episode_0032

“Keh-ha! Keh-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

“Aah, noooooo!!”

Old Man Volkan laughed heartily, while the mage reached out toward me, screaming in despair.

The reason was simple: I had effortlessly won the bet against the mage.

“W-What was that technique?”

Risiel looked bewildered.

The others around me were also staring, their eyes filled with suspicion—wondering what trick I had used to steal it.

“W-What? Why is the golden orb in Meteor’s hand?”

“Shh.”

Marcel was flustered.

Erme raised a finger to her lips, signaling him to stay quiet.

Only then did Marcel fall silent.

Volkan, still laughing boisterously, approached me.

“What was that just now?”

“Trade secret.”

“An incredible ability—dangerous, too.”

The latter part was spoken so softly even I barely heard it.

A warning to use it carefully, no doubt.

I gave a small nod in understanding before heading further into the adventurer’s guild.

…Or at least, I tried to.

“Y-You…”

Viola—was that her name?

The girl blocked my path.

Purple eyes, purple hair.

Her pretty face was twisted in distress.

I stared at her indifferently. She flinched.

“……Please.”

Too quiet. I couldn’t hear.

When I gave her a look that said, Speak up, she finally bowed her head, her ears burning red.

“P-Please give it back…”

She sounded miserable.

‘Funny, considering she was the one who started this.’

I glanced around.

Other adventurers were watching with amused expressions.

“That guy’s something else.”

“Kekeke, Viola’s always acting so high and mighty, but look at her now.”

…Normally, an outsider wouldn’t get this kind of reaction.

Seemed like Viola had a talent for making enemies.

‘Well, it’s obvious why.’

She had looked down on us as rookies and acted like she was challenging Volkan’s authority.

Not that Volkan cared about that sort of thing.

‘Still annoying.’

For some reason, it irritated me.

So when she provoked us—

‘I provoked her right back.’

But honestly?

I didn’t expect her to fall for it this hard.

The golden orb looked valuable, but I hadn’t realized just how valuable.

Sniffle.

Viola looked up at me with tear-filled eyes, on the verge of crying.

Shouldn’t have picked a fight, then.

But.

‘…Kind of pitiful.’

Just a little.

A tiny bit of sympathy stirred in me.

Of course, that didn’t mean I’d return the talisman.

Why would I?

It was clearly something good.

‘Blocks fatal injuries.’

And it even recharged.

This was practically an extra life.

So.

‘I’ll just throw her own words back at her.’

I grinned.

Did she sense something from that smile? Her expression turned even more horrified.

‘…Kinda satisfying.’

Still, her pretty face made for a nice picture.

“I’m sorry, but our party hasn’t even been together for a week yet.”

“Huh…?”

“We’re still new, so being here is a bit overwhelming… Thank you for this precious gift.”

That should earn us some goodwill.

“Pfft—Pffhahahahaha!”

Volkan, beside me, laughed so hard he clutched his stomach before slapping my back.

Viola looked like her world had collapsed.

Shouldn’t have acted so high and mighty.

Also, this old man’s hands hurt.

“Ah, thanks for the entertainment. I’m relieved. You’ll do fine on the first floor.”

“With that, they should be able to escape most dangers.”

Alex, the man who had introduced himself earlier, studied me.

Then, his gaze shifted to the others behind me, his eyes gleaming with interest.

“The rest of them don’t look ordinary either. Hey, isn’t that the priestess we tried recruiting before?”

“Haha, hello…”

Rozenta stepped forward awkwardly at Alex’s words.

Had she gotten an offer from them? Made sense.

She was frontline-capable, but her healing made her even more valuable.

‘Incredibly skilled.’

Paladins who could hold the front line were rare. And her divine power was substantial.

‘Also.’

Priests in this world felt pain when healing.

She claimed it was pleasure, but pain was pain.

‘Well, pleasure can drive you crazy too.’

I gave Rozenta a knowing look.

She tugged at my sleeve and whispered:

“I-I’m fine. I’m not leaving this party.”

She winked at me—badly.

It was so awkward it was almost painful.

I just nodded in response.

“What do you think, Old Man Volkan?”

“Hm? Me?”

“Yeah, this party seems pretty solid.”

“Too early to bet on their future. I’ve seen plenty of talented folks crash and burn.”

“Well, true, but…”

Alex looked at me with a complicated expression.

The look of someone eyeing a stock about to skyrocket.

But given the circumstances, he seemed to give up, handing me a slip of paper.

“If you survive the labyrinth today, contact me. I can recommend you to the Dawnbreak Clan.”

“The whole party?”

“Yeah. Though it’s probably pointless.”

