Levi 2

The morning sunlight filtered through the tightly packed buildings. The capital of the Heshet Empire, Heshkal, was always bustling, and today the streets were crowded with people.

I climbed the stairs of the Adventurer’s Guild, taking a deep breath.

“It’s been three years already…”

I pulled out the metal badge with an embedded gemstone from my pocket and gazed at it.

The official emblem of the Heshet Empire Adventurer’s Guild and the A-rank mark gleamed in the sunlight.

The sweat and tears I shed to obtain this badge were immeasurable.

Three months after Father’s special training began, I took the F-rank Adventurer’s exam.

Thanks to my hunting experience in the forest, I passed easily, but the journey thereafter was far from smooth.

From F-rank to E-rank, E to D…

I clawed my way up, barely surviving each life-threatening challenge.

When I reached B-rank, the pain was so intense it felt like every bone in my body was shattered, leaving me unconscious for a week.

And then, a month ago…

I passed the A-rank exam.

“Mom, Dad was so proud…”

In the letter I sent home, I only mentioned becoming an A-rank Adventurer, but the reply that arrived the next day was tear-stained.

That night, as I read Mother’s handwritten letter, I couldn’t hold back my tears either.

Lea has also become quite skilled with the bow.

Recently, she even brought down a flying sparrow.

For a 9-year-old girl to possess such skill, she must have inherited our family’s bloodline.

Every time I see Lea’s cute handwriting saying, “I’ll be like you, sis!”, my determination grows stronger.

Upon entering the guild, familiar noises filled my ears.

The laughter of adventurers, serious discussions about quests, and cheers for successful completions.

“Levi! You’re here!”

Guild Master Mason waved at me warmly.

His face, marked with formidable scars, always looked kind when he smiled.

“Is there a new request?”

“No, there’s a special guest who wants to meet you.”

“Me?”

Mason gestured for me to come closer.

“Ryan Del, the chief researcher of the Golden Spire, has requested an escort to the Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth. He originally wanted an S-rank Adventurer, but since there are none available…”

He winked at me.

“I recommended you. You’re young, but your skills are proven.”

My heart swelled with emotion.

The Guild Master’s acknowledgment always gave me great strength.

“Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

“I always trust you. Ryan Del is over there. Let’s go.”

We headed to the special conference room inside the guild.

Several adventurers were already gathered there.

And at the center stood a man with golden hair and a neat robe.

I noticed him carefully placing a staff with a crystal clear orb on a transparent ice table.

For a moment, the blue crystal in the staff glowed faintly.

His movements exuded the meticulousness of a scholar and the sharpness of a mage.

“Ryan Del, this is A-rank Adventurer Levi.”

“Oh, you must be the one.”

Ryan Del’s voice carried the calmness expected of the chief researcher of the Golden Spire.

He bowed his head politely.

“Levi, I’ve heard about you. Becoming an A-rank Adventurer at such a young age is truly impressive.”

His gaze keenly examined my bow.

“It’s nothing. I’m not sure how much help I can be, though…”

“You’ll be more than enough.”

Ryan Del smiled.

“Most of the party is already here. Let’s introduce everyone.”

He introduced me to the other adventurers.

“Everyone, this is Levi. She’s one of the youngest A-rank Adventurers in the Heshet Empire.”

First, a senior adventurer with jet-black hair and a sprinkling of white approached.

“My name is Rodrick. I’m an A-rank Adventurer and specialize in swordsmanship. I was once called the Blood Blade, though now I’m treated like an old man. But I’ve never met a young A-rank like you before.”

Next was a lively young adventurer.

“I’m Kal! I’m also A-rank. My main weapon is a sword, but I’m actually more confident in setting the mood! Haha!”

His cheerful personality naturally brought a smile to my face.

Then, I was introduced to three B-rank adventurers: Elina, a buff mage; Torben, a dwarf trap expert; and Terry, a support mage.

Terry had been gazing at Ryan Del with admiration throughout the introductions.

When it was his turn, he said, “I joined this party to assist Ryan Del’s research!”

“Now that all six party members are here, let’s discuss the details of the request.”

Ryan Del spoke with a satisfied expression.

We sat around a large round table.

He unfolded a map.

“Our destination is the Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth. The Golden Spire requires a rare resource for magical research-Frost Ether Ore. This ore is only found in the lower layers of the Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth.”

He pulled out an elegant crystal staff and pointed to the location of the Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth on the map.

The tip of the staff glowed blue, tracing the path on the map with magical light.

“The Frost Ether Ore is… not just any mineral.” Ryan Del’s voice rose slightly with passion.

“This ore is a crystalline formation created over a thousand years, exposed to Shia Kalt’s extreme cold and unique magical energies.”

