When the sun was setting, I stopped reading and asked the attendant for directions.
I was reading a book in the library, and there were a few people asking the attendant for directions here and there. I followed them and got the information without being particularly suspicious.
It was only a few hours of reading, but it really did yield a lot.
I was able to learn the basics from the books that were written about history, and I was able to figure out the occupations and lives of the people from technical and modern books. Most importantly, since this was the library of a labyrinth city, there was a lot of information about adventurers and labyrinths and other things.
I followed the path that the library attendant told me about and reached the facility called the Redemption Center.
I take out a leather bag from my 'belongings' and lower it to my waist so that no one can see me.
From the information in the library, I couldn't confirm the existence of a system such as 'Display' or 'Belongings'. Since this system is most likely unique to me, I'm going to hide its existence and act on it.
Once inside, the place resembled an antique shop in my world.
Cluttered and scattered with old and junk-like items. In the midst of it all, I find a small, overweight man who seems to be the owner of the store and call out to him.
'Um. ....... I've got a little bit of it, but can you exchange it for some money ......?
He begins to negotiate in polite terms.
At first, I thought about negotiating to avoid getting licked, but then the thought crossed my mind.
The goal is to redeem the money, but I want to gather additional information if possible.
Basically, I'm not going to take any unnecessary risks.
"Hmm, good. Let's see.
Yes, sir.
The owner was immediately responsive.
I don't think there's anything odd about his attitude.
First, all the tenth-ranked magic stones from the 'belongings' - a total of twelve, pretending to take them out of the leather bag lowered behind them, and spread them out on the counter in front of the shopkeeper.
''Ah, magic stones from the shallow end. One copper coin, uniformly.
...... Okay, I get it. Please.
I didn't want to negotiate from the beginning, but when I heard the phrase "a flat rate", I answered immediately.
Here, twelve coppers. Do you have a certificate?
...... No, no, no.
Then put it on your finger and press it.
The shopkeeper said, pointing to what looked like black red ink.
I was surprised to be told it was a certificate, but apparently it wasn't required. I said, "I wonder what year A.D. fingerprints have been in use in my world? While thinking what a strange thought, I put my thumbprint on the paper I was instructed to do as I was told.
''So you were going to the labyrinth without a certificate, are you from a foreign country?''
Maybe he was suspicious of my awkwardness.
The proprietor of the store snorted and asked me.
'Yes. Or rather, this is my first time in the labyrinth itself. I heard a rumor about the labyrinth and came from a far away country.'
Oh. You never did this before? Pretty good. Where are you from?
It's pretty good, apparently, but it's distressing because it's all I stole from the corpse.
However, the conversation isn't bad, so I decide to take advantage of it. I'll choose a safe one from the information I got from the library.
Let's set my hometown in a distant land.
It's also a minor country in a distant country - I think it was 'Fania'.
It's pretty far away. It's called Fania, do you know what it's called?
A fancier. I don't know much about it, but I know where it is. Well, that's a long way from home. What's a little bit of a place called Fania?
Do you have time for the odd bite?
I think I'll cut to the chase before the rag comes out.
'Oh no, there's nothing in particular! For that matter, do you have any suggestions on where we can stay today?
Hmm, a place to stay. The Hoosiers have public accommodations. It's just expensive. Though there aren't any cheap places to stay at Hoosiers to begin with.
Is that so?
This Hoozeyers seems to be a rather expensive country, but it was something I had dimly predicted based on the stories of the guards in front of the labyrinth.
'From the looks of it, it looks like they chose to enter the country at random. Fuzzyards is the best looking country, so anyone who doesn't know much about the labyrinth will enter this country first. It's a good-looking and safe country, but the price of everything is high for that. It's aristocracy-centric and doesn't claim to be a knightly state.
I see. ......
It's a coincidence that I got into Hoosiers.
But it seems to be a country with sharp advantages and disadvantages.
It's a country for the rich, by the rich.
