SMSK 24

Chapter 24. Subjugating the Earth Dragon (1)

‘How can I grow stronger in a short amount of time?’

That was the question I’d asked myself the most since arriving in this world.

It wasn’t enough to simply get stronger.

To avoid the destruction of this world, I had to become powerful—and quickly.

‘The first solution that came to mind was increasing my magic-related stats.’

What if I increased my MP capacity and mana recovery rate?

That would extend the duration of 【Soul of the Swordmaster】. If that happened, I could just “click” the skill and solve every problem.

But before long, I had to scrap that plan.

‘Focusing on MP stats in my current situation is inefficient.’

Magical stats are heavily reliant on innate talent.

No matter how hard one trains, without a natural foundation, there’s a clear growth ceiling.

And right now, my magic stat was just 1.

‘I haven’t formed any mana circuits. I’ve got zero magical talent.’

Trying to increase my magic-related stats in this state would require immense time and effort.

Even then, I wouldn’t get past a certain point.

It would be like trying to fill a bottomless pit with water.

‘Still, in the mid to late stages, there will be ways to overcome that…’

I’d think about increasing my MP later. For now, I needed to focus on building my foundation.

‘…First, I need to raise my physical stats.’

My average stat was still fluctuating between 1 and 2.

To truly master my skills, I needed to at least improve basic physical stats like Strength, Agility, and Constitution.

No matter how great my swordsmanship talent was, a weak body wouldn’t be able to reproduce the movements of those skills.

‘More than anything, I can’t even function in daily life like this.’

Even the slightest movement left me breathless and trembling.

I’d get frequent headaches even when doing nothing.

Fixing this frail body took precedence over building mana circuits.

‘…That’s why I absolutely have to slay the Earth Dragon.’

As I mentioned before, I already knew the solution to this problem.

The boss of the Labyrinth Village—the Earth Dragon.

If I could defeat it and make good use of the rewards, everything would be resolved.

“L-Lord Gaon? We really need all this to go to the Labyrinth Village…?”

“Yes.”

Anyway.

Before heading to the Labyrinth Village, I visited a certain place with Adelia.

The central market of Veritas. The largest marketplace on the continent, known as a place where there’s nothing you can’t find.

There, I bought the essential supplies for the subjugation. Nodding with satisfaction, I muttered:

“This should be enough. Let’s get going.”

“…Yes.”

With that, all preparations to subjugate the Earth Dragon were complete.

Step, step—

As we walked, Adelia kept glancing back.

She seemed bothered by the backpack she was carrying.

It was filled with various items we’d just bought at the market. Some were so random, you’d wonder why we’d need them at all.

Since the road was quiet, I asked her a question.

“How much do you know about the Labyrinth Village?”

Startled, Adelia raised her head and replied:

“Not much. I only know it’s a tunnel village on the outskirts of the Free City Veritas…”

I nodded and continued the explanation for her.

People tend to gather and live near large cities.

The interior of cities protected by barriers are some of the few safe zones where humans can survive.

Naturally, land in these cities is limited.

Especially within Veritas, land prices had skyrocketed to absurd levels. Ordinary people couldn’t even dream of living there.

“Even the inn we stayed at charges nearly a million shillings per night.”

“…?”

Truly outrageous prices.

But rather than being shocked, Adelia just tilted her head as if she didn’t understand how expensive that was.

Well, she was from a holy noble family, so she probably had no concept of gold’s value.

Then again, the idea of “currency” itself is kind of a man-made illusion…

Looks like I’ll have a lot to teach you, Adelia.

“For most people, a night’s stay at a place like that is out of the question. That’s why people started living in areas influenced by the city’s barrier.”

“…”

“Yes. Outside the city walls, or underground.”

The Labyrinth Village was one such place.

Those who couldn’t live aboveground made their homes below.

The tunnels grew deeper and more labyrinthine over time.

Naturally, the deeper they went, the less reach the law and order had. The farther from the surface, the darker the village became.

The lanterns that once lit the village faded, and along with them, the rule of law. As a result, many criminals began to gather there.

Swindlers hiding from justice, merchants escaping debt, homeless who had nowhere else to go…

Listening quietly, Adelia nodded and added:

“Yes. I heard it’s practically lawless. Heretics gather to worship demons, and some barbarians even resort to cannibalism due to famine…”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You’re imagining it as way too brutal.”

“Pardon? But from what I’ve heard, it’s almost like the dark city of Dungard…”

“Drop the preconceptions and look around. You’ve already been inside the Labyrinth Village for a while now.”

“…?”

Adelia blinked and quickly looked around.

