episode_0038

Labyrinth 3rd Floor East.

[Cursed Swamp].

Among the 3rd-floor hunting grounds, it’s the least popular after the [Great Cemetery].

[Orc’s Sanctuary], the most popular place because everything is perfect.

[Blade Canyon], where the terrain is complex and most areas are dark, requiring torches, but with a moderate number of monsters.

With these two places available, it’s only natural that this place, which is even hard to walk in, isn’t popular.

Of course, it’s slightly better than the [Great Cemetery], which is a graveyard for warriors because undead and ghost-type monsters appear frequently.

This place, befitting a swamp, is mostly made of wet mud, and various areas are filled with water.

Not only that, but it’s also a tricky place due to the numerous dense jungles that obstruct the view.

Looking at it this way, it seems like the worst option, even worse than the Great Cemetery.

But all the monsters here are submerged in water and never initiate combat.

In other words, you don’t need to stand guard at night.

Of course, not all explorers came here just for that one reason.

Popular hunting grounds are fiercely competitive, with even clan-level disputes, so they say.

Explorers with mediocre skills gather here, so the number of people isn’t as low as in the Great Cemetery.

Of course, the reason we came here isn’t because of what I mentioned earlier.

It was because a personal quest came in.

[Terrain Manipulation]

Raises the terrain submerged in water.

Splaaaash!

The ground emerges, parting the water.

On top of it was a strange ruin-like structure.

And along with it, the monsters that were originally in the water also appeared.

Alligators with horns. And giant turtles with massive bodies were glaring at us.

As if angered by being woken up from their sleep, they charged towards us.

Ding!

『Combat Start. Draw 3 cards.』

『Energy 4/4』

[Bash] [Shield] [Rain]

“…Hmm.”

The hand is ruined.

Since I’m in combat mode, I can’t even use Terrain Manipulation, which I used outside of combat.

There’s nothing I can do for 1 minute.

Maybe detonate the Golem?

“Mr. Ivan?”

“I can’t do anything this time?”

“Understood!!”

My party members already know that my combat power is erratic.

I was originally hiding it, but I briefly and simply informed them about my power this time.

“Wizard-nim!!”

Hans approached me and protected me.

Grace and Luca charged forward.

With this, Formation B is activated!

Please!! Clan members!!!

Give me a ride!!

The start was Kairek.

An arrow that flew landed heavily in the head of the giant turtle that was walking ponderously.

Afterwards, the glowing arrow created a massive explosion. Boom!

This is the power of the exploding arrow I recently acquired.

It’s a bit regrettable that it’s a one-time use and the arrow is consumed, but the damage is that powerful.

Indeed, expensive things all have a reason.

Boom boom boom!!

The explosion that went directly into the turtle’s body shattered its shell.

The cracked shell burst and fell around.

A few alligators hit by the fragments died senselessly.

Thanks to that, the invasion was slowed down for a moment.

Not missing that chance, Grace had already reached the water’s edge.

Crackle!!!

The water started freezing around Grace.

It’s a much better effect than my [Freeze] card.

But before the water could freeze, the alligators had almost arrived.

At this rate, I’d be bitten by an alligator and get death-rolled.

Grace shouted.

“Cover me!!!”

“…Okay.”

Luca, who had already passed by Grace’s side.

She let out a shout filled with mana.

“Uwaaaah!!”

For a moment, all the alligators’ actions stopped.

The biggest advantage of [Taunt] is, literally, drawing aggro.

But the moment they stop when a shout is let out can never be ignored.

Not missing that chance, Luca moved forward towards the ruins as if crossing a stepping stone, stepping on the alligators that were peeking out slightly.

The alligators that came to their senses started to move their bodies to bite her, but they couldn’t catch up to Luca, who had already gained acceleration.

Crackle crackle!!!

Meanwhile, the water gradually froze, reaching the alligators’ bodies.

As the startled alligators moved their bodies wildly, the thin ice shattered.

But Grace didn’t give up and continued to expand the range of the ice.

But then, Luca leaped greatly.

Woo woo wooong!!

The two-handed axe she was holding became giant.

An axe larger than the ruin building.

Luca swung the two-handed axe as she fell using gravity.

Splaaaaaaash!!!

