Chapter 10

And so, Yujin found himself traveling with some party.

“……”

He had a peculiar vibe about him, both on Earth and here, and once again, he was walking slightly apart from the party, maintaining that same distant atmosphere as they moved forward.

And among the party members moving ahead like this, no one spoke to Yujin. They were all watching his every move instead. It was truly an all-too-familiar situation for Yujin.

However, it wasn’t as if Yujin was completely isolated. By his side was Tiamat, the Transcendent who always stuck with him in spirit form, fused with his being.

She asked him.

『Yujin, why are you going along with them? We could find the exit just fine on our own, right?』

‘Ahh, you mean that?’

Tiamat’s question was quite valid.

Yujin didn’t really need someone to guide him to the exit. He could figure out the way to the exit of the Maze by himself anyway.

Even without the party’s help, there would’ve been no problem leaving this place. And yet, he chose to travel alongside them.

‘It’s nothing much. I just thought it wouldn’t hurt to make a connection here.’

『A connection?』

‘Yeah.’

Though Tiamat wasn’t aware of it yet, Yujin was actually a foreigner.

An interloper from Earth, now in Another World.

At first, he thought maybe he was still inside the Gate or that Tiamat’s Tomb was merely a construct within the Gate itself, but now it was clear.

He had crossed over into Another World. Just looking at this party made that obvious.

There were non-human races like Dwarves present, not humans. Moreover, their very words assumed they were in a Maze.

Above all, it was far more plausible that he had crossed over rather than the entire Maze somehow manifesting through the Gate on Earth.

In short, Yujin had fully realized he was now in Another World.

So what was the issue?

Firstly, lack of common sense.

Yujin was certainly familiar with the game, Maze Academy, which used this world as its setting.

The problem was that Yujin skipped through the story, background, and settings, playing without paying much attention to those details. In other words, he was a “story skipper.”

Maze Academy was a game where you didn’t need to understand the story to play. It was fundamentally a roguelike game based on exploring mazes. You wandered around collecting goods and treasures while advancing through levels.

While there was a story centered around an Academy, Yujin often ignored or skipped it, spending most of his time just playing the maze aspect to pass the time.

Thus, he lacked basic knowledge about this world. Honestly, he didn’t know much about the game itself either since he’d only started playing Maze Academy less than a week ago.

Even then, he played occasionally just to kill time. Basically, he was busy as an Awakened One in real life, so he hadn’t spent much time on the game.

How much could he possibly know about this world? Barely anything beyond how to navigate a maze.

Therefore, he needed to acquaint himself with the common sense of this world.

True, Tiamat was there, but she was a Transcendent from thousands of years ago. She would likely be ignorant of the current era, meaning he needed to look elsewhere.

That’s how this party came to be chosen.

There was another issue.

Secondly, he knew absolutely no one in this new world.

To Yujin, the world of Maze Academy was entirely unrelated to his life. He wouldn’t know anyone here.

Sure, even back on Earth, Yujin didn’t have many close friends, but at least he could fit into society and mingle with people appropriately thanks to social systems.

Here, however, the culture was fundamentally medieval. A world dominated by monarchies that valued strength and power above all else—a barbaric fantasy setting.

Having no acquaintances in such a world was quite painful.

In a place where morality and ethics weren’t emphasized as they were on Earth, he realized he needed to adapt, unlike his previous reliance on societal structures.

Thus, he decided to try building connections. This party was the start.

Moreover…

‘Tiamat, do you know the phrase “change of conditioned things”?’

『Change of conditioned things…? What’s that?』

‘It means everything is formed due to causes and conditions and is constantly changing, never remaining still.’

It’s a fairly well-known Buddhist term.

Its meaning aligns with what Yujin said: all things ultimately change due to causes and conditions, signifying the impermanence of worldly affairs.

‘While it may sound nihilistic, describing the futility of worldly matters, it’s actually different in practice.’

