32. Suspect the pink-haired slut
32. Suspect the pink-haired slut
Gongnyeo had a motor in her mouth or something—she didn't stop talking for even a single second.
"After investigating, I heard that was your first time entering a dungeon back then, right? How are you so strong? What's really in the East? You're not actually some secret weapon raised by a high-ranking Eastern family or something, are you?"
"By 'investigation,' Gongnyeo-nim means..."
Even so, Gongnyeo had some sense of shame and was sneakily checking my reaction.
"Uh, I had no choice... There were forces trying to assassinate me, so I had to investigate thoroughly... And then you went and killed Ethan too..."
"I'm fine, Gongnyeo-nim... I just heard the news a bit late."
"Right? I'll tell you everything!"
...Can a person's mood swing up and down like this?
Gongnyeo's expression brightened in an instant, and she started chattering away again.
"I never imagined Ethan was a traitor! Ethan was my servant who came in a few years ago..."
"You mean Ethan...?"
"The one with the small eyes!"
If she always explained so simply and clearly, how great would that be?
I understood perfectly, spot on.
"By any chance, did you find out that guy's true identity?"
Gongnyeo's expression darkened again.
"No... Even after a thorough investigation, his background when he started working and his past were exactly the same. A high-ranking noble even vouched for him, and it's definitely the same person..."
Even the Duchy's capital couldn't uncover anything suspicious...
It felt like I'd gotten swept up in something enormous.
But no matter how much Gongnyeo and I racked our brains right now, nothing would progress.
As our mouths finally shut, the Guild Master cautiously gauged the mood and spoke up.
"Gongnyeo-nim, is it alright to explain the operation overview?"
The snapped-back-to-reality Gongnyeo nodded.
"Hot! Ahem! Start!"
"Yes, understood."
The Guild Master cleared her throat once and spoke.
"Greetings to all the future heroes selected for the 214th Labyrinth Dungeon Raid Team recruitment. My name is Sylvia Rumenin. As Guild Master and proxy for Hilda Ein Bellatus Gongnyeo-nim, I'll be guiding you all."
As the Guild Master opened the room door, knights in armor filed in one after another.
-Jeobeokjeobeok. Chaek!
The knights lined up in at-ease position, staring straight ahead with serious eyes.
Among them, the pink-haired female knight spotted me and waved happily.
'...? What? Waving?'
No one pointed out her standing out alone like that.
Feeling a sense of déjà vu, I stared at her blankly, and the Guild Master continued her explanation.
"These Apprentice Knights here will attend to you during your Labyrinth exploration. This is the first benefit."
The Apprentice Knights pulled boxes from Subspace and stacked them neatly beside us.
"All essential supplies and equipment will be sponsored by the Bellatus Duchy."
The Guild Master took out orbs one by one from her Subspace and distributed them to us.
"This is the Dark Goblin Essence. The skill is 'Night Vision.' An essence that lets you pierce through darkness."
... I'd expected essences, but this was way more useful than imagined.
Handing them out before we even started?
Gongnyeo, staring at the essence with indifferent eyes beside me, looked so different.
You really do have to work for a rich family, huh.
"This benefit lasts up to the 20th floor, with additional rewards based on your achievements. Magic Crystals, corpses, and essences obtained in the dungeon are yours to distribute freely. The emergency rescue team will stand by until you complete your exploration, and after the 29th day, they'll deploy immediately if you fail to return."
Finally, the Guild Master smiled bitterly and said,
"And lastly, a message from Gongnyeo-nim. Ahem! 'Don't disappoint me.'"
Watching the Guild Master even mimic the flat tone, I thought,
...Of course, Your Excellency.
[You have acquired the skill 'LV.1 Night Vision'!]
So full... Like the first time I hit a buffet in life, sweeping resources into Subspace.
-Jjeolgeureok...
Even snagged a sword, and now a skill.
Then another yellow orb flew at me.
-Whish! Thud!
Gongnyeo grinned mischievously at me.
"Eat this one! I've already eaten plenty!"
In other subculture media, gold-spoon classmates turn villain, but 'our' Gongnyeo-nim is different.
She's showing me tons of interest, like she plans to milk this life-saving debt for all it's worth.
Cute... I could burst out laughing.
"Thank you so much, Gongnyeo-nim."
