Thus the Boy Runs Through the Labyrinth ~The Story of an Ordinary Boy Who Ended Up Punching Heroes, Demon Lords, and Even Gods~ – Chapter 15

Day 14

Labyrinth Greed enters its Active Period once every few months.

Years have passed since the Labyrinth emerged from the earth, and various labyrinths have appeared in this world. Among them, Great Sin Labyrinth Greed, the largest, is a labyrinth that generates monsters itself. It is a Magic Ore that makes subjugation difficult, while simultaneously producing infinite wealth.

The period known as the Active Period is when the “production” of this labyrinth becomes particularly pronounced.

It spawns more monsters than usual, and monsters from deeper layers, more powerful individuals, and so-called “variants” also appear in lower layers. Normal monsters are also more active and ferocious than usual.

Perhaps due to the increased concentration of Magic Power in the labyrinth’s atmosphere, the amount of Magic Stones per monster also increases. However, the labyrinth’s revenue during this period, when monsters become even more dangerous, decreases compared to the average.

Adventurers who make their living from this labyrinth also adjust their activities to coincide with this Active Period.

Some take this period as a vacation, spending the funds they’ve saved. Others explore shallower layers than usual, or take on requests from citizens of the city, which they receive from labyrinths outside the city or directly from the Guild.

Ring Holder Adventurers often receive direct requests from the wealthy or from the city. In this world of Swords and Magic, Monsters and Labyrinths, there are countless jobs outside the labyrinth that require adventurers’ wisdom and skill.

Therefore, it is not always necessary to venture into the dangerous labyrinth during this period.

Yet, there are still quite a few who venture into labyrinths that do not match their skill level.

Some risk it all to make a fortune in Magic Stones in a labyrinth with fewer of their peers, knowing the risks. Others have lost the trust of the Guild due to illegal activities or are burdened by financial debt. There are also outlaws who cannot engage in legitimate work for various reasons.

Nameless, especially those without rings, often venture into the labyrinth with full awareness of the risks. They cannot stay in the city without earning enough to cover their living expenses. For that, they delve into dangerous labyrinths and hunt monsters.

As a result, the mortality rate in Great Sin Labyrinth Greed increases during this period.

“Hah! Hah! Why! Why!”

The reason this adventurer ventured into the labyrinth during its Active Period was extremely simple. He had no money. And he had debt. Although he was in a more fortunate position than the Nameless as a Citizen, his gambling hobby had brought him ruin. He usually knew when to quit, at least to a minimum extent (though truly a minimum), but this time he had pushed himself a little too hard and been saddled with debt (more than usual).

Still, normally, he could make plans to repay it by desperately delving into the labyrinth and scavenging for Magic Stones. But, unfortunately, the labyrinth had become active. With no other means of repayment or work, the man, aware of the risks (or perhaps due to a complete lack thereof), plunged into the labyrinth.

“It won’t kill me if it’s just a little bit.”

“Rather, it might be a chance to earn more Magic Stones than usual from the Gremlins and Great Rats!”

“If I make a profit here, I’ll win for sure this time!”

The man, who underestimated, became optimistic, and ultimately, even looked away from the labyrinth before him, his attention wandering to other things, met the same fate as many adventurers who had sunk into this labyrinth.

It went well at first. But the passages he thought he was accustomed to exploring were soon flooded with monsters, and by deviating from his usual route, he lost track of his way back. As he wandered, his injuries increased, and the Potions he had barely prepared quickly ran out. And when a swarm of Great Lizards, twice the usual size, appeared, he was completely cornered.

“I’m going to die! I’m going to die! I’m going to die! I’m going to die!”

The Great Lizards were not particularly fast. If a person ran at full speed, they wouldn’t be able to outrun them, but they wouldn’t be caught either. However, the man’s stamina, forced to maintain constant vigilance while wandering through the labyrinth, was already at its limit.

He was, after all, a labyrinth explorer. He should have had more stamina than an average person, yet he was breathless. A sword hung at his waist, but he no longer had the strength or mental fortitude to turn and fight.

“Help me, help me, help me, help me!!”

Great Lizards are monsters without any distinctive attack methods. If one were to point out their capabilities, it would be their powerful jaws that can crush rock, but otherwise, they have nothing special. Some species have spikes or venom, but Great Lizards do not. The problem is, as their name suggests, they are exceptionally large.

They are monsters that can knock down humans and tear away flesh with their massive bodies, some reaching two to three meters in length including their tails, and the strength generated by those bodies.

