“Frankly, your life is not a suitable collateral. I can control the life of someone far more capable than you. You have no value to me.”
She pointed her finger at Ur’s chest.
“Show me your worth, and I’ll consider your proposal. I’ll accept your desire to buy back your sister.”
Of course, there would be a deadline, she said. Ur let out a deep sigh. He couldn’t celebrate with raised hands, but things seemed better than resigning himself to the situation… he felt. Silently thanking Shizuku for giving him this chance, Ur lifted his head.
“So, how do I prove it?”
“Let’s decide that another time. You seem to have reached your limit, haven’t you?”
As soon as she said that, Ur felt his head sway. The pain and fatigue he had ignored suddenly hit him the moment they were pointed out.
“At least until your value is determined, wait on Akane’s fate. I’m expecting… Oh, I almost forgot.”
His consciousness plunged into darkness. Shizuku hurriedly supported him next to her, but before he could speak, his eyelids fell on their own. Just before losing consciousness, the last thing he saw was the annoyingly beautiful smile of the golden-haired girl.
“I am Diz-Gran-Phoenix. Congratulations on conquering the labyrinth and returning safely, Ur, Shizuku.”
With those words as the final compliment, Ur’s consciousness completely faded away.
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Great Sin City- Greed State, Healing Inn
Emerging from a deep sleep that felt like sinking endlessly, Ur regained consciousness. There was a faint smell of medicine and flowers. He blinked his eyes open slightly, seeing a white ceiling spread out before him. He wasn’t sure where he was, but the bed was warm and soft. Resisting the urge to sink back into a light doze was difficult.
“────Hmm?”
However, the fact that he was sleeping in such a soft bed, something he hadn’t experienced much in his life, spurred Ur’s consciousness awake.
Bed, inn? No. If it smells like medicine, is it a healing center? In other words, ────
“A treatment fee!”
“Mmnyaa?”
With a very real voice, Ur jumped up. Simultaneously, a drowsy female voice was heard, further confusing Ur. It wasn’t his sister’s voice. Looking towards the voice, Ur saw a silver-haired girl with lustrous hair, sleeping on his bed as if using it as a pillow.
“…Shizuku?”
In a strange way of meeting, he had saved the girl’s life in the labyrinth. But why was she here, and why was he sleeping in the bed? Question after question floated in Ur’s mind. As if noticing that she had woken up, the girl raised her face in confusion. Although her sleep-flushed face was still beautiful, Ur was impressed.
“…Ur-sama.”
When she realized that Ur was awake, she smiled happily.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“Good night”
“I’m going to bed.”
He said so reassuringly, and then put her to bed on the chair that Shizuku had used until a little while ago. After a while,
“Oh, did you wake up? How’s your body?”
A woman in her mid-thirties appeared. She was wearing a very large green apron. Ur didn’t know who she was, but he knew that the apron was a sign of a healer.
That’s why this is a healing inn in the middle of the city-state. So, there’s only one thing to say.
“I have no money.”
“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
She said nonchalantly as she grasped Ur’s face, checking his complexion and body.
“That girl with silver hair, She’s been worried about you while you were asleep. Lover?”
“She’s a stranger I just met.”
“Love at first sight, perhaps.”
The healer said, stating something random with a serious expression. Ur glanced around as he received the examination.
“Did you see a ‘Bright Red Cat’?”
“Isn’t it a beast person? Then I didn’t see it. Animals are strictly prohibited here.”
A red cat. While in the city-state, Akane, possessed by a spirit, often took that form. If she wasn’t nearby, she was probably with that golden girl, Diz.
In other words, the interaction with her wasn’t a dream. If it were a dream, Ur would rather it be one. In that case, while avoiding reality, the healer finished the examination.
“Diz-san is covering the treatment fee. Don’t worry.”
“Diz?”
“She said ‘I’ll cover the trouble fee for reckless labyrinth exploration.'”
