Story Update 9: Sonic Boom










I am so sorry for the mess... I will clean it up immediately.
Don't sweat it! You were busy writing something, right?
Oh... yes. I was writing a letter to thank Master Sheldon.
That sounds like a good idea. We're in debt to Father for sending us all those packages, as well as this mansion... Why don't we write a letter, too?


Let's write it together.
Yes, you're right. It makes sense for us to write it as Achievers, since he's done so much for us.
Well then, Dude should write it for us. I'm counting on you, team leader!


Make sure to thank him for the ice cream, Dude.
And mention that he's always free to send more potatoes!
Try to be a little less shameless, Arthur.


......... The letter to the Sheldon family is finished!


...Um, would you like to take a little break?
I have a new blend of cordial that I would like you to try.


...Hmm, it tastes good. You're quite skilled at mixing herbs. Why don't you try learning pharmacology at Midgard?
That sounds like a great idea. I'm sure Rosa would make a fantastic medic.
Th-That... would be far too much for me. I am merely following instructions my grandmother taught me.
Oh, so you learned it from your grandma?
She was usually a very kind person, but when it came to making food, she would suddenly become very strict. When I was little, I would always complain because I thought these skills would never be useful... But here I am. I'm sure Grandmother would be surprised if I told her I was helping adventurers, but she would likely be pleased as well.
So, it's like secret training passed down from your elders... That's kind of cool!
You must have been very close to your grandmother.
Ah, yes... I feel that I may have been chattering away too much. I apologize for my insolence.


I'd like to hear more about you.
Wh-What...? Um, there is really not much to say about me. Oh, how embarrassing... Ahem. Now then, is there anything else you would like me to do?

A proper maid would never go on blathering about herself like that. ...Oh, how embarrassing.


The Radha are grateful that you are continuing to explore the Labyrinth.





Was that... a bird?
Do you remember that quest about the man who dropped his lucky coin when he was attacked by a giant bird? Perhaps whatever made that sound had something to do with it.
If you wish to complete the quest, you should try searching to the north.


You look towards where Frederica is pointing, and see something shining on the ground. Is that what the client dropped? You can check it out if you want.







Whew... We beat it.
Dude, I'll keep you covered. Can you see what that thing is?
You nod to Raquna and reach for the shining object in the grass. It is a thick coin. This must be the lucky coin that you were asked to find. The quest is complete. You should return to the pub and turn in the coin when you return to town.







You listen carefully and make out a faint, weak cry. Looking into the brush, you find a baby monkey whose injured leg prevents it from moving. When it notices you, it bristles its fur and begins hissing at you!
Aw, the poor thing's hurt. But it's scared from seeing us... What should we do?



Yes, I suppose it makes sense for me to handle these things.
Simon softly clucks his tongue to get the baby monkey's attention and gently cradles it in his arms. He pats the baby monkey to soothe it while quickly treating the leg wound...
There, that should do it.
After finishing up with the bandages, Simon carefully places the monkey back on a tree branch, but it remains still.
It's all right... Hurry back to your troop.
The baby monkey gives a cheerful chirp, as if it understood Simon's words, as it leaves... though it keeps looking back. The unexpected exchange gives you a warm feeling inside as you go on your way.

If I remember right, the missing explorer didn't come back from the Wyvern's nest, right?
If he happened to find that secret passage from before... I wouldn't be surprised if he reached this floor.
Hm? Someone's getting into this...
W-Well... That girl must be worried about her father. I just... want to help get it fixed as soon as I can.
Oh reaaaaally? Does that mean you remember your parents now?
That's... No, not yet. But I'm sure I must have had some. You have parents too, right?
When you think about it like that, there's no way I could let the girl suffer.
Well... I don't remember mine, so it doesn't do much for me.
Huh?
Oh, I didn't tell you guys? Yeah, I don't remember anything about when I was little.
Arthur states this so blithely that you are tempted to ask him about his past...


The subject seems too gauche to raise to you, but Frederica presses the matter with Arthur.
No memories? You seem so casual about it... How did it happen?
Uh, obviously I couldn't tell you. I don't remember.


...He was caught in the midst of a disaster in the town where he used to live. It was a terrible tragedy. Wiped out his entire city.
An entire city...!?
Come on, Simon, you make it sound like someone else's business. But you were involved too, eh?
...Well, yes. In any event, Arthur's memories from before the disaster are lost forever.


