NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37
Rumble. KABOOM.
“Everyone, be careful!”
As I heard Viktor’s shout, I steadied myself to avoid falling.
After capturing Epusio and receiving all the rewards, it seemed like the terrain was changing again.
‘Ah, Yeriell. Yeriell, can you hear me?’
After saying that and waiting a bit, Yeriell hurriedly responded.
─Aren!! Are you safe? You’re not hurt, right?!
Listening to her worried yet cute voice, I felt my tired body and mind suddenly relax.
‘Don’t worry. I’m not hurt bad enough to need healing or potions.’
I looked around.
“Not only did we survive, but we also gained a trait! I can’t wait to return to the city and check it out at the Cathedral!”
“Wow, what a windfall! …But I think I need to rest in the city for at least a month.”
“Right? Even though that guy is dead, I can still vividly recall that terrifying face and his cries. I need a break from this Labyrinth for a while. At this rate, I can’t even dare to be an adventurer starting from the 1st Floor.”
“Alright, everyone, let’s save the gloomy talk for another time! Let’s just focus on returning to our own parties!”
We all succeeded in taking down the Layered Ruler and now everyone is smiling and chatting.
─Thank goodness…
‘Is everything okay with you and Lumia? It’s been hours since we engaged in battle after being trapped here.’
I checked the cheap watch I bought at the general store.
Phew, I hadn’t realized how much time had passed in the heat of battle.
─Yeah! As you know, there was that eye-catching white barrier in the central area, right?
That’s right. I vividly remember that crazy halfling charging out and getting burnt upon touching it.
─So, we were just pacing around anxiously until the Layered Ruler showed up, and the shifting terrain turned out to be…
What did it turn out to be?
─It turns out that many of the paths in the 1st Floor were altered to lead directly to the central area! That’s why there are adventurers swarming outside the barrier right now besides us!
What? I thought they might gather just to see the barrier, but I never expected the paths to connect directly here.
If the adventurers in the central area randomly transitioned from nearby parties, then…
There must be at least twenty parties outside, each with a few individuals scattered about.
Not only that…
It’s not just to find the suddenly vanished party members.
There are probably parties curious about the strange phenomenon that occurred in the 1st Floor, seeing the barrier from afar.
‘Are you all really okay? There’s no way all those adventurers could ignore a party with just two beautiful girls!’
With only two members, and neither of them looking particularly seasoned or equipped for mid-level adventuring.
Did they also avoid Lumia because of some curse or something?
While we were stuck inside, we fought together to our last breaths.
I just hope that those outside don’t stir up any trouble.
─Heh, calling us beautiful is embarrassing. Aren, you too!
After a brief laugh, Yeriell cleared her throat and continued.
─There were a few close calls, but Lumia stepped up, and some of the stronger ones among the forcibly split parties were level-headed, so it’s been fine.
I can roughly guess which party she’s talking about.
‘Phew. That’s a relief. I understand for now. I don’t know how it looks from the outside, but the barrier is disappearing. You should be able to see me soon, so just wait a little!’
─Wow! I figured it would be resolved since you suddenly sent a message, but that’s good news! …Oh, people are starting to move as the barrier is fading!
I called over Viktor, Leisya, and Heins, who were still buzzing with excitement over their unique items.
“I called you three over because I have a means to communicate with party members within a certain radius.”
I shook my head and pointed at the barrier.
“Since we’ve taken down the Layered Ruler and finished all the settlements, you can see the barrier fading, which means it will soon disappear.”
I gestured toward the ground and wall.
“I heard that the paths on the 1st Floor have changed structure to lead to the central area… and apparently, there are many adventurers waiting here, including parties you were a part of.”
Heins furrowed his brow and spoke up.
“It looks like the barrier is fading even as we speak. The chaos when it completely disappears will be quite something.”
He adjusted his glasses and continued talking.
“There are quite a few adventurers who hold both profit and pride dear, so just a small conflict can escalate into a major fight in cases like this.”
As Heins stroked his chin, he eventually shook his head.
“Right now, I’m sure our party and those belonging to fighters would be mediating with force, but who knows? If dozens of adventurers rush out all at once…”
It would be an absolute mess.
“So, I was thinking, we’ve all been through a fight together, how about having the three strongest among us take action to maintain order?”
For example, Leisya could take a few as hostages, Viktor could roar with ‘Wrath of the Barbarian,’ and Heins could use his Earth Magic.
Draw everyone’s attention, get them to take turns and send them back to their parties after merging with them.
Having explained this roughly and asking for cooperation.
“Sounds good! I was going to rest at the shelter today anyway. I’ll gladly help with that.”
“Let’s do it.”
“I’ll help too!”
All three of them nodded.
[The effects of the Prison of Unity are about to wear off completely.]
Chatter, chatter.
“The way is clear. We can leave now!”
“Everyone, back off! I’m done with the 1st Floor. I’m going first!”
[Viktor casts ‘Wrath of the Barbarian.’]
“URAAAAAHHH!”
BOOM!
“Ugh.”
“GAAAH!”
Ignoring the few who were foaming at the mouth, Viktor surveyed the surroundings and said.
“There’s no way the ones who took down the Layered Ruler and received rewards will cause a mess after all that is done.”
THUD!
Viktor slammed his Great Sword into the ground.
