STGB Episode 508

Basement Level 1 (4)

The entrance capacity of the portal is 60 people.

Additionally, the portal only opens when entering, and there is no portal for returning.

These two things are the characteristics of a ‘rift’.

However, there is a lot of ambiguity in classifying this place as a rift.

‘First off, there is the monument.’

Wherever there are floors, there must be portal monuments. This time, we activated that monument and opened the portal.

Moreover…

‘There has never been a single case of a hidden area being a rift.

The “hidden areas” inscribed on the stone of honor mostly referred to new floors, or, if not, they corresponded to hidden fields like “Larkaz’s Labyrinth.”

“But I doubt this is just a hidden field of the first floor.”

For now, I decided to consider this place as a separate floor.

This is because Hidden Fields have the same closing date as the floor they belong to.

To open this portal, we had to farm the Nameless Fragments all the way from the third floor. Including the return time, it had taken us 6 days just to get here.

If this area is a hidden field, its design would limit exploration to a maximum of 2 days before it closes.

“So the question is: on which day does this place close…?”

Well, I’ll know about it when the time comes.

“Versil, have you finished the headcount?”

“Yes.”

Before starting the exploration, we completed a preliminary survey to understand the factions.

“There are two major clans. The Silver Lion Clan has twenty members, and the Hex Clan has nineteen.”

“They’re not missing some numbers, then.”

Clans usually travel in as large groups as possible.

Back when the binding magic limit was 5, they moved in multiples of 5. And now that you could make parties of 6, they moved in multiples of 6. According to this, they should have added up to multiples of 6.

“Yes, it seems that both clans are missing quite a few of their members. Earlier, as soon as my barrier collapsed, the explorers ran in a frenzy towards the portal”.
“I see. What about the others?”
“There are three smaller teams: One team has four members, and two teams have 5 members each.”
Further investigation revealed that the four-man team was without their leader, and one of the five-person teams was missing a warrior, completely ruining their combat balance.

“Should I look into it more? They’re all being nice to me, probably because they need someone to lean on.”

“No, this is good enough. Thanks.”

“And…”

“Yes?”

Seeing me tilt my head, Versil spoke carefully.

“All three small teams have asked if they can rely on us. The other two clans seem to want to cooperate as well.”

“Cooperation is one thing, but reliance?”

“It’s nothing special. They’re basically saying they’ll obey any orders and accept any share we give them, as long as we let them tag along.”

Well, they must have been blinded by greed and somehow entered, but upon arriving in this unknown area, they probably came to their senses.

Especially as they’re missing team members and their teams are not in perfect condition.

“What will you do?”

“How strong are those teams?”

“On average, they’re about fifth-floor level.”

“Then there’s no need to consider further. Cut them all off.”

Given our strategy of fighting with a small, elite group, they would only be a hindrance.

‘If we don’t take them, they’ll either band together or leech off the two clans.’

“I didn’t force them to come here. They wanted that portal, and I opened it. Our connection ends there.”

Therefore…

“Versil, cast the binding spell again.”

“How shall I arrange the members?”

“Emily and Auyen as one team, and the rest on the other team.”

We decided to split into two teams as well.

I had thought about leaving Auyen out and forming a six-person bond, but it’s good for Auyen to get experience too.

After all, if it’s a new floor, new types of monsters will appear. With this arrangement, as long as Amelia lands a basic attack on each monster, Auyen will get some of the experience as well.

“Emily, is that okay with you?”

“It’s fine”

Good, that settles that.

“Bjorn! How long are we going to stay here?”

It seems Aynar is also running out of patience.

“Everyone, get into formation.”

It’s time to start the exploration.

***

As we prepared to move, the explorers who were resting at the starting point began to watch me.

One of them gathered the courage to ask.

“By any chance… if it’s not too much trouble, can we follow from a distance?”

They’re afraid to take the lead in an unknown floor, so they want to learn by watching us.

Damn, these guys have no shame.

They freeloaded on the portal I opened, and now they want a free ride on the bus too.

“It’s too much trouble.”

I cut them off firmly.

Of course, they were persistent, and did not back down easily.

“But… if you could just help us a little, Baron, fewer people would die in vain.”

One guy took the lead, and encouraged by him, the others also joined in.

“He’s right…!”

“In emergencies, explorers should help each other…”

“If you help us, it will greatly enhance your reputation—”

What the hell are these bastards are talking about?

Just because I opened a portal once, they think I’m a pushover?

“When did I tell you to come in?”

“……”

“You’re explorers too, so handle your own exploration.”

“But surely many will die—”

“Isn’t that the risk you take? As you know, that’s what exploration is.”

With that, I led my team away from the starting point. My strong words seemed to have an effect; no one dared to follow us.

“Finally, that’s a relief. Why do they all talk so much?”

“Captain, is it really okay…? If they survive and go back, they might spread strange rumors about you…”

Auyen asked with a worried voice, but I chuckled and patted his back.

“Don’t worry about such things. It’ll only give you a headache.”

“Haha… as expected, you’re magnanimous.”

“Enough chit-chat. Focus on the exploration. We don’t know what’s ahead.”

After that, I slowly circled the starting point with the team in formation to assess the terrain.

It didn’t take long.

The area itself wasn’t large.

“I thought I heard the sound of waves…”

“It really is an island.”

A rocky island appeared, small enough to circumnavigate in 30 minutes, similar to the Starting Island of Laimia on the 6th floor.

After a full lap around the island, there were no monsters on the island.

In fact, there was really nothing at all.

“Laimia Island at least had trees worth chopping. There’s nothing like that here.”

We could’ve sold any special resources found here for a good price outside.

But maybe it’s too early to give up.

The real exploration should be across the water.

“Roklov, what do you think? Is it doable?”

