Episode 262

Bug (1)

When I mentioned entering the labyrinth, Raven quietly asked me.

“Mr. Jandel, do you believe in that rumor?”

Believe it or not, I know the rumor is true.

The outside world is safe, and the Noark forces have all left for that place.

But still…

“I’m not entirely convinced, but I think it’s quite possible.”

Since the information came from the ghostbusters, I couldn’t appear too confident.

Therefore, I spoke

About that time when I went to Bifron and felt an odd sense when I saw the guards looking inside the walls.

“I felt something strange back then, and if the rumor is true, it would explain it.”

“Hmm, to be honest, I also had doubts about that. For example, the mage tower has no windows.”

The mage tower is a high-rise building taller than the castle walls.

The royal family allowed it to be built, but demanded that no windows be made. The superficial reason was that the Mage’ Tower shouldn’t overlook the royal palace.

“What? Wait… does that mean the outside world is actually safe?”

“It’s still just a possibility for now.”

Raven cut off Mr. Bear’s excited outburst sharply. Then she looked at me.

Although she said nothing, it was easy to understand her meaning.

She was asking if I was really going to enter the labyrinth based on mere possibilities.

I voiced the answer I had prepared.

“Honestly, I don’t care whether the rumor is true or not.”

“Why?”

“It’s a fact that the royal family has taken over the Noark fortress.”

What does it matter if they’re outside or still hiding underground? The army has already occupied the Noark fortress with the labyrinth portal.

That means, we don’t have to worry about meeting the Noark forces inside.

“You think the same way I do. Good, I’m in favor.”

Apparently Raven was only curious about my opinion; she seemed to see this as an opportunity and agreed.

Thus began the voting process naturally.

“Well, if you two are saying that, then I guess it’s decided. I’ll follow.”

“Oh, we’re finally entering the labyrinth again!”

Everyone, including the overly excited Mr. Bear, Aynar, Misha, and Erwin, agreed to explore the labyrinth.

Now it was time to move on to the next issue.

“So, how are we going to handle the number of people? Including Erwin, we have six now.”

“We’ll split into two teams of three and meet on the second floor.”

“Hmm, so we’ll be spending quite some time on the fourth floor?”

At Raven’s question, Erwin turned pale and quickly apologized.

“I-I’m sorry for being a burden…”

“That’s not what I meant. Really.”

“But still…”

What “but still”? I stepped in before things got more awkward.

“It won’t take as long as you think. Unlike me, Erwin is a proper scout. Overall, the time might be similar.”

“Oh, then there’s no problem.”

Thus, the discussion about Erwin ended.

Next, we discussed the future exploration plan, and everyone agreed unanimously.

“Yes, it feels like we’re not ready yet…”

“But we’ve gotten a lot stronger.”

“Hehe, it’s time to get ready. It’s been a while since I’ve been there.”

Our goal is the sixth floor.

***

Even after the clan meeting ended, my daily life remained busy.

It was the time to start spending the money we had saved up.

“If anyone wants to buy equipment or supplies, buy them now. Aynar, consult with me before buying anything.”

“Wow… I heard about it, but it’s really bad. A Litinium weapon only costs 700,000 stones…”

While the prices of food and essential goods had skyrocketed, the prices of exploration-related and consumable equipment had plummeted.

This was because 70% of the demand had disappeared.

Most explorers had died, turning the remaining supplies in the city into dead stock.

‘But this is probably the lowest point.’

With the money we had saved and the money received from the royal family.

I had kept the money saved until now because its value would rise if left alone, but now it was time to spend it.

The prices would gradually rise as the labyrinth normalized.

“Here are the recent transaction records you requested, Sir Junnam.”

“Ah, thanks. I’ll return it soon.”

The central exchange market prices had barely fluctuated recently. Just a few days ago, they were continuously plummeting.

It seemed like people like me were starting to spend money.

The sellers’ expectations that the prices would recover also had some influence.

‘If this had lasted a few more months, I might have been able to graduate from the exchange.’

Feeling a bit of regret, I continued to visit the exchange daily with my team for rational shopping.

We ended up purchasing three items in total.

[Character has equipped the Adamantium Large Combat Shield.]

[Overall item level increased by +1,750]

First, a new shield to replace the one broken in the last battle.

Since I was buying, I chose a tier 5 material.

It was unbelievably cheap.

Not only was it not a custom order, but it was also cheaper than the tier 4 moonstone shield.

[Character has equipped No. 8,820 Iron Wall]

[Overall item level increased by +310]

The second item was steel boots.

These boots double physical resistance and magic resistance for 3 seconds when used, synergizing well with my shield.

Of course, it doesn’t mean it’s the best item.

There are better boots among the higher numbers.

‘These boots should be sufficient until the later stages.’

The last item was a material.

Its name is ‘Soul of the Dead.’

It’s the most expensive item I bought, and I will it to receive the Level 7 spirit imprint.

It’s also used in alchemy and magic materials.

While its price had dropped, the drop was relatively less significant.

But still…

‘I don’t know when I can get it again.’

It’s not about the price; these materials are harder to find than equipment.

Because the supply is limited.

That’s why I decided to buy it as soon as I saw it.

‘It’s a hundred times better to buy it than to hunt for it myself.’

‘Soul of the Dead’ is an item that drops at a certain rate when hunting a level 4 monster, the Lich, with ‘distortion.’

Who knows how long it would take to get it myself?

That time could be better spent on other things.

“Bjorn, I’ll head to the training ground then!!”

Once again, when it was time to leave the exchange, Aynar ran off to the training ground.

It seemed she really liked the two Numbers items she bought this time.

“Misha, what about you?”

“I’m heading home. I need to prepare dinner.”

