25 – 2nd Floor #3
The first floor of the labyrinth has a structure like an anthill. The further you go in, the wider the common area becomes, and the more monsters appear.
Crack!
They easily hunted down up to seven goblins. It didn’t seem dangerous even with the increasing number of monsters.
[Acquired Magic Stone (F).]
Lauren, Sue, and the other female explorers in this world have stronger physical strength than modern adult men. Goblins were nothing.
“If we hunt like this for a week, it will be 4 silver, right?”
“At that time, the pace was slower than now. There were also novice explorers like Brown, and you had an accident on the first day, so your condition wasn’t good.”
“There’s not much of a difference.”
“A self-assured appearance, looking good.”
There was no sign of belief. It felt like nothing more than the audacity of a cheeky young boy.
“It’s not like all the children conscripted into the Labyrinth City are introverted and passive.”
Just as their appearances differ, so do their personalities. There’s the timid Brown, and the incredibly curious and strong-willed Rohan.
Even if there is a passionate boy somewhere in the labyrinth, it’s not really that strange.
“It’s just a worldview where men don’t grow stronger than women. The basic framework itself is the same.”
That’s what I realized by experiencing this world firsthand.
“Bang!”
Seizing the opportunity, I used the “Avela’s Arrow Bracelet”. The bright yellow “Magic Arrow” pierced through two goblins.
Lauren couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I told you not to use it…”
“I’ve tested it in the city already.”
Lauren said, sighing like Tyre.
“This is the labyrinth. Impulsive actions are dangerous.”
“This was the last one. I had to use up all the charges to recharge… I won’t use it anymore.”
“The artifact. You can use ‘Magic Arrow’ three times?”
In response to Lauren’s question, I nodded. Lauren let out a sigh.
“Try not to use the artifact if you can help it. It’s meaningless on the first floor.”
“Yes.”
“I already knew you wouldn’t listen to me properly. But seeing you as a party member is more than I imagined, Ray.”
“…Hing.”
There was nothing to refute Moore.
In truth, there was no way to tell him that “Soul Protection” was an EX-rank and that there was no problem. I pretended to reflect, even though I couldn’t reveal the truth.
[Soul Protection EX confirmed]
[Avela’s Arrow Bracelet (D)]
[Charging “Magic Arrow (F)”……]
[Time remaining until charging is complete – 179:39]
Three hours until the artifact is fully charged. Unlike when registering for “Soul Protection,” I didn’t even feel a slight resistance.
Was it because of using and charging the artifact repeatedly for a week? My body seemed to have adapted to the unfamiliar sensation.
“Don’t say anything to Lé.”
Swoo comforted me, who had heard not just nagging but nagging from Lauren.
Perhaps it was because we had only talked to Lauren since entering the maze. There was a considerable strength in the arm that surrounded me.
Seeing that sight, Lauren smirked.
“If someone sees us, they might think we’re stealing your kid. Ridiculous.”
“…I have never given birth to a child.”
“It’s a metaphorical expression. Do I have to explain everything?”
Lauren stuck out his tongue and lowered his head. Then he stared intently at Swoo.
As if he had made up his mind, he opened his mouth.
“Swoo.”
“Why are you calling me?”
“You may not realize it, but you can’t pretend not to know. Why is no one joining this party? We have to accept it and find a way. I’m just a temporary member of this expedition.”
“……”
“People who joined this party are extremely anxious because of you. Huh? You don’t know how that feels?”
This time, it was Suwoo’s turn to listen to Lauren’s lecture.
“Whether it’s you or me, if a guy doesn’t have ‘Soul Protection,’ he can’t enter the labyrinth. When you become an explorer, you naturally understand the importance of ‘Soul Protection.’ Even without anyone telling you.”
“……”
“That’s why there are no explorers who blame the boy. Even if ‘Soul Protection’ is temporarily cut off and they face a life-threatening crisis, no one blames the child. They think it’s their own fault as explorers.”
“…Right. The child is not at fault.”
With Lauren’s words, Suwoo could somewhat agree.
“But you’re different.”
Lauren was speaking calmly and logically. Suwoo couldn’t argue back and trembled.