So that's why he's so...
Hey, don't stop mid-sentence like that! Say what you were gonna say!
I can't speak to what Arthur was like before his memory loss, but I'm sure his personality was much the same.
You too, Simon!? What's that mean!? And I didn't forget everything!
I remember Simon saving me! Right, Simon?
That was after the disaster, though. You don't remember anything before it.
...I didn't know. I'm sorry, I...
Whoa, whoa! Don't apologize!
It's not a big deal. Let's hurry up and find that explorer!
Arthur begins to walk and look around with his usual cheer.
......


Don't worry about it.
Yeah... I'll try to not let it get to me...
As Frederica seems to have recovered herself, you decide to resume the investigation.





Hey... there's firewood here, and even some kindling. Maybe we should take a break here?


It is getting late... A fire might be just the thing to keep the forest beasts at bay.
No problem! One fire, coming up!
As Arthur eagerly sets the wood ablaze, you each sit down around the fire to rest yourselves. The crackling fire is warm and makes you think of home. Your muscles, chilled by the night air, gradually thaw... As you cook some preserved food over the fire and talk amongst yourselves, your spirits lift tremendously.


That was a nice break! All right, let's get back at it, eh?

It'd be nice if we could find the stairs down soon...
Yeah, or that missing guy. We still haven't seen him at all! I hope we didn't miss him somewhere.
With that, Arthur peers around at the dense trees on all sides.


You look around as well and notice Frederica walking behind you, her expression clouded. Could she be worried about the missing explorer? You are tempted to ask after her thoughts...


We won't give up. We'll find him.
...Yeah, I know. He might have gone further in. We should head after him.
You resolve to continue investigating the areas you have not yet explored.


Someone's coming, Dude.
Just as Simon says, you detect something rushing toward you from the depths of the forest. You remain on guard, wary of monsters attempting to ambush you, when you see a soldier carrying a bloodied explorer.


I found this man while on my rounds... I don't think he's too badly hurt, but, well... Just have a look!
The flustered soldier lays the man on his back and begs for your help. The man's chest is moving up and down... He seems to be still alive.
Help me with him, Dude. We can't leave an injured man be!


As you watch over his treatment, you notice something about the injured man... His countenance matches the description of the missing explorer exactly. Frederica, noticing this as well, watches intently as Simon continues with his treatment.
Do you think he'll pull through...?
I don't know. I'm doing all I can.
Man... the guy made it this far on his own, right? Then there must be some crazy monster out there that can beat the tar even out of a guy like him.
There are signs of the explorer's armor being shattered by a tremendous force, which seems to confirm Arthur's theory. You decide to ask the soldier before you for further details...


Where did you find him?
I got lost during my rounds... when I accidentally came across the stairs down to B10F, he was already in this state... Given his condition, I thought I'd try to carry him back to town, and that's when I happened upon your guild.
With that, the soldier sighs in relief. You gauge that he was quite nervous, having come so far from home.
Was he attacked at the stairway? Or could he have been running from something...?


Do you have an idea what did this?
...There is a rumor. They say the reason no explorers venture into the third Stratum isn't that they don't know the way... It's supposedly because a dreadful monster awaits them on the 10th floor. Perhaps this unfortunate fellow fell victim to that monster...



Were there any more injured?
He was the only one that I found. Maybe there were more who made it back to the stairs... I can't say.
If it's attacking people, and it looks like it is, we can't ignore that monster. It's lurking on the 10th floor, eh? Let's go get rid of it.
Oh, n-no, you mustn't! The place needs to be sealed tight!
Huh? It does?
The Radha's decided. They've ordered us soldiers to guard the place, so as to prevent any more casualties... Might I ask you to report what happened here to Radha Hall?
With that, the soldier takes out a familiar Ariadne Thread and hands it to you.


I-I'll take the responsibility of g-guarding this place!
Yeesh, you're shaking like a leaf. Are you sure you'll be okay?
A-Absolutely! I'll b-be fine! ...B-But... It would be even more helpful if you could ask the Radha to send backup at once, when you make your report...
The soldier's state worries you, but he seems intent on guarding this area to prevent any more casualties.
There... I've performed first aid on him, at least. But Dude, we should return to town for his sake as well.
Though the explorer still draws breath, he has not yet regained consciousness. You must return to town with the injured man and report the incident, just as the soldier requested.

The soldier looks at you anxiously, though he remains steadfast in guarding the area. You must heed the soldier's request and report this incident.



