December 1st, a month has passed since we all found out we were trapped within this game, more than 2000 people's names have been written on the Monument of Life in the Black Iron Palace- a system that automatically adds the names of those that have fallen to this death game... I went in there once, but it was like going to one of those roadside graves set up by loved ones after a life is lost in a crash- there are no bodies to bury and the entire palace was overwhelmed by a chilling silence that really encapsulates the feeling of dread we all feel in this game, that any day could be your last if you dare step outside the city, but for some the hiding inside the city had begun to have an impact on their mental health... who knows how many people have jumped off the side of this floating castle just to escape it? I don't want to know...
. . .
Y/N: "I wish these mobs would respawn quicker, I hate being left to my own thoughts in here."
It had been a while since your first encounter with Argo, whilst you kept your actual level a secret and only equipped your higher threshold equipment deep into the field you could tell she knew you were progressing further into the floor and kept pressing for your old grind spots, you willingly gave them of course, you didn't need them anymore and if it helped the lower levelled players then it was nothing but positives. Plus it was nice to talk to someone strictly business, you never were one for too much small talk.
Argo also convinced you to not take such long stints without sleep, you agreed to not spending more than two and a half days out on the field without at least 6 hours sleep... at least for this floor-. . . Ah, the mobs have finally respawned in here!
*STAB* *STAB* *SHATTER* ... *STAB* *STAB* *SHATTER* ... *STAB* *STAB* *SHATTER*
The reason being that you accepted her request was for two, maybe three reasons: first and foremost, it would be better for your body and state of mind if you were better rested.
*STAB* *STAB* *SHATTER*
Secondly, you were deep within the labyrinth now when you were grinding, in fact you were fairly sure that the spiral staircase just ahead of you that led to those large doors was in fact to the boss room. Something you weren't keen on testing alone just yet.
*STAB* *STAB* *SHATTER*
But, these mobs you were fighting now seemed to be the highest level mobs on this floor and they were starting to offer much less exp per kill that they used to, you feel like you're probably over levelled for this floor at this point and your time would probably be better spent doing the busywork quests back in the first town and Tolbana and maybe consider picking up a new non-combat skill or two. You were considering smithing but were unsure of the details, something Argo could probably help with.
*STAB* *STAB* *SHATTER*
And the third reason, is that the morning after meeting Argo you came down from your room at the inn to get breakfast only to find Argo sitting at a small table in the corner calling you over.
FLASHBACK
Argo: "Hey! U/N! Over 'ere!"
Y/N: "G'morning Argo ... what's up?"
Argo: "I jus' wanted ta make sure ya had a real bite to eat before ya went out again, can't have ya keelin' over out there! ... ya gonna sit down an' eat or what, that ones yours"
She pointed to a plate with a simple yet appetising plate of breakfast. For me? What's her scam?
Y/N: "... what are you after?"
Argo: "Nothing! 'onest! Well for now at least, but I told ya yesterday didn't I? That I came off way better in that deal of ours yesterday, this is to help ya recuperate! And I wanted to ask ya for somethin'..."
You sat down at the seat Argo reserved for you and offered her a grin.
Y/N: ".. Thanks for the meal, what's your question? Shoot."
Argo: "Ah, so ya face does work! That's the first time I've seen anythin' on ya face other than total neutrality! And its not so much a question as a request... pal, you ain't gonna try an' clear this whole game on as lil' as a nights rest a week are ya?"
Y/N: "..."
Argo: "I can see ya are real devoted to whateva it is goin' through ya head, but do ya think ya can handle the more intelligent mobs when we get to the higher floors when ya are on a sleep-deprived autopilot? Even if it's just a couple hours after two days of bein' out there, better than what ya were on before, right pal?"
Y/N: ". . . my face works just fine thank you"
Argo: "Nyehehehehe!"
FLASHBACK ENDS
Argo really seems to care about my health, I'd like to think its not just because of the info I can offer her but because she doesn't want me throwing my life away because I didn't look after it properly...
*STAB* *STAB* *SHATTER* *STAB* *STAB* *SHATTER*
*DING* *LEVEL UP!*
And I plan to take that into consideration when it's appropriate.
*STAB* *STAB* *SHATTER*
Like now, looks like I just levelled up again, and these kobolds are giving such a negligible amount of exp that I might as well head back to town, thankfully Argo gave me that map data; I didn't realise there was a map and I didn't map out anything for all the time I was out here.
