Chapter 16 The Goal Is To Conquer [God'S Remains Labyrinth] Completely
About a month had passed since I had a conversation with Eva Kirkee at her mansion.
There were several shocking announcements that astonished all the explorers in the Necroniaexplorer Guild.
Firstly,
The legendary explorers, including ≪Sword Saint≫ Logan Abrams, who had conquered the current deepest layer of [God's Remains Labyrinth], the 46th floor, and had retired from active duty, re-registered with the guild.
And then, an announcement was made that 51 of the most advanced explorers, including them, would form a single clan.
A clan is an organizational form composed of multiple explorers and non-explorers who support them, with the goal of increasing efficiency in labyrinth exploration and resource collection by dividing roles and specializing in them.
This clan was registered under the name ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫, and the news spread like wildfire among the explorers.
The reason wasn't just because legendary explorers were part of it, nor was it because only the most advanced explorers were members.
Of course, those facts were enough to grab attention, but there was something that shocked the explorers even more.
It was the announcement that this ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫ was formed under the leadership of the [Four Great Families of the Seals] and would receive their support.
Moreover, it wasn't just one of the [Four Great Families of the Seals] that was involved ―― all 4 families would be working together, as explicitly stated.
This was unprecedented.
That's why it was clear that the [Four Great Families of the Seals] were dead serious about achieving the clan's goal, and it wasn't just a joke.
――The clan's goal.
As the clan name ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫ suggests, the purpose of this clan's formation was to "conquer the labyrinth".
No need to say it, but in this case, the labyrinth refers to [God's Remains Labyrinth].
The deepest floor of [God's Remains Labyrinth] is an unexplored region that no one has reached in the long history of humanity, and any explorer would dream of reaching it at least once.
But I'm not just talking about an explorer's idle chatter; I'm talking about aiming for it with the support of the [Four Great Families of the Seals].
If one were to reach the deepest floor, they would undoubtedly become a hero. Their fame and reputation would be tremendous.
So, it's only natural that many explorers would clamor, "Let me join the clan too!"
But Logan Abrams, the clan master who took on the role, rejected them all.
The ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫ is a clan formed by the will of the [Four Great Families of the Seals], and all its members are talented individuals recommended by each of the [Four Great Families of the Seals].
To join the clan, you need to be recommended by one of the [Four Great Families of the Seals], and there are no exceptions.
And yet, I, who have been active solo for 12 years, ended up joining the clan.
What a strange fate.
* * *
In the third-floor meeting room of the Necronia Explorer Guild.
Logan, the sword saint, began to speak in a dignified tone to the 50 gathered explorers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for gathering today. I am Logan Abrams, the clan master of the ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫."
The explorers were seated in groups, each consisting of several people.
Originally, explorers who had formed parties were seated together, party by party.
Everyone here is a member of the "Labyrinth Conquest Team" clan, but it seems that there are hardly any solo explorers.
Well, I should say, there are only 2.
It's obvious who the 2 people are ―― me, and Fiona Ackerman.
By the way, Fiona is sitting in the seat next to mine. With her arms crossed, she's seriously listening to Logan's story. She doesn't seem to be nervous at all, unlike someone like me who's used to being alone.
"'The Four Great Families of the Seals' have decided to form a clan, and we're going to tackle the labyrinth together. We'll start with the 45th floor's guardian battle. Until then, you can form your own parties and try to clear it on your own. Don't worry, we'll have support from 'The Four Great Families of the Seals', and you can even form raid teams with other parties. If you really can't make it to the 45th floor, I and other clan members will provide support. But I believe that won't be necessary for all of you gathered here."
The atmosphere in the meeting room is, of course, very confident.
All clan members are "Expert" explorers.
Currently, the Necronia Explorer Guild has a ranking system for explorers, with 4 levels: "Beginner", "Intermediate", "Advanced", and "Expert". This ranking is based on how far you've progressed in the "God's Remains Labyrinth".
If you've cleared up to the 10th floor, you're "Beginner".
If you've cleared up to the 20th floor, you're "Intermediate".
If you've cleared up to the 30th floor, you're "Advanced".
And if you've cleared up to the 31st floor, you're "Expert".
This ranking is largely based on your actual strength, as it's determined by whether you can defeat the guardian on each floor. For example, you might be able to defeat monsters on the same floor, but be completely powerless against the guardian. That's how different the guardians are on each floor.
I myself almost died when I fought the 30th floor's guardian, Lich.
No, normally, people wouldn't challenge someone like that solo.
Anyway...
