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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: An Uneventful Start
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My eyes opened as dawn broke.
Had I been unconsciously tense? My eyes opened a little earlier than usual.
I glanced outside and saw that the explorers' procession hadn't begun yet.
Ughhh—!
After completing my usual routine of stretching, washing, and meditation, I geared up.
Before, I would have just put on basic clothes like a shirt and pants, and a backpack, but this trip into the Labyrinth was different.
‘Greaves worth 6 silver coins.’
Though it varied by floor, the Labyrinth was generally cool, so I could expect a bit of warmth, and it would also prevent annoying debris from getting into my shoes.
‘A battle axe worth 17 silver coins.’
Its blade was slightly smaller than the axes I'd picked up and used before, but it was far sharper and keener than a wood-chopping axe.
Whoosh—
I swung it once in the air, and the sound of it cutting through the air echoed crisply. The grip on the handle wasn't bad either.
If that was the appetizer, now came the main course.
‘A breastplate, a staggering 40 silver coins!’
My other lifeline.
Even if a Goblin knife struck this breastplate dozens of times, it would barely leave a scratch—
Well, maybe it could leave a scratch. But piercing it would be impossible, even if they tried to strike me dead.
…It had to be.
Finally, the great helm, whose value seemed virtually impossible to appraise.
When I'd acquired it from a junk-filled armory, it was only two and a half silver coins, but now I knew this helmet was the most valuable piece of all my equipment.
I carefully put on the helmet and adjusted it.
The only flaw was the weak fastening due to the lack of a chin strap, but otherwise, it was excellent in every way.
I packed all the necessary items, daily essentials, and food. Now, all I needed to do was go.
“Good morning, Balkan.”
“Good morning, Ms. Diana.”
I met Diana, who, as always, was up early, and as we chatted briefly, she handed me something.
I glanced at it. It was a thick pouch. The fabric was smooth and looked luxurious.
“What’s this?”
“Heh heh. Since it came up in conversation last time, I tried making some. I wonder if it’ll suit your taste.”
I untied the string and opened the pouch, and a savory yet fragrant smell wafted out.
Inside the pouch was jerky. I could tell just from the smell. This was definitely delicious jerky.
“Ms. Diana…!”
Thinking of Diana, who must have remembered my passing comment and started making jerky days ago, brought a slight tear to my eye.
“Truly. I’ll really enjoy it. I’ll be back!”
“Heh heh. Alright. Don’t get hurt, and make sure you come back alive. I still have many dishes to cook for you.”
Regrettably, I skipped breakfast. In the Labyrinth, even taking care of bodily needs was a hassle.
I waved goodbye to Diana, who saw me off with a worried smile, and after stepping out, Densi soon came into view.
She held a bow in her hand, a dagger and a map at her waist, and a moderately sized backpack on her back with a quiver laid diagonally on top, easy to draw from. She looked like a typical archer and guide.
“All set?”
“You bet. But your gear looks flashier than last time?”
Densi's mouth dropped open when she saw my overall upgraded equipment.
“Sometimes there are guys who don’t know their place, coveting others’ gear and trying to plunder it. This time, we’ll have to be careful of those types too.”
Outlaws, plunderers, and slave hunters—such scourges of society had always been objects of vigilance.
“Don’t start with that ominous talk. Let’s go.”
“Yep.”
Naturally, I took the leash Densi handed me and headed towards the Labyrinth entrance.
The streets, which had been quiet in the early dawn, were now bustling with a procession of people heading towards the Labyrinth.
Clatter— clatter—
A splendidly crafted luxury carriage also caught my eye, perhaps carrying someone of high status.
“New Year’s is in two weeks. Will the omen start soon?”
“No. It hasn’t happened for nine years already. The Labyrinth must have settled down a bit now. Even if the omen were to return, its cycle suggests it wouldn’t be for another three weeks.”
There was also a seasoned explorer muttering incomprehensible things, but it wasn't worth my attention, so I turned my head.
“I’m putting everything on this expedition!”
“That just sounds like you’re going to screw up your life without looking back…”
“No! We can do it! Let’s not be intimidated just because we’re rookie explorers!”
Looking at the appropriate level, new explorers, brimming with anticipation for the Labyrinth and burning with enthusiasm, came into view.
“Anya… Anya… I’ll fight hard. Watch over me, Anya. Watch over me. Watch over me. Watch over me…!”
Among that group, I spotted Jeremy muttering to herself with an unusual appearance.
“Jeremy.”
“Watch over me… Ah, Big Brother.”
As soon as Jeremy saw me, she bowed her head deeply. Her complexion looked even more haggard than last time.
“…Did you sleep well? Are you up for entering the Labyrinth?”
“Yes. My condition is excellent. Right now, I feel like I could kill five Goblins at once.”
