Chapter 2: The Freshmen’s Den First Floor Part 1

“So this is a labyrinth?” Chris ran his hand on the surface of the stone doors. The rough sensation, the accumulating dust, and the sticky moss glossing his fingertips — everything he felt was real.

“Let’s start by reviewing what Sir Gladius wanted us to do,” Arthur said behind him.

“Don’t we just need to acquire a Cerulean gem on the fifth floor?” Raven said.

“Yes, and that’s the fifth floor, mind you. The FIFTH floor! And we only have a week to accomplish this daunting task. I believe it’s wise if we map the entirety of the first floor today before heading back.”

“No need to argue. Raven, as you’re the only fighter in our group, you’ll act as our vanguard while Art and I will support you from behind, will that be okay?”

Raven made a victory pose. “I expected no less. Leave the dirty work to me!”

“Good.” Chris invoked [Magic Map]. A worn-down scroll appeared out of thin air and fell on his open palm. Opening it, the map registered his location at the entrance but everything else remained blank. It was just as the skill description had said; he needed to reach the location first before the map could register his entry. The map then dissipated into thin air as soon as he let go.

“You guys ready?” Raven asked as he placed his palm on the center of the door. With the party’s confirmation he slightly pushed his way. There it was, after that eerie creaking, the entrance revealed itself on the base of this giant withering tree.

The three paced their way down the spiraling stairs. Stone walls surrounded them on all four sides and light was provided by the flame torches that hanged on the walls.

The first monster that obstructed their way was a ball of fluff that flew about. It looked harmless, cute even. But the three of them were quite familiar with it on an intimate level. To subdue one, after all, was part of the academy’s entrance exam.

It was an Ent. Hiding behind that harmless facade were sharp fangs that could tear a man’s limb in a single bite.

Arthur shot it with his crossbow without hesitation. The Ent fell and dissipated into nothingness, leaving nothing but its loot — a small piece of white fabric — behind.

Chris wanted to praise him for that perfect aim but footsteps arousing nearby prevented him from doing so. The three steeled themselves from what could come as disturbing breathing noises could be heard echoing from within the wide passage ahead.

Raven entered a battle stance three steps in front of Chris. “It’s coming.”

The light from the torches revealed the visage of the incoming monster: A laughing face carved on the surface of a tree trunk. It raised its wooden limbs and smashed Raven with it, but the agile Lynx easily avoided the strike with a simple back step. Raven retaliated with a three hit combo yet even even his [Iron Fist] didn’t seem to affect the monster’s thick skin.

“So that’s not enough, eh?” Raven cracked his knuckles with a fierce smile. The monster raised its limbs once more but mana arrows hitting key spots one by one prevented their descent. Raven took a deep breath and used that opportunity to invoke his skill [Scaldic Claws].

Three solid lines of fire protruded out of his knuckles; Raven used that weapon to cut off the monster’s restrained limbs.

Chris murmured, “Invoke Flame,” as he imagined two flame spears surging from beneath the ground to pierce the monster. Mana traveled from his fingertips all the way down to the thicker end of his staff. Due to the nature of the skill bracelet, his hand moved automatically to draw the appropriate magic formation and fire the attack.

Two flame spears lanced the monster from beneath and swallowed it whole. The monster’s cry of pain seemed like it was still laughing, which somewhat disturbed Chris. When his fire died down Raven picked up the loot its ashes left.

“A small tree branch? That’s it? I wonder how much Rigal would these loots sell for?”

“Not much, probably. It’s just the first floor in a man-made labyrinth after all,” Chris said as he picked up the piece of fabric laying on the ground.

The three continued with Raven leading the way. Each time a wandering Ent would steer close to their party, the sound of mana arrows being unleashed were heard; sometimes faster than Chris could even notice the monster's incoming presence.

“Oi, Arthur, do you have a grudge against those Ents?” asked Raven.

The young elf quietly replied in a murmur. “Eh? No. I just… I just don’t want it to ruin its cuteness, so…”

Raven ruffled his hair and blew an exasperated sigh. “Could you stop fidgeting around? You’re a guy, dammit, so stop trying to act cute for Marrieta’s sake! You’re sending me some weird vibes here.”

“Don’t you dare speak of Her lordship’s name with that foul mouth, you barbaric fool!”

“Oh yeah? What you gonna do about it?”

“Come on now, stop flirting you two.” Chris shot a fireball at the incoming Ent. “Look, you guys could continue your little love fest, but not until we’ve finished what we came here for.”

Chris walked ahead after picking up the loot, leaving his two arguing companions no choice but to follow after him.