Chapter 90

In the 37th layer of the Labyrinth of the Demon Tree, all the monsters that appeared were Rank 5. A group of adventurers moved forward, finding the air sticky and bothersome as it clung to their bodies, enveloped by a dense jungle reminiscent of a subtropical climate.

"Anita, let's go back. It's so hot and the sweat is making me feel so uncomfortable."

"Bel, don't be so picky.

The Labyrinth of the Demon Tree was discovered only four days ago, and the information about the layers only goes up to the 22nd floor, which no one has cleared yet.

We, the 'Golden Moon Flower,' will be the first to clear this labyrinth!"

"Boo, even if you say that, there was no boss on the 26th floor, and I'm sure other adventurers or major clans have already cleared it."

"Bel, that's impossible. Even the 'Leaf of Authority' has only cleared up to the 16th floor.

I think there's a random boss room every 13 floors, not a fixed one."

As App stroked Bel's pouting head to calm her down, Bel, though complaining about being treated like a child, didn't push her hand away and continued to be stroked.

"I was also worried about the lack of a boss.

I remember there were some adventurers who, after the labyrinth was discovered, immediately dove into it, right? They were the ones who took the C-Rank test with you guys?"

"That's right! Yuu is amazing with a sword, and he sold the map up to the 22nd floor to the guild!"

"It's not just Yuu, but Yuu and his group. They seem like the type who could clear the 26th floor."

"Moran, it's rare for you to like a guy. Was he that good?"

"N-no! It's not like that!"

"Maybe he was a good boy, not a good man."

"Hee, I didn't know Moran had such a taste."

"Even you, Bel! I told you it's not like that!"

As Anita and Bel teased Moran, her face turned red with embarrassment, but Anita and the others just laughed, enjoying the rare sight.

The 'Golden Moon Flower' had been exploring the Labyrinth of the Demon Tree for three days. On the same day the Adventurer's Guild announced the discovery of the labyrinth and released information up to the 22nd floor, the 'Golden Moon Flower' members, including Anita and Bel, arrived in the city of Kama. Originally, App and the others were supposed to report the results of the C-Rank promotion test to Anita and the others in the capital, but Anita, who was good with people, and Bel, who was worried, couldn't stay put and brought almost all the 'Golden Moon Flower' members from the capital.

"The 'Leaf of Authority' were a bunch of jerks."

As App made a visibly displeased face, Moran and Memmet, standing next to her, also showed similar expressions.

"They said they would make us their women. They were looking down on us. Clearing the Labyrinth of the Demon Tree is also about showing those guys up."

"Anita, five coming from that direction. Probably a Soul Sucker Tree with a group of Murder Beetles."

"Got it. Everyone, ready?"

Despite the approach of a Rank 5 Soul Sucker Tree and Murder Beetles, Anita gave instructions calmly, and the other members felt reassured by her presence. While hunting on the 37th floor was a matter of life and death for App, Moran, and Memmet alone, the presence of the tank Anita, the scout Bel, and the other 'Golden Moon Flower' members allowed them to defend against powerful monster attacks and ambushes, reaching the 37th floor without serious injuries.

"They're here! Just as Bel predicted, a Soul Sucker Tree and Murder Beetles!"

As App called out, Anita stepped forward and blocked the Soul Sucker Tree's sweeping attack. The Soul Sucker Tree, a hideous monster with a purple, poisonous trunk and blue leaves, had faces that appeared on its body for each soul it consumed, and was about three meters tall. Though slightly smaller than a Treant, it still possessed strength far greater than a human. While a typical tank would have been blown away upon blocking the attack, Anita stood firm, demonstrating her exceptional skills as a tank. App, standing behind, looked at Anita with admiration.

"App, what are you staring at? Use 'Provocation' on the Murder Beetles!"

"Y-yes!"

A few minutes later, the Soul Sucker Tree and Murder Beetles lay dead on the ground.

"Moran, don't get too relaxed just because I'm taking the hits. If you got hit by the Soul Sucker Tree's Soul Eater, you'd be the one lying there now."

"I wouldn't make such a mistake—Ouch! Don't hit me! What if I get dumber?"

"Hehe, Moran can't get any dumber."

"Bel!"

While Anita and the others were having their usual banter, the 'Golden Moon Flower' members, smiling wryly, stripped the magic cores and materials from the Soul Sucker Tree and Murder Beetles.

"Let's stop the jokes here. We'll meet up with Washan and the others soon."

To clear the Labyrinth of the Demon Tree, the 'Golden Moon Flower' split into two parties to explore, merging at regular intervals or when they found the path to the next floor, and then splitting again upon reaching a new floor.

