Training and the Halo

Just because the party members hadn't been found yet didn't mean I could sit around idly, waiting for them. As the party leader and an adventurer, I had to keep improving until the next labyrinth entry.

This time, at least the 7th floor. No, maybe even higher?

Queng—

"Yeriel, are you okay? You look exhausted."

"Heh, hehe. I'm fine! Ever since you two came back, my sister has been pushing me hard, so it's tough, but I can feel myself growing, so I can endure it."

"I don't have anything to say except encouragement. Still, don't overdo it."

Yeriel was pouring everything into daily ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠training according to her sister Ivelin's will—she needed to become much stronger than now to feel at ease, especially with the evil god's forces stirring again.

"Lately, I've ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠been learning how to find paths or training to dodge obstacles while running with my eyes closed."

Lumia was forging her own path, different from a black mage, through sensory training at the explorer's academy.

"Are the people at the academy okay? …Just asking in case, but they're not just standing by while people there reject you, right?"

"No. Actually, the director said that as an adventurer, you might end up dealing with people who have various curses or negative traits."

"And?"

"He asked if I'd curse and reject them every time. He even gave an example of a mid-floor adventurer who couldn't remove a kobold transformation curse because he lacked money, but said he'd never met anyone with better character than that person."

Well, Lumia's curse was a bit different, wasn't it?

…Anyway, she wasn't staying at the academy all day, just a few hours, so the misfortune affecting those around her probably wouldn't worsen. It was a relief that the director seemed like a decent person.

'Alright. I should find what I can do right now too.'

[Chaos enthusiastically cheers you on.]

Spurred by them, I put in effort across multiple areas as well.

From morning, I went to the library and crammed all sorts of knowledge from thick books into my head.

"Coming every day without getting tired—you're truly diligent. This time you're looking for books on discovered hidden realms and rifts?"

So far, the books I'd read at the library were mostly monster encyclopedias, labyrinth common sense, adventurer basics, and widely known traits—easily accessible information.

There had been brief mentions in a previous book about rifts, hidden realms, and other spaces within the labyrinth—like dungeons—so I figured I'd look into it while I was thinking about it.

'Come to think of it, this might be too advanced information?'

"Just a moment. Invenio Quaerio."

Woo-woong.

The crystal-ball-shaped magical tool glowed blue, but the librarian's expression wasn't promising.

"Hmm. You might not know this, but adventurers tend to be reluctant to share information about unusual or special things, so it'll be hard to find what you're looking for."

The way he was beating around the bush meant there was nothing.

"In short, there are no books on the information I'm looking for, right?"

"A search shows a few, but they're all checked out… How about looking into a different subject?"

Well, nothing I could do about it. There were plenty of books on other topics. If there wasn't any, studying what was available was the right approach.

***

In the afternoon, I went to the Sword Guild, learned the public training routine, and trained hard alongside the other guild members.

"Kuuuugh! Uwaaah!!!"

"You can do it! Just a little more!"

Thud!

"See? I told you it was possible! Hahaha!"

During training, I even became friendly with the burly men whose names and faces I hadn't known before.

"Alright, start!"

"Hoo, hoo."

"One! Two!"

I maintained my pace while running, dragged, pushed, and pulled training equipment to temper my body.

"…"

Drip. Drip.

Along with the sound of falling water droplets, I took time to meditate and build my mental strength.

After finishing today's routine, I stopped by the office, and during a casual chat, I unexpectedly obtained the information I hadn't been able to find earlier.

"Huh? Oh, right. You did say you were transported here without knowing anything."

Sena, a transmigrator who had cleared the game and was now undeniably among the city's top powerhouses.

Rifts? Hidden realms? Monsters? If it was her, she would surely know things about this other world that I didn't.

Why hadn't I thought of this before?

"Agh, it was so obvious to me and the other transmigrators that I didn't even think about it."

Same here. Instead of rummaging through books at the library, I should've asked her from the start.

She spoke cheerfully.

"Little brother! Even though I'm busy these days and can't make much time, I can still spare about an hour like this to talk. Instead of idle chatter, you should learn what you don't know from me!"

"Is that really okay? Then it'd be like you're working even during your break."

"Of course it's fine. Though I only enjoyed the game for a year, and it's already been five years since I came here, so I've forgotten a lot too."

"Still, it's a world of difference between flipping through books with zero knowledge and learning from an expert like you, big sister! Thank you. Big sister!"

"Kuh! I always wanted a little brother when I was an only child, and now I'm hearing 'big sister' in a place that's not even Earth. Since we're doing this, let's start today! Alright, first…"

…

…

Two weeks passed without any particular news.

"Haa."

After finishing all my routines for the day, I let out a deep sigh and, as always, stopped by the reception desk to check the recruitment notices and ask if anyone had applied.

"There's one person who wishes to join your party!"

Probably no one again today. As I was about to turn—

Huh?

"Could you repeat that?"

"There's one person who wishes to join your party! And it's a fairly high-level vanguard who's applied!"

"Hurk!"

Finally, finally!

Calm down. It wasn't confirmed yet that they'd join the party, and more importantly, if the person was trash, no amount of applications would mean anything.

'If a troll or thug is going to take a spot, I'd rather go with just three people even if it's harder.'

If it came down to it, the last resort would be renting a slave managed by the guild.

"So, what's the next step?"

The receptionist smiled brightly.

"Now the two of you need to meet and discuss. Go to the Angry Minotaur Inn in the 6th district and look for Miss Veronica!"

Angry… what?

The inn name was really unique. Minotaur—wasn't that the bipedal bull-headed monster?

"Thank you for letting me know. I'll be on my way."

"No problem! This is all part of a receptionist's job. Good luck!"

After thanking her, I left the guild.

The 6th district. So I'd get to see another new district.

I'd need to take a carriage quickly if I wanted to arrive before nightfall.

With an excited heart, I headed straight for the boarding platform without hesitation.

***

Eh, halo?

A ring of light floated and spun above the head of a beauty wrapped in a cold, chilly atmosphere.

Was she even human? Was she from the celestial race or some species I'd never seen before?

────

She was definitely the target.

A-rank. I was shocked the moment I saw it.

'Why would someone like that apply to join our party?'

Whoops, our eyes met.

"Hey, miss. You look like you're alone—how about joining us?"

"No, thank you."

"Aw, come on! We'll even pay for your meal and drinks. Huh? Our party leader fell for you at first sight because you're so beautiful! Look over there, isn't he handsome? Since we're at it, how about a drink between a fine man and a fine woman?"

"The worst. Disgusting. That's some of the lowest-quality lines I've ever heard. Get out of my sight right now."

"…Tch, she's really putting on airs!"

I was embarrassed on their behalf.

Shaking my head, I approached the table where the argument was happening.

Knock knock.

I passed the sleazy-looking man and tapped the table with my index finger.