STGB Chapter 162

Episode 162 Exploration (1)

The day after negotiations with the regional chief.

The whole team got together and had a second round of talks.

And after finishing all the 31 discussions that we couldn’t finish last time, we all came up with an exploration plan.

“Hmm, there must be a lot of things to prepare to go to the 5th floor.”

“Can I leave that part up to you? I’ll take care of it with public money when I get the receipts sorted out.”

“Okay. I have something to do at Commel B anyway.”

By the way, the team name was also decided at this meeting.

I thought ‘Team Bjorn’ would be enough… but

there was one other person besides Einar who had a dream for the team name.

“Hey… I’ve been thinking about a name for a while. How about the name ‘Narak’?”

“Narak?”

“It means those who walk in the dark in the ancient language. Isn’t that pretty cool?”

I honestly don’t know if it’s okay.

He seemed to know that a black flame dragon lived in the right hand of the 24-year-old wizard.

Those who walk the darkness…

“You too… your taste is very unique.”

“…Are you kidding me right now?”

Anyway, it was the time when I was about to drop the team name on Raven’s claim that it was a hundred times better than the name Tim Bjorn.

“Oh no!! The name of the team was chosen by me!”

Einar, who was dozing off, hurriedly joined the conversation.

“Yes? Oh, is there something good?”

“We’ll name our team Apple Pie!”

“Apple pie…? That one for dessert?”

Raven asked the reason with a half-dazed expression, and Einar answered without hesitation.

‘Because it’s my favorite!’ or what?

“That kind of nonsense……”

“What makes no sense!!”

At Einar’s insistence, Raven sighed and said that it should be done by majority vote. It seems that he

was sure that we would never give power to a name like that,

but

…

Unexpectedly, Misha voted yes.

“Hmm, I think apple pie is okay… It’s not sweet and delicious.”

“Such! What about Mr. Yandel? You’re not trying to use that ridiculous name, are you?”

I was honestly worried.

If I take Raven’s side, it will be a 2:2 draw. I’d like to raise Einar’s hand and finish this agenda quickly, but…

As the team leader, if you show favoritism, the wizard’s feelings will be hurt.

I was forced to come up with a mediation plan.

“Just put it together and make Apple Narark.”

“…….”

“Oh, is the Narak pie better?”

“……I’ll take the one from now on.”

“Ainar you?”

“I think that’s better too! I like the tone!”

The official team name was decided as ‘Apple Narak’, and the second meeting ended.

After that, peaceful days followed.

Repetitive routines such as reading books at the library or meeting the whole team every morning to put together a sum in advance.

Oh, there was also a dwarf who came to visit suddenly.

[Ha ha ha! Long time no see. Einar! Ms. Raven!]

It was the third day the team gathered and looked at the sum.

After hearing the news from Misha, he seemed interested and came to visit…

We parted ways after chatting about the current situation.

Did you already entrust the work of converting it into a blacksmith, and are busy scouting blacksmiths these days?

[Oh, your wife runs a bar? I’ll have to stop by later.]

[Yes, come and try the honey wine. It’s made by my wife herself, and it’s a delicacy unique to our store.] Perhaps

because we both like alcohol, the porridge went well with Mr. Bear.

Well, you’re not going to be your new best friend later, are you?

Anyway, those times went on and on, and the day arrived.

“I guess I’ll have to get ready to go out soon.”

Today is the day the labyrinth opens.

***

“Is Bjorn ready?”

“Oh wait a minute.”

After wearing all the gear for the first time in a while, I carry the backpack I packed yesterday on my shoulder.

profit.

When I open the door, I see Misha and Einar waiting for me.

“Have you missed anything?”

“does not exist!!”

Einar responded loudly to my question.

Misha, who was next to me, let out a deep sigh.

“There won’t be any. Everything important is in my backpack anyway.”

“Right.”

It’s a thought that’s gotten a lot stronger lately, but I’m really glad I have him.

I think I would have been much more tired if I had been alone.

“Uh Bjorn. Is there something in the mailbox?”

“huh?”

Car Misha, who was about to leave the door, pointed her finger at the mailbox in front of the door.

When I opened the box, there was a letter inside.

‘The sender is…… Nile Urban?’

This is a letter from the mayor.

