Chapter 296: Chapter 296

The city of Noark, overflowing with camaraderie.

However, interpreting this differently, it could also mean that there was nothing to see but ‘camaraderie’.

Prices that were too chaotic and difficult to adjust to.

Outdated and inefficient administrative services.

This morning, when I visited the Labyrinth Management Office to receive the Bonding spell, the administrative mage in charge of the line even said he was tired and took an hour break.

Well, I did manage to get to the front of the line after that, but...

“How long are you going to stand there?”

“Ah, I just feel a bit strange. This place is the same as twenty years later.”

“What are you talking about?”

Geez, she has no sense of romance.

It’s still the labyrinth twenty years ago.

“Follow me.”

I quickly followed Amelia, who started running.

It was a bit strange.

It seemed like she was navigating properly…

But how is she finding the way without even looking at a compass?

‘Ah, don’t tell me…’

“Are you a Guide?”

Amelia glanced back at my question and then continued running.

But that was her answer.

‘Crazy…’

A human character with Aura, Doppelganger essence, and even the Guide trait?

The world is truly unfair.

I was a bit envious.

‘It would be reassuring to have someone like her on the team…’

I wonder if she would accept if I became closer to her and then tried to recruit her after returning to my original time? There were still quite a few spots left in the clan…

Ah, by the way, I hope my clan is doing well without me.

“…….”

That’s when, as I was thinking about various things while running, following Amelia…

“Oh, you two are together?”

…a group of explorers we encountered spoke to us.

They weren’t low-level explorers, they were running towards the 2nd floor like us to save time.

‘This is a bit nerve-wracking.’

I was currently affiliated with Noark, not Lafdonia.

So I was worried that they might find us suspicious.

Well, it turned out to be a pointless worry.

“Don’t mind us.”

“Haha, she’s prickly. Good luck!”

The explorers laughed and disappeared as Amelia spoke coldly.

“Why are you so stiff?”

“Just… nothing. I was just thinking that I probably wouldn’t be able to live as a criminal.”

“…What?”

Amelia asked back as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard, and then she burst into laughter.

“Hahahahahaha!”

It was a strange sight.

I hadn’t said anything funny, and it was my first time seeing her laugh this much.

“…Huhu, do you like that kind of thing?”

Amelia stopped laughing and glared at me as I asked, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment.

“Don’t misunderstand. I just laughed because it was ridiculous.”

Well, then stop smiling.

Her sense of humor is strange, as expected of someone from Noark.

Was it that funny to see me anxious?

Tsk, I clicked my tongue in displeasure, and Amelia spoke.

“Those guys were from Noark.”

“What?”

Those friendly-looking guys were from Noark?

“How do you know? I heard it’s up to them whether they wear the faction emblem or not.”

Amelia briefly explained.

They didn’t have a mage or a priest in their team.

The equipment they were wearing wasn’t uniform, as if they had looted it from someone.

And most importantly…

“Only people from here bring kids to the labyrinth.”

“Kids? Ah, you’re talking about that small explorer in the back?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, I thought she was just a short woman or a dwarf… How can you be sure?”

Amelia answered in a slightly stiff voice.

“I just know.”

“What?”

“Enough, let’s move.”

Amelia ended the conversation, as if she didn’t want to talk about it.

It was one of her bad habits.

Damn it, she’s making me curious.

“Amelia.”

“…….”

“But if you’re right, why do people from Noark bring kids to the labyrinth?”

I asked something else instead of asking how she could tell.

She seemed okay with this question, as she answered,

“First, you can use them for cheap labor.”

“Hmm, but I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to bring them to the labyrinth.”

“They’re surprisingly useful. You can make them do chores like cooking and keeping watch, and they’re also helpful for looting.”

“Helpful for looting…?”

“They’re used as bait. Even the most wary explorers would at least listen if a child approached them and asked for help.”

Hmm, is that so?

“That’s strange. I would be even more wary if a child approached me. In Lafdonia, they prevent minors from entering the labyrinth.”

“That’s because you’re from twenty years in the future. The law is the same, but they tacitly allowed it back then.”

Wow, she sounds like an old person saying ‘Back in my day…’

“But Amelia, how old are you?”

“…Just keep moving.”

Anyway, we continued chatting and running towards the 2nd floor, and we soon arrived at our destination.

As expected, the portal had already been opened.

Damn it, we came early.

“Let’s go up.”

We entered the portal, and a musty, damp air greeted us.

‘This place always feels creepy.’

The Land of the Dead.

The area where undead monsters like ghouls and death fiends appeared, and the place where Amelia and I first met.

‘Damn, I was so scared back then.’

It made me realize that you never know what will happen in life.

I didn’t expect to be back here with her, as companions.

“Amelia, I have a question.”

