NOVEL NEXT Chapter 93
Zing!
A pair of portals—the blue-lit staircase portal and the yellow escape portal.
Standing at the end of the Bug Zone, staring at the two portals before me, I couldn’t shake off a sense of unease.
‘Not a single elite or special species. Not even a mutated creature or random event, huh?’
Forget about flags and prophecies; I had no idea it would be this smooth transitioning to the next layer.
Just how much torture are they planning for me later, if they let me go this easily?
Was this just some luck on my part this time?
No way.
I recalled the advice to always expect the worst in a labyrinth and tightened the slack I had let my guard down with.
“Let’s go. To the third layer.”
Since we had rested two hours ago, everyone was ready.
Crossing through the staircase portal, we entered the third layer.
*
I survived the feeling of something giant lifting and tossing me around without injury.
A forest populated by goblins.
I felt somewhat familiar with this place, perhaps because it was already the third time in the third layer.
Thud!
Not to mention seasoned Veronica or the beastkin Lumia, but even Yeriell’s landing has become stable now.
“Beep!”
Could it be that we’re finally out of that dark and foreboding cave into a bright forest?
Seeing El happily chirping and perched on a branch away from Yeriell, I couldn’t help but feel my mood lift as well.
As I surveyed the surroundings, Lumia, looking up at a particularly large tree nearby, said, “Wait a sec. The forest is so dense that I can’t gauge our location. I’ll climb up and take a look.”
I handed her the map and compass, and she swiftly stowed them away before climbing the tree in an instant.
“Wow! That’s so fast! How does she climb like that?”
“That’s not just agility; it’s a matter of senses and skill. It’s a specialty unique to beastkin like Lumia.”
“I’ve met several beastfolk before, but compared to them, she really has excellent balance.”
“Hmm. From what I’ve read about barons… each beastfolk has different positive attributes tied to their ears, tails, eyes, skin fur, and instincts.”
Surely, Lumia’s innate beastkin sensitivity must have been C-grade, right?
“Looks like, as mentioned in her traits, she inherited minimal external traits and instead received sensory enhancements since birth.”
“I get the circumstances that led her to become a witch, but it’s a shame. If she had honed her strengths and pursued a path as a professional scout—or even a thief or archer—she could have really excelled…”
[Chaos would have scolded her inwardly if that catgirl had heard this.]
“Maybe. But as you know, everyone, including her, has their own circumstances. Life doesn’t always go as one wishes.”
It was about time for Lumia to descend. No, she was already coming down.
‘Wait, her expression looks a bit strange. What’s wrong? Did something happen on her way down?’
“Let’s stop this topic for now. Look over there; she’s coming down!”
Thud!
Lumia landed flawlessly, but instead of her usual bright demeanor, she wore a somewhat ambiguous expression.
“Aren, I took a detailed look around, and it seems we might have gotten caught up in something strange again.”
If it’s something strange, what on earth could it be?
In Sena’s ongoing one-hour lessons, I’d heard about cracks and hidden realms in the lower floors, but both weren’t on the list for the dense, overgrown forest of the third layer.
So… could it be only a random event like the transcendentalist’s altar or the cave where we met Jacob?
“Could you elaborate more on what you saw up there?”
“Yeah. It seems the terrain of this area has completely changed. Looking at the scenery far in the distance, it looks like not the entire third layer has altered.”
“It can’t be the entire layer, right?”
“If you walk east for about thirty minutes, I saw a gathering of adventurers. Approximately thirty of them?”
Whoa, thirty? Considering the standard party size is five, that means at least six parties are gathered there.
Veronica, who had been listening, spoke up.
“It’s rare for so many people to gather in one place… It’s likely they’re either fortunate enough to find something beneficial that can be enjoyed by many, or there’s a hunting issue with a rare type.”
The former could be a random event that randomly adds something every time a portal opens, while the latter refers to a rare species appearing under extremely low odds.
“What do you all think?”
As the party leader, I felt it was necessary to hear everyone’s opinions before deciding on our course of action.
