33 – 3rd Floor #2
The portals leading to the lower floors are gathered near the core. That’s why monsters often appear.
From goblins wriggling on the ground, to trolls devouring unknown corpses, and kobolds splashing around in puddles.
The mining of magic stones went smoother than expected.
“It’s not a complete loss.”
It wasn’t much different from when they explored the first floor with all their might. If we were to compare, it was about 30% less?
It seemed okay to settle down nearby and hunt.
“Didn’t anyone think of that?”
“……”
I thought it was a change in my thinking. It seemed like a proven method.
“First, no one knows who and when will come up to the 2nd floor portal.”
Variability in the labyrinth is very dangerous. Even if the opponent is a party with a good temperament, I don’t want to encounter them if possible.
“Second, the longer you stay in one place, the more frequently monsters appear.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“No, it’s not. If monsters are born excessively in the same place, it means they don’t carry magic stones inside them.”
“Ah….”
For these reasons, adventurers try to avoid staying in the same place for too long.
Kaien and Marco’s party recovered their condition. They had a good sleep and their complexion improved.
“Now, let’s go.”
Both parties were now able to fulfill their roles, so we could consider our mission complete. It was time to part ways.
In reality, we had only wasted time. Even if we had hunted a little near Simji, it was far from sufficient compared to the exploration we had done with our full power.
Cayenne, knowing this, apologized with a remorseful expression.
“Thank you, Ray.”
“I survived thanks to you. Come to our guild someday if you have the chance. I’m not really sure about treating you well. The sisters are good at cooking, you know? I’ll prepare a dinner for you.”
“Me too.”
We exchanged words of gratitude once again. When I had survived thanks to Su, the emotions of that time came back vividly.
“It’s fine. I just did what I had to do.”
We were just boys who were conscripted and helped each other. I shook hands, showing a noble gesture.
“Go.”
The two parties would leave the dungeon and head towards the exit. We would have to stay in the labyrinth for about four days to get out of the city, but it should be fine.
If we explore with caution, there won’t be any major dangers.
In the first place, encountering adventurers like us is close to bad luck. Most explorers don’t even meet them or know of their existence.
“Should we continue exploring on the first floor?”
Lauren asked me. Since entering the labyrinth, Lauren had consistently given me the decision-making power.
Considering that he was helping me as part of his training, I had to see this as practice in leading a party.
“The option to go down to the third floor is still valid.”
“…But what if we run out of food?”
“If we’re even a little late? If we move quickly, it’s still possible, albeit risky.”
Literally, a quick snack on the third floor.
“I’m not a member of your party.”
“……”
“Do you have to remember that?”
Should I taste the third floor while Lauren, the most experienced member, is by my side? Or should I hire a new guide and wait for her to adapt?
If I had to choose one of the two options, it would definitely be the former.
It would be much better to see what the third floor is like with my own eyes. There is a huge difference between seeing and hearing about something.
“But….”
“Don’t want to go down? Me neither.”
The environmental conditions on the second floor of the labyrinth are the worst. I felt a strong aversion psychologically.
I’ve learned how sensitive humans are to smell through this opportunity.
“Hmm.”
“There is a way to break through quickly.”
Lauren subtly hinted at a solution. She gestured to me, as if saying, “Why don’t you try it?”
“You just have to use Swoo’s ‘Beast Soul.’ Transform to the second stage and rush with all your power.”
It was possible because the field area on the second floor of the labyrinth wasn’t as wide as the first floor.
“But that method….”
“Yeah, it has its weaknesses. That’s why not everyone can attempt it.”
There is not just one skill that increases movement speed. Besides ‘Beast Soul,’ there are several others.
According to Lauren, even thief-class characters have a skill called ‘Light Footsteps.’
But I can’t use it.
“Because it puts more pressure on the guys, right?”
“Yeah. Even if we break through quickly, we’ll be fine. The problem is that the kids won’t be able to hold on.”
To activate a skill, two things are needed.
One is the user’s personal magic power.
“Light Footsteps” consumes Lauren’s magic power, and “Beast Soul” consumes Su’s magic power. Each individual has to pay the cost.
The other is the stamina of the boy maintaining “Soul Protection”.
“It’s closer to male strength than stamina…”
The rules inside and outside the labyrinth were different.
Outside, no matter how much Su rampaged, it had no effect on me. Inside, every action Su took demanded a huge cost from me.
“…Is there a reason why Lauren is telling me this now?”
“As much as you guys worry about the next guide, it gives me a headache too. I hope no accidents happen.”
I can’t always be the guide. The moment when we have to figure things out ourselves will come.
I think it will be sad if something happens then.
“That’s why I want to give you as much information as possible. You also know that hearing something and seeing it firsthand are different, right?”
“It’s completely different.”
Lauren doesn’t seem to suggest a choice that would harm me. It’s probably more like a suggestion to try challenging the 3rd floor, as it would help in the next exploration.
When we tore apart the vanguard of “Miracle” and the bandits. That’s when Su got excited and activated “Beast Soul” up to level 2.
Level 1 is when the upper arm and forearm turn into beasts. Level 2 is when the lower body also turns into a beast.
“If the strength increases, the speed will definitely be faster.”
The important thing is how long it takes.
“In Lauren’s mind, how long would it take for Suwoo to break through to the second floor if he used all his power?”
“I can’t be certain… but maybe less than half a day?”
