episode_0005

“The first floor of the labyrinth is called the Prison of the Forgotten Castle. If you take the portals in the safe zones at both ends, you can go up…”

Slithering.

One of the men subtly checked my reaction.

Tap. Tap.

As I signaled that I didn’t like the answer, the man prostrated himself and spoke in a loud voice.

“The monsters that mainly appear are goblins in the west and scavengers in the east!”

“Okay, that’s enough. Get up.”

벌떡!!

Three men hurriedly stood up.

They were only wearing underwear.

Because I made them take off all their equipment.

The three men exchanged glances and quietly muttered, watching my mood.

“Ah, damn it, I told you not to mess with people traveling alone…!”

“No, he looked injured…”

“You said it was an opportunity…!!”

I sighed as I watched them blaming each other.

How did the current situation come about?

As soon as I entered the labyrinth, I looked around and treated my wounds in a safe place.

But suddenly, these guys attacked me.

The reason was that I was covered in blood and had a lot of wounds, so I looked easy to rob.

Well, if someone is covered in blood on the first floor, they probably look weak.

The result, well…

It was my overwhelming victory, as you can see.

It ended as soon as I threatened them with a fireball.

“…….”

Even so, I was speechless that I was attacked as soon as I entered the labyrinth.

I really have no luck.

“Are people like you who attack explorers common?”

“Are you perhaps from outside the Labyrinth City?”

“……Yeah.”

“Would you happen to need a guide for the labyrinth?”

The men suddenly changed their attitude and spoke obsequiously.

Well, if they knew they were wrong, they would have no choice but to do this.

“What usually happens if you fail in this kind of situation?”

“You die. That’s the mindset of a robber. Kill or be killed. Isn’t that the mindset of the Labyrinth City?”

This is the norm, what a ruthless city.

“Haa, how do I get out of the labyrinth?”

“At midnight, a red portal appears in the labyrinth for 3 minutes.”

“Where does it lead to?”

“It leads to Ariel Square in the very center of Labyrinth City.”

“Okay, I think I’ve heard enough of what I need.”

“Please, spare me! Elder!!! My daughter is waiting for me!”

I used an Ice Bind card to freeze all three of them at once.

“……….”

Killing people…

I will have to do it someday.

But not now.

I attached paper to the ice block.

About what they had done.

And also, the bloodstained weapons and armor of others that were in their bags.

At this rate, they will be arrested as soon as they go outside.

Looking at the clock I took from them, there were already 21 minutes left until the red portal opened.

I need to prepare to explore the labyrinth while waiting for the portal to open.

I put on the clothes and various equipment I took from them.

A robe to cover my face, a bag, a small square iron shield, and a dagger.

The reason for changing my attire like this is that Jay’s subordinates might come after me at any time, so I need to hide my identity.

But if I do this, doesn’t that make me the same as a robber? I thought.

“……I’m stealing what they stole, so it’s not stealing.”

I rationalized it to myself and completely changed my clothes.

Then the red portal opened.

I pushed the ice block out with a Smash.

And also, the bag Rain gave me that I originally had.

Of course, I moved the contents to the bag I’m carrying now.

I have now successfully laundered my identity.

“Then, shall we go?”

Since I endured the bad luck that came as soon as I entered the labyrinth, there won’t be any problems for a while, right?

Floating.

『Check your card rewards.』

[Dash (0)] [Ice Shield (1)] [Leap (1)]

It’s been a while since all the choices were so intuitive.

However, I chose [Ice Shield] because I don’t have enough defense cards other than the barrier right now.

I immediately drew 5 cards from the deck to test it out.

[Charge] [Smash] [Whirlwind] [Barrier] [Barrier]

‘As expected, it couldn’t be drawn.’

I walked forward a little and waited 1 minute before drawing again.

[Wind Blade] [Fireball] [Smash] [Smash] [Smash]

“…….”

I wait another minute.

The structure of the first floor is like a medieval prison I’ve seen in other games or movies.

However, the feature is that there are torches at regular intervals, so it’s not dark.

‘Surely where I was at first was a cave.’

Besides, there was no light at all.

I don’t know the structure of the first floor exactly, and I haven’t heard anything from Rain, but. It would be reasonable to assume that there is a hidden space or something.

