Chapter 118. Trinity Grade
62nd day in the labyrinth.
Today was a rest day.
There was no monster exploration or scouting to recruit villagers.
So, we were relaxing in various spots around the hideout, leisurely spending our time.
Even Omega, who had left the robots in charge of construction, had come to the hideout and was resting beside me.
［Boing boing···.］
Omega was quietly observing the monsters in the hideout, letting out a low hum.
Was there some kind of problem?
I turned my head to look at Omega and asked.
“What’s up?”
［It’s nothing serious. I was just a bit surprised by how many of these creatures have been influenced by Melody Fox. Normally, the Melody Fox species doesn’t easily open their hearts to others.］
Omega continued, slowly scanning the monsters.
［This is all probably thanks to the Assisted One’s taming abilities. The Assisted One is truly impressive. Boing boing.］
“I think it’s just that our Melody Fox has an unusually good rapport with others… But are there really that many creatures influenced by her?”
［Indeed. Boing boing.］
I also began to observe each monster closely.
The monsters that had received Melody Fox’s buff.
For starters, Kinogine Arachne had evolved after receiving a buff…
“Hmm. Putting aside those who unsealed my powers, the others… Ah, did Azeras get the buff? Her intelligence suddenly spiked.”
［Correct. You were slow to catch on. Boing boing.］
【Pururu】─What? So it was Melody Fox’s buff that boosted her intelligence?
【Bubble Bubble】─It’s not Melody “Max”, it’s “Fox.”
【Rizenova】─I thought Omega had performed an intelligence enhancement surgery.
I had vaguely suspected it.
But I couldn’t be sure and left it as just a possibility.
［Not just her, those creatures over there have also received buffs. Boing boing.］
Omega pointed at a few monsters with her finger.
The Centaurides.
The Hedgehog Summoner.
The Medical Mushroom.
In that order.
“They were affected by the buffs too?”
［Boing boing. There weren’t any noticeable changes like with evolution, so you must have missed it.］
Omega explained.
The Centaurides and the Hedgehog Summoner had received buffs that enhanced and developed their talents.
The Centaurides’s talent for drawing.
The Hedgehog Summoner’s talent for dancing.
“Now that you mention it, the Centaurides’ drawing skills did improve remarkably fast.”
Nodding in agreement, I turned my gaze toward the Centaurides, then shifted it to the Hedgehog Summoner.
The little creature was dancing at that moment.
“But I don’t see much change in her dancing though.”
［Look more closely. Boing boing.］
At Omega’s prompting, I focused intently on the Hedgehog’s dance.
［Doom-ba, Doo-doom-ba. Do-do-do-do-do-doom-ba!!!］
Hmm. The dance did seem a little more intricate.
Still, I couldn’t really tell.
Well, if Omega said so, then it must be true.
“… Forget about her for now. What buff did the Medical Mushroom get?”
［Her personality has become calmer thanks to the buff. You’ll understand what I mean when you see her treat an ally later. Boing boing.］
Just as Omega finished speaking.
Thud!
Merino Ula, who had been playing with Melody Fox, tripped and fell to the ground, scraping her knee and causing a bit of blood to ooze out.
“Owie···.”
［Beep beep.］
The Medical Mushroom calmly approached and dropped some pink liquid on Merino’s knee.
In an instant, Merino’s wound healed completely.
“It’s definitely a change. Normally, she would’ve panicked and flown over in a frenzy.”
［Boing boing. This is a very good change. The calmer and more composed Medical Mushroom is when using her healing liquid, the more effective it becomes.］
“Seems like everyone’s been getting buffs without me noticing….”
It was welcome news.
It looked like Melody Fox was slowly opening her heart to the other monsters.
“But hasn’t Merino received any buffs yet? She’s been hanging out with Melody the most these days.”
［Merino will undergo a good change soon. Boing boing.］
I was looking forward to it.
What kind of buff would Merino receive?
Buffs for chefs were always important.
***
While we continued to rest.
『Alert』
◇ Assistant Rank Upgrade ◇
● Target: Yumi (003)
● Change: BLACK → GOLD
『Alert』
◇ Assistant Rank Upgrade ◇
● Target: Mysticism (002)
● Change: BLACK → GOLD
The Assistants who had been sending coins with Hwang Mir’s money had their ranks upgraded.
【Mysticism】─😃😃😃
【Yumi】─Finally, I’ve reached Gold rank!!!
【Mysticism】─I’m so happy! Doom-ba! 😀
【Pururu】─Heh, so happy with just Gold.
【Bubble Bubble】─Ah, I’ve been caught up to. I need to try harder.
And then, one after another.
『Alert』
◇ Assistant Rank Upgrade ◇
● Target: Rizenova (004)
● Change: DIAMOND → TRINITY
Our top supporter, Rize, had achieved Trinity rank.
Trinity rank was the highest rank.
【Rizenova】─Ooooooo!!!
【Yumi】─Gasp?!
【Mysticism】─😱😱
【Pururu】─???
【Bubble Bubble】─Wow······.
As soon as Rize’s rank increased.
