Gozine

Aksaras Labyrinth.
It was a place mentioned only once before.

Highest difficulty level.
Even among the northern snowfields, one of the worst places was our destination.
There were quite a few things I wanted near here.
For example, magical beasts that could serve as Ellie’s food, as well as various artifacts.

Not to mention the final clear reward, this dungeon had nothing but top-tier loot.

The only problem was that the difficulty was disgustingly high.

‘The paths constantly shift on their own, and unless you’re a seasoned veteran, it’s impossible to even attempt due to the insane number of traps and puzzles littered everywhere. The only dungeon without a single clear posted on the strategy boards. That’s Aksaras Labyrinth.’

Of course, that was based on the standards of my previous world. But the people there were real, living beings. I thought about it for a long time, but I believe Altende didn’t create a world just for me, rather, he sent me to one of many existing worlds and brought me back afterward.
At least, in that world, the game Inner Lunatic had indeed existed.

Though it was just my speculation, it was a plausible enough possibility.

I had once asked Theo about magic that interferes with worldlines.

— I don’t know why you’re curious about such a thing, but… It’s difficult.

— Creating a world is an act that disregards the authority of the great goddess Arden. However…
— The possibility of other worlds existing outside this continent is entirely plausible.
— Noah von Trinity or Astrid… the Four Sages would know better, but given the various circumstances, there were records of travelers who had journeyed to other worlds in the past.

Beings who traversed other worlds.
I pressed further, but Theo couldn’t give me an answer beyond that.

Unfortunately, the publicly available information was limited.

It couldn’t be helped.

After reaching that conclusion, I asked the other two sages the same questions. I thought they might give me different answers, but that wasn’t the case.

All I got was a more systematic retelling of what Theo had already told me.

‘First, let’s secure Ellie’s food. Then we’ll tackle the dungeon and think about the rest later.’

I repeated the thought to myself as I searched for the path.

Holding a long stick, I poked at the ground while glancing around.
This was the same method I’d used when heading to Chaders, posing as a pathfinder to hunt worms, though here, it served a different purpose. Checking for areas prone to avalanches.
This was no ordinary place. It was the infamous vicinity of Aksaras Labyrinth.
If we got caught in an avalanche here, it would cause all sorts of trouble.

In other words, better safe than sorry.
Of course, Ru had advised that this wasn’t particularly helpful and suggested I leave it to Aizen or god.

“It’s fortunate we brought plenty of supplies. I’m worried this might be a long mountain trek.”

Zitri said as she surveyed the surroundings.

This was the kind of place where many magical beasts appearing wouldn’t be the least bit surprising.
And if things went as expected, it wouldn’t be a pleasant experience for us.

The fortunate thing was, as Zitri said, we had enough supplies.
Time required for the dungeon wouldn’t be an issue.

We’d also gotten plenty of potions from Erina, so there were no immediate dangers.
Originally, the white lizards meant for Ellie’s food wouldn’t even be a match for me. As for the labyrinth, the plan was to find the food first, then regroup with Ru and enter together.

“By the way… where do we find those rare white lizards? It’d be great if one just popped out right now.”

“You say such carefree things. If they were that easy to find, our merchant group wouldn’t have struggled to procure them even at high prices…”

Grk?

‘…?’

What was that?
A sound came from somewhere. Definitely from the bushes…

“White lizard?”

The moment I muttered those dumbfounded words, Eleanor let out an exasperated sigh.

“Aren’t you just too lucky?”

“Uh, stop saying that. I have trauma.”

I firmly rejected Eleanor’s judgment on my happiness.
Something felt off. My life had never gone this smoothly before.

In the previous world, I was just a wanderer, a mere vagabond, but now it was different.

For Nox von Reinhaver to be called lucky…?

This was dangerous.

‘Damn it.’

Even as I drew my sword to secure Ellie’s food, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. No matter how I looked at it, it felt unfair to have my luck wasted like this.

‘…This means I’ll suffer horribly in the dungeon. It’s guaranteed.’

This wasn’t some knight’s intuition or anything. Just the anxiety any human would feel. A fierce distrust toward the idea of luck existing for someone like Nox, in other words, me.

“Let’s take it down first.”

I considered drawing Stormbringer but quickly shook my head.

Out of habit, I’d reached for my sword for slaughtering, but the priority here was securing as much edible meat as possible from the precious white lizard for Ellie.

‘In that case’

Thud

I drew a dagger and threw it at the creature as it turned to flee.

The dagger struck squarely between its eyes, and the thick hide protecting its head shattered, exposing the flesh beneath.
I didn’t stop there.

Thud. Thud.

I aimed precisely at the wounded spot and struck again.
Two more daggers buried themselves in its forehead, and the creature collapsed.

“This should give us plenty of usable parts.”

As I muttered in satisfaction, the two beside me stared at me strangely before whispering among themselves.

