Chapter 2-4 : The Girl’s Party Have Arrived At The Great Labyrinth
「Wow, is that the Great Labyrinth?」(Elle)
「Yup. It’s our destination.」(Ingrid)
Flying in the sky on Prox’s back, Elle spotted a giant building resembling a temple in the middle of the jungle. It was the most dangerous dungeon in the area, the Great Labyrinth.
Normally, it would take three days by carriage from the royal capital, but it could be reached in just a few hours thanks to Prox.
「Prox, you can drop us over there.」(Elle)
「Grrau. (Understood.)」(Prox)
Elle told Prox to descend and drop them in the jungle to avoid being seen by other people. From there, they headed to the dungeon on foot.
Prox had shrunk to her ‘chibi’ form and entered Elle’s magic bag so as not to stand out.
After walking for a while, they reached the open area surrounding the Great Labyrinth.
「Whoa… There are a lot of people here.」(Elle)
Elle was surprised by how lively the place was.
Dungeons were dangerous places, so she imagined no one would want to get near them. However, the Great Labyrinth was different.
Not just its unique structure, but the surrounding area was also completely different from what she had imagined. The place was bustling with many people and stalls selling various goods.
「Buy our maps if you don’t want to get lost inside! We have maps to the fifteenth floor for beginners!」
「You can buy fresh medical herbs here! Our herbs are freshly collected from the labyrinth!」
「We have many antique and powerful weapons! Get your weapons here if you don’t wanna die!」(merchants)
「Ugh, I don’t like it here… I miss our quiet forest…」(Yoyo)
The presence of the people made Yoyo a bit dizzy. He complained while walking next to Elle through the crowd.
「Do you want to hop on my shoulder?」(Elle)
「No, I’m alright.」(Yoyo)
Elle was worried about Yoyo and offered a ride on her shoulder, but he didn’t want to tire her out.
「This place hasn’t changed at all.」(Ingrid)
「Has it always been like this?」(Elle)
「Yeah, as bustling as ever. Lots of adventurers from all over the kingdom visit this dungeon every day. Because of that, many people gathered here to sell and buy rare items from the labyrinth.」(Ingrid)
「I see.」(Elle)
「However, you need to be smart if you want to do transactions here. Most merchants here will overcharge you for cheap items, and some others are scammers who target beginners. You should be careful.」(Ingrid)
「I got it.」(Elle)
Elle was tempted to look around, wondering if she could find some useful items, but she changed her mind after Ingrid warned her.
She walked briskly next to Ingrid while trying to avoid eye contact with the merchants, but still, someone called out to her.
「Oh, little missy, you have a nice sword there!」(weapon merchant)
A middle-aged merchant moved away from his stall and approached Elle. Judging from the many kinds of weapons being displayed on his stall, he seemed to sell weapons for a living.
He bent forward and observed Flamberge, who was chilling on Elle’s waist, with interest.
「What a beautiful sword. Say, little missy, can I take a look? It might be a sword made by someone I know.」(weapon merchant)
He was smiling, trying to look kind, but Elle stepped back and looked at him with doubtful eyes.
「Elle…」(Yoyo)
Next to her, Yoyo whispered and shook his head, signaling that the man had a malicious intent.
「I don’t think your acquaintance made my sword. I’m sorry, Sir, but we’re in a hurry.」(Elle)
「No, that can’t be. I know this shape. You don’t know me, but I’m a well-known weapons appraiser in my city. Come on, I just want to take a look for a second. Oh, right, how about I buy it instead? Since it’s an unregistered weapon, I’ll give you a gold coin for it. It’s a great deal, don’t you think?」(weapon merchant)
Elle frowned. She was angry that he tried to buy Flamberge, moreover, for only one gold coin.
「I’m not interested.」(Elle)
「You heard her. Just give up already. Let’s go Elle.」(Ingrid)
「Wait! You don’t wanna miss this opportunity! Just stop and listen to me!」(weapon merchant)
Elle was about to leave with Ingrid, but the persistent merchant quickly stretched his hand forward and grabbed Flamberge’s handle, trying to unsheathe him forcibly. Howeverー
ーCssshhh…
「Gaaahhh! My hand!!」(weapon merchant)
Right after the sizzling sound, like meat burning, was heard, the merchant collapsed to the ground, holding his right arm.
