40 – Return #1
The brigands hiding near the village numbered at most eight. There were definitely more explorers.
He thought the battle would favor the explorers.
“It’s only natural.”
But that wasn’t the case. The brigands knew how to properly utilize their advantages.
“….”
As soon as they realized the ambush, one of the brigands turned the human leather inside out. It belonged to the boy.
At first, I couldn’t understand why they would wear something so unpleasant and uncomfortable. But I quickly understood.
Thanks to that, I learned how the brigands fought.
“There’s no business in the darkness of the labyrinth. No matter how strong the explorer is.”
While it is impossible to artificially manipulate the darkness of the labyrinth, it is possible to induce an attack on the explorers. It’s about shaking their mental state.
The effect was clear. As soon as the boy’s leather was revealed, the sound of children whimpering could be heard from behind.
What was used at that time was the [Totem Necklace of Eumma].
By covering the boys’ mental problems with totems, the situation quickly stabilized. The rebellion of the vagabonds came to an end with that.
“Damn bastards.”
The adventurers tore the vagabonds’ bodies to shreds. They handled it as brutally as possible, as if they had no intention of forgiving them.
Whether the boys were watching or not, they ground them up into small pieces and threw them away.
“They’re doing it on purpose.”
It felt like a performance to instill a sense of stability in the boys.
In reality, the boys frowned at the gruesome corpses they saw. But they didn’t turn their heads away.
They confronted the cruel scene without avoiding it.
Not only did they kidnap a friend who was in a similar situation to them, but they also turned them into trash villains with the bizarre artifact called a totem.
Although it didn’t show on their faces, everyone seemed quite satisfied with the vagabonds’ fate.
“Maybe they’re stronger than me.”
It’s ambiguous whether their mental strength is weak or strong.
The adventurers who had finished subduing the vagabonds returned to the village. The members of “Heart of Steel” who achieved results couldn’t contain their joy and shouted.
“Finally! Finally, we’re also Grade C!”
“Sister, did you get a totem?”
“Of course. Did you think I would forget this?”
Proof of dealing with the vagabonds. The [Totem Necklace of Eumma] could also be used as evidence.
“Come and take them one by one!”
“Heart of Steel” kept their promise. They distributed the D-grade gem packages they had collected to the adventurers.
But in reality, it was they themselves who fought the most fiercely.
“It’s our contribution that helped make the battle possible.”
“…To make it possible?”
“Yeah. It was possible because we had a lot of people. We’re just giving compensation for that.”
In the battle between adventurers and rogues, the mental strength of the boy was the most important, more than individual skills.
“There’s not much difference between adventurers and rogues if they’re operating at the third floor level. It’s all just a joke. But there is a difference. Adventurers are protected by “Soul Protection” for the children.”
“A sense of stability. The supplies kept the children’s mental state intact, so the battle was possible?”
“That’s right. We practically did all the fighting. But if there weren’t any adventurers supporting us, we wouldn’t have even attempted it. Even if we recklessly challenged them, we would have lost to the rogues.”
The D-grade magic stone package was compensation given in that sense.
“By the way, your party is impressive, isn’t it?”
The Guildmaster of “Steel Heart” approached directly and handed over the magic stone package. The woman looked at Suu and spoke.
“Bakho Tribe. I’ve only heard about it, but seeing it in person, it’s no joke. Level 5, right?”
“……”
In response to the woman’s question, Suu remained silent and closed her mouth. She clearly showed that she didn’t want to tell.
The woman chuckled.
“Can’t you at least tell me your level? We fought together against the rogues.”
“Hmph.”
“You’re a prickly one. Well, I understand. It’s not like a beastman would have any good feelings towards humans.”
The Guildmaster of “Steel Heart” quickly lost interest and spoke to me.
“If you ever need help in the future, come find us at “Steel Heart.” We’ll help you with anything.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“I understand. Thank you.”
I’m not sure how great the C-Rank (Advanced) Explorer Guild is, but it wouldn’t hurt to know at least one guild.
“Someday, the day will come when I have to use this connection.”
The Guildmaster of the “Heart of Steel” Guild left and had conversations with other explorers. It seemed that Swu’s battle had left quite an impression on everyone.