“Everyone. Under our mediation, you will leave one by one and join your respective parties before leaving. Got it?”
He glared fiercely at the crowd.
“If anyone has any objections or complaints, don’t wait until later, come out now… Is there no one? Then I’ll take it that you all understood.”
He gestured at me, declaring that I would go first.
‘No objections. Good.’
[Chaos says it’s nice not having bothersome idiots like Hans or Isaac around.]
“…Earth Wall, rise!”
Heins summoned a wall of earth to block the adventurers slowly approaching from outside.
“We’ll send them through one by one, so please don’t try to push through and wait your turn!”
As expected, he was thorough.
“Everyone, thank you for your hard work. If we ever meet again, I’ll treat you to a hearty meal.”
Before I left, I turned to say goodbye to the three.
“Ha ha! Sounds great. I, Barduk’s Viktor, will remember this!”
“I hope that next time we meet, we can share our adventures with smiles.”
Viktor and Heins responded according to their personalities.
Leisya approached me, pulling something out of her pocket.
“Here you go. Show this token to the guards at District 2, and you’ll get access to the noble district!”
Such a gem?
‘What do you expect me to do if I cause some trouble in the noble district with this?’
“Is it okay to give me something like this? What are you trusting…?”
She got close, almost sticking to me.
Then she whispered into my ear.
“You saved my life, after all. I still vividly remember how you desperately blocked my path back then.”
Phew…
“My name is Leisya Yuzfel. We will surely meet again… I’m looking forward to that time.”
I stared at her, gripping my prickly ears.
Seeing my bewildered face, Leisya chuckled.
As she silently tilted her head and winked at me, I fumbled my lips a few times, eventually scratching my cheek before bowing and turning away.
‘What a quirky person.’
I shouldn’t have to consider it a debt of life.
In fact, I was able to keep my arms safe in that last battle because of her.
‘Well… if I’ve earned some favor from an aristocratic lady in a day’s time as a comrade and benefactor, I guess that’s a good thing.’
[Chaos seems to be gnawing her nails, feeling like another mischievous girl will be added.]
‘Oh Chaos, really…’
Alright, it’s time to head back to the party.
Crossing over the wide earth wall Heins raised, I made my way toward Yeriell and Lumia.
As I passed the boundary that separated the central area, I looked around.
‘Wow, I imagined it, but this is something else.’
Paths leading in various directions and the entrance to the central area were all filled with countless adventurers.
Each one wore expressions full of worry, sighs escaping their lips, and whispers circulating among them.
‘Where are the two?’
─Aren, behind on the right!
In the distance, I spotted Yeriell waving her hand carefully and Lumia perked up with her ears.
Their adorable looks made me smile, and just as I was about to walk over…
“Hey, buddy. Why don’t you share what happened inside? Everyone’s curious, you know? Right?”
A hefty guy who looked a bit rough said while grabbing my shoulder.
CRACK.
“Don’t touch me. Others will be coming out soon, so please ask them over there.”
“Geez, you’re sounding real rude for someone just coming out of the lower floors. What level are you?”
I thought I could avoid trouble, but it looks like it’s backfiring.
Do I look ridiculous due to the battle wear?
Adventurers really are a varied bunch.
────
[Ludwig]
[Strength: D-] [Agility: E] [Durability: E+]
[Health: E+] [Magic: E] [Luck: E+]
[Acquired Traits] (Fold)
Beginner Blunt Weapon Technique
A Man Single Blow
Evil Intent
Hunched Bear
────
“Hey you. I told you to keep it down if you’re waiting up front. Are other adventurers a joke to you?”
“Yes yes. For a mid-tier adventurer to say that, a low-tier should know their place!”
Got it!
The guy who pulled his hand away tried to act cool.
“I came expecting to find something interesting on the 1st Floor, and here I am… Guys! It’s open! Let’s go up!”
What the heck?
“You should also go. We need to send everyone out quickly so Viktor and Heins can join up faster. And whatever happened inside, they’ll hear about it from them.”
A middle-aged priest who looked quite stout stepped in to mediate, clearly a member of Heins and Viktor’s party.
After thanking him with a nod, I approached the worried-looking trio.
Hug.
“Ugh, I’ve missed you guys.”
Lumia immediately wrapped her arms around me.
“I was lonely! Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. But can you let go a bit? There are a lot of people around.”
I understand her excitement, but the gazes of the many adventurers are a bit painful.
“Okay, but I’m just too happy─”
Suddenly, Lumia started sniffing and her ears perked up.
“…Strange girl’s scent. Who is she?”
“Wh-What?”
She’s acting like a jealous girlfriend who caught wind of something shady.
Yeriell looked surprised.
Keeping my cool, I spoke up.
“There were many things that happened inside… I’ll tell you slowly as we go. Let’s just get out of here.”
The two nodded.
We started to slowly move through the crowd of adventurers.
Now, let’s move swiftly.
*
I spotted two portals.
It took us several days to reach the portal at the southern tip.
It feels a bit strange that my first venture into the Labyrinth ends on the 1st Floor, aside from the trespassing into the 3rd Floor.
But I wasn’t ready to head to the 2nd Floor in my current armor state, and I also needed time to get used to my newly acquired unique gear.
“Let’s go.”
Finally… it’s the return from the first venture into the Labyrinth.