SGB: Episode 162

Episode 162: Exploration (1)

The day after the negotiation with the Regional Manager.

All the team members gather for a second meeting.

And after finishing the thirty-one items we couldn't conclude last time, we plan the expedition together.

"Hmm, there are a lot of things to prepare if we're going to the 5th floor."

"Can I leave that to you? I'll cover the expenses if you organize the receipts."

"Okay. I have to stop by Commelby anyway."

For reference, we also decided on a team name during this meeting.

Although I thought 'Team Bjorn' was enough...

There was one more person besides Ainar who was obsessed with a cool team name.

"Um... I thought of a name. How about 'Nark'?"

"Nark?"

"It means 'those who walk in darkness' in the ancient language. It's pretty cool, isn't it?"

Honestly, I don't know about it being cool...

But it seems like this twenty-four-year-old mage has a black flame dragon living in her right hand.

Those who walk in darkness...

"You... have a unique taste."

"...Are you making fun of me?"

Anyway, just as we're about to settle on 'Nark' because it's a hundred times better than the uncreative name 'Team Bjorn', according to Raven...

"Ah, no! I'm the one who decided on the team name!"

Ainar, who was dozing off, hurriedly joins the conversation.

"Yes? Ah, do you have a good idea?"

"Our team name will be 'Apple Pie'!"

"Apple Pie...? That dessert?"

Raven asks for the reason with a dazed expression, and Ainar answers without hesitation.

'Because it's my favorite!' or something like that.

"That's ridiculous..."

"What's ridiculous about it!!"

Raven sighs at Ainar's stubbornness and then suggests we decide by majority vote. It seems like she's certain that we won't support such a name.

However...

"I don't care, you guys decide."

...the bear-like man abstains.

And unexpectedly, Misha votes in favor.

"Hmm, I think Apple Pie is fine too... It's sweet and delicious."

"That's! Hey, Mr. Yandel, what about you? You're not seriously considering that ridiculous name, are you?"

Honestly, I'm troubled.

If I side with Raven, it will be a 2:2 tie. I want to side with Ainar and quickly end this matter, but...

As the team leader, showing favoritism would hurt the mage's feelings.

I have no choice but to offer a compromise.

"Let's just combine them and call it 'Apple Nark'."

"......"

"Ah, is 'Nark Pie' better?"

"...I'll go with the first one."

"Ainar, what about you?"

"I like that better too! It sounds good!"

And so, the official team name is decided as 'Apple Nark', and the second meeting ends.

Peaceful days follow.

Reading books at the library, meeting every morning to practice together, and so on.

Ah, the dwarf also suddenly visited us one day.

[Hahaha! It's been a while. Ainar! Miss Raven!]

It was the day we were having our third practice session as a team.

It seems like he came because he was curious after hearing about us from Misha...

We just chatted about our recent situations and parted ways.

He said he already commissioned the renovation of the blacksmith's workshop and is currently busy scouting blacksmiths?

[Oh, your wife runs a bar? I should visit sometime.]

[Yeah, come and try the honey mead. It's my wife's homemade specialty.]

Both of them love alcohol, so they seem to get along surprisingly well.

Hmm, I hope they don't become best friends later.

Anyway, time passes, and that day finally arrives.

"It's time to get ready to leave."

Today is the day the labyrinth opens.

___________________

"Bjorn, are you ready?"

"Ah, just wait a minute."

I put on my full set of equipment after a long time and sling the backpack I packed yesterday over my shoulder.

Creak.

I open the door and see Misha and Ainar waiting.

"Did you forget anything?"

"No!!"

Ainar answers energetically at my question.

Misha, who's next to her, sighs deeply.

"He didn't. All the important things are in my backpack anyway."

"I see."

I've been thinking this a lot lately, but I'm really glad she's here.

It would have been much more tiring if I were alone.

"Uh, Bjorn, there's something in your mailbox."

"Huh?"

Just as we're about to leave, Misha points at the mailbox next to the door.

I open the mailbox, and there's a letter inside.

'The sender is... Nile Urbans?'

It's a letter from the Regional Manager.

How long has it been here?

Rip.

I open it and read through the contents.

Well, is it even right to say I read through it?

[I won't ask for the repair costs.]

It's just one sentence.

I can feel the Regional Manager's pride...

...but it's a gesture of reconciliation.

