Chapter 193: High-Floor Adventurers
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 193: High-Floor Adventurers
Even if it was partly thanks to buffs, after taking down the Glutton, our party could be considered 7th-floor adventurers. We just hadn't cleared the 7th-floor exit room yet.
And after hunting the Glutton, we went outside and stared death in the face, fighting against ridiculously powerful monsters.
We managed to kill a Dagger Raptor with our own strength, we killed a professor-level Possessor wizard, we rode a Gourmet Whale to trigger a monster wave, used it to kill countless 9.5th-floor guardians, and even fought the Labyrinth Master himself.
In other words, our levels had shot up.
Thanks to that, our party's current strength was at least 8th-floor level. If we were well-equipped with gear and items, we could even take on the 9th floor. And what does being able to clear the 9th-floor exit room on our own mean? It means we have few, if any, rivals in the Labyrinth City.
When the three of them first met, they were 1st and 2nd-floor fledglings, but now they were veterans who could hold their own even when standing next to Sohen's strongest.
There was proof of that, too.
‘Yernil subdued the Lizard Lord with a single blowgun breath.’
The Lizard Lord was no pushover. To lead a lizard army in a warzone like the West, the basic qualification was to be a ‘Deep Layer adventurer.’ Even a man like that couldn't react to Yernil's dart.
“Huh?”
Though it seemed she hadn't quite realized it herself.
“Heh heh, when you praise me like that… it really makes me feel like an amazing adventurer.”
She’s really enjoying this, isn’t she, Yernil?
“Hee hee. To think I drove off a Deep Layer adventurer.”
Truthfully, Yernil hadn't done it alone.
If the Lizard Lord had decided to fight to the death right there, of course Yernil would have lost.
But if Aimus and Back Attack had joined in and ganged up on him three-on-one, the outcome would have been uncertain.
That was why the lizard had backed down so meekly.
He probably thought he could easily kill Back Attack, remembering him from the old days, but realized it would be harder than expected and decided to leave.
“In any case, being targeted by a Deep Layer adventurer is not good news,” Aimus said.
“Not all Deep Layer adventurers are the same, hyung-nim. I know that guy, he’s about Yernil’s level, so it’s fine.”
“What about me!”
Yernil jumped in protest.
“I agree that not all Deep Layer adventurers are the same.”
It was kind of like…
The Dagger Raptor was an Inter-floor Lord, just like the Spider Doctor or the White Lion, but he was a complete pushover in comparison.
Even if their raw power was similar, tactical judgment in the Labyrinth was more important than individual combat strength. I had no idea how smart that Lizard Lord was, though.
The way he drew his sword the moment he saw Back Attack gave off a strong Dagger Raptor vibe.
“For now, we need to focus on our Labyrinth expedition more than things like that.”
We needed to buy a lot of supplies.
If we were going to rush through the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors in one go.
First, the 7th floor, the ‘Sea of Void.’
This is the place adventurers encounter after passing through the Pandemonium’s Mushroom Forest to reach the 7th floor.
An immense water pressure that restricts everyone's movements. In game terms, a one-point deduction penalty to the entire party's Action Points. And a permanent state of suffocation and silence.
Like the other floors, the 7th floor is incredibly difficult to even enter without proper preparation.
But fortunately, we had some money.
First, we visited the Adventurer's Guild to get the essential equipment for 7th-floor adventurers.
“Four Air Bubble Masks, please.”
With a magical air bubble covering your face, you can speak, which means you can also chant spells.
“The rental fee is 1,000 gold each, with a 40,000 gold deposit.”
The price was a bit steep. The reason the deposit was so high compared to the rental fee was because the recovery rate was low. About one-fifth of adventurers on their first 7th-floor attempt die.
Next, we headed to the Magic University.
At the Magic Enchanting Department, we had our equipment temporarily enchanted. With what?
“Waterproofing, please.”
All our weapons, armor, and backpacks. We had everything waterproofed from head to toe.
It would be disastrous if Yernil's bowstring got wet and ruined. And the thought of reaching the 8th floor only to pull soggy bread from a soaked backpack was depressing just to imagine.
“Thank you.”
