Whrrrr.
Amid the darkness of the cavern, a torch blazed forth.
Jeong Yusin held the torch high and looked around.
The party members formed a circle around Jeong Yusin, their weapons drawn, leaning back-to-back as they cautiously eyed their surroundings.
The rat humanoid, Mars, sniffed the air and after a brief pause, declared, “No issues.”
Iron Mask slung his greatsword over his shoulder.
“Understood. Mars will lead us, followed by Scar who will carry the torch and illuminate our path. The priest will stay at the center, and I’ll take the rear.”
Following this order, from the front, Mars, Jeong Yusin, Kubo, and Iron Mask lined up in a single file.
Jeong Yusin, positioned behind the rat humanoid, adjusted his backpack.
The commands were clear, to the point — no further explanation was necessary. Indeed, this was no ordinary group.
“Our luck’s holding out. The portal leading to the second floor is nearby.”
The rat humanoid, Mars, tucked the map into his robes and spoke.
Thud. Thud.
The uneven floor and damp air pressed around them as the group moved cautiously through the darkness.
The first floor of the Labyrinth.
Carelessness was forbidden, but there wasn’t a significant cause for alarm. If their torches were to run out, they might lose their minds in the darkness. However, they had more than enough spare torches in their supplies, ensuring safe progress as long as they remained vigilant.
Jeong Yusin and the party members ventured through the dark for a good few hours.
“Stop.”
The rat humanoid leading the group suddenly halted.
The entire party clenched their weapons tightly, eyes straining into the darkness.
“It’s a trap.”
“All of you, be on guard. Scar, stay close to the rat humanoid.”
Iron Mask, at the rear of the group, issued instructions.
“Understood.”
Jeong Yusin held the torch and positioned himself beside the rat humanoid.
The rat humanoid crept forward a few steps, then sank to one knee.
“It’s an ankle trap. They’ve slathered filth on sharp wooden stakes.”
“Tsk.”
At the rat humanoid’s words, Jeong Yusin clicked his tongue. It was a simple trap that had once ensnared Kael.
Traps usually only seen around the outskirts of hobgoblin territory appeared in abundance on the first floor — a sure sign that people rarely frequented this area.
Jeong Yusin observed Mars dismantling the trap quietly. Thanks to one of Mars’ imprints, ‘Quick Hands,’ the process didn’t take long.
“Done.”
Mars stepped back once the trap was dismantled.
“Good. Let’s maintain our formation and proceed. Given the presence of the trap, there’s a strong possibility that hobgoblins may also be nearby. Keep your senses sharp.”
Under Iron Mask’s precise leadership, the party pushed forward through the darkness.
After about an hour of walking, the party reached the edge of the first floor of the maze.
At the center of the vast cavern stood a solitary tombstone — a Telestone leading to the second floor.
“I’ll take a brief rest here.”
The party members settled down around the torch.
Jeong Yusin leaned against the wall, loosening the straps of his boots.
Fatigue wasn’t overwhelming thanks to the magical bag shed by the assassin — it had lightened his load significantly. The intense training sessions from the Swordsmanship Guild also helped.
Jeong Yusin tilted the rim of his helmet back, lifted the canteen, and poured its lukewarm water into his mouth.
He took a deep, measured breath, observing his teammates, particularly Iron Mask.
The leader of the party.
The first prince, concealing his true identity.
The human who revealed nothing about himself.
If there was even a hint of an inquiry, the conversation would divert or fall silent.
There was no chance to even broach the topic of the fifth prince.
It was apparent he had no intention of discussing his past.
Why?
Though Jeong Yusin racked his brain to understand the first prince, comprehension eluded him.
After all, he was neither royalty nor faced with an impending life end. The bonds of common experience only went so far — Iron Mask’s mindset seemed different.
So far, there had been no inconsistencies in Iron Mask’s leadership. Hopefully, this trend would continue.
‘Should I observe him a little longer?’
Having reached this tentative conclusion, Jeong Yusin pulled out some jerky and began chewing.
Two hours later.
After sufficient rest, Jeong Yusin and the party members stood up.
With the teleportation stone to the second floor just ahead, there was no need to rush.
That said, there truly seemed to be no one else around.
For around two hours, they had waited near the entrance to the second floor without encountering another party.
“Let’s move.”