“SYURURURURURRRAAAAAAA!!!”

The strange cries of excitement at the sight of prey further fueled his terror. The unavoidable crisis that was about to be thrust upon him made his legs weak and tangled.

“Gah!?”

And then, he finally tripped over his own feet. To stop moving in this situation meant death. When he looked back, he saw the large mouth of a Great Lizard, sharp and pointed like fangs, right before his eyes.

“Hiiiieeeeee!?”

His head was being crushed. A scream, destined to be his death cry, rose from the depths of his belly. It was just before his consciousness faded that he heard a voice.

“In the way.”

A small shadow appeared before him.

The shadow darted in as if to divide him and the Great Lizard, and then thrust the giant “Great Spear” it held sharply and straight forward. The Great Lizard, which had opened its mouth to pounce on its prey, was impaled by the Great Spear thrust directly at it.

“!!!!!!!!???”

The Great Lizard, which died in place of the fleeing man, writhed on the Great Spear without even a death cry, then slumped lifelessly, impaled.

“Hiiiii!?”

At the death of the monster, the man regained his senses. Or rather, it was unclear if he had lost them. Perhaps it was primal instinct, but he didn’t even glance at the black shadow or the monsters and fled at full speed, spattering bodily fluids from his face.

“He ran away, indeed.”

“Yeah, he ran off in a flash.”

Ul and Shizuku, a party of two, watched the man’s retreating back with admiration.

***

They hadn’t intended to save him in the first place; they had simply come to hunt because they detected the movements of multiple monsters. Therefore, they hadn’t expected any reward, but it was still disheartening to have him flee without a word.

“This is why adventurers are no good.”

“Oh, aren’t we adventurers too?”

“We’re mere pretenders, so it’s fine.”

Ul bantered with Shizuku, but he didn’t take his eyes off the Great Lizards before him.

Rank Twelve, the Great Lizards had lost their earlier fervor upon seeing their companion killed and were keeping a cautious distance. However, the intense hostility towards humans, characteristic of monsters, and the deepened killing intent from the death of their companion were palpable.

There were four of them; one was killed, leaving three.

“Lord Ul. There are no monster presences from behind. We can go anytime.”

“How many more Magic spells can you use?”

“Two.”

“Then, I’ll need your offensive support for one. Great Lizards are weak to ice, right?”

Ul said, gripping the Great Spear, which seemed unsuited to his small frame. He widened his stride, took a deep breath, put strength into his abdomen, and exhaled. At the same time, Shizuku gripped her “Mage’s Staff” with both hands, took a stance, and began to chant.

“Here we go.”

“【Sing, pierce, ice!】”

Ul took his stance and charged straight forward. At the same time, the Great Lizards, drunk on the blood of their fallen companion, roared and charged at Ul.

“【Ice Sting】”

Simultaneously, Shizuku, matching Ul’s movements, layered her magic. Faster than Ul’s charge, cold air swirled, coalesced, and formed into the shape of an arrow. The monsters approached. They bared their fangs. Their eyes, clouded with malice and shining dimly, glared at them.

Ul felt a momentary fear but bit through it and shouted.

“Pierce!!”

As Shizuku’s magic formed an ice arrow, Ul stomped hard on the ground.

His speed increased further, and with that momentum, Ul pierced the Great Lizard’s face with the sharp tip of his weapon. This happened at the same time as Shizuku’s ice arrow pierced the Great Lizard next to it.

“Ah…”

“Three!”

And then, he intended to strike down the fourth one next to it. But—

“GIGIGI!!!!”

Faster than that, a Great Lizard lunged at Ul.

The Great Lizard bit Ul’s right arm, attempting to crush his gauntlet with its powerful jaws. Ul’s gauntlet creaked and began to shatter.

“…damn it!!”

“GIII!?”

Before his gauntlet shattered and his arm was broken, Ul swung his small shield on his left arm and slashed sideways. The unpleasant sound that echoed, was it the shield groaning, or the Great Lizard’s skull being crushed? Without confirming,

“Die.”

Ul drove his Great Spear into the Great Lizard’s face, tearing it apart vertically from its mouth.

“Excellent work.”

“…All right.”

Ul and Shizuku exhaled a breath once the death of the monsters was confirmed. Ul, who had been fighting on the front lines, in particular, let out a large sigh of relief. Monster subjugation is always tiring. They had hunted many monsters in this short period, but fighting for life always drains one’s energy.

Guren said that those who lose that tension are the ones who die, so being tired itself is not a bad thing.

