Shadowed Gaze: The Highserk War Saga - Chapter 120

Walm pressed his palm against a door with a dull, blackish sheen. The metallic coldness felt comforting against his heated fingertips. Moving his legs, which had grown tired from constant movement, Walm entered a resting room that had become all too familiar to him.

Having escaped a floor teeming with golems and gargoyles, he had reached the twenty-fifth layer. Despite this, the journey had been anything but smooth. While he had some reserves left, he had been forced to unlock previously conserved skills and magic.

With a lethargic gaze, Walm scanned the room. Given that this floor was known as the upper limit for intermediate adventurers, there were significantly fewer parties resting here compared to previous floors. Including Walm, there were only four groups. If he counted those he had passed along the way and those resting on the surface, the total number would undoubtedly rise, but the resting room marked a clear boundary between intermediate and advanced levels.

It was the fourth day since they had dived into the labyrinth. While his senses were gradually recovering their sharpness, fatigue was accumulating. Distancing himself from the few other inhabitants of the room, Walm sat down. His stomach growled with hunger, while his eyelids, which had remained open all this time, pleaded to be closed.

Walm weighed the priorities in his mind. Despite the grand phrasing, the decision was trivial: whether to sleep first and eat later or to eat first and then sleep.

Before he could make the decision, an intruder forced an interruption. Using his raised knee as support, Walm silently stood up. Before entering the resting room, his war club, worn from harsh use, had been stored in his magic bag, and now his old faithful halberd was back in his hand.

Walm tapped the bare blade of his halberd against the floor, focusing on the approaching visitor without a word. The adventurer coming closer had a physique clearly developed from real battles, evident even through his armor. If one only considered his movements and posture, he could pass for someone in his twenties. However, the deep wrinkles and the grey hair mixed into his beard spoke volumes about his age.

His equipment was well-maintained, but numerous small scratches were visible. From the wear on the joints, one could tell his long history of battles, especially in the labyrinth. His hands naturally hung away from the sword at his waist, silently indicating that he meant no harm.

“You really are diving alone, aren’t you? On a floor where even an average party could face total annihilation, that’s quite something.”

The first words were a compliment. However, Walm didn’t recognize his face. With his lack of sleep, Walm’s patience for unnecessary probing was short.

“Have we met somewhere?”

“Ah, my apologies. This is our first meeting. There’s talk at the tavern about a man who continues to explore the labyrinth alone, which is rare these days. Seeing you myself, I couldn’t help but speak to you.”

“Adventurers love gossip.”

“It’s an uncertain job. Interaction and information exchange are essential for adventurers. Please understand.”

Handling Walm as a delicate matter and probing him from afar was more honest than most other adventurers. Perhaps due to his age, his manner of speaking felt softer. Reluctant to rudely drive him away, Walm decided to dismiss him courteously.

“From what you can see, there’s no useful information to be gained from me.”

“That’s rather cold. Words alone might seem superficial, but I’m cheering for you to see how far you can go alone in the labyrinth.”

The adventurer, understanding the intent behind Walm’s words, prepared to leave. Walm didn’t dislike those who were considerate, even if they were adventurers.

“I’m not someone worth cheering for… but, well, thanks. I wish you luck too.”

Walm watched as the man walked away, but the adventurer stopped suddenly, as if he had forgotten something.

“Oh, right. I didn’t catch your name. I’m Faust.”

“…Walm.”

“Walm, huh? My memory might be failing with age, but I’ll remember that name. I hope we meet again in the labyrinth.”

Despite the unexpected encounter before resting, Walm didn’t find it unpleasant. Satisfied, Faust returned to his group. It was considerate of him not to bring all five of his party members over.

Leaning his back against the wall, Walm once again indulged in the floor of the labyrinth. The demon mask at his waist trembled slightly. The vibration wasn’t a call to Walm. It seemed the mask had taken a liking to the middle-aged man.

“You… do you tremble for anyone you fancy?”

When Walm grumbled at the flirtatious mask, it began vibrating furiously with anger. It was incredibly irritating, like a cicada freshly emerged from the ground sticking to his waist.