A huge splash erupted where the axe landed, and alligators also flew out.

Half water, half alligators.

Numerous alligators were spinning in the air, unable to regain their senses.

But it wasn’t over yet. Alligators kept jumping out of the water.

Even though their momentum was somewhat broken, they tried to climb onto the giant axe to target Luca.

“Dodge!!!!”

As Kairek shot a harpoon arrow, the alligators were torn apart.

Not missing the brief opening, Luca also leaped greatly, retrieving the shrinking axe.

And her clone appeared behind her.

The clone threw Luca, who was floating in the air, towards us.

Thump!

Luca landed safely.

A little mud got on her ear, though.

There was no timing to say anything.

“Haaahhh!!!”

Grace poured all her strength into freezing the water.

Completely frozen water.

She froze all the alligators as well.

Thud.

Grace lay sprawled out.

“I’m, I’m dying…”

Leaving Grace, who couldn’t regain her senses, behind.

Luca rushed out and eliminated the frozen alligators one by one.

As she defeated the last alligator, the status window popped up.

Ding!

『Please check card rewards.』

[Fireball] [Wind Blade] [Blink]

Ugh, no good.

Only the cards that have been appearing lately keep showing up.

No useful cards are appearing either.

Does this mean I can’t get any stronger with the rewards obtained from floors 1-3 anymore?

I skipped the rewards.

Just as I was frowning, feeling bad about the trash rewards.

Tap tap.

Luca poked my shoulder.

“…Quest.”

“Ah, right.”

First, I had to finish the quest, so I shuffled my deck again, drew [Terrain Manipulation], and created a path towards the ruins.

It was 10 minutes later that he came out of the ruins underground with a green orb.

Finally, taking the quest giver to the safe zone of the [Cursed Swamp] ended the personal quest.

“Thank you!!!”

Watching the quest giver leave, we also proceeded with the settlement.

“Well, we have 3 blue cards, 12 white cards, and 21 lowest-grade magic stones. Not bad for hunting all week, is it?”

Grace said excitedly, putting them back into her pouch.

Hans was also smiling brightly.

I don’t know what Luca was thinking.

“Mmm…”

“…”

But Kairek and I were dissatisfied.

To have such a super luxury lineup and have to stay on the 3rd floor.

From the start, we should have just gone up to the 4th floor before hunting for a week.

“Should we go up to the 4th floor?”

“Not now. The Labyrinth Reset is soon, and they say there’s no safe zone on the 4th floor?”

“…Right.”

In the end, we continued hunting in the 3rd-floor Cursed Swamp for the remaining time.

Still, we did get some magic stones and cards, so we made money.

But something feels lacking in dopamine.

Ultimately, the day of the Labyrinth Reset arrived without any special achievements.

We were relaxing, having appropriately found a spot in the safe zone.

“Is this what an explorer’s life is usually like?”

“Right? Mr. Ivan wouldn’t know because you’ve been caught up in various things, but this is generally what it feels like.”

As if agreeing with Grace’s words, Luca said with a slight smile.

“…That’s right. There’s no reason to do dangerous things risking your life.”

Luca, although she doesn’t show it, has become a bit more safety-oriented after being severely injured last time.

They say a person’s personality can change after almost dying, and Luca fits that perfectly.

She drinks strange green juice, brings slightly expensive jerky, and has oddly started taking care of her body.

“How much food do we have left roughly?”

“I think we can last about 2 weeks?”

“How long did they say it takes to break through the 4th floor?”

“We really don’t know that. It’s a place where you can climb to the next floor in just a day if you’re lucky. But if you’re unlucky, you might not be able to break through for a whole month and get kicked out of the Labyrinth.”

“Is there a chance of dying from running out of food on the 4th floor?”

“That is a little bit of a concern.”

As we were talking about the 4th floor and other things.

Kairek, who was doing push-ups, suddenly stood up and shouted.

“Don’t worry! I’ve been in there 5 times so far, and I’ve always gone up to the 5th floor within a week!”

Ah, it seemed Kairek wanted to boast.

“So, it’s right to worry about what to do when we get to the 5th floor!!”

“So the 4th floor is basic, huh?”

“Of course! Our party can absolutely not be defeated!!”

