CH 2

The next day, when I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

Right after being kicked out of the party to still be able to carefreely sleep until the afternoon… I mocked myself a bit.

Yesterday after entering this inn I just sulkily went to sleep, so I haven’t yet decided on any plans.

While slightly astounded by my own frivolousness, in order to make plans for the future, I reflect on my current situation.

From my time in the Hero party, I still have plenty of money and liquidable materials remaining, so I temporarily have no issues funding my living conditions.

However, no matter how much remaining money I have left for spending, it’s not enough that I can live without working.

Therefore from now I must continue to earn money little by little.

There are three main ways to earn money.

The first is to continue as an explorer like before.

Throughout the continent there are scattered underground spaces where magic beasts appear called labyrinths.

Those who dive into the labyrinth and sell what they obtain are called explorers.

The items sold are mainly, magic stones and materials obtained when the magic beasts are defeated, and various ores or plants that exist in the labyrinth.

The second is to get a regular job by getting hired somewhere.

You may earn less money, but there is little to no danger, and you can say that you are promised a stable life. But not to that extent if you’re hired by a troublesome employer.

The third is to open a store by myself and earn money on my own.

I have some ideas that could make money, but the certainty of returns via this method is the lowest.

However, in exchange it has the highest chances for making big money.

“Of these options, being an explorer is my only real choice huh…”

Honestly I didn’t really have to think that much.

I don’t particularly want to be rich, and I came to this city to be an explorer.

I was with Oliver when I became an explorer, but it wasn’t the case that I became an explorer to chase after Oliver.

Being an explorer was of my own intention.

Well then, since I’ve decided to go on as an explorer, first I need to get a grasp of my current abilities.

Until yesterday, I had been exploring the labyrinth as an Enchanter.

There were various reasons why I had to be an Enchanter, a large part due to the party situation.

I no longer have to be tied up with the Hero Party, so from today I’ll return to being a Swordsman.

There was a part of me that became an explorer after admiring Swordsmen, so I can’t give up on this job.

In the Hero Party too, I was originally a Swordsmen.

Before I converted to an Enchanter, Oliver’s skills as a Swordsman were certainly above mine. Even now, if you only look at his physical abilities, that guy is better.

However, thanks to having been an Enchanter for a while, the current me compared to the me when I decided to quit being a Swordsman is several levels stronger, I think.

Maybe even more than Oliver, who has been titled the Sword Saint.

Or so I say, but there has been a blank period after all, so I need to regain my combat senses.

After regaining those senses, I should be able to clear the middle layers of the Great Labyrinth without much difficulty.

“Speaking of which, I heard that a labyrinth nearby opened the other day. Since it’s a good opportunity, let’s check it out.”

I decide to head to the newly found labyrinth, and after preparing the equipment for adventuring, I left the inn.

◇

The reason for the existence of labyrinths is unknown.

More than a hundred years ago, it seems that they suddenly appeared in various places.

The interior structure of labyrinths vary widely. Some have artificial stone passages, some are like caves, and some are similar to the wide spaces found above ground.

Labyrinths are organised similarly, ranging from 10 to 30 floors, but on this continent there are four known exceptions.

These are the giant labyrinths said to be composed of 100 layers, otherwise known as Great Labyrinths.

In the Great Labyrinth, the environment changes as you go up certain levels, and what you can obtain also changes greatly.

Because of that, it is said that if you challenge the Great Labyrinth, there is no need to challenge other labyrinths – all types of magic beast materials, magic stones, plant species, and minerals can be obtained.

In actuality that isn’t the case, but I won’t mention more here.

Therefore, it is said that the lowest floor that you can reach in Great Labyrinths is one kind of status among explorers.

Arrival at the target labyrinth.

Explorer Guild staff are managing admission at the entrance to the labyrinth.

You can enter the labyrinth by showing a Guild card to the staff managing the entrance.

I walk up to the Guild staff and show my Guild card.

“Um… are you diving alone in the labyrinth …?”

A female guild employee looks around me. And then she asks this question after confirming there was nobody but me.

“Yes, is there a problem?”

“According to the regulations there are no problems. But labyrinths are very dangerous places, you know? It’s reckless to go alone. If you go to the Guild headquarters, there are explorers gathering members for parties, so I think it might be better if you party up first. “

The Guild employee gives me advice in a gentle tone.

What this person is saying is correct.

However, I’ve heard that the strength of the magic beasts in this labyrinth is about the same as or weaker than the upper layers of the Great Labyrinth.

In that case, I can deal with them alone without any problem.

I know this person is giving me sincere advice, but at least check the Guild card before deciding if the recipient is someone you should be giving advice to.

“I appreciate your warning. However, I will have no problems being alone. I think you can understand if you take a look at my card.”

“Card…? …Eh…”

The face of the Guild staff who checked my Guild card froze.

The only use of a Guild card aboveground is to verify that the owner is an explorer.

To that end, what is displayed is the owner’s name and the lowest floor reached in the Great Labyrinth… only these two things.

In other words, my Guild card shows that I have reached the 94th floor of the Great Labyrinth in this city.

“9, 94th floor challenger!? I beg your pardon! My apologies for being rude!”

The attitude of the Guild staff who checked my card changes completely. With great vigour she bowed her head.

“No, it’s alright. Well then, is it okay if I enter?”

“Of, of course! Please proceed.”

Receiving entry permission, I take a step into the labyrinth.