episode_0007

A dwarf holding a large hammer, his name is Lyman.

A few hours of traveling with Lyman.

What’s my score?

8 out of 10.

Not bad.

First of all, having a vanguard made combat very comfortable.

It’s difficult for Lyman to single-handedly take care of monster groups because he gets dizzy, causing a DPS loss.

But he can still buy me about a minute.

Because he can just stand there and Whirlwind, blocking the path. (Of course, spinning around for 1 minute means he’ll be lying down for 10.)

If he didn’t pass out every time we fought, it would be fine.

Well, it’s just a brief partnership, so it’s unreasonable to expect too much.

He’s originally a blacksmith who runs a workshop in the city, and he occasionally comes to the labyrinth to mine rare minerals that only appear on the 3rd floor.

So, he’s an explorer, but it’s a side job, not his main occupation.

That’s why he wanders around alone without a party.

Still, Lyman is a seasoned explorer in his own way.

Even if he’s not strong, he has what you’d call experience; he’s been going in and out of the labyrinth for 10 years, so he has a lot of information.

Thanks to that, I was able to get various information about this world.

The most representative thing is the [Card] that Lyman mentioned.

“So, it’s called a Card. It’s one of the random rewards you get when you catch monsters.”

Lyman took out a white card from his bag.

A card with grey trees drawn on both sides.

It’s definitely different from the cards that are the source of my magic.

“Everyone can equip 7 cards. Except for curse cards, of course.”

“What are curse cards?”

“Just what they sound like, curses! Ah, this way to the left.”

From what I gathered, cards seem to be a system similar to Runes/Engravings in games.

A characteristic is that all cards have either a passive or active skill attached to them.

‘So, the flame sword and telekinesis used by the man I fought in the building were all from those, too.’

“But, it’s a shame. Wizards can’t use cards. They say mana and cards are opposites.”

At Lyman’s words, I subtly touched my deck.

I strongly felt that I was a heterogeneous being that was not connected to the rules of this other world.

It’s like saying I’m just a stranger.

“If you put a card on your chest, it shines and is absorbed into your body, then you get a random power. Of course, it’s already known which colors have which powers for low-grade cards.”

“The labyrinth has a long history.”

“Well, yeah! But did you just come down after studying in the mountains? You don’t even know such basic things!”

“……”

Lyman keeps talking loudly as he climbs the stairs.

Well, it’s not bad since I’m getting information.

If someone likes to chatter like this, they’ll tell you in detail, and it reduces boredom.

『You have encountered a monster! Draw 5 cards.』

[Strike] [Shield] [Darkness] [Shield] [Shield]

Why is my hand like this again.

I want to erase these damn Strike and Shield cards.

The moment I know how, I’ll erase them all.

“Just put up a shield!!”

“Yes.”

For now, I have 3 Shield cards, so I just cast them all.

One of the things I learned this time is that shields can be cast not only on my own body, but also on party members or others.

Thanks to that, it feels a bit like auto-hunting.

“Then let’s continue.”

“Wait a moment. I’ve asked what curse cards are for the fifth time now, please answer me.”

“I mean, it’s literally a curse card, okay?”

“Aren’t curse cards included in the 7 cards?”

“That’s right. Some unlucky people end up eating 10 curse cards. It costs a lot of money to donate to the church to erase them, so it’s tough for explorers.”

“……I see.”

I get the general feeling of how things work.

And I was grateful.

Thank you to whoever sent me here for making me a wizard.

‘Since they said there was infantile regression before, there might be more strange things than I thought.’

I’m already unlucky. If I had possessed something other than a wizard, I would have committed suicide with 5 curses attached ages ago.

“Oh, I see it!!”

“See what?”

“The safe zone!!”

“Already?”

“Wow, it’s all thanks to you. Crossing broken bridges with teleportation. Taking down scavenger groups in one go. Wizards are wizards after all!!”

I followed Lyman, who was grinning from ear to ear.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@

『Deck List』

[Strike] [Strike] [Strike] [Strike] [Strike]

[Shield] [Shield] [Shield] [Shield]

[Charge] [Wind Blade] [Electrocute] [Fireball]

[Whirlwind] [Freeze] [Body Enhancement] [Blink]

[Ice Shield] [Darkness] [Incinerate] [Water Spray]

[Ice Arrow(New)] [Earth Wall(New)] [Momentum(New) – Power]

[Pause(New)] [Fireball(New)] [Lightning(New)]

Attack Cards 12

Skill Cards 14

Power Cards 1

Curse Cards 0

Total 27 cards.

@@@@@@@@@@@@

I was leaning against the wall alone, checking my deck.

I took down scavengers for a few hours. But I didn’t get many card rewards.

The reason is very ridiculous.

You can only get rewards when you enter the judgment after the battle.

Due to the mass occurrence of monsters, I once had to block all 6 waves, including up to 50 monsters in one battle, before getting the reward.