If he had wanted to fight me even a little, a fine notice or a bill would have been included.

'As expected, it was a good thing I smashed it.'

Actually, when he asked what I wanted...

...I could have demanded compensation.

But I didn't mention anything about a reward and just smashed the door like a thug.

Because I wanted to engrave it in his mind...

...that if he makes a mistake with me, there will be consequences.

And that those consequences won't be something like money.

'Then I guess I don't have to worry about this anymore...'

I told him that I didn't join forces with his daughter and that I have no intention of doing so in the future. And I also hinted that there would be trouble if he continued to be hostile towards me.

And he's still trying to pull something after being warned?

At least not until the election next year.

"What kind of letter is it?"

"Ah, it's nothing important."

I tear the letter to shreds and throw it in the trash can on the 1st floor on my way out.

And we head towards the meeting place.

The central plaza of the 7th district.

As a popular meeting place, it's crowded with explorers waiting for their companions.

"You're one minute late."

Raven smiles as soon as she sees us, arriving at the 3 o'clock direction path.

However, she doesn't seem upset about our tardiness.

No, she actually seems happy.

"Pay the fine quickly. We promised, didn't we?"

"Ah, right. The fine..."

For reference, the fine was one of the thirty-one items we discussed during the second meeting.

So, how much was it?

"1,000 stones per minute. It's 3,000 stones since there are three of you."

I readily open my wallet and pay the fine for the three of us. We wouldn't have been late if I hadn't wasted time reading that letter.

"But Raven, where's your bag?"

I realize that Raven isn't carrying anything on her back as I hand her the fine. I ask, and she gives me a strange reaction.

"Ah, that?"

Raven smiles and taps the ring on her index finger twice.

A small portal opens in the air, emitting light.

"...Subspace pocket?"

"Yes. I thought I would need it in the labyrinth. I organized all the unnecessary items and bought it with that money."

Right, so you can just buy it if you want to.

If you're her.

Clink.

Raven puts the fine into the subspace pocket and closes it.

I feel a pang of jealousy.

Is this what they call deprivation?

She always whined about not having money...

I really thought she didn't have any money...

"By the way, Avman is late."

I try to suppress my envious feelings, and the topic of conversation changes.

"That's right. He's not going to bail on us, is he?"

"I'm not worried! He probably just got lost on the way here!"

Raven laughs incredulously at Ainar's words.

"A Guide getting lost? That makes no sense."

"Hmm, it's not impossible, right? I heard it's a useless ability in the city."

"But he lives nearby."

"That's... hmm, you're right. Then why is he late?"

"Co, could it be that he has an upset stomach?!"

The three women start chattering about the bear-like man's tardiness.

I just stay silent.

I'm planning to reveal the bear-like man's terrible sense of direction once we enter the labyrinth.

Anyway, how much time has passed?

Just as the crowded plaza becomes empty and I start to worry...

...the bear-like man arrives.

"Sorry I'm late. Did you wait long?"

"Pay the fine first. You're exactly 45 minutes late."

"Ah, right... there was that..."

The bear-like man loses a whopping 45,000 stones in fines before even entering the labyrinth.

"But why are you late?"

"It's my first time coming here at night. The atmosphere feels unfamiliar."

"Yes? What do you mean—"

"Enough, let's go. We'll be late."

I quickly interrupt the conversation.

And after casting the Bonding spell, I lead the party towards the Dimensional Plaza.

It's already past midnight when we arrive, and the portal is slowly shrinking.

If we wait a bit longer, it will be time for the experience point duplication bug, but...

'I'll think about whether to tell them or not after this expedition.'

We step into the portal.
____________________

「Entered 1st Floor Crystal Cave.」
____________________

The Crystal Cave, a sight that has become all too familiar.

As soon as I open my eyes, Ainar's shout echoes through the cave and assaults my eardrums.

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"

"Kyaak! I, I was startled!"

Ainar answers Raven's question of why she suddenly shouted,

"I just felt like it!"

Damn right, I know that feeling.

I nod in understanding.

It's been a whopping six months since she last entered the labyrinth.

As a natural-born barbarian, Ainar's feelings must be different.

"So, we really have one more barbarian now..."

Misha sighs deeply as she looks back and forth between Ainar and me, while the bear-like man just shrugs.

"It's better than being quiet."