“Fufufu…”

Erme let out a strange laugh at Alex’s words.

What was that about?

-Let’s make our own clan.

Risiel responded to my thoughts.

‘A clan?’

-Yeah. We’ve got Han Yuseong as a resource, a party full of talent, and even Sally, a potential Magic Knight candidate. Joining another clan isn’t bad, but staying together as both party and clanmates would be better.

I agreed.

Better to be the rock others trip over than the one being tripped over.

“Haha, seems like I just made your party bond even tighter.”

“Well, clan loyalty is a thing, right?”

“Fufu, don’t underestimate Dawnbreak. We’re one of the pillars here.”

“Fufu, it’s the stray rocks you should fear the most.”

Something crackled between Alex and Erme.

I turned to Volkan.

“Hmm, it’s about time.”

“Time?”

“Kids, hurry inside. The person we’re meeting isn’t someone to take lightly.”

“Who is it…?”

“The Guild Master. One of the rulers of the Cradle.”

The Cradle.

A paradise and a graveyard for adventurers, built atop the labyrinth.

Countless adventurers had risen to stardom here with nothing but their skills.

And beneath them lay just as many corpses.

Not just that.

The Cradle drew knights, mages, and warriors from all over.

Because the labyrinth offered one gift to all who entered: leveling up.

A power once exclusive to heroes before the Demon King’s fall.

Now, anyone could grow stronger just by slaying monsters in the labyrinth.

Because of this, the average strength of humans and other races had skyrocketed.

An unprecedented equalizer, allowing them to fight demons and the Demon King without fear.

Given its significance, the Guild Master wasn’t just strong.

They had to be politically savvy, discerning, and capable of reading people’s intentions.

The Guild Master was a monster in that regard.

No amount of caution was enough, as Volkan had warned.

“Well, he probably won’t bother you… but if you do meet him, be careful.”

“Understood.”

“Don’t be fooled by appearances. He’s at least half a millennium old—a true ancient monster.”

“Half a millennium…?”

Erme tilted her head.

Volkan nodded.

“A monster among monsters, living for at least 500 years. Some rumors say he’s over a thousand. Ah, we’re here.”

A massive conference hall came into view.

It was already filled with people.

“…A bit late, but worth it for the show.”

“Don’t worry. The meeting hasn’t started yet.”

A bewitching voice tickled my ears.

Crimson eyes and hair—and a dress that matched her allure.

‘A cheongsam?’

Wasn’t that an Eastern-style dress?

Noticing my gaze, Lucia’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me.

“Long time no see, Yuseong?”

“Didn’t we meet just recently? Our Yuseong doesn’t like stalkers.”

“My, stalker? Our paths just keep crossing.”

Her voice was as enchanting as her smile.

And I was just baffled.

‘Why is she here…?’

Of course, it made sense.

She was the Executioner Princess, feared by all.

Undoubtedly a high-ranking adventurer.

Lucia crossed her legs, resting her chin on one hand as she studied me.

“Shame. I wanted to party with you this time.”

“Our levels are too far apart. It wouldn’t work.”

“You’ll catch up soon. I’ll wait until then.”

Ignoring Erme, she waved flirtatiously at me.

“Quite the popular one.”

“Not in a good way.”

“True. Having the Executioner Princess take an interest in you…”

Volkan’s words sent a chill down my spine.

We sat as far from Lucia as possible.

Every group here was impressive.

Our party was probably the weakest by far.

‘Why did Volkan bring us?’

Even the second-weakest group seemed leagues ahead.

Because of that, while no one stared outright, subtle glances were thrown our way.

“Uuu…”

A strange noise made me turn.

‘What the hell.’

Nearly jumped out of my skin.

Viola was sitting two seats away.

A man beside her gave an awkward smile.

“Sorry about that. My sister caused a scene.”

“It’s fine.”

Honestly, I was grateful.

A little commotion in exchange for an extra life?

‘She won’t ask for it back, right?’

But the man surprised me.

In a firm voice, he said:

“About that talisman.”

“Yeah, sorry, but I’m not giving it back.”

“No, keep it. She’s been too arrogant, succeeding without failure. A setback will do her good. It’s a shame, but there are other ways to protect her life… Consider it a lesson.”

“……”

What kind of sibling was this?

Shouldn’t he be furious, demanding I return what I “stole”?

“Here’s my card. If you survive the labyrinth today, come find me. I’ll treat you.”

It had the name of a restaurant and directions.

His name was Nation.

“Looking forward to it.”

He extended a hand.

I shook it.

Just as we finished—

“Welcome, everyone.”

The Guild Master had arrived.