Chapter 122: Chapter 122 - Adventurer Party(Part 6)

"U-uh...I’m so sorry you had to see that, p-please forget about it!" Cried Ilex with his head bowed, his face red with embarrassment and his shoulders trembling.

"Yeah, that’s gonna be pretty difficult...it was quite the drastic change in personality you were displaying there," Responded Ekpen in bemusement.

That’s kind of an understatement, it was like he became a completely different person. Maybe it’s a split personality or something? Or more likely, he’s got a whole lot of suppressed trauma and whatnot.

"I-I, er...whenever I fight, the m-more violent it gets, my blood starts to rush, my head and chest begin pounding and this uncontainable energy wells up inside me. I-I can’t help it, I just have this strong urge to tear something apart. A-and, well, each time I inflict pain on whoever or whatever I’m fighting, I get this really cathartic feeling that’s-...u-uh, forget I said all this, I-I’m rambling!" He stuttered, his gaze darting about as he fidgeted nervously.

Yeah, seriously, how is this the same person that went on a maniacal rampage against the Spectre just a couple of minutes ago? It’s like the difference between night and day, but more extreme.

The others had approached him after he finished laughing, and he was quiet for a moment after they began speaking to him. He then became the usual stuttering mess that he generally is, I’d have never guessed that he had a dark side, or believed it, if I hadn’t seen it for myself.

"Sounds like you’ve been through some trauma, I’m guessing violent abuse when you were younger, maybe?" I mused, voicing my thoughts without fully intending to.

"H-huh? I-I, um...I don’t want to talk about it," He muttered, shrinking back with a sullen look on his face.

"Oh, sorry, that’s my bad...I didn’t mean to pry, just sort of thinking out loud," I smiled apologetically.

"N-no, it’s okay, no harm done."

"Well, anyway, uh...maybe we should head back now. I think fighting a Disastrous Grade is a good point to end day one on," Spoke up Dispo, changing the subject.

"Fine by me," I nodded without any objections...it’s about damn time.

It’ll take a couple of hours to get back outside, but we probably won’t run into many Monsters, especially if we stick to the same route. Most Monsters will typically stay away from areas where there are corpses of their own species, or of species that are higher on the food chain, at least for a short while.

Man, I’ve kinda been taking Prysm’s Teleportation Skill for granted, getting used to instant travel has kinda spoiled me. The thought of once again covering the same distance we took to get here sounds like a major pain.

Guess I’ll just have to power through it and not think about how long it’s taking or anything else that’ll make me feel restless and impatient. Let’s think positive...just a couple more hours, and I’ll be one third of the way done with this whole thing.

...on second thought, that’s not very positive. Two hours isn’t exactly a short amount of time...and then I have to do this all over again twice!? Ugh...I suddenly feel kinda drained and worn out, both mentally and physically.

"Alright, let’s get going then, shall we?" Suggested Ekspen, before adding, "This time, the three of us will be up front, you two cover us. Provide support and back up as you see fit, just make sure not to hit one of us when you do. Got it?"

"O-okay, sure," Nodded Ilex in response.

"Yeah, got it," I added with a slight sigh, finding it difficult to keep up with this facade...I just want this to be over already...

...

...

"And with this, we can call it a day! Great work, everyone," Remarked Ekspen with a grin, as we walked out of the Labyrinth and back outside.

I’m freaking spent...not so much physically, I am a bit tired, but I’ve still got some stamina to spare. It’s more mentally that I’m worn out...this was so emotionally exhausting, barely a minute went by without me wishing that it would be over already.

And this was just the first day of three...well, at least I have a few hours of respite before I sleep, and then a few more before I have to join up with them again. I think I’ll spend that time in blissful denial.

"You two were very impressive. Larrk, your Spellcasting was absolutely incredible, particularly the blue flames. And Ilex...you were, uh, quite intense back there," Smiled Sakri wryly.

"P-please forget about that," He groaned in dismay, covering his hands with his face.