Since when have you been listening to it?

gi profit.

Once I opened it, I read through the contents.

No, is it a bit like reading it?

[I won’t ask for the billing fee.]

Just one sentence.

For some reason, I felt the pride of the local chief… but

it was a gesture of reconciliation.

If you tried to fight with me even a little bit, the fine bill or bill would have flown together.

‘As expected, I was good at breaking it.’

When asked what do you really want?

There was also an option to ask for compensation.

But I smashed the door like a thug without even mentioning a word of compensation.

That’s why I wanted to engrave it in his head.

If you make a mistake with me, you have to pay the price.

And that price can’t be anything like money.

‘Then I don’t think you need to worry too much about this part anymore…

‘ He also implied that if he was hostile to me, something very troublesome would happen.

But still, blinded by anger, they play tricks?

It is safe to say that this will never happen, at least until next year’s election is over.

“What kind of letter is that?”

“Oh, nothing to worry about.”

I tore up the letter and tossed it in the trash can on the first floor on my way out.

And headed to the meeting place.

The central plaza of District 7.

It is crowded with explorers waiting for their colleagues as it is often used as a gathering place.

“Are you one minute late?”

As soon as we arrived at the 3 o’clock corner, Raven smiled at us.

However, it is not a sight that offends our perception.

Or rather, should I say it looks fun?

“Come on, pay the fine. You promised?”

“Oh yes. Fines…….”

For reference, fines were one of the 31 topics that were raised during the second meeting.

So how much was it?

“1,000 stones per minute. Since it’s three people, you can pay 3,000 stones.”

I obediently opened my wallet and paid three fines. It wouldn’t have been too late if I hadn’t wasted my time reading the letter.

“But where’s the Raven bag?”

It was only after handing over the fine that I realized that Raven had nothing on his back. So I asked for confirmation, and a strange response came back.

“Oh is that it?”

Raven raised the corner of her mouth and tapped the ring on her index finger twice.

Then, a small portal opened in the air, emitting light.

“A subspace…?”

“Yes. I thought I would need it to live in the labyrinth. I cleaned up all the unnecessary things and bought them with the money.”

Yes, you can buy it right away if you like it.

A space is a thing for you.

jingle.

Raven put the fine into the subspace and closed the door.

For some reason, my heart was pounding.

Is this just a feeling of deprivation?

He whined that he had no money on a fictitious day…….

I thought it was because I really didn’t have money…….

“By the way, was Abman late?”

As I was trying to erase my envious feelings, the topic of conversation changed before I knew it.

“I will. I’m sure he won’t come, right?”

“I’m not worried! I must have lost my way for a while on the way!”

Raven laughs at Einar’s words as if he is ridiculous.

“Does it make sense for the guide to get lost?”

“Umm, isn’t there anything that can’t be done? I heard that it’s a useless ability in the city.”

“But who lives around here?”

“That’s… well, sure. Then why are you late?”

“Ho, did you have an upset stomach?!”

The three women started chattering about Mr. Bear’s tardiness.

I was just shutting up.

Because Mr. Bear’s gilchi attributes are planned to be revealed by going into the labyrinth.

Anyway, how long has it been?

Mr. Bear arrived just when the crowded plaza became quiet and he began to worry sincerely.

“I’m sorry I’m late. Did you wait long?”

“First, pay the fine. You’re only 45 minutes late.”

“Ah, there was something like that……”

Mr. Bear was deprived of 45,000 stones as a fine before entering the labyrinth.

“But why are you late?”

“It’s my first time coming here at night. For some reason, the atmosphere was unfamiliar.”

“Yes? What does that mean—”

“All right, let’s go. We’ll be late.”

I quickly interrupted the conversation.

Then, using only binding magic, he led the group towards the dimension plaza.

It was past 12 o’clock when they arrived, and the portal was slowly decreasing in size.

If you wait a little longer here, the timing to copy the experience will come, but…

‘Let’s think about whether to inform this or not after this exploration.’

We pushed ourselves into the portal.

***

「You have entered the Crystal Cave on the 1st floor.」

***

The Crystal Cave has become an all-too-familiar landscape.

As soon as I opened my eyes, Einar’s cry echoed and hit my eardrum.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaaaa!!”

“Oh! No, you’re surprised!”

