studiobondurri Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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?”
“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.