The Labyrinth Portal Opens

Thinking back, incidents had never stopped since the very first day of training, when I'd registered as an adventurer at the guild. I ran into an old enemy from Earth, then stumbled upon an arrangement left for Transmigrators while searching for a way to kill him. I met Lumia, the witch of the cursed Arar race, and ended up nullifying her curse by accident before recruiting her into the party. I even crushed Isaac in a duel after ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he picked a fight without knowing his place. All of that happened in just three days, so the remaining two days of mandatory training passed without any notable incidents.

"You've all worked hard. Never forget what you've learned and keep striving forward."

When Berkel's words ended, Bardus, standing beside me, asked, "Aren, you're planning to head straight into the labyrinth portal as soon as it opens, right?"

"Yes. No point in delaying. Why do you ask?"

I'd heard that the portal to the Great Labyrinth opened roughly once a month, and once open, it didn't close immediately—it could last up to five days. Something about the dimensional distortion making everything uncertain.

Bardus scratched the back of his head with a laugh. "Haha, my party decided to enter a few days later. I just wanted to say that if we run into each other later, since we're training mates, let's not turn hostile right away."

"Sure. As long as you don't start trouble or make threats first, there's no need for me to be on edge with your party either."

…I smiled as I said it, but once inside the labyrinth, I couldn't afford to let my guard down, even with fellow trainees. 'My top priority in there is survival—for me and the girls. I need to stay sharp.' Sorry, Bardus, but Berkel had repeatedly warned us to be more wary of fellow adventurers than monsters.

"Alright, when I call your name, come forward and receive your adventurer rank plate. First, Aren!"

I stepped up first and received the plate. It looked ordinary, probably because it was made of iron. This was what made someone a real adventurer, right? Recalling what I'd learned during training, the plates ranged from iron for lower-floor adventurers to platinum for the deepest layers. When I'd heard that, I'd asked why they didn't just call them Iron-rank or Platinum-rank adventurers instead of the vague "lower floor" and "deep floor" classifications. The answer had been that the essence of Labyrinth City adventurers was exploring the labyrinth and conquering unknown floors, so naming them after layers rather than minerals made more sense.

While I was mulling this over with the plate in hand, my eyes met Isaac's. 'Wow, his spirit still hasn't broken? He's got some nerve.' He lowered his gaze because of the duel from a few days ago, but the malice simmering beneath was vicious. So this was what it felt like to see someone sharpening their blade for revenge.

"Well then, all procedures are complete. I wish you all the best of luck on your paths ahead. You're dismissed!"

'Whatever. You'll get what's coming soon enough. Hate me all you want before you die.'

Feeling lighter, I opened the door and headed down to the first floor. I grabbed an empty table and sat down. As expected, people had shifted away to avoid Lumia, leaving the area around us empty. Just as I was about to speak, a thud echoed through the hall.

A guard burst through the revolving door and stomped to draw everyone's attention. "Portal appearance time: 12:30! As of this moment, I hereby inform all adventurers that the entry portal to the Great Labyrinth has begun to open!"

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"It opened a day earlier than expected."

"Mac, you stopped by the general store yesterday to finish preparations, right?"

"Heh. This time, I'm definitely breaking through to the next floor!"

Clap! Clap!

"Everyone, please quiet down. I'll now deliver the announcement."

Whether because this wasn't their first time or not, the adventurers who had been chattering fell silent in an instant. A few rookies who kept talking received icy glares from the veterans.

"As usual, adventurers will be allowed to enter starting twenty-four hours after the entry portal begins opening. From now on, access will be restricted."

Oh. So that's how it worked.

"During the restriction period, any attempt to break through the guards and enter the portal, or any disruptive behavior that disturbs order before entry, will be met with severe punishment. Keep that in mind."

Made sense. Without these controls, everyone would rush in to claim the next floor or monsters first, causing all sorts of problems. After listing a few more precautions, the guard saluted and left.

"We don't have any more business at the guild today, so how about heading back to the inn to discuss our plans?"

"Sounds good! It's way too noisy here with everyone so excited."

"Yeah. Let's go."

Good grief. The excited chatter was starting to hurt my ears. We immediately took a carriage back to the inn.

