With the end of the year fast approaching, I spent my day diving into the 93rd Floor of the Great Labyrinth of the South alongside the members of the First Unit.
Since we had already established a reliable route to the boss area, today’s excursion served as our final confirmation before the actual conquest.
That didn't mean I was without my own private reservations regarding our progress.
What Abel Eddington had told me a few months ago—that the Great Labyrinth was once known as a "Sanctuary" and had been constructed by the Hero of fairy tales—remained a nagging weight in the back of my mind.
However, there was no way to verify the truth of those claims.
Ultimately, I had concluded that with so little evidence to work with, it was a waste of time to dwell on it. What mattered now was reaching the 94th Floor, and then conquering it.
"Man, this place is as muggy and miserable as ever. I don't think I'll ever get used to it..."
As we explored, keeping a sharp eye on our surroundings, a complaint spilled from Will as he walked ahead of me.
Nearly the entire 93rd Floor was a dense, overgrown jungle. The temperature and humidity were stifling; it felt exactly like a tropical rainforest, just without the actual rain. As Will said, the air was heavy and damp, making it the last place anyone would want to linger.
"You’re right," Rain agreed. "It’s slightly better than the 91st Floor, but it’s still not somewhere I’d want to hang around."
"What’s worse is that it’s winter and freezing back on the surface!" Lucre added. "It was even snowing last night. I feel like I'm going to catch a cold from the temperature swing."
Selma cut through their grumbling with a telepathic command.
『Everyone, end the chatter. Magic Beasts are closing in. Three Arm Apes. Rain, Lucre, prepare a barrage. Will, Orun, you’re on point. Finish them!』
『『『『Acknowledged!』』』』
We immediately switched gears. Our minds sharpened into combat mode as we prepared to intercept the threats.
Arm Apes were monkey-like Magic Beasts with disproportionately long limbs. Their raw combat power wasn't particularly high, but their three-dimensional movements through the canopy were incredibly complex. They were notoriously difficult to pin down, making them some of the most annoying creatures to deal with in the Deep Floors.
Rain and Lucre unleashed a hail of Water Arrows toward the incoming signatures.
It was difficult to kill them with magic alone, but the barrage served a different purpose: it funneled their movement and prevented them from getting anywhere near the three in our rearguard. Since Arm Apes lacked long-range attacks, the backline was safe as long as we kept them at a distance.
This meant Will and I were free to charge.
Once I confirmed there were no other Magic Beasts nearby, I took off.
Against Deep Floor monsters, a mid-tier spell like Water Arrow couldn't be expected to deal lethal damage. That held true even for the relatively fragile Arm Apes. However, "low damage" still meant they were being worn down.
The three apes, Hating the incoming projectiles, changed course to avoid the watery streaks.
"I’ll take the one that dropped down! You handle the ones in the trees!" Will shouted.
"Got it! ——Reflective Wall!"
Leaving the ground-level ape to Will, I set my sights on the two that had climbed higher.
I circulated Ki through my body, utilizing Gravity Manipulation and Reflective Wall to close the distance in an instant. One Arm Ape lashed out with its razor-sharp claws, but I dodged the strike effortlessly and swung Schwarzhase.
I activated Impact just as the blade made contact. The edge passed through the beast without a hint of resistance, severing the ape’s head from its torso.
As the creature dissolved into black mist, I turned toward the remaining one. It was already trying to flee, swinging through the branches with practiced ease, keeping itself just out of my sword's reach.
『Rain-san, cut off its escape!』
『On it!』
In response to my telepathic request, Rain fired several spells to box the ape in. Forced to stall, the beast fell right into my range. One swing of Schwarzhase later, it too was reduced to black mist.
Below me, the battle between Will and the third ape was going just as smoothly. Will was parrying the ape’s strikes with his twin-bladed sword, steadily racking up damage while never giving an inch. The beast eventually realized it couldn't win a head-on melee and tried to bolt, but Lucre’s magic blocked its path. Together, they finished it off.
『Orun.』
『I know.』
As I stood on a mana foothold in mid-air, watching Will finish his fight, I felt another presence. A monkey Magic Beast, significantly larger than the others, was charging at me from behind at high speed.
The beast kicked off a trunk, launching itself through the air toward me. I kept it in my sights, coating my blade in mana as I activated Gravity Manipulation.
I slammed a heavy gravity field onto the beast. Startled by the sudden change in its own weight, the monkey plummeted toward the forest floor before its claws could even reach me.
"...Heavenly Flash."
The creature hit the ground hard, its fall accelerated by my gravity. I followed up with a black slash of compressed mana, followed immediately by another volley of Rain’s magic.
