011. The Second Day Since Being Dragged into This Damn Labyrinth
On the second day since being dragged into this damn labyrinth, I woke up and immediately checked the state of the protective barrier. Fortunately, it was intact. Not a single crack—perfect condition.
No monster attacks, then. This place seems safer than others. For some reason, monsters don't set foot in this Central Chamber. Of course, I can't say for sure yet. I'll need to watch for a few more days.
After confirming the barrier was holding strong, I turned my gaze back to the Dog Spider-001 I'd glimpsed while getting up.
[Siiiii...]
The Dog Spider-001 was sleeping soundly. Shockingly, its body had grown enormously overnight—almost the size of the adult I'd seen yesterday. Must be a monster with explosive growth rates.
Won't be riding it on my shoulder anymore. I stared hard at the now-adult Dog Spider-001. Jellyfish-002 glanced at me, then approached and lightly bopped it on the head.
[Pii!]
[Si, sii?!]
The Dog Spider-001 jolted awake with a shudder.
[Pii, piii!]
[Siiii...]
Probably payback. I'd woken up, but Dog Spider-001 was still sprawled out lazily. Maybe Jellyfish-002 was settling a score from yesterday's fight, where it lost and got toyed with. Could've been nursing a grudge.
It was 6 a.m. now. I gathered the monsters briefly and asked,
"Hey, kids. Can you guys evolve?"
These B-grade monsters weren't the sharpest, but they should understand this—their instincts as monsters would kick in.
[Sii!]
[Pii!]
Both nodded vigorously. I followed up right away.
"Do you know the evolution conditions?"
[Sii?]
[Pii?]
They tilted their heads in confusion. No clue, then.
Devouring other creatures isn't it. They'd know if it was that simple. Some monsters grow by eating others—like Min Hyung-seok's from yesterday, which seemed to need human prey for evolution, a rare case. Anyway, no way to figure out my monsters' conditions right now.
I'll look into it later. More pressing matters first. I stood up. Time to forage for water and food.
I disabled Jo-ryeokja blocking first. Too early for helpers to show, but better prepared.
Dog Spider-001 and I got float and acceleration spells from Jellyfish-002. We headed straight into Passage 4.
No monsters. No food or water. At the end: a massive door blocking the way.
I decided not to open it. Bad vibes. No clue what's beyond—didn't want the risk.
Head back.
Time wasted, kinda. But no big deal—Jellyfish-002's magic cut exploration time way down.
Back at the shelter fast, I carved a note next to Passage 4.
<Passage 4>
○ No monsters.
○ Giant door blocking the path.
After noting it, I had Jellyfish-002 dispel our float spells. Constant flying could atrophy leg muscles—make movement awkward, bad in crises. Especially Dog Spider-001, whose flying sucked; kept smashing into walls.
So, acceleration magic only from now on.
Next: Passage 5. No rest—Passage 4 yielded nothing.
Right as we were about to head out—
RED-grade Jo-ryeokja 'Mysticism' has torn through dimensions and manifested to gaze upon you.
Mysticism, the Jo-ryeokja. Not new—checked the list: Unknown-002.
"Up early, huh?"
No formal speech for an emoji-only user.
"Nickname change too? Mysticism means 'mysticism,' right?"
Like Ppuru-ru, hiding her identity to the end.
Why do they all conceal themselves?
"Changed your entrance line too... Spend that cash on coins or supplies for me instead."
Offhand comment—no expectations.
RED-grade Jo-ryeokja 'Mysticism' has sent you 5 coins!
She actually sent coins. 50,000 won worth.
"Whoa... You really sent some?"
"...Thanks."
But it didn't end there. Right after thanks—
RED-grade Jo-ryeokja 'Mysticism''s support item has arrived!
A kitchen knife dropped in front of me.
"A kitchen knife too? Thanks a ton, Mishi."
"Mysticism's too long—Mishi it is."
"Hate it? Tell me your real name then."
"Crazy... Anyway, I'll use the knife well. Thanks again."
Stashed it in the box—not a weapon. A normal guy like me swinging it at a live B-grade? No scratches.
Time to go. Into Passage 5.
About 20 minutes into Passage 5—
RED-grade Jo-ryeokja 'Ppuru-ru' has slithered in wobblingly to watch you.
Ppuru-ru arrived.
"Hey, welcome."
I didn't stop—kept pushing deeper.
"Dog Spider-001? Right next to me."
"This is her—from yesterday."
While Ppuru-ru wailed over nonsense, Mysticism vanished from the list. Moments later—
RED-grade Jo-ryeokja 'Mysticism' has torn through dimensions and manifested to gaze upon you.
"Showing off the new entrance line—re-entered for it."
Probably pissed at her lame one. Ppuru-ru started rerolling entrance lines.
RED-grade Jo-ryeokja 'Ppuru-ru' has toddled over awkwardly to watch you.
RED-grade Jo-ryeokja 'Ppuru-ru' lurks in the dimensional shadows, spying damply on you.
RED-grade Jo-ryeokja 'Ppuru-ru' has slithered in wobblingly to watch you.
Back to square one.
The deeper we went, the narrower cave widened into a vast underground world. No longer a "cave"—too grand, too immense.
"...No. There are monsters."
Hundreds of trees sprouting through the vast space. Apples hanging from branches.
I knew instinctively: those "apples" were monsters.
Too far for certainty, but probably all B-grade.
Lure a few, catch 'em. Might be edible if lucky.