Slithering.

I took out a compass and looked at the direction.

‘Which way would Jay send his subordinates?’

First of all, it’s confirmed that he will send subordinates.

However, no matter how many subordinates there are, he won’t be able to fill the vast labyrinth with them.

If he predicts where I will move, it would probably be the west where the goblins come out.

He’ll think I’m investigating the incident by entering the labyrinth.

He’ll place his subordinates there in preparation for me to bring out any evidence.

“Then I should go east.”

I turn my steps in the opposite direction.

I should have looked at the compass and walked earlier.

『It’s your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

[Ice Shield] [Body Enhancement] [Barrier] [Blink] [Smash]

I used Blink to move far away.

Of course, it’s a short distance that I could reach in about 10 seconds if I ran.

Enduring the instant teleport?

I can’t stand it.

“Ahem.”

I try using the Ice Shield.

An ice shield formed on my left arm.

Of course, it’s not perfectly attached, but it feels like a slightly floating giant shield is protecting my body.

Whoo-boong-boong.

When I thought about moving it in my head, the ice shield moved wildly in a spherical shape around me.

A hollow laugh came out at the ice shield moving as if gliding.

“Will this properly block anything?”

It seems thicker than the barrier.

Compared to a barrier that blocks attacks from all directions, it feels like it’s focused in one place.

It’s about 1m away from my body, but it doesn’t go any further than that.

Compared to the barrier, it’s inconvenient to use and there’s a lot to think about, but you can do a lot of different things with it.

Shhhh.

I put away the ice shield and move forward again.

I walked east for about 30 minutes.

I haven’t met anything.

Not even other explorers or monsters.

Surely a monster called a scavenger should have appeared.

“Something’s strange?”

Is the labyrinth usually like this?

It’s frustrating because I lack basic common sense.

I should at least meet another explorer and ask.

『It’s your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

[Blink] [Smash] [Fireball] [Charge] [Barrier]

I finally got Charge and Blink together.

How far can I go?

With a pounding heart, I used Charge and then used Blink.

Flash!!

I instantly moved to the end of my vision.

“Nice?”

What I’ve been feeling while rolling the deck so far is that this basic [Charge] card is a cheat.

Always satisfactory performance. Besides, when I get a new card, I start thinking about the synergy with Charge, which reminds me of when I first started playing Card Thief.

Shakes head.

“I’m too relaxed.”

As I slapped both cheeks to clear my head. I heard a small noise from beside me and turned my head.

There were explorers resting there.

“…….”

“……I’m sorry.”

Is it because I suddenly appeared? 5 explorers with their hands on their weapons, ready to fight at any time.

3 men and 2 women, a golden ratio.

Among them, the cat ears visible above one of the women’s hair caught my eye.

Ears that were the same color as her hair were twitching.

‘Is that what they call a beastkin?’

As I was fascinated and couldn’t take my eyes off the cat ears, a man who appeared to be the leader drew his sword and walked forward.

“Do you have business with us?”

『Murderous intent detected. Draw 5 cards.』

At the same time, 5 cards appeared in my hand.

Of course, I’m not going to use them, so I don’t look at them and smile awkwardly.

“Ah, I’m sorry for startling you.”

As I bowed my head, the explorers behind the leader sighed in relief.

Of course, their hands were still on their weapons.

……I roughly understand. The atmosphere inside the labyrinth.

I sat down on a roughly visible old chair and raised both hands.

I tried to act as cheaply and lightly as possible.

“Oh my, I’m sorry. I came from outside the Labyrinth City, so there’s still a lot I don’t know.”

“Is that so? It’s polite for explorers to pass each other without saying a word, so keep that in mind.”

The leader was still staring at me without lowering his sword.

Compared to the other 4, he had scars on his face and a real veteran feel.

Is this a veteran explorer training novice explorers?

“Then, while I’m asking, can I ask one more question?”

“Do as you please.”

“Why don’t I see any monsters?”

“That’s because the labyrinth is about to reset.”

“Reset?”

This is the first time I’ve heard of it.

