When I said we were going into the maze, Raven asked me quietly: «I guess you believe that rumor, Mr. Yandel».
Believe it or not, I knew the truth about that rumor. The state of the outside world was good, and all of Noark was out there.
«I don't think so at all, but I think it's more than possible». However, since the source of the information was a community of evil spirits, I couldn't show much certainty, so I told them about the incongruity I felt when I saw the guards looking inward atop the walls of Bifron. «I felt like something was wrong then, but if those rumors are true, that explains it».
«Hmm, to be honest, I have doubts about that part too. Not even the magic tower has windows».
The magic tower was a tall building, taller than the castle walls. When the palace approved the construction of the building, it demanded that no windows be made. The reason on paper was that the magic tower could not have views of the royal palace.
«That? Wait... so the exterior is really good as they say?».
«For now it's just a story with possibilities». Raven drew the line at Mr. Bear's commotion. Then he looked at me. No words were spoken, but it was easy to understand what it meant. I must have been wondering if I was really going to put my faith in a chance to enter the labyrinth.
I explained the answer with which I came prepared. «To be honest, I don't think it matters if the rumors are true or not».
«Your reason?»
«I see it as an indisputable truth that the palace has occupied Noark Castle».
Whether the bastards were outside or even underground, what did it matter? The army had already occupied the fortress of Noark, where the portal was located. It meant there was no need to worry about meeting someone from Noark inside.
«I thought the same. Okay. I sign up». Raven was just curious to know my opinion and seemed to think this was a good opportunity as she cast a vote of agreement. That's how voting naturally began.
«Well, if you two say it then I'm sure it's the right thing to do. I will follow you».
«Ohh, we finally enter the maze again?!»
Mr. Bear and Ainar were excited, and Missha and Erwen also accepted attendance at the maze. Then it was time to move on to the next step.
«So what are we going to do with the number of members? Including Erwen, there are now six of us».
«We will divide on three and we will meet on the second floor».
«Hmm, then it will take a long time on the fourth floor».
At Raven's comment, Erwen paled and was quick to apologize. «I'm sorry. I'm making you all uncomfortable...».
«N-no, I didn't mean that. Really».
«But...»
No buts. Before it could get any more uncomfortable, I took a step forward. «Still, it won't take you as long as you think. Unlike me, Erwen is a proper guide. The total time may be similar».
«Oh, so no problems».
This ended the conversation about Erwen. After that we talked about future exploration plans and a decision was made unanimously.
«Yeah, I don't think it's ready yet, but...»
«We have become much stronger now».
«Haha, we should prepare soon. We haven't been there in a while».
Our goal was the sixth floor.
***
After the clan meeting, my busy daily life continued. It was finally time to spend the money we had been saving.
«If there is any equipment or item you have been wanting, buy it now. Ainar, check with me before buying anything».
«Wow...I've heard of this but it's really bad. Does Lithinum equipment cost 700,000 stones?»
While food and essential items for daily living had skyrocketed, prices for equipment, consumables and exploration-related items plummeted. This was because 70% of the demand had disappeared. When most of the explorers died, the related items left in the city became dead stocks.
Still, this would be the lowest point.
Because the value of the money raised so far, including the money received from the palace, would rise on its own. I had saved all that money so far, but it was time to use it. Once the maze normalized, it would gradually rise.
«This is the history of recent transactions you have requested».
«Oh, thanks. I'll quickly review it and return it to you».
In truth, looking at the market price of the central exchange these days, there had been almost no changes. Even just a few days ago, it collapsed again and again. It was because there had been people like me slowly using their money. Sellers' anticipation that the market would soon recover also had some effect.
If this status was maintained for a few more months, it might have been possible to graduate from items in the bag.
Although I was a little disappointed, I went to the stock market every day with my colleagues and shopped several times reasonably. I bought a total of three objects.
[You carry a large battle shield made of adamantium. The overall level of the item has increased +1,750].
First, I replaced the shield destroyed in the last battle. While I was at it, I got it in a grade 5 metal. The price was incredibly cheap. The fact that it wasn't custom made was one thing, but it was cheaper than grade 4 metal moonstone.
[You have used No. 8,820 Iron Wall. The overall level of the item has increased +310].
The second object was a pair of steel boots. Being an item that doubled physical stamina and mana stamina for three seconds when used, it had great synergy with a Barbarian Shield. Of course, that didn't mean it was a graduation item. There were much better boots among the larger items than that.
These boots should be enough for the second half.
The last item I bought was an ingredient called Soul of the Dead. It was the most expensive item I bought as material to obtain the seventh stage of the Soul Impression. It could also be used as an ingredient in alchemy and magic. The price of this one had dropped the same, but the range could only be relatively small.
I can't guarantee when I'll be able to get it again.
Cost was not the problem; These materials were more difficult to obtain than equipment. That was because the supply itself was limited. Therefore, I decided to buy it as soon as I saw it.
Mhm, it's better to buy this with money than find it myself.
The Soul of the Dead was an item that fell with some probability when you hunted rank 4 monsters with distortion. That meant you couldn't know how long it would take you to get it yourself. In that time, I could do many more things.
«Bjorn, then I'm going to training camp!»
Anyway, when it was time to leave the exchange, Ainar ran to the training ground again. It seemed like she was very happy with the two numbered items she had purchased.
«Misha, ¿tú?»
«I'm going home. I also have to prepare the cenarr».