Jeremy said that, gently stroking her backpack.
A strange madness exuded from her gesture, making me want to keep a bit of distance.
Nevertheless, since the three of us met up, we walked all the way to the Labyrinth entrance.
“The line’s damn long.”
A long line of people waiting for ID plate verification stretched out at the entrance.
Last time I came, it was around lunchtime, so it seemed relatively quiet.
Even after waiting for thirty minutes, we had only advanced a few meters. At this rate, it was comparable to a holiday season highway.
‘Though, as an orphan, I’d never gone to the countryside to see my parents anyway.’
Even though it was a simple process of quickly checking IDs and shouting 'Okay, passed,' the line barely moved.
“Ah! Lady Adeline! You’re working hard. Please, come right in!”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just came to have a look around.”
‘Adeline?’
For a moment, I wondered if Seraph had arrived. Adeline was her surname, after all.
When I peeked my head out at the familiar surname heard from up front, I saw a guard dealing with someone who exuded an atmosphere completely opposite to Seraph’s.
If Seraph was a white cat, that woman was like a black cat.
‘What? Did I mistake her?’
From my angle, I could only see her back and a bit of her head, and since I didn't see the pointed ears characteristic of cat Beastkin, I just assumed she was someone with the same surname.
Even after that, lavish carriages and individuals who appeared to be seasoned explorers passed through the Labyrinth entrance without waiting in line.
They went straight through, no special procedures, just a fast pass. Honestly, I was a bit envious.
“Who are those people, just walking in without waiting in line?”
“Can’t you tell just by looking? They’re high-ranking people. Or mid-to-high-level explorers. Their status is different from ours.”
After waiting for about an hour among the explorers who cast envious, slightly admiring, and jealous glances at them, our turn finally approached.
“Next time, I should come around lunchtime like before.”
Waiting in line from early morning was quite a drain on my stamina.
—In the morning, mid-to-high-level explorers clear the Labyrinth quickly, killing or avoiding monsters as they advance, so if you go right after them, it’s relatively safer.
Adolf’s advice came to mind. Indeed, was this another reason he’d suggested coming at lunchtime?
Though his body had died and become Goblin fodder, his advice would become a great lesson, taking root in my heart.
But Densi said, wearing a bewildered expression.
“What in the world are you talking about? High-level explorers clear the upper floors in an instant. If you arrive late, around lunchtime, only novice explorers and slave hunters preying on them will be left on the upper floors. Isn’t that much more dangerous? If even a few high-level explorers remain, you might get some unexpected help, right?”
“…You’re right.”
Come to think of it, Adolf, that bastard, was a priestess who got expelled from the temple for being a man-lover. I should keep coming in the morning from now on.
To enter the portal, Jeremy, Densi, and I stood, holding hands in that order.
So that we could confront monsters as soon as we warped, Jeremy held a spear in her left hand, and I held an axe in my right.
“Why is everyone so tense?”
“…Just in case.”
“Oh, come on. Anyone would think we’d run into a monster as soon as we enter the Labyrinth. How rare is that kind of case?”
“……”
“……”
Densi, who had been chuckling, looked at Jeremy and me, who remained silent, and quietly wiped the smile from her face.
“…Seriously?”
Unfortunately.
“I’ve only had shitty experiences in the Labyrinth.”
At my affirmative answer, Densi’s smile trembled.
“Oh, come on. I’ve been an explorer for over five years, and I’ve never heard of such a case.”
Well, if a typical novice explorer fell into such a situation, they’d usually just be wiped out. So perhaps there would be no rumors to spread in the first place?
“Th-then I’ll share some of my luck with you. Even if I don’t look it, I’m quite lucky. At least in the Labyrinth.”
Densi said that, gently squeezing my hand.
“If Master’s luck is bad, then with my luck, it’s a net zero.”
Perhaps to ease the tension, Densi said something commendable.
As a gesture of praise, I gave the leash a tug, then inwardly steeled myself again.
Labyrinth trips, Goblin lair battles, rape incidents, troll-like party members, battles immediately upon entry, and troubles with outlaws.
Every time I entered the Labyrinth, incidents and accidents always followed.
Would this time be any different?
‘No. Absolutely not.’
Something utterly maddening was bound to happen again.
“Everyone ready?”
“Of course!”
“Yes, Big Brother.”
It was a question directed at my party members, but also one I asked myself.
Nam Su-jin. Are you ready? I am. Stay sharp. Even if you enter a tiger’s den, you’ll survive if you keep your wits about you. The Labyrinth is no different.
Steeling my resolve, I stepped towards the portal.
***
“What the…”
Nineteen hours after entering the Labyrinth.
“Why, why in the world…?”
I muttered quietly while standing the first watch.
“Why. Why did nothing happen?”
We had reached the verge of the second floor without a single incident or accident.
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