Chapter 22
Chapter 22
A moment later.
Our party was guided to the Management Bureau Director's office.
While the others took their seats, the Guide brought his heavy loot bag all the way into the Management Bureau Director's office and set it down beside him.
The desire to keep it within his line of sight at all costs was clearly visible.
"Then, would you tell me? What is the situation here?"
"Yes. First of all, five days ago, we were in a party looking for the 「Hyantes Flower」 on the 17th Floor with a Dwarf party leader named Puglish..."
The story started from the beginning.
A scribe stood to the side and recorded our words without missing a single detail.
We told the whole truth without any distortion, mostly because there was nothing worth hiding.
"Is that really true?"
The Management Bureau Director kept saying things like that throughout the story, but it felt less like he doubted my story and more like he was doing it out of despair.
When I finished the story about being ambushed by Yerkel's party and meeting Calliope, the Director held his head in his hands.
"Thank you, thank you."
"Then I'll ask a question. By any chance, has absolutely no one returned until now?"
"That is correct."
I had expected it to some extent.
But even with that expectation, it was a shocking story.
Other explorers were even more stunned, with some unable to close their mouths.
The only one who didn't show any astonishment was Erion.
It wasn't that he was controlling his emotions, but rather that he didn't seem to understand what it meant.
"Just how big of a problem is it...?"
"Dozens of parties enter the Labyrinth every single day. Most parties on the lower floors have over ten people. So, the fact that those people haven't come out means..."
"Gasp."
At Hera's explanation, Erion stopped breathing.
It wasn't just about the people; it was also an event that would have a significant impact on the global economy.
Because the Magic Stones produced in the Labyrinth had been completely cut off.
To use an analogy, it was almost the same as Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
I hadn't calculated it precisely, but the amount of Magic Stones produced in the Labyrinth seemed to be roughly around that level.
"Is there nothing you've figured out separately?"
"Unfortunately, no."
"Then until we returned, you weren't able to grasp the situation at all..."
"It's shameful, but that's correct. Since no party has returned for several days."
They noticed something was amiss on the first day we entered the Labyrinth.
He said it was the afternoon of the day Calliope's party entered.
But at that time, the number of returning parties had just decreased, so they assumed it was a week where monsters were temporarily strengthened, and only checked the warning levels and party readiness before letting them in.
But by the second day, no parties were returning at all.
"Anyway, that's why no party is returning right now. Even if I wanted to dispatch exploration personnel, I couldn't send anyone because I didn't know what the situation was. I was going to send a party today, though..."
"Today?"
"Jeroebaek went in, didn't he? It's fortunate that you came out together, at least."
So we arrived at exactly that timing.
The Management Bureau Director tried to sound optimistic at that point.
"But according to your words, it sounds like the Labyrinth itself hasn't undergone a massive distortion! Then couldn't everyone return soon?"
"No, that's not it. Supervisor. Didn't you hear our story?"
Hera's voice.
As someone who values the order of seniority, I find her tone a bit uncomfortable.
But Hera continued without a care.
The Supervisor didn't seem to think much of it either.
"I told you. There was a party that picked a fight with us immediately. Even though they recognized us."
"..."
"Of course, they were a bit bold. But isn't that the average for explorers? Isn't it? If you're the Director, you should know at least that much."
Even if you don't know, the fact that you're speaking informally makes it obvious.
Anyway, it's true that explorers are thugs.
No, it's weird to expect them not to be thugs in the first place.
In this fucking medieval era, explorers are the ones risking their lives to do work even more dangerous than mercenaries, so how could they live properly?
Even in the 21st century, people doing manual labor live rough lives; there's no way people living by the sword in this era would live gently.
Most of them live without a brain.
To those brainless idiots, other explorers... were probably like Treasure Goblins where the one who stabs them in the back first gets the most loot.
"However, it's possible they aren't returning because they are moving slowly to be cautious about the anomaly."
Still, I offered a hopeful story.
It's not like everything is guaranteed to go wrong, right?
"Could that be the case?"
"It's unlikely. But there is a possibility. Right now, if it weren't for the ambush by Yerkel's party, we would have gone to pick the Hyantes Flower while moving slowly and staying alert."
"If that's the case, it's fortunate, but..."
Of course, that doesn't mean it will definitely happen.
