*Pzzzz*

I picked up my sword, which I had put aside for a while, and returned to my comrades. Then I put the sword in my bag. It was clearly an unusual arch sword, but I'll find out later.

"I'm sorry. I... again like last time...

Hikurod stammered and lowered his head as if he was ashamed.

I just patted him on the shoulder. What could I say to him? It was not thanks to me that we all survived.

"Bjorn," Mike came up with a sad gait and put her hand on my chest. "I'm glad... that you're alive. Really...

It was as if something soared up inside me. I understood to whom I owe this feeling of security from the fact that I am alive. Perhaps he wanted to share this happy moment with us.

"Rothmiller."

I grabbed Misha's small arm of mine and gently pushed it away to go on. Then I went to Rothmiller, who had regained consciousness, and told him the last words of the will left by Dvalka.

- I see. He...

After hearing all that I had said, Rothmiller knelt down before Dvalka's corpse and made the sign of the cross. And he said farewell words that he could not convey:

"I remember the first time you entered the labyrinth. You said that you were finally able to understand why researchers call it a huge world.

It happened on the Pilgrim's Way on the 3rd floor.

Saying that research is not only hard and dangerous work, Rothmiller led us to a high hill. There we saw the vast nature painted silver, and Dvalki was so excited and happy that he could not sleep that night.

"It's a pity I can't show you an even wider world.

Rothmiller finished his speech, but the others still had words to say. Mike and Hikurod were on their knees and poured out words. I took a step back and watched. It's not that I don't have anything to say, but...

"Waaa!" It's my fault, I...! If only I had chosen another door!

— No, I don't. It's my fault. I told him that he had to trust me and that I would protect him no matter what, but this promise... I couldn't contain him.

… I wouldn't be much different from the two.

Whatever I say, it would lead to self-accusation. It was clear that Dvalki would not want this. The world we had to survive in is not good enough to allow us to fall and lie there without getting up.

"Mihhhh!"

I had already opened my mouth to speak when Vaikundus appeared from the other side of the passage.

"Stop it.

— …

"The enemy.

Remembering Dvalki, we had to rise above the sadness. That was almost all that those who remained could do.

'Behellaaa

There was nothing left but to live on.

***

The battle with Vaikundus turned out to be unexpectedly difficult.

The reason was simple. There are only four people left in the labyrinth, our performance has dropped dramatically, and the wounds have not yet healed. In addition, it was thanks to Dvalka that we were able to deal with a rank 6 monster so easily.

"Let's just gather everything we need and go back."

After the battle, we began to put ourselves in order. On the floor were the equipment left over from the hard battle. After collecting the debris, I even searched the priest's robe. Of what was found, only a necklace of unknown purpose turned out. I couldn't tell if it was an artifact or a decorative decoration. After all, Dvalki was the only one of us who could sense mana from objects.

"It doesn't seem like much here either.

We even looted a middle-aged researcher who got into battle and died at the very beginning, but there was nothing special about it. Well, anyway, most of the things had to be in the subspace of this bastard.

Finally, I picked up Dvalka's body.

— ... I'll take it wherever you want.

He carried a wand and an expandable backpack with him. Taking off the boots and robe would have brought money, but they remained untouched.

"I'll carry Dvalki.

After that, we headed to the portal through the trap room and returned to the Sky Tower. Each of us lay down and rested. Some sat in front of Dvalki and wiped the blood from his body, others leaned against the wall and sobbed. The time of peace that had come like a lie made them realize that this was not a dream, but the very real reality.

"Bjorn, is there a way to get Dvalki to the city?" Hikurod asked.

— ... No.

— … Got it.

The reality was cruel. Though he sacrificed his precious life for us, we couldn't even bring him back to the city for burial, because the dead was our mage. The bodies that died in the labyrinth were classified as objects, and it was impossible to bring them outside without [Distortion Magic].

Therefore, the heart of the barbarian was special. It could be returned to the city without magic. Sorcerers must have taken notice of this detail and began to investigate it as an ingredient for magic.

"Misha, rest a little.

"I want to stay here longer." When we leave... He will be lonely.

— ... Ok.

Leaving the suffocating air, I sat down in a corner and looked at the time.

[10:31]

There was more than a day and a half left before the closure of the labyrinth. There was a bitter taste in my mouth.

I can't believe what's gone... less than an hour.

I felt truly insignificant. I have been close to death many times. It seemed like I had been fighting Vagos for many days and nights. However, less than an hour has passed since we left, even after cleaning.

Focus on what you need to do.

I took out the letter left by the priest.

The stains and creases on it indicated that he had been carrying it with him for a long time. In the letter, in thick handwriting, it was written how the old man got into such a situation.

Reading the letter, I focused on one place.

Noark Underground City.

This was the name of the place where the old man and his young grandson were kidnapped by the Dragon Slayer.

"This is a drug made by an alchemist from Noark. If you accept it, it will erase your memory of the last hour."

It was also the name of the city that the crazy bitch had mentioned in the past, and it was something I couldn't find information about in the library. So something like this existed under the sewers?

Could it be that she, too, was a member of the Orcules?

With this thought in mind, I read the letter. In addition to the fact that the underground city of Noark and Orcules maintain a cooperative relationship, one surprising piece of information was written there:

... I had no idea that there was a portal there...

The basis for maintaining the city of Rafdonia, a portal connecting to the labyrinth, also existed underground.

That is why underground explorers have made a miraculous achievement - hiding their identities and mining mana stones to build a city from them.

Noark.