『If it’s different in practice, how so?』

‘Ultimately, everything changes, but that doesn’t mean everything is meaningless. Instead, it implies that anything can happen. Let me give you an example using a vessel.’

Yujin continued his explanation.

‘We don’t say a vessel is meaningless just because it’s empty. That vessel could hold water, soup, or alcohol. Though it’s empty, precisely because of that, it can contain anything.’

『Hoo…』

‘Everything is like an empty vessel, capable of becoming anything. If the vessel meets water, it becomes a water-filled vessel; if it meets alcohol, it becomes an alcohol-filled vessel; if it meets poison, it becomes a poison-filled vessel. Here, the cause or condition is whatever the vessel encounters.’

『An interesting insight. But how does that relate to making connections? Are you trying to change yourself or something?』

‘No, it’s not necessarily about having to change or wanting to change. Everything changes naturally, so we should accept it without clinging to it, knowing that what is “mine” will inevitably cease to be “mine” someday.’

With a serene smile, Yujin continued speaking like a carefree immortal.

‘But this isn’t the same extreme thinking as nihilism. The conclusion is about accepting change while cherishing what we currently possess, knowing it won’t last forever. Isn’t it better to treasure something that will eventually disappear rather than holding onto the illusion that it will last eternally?’

『…I see.』

Tiamat was somewhat astonished. For a human to have such profound insight was hard to fathom, yet it wasn’t difficult to understand.

To put it simply, the meaning was straightforward. However, the depth was extraordinary.

Like a lake whose clarity allowed you to see straight to the bottom but whose depths seemed endless.

Tiamat marveled at how far mortal wisdom had evolved.

『All things change due to causes and conditions, thus anything can happen…』

Such insights were direct paths to elevating one’s spiritual level.

Whoosh!

‘…Huh?’

『Thank you, Yujin. Because of you, I’ve advanced to the next stage.’』

Yujin noticed Tiamat’s presence within him growing stronger and was slightly surprised. Meanwhile, Tiamat expressed gratitude for her spiritual elevation.

『Now I understand why you’re free from greed and attachment. Everything flows like water, so there’s no reason to cling to anything.』

For Tiamat, this wasn’t a difficult insight to accept. Handing over her heart and soul to a complete stranger wasn’t an easy act since she was still a living spirit within her heart, not someone who had passed away. Yet, she did it without hesitation.

Thus, accepting the Buddhist teaching of “all phenomena are without self” (諸法無我) wasn’t challenging for her, considering she showed no attachment when her heart became someone else’s.

‘…Haha, it’s nothing.’

Yujin smiled and replied as such, realizing his words had imparted some enlightenment.

Tiamat spoke.

『No, I’m genuinely impressed. Even during your mortal life, you must’ve possessed this kind of insight, allowing you to mature so greatly.』

‘You flatter me.’

Yujin’s smiling response prompted Tiamat to ask.

『Is this pursuit of creating connections here also an extension of such insight? Valuing fleeting connections?』

‘Not something so grand. Simply put, since this is also a form of connection, there’s no reason to avoid it, right?’

『Hmm… I see.』

‘Of course, my connection with you, Tiamat, is extremely precious.’

『Eh? Uh…』

At this, Tiamat was flustered as Yujin continued.

‘I mean it sincerely. Frankly, after my parents passed away, you’re the first person I’ve opened up to like this. That’s why… I truly cherish the time I spend with you, Tiamat.’

『Ah, uh… W-well…』

Unaware that Yujin was still looking ahead to avoid revealing Tiamat’s presence and being labeled as insane, Tiamat’s expression was hidden from him. However, sensing her flustered state through intuition, he awkwardly remarked,

‘Um… Was that comment too embarrassing?’

『Ah, no… It’s not that. Just… um…』

‘Haha, you don’t have to worry about it. Now that I think about it, that was a bit embarrassing. Let’s just forget about it.’

