The mountainous city of Barry, built around giant trees, is surprisingly large.
When Gauss and Aaliyah stepped out of the fortified city into the outer city, the dense buildings suddenly overwhelmed their view. Surrounded by them, aside from being able to barely see the majestic, towering walls of the inner city and the central giant tree, Terashil, there were only the towering houses and bustling streets around them.
"Which way should we go next?" Gauss looked around, feeling a bit lost.
"Let me see..." Aaliyah took out a wrinkled map and carefully unfolded it.
Gauss leaned in for a closer look, the map clearly outlined the structure of the forest city.
The center of the map was the inner city encircled by the first wall and the mother tree, Terashil.
The area enclosed by the second wall and the first wall was the outer city, divided into east, south, west, and north sections.
And some walled towns were scattered outside the outer city.
Overall, it could be divided into four large regions.
Built around the tree, from the roots of the mother tree, Terashil, extending upwards to the magnificent architectural core area in the upper middle layers.
Next is the inner city, outer city, and walled towns.
"Each area of the outer city has two Adventurer’s Guild stations, and we are currently in the southern district. The nearest guild station is the Southern District’s Second Branch," Aaliyah pointed out on the map.
"Looks like we’ll need a ride..." As soon as Gauss spoke, a horse-drawn carriage conveniently stopped in front of them.
"Where would you two esteemed guests like to go?"
"Adventurer’s Guild, Southern District’s Second Branch."
"..."
After agreeing on a price, the two boarded the carriage.
Outside the carriage curtain, the unique scenery of the forest city, buildings merged with nature, and bustling crowds, drifted slowly past their eyes.
"We have arrived, you two."
The carriage stopped in front of a spacious square.
The two got off, and the Gray Wolf Ulfen that had been following behind also stopped, while Raven Aik landed steadily on its head.
In the bustling square, nearly all were figures dressed like adventurers. Bottom Adventurers were everywhere, and those wearing level badges weren’t few either.
The strength of the big city was evident at this moment, though the majority were still Bottom and one-star adventurers, Gauss’s eyes caught several figures with bronze four-star and five-star badges gleaming on their chests, something almost unimaginable in Gray Rock Town.
But on second thought, Barry’s large population, combined with adventurers from nearby towns, made this scene quite reasonable.
Following the crowd, they walked towards the guild building, bearing the familiar sword, shield, and staff emblem.
Inside the porch, the crowd was clearly divided, with the left side leading to the Levelless Adventurer area and the right to the Professional passage.
They stepped into the right passage.
A bright lobby soon appeared before them.
The hall was populated, but due to its spaciousness, it didn’t feel crowded.
The faces of all adventurers radiated excitement, thrill, and joy.
As Gauss and Aaliyah navigated the hall, they heard "maze" more than any other word.
"So many people...." Aaliyah exclaimed softly.
When they reached the counter, although the entire hall had a long row of service windows, there was still a long queue.
When it was Gauss and Aaliyah’s turn.
The blond receptionist wore a professional sweet smile, and upon hearing Gauss inquire about how to enter the maze, she deftly retrieved a color-printed brochure from under the counter.
"This is the latest ’Maze Guide.’ The maze is currently open to all registered adventurers, you only need to register your information here to freely explore."
"However, exploring the maze carries risks, please be mindful of your safety."
The two received the ’Maze Guide,’ then took the registration forms handed over by the receptionist and quickly filled out their information.
After completing all procedural formalities, the receptionist returned their Adventurer’s Badges.
"The other information you need is all detailed in the guide, please read carefully," the receptionist courteously indicated to the next in line.
Gauss and Aaliyah took the guide and found a relatively quiet corner in the long bench area against the wall to sit down.
Unfolding the brand new guide, the cover printed "New Era January 2, 1015 Edition."
Indeed, the maze was discovered earlier since the guide was made on January 2nd, the actual discovery date would be even earlier.
Opening the guide, he found that the receptionist was not brushing them off due to busyness; the booklet detailed all the information they might need.
Including but not limited to, the maze’s map position.
The route from the current station to the location, car travel points, and fees.
Mandatory exploration supplies list with recommended stores.
Channels for loot recovery, medical assistance information, and various precautions...
"Worry for nothing," both of them sighed in relief.
On their way here, they were still worried if the maze would be open only to local adventurers of the forest city, or if there were any extra restriction conditions.
But unexpectedly, there were no restrictions, and the local guild here had thoughtfully prepared a detailed guide for outsiders.
Of course, travel expenses, food costs along the way, and subsequent possible expenses for purchase, sale, and medical expenses were anticipated, which were mutually beneficial.
Comparing the location on the map, the maze entrance is located in the wilderness on the west side of the forest city, quite far from the southern district, even by carriage it would take about half a day.
It was already past noon, and the two of them discussed finding a place nearby to stay for the night, rest, and set off for the labyrinth the next day.
