Chapter 296: Newbie (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 296: Newbie (4)
Noark was a city full of warm-hearted people. But if you decided to interpret that statement another way, you could also take it to mean that it only had warmth going for it. Prices were so all over the place that I couldn't get used to them, and the administrative services were old and outdated.
Just this morning, when I headed to the labyrinth management office to receive a binding spell, the administrative wizard in my line took an hour break because he was tired. Though, to be fair, I did get to the front of the line after that by 'convincing' someone to yield their turn out of anger.
"How long are you going to stand there like that?"
"Oh, I just felt weird for a moment. This place really is no different now than it is twenty years in the future."
"Why are you stating the obvious?"
Jeez, so unromantic. Even if it's entirely the same, we're still in the labyrinth twenty years in the past.
"Follow close behind."
After looking around and indulging in sentimentality for a moment, I ran after Amelia, who had started running ahead of me. I frowned. It looked like she was leading me the right way, but how could she find the way without looking at a compass?
Oh, could it be...?
"Are you a scout?"
Amelia glanced back at my question, then resumed running without a word. That was answer enough for me.
Holy...
A human character who used an aura, had a Doppelganger's essence, and had the abilities of a scout? The world was so unfair. It made me feel a little greedy and desperate.
It would be so reliable to have someone like her on the team...
If we got to know each other better here, would she let herself be recruited once we got back? We still had a lot of seats left to fill before we hit the ten-member clan threshold... Anyway, I wondered if my clan was operating well without me.
While I was running behind Amelia with these thoughts buzzing through my mind, a group of adventurers we encountered along the way struck up a conversation. "Oh, are the two of you a team?" This was a group that was running toward the second floor to cut down on travel time like we were, not some low-level adventurers.
This is quite nerve-wracking.
Currently, I was affiliated with Noark, not Rafdonia. Maybe that was why I found myself worrying that they might find us suspicious. It ended up being an unnecessary fear, though.
"None of your business."
"Haha, feisty. Take care!" The group laughed merrily at Amelia's cold response and disappeared down another path.
"Why did you freeze?" she asked me.
"Just... nothing. I was just thinking I would have a hard time living a life of crime."
"...What did you say?" Amelia asked like she couldn't believe her ears, then burst into genuinely hearty laughter. "Ha, puahahaha!"
To be honest, from my perspective, this was extremely random. It wasn't like I'd said something funny in the first place, and it was my first time ever seeing her laugh so loud. "...Haha, I guess you like jokes like that?"
I felt a sense of pride, but Amelia stopped laughing at my question, wiping all traces of emotion from her features. "Don't be mistaken. I only laughed because you are ridiculous."
Uh-huh, say that without smiling, then.
I guessed her sense of humor was odd, being from Noark. Was it so funny to her that my anxiety was giving me jitters?
When I asked that, protesting her treatment of me, Amelia opened her mouth. "The people we just saw were from Noark."
"What?" That person who looked so pleasant was from Noark? "How do you know that? I heard it's at the discretion of people from your side whether to wear faction emblems or not."
Amelia was quick to answer my questions. Apparently, what had tipped her off was the fact that there wasn't a wizard or priest on their team and that the color and design of their equipment weren't uniform, as if they were wearing items they'd stolen from multiple different people. "And more importantly... Only people from Noark would bring along a kid whose face is covered with a robe."
"Kid? Oh, are you talking about that small adventurer in the back?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, I just thought it was a short girl or a dwarf... How can you be sure?"
Amelia's tone was slightly wooden as she replied, "I just know it when I see it."
"What?"
"Enough, let's move." Amelia ended the conversation like she didn't want to talk about this anymore. This was one of this woman's bad habits. She made people curious.
"Amelia. If what you say is true, why are people from Noark bringing children into the labyrinth?" Instead of asking how she was able to recognize the child in an instant, I asked a slightly different question.
It seemed this much was okay because Amelia answered me. "First, children can be enslaved for a pittance."
"Hmm, I still don't know if that's a reason to bring them along."
"They are surprisingly useful. They can be used for cumbersome tasks like cooking and night watch, and are even helpful for looting."
"They're helpful for looting...?"
"As bait. If a child comes to ask for help, even the wariest of adventurers will at least listen to their story."
Hmm, really?
"Strange. I think I would be even more wary if a child came up to me. In Rafdonia, minors are not allowed to enter the labyrinth."
"That's because you're from twenty years in the future. That law is already on the books now just like it was then, but even civil servants in Rafdonia implicitly permitted the practice in this time period."
Wow, she really sounded like an old person when she talked like that. Back in my day.
"Hey, Amelia, how old are you?"
