Chapter 19: Conquering the Maze with Grace
Now then. Rent paid, tuition paid.
Ordered magical creatures, furnished the house... and the remaining balance is 1838 Kirigs.
The anticipated large expenses were mostly taken care of in advance, and with a daily food budget of 2 Kirigs for the two of us, we can maintain a decent living. As long as we don't waste money, we shouldn't have any problems with our daily life. However, when something comes up, money suddenly becomes necessary.
I plan to pay another 450 Kirigs for rent in six months, and I haven't found any notable staff or robes. Especially for a magic staff... if I aim for a decent rank, it will easily cost around 1000 Kirigs, and it's the kind of money that can disappear in the blink of an eye if you're not careful. Although there's no rush, we must continue to explore the maze.
So, starting from the day after the furniture was moved in, I decided to descend into the maze with Grace right away. I want to explore up to the 6th floor underground while the map is still usable, so today our goal is to reach that point.
"Is there anything we should be careful about?"
"The number of magical creatures gradually increases, but we'll be fine using the same methods as before. The 4th floor underground branches off with a door leading to a different section and stairs going down. So, even if you see an unfamiliar door, don't go in that direction."
"Understood."
The stairs lead down to the underground. The branching door passes through a section where the sewer has turned into a maze and goes up to the old tunnel.
As I aim in the direction of the Twilight Forest, there's no need to consider side paths. Just descend underground as usual. As usual, there are no specific areas to explore around here, so it should be fine to go down using the shortest route.
"Hah!"
Grace's axe makes a swooshing sound and literally crushes the vanguard goblin. With no obstacles in the way of the rear archer goblin, I cast cyclone magic from a looping state. The bodies of the two goblins collide with the maze walls and ceiling, their flesh being torn and their bones crushed as they are blown away.
Grace turned around and threw her axe towards the Killer Ant approaching from the opposite side of the corridor. The ant that took the hit lost its head and stopped moving.
Continuing from the previous time, we adopted a strategy of using Light Balls in advance to crush the ambush of monsters. A goblin with a bow appeared, but it was not a problem. Since goblins have night vision, just moving the Light Ball in front of their eyes is enough to blind them. They are used to being in a dark labyrinth, so it must appear as an intense light to them. Even if they shoot arrows, it's easy to block or avoid them.
In this way, the exploration is going smoothly. We have managed to collect Transdimensional Stones and strip off monsters to some extent, and we have been able to proceed halfway through the 5th floor underground without any particular difficulties.
"Are you okay with blood intoxication?"
"No need to worry. The blood of goblins and kobolds... well, it's smelly."
Grace slightly furrowed her brows. I don't really understand it from my own senses, but it seems there is a clear difference for her as a Dampir.
Well, that's true. Vampires must have their reasons for attacking humans, even if they are aware of the risks.
If there is an alternative, it's better to actively attack monsters. If that satisfies the bloodlust, vampires should be appreciated, and there should be no reason to target them for subjugation.
Following the Light Ball that was sent ahead, the noise beyond the corner grew louder.
As I heard the footsteps approaching from there, Grace and I switched our positions, with her in the vanguard and me in the rearguard, to deal with it.
I myself am capable of close combat without relying on magic, focusing on staff techniques and martial skills. I want to further polish my skills in this area, and Grace is also capable of long-range attacks with her throwing axe, so we can flexibly switch roles like this.
We set up an ambush for the monsters. When a kobold jumped out, I crushed its throat with the tip of my staff and then swiftly knocked it down by spinning it around. With my weight pressed against its throat as it struggled and let out a muffled scream, I struck a final blow.
The other kobold, which came out a little later, is Grace's responsibility. As soon as I could see its figure, Grace's axe was thrown. A vicious lump of metal hit its chest and slammed into the wall.
With a casualness as if pulling back a yo-yo, Grace pulled the chain in her hand. Just as the sound of the rugged chain echoed, the axe returned with tremendous force in the direction it was thrown.
Well... That's the general idea. There shouldn't be any problems. Just like when Grace encountered the previous swarm of Killer Ants, she seems to get excited and switch sides to the vampire's team when facing weaker opponents and trampling them. However, since the encounters are sporadic, it doesn't seem to be happening this time.
