“Name, Lee Hansoo, age twenty-nine. His company reported him missing after he was absent from work for a month. Tsk, family?”
“Just his mother. But when we told her, she said she didn’t want to be involved.”
The man listening to the report took a sip of his coffee.
It wasn't anything special.
Plenty of people had complicated family situations.
“So, Detective Park, why did this missing person case come to our team?”
“Well… the CCTV only shows him entering his house, but there’s no footage of him leaving. The windows were all locked.”
“I see… Something does smell fishy.”
The man put down his coffee and began to read the report in earnest.
In his fifteen years as a detective, he had seen all sorts of things, but even to him, this case was quite peculiar.
There were no signs of a break-in, and nothing of value was missing.
The last credit card transaction was a month ago.
Most importantly, the clothes the missing person was wearing were found in his bedroom, not as if he had taken them off, but as if his body had simply vanished from them.
“I don’t know who this bastard is, but he’s a complete psycho.”
He had a gut feeling this wasn’t just a simple disappearance.
It could be a major crime, one that might shake the entire nation of South Korea.
“You’ve preserved the scene, right? First, send a request to the forensics department. Let’s see the analysis results first.”
At the man's instruction, Detective Park hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.
“Sir, Team Leader… there’s something I want to show you before that.”
Why not include it in the report?
Despite the question in his mind, he nodded, and Detective Park returned with a monitor.
“This is the monitor found in the missing person’s room.”
“What? Why do you have it? Don’t tell me you just took it without permission?”
The man, his voice laced with disbelief, was raising his voice when he noticed something and froze.
“Wait a minute, Detective Park, why is the monitor on?”
“That’s… I don’t know either…”
On the monitor's black screen, letters were displayed.
It wasn't connected to a computer, not even a power cord was plugged in.
Worse, it was making sounds as it updated.
Beep, bee-bee-beep, beeeep—
「You have successfully completed the Coming of Age Ceremony.」
「New equipment has been equipped.」
「Total Item Level increases by +12.」
「Bjorn Yan…….」
「…….」
「…….」
What did these continuously appearing letters mean?
“Team Leader, I did some digging… and there have been a few similar cases overseas.”
“What, overseas…?”
They had no way of knowing exactly what was happening yet.
「The Labyrinth has been closed.」
「The character is being moved to Rafdonia.」
As the darkness receded, my vision cleared.
Out of habit, I looked up, and the familiar, hazy sky filled my view.
I let out a long breath.
‘…I’ve made it back alive this time, too.’
In truth, even saying I came back alive was an overstatement.
I had spent every day in a state of tension, convinced something was bound to happen…
But in the end, nothing happened at all.
And for the second time in a row.
‘Hmm, I really thought something would happen this time.’
Honestly, I was still bewildered.
My previous expedition had just gone too smoothly.
Thanks to a good starting point, I reached the Rock Desert in just nine hours, taking the Second Floor Portal connected to the Gnome District.
Well, someone else was already there, so I didn't get the merit points for the portal.
「You have defeated a Corrupted Gnome.
EXP +1」
「You have defeated a Kobold Shield Soldier.
EXP +1」
「You have defeated a Stone Golem.
EXP +2」
「You have defeated a giant stone soldier.
EXP +2」
「You have defeated a Sandman…….」
「…….」
Various Ninth Rank monsters, including Gnome mutants and the three types of Kobolds.
And a variety of Eighth Rank monsters, including Stone Golems.
Even though I hunted every type of monster we passed, at my request, I was able to ascend to the Third Floor on the fourth day.
‘It was the same on the way to the Witch’s Forest.’
Without any particular trouble, I reached the center of the Witch’s Forest on the eighth day.
The Raiders I encountered in the process?
Not a single one existed.
After entering the Fourth Floor’s Tower of the Sky, I didn’t even encounter any other Explorers.
「You have completed the Trial.」
「You have chosen the Stairway of Courage.」
The real hunt began.
I continuously climbed the stairs, fighting monsters.
All the monsters that appeared on the Third Floor’s Path of the Pilgrim poured out in random groups, and about once every three days, I even encountered a Sixth Rank monster.
「You have defeated Vitol.
EXP +4」
「You have defeated a Lizardmen Scout.
EXP +2」
「You have defeated a Dullahan.
EXP +3」
「You have defeated a Banshee Queen.
EXP +3」
「You have defeated an Illatrek.
EXP +3」
「You have defeated a Dragoon.
EXP +4」
「You have defeated a Living Armor…….」
「…….」
I spent my time there until the twenty-third day, when the Fourth Floor closed.
The Sixth Rank monsters I had once been so worried about?
Since it was my first time fighting them, I made a few mistakes, but thanks to my increased combat power, I was able to defeat them all without any major crises.