To be honest, unless you have a lot of money to spare, it's hard to explore the labyrinth in Hoosiers. "Honestly, unless you have some money to spare, it's difficult to find a place to live in the maze. That's why the only people who stay in this place are high-level, high-earning labyrinth explorers and adventurers.
'Is it that far? ....... By the way, how much more do you charge for accommodation compared to other countries?
We're way beyond that. It's several times more than in the neighbouring countries. Everywhere you stay in Hoosiers, it usually costs hundreds if it's a copper coin.
'Soooo, hundreds of copies ......!
'It's a country of guys who seem to carry gold coins around casually. Unfortunately, if you don't have any money, you'll have to camp out in a place where there is no 'magic stone line' today, and then go east to 'Virtue' tomorrow. The country is a little bit unsafe, but it's a good place to explore the maze. There must have been a place where you could stay for a few coppers.
I'd rather not camp out in the field.
I'm sure you'll be able to meet the runaway condition of that "?" skill. s runaway condition is bound to be met.
Even if it's only a matter of time, I don't know what will happen if I build up any more stress. Although that thing is helping me, I have a feeling that it's not something that can be repeated often.
Furthermore, there's also the fact that I don't have a firm grasp of the 'magic stone line' (line). From the way the shopkeeper speaks, it seems that even if you are going to stay in the field, you must avoid it. In the library literature, it was referred to as 'the jewel line that transmits magic power', but we don't know much more than that.
--meaning that you can't be too generous with your money today.
I'm going to bet on the conscience of the shopkeeper, who is somehow taking care of me as a beginner.
'Well, um, well, then, could you look at all your belongings? I'd like to know how much it's going to cost: ......
Hmm, there's more. Let's see them all for now.
Yes ......
Afterwards, I walked out of the store and took out a large sword and other items from my 'belongings'. I tried to boast that an acquaintance of mine had kept them for me, but I was still suspicious. However, they did not ask me about it.
Perhaps there are magic and tools similar to the 'possessions' system in this world.
Thus, after leaving only the bare minimum and converting everything that could be turned into gold--
◆◆◆◆◆
【Possessions】
Levant silver coins Levant coppers, iron knives, dried meat, bags of water, anthelmintics, oil, lighters, smartphones, pebbles, branches.
Currently, my 'possessions' contain about 10 silver coins worth 100 copper coins.
The great sword that was named and the giant wolf magic stone, these two alone were worth 9 silver coins.
Now that I have an idea of where to stay in Hoosiers, I'm on my way to Hoosiers on foot after the shopkeeper tells me about a cheap place to stay in Hoosiers.
It doesn't take long before I arrive at the old inn, which is nothing to write home about.
I proudly went to the front desk (or something like that) to check in and rented a room.
Since dinner and breakfast were included, I immediately went to the dining room.
Meals are in the form of a Viking, there were many unique dishes. As for the etiquette and unspoken rules, we shamelessly asked a nearby waitress. Thanks to the Hoosier's Inn, they were very polite and helpful.
...... Honestly, the dinner was bad.
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get away with it, but it's a far cry from my world. I'm not a fan of rice, but milled grains, potatoes, and oddly hard bread. I'm not going to be able to get any more safe food, I told myself, and stuffed it in my stomach.
--It's a good idea to have a good time with them.
It was a simple room.
It's not exactly clean by my standards.
I'm sure you'll find that this is one of the best parts of the world.
I felt a slight dizziness from that fact, so I took a deep breath so as not to disturb my spirit.
'Fufu......'
I collapse onto the hard bed provided.
Without thinking, I reach out with my hands.
It was my first rest of the day.
It's been a long day so far. It's been a really long time, but I can finally rest.
'Oh, ......'
Hence, I lose my mind.
Suddenly, my thoughts wandered off in a 'normal' direction.
-- everything about the day is wrong if you think normally.
There are countless questions.
And questions need to be answered before they can be settled.
What the hell is going on .......
What am I doing?
