Survival Strategies of a Struggling Aristocrat

In a specific part of the Shadow Forest Labyrinth, which was said to be the dwelling place of the Dryads who in their turn dropped the fruit which served as a remedy for Dennis’s grandfather, lay the seventh section. It was believed that this particular section housed relatively weaker monsters compared to the rest.

However, the challenge extended beyond the monsters themselves. Gaining access to the Shadow Forest Labyrinth required a permit from Marquis Cliffbald. In such cases, it seemed customary for nobles to pay their respects to the Marquis.

First, Dennis had to persuade his mother, who initially opposed his journey into the Shadow Forest Labyrinth. His achievements of single-handedly defeating four bandits and successfully conquering the five floors of the Rock Mountain Maze seemed to have a good impact.

Although he lost some precious time during his mother’s persuasion, he still visited his critically ill grandfather to check on his condition. His once robust physique had withered away, leaving him frail and diminished in appearance.

“Grandfather, please hold on. I will bring back the Dryad’s fruit.”

After the visit, Dennis, accompanied by Egmont, made his way to the Marquis’s mansion. It was not merely a mansion but a grand structure that could easily be called a castle.

Fortunately, the Marquis happened to be present and available for a meeting. Marquis Cliffbald, a dignified gentleman in his forties, possessed an inexplicable aura of authority.

“Lord Egmont, it has been a year since our last encounter. You appear to be in good health.”

“I am delighted to see you in good health as well, Marquis Cliffbald.”

After exchanging greetings, Egmont broached the reason for their visit. He explained that his father-in-law, Jerg, was gravely ill and that they required access to the Shadow Forest Labyrinth, where they needed to retrieve the Dryad Fruits.

“I see. So you seek permission to enter the Shadow Forest Labyrinth.”

“My son, Dennis, intends to embark on this expedition. I humbly request your assistance.”

“Very well. Jerg served as the vice-captain of the Marquis Cliffbald Knights Order. I have no intention of letting him die.”

After the Marquis instructed his attendant to prepare the permit, he called forth two knights from his order.

“Is there something you need, my lord?”

Two knights appeared, and a knight about 30 years old, asked on their behalf.

“Young Dennis, the heir to the Beneshof territory, will be venturing into the Shadow Forest Labyrinth. I ask that you accompany him and provide protection.”

“We shall fulfill your request, without hesitation.”

Dennis, who was worried about venturing into the labyrinth alone, expressed his gratitude for the Marquis’s kindness.

“I am Roman, a knight of the order, and this is Tobias. We will protect you with all our might,”

“Thank you.”

Roman was a knight with a mustache about 30 years old. The other knight, a skinny young man of around eighteen, was called Tobias. Both of them wielded longswords and appeared to be well-trained.

Since they needed to make preparations, they couldn’t depart on the same day. They agreed to meet at the city’s exit the next morning and left the Marquis’s mansion.

Dennis made his way to the market district of Cliff. His purpose was to buy clothes befitting of a labyrinth explorer. The hunting attire he had been using until now was torn and ragged in many places.

He purchased sturdy, second-hand clothes made of durable linen that fit him well. To enhance his appearance as an explorer, he added a chest protector, gauntlets, and shin guards made from lizard leather.

Dennis was wondering whether to sell the armored lizard’s skin, a drop item from the Armored lizard, or use it himself. If he continued exploring the labyrinth in the future, he would need protective gear, so he decided to use the lizard leather as a material for the chest protector and other pieces.

Carrying the armor, Dennis had brought it with the thought that if he had the opportunity to challenge the Shadow Forest Labyrinth…

The next morning, equipped with his protective gear, the Vajra staff, and a backpack, Dennis made his way to the meeting spot. The two knights were already waiting for him.

“Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?”

“No, but is your weapon really just a staff?”

“Yes, it’s a special staff,” Dennis said.

“Special? Well, I don’t know what makes it special, but as long as you won’t regret it,”

Roman’s tone was slightly different from before. Perhaps he thought of Dennis as a foolish young man.

Dennis and the knights set off toward the Shadow Forest Labyrinth. Through their conversation, he learned that both knights had previous experience exploring the labyrinth multiple times. They probably possessed the true names of the “Magic Energy”.

Dennis was curious about how others fought in the labyrinth. If the two knights had knowledge and expertise, he wanted to acquire it.

“Mister Roman, what kind of monsters are in the Shadow Forest Labyrinth?” Dennis asked.

“The monsters in the seventh section are goblins, fangwolves, orcs, and dryads.”

Goblins and fangwolves didn’t sound too threatening, but Dennis had heard that orcs and dryads were troublesome monsters.

Roman and Tobias had been ordered by the Marquis to protect Dennis. Dennis was a sixteen-year-old boy, and although he might have had some experience in the Rock Mountain Labyrinth of the Beneshof territory, he was still an inexperienced youth, and the Marquis seemed to believe that he would perish if left alone.