Ul removed the gauntlet that had almost been crushed by the Great Lizard. Although he had knocked the Great Lizard away immediately after it bit him, his arm was already swollen bright red, sending a chill down his spine.

“I’m sorry. I wish I could have defeated two of them with my magic.”

“Don’t be so humble. I was the one saved.”

Ul shook his head at the dejected Shizuku. She appeared easygoing but was always strict with herself.

“Do you want to use a healing spell?”

“No, let’s conserve it. Another monster is coming. A Recovery Potion will be enough.”

Ul took a Recovery Potion from his pouch and drank it. The pain subsided slightly. It was diluted and of poor quality, but it was better than nothing.

“What about your injuries?”

“None at all. Thanks to you, Lord Ul.”

Shizuku smiled faintly and nodded. They were already used to this exchange. Having confirmed the situation, Ul looked around. Since entering the Training Hall, they had been delving into the labyrinth every day, and he was beginning to sense the presences of monsters. For now, there were no signs of monsters appearing. But—

“…The labyrinth’s activation is intense.”

“It’s not very comfortable.”

The monsters’ activation, which had begun a few days ago, was a periodic event. Even Ul and his party, fighting in the upper layers, could clearly feel its threat. After all, the number of monsters was clearly increasing. And the types of monsters appearing were also changing.

The monsters that should appear in this layer were supposed to be Gremlins and Blood Wolves. But now, monsters like the Great Lizards and Vampire Bats, which should only appear in lower layers, had started appearing. Most importantly—

“I wish I could hunt a few more monsters…”

Immediately after, a rumbling tremor, as if from the depths of the earth, shook the labyrinth. This was different from the tremors that had foreshadowed the previous fluctuations. It was a more physical shock. And it was slowly echoing from the passage Ul had just come from.

When he looked back, his eyes were met with a “shimmer” that filled the labyrinth passage. Reflecting the faint light of the entire labyrinth passage, the shimmering something slowly approached Ul and his party.

Upon closer inspection, the source of the shimmer was a single giant monster.

“…It’s here.”

There are monsters called Earth Golems.

Dolls, in essence, are a type of monster created by human hands. They are dolls that move with human will, sealed with Magic Cores imbued with certain commands.

However, this Great Sin Labyrinth also creates monsters that should normally be made by human hands. Moreover, the one that appeared before Ul and his party was different from the usual Earth Golems. It was a robust Earth Golem made of a large amount of minerals – a Jewel Golem.

Jewel Golems are not normally monsters that appear in a place like this.

Since the start of this Active Period, they have inexplicably moved from the Middle Layer to the Upper Layer. Is it due to the Active Period, when monster ecology changes, or is there another reason? Regardless, for the inexperienced adventurers fighting in the Upper Layer, they are difficult to defeat, practically walking disasters.

Their slow movement is their saving grace, and thus, Ul and Shizuku’s choice is singular.

“Let’s run and go back.”

“That’s what we’ll do.”

Ul and Shizuku, following the example of the man who had fled before them, turned their backs to the Jewel Golem and fled at full speed.

***

Greed, the Great Sin City, Western District, a certain tavern.

This tavern, named “Seeker of Greed’s Den,” is located a little off Marching Street. Although it’s a bit far from the Labyrinth, the quality of the food and drinks served is good, and the atmosphere of the shop is bright.

The owner, having been an adventurer himself, has a deep understanding of adventurers and often offers advice based on his own experience.

As a result, despite the distance from Labyrinth Greed, the tavern is bustling with adventurers. They eat, drink, exchange information about the labyrinth amongst themselves, and deepen their friendships.

And today, the bell announcing a new arrival rings again.

“Hey, welcome.”

Many adventurers have unusual appearances. Sub-humans like Natives, Forest Elves, and Dragonkin are not uncommon. However, this time, the guest was unusual in a different way.

First, a small, ordinary boy. He had gray hair and the same colored eyes. His age and appearance are unusual, but not unheard of. However, the weapon he carried on his back was a bit strange. It was a spear that far surpassed his height. Since he himself was small, the weapon protruding from his back stood out.

The second was a girl, and she was the one who truly caught the eye.

Like the boy, she was ordinary. She had flowing silver hair, was short in stature, but had a very well-built physique – a beautiful woman. She wore a mage’s attire, a plain, unadorned robe without dye or embroidery, yet her appearance still drew attention.

