After placing my luggage in the inn, I invited Arcelia to head toward the adventurer organization.
Even though I knew the labyrinth to some extent, it had been over twenty years since then. The structure and the danger level of the monsters would likely be the same, but labyrinths are ever-changing, so the finer details would be different.
It would be foolish to think it was the same as before. To fight the master seated on the lowest level, I needed to gather up-to-date information.
“What a savage town,” Arcelia spat with her usual sour expression as we walked along.
Indeed, she wasn’t wrong. This town was anything but refined. Adventurers were everywhere, and filthy merchants looking to take advantage of them crowded the streets.
But there was no helping it. As long as the labyrinth remained in this town, the scenery wouldn’t change.
In fact…
“We’re just out of place, that’s all,” I replied.
In appearance, clothing, and aura, both Arcelia and I clearly didn’t fit in here. We stuck out like sore thumbs.
Though I had hidden my uniform under a robe to avoid trouble, that only went so far. People were already staring at us. Well, more than half of those gazes were fixated on Arcelia’s beauty.
“Hey, Arcelia, put your hood up and hide your face.”
“Oh? Are you jealous? You don’t want anyone else ogling my face?”
Arcelia smiled mischievously.
She knows that’s not the case… I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.
“Idiot. I just don’t want more guys getting hurt. It’s annoying watching them crash and burn when they approach you.”
Setting aside her personality, in terms of looks and abilities, Arcelia was a perfect woman. It was no wonder young men were infatuated with her.
But her personality was abysmal. Utterly terrible.
Anyone foolish enough to try and flirt with her would not only be ignored but also face her icy glare, which would make them shudder. Her sharp tongue would tear down their confidence, leaving them broken.
Most of those who attempted to court Arcelia were highly confident—good family backgrounds, attractive, and capable. So, when their pride and spirits were shattered, they were left utterly devastated.
It was bad enough that even I, watching from the sidelines, couldn’t help but feel sorry for them.
“True, but don’t you find it amusing to see those arrogant fools humbled by their own insignificance?”
“I won’t lie and say I don’t… but I’m not that cruel. After a year of this, I’m tired of it.”
I replied, sounding exasperated, which made Arcelia chuckle softly.
“You’re kind after all.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Oh, but you are. You’ve heard people talking behind your back countless times this past year, but you never did anything.”
It seems Arcelia misunderstood. She believed that ignoring those who attacked me was a form of kindness.
Most people wouldn’t think that way… but maybe because Arseria had been constantly attacked as a child, she developed that mindset.
It was warped, extreme… but understandable given her past.
Whether that was the correct perspective or not, only Arcelia knew the truth.
“It’s not like I don’t think it’s a waste of time to deal with those fools. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t bother me. Even if I understand it logically, my heart doesn’t handle it as well.”
“Oh? Did it hurt your feelings when people talked behind your back?”
“Of course not. But… yes, it’s like an annoying insect buzzing nearby. You, on the other hand, don’t even feel that, do you?”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”
Arcelia gave me a look that seemed to say, “See?” It’s true that I didn’t care at all about the whispers around me. But that wasn’t always the case.
“You’ll get used to it. Give it a little time, and eventually, it won’t bother you at all.”
Arcelia, despite her genius, was still just in her teens, with limited life experience.
On the other hand, I had thirty years of past-life experience, plus my time as an adventurer.
Knowing her, once she graduated from the academy and spent a year or so as an adventurer, she’d easily develop that same mentality. I could already imagine her dismissing gossip with a, “So what?”
“Hmm. I still find it odd that you, the same age as me, have such composure… but fine.”
As we reached the adventurer organization’s building, I considered how she probably wouldn’t be too shocked if I told her I was reincarnated.
We entered through the half-broken door, and the familiar mix of sweat, blood, and dust filled my nose.
Though Arcelia and I had been to the adventurer organization several times over the past year, when I glanced at her face, she still looked displeased.
It seemed she hadn’t gotten used to the smell.
I shrugged as I headed to the reception.
Just like on our way here, all eyes were on us. Given the time of day, there weren’t many adventurers around, which made us stand out even more.
“I’d like to know about the current state of the labyrinth.”
Instead of speaking to one of the pretty receptionists, I approached a bald, gruff-looking man.
In my experience, rugged men like him were more likely to have useful information than the elegant receptionists. Plus, most adventurers flock to the receptionists, so the wait time is shorter with the gruff ones.
“The labyrinth? Ah, soon, those noble kids—”
The man trailed off as he froze, his eyes darting between Arcelia and me. He realized we were nobles and began to panic, sweat forming on his already balding head.
“We’re here as adventurers,” I said, cutting him off. “Just treat us like anyone else.”
The man gave me a suspicious look.
It’s understandable. Nobles like us were a rare sight in these parts. But if he kept doubting us, this would go nowhere. I made sure to look as annoyed as possible to convey my sincerity.
Finally, the man wiped his sweat and nodded. “Alright, alright.”
“Good. Now, tell me about the labyrinth—”
Before he could start, the door slammed open, and a loud voice cut through the room.
“Hey, there’s still kids around here, huh? You’re way too young to be diving into a labyrinth!”
A tall, broad-shouldered man walked in, bathed in the light spilling through the closing door. His rough voice suggested a brutish nature, but his surprisingly intelligent face threw me off. He looked like the quiet, thoughtful type if he’d just kept his mouth shut.
But what really caught my eye was—
“Kraze, how many times do I have to tell you not to bring monsters in here?”
The man had a monster perched on his shoulder.
The bald man sighed in exasperation, clearly used to this sight. But Kraze paid him no mind and strode over to us.
“Mid-teens, by the look of you two?”
He looked us up and down before continuing.
“Trust me, kids, it’s better if you head home and hit the books instead of risking your lives in that labyrinth.”
Though rough in tone, he seemed genuinely concerned. He wasn’t like the thuggish adventurers who usually picked on rookies.
Which made me think—what’s up with this guy?