As I landed back on the ground, I delivered the final blow to the battered, struggling monkey. It finally dissolved into black mist.
"Your movements are getting more refined every day," Will said as we began collecting the Magic Stones. "Have you finally mastered that Gravity Manipulation?"
"Getting there. I still need more training, but I’ve got a better handle on what I can and can't do with it. I’ve actually thought of a few interesting applications I’d like to try out in a real fight soon."
"Oh? Looking forward to it. Make sure you walk us through them during the next briefing."
"Of course."
We continued our exploration after that, eventually concluding that we were ready to transition to the actual conquest. At this rate, we would definitely reach the 94th Floor before the end of the year.
"Hey, have you guys heard of the 'Armored Explorer'?" Rain asked.
We had decided to grab dinner together for the first time in a while after finishing our work on the 93rd Floor. We were relaxing at a restaurant when Rain brought up the topic.
"Armored Explorer? Never heard of 'em," Will replied.
"I haven't either," I added.
I tried to keep a pulse on any influential Explorers, a habit I'd kept since my days in the Hero Party. I wondered if this person had simply slipped through my net, or if they were a new rising star.
"I don't know them either~" Lucre chimed in.
"Well, you three were away in the Regrif Territory recently. It makes sense you wouldn't know," Rain said.
"So they're someone who got famous in the last few months?"
"Yeah. Their name started popping up right after the Thanksgiving Festival. Things have been so chaotic with the Empire news lately that people stopped talking about them as much, but Selma knows, right?"
"Yes," Selma confirmed. "The rumors were so hard to believe that I made a point to remember them."
"Hard to believe? Did they pull off some crazy feat?" I asked.
"In a way. This Explorer doesn't use a party. They're a solo, but they're reportedly operating deep within the Lower Floors of the Great Labyrinth."
"A solo in the Lower Floors?! That's insane..." Will’s voice was full of disbelief.
And he was right to be shocked. You occasionally saw solos in the Middle Floors, but the difficulty spike in the Lower Floors was so massive that operating without a party was generally considered a death wish.
"That was my first thought too," Selma continued. "But the Explorers who have actually seen this person fight all say the same thing: 'They’re on a completely different level.'"
"If they've reached the Lower Floors, they must be experts themselves," I noted. "For people like that to be so unanimous in their praise... they must be incredibly strong."
"Seems so. Apparently, they're a front-line damage dealer using a standard longsword, but that's about all the info we have."
"No description of their face?"
"That's why they call them the 'Armored Explorer.' They wear a full suit of plate armor, including a closed helmet. The only thing we know is that they're about 180 centimeters tall, so most people assume it’s a man."
"A solo in the Lower Floors, huh," Lucre mused. "The only person I know who could pull that off is Orun-kun. I guess there really are some amazing people out there."
"Wait, I wouldn't even dream of soloing the Lower Floors," I protested.
"You wouldn't 'dream' of it, but you could do it, right?" Will smirked.
"...Maybe if I had to. But soloing is inefficient. Besides, I have reliable comrades right here. I don't have a single reason to go it alone."
"Fufu, thanks," Rain smiled. "We'll have to keep working hard so you keep feeling that way."
"Indeed," Selma added. "Subjugating the 93rd Floor Boss will depend on the coordination of the rearguard. Let’s stay sharp."
"Yeah! Let's do this! To the 94th Floor!"
「「「「Yeah!!!!」」」」
"I’m sorry, but he is not accepting visitors today."
The next day, having some free time, I went to the detention center hoping to see Oliver, but I was turned away again.
I had come here several times since returning to Tsutrail, but I hadn't been able to see him since that one meeting six months ago. I wondered if something had happened, or if he was simply avoiding me. Neither thought sat well with me.
Sigh... well, if I can't see him, there's no point lingering. Maybe I'll go visit Grandpa.
I shifted my focus and headed toward his shop.
However, it seemed he already had a customer. A figure clad in full-body armor was standing before Grandpa, mid-negotiation.
Full plate, huh. Is this the 'Armored Explorer' Rain and Selma were talking about? What a coincidence... Wait, what is this?
The armored figure turned slightly and looked at me.
As I observed them, the rumors of a solo Explorer in the Lower Floors suddenly felt entirely plausible. They were just standing there, yet their posture and the weight of their presence were unlike any other Explorer I’d met. It was the same sensation I’d felt when I first met Fuuka.
If I fought this person at full power, I'm not even sure I could win.
"It looks like it will take a bit more time to get the item you ordered," Grandpa said, addressing the figure. "Check back in about a month, would you?"
The Armored Explorer turned back to Grandpa and nodded. Then, they turned around and walked toward the door where I was standing. I stepped aside to give them room, and the figure exited the shop without a word.