Even though this was a relatively safe area, in this tavern full of rough adventurers, she was utterly out of place. The drunkards who usually drank and laughed boisterously fell silent, staring at her.

The unbalanced duo sat at the counter, drawing the gaze of other customers. Exuding the fatigue of an adventurer who had delved into the labyrinth, the girl turned to the owner and spoke first.

“We’re very hungry and would like to have a meal.”

“This is a tavern, young lady.”

“I heard you serve delicious food. We’ve been to the shops around here, and this is the best.”

The boy spoke next. It was true. The owner took pride in the fact that some people came just for the food.

“Do you have money?”

Without a word, he placed a few Copper Coins on the table. Then, there were no complaints. Regardless of whether they were adults, children, the elderly, Forest Elves, Gnome, Dwarves, or Beastkin, the motto was to treat them equally.

“What would you like?”

“Something filling.”

“We’d like to eat until we’re full.”

“What can’t you eat?”

“Nothing.”

“Me neither.”

“That’s wonderful,” the owner said with a smile and quickly began preparing the meal. Fresh meat and vegetables brought from a nearby Satellite City. The price was considerable, but the owner did not skimp.

Soon, the preparations were complete in the back. As ordered, to fill the stomachs of the ravenously hungry young pair, they were served a heaping pile of sausages, a soup simmered with plenty of sweet onions and milk, and some barley bread. The two immediately began to eat ravenously.

“Don’t choke.”

The two gorging themselves were silent. The owner didn’t mind being eaten at such a rapid pace. When he served them milk tea at the end, they drank it all in one gulp and let out a big sigh.

“It was delicious.”

“It was delightful.”

The boy expressed his satisfaction, and the girl thanked him with a melting smile.

The owner smiled. It was pleasant to see empty plates filled with food. The other customers seemed to feel the same way, and soon, the rowdy drunkards gathered at the counter.

“You eat well! Did the labyrinth tire you out so much!?”

“Want some meat too! And some drinks?!”

“Hey, leave the brats alone, you drunks!”

The owner tried to disperse them, but the silver-haired girl, being inherently serious, answered the drunks diligently.

“Today, we repelled several Great Lizards.”

“Whoa! Not bad!”

“Those guys are really popping up more and more lately. And they always come in pairs.”

“Did you know? They usually form pairs, male and female.”

“Even Great Lizards have mates, but we don’t…”

Idle chatter flourished. It seemed silly, but the atmosphere was not bad, so it was acceptable. They were rough and uncouth adventurers, but their good point was that they were not evil.

“Anyway, you guys don’t look familiar. Are you new adventurers? How long have you been at it?”

“Two weeks.”

“You’re complete newbies!! How did you even know about this out-of-the-way place?”

“Hey, what did you say, punk?”

The owner was about to get angry. But ignoring him, the boy answered the question.

“Adventurer’s Guild Guren told us.”

The next moment, the faces of many present turned ashen.

Naturally. Many of them were adventurers from this city, Greed. This city, which housed the largest labyrinth in this world, therefore provided an seemingly inexhaustible livelihood for adventurers. As a result, not a few adventurers chose to settle here rather than move on, continuing to delve into the labyrinth.

In short, most of the adventurers present owed a debt to “that man.”

“You’ve been through tough times…!!”

“Still going through them.”

“Let’s drink today! It’s on me, big brother!”

“Stop bothering me, you idiots!”

The owner, this time, managed to disperse the drunkards. The boy, bowing to the owner, said, “Thank you,” and indeed, he was still a child with lingering innocence. Becoming an adventurer at this age was not particularly rare. In fact, many aspired to be adventurers.

However, staying at Guren’s Training Hall for two weeks was suddenly quite unusual.

“What’s wrong, kid, lady? Is there something you need?”

“We need to get stronger quickly for various reasons. Can we have more?”

“I’d like a bit more too.”

“Sure, eat up. Don’t die even if Guren picks on you!”

As requested, the empty plates were collected and more food was served. Without losing their initial momentum, the two of them ate ravenously. Whatever their circumstances, as long as they had the energy to eat meat, they would not die today or tomorrow.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“Thank you for the meal.”

“You’re welcome. Are you heading back to Guren’s place today?”

The owner recalled that familiar, unkempt face. Well, that man wouldn’t hold back, and his teaching methods were destructive, but if he was someone who wouldn’t do things halfway, he would somehow manage with these children, the owner thought.

“No, we’re going to see the face of my sister, who is about to be sold to debt collectors and dissected.”

“I might need to worry a little,” the owner thought.