After quickly looting the kobolds, I turned a corner and saw a staircase leading to the 6th underground floor.
Since I don't have a map from this point onward, you could say that the real labyrinth conquest begins here.
"In the 6th underground floor, two types of monsters appear."
"What are they?"
"Wood Puppets and Wisps."
"I haven't fought them before."
"Well, Puppets don't naturally exist. Wisps also choose where to appear."
Unlike the monsters encountered so far, they have some slight quirks, but both of them are basically weak.
Wood Puppets are autonomous wooden dolls.
Since they don't have pain or fear, they are superior to goblins and kobolds as frontline fighters, but they're still not a big deal.
Wisps are pale blue fireballs. They don't have a physical form, but they take damage when scattered. They are extremely weak against magic attacks. For me and Grace, they are easy opponents.
"We don't need to change what we've been doing so far. Actually, the problem lies in how to progress through the labyrinth... But around here, there are no traps yet, and the structure is straightforward, so it's best to stick to the basics."
"Do we proceed by placing our left hand on the wall, right?"
"Right hand works too. It's straightforward but less prone to hesitation."
When I explained the instructions, Grace nodded. While there are structures that don't follow the rule, it can still serve as a guideline for our actions.
As we proceeded through the labyrinth corridors, we encountered a puppet right away. Since it had a spear, I lightly clashed with it, but it was just a wooden doll after all. It posed no challenge at all.
I twirled my staff lightly and, while entangling the opponent's spear, easily snatched the weapon from its hand. Grace grabbed it and threw it against the wall, rendering it unable to move with its limbs destroyed.
The extraction from the puppet is the glass ball located in its chest or head. If we destroy it, we can stop its movements since it's also its weak point. However, this dilemma arises where the extraction is lost if we do so.
Dealing with wisps... it's quite easy. With one swing of Grace's axe, they dissipate into mist, leaving behind small magic stones. Since Grace's axe has a thick blade, they become nothing more than easy prey the moment they appear.
The monsters that appeared so far also formed a formation, but as long as they were crowded together, I just had to cast magic on them, and if not, I would simply chip away at them from the edges. I didn't particularly feel any problems.
Since this area is also a shallow level, there is no need to explore small rooms. As I was going along the corridor, I soon came to a wider area and discovered a stone monument.
"What should we do?"
"For now, should we return here? We decided not to waste the map."
"Understood."
I placed the required amount of dimensional stones on the palm of the goddess statue engraved on the stone monument. Immediately, a magical circle of light spread out on the floor of the labyrinth, surrounding the stone monument.
It was said that you would be transferred within a few seconds of standing inside. In an instant, I found myself standing in the square at the entrance of the temple.
...I still stand out with this appearance. Word seems to have spread about the incident where I defeated Snakebite, as there were even people who looked at me and gossiped.
...Grace doesn't like being exposed to public attention while in her liberated state, but it would be better to operate the ring in a place with fewer people. First, the two of us returned to the carriage parked in the stable, and inside the carriage, I took her hand and activated the curse item.
"Ah..."
Sitting in the seat, Grace closed her eyes and let out a small sigh.
It could be said that her voice sounded somewhat seductive.
Well... I guess it can't be helped. Returning from a powerful dampire state to being an ordinary person, there is apparently a significant feeling of relaxation. Perhaps because you become accustomed to that sensation the longer you stay in a liberated state, there is a big contrast.
Since dungeon conquest sometimes involves operating in the dark, it is easy to lean towards the vampire side. It may also be due to the recoil from the infamous bloodlust. Grace took slow deep breaths to calm herself.
Well... It was a good idea to return to the carriage to regain control. Let's continue to do the same from now on. Grace probably doesn't want to show her vulnerable side to others either.
"How do you feel?"
"I'm fine. It's helpful that I don't feel a strong sense of hunger."
When our eyes met, Grace smiled. For some reason, there was a calm atmosphere.
Yeah, it seems like there are no problems. In that case, should we go to the guild and exchange our loot for money next?