NOVEL NEXT Chapter 86
Just because a party member hasn’t been rescued doesn’t mean I could sit around waiting for them like a lost puppy.
As the party leader and an adventurer, I had to improve even more before the next entry.
This time, at least to the 7th floor. No, wouldn’t it be worth trying to go even further?
Tap-tap—
“Yeriell, are you okay? You look really worn out.”
“Uh, hehe. I’m fine! Ever since you both came back, my sister’s been working me hard, but I can feel myself growing stronger, so it’s bearable.”
“All I can say is to cheer you on. Just don’t overdo it, okay?”
Yeriell trained harder every day, following her sister Ivelyn’s wishes, as the Evil God’s forces began to stir again, and they needed to be much stronger to feel safe.
“I’ve been learning how to find my way and training to avoid obstacles while running with my eyes closed.”
Lumia was exploring her unique path through sensory training at the explorer’s academy, which was quite different from the dark magician’s way.
“Are the people at the academy treating you well? Uh, I’m just asking to make sure you’re not being alienated there, right?”
“Nope! On the contrary, the director said that as adventurers, we might run into people with all sorts of curses or negative traits.”
“And?”
“He asked if we would curse and shun them at every turn. He even mentioned meeting a mid-level adventurer cursed to turn into a kobold because he ran out of money to remove it, saying he’d never met a better person.”
Uh, isn’t Yeriell’s curse a bit different?
Anyway, since she wasn’t staying at the academy long-term and only went back and forth for a few hours a day, the bad luck around her shouldn’t get too intense. Thankfully, the academy’s director seemed like a decent guy.
‘Alright! Let’s find something I can do right now!’
[Chaos enthusiastically cheers you on.]
Motivated by them, I too strove in various ways.
Starting from the morning, I went to the library and stuffed my head with all sorts of knowledge from thick books.
“You’re really diligent, coming here every day without getting tired. And this time, you’re looking for books on the discovered hidden realms and rifts?”
Until now, the only books I had seen in the library were bestiaries or labyrinth trivia.
Most of the information was pretty basic and easy to come by, like what every adventurer needed to know and widely recognized traits.
I recalled reading a brief mention of rifts, hidden realms, and other dungeon-like aspects in a book I’d read, so I thought of looking them up.
‘Come to think of it, is this information too advanced?’
“Just a moment. Inveni Quierio.”
Whirr…
As the crystal-shaped magic tool glowed blue, I felt hopeful, but the librarian’s expression seemed less than enthusiastic.
“Hmm. I don’t know if you’d know this, but adventurers tend to be reluctant to share information about unusual or special things, so finding what you’re after will be difficult.”
The way he danced around it told me there wasn’t any.
“Simply put, are you saying there are no books on the information I’m looking for?”
“I found a few, but they’re all checked out… In that case, how about looking for something on another topic?”
Well, it can’t be helped. Switching to another field means I’d have plenty of books to read. If there aren’t any, I might as well study what’s there.
*
In the afternoon, I went to the Swordsmanship Guild, learned the communal training routine, and trained fiercely alongside other guild members.
“Grrr! Ah!!!”
“You got this! Just a little more!”
Thud!
“Told you it’s possible! Hahaha!”
While training, I got friendly with all the manly men whose names I didn’t even know.
“Alright, let’s go!”
Huff, huff.
“One! Two!”
Maintaining our pace, we ran, dragging or pushing training equipment to strengthen our bodies.
“…”
Drip. Drip.
With the sound of falling water, we took a moment to meditate and fortify our mental power.
After finishing our routine for the day, I stopped by the office and, during an idle chat, surprisingly gathered some information I hadn’t found earlier.
“Hmm? Oh, by the way, you said the last time you were brought here you didn’t know anything, right?”
Sena, who had not only cleared the game but also confidently entered the ranks of the city’s strong, remembered.
Rifts? Hidden realms? Monsters? If anyone had the knowledge of this world that I didn’t, it would be her.
How did I not think of this sooner?
“Oh man, it’s so obvious for me and other people who’ve been through the same thing that I completely overlooked it.”
I can relate. I really should have asked her instead of rummaging around in the library for information.
She cheerily replied, “Little sister! Even though I’m busy these days and can’t spare much time, I can still chat with you for an hour like this! Why not ask me what you want to know instead of chit-chatting?”
