LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 38
“Ugh.”
Here we go again. I guess this nausea will get better as I keep entering the labyrinth, right?
I took a deep breath to calm my queasy stomach and looked around.
“Oh man, this month is a bust!”
“Daria, are you okay? Since we’ve safely returned, why don’t you let me handle the settlement and go rest first?”
“Hehehe… I can’t wait to see the look on the faces of those who looked down on me because of my trait. It’s so satisfying.”
“Mutton! I’m hungry! Treat us since you worked hard as a shield!”
Indeed, there were all sorts of adventurers gathered near the portal.
“Yikes!”
“Ugh.”
As I turned my attention away from the other adventurers and called out to them, both Yeriel and Lumia started to shiver and tremble.
‘It must be their traits!’
No, this was our first trip to the labyrinth as a party.
And they both got traits right after returning from the first floor? Maybe it’s because of the intensity of the events we experienced.
‘If that’s the case, why don’t I get any traits? Am I supposed to be content with just my unique items and subjugation traits?’
[Chaos says it hopes you don’t get any negative traits.]
Yeah, I hope so too.
───
[Yeriel]
[Strength: E-] [Agility: E-] [Endurance: E-]
[Stamina: E-] [Magic Power: D-] [Luck: D+]
[Traits] (Expand)
Foundation of Sacred Arts
Innate Luck
Devotion
Overcoming Weakness
Healing Touch
───
Wow, that sounds impressive just by the name.
───
[Healing Touch (D)] [P]
Her touch, imbued with light, will not allow the wounds that have penetrated her allies’ bodies to consume their minds as well.
-Slightly increases the efficiency of healing-type Sacred Arts.
-Additionally heals the minds of allies when using healing-type Sacred Arts.
-Slightly increases the defense of Sacred Arts when using defense-type Sacred Arts.
───
Phew, that’s a good trait.
“Yay! I was worried, but I’m glad!”
I told her what I saw with my eyes, and she jumped around excitedly.
She must be really happy.
Next was Lumia.
───
[Lumia]
[Strength: E+] [Agility: E] [Endurance: E]
[Stamina: E+] [Magic Power: D-] [Luck: E-]
[Traits] (Expand)
Punishment of Darkness
Foundation of Dark Magic
Mask of Deprivation
Elven Senses
Burning Fighting Spirit
───
───
[Burning Fighting Spirit (D)] [P]
Her heart, once cold, began to beat again as she found something to protect.
Her intense determination to never return to her former self combined with her actions in the labyrinth, where she fought without holding back against hostile entities.
-Increases one level if physical attributes are below D-rank.
-Increases endurance.
-Applies minor damage reduction against mental attacks.
───
Wow, that’s incredible. Is this really a D-rank trait?
“Hehe, it’s all thanks to Ahren.”
I congratulated her on her trait, and she smiled, lifting the corners of her mouth slightly.
It’s nice to see her smile now.
“Okay, now that we’ve more or less confirmed everything, let’s go to the guild to settle up and then head to the inn to rest.”
“Yes! I’m a bit tired.”
“I feel exhausted now that we’ve returned.”
We passed through the checkpoint and headed towards the Adventurer’s Guild.
.
.
.
“Ahren, could you please wait a moment?”
As we lined up for settlement and briefly met with the receptionist, I handed over my iron badge and was about to take out the monster byproducts when the receptionist who took my badge was startled and asked me to wait for a moment.
‘Something feels off.’
The receptionist brought a small communication device-like magical tool to her mouth.
Sure enough, she was whispering that I had arrived at the guild.
‘But I can hear everything. Why is she doing this? What could a low-level adventurer like me, who just returned from the first floor, have done wrong that would get me in trouble?’
As I waited with an uneasy feeling, she began to speak.
“Ahren, the Guild Master is waiting for you upstairs.”
Huh, what?
“Is it really the low-level adventurer Ahren who is being waited for by the Guild Master? Not a namesake?”
“Yes, I’ve delivered the message, so please go straight up to the office.”
‘This is crazy. The scale of this is suddenly too big.’
[Chaos says that since this message has been conveyed to even the lowest ranks, it must be an important matter and won’t cause any harm.]
‘Phew, it’s a relief. Since I plan to continue being an adventurer, I have to go anyway.’
I nodded to the receptionist and turned back to my party members to explain the situation.
“I don’t know what the matter is, but it’ll be fine. I’ll pray for you!”
“Even though the opponent is one of the strongest in the city, I don’t think they’d dare cause any harm within the guild building. Don’t worry and go ahead.”
With their worries and encouragement, I climbed the stairs.
“Halt. The fourth floor and above are off-limits to non-high-level adventurers. You don’t look that strong, so what business do you have up here?”
“I’m low-level adventurer Ahren. I was told to go up to the Guild Master’s office, but I don’t know the reason either.”
“I’ll check. Please wait a moment.”
The guard, who looked like he was at least a high-level adventurer, took out a magical tool similar to the one the receptionist had used earlier and reported.
“You may proceed. The office is on the fifth floor, so go straight there without getting distracted. It will be the largest door you’ll see.”
He’s so stiff.
Well, he’s just being diligent in his duties.
From the fourth floor onwards, the atmosphere was completely different from the third floor.
‘Is this the space that’s only accessible to high-level adventurers and above?’
The quiet and calm atmosphere made the large and luxurious chandelier stand out even more.
I quickly headed to the fifth floor before my gaze was drawn to other things.
‘Someday, I’ll be a high-ranking adventurer that others will look up to, and I’ll be able to freely enter and exit this space without feeling self-conscious.’
When I reached the fifth floor, I saw a massive door that anyone would assume to be the Guild Master’s office, just as the guard had said.
