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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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The hidden paths of labyrinths are generally more challenging and offer higher-quality loot than the main paths.
This is because these well-concealed areas, unknown even to the monsters inhabiting the labyrinth, were ideal for conserving strength and stamina.
However, only experienced adventurers could afford to be picky about loot.
Nine out of ten untrained adventurers who enter these hidden paths end up dead.
The environment is fundamentally different, and challenges tailored to their level simply don’t exist there.
This is no game.
Even I, though I might not show it during sparring, exercise extreme caution while exploring labyrinths.
Adventurers receive missions and explore labyrinths appropriate to their level.
The hidden paths are not bound by such considerations.
As concealed spaces, information about them is scarce.
It’s either unknown, or unverified.
Survival means riches and glory, death means the end.
While this might seem trivial to someone like Rain, for a cadet like Prieresil with no real-world experience, this place would drain her energy just by being here.
“Ugh…”
See? The stench of decaying plants and rotting corpses has her retching in the corner.
“Hey, you alright?”
“Are you alright, Mr. Ron…?”
“This is nothing.”
Even at the edge of the Demon Realm, this smell is commonplace.
Add to that the constant stress of screams, demonic glares, and magic in the air, and this place seems almost pleasant.
Besides, you get used to the smell eventually.
Prieresil will be fine soon enough.
“Ugh!”
Speak of the devil.
This time, she stumbled and got scratched by the thorns of a vine on the wall.
“Careful.”
I took out a potion from my backpack and handed it to her.
I wasn’t obligated to apply it, but it would be risky for Rain to explore alone if I had to leave my position.
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Rain, but this wasn’t just any labyrinth, it was a hidden path.
It never hurt to be cautious.
“Oh.. thank you.”
I brushed off Prieresil’s slightly warmer tone of gratitude and focused on sensing any presence.
It wasn’t long until…
“Ugh…!”
She was scratched by the vines again.
This time it seemed unavoidable, as they sprang out suddenly.
The thorns must have had a paralytic agent; I could see her body slowly stiffen around the wound.
If she becomes completely paralyzed, I’ll have no choice but to help.
I quickly grabbed a paralysis antidote from my backpack and fed it to her directly.
With a gulp, she regained mobility.
“…Be careful.”
“Yes… I’m.. sorry..”
“No need to apologize. You’re still inexperienced cadets. Just focus on learning from this experience and growing.”
Rain spoke nonchalantly, glanced at me, and continued walking.
That gesture, that tone when she was deep in thought… It was exactly the same as before.
I wasn’t sure what she was thinking about, but right now, assisting this young lady seemed more important than watching Rain’s back.
She’ll be fine.
And so, I guarded Prieresil, sharing various pieces of information with her.
About the paralyzing plants, how to watch her step, and so on.
She might have found it demeaning to be taught by a fellow cadet, a suspicious character ranked in the middle of the class, but Prieresil simply nodded and absorbed everything I said.
Gradually, her cries of pain lessened, and before long, Rain stopped in her tracks.
I too stood still and focused.
At the end of the path: a plaza, and a gigantic, three-headed humanoid monster.
It lacked intelligence, mindlessly mumbling to itself, but its physical presence was overwhelming.
Rain paused for a moment, then without a word, without acknowledging the information I’d gathered, she walked straight towards the monster.
…Does she have a plan?
I had my doubts about her seemingly reckless action, but quickly dismissed them.
Rain was always serious when it came to her work.
“Listen carefully.
Even if you’re confident in your abilities, it’s best to avoid hidden paths. I’m about to show you firsthand just how dangerous they can be. Even if you graduate and become heroes, unless you have exceptional scouts, this is not a place you want to be. To be honest, I’m a little nervous myself. … If things go south, escape immediately.”
Don’t tell me she’s making a final stand.
Rain seemed intent on taking on that behemoth alone.
And while I was certain of her victory…
The uncertainty of her plan made me uneasy.
Should I intervene?
No, she’ll be fine, right?
But what if… just to be safe?
As I was grappling with this dilemma, Rain stepped into the plaza, and…
─GRAAAAAAA!!!!
The battle had begun.
“Th-that sound…!”
“Hey, kid.”
Prieresil glanced at me at my call, then nervously looked away and slowly walked forward.
“If you’re feeling uneasy, do you act on it or not?”
My rhetorical question prompted a rushed response.
“What do you mean? We need to give the Headmaster support…”
“You won’t be of any help even if you go now. Just answer the question.”
“…I’d rather act and regret than hesitate and regret.”
She answered, acknowledging the truth in my words about being unhelpful.
Truth be told, I had already made up my mind, but I wanted to hear her say it.
A poor attempt at seeking validation.
I clenched and unclenched my fist, focusing on the sounds of Rain’s fight.
