Chapter 185
Chapter 185
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Control
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It's been roughly a week since I started wandering this labyrinth.
In that time, I cleared one more Dimensional Rift.
I also took down a few mid-grade Corrupted Beings, earning 13 more skill points.
That brings my spare skill points to 29.
Just three more, and I'll hit 32 points.
Enough to upgrade Body Strengthening.
Meaning I just need to hunt three more mid-grade Corrupted Beings.
This latest Dimensional Rift I cleared gave me 3 skill points, unlike the first one. They looked the same rank to me, but there was a difference.
I have no idea what the criteria are.
Seemed like the system had its own opaque way of calculating things.
The end of the labyrinth was a cliff.
I followed it southward, scouting along the way.
From that, I could guess that the labyrinth's 10th floor was one massive cavern.
'Still... maybe it's time to head back? Come search again next time?'
I figured I could scrape together the missing skill points on the way out.
The place was so vast.
Trying to find the entry passage in one go was greedy.
A week in, and my resolve was weakening.
There wasn't any desperate need to find the entry passage, either.
If I had to pick a reason, the Transcendent?
The reward-unknown random box.
I had hopes it'd be better than even a top-grade Corrupted Being's drop, at worst.
Even with the carriage making travel comfy, it couldn't beat a mansion with maids waiting on me hand and foot.
The return trip wouldn't take long compared to all this wandering.
Thanks to Aila.
She'd bragged it wouldn't even take two days to get back to the fortress. Said finding the path back was no issue with her around, so she must have some ace up her sleeve.
A woman's secrets are sacred... nah, she'd teach me if I asked.
Just wasn't curious enough to pry.
Might not understand it even if she told me.
Marie seemed to really take to the drone.
Talented, even—she was now piloting it smoothly while walking.
"Master. I've found something suspicious."
Marie, scouting with the drone, spoke up. I went to her side and checked the screen.
In the gray infrared feed, there was a man-made structure.
"Is that a stockade?"
A semicircular wooden palisade hugging the cliff.
Looking closer, I could even see people standing guard atop it.
"Did the Slumber Lord make that too?"
It was easy to think so. Inside the stockade were several buildings fit for living, suggesting a fair bit of manpower went into it.
"No... I doubt it. If the lord built it, the Adventurers' Association would've mentioned it."
Marie knew the world better than us, at least.
Her word was good enough.
I scanned inside the stockade more closely with the drone.
Below the cliffs encircled by the palisade was a massive cave.
It kinda resembled the Slumber Lord's labyrinth fortress. But way smaller, built solely to block that cliffside cave.
'No way... is that cave the entrance to the 11th floor? They blocking it like that?'
To block monsters coming from the cave...
Nah, didn't seem right.
The guards on the stockade were watching outward, for something approaching from outside.
'Hold up... no freaking way... these guys?'
Big adventurer guilds and clans control information.
But who's to say they stop at info control?
.........No need to jump to worst-case yet.
Could check it out first.
The stockade gate was shut.
Two guys stood guard atop it.
One a commoner in shabby armor.
The other in fine gear, handling aura.
Adventurer for sure?
As we approached, the aura user asked,
"What business?"
I didn't know if the cave behind was the real deal.
Time to probe.
"We're heading to the 11th floor."
"New faces. Which group?"
"Adventurers."
"Adventurers? Which guild."
"Guild? Why ask that?"
"Why...?"
The guy on the stockade rolled his eyes, scanning us over. His gaze lit up at my women.
"Got it.........I'll ask the manager."
The man nodded to his buddy and gave orders.
The lackey hurried behind the stockade.
Probably fetching this "manager."
From the gatekeeper chat, I was mostly sure. That huge cave led to the 11th floor.
-Creaaak.
Just as I was getting sleepy,
The stockade gate opened.
And there stood about ten armed soldiers.
No pesky mages in sight.
Too sinister smiles for a welcome party.
(Fresh meat after so long.)
(What's with all the girls? Prime for some fun. Heh heh.)
(More balls than I thought. Keh keh.)
The leader up front, in fancy armor, eyed us like merchandise, putting on airs.
"Nice."
His gaze was on my back, not me.
"You want the 11th floor."
"Yes."
His brow twitched.
"Rude bastard."
Look who's talking... we looked about the same age.
"Not impossible."
"How?"
"You go alone. Leave the women, and you're free."
"Ridiculous. You think I'll go along?"
"Not asking. That's the rule. Already decided."
".........Other adventurers too?"
"Sorry. It's our job. Bad luck."
Said with zero apology on his face.
"We'll take good care of the girls. You look sturdy—11th floor critters'll love ya."
Figured as much.
Thinking back, tons of adventurers, yet no one but these clowns knew about the 11th floor? Suspicious.
One conclusion.
They'd bought off or "handled" anyone with info.
Current vibe screamed the latter.
My hunch was spot on.
These bastards...
Were controlling the hunting ground.
Unpleasant memories surfaced.
That game I quit 'cause big guilds controlled fields.
Said join guild to hunt there.
I did.
Couldn't hunt. Newbie, no access.
No desire to grovel to faceless pricks in a game.
Quit on the spot.
Back then, powerless, I just quit.
Now? Straight to refunds.
Info monopoly, fine whatever.
But field control? Line crossed.
Labyrinth's public, same entry fee. Who they to gatekeep? Tsk tsk.
No normal adventurers since arriving here.
What to do.
"What have you done to adventurers coming here!! No, how can humans do this!! Aren't we all adventurers together!!"
For Eileen's image makeover,
I played the righteous adventurer.
Felt her gaze.
Disciple Eileen's sparkling eyes...
"Adventurers... Association hands licenses to any mutt and calls 'em equals? Makes me sick."
Leader smirked.
"Pfft!!"
"Kek! 'Together adventurers'? Cough."
"Dude's nuts. That line cracked me up."
They cackled at my epic line.
Mocking in front of my disciple.......flip the table?
That's when.
-Flash!
Ignis vanished from beside me.
Appeared before a laughing thug, smashing a clean fist.
-Crack!
The guy flew, rolling wildly.
Ignis's sudden burst.
"H-Hawk!!"
Shocked buddy rushed to check.
"H-He's dead!!"
At the shout, the thug adventurers stirred.
"You scum! Don't insult her. My lord saves this world. Vermin like you daring to mock him!"
-Thud.
Ignis slammed her spear butt, bellowing.
'N-No saving plans...'
"You bitch! Hawk!! Gahk!"
A rage-filled thug's head got speared.
"Kill her!!"
That sparked the charge at Ignis.
Fierce rush, but
Her one-sided slaughter began.
"Wh-What! This crazy bitch ain't normal! Sh-She's strong!"
-Toot!
A stockade goon blew a horn in awe at Ignis's prowess.
Adventurers poured from inner buildings.
No way it'd end friendly anyway.
Didn't expect this fast escalation.
Ignis's loyalty exceeded my estimates.