The Marquis didn’t want to see the grandson of his loyal subordinate, Jerg, meet his demise. So he instructed the two knights to make Dennis aware of the dangers of the Shadow Forest Labyrinth and ensure his safe return, even if the mission couldn’t be accomplished.

“We’ll enter from the northern side of the seventh section of the Shadow Forest Labyrinth.”

Roman explained. The labyrinth was divided into nine sections, each corresponding to the strength of the dwelling monsters. The first section housed the most powerful monsters, while the weakest ones resided in the ninth section.

The entrance to the seventh section was on the northern side. As Dennis and the others entered through the gateway, they immediately encountered a group of goblins. There were eight of them, wielding sticks that seemed to be made from broken tree branches.

Dennis stepped forward, but Roman stopped him. “Leave it to us. Let’s go.”

The two knights drew their longswords and dashed forward. It appeared they were not using the true names of “Magic Energy”, likely because they were facing weaker opponents like the goblins.

Roman appeared to be skilled in the Hartman Sword Style, while Tobias seemed to be proficient in the Kurtz Sword Style. Roman fearlessly leaped forward and cleaved through the goblin’s chest with a powerful strike.

Meanwhile, Tobias deftly parried the attacks from a goblin and swiftly severed its head. Both of them were clearly accustomed to combat, and the goblin numbers dwindled rapidly.

As the life left the defeated monsters, they turned to dust and vanished, just like in the Rock Mountain Labyrinth. This action seemed to be the same in any labyrinth.

When the goblins’ numbers dipped to four, one of them rushed toward Dennis. But the latter, who held his vajra staff in a high stance, struck down the moment it entered his range.

His blow split the goblin’s skull, putting an end to its life. In the end, Dennis had only taken down that one goblin, while the two knights had dealt with the rest.

“It seems even with a staff, you can defeat monsters,”

Roman remarked, addressing Dennis. It seemed like until now he hadn’t believed Dennis when he had mentioned having a special staff.

“Would you like to try it?”

When Dennis said that, Roman nodded. Dennis handed over the Vajra staff, and Roman received it in his left hand.

“Whoa, it’s heavy. Is there iron hidden inside?”

“It was heavy even when I bought it, so I’m not sure,” Dennis replied.

“Let me try holding it too,”

Tobias raised his voice unusually. After testing the weight of the Vajra staff, Tobias nodded as if he had come to some understanding.

“However, it’s impressive that you can swing such a heavy staff.”

“I practiced a lot.”

Dennis said nonchalantly, though it had been quite a grueling training. During his initial practice sessions with the Vajra staff, his arm muscles felt like they were about to cramp.

Dennis and the others continued their journey deeper into the seventh section, where they encountered a pack of fangwolves. These were wolf-like monsters with the size of large dogs and sharp, knife-like fangs.

“There are four of them. Let’s fight together,”

Roman took the lead in the battle. In response, Dennis readied his vajra staff, assuming a high stance, fully prepared for action. As if sensing an opportunity, one fangwolf targeted Dennis, lunging at him from a distance.

Dennis leaped into the air at the same time before swinging down his Vajra staff. The tip of the staff sank into the head of the fangwolf, dealing damage. The injured monster rolled on the ground in agony.

As Dennis attempted to finish off the fangwolf, another one lunged at him. Dennis swept his vajra staff Sideways, striking the wolf’s shoulder. Following the impact, the wolf tumbled and tried to get up, but Dennis delivered a precise blow to its skull.

Having dispatched the monsters, Dennis looked around. It seemed that all the monsters had been killed.

The exploration of Dennis and the others was going smoothly. As they ventured further, they encountered orcs and engaged them in battle. Orcs were tough monsters, able to withstand slashes and still survive.

The Quaking Blade proved to be effective against the orcs. The quaking blade could slice through flesh, inflicting significant damage. A well-placed strike to a vital spot could even take down an orc in a single blow.

On the other hand, Roman and Tobias struggled. There were instances where the longsword’s blade failed to deliver a fatal blow, despite hitting vital areas. If the angle of the strike was off, the thick layer of fat and powerful muscles would deflect it.

During the battle with the orcs, it became evident that Roman and Tobias were employing their magic energy for the first time since they entered the labyrinth. Their movements had become notably sharper and more precise.

However, the outcome of the battle took an unexpected turn. Dennis managed to defeat four of the monsters, while Roman and Tobias finished off the remaining three. That was how it ended.

“I really underestimated your staff. When combined with Mana Art, it actually surpasses this sword.”

Roman honestly admitted and the two knights looked at Dennis with newfound respect.

Finally, they reached the area inhabited by the dryads.

“Have you ever fought against a dryad before?”

“No, this is my first time. I’ve heard rumors that you shouldn’t listen to their voices. They supposedly emit sounds that bewitch humans.”

At that moment, they heard a peculiar sound—a humming-like noise. It was something unheard of within the labyrinth. Dennis shook his head, trying to shake off the sound.

And when he looked at the two knights, he found them standing motionless, seemingly captivated by the humming sound.

“Don’t listen to that sound! Cover your ears!” Dennis exclaimed.