"This is for you," Argus said with a smile as he held out the pickaxe and carrier bag for Arlo.
"So you already had everything prepared for me, huh..." Arlo remarked.
"I mean, didn't I tell you that you were exactly what I was looking for when we met?" Argus continued, flashing Arlo a bright smile.
Arlo frowned at him, his eyes narrowing. "Don't think I've forgotten that you kept something this dangerous from me when you recruited me."
"Don't tell me you're going to be mad at me too, just like Arlene? It's hard enough to deal with one party member who's upset with me. Just think of it as an opportunity to make a lot of money. We're splitting the rewards evenly with you, you know."
As much as Arlo wanted to deny it, Argus had a point. While the risk was undeniably high, so were the potential rewards. The thought of the amount of money he could earn by assisting the party in this task was staggering, likely more than he had ever held in his life.
However, money wasn't the only reason to push aside any second thoughts. Hovering right in front of Arlo's eyes, a screen had been persistently displayed since the car ride.
[Unique Quest Unlocked.]
[Unique Quest Title: Clear The C-Rank Labyrinth.]
[Quest Objective: Advance to the Final Stage of the Grade C Labyrinth and conquer it.]
Arlo glanced at the screen before shifting his gaze back to Argus. "I-I'm not complaining. Like you said, this is an opportunity for me as well," he muttered, grabbing the pickaxe and hoisting the carriage bag onto his back with a familiarity that suggested he was accustomed to it.
"That's the spirit~" Argus replied, a grin spreading across his face as he joined the others who were waiting for them.
After being granted access through the 'Do not enter' area by the guards, the group came to a halt in front of the gate. The immense surge of energy emanating from the portal caused their hair to sway backwards.
"Looks like we got lucky, and we're the first group to explore this one. You guys ready to make some money?" Argus called out.
"Yeah." Arlene responded.
"No problems here." Alexander chimed in.
"I'm a little nervous but I'm okay…" Liam added.
"I'm ready." Arlo declared.
Even though he had managed to respond with some enthusiasm, he was still nervous due to his inability to use magic. However, regardless of the dangers that might've been ahead, he had no intention of turning back.
"Make sure you guys stick to the formation we discussed in the car. Let's go!" Argus commanded.
At his signal, the group stepped forward, passing through the gate without hesitation, their forms disappearing into the unknown.
Once they had vanished from sight, the guards who had been standing at attention glanced back to confirm their departure.
"What an odd group," one of the guards muttered. "I can't believe that guy is raiding a C-rank labyrinth in an orange tracksuit."
"Really? I thought it was kind of cool, how he had the balls to do that," the second guard responded. "I'd think he was some powerful hunter if not for the fact that he was carrying a pickaxe."
"I know, right? They were an amusing bunch. Hopefully, they'll end up just fine."
As the guards continued their conversation to pass the time, they failed to notice an odd occurrence taking place on the sensor behind them.
The digital display on the ground began to act erratically, the letters fluctuating from 'C' to 'B' as if the device was malfunctioning. However, before anyone could take notice, it reverted back to 'C,' as if nothing had ever happened.
-
After stepping through the portal, Arlo and the group found themselves standing in the middle of a large cavernous interior, barely illuminated by the faint glow of the portal behind them and the glowing crystals scattered across the ground.
With a flick of their wrists, they activated the small yet incredibly bright lanterns attached to their hips, casting a radiant light that pushed back the darkness, revealing more of the expansive cavern and the three passageways that stretched out before them.
"A cave...? So the labyrinth this time is a cave, huh..." Argus muttered, his voice echoing off the rocky walls. "Well, at least we weren't sent into the middle of the ocean or straight up into the sky."
The unpredictable nature of a labyrinth's setting was a well-known fact among hunters. It could range from an underwater realm in the middle of a vast ocean to a sky-high domain with no land in sight, from a scorching desert to a snowy field, or even a poisonous swamp filled with venomous creatures. The possibilities were endless.
Of course, the more dangerous settings were typically reserved for the higher-ranked labyrinths. From F to C-rank, the environments tended to be more manageable, though still filled with their own unique challenges.
"Don't joke about things like that. You'll give me a heart attack," Arlo sighed from the back of the line. "Besides, those types of dangerous settings only happen in B-rank gates and above."
Argus glanced over his shoulder, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Sure, it's unheard of in C-rank gates, which is why we didn't have to come in heavily geared. But you can never be too careful. Maybe invest in some armor instead of a tracksuit."
"Believe me, I would if I could. I'm dirt poor right now—"
Arlene's irritated voice cut through their conversation. "Can you guys stop talking and focus on the task at hand? The sooner we can get moving, the sooner I can go home."
"Whatever you say…" Argus conceded with a sigh before turning his attention to Arlo. "Arlo, you know what to do, right?" He gestured towards the glimmering crystals that dotted the cavern walls.
"I'm on it," Arlo responded, readying his pickaxe as he made his way over to the crystals.
Without hesitation, he swung the tool, the sound of metal striking stone echoing through the chamber as he began to mine the resources. This was Arlo's role within the party—to collect the valuable materials and carry them while the others focused on combat and exploration.
"Great job. Just leave the rest to us," Argus spoke confidently as he approached the three paths that branched out before them.
"Now, which way shall we go~?"