‘I should avoid mass occurrences as much as possible in the future.’

Some skilled explorers actually welcome mass occurrences.

But for me, hunting stronger monsters is better for the rewards.

Well, even if I couldn’t farm cards, I caught quite a few scavengers.

However, one thing that is disappointing is that the materials from the monsters on the 1st floor are common, so they are not worth much money.

In the end, the only way to make money is with magic stones and cards that come out with extremely low probability.

Still, even if only one magic stone comes out, it’s a jackpot, so many explorers stay on the 1st floor.

I caught scavengers almost all day today, but only one of the lowest-grade magic stones came out.

We risk our lives for this one magic stone, which is only the size of my fingertip.

“Was the Blue Sun Clan like this, too?”

Low-level explorers who make a living day by day with magic stones that accidentally come out on the 1st floor.

That must have been their life.

“……He’s late.”

Lyman is late.

I’m at the entrance to the common area leading to the safe zone.

The reason why I’m here alone is.

Because there were a lot of people gathered in front of the bridge leading to the safe zone.

When Lyman also said it was a strange phenomenon.

My intuition spoke.

Don’t go in there recklessly.

So, I asked Lyman to just check the situation.

I was embarrassed that he went so willingly.

[Are there only one or two people in the labyrinth city with stories? Seeing that you’re covering your face, you must be on the run from someone! Haha! You’re not a criminal, are you?]

Anyway, he’s quick to notice.

“This is a disaster!! A disaster!!!”

As if the tiger appears when you talk about it, Lyman appeared from afar waving his hand.

“What’s wrong?”

“They say the bridge to the safe zone is broken!! Everyone can’t enter the safe zone, so they’re waiting for the labyrinth to reset!”

“That’s a big problem.”

I was planning to quietly wait out the labyrinth reset in the safe zone.

As expected, nothing goes as I want.

“Well, but that doesn’t matter to me.”

Lyman is suddenly bragging.

“Because you’ll go outside when the labyrinth resets anyway?”

“That’s right. It’ll be frustrating for explorers who want to go up to the 2nd floor or higher.”

“Does this happen often?”

“It happens sometimes. The reasons are different, so it’s hard to say.”

“……”

Still, I think I know the reason why the rope broke this time.

This time, Jay’s subordinates must have cut it.

“Could I possibly cross over using Blink?”

“The distance is further than you think, so you won’t be able to cross over easily.”

As expected, can’t get away with free stuff.

“Then is it time to part ways?”

“I guess so.”

Lyman held out his hand.

I responded.

“When you come out, come to Lyman’s Workshop in District 7.”

“Yes.”

“I look forward to meeting you!!”

Lyman went inside first.

I was alone again.

I’m worried.

With Jay’s subordinates likely to be inside, is it the right choice to go inside?

It would be much better to go out to the labyrinth city through a reset, and then go back in.

‘For now, should I check inside?’

I pulled my hood down and went inside a little.

A large space where many explorers were gathered.

So far, the floor was a square stone floor befitting the theme of the 1st floor as a prison, but from here it feels like a cave.

Like the goblin’s lair I first saw in this world.

Maybe the outskirts of the 1st floor are all like this.

Swish…

A loud sound of water hitting my ears.

When I looked closely, a strong current of water was flowing.

A current so strong that it was difficult for people to pass through.

The broken bridge can be seen there.

It looks like a suspension bridge, so it’s easy to break.

If I use the [Wind Blade] card now, I can cut it off at any time.

And finally, what I see at the end of that is.

A small town.

That must be the [Safe Zone].

It’s further than I thought.

The Charge-Blink combo is impossible.

It’s also impossible to go while freezing the current with Freeze.

Then what should I do?

“M-move, get out of the way!!”

I dodged to the side when I heard a voice from behind.

Then came explorers carrying someone on their backs.

“A priest!!! Or does anyone have a high-level potion!!”

“I’ll pay for it!!”

Other explorers approached, looking at the screaming explorers.

There were also several priests among them.

Looking around in detail, the condition of the explorers inside was not good.

Of course, when I looked at the equipment of the injured explorers, they were mostly low-level explorers.

Even sickbeds for them were temporarily prepared, so this place feels like a kind of refuge.

“N-no!!! Move!! Move!!”

No matter how many potions and priests there are, it’s not possible to save everyone.

Voices of despair were heard from here and there.

What caught my eye was a woman who alone was burying her face in her knees and carrying several blood-stained bags.

She must have lost most of her colleagues who came in with her.

However, unlike the refuge-like feeling near the entrance, the atmosphere inside was different.

I couldn’t hear it well, but I could hear explorers fighting soldiers.

Their equipment is high-end at first glance.

They are high-level explorers.

The difference between the two groups seen in one space.

And this atmosphere where no one cares about each other whether they die or not.

I was newly impressed.