“Young master, have you perhaps become a ruffian again…? As a maid, I’m genuinely concerned…”

“I agree. There’s a personality test using magic tools, maybe we should secretly run it…”

I’m sorry, but I can hear everything.
I’ve emphasized this before, but ever since returning to this world, my hearing has become extremely sharp.

I’m not sure if it was like this before, but…

“I can hear you. Keep the gossip to yourselves.”

“…Technically, it’s front-talk, not back-talk.”

Eleanor stuck out her tongue slightly as she spoke, and Zitri nodded vigorously in agreement.

This was just too much.

Kiing!

Just as I was about to retort, Ellie nuzzled her fluffy cheek against mine from inside my coat.
The moment her soft fur touched my skin, my anger vanished entirely.

“As expected, Ellie, you’re the best.”

“Hiccup!”

A hiccup echoed from somewhere.

Neigh!

Then, as if competing, Carl moved vigorously.
Unable to resist. I laughed and patted his back

“Right, Carl, you’re obviously the best too. The difference between you and the others is like heaven and earth.”

At this, Eleanor crossed her arms and asked with a somewhat serious expression.

“By ‘others,’ you’re not including me, right?”

**********

Ru.

The northern Snow Demon. The knight captain was deep in thought.

Recently, someone had come to see him.

To be precise, a boy had come to the northern snowfields to conquer the labyrinth.
Del, Ru’s direct subordinate and right-hand man, bowed his head and spoke.

“Are you sure about this, captain? The magical beasts of the north are strong. Sending those who have only just reached adulthood might be too much…”

When Ru showed no reaction, Del bowed even deeper and continued.

“Moreover, the Rivalin merchant group has invested heavily in us. If anything were to happen to the group owner, the aid to the village might cease.”

“It’ll take a little more time.”

“Yes…?”

Del looked up in confusion at Ru’s cryptic words, tilting his head this time.
Ru, sitting calmly at his desk, continued.

“Del, it seems it’ll take a bit longer before I can pass this position to you.”

“…I wasn’t asking for the position.”

“I know. But I’ll have to leave someday.”

Ru said this nonchalantly, then followed up with something shocking.

“Reinhaver’s youngest is stronger than you, Del.”

“…What?!”

Del couldn’t help but be stunned.
Of course, he’d heard rumors about Nox, plenty of them.
Even if the North was slow to receive news, rumors traveled faster than winged words.

But surely, there had to be some exaggeration.

No matter what, he was just a fifteen-year-old boy.
Del had never imagined he could be that strong, let alone stronger than himself.

‘Besides, I’ve already served a true genius.’

Ru.
The northern knight captain, the guardian of Winter Bridge.
His first title, earned after slaying a magical beast no one else could defeat upon first arriving here, was

The Snow Demon of the North.
Emotionless, calmly cutting down the massive beast, Ru’s presence was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Back then, Ru was also young.
But not as young as Nox is now.

‘He can’t possibly have talent greater than the captain’s.’

Del didn’t feel insulted.
Ru’s words had meaning.
But he wanted to see it for himself.

Ru had never once praised his talent during their sparring sessions, and Del had secretly longed for his recognition.
So, he couldn’t help but ask boldly.

“If Nox von Reinhaver returns… may I formally request a spar with him? Of course, only with his consent.”

“Hmm”

Ru pondered briefly.

Would Nox show mercy?
If Del were to be seriously injured, Ru could intervene, but it would be problematic if he were to break.

As he’d said earlier, Ru, too, would have to leave this place someday.
For that, Del couldn’t afford to break.
He had to move forward while protecting what he valued most, ultimately fulfilling the task his master had given him. That was why Ru lived.

His master, Glint, hadn’t just taught him the sword. He’d also taught him about human relationships and the complexities that arose from them. Through this, Ru had come to truly rely on Glint and resolved to carry out his final wish.

His master’s words flashed through Ru’s mind.

— Help others. In doing so, you’ll understand the value you hold.
— Know how to use your talent. Stars cannot shine alone without the night, find the best way to aid them.

Ru looks agonized again.
A spar. A spar… might actually be a good opportunity.
Nox needed to see a wider world.

“I’ll talk to him. About sparring with you. But before that.”

A chilling coldness lingered in Ru’s ever-unreadable eyes.

“Only If, after seeing him fight me, you still wish to spar.”

Ru intended to fight Nox himself.
Of course, this was entirely Ru’s unilateral decision, unrelated to Nox’s own thoughts or will, but he doubted Nox would refuse.

The face of someone thirsty for strength—one that mirrored his own. Ru was certain.
Nox von Reinhaver would bring him new excitement and discourse, pushing him forward once more.

Geniuses could shine alone like stars, but when gathered, they could also stimulate one another.

In this plan, Nox was, in Ru’s eyes, the most suitable candidate.