Once I was sure they were gone, I walked up to the counter.
"Hey, Grandpa."
"Welcome, Orun. What brings you by today?"
"I’m planning to conquer the 93rd Floor soon, so I needed to restock on some consumables."
"Wait right there," he said, disappearing into the back.
I killed time browsing the shelves until he returned.
"Sorry for the wait. Will this cover you for now?" He began lining up supplies on the counter.
I returned to the counter and began inspecting each item one by one. I knew the quality would be perfect—Grandpa either made these himself or sourced them from the best—but I checked them anyway. Years ago, when I’d tried to buy something without looking, he’d scolded me: 'Never entrust your life solely to someone else.'
He was right. Since then, I’ve made it a rule to personally verify everything I buy or receive before using it. I’ve learned so much from him. I really need to start paying him back for all of it.
"Was that the 'Armored Explorer' people have been talking about?" I asked while checking the goods.
"Seems so. Why? You interested in that one?"
"A bit. I heard they were strong, and seeing them in person... yeah, the rumors weren't exaggerating."
"Naturally they’re strong if they’re diving into the Lower Floors alone. If that one ever decided to join a party or a Clan, there’d be a bloodbath trying to recruit them."
"Haha, true. Especially the big Clans. They’re always hungry for top-tier talent. It would be a nightmare."
Though if they were still solo at this point, they probably weren't looking to join anyone. If they ever did, I was sure the Silver Rabbit would make a move, which would be great for us, but it felt like a pipe dream.
"Alright, I'll take all of this. Throw in a whetstone too."
I finished my inspection and settled the bill while chatting. I watched him put the coins away, then stashed my new supplies into my storage magic tool.
"So, Orun. The year is almost over. How was it for you?"
I took a moment to reflect. A lot had happened. The biggest change, of course, was being kicked out of the Golden Dawn. Since then, I’d joined the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky, gained a talented disciple, and experienced things I never could have imagined a year ago.
"...It was a full year. That’s the best way to put it. If we can conquer the 93rd Floor as a finale, I’ll have no complaints. How about you, Grandpa?"
"Much the same as always for me. At my age, the years pass in a blink. Before I knew it, December was here again."
"I’ve heard that time feels faster the longer you live."
"I’m an old man now. Who knows how many more I have left?"
"Don't talk like that. I want you to stick around for a long time. Take care of yourself, okay? I’ll do whatever I can to help."
"............I suppose you're right. I still have things I must do. I can't afford to go just yet."
He looked off into the distance as he spoke. He’d made that expression before, so it wasn't exactly new, but his words felt heavier than usual for some reason.
"Things you must do...?"
"Watching you grow, of course. That’s what keeps me going these days. If you want to do something for me, then just let me keep watching you from nearby."
"Oh, is that it? That’s an easy one. I’ll keep working hard to make sure you have something to brag about."
"I'm counting on it. Next year looks like it will be a busy one, but I hope we can still be sitting here talking like this this time next year."
"The situation with the Empire is getting tense, so there’s bound to be some political movement. But I’m an Explorer first. I’m hoping to have the 94th Floor conquered by the time I report back to you next December."
"............Umu. I look forward to it."
While Orun was talking with the man he called Grandpa—Cavadele Evans—at the general store, Vince Briars, Grandmaster of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky, sat in his office with a look of intense focus.
A knock sounded at the door.
Vince called for the visitor to enter. The man who walked in was an elderly man with a rugged, powerful build.
"It’s been a while, young rabbit. Apologies for the unannounced visit."
The man's voice was casual, almost friendly.
"Honestly. If you're actually sorry, you should have sent word ahead. You aren't in a position to be making 'surprise visits' anymore. I happened to be free, but I'm a busy man these days."
"I'll keep that in mind for next time. Still, to think you’re actually the Grandmaster of the Rabbit now..."
"...I only wanted to purge the corruption from the Clan. I never actually intended to sit in this chair."
"Well, you were always meant to lead. We all benefited from your management skills back in the day. Being the head of the nation's largest Clan suits you, doesn't it? Though, if I’m being honest, I’d still love to scout you as my right hand."
"I appreciate the offer. Though I think you’re better suited for your current role than your previous one as well."
"Give me a break. I’ve been doing this for years and I still haven't gotten used to it."
The two spoke like old friends, their usually stern faces softening as they enjoyed the rare conversation. However, as the initial pleasantries wound down, Vince’s expression shifted. He was no longer a friend; he was the Grandmaster of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky.
He looked the man in the eye and spoke with gravity.
"——So, what brings you here today, former leader of the Hero Party? Or should I say, Captain of the Nohitant Kingdom Central Army Imperial Guard... Warren Hayes-san?"