“I said I wouldn’t reveal it to Lauren…”
Even though I had set limits, it was still this intense. Thanks to that, I was able to feel the power of the Beastmen.
“I was also quite surprised when I first saw it.”
Fortunately, Lauren took this situation in stride. She acknowledged it as inevitable.
I expressed my gratitude for her broad-mindedness.
“Are you making fun of me again?”
“…No. I mean it, I’m sincerely grateful.”
Before long, the explorers scattered in all directions. They divided into two groups.
The party that stayed on the 3rd floor and continued to the 4th floor. And the party that was satisfied with the D-Rank magic stone package and finished exploring.
We were the latter.
To be honest, there was no reason to stay on the 3rd floor. We had come down with the intention of just grabbing a bite and going back.
But we unexpectedly gained a harvest, so we happily returned to the city.
“If you have time, let’s meet in the city.”
After a short rest to recover our stamina, we entered the portal to the 2nd floor.
The guild member guarding the portal of the “Heart of Steel” greeted us warmly. It felt like an invitation to have a meal together.
“Yes, see you later.”
So I gave a vague answer and moved on.
As soon as we reached the second floor, I piggybacked on Suwoo’s back. Suwoo tried to hug me from the front, but I refused. It was uncomfortable having certain areas pressed against each other.
You never know what might happen in a labyrinth. Just in case, I decided to be carried safely.
I wore a mask while holding my breath. A one-time use mask enchanted with the “Purification” spell.
The effect was amazing.
“…It’s so comfortable wearing a mask.”
“You learned the lesson of thorough preparation. That’s enough.”
Lauren replied coolly and changed the subject. Perhaps she felt that the education she received was too excessive, she couldn’t meet my gaze properly.
We quickly passed the second floor. Suwoo, who had activated the “Beast Soul” up to level 2, could run faster than anyone else.
Lauren with her “Light Steps” wasn’t bad in terms of speed either.
As soon as we arrived on the first floor, Lauren asked me as she caught her breath.
“Did you level up by any chance?”
“….”
Suwoo looked at me. It was a look that asked if it was okay to answer, seeking permission.
I nodded.
“I reached level 5. The Master’s Eye of ‘Steel Heart’ is quite perceptive.”
“Level 5…!”
Lauren exclaimed. Is level 5 such an impressive level? I had my doubts.
“Even though I’m only level 1…”
I cautiously checked my stats.
Ray Lv.1
Current Stats (Fold)
[Strength 2] [Agility 2] [Stamina 3]
Skills Possessed (Fold)
[Soul Protection EX]
Active Protection (Fold)
[Divine Protection of Mortal God]
It was pitifully unmatched. Apart from “Soul Protection,” the stats were so weak that they couldn’t even fulfill their role as a person.
“What level is Level 5 like?”
“To put it simply, you can easily hunt on that floor.”
“On that floor?”
“If you’re Level 5, you can easily hunt even on the 5th floor.”
Lauren’s definition of “easy” was not dying “at all” against monsters.
A Level 5 adventurer doesn’t die against monsters on the 5th floor. Unless there are variables, dying is actually more difficult.
“I’m Level 3. So I’ve been active up to the 4th floor.”
An adventurer party consists of a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 5. There has never been a case of forming a party with more than 5 people.
In the case of a 3-person party, it includes two female adventurers of the same level. With two Level 3s together, it’s more than enough to explore floors lower than their level.
“Oh…”
With the metaphor, Suu’s level is clearly felt.
“But Suu, have you been to the 5th floor?”
“…There’s nothing. I’ve never been to the 4th floor. I barely made it to the 3rd floor last time…”
Except for himself, everyone perished. It remained as a painful memory for Suwoo.
“If Suwoo is here, there won’t be any danger even up to the 3rd floor. As long as we don’t get surrounded by a gang of thugs.”
Lauren, who said that, momentarily fell into thought.
“But that’s not particularly dangerous either.”
“Why?”
“Because you have artifacts.”
Unlike the boys who can’t do anything, I actively utilize artifacts and even attack. It’s something that can greatly reduce Suwoo’s burden.
Lauren, satisfied after confirming the strength of my party, smiled contently.
“Solid, it feels solid.”
“….”
“Even if I’m not here, you won’t die in vain.”
“…Lauren, sister….”
The time to part ways with Lauren was approaching.