Tenkomori: The Homecoming Club Conquers Another World

Chapter 150. Baptism of the Forest

My body feels heavy.

Like lead, barely able to move.

Am I just exhausted?

Thinking to rest somewhere, I glance around.

There was nothing.

An expanse of pitch black, not even a sliver of light.

Have I been somewhere like this before…?

I strained my eyes, but still, nothing came into view.

It's so dark I can't even tell if my eyes are open. Maybe something's wrong with them.

I rubbed my eyes, but the darkness remained.

Absentmindedly continuing to rub, a vague thought surfaced.

I was… walking, wasn't I?

Where?

I can't remember. Something happened, and I had to walk.

Something very important… important… was it?

I'm not sure.

Were there others with me? Or was I alone…?

No good, my memory's hazy.

Either way, I should keep moving.

If I was walking, there must be a destination. I'll remember eventually.

Just as I thought that, I sensed someone nearby.

But when I looked around, no one was there.

Tilting my head, I tried to step forward—only to realize my legs wouldn't budge.

Seems the fatigue hasn't faded.

I reached down to rub them.

But not just my legs—my arms, knees, my entire body had frozen.

Stiffness—no, is this even stiffness?

My skin felt blurred, the boundary between my body and everything else growing indistinct.

This wasn't just weakness.

It was like teetering on the edge of losing consciousness.

As I pondered, the haziness spread to my other senses.

The pitch-black in my vision flickered like something else entirely, my eardrums trembling yet feeling no vibration in the silence.

What's happening? Where am I?

Watching my thoughts spin uselessly, I suddenly understood.

This wasn't stiffness or fading consciousness.

I was being eroded.

Fear seeped into the numbness I'd passively accepted.

I tried to shake off the darkness, but my body had long since stopped responding.

What did I do in situations like this?

Desperately grasping at fragmented thoughts, I tried to activate a skill—no, magic.

But nothing happened.

None of my abilities triggered, as if they were just out of reach despite sensing them within.

My emotions screamed warnings, but with no means to resist, the armor of my self peeled away layer by layer.

I couldn't even tell if I was standing or collapsed anymore.

Resignation mixed into the darkness gnawing at my consciousness.

And the moment the erosion touched the depths of my mind—the world exploded.

◇◇◇◇

When I woke, I was lying in shadows.

The pain stinging my cheek made me lift my head, shifting my gaze.

Following the light seeping in from below, I saw a warped oval opening into a dense, overgrown forest.

Where I'd been lying was bare rock, untouched by human hands.

A natural cave, it seemed.

The ceiling was just high enough for an adult to stand, the width even narrower.

It seemed to continue deeper, but it was too dark to see.

I sat up, brushing the sand off my cheek.

"Why… am I here…?"

Muttering, I tilted my head—then suddenly remembered.

I nearly activated [Operate Water] in panic but stopped myself.

My heart… is beating?

Sliding a hand through a hole in my clothes, I found not just my heart but even Kuckle's bite marks had closed.

The uneven texture under my fingers was proof of healing.

So, that wasn't a dream.

Checking the scars, I retraced my memories.

Much was hazy, but my heart being destroyed was certain.

Even with severe damage to other organs, I was fully healed now.

My healing potions couldn't manage this—it'd take days of rest after mending wounds and organs.

Did the rumored beastfolk heal me?

Or maybe adventurers.

If this is the Depths of the Forest, elite adventurers might operate here.

Activating [Presence Detection], I focused my senses past the entrance.

The forest was empty.

No trace of my saviors, pursuers, or even monsters.

Just as I sighed in relief, I noticed a backpack lying nearby.

Inside were rations, water, and iron shackles.

No mistake—it was the pack I'd made Yunek carry, but Yunek was nowhere.

[Presence Detection] picked up no one.

Which means—

Bracing for the worst, I activated [Light] and headed deeper.

But the cave ended after ten meters.

No hidden paths, no signs of habitation.

And of course, no Yunek.

Returning to the entrance, I peered outside.

No sign of Yunek there either.

I remember carrying him. Leaving just the pack here makes no sense.

Could he be in the beastfolk village?

Did they take Yunek there and leave supplies here?

After some thought, I sat down.

No way to confirm if it was the beastfolk or even where I was.

Blindly searching won't help.

Besides, healing me only to abandon me seems unlikely. They'll make contact eventually.

Leaning against the wall, I decided to wait for someone to return.

Outside the cave, peace stretched endlessly.