When Raven asked why he was doing this all of a sudden, Einar answered.

“Somehow I felt like doing that!”

Cancer knows that feeling.

I nodded as if I understood.

Isn’t it a comeback after 6 months?

Einar, a born barbarian, must have had a very different sentiment.

“Yes, that’s right, one more barbarian has been added……”

Misha, who was looking at Einar and I, let out a deep sigh, while Mr. Bear unexpectedly didn’t want to do that.

“It’s better than being quiet, though.”

As long as I was alone, I don’t seem to hate this noisy atmosphere.

Anyway, the chat ends here.

“Where is Abman closest?”

Mr. Bear pointed to a place in response to my question.

I checked it against my compass and it was south.

In a word, this starting point means the ghoul earth.

‘I guess the other side got caught this time too.’

“Since you said you were going to the Goblin Forest, you should go this way. Then I’ll take the lead.”

Mr. Bear put the compass in and took the lead. I

wondered if it would be

better for me to just tell him the direction and find the way…

I need to know what level Mr. Bear is in order to be able to make a judgment. Whether it is

possible to correct it with acquired efforts or not.

If there is no correct answer, I will use Mr. Bear as a compass to find my way from now on. I

usually look at Rotmiller and do this and that. “Reite.”

Anyway

, as I headed north from the south, of course I passed the very center of the 1st floor. A

dark area with all four types of monsters.

Without taking out a torch, Raven lit up the whole area with his light sphere magic. Unlike

the gloomy red torches, the light illuminates the surroundings in pure white. It’s

easy on the eyes as if you were in the city.

But was there one thing you were worried

about

is fine. Because the kick is faster.”

“Ah uh… is that so?”

“Yes. And don’t worry. Doesn’t leaving this on interfere with using other magic?”

“…….”

Within a moment, Misha kept her mouth shut.

It seemed that she clearly felt the majesty of real wizards, as Dwalki had said so many times in a bitter voice. ”

It’s amazing how fast the kick is. The wizard I was with before wasn’t even like that,”

Mister Bear muttered, and Raven’s nose stiffened

. It’s probably hard to find in its class.”

“Oh yeah? Now that I see it, you must be a great wizard.”

“That’s too much praise. Mr. Urijkfried is a level 5 explorer and guide, right?”

It was like that when the two of them were walking through the cave while painting each other’s faces with gold.

A cavity with a radius of about 30m appeared.

“Oh, here’s a crack… !”

“Einar.”

“…….”

Einar covered his mouth with his hand when his name was called briefly.

It seemed more suspicious for nothing, but luckily, his attention was focused on the monument erected in the center of the common room

. It’s the first time I’ve seen it.”

Raven approached the monument with intellectual curiosity like a wizard.

Like a 5-year-old explorer, Misha also had insight.

“Is this it? It was built by the Immortal King in honor of the Archmage who first discovered the labyrinth.”

“Yes. It’s commonly known that way.”

“Generally speaking?”

“It’s a hypothesis that’s going around in the academic world these days, but there is a saying that it was created, not discovered. Ah, to put it simply… It is a hypothesis that the great sage did not build a portal by observing the coordinates of another dimension, but rather created this labyrinth dimension itself.” Long

words like a Raven with an explanation insect attribute.

Einar didn’t listen at all. No, and Misha just felt like there was such a story.

However, I got interested.

“What was the reason the wizards thought so?”

“It’s this monument.”

“Monument?

”

“The labyrinth has constancy. Even if the terrain is destroyed, it will come back intact the next time the portal opens. That’s why there are speculations that dimension shifting includes not only space but also time coordinates…” ”

Ugh, my head…….”

It hurts when I keep hearing difficult words in succession. “This monument is proof

that space-time

magic was at least several times more advanced than it is now in the era when the labyrinth was first discovered.” Creating a space that is impossible now might have been possible back then.”

Listening

to it,

even the abbreviation

was long…

‘I need to find out about the great sage.’

Perhaps there is a way to return to Earth other than the ‘Gate of the Abyss

‘

. Let’s go.”

As if he wasn’t interested in this, Mr. Bear, who was far away, urged us, and the exploration resumed again.

And…….

“Ah, the monument!”

We returned to the original place over about 15 minutes. Even I, who watched the process closely,