And the experience points began to pile up tremendously.
‘There’s a reason they called it the Tower of Training.’
All the monsters from the Third Floor appeared.
Sixth Rank monsters appeared, and even if not, there were monsters that only appeared here.
Well, it was still a bit short for reaching level 4.
Anyway, as a result of focusing solely on hunting.
“Dwalki?”
“W-Well… if we divide it, it should be about 720,000 Stones each.”
“It’s 780,000 Stones.”
“Huh? Bjorn, what are you talking about…”
“Uh, uh… re-calculating it, you’re right, Bjorn?”
“Whaaat?!”
The distribution came out to 780,000 Stones per person.
Even that was only possible because Mimic's passive skill, [Greed], increased the Magic Stone drop rate by 30%.
Otherwise, it would have been around 600,000 Stones.
“Hmm, it’s definitely not a small amount of money… but it feels a bit disappointing. Is it just me?”
“Somehow… I feel the same way.”
“Hahaha! Well, after earning so much before, isn't that natural! I see now, Bjorn, that absurd luck of yours seems to have run out?”
I didn't know about luck.
Since there were no hardships, the income was also low.
As annoying as raiders are, they wear some fine equipment.
In fact, it was much more profitable than mining for Magic Stones.
‘…How did I earn less than when I first entered the Labyrinth?’
Now I understood why new raiders kept popping up.
Humans were easier to hunt than Sixth Rank monsters and paid much better.
So they were drawn to it like moths to a flame.
Especially those who considered themselves efficiency nuts.
‘Let’s not be too disappointed.
The past few times were just exceptional.
This is what's normal.’
I barely managed to let go of my lingering feelings by thinking about the game.
The cost of consumables, various expenses in the city.
It was normal not to make big money in the beginning.
The reason newbies couldn't even make it past their first or second year without giving up because of taxes was because they didn't have even a million Stones.
‘…In the first place, reaching the Fourth Floor in just a few months is an insane speed.’
Telling myself that, I also spent my time in the city fruitfully.
I occasionally met with my teammates to socialize and plan expeditions, and I visited the Mage Tower every week to fulfill my research promise with Raven.
“Hmm, now we only have to do it four more times.”
“So, when can I meet this senior of yours?”
“Ah, there’s been a bit of a problem. If it’s okay with you, Mr. Yandel, I’d like to postpone it to next month…”
“…Do that.”
Training, library, socializing, information gathering.
I was experiencing leisurely days for the first time.
It made me so anxious my hands trembled, but…
Until I entered the Labyrinth again, neither the Ghost Hunter, nor Hans, nor anyone else approached me.
So I thought something might happen this time, but.
‘In the end, nothing happened.’
Passing through the Goblin Forest to get to the Third Floor.
Catching additional monsters I hadn't been able to before.
And finally leveling up during my days on the Fourth Floor.
That was all that had changed from the last expedition.
“Bjorn! What are you thinking so hard about, nyang? We have to go.”
I snapped out of my thoughts as I felt Misha shaking my waist.
“Hurry up and get a grip. If we’re late, we’ll have to wait a long time.”
A long time, my foot.
That might be true for a Ninth Rank nobody explorer.
But for a Sixth-Rank Explorer, the checkpoint itself is different, and the waiting time is less than half.
The public officials are also much more polite.
“Alright, let’s go! Hahaha!”
Soon, we passed through our respective checkpoints and gathered in one place.
Then, we quickly finished the distribution.
“Each person can take 790,000 Stones.”
“Bjorn? Is that right, nyang?”
Dwalki’s pupils trembled anxiously at Misha’s question.
How could a Mage be so bad with numbers?
“I don’t know. If he says it's right, it must be.”
This time, the calculation was correct, so I didn't raise any objections.
And as a result.
790,000 Stones were deposited into my pocket.
Is this how the world works, give and take?
Whew, since it was an easy trip, the money earned was no different from last time.
“Then let’s gather separately tomorrow for the return ale, and for today, let’s all go back and rest!”
“Alright.”
As soon as the distribution was over, we disbanded and headed to our lodgings.
But what was this?
Today, for some reason, this room felt messy and small.
It felt like just yesterday that I was happy about the room getting bigger and having a window.
Thud.
Even after washing up and lying on the bed, it didn’t feel real.
This was the moment when I always felt alive with my whole body.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to me.
At this rate, how long would it take to move to a place like that inn room?
‘…My growth has almost stalled recently, too.’
The longer the peaceful times continued, the more the anxiety within me grew.
So, I forced a smile.
‘…Even I can see I’m being ungrateful.’
The first day I opened my eyes in this body.
I made plans assuming it would take at least a few years, maybe even a lifetime.
But a series of coincidences allowed me to advance my timeline by at least two or three years.
