Shadowed Gaze: The Highserk War Saga - Chapter 114

The lead goblin, its throat slashed by the halberd, continued to advance on Walm, spraying blood and bile. It was like a drowning man clutching at straws. The remaining two goblins also lunged at Walm. Their tenacity was commendable, unlike the usual ones found outside the labyrinth.

Walm relaxed his stance, swung his arm downward, twisted his upper body, and stepped back. The goblin’s arms grasped the space where Walm had been a moment before. Twisting his hips, he struck the goblin’s temple with the butt of his weapon, feeling the bones shatter. With a glance at the goblin rolling and lying motionless, Walm turned his attention to the remaining two.

He scooped up the halberd head from the left and slashed upward. The goblin, cleaved from waist to shoulder, collapsed to the ground without resistance. The last goblin swung a club wildly, but Walm used the fallen bodies as a shield, avoiding the blows. With a return strike, he embedded the halberd into the goblin’s head, which then fell face-first to the ground.

“A warm welcome right after descending the stairs, how diligent.”

Walm had descended to the fifth floor and was greeted in the first small room. He glanced from the three motionless goblins to the corridor. There were three branching paths, but he was at a loss to decide which to take. It wasn’t that there were no clues; there were too many. Countless footprints, undigested flesh, and voices echoed from all directions.

“So, this is the lower level hunting ground.”

Many commoners and fresh adventurers likely lingered on this fifth floor, earning their daily wages. This meant there were other monsters more valuable than goblins, which were considered less desirable than vomit. Planning to take the quietest path, Walm detected footsteps amidst the noise. Staring down the corridor, he recognized the sound and muttered its name.

“Orc.”

A monster with a pig-like face, a swollen belly, human-like height and limbs roared at Walm. The orc, hiding its vital spots with a club, charged. Walm lowered his stance, preparing to meet it. It seemed the orc intended to use its club and weight for a powerful charge.

Walm shifted from a thrust to a high stance, took a small step forward, and struck with the halberd. Even without using Strong Strike, he severed the orc’s raised upper arm and cleaved its temple. The body, losing control, slid towards him.

Walm observed the corpse at his feet. Aside from its destructive hostility, it was no different from a typical orc. He knew from his subordinates and comrades from him past that orc meat was tasty, but he had never butchered one himself.

Thinking roughly about the steps, draining the blood and discarding the innards should make most meat edible. He hesitated whether to butcher it, but Walm’s goal was to treat his eyes. To achieve a fundamental solution, he needed to delve deeper into the labyrinth, which required substantial funds even to maintain his current condition. Spending time on low-level orc butchery would not suffice.

As Walm prepared to leave, he was called from behind. It was a party that had entered the room during his fight with the orc. Ignoring them while they waited for the battle to end, he couldn’t ignore them now when they called out.

“If you don’t butcher it, the labyrinth will take it.”

It was the party he had run into a few times, but how had he gotten ahead of them already? Walm wasn’t sure.

“Ah, I don’t need it now.”

“Then, can we take it?”

The adventurer, cradling a black bone, asked Walm directly.

“You always…”

“Shut up, idiot.”

It was not the consensus of the party. The bone-carrying adventurer was kicked, poked, and stepped on by his comrades in perfect coordination. If they did it intentionally, it was far more humorous than the stories of drunken tavern goers. Walm shook off the blood clinging to his halberd and faced them.

“I don’t mind. Do as you please.”

His words seemed so unexpected that they froze, as if bewildered.

“Uh, um, thank you.”

The presumed leader of the adventurers thanked Walm.

“Sure.”

As Walm left the room, the adventurers swarmed the orc’s body to begin butchering it. The spear and sword bearers watched the corridor. It made sense, using their numbers logically, Walm acknowledged. Despite preparing to delve into the labyrinth, he felt somewhat relaxed. It wasn’t good. If he didn’t maintain the tension, he might’ve ended up as another victim of the labyrinth. Tightening his focus, he continued down the corridor.

After passing a few parties and fighting less than ten monsters, Walm arrived at a peculiar grand hall. About a hundred people could rest in the space, and many were seated. It was likely the teleportation room called the safe room, present every five floors. There was a similar corridor extending from the opposite entrance Walm came from. To descend further, one would likely follow the stairs.

In the back of the safe room was a door, which once entered, people didn’t return from. Walm opened the door to confirm. The black hole he had dived into on the surface was at the center. Having scouted the labyrinth interior, he was reluctant to jump into the hole again, but he had no reason to stay here.

With a small sigh, Walm jumped into the hole, entrusting himself to the darkness. His vision darkened then cleared, and different guards greeted him. Walm had returned to the surface. He bypassed the guards, climbed the slope, and proceeded down the hallway. Though he passed various branching paths and unknown rooms, he continued straight.

The crowd’s noise grew stronger, and he reached the waiting area. Walm returned to the receptionist who had given him advice.

“You’ve returned safely. Welcome back.”

She greeted him with a bright smile.

“Thanks to you. Your advice was helpful.”

“You’re too modest. It must have sounded like nagging.”

“I lack knowledge about the labyrinth. I genuinely appreciate it.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Returning the token and receiving his deposit, Walm left the labyrinth. With deepened knowledge and test run complete, all that remained was to gather supplies. By nightfall, Walm had purchased the necessary items and found a cheap inn favored by fresh adventurers to rest.

His assigned room in the attic was partitioned with thin boards, just enough space for one person and their belongings. The snores and drunken laughter of neighboring adventurers leaked through the gaps.

Walm closed his eyes, soothing his aching, burning eyes. He had arrived but accomplished nothing yet. This was just the beginning. He had to plunge into the depths, far below the surface, to grasp fame and dreams. The labyrinth’s deeper levels, where countless challengers failed and were trapped, required unwavering resolve. Calming his rising spirit, Walm slowly let go of consciousness.

Translator – Lyxxna