He pulled out a small vial from his pocket.

Inside was a tiny blue-glowing crystal shard.

“See for yourself. The mana inside has crystallized and emits light. Even this small piece contains enough energy to cause a large-scale magical explosion.”

The adventurers stared at the crystal in awe.

“At the Golden Spire, we’re using this ore to conduct research that surpasses current magical limitations. It could triple the efficiency of healing magic or allow a single spell to manipulate multiple attributes… The possibilities are endless.”

From Ryan Del’s passionate explanation, it was clear that this request was not just about mining a mineral but a crucial mission for a leap in magical research.

“The journey will take about two months. We’ll need to pass through the Solhan Pass, a region infested with dangerous monsters.”

“Solhan Pass…”

The words slipped out involuntarily.

It was a place I’d often heard about in my uncle’s stories.

Ryan Del nodded.

“Yes, it’s called the graveyard of many adventurers. But with your skills, I believe you’ll make it through.”

“What do we do once we find the ore?” Elina asked.

“I’ve brought special equipment. We can safely extract and store the ore.”

He pulled out a peculiar device.

It was a dwarf-made Mineral Detector.

Elaborate gears and small crystals adorned the device, with a compass-like component at the center.

“And finally, regarding compensation. Each member will receive 500 gold coins.”

Gasps of surprise erupted around the table.

500 gold coins was an enormous sum.

It was nearly twenty times the reward of a typical A-rank request.

“The danger is high, so the reward is accordingly generous.” Ryan Del smiled warmly.

“The Golden Spire places great value on this research. We’ll provide unwavering support for your safety and success.”

“Shia Kalt…”

Kal muttered under his breath.

“Seraphina Bloom…”

It was a name I’d heard somewhere before, though I couldn’t quite recall it.

Just then, Ryan Del continued, “All preparations are complete. We’ll meet at the North Gate tomorrow morning. Please bring any necessary gear or potions.”

The meeting concluded, and Ryan Del suggested, “Now that the team is formed, how about we dine together? It would be a good chance to get to know each other better.”

Everyone agreed, and we headed to the ‘Golden Lion,’ a high-end inn near the guild.

Ryan Del offered to cover all expenses.

At the table, stories flowed with the meal. Rodrick shared that he became an adventurer to avenge his village, which was wiped out by monsters. Torben wanted to see how his self-made weapons were used. Elina was formerly a temple healer, and Terry had volunteered for the journey after being inspired by Ryan Del’s research papers.

Ryan Del asked me gently, “Levi, what led you to become an adventurer?”

My face reddened slightly.

*I shouldn’t tell them about the academy yet.*

“I was greatly influenced by my uncle. He was an A-rank Adventurer, and I grew up listening to his stories. And…”

I hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“I’m saving money for my own dreams.”

Dinner ended, and we parted ways, promising to meet the next day.

…

However, I didn’t return to my lodging immediately.

I headed to the Adventurer’s Guild library to learn more about the Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth.

The librarian, Max, looked up as I entered.

“Levi! Long time no see. What knowledge are you seeking today?”

“Hello, Max. I need information about the Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth and the Solhan Pass.”

His eyebrows rose.

“Shia Kalt and Solhan Pass? Both are dangerous places. Could it be…”

“Yes, I have a request to go there tomorrow. I heard the Solhan Pass must be crossed to reach Shia Kalt.”

“Hm…”

Max looked concerned and climbed a ladder to retrieve several dusty books.

“Here’s *The Unknown Northern Regions* and *Secrets of the Ice Labyrinth*. And this… *Monster Encyclopedia: Ice Territory Edition*. Also, you’ll need *Solhan Pass Map and Monster Distribution*.”

I took the books and sat at a corner table.

Flipping through the pages, I found information about Shia Kalt.

“The Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth is one of the Eight Great Labyrinths, with a history spanning thousands of years. It is divided into upper, middle, lower, and deepest layers, with a maze-like structure… Fewer than 5% of adventurers return from the Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth. Moreover, half of them never speak of what they saw inside.”

Continuing to read, a passage caught my eye.

“The Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth is inhabited by various ice monsters, and the presence of an S-rank monster has been reported in the deepest layer. In particular, over the past three years, there have been sightings of a mysterious entity called ‘Seraphina Bloom’ or ‘King of Insects’…”

*Seraphina Bloom?*

It was the name Kal had muttered.

*When was this book published?*

Checking the back, it was a new release this year.

Engrossed in the intriguing topic, I read further.