There are so many different people in the labyrinth, which doesn’t seem like much.

…Of course, I didn’t like it.

‘Let’s get out.’

It seems like my mental health will only get worse if I stay here.

The road to the safe zone is blocked.

After going out to the labyrinth city, it would be better to wash my identity and think about how to live.

I turn my steps.

“……”

Wait a minute.

Were there people originally waiting at the entrance to this place?

『Battle start. Draw 5 cards.』

5 cards that are drawn in an instant.

However, I couldn’t check them.

Now that I know that these cards are also visible to others, Jay’s subordinates couldn’t possibly not know.

Fortunately, the sleeves are long, so the left hand that is not visible was not discovered, so I thought I would just pass by.

Soon their eyes turned to me.

Even the murderous intent in their eyes.

As if they already know who I am.

I made a mistake.

As long as there is a power unique to this world called [Card].

I should have judged that there would be a detection-type card.

Swish.

Two men approached me with their hands in their pockets.

A choice was given.

Break through them or run inside.

I turned my gaze and looked inside.

Three more explorers were suddenly looking at me and getting up.

Something small in their hands.

Seeing them talking with it to their mouths, it seems they are communicating with that.

‘It’s not good.’

Those guys would just stab me and be done with it.

But I can’t, because I’m a wizard.

Even a light strike would cause great damage to the surroundings.

If there’s a fight here, it doesn’t matter who did what wrong, I’ll be caught by the soldiers there.

Then it’s over.

I don’t know if Jay’s hand will reach the soldiers.

Even if that’s not the case, they can just kill me on the way out after I’m investigated.

Rather, it’s a perfect timing because they can catch me more perfectly than finding me among the explorers who are pouring out during the labyrinth reset.

‘Did you think this far?’

Certainly, surviving in such a slum means that, unlike being strong, you also know how to use your head pretty well.

Just like he looks, he put me in checkmate.

It would have actually worked.

“……”

If the opponent wasn’t me.

I’m getting stronger in real time.

Swish.

As I checked the cards hidden in my sleeve, the men approached quickly.

[Strike(1)] [Pause(1)] [Ice Arrow(1)] [Earth Wall(1)] [Darkness(1)]

『47…, 46… until the next draw…』

As expected, it doesn’t betray me at important moments.

I used [Pause].

“……?!!!”

I passed by the two who were frozen with daggers half-drawn from their pockets.

This way, I can escape without causing a commotion.

Of course, Jay’s subordinates will chase after me.

But it’s better than being arrested by the soldiers there.

“He’s over there!!!”

As soon as I came out of the passage, I saw another man.

A familiar face.

That swordsman who fought me in the guild building.

I didn’t know I’d have a rematch so quickly.

“You’re alive?”

“……Anyway, I’m already as good as dead.”

Whoosh.

His sword is on fire.

“If I cut off your head here and go back, Jay-nim will take care of it somehow.”

The man’s index finger moves.

I immediately interrupt the casting with Strike.

Floating.

Boom!!

Telekinesis couldn’t even lift my body 10cm before being hit by Strike and canceled.

Remaining energy is 1.

But I’m not worried.

Because I got that guy in my first hand.

I used the [Darkness] card.

The card shatters into the air and is used.

Soon, darkness surrounds me.

Black darkness swallows my body as if it will swallow all the light in the world.

“……That’s, black magic?!”

It’s a natural reaction.

Even Lyman became aggressive when he first saw this, asking if I was a black magician.

Of course, there’s no need to explain it.

Smoldering.

Swaaaaaaaa!!!

When the darkness that was slowly rising spreads in all directions, it swallows all the light in the labyrinth.

“Y-you son of a B!!!”

A guy who is waving his sword wildly in the air in panic.

However, even the light emitted by the Flame Sword doesn’t go forward even 1cm and is all absorbed.

There’s no way he can see anything.

But this may mean that even I can’t be seen.

Except for me, the caster.

It has no killing power, but it is a fraudulent feature that cannot be compared to Strike.

The disadvantage is that I am suspected of being a black magician like this.

‘Surely the soldiers won’t chase me, right?’

The possibility is enough.

Then just run away as much as possible.

With the darkness in place, I went into the passage on the left.

Turn right again.

Then left.

I went into the room that appeared when I went up the stairs.

I look around.

The only place connected to the outside is the door I came in through.

It can be said that I’m cornered.

This is my decision.

It will be difficult to shake them off even if I run away anyway.

There must be someone with the power to follow me.

So I’ll kill them all here.

In order for me to live.

『It’s your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

[Blink(0)] [Momentum(1)] [Lightning(3)] [Strike(1)] [Electrocute(2)]

“He’s up there!!!”

“Everyone keep formation, warriors go up first!!”

A voice heard from outside.

The guys who caught up with me before I knew it.

As expected, there was a detection type.

As expected, things in the world don’t always go the way you want.

Then just overcome it.