"We should head back into town, get some food and then go to sleep early. Make sure you’re well-rested for tomorrow, or you’re going to struggle," Dispo advised Ilex and I.

"Sure, I’ll keep that in mind," I replied affirmatively, as Ilex nodded sullenly in response.

To my relief, we headed back to the town right away...I was kinda afraid that they might try and suggest having dinner or drinks together or something like that, but thankfully not. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Well, I guess it makes sense...it’d be a bad idea to drink too much before another day in the Labyrinth. And as for food, after the way Ilex bailed on them last night with a poor attempt at making up an excuse, it’s unlikely that they’ll try inviting him again.

That said, it’s quite possible that they’ll want to celebrate or some shit after the end of day three...I’m already dreading it, need to come up with a solid excuse to get out of it ahead of time.

I’ve already considered saying that something’s come up and I need to leave town, that way I’ll be able to avoid the next two days...but no, I still have a lot of progress I intend to make in the Labyrinth, which I’ll resume as soon as I’m done with these Adventurers.

Maybe sometime later, I should head back to Kieph Town and try to rank up to Diamond, I doubt anyone would ever bother me with crap like this again if I’m at the highest rank. The only downside is that it’ll be pretty hard to fly under the radar if I’m at Diamond rank.

There are seven towns in Obsidian, and none have more than four Diamond ranked Adventurers, with most having two or three. Last I checked, there are exactly twenty Diamond ranks in this nation, so another person ranking up to that level would definitely get a lot of attention.

Incidentally, Kieph Town only has two Diamond ranks, Rosary and Rayven, but there are also several Platinum ranks, which is why the Kieph Town Guild has the highest average Adventurer rank in the nation.

"Alright, we’ll be heading this way. Make sure to be punctual tomorrow, you two, we’ll meet at the same time and place," Ekspen informed us.

"See you boys tomorrow," Waved Sakri with a smile, as they began to walk away.

"And don’t forget to get plenty of rest tonight!" Called out Dispo, glancing back at us.

I played along and waved back as they left, before letting out a weary sigh as they got out of sight...as Ilex simultaneously sighed along with me.

"Glad I’m not the only one who isn’t enjoying this whole ’working with an unfamiliar team’ thing. Though I’m guessing your sadistic rampage is another reason why you’ve always worked alone until now, isn’t it?" I guessed wryly.

Talking to this guy is pretty easy, mainly because he’s unlikely to start up a long, unnecessary conversation. In fact, the more he’s spoken to, the sooner he’s likely to try and leave.

"Y-yeah, only a few people have ever seen me like that before...u-usually, other Adventurers avoid me because I keep myself and don’t talk to anyone. B-but then, these three recently got back after several months of traveling to other towns, and they approached me the day before yesterday and kept pressuring me till I couldn’t say no anymore. It was so stressful and uncomfortable, it felt like-...," He blurted out, venting before he could stop himself, and then swiftly clamming up as he caught himself.

Wow, he even stopped stuttering and murmuring about halfway through, this whole ordeal must be really mentally taxing for him. And if I’m being honest...him venting is kinda tempting me to do the same...

"Mhm, they did the same thing to me...when we began heading back up today, all I could think about was how long two hours are, and that there are two whole days remaining," I sighed wistfully.

"Yes! Me too!" He responded with a sharp nod, before shrinking back as he slightly startled me with his sudden, and kinda loud, response, "Anyway, u-uh...I’m gonna go home. See you later..."

"Yeah, see ya later," I nodded, before adding wryly as we headed in the same direction and he looked a bit bewildered for a moment, "What, did you already forget that the hotel I’m staying at is in the same area as where you live?"

"...yes. I did."

_____________________________________________

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this Chapter! Don’t forget to vote, and feel free to leave a comment, I appreciate any and all feedback and criticism!

Also, check out my Instagram account @aimdaqs for posts relating to this book.

Join the Discord server, I plan to tease upcoming Chapters and future story arcs here, and you can also discuss or ask me any questions about the story and characters. Use the invite link to join:

https://discord.gg/sRbx9VbTVP