Chapter 14

Rank 4 overall for the day.

I rubbed my eyes and confirmed that I wasn’t mistaken.

My stomach hurt so much it started to tremble, but I resolved to keep pushing forward!

(￣(エ)￣) "Stomach medicine"

(=ↀωↀ=) "Eye drops"

□ Capital Artea 【Paladin】Ray Sterling

After fleeing from the fountain square, Nemesis and I arrived at the main street lined with shops.

"Well, as I said earlier, we want to get stronger. Ideally, we should level up in the hunting grounds around the capital, but that’s not possible right now."

"Because the PK group’s activities haven’t settled down yet."

Even if we wanted to level up to take revenge on the PK group in the Noz Forest, as long as they continue to operate, we would be killed as soon as we leave the capital.

"So, we’re heading to the last remaining hunting ground in the capital, as recommended by my brother."

"The Tomb Labyrinth, right?"

"Yeah."

The Tomb Labyrinth.

The only hunting ground within the capital, located underground in the cemetery district.

According to the information I checked on the wiki during my penalty, the Tomb Labyrinth is described as follows:

1. A five-story underground dungeon with different themes and monsters on each floor.

2. The deeper you go, the stronger the monsters become.

3. If you go down dozens of floors, there are numerous boss monsters far stronger than the Demi Dragon Worm I fought.

4. Conversely, the monsters in the shallow floors are weak, similar to those around the capital.

5. Explorers have confirmed up to the 45th floor so far.

The important point is number 4.

In the shallow floors of the Tomb Labyrinth, even beginners like us can level up, and there’s no worry about PKs.

"Normally, other beginners would swarm here and it would be crowded... but that’s not the case, right?"

"Yeah, other beginner players can’t enter."

"...What a harsh world."

"Indeed."

Recalling the reason why other beginners can’t enter, Nemesis and I sighed.

◇

To get the items needed for leveling up in the Tomb Labyrinth, I searched for the shop my brother told me about.

Eventually, I found the shop on the main street and entered.

"Welcome."

Behind the counter sat a figure who seemed to be the shop owner.

Wearing a hood, it was impossible to tell if it was the Master or a Tian, or even the gender.

"...What a suspicious shop."

Inside, the shelves and glass cases were filled with various items such as swords, armor, potions, and trinkets.

Even the cheapest items were priced at over 10,000 ril.

This shop was an antique dealer, specializing in rare items sold by the Master.

According to my brother, to explore the Tomb Labyrinth, I needed to buy a specific item here.

"One 'Tomb Labyrinth Exploration Permit.'"

I told the owner the name of the item I needed.

The owner retrieved the requested item from the shelves. It was a medal-shaped item.

As the name suggests, you can’t enter the Tomb Labyrinth without this permit.

Moreover, it’s only valid for one person per permit.

The permit can be obtained through random drops from boss monster treasure chests or as a reward for a difficulty 3 quest regularly issued by the kingdom.

However, you don’t necessarily have to obtain it yourself by defeating a boss or completing a quest.

Since permits are often sold after being obtained, you can just buy one.

The problem with this method, however, is the price.

"It’s 100,000 ril."

Indeed, the 'Tomb Labyrinth Exploration Permit' is a high-value item worth 100,000 ril on the market.

The shallow floors of the Tomb Labyrinth are indeed suitable for beginners to level up.

However, beginners start with only 5,000 ril, making it impossible to afford such an expensive item.

That’s why, despite being suitable for their level, the Tomb Labyrinth isn’t used as a beginner hunting ground.

For me, a beginner, it would normally be impossible too...

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

I was able to pay the 100,000 ril.

This was possible because I had 200,000 ril left from selling the Full Plate Armor dropped by the Demi Dragon Worm.

I was worried it might drop during the PK, but fortunately, the high-value currency wasn’t lost.

Thanks to this, I was able to obtain the permit.

"That centipede was quite useful after it died."

"...Yeah."

The conditions for becoming a Paladin and the funds for this purchase would have been impossible without defeating it.

I don’t regret killing it, as it attacked Miriane and nearly killed me.

Considering the total cost of the accessories I broke while fighting it... I should be grateful to my brother.

Next time, I’ll visit him in real life with some souvenirs. He moved to Tokyo, so it’s closer now.

"Well, at least we’re prepared."

I obtained the 'Tomb Labyrinth Exploration Permit.'

The expense was painful, but now I have a clear path for leveling up.

"Still, 100,000 ril... money is a big deal."

"Money is essential in a civilized world."

"Indeed. Oh, it’s time for dinner. It’s been three days, so I want to eat something fancy."

"...My wallet is feeling lighter, so I want to save money."

◇

As expected, Nemesis ate a terrifying amount during dinner.