I've etched that name out of my head. I had a strong feeling that in the future I would be associated with this place.

We'll have to investigate this place when we get out of here.

With this thought in mind, I put the letter back in my pocket. Judging by the contents, I was not in danger of anything bad for the delivery of the letter. They say that the enemy of the enemy is my friend. So this is the end of the issue.

—…

I exhaled and closed my eyes. I desperately wanted to rest, but all sorts of distracting thoughts haunted me, appearing and disappearing.

What to do now?

As long as there is an absurdly strong opponent, even the city cannot guarantee my safety. He may try to harm me in the maze with my comrades.

To be thrown up and torn apart.

In addition to the determination to somehow survive, there were also realistic problems that did not find a proper answer. Maybe because of this?

It is a pity that Vagos returned alive. If the priest had healed me, I could have done away with it myself.

… What the hell am I thinking?

I shook my head and waved away the surge of regret.

The world is not the way you would like it to be. Perhaps he didn't have a choice either. In the game, the evil god was also like that. He could grant a wish for a fee, but he never provided the best possible scenario. Like a monkey's paw, granting wishes and unhappiness, he existed, giving both hope and despair at the same time.

Best Game Consoles

 

… And this bastard strangely continues to cross paths with me.

By adding the Evil God Karui to the investigation list, I brushed off my thoughts. It was time to rest. Not only is it safer here than in the city, but there are also plenty of things to do outside.

—…

Wiping my body with a wet towel, I unwrapped my sleeping bag and climbed into it. It was very strange. I fought so desperately for almost two days in a row, but I could not fall asleep for a long time.

***

[Labyrinth Closed]

[You're transported to Rafdonia.]

***

Sunlight penetrated my eyelids. Without hesitation, I passed the checkpoint and exchanged my mana stones.

Then I headed to the meeting point, the branch of the Explorers Guild closest to the Plaza de la Dimension.

When I got there, there was already a crowd of people who looked like me.

—…

The silence was alien, given that several dozen people had gathered. Everyone was waiting for the arrival of their comrades with a serious expression. This was expected. There was only one reason to go back to town and come here before taking a bath: the death of a teammate.

"Since we're all here, let's go in."

Shortly after the arrival of the entire team, we entered the Guild.

We left all of Dvalka's gear collected, including his backpack, and reported his death.

—... He left behind excellent teammates.

The employee looked at us with strange emotions.

That's right, it wasn't that often. Apart from the property left in the city, there is nothing shameful in taking this part. Most would simply report death, and that would be the end of it.

—Riol Warb Dvalki, a royal-certified 8th rank mage A message of death has been received.

It didn't feel like a waste of time. Of course, we knew the contents of the will he had written before he first entered the labyrinth.

"Haha, a will? Now I really feel like an explorer." It doesn't matter what you write, but make sure that you correctly indicate the inheritance of property. Otherwise, everything will go to the Explorers Guild." Don't worry about it. Everything has already been decided."

He wanted to donate his fortune to an orphanage associated with a certain church. I found out the details only yesterday. Hikurod said he had fond memories of living there as a child. His property should be spent where he wanted. We have already received something much more.

"It's really over... Now let's go.

In any case, the first thing to do after returning to the city was to report Dvalka's death.

It was surprisingly simple: 1 minute to fill out paperwork, 2 minutes to review by employees. It took only 3 minutes to put an end to 25 years of life.

This is how ordinary death is in this world.

I shook off my bitterness and left the Guild. Then I went to the Great Temple of Reatlas. It was the only way to repay the dead who had already left.

"You guys can go home and rest.

"How can we?" He saved our lives.

"I... I also want to follow you. And I had enough rest inside.

Misha did not calm down, crying all day, but I did not talk about it. It was clear that she would not be able to rest properly even in the inn.

—…

We all went to our destination together. Soon we came to a clean white building, seemingly untouched by the dirt of this world, and entered it. When the priest's apprentice asked if we wanted to be treated, I wondered what to say, but said that we were here at the request of the priest Ludwig.

— … V-High Priest Ludwig...?

The young priest's eyes widened, and he immediately ran inside to break the news.

And...

"It's been a long time.

As we waited there, a familiar face came out to us: Captain Paal Krovitz of the 3rd Division of the Paladin Order.

"I heard that you came at the request of High Priest Ludwig, who disappeared a few years ago. Do you have any items as proof? He asked politely. He also said that this is a very sensitive issue for the church and he hopes for our understanding.

Apparently, there were several cases when the announced large reward for information led to a significant stir in the city.

"Reward?"

— Yes. Since the amount is very large, there were people who harbored evil intentions.

I did not come here in the hope of a reward. However, since I had killed that Eliza and received a large sum of money, I involuntarily asked:

— How big is the reward?

At this snobbish question, Misha poked me in the side.

Hikurod did the same.

"Bjorn, this is too much even for you.

Rothmiller, a researcher and member of the Reatlas Church, didn't look too pleased either.

However, Krovitz replied without showing contempt.

"The amount varies depending on the information provided and the presence or absence of holy relics, but...

"But?"

"I remember that the Treasury offered up to 70 million stones.

Everyone tensed up when they heard his answer.

Note:

*The expression "monkey paw" is related to Korean folklore and is part of the famous Korean fairy tale "Monkey Paw" (Hanim Moon). In this fairy tale, the monkey fulfills people's wishes, but each fulfilled wish brings them unexpected consequences. Thus, the expression "monkey's paw" is used to describe a situation where the fulfillment of a wish leads to undesirable consequences.