A tingling pain, like a blooming flower, spread from my fingertips, from the center of the curse scar.
Thumping sounds mixed with the monster’s roars.
Prieresil cautiously peeked into the plaza, her eyes glued to Rain’s every move.
“…This is…”
Her words sparked something within me, and I intensified my focus.
But my concentration was short-lived.
“…It’s over.”
Prieresil’s words, laced with disbelief, snapped me out of it.
I shook my head, releasing my focus.
The blooming pain that had engulfed my body subsided.
I looked into the plaza.
There stood Rain, having slain the giant, five times her size.
“It’s over. Not sure if you saw.”
She’s not human.
The overwhelming power of the First Hero, which I hadn’t felt in a long time, unconsciously triggered that thought.
I suppressed the trembling in my hand and hid it behind my back.
Rain glanced at me and then at Prieresil, her eyes widening for a moment before returning to normal.
“I managed it this time, but it would have been difficult if just the two of you had come here.
Rain continued, dissecting the giant’s corpse with her sword.
“So, no matter how tempting it might seem, avoid hidden paths. Leaving it to someone stronger is also a viable strategy.”
The sound of tearing leather filled the air.
Prieresil, perhaps a little disturbed by the sight of a humanoid monster being dismembered, furrowed her brow, but continued to listen intently to Rain’s words.
“…Good work. The training is over. The entrance should be open again.”
The training, which could be seen as anticlimactic, but also as an experience worth more than gold, was over.
For my part, I was slightly dissatisfied with the lack of action and the feeling of unfinished business.
Of course, returning from a labyrinth alive and unharmed was a blessing in itself.
“Well, I’m glad it’s over.”
“Mr. Ron.”
Prieresil called out to me as I muttered to myself, trying to shake off the feeling of dissatisfaction.
“I think I misjudged you. Thank you for everything today.”
“Yeah, you should be thankful.”
“…That’s all you have to say after I thanked you…?”
“Just kidding. We’re fellow cadets, it’s only natural to help each other out.”
I said to her with a chuckle.
I could feel Rain’s gaze on us, but I couldn’t figure out why.
Did she want praise?
I was grateful to her for showing me such a promising successor and for handling things flawlessly, but praising her now would only make her suspicious.
Besides, she had no use for my praise anyway.
It seemed like she had something on her mind.
“Ugh…!”
“Headmaster!?”
Rain swayed, apparently feeling dizzy.
Prieresil rushed to her side, checked her condition, and explained to me, “Paralysis.”
Yeah, I know.
After confirming there were no enemies nearby, I opened my backpack.
Prieresil seemed impressed by the organized state of my bag, but right now, saving the damsel in distress took priority.
…Though I was puzzled by Rain letting her guard down.
Anyway, I took out the paralysis antidote and prepared to apply it.
Rain hated taking medicine… or rather, she refused to, so I always used topical treatments.
“Can you speak?”
“…Ugh… yes… I… I apologize.”
Make up your mind, formal or informal.
“Where?”
“My… lower back… and… I think I was stabbed in the abdomen…”
Order received.
I mentally replied and reached out to her as I always had… but then…
“W-wait a moment. Mr. Ron, wouldn’t it be better if we, as women, handle this…? After all, you’re a man, and touching the Headmaster’s body…”
She had a point.
Back in our party days, to conserve energy, we followed Lian’s rule of not wasting magic on basic ailments like paralysis – somehow, Lian was the one who got paralyzed the most, despite being the rear guard – and I always took care of it.
But now that I thought about it, a man touching a woman’s bare skin was… well, inappropriate.
This is perfect.
Time for an impromptu first-aid lesson.
“N-no… Cadet Prieresil… Please… let him handle it…”
“What? But Headmaster, aren’t you even a little worried? What if… just what if, Mr. Ron touches somewhere… inappropriate…”
“I believe… this cadet is… proficient… in first-aid… it’s best to… let him…”
Are you getting better already?
You’re stuttering less and less.
Despite my thoughts, I nodded along with her, agreeing to let me handle it.
Just in case.
It could be a new kind of paralysis poison.
Prieresil stepped back slightly and I placed my hand on Rain.
An unfamiliar sensation, both smooth and firm, traveled through my hand, but it didn’t stir any desire within me.
After years of working together, if this was all it took to sway me, I would have been kicked out of the party long ago, left to starve to death in the slums.
But then…
“Ah…Nn…Haa…Ah…”
Why are you making those sounds?
You’re used to this, aren’t you?
Rain’s suggestive moans echoed through the desolate labyrinth entrance.
…I didn’t plan for this, but her voice made me instinctively glance at Prieresil.
She was staring intently at me.
Without saying a word.
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She plan this🤣