150. Prelude to a New Era

The guild leader, fearing the rampage of the Magic Eye, could no longer descend into the labyrinth.

The once-ferocious Saintess could no longer unleash her prime-level skills.

The Tower Master, who had acted recklessly in his youth, now had too much to lose.

Most of the remaining Platinum Badge holders had retired from adventuring to become city officials.

Only a handful remained who could still actively adventure.

It was time for change.

‘An amusing young man.’

Tirahan, once hailed as the strongest in the labyrinth city, smiled inwardly as he recalled the porter he’d seen during the meeting.

Not a single person gathered in the conference hall was young anymore.

All were long past their prime. Of course, they were still stronger than average adventurers, but compared to their former selves, they had clearly weakened.

‘They’ve all lost their edge.’

He remembered.

He still recalled the women who had recklessly charged into the 7th floor to hunt the Colossal Dragon without knowing their limits.

In their youth, the guild leader and Saintess had brimmed with audacity.

Even the Tower Master, once overshadowed by his mentor, had been far more daring than he was now.

Tirahan’s next generation had been those very women.

The heroines who had heralded a new era.

Tirahan still remembered how they had ushered in the golden age of the labyrinth city.

They had protected the city from external pressures of powerful neighboring nations and even nullified the unfair contracts imposed by the empire through their sheer strength.

In a way, they were the ones who had brought true freedom to the city.

But at some point, they stopped entering the labyrinth.

Helena, the Dark Moon Witch of that era, had fallen in battle against the Colossal Dragon, and Moira, known as the Brawler, also ceased her labyrinth expeditions.

Mabel, the last remaining, became the Tower Master and locked herself away in her laboratory.

Rafnel, the only one who continued venturing into the labyrinth, was eventually banned due to frequent accidents and mental instability.

And after that-

The labyrinth city stagnated. It became a stagnant pool.

During the peak of exploration, many adventurers had descended to the 7th floor.

Countless had ventured into the labyrinth, inspired by the heroic tales of those heroines.

The uncharted 7th floor had been the adventurers’ dream and utopia.

But after the heroines stopped exploring, no one dared descend to the 7th floor anymore.

What was once called a utopia became known as the Floor of Death, and adventurers’ footsteps ceased altogether.

Everyone had realized-they could make a living without ever needing to go that deep.

Only a handful of Platinum Badge holders still challenged the 7th floor.

The age of adventure was over, Tirahan thought.

“Is it really right to grant that porter such authority?”

“What does it matter? If he succeeds, a new era begins. If he fails, it’s just another failed attempt.”

“But-“

“Don’t get so worked up. Our era is already over. And if things continue like this, the labyrinth city will stagnate until everyone leaves. A new challenge might just breathe life back into this place.”

“…”

The meeting ended, and Shion left the conference hall having secured everything he wanted.

Soon, he would sign the detailed contracts and plunge back into the labyrinth.

“He said he’d first turn the underground city into a second labyrinth city. That’ll be interesting. No adventurer has ever attempted something like that. In a broad sense, pioneering is also a form of adventure.”

“Do you really think that’s possible? No matter how extraordinary his abilities are-“

“I already told you. If it fails, it’s a shame. If it succeeds, it’s a win. Isn’t it better to have someone young take initiative than to sit around waiting for change? When you’re old, you lose the strength to try new things. Look at us now. Even if we wanted to do something, our aged bodies wouldn’t allow it.”

“That may be true, but-“

“Rice. Our time is over. Our role now is simply to support the young so they don’t break. There’s no need to become obstacles in their path. After all, the true masters of this city are adventurers like them.”

At Tirahan’s firm words, the old noble Rice, with his goatee, held his tongue.

From the start, they had deliberately created excessive opposition to pressure Shion, drawing out his true intentions.

Tirahan had been deeply intrigued by this outsider from the East who dared demand autonomous labyrinth exploration rights. He had wanted to see the fire of youth in Shion.

And he had seen it-the desperate struggle of a porter trying to make something happen, the eyes of a man dreaming of the future.

This had satisfied Tirahan immensely, and as a result, Shion left the conference hall with everything he wanted.

“Soon, winds of change will sweep through the city. I dearly hope to see it before my time runs out.”

Tirahan eagerly anticipated the transformation Shion would bring.

---

After the meeting, I received word that repairs on the mansion had begun. Soon, I’d be able to move in.

The payment for the giant had also come through, and with money in hand, it was time to gather necessary supplies.

“With this, we can house the Three Witches in the underground city.”

“Right. Once we embed these pillars in the central section and summon the Three Witches, it’ll be done.”

In the Magic Tower’s research wing, I examined the three stone pillars created by Mabel and Helena.

The pillars were covered in indecipherable runes-apparently, embedding these in the underground city would bind the Three Witches.

The Three Witches needed to descend to regulate the monster spawn rates in the underground city and prevent the Great Cataclysm, making these pillars essential.

“And two others helped create these.”

“Who?”

“Kesera and the Druid Society president.”

Kesera was the librarian’s real name-a master of languages who knew all kinds of knowledge, including ancient tongues.

‘So she helped too.’

That meant these pillars were a collaboration between the Tower Master, Helena, the librarian, and the Druid Society president.

A product of the finest minds in the labyrinth city.

“Preparations are complete, so you decide when to descend.”

“Right. The most crucial part is you summoning the witches.”