『G-got it.』

Despite saying so, Tiamat couldn’t help but feel this was something she wouldn’t easily forget. After all, even transcendents could erase memories at will if they wished.

As a momentary silence fell between Yujin and Tiamat, Mirien, the party’s scout, spoke up.

“Hold.”

“Mirien, is something wrong?”

“…Yeah, there are eight… no, eleven.”

Upon Hugo’s inquiry, Mirien counted the enemies nearby. Yujin had already sensed them.

By now, the group had ventured from the plains into a forest. Except for Mirien the scout and Yujin the transcendent, the others couldn’t detect the enemies.

The party members began to tense up. Even Eri and Sia, the Academy students, heightened their alertness.

Jolt!

Shiver…

Although overly tense, Eri the mage and Sia the timid healer trembled noticeably.

Yujin glanced around, noting these delicate individuals.

At that moment, Hugo addressed Yujin for the first time since their introduction.

“Mr. Yujin, please stay in the center. As previously mentioned, we’re responsible for overseeing Academy students, so it would be inconvenient to deviate from the designated force.”

“Of course. But in case of emergency, would it be alright to protect myself?”

“Yes, that’s naturally acceptable.”

With combat preparations completed, the party was ready.

It began with Mirien.

Drawing her bow, she quietly aimed at a corner of the forest and released her arrow.

Puuuk!

“Kee!”

A piercing sound was followed by a dying cry.

Where Mirien’s arrow struck, a green-skinned dwarf with long ears lay pierced and fallen.

Though resembling elves with their elongated ears, they bore rough green skin, ugly features, and large noses—commonly known as green-eared dwarves, or goblins.

“Kiieeek! Kieek!”

“Kiieeek!”

Realizing their ambush had been discovered, the goblins revealed themselves one by one.

Monsters in the Maze lack survival instincts. Despite their ambush being exposed and losing a comrade, they showed no fear and openly displayed hostility.

Seeing this, Hugo stepped forward and struck his shield with his sword.

Bang Bang!

“To you foul creatures! Look here!”

[Provocation]

A skill indispensable to any tank—Provocation.

With that, all the goblins’ attention turned toward Hugo.

Hugo then instructed the rear members.

“Chrom, you’re free to move. Eri, prepare your magic! Sia, cast a protection spell on me. Hans, stay in the center with Mr. Yujin, and Mirien, intercept those throwing stones from afar!”

Orders were swiftly given. Chrom quickly maneuvered around, swinging his axe freely. Eri prepared her magic under tension, Sia chanted protective spells, and Mirien began intercepting the stone-throwing goblins with her arrows.

Meanwhile, Yujin observed all this from the center, protected by the porter Hans.

‘Good teamwork.’

Simple orders, but Chrom, the Dwarf, swiftly disrupted the goblin formation, while Mirien efficiently intercepted targets from a distance. Hugo held his ground like an impenetrable wall against any goblins daring to breach the center.

Clearly, this party had worked together for a long time.

However, trouble arose right then.

“More coming from the 9 o’clock direction! Five of them!”

“Chrom!”

“Got it!”

Chrom, moving freely, immediately dashed towards the 9 o’clock direction. Since he was near Hugo, Hugo’s role became slightly harder, though he didn’t appear overly strained.

The problem occurred elsewhere.

“Uh, uh…”

Eri, the mage, looked around upon completing her magic, seemingly deciding where to launch it without explicit instructions from the leader. This was problematic as she was a novice attempting to judge this autonomously.

“Fire, Fireball!”

As a result, she launched the fireball not towards Hugo’s direction where the numbers had decreased, but towards the 9 o’clock direction where Chrom was rushing.

Chrom panicked upon seeing this.

“Crap!”

Chrom panicked, and Hugo, hearing the chant, also looked over in surprise. Clearly, they hadn’t expected her to recklessly launch magic without orders.