Afterward, we headed to the cemetery.

The tombstones in this cemetery were Western-style, not Japanese.

Numerous tombstones lined up with the names and birth/death years of the deceased.

There was a sign at the entrance of the large cemetery, indicating that the entrance to the Tomb Labyrinth was at the back, near the guard post.

We walked through the cemetery toward the entrance of the labyrinth.

"......Wow."

The unfamiliar Western cemetery at night was quite chilling.

Oh no, this isn’t good.

If I keep thinking about this, Nemesis will tease me... huh?

"Nemesis?"

"......"

Nemesis didn’t respond.

Her expression was blank, or rather, she seemed to be deliberately suppressing her emotions.

This is her first battle since returning from the penalty, so she’s probably tense.

"Nemesis."

"......W-what?"

Her lips moved stiffly, like a rusty doll.

"......Never mind."

"O-oh, okay."

...Is she tense or nervous?

Since she just revived, I should pay more attention to her today.

Still, this cemetery is creepy.

Well, a cemetery at night with no proper lighting is naturally creepy.

In 'Infinite Dendrogram,' it’s normal for monsters to be around.

Zombies could rise from the graves, scattering flesh as they approach in a horde. That’s a plausible horror scenario.

Speaking of horror, I remember a story from a friend, Y.

She once had to pass by a foreign cemetery in Yokohama at night.

While thinking, "It’s so dark, so scary," she heard a sound like a steam whistle.

Y was puzzled.

Why?

Because the sound came from the cemetery, not the sea.

Curious, she approached the source of the sound.

Then she realized...

What?

The sound wasn’t "poo, poo" but "phwooo, phwooo," like the wind passing through something soft.

Drawn to the sound, Y got closer and closer.

And then...

"Stop it!!"

"Whoa!?"

Nemesis suddenly shouted, startling me.

What’s going on?

"Stop what? Who were you talking to?"

"Y-you! Stop thinking about that made-up horror story in your head!!"

Ah, right. My thoughts are transmitted to her.

"But it’s not a made-up story; it’s Y’s experience."

"Even worse!! Why are you recalling it in a storytelling tone!!"

She’s really angry.

I did something wrong.

Wait, if she’s angry about me thinking of a scary story, it means...

"Are you... afraid of ghosts?"

"......"

Nemesis suddenly went silent and turned away.

Bullseye.

She’s tough, eats a lot, looks down on others, and is afraid of ghosts.

Despite our bond, I still don’t fully understand her character.

"If you’re scared, just transform."

"......Okay."

Nemesis took my hand and transformed into a greatsword.

I could sense that she felt more at ease.

Maybe changing form makes her feel stronger.

I, on the other hand, looked like a suspicious person carrying a drawn greatsword in a cemetery at night, but it couldn’t be helped.

Let’s get to the entrance before we’re noticed.

◇

After about ten minutes, we arrived at the entrance to the Tomb Labyrinth.

The cemetery was quite large.

Considering the entire labyrinth is underground, it makes sense.

Weapons are allowed near the entrance of the labyrinth.

The entrance to the Tomb Labyrinth was a sturdy stone gate.

Apparently, the monsters from the labyrinth don’t come through this gate.

A guard stood by the gate, likely to check the permits.

I had already signed the permit, making it my personal permit and allowing me to enter.

It can no longer be sold, but that’s fine.

"Are you a Master exploring the Tomb Labyrinth? You need a 'Tomb Labyrinth Exploration Permit' to enter."

I was about to search my bag for the permit with my left hand...

"Oh? You are a Paladin. In that case, it’s fine. Please proceed."

The guard stepped aside without even checking my permit.

...Huh?

"...The 'Exploration Permit'?"

"Paladins don’t need it."

...Really?

'Ten thousand, wasted.'

"O-oh..."

I knelt in the cemetery.

My knees, which hadn’t bent even during the penalty, finally gave out.

This is a huge shock.

It’s a huge shock.

It’s like the shock of buying a steel sword in a retro game and then finding it in a treasure chest right after, but thirty times worse.

It cost a million yen...

If Bear Brother had told me... but he probably didn’t know, as he’s not a Paladin.

"Are you okay?"

The guard, concerned, asked me.

'I understand the shock, but there’s no point in sulking.'

"...You’re right."

I stood up.

Let’s get our money’s worth by exploring this labyrinth.

"Can we go in now?"

"Yes, please be careful."

The guard chanted a spell, and the gate opened.

Beyond the gate was a dimly lit passage leading underground.

"Let’s go."

"Okay."

We stepped into the Tomb Labyrinth.

To be continued

The next update is tomorrow at 21:00.

(￣(エ)￣) < It’s common to notice a mistake after buying something.

(=ↀωↀ=) "Batteries not included"