After getting the magic treatment for all four of us, we went to the Labyrinth Union.
“We’re here to buy some food specifically for the 7th floor.”
It was a protein bar-like convenience food coated with a layer of air.
A very thin layer of air enveloped the surface of the food. You’d lower your Air Bubble Mask slightly, merge the air layers together like two slimes combining, and then eat.
“We don’t need much. Just enough for about five days.”
Considering our Labyrinth progression speed, it would probably only take us a day or two to clear the 7th floor, but it was better to buy plenty just in case.
“What about the excrement disposal kits?”
“We’ll take them. For four people.”
We needed these too.
No matter how much of a family we’d become, having gone through life-and-death situations together, being in an underwater environment would be hell without these.
“Wh-what’s the principle behind this?” Yernil asked, startled.
“It’s like a very close-range spatial transfer magic. You wear it like a girdle, and when you press the button, it transfers your waste into a waterproof pouch and seals it.”
Then you just throw it away when you get to the 8th floor.
“Now, let’s prepare the items for the 8th floor.”
The Primitive World.
A land known to be a part of the mythological era that was devoured by the Labyrinth and remains as it was. Since the world itself is still in its undeveloped state, ancient viruses, ancient magic, ancient monsters, and ancient humans appear.
“The ancient virus is a floor-wide magic effect. However, unlike volcanic ash, cold, or confusion, it can’t be prevented.”
This was one of the reasons the 8th floor sucked.
It was silly to apply real-world medicine to a game, but even with the incredible magic technology of the Magic University, they couldn't create anything like a vaccine.
So, our only hope was a priest's cure.
We had to push through by taking the cure every time the virus made us cough up blood, drinking potions, and replenishing our lost vitality.
What did that mean?
If you lose your medicine, you die.
Even a natural-born powerhouse like Mugol would wander around looking for the stairs, bleeding from his ears, nose, and mouth until he died if he didn't have the medicine.
“First, let’s stop by the Temple of Nathaniel and secure the medicine. We’re going to descend to the 9th floor quickly, but let’s prepare plenty just in case.”
As I was explaining, the three of them got strange looks on their faces.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just hitting me again that you really are a Possessor, Caleb,” Aimus replied.
“What once felt vaguely strange is now starting to make more sense.”
“…”
“Honestly, your suggestion to go all the way to the 10th floor at once was startling… but given the current atmosphere, I understand.”
“Thank you.”
We made several trips, visiting the adventurer merchant street, the back-alley black market, the auction house, the university's magic equipment rental department, the enchanting department, the scroll shop, and even the warehouse of Edward Berten's mansion.
Two days later.
In the waiting room to board the elevator.
The moment we entered, we felt a barrage of intense stares from all directions.
“It’s Caleb’s party.”
People started whispering.
I was reminded of the first day we rode the elevator. That was when I first saw the mid- and high-floor adventurers. But back then, most of them paid us no mind. We were just fledglings about to enter the 4th floor.
“The ones who caused that whole incident?”
But now, the attention on our party was on a different level. I could hear them murmuring to each other from all sides.
“The whole reason the General Assembly was convened was because that wizard was spouting nonsense, right?”
“The thing about the Labyrinth having a Great Eruption and swallowing the surface?”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“It might be true. A monster that came out of the Labyrinth testified to it, didn’t it?”
“The Spider Doctor?”
“You mean the monster that crashed the General Assembly?”
“Where did it go now?”
“It’s a monster, it probably went back into the Labyrinth.”
“That party is so strange.”
“There’s a rumor they’re going all the way to the 10th floor this time.”
“They’re insane.”
The waiting room was abuzz for a moment, but soon, someone appeared and their heavy presence settled the atmosphere.
“We meet again.”
It was the Orc Berserker, Krom.
Behind him were Nimue, Rococo, and…
“Hey.”
I saw Blackdog waving his hand.
“Are you all healed up and going as a four-person party now?”
Blackdog had been afflicted with the undead blood curse, but the Labyrinth Master had lifted it last time.
“Yeah. We’re going to take the elevator to the 10th floor and look for the stairs from there.”
“…”
A sense of unease settled in my heart again.
When it came to closing the Labyrinth, Blackdog's position was different from anyone else's.