When we arrived and opened the door, Rotten greeted us. "You kids are back? I heard some noise outside earlier—something about the entry portal starting to open. Is that true?"

"Yes. They said it appeared around 12:30."

"I see. It usually opens on a monthly cycle, but sometimes it comes a few days early or late and ruins adventurers' plans."

We agreed to meet for dinner later. After dropping off our things in our rooms, we came back down to the first floor. 'If I need preserved rations, should I go to the same general store as yesterday? Or a grocery store?'

While I sat at a table pondering this, Rotten approached with his hands behind his back. "How about it? Are you ready to head into the labyrinth tomorrow?"

Ready, huh. I'd bought most of the necessities at the general store, but food was still the issue. Since there were only about three days left after the duel, I'd planned to buy rations today. If I'd known the portal would open early, I would've stocked up yesterday.

"I've got torches, bandages, rope, sleeping bags, a watch, and a lower-floor map… but the preserved food is the problem. Well, the 4th District is huge, so a bit of legwork should solve it."

"So you've got everything except food?"

"Yes. At least, as far as I can tell."

Rotten stroked his beard. "Hmm. Then ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'll take care of the food problem before you enter the labyrinth tomorrow. I'll make sure it's plenty. In exchange, will you promise me one thing?"

A promise, out of nowhere? "Um, let's hear it first."

"I know you'll handle it well without me saying anything, but this old man just wants to hear it confirmed."

So what exactly did he want confirmed?

"No matter what happens, don't abandon Lumia, that poor child. The punishment placed on her is too cruel to bear watching. Though our connection is only from watching over her at the inn for a few months… I just don't want her to be hurt anymore."

Abandon her… throw her away? —Dojin-ah… Here's the robot toy you've been wanting. —Just sit here and play with it for a bit, okay? Mommy will be right back. Don't cry. Grk.

"Are you alright, lad?"

"…Yes. I'm fine. Haha, just had some pointless memory surface all of a sudden."

I quickly suppressed my emotions and spoke with sincerity. "Don't worry about Lumia. At the very least, I'm not the kind of person who abandons or throws people away."

Rotten studied my eyes for a moment before his expression softened into a hearty laugh. "Hahaha, I understand. I'll take care of the food. No payment needed. Would you follow me for a moment?"

Perfect. I'd been planning to visit the general store or grocery alone, but this saved both time and money. I followed him to the storage shed behind the inn. Rotten approached a corner piled with miscellaneous junk, pulled something out, and handed it to me.

This was… a backpack? It looked a bit worn, the kind you wore on your back. Why this?

As I took it and examined it, a status window appeared.

"It may look old and shabby, but it's got spatial magic built into it."

"Wait, you're just giving this to me? Even if I promised not to leave Lumia behind, what's the real reason?"

"Haha! You look pretty surprised. I did say I'd prepare something solid for you. This is just an old item I haven't used in ages anyway."

After calming my surprise and accepting the bag, he continued. "Truth is, I was quite a renowned high-floor adventurer in my youth. Though I hit a wall at the threshold of the deep floors, there's no denying my skill was exceptional."

'Wait, he was a high-floor adventurer?'

"Running this inn was just a hobby for this old man. Occasionally welcoming guests who saw past its shabby exterior was my joy in old age. That is, until Lumia arrived."

Rotten rubbed the wrinkled corners of his eyes. "After she started staying here, rumors spread and visitors stopped coming. Even the few regular guests left."

"Ah…"

"But after seeing that child's pitiful state and empty eyes when she first arrived, I couldn't bring myself to care about anything else. At first I treated her like any other guest… but after a month, then two, watching her waste away, she started looking like a granddaughter I never had, you know?"

A fierce glint briefly flashed across Rotten's face.

"There was a time I wanted to kill everyone who drove her to the brink of death. But when you think about it, the one spreading the curse was Lumia herself, so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in the end it all felt pointless and I gave up."

He added that without being able to reach the god who had cursed her, it would only be taking out anger on the innocent, so he'd lowered his weapon.

"I was worried sick when it seemed like Lumia might die, but she mustered her last bit of strength to go to the guild. Then she suddenly brought you back, Aren, and her condition improved rapidly."