Anyway, thinking the story was over, I stood up.
The Director said.
"Where are you going?"
"We have to go back. To the inn. We need to rest."
"I'm sorry, but could you refrain from that for now? The current situation is so..."
"Well, I'm not sure, wouldn't it be enough to just announce it?"
It must be difficult, though.
The situation is a headache, and there's no answer to what should be done.
But that's not something I need to worry about.
I faithfully handed over all the information I had.
Besides, isn't there someone else who can worry about it with you? Calliope.
"If you wish, we won't talk about it outside. But is there really a need to keep us here?"
"Hmm..."
It's not like they're betting long on Magic Stones and waiting to announce the results like in the 21st century.
Or wait, is it? If you buy them in advance, is that a long position?
Then should I go out and buy Magic Stones?
But I always lose money on investments no matter what I do, so it's probably better not to.
"Understood. Then a staff member will lead you out through the other entrance, so please leave that way."
"Understood."
"Absolutely do not talk about this outside. Right now, the explorers are making a fuss, asking why they aren't being let in."
"Well. If you announce the news, then..."
Wouldn't they stop?
I thought that, but then again, it wasn't the case.
I thought there might be parties that would intentionally go in to target other explorers.
Because there are already such parties in the Deep Layer.
There are some parties with bad reputations that people say you should never let find out your schedule.
The malicious ones among them, I don't know who they're connected to, but they kept dodging magical investigations and acting like assholes.
"Anyway, I'm counting on you."
"Understood."
The whole party stood up.
The Director looked like he wanted to say something to the others besides us, but he didn't say anything more.
While being guided by the staff member, the beastman asked.
"What do you think will happen from now on?"
"I don't know."
The idea that "no one will return" didn't make sense.
No matter how much it had become a Deep Layer, that was the case.
The level of monsters we encountered on the 16th or 17th floor was certainly difficult for even a fully prepared party to handle.
But it definitely wasn't enough to wipe out every party that entered.
Even statistically, that's the case. There must be at least thousands of people in the Labyrinth right now; how could they all die?
"... Wait a moment. By any chance, did the parties that went into the Deep Layer also not return?"
"Ah, no. There were no parties that entered the Deep Layer during this period."
Suddenly, Hera asked a question.
I was thinking it was fortunate, but Hera's expression hardened seriously as she said.
"If all floors have become Deep Layers, then what on earth is the situation in the Deep Layer?"
"... Ugh. Don't tell me it's turned into something like a 'Deep-Deep Layer' or something."
I really hope you don't do that.
It's already tough enough.
Anyway, I gave the beastman an answer.
"It will open before long."
"Is that so?"
"Because the blockage of Magic Stone distribution is quite fatal to the whole world. They'll open it somehow. By any means necessary."
"If that's the case, that's fortunate."
Of course, I don't know when it will open or how it will open.
Just like how no one knew when or how the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would be lifted.
But it's certain that a Labyrinth different from the current one will be waiting from now on...
Now, I had to be clearly prepared.
* * *
If you've received help, there are things you naturally have to do in return.
The Director gave us official export approval for all the equipment we brought out. And he even meticulously changed the date to say we had looted it a week ago.
While Hera, in a good mood, carefully tucked the papers into her chest, we came out of the Labyrinth building through the staff entrance.
As we walked from the secluded alleyway to the outside, the familiar main street of the Central District appeared.
Naturally, it wasn't like it usually was.
"Oh..."
"It's a total wipeout. I've never seen an atmosphere like this."
Hera muttered.
I agreed.
The grandly spread-out stalls were all folded up, and less than half of the shops were open.
The number of people walking around the city was clearly low.
Half, no, it felt like less than half.
Even those people mostly had long faces.
The people walking around eating things, who were the main culprits of street hygiene pollution, had completely disappeared.
The street cleaner, who was always busy, was sitting on a chair in front of a closed shop.
I had seen a scene like this somewhere before... Ah.
The college town in front of a ruined local university was usually like this.
"In this situation, will they be open for business?"
"Well... I think they still would."
I answered Hera's words.
"Only the Labyrinth City has stopped, but weapons can be used even if you go to outside cities. They don't rot, and it's not like they have to be used only here."
"True."
I thought they might become a little cheaper.
Since the demand for equipment had decreased, after all?