But with this map data I should be able to find my way back to town way quicker than before!
*Timeskip to being back in town*
I suppose I can sell off my labyrinth map data and the mob details to Argo, see if I can get some info on these non-combat skill quests, cooking is great and all for keeping me going out on the field but I heard that smiths can use a portable smithing table to repair equipment out on the field, that would definitely come in handy!
I'm sure she's on that bench of hers, that bench I tried to claim I sat on every day when Argo first confro-
Argo: "'Ey U/N! Ya back, and the week ain't even over yet! What'ya got for me then?"
Y/N: "Think of the devil, I'm hoping for a trade of information... if you're interested in the map data for the labyrinth and it's mob details that is?"
Argo: "Aww, ya thinkin' of ol' Argo? I'm flattered! But onto this info ya offerin', of course I'll buy it from ya, but ya shouldn't go into the labyrinth on ya own, especially as the whole place was totally uncharted! Risks like that are what'll get ya killed!"
Y/N: ".. sorry mam!"
Argo: " ! ... so what are ya wantin' to trade for that risky labyrinth data of yours?"
Y/N: "I'd like info on how to unlock the non-combat skills, where to find the quests and any tips would be nice as well... if that's not asking too much?"
Argo: ".. I didn't expect that from ya at all, I reckon ya could count all the hours ya spent in the safe zones with just ya two hands! And again ya sellin' me info worth way more than what ya gettin', an' whats with ya sudden interest in town quests?"
Y/N: "That sounds like info I can sell down the line! And why don't we start putting all these overpayments on a record I can redeem later, like one of those old punchcard systems at coffee shops?
Argo: "Now now! Let's not go getting street smart on ol' Argo now! Ya my best source of information, and so far nobodies come complain' so I've got a lotta faith in ya word U/N, I've even been puttin' some thought into a nickname for ya!"
Y/N: "I don't need a nickna-"
Argo: "As for what you asked for, I'll do a proper job of it for ya, then I'll send ya a message so ya can read it at ya leisure! How's that sound to ya?"
Y/N: "Yeh, that sounds good to me" you say as you navigate your menu to send her the information, as you hit send you notice someone walking towards the two of you.
Assuming it's another customer you turn back to Argo
Y/N: "Seems I'm not your only customer after all! I'll leave you to your busin-"
???: "Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear that you've mapped the entirety of the labyrinth solo, what say you-"
Argo: "Sorry pal, he's already sold the mapping to me, I'm sure my friend here wouldn't undercut me right in front of my face but I'm happy to talk business with ya."
You give a small smile to Argo, hoping to convey your thanks for handling the talking for you, she seemed to notice judging from that grin on her face.
???: "Oh, that wasn't my intention. I apologise. I was actually asking if you would be interested in attending the meeting I'll be holding tomorrow in Tolbana, it's the First Floor Boss Strategy Meeting"
People are planning to deal with the first boss already? I can't imagine that many people are cut out for it yet considering how few people I've actually seen in the Labyrinth, let alone its outskirts. But if they're planning to do the boss room, I want in.
Y/N: ". . . sure. Where and when?"
???: "There's an open-roof amphitheatre, we'll be meeting there, just take a seat and try to be there by 16:00 if you can- there's about 30 confirmed but it's an open meeting so we're hoping for more... oh and my name is Diavel."
Y/N: "16:00 huh? That gives me good time for my other commitments... I'll be there Diavel, and my username's U/N"
Diavel: "Good to hear! Someone of your resourcefulness will certainly be of great help to the cause. Now, Argo was it? I would like to buy the information about the Labyrinth that U/N had just relinquished to you-"
You begin walking away, looks like we're finally going to start making progress in clearing this game. You can't help but feel excited, the gamer in you is looking forward to a challenge and a new area to explore.
But as a survivor in this game, you'll need to remember to exercise an overly healthy amount of caution, this is a death game still after all, and if we've already lost over 2000 people before we even reached the boss I worry that we may take heavy casualties during the boss fight.
I'm as ready as I can be.
<Author's Note: This chapter came out way later than I wanted it to, there were a couple of rewrites to get to a point I was happy with, I feel the story may be progressing a little slower than it could be, but I'd like to think that it means I can flesh out this a/u a little more!
I think the next chapter will still not be fighting the boss, I've got a decent plan thought up for the next chapter though and I promise that Chapter 5 will feature the defeat of the first floor boss! >
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