Wooden bridges crisscrossed between steep cliffs.

Buildings stacked one on top of another clung to the cliff walls.

Laughter—

Cheerful laughter echoed here and there.

Soup boiled in food stalls, and children played tag across elevated walkways.

It was nothing like the dark, gloomy image people had of the Labyrinth Village.

“Whatever else, it’s still a place where people live.”

“…Ah.”

Exactly.

The outskirts of the Labyrinth Village were no different from any other lively town in Veritas.

After walking along the cliffs for a while,

the path sloped downward and sunlight gradually disappeared.

The children vanished from sight, and the atmosphere slowly began to shift.

What was once a bustling marketplace now became a rowdy area filled with mercenaries and adventurers, with inns and taverns replacing food stalls.

Naturally, aggressive soliciting also became more common.

“Hey there, traveler! Come take a break! One hot bowl of soup will chase all your fatigue away!”

“Welcome! We’ve got clean beds and hot baths waiting!”

“High-quality headlamps on sale! Essential for dark tunnel exploration…”

I was brushing past the noise when—

Snap!

Adelia suddenly grabbed the wrist of a man walking past us.

“Aaack!”

Clatter—

The man screamed and dropped something, his hand trembling.

It was a food pouch from Adelia’s backpack.

“Leave now, before I cut that hand off.”

Adelia warned coldly.

The pickpocket tumbled backward and fled without a second glance.

Adelia watched him go, then calmly said to me:

“We’ll have to stay alert. There are plenty of filthy hands around here.”

I looked at her in disbelief.

I knew there were pickpockets in the Labyrinth Village, but I hadn’t expected one to strike so quickly.

And Adelia’s ability to notice and catch it instantly… was nothing short of amazing.

“Wahaha! You two are some impressive adventurers!”

Just then—

A new voice spoke from the side.

I turned and saw a man smiling at us, approaching with a friendly grin and bowing repeatedly.

Adelia frowned in suspicion.

Her eyes said, “And just who are you supposed to be?”

The man held out his hand for a handshake.

“Apologies, I should’ve introduced myself earlier. Name’s Joel. I’m a guide around these parts.”

“…A guide?”

“Yes. My job is to lead adventurers like yourselves deep into the tunnels.”

The moment Joel realized Adelia was unfamiliar with the area, he started pitching his service.

He claimed that going deep into the tunnels without a guide was dangerous, even for experienced adventurers.

He even emphasized that he’d explored the tunnels hundreds of times.

“I’ve even mapped it out. From the upper levels to the deepest depths—every detail.”

“If you have a map, couldn’t we just buy that?”

“Well… there’s a small issue. The map is… right here.”

Tap tap—

He tapped his head with a grin.

He’d memorized the whole thing.

“Even veteran adventurers always hire a guide before entering the tunnels. Especially for a first-timer like the lady knight.”

“Would you like to try out my services?”

Glance—

Adelia looked at me briefly.

I shook my head.

We didn’t need a guide right now.

“…A shame.”

Joel didn’t press the matter and stepped back.

He told us he’d be around if we changed our minds.

Once he was gone, Adelia cautiously asked:

“The Earth Dragon is deep in the tunnels, right?”

“Yes.”

“If that man’s right and the tunnels are incredibly complex, do you plan to find your way with just your own skills?”

Then her eyes lit up as if she had a realization.

“Ah! Don’t tell me—you received a revelation from the Great Ones—”

“No.”

I cut her off flatly, and she looked disappointed.

Of course I hadn’t received any divine revelations.

And everything that guide said was correct.

Even the best adventurers couldn’t reach the tunnel depths without a guide.

That’s why explorers paid big money to hire capable guides.

So—

“We’ll hire a guide too.”

“…Ah.”

Adelia nodded.

“You already had someone in mind, didn’t you? That’s why you rejected the earlier offer so quickly.”

“Exactly.”

I pictured the guide I’d planned for and said,

“They’re definitely skilled, but also… unique.”

“…?”

“All the random things we bought at the market? They were to win that guide over.”

Adelia paused, looking puzzled.

She recalled the items we’d bought and asked:

“Was the spice pouch for the guide?”

“No.”

“Then… the finest silk?”

“Nope.”

“…The empty chest?”

“Also no.”

“….”

Adelia looked more confused than ever.

“Then… what was it?”

“The earplugs.”

Pause.

Adelia stared at me blankly.

She was clearly at a loss for words.

She couldn’t understand why on earth earplugs would help recruit a guide.

Oh, innocent Adelia…

…Old veterans always use the strangest methods to beat a game, you know.