“Don’t.”

“You said in Bifron that those you killed here deserved to die. Were they related to the past you’re trying to change?”

“You… are very curious about me.”

“Of course.”

Amelia clicked her tongue and answered,

“Yes, they’re related.”

Hmm, as expected.

I wanted to hear more, but she looked like she was about to get angry, so I stopped.

I’ll ask her again later.

“Let’s move if you’re done with your questions.”

We continued moving on the 2nd floor, slaughtering monsters.

But maybe because there were only two of us…

…it reminded me of the time I explored with Ainar as a two-person team.

Every battle was a struggle back then.

Time flies.

Thwack!

I could now kill a death fiend with my bare hands.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

“…….”

“Ah, sorry. It’s a habit.”

“Enough, sit down. Let’s rest here for a bit.”

We found a spot and sat down after traveling all day. We had a simple meal and agreed to sleep for three hours and then continue moving.

For reference, there was no one keeping watch.

She could just summon a clone with [Self-Replication]?

“…You can do that?”

The Doppelganger essence didn’t have an ‘auto-hunt’ mode in the game.

Then how was this possible?

The answer was simple.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t slept properly since I became an adult.”

She could somewhat control her clone because she was always half-awake even when she was sleeping.

Well, that’s what she said.

I didn’t know if it was biologically possible.

“Tsk, no wonder you always look tired.”

“Do you want to fight?”

“I was just telling you to get some sleep.”

“…….”

Anyway, she said her movements were slower in auto-hunt mode, but it would be enough for the lower floors.

“Then go to sleep.”

So I just lay down.

Sleep didn’t come easily.

It wasn’t because I was worried about not having anyone keep watch.

I was a tank, so I wouldn’t die easily even if I was attacked in my sleep.

‘I wonder if my companions are doing okay…’

I couldn’t help but think about them as we camped in the labyrinth.

And so, the first night passed.

__________________

Day 2 of the labyrinth expedition.

We arrived on the 3rd floor right on schedule.

It was time to do what we came here for.

Ah, there was only one thing.

To return with enough achievements to impress the Lord of Noark.

[We caused a stir in the city on the first day we arrived, so our strength has already been proven. But the Lord still hasn’t contacted us.]

Amelia said this about the reason:

[He’s definitely being cautious. The royal family has sent spies to the underground several times.]

In other words, what we had to prove in the labyrinth this time wasn’t our strength, but our ‘character’.

Were we worthy of Noark?

[The easiest way to prove ourselves is to loot. If we return with a lot of loot, his suspicion will decrease.]

Amelia suggested looting as the first method, and I agreed.

Ah, of course, I added one condition.

To loot from looters, not ordinary explorers.

[Is that a condition?]

[Yeah. I don’t value human lives as much as I used to, but I’m not going to kill innocent people for my own gain.]

[…But how are we going to distinguish between looters and explorers?]

Amelia agreed, saying she would do it if there was a way, and I said I would show her later.

And so, time passed, and now…

“So, what are we going to do now?”

…we had arrived on the 3rd floor, our target floor.

There were no looters on the 4th floor, and the 5th floor was too difficult for a two-person team.

The 3rd floor was perfect for looting.

“If you really have a way to distinguish between looters and explorers, show me.”

Geez, she’s impatient.

I then gave Amelia a few instructions.

“Amelia, use your stealth ability first.”

“…Stealth?”

“Don’t play dumb. You know, the one you used in front of me. When you suddenly disappeared into the darkness.”

“…….”

Amelia disappeared into the darkness without any questions.

Damn it, I can’t even feel her presence.

I should buy a detection-type Numbered Item when we get back.

“So what’s next?”

It was awkward to hear her voice from the void, but I answered calmly.

“It’s nothing special. Just follow me in that state. I’ll find the looters.”

“Alright.”

That was one of the good things about having Amelia as a companion.

She didn’t ask unnecessary questions and just observed, no matter what I did.

Well, that should have been the case…

“Barbarian.”

Amelia suddenly asked me,

“Why… are you taking off your equipment?”

Ah, so she couldn’t endure her curiosity.

Well, it was hard to understand from an ordinary person’s perspective.

But I thought she might understand.

“It’s hard to explain, so just watch.”

I put most of my equipment in my subspace ring, except for a few items. And I took out the beginner set I had prepared and put it on.

“…….”

Judging by the silence, it seemed like Amelia still didn’t understand what I was trying to do.

But seeing is believing.

“I’ll start now, so follow me closely.”

I started running forward.

And I shouted with all my might.

“I, I’m lost! I’m separated from my companions! I, I can’t see! Is anyone there?! Help me!!!”

A barbarian’s secret technique.

Those who come are not good.

“Help me!!! I have a lot of money!!”