A series of flashy messages flooded my vision.
『A Trinity-rank Assistant has been born!』
『Locked items in the vending machine ticket list have been unlocked.』
『Creation of a safe zone for Trinity Assistants has begun.』
『A new space has been created somewhere in the Ancient Labyrinth.』
“What’s this? They created some space inside the Ancient Labyrinth just because a Trinity Assistant was born…”
I muttered those words to myself.
At the edge of my vision, the words “Move to Safe Zone” appeared.
I cautiously clicked on it.
A silver portal immediately formed in front of me.
［Boing boing? What is this portal?］
Omega, who was standing next to me, asked.
After I briefly explained, Omega stared at the portal and then boldly stepped through it.
［I don’t know if I can pass through, but just in case it’s dangerous, I’ll go in first. Boing boing.］
And so, Omega’s figure disappeared into the portal.
Not long after, Omega emerged from the portal again.
［It’s safe. You can come through.］
I nodded and followed Omega through the portal.
A completely empty space stretched out before me.
And then several voices echoed in my ears.
「Explorer’s friend ‘Omega’ has entered the Safe Zone.」
「Explorer ‘Kang Geon’ has entered the Safe Zone.」
「The cost of your friend’s stay will be paid by the Explorer.」
「During your stay in the Safe Zone, 2 coins will be deducted every minute.」
From the sound of it.
It didn’t seem like a place where you could stay for long.
“… I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do in a place like this.”
［After analyzing it, I found that there’s no death here. Boing boing.］
“No death exists?”
［That’s right. In simple terms, this is a special space where no one can harm anyone else. Boing boing.］
It seemed that this truly was a Safe Zone.
After exploring the Safe Zone and talking with Omega for a while.
「Assistant ‘Rizenova’ has entered the Safe Zone.」
「The cost of the Assistant’s stay will be paid by the Explorer.」
「During their stay in the Safe Zone, 3 coins will be deducted every minute.」
A silver portal appeared once again.
And from beyond it, a familiar doll slowly walked out.
“Rize?”
“Oho! Gauntlet!”
【Mysticism】─😱
【Yumi】─Rize? Is that you?
【Pururu】─Wait, why’s that guy there?
【Bubble Bubble】─That’s Rize? Looks just like the picture.
The doll was none other than Rizenova, the Assistant.
***
［Gauntlet, this is my first time seeing this creature, but I strangely feel a sense of familiarity… Could it be an Assistant, boing boing?］
“That’s right. That’s Rizenova, the fourth Assistant.”
After I introduced Rize, Omega walked over to Rize, extended her hand, and offered a handshake.
［Nice to meet you, I’m Omega.］
“Rizenova, pleased to meet you. I’m glad we could finally meet in person.”
At any rate.
I had a rough understanding of what this Safe Zone was.
It was a space where Explorers and Assistants could actually meet face to face.
In other words, it was like a meeting place.
It was a little different from a hideout.
If I had to describe it.
It felt like a place where internet streamers held fan meetings with their viewers.
Also.
It was a space where Assistants could hold gatherings.
Even when I wasn’t present, they could come and go from this place.
Of course, only Trinity-level Assistants could use it.
And only Explorers, tamed monsters, and Assistants could enter this place.
Although it was located inside the Labyrinth.
No outside monsters could ever invade this space.
Conversely
.
It was also impossible to travel to other parts of the Labyrinth from here.
Not even Omega’s sincere punch made the walls budge.
Additionally, aside from the silver portal they used to enter, no other silver portals could be used. In other words, it was impossible to travel to another world through this space.
It wasn’t possible for me to travel to Earth or any other world, and the Assistants couldn’t leave the Safe Zone to enter the Ancient Labyrinth either.
Naturally, Assistants couldn’t visit each other’s worlds.
【Pururu】─Damn, I wanna go there too!
【Mysticism】─😠 Me too!!!
【Yumi】─We can’t go there. It’s a privilege exclusive to Trinity-level Assistants.
【Bubble Bubble】─It’s amazing that Assistants from different worlds can gather in one place without a Dimensional Magician…
【Bubble Bubble】─When Sage and Rize meet there someday, Rize could learn the coordinates of Lumina and break through the dimension.
“We can watch the broadcast from here as well. Everyone, hurry up and reach Trinity rank. We should all gather here and have a big meeting.”
【Pururu】─Fund me.
【Yumi】─With our finances, reaching Trinity rank is impossible.
【Mysticism】─😭 Even with Mir’s support money, it’s out of reach.
Before I could explore the place any further.
I returned to the hideout and brought back the monsters who were familiar with Rize.
［Doom-baahh!!!］
［Long time no see, Rize.］
［Beep!］
The Hedgehog Summoner.
The Necro Puppet Master, who used to be the Psycho Clown.
The Medical Mushroom.
Kinogine Arachne, Black Magma Slime, Blood Jellyfish Princess, and others.
When the monsters crossed the silver portal, Rize spread his arms wide and warmly greeted them.
“Oho! It’s great to see you all! How long has it been?!”
【Pururu】─It hasn’t actually been that long.
It was a touching reunion.