"Hyaat... Hmph, hmph! I just ate too many essences!"
How is our Gongnyeo-nim so perfect even in her exit lines?
The moment I swallowed another essence with a smile...
[LV.2 Night Vision]
From today, escaping the pushover dynamic, Gongnyeo-nim and I...
Jenin muttered softly, watching us.
"Keuuk! Gongnyeo-nim..."
Magna seemed thoughtless...
And so, we headed into the Labyrinth.
Entering the forbidden Labyrinth entrance drew all eyes to us.
-Who's that guy...?
-Shh shh! Blonde! Blue eyes! Bellatus Bellatus!
-Barbarian? But priest robes...
-The one with Arin-nim... Huh? That face matches!
Rumors had spread far already. Quite a few recognized me.
I'd already told the Magic Tower Lord, so no guilt.
I just strode forward confidently, and as we all held hands and entered the dungeon...
"Haat! Fire Baaaall!!!"
-Shoosh! Boom~
...?
Jenin made a fuss and blasted a horned rabbit.
Seeing the perfectly even-roasted horned rabbit, Jenin raised her nose high, accessories jangling.
-Jjangrang~
"The path ahead is safe, Gongnyeo-nim~ Haha!"
"Hah? I could handle that much too! You looking down on me?"
"N-No, that's not..."
What I wanted to say at a time like this...
"What bullshit."
Looks like Magna and I'll get along just fine.
[Level Up!]
As expected, this over-specced party breezed to the 5th floor portal.
My vision wasn't perfect, but no discomfort—I was amazed.
'Giving this skill for free?'
Shivers at this insane newbie growth support package.
In my original world, nothing ever started smoothly...
Portal to the 6th floor after just 7 hours.
Traps worth calling traps start at the 7th, so we sped through.
This speed without breaking walls... Even with monsters one step more berserk.
Not for nothing are they Duchy talents.
Teamwork was a bit off, though...
"We need rest."
"Huh? Barbarian! Whining at just the 5th floor?! Pathetic bitch~"
"Shut your trap if you don't wanna end up underfoot, you mutt."
Jenin's brow furrowed.
"I'll kill you, you undignified bastard!"
"You'll sleep with the corpses then..."
Really hate looking at her.
Gongnyeo seemed the same.
"Hey! Both of you shut up!"
"G-Gongnyeo-nim..."
"Hoo..."
Gongnyeo looked up at me and said,
"What do you think? Rest here?"
We'd reached the 5th floor crazy fast anyway.
Plenty of time till the 30th—better no variables, right?
"Better to rest."
Gongnyeo slapped her hand on her hip and declared,
"You heard him, Je... ral? Jeral! We're resting!"
"Eeeeek!"
"Hoo..."
Quick mediation—Jenin vented at her assigned Apprentice Knight.
"Hurry up and clear space! Just try not aligning it right!"
"...Yes."
I helped my knight set up a simple chair at my spot.
"I'll help."
"Haha, thank you~"
The pink-haired knight who waved earlier was assigned to me.
She felt like she was drawn in a slightly different art style.
Glancing at her...
"Hm? Staring like that makes me shy!"
"Ah, sorry."
What's this sticky feeling?
Anyway, helped the knight make two spots.
"Rest here a bit."
"Hm? Ooh... Thank you!"
Gongnyeo watched me and the knight curiously.
"Hehe, you're so nice?"
"Haha..."
Just helped 'cause I heard 'recruitment' earlier.
Didn't seem likely they'd peg us as Dungeon Raid Team Members from the first exploration.
Probably observing these knights too? So, simple favor-building.
I handed jerky to the knight beside me.
"Eastern-made jerky—want some?"
"Ooh~ Looks delicious."
Just a slightly flirty way of talking?
Shrugging it off, Gongnyeo hopped in front of me.
"Jang Ryu-o! Me too, me too!"
Might as well—shared jerky with everyone except sulky Jenin.
Magna chewed and said,
"Good male."
Shouldn't have told her to talk casually?
No guts to call her a good female, so just nodded.
"Uh... Thanks."
"Right! Jang Ryu-o's a good guy!"
"Keeek!"
... I offered jerky to Jenin too.
"Have some, don't just sit there."
"Hmph, that crap..."
