling off?"
Volkan's face turned grave at my words.
Orcs and humans around too.
"Off feeling right at boss room? Just layer 4."
All took it seriously.
Odd they'd react so gravely to mere hunch, but
If someone like you says it's off, it usually is. Be careful...! Rishiel's warning.
At the same time.
Boom!
Volkan's body flew back, slamming into the door.
'Ah, fuck.'
No wonder luck felt good today.