Iron Mask, adjusting his backpack, spoke to Jeong Yusin.
“Understood.”
Jeong Yusin held the torch and placed his hand on the telestone.
And then…
Whoosh.
Before the stone, a blue and a red portal emerged.
Swoosh.
Jeong Yusin unsheathed his Aming Sword and stepped into the red portal.
The floating sensation was brief.
A hard landing as his boots hit the cave floor.
Jeong Yusin quickly swept his gaze around, assessing his surroundings.
There was no one here.
Behind him, party members emerged from the red portal one by one.
A brief exchange of eye contact between Jeong Yusin and Iron Mask, followed by a nod.
“All clear.”
“Good. Today, we’ll locate a resting spot on the second floor to camp out.”
The rat humanoid Mars pulled out the map to examine it.
“Hmm. We’ve had good fortune. The telestone leading to the third floor is near here.”
“Is there a resting area?”
Iron Mask inquired.
“Indeed. It’s located nearby, about thirty minutes away.”
“Very well. We’ll proceed with the same formation as before. Let’s move.”
They pressed forward through the dark cavern.
As Mars had predicted, after about thirty minutes of walking, they found a small hollow carved into the cave wall.
The party members entered, setting down their bags.
Jeong Yusin pulled out a blanket to block the entrance of the resting area so light wouldn’t spill out.
The party members settled around the central torch, pulling out their rations to eat.
Iron Mask sat without eating, gently stroking his greatsword.
In silence, the party members silently chewed their rations.
As is often the case with novice explorers, tension gripped their bodies and minds on the first day inside the labyrinth, making them stiff and awkward.
After quietly finishing their meal, the group sat together, staring aimlessly at each others’ faces.
“How will we handle the night watch?”
“The Dwarf Priest, Kubo, will use an alarm spell.”
Jeong Yusin asked, and Iron Mask responded.
“Alright.”
Jeong Yusin fully unpacked his belongings and leaned against the wall.
The Dwarf Priest Kubo held his hand close to the torch and began muttering a prayer.
“Great fire spirit Ifrit, hear the prayer of your faithful servant Kubo Heavyhand and grant the power of combustion… to illuminate this place.”
[Flame Sanctuary]
When Kubo’s incantation ended, the torch flared brilliantly.
A divine magic imbued with purity, differing from the alarm spell used by Ahiman.
Jeong Yusin gazed at the golden flame, captivated.
“…Divinity burning in the darkness of the labyrinth. Truly beautiful.”
Iron Mask, leaning against the wall, mumbled under his breath.
“…”
To be able to gaze at a torch in the pitch-black labyrinth with such appreciation indicated a person of great fortitude.
Jeong Yusin turned his gaze from Iron Mask and began preparing for sleep.
He loosened the sheath of his sword to ensure it was ready to draw at a moment’s notice. As he’d be guarding the entrance, he positioned his bedroll directly facing the entrance of the resting area.
Lying down with his helmet still on, Jeong Yusin closed his eyes. Even if it made his neck stiff, he couldn’t let his guard down. One hit could be fatal.
Suddenly,
the image of his fight against the assassins came to mind. Did he remove his helmet in that fight? The memory was fuzzy.
‘I must have lost it.’
Back then, they had indeed spent quite some time in the darkness. Madness could indeed be so terrifying.
Closing his eyes, Jeong Yusin sought sleep.
“Scar, wake up.”
Jeong Yusin instantly opened his eyes.
“Did I sleep a long while?”
“Not really. Around six hours. Also, lower your sword.”
Jeong Yusin lowered the sword pointing towards Iron Mask and began stretching his body.
The other party members looked refreshed, having had a good night’s rest.
“That’s a characteristic of Kubo the Priest’s alarm spell. It soothes the mind and aids in recovery.”
Iron Mask leaned back against the wall, explaining.
Jeong Yusin nodded.
He had assumed Kubo was just an ordinary triangular-pant-clad holy man, but now he saw otherwise.
“Iron Mask, aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’ve already eaten.”
Iron Mask replied calmly.
Jeong Yusin took off his helmet and pulled out his rations.
Biscuits baked with dried fruits and honey, specially crafted for labyrinth survival by the Teddy Bear humanoid named Teddy Bear.
Jeong Yusin showed the bear-shaped biscuit to Iron Mask once before popping it into his mouth and chewing it slowly.