“Phew.”
I knocked on the door lightly, feeling tense.
Knock, knock.
-Come in, it’s open.
I took a deep breath and knocked, and immediately heard a serious and heavy voice that seemed to be somewhere between middle-aged and elderly.
As soon as I opened the door quietly and entered, the first thought that came to mind was:
The air is heavy… I felt like I would be crushed if I took my eyes off for even a moment. I needed to stay alert.
The door closed silently and smoothly behind me, and the pressure was overwhelming for a moment.
I gritted my teeth and looked up, focusing my gaze.
At that moment, I saw the Guild Master.
Hwaak!
‘Kheup.’
The person in front of me was just a middle-aged man with dark brown hair and occasional strands of white, who looked upright and stern.
But as I looked at him, I suddenly saw a ferocious-eyed monster filling the entire large office.
‘No, it’s not just a monster… more like a crouching giant? A giant monster?’
[Chaos tells you to close your eyes quickly.]
I was startled for a moment, but quickly closed my eyes as Chaos instructed.
“Please take a seat and wait for a moment. I have some urgent matters to attend to.”
While I was calming down with my eyes closed, I heard him say that he would be done soon, so I should relax and sit comfortably.
“Yes, I understand.”
I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and replied calmly.
…What was that just now?
Even though he had noticed my strange demeanor, he continued to focus on the documents.
Was he being considerate of me, a novice adventurer who had just started my journey? Or was he so strong that he didn’t pay much attention to my reaction because it was a familiar one?
‘Damn, I don’t think this is a situation where he’s intentionally spreading his aura to test me. Having such sharp eyes is also a problem.’
I hesitated a little, worried that I might encounter something even more intense than what I had just seen, and decided not to look at the information in the Chaos space.
I quickly walked over to the table and sat down on the sofa.
After waiting for about ten minutes in a stiff posture, he came over and sat in the main seat, then began to speak.
“Now, let’s start the conversation. Are you the adventurer Ahren? You’re tall and good-looking, just as I’ve heard.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“I was just stating the facts. Now, the reason I called you to my office, even though you must be tired from your return from the labyrinth, is this.”
He looked directly at me.
‘What is he trying to say by setting the mood like this?’
“Ahren, are you the one who subjugated the Layer Boss on the first floor? I’m asking for verification, so you must answer truthfully.”
…Was that the reason?
Among the adventurers who participated in the subjugation in the central zone,
Did the rumor spread from the adventurers who returned to the city before our party?
“I know that in addition to you, adventurers Leesia Yuzfel, Victor, and Heinz, as well as other adventurers, were also part of the subjugation team.”
That wasn’t the reason.
Knowing only the names of the other three adventurers who heard about it from the first-floor adventurers doesn’t make sense.
“You look surprised, as if asking how I know. answer me first. Is that all right?”
“Yes, it’s true. To be precise, during the process of subjugating the Layer Boss that appeared on the first floor, I delivered the final blow that ended its life. I was lucky.”
“You’re being modest. It wasn’t just luck.”
He tapped the table with his index finger.
“From the Labyrinth Record’s first subjugation achievement section, I can see that your name is listed first, indicating that you had the highest contribution.”
“Labyrinth Record?”
What is it, like the Akashic Record that occasionally appears in various settings?
“Yes. In the deepest part of Zone 1, there is an extra-dimensional device called the ‘Labyrinth Record’.”
‘So what is it?’
“Inside it are records of dangerous incidents that have occurred in the Great Labyrinth, as well as great achievements accomplished by someone for the first time.”
The Guild Master began to quietly explain the situation.
“Those with sufficient strength to enter Zone 1, high-ranking nobles, and leaders of large organizations can view the historical records of the Labyrinth Record with certain procedures.”
He pointed to himself with his thumb.
“Especially the Guild Master of the Adventurer’s Guild, who can be informed of major events without having to personally go to Zone 1.”
That makes sense. After all, he is the leader of the adventurers who make a living entering and exiting the Great Labyrinth in the Labyrinth City.
“The Layer Boss… because it can cause the death of countless adventurers regardless of their strength, information about its summoning is strictly managed.”
He quietly made a slashing motion with his throat and continued.
“Those who know how to summon it are few, and even fewer are those who can subjugate it. It requires the combined efforts of numerous adventurers, including those with higher skills than the corresponding layer. That’s why there are very few records of Layer Boss subjugation, and attempting to summon it without following the proper procedures can even result in the death penalty.”
It’s similar to what Berkel taught me during the education.
The procedure… I assume it means applying to the Adventurer’s Guild and Zone 1 for subjugation permission,
And before the subjugation, controlling and evacuating adventurers on the corresponding floor to prevent them from getting involved, right?
“But suddenly, a Layer Boss appears on the first floor for the first time since the Great Labyrinth was created, and a rookie adventurer, along with a few mid-level adventurers and low-level adventurers, subjugates it.”
The Guild Master chuckled, saying that it must have been quite surprising from his perspective.
‘This build-up is a bit long. So, in the end, he’s asking me to explain the entire process of how I subjugated the boss, but in a more roundabout way.’
“If I tell you everything I know about the boss, will that be enough?”
“Haha! Did I talk too much? I’d appreciate it if you could.”
He chuckled and added,
“I don’t like being forceful with young adventurers.”
It’s already out of the question for a low-level adventurer to be in the Guild Master’s office.
“I’m aware that a private meeting like this can be intimidating. Don’t worry, take your time, and tell me in detail.”
‘Alright. I’ll tell the truth as much as possible, but I’ll leave out what’s unnecessary.’
After that, I spent a long time explaining the entire story of the subjugation incident.