Explorer & Labyrinth Dungeon

"Explorer?" Aki questioned, "What does an Explorer do that differs from an Adventurer?"

"Adventurer is a general job title given to people who accept all sorts of various requests from the Adventurer Guild, but there are specific job titles that can be given to people who want to specialize in a certain field." Layla explained, "Adventurers who specialize in material gathering are called Gatherers, escorting requests are called Mercenaries, hunting monsters are called Hunters, and exploring dungeons are called Explorers. By specializing in a certain field, it is more likely that you will be given a direct request from a noble or even a royal family for a certain task."

"I guess that somewhat makes sense? Couldn't I still go into dungeons without a title?" Aki asked, as he couldn't find a reason to obtain a specialized title.

"Any adventurer can indeed go explore any dungeons, but I believe the dungeons Prince Albert wants you to explore require the job title, Explorer." Layla glanced over to Prince Albert for verification.

"Layla is correct, the dungeons I want you to explore require the Explorer title." Prince Albert stated, "Labyrinth Dungeon, that is the dungeon I want you to explore on my behalf!"

"What's a Labyrinth Dungeon?" Aki questioned, "First of all, what are dungeons?"

"Dungeons are commonly referred to as naturally formed, structured areas with dense amounts of mana that spawn a large variety of high-ranking monsters, precious ores, and, in rare events, treasure chests containing artifacts. Monsters born in these dungeons are often hunted and brought back to the Adventurer Guild to be dismantled for their valuable materials." Prince Albert explained, "Labyrinth Dungeons are a bit special as they are considered to be a type of living entity. Monsters born inside these dungeons cannot be brought outside and will drop mana stones or monster materials when defeated. The mana stone can be collected and sold to the Adventure Guild. Additionally, the chances of finding artifacts or lost objects are much higher in Labyrinth Dungeons." 

"Okay....I can understand why you would want me to go into these Labyrinth Dungeons." Aki commented, "Why do they require a specialized title? Based on what you stated, Labyrinth Dungeons sound a bit simpler and don't require you to carry a monster corpse around." 

"Deaths....Labyrinth Dungeons are actually considered to be much more deadly as they contain dangerous traps, mazes, and sometimes Name Monsters," Princess Rei explained. "The most dangerous part about Labyrinth Dungeons is their size. Some Labyrinth Dungeons spanned across multiple floors, with the largest dungeon known reaching fifty floors, with new floors being discovered every few years. The purpose of the title Explorer is to make sure you are aware of the risk you are taking when pursuing this type of profession." 

"Why do people take this risk then? Aki questioned. "If the chances of you dying in a Labyrinth Dungeons are higher, why do adventurers do it?"

"Easy Fame & Fortune," the Queen stated, "As mentioned earlier, the chances of finding artifacts or lost objects are much higher in Labyrinth Dungeons. Artifacts can easily be sold for hundreds to thousands of gold coins, depending on their uses, and collectors are seeking out rare artifacts daily."

"What are Artifacts? " Aki asked.

"Artifacts are special tools that were created by an ancient civilization that was destroyed thousands of years ago," Prince Albert stated, "These artifacts can achieve the impossible, like creating water without the use of mana or even altering the weather."

"Remember, the Kingdom requires all artifacts found inside these Labyrinth Dungeons to be properly appraised to determine if they possess a risk," the Queen commented, "Any artifacts deemed too dangerous will be repossessed and sealed with proper compensation being provided, of course," as she munched on a biscuit.

"What about the fame part?" Aki inquired. 

"Explorers all seek to be the first one to fully travel the entire length of a Labyrinth Dungeon, reaching the boss room to obtain a title called: Labyrinth Conqueror," the Queen stated, "Those who possess this title are highly respected, and any artifacts they discover could be sold at triple the appraised value." 

"Wait, just reach the boss room?" Aki questioned, "Not defeat the dungeon boss?" 

"Labyrinth Bosses are extremely powerful and require a raid team to defeat them." Prince Kurt answered, "The last successful raid was over eighty years ago with a team of two hundred adventurers, soldiers, and clergy members to defeat the Undead Skeleton King, resulting in the deaths of fifty members." 

"Would the Labyrinth Dungeon disappear after the boss is defeated?" Aki asked. 

"As long as the dungeon core is not destroyed, the dungeon will remain," Prince Albert answered. "Dungeon cores are extremely hard to locate and not to mention extremely hard to destroy, with only five known records of them being destroyed." 

"Hmmm......"Aki contemplates whether he should take the risk: "What is the merit for me?" 

"I know that there is no proper price for you to risk your life, but what I can offer is myself," Prince Albert answered, "Not as a prince, but as an individual, I can offer my entire self to you," standing up and touching his heart with his right hand. 

The maids' faces began to turn extremely red while Prince Kurt & Princess Rei shook their heads in annoyance towards their little brother's statement.