A breeze rustled the trees, scattering droplets that glittered in the sunlight before vanishing.

The air wasn't too humid.

If it hadn't rained while I was out, this was likely the next day—two at most.

Watching the mist, I realized my throat was dry.

[Pure Water] quenched my thirst, and I refilled my waterskin.

Still, is this really the Depths of the Forest?

Far calmer than I imagined.

Maybe I'm not deep inside.

My thoughts drifted from the forest to the plains, then to retracing recent events.

When my heart was pierced, I'd instinctively used [Operate Water] to control my blood flow and [Operate Air] to substitute breathing.

I don't recall clearly, but it wasn't a calculated move.

Just one thought dominated my mind: Stop blood or breathing, and I die.

After that… what happened?

Attacked by Kuckle, I got up after the humans vanished.

Carried Yunek… wait, did I see Merlock?

Maybe he called for help.

But looking around, his summon time had long passed—no sign of the little spirit.

Whether it was Merlock or not, my saviors would know.

I refocused.

I really shouldn't have survived.

[Multi-Cast] alone wouldn't have saved me.

But in my past life, I'd studied basic human anatomy and seen medical dramas with machines replacing hearts and lungs.

I knew roughly what caused death and how to sustain life.

And acting on instinct? That came from experience.

I've died twice before.

Hit by a truck, eaten by insect-men. Near-death experiences? More than I can count on one hand.

So death doesn't terrify me as much.

Not that I want to get used to it.

As I tried to smirk, a friend's face flashed in my mind.

The smirk froze. My pulse spiked.

Clutching my chest, I stared at the mental image.

"Did you betray me, Lambert?"

Oddly, no anger rose.

Part of me refused to believe it; another was eerily calm.

The calm me methodically replayed the memories.

When Lambert stabbed me, his face was blank.

He must've shut off his emotions. He's strict but not cold-blooded.

Even if he hated or envied me, blankness didn't suit him.

And he'd never harm another lord's son for personal reasons—it'd cause his father immense trouble.

So—the assassination was his father's order.

New Year's passed normally.

The blizzard cut off travel, so the order likely came right after, around when he announced focusing on the martial tournament.

I dragged Yunek into my mess.

They rushed to help when I was stabbed. Even if Yunek was a trap—no, unlikely.

I'd left Yunek's investigation to Verrot and Balneur, but I might've gone myself.

If I'd sensed anything off, I'd have coldly cut ties. And Verrot had seemed unusually thoughtful when first meeting Yunek.

Probably a coincidence. Verrot saw an opportunity.

He knew Yunek had awakened but left them to me.

After that, Yabusho barely helped, leaving the noble's son to handle everything.

To foster sympathy, to forge unbreakable shackles.

I sighed, shaking my head.

Too late to realize now. I fell for Verrot's scheme.

Even knowing Lambert and Yabusho betrayed me, I couldn't abandon Yunek.

Yunek had become shackles I couldn't discard.

But I spoke to the friend in my mind:

If Yunek is my shackles, then Count Keiten—your father—is yours.

With your talent, you could've chosen your lord. Even serving the emperor wasn't impossible.

The mental Lambert's face twisted in pain.

And I realized my mistake.

Ah… so it's not me.

Yunek is the same. The shackles of a father—a curse.

"You were a slave too, Lambert."

The words slipped out, carried away by the wind.

Cutting off my thoughts, I focused outside.

No one returned.

Fine. First, I'll return to Reedwald.

What comes next, I'll discuss with Father.

Standing, I picked up the backpack.

Only a little food, water, and iron shackles remained.

With just this, I must traverse the Depths of the Forest.

Most monsters can be handled with magic, but fighting bare-handed is risky.

Searching for more, my fingers brushed something.

A stiff wire—the hare's brooch?

I'd pinned it inside my clothes after learning its value.

A relief they missed it.

With [Leaping Rabbit], I can return at top speed.

Slinging the pack over my shoulder, I scanned the area with [Presence Detection].

Nothing.

Come to think of it, they said monster numbers near Fasden had dropped.

If only Verrot claimed it, I'd doubt, but Marchant's group confirmed it.

Meaning I might cross the forest unhindered.

Still cautious, I stepped outside—

"—!?"

Something struck my back. A chill raced through me.

Instantly activating [High-Speed Movement], I leapt forward.

Mid-landing, another wave of dread hit.

I was surrounded.

From all directions: rustling grass, snapping twigs, something scraping against trees.

Yet [Presence Detection] only registered one presence.

