Chapter 83
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Initiation Ceremony
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Eleanor's reaction was only natural.
The party's skills had already far surpassed the 3rd layer.
At this rate, they could establish a stable foothold on the 4th layer without issue.
"But I've heard that starting from the 4th layer... it requires a lot of preparation."
"That's right. They say that to be called a veteran in Blackout, you have to survive at least one season on the 4th layer."
Even in the game, pushing past the 4th layer to the 5th meant you'd shed a bit of your newbie status.
The 4th layer was on a completely different scale from the layers they'd cleared so far.
"But staying on the 3rd layer just because of that would be a waste of time. To be blunt, have you guys had any trouble with monsters that match your level?"
"Hmm..."
Aiden shook his head at the question.
On the Aptitude Floor, they'd faced crises from the Demon of Misfortune and the Butcher Monk, but the undead there weren't particularly threatening.
The only real hassle had been the initial physiological repulsion.
"At our current level, lingering on the 3rd layer is just standing still. Of course, that doesn't mean we charge blindly into the 4th. We'll prepare thoroughly."
The 4th layer really did demand extensive preparation.
Capable companions were one part of it, and supplies were another.
'The field size expands dramatically from the 4th layer onward.'
Even a single mission could take months.
So Jun and the party stopped by a major Checkpoint on the 3rd layer to stock up on necessities.
"Oh, it's the Gilenoi Merchant Guild!"
"They're expanding their branches just like in the letter."
It was smaller than the one in Black Forest Fortress, but still good news.
The more branches, the wider their influence.
There, Jun withdrew some of the funds he'd deposited under his name and began procuring what the party needed.
Thanks to the investment he'd made with Cloi in the past multiplying several times over, they had plenty of capital to spare.
"Welcome to the Voleska branch!"
When he handed over one of Cloi's letters, the branch manager greeted them with an exceedingly bright smile.
"How may we assist you? Anything at all."
"I'd like to entrust some cold weapons and leather armor for maintenance."
"You've come to the right place. We'll direct you to Voleska's finest artisans."
And so they left Aiden's Cloudlight Sword, the Destroyer's leather, and even Maya's Acander fang with the artisans.
Fortunately, the ancestral spirits dwelling in the sword kept the evil military aura in check, so no mishaps occurred.
They also stocked up on various potions.
"So thorough, Captain."
Eleanor remarked, watching Jun pack even healing potions.
No matter how good the healer, recovery potions were essential.
There might come times when divine power couldn't be used.
Once they'd finished preparing rations and herbs to last several months, a week flew by.
"Phew..."
"Nervous?"
At the layer gate leading to the 4th, Aiden took a shallow breath, prompting Jun's question.
"I was a bit at first, but..."
Glancing over his gear once more, Aiden's eyes sparkled as usual.
"Now I'm actually a little excited."
"Good mindset."
It was one of Aiden's greatest strengths.
He startled easily, but adapted with astonishing speed.
That was true talent.
"Alright then, let's go. To the 4th layer."
Preparations were complete.
With the now-familiar odd sensation of the layer gate, the party beheld the 4th layer's landscape.
A vast, barren plain stretched out.
Rocky hills dotted the area here and there—this was the 4th layer field called Orcutas's War Plains.
"Come to think of it, this mission is exploration, right? What's the exact details?"
As Eleanor, stepping into her first mercenary mission, asked, Jun gazed at his hand equipped with Predator and replied.
"Exploring a certain temple on Orcutas's War Plains. The clients are coming along too."
"How many?"
"Four from the client's side, plus twenty-one from a group they contracted separately. With us, that makes twenty-nine total."
"Twenty-nine?"
For an exploration commission, that was an excessive number.
Unlike the lower layers with denser populations, commissions on the 4th layer and above paid vastly more.
Just as Eleanor opened her mouth to ask why, someone called out from behind.
"Oho! You've arrived!"
A broad-shouldered middle-aged man approached, welcoming Jun and the party.
"You're the client?"
"That's me! See this?"
He pointed to the brooch on his chest, bearing the same emblem they'd exchanged via letters.
"Indeed. I'm Jun, leader of the White Whale Mercenary Corps."
"I know! The hero who uncovered the hidden secrets of the Black Forest conquest and saved dozens of lives!"
The man, hands callused and rough, grinned broadly as he extended one.
"I've always wanted to work with you someday!"
Jun shook it with a practiced capitalist smile.
"It's an honor to meet a scholar of the esteemed Issus Society."
