Chapter 256: Doubts About Abilities
After observing several spells from my glasses, I realized something. Some spells require verbal incantations, while others involve writing, or sometimes both.
As I traced something with my fingertips, tiny spirits, resembling microscopic organisms, were drawn into my pocket, glowing faintly. It felt like small spirits were gathering around me. I couldn’t help but wonder what I was carrying in that pocket.
Once again, our numbers dwindled on the Twelfth Layer. It was just me, Dean, and an unfamiliar party descending further down.
It seems that after spending one or two nights hunting, the materials worth the effort can be found around the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Layers. Occasionally, there are those who test their strength or search for materials that previous adventurers might have overlooked, opting to progress without using the cliffs.
Most adventurers, however, head straight for the cliffs, which serve as convenient shortcuts after their initial exploration. They know for certain that valuable items lie deeper below. The majority of adventurers delve into the labyrinth solely to earn gold.
At the entrance of the Twelfth Layer, we took a break at a gaping hole in the cliff. It was time for a calorie recharge. Not quite a meal, nor a snack, just a calorie boost.
The shortcut to the Twentieth Layer is located slightly off from the entrance of the Twelfth Layer. The cliff we descended continues on, but the entrance to the Twentieth Layer is a bit further away.
After our break, we returned to the cliff.
“I’ll carry this,” said the glasses-wearing adventurer, rummaging through a bag tied to his waist and attaching something to the wall.
A faint light, reminiscent of a glow stick, spread straight along the cliff. There was a path created by previous adventurers, clinging to the cliffside. It had been constructed long ago, with wedges driven in about a meter apart, sturdy boards laid across them, and chains attached to some of the wedges for reinforcement.
Was he setting a magic stone on the wall? To carry it means he’s treating us, I suppose. The faint light reached about knee height, weak but a welcome sight in this pitch-black place.
The Adventurer’s Guild had issued requests to replace the damaged boards along the path. The chains that slant down from the cliff to support the wedges can be a bit of an obstacle for passage, even if they are for safety. I, Ash, and others can manage, but Karn…!
Yet, Karn and Dinoss slipped through the darkness like cats. The Butler moved with his usual steady pace. He must have looked completely unfazed.
As for me, I found myself naming every passing Wind Spirit. Just in case, I might need them to slow my fall. The creaking sound echoed ominously.
From the unstable footing, we finally reached the Twentieth Layer after descending the dark cliff. It was definitely faster than walking through each layer, but it came with a fair amount of tension. Perhaps it was just my inexperience.
At the entrance of the Twentieth Layer, we took a longer break after entering a crack in the cliff. We had detailed maps up to the Twenty-Fifth Layer, and we knew of relatively safe spots.
Even during the day, we had no fire. There’s a limit to how much we can carry, so conserving fuel was essential. —I understood well why those with [Storage] were targeted.
However, I did transfer the spark from the grass wrapped around our makeshift torches to a new one. I opened the bark and blew on the old grass to ignite a wider area. It wouldn’t flare up dangerously, but it was enough to warm up some dried meat and lightly toast the sliced bread.
Having it warm made it a bit more enjoyable.
“I’d like to ask you all to listen for a moment. You may already know, but I am Iskal, the Vice Guild Master of the Adventurer’s Guild. To be frank, I’ve come here to investigate traces of the Hero. Given the state of the spirits, it’s highly likely that something unusual is occurring below this layer. Proceed with caution, and if you confirm any anomalies, someone must return quickly to inform the Guild. We will offer greater rewards than what you would earn in three days of activity in this layer. Depending on the situation, you may even receive stars.”
“If that’s the case, our party will return to inform you!” A member from the neighboring party exclaimed, poked by his companions.
No need to rush; there wouldn’t be any other parties to take the offer. It was just me and Dean’s party, though I wasn’t technically part of a party.
“Until you understand what’s happening, you should stick with us. Are you solo? Then even if it’s cramped, join our group.”
“Yeah,” I replied, invited by Dinoss. Finally, I could blend in…!
The glasses-wearing adventurer and the other party that had taken the message request looked surprised. Perhaps they hadn’t recognized me. They hadn’t seen my face during our conversation at the cliff, and it felt like I had already been forgotten. That was quick.
Still, how does this forgetting mechanism work? It’s effective without the spirits revealing themselves. All the abilities I received from the Gods were like that. I thought the Gods’ power was so strong that it could be used without revealing oneself within its range, or perhaps I was borrowing the power of my retainers.
—I could use [Teleportation] even in areas outside the map, and I could use [Storage] as well. Was my assumption that the mapped area was the territory of the contracted spirits incorrect, or were the activation conditions for the abilities I received different? Were they treated the same as physical abilities…?
En’s [Storage] was like a squirrel stuffing its cheeks. It’s convenient, but I’m curious about the mechanism behind it.