Chapter 25

"Here, everyone. Today is the practical exploration of the underground labyrinth. This is the only time you'll have such a gentle practice, so be careful. The knowledge and experience you gain today will determine your survival in the future, so take it seriously."

Nakita, our class instructor, who is unusually youthful, raised her voice.

Fifty students from the commoner class were gathered in a corner of the building that manages the underground labyrinth.

The entrance to the underground labyrinth is built with the thickest walls in the city to prevent monsters from escaping, and it is always guarded by knights of Rank 3 or higher.

In fact, a few monsters escape from the underground labyrinth each year, and they are defeated by the resident knights.

This job is the very reason for the city's existence, to contain Elna and prevent monsters from spreading to other lands.

"Ta-da! This is the exploration permit for the underground labyrinth. Be careful not to lose it, or you won't be able to enter. Also, don't show it too much in the city, as theft and robbery are common."

Nakita distributed the permits to the students, which are worn around the neck.

Finally. I felt my chest swell with anticipation. It's not an exaggeration to say I entered this academy to get this permit. Normally, it takes a year to obtain an exploration permit.

"What if I lose it?"

I asked just to be safe. No matter how careful you are, there's always a risk of losing or damaging it in a dangerous place like the underground labyrinth. Even if you prepare for theft, there's nothing you can do if the thief is stronger.

"It can be reissued, but it costs 900,000 bal. By the way, this price is three times the black market price. If it were cheaper, there would be foolish people selling it."

"Thank you."

I nodded, oddly understanding that there would be people who would sell it. Especially in the commoner class, people become particularly greedy for money.

"It costs a lot to make, you know. It subtly emits magic, so special magic can detect it from about 500 meters away, making rescue easier. By the way, the magic is a secret to prevent misuse."

I examined the permit. I understood the mechanism in 30 seconds. It emits ultra-high-frequency magic that normal humans can't detect. With this, the chances of being ambushed by humans are reduced.

But I can detect it. I can use this to my advantage.

"Okay, let's enter the underground labyrinth. Did everyone bring their supplies? Water and portable food, right? You'll die without them."

Everyone nodded silently. Although this is the first practical session, we've learned various knowledge through lectures since we enrolled.

"Then, let me introduce you to the greatest purpose of this sealed city: the underground labyrinth."

And so, we stepped into the underground labyrinth for the first time.

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"What is this? It's bright and green, even underground. It's definitely strange."

"Yeah, it's creepy. I thought the underground labyrinth would be damp and dark."

We stepped into the first underground floor.

Kuna and Anne sounded disappointed.

The ceiling was about 5 meters high, and despite the lack of sunlight, the area was bright with trees and a stream.

There were no walls, making it feel like a forest.

No matter how many times I saw it, the landscape of the underground labyrinth always surprised me.

"The underground labyrinth grows using Elna, which creates monsters. The landscape reflects the mental imagery of monsters and humans."

"How bizarre."

"But it's easier and better than exploring a dark, damp cave."

The labyrinth changes its nature significantly at certain levels.

For example, up to the 9th underground floor, it resembles a forest, but from the 10th floor, it looks like the inside of a volcano.

"Okay, pay attention, everyone. Some of you might think, 'Why bother carrying heavy water and food when there's a stream and fruit here?'"

Nakita looked around at the students, and a few nodded.

"But you must never drink or eat anything here. Let's try it, you and you."

"Huh, me!?"

A timid-looking boy was called.

He must be a capable person to have passed the exams here.

"Could you drink this water for me? This amount should be safe."

Nakita poured about a third of a cup of water and handed it to him.

"Drink it."

"Wh-what, o-okay."

The boy drank the water.

"Ugh, ouch, my stomach!"

He turned pale, vomited, and writhed in pain, clutching his stomach. Blue phosphorescence leaked from his abdomen, a sign that he was being healed by a blessing.

"See, this is what happens when you drink or eat anything here. So, bring your own food and water."

"Mr. Teacher, that's mean."

The student, who had recovered thanks to the blessing, complained.

"Ahaha, sorry, sorry. You won't learn unless you experience it yourself. The things in the underground labyrinth are made with Elna, the power that creates monsters. Once materialized, Elna is no different from ordinary matter, but it contains a lot of miasma, which is toxic to anything but monsters. More people die from running out of water and food and eating the things in the underground labyrinth than from monsters, so be really careful."

That makes sense.

To earn more, you want to explore as much as possible.

But the amount of water and food you can bring is limited. It's human nature to want to gather supplies on-site.

Even if you know it's dangerous, you might still try it.

"But, to be honest, once you reach Rank 3, you develop resistance and can eat and drink things in the labyrinth without any issues. That's a significant barrier. Once you can do that, your efficiency in the labyrinth skyrockets."

I smiled wryly. We are currently Rank 1, so we get sick from a little miasma, but as our rank increases, we can withstand it. When that happens, our stay in the labyrinth will be longer.

...But I have the Purification magic, so I can do it from Rank 1. In the game era, I found it troublesome to carry food, so I ate the purified meat of monsters.

"Putting that aside, let's get to the main event. The battle with monsters, which you're all most curious about."

Nakita smiled wickedly, clearly planning something.