Daddy! What's wrong!? Are you okay, Daddy?


Your father will be fine.
...Really?
Really. There's no need to cry.
...Okay.
We've received a report that someone is injured. Would you like us to take it from here?
Yes, I'll leave him in your care.
Good. We'll begin our treatment immediately.
Dude, we should head to Radha Hall.
Yeah, the soldier on patrol was asking for reinforcements. We should hurry and report that to the Radha.

I had been expecting the worst, actually... I guess it was a good idea to ask you for help. This is the reward I promised you. It's not much... but please accept it.


It seems that he still has not regained consciousness... I'm sure he will wake up soon, though. All we can do now... is wait.


There's been an increase in incidents like this recently. Monsters usually found in the lower levels are coming up.
Does the Radha have any information on why this is happening?
We have a theory that it is connected to those earthquakes occurring in Etria, but nothing is certain yet. I implore you to continue your investigations in order to solve this problem... We cannot allow more deaths. We of the Radha have decided to issue a mission to slay this monster. It would be reassuring if a promising adventurer like yourself would accept this mission.




You accept, then? Very good. The Chieftain will give you the details. Wait here a while.


We have borrowed an ancient god's name for the monster on the 10th floor. We are calling it Cernunnos. There are records of several explorers going below the 10th floor, but since Cernunnos' advent, none have done so. ...Save for two, that is. Though it is a daunting task, eliminating the threat of Cernunnos is the only way to find the Geomagnetic Field you seek. Our great hope is that you will reopen the path to the 3rd Stratum. I wish you luck, adventurers...



Could it be that there is something within the Labyrinth that even the King of the Jungle fears...?


First a Wyvern, now this. It seems that only the most troublesome monsters reside in the Labyrinth.
I don't see a way to avoid fighting it. We can't reach the Geomagnetic Field unless we get past it.
Plus, that monster wounded that adventurer. We can't allow it to run free now. I'm sure that girl will be relieved to know that the monster that attacked her father is slain.
Heh...
What? Why are you laughing like that...?
I was just surprised to hear you say something like that, Frederica.
W-Well...
I know what you mean, though. I don't really understand what it's like to have parents, but making sure a kid isn't sad can only be good.
...Yeah. Dude, let's do our best... and defeat Cernunnos.


We can definitely do it!
Yeah!
So we all agree, right? It's time for a beatdown, Cernunnos!
I'm with Arthur, for a change. Let's get rid of that monster, once and for all.



Danger after danger keeps arising from that forest...
































































Before you can call to him, the soldier notices you first and hastens over.


Contrasting the soldier's cordial greeting is a restless expression. You sense he is holding back... You wonder if you should ask the soldier what troubles him.


In truth, I was guarding this place with another soldier. But he vanished when I looked the other way... He is well-trained, and so I doubt anything unfortunate has befallen him, but in this forest... If you happen to find my partner, will you speak to him for me?
It's worrying to hear that he went missing in the forest... Do you have any idea where he might be?
None, alas. That's why I won't ask you to engage in an active search... But if you find him, tell him I'm worried. The soldier bows to you with a pained expression. Now that you understand his situation, you are free to search for the vanished soldier during your investigation.



The soldier blinks at Frederica's voice, shaking off the cobwebs, and rushes over to you.


Thank goodness someone finally passed through here! I'm lost, you see... I was separated from my partner.
Yeah, I'd say so. Your partner was real worried about you, y'know.
*sniff*... My poor partner... I tried to get back to my post, but I just can't find the way... I wandered off a little and stumbled through some brush. Come to think of it, that must've been a secret passage. Hey, would you mind telling me the way back?
You try to think if you know the secret passage for this soldier to take back to his partner near the Wyvern's nest... If you know of it, it is simple enough to tell this soldier where it is.


Oh, is that true? That's marvelous... So where might I find this secret passage?


Aha, I see. So that's how I get back to my post... Excellent, thank you! I'll be off right away!


Will he be okay...? Maybe we should check up on him later to make sure he gets back safe.



I take it your friend made it back all right? Thank goodness...
I'll second that! My partner is back in Etria recuperating, but he was very grateful for your help. I'm sorry for all this. It's not much, but I hope you'll take this for your troubles.


Well then, if you'll excuse me, my shift guarding the Wyvern's nest has finally come to an end.


Well. I suppose that went well...?
After seeing the soldier off, you decide to return to your investigation.

Next Update
Previous Update
Table of Contents