The area around the square was not lacking in luxury hotels.
Gauss and Aaliyah stood outside a hotel for a while, checking the prices posted outside.
"Single room, 20 silver coins a day."
"Suite, 1 gold coin a day."
"Top suite, 5 gold coins a day."
This astonishing price instantly made them abandon the idea.
Are you trying to rob people? Even though it stated that it includes meals, lodging, and other services for one day, and it’s located at the core block of the Adventurer’s Guild Plaza, the price was still too outrageous.
What kind of people could afford a top suite for 5 gold coins a day, an entire team of black iron, silver level?
Even the price for a single room was too expensive, 20 silver coins a day. Staying five days could buy a house in Gray Rock Town.
The two took one look and decisively turned around and left.
Fortunately, the labyrinth guide also mentioned the locations of dozens of relatively affordable taverns and inns in the area, mostly located in residential areas.
They compared the map and went to look.
Arriving at the nearest one, indeed, the price immediately dropped.
Single room 30 copper coins/day.
Although still much more expensive compared to the accommodation cost in Gray Rock Town, after seeing the previously "sky-high" accommodation fee, they both felt this price was acceptable.
Despite knowing that with time they could find cheaper accommodations or homestays in such a large city, they were only staying for one day and couldn’t be bothered with the effort.
"N...no, sorry, the rooms are already rented out!"
"Hiss— already rented out? That’s really unfortunate, hiss hiss—"
Before even entering the shop, Gauss and Aaliyah heard the flustered conversation from inside.
"Huh?"
The two looked at each other, were the rooms really rented out? But the conversation made them a bit intrigued, so they decided to go inside and take a look.
They lifted the curtain and walked to the counter.
The innkeeper was looking troubled in front of a figure. As they saw who it was, Gauss instinctively put his hand on his sword hilt.
In front of the counter stood a snake-man.
His lower half was a thick snake tail covered in golden scales, supporting a humanoid upper body, dressed neatly.
"Hiss—brother, don’t draw your weapon, I’m a good guy, hiss." The male snake-man sensed the movement, quickly turned around, and grinned widely showing a smile. The long forked tongue flickered, making the smile seem particularly eerie due to the snake-like features.
Gauss temporarily released his grip on the sword hilt. It wasn’t out of trust for the other’s words, but because he saw the 3-star bronze adventurer badge hanging on his chest.
Having an adventurer badge and passing the city’s defense check meant the identity was most likely legitimate, although the half-snake form indeed startled him.
Half-Snake Man?
It was the first time Gauss saw a Half-Snake Man, almost mistaking it for a demon and preparing to attack.
Though it’s hard to say, maybe the figure could actually add to a bestiary?
But considering the opponent as a 3-star adventurer, without knowing their profession, he wasn’t sure he could confidently win in a fight.
"Since there’s no room, I’ll go check the next place, hiss—." The snake-man shook his head helplessly, maintaining the sinister smile as he slithered away.
Gauss watched him go. Just as he was about to leave with Aaliyah, the innkeeper called out to them in a low voice: "Are you two here to rent a room?"
"Yes, but didn’t you say there were no available rooms?"
"There are rooms, both single and double. Do the guests need them?" The innkeeper’s gaze still nervously darted towards the door, worried the Half-Snake Man might come back.
Gauss understood, the "fully booked" earlier was just an excuse aimed at that snake-man adventurer. The innkeeper was evidently judging by appearance.
"Pets are allowed, right?" He gestured towards Ulfen and Aik.
Ulfen cooperatively stuck out his tongue, panting with a look of obedience.
"Yes, yes."
"Then I’ll take two single rooms," Gauss said.
While paying, seeing the innkeeper still uneasily glancing toward the door, Gauss kindly reassured, "That person earlier is just a regular adventurer and has already gone far, not coming back for trouble."
His perception told him the snake-man had indeed gone far.
Additionally, perhaps due to the [Crawling Species] trait, he had a particular keen perception of snake-men and felt the other actually meant no harm, just that the smile was too creepy.
"I understand, I understand, I’m just... a bit afraid of snakes, and worried other guests might mind..." the innkeeper said awkwardly.
"I see." Gauss took the keys.
Gauss took the keys without saying more. Running a business, it’s the shop’s right to choose whether or not to accommodate guests.
Walking up the stairs towards the third-floor rooms, Aaliyah spoke, "That Half-Snake adventurer earlier should go to those large taverns, where all kinds of races gather, half-elves, elves, half-beastmen, dwarves, any race."
"Perhaps he just wants some peace?" Gauss guessed.
These small inns are indeed much quieter than the bustling taverns.
The two returned to their rooms, each lying on the bed to rest. The continuous traveling had worn them out.
Gauss and Aaliyah didn’t plan to explore the Forest City too much. Their goal was the labyrinth, and they decided to explore and enjoy it at another time when they had the chance.