About three hours. It was comfortably within that timeframe.
There might be skeletons or other obstacles along the way, so it was a precautionary estimate.
“If it’s around three hours, I think I can endure it.”
The conditions on the second floor were unpleasant due to the smell, but it wasn’t toxic. Even if they breathed it in, it wouldn’t endanger their lives.
It was a far cry from the darkness of the labyrinth that threatened their lives.
The stench of the slums was the kind that could be shaken off with mental strength. It was something they would eventually have to overcome.
“It’s better to take the first hit!”
There was nothing good about delaying it.
“…Let’s go! To the third floor!”
Getting to the third floor was simple.
“If Ray goes ahead, the speed will be slower, and there’s a risk of accidents due to overlapping physical and mental fatigue. Let’s have one person not go. To make the most of our skills.”
Lauren’s suggestion. As soon as Suwoo heard her words, he swiftly slid his hand under my armpit and lifted me up.
“It’s me. I won’t go with Ray.”
“If it gets too difficult, let me know. I’ll take over.”
“But that won’t happen, right?”
Suwoo snorted and pulled me closer. He supported my hips with his hands, making it impossible for me to refuse.
There was no other choice.
Guided by Suwoo’s touch, I wrapped my arms around his strong neck. I nestled against him like a baby sloth hanging onto a sturdy tree branch.
Soft and firm. Strange sensations were felt all over the front.
“Let’s start for now.”
Lauren didn’t speak for long. She seemed uninterested in whether I occupied the driver’s seat or not.
Or perhaps she didn’t think Su’s anger would last long?
Lauren stepped on the portal to the second floor, taking the lead. Su followed suit.
The air quality changed.
“The first floor wasn’t great either.”
But compared to the second floor, it was like a fairyland. The environmental conditions on the second floor were so severe that it distorted one’s expression.
I buried my face in Su’s neck. I neutralized the smell of the second floor slums with Su’s scent.
Fluffy. It feels surprisingly good to stroke the dense fur on her cheeks.
It felt like I was holding a cushion.
“Heek…!”
Su trembled violently. But she didn’t stop trembling.
The arm that held me only exerted more strength.
“There’s a skeleton ahead. We’ll just pass through.”
The skeleton itself wasn’t much of a threat. Just a stumbling bone.
In the second stage of “Beast Soul,” Su had absorbed an ancient soul up to her lower body, so there was no more roughness. She moved forward like a bulldozer.
Two hours. We reached the portal to the third floor exactly two hours later.
Even though we had breaks to recover stamina in between, it took two hours.
“…I thought I would collapse from exhaustion.”
“……”
Lauren glared at Sue with disgust in her eyes. Sue slowly lowered me with a flushed face.
While staring intently at Sue, Lauren muttered to herself.
“So Ray has a natural awakening agent. How effective is it? Can it maintain ‘Beast Soul’ for two hours straight?”
“I, I don’t know! I really don’t!”
Sue shouted in surprise. Surprisingly, her voice was girlish.
From Noble mtl dot com
Ignoring Sue, Lauren took something out of her backpack. It was a mask.
“Now, put this on.”
“…?”
If you had something like this, shouldn’t you have given it to me earlier?
As I looked at her with resentment in my eyes, Lauren cleared her throat twice and spoke.
“When entering the labyrinth, you need to be thoroughly prepared. It’s best to gather information about each floor in advance and have the necessary equipment.”
“This is too much….”
“Shall we go?”
How shameless. Shameless and cruel.
[Supply Mask (E)]
A cloth mask distributed at the city hall.
Enchanted with magic.
Stored magic: “Purification (C)”
Available usage time: 22:53:33
Checking the information drains me even more.
“Swu, Ray, get up quickly. Let’s go up to the third floor.”
Swu forcibly lifted me up. Swu didn’t seem to have any complaints about Lauren deceiving us.
“…I think it was not a bad experience…. Absolutely necessary…?”
“Traitor!”
“I, I didn’t betray Ray…. It’s not like Lauren’s actions were wrong…. I just think so….”
“But that’s what a traitor does!”
I was dragged by Swu and stepped onto the portal to the third floor.
The air suddenly became better. I felt relieved in an instant.
“We’re not outside, are we?”
I saw the ceiling. A wooden ceiling.
Sunlight streamed in through the cracks.
To be able to see natural light in a maze felt different.
However, the ceiling itself had an artificial feel. It seemed like someone had built it carelessly.
And there were other explorers. As soon as we crossed the portal, there was an explorer right in front of us.
“Show me your explorer’s badge.”
It was our first encounter. The explorers aimed their spears at us. They scanned my body with vigilant eyes.
While I was foolishly standing there, Lauren showed her badge.
Lauren wasn’t flustered at all in this situation. As if it was natural, she went through the inspection and passed.
“Next.”
Lauren was the only one who made it through. Only then could she assess the situation.
I hurriedly took out my identification badge as well.
As soon as the confirmation was done, the explorers lowered the window.
“There were about ten bandits who passed through the portal unexpectedly, so we’re checking rigorously.”
“If it was scary, I apologize.”
I also received an apology.
“What on earth…”
Following Lauren, I stepped outside the building. As we left the warehouse-like room, we were greeted by clear air and the sky.
“Do you understand why the bandits are on the 3rd floor?”
In response to Lauren’s question, I nodded.