Before setting sail, I needed the sailor’s opinion.

After all, it was clearly different from an ordinary sea.

“Yes. Although it’s different from normal seawater, wood floats. We won’t know until we try, but it seems buoyant enough for our boat.”

“Nice”

The silver waves crashed roughly against the rocks.

It’s like watching a sea of mercury.

There were also strange pieces of debris bobbing on the surface.

Swooooosh—!

A Wardrobe, a fireplace, thick books, a rusty sword, a knight’s helmet… even a sock, maybe?

I don’t know, but following Auyen’s advice, we summoned the ship at the most suitable spot.

“Wow! The ship is floating!”

Fortunately, the ship floated without any problems, but just in case, we watched for about 10 minutes to check for any damage, then boarded and prepared to set sail.

I entrusted all decisions for this voyage to Auyen.

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes. Think of it as if you’ve just arrived on the 6th floor with no knowledge, and try navigating.”

Auyen seemed burdened by the responsibility, but after I insisted, he reluctantly agreed.

“Then I’ll start by surveying the surrounding waters…”

“Do as you please. No need to report every detail to me. When it comes to sailing, you’re far better than I am.”

The ship set sail cautiously, reflecting Auyen’s experience as a sailor.

He frequently checked the depth, scanned for hidden hazards beneath the waves, and worked on drafting a real-time nautical map.

Amelia watched him work with an intrigued expression, occasionally helping him when needed.

“I envy you. Having such a skill.”

“…Huh?”

“I mean it as a compliment. Your maps and your name will surely go down in history. Like Peakmar’s nautical charts.”

Come to think of it, Amelia has an odd obsession with such things.

Perhaps it’s because she’d never be able to record an achievement with her real name.

‘…I should think of a way to restore her real name when we return to the city.’

With the sailing in good hands, I moved to the deck. If Auyen was the expert in sailing, I was the expert in the labyrinth itself.

‘My field of vision has expanded.’

On the rocky island, visibility was about 100 meters, but as we sailed, it gradually increased.

The sky is dark, so I can’t see far, but it feels like the visibility limit has disappeared.

“Versil;, have you found anything?”

“No. Without the proper equipment… I’ll just collect samples for now.”

“I see…”

Versil had collected some floating debris from the rocky island and during the voyage, but found nothing significant.

“Maybe it’d be different if Raven were here?”

That thought popped up, but it didn’t really bother me.

What could we possibly gain from researching this? We’re explorers, so as long as we can collect samples and sell them for a high price, that’s enough.

‘Then I can leave Versil to it…’

I checked on the rest of the team.

Erwin, with her sharp eyes, took up a position at the lookout post on the mast, communicating with the navigation team. Meanwhile, Ainar was enjoying the captain’s mood at the edge of the deck.

Misha was awkwardly standing alone in a really awkward spot.

Just as I was about to approach her and start a conversation…

“An island! It’s an island!”

We found a new field.
***
Our first discovery after entering the hidden area.

Excited, we quickly turned the ship toward the direction Erwin indicated.

And then…

“……”

“……”

We froze from a distance.

The reason was simple.

“A… a monster…”

It wasn’t an island.

“What should we do?”

“Oh! Are we going to fight it? We’re the first ones to discover a monster here, so it might be weaker than it looks!” Aynar Suggested

“Are you crazy? Fighting something that big is too reckless!”

A monster so massive we mistook it for an island.

Only Amelia and I truly understood the danger.

“…Jandel.”

Amelia’s [Crisis Detection] allows her to get a rough idea of the monster’s level. So..

“Auyen Rocklob. Turn the ship around immediately. We need to get as far away from ‘that’ as possible.”

“…Huh? Oh, yes! Understood.”

Without question, Auyen followed Amelia’s instructions.

Then she came over to me.

“You know what that is?”

Of course I do.

That massive black shell.

A long neck and a head that resembles a dragon.

And long whiskers on its snout.

“That’s a Tol-Rapupa. A Level 1 monster.”

“So it really is… a Level 1 monster.”

It made sense, as this was the team’s first level 1 monster. 80% of Level 1 monsters appear only on the 10th floor.

It’s only natural they wouldn’t know.

‘Especially since this thing only appears in the hidden fields.’

A colossal monster that could only be found in hidden areas, even on the final floor.

‘Shit’

Even after we managed to move away from the monster, a chill still ran down my spine.

It was fortunate that it was a non-aggressive monster. If it had been any other type, we would have been wiped out instantly.

Rank 1 monsters are more challenging to raid than most upper-floor floor lords.

‘Should we turn back to the rocky island now?’

For a moment, I considered it, but it felt too disappointing, so we continued our journey.

And as time passed…

[00:01]

The 7th day had ended.

This meant that the 1st floor has closed.

‘Okay, so it’s confirmed that this isn’t a hidden field…’

As I had predicted, this place was indeed a new floor.

And the floor number is likely…

‘Basement Level 1.’

Yes, since the 2nd floor already exists, it makes sense that this should be labeled as Basement Level 1.

Hmm, but what about the name?

Usually, when a new floor opens, the Honor Stone displays its official name.

‘I’ll find out when we get back.’

As I calmed my racing heart after encountering the rank 1 monster and continued sailing…

“Kyaaaah!”

Versil, who had been fishing and experimenting with the floating debris throughout the voyage, suddenly screamed.

“A monster! There’s a monster!”

I quickly approached the railing and looked down. A creature was clinging to the side of the hull.

“Huh? What is this? It doesn’t look like a Murloc or a Frogman.”

Aynar came rushing at the word“monster” and asked me, but I didn’t have any answer for her.

I’d suspected we might run into something like this in a brand-new floor.

Scree, skrreee, skrreek!

It was a new type of monster.

Its rank, classification, and name were all unknown.

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