"Is he always like this?" Aki asked the Queen.

"Unfortunately, as his mother, I'm ashamed of how he is at times," the Queen stated, "As a Prince, he is not allowed to enter these places without guards, and no proper ruler in their right mind will order it."

"Hey, you shitty prince," Aki stated, "Explain what you meant by offering yourself?" he questioned, knowing that there was a deeper meaning in his words.

"As an Explorer, you are required to properly submit a report detailing your findings to the Adventurer Guild ." Prince Albert stated. "I will offer my assistance in helping you write that report for you." 

Aki glanced at the Queen to verify if this was allowed.

"Aki, if you do choose to go down this dangerous profession, Prince Albert's support will benefit you greatly. As a lost, you lacked the common knowledge of this world, and most importantly, you lack connection," the Queen stated. "You lack the support from someone powerful, like a noble or a high-ranking adventurer who can vouch for you as a person. In the eyes of this world, you are a commoner with no value, and to be honest, we wouldn't even be sitting in the same room talking if it weren't for Layla & Rei, who insisted on keeping you here."

"MOTHER!" Princess Rei exclaimed, "You don't need to phrase it like that," shocked by her mother's disrespect toward Aki. 

"The Queen's comment was harsh, but in terms of my status and relationship in this world, she is correct." Aki thought, "If it wasn't for my connection with Layla, I wouldn't be here talking to the Royal family. What is this uneasy feeling I'm feeling currently? What is the Queen exactly up to?"  

"Queen Caroline, what do you get in return?" Aki questioned, standing up and ignoring formalities, "There is no reason why a Queen, let alone a mother, would allow a commoner you've never met or heard of to remain in contact with your family?" 

The room quickly became frozen from Aki's question as the Queen smirked.

"You are extremely cautious, aren't you? That is a good trait to have if you are planning to take this type of profession," the Queen stated, as she stood up from her seat and began slowly walking around the dining room table towards Aki, "Of course, there are a lot of merits for not just me, but this entire Kingdom."

"In our Kingdom, there are over twelve Labyrinth Dungeons that have yet to be conquered, with hundreds of adventurers entering daily, and most returning empty-handed with only serious injuries to show for," the Queen explained. "If you manage to return with an artifact or even provide us with any information required for the Labyrinth Dungeon, it would be worth the investment," she stated, towering over Aki with the air slowly turning colder.

"The most important part is.........I want to finish watching the moving picture!" the Queen exclaimed with a pouty face.

"Huh?" Aki stated. 

"The family was only able to watch it for a few moments before it disappeared, but my son had watched the entire thing already," the Queen stated in frustration. "He tried to explain what he saw to painters to replicate it, but nothing similar was ever reproduced," as she stomped her heels onto the wooden floor.

"HAHAHAHA," Aki stated, laughing, "I get it! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree either," as he continued to laugh.

"Does this mean we have a deal?" Prince Albert asked with excitement, "Will you take it?" 

"My answer is...."



"BWAHAHHAHAHA," the Guild Master began to laugh nonstop, "I can't believe you led Prince Albert on and then turned down his offer." 

"Of course, I turned down his offer," Aki stated, sitting in the Guild Master's office, "Why would I consider taking a profession that only leads to death? I'm trying to live my life without risking it." 

"You made the right choice, at least in my eyes," the Guild Master commented, "Explorers are a type of profession often taken by the foolish or desperate. You should at least try to live your life a bit more before trying to seek out a grave."

"I agree, I've only been in this world for a few weeks, and I would like that," Aki stated. 

"Here, take this," the Guild Master handed over a silver plate card and a long fang.

"D-Rank?" Aki questioned, "Isn't the starting rank F?" 

"I mention to you that I would adjust your rank based on your performance during the Stampede," the Guild Master stated," Although you weren't really in the right mindset at the time, you still managed to subdue multiple Goblins, Kolbolds & Trolls by yourself and receive acknowledgment from the Forest Guardian," he explained. 

"That would explain this fang," Aki stated, looking at the fang. Appraisal, Left Fang of Colossal Snake, S-Rank. "Yikes," he muttered. 

"If you want to sell it, I'm sure the Royal Family would gladly purchase it from you, but I recommend keeping it for now," the Guild Master suggested. "The fang itself can serve as a deterrent to keep lower-ranking monsters away from you in a pinch by taking it out of your item box."

"I see, that would help me avoid getting involved in fighting unnecessarily," Aki realized. "I will keep it on me for now, then," he stated, getting up and heading for the door. 

"I went ahead and put the bounty money for the Fallen Brothers into the Guild Account for you, so if you want to withdraw it, go downstairs," the Guild Master stated, with Aki waving his right hand before leaving the office. "I truly hope you don't have to risk your life anymore," he muttered, concerned about Aki's emotional state and the shadowy figure that still lingered around him.