Dragon’s Bloodline

Chapter 20

Being an explorer is an occupation.

They dive into the labyrinth, get treasures, defeat monsters, and get magic stones.

They dont have to think about anything else as they travel through the labyrinth. Its the dream that all hero candidates have. Or for those who dont have the ability to cling to others, its their last hope.

This is the labyrinth of immortality. Even if you are caught by the jaws of death, you will revive. And lose your stuff.

Thats why theres an excuse. Dying is foolish.

Drawing the line before reaching your limit just speaks of how wise youare.

No pride nor obstinacy. Theres no resolution either.

Because thats the way it is for Labyrinth Citys explorers.

However, sometimes they appear.

At a level people cant reach, the world cant reach, strong people that walk calmly.

Its not a question of whether or not they can complete the labyrinth. People are satisfied with their small world, and when they realize it, its painful..

So they bark. Like a weak dog.

Even though the other person is much younger than themselves, smaller, and looks weak.

Opening the door and entering, was a little cat beastkin.

She was already an acquaintance of the guild. Though she used to be a partys slave scout, it was already known that her party messed up and were annihilated.

Having come here, she was probably bought again. Since she even had new equipment, her treatment had definitely been improved.

Maal, I was worried. I thought youd come back in a day since it was the first return.

Yeah, though I also thought that, Ria-chan

Watching the next person enter, every explorer was captivated.

Though she still had some traces of childhood, her beauty was radiant. Waving black hair, reflecting dim light.

In black garments, it was simple leather armor. Two katanas were hung at her waist.

So? Was there any results?

The talk between the receptionist and the cat beastkin acquaintance continued.

Yeah, it was incredible. Ria-chan broke the labyrinths wall and

That was a beginners mistake. But surviving was lucky.

She punched the hellhound bare-handed and treated her like a pet and

It was unbelievable.

After defeating the devil, we temporarily returned~

No way something like that happened.

Oi oi, even if youre just exaggerating, cut it out!

Towards Maal, who was speaking happily, a voice from a male explorer came.

If it was before, they probably would have been silent here.

Its true! We seriously got a magic crystal!

At that moment, Carlos put the Devils magic crystal on to the assessment counter.

Lets see, this is a minotaurs, a golems, a skeletal warriors, a hellhounds

The magic stones were placed down with a coarse sound. Though the magic stones were so-so, the amount was amazing.

U-umm, what did you do to get so many magic stones?

The Identify clerks face had a cramp.

Even if an ordinary medium-sized party went into the labyrinth for a few days, they might have one tenth this amount.

Our Ojou broke the labyrinth walls. When we hunted the demons that gathered, it became like this.

This is since immediate assessment isnt possible could you wait until tomorrow?

That was natural. Carlos nodded.

At that time, all eyes in the guild gathered towards the counter. The explorers whispered in low voices.

The rumor was passed around. That sometimes they appear, people that could easily pass through walls. No, those people dont even think they are obstacles. Those people should be legends.

But people wont meekly recognize that, of course.

Oi oi. What kind of trick did you use? Tell us.

Wearing armor, it was a warrior with a crude atmosphere. With a vulgar smile on his face, he looked down at Maal.

Before Maal could say anything further, Ria gently held her shoulder.

It isnt a trick. I simply crushed from the front.

Perhaps even the man before Maal right now wouldnt be an opponent for her. Maals current level is 40.

In only three days, her level doubled.

Ojou-chan should back off.

As he said that, he reached out his arm. Ria grabbed it.

What are you-, uwaaah!

Rias grip could crush a goblins head by itself. Letting go in moderation, he looked towards her as though seeing a true monster.

Let it go. Even the smallest kid in that party has a level above 40.

A man who seemed to be a magician started talking from behind. He probably used Identify.

That ogre is even 55. But I cant understand that girls

Cant understand it? Read Resistance?

It could be magic. But either way, they arent opponents you can stand against.

A feeling of awe spread. Ria stuck out her chest and folded her arms in content.

Hey Ria, lets go.

Looking to avoid more trouble, Lulu urged her. The party left the guild.

When they returned to the mayors mansion, though Klaus had gone out, a butler took care of the party.

They discussed things needed for the exploration, surprising Klaus during dinner, and had a peaceful sleep for the first time in a while after taking a bath.

While making Maal a hug pillow, Ria thought.

What she felt in the labyrinth, the presences.

Its said that the master of the labyrinth is a demon.

However, it didnt kill humans. Is there a demon that isnt hostile to humans?

To begin with, demon is the general term for demi-humans that live in the absolutely frozen demon territory. Ogres also used to be called demons. Even now they are affiliated with demons.

If thats the case, in spite of being demons, dont they also have a amicable relationship towards humans? Rather, can they even be called demons anymore?

Though its said that the labyrinth was completed several times, the labyrinths master wasnt overthrown. Therefore, the labyrinth is still here. Why wasnt it destroyed? Is it because it isnt necessary to do so?

While unable to come to a conclusion from thinking, Ria fell asleep.

The entire next day was spent on preparations.

The first go around was to find a weapon and armor shop for Carlos sword and shield, with Serge and Lulu gathering magic potions in the meanwhile.

Serge finally bought a cane. It was able to quicken the activation of water and earth magic. Apart from offensive ability, there was a thought to reduce anxiety about defensive capability.

Gathering in a room after dinner, they looked through the information they gained that day.

Things concerning the heads of each floor was already heard from the Ogre King.

The problem is how to get to them. There werent any active explorers that made it passed the eighth floor, and they werent able to ask for a detailed account from a retired explorer. However, as you go lower enemies get stronger and the labyrinth seems to narrow.

Iron golem on the sixth floor, ghost knight on the seventh floor, dogazer on the eighth floor, and a hydra on the ninth floor. Judging from the trend on the floors up till now, demons related to the boss appear.

At this, Maal raised her hand.

Umm, though I know the other monsters, I havent heard of dogazer.

Since she was sure Maal had heard about the details from her companions, she hadnt explained. The dogazer is a pseudo-living thing made from magic, a minor monster.

When hearing a brief explanation, Serge had a rough idea of it, but didnt understand the details in particular.

In order to obliterate pedophiles from the world, I heard an ancient empire made it

Thats news to me.

Since Lulu was Rufus assistant and happened to know the details by chance, she explained it.

Then, for the next days capture, the party went to sleep early.

Of course, Ria slept while closely embracing Maal.