Only the first day had been packed with things to do and sudden incidents.
From the second day on, our daily routine in the city flowed peacefully and monotonously.
In the mornings, I walked around the city gathering all sorts of information, and once the sun set, I gathered at the inn with my party members after they finished their training to chat about random things.
Because using skills outside the labyrinth didn't raise their proficiency, getting a little more used to this world with each passing day was practically the only change.
A week flew by like that, and before we knew it, the time to re-enter the labyrinth was right in front of us.
"Phew... I'm nervous. Will we be okay?"
"No need to be tense. It'll be much better than last time."
"Will it?"
When the Elf asked again with a worried look, I calmly nodded.
Unlike our first expedition, where we had plunged into the labyrinth without any preparation at all and spun around in a frantic, bewildered mess, this time we were properly prepared.
Instead of shabby clothes, we wore proper gear; we had packed spare weapons, even if they were cheap; and our backpacks held six healing potions, one mana potion, and sleeping bags that would guarantee quality sleep.
As long as the Orc didn't pull another sudden stunt like last time, nothing out of the ordinary would happen.
...Granted, that was strictly speaking 'in theory.'
Although I had answered casually, in truth, it wasn't as if I had zero worries myself.
Frankly, wasn't the labyrinth a place where anything could happen at any time and none of it would be strange?
Still, I knew those odds were slim to none, and at least when it came to the 'labyrinth,' I simply trusted myself, who stood ahead of anyone else in this world.
"O Great Tree that links heaven and earth..."
Unlike me, the Elf couldn't trust in herself and borrowed that resolve from a folk belief with no real substance.
I knew the prayer she was reciting so earnestly was no different from empty words scattering meaninglessly into the air, but I didn't bother ruining the mood.
Just as the Elf's prayer was wrapping up, familiar voices called out from across the way.
"We have arrived!"
"You were here first."
The Orc and the Dwarf walked over together.
They weren't sharing a room like we were, but since the Orc's behavior was so nerve-wracking, the Dwarf had been looking after him ever since we came out to the city.
"Did you pack everything?"
"We bought it all just as you told us yesterday."
The Dwarf and the Orc opened their stuffed backpacks to show me.
"Here's the flint, and here are the clubs and cloth... Ah, since you said any oil would do, I also got some that a shop was about to throw out. Is this fine too?"
"Oh, nice work."
I hadn't even thought of that.
This city definitely wasn't my turf yet.
While I was checking the amount of oil, the Dwarf asked a question.
"These look like materials for torches, aren't they?"
"That's right."
"Wait, isn't the 1st floor already bright?"
Contrary to its name, which sounded like not a single ray of light would reach it, the 1st floor—the Cave Maze—had natural lighting.
Because small luminescent stones were studded all across the cave walls.
However, not every place was like that.
"Looks like there's a Special Zone."
"Close, but slightly different."
I'll explain the details when the time comes.
With that, I finished checking everything the Dwarf had brought.
Now it was time to open the Orc's backpack.
"Why did you tell me to bring something this heavy?!"
What I had asked the Orc to bring were simply huge chunks of metal.
Four heavy iron ingots sat inside.
"I'll tell you later. First, let's split up the load."
Including me, all of our party members emptied our bags completely, then divided the supplies everyone had brought into quarters and repacked them into the empty backpacks.
Primarily, this was to make the weight of our backpacks equal, but it also served to prevent any specific supply from being lost entirely if someone's backpack happened to get lost.
For the record, the Elf and I had packed an even mix of dried rations and water for the labyrinth, along with potions and other miscellaneous supplies.
After fastening my backpack tightly, I carefully checked for any other issues as well.
Whether any part was torn, or looked like it might tear soon.
'No problems.'
With this, our business in the city was done.
Now it was time to head back into the labyrinth.
"If anyone isn't feeling well, speak up now."
"It is not even hot, yet I am sweating a lot!"
"Are you that nervous?"
"N-never! I am a warrior who knows no fear!"
"Guess someone must've splashed water on you, then."
"T-that must be it!"
Thankfully, there were no particular issues, and we headed straight for the entrance for this expedition.
A massive stone slab sat in the middle of the wide plaza.
Dozens of guard posts stood nearby, and the guards stationed in front of them checked and recorded the identities of Explorers entering and leaving the labyrinth.
"Please show your IDs. Yuta, Urka, Brooks, Tille—four-person team confirmed. May you achieve what you seek on your expedition."
After finishing the procedure, we held hands and stepped onto the entrance.
There was only one entrance leading into the labyrinth, but once you crossed it, you were dropped at random into one of hundreds of starting points; if you were in physical contact, however, you would be transported to the same spot together.
WHOOOOM—
When we stood atop the stone slab packed with complex geometric patterns, a red light rose along with a vibration.
Portals leading to an upper floor glowed red.
With a bright flash, crimson light burst forth to fill my entire field of vision, and as the light faded, my changed surroundings revealed a gloomy cave.
Inhale— Haaah...
Taking a deep breath as if savoring it, a sensation I hadn't felt in a week coursed through my entire body.
The air was so damp and sticky that even my stomach felt gross... What a truly shitty feeling, so to speak.
Yeah, I was definitely back in the labyrinth.
***
What is the very first thing you must do after entering the labyrinth?
First, you have to check whether you arrived together with your companions.
"If it is Goblins and Twinkle Dogs, bring on as many as you want!"
