Barry, the mountain city built around a giant tree, was astonishingly vast.
Once Gauss and Alia left the barbican and stepped into the outer city, dense blocks of buildings swallowed the view. From within, aside from a faint glimpse of the towering inner walls and the central Mother Tree, Telashil, all they could see were rows of houses and bustling streets.
"Which way now?" Gauss glanced around, a little lost.
"Let me see…" Alia took out a creased map and carefully unfolded it.
Gauss leaned in. The map clearly outlined the Forest Capital's layout.
At the center, enclosed by the first ring of walls, lay the inner city and the Mother Tree, Telashil. Between the first and second rings stretched the outer city, divided into four quadrants—east, south, west, and north. Scattered barbicans dotted beyond the outer city. In broad terms, the city split into four zones: the core district built up the trunk from Telashil's roots to its mid-upper reaches; then, moving outward, the inner city, the outer city, and the barbican districts.
"Each quadrant of the outer city has two Adventurers' Guild branches. We're in the southern quadrant; the nearest is the South District Second Branch," Alia said, pointing at the map.
"Looks like we'll need a ride—" Gauss had barely spoken when a hackney carriage pulled up right in front of them.
"Where to, honored guests?" the driver called warmly.
"The Adventurers' Guild, South District Second Branch."
They agreed on a fare and climbed aboard.
Beyond the curtain, the Forest Capital's distinctive scenery—architecture woven with nature, heaving crowds—drifted past.
"We're here."
The carriage stopped at a broad plaza. They got down; the gray wolf Ulfen halted behind them, and the raven Echo settled on his head.
The square teemed with people—nearly all dressed as adventurers. Unranked adventures were everywhere, and plenty wore class badges. A big city's strength showed at a glance: though most were still low tier and one-star, Gauss spotted several with bronze four- and five-star badges—almost unimaginable back in Grayrock.
Then again, Barry's huge population and the influx from nearby towns made a scene like this unsurprising.
Following the flow, they headed for the guildhall bearing the familiar sword-shield-staff crest.
Under the portico, the crowd split neatly: left for unranked adventurers, right for professionals.
They took the right passage.
A bright, expansive hall opened before them. There were plenty of people, but the space kept it from feeling cramped. Excitement, barely contained, lit most faces. The word they heard most as they walked was "labyrinth."
"So many people…" Alia murmured.
At the counter, despite a whole row of service windows, queues still snaked along.
When their turn came, the blonde receptionist wore a polished, sweet smile. Hearing they wanted to enter the labyrinth, she smoothly produced a color-printed booklet from under the counter.
"This is the latest Labyrinth Guide. The labyrinth is currently open to all registered adventurers; just register here and you're free to explore.
"Do note, exploration is dangerous, so please take care."
They took the guide and the forms she handed over, filled them out, and completed the process. The receptionist returned their badges.
"Any other information you need is detailed in the guide. Please read it carefully," she said, gesturing to the next in line.
Guide in hand, Gauss and Alia found a relatively quiet spot on the benches along the wall and sat.
The fresh cover read: "Edition: NC 1015-01-02." So the labyrinth had been discovered earlier—if the guide was out on the 2nd, the actual discovery must predate it.
Inside, everything they might need was laid out in detail—not just the labyrinth's location, but routes from this branch, coach stands and fares, required gear lists with recommended shops, loot buyback channels, medical aid, and assorted cautions.
"Worried for nothing." They both exhaled in relief.
On the road they'd fretted the labyrinth might be locals-only or have extra restrictions. Instead, there were none; the local guild had even prepared a thorough guide for outsiders. Of course, travel, meals, and any later purchases, sales, or medical costs were to be expected—mutual benefit and all that.
Comparing the map, the entrance lay out on the western wilds, far from the South District—about a half-day by coach. Since it was already past noon, they decided to find lodging nearby, rest a night, and head out tomorrow.
Outside the guildhall, luxury hotels ringed South-Two Plaza. They paused at one and checked the posted rates.
"Single room: 20 silver/day."
"Suite: 1 gold/day."
"Premium suite: 5 gold/day."
The sticker shock killed the idea instantly. Even if the sign promised all meals and services included, and the location was prime, the prices were outrageous. Who could afford 5 gold a night—an all-Black-Iron or Silver-rank team? Even the single at 20 silver—five nights could buy a house in Grayrock.
They spun on their heels and left.
Fortunately, the guide listed dozens of more affordable inns and taverns tucked into residential streets. They followed the map to the closest, and sure enough, the price plunged:
Single: 30 copper/day.
Still much pricier than Grayrock, but after those "sky-high" rates, this felt acceptable. They could surely find cheaper if they spent time looking—big city and all—but for one night, they couldn't be bothered.
"Uh… s-sorry, we're full!"
"Already full? That's unlucky—" Even before stepping inside, they heard the flustered voices.
"Huh?" They traded a look. Full already? The exchange nagged at them, so they went in to see.
They lifted the curtain and entered the lobby.
Behind the counter, the proprietress faced a figure with a troubled expression. The moment Gauss saw who it was, his hand went to his sword hilt on reflex.
A serpentfolk stood at the desk: lower body a thick tail armored in golden scales, supporting a humanoid upper half—neatly dressed.
"Hiss—easy there, friend, don't draw on me. I'm a good guy, hisss." Sensing them, the male serpentfolk turned quickly and bared a broad grin, the forked tongue flickering—an attempt at friendliness that looked extra eerie on a serpentine face.
Gauss eased his grip—not out of trust, but because he spotted the bronze three-star badge on the man's chest. With a guild badge and having passed the city gate checks, the fellow was almost certainly legitimate. It was just Gauss's first time seeing a serpentfolk; he'd nearly taken him for a monster to be cut down.
Then again, maybe it would have filled a bestiary entry… But given the man's three-star status and unknown class, a fight wouldn't necessarily go Gauss's way.
"Since there aren't any rooms, I'll try somewhere else, hisss." The serpentfolk shook his head helplessly, kept that chilling smile, and slid out.
Gauss watched him go. He was about to leave with Alia when the proprietress, voice low, called after them: "Are you two here for a room?"
"Yes—but didn't you just say you were full?"
"We have rooms—singles and doubles. Would you like one?" Her eyes still flicked nervously toward the door, as if fearing the serpent might return.
Gauss understood: the "no vacancy" had been meant for the serpent adventurer. She was judging by appearances.
"Pets are allowed, right?" he asked, pointing at Ulfen and Echo.
Ulfen obligingly loll-tongued and panted, the picture of obedience.
"Of course, of course."
"Then two singles, please," Gauss said.
As he paid, noticing her lingering anxiety toward the entrance, he added kindly, "That fellow was just a regular adventurer. He's already gone—won't cause trouble."
His senses told him the serpentfolk was indeed well away. And—perhaps because of his Reptilian Strain talent—he felt a particular attunement to serpentfolk; he was pretty sure the man bore no malice—his smile was just scary.
"I understand, really. It's just… I'm afraid of snakes, and I worry what other guests might think," the proprietress muttered.
"Mm." Gauss took the keys and said no more. It's a business—whom to accept is up to the owner.
On the stairs up to the third floor, Alia finally said, "That serpentfolk adventurer should try the big inns—the noisy ones. You get everything there: half-elves, elves, half-orcs, dwarves—every race."
"Maybe he wanted some peace and quiet?" Gauss guessed.
These little inns were indeed much quieter than rowdy taverns.
They each retired to their rooms and lay down to rest; days in the wagon had worn them out. Neither planned to explore the Forest Capital much. Their goal was the labyrinth. They could always tour the city later when they had time.