Thinking that, we entered the Armory in the Central District.
The Armory, which was always crowded, was in the same state as everywhere else today, with nothing but flies buzzing around.
"How can I help you...?"
"We came to sell equipment."
"You came to sell equipment?"
The staff member had a look on his face like, "I've never heard such a thing in my life!!"
We were immediately guided to the counter, and the Armory staff greeted us with the utmost courtesy.
The staff's smile grew even wider when we placed three backpacks on the table along with the official export permit.
And it grew even wider when the looted equipment poured out of them.
"Uh... just a moment. Let me organize this again."
Armor, belts, gauntlets, scraps of leather, swords, knives, hammers, and so on, which were just the expensive-looking ones, were tossed around here and there.
The staff member, looking at the items carefully, began to sort them according to some criteria.
At the end of the work of bundling, separating, and placing them here and there, the equipment was all sorted and placed in front of us.
4 high-grade weapons. 3 mid-grade weapons. 6 daggers.
1 breastplate, 2 brigandines.
2 expensive-looking helmets.
"For starters, this longsword... it's made of high-quality steel. It sustained some damage during battle, but it's not that significant..."
The staff member held the item list and measured the prices here and there. After meticulously pricing each one, he seemed to finish the calculation and showed me the estimate.
"The total will be 15 Gold Coins."
"15 coins?"
"Yes, that's correct. For example, if you look here, the best sword is judged to be worth 3 coins. In the case of the breastplate, we deducted it to 2 coins, taking into account that it has scratches and needs various treatments. And the other equipment..."
The staff member began to explain to Hera, who had raised a counter-question.
But Hera just kept staring at the staff member without saying anything.
Are they having a staring contest?
"... So, this price measurement is naturally..."
"Ah, then we can just go sell it somewhere else."
"Pardon? That is, ah. Yes, that's fine!"
A trick that would never have worked in normal times.
But perhaps because there were so few customers, the staff member exposed a weakness. Hera's smile continued.
"Oh, really? Then we can really go?"
"Sigh, well..."
"There isn't a single person entering or leaving the Labyrinth right now, but you have to export the products outside, right? But there's no one selling anything here? Yet we came? And you're going to give us this price?"
Hera's jackal-like interrogation, having captured the weakness.
The staff member exchanged glances with someone, then held up four fingers.
"I'll give you 16 Gold Coins."
"Hmm. Should we go somewhere else?"
"... I'll give you 16 Gold Coins and 10 Silver Coins."
"Come on. Let's not waste our energy like this and just go with the price I have in mind, shall we? I'm not going to back down anyway."
"17 coins..."
"Why are you like this? Hey! Let's pack it all up! Pack it, pack it."
At Hera's words, I immediately threw the weapons into the bag.
When it came to money, following Hera was the best thing to do.
Since the party members were all following her lead, the person who had been at the counter behind the staff came out and said.
"Let's do 20 coins."
"You should have done that from the start."
Hera wore a victorious smile.
Even to me, it was a somewhat smug smile.
* * *
There were other places where Gold Coins could come from.
For instance, potions, or the money they were originally carrying.
There were also some valuables.
We didn't necessarily sell the potions, but we sold everything else at the pawn shop.
The pawn shop owner was anxious but smiled broadly at the rare items.
The money we ended up with was, in the end, 25 Gold Coins.
It was a considerable amount of money.
It was even more than our Deep Layer party's revenue from a few years ago.
Back then, we earned 20 Gold Coins a month.
Since they were fully equipped explorers, the harvest was as good as a Treasure Goblin.
We divided the money in an empty meeting room of the 「Silver Needle Guild」.
"Explorer hunting is going to be trendy for a while..."
"I think so too."
I nodded at Hera's words.
It's not for nothing that there are explorer-hunting parties in the Deep Layer.
If you catch monsters and earn Magic Stones, you go through life-or-death crises to earn money, but if you stab an explorer in the back, you earn money immediately.
And that too, enough to buy a house if you catch one party.
Of course, it's not like the house is super luxurious, and it's an era where its value isn't that high, but...
It wasn't like it wasn't a large sum of money.
"Anyway, let's distribute it. As we talked about then, basically the distribution should be equal..."
"Hey. That was the Deep Layer, and in this case, you shouldn't do that."
Hera tackled my words.