Honestly, even though Kairek said he’s only been there about 5 times, it’s not information that can be fully trusted.

But as he said, it’s probably right not to worry too much about the 4th floor.

“Mr. Ivan.”

Grace took something out of her bag.

“I also brought this pamphlet, [Everything about the 4th Floor Red Spire], so there won’t be any problems.”

A book with a cover similar to the one I saw when I first met Grace.

“Where do you get books like this? I can’t even find them.”

Indeed, since then, I’ve tried to get various books to learn about the Labyrinth, but I couldn’t find any.

The only ones I got were a few books from the Black Mage’s base.

They only had information about rare places, not books that teach common knowledge.

*Grin*.

Grace seemed pleased by my reaction, puffed out her chest, and smiled proudly.

“Hehe, I’m useful, right? I even emptied out the money I hid in my secret vault for this?”

“Yeah. Keep working hard in the future too.”

“Yes!”

Then, Grace got up and suddenly sat next to me.

“Want to read it together?”

Along with natural physical contact.

There was no reason to refuse.

We read the book together until just before the Labyrinth Reset.

Time passed, and it was midnight.

The Labyrinth was resetting.

The appearance of the safe zone on the 3rd floor was a giant wooden mansion rising high in the swamp.

Watching the Labyrinth reset through the windows of the mansion, which looked like it belonged to a giant, it ended before I knew it.

As soon as the reset finished, about 5 parties went down to hunt.

We headed towards the portal leading to the 4th floor.

We were the only ones heading to the 4th floor from here now.

That’s unavoidable. Most explorers going up beyond the 4th floor head to the [Orc’s Sanctuary] on the north side of the 3rd floor.

Still, as it was our first time entering the middle floors, a tense atmosphere was visible.

Even Kairek was shouting “Uwoooo!!!” saying it had been a long time.

“Let’s go in!!”

Immediately, Hans, Luca, Grace, I, and Kairek entered the portal in that order.

I opened my eyes.

A blue torch was immediately visible.

To the left of that torch was a door twice the size of Kairek.

To the right was a map.

A long map, from top to bottom.

At the top was a drawing of a monster that looked like a Golem.

Many branching paths leading to him went down and converged at one point.

It was a familiar-shaped map.

The map I always saw in the [Card The Tower] game.

Seeing that sight, an unpleasant sensation that I was a stranger and a possessed person churned in my mind.

“28…, 29…, 30 floors!”

“It’s just the right height!”

“The average height of the 4th floor is 27 floors, so it’s a bit high. But this is fine.”

“I climbed to the 45th floor last time!!”

“Huh? How unlucky were you if it was the 45th floor?”

“Hmph! I overcame everything!”

Kairek, being experienced, laughed heartily with confidence.

A different feeling from Hans and Luca, who were a bit nervous.

We immediately headed towards the giant door to the left of the torch.

“Opening it!!”

Hans slowly pushed the giant door.

Sliiide…

The door opened incredibly smoothly.

We went inside.

Whooosh!

Then, a blue torch lit up.

One, two, three, four.

Blue torches began to light up one by one.

Before we knew it, all the blue torches on the outer wall were lit.

Thanks to the blue torches, the surroundings became bright.

The space we were in now was round.

Stomp stomp.

My footsteps sounded strange, so I looked at the floor.

A red carpet was laid out.

This carpet extended straight ahead and reached the stairs in front.

And there was one monster in front of those stairs.

A monster shaped like a white baseball with thorns stuck in it.

Its size was three times that of Kairek.

We knew what this monster was.

Because it was the monster we saw in the book with Grace just before.

“It’s a White Armadillo.”

Then, the armadillo’s thin thorns began to move.

Ding!

『Combat Start. Draw 3 cards.』

『Energy 4/4』

[Fireball (1)] [Earth Wall (1)] [Bash (1)]

“Combat Preparation!!”

As soon as I shouted, positions were taken quickly.

Then the white ball turned its body and confirmed our presence.

“…?!!!”

As if startled by seeing us, the creature jumped high and landed on the floor.

Boom!!!

But as its heavy and solid body struck the floor, a powerful tremor shook our entire bodies.

Grace supported my swaying body.

“Certainly, with that one armadillo, the alligators wouldn’t even be opponents, would they?”

