CHAPTER 129: 129 - LABYRINTH OF THE NURTURER [1]

(Adelle’s POV)

It’s been about a minute since me, Raven, Alec, Aoi, Curtis, Eve, and Blake entered the [Labyrinth Of The Nurturer].

During that short span of time, we’ve been descending an endlessly long staircase that feels like it has no intention of ending. The air is cold, the stone walls are damp, and every step echoes faintly, bouncing back to us like whispers.

Our pace is steady, neither rushed nor lazy.

We’re moving at a careful rhythm, the kind of speed that keeps us alert but not reckless. Everyone is watchful, cautious of what might appear in this dungeon.

Especially me and Aoi. Both of us carry the responsibility of making sure no traps or enemies catch us off guard.

My skill, Danger Sense, doesn’t cover an enormous area— it isn’t the type of ability that can map out the whole dungeon. Instead, it reacts to danger only when it’s relatively close. That’s why positioning matters for me.

So, I’m walking in the middle of our formation. To my left and right are Eve and Curtis, both steady and reliable. Alec and Blake are up front, taking the vanguard role with their usual confidence.

And at the back, keeping the rear, are Aoi and Raven.

I glanced at them more than once, especially Raven. Despite the eeriness of this dungeon, he looks far calmer than anyone else here. His expression is composed, his steps relaxed, like this whole place doesn’t even bother him.

’Does he know something about this dungeon?’

I caught myself wondering that in silence. But almost immediately, I shook my head.

’That doesn’t make sense. Only the Lunar’s staff, the sophomores, and the tertiaries are allowed to access this place. And we’re here only because of special circumstances.’

It’s not like Raven could have prior knowledge.

’Besides, asking the upper years or staff about the dungeon beforehand is strictly prohibited. They made that rule clear to all of us.’

So really, we shouldn’t know anything about this place. Not the layout, not the dangers, not even the smallest details— aside from its name.

And I know Raven wouldn’t go out of his way to break that rule. I also doubt Miss Ruby would spoon-feed him any information.

So then, why is he so calm? Maybe... maybe it’s just because he trusts his own strength more than anyone else. That seems more like him.

"There’s a pretty huge door made of rock at the end of the staircase."

Out of nowhere, Raven spoke, his tone as casual as if he were commenting on the weather.

At his words, we all turned to him—

"How do you know?"

Eve asked, curiosity and a little suspicion laced in her voice.

"I saw it."

Raven’s reply was so simple, so direct, it only deepened the confusion in all of us.

Naturally, his answer made all of us frown.

-Kyuu!

Right then, Yuki dropped down from somewhere and perched on top of Raven’s hair, as if to announce his arrival dramatically.

I was about to ask Raven where Yuki even came from, but Eve beat me to it.

"Aoi, is what Raven said true?"

She turned to Aoi, the one with the sharpest eyesight among us. If anyone could confirm it, it would be her.

But instead of an answer, Aoi frowned. She shot a quick glance at Raven, her eyes carrying something complicated I couldn’t quite place.

"I don’t know..."

She muttered softly.

"I can’t see the end of the staircase yet."

She added, her tone mixed with uncertainty and disbelief.

We all turned to Raven again, our expressions questioning, waiting for some explanation.

And feeling our gazes on him, Raven merely met our eyes before casually replying with a carefree look.

"Well, if you don’t want to believe me..."

Tap. Tap. Tap.

He resumed walking down the stairs.

"Then don’t."

That was all he said.

"... "

The rest of us shared glances in silence, our confusion thick in the air.

After a moment of awkward stillness, I broke it.

"Let’s just continue."

""You’re right.""

Everyone agreed.

So we followed after Raven, keeping a cautious distance but unwilling to let him go too far ahead.

’That dumbass just really went down on his own.’

I sighed inwardly. Still, he wasn’t out of range yet. We could still sense his presence, so at least he wasn’t abandoning the group entirely.

*****

"This... It’s true..."

Aoi muttered in disbelief. Her voice carried genuine shock.

Because, after exactly one minute of walking further down, we really did reach the end of the staircase.

And what stood before us was exactly what Raven had described—

A massive door made entirely of rock, towering above us. Its surface was engraved with ancient-looking patterns that gave it an intimidating, almost sacred presence.