“Then you can take Abman home.”

“Huh? Aren’t you going home?”

“I’m planning to visit the sanctuary today. I might not come home tonight.”

At my words, Misha flinched for a moment and then stared at me.

“The sanctuary…?”

Ah, it must be because of this keyword.

I hurriedly added an explanation.

“I bought some materials this time. I’m planning to get a soul engraving.”

“Oh, I see. Yes, that makes sense…”

Since that day, awkward situations like this have sometimes occurred. We had decided to pretend nothing happened, but it’s not that simple.

“Well, take care. I’ll make sure the kids are alright.”

“Yeah… I’m counting on you.”

After parting ways with Misha, I got into a carriage heading towards the sanctuary. I could see Misha sitting on a bench, waiting for her carriage.

“……”

“……”

When our eyes met, Misha quickly looked away and then awkwardly waved at me.

‘This is really uncomfortable.’

I nodded awkwardly and drew the curtain in the carriage. Feeling a wave of self-reproach for my actions, I tried to shake it off.

Still, it’s much better now.

They say time heals all wounds.

If I keep pretending everything is fine, eventually, it will be.

“We’re departing now.”

Soon, the carriage started moving and left the station. I closed my eyes for a bit, and before I knew it, we arrived at our destination.

The terminal at the outskirts of the 7th district, closest to the sanctuary.

I crossed the city gates and walked along the forest path until I arrived at the Barbarians’ campsite.

“It’s been a while. Are you here for a duel?”

I first entered the tribe chief’s tent and greeted him.

‘Phew, fortunately, he hasn’t heard about the revelation yet.’

I was a bit worried because that goblin brat mentioned the revelation at the round table, but luckily, it hadn’t reached the tribe chief’s ears.

Well, it’s only a matter of time, though.

“I’m here to see the shaman.”

“The shaman? Then your timing is bad. You can’t meet the shaman right now.”

“Why not?”

“He’s performing a ‘Soul Reception’ ritual.”

“Soul Reception…?”

It was a term I had never heard even in the game.

“Don’t you know what it is?”

The tribe chief’s eyes narrowed as I tilted my head in confusion.

It wasn’t a big deal.

In the past, I would have flinched, wondering if it was something everyone but me knew…

“I forgot.”

Living among Barbarians, I naturally realized something.

A lack of common knowledge wasn’t strange for a Barbarian.

“I see.”

As expected, the tribe chief easily accepted this and briefly explained what ‘Soul Reception’ was.

“Soul Reception is a ritual that must be performed every few years to use shamanistic magic.”

“So, how long do I have to wait?”

“The ritual started at the beginning of the month, so you can meet him next month.”

Hmm, next month…

“Alright. I’ll come back then.”

I left with some regret.

Late evening, when drunkards started appearing all over the streets.

We gathered at Mr. Bear’s pub.

Oh, by the way, today the pub was closed to the public, so it was just us inside.

Although Mrs. Aunt was healthy enough to work at the pub during her pregnancy, her due date is now very close.

“Are you sure it’s alright? Not staying with her?”

“Don’t worry, it’s just one day. Besides, I need to earn more since the baby is coming soon. My wife agreed to this, so don’t worry.”

“If you say so.”

I didn’t push further since it was partly a formality.

Honestly, it would be a problem for us if Mr. Bear backed out now.

“Let’s form the bonds first.”

After a simple meal at Mr. pub’s tavern, Raven cast the bonding magic, splitting us into three-person teams.

The Team distribution was simple.

I, Mr. Bear, and Raven were Team A.

Erwin, Misha, and Aynar were Team B.

We’d only be moving separately on the first floor and meeting up on the second floor, so it didn’t matter much.

“It’s time. Let’s go.”

“Wait a moment.”

Just as we were about to leave for the dimensional plaza, Raven stopped us.

With a somewhat shy expression, she took out a few small items from her subspace.

“Since we’re a clan now, I made an emblem. I had some free time recently.”

It was an emblem.

You know, the kind that explorers from clans always have on their armor.

“When I looked into it, I found that the symbolism of a clan emblem is really important. So, I used Jandel’s nickname and made it a giant…”

“But this looks more like an ogre than a giant?”

“Oh, if you don’t like it, just give it back!”

“I didn’t say I didn’t like it. Once we return, let’s officially register it as the clan emblem with the guild.”

Raven’s face lit up when I suggested registering the emblem, even though she had momentarily gotten serious at my joke.

She must have really hoped for it.

“Come here, everyone. I’ll attach it for you.”

Raven used magic to attach the emblems to everyone’s equipment.

Once attached, it looked quite stylish.

It really made us look like top-notch explorers.

“Thanks, Raven. For taking care of this without saying anything.”

“Well, it’s my clan too.”

“That’s what I mean. Thanks.”

“Alright, enough with the thanks. We’re going to be late.”

Stop being so shy.

After attaching the emblems, we hurried to the dimensional plaza. There were quite a few people watching us.

People looking at us from afar at the plaza.

“Hey, there’s Bjorn Jandel.”

“After all that, he’s going in again?”

“They said he formed a clan, but it’s just six people.”

“What’s that emblem? An ogre?”

“Probably. One of Bjorn Jandel’s aspects is the ogre.”

The plaza was bustling with more people than expected, but there weren’t many waiting to enter.

At most, three or four hundred?

Most of them were low-ranked explorers who had no choice but to gear up and head out because they were desperate for money.

‘If other plazas are in the same state, the upper floors will be almost empty.’

I spent the remaining time checking the exploration plan one last time. Soon, a burst of light erupted from the center of the plaza as the portal opened.

「Entered the 1st floor Crystal Cave.」

This time, there was quite a lot to do in the labyrinth.

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