Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill Chapter 4: Labyrinth

"I have a feeling this excursion isn't as straightforward as Diana suggested." Vritra scanned his surroundings, noting the deep scowl on his mother’s face. In contrast, Max and his followers appeared quite thrilled, though a few fidgeted with visible nerves, casting the occasional glance toward Vritra.

"Hold on, I want to be assigned to the same group as my son. Can't we—" Without a hint of fear, Vanessa stepped toward the King and the Goddess to voice her demand.

"My apologies, Lady Vanessa, but these groupings are set in stone. There is no need for concern regarding your son; as we stated, this tour is entirely risk-free," the King replied, his expression fixed in a polite smile.

"But—" Vanessa began to protest, yet she fell silent when Vritra moved to stand before her.

"It's alright, Mom. This separation is only temporary," he said with a composed look. He understood they possessed no status in this realm; defying the King or the Goddess would only invite disaster.

She let out a heavy sigh and gave a reluctant nod, her striking features clouded by anxiety.

The assembly was subsequently split into four distinct units for the labyrinth expedition.

"While this is merely a sightseeing trip, it is wise for everyone to carry essential gear," Diana remarked, signaling to an attendant.

Shortly after, each of the forty-two individuals received a pack containing ten advanced healing elixirs and ten advanced mana restoration potions, along with a specialized weapon of their preference.

The majority opted for swords.

"These elixirs are both costly and potent; they are capable of mending most injuries and replenishing your mana almost instantly upon use," Diana explained. She then added, "However, lugging these bags around is quite a chore. I assume a few of you have unlocked your inventory skill?"

'I see, so the inventory isn't a universal skill,' Vritra realized, noting that the status windows of others only revealed partial data to him.

A couple of members from each unit raised their hands. In Group Four, Vritra was the sole individual with an active inventory.

"It is more efficient to keep your supplies in your inventory to prevent loss or breakage. You can retrieve them whenever necessary," Diana advised.

"It looks like our neighborhood janitor has a useful talent after all—he can serve as our personal pack mule. Not bad, you'll actually be useful for once," Max sneered. His voice was laced with contempt as the rest of the group snickered, tossing their bags to Vritra, who silently stored them away.

Aside from Vanessa, no one objected to the bullying; it was painfully clear that the Goddess and the King held no regard for him.

Under different circumstances, Vritra would have left them all bruised and broken, but he chose restraint. He had no leverage here and was clearly the least favored person in the room.

The parties eventually departed in separate carriages. As they traveled, the others marveled at the foreign culture, but Vritra remained indifferent, leaning back in his seat to rest.

When the carriages finally came to a halt, Vritra stepped out to find himself in the heart of a dense forest. Turning around, he saw a massive, intimidating mountain featuring a yawning, cave-like maw.

Despite being deep in the woods, the area surrounding the labyrinth was bustling. Numerous stalls and shops created a vibrant marketplace, though everyone maintained a respectful distance from the entrance itself. Onlookers watched the newcomers with curiosity but stayed back, intimidated by the presence of the royal guards and commanders.

The unsettling energy radiating from the labyrinth caused the group's excitement to waver, though the sight of the four commanders and the elite warriors restored some of their confidence.

"Let us proceed. No other parties will be granted entry today, so you may explore at your leisure," the First General announced before providing further directives.

"Vritra, please stay alert in there," Vanessa whispered, her brow furrowed with worry.

"I will, Mom. Don't worry about me," he answered with a reassuring smile, though he couldn't shake a nagging sense of unease.

Vanessa sighed and pulled him into a brief, tight embrace. After a few moments, she stepped away to join her designated group.

As the units diverged into the first level of the labyrinth, Vritra trailed behind his group, his hand hovering vigilantly over his sword's hilt. The other boys watched him with suspicion but remained silent, their faces twisted in mocking grins.

The commander leading them wore shimmering golden plate armor that concealed everything but his eyes. With a blade at his hip, he marched into the depths without a flicker of doubt, followed by ten royal guards.

The interior was unlike any natural cavern; the walls were constructed from polished black stone, illuminated by embedded glowing crystals.

