CH 28

Chapter 28: Labyrinth First Floor (Part 3)

"Don't break your half-body stance! How many times do I have to say it for you to understand?"

While saying that, my wooden sword was knocked away with a sharp step forward.

"Concentrate!"

My whole body was covered in bruises, and I couldn't tell where it hurt anymore.

After sealing off the labyrinth with a double layer of clay walls using up the remaining MP, we took our provisions in front of the guardhouse and returned to Skutari. It was still early in the afternoon.

However, when I returned, I was ordered to stay behind and received a harsh training session from Cecily, which she called sword instruction.

This woman is undoubtedly skilled, but she always has a sharp tone in her words.

Besides, I don't think she's suited for teaching others. I understand what she means when she says things like "become half-bodied" or "don't lower your sword tip," but she doesn't explain why we should do those things, so inexperienced people like me don't know what to do next.

It's the kind of athletic mentality where "learn through your body," which I'm least good at.

I've been getting beaten one-sidedly since earlier, and I don't feel like I'm improving at all.

Furthermore, next to me, Muharem, a level 5 warrior, is training the life-sized Lina. Surprisingly, when Lina gets struck, I feel the same pain in the same place.

What's going on? Are Lina and I connected somehow, or is Lina like my alter ego?

Muharem isn't as strict as Cecily, so Lina isn't getting hit too hard, but even so, with the pain I feel on top of the pain she receives, it's almost like we're experiencing the pain for two people, and I feel like I'm about to lose consciousness.

"Don't daydream!"

Ouch!

Well, yeah. Even today's battle didn't directly contribute to our combat strength. But I'm just an amateur, so even if I'm suddenly asked to do the same thing as the soldiers in this world, who seem to be all about battles, I can't do it.

Of course, I think it's admirable that Cecily is trying to train me after fighting in the labyrinth battle and essentially working overtime. She has a diligence that I don't possess.

But still...

After taking another strike, which would have killed me if it weren't for the wooden sword, on the side of my leather armor and vomiting gastric acid, I looked up at Cecily with a sigh, and she stopped her hand.

"Mr. Zagoo!"

The one who raised her voice was Beta.

The knight commander with bandages wrapped around his shoulder slowly walked over.

"You're giving it your all. Shiro, let me spar with you for a bit."

"Sir Zagoo, but I might hurt your body."

Cecily tried to stop him, but Zagoo didn't pay attention to her.

"What, we're not fighting. One hand is enough. Shiro, come at me however you like."

Zaguu, with his white hair mixed in, was probably in his fifties. He had suffered deep wounds twice in a row, during the subjugation of the territory and today, so it must be physically tough for him. Well, he's even using a cane.

I cautiously swung my sword and closed the distance in one breath.

However, just when I thought I had landed a decisive blow, Zaguu slightly evaded it, and with a flick of his cane in his hand, he lightly tapped my head as I stumbled, missing the mark.

It was like something out of a manga.

"Hmm, Cecily. It seems you've been taught the way to hold a sword, but..."

"Ugh, th-that..."

"Well, never mind."

Cecily shrank down.

"Shiro, both humans and monsters strive to survive. It's different from trees."

Yeah.

"If the opponent swings a sword, you also try to dodge or defend, right?"

Yeah, that's right.

"When attacking an opponent, you must consider that you may be evaded or defended against. If your feet are positioned like that, you will inevitably lose your balance when evaded. You won't be able to respond to the next move of your opponent."

Ah...

"To avoid being evaded, it's better to have fewer preparatory movements. If both heels are planted, you won't be able to move quickly, right?"

Footwork? So that's it.

"When you try to run fast from now on, don't keep both heels on the ground."

I see, that makes sense. That's why my movements were awkward.

For a short while after that, Zaguu let me attack freely, teaching me the specific meanings of each position, movement, eye contact, and distance of my hands and feet.

I see, so that's how it is.

That old man is good at teaching. He would have been a good physical education teacher at my high school.

Honestly, I didn't think I was that skilled when fighting in the labyrinth.

In reality, Greon might be stronger in actual combat, but it's just that, how should I put it, he's good at conveying the meaning of using the sword skillfully, not with strength but with technique, and it was very easy to understand.

Along the way, Cecily and Muhallem were listening as if they had become students.

"You've improved quite a bit. Now, continue your training diligently on your own."

Zaguu left, saying he entrusted the rest to us, with a refreshed expression.

"Ah, thank you very much..."

Not only me, but even Lina was bowing, which was rare.

***

That night, my adventurer level reached 8.

When I woke up and checked, I found out that I had gained a new skill called "Item Box."

This is also a convenient skill familiar in RPGs.

When I tried it out, I could store straw scraps and backpacks in the imaginary space. By imagining "retrieve item," they would appear in front of me again. Since this world was starting to feel real, this game-like skill felt quite absurd.

I couldn't fully test how much size or what types of items I could store in the cramped prison cell, so it was still unclear. I'll have to experiment later.

My clay play skill also reached level 7, and the acquired ability was displayed as "Amazing Clay."

...I feel so exhausted. What exactly is so amazing about it? Maybe it's something like improving the quality by "baking" it? It's another mystery.

***

As we gathered again at dawn, Karina had unexpected news for us.

"For the battle against the boss of the floor, I will face it with Cecily, Laruk, Beth, Greon, Shiro, and me. This is the advice we received from Zagu, Igris, and Velisha."

