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

'It seems this excursion might be more complicated than Diana suggested.' Vritra observed his surroundings, noting the deep scowl on his mother's face. In contrast, Max and his followers appeared quite thrilled, though a few shifted restlessly, casting nervous glances toward Vritra.

"Hold on, I want to be placed in the same unit as my son. Can't we—" Vanessa stepped forward boldly, addressing the king and the goddess without a hint of hesitation.

"My apologies, Lady Vanessa, but the groupings are set. There is no need for concern regarding your son; as stated previously, this tour is entirely secure." The king replied, his face fixed in a polite, friendly smile.

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

"Mom, it’s alright. Our separation will only be brief," he said, his expression remaining composed. He understood they possessed no standing in this world; defying the king or the goddess would only invite unnecessary trouble.

She let out a heavy sigh and nodded with reluctance, her stunning features clouded by anxiety.

The party was subsequently split into four distinct groups for their tour of the labyrinth.

"While this is merely a sightseeing trip, it is wise for everyone to carry essential supplies," Diana announced, signaling to a nearby attendant.

Shortly after, each of the forty-two individuals was provided a bag containing ten advanced healing potions and ten advanced mana recovery potions, along with a specialized weapon of their preference.

The majority opted for swords.

"These elixirs are both costly and potent; they can mend most injuries and restore your mana almost instantly upon use," Diana explained. She then added, "However, lugging these bags around is quite a chore. I assume some of you have already unlocked the Inventory?"

'So, the Inventory isn't a universal feature among us,' Vritra mused, noting that he could only perceive limited data through the status windows of others.

In most groups, one or two people raised their hands. In Group Four, Vritra was the sole individual with the Inventory ability.

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

"It looks like our dear janitor has more than one use—he can serve as our pack mule. Not a bad role for you; you'll actually be useful for once." Max smirked, his tone dripping with disdain. The rest of the group snickered as they tossed their bags to Vritra, who silently tucked them into his storage.

Except for Vanessa, no one objected to the mockery directed at Vritra. It was glaringly obvious that neither the Goddess nor the King held any regard for him.

In any other circumstance, Vritra would have left them bruised and beaten, but he exerted self-control now. He had no leverage in this situation and was clearly the least favored by the ruling powers.

The groups eventually departed in separate carriages. As they traveled, the others marvelled at the foreign culture, but Vritra lacked interest and simply leaned back in his seat to rest.

Before long, the carriages came to a halt. Vritra rose and stepped out to find himself in the heart of a dense forest. Turning around, he beheld a massive, menacing mountain featuring a cave-like maw.

Despite being deep in the woods, the area surrounding the labyrinth teemed with activity. Numerous stalls and shops had turned the site into a bustling marketplace, though everyone maintained a respectful distance from the entrance itself. The locals watched the newcomers with curiosity but stayed back, deterred by the presence of the commanders and royal guards.

As they felt the chilling energy radiating from the labyrinth, the group’s excitement began to fade. However, the sight of the four commanders and the elite warriors provided a sense of security.

"Let us proceed. No other parties will be granted entry today, so you may remain at ease," the first general declared, before issuing further directions.

"Vritra, please be cautious in there," Vanessa urged, her brow furrowed with visible dread.

"I will, Mom. Don't worry, I'll be fine," he answered with a reassuring smile, though he couldn't shake the unsettling intuition gnawing at him.

With a sigh, Vanessa pulled him into a tight embrace. After a few moments, she reluctantly pulled away and headed toward her assigned group.

As the units diverged and entered the labyrinth’s first level, Vritra trailed at the rear, hand gripping his sword hilt with vigilance. The other boys cast wary, mocking looks his way but remained silent.

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

The interior of the labyrinth bore little resemblance to a natural cavern. It was constructed of polished black stone, with luminous gems embedded in the walls to provide light.

"Alright, let's go hunt down some demons," Max boasted, a confident grin plastered on his face.