“Records of Seraphina Bloom are contradictory. Some survivors describe it as a horrifying entity ruling all insect monsters, while others claim it’s a mysterious flower that helped them in times of crisis. Notably, there are accounts that the Saintess Seraphina and the Silver Hero Beatrice received aid from this being, earning it the nickname ‘Seraphina Bloom’…”

Could this information be true?

It was hard to believe that a monster in the labyrinth would help humans.

Next, I opened *Solhan Pass Map and Monster Distribution*.

“Solhan Pass is a vast ice gorge surrounding the Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth, formed by extreme cold over thousands of years. The gorge walls are ice cliffs hundreds of meters high, and the floor is covered in permafrost.”

The book included detailed maps of Solhan Pass, marking narrow passages and dangerous zones, with red areas standing out.

“Solhan Pass is home to powerful monsters called ‘Guardians.’ These creatures protect specific territories and do not tolerate intruders. Notable Guardians include the S-rank monsters ‘Frost Wolf’ and ‘Blizzard Wyvern,’ and the dangerous S-rank ‘Sentinels of the Cold’.”

Examining the map closely, the habitats of the Guardians were clearly marked.

The Blizzard Wyvern was at the center of the gorge, while the Frost Wolf and Sentinels of the Cold were deeper in the east.

“Fortunately, the Guardians rarely leave their territories. By avoiding their habitats, one can relatively safely traverse Solhan Pass.”

“Find something interesting?”

Max approached me.

“Yes, I learned about the Guardians of Solhan Pass.”

Max nodded.

“Those fearsome creatures, huh?”

“The Frost Wolf can move freely in ice, and the Blizzard Wyvern can breathe ice. And the Sentinels of the Cold… No one has ever claimed to have defeated them.”

“You’re lucky their territories are avoidable.”

“But don’t let your guard down. The weather in Solhan Pass can be unpredictable. If a sudden snowstorm hits, it’s easy to lose your way and stumble into their territory…”

Max trailed off, but the implication was clear.

After reading several more books, I headed to an equipment shop to prepare for the extreme environment.

“Ronin’s Armory” was the most trusted shop in the capital.

Its owner, Ronin, was a retired S-rank Adventurer who dealt only in high-quality gear.

“Levi! What brings you to visit an old man?”

“Hello, Ronin. I’m heading to Shia Kalt tomorrow. I need gear that can withstand the cold.”

Ronin’s expression turned serious.

“Shia Kalt and Solhan Pass… Dangerous places, indeed.”

He thought for a moment, then said, “I encountered a Frost Wolf in Solhan Pass about 20 years ago. Its red eyes still haunt my dreams.”

He went to the back and brought out a special box.

“This is a cloak made from Frost Drake scales. It’ll keep you warm. Even in Solhan Pass blizzards, you’ll stay warm.”

It was a white cloak with a blue sheen.

Touching it, I felt its warmth.

“Sir, this is too expensive…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you a special discount. If you return safely, you can pay the full price then. And the Guardians rarely leave their ice territories, so avoiding them should be manageable.”

I bowed my head in gratitude.

He brought out another item.

“This is a set of ‘Ice Breaker’ arrows. They can pierce even the hardest ice. Be prepared for emergencies.”

The arrowheads glowed red, and I felt a faint heat when I touched them.

After purchasing various gear, I visited a potion shop for cold resistance potions and healing potions.

…

Back at my lodging, I began inspecting my equipment.

Now, I used the silver longbow named “Whisper of Moonlight,” obtained from the A-rank monster “Silver Moon Watcher.” This bow, as if alive, subtly adjusted its form to fit my hand.

My quiver was full of “Ice Breaker” arrows and other types-ice, explosive, poison, and guided arrows.

At my waist hung the dagger “Whisper of Dawn,” always ready for close combat.

I packed plenty of potions: intermediate life recovery, intermediate mana recovery, antidotes, burn treatments, and especially cold resistance potions for Shia Kalt.

With all preparations complete, I lay on my bed.

Tomorrow, the long journey to the Shia Kalt Great Labyrinth would begin.

Gazing at the moonlight outside the window, I fell deep in thought.

*Is it right to take on this request?*

The dangers of Shia Kalt might be far greater than what I read.

It would be the most perilous adventure of my career.

But 500 gold coins could make all my dreams possible.

The face of the Third Prince appeared in my mind.

The golden hair and sky-blue eyes I saw for that brief moment three years ago.

Would he remember me?

Probably not, but if we ended up in the same space at the academy…

A new beginning might await.

*Dad, Mom… Lea… and the Third Prince…*

My path was set.

Whether the blizzard raged, Solhan Pass blocked the way, or the darkness of Shia Kalt tried to consume me…

I would surely survive and achieve my dreams.

The moonlight seeping through the window gradually dimmed, and my consciousness quietly sank into darkness.