Flesh Golem of the Labyrinth City - Chapter 42



41. Let’s get started

“No, wait. What did you say?”

“I recommended you to join the Meyerbridge Union. I sensed great potential in you. In the future, you will become a significant figure.”

“Uh, well. Thank you for the compliment.”

“It’s not just a compliment. It means I acknowledge you. I, Raya Delvaheim.”

That line is quite impressive. Only someone who knows the value of their name can use such a line.

I can predict that her fame must be considerable. Although I still don’t know much about the famous people in the labyrinth city.

“Isn’t that a bit of a hasty judgment? You don’t know what kind of curse skills I might acquire in the future.”

“That is the same both inside and outside the clan. And also, the financial power of a large clan is not so poor that it can’t erase just a few skills.”

“Then why don’t you erase the orc arousal skill-“

“Ugh! Be quiet! There is a reason for that!”

“What reason? Let’s hear it.”

“Ahem! Listen carefully!”

Skills.

Something that everyone entering the labyrinth desires. It cannot be defined as anything specific, but the generally accepted definition is ‘a creature outside the labyrinth receiving the magic power of the labyrinth and causing a transformation in their magic circuit.’

Does that mean creatures other than humans outside the labyrinth as well?

“There are many races living in the labyrinth city besides humans.”

Raya said, pointing to her ear.

“Of course, as you might expect, even animals like sheep and cows acquire skills. Although the speed is very slow.”

“Is that so.”

There are simple skills that slightly increase strength, skills that sharpen hearing, and skills that cause physical changes like changing hair color. There are even skills that change one’s race.

And there are also skills that allow the use of magic, Raya said, raising her right hand and extending her index finger in front of my eyes.

In an instant, the tip of the index finger freezes.

“Your finger…”

“It’s a skill I have. A skill that turns living beings into ice. It’s not just freezing, but transforming them into ice of the same volume.”

“Wow, what a fraudulent skill. If you just turn your opponent into ice.”

“In terms of water, it’s only possible to freeze about 3 liters of localized areas per day.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Fortunately, it can return to normal as I intend. It’s possible because it’s not freezing, but transforming into ice.”

Skills can make such magical things possible. Raya once saw a wandering elf use magic to create a flower garden.

Skills are so diverse and unpredictable that they cannot be defined by any form or method, but there is one thing that can be known.

“Skills arise from the transformation of the magic circuit.”

“What exactly is this magic circuit?”

“It’s the information made up of magic that constitutes the body of a living being.”

Humans have a magic circuit that signifies they are human, and elves have a magic circuit that signifies they are elves. When this magic circuit is altered by a skill, it results in a change of species.

“It seems there is also a magic circuit that signifies s*xual orientation.”

“…Yes.”

“Please don’t get angry.”

“Ugh..!”

“So, why don’t you erase the skill?”

“When the circuit is altered by the twisted magic of the labyrinth, traces remain. As mentioned, skills that ‘alter’ information mostly cause physical changes, and skills that allow magic to be performed, like just now, mostly occur when a magic circuit is ‘added’. Both are circuits that didn’t originally exist, so traces remain.”

“Hmm. Yes.”

The magic circuit is sensitive. Reverting artificially altered circuits or removing added circuits is a task that strains the body.

If repeated in a short period, it seems that permanent problems can occur in the magic circuit. This is why the cost increases exponentially the more skills you erase.

“I see.”

“Oh, Orc… The Orc Rut skill is a curse skill that doesn’t cause significant problems in dungeon strategy. Dealing with low-grade monsters that only appear on the 9th and 10th floors can be left to other fellow explorers, not me…”

In the long run, it’s better to wait for a curse skill with a big penalty that might come next, rather than erasing the Orc Rut skill right now because you don’t like it. What if you erase the Orc Rut skill and get a skill that turns you into a complete idiot next?

“Above all, I am an elf. It’s not a boast, but compared to humans, we are a race that lives for a long time.”

Human time is finite. Therefore, there is a need to erase curse skills immediately, even at great expense. But elves are different. After waiting about ten years for the magic circuit to stabilize, you can erase the skill when the difficulty of removal decreases without any problem.

Lower difficulty tasks also mean lower commission fees and a lower chance of failure.

“To get to the point, erasing three or four of your curse skills is no big deal. I want to tell you that this is a very big opportunity.”

“Indeed.”

Dahlia said that the Meyerbridge Union is one of the four super-large clans in Kalax. It’s like being one of the top universities. Not that I’m saying this because I graduated from one.

The idea that they can easily erase three or four curse skills is very attractive.

“Currently, our clan is training many promising explorers like you. An explorer who was once lead-ranked quickly rose to platinum rank.”

“Wow.”

“We provide most of the knowledge needed for living, exploration, high-end equipment, and other know-how. Explorers affiliated with the Meyerbridge Union can also have free meals at the cooperative restaurant located in the northwest.”

“Hmm.”

“Artifacts are also provided based on performance.”

Isn’t this too good a condition? Why are they doing this?

“Do other clans do this too?”

“This is a story that can only happen at the Meyerbridge Union.”

“Then that’s fine.”

“You’ve made a good decision. If you fill out the application form here-“

“No. I said it’s fine. I’m not doing it.”

“…What do you mean by that…?”

“I’m not joining. I’m not entering the Meyerbridge Union.”