“The labyrinth resets once every 30 days. All the broken terrain and disappeared monsters reappear. At that time, all the explorers inside are forcibly kicked out. Unless they are in a safe zone.”

“When is the next reset?”

“In 3 days. So, at the end of the month, it becomes difficult to find monsters on the 1st floor, unless it’s a hidden space.”

“I see. Finally, where are the safe zones on the 1st floor?”

“Near the portals on both sides that go up to the 2nd floor.”

“Thank you for letting me know. Then I’ll be on my way.”

I took one step back at a time, without taking my eyes off them.

And when I entered the other passage next to it. I saw the leader finally sheathing his sword.

‘Is that the basic posture of an explorer?’

Explorers basically don’t infringe on each other’s territory and don’t like to interfere with each other.

That’s probably because there are robbers who try to profit by attacking others, like what happened to me at first.

It would be much more profitable to rob other people’s equipment and sell it than to catch a few goblins.

Of course, the guild isn’t stupid and has taken measures, but it’s still not bad for individuals to prepare.

In fact, it’s right to see the inside of the labyrinth as a ‘lawless zone’.

“After all, it’s not a suitable place to be alone.”

Scratching, scratching.

I roughly organize the information in my head while writing on an old wooden desk with the stolen dagger.

What I need to do from now on.

First of all, I need to head to the safe zone to avoid the labyrinth reset.

It’s said to be near the 2nd floor portal, so I need to diligently head east.

『It’s your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

[Blink] [Smash] [Barrier] [Fireball] [Wind Blade]

After burning the desk with a Fireball, I moved with Blink.

*

After walking for about 3 hours.

My eyes were slowly closing.

That’s because it’s 3 hours past midnight now. It’s been over 20 hours since I woke up, so I can’t help but be sleepy.

‘But is it okay to sleep alone?’

That’s the most worrying part.

What if someone suddenly attacks me while I’m sleeping or I’m attacked by a monster?

Just imagining it is terrible.

I’ll give up on finding another explorer to sleep with.

I can’t trust people yet.

The best thing would be to go into one of these rooms, block the entrance with Ice Bind, and fall asleep.

Of course, the worst case is that Jay’s subordinates know I used Ice Bind, so they see the traces of Ice Bind and wait outside.

“……That’s too improbable.”

It’s impossible to search through the many rooms of this vast labyrinth one by one.

I decided.

Creak.

I opened a roughly visible old door and went inside.

Several old prisons visible inside.

It wouldn’t be possible to imprison anyone in a prison because there were only broken iron bars left, but.

There were still prisoner beds left.

‘At least I can lie down and sleep on the bed.’

Closing the door.

I took out Ice Bind and used it (again, it was at the bottom of the deck, so I waited 3 minutes).

Knock knock.

No matter how much I knock on it, it seems fine, so it shouldn’t be easily broken through.

Even if someone tries to break through, I’ll be able to wake up if it makes a loud noise.

Squeak squeak.

After lying down on the bed that made an unpleasant noise, I closed my eyes, using my bag as a pillow.

Is this how the first day in the labyrinth is passing?

Of course, it hasn’t been long since I entered.

“…….”

In this place where only silence flowed, I was able to fall asleep easily.

……!!

………Thud!

……………Thud thud thud!!

“…………….”

I woke up to the sound of something pounding.

[10 : 12]

Looking at the clock, it seems like I got enough sleep.

By the way, didn’t something knock on the door?

When I listened for a moment, I didn’t hear any sound.

“Is it a hallucination?”

Without thinking much, I packed my bag, roughly tidied my clothes, put on my hood, and headed to the door.

Shhhh.

The ice block disappeared with a single touch.

I’m relieved that no one seems to have entered the room.

Creak.

As I was about to push open the old door.

Thud.

Something got caught.

“……What is it?”

As I applied some force, it slowly began to move.

Was the door simply broken?

That question of mine disappeared like fog at the smell I felt at the tip of my nose.

The smell of blood.

That smell I smelled from the pile of corpses on the first day I fell into this world.

Finally, I could see the outside.

Traces of blood connected like a line on the floor.

The end of the blood trail connected from over there to where my room was.

Something that was blocking the old door I was opening.

It was a person.

The cat beastkin I saw yesterday.