Worse, despite the protective barrier still active and Hugo standing in front, she had targeted the direction Chrom was running towards in a free-for-all manner. This endangered Chrom.

At that moment, Yujin casually extended his hand.

Whoosh!

A mana barrier spread around Chrom, protecting him. Then,

BOOM!

The fireball exploded where the newly charging goblins were heading.

“Chrom!”

Hugo cried out upon seeing Chrom caught in the explosion. He hadn’t noticed Yujin subtly raising his hand or the barrier shielding Chrom.

Thus, when the flames cleared and Chrom was seen unharmed, Hugo was visibly shocked.

“Huh?”

And in that moment of confusion,

Suddenly, taking advantage of the unexpected magic and Hugo’s shock at Chrom’s safety, one goblin leaped inward towards Eri.

“Kyaaah!”

The novice mage Eri, upon seeing the goblin charging at her, tightly shut her eyes. At that moment,

“Oh dear…”

Puuuk!

“Kieeeek!”

“…Ah, ah…?”

Awaiting the pain that never came, Eri slowly opened her eyes upon hearing the sudden thud and the goblin’s scream.

Before her stood the goblin, its crude dagger raised, but with a small blade embedded in its shoulder.

As the creature collapsed, trembling, Eri heard a calm, youthful voice nearby.

“It seems you lack experience. So… Miss Eri?”

“A, ah…”

Turning around, she saw a young man with half-closed eyes looking down at her.

With an unreadable smile, he approached her.

“But don’t worry. Experience can be gained gradually, right?”

Saying this, he handed her something.

It was a dagger.

“This…?”

“To be a combat mage, support from behind isn’t enough. Occasionally, when you’re alone in danger, you need equipment to protect yourself. For instance, a dagger to handle small monsters that slip past the tank.”

Pointing with his chin at the trembling goblin lying nearby, Yujin continued.

“Stab it.”

“Huh…?”

“Miss Eri, is this your first time killing? Using a sword directly against an enemy, I mean.”

“!”

Upon hearing this, Eri shivered and looked up at the half-lidded youth with a question.

“How…?”

“Haha… How did I know? Maybe it’s obvious?”

Indeed, it was evident at first glance, but Yujin teased her lightly to ease the tension.

“…Gulp!”

However, his casual statement after ordering her to end a life made her even more fearful. Fearful enough to hiccup unintentionally.

Ignoring this or perhaps unaware, Yujin continued.

“You need this experience. The sensation of ending a life with your own hands…you must become familiar with it.”

So that in battle, she wouldn’t freeze up when faced with such situations.

Though he didn’t verbalize the latter part, perhaps it affected her, causing her to shake increasingly.

Yujin looked at her and said,

“Come on, stab it.”

“But…”

“Go ahead.”

Yujin encouraged her gently, but she shook her head nervously.

“I…can’t…”

“Hmm, guess there’s no helping it.”

With that, Yujin gently took Eri’s dagger-holding hand and guided it.

He had seen people like her before. During his time as an Awakened One, traversing Gates, he encountered individuals too gentle-hearted to perform necessary tasks. Such individuals required this kind of forced guidance.

Slowly guiding the hand holding the dagger…

Puuuk…

“Ugh, ugh…”

The knife pierced the neck.

“Keh…!”

Warm blood flowed out. The death rattle began.

Even monsters generated in the Maze fundamentally shared similarities with lifeforms. They bled, breathed, and when a blade pierced their throat, they couldn’t breathe, and blood flowed.

Slowly…a flame of life extinguished.

“Keh…”

“Huh, ugh…”

“And to ensure it’s definitely finished…”

Deciding to push further, Yujin added,

Crack!

“Eep!”

“You twist the blade like this to ensure it’s completely dead.”

“Huh… huh…”

Thus, the goblin met its end. Completely dead.

Releasing Eri’s hand, Yujin asked,

“How was that? Not too difficult, right?”

“Uuugh!”

Her response was immediate vomiting.

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