’Just as Raven said.’

I admitted to myself silently, though the acknowledgment only left me with more questions.

I glanced back at the group, and sure enough, Raven stood there with a smug smile plastered on his face.

"How...?"

Aoi, standing beside him, couldn’t hold back her question. Her disbelief was written all over her face.

"I already told you guys earlier..."

Raven’s response was calm, almost lazy.

"I saw it."

Aoi opened her mouth again, clearly ready to interrogate him further, but Raven cut across the moment by suddenly calling out—

"Adelle."

"Huh? Yeah?"

I blinked, caught off guard. I hadn’t expected him to call me directly.

He raised a hand and pointed straight at the massive rock door.

"Can you sense any trap coming from the door?"

His question was sharp, practical, and entirely reasonable.

"Oh..."

I muttered.

Of course, that had to be checked before anything else. That was priority number one.

So, pushing aside my curiosity about him, I focused on the task at hand.

Meanwhile, Aoi looked frustrated, clearly not pleased with Raven’s way of dodging her questions.

But I turned away from her expression and approached the rock door.

The closer I got, the larger it loomed, until I was standing just inches from it. My head tilted upward as I took in the sight of the intricate, glowing patterns carved deep into its surface.

"Wow..."

The word slipped from my mouth before I could stop it.

"Cool, right?"

"!?"

A sudden voice at my side nearly made me jump. I snapped my head around—

"Fuuu..."

And let out a sigh of relief.

It was just Raven, standing next to me, gazing at the door as well. We were close, almost shoulder to shoulder.

"Why are you here?"

I asked, frowning slightly.

"I can’t?"

He replied with another question, his tone annoyingly casual.

’Man, he’s really that type of person, huh.’

"Just let him be."

Eve’s voice came from behind me.

"Okay..."

I muttered, deciding to focus on the task instead of wasting energy on Raven.

Closing my eyes, I whispered—

"[Danger Sense]"

SWOOSH~

I let the ability flow outward, extending my senses into the area around the door.

A few seconds later, I opened my eyes.

"There’s no trap around us."

I informed everyone.

"No enemies too."

Aoi added, her own ability confirming my words.

"So it’s still the same, huh."

I heard Raven mutter quietly beside me, his eyes fixed on me.

"What did you just say?"

I asked, confused.

"So it’s still the same, huh."

He repeated the exact words, only louder this time, his expression calm and unreadable.

’I really can’t understand him sometimes.’

I shook my head, deciding to ignore his cryptic remark and turned my focus back on the massive door.

That’s when I noticed a sign engraved at the top. Letters in the human language.

"Use a healing magic on the door to open it."

Alec read it aloud for all of us to hear.

"Oh, there’s an instruction huh."

Blake whispered to himself.

"Must be left by the others who already entered, to inform newcomers like us."

Curtis reasoned.

"That’s most likely the case."

Eve agreed.

Then she turned to me.

"Adelle, you’re the only one who can use healing magic in our group, so..."

"I got it."

I answered quickly, giving her a smile.

"I’m sorry for asking too much."

"Nah, I’m fine."

With that short exchange, I stepped forward again.

"..."

Raven was still standing beside me, but I ignored him and placed both hands on the door.

"[Healing]"

SWOOSH~

The faint glow of healing magic spread across the stone surface.

B R R T–!

The ground trembled faintly under our feet.

CREEEAK—!

The giant rock door slowly began to shift, opening itself for us.

Seeing the result, I couldn’t help smiling in satisfaction.

’I’m glad I was able to help right at the beginning.’

But then—

"!?"

A sudden surge of danger pricked at my senses!

Before I could even call out to the others—

FWOOSH—!

An arrow shot straight toward my face, its tip glistening with poison!

’It’s poisonous!’

The realization struck instantly. There was no time to dodge. I raised my arms to block it—

’Fuck!’

But just before it reached me—

FWIP-

The arrow froze.

"Eh...?"

I gasped, wide-eyed.

"It would be really bad if this shit hit you."

Raven muttered beside me, his tone edged with annoyance.

When I looked, he was holding the arrow in his hand.

The very same arrow that had been inches away from striking me.

I didn’t need anyone to explain. I understood immediately.

’Raven caught the arrow.’