What struck my back wasn't a physical or magical attack.

An overwhelming presence radiated from the cave.

What lurks there…? And the surrounding sounds…?

Suddenly, a fierce flapping erupted from the side. I nearly cast a spell—

But what I saw made me lower my hand, stunned.

A small bird's shadow took flight between the trees.

A raptor, perhaps. It looked tiny because it was far away.

Yet its wings sounded right beside me.

Touching my ears, I felt smooth, unfamiliar contours.

Checking my status provided quick answers.

And another revelation.

[Beastification]

A rare skill among beastfolk.

Boosts physical abilities and combat will but may hinder magic.

[Race: Mutare]

A rare variant of those who host labyrinth power yet reject its dominion.

Also known as labyrinth symbionts.

Traits vary by degree of assimilation.

How long did I stand there, dumbfounded?

Deactivating [Beastification], my ears returned to normal.

This is a beastfolk's… but my race…?

I cast [Appraisal] on the cave.

It was instantly repelled. Not even a fragment of info.

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The cave… is a labyrinth.

An overwhelming presence pressed from the entrance.

Maximizing alertness, I expanded [Presence Detection] in all directions.

A labyrinth should have a guardian.

But nothing approached.

No guardian?

So it tried to claim me?

Panicked when I tried to leave? No—

That nightmare earlier.

While unconscious, it tried to dominate me.

Healing me was part of that—a corpse is useless.

But unknowingly, I rejected its control, mutating my race.

My mind understood, but my emotions lagged.

How should I even process this? Thoughts tangled.

Only one thing was clear.

"You ate Yunek, didn't you?"

The labyrinth remained indifferent to my killing intent.

Labyrinthkin rank alongside dragons as apex monsters. My hostility meant nothing.

Still, I braced myself.

All skills have a foundation.

[One-Handed Sword] requires training, [Alchemy] knowledge.

But [Beastification] had none. Like reading a spellbook, the process was absent—foreign.

The labyrinth must've consumed Yunek and implanted it in me.

Likely, it never expected rejection.

So it healed me, granted skills to strengthen its hold.

My life was saved, but I can't ignore it devouring Yunek.

Worse, labyrinthkin are global scourges.

Left unchecked, they bring ruin to entire regions.

Magic alone might not destroy it, but with no guardian, now's the chance.

As I prepared to strike—

"—!"

Another presence. I barely dodged.

With a draining sensation, Merlock appeared.

Ignoring my shock, the spirit toddled toward the cave.

Stopping at the entrance, it tilted its head curiously.

Its carefree demeanor dulled my killing intent.

Merlock is capricious but wouldn't approach its summoner's enemy.

Does it sense… no hostility from the labyrinth?

Then it hit me.

Merlock led me here.

Labyrinths root into the earth. Their affinity with earth spirits dwarfs Kudolga's.

Merlock likely judged the labyrinth could heal me.

But being dominated? To a spirit bound by magic, domination is normal.

Their sense of life and death differs utterly from humans'.

Breaking eye contact with Merlock, I studied the cave anew.

The initial shock must've clouded my perception.

That wasn't an attack or presence—it was will.

Like a shout, the labyrinth projected raw confusion.

"You're just a newborn, aren't you?"

This labyrinth didn't understand what happened.

It's bewildered because its would-be thrall walked away.

Labyrinthkin are long-lived; all known specimens are millennia old.

Yet this one's barely ten meters deep.

No guardian, no signs of life.

It's an infant.

And I'm partly to blame.

Merlock guided me, but I entered willingly.

Half-dead, with Yunek as—offerings.

If the labyrinth thinks like a human, this was practically a deal.

Lowering my guard, I approached cautiously.

The confusion softened, replaced by intense focus.

"Your motives aside, you saved me. For that, I thank you."

I bowed, then shook my head.

"But I must return. I won't be dominated or live symbiotically. I'll visit again—and properly repay you then."

The labyrinth hung on every word.

At my promise to return, I sensed a faint reaction.

Dismissing Merlock, I leapt into a nearby tree.

"Farewell, Labyrinth."

With a final call to the cave, I scaled the canopy.

A sea of trees stretched endlessly.

Recognizing the ridgeline and sun's position, I gauged my direction.

To think my first encounter was a labyrinthkin.

Only fitting for the Depths of the Forest.

Glancing down, I felt the labyrinth watching.

Smiling back, I leapt away.

Lambert, the labyrinth, even my new race—all can wait.

For now, I go home. To family.