"Phew... Maybe it's because it's been a week, but I'm really nervous."
"Let's hope we don't run into bastards like Raiders this time."
Thankfully, there had been no accidents.
Then on to the next step.
"Brooks, check our current location."
The starting point, chosen at random upon entry, was a crucial factor in an expedition.
Because if you were heading to a higher floor, your route changed completely depending on the starting point, and if you had business on the 1st floor, starting far from your destination meant having to travel that much further.
Starting from a point suited to your goal could be called a huge stroke of luck.
On this expedition, there was a record I had to obtain no matter what.
Because it was the core of the Battle Mage build and a record that could no longer be obtained from the next entry onward, I had to secure it before leaving, no matter what happened.
'Come on, give me a good roll.'
As long as we hit a decent starting point, we could wrap up my objective quickly and move on to other plans.
From checking the entrance layout beforehand, if we got the closest entrance, we could probably clear it in three days...
Well, in truth, I didn't expect that much.
My entrance luck hadn't been all that great back in [Dungeon Log], either.
Therefore, I always just prayed to avoid the worst-case scenario.
'Anything but the outermost edge will do.'
The total area of the 1st floor was larger than South Korea's territory, and our destination sat right in the center of the map.
If we got unlucky and landed on the outermost edge, it would be a disaster of over 250 km in a straight line to the center, regardless of the route.
Just reaching our destination could take over a month.
Ah, granted, the odds of that weren't very high either.
There were only a measly seven outermost points, while all the other entrances sat much further inside.
Only seven out of hundreds—what were the odds of hitting one of those?
What was more, unlike the other entrances, the outermost starting points had a much lower probability applied to them.
Considering that in twenty years of playing [Dungeon Log], I could count on two hands the number of expeditions where I started on the outermost edge of the 1st floor, that said it all.
"Let's see... Hm, a ceiling carved in a three-wave pattern... It matches. We're right here."
Examining the map, the Dwarf pointed to a spot.
And I—
"Ah."
—couldn't help letting out a groan.
Son of a bitch.
We had dropped into one of the only seven outermost points on the 1st floor.
***
Someone famous once said that while bad things happen, life isn't made of only bad things.
You always need to look at the world from a positive perspective.
Even in a shitty situation, there is bound to be a silver lining.
...Wait, that applies to the normal world, not the labyrinth.
When I'm about to be stuck in the fucking labyrinth for a month, how could there possibly be anything like that?
We aren't facing just one or two problems right now.
'First off, we're short on food.'
The rations we had packed were for two weeks.
Well, as long as you didn't land on the outermost edge, no matter how twisted the route got, a course taking over two weeks never came up.
It might be a different story if we had a 'Cook' who could make food out of monsters, but of course this party had no such thing.
'Our stamina probably won't hold out, either.'
Although our party had an advantage when it came to sleep, a full month was by no means a short time.
Fatigue building up little by little would grow into a massive problem as time went on.
Once we passed the two-week mark, a full-blown slump in condition would set in.
Thinking about the food shortage overlapping with that already makes my vision swim.
On top of that, I could list several more problems.
Accumulating damage to our gear, having no way to offload monster byproducts, not having enough potions for the duration...
Countless conditions required for a long-term stay in the labyrinth were missing.
'This really got royally fucked up.'
How could things go this sideways when we actually came in properly prepared?
Even if I wasn't the luckiest guy around, I wasn't downright cursed... Ah, if I hadn't been, maybe I wouldn't have been dragged to this place at all.
Still, there was just one positive sign.
'My Constitution isn't going off.'
My Constitution that sensed locked-in negative events, [Danger Sense].
That ability wasn't activating.
In other words, we aren't about to get screwed over right this second.
'Phew... That's a little better.'
Having something to take comfort in makes me feel somewhat calmer, at least.
In truth, simply still being alive after dropping into this world might be something to be grateful for.
'Yeah, well, it's not like there's no way at all.'
The process will just be grueling; what I have to do is clear.
Enduring somehow, pressing forward, and achieving my goal is my duty as someone struggling to reject death.
Just like on the very first day I dropped into this place.
I quickly tamped down the mood that had curses spilling out on their own and started moving in earnest.
Ah, before that, I should probably explain our situation to my party members.
"Do we not get stronger by staying in the labyrinth?! Does that mean I can return as an incredibly strong warrior?!"
"Even if we go out, we'll just rest for a week and come right back in anyway, so it's not a big difference, right? Though if it were several months, that might be another story."
"Looking here, it seems there are shops operating inside the labyrinth, too. They'll probably be a bit pricey, sure, but it looks like we can sell off our byproducts and pick up food or gear there. The route will get a fair bit longer, of course, but well, can't we just pick a day or so to get plenty of rest? Staying an extra day or two on top of a month won't even be noticeable."
Wait, why are these guys reacting like this?
They're way too positive... Did they actually understand this right?
"Because of 'my record,' the rest of you have to stay in the labyrinth for a month too. Are you really okay with that?"
"Won't things we can use drop during that time, too?"
"Well, you'll take care of our shares for us anyway, won't you, Yuta?"
"I swore on my honor as a warrior to do whatever you tell me to do!"
How should I put it... This is throwing me off a bit.
They really are a far cry from the 'Explorers' I know.
"...Don't change your tune later."
For some reason, a laugh slipped out.
Our second expedition had begun.