The three people who were injured yesterday were not present this morning.

"But Bata and Valon will enter the labyrinth for support."

She continued, looking at each of us.

"If we can defeat the boss of the floor as planned today and advance to the next floor, we intend to continue exploring the labyrinth with these six people from tomorrow onwards."

Seeing Bata nodding, it seems that the executives have already reached an agreement.

Magical healing is only temporary, and while visible wounds and bleeding can be treated on the spot, it doesn't mean that all functions inside the body are fully restored. It still takes time for the wounds to heal completely, similar to normal healing.

In that sense, it would be impossible for the three of them to fight in the labyrinth for the time being.

Furthermore, it is necessary to constantly deploy soldiers to the new guard post, and there is no room to always have a large number of troops ready for labyrinth subjugation. After all, only six people can challenge the boss of the floor.

As I rode on Trim's back, I realized that yesterday, Knight Commander Zagu took the trouble to give me sword instruction for this reason.

"Now it's up to you guys," he said. That old man is trying too hard to act cool.

Before removing the clay that was blocking the entrance to the labyrinth, I recited the party formation.

Not only me, but everyone except Greon, who originally had a high level, had increased by one level compared to yesterday.

Cecily - Warrior (Lv.7)

The newly acquired skill is <Small Increase in Physical Evasion Rate>.

Larouque - Scout (Lv.6)

The new skill is <Trap Disarmament>.

Beth - Mage (Lv.5)

It seems she has acquired a new spell called "Magic Shield."

And then,

Karena Foro Orbania - Human Female, 19 years old

Cleric (Lv.7)

Skills: Swordsmanship (Lv.1)

Archery (Lv.1)

Riding (Lv.2)

Small HP Increase

Meditation

Spells: "Purify," "Heal," "Vow," "Treatment,"

"Exorcism"              >

I thought the princess was around the same age as me, but she's actually one year older...

Of course, I won't say such a thing out loud. I'm learning a little too, you know.

No enemies appeared in the middle of the first floor.

As long as we don't complete the subjugation of the labyrinth, new monsters will continue to be born over time due to the constantly emerging magic power. But for now, it seems that won't be the case.

Led by Larouque, the eight of us reached the end of the floor we had been struggling to reach for hours yesterday, covering a distance of about 1 km in about 30 minutes.

At the dead end was the same wall-like thing that appeared hazy and faintly glowing as I saw yesterday.

Having come this far, where the master of the floor supposedly resides, we stopped.

On the way, we were told that entering the master's nest requires a party of adventurers who can be organized and the cleric's spell "Exorcism." It was in the list of spells that Karena has acquired.

When Larouque said that there is indeed a strong monster's reaction deep inside, Karena spoke up, saying, "Should we try it once?"

The eight of us formed a group around Karena and cautiously walked into the faint light.

After just a few steps, the haze cleared.

?

We should have gotten rid of the haze. But it's right in front of us.

When I turned around, the labyrinth's path we had walked so far continued.

"It's like an infinite loop," Cecily groaned.

"So, this is a barrier. I've read about it in grimoires..." Beth muttered, trying to contain her excitement.

"Bata, Varon. I'm sorry, but please wait here."

Karina closed her eyes and began an incantation.

"...Break the power of the magical force that forms the secret inner pages, 'Hama.'"

As she raised her right hand, a stronger light poured into the faint mist.

"Now, everyone in the party, together."

We hurriedly followed Karina as she stepped forward.

Passing through the hazy light with a different, bustling texture, we saw something strange in front of us that we had never seen before.

A cocoon? Chrysalis? No, it's an empty shell.

If it's the discarded shell that Zagu mentioned yesterday, the labyrinth worm must have shed it as it grew. So, we must have successfully entered the barrier.

In my map skill, I can no longer see the path we have walked on the previous floor.

Faintly glowing in an orange hue, it filled the cross-section of the cave and bulged towards us. Logically speaking, this would be the back end of the discarded shell, right?

A crack runs from the lower part near the wall to the right side of this side's surface, probably along the bottom surface, causing it to crack.

Through my detection skill, I can feel the presence of a monster that I couldn't sense until we passed through the barrier, coming from inside that crack. It's certainly only one.

Larouque cautiously speaks up.

"It looks kobold-ish, but... this one seems to be at a higher level. It feels higher than any of us. Also, it's a bit different from a typical kobold."

Everyone's gaze focuses on Karina.

"I'm prepared for it. Besides, even if it's at a high level, it's just one creature. If necessary, we can retreat by passing through the barrier again, so let's not miss our chance to withdraw."

I make Lena life-sized here and equip her with a hardened ceramic sword. It might just be my imagination, but it seems shinier and more metallic than yesterday. Has the improved quality made a difference? I hope it won't break like it did yesterday.

"She doesn't seem to count toward the number of people in the party."

Beth's words make Karina and me realize something. Indeed, it doesn't seem to affect the number restriction inside the barrier. This could be somewhat advantageous in terms of combat strength.

"Shall we proceed then?"

Cecily confirms.

Gryon and Cecily, me and Lena, each pair takes a position on both sides of the crack. If we can't force it open with our strength, we'll break through with a sword, and if the blade won't cut, we'll smash it with Beth's magic. That's the plan.

Larouque, who has the stealth skill, plans to dive in first if a gap appears.

"Let's begin."

Karina, standing beside Beth, announced the start of the battle.