Having spent a long time soloing, it seems like he doesn't dislike this kind of noisy atmosphere.

Anyway, enough chit-chat.

"Avman, which way is closest?"

The bear-like man points to one direction at my question.

I check the compass, and it's south.

In other words, our starting point this time is the ghoul district.

'We're on the opposite side again.'

"We're going to the Goblin Forest, so this way. I'll take the lead."

The bear-like man puts away the compass and takes the lead.

Although I thought it would be better for me to navigate after he tells us the direction...

'Well, I need to see how bad it is.'

I need to know how bad his sense of direction is to make a judgment.

Whether it can be corrected with effort.

If it can't be helped, I'm planning to use the bear-like man as a compass and navigate myself.

I've learned a lot from watching Rotmiller.

"Liate."

Anyway, we head north from the south, and naturally, we pass through the very center of the 1st floor.

The dark zone where all four types of monsters appear.

Raven illuminates the surroundings with her light orb spell, without even needing to take out a torch.

Whoosh!

A pure white light that illuminates the surroundings, unlike the gloomy red light of torches.

It's as comfortable as being in the city.

But could it be that she's worried about something?

"Even though it's the 1st floor, shouldn't you conserve your mana?"

"This much is fine. It recharges faster."

"Ah, uh... I, I see?"

"Yes. And don't worry. This doesn't hinder me from using other magic."

"......"

Misha keeps her mouth shut.

It seems like she finally realized the power of real mages, something Dwarkey lamented about countless times.

"It's interesting that it recharges faster. Even the mage I used to be with wasn't like that."

Raven's nose twitches as the bear-like man mutters.

"Ahem, it's a bit embarrassing to say this myself, but I'm quite confident in my mana. You probably won't find anyone better at my level."

"Hoo, really? You're quite the mage, huh?"

"You flatter me. You're a 5th-grade explorer and a Guide, Mr. Urikfrit."

That's when, as they're praising each other...

...we reach a cavern about 30 meters in diameter.

"Uh, this is that rift from before...!"

"Ainar."

"......"

Ainar quickly covers her mouth with her hand as I call her name.

Although it's an action that makes her seem even more suspicious, fortunately, everyone's attention is focused on the monument in the center of the cavern.

"I've only heard about it, this is my first time seeing it in person."

Raven approaches the monument, feeling intellectual curiosity as expected of a mage.

And Misha, as a 5th-year explorer, also has some knowledge.

"This is that, right? The one the Immortal King built to commemorate the Archmage who first discovered the labyrinth."

"Yes. That's what's generally known."

"Generally?"

"There's a hypothesis circulating in academia these days that he didn't discover the labyrinth, but created it. Ah, in short... the hypothesis is that the Archmage didn't just observe the coordinates of another dimension and build a portal, but created this labyrinth dimension itself."

Raven's explanation is long, as expected of her information-overload personality.

Ainar isn't even listening, and Misha just nods as if she's heard of it.

However, I'm interested.

"What's the basis for the mages' theory?"

"It's this monument."

"Monument?"

As soon as I interject, Raven continues her explanation.

"The labyrinth has homeostasis. Even if the terrain is destroyed, it's back to normal when the portal opens next time. So there's a speculation that dimensional travel involves not just spatial coordinates, but also temporal coordinates..."

"Ugh, my head..."

Ainar groans in pain as she hears difficult words one after another.

Raven pouts and summarizes briefly.

"This monument is proof that space-time magic was at least several times more advanced in the era when the labyrinth was first discovered than it is now. Space creation, which is impossible now, might have been possible back then."

Although even the summarized version is long...

"I see."

...I roughly understand.

To summarize, mages thousands of years ago were proficient in dimensional magic.

'I should look into the Archmage too.'

Maybe there's a way to return to Earth besides the 'Gate of the Abyss'.

"So, are we done talking?"

"Ah, right. Let's go."

The bear-like man, who was standing far away, seemingly uninterested in this topic, urges us to move on, and the expedition resumes.

And...

"Uh, the monument!"

...we return to our original location after about 15 minutes.

Even I, who was observing the process closely, can't understand how this man is navigating.

"What happened, Mr. Urikfrit?"

I immediately abandon my plan to train the bear-like man as a scout.

"Ah, it was a mistake. I thought it would be faster if we went that way..."

This isn't something that can be resolved with that kind of excuse.

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