"Hmm..."

"Bel, is something wrong?"

"Over there."

Bel pointed to a place where a crack in the rock wall formed a cave-like opening.

"Hehe, Bel, we checked that place when we first came to this floor. It's just a large open space with nothing in it."

Bel gave Memmet a look that said, "I know that," and Memmet hid behind App.

"I sense something. Multiple presences. They're not moving, so they might be other adventurers."

"Are there other adventurers who can reach the 37th floor besides us? But they might be injured and unable to move. Let's check it out just in case."

"You're such a softie."

"App, be quiet!"

As Anita and the others approached the crack in the rock wall, they saw a figure. As they got closer, they realized it was not a person but a Goblin, and the 'Golden Moon Flower' members readied their weapons. The Goblin was entirely black, much larger than a typical Goblin, and heavily armored, wielding a battle axe in one hand and a shield in the other, completely out of the ordinary.

"Isn't that...?"

"What is it? Moran, do you know that unusual Goblin?"

"Hey, you're Kuro, right?"

"Wh-what! Memmet, are you sure?"

Memmet ran towards the Goblin, and Anita and the others tried to stop him, but it was too late. Memmet approached the Goblin—Kuro—and started talking casually. As Anita and the others caught up, they became wary of Kuro, but Memmet's foolishness defused the tension.

"Is it really you, Kuro? Yuu and the others are ahead—Ouch... Bel, what are you doing?"

Memmet, who had been hit on the head by Bel, glared at her with tears in his eyes but hid behind App when he saw her serious expression.

"Human, do you have business with me?"

Kuro's words shocked all the 'Golden Moon Flower' members. It was unusual for a low-rank monster like a Goblin to speak, though high-rank monsters could sometimes do so.

"Kuro, are Yuu and the others with you?"

"Does your presence mean Yuu is ahead?"

Moran, who had heard from App that Kuro could speak, was less surprised than Anita and the others but still found it strange for a Goblin to talk.

"Is it for the master? Wait a moment."

"Never seen a monster speak so fluently before."

Anita spoke as if she had relaxed her guard but kept her shield in her left hand, ready to move at any moment.

"The master has given permission. You may pass."

Anita and the others cautiously entered the crack in the rock wall. As they moved forward, they came to an open area. Light poured in from the ceiling, creating a mystical scene that made them forget they were in a labyrinth. However, what left them speechless was Yuu sitting in a chair, sipping tea, Marifa standing happily beside him, Sukke and Koro sitting at his feet, Lena lying on a rug reading a book, and a new earthen wall that emitted steam from behind it.

"Haha, I never expected to see such a scene in a labyrinth.

Just to be sure, what are you all doing here?"

Anita, with a vein popping on her forehead, asked Yuu and the others. Lena glanced at Anita and the others for a moment before returning to her book.

"Can't you see? The master is taking a break.

Did you come here just to ask such a trivial question?"

"I'm Anita, the leader of the 'Golden Moon Flower' clan.

I thought one of you might be injured, but it seems I was mistaken!"

"So that's what you came for. You're such a softie."

Anita, her face turning red, approached Yuu. However, Marifa stood in her way.

"Do not approach the master any further."

As Anita and Marifa glared at each other, Memmet lay down next to Lena and tried to peek at her book, but when Lena rolled away, Memmet followed. Bel, finding their interaction amusing, sat down to watch. App tried to defuse the tense situation between Anita and Marifa. Moran, taking advantage of Marifa's distraction, spoke to Yuu. The other members were beckoning to Sukke and Koro.

"Meeting you here is quite a coincidence. How about we explore together? Yeah, that's a good idea."

"Wait! Don't get any closer to the master."

Marifa pulled on Moran's arm, but as a front-liner, Moran was too strong for her.

"Yuu~"

"It's fine. Make sure to soak properly before coming out."

"Okay~"

Nina's face appeared from behind the earthen wall, but she seemed reassured by Yuu's response and returned to her bath.

"You can't be... taking a bath here. Do you know where you are?"

"Of course, it's a labyrinth. Moran, is this guy okay?"

"Hehe, Anita is a bit of a musclehead—Ouch... Anita, why did you hit me?"

Moran, delighted that Yuu remembered his name, was brought to tears by Anita's punch.

"Shut up! I'm angry! Everyone else is too, right?"

As Anita turned around, App, who was flustered, was one thing, but Lena, who had given up on rolling away, was reading with Memmet, Bel was grinning at the two, and the other members were petting Sukke and Koro with big smiles.

"Really, I'm angry!"

Anita's angry voice echoed through the 37th floor of the Labyrinth of the Demon Tree.