Chapter 4 TSH Vol. 1 Chapter 1 Part 3

Sieg approached the goblin lookout, observing the creature once more. It was child-sized with green skin, pointed ears, a hooked nose, and large black eyes. It wore a loincloth and was bare-chested. They weren’t particularly strong, but they multiplied quickly, so there were always subjugation requests for them.

The goblin’s nose twitched, and it looked around warily. Seeing this, Sieg stopped. He had smeared mud on his face and body to mask his scent, but it seemed the goblin could still sense him at this range. It had a keen sense of smell.

Sieg was standing right in front of the goblin, but it couldn’t see him. This was the effect of [Concealment], a Blessing from Zephyrus, the God of Wind. The Blessing Orb he’d found in the capital had contained it. [Concealment] erased his presence, making him unperceivable even when standing in plain sight. With this, he could manage to conquer the labyrinth, even with monsters he stood no chance against.

Sieg circled behind the goblin, clamped a hand over its mouth, and slit its throat with a knife. After a brief struggle, the creature went limp. He dragged the corpse behind a rock and let out a breath.

This was the Novice’s Cave, a labyrinth for beginners located south of the capital. Conquering this cave was the first goal for most new adventurers. It was a fairly large cave system inhabited mainly by goblins.

…Five goblins and one hobgoblin boss left…

Sieg had been running this labyrinth over and over. Dungeons had a strange property: if a monster’s corpse was left behind, it would be absorbed by the labyrinth and respawn. However, any meat or materials taken out of the labyrinth would not disappear. Because of this, labyrinths were managed as territorial property and treated as a kind of resource.

Instead of taking official quests, Sieg had been sneaking into the labyrinth using [Concealment]. He would spend several days inside, running it repeatedly to efficiently farm experience and collect magic stones. Magic stones were crystallized mana found in monster corpses, used to power magic tools or as materials for potions and charms. He could have sold them, but Sieg had been stockpiling them. He would need a massive number of charms for his final destination.

Alright, time to get the magic stone…

Sieg deftly cut open the goblin’s chest and removed the red magic stone. He was used to it by now. A few moments later, the goblin’s corpse melted into the ground, absorbed. This way, the monsters would regenerate, ensuring a constant supply within the labyrinth.

He proceeded to kill the remaining goblins and dispatched the final hobgoblin boss without issue. Against monsters of this level, [Concealment] guaranteed a successful ambush every time.

The more he used a Blessing, the more his proficiency with it grew. Using [Concealment] constantly consumed mana, but thanks to his homemade mana potions, he could rapidly increase his proficiency.

Leaving the labyrinth for the first time in days, he moved a safe distance away and deactivated [Concealment]. He let out a long breath and stretched, savoring the fresh air.

Near the labyrinth was a small settlement with shops and taverns catering to adventurers. When Sieg stopped by a general store, he saw healing potions lined up on a shelf. He smiled.

“Hey kid, you stocked up on potions?” the shopkeeper called out. “Whoa now, don’t tell me you still think potions taste bad! This here’s a new kind, and believe it or not, it’s pretty tasty! It’s only Grade 6, but it comes in different flavors to lift your spirits. How ‘bout one?”

“Sure… I’ll take one. The red one, please.”

“You got it!” the shopkeeper boomed, handing him the potion.

Sieg uncorked it and took a sip. A sweet and sour flavor filled his mouth. It was indeed delicious.

So Thomas added a new flavor.

A year had passed. Having achieved a decent level of mass production, they had started selling the new healing potions through the merchant company. Sieg had consulted with the priestess and arranged for the orphans to work on production. The system wasn’t perfect yet, but hearing they would be paid, the children were highly motivated.

Gradually, Sieg had been entrusting more of the work to Thomas and distancing himself from the business. He still visited the company once a week and had to continue training the orphans, but he had other things to do.

In about a year, the Demon King would begin to show signs of his revival, and in response, Sieg would awaken as the Hero. There wasn’t much time left.

My EXP gain is starting to plateau… It’s about time I moved on to the next labyrinth.

His top priority was to delve into a labyrinth slightly above his current skill level, earn experience, collect magic stones, and raise his [Concealment] proficiency.

After returning to the company in the capital to meet with Thomas and discuss future plans with the president, he stopped by the village to visit the church and instruct the orphans. Finally arriving home, he would spend his nights making charms. He would imbue purified magic stones with mana while carving the symbol of Lugh, the supreme god of light. It was a simple charm he’d learned at the church, but it had a calming effect on the mind.

…I won’t even be able to reach that labyrinth without a huge number of these.

From his house to the village, then to the company in the capital. He dived into labyrinths between his work, then returned home. He wrote everything down: locations of herbs, how to gather and prepare them, how to set up a brewing environment, the formulas themselves; future plans, ideas for expanding sales channels, the contract with the orphanage. He prepared meticulously.

And then, one year later—

Winter passed, the last of the snow melted, and as spring began to bloom, the day finally came. He had already seen everyone yesterday and said his silent goodbyes.

Sieg placed a large stack of wooden slips on his desk—all the notes and plans he had written. There were also letters for the priestess, the nuns, the orphans, the villagers, Thomas, and the president.

With all his preparations complete, Sieg looked around the small hut one last time. He would never return here. As the Hero, he was about to embark on a long journey of subjugation.

He took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped outside. Looking in the direction of the village and the capital, he bowed deeply.

Goodbye, and thank you for everything. Please, stay well. I will protect all of you, along with this entire world.

The air was still chilly, but he could feel the promise of spring. Sieg looked up at the sky and smiled.

Alright, let’s go.

In a few days, I will be the Hero.