Those who have defeated powerful enemies and become the strongest Advanced Explorers have unwavering confidence in their own strength. With the "support" of the [Four Great Families of the Seals] on top of that, they're convinced they can break through even the 40th floor. And with a clan, it's easy to form multiple parties and tackle raids.
It's only possible because the [Four Great Families of the Seals] took the lead and formed a clan consisting only of the strongest Advanced Explorers ―― a feat that can be called a remarkable achievement.
And if they have the strength to break through the 40th floor, it's not difficult to reach the 45th floor.
"Now, let me explain our clan's purpose once again. Our goal is to fully conquer the [God's Remains Labyrinth]. However, there are many obstacles ahead, and the first hurdle we need to overcome is the guardian of the 45th floor. But with this many explorers forming a raid, I think we can take it down without a problem. The difficult part is setting up a teleportation circle on the 46th floor without putting the [Four Great Families of the Seals] members in harm's way, and escorting them safely to the 46th floor. But don't worry, I and a few other explorers will handle that."
Logan explains the purpose of the clan and their immediate goals.
To touch on the content a bit, the teleportation circle is essential for those exploring the [God's Remains Labyrinth], but currently, it's not set up on the 46th floor. The deepest floor with a teleportation circle is the 41st floor.
The teleportation circle can only be set up by the [Four Great Families of the Seals] members who possess a special power, and they need to physically be present at the location to do so.
Before, when Logan and the others reached the 46th floor, there were no this mage accompanying them, and even if there were, they wouldn't have been able to protect them.
Fighting against guardians while protecting others is difficult unless you have an overwhelming power difference.
And it's unprecedented for explorers with this level of strength to gather in one organization and work towards the same goal.
Running a large organization is already difficult, and if the core members are rough-around-the-edges explorers like us, it's even more so. There are countless reasons for conflicts, such as distributing drops, adjusting interests, and internal power struggles.
If it weren't for the existence of powerful groups like the [Four Great Families of the Seals], who have wealth and authority, this kind of clan wouldn't have been possible.
"Well, it's pointless to keep explaining. We don't get many chances to gather like this, so let's include introductions in our meeting. Yeah, I'll start. As I mentioned before, I'm Logan Abrams. My job is the Unique Job 'Sword Saint', and until recently, I was the captain of the Demon Hawk Knights in the Kirkee household. Now, I'm temporarily on leave to join this clan. My highest floor reached in the labyrinth is 46. Although I've been on a long break as an explorer, I've been training as a knight and delving into the labyrinth, so I don't think my skills have gotten rusty. Don't worry about it. That's about it, right? Then, next..."
Logan pointed to the other explorers, and they introduced themselves one by one.
Their introductions included their names, the parties they belonged to, their jobs, and the highest floors they'd reached in the labyrinth.
As expected, all the expert explorers were there, and more than half of them had awakened to Unique Jobs. It was like a Unique Job bargain sale.
And of course, the rest were Advanced Jobs.
Even I, a solo explorer with weak connections, had heard of these big names, and I felt incredibly out of place.
As for each person's highest cleared floor, it seems that most of them have reached the 36th floor or higher. However, those who have reached the 41st floor are few in number. This also means that the guardian of the 40th floor is extremely strong.
"――Thank you. Then, next is Little Missy Fiona, I'm counting on you."
"Yes, got it."
As I observed the other explorers, it suddenly became Fiona's turn for self-introduction. With only Fiona and I left, I couldn't help but feel that this was all part of Logan's plan.
Anyway――prompted by Logan, Fiona stood up and began her self-introduction with an air of confidence that was hard to describe.
"I'm Fiona Ackerman. My job is the Unique Job 'Sword Dance Maiden'. I usually work solo, but during guardian battles, I join other parties. My highest cleared floor in the labyrinth is the 40th floor."
Fiona basically works solo, but it seems she joins her acquaintances' parties during guardian battles.
Well, it's not like she could defeat the 30th floor's Richie solo, anyway. Now, if she were to carefully prepare, I think she could defeat it solo too. After all, the Sword Dance Maiden's skills have a good affinity against Lich.
"――Thank you, little missy. Then, next is the last one. Aaron, it's your turn."
"Ah, okay."
With a meaningful smile, Logan prompted me, and I stood up to introduce myself.
As I felt the gazes of the explorers in the meeting room focus on me, I opened my mouth.
"I'm Aaron Gale, a solo explorer with the job 'Beginner Swordsman'. My highest cleared floor in the labyrinth is the 41st floor."
To be honest, before I met Eva Kirke, my highest cleared floor was the 36th floor. However, I learned that I needed to venture deeper into the labyrinth to cooperate with Eva, so I spent this past month working my way up to the 41st floor.