To prevent the destruction of the surface world, he would have to kill the Labyrinth Master, but then he himself would be sent back to the real world.
“What will you say if you meet the Labyrinth Master?”
“Hmm. Thank him for lifting the curse?”
Blackdog chuckled.
Ah.
Please, Blackdog. Isn't it better to save your family and return to the modern world than to die with them?
“If you meet him, he’ll try to tempt you with his wicked words again. You can’t let him mentally dominate you.”
“I thought the only person in Sohen who worried about me was our Consul.”
“I’m an honorary constable.”
“Peterson had better watch his back, then.”
After sending off the four of them, who brushed it off with a joke…
“Caleb!”
This time, I met some more welcome faces.
“Birtanen!?”
“It’s great to see you!”
Birtanen wrapped me in a tight hug with his massive forearms.
“We’re 4th-floor adventurers now, Caleb. Hah hah! Abison used to be a bit clumsy, but I guess blood will out. This friend is a true Berten wizard!”
He slapped Abison on the shoulder, making him stagger.
“Congratulations.”
“What floor are you guys entering this time?”
“We’re starting on the 6th and going to the 10th.”
“Kegh!”
Behind them, Jikal made a strange noise.
“The 10th floor? The 10th!?”
Emma’s jaw dropped in disbelief.
“The 10th floor!?”
And from behind Birtanen’s party, a metallic-sounding voice rang out.
“My goodness! Caleb! Are you going to the 10th floor!”
The Lizard Paladin, Bernard, came hopping over.
“We are also 4th-floor adventurers now! Same as Birtanen’s party. But Caleb, the 10th floor! It is truly shocking! How did you become such powerful adventurers? I am curious about the driving force behind your growth! What deal did you make with Nathaniel to achieve such growth! The 10th floor!”
The back of my head was starting to prickle.
I could almost hear the voices of the high-floor adventurers sitting in the elevator.
They caught the Glutton, but a party that just entered the 6th floor is going to the 10th? Do they think the Labyrinth is a joke?
In the past, such a rebuke would have flown my way instantly, but our party's recent growth had been so steep and we had caused so much trouble lately that it was still quiet… for now.
“The 10th floor!”
Behind the lizard, someone else bellowed.
It was Gildal.
“You’re going to the 10th floor! Aren’t you the adventurers who saved me on the 3rd floor last time! And now the 10th!”
Guys, please keep it down.
“From the 6th to the 10th floor in one go.”
It seemed Hijikata felt a bit of a rivalry with us.
After all, he had come to the 4th floor right after we saved Gildal, as if chasing us.
And now…
“We’re a 5th-floor party now, but we just can’t seem to catch up to you, Caleb,” Soyul said with a shrug.
“I think you might be pushing yourselves a little too hard, though,” Gadozumi said.
“But with the way things are these days, I think I know what you’re thinking. You guys might actually clear all the way to the 10th floor in one go.”
Then, Soyul whispered to me discreetly.
“There’s a rumor that the Eastern Emperor secretly brought in adventurers from Wyndham.”
So he was making his move too.
What Soyul left unsaid was probably something like: Those adventurers will be the elite of the elite, so you might meet them on the 10th floor. Since you’re advocating for the Labyrinth’s closure, there’s no telling what might happen there. Be careful.
“The elevator is opening.”
The desk clerk from the Labyrinth Union called out to us.
“Caleb’s party! Please enter.”
Every time I entered the Labyrinth, the anxiety and complicated feelings were indescribable, but this time was particularly intense.
Was it because I had met the Labyrinth Master? Or because the racial lords had all entered in a flood?
The thought that this might be my last trip into the Labyrinth even crossed my mind.
We jumped into the elevator gate, and before our eyes, the 6th floor, the Pandemonium’s Mushroom Forest, unfolded.
And right in front of the gate was…
“The stairs.”
This is going to be a massive headache.
The elevator gate’s spawn location was random, and the stairs to the next floor just happened to appear right in front of it the moment we arrived?
“It’s as if the Labyrinth Master himself is inviting us to hurry to the Abyss,” Aimus said.
“Let’s go!”
We plunged into the Sea of Void.