She's reliable in every other way, but she needs to be a bit more generous at times like this.
Whether she knew my thoughts or not, Hera continued.
"If it weren't for you and me, everyone would have been wiped out. Honestly speaking, they were just at the level of holding out, and you and I took care of everything. And you want to distribute it equally?"
"If you think about it that way, conversely, if the others weren't there, we could have been wiped out just the same."
"Hey, let's get our facts straight. Honestly, if it had just been the two of us, it would have ended much more comfortably."
It's a bit sad that I can't deny that.
If there hadn't been anyone getting in the way, I would have used my blessing to wipe them all out.
We wouldn't have been ambushed in the first place. Because we would have been much more cautious.
Still, I had to deny that kind of talk humanely.
"That's not true. Everyone played their role, which is why we survived."
"No... I'm fine. Honestly, I think it's true that we didn't do much."
The Paladin's words.
Hera nodded, and I wanted to smack the back of Hera's head.
No matter what, do you really want to act like that toward someone who was grieving because their friend died?
... This applies to the others too, though.
Whew, it's scary. The beauty of an Elf.
To make even me friendly.
"I actually think equal distribution was nonsense. I'd just like you to distribute it as you see fit. Even if we receive that much, it's already a large sum."
"I agree too. Certainly, if it weren't for you, we would all have died. If so, the distribution should be clean."
"I'm fine with it too."
The entire rest of the party agreed.
In this case, I couldn't really argue anymore.
While Hera wore a victorious smile, I said.
"Then we'll take 2 potions and 13 Gold Coins. The remaining 4 people can distribute the 12 coins as they see fit."
"That's acceptable."
Potions are the same as gold, after all.
Hera had an expression like she wanted to split it 10:15, but she soon nodded in agreement.
It seems she grew fond of them in that short time, too.
When I handed them the Gold Coins, the four of them divided 3 coins each among themselves.
It's a peaceful scene.
As I was nodding, the Elf walked over and offered a handshake.
"Thank you for your hard work. I feel like I was just a burden."
"It wasn't quite to that extent, but..."
"Let me introduce myself formally. I am Niela, and this is Silvar. We are comrades who have braved death together, so if you ever contact us, I will stand back-to-back with you."
The Elf said that and gripped my hand firmly.
A grip that seemed to have become a bit firmer held my hand tight.
Next was the beastman.
"I am Gyang."
"Gyang?"
"Yes. Gyang. I am grateful for your mercy, and your skill. If there is appropriate compensation, call me anytime."
He said he'd do it for free, didn't he?
Can't expect anything else from a fur-ball.
"I am Widley. I wasn't able to fulfill my role, but... if you need me, please call me anytime!"
"Yeah, good work."
After finishing the handshake with the Gnome, they exchanged short farewells with each other and scattered.
As I was putting the Gold Coins into the public funds pouch, Erion said a word.
"But for us, 13 Gold Coins... does that mean my debt is paid off to some extent? Is there anything falling to me..."
"What are you talking about? You get 1, just 1. We get 9."
"What??"
"A half-baked healer should be grateful to even get 1. Isn't that right?"
"I can't deny that. If we said we'd let them join a party like ours, there would be many people who would even pay money to come."
Actually, if we had posted a notice, many people would have come.
The problem is they wouldn't be people to go to the Deep Layer.
Erion had a dumbfounded expression.
But what can you do.
We take care of all his room and board and even teach him, so 1 was a bit much.
"If you feel wronged, grow enough to pull your own weight quickly. Stop poking my side."
"You didn't give me 1 because of that, did you?"
Yeah, no.
* * *
After finishing the money distribution, we quickly holed up in the inn.
The commotion at the Armory was unavoidable because it was to get more money.
But basically, it was better not to let it be known that we had returned.
And finally, after finishing the long-awaited shower, I put on clean clothes, tidied myself up, locked the door, and sat on the bed.
There was no need to do this, but I wanted to.
Isn't it said that when something big happens, you should purify yourself before facing it?
'Originally, I intended to observe the situation a bit more...'
To observe while loosening up my body a bit more to see what skills were needed.
I had intended to use it after building the build tree like that.
But looking at the current situation, it was clear that waiting to use it would only lead to unfavorable results.
Anyway, finally.
It was time for the skill reset.