“I’m joking. Stop it. I’m sorry.”

With repeated apologies, the mask’s anger finally subsided. Though the exchange happened within his cloak, if anyone had seen it, they would think Walm had lost his mind due to the labyrinth.

Imagining his own foolish appearance, Walm let out a small chuckle and decided to give in to his fatigue. After all, the only food he had was bland black bread and dried meat. Whether he ate it now or after a nap, the taste wouldn’t change.

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Despite being a luxurious worry, Walm’s magic bag had a capacity equivalent to one and a half to two large backpacks. In addition to the necessary supplies and items he had always carried since his time in the Highserk Empire, consumables and food for the labyrinth filled more than half of the contents. Coupled with the items he had collected in the labyrinth, the remaining capacity was far from sufficient even after accounting for consumed items.

To replenish his consumables and sell the collected items, Walm temporarily returned to the surface. After washing off the dirt and grime at a bathing area adjacent to where meat from orcs and other creatures was processed, he stepped into the waiting area.

The crowd felt particularly lively after having been in the lower labyrinth levels where few reached. Dodging the people coming and going, Walm approached the reception desk.

“Welcome back. It seems you were gone for a while this time. How deep did you go?”

Lizzy, who handled the daily reception duties, paused her work to greet him. Handing back the token he had taken out, Walm answered.

“The 25th layer.”

“That’s quite deep. So next is the 26th layer. That floor only has monsters resistant to slashing and striking attacks. Can you use magic?”

Fortunately, Walm had practical command of two magic attributes and had effectively used them in battle.

“I can use wind and fire attribute magic.”

“Those two offensive types should suffice as countermeasures. If you didn’t have an aptitude, I would have advised against it. From the look of things, you plan to continue challenging alone.”

Lizzy, with an exasperated look, gave Walm advice to enhance his survival rather than trying to persuade him fundamentally. After hearing about the next floor from Lizzy, Walm spoke frankly.

“Sorry for adding to your work.”

“Well, it’s the first time anyone has delved to the 25th floor alone from the low-tier reception. As long as it’s within my job, I’d like to support you. Ideally, you would register with the Adventurers’ Guild and contribute to the guild’s and my evaluation, but I won’t force you.”

Half-jokingly, Lizzy muttered a grudge. Feeling grateful and guilty, Walm remembered the bracelet he had found in the labyrinth.

“I can’t contribute much, but you once said you’d like a gift, didn’t you?”

Walm fumbled in his waist pouch and took out a silver bracelet.

“A gift, huh… um, what’s this?”

“I found it in the labyrinth. Despite being adorned with Deep Crimson Grass, the only flower that blooms in the labyrinth, it’s too cute for a man to wear. It’s worth a few silver coins at most. You’ve been helpful to me. I’d be happy if you accepted it.”

Walm quietly placed the bracelet on the reception desk, urging her to take it. Lizzy, holding her head in a troubled manner, changed her expression with a complex look and spoke.

“Hehe, you’re the first to actually bring a gift… Even if you give me one, I can only support you within my job, you know?”

“That’s enough for me. That alone is a great help.”

“In that case, I’ll accept it. Even if you ask for it back later, I won’t return it.”

“I’ll do my best not to ask.”

Lizzy, grasping the bracelet, gazed at it intently and, after stroking its surface, put it away.

Having settled one matter, Walm quickly left the counter. It wasn’t a tavern. Lingering would only bother others and potentially disrupt business, which could lead to him being banned as a troublemaker. That would be far from amusing.

Walm’s next destination was the sword merchant’s shop. He needed to sell his collected items and use the coins to buy necessary supplies to challenge the next floor, notorious for being a mid-tier adventurer killer.

Exiting the stone-paved corridor into the open air, Walm squinted against the bright light. The last time he was on the surface, the twin moons had ruled the night. Now, the sun dominated, spreading its light generously.

“I’ve grown too accustomed to the labyrinth.”

He empathized with moles crawling out of the dark earth to the surface. Those who returned to the surface during the day must’ve all squinted to combat the brightness. Walm was no exception.

Translator – Lyxxna