"Be aware that time flows differently within a labyrinth. A single day outside feels longer in here, though the discrepancy is minor on the first floor, so do not let it trouble you," the commander noted.

They navigated through the winding stone corridors, the atmosphere thick with suspense. Vritra kept his awareness sharp, scanning for threats from the shadows—or from within his own ranks.

Vritra followed the group in silence while the commander occasionally pointed out features of the maze, punctuating his tour with tales of his own past bravery. The royal guards chatted quietly amongst themselves.

Meanwhile, the students laughed and traded jokes, occasionally throwing insults at Vritra. The entry passage was surprisingly long; it took over thirty minutes of walking just to reach the actual threshold of the first floor.

The labyrinth consisted of ten levels, each descending further into the earth. Thus far, only nine had been mapped, as the entrance to the tenth remained undiscovered. The commander briefed them on the specific demons inhabiting each stratum.

Even if every monster on a level was wiped out, they would eventually respawn after a time. Each floor spanned a massive area.

"This is the primary entrance to the first floor. Other teams will be entering through different gates. Regardless, demons will be scarce here since we cleared the area just before your arrival. You are free to explore without much concern," the commander said, indicating a wide archway.

Upon entering, the foul odor of blood reached them—a scent akin to decaying flesh. Stains on the floor confirmed that the floor had indeed been recently purged of monsters.

They soon emerged into a vast chamber where dozens of branching paths awaited. The commander stepped to the front and spoke in a booming voice:

"Now, if you wish to scout on your own, you may. If you prefer the safety of the group, we shall continue as we are. You also have the option to take a royal guard with you for a separate trek. Just remember, very few demons remain on this level, and those that do are the weakest of their kind. You should face no difficulty."

The teenagers began to whisper. Vritra weighed his options for a moment. He sensed an underlying danger, but he calculated that even a bully like Max wouldn't resort to murder yet. Their morals might erode in this new world eventually, but for now, they still functioned with an Earth-based mindset.

He wasn't particularly afraid of the other nine boys. As for the commander and guards, if they intended to kill him, he wouldn't be able to stop them anyway. He reached a decision, praying his instincts weren't leading him astray.

Taking a breath, he moved forward. "I'll go by myself."

The commander stared at Vritra for a beat, then nodded toward the various tunnels. "Very well. Pick a path, but stay alert. There may be stragglers. You are sure you don't want a guard?"

Vritra shook his head and looked at the openings, choosing one at random since they all looked identical.

"It's fine. How much time do I have before I need to return?" Vritra asked, beginning his walk.

"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 is far too perilous for you," the commander warned before turning back to the others.

The sounds of laughter and conversation faded as Vritra entered the tunnel. He kept a firm grip on his sword, ready to unsheathe it at a moment's notice, despite having never wielded one before.

'It's eerily silent, and that stench of rot is everywhere. I get that we need to acclimatize to this environment and the reality of demons, but is that really the only goal of this... "adventure"?' Vritra wondered.

The glowing stones illuminated the hallway, making it as bright as day.

After walking for a while, he entered a sprawling hall. No demons were in sight, yet Vritra remained on guard, meticulously scanning the perimeter.

The hall branched off into numerous side rooms and further corridors.

'I'll just find a room to wait out the three hours. Even if the monsters here are low-level, an ambush or a trap could still be fatal.' After some thought, he drew his blade and cautiously approached the first room, peeking inside.

The space was vacant of life, but the sight of human limbs and dried blood scattered across the floor prevented Vritra from feeling any sense of relief.

Grimacing, he turned to inspect other areas. He was a veteran of many underground brawls where his life had been on the line, yet this place felt infinitely more treacherous than any ring he had ever stepped into.

The chilly, humid air of the labyrinth clung to him as he continued his solitary trek. He moved with ghost-like steps, his senses strained to catch any hint of the dangers hidden within the stone.

Eventually, after clearing several rooms, he located a suitable spot to hunker down for a few hours. Fortunately, he had yet to run into a single demon.

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