At those words, Raya’s eyes widened. Who said she had no facial expressions? Did that person have face blindness or something?

“I can’t understand. Why?”

“Why are you giving me special treatment? That’s what I want to ask.”

“It’s not a special treatment just for you. It’s a benefit given to all new explorers who join the Meyerbridge Union.”

“Then go find other rookies besides me.”

It’s definitely a tempting story. They solve the problems of food, clothing, and shelter, provide high-end equipment, transfer know-how and knowledge, and even give expensive artifacts. It’s hard not to be attracted.

But isn’t that too good to be true?

“Why are you going this far?”

“Pardon..?”

“What’s so urgent for the Meyerbridge Union that they’re gathering rookie explorers like this?”

“That’s…”

Most of these generous offers come with a backlash. Damn, Iris told me to eat the candy, and I did, right? I lost my mind completely.

“Are you fighting with another clan or something?”

“How did you know..!”

“No, really? Oh, come on. Why fight in this small city? Can’t we all just get along?”

This girl is really clueless. All those rumors are completely false. She gets flustered every time she speaks. Anyway, I knew this would happen. If it were a small clan, maybe, but for such a big clan to call a meeting just because a novice explorer showed some skill on the 10th floor?

They must be really desperate, but I hate getting involved in things like this.

“Why did you come up from the 68th floor? Something big must have happened, right?”

“Th-that is…”

“I didn’t think you were like that. Anyway, don’t raise novice explorers just to use them as pawns in your fights.”

“You, you! I cannot overlook that statement! The Meyerbridge Union is not that kind of clan!”

“Yes, I understand. But I can’t stay here. I’ll go eat where I usually do. You’re probably preparing a meal, but sorry, you’ll have to eat alone.”

I know places like this very well. They feed and raise you, and then use that as leverage for the future. It’s obvious what kind of life awaits. Such generous support inevitably leads to unpayable debts.

“Thank you for saving me. And for the pouch? Let’s meet again under better circumstances. By the way, do you know where my egg is?”

“Egg, egg..?”

“There was a container with an egg in the pouch.”

“Oh, that… It’s currently in the incubator.”

“It didn’t seem like it would hatch. I was thinking of frying it, so why put it in the incubator?”

They probably did that to score points. Whatever the reason, they did me a favor. I’ll be grateful for what I should be grateful for, and not for what I shouldn’t.

And until I repay my debt to Albresto, I’m not completely free either. I need to quickly earn 13 gold coins and make enough to live comfortably.

I miss the previous world, but I have no regrets. Here, I just want to live quietly, without any trouble.

“Y-young master!”

“What?”

“I understand. I heard your opinion about not joining the clan. But…”

Raya hesitated for a while, her lips twitching as if she had something to say, fumbling.

“If, if it’s alright with you… I’d like to stay… with a bit of familiarity…”

“Me? Why me?”

“I’ll explain the reason later.”

“What is it? You’re making me curious.”

“To put it simply, the skill engraved on your left chest… I really like it, that’s what I want to say.”

“Hmm. Well, as long as you don’t suddenly ask me to take sides later.”

Raya nodded. The conversation was over, and in this state, it’s obvious that I’ll collapse if I keep going. I should probably switch to the muscles of an orc chieftain, but it’s a bit awkward with Raya around.

“Don’t you have a suppression potion? My body is in a bit of a complicated state right now. If I try to move, it will affect you.”

“I do. Please wait a moment. I’ll return the egg to you as well. Please accompany me for a while.”

“Alright.”

The conversation was concluded. I’m not joining the Meyerbridge Union, but Raya said she liked the skill I have.

If it’s not too deep, it’s good to have some connections. Raya took the suppression potion and, although she said she wouldn’t eat, she eventually did. The food was really good, and if it weren’t for the faction fights, I might have joined the Meyerbridge Union.

—Creak

“Here it is.”

“Welcome, Raya Delvaheim.”

“Wow. What is all this?”

“This is a place where we raise the eggs of monsters recovered from the labyrinth, among other young creatures.”

There was a warehouse-like building on a large site, with iron bars here and there. Or eggs waiting to hatch under warm lights. Following the manager’s guidance, we went inside, where there were small eggs gathered together.

“Here it is.”

The egg I brought is still here. It was destined to become a fried egg, but suddenly it ended up in a luxurious incubator.

“Aven. Can you leave this for a moment and accompany me for a while? Once the egg hatches, I’ll have someone send it to where you are staying. Or I can give you the incubator itself if you prefer.”

“But, will it really hatch? I brought it because I thought it wouldn’t.”

“According to the expert, it’s a fertilized egg. It hasn’t exactly failed to hatch.”

“What, really?”

So, this egg might actually hatch. They say birds consider the first person they see as their mother. Then I should take the incubator with me.

“Please send it to the Kisoemso Inn. Do you know where it is?”

“Yes, I understand. I can find the location.”

The manager diligently recorded it. This should be fine. With the incubator, Aunt Serana won’t just fry the egg.

“So, what is it that you want to accompany me for?”

“Do you have a place you usually visit for appraisals? Let’s go there. I’ll explain on the way.”

“Yes, understood.”

The egg was sent to the inn. I roughly finished my tasks, though there are still a few things left to do…

Since Raya asked me to accompany her, let’s go for now.

“Let’s depart.”