“The middle floors are definitely different.”

The basic monster we met as soon as we entered the 4th floor, the middle floors. The Armadillo.

It began to roll towards us.

Roll roll roll.

A straight charge.

Hans, who had to block the armadillo at the very front, seemed frightened by its majestic appearance.

His hands were trembling.

“I, I can do it!!!”

Hans shouted, enlarged his shield, and got ready to block the armadillo at any time.

Then, Kairek shouted.

“Ivan!! I’ll stop its movement, aim for its belly!!”

Kairek nocked a harpoon arrow onto his bowstring.

I also immediately understood Kairek’s intention and threw a card.

[Fireball]

Fireball enhanced with [Cat Hand].

Strong flames began to rise around me.

“Now!!!”

Kairek shot a harpoon arrow towards the charging armadillo.

The harpoon arrow, cutting through the wind, struck the armadillo’s back.

Craaash!!!

A sound of strong shattering was heard, but neither the harpoon arrow nor the armadillo was damaged.

It was natural that it couldn’t penetrate its carapace in the first place.

To penetrate that tough carapace, you would need high-floor explorers.

The strategy against the armadillo is its soft belly, not the hard carapace on its back.

To do that, you need to break its curled-up stance with a powerful impact.

A perfect aim.

“Kuwooo…?!!”

The armadillo’s body, which was curled up like a ball, unfurled from Kairek’s strong attack.

Its soft belly is visible.

I shot the enhanced fireball towards that spot.

Whoosh!!!

But this isn’t the end.

Kairek, who retrieved the harpoon arrow with [Arrow Return], also launched another attack at the armadillo.

The harpoon arrow penetrated the soft belly.

The flames burned the flesh and internal organs inside.

“Kuwooooo?@#?”

As if in pain, the armadillo began to struggle desperately.

It immediately curled its body again and started rolling.

The armadillo rolled around seemingly half out of its mind.

Since it was moving haphazardly, it was actually difficult to predict the direction of attack.

“Dodge!!”

The armadillo rolled here and there.

It hit a wall, then the ceiling, then even hit the stairs once.

As it moved around, it accidentally rolled towards us.

Boom!!!

Hans succeeded in blocking it.

Since Hans had even blocked the master of the canyon, he was capable enough to block it.

But he couldn’t stop it.

“It’s going somewhere else!!”

Roll roll roll.

The armadillo rolled away somewhere else, hit a wall with a boom!, and this time approached from the opposite side of Hans.

“Dodge!!!”

I barely dodged, snugly held in Grace’s arms.

Kairek also dodged just barely.

But it’s still not over.

The creature rolled towards us, screaming.

“We can’t keep getting dragged around like this!”

“Do you have a plan?!!”

Yes.

A firepower not inferior to the harpoon arrow.

“Golem, detonate!!!”

The Golem that popped out of subspace charged towards the armadillo to become a one-time bomb again.

Boooosh!!!

The Golem exploded, and the armadillo’s curled-up body unfurled.

This is the last chance.

If it keeps rolling around any longer, it might actually be dangerous.

And I wasn’t the only one who felt that.

“Uwaaaah!!!”

Grace and Luca charged out.

Our two female warriors, who are by no means inferior in speed, had reached the armadillo before we knew it.

Slash!!!

Grace, holding two daggers, spun around, slashing and freezing the armadillo’s belly.

And Luca, with a heavy hand, brought her giant axe down on the armadillo’s neck.

“Kuwooooo?!!”

The armadillo tried to resist by moving its giant arms and legs, but the armadillo without its hard carapace and thorns was too weak.

Blood spurted from its severed neck.

Its frozen arms couldn’t move.

It didn’t take long for the armadillo to meet its end.

Ding!!

『Please check card rewards.』

The status window announcing victory appeared, as always.

Since this was the first card reward obtained after coming to the 4th floor, the middle floors, I decided to have some expectations.

I rubbed my hands a few times, prayed to all the gods on Earth, and then clicked the rewards.

‘Did something good come out?!!’

[Meteor (7)] – Drops a meteor from the sky.

[Earthquake (5)] – Causes a powerful earthquake.

[Chain Hell (3)] – Pulls out numerous chains to bind the target.

It’s here!!!!