Chapter 108 Other World Adventure (11) Encounter(6)
Author's Note:
Character Map:
"X" = Loid Orcus (protagonist)
"(X)" = Loid Orcus (strong inner thought)
°X° = Makina
•X• = Soul Goddess Aksa
^X^ = Sebastian (AI Assistant)
X>X = Chat Window/Panel in the Livestream
*X* = God and Goddess
#X# = Deities
?X?=Unknown Person
×X×=(Monster/Enemy)
Others:
[X] = Status Board/What is written on it/ Status Window (New)
--- = POV Change
|||| = Time Skip/Time Preview(New)
(X) = Explanation/author/ A.U.T.H.O.R.
([X]) = Sound effect
{X} = Buttons, or something that may cause a certain action
---
"Let's go to the labyrinth."
With that, I entered the labyrinth and began grinding.
"Yosh. Let's aim for Rank C."
Thus begins my grinding arc.
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•Yeah, no. You're not challenging the third trial.•
"Why!?"
•Because you can't.•
"Again!? Why!!?"
Appearing before me before I could challenge the trial is Aksa stopping me and telling me I can't
After a series of back-and-forth arguments, Aksa finally gave in and explained.
•I really shouldn't be telling you this—this is supposed to be my imposed trial after all. But if I don't tell you, you'll probably sneak in and challenge it without me knowing. So... I'll tell you why.•
Hearing Makina, I used my shapeshifting ability to move the ground and form a seat, plopping myself down to listen.
Aksa looks at me for a moment as if glaring at what I'm doing but looks to the side as if to say she will not bother about what I'm doing and proceed to talk
•The third trial tests the challenger's aptitude for fighting. As such, the use of skills and abilities will be restricted or outright suppressed upon entering. And I heard you were planning to grind your level, right? Well, the third trial doesn't have any mobs for you to grind on.•
"???"
•But in exchange, this trial won't attempt to kill you—unlike the previous ones. Still... you might die from hunger or thirst, since once you enter the trial, you won't be able to leave. Now then, for the conditions to clear the trial...•
•Like I said, the purpose of this trial is to assess your fighting aptitude. Skills and abilities will be restrained once the trial begins. There's no monster that'll try to kill you—because the one judging you, what you might call the 'boss monster' or something, won't be trying to kill you at all. Instead, their job is to evaluate you.•
•The condition to clear the trial is simple: inflict a certain amount of damage within a specific time frame. But how much time? That, I won't tell you. You'll have to figure it out on your own.•
Hearing what Aksa said, my plan to grind levels would definitely not be fulfilled. But… if I challenge the trial, I might improve my combat capabilities. Still, that also means giving up the chance to train and improve my skills and abilities. And on top of that—I don't even know how long this trial would take to complete.
With all that in mind, I came to a clear conclusion.
"Although I don't need to eat or drink as long as there's mana, if what you said is true… then yeah, it's definitely not wise to challenge this trial."
•See? I told you—wait, are you saying I might be lying if it's not true!?•
"Leaving that aside… what am I supposed to do, then? Just keep retrying the previous trials by myself?"
•...I feel disrespected. But fine. As you say—I have an idea. A place where you could do all of that. And you might even gain something more, too!•
Hearing that, I stopped my internal pondering and glanced at the goddess with a raised brow, my expression shifting to one of curiosity.
"Whoa... setting aside how much I trust you… what is it?"
•Hey! That's it. You've gone too far!•
After a few short banters and sarcastic exchanges, Aksa finally sighed and, with a tone full of frustration, revealed her suggestion.
•Let's go join !@#$%^&—or, in the closest word in your language, what you'd call the Adventurer's Guild, Let go and join the Adventure Guild•
"Whoa… Fanta Fantasy. Wait, is this real? You're not lying?"
•Are you coming or not? I'm heading to the main continent—with or without you. I can just borrow a mimic with AI on it from Makina and have it do my bidding.•
"No, no, I'm coming with you."
With that, I returned to base, packed a few essentials, and informed Makina of my plans. Surprisingly, she had no objections. I thought she'd be more reluctant to let me go, but… it seems she has something hidden up her sleeve.
If Makina's confident in my safety, then maybe it's fine.
And so, together with the goddess, we departed for the main continent.
With the help of Aksa and a divine relic, a shimmering portal opened before us—and I stepped through.
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On the other side of the portal…
What welcomed me wasn't the scenery I expected—not the sea or the beach we recently retreated from.
Instead, I stood upon an open grassy field.
And ahead of me… a massive wall.
Beyond it, I could see structures straight out of a manga or manhwa illustration, or maybe from one of those fantasy light novels. It was a city—straight-up medieval fantasy vibes.
"…How?"
•What? Ah, right—about this. It seems Makina sent some advance recon using mimics with AI installed. Originally, we thought we'd arrive at the port, but according to Makina's findings, there was no Adventurer's Guild there. So, some of the mimics continued along the road, and they eventually reached this city.•
•Based on what Makina told me, when she tried sending more recon units inside the city… their signals got cut off. After a bit more investigation, it turns out there's a barrier covering the entire city. That's what's disrupting the connection.•
"…"
•If you're wondering whether it's dangerous—Makina checked with some of the people we rescued. This place is called Dulkan—a port city named after a legendary dragon said to dwell in both land and sea. It's well-known as a hub for sea trade, merchants, sailors, and adventurers alike.•
"!!!"
•From the information gathered, it seems the city has a pretty solid reputation. It's deemed reasonably safe… unless we go out of our way to cause trouble. Oh, and one more thing—apparently, the city is managed by an A-rank Dragonkin. He's said to be a descendant of the dragon the city is named after. His name? Duke.•
•As for the barrier—Makina wants us to install a signal tower inside the city. That way, she can maintain connection and control within the area. But before we return, it wouldn't hurt to register as adventurers, accept a few quests, grind your level a bit… maybe even earn some decent cash.•
•So, what do you think?•
"Hmm!!!"
•Speak already! Don't just 'hmm' at me—it's been a while now!•
At that, I gave a sharp nod. Then another. And another.
Aksa just sighed and glared at me as if to say finally.
•Speak!, it has been time now!•
At that, I nod my head many times as Aksa shouts to reprimand me
I was so surprised—and honestly, overwhelmed—by what I was seeing that I stood in silence, trying to take it all in and process what was happening.
But it seemed I didn't have the luxury of time.
Aksa was already calling out to me, her voice sharp and impatient.
•Hey! Quit spacing out and move already!•
Snapping back to reality, I quickly followed Makina as she took the lead, guiding us toward the city gates.