The party quickly cleared out a goblin village and began their return.

In the process, their attitudes toward Yujin became noticeably more cautious. Hans’s testimony about Yujin teleporting behind the demon and effortlessly casting a spell to bisect the orc possessed by the demon without any apparent preparation revealed that Yujin was far beyond the level of a typical mage expected in the upper layers of the labyrinth.

“This reminds me of when I first joined the party.”

When Yujin initially joined, the other members were similarly wary of him, constantly watching his every move due to his unique presence. The nostalgia of those early days, though it had only been yesterday, was oddly refreshing.

Regardless, the return trip was swift, thanks to the labyrinth's portals, which allowed direct travel to the first layer from any level.

Hugo’s party quickly located the portal on the fifth floor, and after verifying their numbers, they stepped onto the glowing teleportation array.

The moment Yujin set foot on the portal, he was transported to the first layer of the labyrinth.

FLASH!

His vision blinked, and his body was pulled to another location. Soon, the new scenery unfolded before him.

Bustling.
Chattering.

It was a scene reminiscent of a marketplace.

Despite the grand, pristine white stone buildings surrounding them, the lively atmosphere resembled the noisy hustle of a town square.

“Step right up! You’ve got to eat before you delve deeper into the labyrinth! Just one taste, come and try!”
“Camping gear for sale! Essential for survival in the labyrinth, now on discount!”
“Thirty silver coins, no less!”
“Come on, twenty-five silver!”
“Damn it, what a waste of time. They said the labyrinth held untold riches.”
“Let’s go! Today’s the day!”

Vendors hawking their wares, adventurers returning from the labyrinth, and those just about to embark on their journey—all of them mingled in the bustling crowd.

This was the first layer of the labyrinth.

In the labyrinth, there were designated “safe zones” or “safe layers,” where no monsters or trials could be found. The first layer was such a place—a haven for mortals, where they could safely trade goods, prepare for expeditions, or even run inns and other establishments.

The architecture was dominated by enormous white stone buildings, with exits at either end leading outside the labyrinth or deeper into its depths. Between these exits, temporary stalls and permanent structures lined the streets, creating a lively commercial hub.

Hugo’s party had arrived at this vibrant first layer.

“Everyone can relax now; we’re in the first layer,” Hugo announced.

“Phew, we finally made it back,” Crom sighed in relief.
“Ah… it’s over,” added Shia.

As the tension eased, Hugo turned to Yujin.

“And Yujin… I should thank you here and now. You saved our lives during this expedition. Truly, thank you.”

Hugo bowed his head deeply, and Yujin responded with a gentle smile.

“I won’t say it was nothing—life is never so cheap.”

“Of course, we intend to properly repay you. Although our party may not be capable of offering something worthy of someone of your caliber…”

“Haha, there’s no need to go to such lengths. Instead, how about we all share a meal together sometime?”

“What?” Hugo blinked in surprise.

Yujin chuckled and explained, “Life may be priceless, but I have no intention of demanding payment for saving yours. However, if you feel indebted, then let this be a debt of gratitude. Cherish the life I’ve saved—that’s all the repayment I need.”

“Yujin…”

Hugo’s expression turned solemn, while Crom’s mouth hung open in admiration.

Mirien, meanwhile, glanced at Yujin with a conflicted expression before lowering her head.

With a resolute nod, Hugo declared, “Yes, of course. I will carry this debt with me for the rest of my life.”

“Ahem, if you ever visit a dwarven workshop, let me know,” Crom added. “Most of my people are stubborn as a stone wall, but no dwarf would dare disrespect someone who saved one of their own.”

Crom gave Yujin a warm look. Yujin laughed lightly and replied, “I’ll make sure to stop by. But before that, could I ask for a small favor?”

“Of course. What is it?” Hugo responded immediately.

“Well… to be honest, this is my first time in the labyrinth city…” Yujin scratched his head with a sheepish smile.

“Could you recommend an inn where I could stay for a while?”

“…What?”

Hugo and the rest of the party blinked at him in astonishment.

***

A Famous Saying about the Grand Labyrinth:

"If you desire wealth, glory, and untold riches, head to the labyrinth."

The Grand Labyrinth held everything imaginable—rare treasures, ancient artifacts, transcendent powers, and forbidden knowledge. Everything mortals craved could be found within its depths.

Naturally, the area surrounding the labyrinth drew countless people: mercenaries seeking gold, nobles hunting for rare artifacts, warriors yearning for strength, and scholars and mages in pursuit of knowledge. The influx of adventurers and opportunists soon gave rise to a thriving city near the labyrinth.