The sweetness was almost cavities-inducing.
The rat humanoid sniffed, suddenly sporting a startled expression.
“Eh? Isn’t that…that’s…!”
“Why?”
“Isn’t that Banfpring’s shop biscuits?”
Banfpring.
The Teddy Bear humanoid. The owner of a bakery shop. They once helped by lifting a sack of flour.
“Is it a well-known shop?”
“Exceptionally famous in their art of baking – everyone knows of them. Even those of high status residing in Central Zone can’t easily get their hands on their goods…”
“Is that so? If there are any leftovers, I’ll share them.”
“Really? Treasure them!”
The rat humanoid’s eyes sparkled as he said this.
With mealtime concluded, the party ventured forward in the darkness of the maze.
Four days passed.
“Finally…”
Jeong Yusin murmured to himself, his voice shaking.
Wide open fields outside the cave.
From afar, the dark metropolis loomed into view.
The fifth tier.
The city of Ingrav.
The final tier where the Kael party had made it to.
Now, they just needed to cross the city to reach the telestone that transitions to the forest region.
They had been warned of the presence of upper-level hobgoblins, but with sufficient caution, they could traverse without much difficulty.
During the last four days, they had luck on their side, landing close to the telestones for higher levels.
There were almost no encounters with hobgoblins.
Only a few strays who hissed upon being hit with the rat humanoid’s arrows and then fled.
The dwarven priest standing next to Jeong Yusin wore a bewildered expression.
“In all my life, it’s never been this smooth reaching the fifth tier. Is this even possible?”
“Isn’t it all thanks to the blessing of the spirits?”
Jeong Yusin replied smoothly.
“Barbaroy speaking of spirits? Heh. I apologize if this seems rude, but that feels a bit irreverent.”
‘What’s irreverent is your attire.’
To be criticized by the dwarf who walks about half-naked except during sleep was a bit hypocritical.
He barely resisted the urge to slap his rear.
“Let’s move. The luck we’ve had so far is great, but eventually, we will have to traverse the city of Ingrav.”
Iron Mask approached and said.
The party members slowly descended the tall ridge and began walking towards the city.
After trekking for a few more hours,
The party stopped before the massive gates of the city.
Through the gateway, a glimpse of the city hidden in the dark emerged.
The prospect of venturing deep with merely one torch was daunting.
Of course, it wasn’t as dire as the extreme scenario faced during the Eldritch Wave, but one could never let their guard down, considering the labyrinth where even small errors could be fatal.
“Wait!”
The rat humanoid Mars shouted, and all party members instantly drew their weapons, on heightened alert.
“Are they hobgoblins?”
Iron Mask inquired.
“No. This is… something else….”
Just as Jeong Yusin was about to ask,
A party emerged from behind the gates.
One human male and three females.
Jeong Yusin squinted closely.
The face of the human male was familiar.
“…Where have I seen him… Ah!”
The memory surfaced. The similar age made it easier to recall.
Early twenties.
Blue hair.
The genius swordsman with the rare imprint.
Jeong Yusin first spotted him briefly during an earlier adventure at the Explorer’s Guild when he reportedly saved a party.
Apparently, his goal of forming a harem had been successful.
The blue-haired man, clad in leather armor, approached slowly.
Jeong Yusin immediately stepped forward to obstruct the man’s path.
The blue-haired man chuckled and gestured with a wave of his hand.
“Hey, calm down now.”
“…”
Jeong Yusin held his shield tightly, saying nothing.
How could he simply “calm down” after being spotted hiding near the gate?
He decided against voicing this, knowing that addressing this directly wasn’t his job since he wasn’t the party leader.
Iron Mask stepped in promptly.
“Who are you? Why were you hiding near the gate?”
The blue-haired man smiled.
“I am the explorer Ret. Not hiding, just resting momentarily. Please, no misunderstanding.”
“Hmph… Is that so? Very well. We must head into the city, so…”
The blue-haired human, Ret, interrupted Iron Mask.
“That aside, I have a proposal.”
“What kind of proposal?”
Iron Mask asked with a skeptical tone.
Ret smiled and extended his hand.
“Let’s team up.”
“…”
Iron Mask closed his mouth and stared intently at Ret.
Standing under the light of two burning torches outside the gates of the fifth-tier city, Ingrav, an uneasy silence descended upon them.
