The Path of an S-Rank Adventurer: The Boy Who Was Expelled from His Party Awakens to His True Power [Weapon Master] and Eventually Becomes the World’s Strongest

Forbidden Sixth Labyrinths – Haise’s Journey 5

Haise sits on the roof of a car, playing with a handgun.

Sitting in front of him is a Chaos Goblin.

Pointing the gun at it, Haise speaks.

“Alright, spill what you know. If I think you’re lying or stalling, I’ll shoot without mercy.”

[Ah, a-alright…]

The Chaos Goblin’s arm is wrapped in bandages.

Haise had tossed them to it, and the goblin wrapped them itself.

There was no grudge for killing his comrades. Only fear of death remained.

[This is the Infinite Labyrinth of Delmadrome… or so humans call it. But that’s not the truth… This place was once the land of demons. It’s what demons call Isekai.]

“Isekai…”

[Yes. Long ago, before there were beasts like us or humans with abilities like yours, this land was inhabited by others. They had a highly advanced civilization and lived in peace.]

“Huh… Tycoon would love to hear this.”

[But long ago… everything was destroyed by a phenomenon called Tsunami. This land was buried in sand, creating a unique ecosystem that attracted demons. The demons studied the civilization of this place, trying to recreate it in their own world. That’s why demonic civilization surpasses humans’.]

“Interesting. So… how do you clear this place?”

[Th-this is the 601st underground floor. If you descend about 100 more levels, you’ll find a town called Theme Park, where demons used to live. It holds treasures left behind by them. Beyond that, there’s nothing.]

“Just 100 more…!! That’s good news.”

[Yes. But… the floors below here are hell. Even someone like me, who has lived here for a long time, won’t go down there. The beasts below are on a completely different level—massively powerful monsters lurk there.]

“Hmmm…”

Haise checks his Desert Eagle magazine and racks the slide.

“One question. I killed your comrades. Do you hold a grudge?”

[I don’t. They were comrades by name only; we shared the same species, that’s all. Do you humans mourn strangers’ deaths? Would you shed tears for someone who happened to be nearby when they died?]

“……”

[We just happened to gather here because we smelled humans. This place is comfortable to live in, after all.]

“I see. Alright, got it.”

Haise stands up.

He then speaks to the Chaos Goblin.

“Thanks for the intel. You can go now.”

[…What about you?]

“I’m heading for the lower floors. With just 100 more, I can make it in 50… no, 30 days.”

[Y-you’re serious!?]

“Yeah. Conquering this place is my goal.”

[…]

Haise pulls out a bottle of liquor and hands it to the Chaos Goblin.

“Money’s useless for you, so here’s a token of thanks. It’s surface liquor—tastes great.”

[…]

“See ya.”

With that, Haise heads for the lower floors.

The Chaos Goblin calls out.

[W-wait!! F-fine… I-I’ll come with you. I know this place well enough to help.]

“No, thanks. I prefer going solo.”

[P-please, wait!!]

Haise walks toward the lower floors.

The Chaos Goblin falls into step beside him.

[Wait. Let me come with you.]

“Why? I killed your kind.”

[Don’t worry about that. Besides… I’m interested in you. Let me join you. If I betray you, you can kill me.]

“Huh?”

[Please. Heh… maybe, just maybe, I can make it lower than this floor. I want to aim for a floor without my kind.]

“…Weird guy.”

Haise ignores the Chaos Goblin and keeps walking.

They soon find a passage leading downward.

[Wait. Your name, tell me your name.]

“Haise.”

[Haise. Nice name. Let’s go, then.]

“…You really are a weird guy.”

And so, the Chaos Goblin ended up accompanying Haise.