"...Get moving instead of spouting nonsense."
Anyway, we continued to chat as we headed up to the second floor, and since we ran, we soon arrived at our destination. As expected, the portal had already been opened by someone else. That was too bad. We got here pretty fast too.
"Let's go up."
When we entered the portal, we were greeted by a gloomy yet soggy ambiance.
This place always puts me in a bad mood.
This was the Land of the Dead, a district where Ghouls, Death Fiends, and various undead monsters appeared, and also the place where Amelia and I first met.
Whew, I thought I was going to piss my pants back then.
As I looked at it now, I realized you really never knew how things would turn out in the future. Who knew the two of us would come back here again, and as comrades this time?
Uh-huh, say that without smiling, then.
I guessed her sense of humor was odd, being from Noark. Was it so funny to her that my anxiety was giving me jitters?
When I asked that, protesting her treatment of me, Amelia opened her mouth. "The people we just saw were from Noark."
"What?" That person who looked so pleasant was from Noark? "How do you know that? I heard it's at the discretion of people from your side whether to wear faction emblems or not."
Amelia was quick to answer my questions. Apparently, what had tipped her off was the fact that there wasn't a wizard or priest on their team and that the color and design of their equipment weren't uniform, as if they were wearing items they'd stolen from multiple different people. "And more importantly... Only people from Noark would bring along a kid whose face is covered with a robe."
"Kid? Oh, are you talking about that small adventurer in the back?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, I just thought it was a short girl or a dwarf... How can you be sure?"
Amelia's tone was slightly wooden as she replied, "I just know it when I see it."
"What?"
"Enough, let's move." Amelia ended the conversation like she didn't want to talk about this anymore. This was one of this woman's bad habits. She made people curious.
"Amelia. If what you say is true, why are people from Noark bringing children into the labyrinth?" Instead of asking how she was able to recognize the child in an instant, I asked a slightly different question.
It seemed this much was okay because Amelia answered me. "First, children can be enslaved for a pittance."
"Hmm, I still don't know if that's a reason to bring them along."
"They are surprisingly useful. They can be used for cumbersome tasks like cooking and night watch, and are even helpful for looting."
"They're helpful for looting...?"
"As bait. If a child comes to ask for help, even the wariest of adventurers will at least listen to their story."
Hmm, really?
"Strange. I think I would be even more wary if a child came up to me. In Rafdonia, minors are not allowed to enter the labyrinth."
"That's because you're from twenty years in the future. That law is already on the books now just like it was then, but even civil servants in Rafdonia implicitly permitted the practice in this time period."
Wow, she really sounded like an old person when she talked like that. Back in my day.
"Hey, Amelia, how old are you?"
"...Get moving instead of spouting nonsense."
Anyway, we continued to chat as we headed up to the second floor, and since we ran, we soon arrived at our destination. As expected, the portal had already been opened by someone else. That was too bad. We got here pretty fast too.
"Let's go up."
When we entered the portal, we were greeted by a gloomy yet soggy ambiance.
This place always puts me in a bad mood.
This was the Land of the Dead, a district where Ghouls, Death Fiends, and various undead monsters appeared, and also the place where Amelia and I first met.
Whew, I thought I was going to piss my pants back then.
As I looked at it now, I realized you really never knew how things would turn out in the future. Who knew the two of us would come back here again, and as comrades this time?
"Amelia, I have a question."
"Don't ask."
"You told me back in Bifron that the people you killed here in the Land of the Dead that day committed sins that were deserving of death. Is that related to something you're trying to fix here in the past?"
"You... have a lot of questions about me."
"Of course."
When I nodded, unaffected by her irritation., Amelia clicked her tongue. "...Yes, it's related."
Hmm, so it is.
I wanted to hear the backstory behind that too, but I stopped because it looked like she was going to get mad at me. I'd have to ask about that another time.
"If you're done, let's move."
Entering the second floor in earnest, we continuously slaughtered monsters as we moved without pause. Was it because there were just two of us? It reminded me of the time that Ainar and I used to work as a duo. Back then, each battle had been a struggle. Time sure flew by.
Smack!
To think I could now beat a Death Fiend to death with my bare fists.
"Behel–ahhh!"
My shout was met with pointed silence.
"Oh, sorry. It's a habit," I said.
"Whatever, sit. Let's rest here for a bit."
We traveled all day and then found a place to settle down at night. After having a simple meal, we agreed to sleep just three hours before we got moving again. To clarify, no one was on night watch. Apparently, she just needed to summon a clone through Self-Replication to handle night watch for us.
"...You can do that?" In the game, the Doppelganger's essence hadn't come with an auto-hunt mode. So how could that be the case here? The answer ended up being simple.