Once she packed her bags, she told him to hurry up and leave. It was like a storm. Ur sighed deeply as he sat on the chair Shizuku had used earlier.
“Well… What should I do?”
“What are you going to do?”
When Ur looked up, Shizuku was awake again. Reflected in her translucent silver eyes, Ur’s face was visible.
“You woke up.”
“Good morning.”
“That’s the Second time.”
She groggily sat up.
In the underground space, there hadn’t been time to really observe her, but now, in a safe place, Ur could see she was indeed an exceptionally beautiful girl. He could watch her forever, but he couldn’t afford to do that.
What should they do now? But really, Ur’s only option was to become an adventurer.
There weren’t many jobs available for someone without a name. Despite the risks, adventuring had potential for high returns, and even nameless people could join the Guild. For someone like Ur, a child with no skills or name, it was undoubtedly the best choice. But still…
“I don’t wanna be an adventurer…”
Ur hated adventurers.
Many nameless people became adventurers. Killing monsters didn’t require skills or status. Consequently, the doors of the adventurers’ guild were open to everyone, even the nameless. Many of the nameless people around Ur during his childhood were adventurers. They were rough, spent money recklessly, got drunk every day, and screamed in ways that barely resembled human speech. The thought of becoming one of them made Ur feel miserable.
“Don’t you want to be an adventurer?”
“I don’t want to, but if a nameless person like me wants to make it, there’s no other choice. Killing monsters makes your body stronger through magic. Magic stones can be sold for money. It’s two birds with one stone, damn it.”
Indeed, if you’re aiming to succeed on your own, it’s the best choice. Of course, countless people end up as monster food, but compared to other options, this one still holds more potential.
After listening to the explanation, Shizuku nodded thoughtfully. Then,
“Do you think I could become one too?”
Huh? Ur stared at Shizuku’s face intently.
She was beautiful, with large eyes, long eyelashes, a high nose, fair skin that gleamed without makeup, and even a full chest. Seeing her again, he nodded.
“No, there are plenty of other jobs for someone like you. Just with that face alone.”
He didn’t mean to suggest selling herself, but with her looks, she could definitely find a better job than adventuring. If she worked as a barmaid, she’d become popular in no time. As a dancer, she’d be a star. She could even become a priest’s lover in this world.
From Ur’s perspective, there was no reason for her to become an adventurer.
“It’s not about the money. I need to become stronger.”
“Are you some kind of monk?”
“Yes, something like that.”
She responded seriously to Ur’s joke.
Come to think of it, when they first met, she used a magic that seemed like ‘teleportation.’ He knew about it. It was extremely advanced, and only a few could use it in limited places. Only priests could use it, really.
“Are you a priest?”
“No.”
“Are you a city resident?”
“No.”
“Then, are you like me, nameless? How did you get a teleportation scroll?”
Shizuku smiled quietly and said nothing. She didn’t want to talk about it. Ur frowned, wanting to press her, but he stopped. He didn’t like to pry into others’ business unnecessarily.
“Well, it’s your choice. If you want to become an adventurer, go ahead.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to working with you from now on!”
Before he could ask what she meant by “from now on,” she grabbed Ur’s hand.
“Are we forming a party?”
“If we’re both becoming adventurers, wouldn’t it be better to cooperate?”
And, as she spoke, Shizuku tightened her grip on his hand.
“Just today, you’ve helped me so much, Ur-sama. I want to repay you.”
“No, I think I was the one who got help…”
Her grip was strong, and her eyes shone with gratitude, almost teary.
“Well, fine.”
After a moment of contemplation, Ur gave in. Rationally speaking, teaming up with a talented magician who could use healing magic was definitely a plus.
“Well, for now… for now…”
“For now?”
There were things he needed to check and do, but for now—
“Let’s exchange the magic stones we got from those boars and get some food. And I need to buy shoes.”
He needed new shoes before his socks, already repaired many times, finally gave out.
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