"Hah? That crap?"
"O-Okay, I'll eat well! Hohoho~"
Jenin's attitude flipped in a snap.
Elementary kids can't beat middle schoolers.
She tries hard, so not bad-natured...
Difference in upbringing?
Anyway...
'Peaceful and nice...'
Peaceful in the Labyrinth... What a joke.
We replenished stamina like that.
In a pretty good atmosphere.
Unlike the bustling Eastern streets full of energy, there was a shop that seemed to say 'Business as usual'...
"Aigoo... My fate~ My fate!"
Already marring the street view, now with wailing—passersby frowned.
But so pitiful, they just ignored.
Chwihyangru owner Sa Ma-yeon was crying again today.
"My silver tongue did this to Chwihyangru! Aigoo~"
If you've got energy to wail, clean up the debris... Tsk tsk.
Then, the tongue-clickers bolted inside like seeing the grim reaper.
Suddenly silent surroundings, shadow over Sa Ma-yeon's face.
-Gulp gulp!
"Hiiiik!!!"
Dark circles maxed Cheon Hwa-ryeong blew in like a storm and stood before Sa Ma-yeon.
As always, Sa Ma-yeon groveled, awaiting judgment.
Calamity god followed by King Yama... Sa Ma-yeon's luck was rotten.
"Ch-Cheonma-nim..."
A weary voice reached the trembling Sa Ma-yeon's ear.
"Phew... Where's that guy."
Sa Ma-yeon instantly knew who.
Where else? Probably at Arin's place by now...
'No... That oil shop Yu guy was thrilled some boy bought tons of oil...'
Inference...
"Labyrinth! He went to the Labyrinth!!"
In crises like this, Sa Ma-yeon's brain spun fast, roughly pinpointing Ryu-o.
Clinging to hope he'd survive this one.
Praying to Yuanshi Tianzun for just a wrist penalty.
Left hand slightly out, eyes squeezed shut, waiting...
"...?"
Peeking up—no Yama, just dust swirling.
"Huuuuk... S-Survived."
Sa Ma-yeon's victory, somehow alive?
Who knows.
Short rest over...
"Then, let's go. I'll take point."
Sword in right hand, I led from the front.
Planning to secretly slice and pocket the portal before entering.
Then the pink-haired knight stepped forward.
"I'll do it~"
Couldn't let her. Grabbed her hand and pulled back.
-Whish
"???"
"Training focus."
"? Yes?"
Nodded solemnly, and she backed off on her own.
Figures it's Eastern style to her.
We naturally lined up single file behind me...
"Let's go."
-Stab!
Shoved sword-hand in, counted 4 seconds.
'2, 1... Now.'
Portal fragment to inventory, and we hit the 6th floor.
Wanted the return portal too, but this was fine for now.
No enemies upfront.
Looking back—no one seemed suspicious...
"What was that just now?"
Pink-hair called me out.
In times like this...
"Hm?"
"You swung your arm, right?"
"Ah~ Checking for monsters."
"Ah! So thorough!"
"Jang Ryu-o! You thought of that too? Amazing!"
"Thorough male."
"Keeeuuk!"
...Seemed to buy it.
Then pink-hair knight smiled at her wrist.
"So you prepared for this too?"
"What're you—"
-Rrrrrumble!
Sudden vibrations, panicked people, smirking knight.
I instantly thrust my sword at pink-hair.
-Sheek!
"Aiko~"
Pink-hair dodged lightly and waved like first meeting.
"Ryu-o-ssi's got good instincts~ Everyone's frozen... I like you too much!"
"What's your relation to that Ethan bastard?"
Everyone froze, looking around at my words.
"Huh? Huh?"
"...What's that?"
"Berserk plus Dungeon Break... Eek! R-Rescue signal! Rescue!"
To her bright smile amid chaos:
"Just... coworker?"
Knew it.
Ethan checked wrist, now pink-hair too, and Dungeon Break.
"Whew, tiring... See ya later, everyone!"
"Everyone attack! Get the pink-hair!"
Me, Magna, and her knight charged...
-Whoosh
Pink-hair vanished in a flash, vibrations ongoing, 6th floor now, and...
"Rescue signal... not working!"
Jenin's words snapped me alert.
"Everyone, full speed to the 10th floor!"