"Don't worry. I haven't slept properly since becoming an adult."
Her mind was always half-awake as she slept so she could control her doppelganger around the clock. At least, that was what this woman claimed. I didn't know if that was biologically possible.
"Tsk, no wonder your eyes always have bags under them."
"Are you picking a fight?"
"I'm saying you should get some sleep."
Anyway, Amelia admitted that she did end up having a little less energy than usual while using the auto-hunt mode, but that it should be fine on the lower floors.
"Rest."
So I lay down on the ground without complaint, but sleep didn't come right away. It wasn't because I was anxious there wasn't a night watch or anything. After all, I was a tank. Most types of beatings wouldn't kill me straight away.
I wonder if the others are doing all right...
Camping in the labyrinth kept bringing thoughts of my clanmates to mind. That was how the night of Day One passed us by.
***
On Day Two of entering the labyrinth, we arrived on the third floor, right on schedule. It was now time to commence fulfilling our mission for this trip into the labyrinth: return with achievements worthy of being noticed by the Lord of Noark.
"Ever since the first day we arrived in Noark, we poked around the city and proved we were capable. But even still, the lord of the castle hasn't approached us," Amelia had said. As for why, she explained it like this. "He is clearly being careful. The palace has sent many spies underground before."
So, in other words, what we needed to show off in the labyrinth was not our capabilities but our character. Were we really suited for Noark?
"The easiest way to prove ourselves is looting. If we return from the labyrinth with looted items, his suspicions will lessen."
Amelia spoke of looting as the top method and I agreed, on one condition. We would plunder, but by targeting plunderers, not ordinary adventurers.
"Is that your condition?"
"Yes. I don't place too much value on other people's lives anymore, but I won't kill anyone for my own gain."
"...But how will you tell plunderers from adventurers?" Amelia had been flexible, agreeing she would do as I requested as long as there was a way. I replied that it was difficult to explain, but I'd show her how later.
Time passed and now, we had arrived at our destination on the third floor.
"Now, what are you going to do?"
Plunderers couldn't do anything on the fourth floor, and it would be hard to operate as a duo on the fifth. Thus, the third floor was perfect for plunderer farming.
"If you really have a way to identify plunderers, go ahead."
Jeez, so impatient.
I then asked Amelia for a few things.
"First, Amelia, use your stealth skill."
"...Stealth?"
"Don't act like you don't know exactly what I'm talking about. The skill you used in front of me back then, when you suddenly disappeared into the darkness."
Amelia disappeared as instructed without another word. Whew, I really couldn't sense her presence at all. I had the thought that I should look into getting a detection-type Numbered Item I got back.
"Now, what's next?"
It was really strange hearing a voice appear out of thin air, but I played it cool and didn't let it show on my face. "Nothing special. You just have to follow me in that state. I'm going to find a plunderer."
"All right." This was one of the good things about having Amelia as a comrade. Whatever I did, she refrained from asking pointless questions and just watched.
Well, at least, that was usually the case, but...
"Barbarian." Amelia abruptly called out to me. "Why... are you suddenly taking off your equipment?"
Oh, couldn't bear your curiosity, could you? True, I'm sure it'd be hard for an ordinary person to see what I'm doing here. But I was hoping that you, of all people, would recognize my strategy.
"It's hard to explain. Just watch." I then took off a few pieces of equipment and stored the rest in sub-space. After that, I took out the beginner's set of armor I had been angling for from the very first day and put it on.
Seeing as my surroundings were silent, it seemed Amelia still had no idea what I was trying to do. However, just as a picture was worth a thousand words, seeing it once would be better than hearing a hundred long-winded explanations.
"We're starting now. Follow closely." I started running forward mindlessly and shouted with all my might, "I-I'm lost and my comrade is gone! I-I can't see! Is anyone there? Help!"
This was a barbarian's secret skill, one developed to protect the heart: Call Forth the Bad.
"Help me! I have a lot of money!"
He who answered the call would not be a good person.
"Amelia, I have a question."
"Don't ask."
"You told me back in Bifron that the people you killed here in the Land of the Dead that day committed sins that were deserving of death. Is that related to something you're trying to fix here in the past?"
"You... have a lot of questions about me."
"Of course."
When I nodded, unaffected by her irritation., Amelia clicked her tongue. "...Yes, it's related."
Hmm, so it is.
I wanted to hear the backstory behind that too, but I stopped because it looked like she was going to get mad at me. I'd have to ask about that another time.
"If you're done, let's move."
Entering the second floor in earnest, we continuously slaughtered monsters as we moved without pause. Was it because there were just two of us? It reminded me of the time that Ainar and I used to work as a duo. Back then, each battle had been a struggle. Time sure flew by.