«Then you can take Abman home.»
«¿Eh? ¿No vas a casa?»
«I'm going to pass through holy land for a while. I may not be able to return home today».
Missha shuddered at my words before staring at me. «Holy land...?»
Ah, it was because of this keyword. I was quick to add an explanation. «I bought the ingredients, remember? I'm thinking about getting the Soul Footprint».
«Oh yeah. I see. Yes, sure...»
After that day, from time to time there were awkward situations like this. I knew we had agreed to pretend nothing had happened, but how could it be so easy?
«Then have a good trip. I will take good care of the girls».
«Yes... I'll leave you with it».
I separated from Missha and got into the carriage in the direction of the holy land. On the other side, I could see Missha sitting in a chair still waiting for her carriage. When our eyes met, Missha hurriedly looked away, then looked back and waved.
Ugh, honestly. This is very uncomfortable.
I nodded awkwardly and drew the carriage curtain. Late, I wondered what the hell I was doing and felt embarrassed, but even this was much better than before. They say time is medicine. If I kept pretending that nothing was happening, one day it would really be like that.
«Then we leave».
Soon the carriage left the platform and after resting my eyes a little, I reached the destination before realizing it, a platform on the outskirts of District 7, near the holy land. After crossing the castle gates and walking along the forest path, the barbarian camp appeared. First I entered the boss's tent and said hello.
«How long without seeing you. Spar?»
Ugh, looks like he hasn't heard about the oracle yet, luckily.
He was a little worried after Goblin, that bastard, talked about the oracle at the Round Table, but it didn't seem to have reached the chieftain's ears. Although that was only a matter of time.
«I have come to see the shaman».
»Shaman»? Then you arrive at a bad time. You can't meet the shaman right now».
"¿Por qué?"
«He is in the middle of a Reception of Souls.»
»Reception of Souls»? That was a name I hadn't even heard in the game.
«Don't you know him?» When I tilted my head, the boss narrowed his eyes. It wasn't a big problem. In the past I would have shuddered, wondering if this was some common sense that only I didn't know about.
«I had forgotten». Now, living like a barbarian, I naturally realized that the absence of common sense was not strange to one.
«I see.» As expected, the chief willingly accepted it and explained what a Reception of Souls was. «Reception of Souls is a ritual that must be performed from time to time to cast spells».
«So how long do I have to wait?».
«Since the ritual started at the beginning of the month, you should be able to see it next month».
Hmm, next month, huh?
«Okay. I'll be back then». I put my regrets behind me and turned around.
***
It was late at night, when drunk people started showing up all over the city. We met at Mr. Bear's tavern. As a reference, today they had put up the closed sign, so it was just us in the tavern. Mrs. Bear was healthy enough to work in the tavern even at term, but now she was really close to her due date.
«Is it really okay? If you are not by his side».
«Stop worrying. We're only leaving one day, what can go wrong? I'm having a baby soon. I need to earn more money. It's something my wife accepted, so don't worry».
«If you say so». My words were half empty so I didn't say anything else. To be honest, if Mr. Bear left now, we were the ones who would be in trouble. «So let's do the Bind first».
After a quick meal at Mr. Bear's tavern, Raven split us into three and cast Bind magic. The division of the team was simple. Me, Mr. Bear and Raven were team A. Erwen, Missha and Ainar were team B. We were just moving separately on the first floor and meeting on the second, so it didn't really mean much.
«It's almost time. Let's go.»
«Oh wait.» When we finished preparations and were about to head to Dimensional Plaza, Raven stopped us. With a somewhat embarrassed expression, he took out some small objects from the subspace. «Um... Now we are a clan, right? I had some time left these days, so I made an emblem».
It was an emblem, you know, what a clan's scouts always wore on their armor.
«I was researching this and that while doing it and they say that the symbolism behind a clan emblem is the most important thing. So I borrowed Mr. Yandel's nickname and turned him into a giant...»
«But this looks like an ogre, not a giant».
«Ugh, then it doesn't matter!»
«I never said I didn't like it. Once we return tomorrow, we will officially register it as the clan emblem in the guild.»
When I said we should register it as the clan emblem, Raven went from serious-faced to radiant. It seemed like he was looking forward to it. «Now, all of you gather. I'll put it to you».
Then Raven attached the emblem to the team with magic. When we put it on, it looked pretty cool. Should I say that it seemed like we had become well-to-do explorers?
«Thanks, Raven. You took care of this without me asking».
«... It's my clan, after all.»
«That's why I'm grateful.»
«Empty words. Anyway, let's go. We're going to be late for this step.»
What a shame.
After finishing installing the emblem, we hurried to the Plaza de la Dimension. There were quite a few people around watching, those looking towards us from a distance.
«Hey, Bjorn Yandel is there too».
«Are you coming back in after going through that?»
«I heard he made a clan but the number is six».
«But what is that emblem? Is it an ogre?»
«The ogre is one of Bjorn Yandel's essences».
The surroundings of the square were packed with more people than expected, but the number I was really waiting to enter was not much, three or four hundred at most. Most of them were low-level scouts who had no choice but to put on the equipment and come because they were short of money.
If the other spaces are like this, the upper floors will be almost empty.
I spent the rest of the time reviewing my exploration plans one last time, and soon a portal opened in the center of the square with a burst of light.
[You have entered the Crystal Cave on the first floor].
This time, there were quite a few things to do in the maze.