The Story of How I Ended Up Becoming a Hero Without Realizing It While Training in the Infinite Labyrinth - Chapter 4

“GuGOOOH!”

“Ku—”

The moment the High Goblin locked onto me, it roared. Four regular goblins emerged from the surroundings.

As I’d been taught, High Goblins command lower goblins as subordinates.

True to form, it was moving with its goblin underlings.

“Clearly stronger than me—and it has escorts. This looks like death…”

I inched back.

At that instant, the High Goblin barked “GruOH!” and the goblins charged.

I can handle one-on-one, but multiple goblins would kill me in seconds.

Realizing that, I leaped backward to dodge, then swung at the nearest goblin and decapitated it.

Still, the others’ clubs struck my stomach and shoulder, pain searing through.

“First time taking a hit in this labyrinth. Hurts just like in reality.”

I steadied my breathing, endured the pain, and kept fighting.

Three goblins remained, but the real threat was the High Goblin still holding back.

It was probably waiting for me to weaken.

I wasn’t about to play along.

“Can’t waste time on disposable grunts!”

I pulled pre-collected sand from Inventory and hurled it at the charging goblins.

Sand in their eyes—they flailed. I dashed between them straight at the High Goblin.

“Take this!”

“GruOH!”

I threw a stone from Inventory the same way.

The High Goblin swatted it aside effortlessly.

Then it swung its club and smashed me. Consciousness faded.

✤

You have died.

You cannot enter Infinite Labyrinth for 24 hours.

✤

When I next opened my eyes, I was lying in the 10-tatami space.

A screen floated in front of me, confirming I couldn’t re-enter the labyrinth.

“Well, at least I confirmed I don’t actually die. That’s something.”

That last charge had been a desperate move with no plan.

If I’d really died, I’d be cursing the High Goblin in the afterlife. But as the skill described, I survived.

“But what do I do about that High Goblin? Probably spawned because I lingered too long on Floor 1…”

Its strength didn’t fit Floor 1, so I hypothesized a trigger condition—either goblin kill count or time spent.

“Level 10, handling goblins one-on-one—I thought I’d gotten strong. Nope, not even close…”

The High Goblin fight snapped me back to reality.

Still, for my first day awake, this was decent progress.

“Whatever. I’m hungry. Let’s call it a day.”

I returned to the real world and pedaled home.

Leaving the room was simple—think “exit” and I was back in the forest.

“I need to cash the magic stones, but how do I explain…”

Magic stones can be exchanged at the Association or authorized locations.

But a rookie Awakened showing up with dozens would raise suspicion.

“…Can’t rely on family. What now?”

Broke student that I am, I want the money fast.

But my situation is too shady.

“Saying ‘I have a private labyrinth~’ would just make me sound insane.”

Telling the truth would invite distrust; believing me might lead to experiments.

“For now, a few stones won’t look odd. Enough for today’s luxury.”

I went to the Association and cashed in eight stones.

Greed made me push it—the receptionist said, “Lucky day, huh?”

I had way more, but kept quiet, took the money, and left.

“Mmm, first meat party in ages.”

On the way home, I bought discounted yakiniku meat at the supermarket and held a solo barbecue.

My stomach rejoiced at the mountain of meat.

“Can’t enter the labyrinth for 24 hours. Need to gather info and plan until tomorrow.”

I could skip the High Goblin floor, but I don’t want to.

So within these 24 hours, I’ll collect as much information as possible and devise a strategy to defeat it.

“I’ll take you down for sure, damn goblin!”

I ate my fill, belly full and happy, then slept.