Facilities and buildings sprang up, and before long, the city rivaled even the largest metropolises of empires. In sheer scale, it could easily compare to the imperial capital itself.

This place came to be known as the Labyrinth City.

In this city built around the labyrinth, a group of travelers made their way to a specific destination.

“So, the labyrinth is completely new to you?” Hugo asked.

“That’s right. I spent most of my time locked in a room researching until I decided to investigate the labyrinth and finally came here,” Yujin replied smoothly.

It was a convenient excuse, but one without obvious holes. His earlier claim of having no ties to any particular school or faction only reinforced the story.

“I see. For someone who’s been cooped up in a room studying, you’re surprisingly sociable,” Crom remarked bluntly. His words didn’t seem intended as criticism, just an observation.

“Haha… I’d say people are who they are, regardless of their environment. Basic manners aren’t that hard to maintain, don’t you think?”

“Hmm, fair point,” Crom replied, quickly dropping the topic.

Just then, Hugo stopped in front of a building.

“We’ve arrived,” he said, turning to Yujin. “This is the inn where I stayed when I first arrived at the labyrinth. The owner is honest, and the meals are quite good.”

“That sounds promising,” Yujin replied with a smile.

Following Hugo inside, Yujin was immediately greeted by a booming voice.

“Welcome! Oh? Hugo, is that you?”

“Haha, hello there, Madam Mary,” Hugo greeted warmly.

A robust middle-aged woman waved at him with a broad grin.

“Good to see you, Hugo! How’s the guild housing treating you?”

“It’s free, so I can’t complain, but it doesn’t compare to the warmth of this place,” Hugo said with a chuckle.

“Of course not! Oh, and Mirien and Crom, it’s been a while!”

“...Hello,” Mirien muttered from beneath her hood.
“Good to see you,” Crom added.

Mary’s eyes then fell on the unfamiliar faces in the group.

“And who are the folks with you?”

“Ah, these two young ladies are Eri and Shia, academy students we were tasked to escort. This is Hans, who helped us as a porter, and Yujin, who we met during the labyrinth expedition.”

“Hello!”
“Hello there…”
“Good day. I’m Hans.”
“Haha, nice to meet you. I’m Yujin,” he said, bowing politely.

Mary smiled at the introductions.

“I’m Mary, the owner of this inn. Pleased to meet you all.”

Hugo turned to her and said, “Madam Mary, could you set up a room for Yujin? He just arrived in the city and doesn’t have a place to stay yet. I owe him a lot, so I’d greatly appreciate it.”

Mary stroked her chin thoughtfully.

“Well, all the rooms are currently booked, but…”

“Oh, I see…”

“But I can make an exception for someone Hugo speaks so highly of! My husband is away in the labyrinth right now, so his room is free. Would that work for you?”

“I’d be most grateful,” Yujin replied with a smile.

“Oh, a polite one, too! Alright, give me a moment to prepare the room,” Mary said, heading upstairs.

As Mary prepared the room, Hugo turned to Yujin.

“Well then, Yujin. We’ll be heading out. I need to report back to the academy and the guild, as well as handle the settlement paperwork.”

“Leaving so soon? That’s a shame,” Mary commented as she climbed the stairs.

“Haha, I’ll be back later for a meal, so please wait for me. Yujin and I even made plans to have dinner together.”

“Alright, I’ll hold you to that! Don’t forget to visit!”

With that, Hugo turned back to Yujin.

“Thanks again for everything, Yujin. We’ll see you later.”

“The pleasure was mine, Hugo. Take care, everyone.”

The group exchanged farewells as they left one by one.

With the inn bustling around him, Yujin sat in the common area, observing the lively scene.

『They were good people, weren’t they?』 Tiamat remarked softly.

“Haha, they were. I think I’ve found some worthwhile companions,” Yujin replied with a nod.

Even Hugo, as the leader, and the rest of the party had displayed remarkable character.

“Labyrinth City…” Yujin murmured, glancing out the window.

This otherworldly city, so far removed from Earth, was a constant reminder of how different this world was.

Though he’d felt the disconnect ever since meeting the party in the labyrinth, walking through these streets made it all the more real.

He was truly in another world.

Yujin chuckled. Am I the first person from Earth to discover this world?

It was possible, but unlikely. After all, the game Labyrinth Academy wasn’t something only he had played.

If the game truly served as a bridge between Earth and this world, it was only a matter of time before he encountered other Earthlings.

“That might be fun.”

Yujin smiled at the thought of such a future.

“Yujin! Your room’s ready—come on up!”

“Coming!”

Life in another world.

Perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing after all. For someone who had lived simply to avoid dying, this new life might offer a spark of excitement he never thought possible.