Smack!
To think I could now beat a Death Fiend to death with my bare fists.
"Behel–ahhh!"
My shout was met with pointed silence.
"Oh, sorry. It's a habit," I said.
"Whatever, sit. Let's rest here for a bit."
We traveled all day and then found a place to settle down at night. After having a simple meal, we agreed to sleep just three hours before we got moving again. To clarify, no one was on night watch. Apparently, she just needed to summon a clone through Self-Replication to handle night watch for us.
"...You can do that?" In the game, the Doppelganger's essence hadn't come with an auto-hunt mode. So how could that be the case here? The answer ended up being simple.
"Don't worry. I haven't slept properly since becoming an adult."
Her mind was always half-awake as she slept so she could control her doppelganger around the clock. At least, that was what this woman claimed. I didn't know if that was biologically possible.
"Tsk, no wonder your eyes always have bags under them."
"Are you picking a fight?"
"I'm saying you should get some sleep."
Anyway, Amelia admitted that she did end up having a little less energy than usual while using the auto-hunt mode, but that it should be fine on the lower floors.
"Rest."
So I lay down on the ground without complaint, but sleep didn't come right away. It wasn't because I was anxious there wasn't a night watch or anything. After all, I was a tank. Most types of beatings wouldn't kill me straight away.
I wonder if the others are doing all right...
Camping in the labyrinth kept bringing thoughts of my clanmates to mind. That was how the night of Day One passed us by.
***
On Day Two of entering the labyrinth, we arrived on the third floor, right on schedule. It was now time to commence fulfilling our mission for this trip into the labyrinth: return with achievements worthy of being noticed by the Lord of Noark.
"Ever since the first day we arrived in Noark, we poked around the city and proved we were capable. But even still, the lord of the castle hasn't approached us," Amelia had said. As for why, she explained it like this. "He is clearly being careful. The palace has sent many spies underground before."
So, in other words, what we needed to show off in the labyrinth was not our capabilities but our character. Were we really suited for Noark?
"The easiest way to prove ourselves is looting. If we return from the labyrinth with looted items, his suspicions will lessen."
Amelia spoke of looting as the top method and I agreed, on one condition. We would plunder, but by targeting plunderers, not ordinary adventurers.
"Is that your condition?"
"Yes. I don't place too much value on other people's lives anymore, but I won't kill anyone for my own gain."
"...But how will you tell plunderers from adventurers?" Amelia had been flexible, agreeing she would do as I requested as long as there was a way. I replied that it was difficult to explain, but I'd show her how later.
Time passed and now, we had arrived at our destination on the third floor.
"Now, what are you going to do?"
Plunderers couldn't do anything on the fourth floor, and it would be hard to operate as a duo on the fifth. Thus, the third floor was perfect for plunderer farming.
"If you really have a way to identify plunderers, go ahead."
Jeez, so impatient.
I then asked Amelia for a few things.
"First, Amelia, use your stealth skill."
"...Stealth?"
"Don't act like you don't know exactly what I'm talking about. The skill you used in front of me back then, when you suddenly disappeared into the darkness."
Amelia disappeared as instructed without another word. Whew, I really couldn't sense her presence at all. I had the thought that I should look into getting a detection-type Numbered Item I got back.
"Now, what's next?"
It was really strange hearing a voice appear out of thin air, but I played it cool and didn't let it show on my face. "Nothing special. You just have to follow me in that state. I'm going to find a plunderer."
"All right." This was one of the good things about having Amelia as a comrade. Whatever I did, she refrained from asking pointless questions and just watched.
Well, at least, that was usually the case, but...
"Barbarian." Amelia abruptly called out to me. "Why... are you suddenly taking off your equipment?"
Oh, couldn't bear your curiosity, could you? True, I'm sure it'd be hard for an ordinary person to see what I'm doing here. But I was hoping that you, of all people, would recognize my strategy.
"It's hard to explain. Just watch." I then took off a few pieces of equipment and stored the rest in sub-space. After that, I took out the beginner's set of armor I had been angling for from the very first day and put it on.
Seeing as my surroundings were silent, it seemed Amelia still had no idea what I was trying to do. However, just as a picture was worth a thousand words, seeing it once would be better than hearing a hundred long-winded explanations.
"We're starting now. Follow closely." I started running forward mindlessly and shouted with all my might, "I-I'm lost and my comrade is gone! I-I can't see! Is anyone there? Help!"
This was a barbarian's secret skill, one developed to protect the heart: Call Forth the Bad.
"Help me! I have a lot of money!"
He who answered the call would not be a good person.