Of course, while I thought checking out where Lumia discovered would be great, the other party members might have different ideas.
After all, some might choose to ignore it and suggest simply escaping and proceeding to the next layer.
“I think it would be best to stop by where the adventurers are gathered before heading for the staircase portal.”
Veronica started us off with this thought.
“As you all know, the labyrinth is a separate space filled with the unknown. From riches to special gear to mysterious traits, no one truly knows what experiences or treasures can be obtained.”
‘True. Except for hunting known monsters, particularly detailed information on cracks, hidden realms, or layered rulers is known only to a select few.’
In essence, unless you’re a noble or a transcendent, mid to low-level adventurers have almost no way to know about these things.
Continuing, Veronica said, “When a special opportunity arises, it must be seized. Additionally, based on our level, the chances of facing danger over events happening in the third layer are very slim, right?”
Yeriell raised her hand to match.
“I agree! Unless all thirty of them are members of a huge clan, they’d likely hesitate to attack us due to mutual monitoring.”
She added that even if a terrifying monster did show up, they would unite out of necessity if their lives were threatened, so we could handle it just fine.
“…I’ll abstain. I’ll follow Aren’s lead.”
So that’s two in favor and one abstained. Looks like that’s settled.
“Great! Then let’s approach the gathering spot of the adventurers slowly; if anything seems off, we’ll retreat immediately.”
Satisfying glints appeared on Veronica and an energetic Yeriell’s faces as they turned to follow Lumia’s lead down the path.
What could possibly be attracting so many people to stay in that spot without leaving?
*
Upon reaching the destination, the reason became immediately clear.
As the sight of the adventurers gradually came into view.
Zzzzziing—
I felt something brush against me, as though entering another space.
With a bad feeling creeping in, I quickly looked back only to see a dim, translucent barrier had emerged, blocking our escape.
‘What is this barrier? Is it—a seal?’
I lightly punched it.
Thud!
Instead of a solid wall, it felt like hitting something with a very elastic texture, akin to jelly or slime.
As I flexed my right hand, Veronica, watching the barrier, commented, “Based on my experience, you won’t be able to break through this seal with regular attacks. Given that we managed to enter here safely, I suspect it’s not magical but rather a mysterious force preventing exit…”
Yeriell, placing her palm against the barrier and closing her eyes, added, “It’s not a divine law either. Either way, it looks like retreating is impossible; what should we do?”
Just as I was considering the situation calmly, a shout from an old man echoed in my ears.
“It’s pointless! No matter how much you touch, this barrier can’t be breached! Give up and come over here!”
“…Let’s go take a look. El, stay hidden safely in my pocket.”
Whee!
Hiding my uneasy expression, I approached the old man.
“Finally, the last party has arrived.”
“I thought I’d lose my head waiting! It’s been two days in here already!”
“Hmph, please! It’s just two days? We’ve been stuck for a full five! This here is a waste of five days’ food just for being in the third layer—nothing but trivial.”
Various adventurers belonging to different parties began chattering about us.
What? They’ve been trapped in here for five days!?
I had suspected there would be something unusual, but I never expected that the reason thirty or so people had gathered was simply they were forcibly kept from leaving.
It wasn’t a rare species in sight; it’s yet another random event that got us again.
‘Wait a second. Last party? So, everyone seems to know something, huh?’
“Do you all happen to know anything about this situation? Or at least have an idea?”
Rather than singling someone out, I raised my voice to ask.
“Hey, look at that guy thinking he can just waltz in and sponge off us.”
“Who was it that had the gall to bark orders to just hand out information as if they’d already paid for it?”
“What? Are you saying you’ve got something to share?”
“Grr… human warrior. You threatening our party leader?”
“Hey, handsome! Ignore those bozos over here! I’ll be friendly and tell you all about this!”
This is pure chaos. Why are egos so inflated here?
With a heavy sigh, just as I was about to walk over to the party that seemed willing to share info, the old man shouted again.
“Enough—!”
