Pick Me Up Infinite Gacha! - P.M.U Chapter 78: Labyrinth (3) (Part 1)

Light enveloped our entire beings.

When I opened my eyes, we were back through the rift of time and space.

Our time spent on the 16th floor was approximately half a day. Looking up at the sky, I noticed that the light had faded. It seemed that Anytng had disconnected after what had been a somewhat lengthy mission.

“Will the 17th floor be the same?”

“Probably.”

Jenna’s face was filled with dissatisfaction.

“I don’t like this. I wish it would end quickly. It feels like it’s getting late, I need to go freshen up first.”

I nodded.

Jenna hung her bow on her back and gestured to Eloka.

Eloka followed Jenna, and as always, it seemed like they were heading to the baths together. I turned to Velkist and Neryssa, who were waiting behind me.

“Today’s mission is over. Well done. There’s training again tomorrow morning, so don’t be late.”

“We’ll be on our way then.”

Velkist sheathed his sword and strode out.

That left just Neryssa and me. Neryssa was standing nearby, looking somewhat hesitant.

“Do you have something to say?”

“I have something to tell you about the place we just visited.”

Neryssa’s gaze was fixed and determined.

Indeed, her reaction was unusual when we first entered the 16th floor. I proceeded to the plaza.

“Follow me.”

“Yes.”

The 1st-floor plaza was now empty, unlike before.

It had been a long time. The plaza’s clock indicated early morning, and the sky was a deep, ashy blue. I ascended to the 2nd floor through the stairs. The direction was towards the dormitories. I saw Velkist’s back at the entrance of the open 2nd-floor training hall.

‘…’

I had already realized that he was just as much of a training enthusiast as Aaron.

As I passed Velkist, I closed the door to the training hall with my toe. Then I entered the dormitory. Neryssa followed me.

It was late at night, so the dining hall was deserted.

I took a seat at any table. Neryssa sat across from me.

In the center of the table were a teapot and cups. I poured water into a cup and handed it to Neryssa.

“Thank you.”

“So, what did you want to say?”

Neryssa took a sip of water with a stiff expression.

Then she spoke.

“The mansion we just visited. I know that place.”

“…”

“I don’t just know it; I used to work there before coming here.”

I remained silent and then replied.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I think your chances of survival are higher if you know.”

“Well, fine. If you have information, share it.”

It was better to know than to go in blindly.

Since the labyrinth appeared, there was a possibility that it would lead to a boss stage. More information was always better.

Neryssa continued.

“That place is the residence of the Halkion family, often called the Golden Mansion.”

“Halkion?”

“Yes, one of the four major families of Townia. You must have heard of it since you’re from the Han Family.”

“I don’t know much about it. I’m just a farmer from a humble background.”

“No one would believe that, though.”

Regardless, Neryssa gave me an overview of the Empire and the four major families.

The Townia continent was ruled by a single nation, called the Empire, and within it existed four families with power comparable to nobility: the Shutenberg of Magic, the Halkion of Gold, the Lantia of Culture, and the Assinis of Martial Arts.

“These are the four major families. Even the Emperor must treat the family heads with respect.”

Neryssa’s explanation continued.

I listened to the necessary parts and let the unnecessary ones pass. When she finished, I drew a conclusion.

“So, you’re saying that the place we visited was the Halkion Mansion?”

“That’s my guess, but I can’t be sure. The entrance to the mansion is the same, but the rest of the structure is completely different. I don’t know why it turned out that way.”

I agree with that point.

Architecturally, such a mansion’s structure would be pointless.

Neryssa took a deep breath and said with a serious expression.

“I still don’t know why I’m on this mission, but I have a strange feeling that it’s connected to me. After examining the mission in detail with the regeneration stone, I became convinced. Don’t you think so? Or am I being delusional?”

“I can’t say for sure since I don’t know.”

“If my words seemed disrespectful, I apologize.”

I took a sip of water.

Although not expressed, I knew that Jenna, Aaron, Edis, and other members of the waiting room were questioning the mission. We would find out the truth soon enough. I spoke up.

“Is it said that the Golden Mansion consists of five floors?”

“Yes.”

“And you told me that the bloodline of the Four Great Families is mixed with the blood of monsters?”

“Yes, but not any ordinary monsters. While it’s uncertain for Halkion, there are rumors of dragon’s blood.”

I took a sip of water.

‘Dragon’s blood.’

The 20th floor.

A critical checkpoint in the Pick Me Up, a gateway that separates beginners from intermediate players.

Users who pass the 20th floor are treated as accomplished Masters. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

Anyway, the 20th floor has one characteristic.

The stage type is fixed.

‘Boss battle.’

The background and the type of enemies may differ, but every 20th floor has a boss.

Not some run-of-the-mill ogre; these are unique monsters with unique abilities for each account. Of course, their strength surpasses that of regular large monsters.

The first checkpoint of Pick Me Up is the 5th floor.

Here, one-third of the Masters are eliminated.

The second checkpoint is on the 20th floor.

Here, more than half are eliminated. There were even Masters who couldn’t pass the 20th floor and vented their frustrations on the official café’s career counseling board.

“I witnessed you rescuing the princess on the 15th floor. However, it’s hard for me to understand why the Golden Mansion, something I’m connected to, suddenly appears now.”

I scratched my cheek.

Unlike the heroes who simply carried out their assigned missions, Neryssa seemed to dig into the very purpose of the mission.

“I don’t know what your situation was there, but if you want out, tell me now. I don’t plan on taking anyone who doesn’t want to go.”

“I have no intention of leaving. I’d love to kill those bastards even though they don’t deserve my time.”

Neryssa smiled wryly.

“That’s a relief.”

“All I can tell you ends here. I hope it was helpful.”

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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