"Alright, let's go hunt some demons," Max declared, a boastful smirk plastered on his face.

"Be aware that time flows differently within a labyrinth. A single day outside feels longer in here, though the shift on the first floor is too minor to be a concern," the commander noted.

They navigated the winding passages as the atmosphere grew thick with tension. Vritra remained hyper-aware, scanning for threats from the shadows or from within his own party.

Vritra followed in silence while the commander pointed out landmarks, occasionally boasting of his past triumphs. The royal guards chatted idly amongst themselves.

Meanwhile, the students joked and laughed carelessly, frequently throwing insults Vritra's way. The entrance tunnel was extensive; they walked for over thirty minutes before reaching the actual threshold of the first floor.

The labyrinth consisted of ten descending levels. Thus far, only nine had been mapped, as the path to the tenth floor remained a mystery. The commander briefed them on the specific demon types found on each level.

Even if a floor was completely purged, new demons would eventually manifest. Furthermore, each level covered a vast expanse of territory.

"This is the primary entrance to the first level. Other teams are entering through different gates. Regardless, demons will be sparse here since we cleared the area just before your arrival. You can explore without much fear," the commander said, gesturing toward a massive archway.

As they entered, the pungent scent of blood and decaying flesh hit them. Bloodstains on the floor confirmed that the floor had been recently scoured of monsters.

They soon reached a wide-open plaza where dozens of paths diverged. The commander stepped forward and addressed them in a stern tone:

"Now, if you wish to scout on your own, you may do so. Alternatively, we can stay as a group, or you may take a royal guard as an escort if you want to branch off. Keep in mind that few demons remain, and those that do are low-level; you should have no trouble handling them."

The teenagers began to whisper. Vritra weighed his options. He sensed danger, but he doubted Max and his cronies would actually attempt murder yet. Their morals might erode later, but for now, they still possessed the sensibilities of people from Earth.

He wasn't particularly afraid of the nine boys, and if the commander or guards intended to kill him, he wouldn't be able to stop them anyway. He made his choice, hoping his instincts weren't leading him into a trap.

Taking a breath, he stepped out and said, "I'll go solo."

The commander studied Vritra for a moment before nodding toward the various tunnels. "Very well. Pick a path, but remain cautious. Stray demons might still be lurking. You're sure you don't want a guard?"

Vritra shook his head and chose a random tunnel, as there was no way to tell which path was better.

"I'm fine. How much time do I have before I need to return?" Vritra asked, starting his trek.

"You have three hours to explore. If you aren't back by then, I'll dispatch a search party. And stay away from the second floor; it's far beyond your current capabilities," the commander warned before turning back to the others.

The echoes of laughter and conversation faded as Vritra entered the tunnel. He gripped his sword tightly, ready to draw it, despite having never used one before.

'The silence is eerie, and that rot smell is unbearable. I get that we need to acclimatize to this environment and the sight of demons, but is that really the only goal of this... adventure?' Vritra wondered.

Luminous stones lined the corridor, providing light as bright as day.

Eventually, he arrived at a massive hall. Not a single demon was in sight, yet Vritra refused to let his guard down, carefully scanning the perimeter.

The hall branched off into numerous chambers and further passages.

'I'll just find a room to wait out the three hours. Even if the local demons are weak, an ambush or a trap could still be fatal.' After a moment of thought, he drew his blade and cautiously approached the first room, peering inside.

The chamber was vacant. There were no monsters, but the sight of blood and human remains scattered across the floor made it impossible for Vritra to feel at ease.

Grimacing, Vritra moved on to check the surrounding rooms. He was a veteran of many brutal underground fights where his life had been on the line, yet this place felt infinitely more perilous than anything he had ever known.

The frigid, humid air of the labyrinth clung to him as he continued his solitary trek. He moved with ghostly, silent steps, his senses heightened as he watched for any hidden threats within the stone walls.

Finally, after searching through several halls and chambers, he located a suitable spot to hide for a few hours. To his relief, he hadn't crossed paths with a single demon.

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