Was that old magician using magic to amplify his voice? It echoed in such a way that the entire room fell silent.
────
[Dyson Lakeus]
[Strength: C] [Agility: C-] [Durability: B-]
[Stamina: B-] [Magic: A-] [Luck: B-]
[Traits] (Collapse)
Elemental Magic Proficiency
Wisdom
Multispectral Affinity
Knowledgeable of Ancient Scrolls
Old Master
Barrier Inscription
Double-Hearted
────
Even someone this strong has struggled with a random event; I get it now.
An old man with a name that sounds like he’ll do a good job of cleaning things up approached me, cutting through the silence.
“I am Dyson Lakeus, a mage of the Erebon party. So, are you the leader of your group?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Very well. Earlier, you inquired if we knew anything about this situation? Follow me.”
With that, he turned around and slowly headed somewhere.
“Let’s follow him for now.”
Noticing that the proud adventurers earlier were only growling verbally and hadn’t drawn their weapons, I reasoned it didn’t seem to be a trap.
After exchanging glances with everyone, I followed after the old man.
“Hmm.”
I felt the curiosity and wariness from other parties as they watched us, but I shrugged it off and kept walking.
“We’re almost there. If you place your hand here, your questions will be answered.”
What he pointed to was none other than a massive stone tablet.
The surface of the stone tablet towered high above an adult male’s height, engraved with unintelligible markings.
It depicted seven stars and a branching path leading from them? That’s about all I could summarize.
‘If I place my hand on it, will it speak or show me something?’
“Oh! But before that, there’s one piece of advice. Once your party has been confirmed, I can’t say for sure, but something significant is bound to happen.”
So, ensure all preparations are complete before placing your hand on it, the old man’s kind reminder made me bow my head in gratitude.
“Ha ha. There’s not need for such formality for something related to cooperation; I’ll take my leave now.”
After Dyson chuckled and departed, I heeded his advice and checked everyone’s status.
“Okay, here are potions. Just in case, keep one on you.”
“Got it.”
“Sure hope something doesn’t just suddenly tear us apart!”
As I handed out spare potions from my backpack, I thoroughly checked if there was anything else to reinforce.
“Here goes.”
Thud!
I placed my palm onto the center of the stone tablet.
“Oof!”
Shimmer!
Suddenly, light surged from the seven stars engraved on the tablet, gathering into one bright point.
In no time, it morphed into a parchment brimming with readable text and gently fell to the ground.
That was quite the show. Let’s see what it says.
I picked up the rolled-up parchment and laid it open for everyone to see.
───────────────
When seven groups converge, the trials begin.
To those who walk toward the stars.
Do not be arrogant.
Do not be stingy in sharing.
Do not covet what I cannot possess.
Do not harm others who stand at the origin point.
Suppress your lust.
Restrain your greed.
Beware of sloth.
And… choose wisely.
───────────────
‘Doesn’t this… sound a lot like the seven deadly sins? Or a similar concept?’
As I contemplated the content of the parchment, suddenly—
Thrum—
“Whoaaa!”
“Everyone, grab me!”
The parchment vanished in bursts of light as the ground violently shook, causing us to lose our balance.
*
[You have entered the Seven Stars Crossroads.]
In the blink of an eye, all seven parties, including ours, were transported to an unknown location.
This time, unlike the altars or caves, there was even a system message appearing, indicating where we landed.
“Is everyone okay?”
“Ugh… feeling dizzy.”
Nod.
“Where are we…?”
“Guess we’ll have to find that out now.”
Turning my head to the side, I could see other adventurers also murmuring to themselves or slowly regaining their wits.
“Hey! Look ahead!”
Hearing someone shout in shock, I immediately gazed forward.
Seven portals.
All identical in size, color, and shape, seven portals shone with a bright white light.
“They all look the same?”
“While it said to choose wisely, there must be something different if we look closely. They wouldn’t write meaningless phrases as the last line.”
[Chaos reacts at the crossroads of choice.]
All the same, huh?
…No, they’re different.
Only I could see it.