Chapter 80

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

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As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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Amid the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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Yu stood with his back against the tree trunk, and Appi, whose mind was brimming with countless questions like a spring, had one thing she was determined to ask first.

"Yu—do you really have an idea of where the labyrinth is, no, wait, do you know the location?"

Appi's question made everyone around look at Yu with interest. In response to the question, Yu replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Then what would you do?"

"Of course! Then why? How?"

"Would an adventurer teach their abilities to others?

The location is about 300 meters from here; there's a tree that looks like the entrance to the labyrinth."

Yu's response made Appi realize they were adventurers. She remembered what an adventurer named Britt had said at Lycoris' tavern before. All that Britt had said was true. The same magic could have infinite possibilities depending on the user's ingenuity. Many adventurers innovated and improved their techniques, and they never taught these to others. In this world, everyone knew that the most terrifying thing was competition.

"In exchange for information about the labyrinth?"

Memmet approached Yu with an excited face. Appi thought it was unusual for Memmet, who usually cautioned such actions, but she understood that any back-row member would naturally want to know about the magic's power and technique.

"Information about the labyrinth?"

"We are tackling the D-rank labyrinth 'Valotte's Garden' in the capital. How about the information up to the 25th floor, no, the deepest 37th floor? Just the technique for Stone Bullet is fine."

The excited Memmet was almost touching Yu, but then Lena intervened and forcibly pulled Memmet away.

"...Don't get so close without permission."

"I'm not interested. Lena, don't try to sniff around in the chaos."

"...Cheapskate."

"That's a shame..."

As Memmet moved away from Yu, Marifa, who had secretly been ready with her bow, also lowered it. Nina was also attached to Yu's back. Suke, who didn't understand the situation, cautiously approached Yu's feet and rubbed his head against them. Koro, in a defensive stance, showed his belly and wagged his tail.

"Anyway, it's that guy right now."

Yu, with his back against the tree trunk, took a running start and leaped to where Joseph was sleeping, swinging his sword at Joseph's head. Despite snoring, Joseph instantly drew his sword and blocked Yu's attack.

"Whoa! What's going on? What are you doing!"

"That's my line. Aren't you the examiner? What have you been doing all this time?"

"...Taking a nap, maybe? Hahaha."

"If you want to sleep so much, I'll let you sleep forever."

"Wait! That's not what you meant, right?"

Despite being an examiner, Joseph had been neglecting his duties and taking a nap. He sighed and got up, then started walking ahead, signaling for them to follow. Everyone, except Nina, thought, "He should just die."

After walking about 300 meters with Joseph in the lead, they came upon a giant tree, just as Yu had said. The tree was about 30 meters tall and 50 meters in diameter, making it absurdly large compared to the surrounding trees.

"What a massive tree... and the size of this cave. Is this the entrance to the labyrinth?"

Sham was overwhelmed and impressed by the size of the tree. Appi and the others cautiously entered the tree's cave but quickly returned.

"You'll know as soon as you enter the cave, but it's definitely the labyrinth."

"So, does this mean the mission is complete?"

Larit muttered to himself, and everyone's gaze turned to Joseph. Joseph, yawning and scratching his chin, looked around at the current examinees.

"Ah, right. Once you become a C-rank adventurer, you'll naturally take on C-rank quests and labyrinths. What C-rank and higher adventurers are expected to have is strength.

Combat ability, crisis management, judgment, diet, concentration, adaptability, and a strong mental fortitude. Those who think they have these qualifications should step forward. Those who step forward will be C-rank from today."

"That's it? Just step forward to become C-rank?"

Moran felt deflated, as if the air had been let out of a balloon.

"Lord Sham, let's step forward. This makes us C-rank adventurers! The next rank—B-rank—grants the status of a baron, and then everyone will recognize Lord Sham."

"That's right! If we become C-rank, Lord Dotz will surely see Lord Sham in a new light."

Dog and Samoha, with smiles on their faces, tried to step forward with Sham, but Sham didn't move.

"Lord Sham... What's wrong? Just step forward to become C-rank."

Dog hurriedly urged Sham, but Sham still didn't move. Looking around, Yu and Appi's group had already stepped forward. Larit and Eckart followed shortly after. Only Sham and his two companions were left.

"Dog, Samoha, did we contribute this time? I want you to be honest.

You've served me, who cannot inherit a title, for many years."

"That, well—indeed, we may not have been very useful this time. But that's a different matter."

"That's right! As Dog said, what's required now is whether to step forward or not.

If you feel you were lacking this time, you can improve after becoming C-rank!"

The two tried to persuade Sham, but Sham calmly faced them without wavering.

"Do you understand the difference between nobles and commoners? Status? Wealth? Connections? I think it's different.

Money can buy status. Some merchants have more wealth than nobles. Connections are the same.

I believe the difference between nobles and commoners is pride.

If I step forward here and stand alongside them, I will lose something important inside me. I'm sure I won't be able to regain it.

Dog, Samoha... I'm truly sorry to you. But please understand my selfishness."

Dog and Samoha listened to Sham's words in silence, then nodded and knelt at Sham's feet.

"Sham, is it okay?"

"Mr. Joseph, as you can see."

"Understood. I thought you were just a spoiled brat, but it seems you have some backbone.

The C-rank exam is passed by everyone except Sham's group and the dark elf girl.

We'll head back to the guild immediately and report on the labyrinth. I've already arranged for a barrier master.

I have to stay here and guard against monsters coming out of the labyrinth."

The barrier master Joseph mentioned was a higher-level job than a barrier caster, skilled in defensive techniques, and their main job was to set up barriers at the entrances of labyrinths to prevent monsters from overflowing.

Sham and Appi's group felt relieved at Joseph's words. Honestly, they wanted to return to Kama as quickly as possible, given the number of monsters that had appeared just around the labyrinth. However, some people were heading in a different direction from Sham and Appi's group.

"Hey, where are you going?"

In response to Joseph's question, Larit turned back with a forced smile.

"Hehe. Sir, please let us go.

I talked with Yu and the others just now. You see, this labyrinth is untouched, right?"

"It would be a waste for adventurers to miss such an opportunity."

Yu ignored Joseph and kept moving forward.

"Yu! Are you leaving me behind?"

"Joseph has to stay here and watch for monsters. We're going to dive into the labyrinth.

Is there a problem with that? No, right? So, we'll be going ahead."

As Yu and the others disappeared into the tree's cave, Joseph shouted loudly, but his voice only echoed, and no one responded.