Published: September 9, 2025
May 19: Typo corrected.
"Hey, uncle, give me five skewers of prime meat."
"Sure thing. Going for the prime skewers, huh? Did you manage to hunt something big?"
"Yeah, I took down the twin-headed lizard we were after!"
"That's impressive."
The shop owner, clearly impressed, began to lay the prime meat skewers on the wire mesh and started grilling them.
Unlike the regular skewers, the pricier prime meat skewers don't sell every day, so there were none ready when the boy ordered.
Although explorers are said to be hard to judge by appearance, the one talking to the owner was a young rabbit tribe boy freshly come of age. His companions were youths of similar age, boys and girls alike.
If they managed to hunt the twin-headed lizard lurking deep within the labyrinth, they must be truly talented. Maybe in the future, they could even earn the Iron Badge.
"Haha, we're still nowhere near that level."
"The real Iron Badge holders are all monsters, you know?"
"Tell Pochi and Tama."
"Ah, don't, Labibi! If those two cry, the other Pandoras will kill me."
Hearing their conversation, the shop owner recalled the rumors about them.
They were connected to "Pendragon," a group that appeared in Labyrinth City like a comet and quickly rose to become a top-tier group of explorers.
They were probably graduates of the Explorer Training Academy established by the philanthropic leader of Pendragon.
Those graduates are said to wear matching blue cloaks emblazoned with the design of a dragon holding a pen.
"So you guys are the famous Pandoras?"
"Heh, that's us!"
The rabbit boy scratched beneath his nose, embarrassed.
His upright ears stood proudly.
"Are the people from Pendragon really that amazing?"
"They're beyond amazing!"
The rumor-loving shop owner gave the Pandoras some small regular skewers to hold them over while the prime meat skewers cooked.
These regular skewers were paid for with stories. The owner would later use the gossip he picked up here to get free drinks from other patrons at the tavern.
"Pochi's strike can pierce even the soldier mantis’s thorax."
"And Tama? She can take down shadow goblins sneaking up during battle like they're just bugs wandering into the fire."
"Lady Mia's healing magic is incredible too—no scars left from wounds."
Even as the savory scent of the prime meat grilling filled the air, the boys and girls kept boasting about Pendragon.
"I think Nana's defense is crucial too, right? She draws in the enemies and comes out unscathed. As a fellow shield bearer, I have no idea where to even start copying her."
"I'm the attacker, and it's the same for me. Liza taught me spear techniques, but I can't imagine ever reaching her level."
"Yeah, she's in a league of her own..."
The shop owner, listening with interest, asked a question.
"What makes her so different?"
"Have you heard of demon blades?"
"The secret arts used by the Shiga Eight Swords, right? I was an explorer in my youth too. When I got the Silver Sword of Antwing, I trained for about three years but never got the hang of it."
"Oh, uncle, you were an explorer too?"
"Only made it to bronze rank."
Many like the shop owner, realizing the dangers, gave up being explorers and switched careers.
Though explorers' strength is hard to judge at a glance, even modest stall owners in this city sometimes have power comparable to knights.
That's why desperate thieves rarely try to steal at market stalls—it's just too risky.
"So, what about the demon blade?"
"Liza uses it."
"The demon blade? So besides the Red Four Heavenly Kings, there are other users in this city?"
Known demon blade users total four: "Crimson Noble," "Red Fang Lion," "Crimson Sword Wolf," and "Crimson Flame Witch." The people of Labyrinth City honor them as the Red Four Heavenly Kings.
Liza of the Black Spear has now joined as a fifth member of that elite group, but it’s unknown that Pendragon has three more users and that they can wield the even more powerful demon blade cannon.
The shop owner skillfully flipped the skewers now coated with a perfect char.