"Hahaha! Glad it's mutual!"
"I-Issus Society...?"
Aiden recognized the name and lit up with joy.
"And you are?"
"Ah, I'm Aiden, a member of the mercenary corps."
"Aiden! I've heard of you. You destroyed the Forest Guardian's essence in the Black Forest!"
The middle-aged man slapped his forehead.
"Doh. I forgot to introduce myself. Name's Schneider. Scholar with the Issus Society."
"Schneider! N-No way, the author of Into the Lost Civilizations?"
Aiden exclaimed in shock, and Schneider grabbed his hand with an even brighter smile.
"A reader of my book! Ha! What a delight!"
"Y-Your book was so fascinating! When the hidden history of the 3rd layer's 'Rotten Shepherd' was revealed, I was..."
He seemed to be the author of a book Aiden had read in the past.
"A scholar from the Issus Society!"
Trapped in the Imperial Family's gilded cage, books had been Aiden's only friends, opening doors to unknown worlds.
Now, meeting one of those authors felt like stepping into the pages himself—Aiden couldn't hide his overwhelming emotion.
"To meet such a passionate fan. I'm flattered! Hahaha!"
Schneider's broad shoulders shook with laughter.
For a scholar, he was impressively built, with scars and thick arm muscles proclaiming he wasn't just a bookworm.
"Uh, Professor Schneider."
"Oh right, I should've introduced my assistants sooner!"
Schneider gestured to the three assistants behind him.
Jun also introduced his mercenaries one by one.
Once the lively greetings wrapped up, Schneider was deep in conversation with his self-proclaimed fan, Aiden.
From behind them, Eleanor shot Jun a coldly skeptical look.
"My first mission is with the Issus Society?"
"Hear that? Your connections are already thickening."
"No, all I smell is impending disaster."
"What are you talking about."
Jun rebutted, but he wasn't oblivious to Eleanor's feelings.
"Of all things, the Issus Society?"
The Issus Society.
Even back in his Lee Jung-jun days, they were famous in the game.
Nicknamed the Hidden Piece Factory.
They unearthed every secret in Blackout, earning the moniker.
With centuries of history, their sole purpose was one: uncover all of Blackout's mysteries.
That often dragged in a slew of problems.
'Players said collaborations with them were all or nothing.'
Total party wipes or massive treasures.
Rare moderate successes still boosted fame immensely, thanks to the Issus name.
'The kind of fame I want right now. Not the infamous sort from killing nobles or uncovering treason.'
Jun calmly explained this to Eleanor.
Above all, he had substantial knowledge of Orcutas's War Plains.
It had been the main stage for the warrior character he'd raised long ago.
"Damn. Whatever, it's one hell of an initiation ceremony."
Eleanor muttered.
'Sorry, Eleanor. The real highlight of this mission is still to come.'
Schneider's voice rang out from behind.
"You can look forward to it! Our mission companions are a rough, tough bunch!"
The main monsters on Orcutas's War Plains were orcs.
Innate warriors with verdant green skin, raised as fighters from birth.
Such orcs were locked in fierce combat.
"Orcutas Basada!"
Veins like earthworms bulged on his neck as he swung his battered glaive.
His opponents: three men.
Hardened by rough lives, they exuded extraordinary auras.
"What'd you say, you pig bastard?!"
"Flank it and kill!"
Acting independently, ignorant of teamwork, yet they efficiently slaughtered the orcs.
Soon encircled, the orc crumpled to the plains.
"Hey, fuck. What'd you just say?"
"Huh?"
"Flank it? Who the hell are you ordering around, asshole?"
"Asshole? Ordering? You fucking psycho."
"Fucking retards fighting again. Heh heh heh."
"Retards? Fine. Guess I'll make some human jerky today."
"Human jerky? Hey! That sounds tasty. Your fat ass already looks delicious."
The three, who moments ago radiated murderous intent at the orc, now turned blades on each other.
Battle raged around them still.
Similar rough types occupied the area.
Their common traits: gray prisoner garb and massive iron collars around their necks.
"Shut up and fight."
A man behind them issued the order with a blank face. The trio clicked their tongues and turned to the ongoing fray.
...
Watching from afar, Eleanor's expression chilled further as she glared at Jun.
Jun subtly averted his gaze from her stare.
"Now that's a proper initiation ceremony."
Undeveloped Development Corps.
An Imperial unit assembled solely from heinous criminals.
And their companions for this mission.