Let’s not be impatient.
This is going well enough.
So—
‘Fuck, what am I thinking right now?’
I slapped my cheek hard.
Smack—!
Going well?
The more it does, the more dangerous the situation is.
My life isn't one where good days just keep coming.
Don’t forget.
Shitty things always happened when I let my guard down.
‘Ghost Hunter? The Guild? Mozlan? Nobles? Who is it this time? Or am I safe until I enter the Labyrinth?’
Recalling the experiences etched into my brain like trauma, I tightened the loose screws.
‘No, that can't be it.’
I can’t stop.
I have to keep getting stronger.
Only then can I survive.
Anyone who saw me might think I look like a paranoid patient, but…
In reality, I haven’t changed one bit from the first day.
‘Always expect the worst.’
If I have to be a madman anyway, I’d rather be a madman who survives.
“Bjorn? Did something bad happen, nyang?”
“No. But why do you think so?”
“Your eyes seem a bit fiercer…”
That was the first thing Misha said when I met her the next day.
So I decided to loosen the screws a little, just a little.
There should be at least that much spare room in my brain for rational judgment—
“Want to touch my ears, nyang?”
“…What?”
For a moment, I wondered if I had really gone crazy and misheard, but no.
“My… my older brother said he felt better when he touched my ears. Though that was when I was very young…”
What? That rude bastard said that?
Even if he was young, I can’t imagine it.
“Ah, I’m talking about my eldest brother! My eldest brother is still very nice to me…”
Whether he was nice or not.
What kind of pervert is he?
This is why a good family environment is important when you're young.
Look at her, her eyes are full of pure goodwill.
She probably doesn't even know what’s wrong with it.
“Misha, don’t say things like that to just anyone. They might misunderstand your intentions and get the wrong idea.”
Maybe if I didn’t know Misha’s type was skinny men, I might have misunderstood what she just said.
A foolish thought like, maybe she’s trying to seduce me.
“But you’re not just anyone, are you, nyang?”
Her, talking back.
“Just say you understand.”
“…I understand, nyang. Anyway, if you don’t like that, should I grill some meat for you?”
“…Then I’ll eat it gratefully.”
And so, breakfast was decided to be grilled pork.
Even if I buy it myself, it’s still meat, so it’s quite expensive for one meal, but…
I made a rather rational judgment.
If eating this meat makes me even a little taller, it wouldn’t be a loss.
“Eat slowly! Let me eat some too!!”
“…Didn’t you say you hated meat?”
“You have no delicacy, you Barbarian Gnome!!”
Regardless of the little incident during the meal.
With a full stomach, I started the day in earnest.
I was supposed to meet the others in the evening, so…
“I’m going out for a bit.”
“Oh, then can I rest today too, nyang?”
“If you’re bored, you can swing your sword. I saw you drop it last time, so it seems your proficiency is still lacking.”
“That was! I just wasn’t strong enough!!”
“Then you should work out.”
“You muscle-head!!”
Anyway, I left Misha and went out.
“Have a good trip! Come back as late as you can, nyang!”
Well, I didn’t think she would actually spend her time training as I said…
But that was her choice.
Thump, thump.
As I walked diligently with my sturdy legs, I soon arrived at my destination.
The place I always came to when I had time.
In other words, the library.
“It seems nothing much has happened.”
Now that we even know each other’s names and have been through a few things, Ragna greets me with a word as soon as I arrive.
Of course, it’s not that friendly of a feeling.
“As you can see, nothing. Have you been well?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll be counting on you again today.”
After a brief greeting, I was about to receive the [Advanced Book Detection] spell.
For some reason, Ragna hesitated.
A habit of hers when she has something she wants to say, even if she's not aware of it.
“If you have something to say, just say it.”
“…How on earth do you know?”
“Your eyes just look that way.”
At my honest answer, Ragna’s eyes flashed with wounded pride.
Hearing this from a Barbarian seemed to have hurt her feelings quite a bit.
However, being an intellectual who valued reason, she got straight to the point without any unnecessary comments.
“Let me say this in advance, this is not certain information. But since you are an Explorer, I thought I should warn you.”
“A warning?”
A completely unexpected word.
But, suddenly, my mind cleared.
Even though she hedged it by saying it wasn't certain, given her personality, it probably wasn't baseless.
“What is it? Hurry up and tell me.”
At my urging, Ragna cautiously opened her mouth.
“There is a chance that a Dimensional Collapse phenomenon may occur in the Labyrinth in the near future.”
As soon as I heard it, a reasonable suspicion arose.
Dimensional Collapse.
A true ‘calamity’ in the Labyrinth, incomparable to a Floor Lord.
‘I was wondering why it's been so quiet lately…’
Indeed, was it all because this was about to happen?