“Are you really okay with that? Then it’s like you’re working during your break.”
“Of course, I am. No worries about that. Just know I’ve only played the game for a year, and I’ve been here for five years now, so I’ve forgotten a lot.”
“But learning from you, who’s seasoned, is a world of difference from rifling through books without knowing anything! Thank you, sis!”
“Eek! I really wanted a little sister when I was an only child, and here I am getting to hear someone call me sister in this place! Since we decided to learn, let’s start today! First…”
…
…
Two weeks passed without much ado.
Haa.
After finishing all the routines for the day, I let out a deep sigh and, as always, stopped by the reception desk to check if anyone had applied to join our party.
“One person hopes to join your party!”
Guess there wouldn’t be any today. Turning—
Huh?
“Wait a moment. Could you say that again?”
“One person hopes to join your party! And they applied at quite a high level!”
“Ahhh!”
Finally, finally!
Stay calm. It’s not confirmed that they’ll join the party yet, and, more importantly, if the person is a dud, it wouldn’t matter how many applications come in.
‘If it’s a troll or a punk filling a spot, it’s better to take on just three of us, even if it’s tough.’
If all else fails, I might have to resort to renting a slave managed by the guild.
“So, what’s the next procedure?”
The receptionist beamed at me.
“Now you two need to come to an agreement and coordinate! Go to the Angered Minotaur Inn in District 6 and find Miss Veronica!”
Angered… what?
That’s an oddly unique name for an inn. Isn’t a Minotaur a bipedal horned monster?
“Thank you for the information. I’ll be off now.”
“Not at all! That’s just part of the receptionist’s job. Good luck!”
After thanking them, I exited the guild.
District 6, huh? Looks like I’ll be exploring a new area again.
I need to catch a carriage soon to make it there before nightfall.
Excited, I dashed to the station without hesitation.
*
Hey, Halo?
An icy, chilly atmosphere surrounded a stunning woman, with a halo of light hovering and spinning above her head.
Is she human? Or an angel, or some other race I’ve never seen before?
────
[Veronica]
[Strength: D+] [Agility: D-] [Defense: C-]
[Stamina: C-] [Magical Power: B-] [Luck: C-]
[Traits] (Fold)
Armise Shield Swordsmanship
Protective Sword
Solid Body—Armise
Duel Challenge
Resonance of Circulation
Celestia Halo
────
────
[Protective Sword (B)] [P]
She was a member of the Armise Guards and the underlings of the Knights.
After losing the princess she served right before her eyes, she ironically gained enlightenment from her sense of loss and powerlessness.
Though the one she was meant to protect had perished, if another chance arose to protect someone again, she’d stand in their way without hesitation.
─When allies are behind, increase defense and stamina by one tier.
─When allies are behind, apply resistance to mid-range attacks.
─When defending against an attack, won’t drop the shield.
─When rushing to an ally, increase agility by one tier.
────
────
[Celestia Halo (A)] [P]
A mark and blessing given only to the one who passed the six trials of the God of the Skies.
It will not fade until the user’s body and soul are destroyed.
Unlike wearing a helmet, it grants absolute defense to the head at all times.
─Magic power increases by three tiers.
─Due to a strong blessing, nullifies all curse effects directed at the user.
─Magic can be consumed to cast ‘Wide Benefit.’
─Emotional expression becomes subdued.
─The halo absorbs a small amount of magic from nearby allies and stockpiles it in the user’s body.
────
Well, she fits the criteria.
An A-tier, huh. I was shocked the moment I glanced at her.
‘Why would someone like her apply to join our party?’
Yikes, our eyes met.
“Hey there, miss. It looks like you’re alone. How about joining us for a seat?”
“No thanks.”
“Aww, don’t say that! We’ll cover the meal and drinks! Come on, you’re too beautiful, my party leader fell for you at first sight! Look over there. Handsome, right? Why don’t we drink together and celebrate our good looks?”
“Worst. Disgusting. That’s one of the worst lines I’ve ever heard. Scram right now.”
“…Ouch, that’s pretty pricey!”
I felt so embarrassed it was as if I were the one being rejected.
Shaking my head, I approached the troubled table.
Tap, tap.
I knocked on the table with my finger, passing the obnoxious guy by.