After leaving the A rank party, I aim for the deep part of the labyrinth with my former students
Third floor of the Adventurer's Guild.
Silk and I were led to the reception room and sat on a soft sofa to wait for a while.
Since adventurers like us are busy, it’s only natural that the guild master, Benwood, is also busy.
However, being late for a meeting… that’s not like him.
Despite his rough demeanor, he’s a man who follows through with his duties.
Maybe there’s some kind of urgent trouble.
“The guild master sure is late.”
“Yeah, and Mamal-san isn’t here either…”
Just saying that much made a bad feeling rise in my chest.
If both of them are involved in something, it’s likely related to the “Achromatic Darkness” sealed beneath this Adventurer's Guild.
Although we were able to close the Abyss Gate, the cause of the recent anomaly, thanks to Run, this dungeon remains heavily influenced by the “Achromatic Darkness.”
Considering how unstable things have been all over the kingdom—no, all over the world—it wouldn’t be surprising if a problem had arisen here too.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Just as my thoughts were picking up speed, the door behind me opened with heavy footsteps and a familiar voice.
He’s trying to sound calm, but that’s definitely the voice he uses when he’s been dealing with something unpleasant—Benwood.
“It’s been a while, Guild Master.”
“Amberwood, long time no see. Getting along well with Yuke?”
Benwood started making small talk, but he didn’t look relaxed at all.
Good grief, the man is even worse than me at hiding things.
“So, uh, what was it again? Oh right, the ‘Roxen Canyon Dungeon’ matter.”
“I’ll report on that later. Benwood, what happened?”
“Uh, well…”
Benwood averted his gaze and hesitated at my words.
Too easy to read. As guild master, he really needs to learn to play it cooler.
Silk stepped in sharply.
“It’s quite noisy, isn’t it? Up here, downstairs, and down even further.”
“Ah, damn it. Forgot how good an elf’s hearing is.”
Benwood scratched his head roughly and let out a sigh.
Then, as if steeling himself, he spoke.
“The ‘Achromatic Darkness’ is acting up a little.”
“Acting up?”
“Yeah. Nothing specific’s happened, but there’s a weird feeling in the air.”
Benwood fiddled with his beard and shifted restlessly, choosing his words carefully.
I see—because nothing has happened, it makes him more uneasy.
“Silk, how about you? Do you feel anything?”
“Yes, just a little. Ever since I came to the guild, I’ve felt something off, but I thought I was imagining it.”
“I don’t feel anything at all.”
I touched my left cheek and tilted my head in confusion.
I’d think I’m the most sensitive to these kinds of things out of the three of us.
“It’s like a tiny vibration… or a twist. Almost like a faint ringing in your ears that you hear in silence. It really feels like it could just be my imagination.”
“And the fact that Benwood is sensing it is what I can’t believe.”
“I’ve been sitting here a long time. I don’t know what it is, but my ass is itchy with nerves.”
This kind of sensitivity is uncharacteristic for the usually bold and brash Benwood.
Still, with Silk saying it too, there might really be something going on.
Labyrinth dungeons are inherently unstable and dangerous.
It’s smarter to deal with things before they become a real problem… and just as I reached that conclusion—
“Could it be that Mamal-san’s absence is related to this?”
“Yeah. She’s got better instincts than me.”
So that’s why Mamal, who usually shows up right away, is nowhere to be seen.
Benwood, as the guild master, can’t move around carelessly, so it makes more sense for someone stealthy like Mamal to investigate quietly and avoid causing a commotion.
After all, they don’t even know what’s happening yet.
“Is there anything we can do?”
“I was trying to dodge that question. Mamal told me I’ve been working you two too hard lately.”
“Who told you that?”
“Mamal, of course. She’s terrifying. So take a break for now. I’ll contact you right away if anything comes up.”
Benwood let out a huge sigh and slumped his shoulders.
She must’ve chewed him out pretty bad.
At this point, I couldn’t just butt in on my own judgment.
I glanced at Silk, and she nodded slightly, understanding what I meant.
It’s best to keep this conversation between us.
“Changing the subject, Guild Master—have you found anything out about Yuke’s left arm?”
“Yeah, we got a progress report from the researchers, but there’s still no sign of a full recovery. They suspect it’s a type of crystal disease, but since it’s technically a form of petrification, it shouldn’t be able to move.”
“Doesn’t affect my daily life or adventuring at all though…”
“One of the researchers submitted a report suggesting it might be a kind of substitution phenomenon. Here, take a look.”
Benwood pulled out a sheet with a sticky note from the stack of reports and handed it to me.
The brief report speculated that one of the conceptual components of my physical body—something called Ordo, a type of force—had collapsed due to the output required when using a special kind of magic. To maintain the integrity of the event, the concept of my body had reconstructed the lost part using another Ordo from an external source.
{TL: "Ordo" (a kind of conceptual/spiritual force)}
That’s a pretty fascinating hypothesis and approach.
In other words, when I used “Cull,” I may have actually lost my left arm. But in order for the reality of “Cull” having been used to remain true, reality forcibly rewrote itself to fake the continuity of my body.
“Does that mean... his arm can’t go back to the way it was?”
Silk’s face tensed slightly.
Maybe she thinks this is her fault somehow.
Well, I managed to bring Silk back even if it cost me a transformed left arm. That’s a trade I’d gladly make.
“According to that researcher… they added a note saying if we leave it alone, it might eventually integrate on its own.”
“Then we’ll just keep observing like we have been. It’s not like it’s bothering me. I’ll wait patiently for the results.”
I gave a small laugh and nudged Silk’s shoulder gently with my own.
There’s really nothing to worry about.
“I guess that’s everything. Sorry to interrupt you during a busy time, Benwood.”
“No, I should be the one apologizing. I’ll make sure no new requests come your way for a while, so take it easy with the ladies, alright?”
Don’t add weird implications like that, Benwood.
Look—now Silk’s blushing.
“I’ll submit my report as soon as I can. Also, if anything seriously comes up, don’t hesitate to call me. No need to hold back.”
“You got it. I’ll be counting on you.”
Benwood gave a thumbs-up with a broad grin.
I nodded in response, and we stood up from our seats.
“We’ll be taking our leave then.”
“I’ll drop by again soon. Don’t push yourself too hard, Benwood.”
“Yeah. Get home safe!”
We gave a light wave in return to Benwood, who was waving at us, and left the reception room.
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