“The cost you consume endangers not only Ray but also me. You think it’s natural because you don’t care about the risk, but you’re not someone who can be part of the party.”
“……”
“I hope this party can complete the exploration safely. I hope nothing bad happens to Ray, who is Brown’s friend. That’s why I’m so concerned.”
From Noble mtl dot com
Lauren was pointing out Suwoo’s careless attitude.
“Don’t I want to say good things to Ray as well? Compliment him for shooting three ‘Magic Arrows’? Anyone can do that, it’s something they want to do. But they can’t. It’s dangerous. Because there are werewolves in this party.”
“……”
“Instead, you should control Ray. The scolding should come from you, not me.”
Lauren was just a passing mercenary. There was no reason for him to interfere with the party excessively.
But he was Brown’s friend. He was crossing the line to give advice.
“It’s because of you that other explorers refuse to party with Ray. Yet, even though you should be reducing the risk, you’re hesitating instead of stopping Ray. Are you trying to make me out to be a bad person?”
“……”
“Do you want to be a kind adult by Ray’s side? You can’t even find party members, what’s the use.”
“Ugh…! Th-That’s not…”
Soo, who was about to refute, closed his mouth. He realized that he couldn’t break Lauren’s logic.
“At least I know that Ray’s ‘soul protection’ is strong, so I can pass it off somewhat smoothly. Think of it as coming with an inexperienced explorer.”
“……”
“Ray, if I were a different guide, how do you think I would have reacted to your actions? Wouldn’t I have felt uneasy seeing you using artifacts and laughing hehehe?”
“…I think so.”
He bowed his head deeply. He realized that he had only been thinking from his own perspective.
He reflected.
“Boys aren’t affected by the darkness of the labyrinth, but girls are.”
Perhaps the darkness of the labyrinth was even scarier than monsters. When facing powerful monsters, rebellion was possible, but even that was impossible against the darkness of the labyrinth.
Lauren warned again, as if poking him.
“Don’t use artifacts.”
“…Yes.”
“You may be confident in your actions, but from the perspective of fellow explorers, it’s not. If you panic, you become vulnerable to the darkness of the labyrinth. Remember that failure leads to annihilation.”
He nodded. He had to accept the experienced adventurer’s advice, even if it was harsh, for his own sake.
“Sorry for the long lecture. Let’s move.”
Lauren gently patted his back and took the lead. The hunt continued smoothly.
The demons themselves weren’t difficult.
Goblins? Gnolls? Kobolds?
Lauren and Sue could easily take care of them together. They even handled double-digit numbers effortlessly.
Keruk!
Sometimes Lauren let a goblin slip past. A demon that crossed the front line and approached me.
Those creatures were shot and killed with the “Magic Arrow” stored in the artifact.
“Yeah, we only use the artifact in emergencies. After all, artifacts are items made for that purpose.”
“Four!”
Sue gave a determined look, like a private ready for battle. Lauren smirked.
“Are you mocking me now? What did you say earlier?”
“No, I’m not!”
“…Let’s fill our stomachs soon.”
It was better to have regular meals in the labyrinth.
“Stress management is important. Your mental state needs to be healthy in order to resist the darkness of the labyrinth.”
The quality of the meal wasn’t considered. A hastily made soup and water.
They quickly filled their stomachs and decided to take a short rest.
“Sue, do you want to take the first watch?”
“…I have things to think about. I’ll take the first watch…”
Sue, who had been making a fuss since earlier, was lying down in an unusual manner, which made Lauren feel sorry for her.
Meanwhile, Lauren, who had pushed Sue away, seemed unfazed.
“Ray, come over here.”
Lauren patted her side, calling me just like she did in Brown.
“It’s good to do a lot of communication when we can. It increases mental strength.”
“……”
“By the way, sleeping together is the most efficient way to communicate.”
If she says it like that, I can’t help it. I can only sleep in Lauren’s arms.
But it’s a little uncomfortable.
“Swoo….”
Hesitant, I approached Lauren, trying to gauge Swoo’s reaction.
Swoo wasn’t looking at me. She was staring blankly at the bonfire she had lit with flint, lost in her own thoughts.
The shock seemed to be more than just a momentary distraction.