It seemed that Flamberge focused his heat on his handle when the man grabbed him. The heat was so intense that it burned his hand.
「You scum! That’s what you get for touching me with your filthy hand!」(Flamberge)
「ー!!?」(weapon merchant)
While groaning in pain, the man looked around with a puzzled face, wondering where that voice came from. He didn’t seem to notice it came from the sword he just touched.
Seeing the man’s miserable state, Ingrid smirked. She gently pushed Elle’s back, prompting her to ignore the man and continue walking.
After passing through the bustling market full of persistent merchants, they finally reached the entrance to the Great Labyrinth.
They joined the long line of adventurers, waiting their turn to enter the dungeon.
Standing by the huge gate to the labyrinth were some people who seemed to be the Adventurer Guild employees wearing uniforms.
「What a long line.」(Elle)
「Yeah, it’s a common sight here. It usually takes about an hour to get inside.」(Ingrid)
「That long? Why can’t we just enter altogether?」(Elle)
「It’s a safety procedure from the guild. Those who don’t have guild cards can’t enter. It’s to make sure that the people who enter are capable ones.」(Ingrid)
「I see.」(Elle)
The adventurers in the line were of various classes. From the most common ones like swordsmen, magicians, and archers to rare classes like monster tamers. They were waiting in the line while accompanied by their monster partners.
Elle was wondering if there were Lithomancers like her who fight using magic stones among these people.
「Hey beautiful lady~」
「Can we ask you something?」(young adventurers)
Suddenly, two young male adventurers who seemed to be in their twenties joined the line and talked to Ingrid from behind.
One of them was a swordsman carrying a big sword on his back, and the other one was a mage holding a magic staff.
Without turning around, Ingrid replied to them.
「What do you want?」(Ingrid)
「I don’t know why you’re bringing your little sister and your cat here, but you clearly need dependable men to protect you.」(Young Adventurer A)
「That’s right. We’ll let you join us. Of course, your sister can join too. What do you say?」(Young Adventurer B)
「No, we’re good.」(Ingrid)
「Come on, don’t say that. Since you’re carrying a bow, you’re an archer, right? And your little sister. Is she a healer? As you can see, we need more people.」(Young Adventurer A)
「Besides, it’s not safe for two fragile ladies to dive into this dungeon. We can protect you both.」(Young Adventurer B)
「I said, we’re good. You seem to underestimate us, but we’re stronger than we look.」(Ingrid)
「Reeally~? Still, you’re both women. You need our protection.」(Young Adventurer A)
「That’s right. As gentlemen, we can’t let you die inside this dungeon!」(Young Adventurer B)
「Tsk. You’re so persistent…」(Ingrid)
Ingrid was annoyed. She took off her hood and turned around, exposing her long, sharp ears and dark-skinned face to the two young men.
They immediately stepped away and looked at Ingrid with a disgusted expression.
「Geh! She’s a dark elf!?」(Young Adventurer A)
「What the hell is a dark elf doing here!?」(Young Adventurer B)
「So? You still wanna invite us to your party?」(Ingrid)
「Hmph, what a letdown. Forget it. Let’s get away from here.」(Young Adventurer A)
「Aa-ahh, she has a sexy butt. Too bad she’s a damn dark elf.」(Young Adventurer B)
Realizing Ingrid was a dark elf, the young men lost interest and left.
Ingrid sighed in relief.
「Phew… What were they thinking picking up women at a dungeon entrance? Listen, Elle, those kinds of people are the ones who will die first in the dungeon.」(Ingrid)
「I see…」(Elle)
「Those disgusting men… One of them seemed to have an eye on Ingrid, but the other one looked at Elle with lecherous eyes! I can’t forgive him!」(Yoyo)
「Oh, so you noticed it too, huh?」(Ingrid)
「Eh?」(Elle)
Elle was surprised. She never thought there would be a weirdo who would have interest in a young girl like her.
She felt a chill on the back of her neck.
「I was going to throw sand at their eyes, but you drove them away too quickly.」(Yoyo)
「Hahaha! My bad. You should have said that sooner. Well, anyway, I’m glad my dark elf’s long ears could come in handy. Don’t worry. Those scums won’t bother us anymore.」(Ingrid)
Saying that, Ingrid patted Elle’s head.
Learning a new kind of ‘danger’, Elle felt a bit uneasy, but Ingrid’s presence calmed her.
She replied to Ingrid with a smile.
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