As Mabel and Helena said, everything was ready. All that remained was for me to descend and summon the witches.

“Heretic remnants still remain in the underground city, so the Saintess should accompany us again.”

“Exactly. And since we’ll be sending personnel from the Tower, forming an official conquest team might be best.”

“Understood. I’ll need to recruit other adventurers too.”

Even if the Three Witches controlled spawn rates, we’d still have to deal with existing monsters.

So before bringing in workers, we needed adventurers to clear the underground city thoroughly.

‘With the heretics gone, this might actually work.’

Moreover, Yuria and Lady Leah would join, along with Rozie.

First, I’d need to post a notice-a recruitment call for the second expedition team.

---

“So, I’m thinking of heading in as soon as possible.”

Right after leaving the Tower, I returned home and called a family meeting.

The main attendees were Yuria, Lady Leah, and Rozie, as they would be joining the expedition. They needed to be informed quickly.

“My recovery is complete. I’m ready anytime.”

Yuria’s injuries had fully healed. She stretched, signaling she could enter the labyrinth immediately.

Her recovery speed was impressive. Reassuring.

“It’s my first time in the underground city, but with my current strength, it should be manageable, right?”

Lady Leah also seemed fine. Though she might be slightly nervous, she’d never admit it, so I pretended not to notice.

“When do you plan to enter?”

“Possibly the day after tomorrow.”

“I see. Understood. Have you already spoken with the Saintess?”

“Yes. I sent a letter yesterday and received a reply this morning.”

“Good. As thorough as ever.”

Rozie also seemed ready.

With that, our household’s party was set.

Honestly, I’d prefer if they stayed home, but their determination was unshakable.

‘The underground city should be fine.’

We wouldn’t be going alone. Helena and Mabel would join, and the Martial Hall Director might accompany us, as Moira mentioned.

It should be fine.

Since Yuria and Lady Leah aimed to descend beyond the 7th floor, this expedition could strengthen them.

The real question was Rika, Erika, and Rien, who had followed Lady Leah. Could they adapt?

Having experienced the underground city firsthand, I knew anything below the 5th floor required unwavering resolve.

‘They’ll have to manage on their own. I’m not their babysitter. If they don’t want to come, they don’t have to. I can’t micromanage everything.’

They had to protect their own lives-no one else would. I couldn’t force or stop Rika, Erika, or Rien from entering the labyrinth.

“Then, Olivia.”

“Y-yes…”

“You’ll act as the mansion’s caretaker while we’re gone. Work with Marin to manage the household. Understood?”

“Y-yes… I’ll do my best…”

“Marin, support Olivia well. Train the new recruits properly too.”

“Got it!”

I’d relayed all necessary instructions.

The expedition team was mostly assembled.

This descent might last a while-a week at least, possibly up to a month.

‘We need to expand our foothold.’

We had to secure the 5th floor as our territory before descending to the 6th.

The 5th floor would become humanity’s supply route.

One piece of good news was that the Merchant Union had reached out first.

At the guild, I spoke with their representative-a stern-looking, bespectacled middle-aged man who laid out several demands. After reviewing the contract multiple times, I signed.

With the guild leader as witness, there’d be no hidden traps.

‘Dealing with the Merchant Union eases supply logistics, but…’

Their demands were numerous.

Exclusive contracts, priority rights, mandatory accompaniment by their adventurers.

I couldn’t agree to everything, but some concessions were necessary.

No choice. If I didn’t placate them, they’d openly obstruct me. Compromising now would ensure smoother relations later.

“I’m Karent, the adventurer assigned to accompany you on this expedition.”

“Pleasure to work with you.”

Karent, sent by the Merchant Union.

His class was Swordsman, specializing in rapiers.

‘A rapier user.’

A swordsman’s weapon often revealed their fighting style.

A rapier suggested a speed-based approach-precise strikes at joints and vitals against labyrinth monsters.

The fact that he wielded such a fragile weapon as his main armament spoke of his expertise.

“Forgive my asking, but what’s your adventurer badge rank?”

“Gold Badge, Shion-nim. The Platinum Badge wall is too high-I’ve been stuck at Gold for years.”

As expected, a Gold Badge-level expert.

Considering most were Bronze or Silver, Gold was still impressive.

I’d just been encountering too many Platinum-level monsters lately.

“Ah, I see. Looking forward to working with you. We’ll likely enter in two days, so meet at the guild then.”

“Understood. I’ll be waiting. Pleasure working with you, Shion-nim.”

With his narrow eyes and perpetual smirk, he looked like a villain, but his reputation wasn’t bad.

He was likely there to gauge my abilities.

The Merchant Union wanted to assess the man they were betting on.

‘Rumors about me are rampant, but few have seen me fight properly.’

I was now one of the most famous figures in the labyrinth city.

Hard to avoid attention.

‘Now, the only thing left…’

I spent the remaining time preparing.

If this expedition succeeded, we’d use the Transfer Stones found in the eastern sewers to bring in laborers-all with at least five Maso Adaptations. The labor costs would be staggering.

The Merchant Union had promised to handle that, constructing proper buildings on the 5th floor. Partnering with them had been the right call.

‘The ultimate goal of controlling the 5th floor is to establish facilities for training adventurers to descend to the 6th and 7th floors.’

Until then, I’d give it my all.

Success would revolutionize the labyrinth city.

Failure meant death for all in a labyrinth rampage.

We had to succeed-no matter what.