It would have been great to have some explorer friends to accompany me, but unfortunately, I had no one, so I tackled it solo.
Well, I've gotten a lot stronger since 2 years ago, so I didn't have as much trouble as Lich did.
But still—
"Hey, hey, you're saying you soloed the 41st floor? What kind of joke is that?"
"And what's with the Job 'Beginner Swordman'? You're lying, right?"
"Wait, Aaron Gale? Does anyone know that uncle?"
"Ah, I know him. Isn't he the same uncle who's the mentor of the Sword Dance Maiden? I've seen him fight at the underground training ground."
The conference room was immediately filled with murmurs.
It seems like there are people who know me, but most of them... or rather, about 90% of them have skeptical expressions.
Well, I can't blame them for not believing me. Soloing the 41st floor is quite an absurd feat, even I think so. And who's this uncle, anyway? I'm still 27 years old, but maybe to those 20-somethings, 27 is considered old? That's ridiculous.
――Anyway, I'm not lying, so I don't need to feel guilty about it. The self-introduction is over, and I'll just take my seat.
"――Thank you. That concludes everyone's self-introduction."
Then, Logan continued the proceedings as if nothing had happened.
"Now, what should we do? We've all gathered here, so why don't we have a party and deepen our bonds? Fortunately, I've received a generous amount of military funds from my lord, so you can all relax――"
"—Wait a minute!!"
A man who stood up and shouted, interrupting Logan's words.
He's a young man with sharp eyes and a pointed hairstyle, dyed brown.
"Hmm? You're Calum, the leader of ≪Balmung≫, right? What's wrong? Do you have some question?"
"What's wrong? You think I'd just let it slide?!"
Calum shouted, his face red with anger, in response to Logan's calm words. Then, he turned around and pointed at――me.
"There's no way someone with a crappy Job like 'Beginner Swordman' can clear the 41st floor What's with this fake who's pretending to be strong and is part of this clan?!"
Unfortunately, there was no explorer who opposed Calum's words.
Their faces said it all ―― "That's obvious, isn't it?" or "Get rid of that fake!" or "What's with that guy, lying through his teeth?" ―― a mix of confusion and frustration.
Not a single person believed I was telling the truth.
Well, I wouldn't blame them if someone else said the same thing I did. I'd think the same way too. But I didn't expect it to turn out like this.
As I was thinking about what to do, the guy next to me stood up with a lot of energy.
"What's your problem! Got a complaint or something?!"
It was Fiona, her voice like a snarling dog.
On the other hand, Calum, who was glared at by Fiona, looked like he was about to say "Huh?"
"I-I mean, I wasn't talking to you just now..."
It's only natural for someone unrelated to get angry, right?
"So, Fiona, why are you so mad?"
I asked, and she replied,
"What, you don't even understand that much?!"
For some reason, I ended up getting scolded too. I don't get it.
"You're supposed to be my master, and there are people who saw me lose to you at the training grounds! If your strength is ridiculed, then I'll be ridiculed too, won't I?!"
That's what she meant, I guess.
Well, I get what she's saying.
"Hmm, Calum..."
Just then, Logan joined the conversation.
"Everyone here was recommended by the [Four Great Families of the Seals]. Their strength is guaranteed by their recommenders. To oppose that is to doubt the recommenders themselves... do you understand?"
Are you saying the [Four Great Families of the Seals] are incompetent and can't even judge strength?
Calum was taken aback by Logan's implicit question. But even so, he seemed confident that he wasn't wrong and opened his mouth to counterargue.
"Ugh...!? What, are you kidding me!? You want me to trust that Petén (liar)!? We're all supposed to work together from the 45th floor, right!? I'm not gonna die because of some dead weight, no way!!"
The atmosphere in the meeting room seemed to agree with my sentiment.
Logan looked at the reactions of the clan members and turned to me, saying, "Hmm, this is a problem."
"Don't you think it's a bigger issue to have your abilities as an explorer doubted, rather than just questioning the recommendation from the [Four Great Families of the Seals], Aaron?"
"If you're worried, then stop making that face, Logan."
He said it with a laugh, as if it was amusing.
"Aaron, I think you need to show them a level of strength that will convince everyone, don't you?"
Well, it's come to this, I suppose.
Normally, I wouldn't care if people doubted my abilities, but this time it's different. If I'm not part of this clan, I won't be able to catch those Stampede culprits with my own hands.
I can't afford to be kicked out of the clan now.
I stood up and said,
"Fine, I'll show them a strength that will convince everyone."
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