Rotten placed a hand on my shoulder. "I don't know if it's because of your traits or something else, but just seeing that poor child appear free from her curse is reason enough for me to give you this bag."

'I figured their relationship was more than just innkeeper and guest, but I didn't realize he cared for her like an actual granddaughter.'

"Understood. I won't drag this out—I'll gratefully accept it."

"Good. If the three of you return safely from this labyrinth expedition, I'll teach you a useful technique as well."

Oh… that sounded promising.

"They say you talk more as you age. This old man has kept you too long."

"Not at all. It was a good time—I feel closer to both Lumia and you now."

"Hmph, thanks for saying so."

With that warm conversation concluded, I returned to my room to check if I'd forgotten anything. Later, I called Yeriel and Lumia for dinner, discussed various plans for tomorrow, and went to bed early to be in top condition.

***

"Alright, the bag's packed full of preserved rations, and you said you haven't forgotten anything else?"

"Yes! Thanks to you, Rotten, our supply burden is much lighter. Thank you again."

"Think nothing of it. Safe travels. Be careful out there."

Rotten smiled and saw us off.

"Grandpa Rotten! I'll be back!"

"That's right. I pray our cute young lady returns safe and sound as well."

"Me too. I'll be going."

Rotten patted Lumia's head. "Don't get hurt and stay cautious. Always stick close to Aren."

She nodded.

With that, we set off. As we walked, I thought, 'Yeriel has Ivelin, and Lumia has Rotten. It's good they both have people who worry about them.'

"Pfft."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing. Just had a funny thought. Let's keep going!"

Chaos really was something. It had this quirky, cute side when you looked at it.

We took a carriage from the station toward the open labyrinth entrance.

***

"Sir, you'll have to get off here. The crowd's too dense to go any farther."

The moment we stepped out of the carriage, the sight that greeted us was staggering. Thousands of people, at a rough estimate. Since today was the first day, even more would enter the labyrinth in the days to come.

"Whoa…"

"Come to think of it, this is your first time seeing this, Aren? I was shocked the last time too."

"Yeah. No matter how many times I see this many adventurers gathered, it's still amazing."

From adventurers armed with flashy, antique-looking gear that suggested high-floor or deep-floor veterans, to confident-looking experienced adventurers, mid-tier parties calmly chatting in line, and rookies like us who looked visibly excited. There were beastmen ranging from types like Lumia with just ears and tails to heavily furred, intimidating ones. Graceful long-eared elves, short but solidly built dwarves, and bare-chested barbarians covered in tattoos. 'There are people from the East that Berkel mentioned too. They look like pure swordsmen.'

Wow… Did this mean I'd keep seeing this diverse crowd of people every time I entered the labyrinth? No, it wasn't just seeing them. As long as I kept living in Labyrinth ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠City… I'd be rubbing shoulders with them, building connections, and sometimes clashing.

'Calm down. Once we're inside the labyrinth, I need to stay composed.'

I tried to steady my pounding heart at the sight before me.

Vwooom.

Flash—!

The massive black portal, slowly swirling and rotating, gradually came to a halt and began emitting bright light.

"It's open!"

"Alright, don't push the person in front! We'll check adventurer plates starting from the front and let you enter in order!"

Thud!

"I'll say it again! Maintain order! If you break it, you'll be removed from the line and the guards will take you away, so be careful!"

Thanks to the strict control, everyone began moving forward little by little in an orderly fashion. I'd expected it to take four or five hours, but since party members stayed in contact they could move together, and even if multiple parties entered at once, they'd be scattered randomly across the first floor anyway. The guards split into several lines, checked plates, and funneled parties through one after another, so our party reached the portal in just an hour or two.

"Halt! Show your plates."

…

"Party leader Aren and two others. Confirmed. You may enter. Best of luck."

After bowing to the guard, I took Yeriel and Lumia's hands and stepped toward the portal.

"Let's go."

The three of us met each other's eyes and entered together.

Vwooom—

—

—

"Mmm."

I opened my eyes to a faint nausea. Warmth from the hands I held. Darkness draped like a curtain before me. Cool air against my skin.

This was… the first floor of the labyrinth.