I wake up in a labyrinth, attacked by monsters, magic, and a world that's like an RPG ......?
I'm a fool. I bled, I almost died. I nearly flayed myself from a corpse. I didn't give it another thought, just kept struggling to stay alive.
But it doesn't make sense. I don't understand. What is this world? Where is my world? Where is my family? I don't have parents, but I do have a "sister. Did I just disappear from the other side? Is my sister all alone in that house?
Then I have to get home early. I have to get up early and make breakfast for two in that room. I can't wait to get out of this false world. It's sickening that there's such a thing as a 'display' in the first place. It makes me nauseous. What kind of treatment does that do to your retinas? Think about it scientifically. A system that reflects my thoughts on status, like a game. I don't know how much I have to play with my brain to do that. I'm scared, too scared. Obviously, I can speak the language with foreign people. It's an uncomfortable feeling, like watching a Hollywood movie dubbed in Japanese. Impossible things are there with impossible convenience. Oh, it's weird. What do you want me to do? Don't be silly, don't be silly - I'm going to throw up. I can't even take a hot shower. Why not? Oh, God, I'm sick of this. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh--!
A skill? ?" is out of control.
I'll stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotional support.
There is a +1.00 correction to disruption.
The announcement is 'displayed'.
My burning head was instantly quenched.
'Oh, ......'
I've done it again.
--but (...), I have no choice (・・・・).
The skill '??' I'll give up on that, as the skill '??' leads.
Putting aside what you've done, the only thing you can do now is to figure out the current situation and take countermeasures.
We'll do our best.
Repeatedly doing so is the only thing I can do for now.
Then I think it's important to take a good rest for now.
Let's take a break ....... Anyway, let's take a break. .......
If you die, it's worthless .......
There's nothing to get back......, no......--
And I fall asleep like a mudflake, trying to rest my exhausted brain.
I fall to the bottom of the pitch black slush.
There is no room for dreams at all.
I was enveloped in a black, unsettling darkness.
It's a few hours in time.
But in terms of sensation, it's only a few seconds.
I'm falling into such a sleep, and...
◆◆◆◆◆
Let's get up!
Then, in the middle of that sleep, I was knocked awake.
All the air in his lungs is forced out.
The bottom of my stomach is crushed and I awaken to consciousness with pain.
I open my eyelids and identify the owner of the voice.
The symbol of the unreal to me was there.
'I've got something good for you, wake up!
The owner of the voice was a creepy girl he encountered in the labyrinth.
As I recall, her name was Rastiara.
She was not dressed in the armor I saw in the labyrinth, but in a rough white silk outfit.
It seems that this girl Rustyala, who had been sleeping, has pushed me to the gut.
It's hard to understand the suddenness of the event. However, perhaps because understanding was nowhere to be caught up in the first place - I was able to talk to her calmly.
'This is my room: ......
At any rate, I'll blame you for trespassing.
By the way, I don't know if there are any such laws in this world.
'Oh, oh ....... That's amazing. I'm not surprised that this is the situation: ......
'I'm surprised. I just haven't been able to keep up with my thoughts.
I treat girls who seem younger than me with respect.
It's partly because they are unknown, but also because I know that the probability of her being an upper-class young lady is high due to the labyrinth.
'I see. No, I was wondering if you are in trouble. You were still at level 1 and hadn't been able to level up.
Rastiara talks to me in a fun way.
Its joyful eyes are terrifying.
Her eyes, which are about the size of a ping-pong ball, have an alien quality that resembles a deep-sea fish. Her two eyes, which may or may not be in focus, make me feel terribly uneasy.
'...... You're the one who can see the levels, aren't you?'
I respond to it in a matter-of-fact way.
By the way, I understand that the concept of levels is common in this world. In the books I read in the library, there were descriptions of levels and statuses in many places. And it was written that only the chosen people could see the details of levels and so on.
However, it was described as someone who was 'religiously' chosen by God, which left me uneasy.
'Yes, "Aikawa Kanami". In this world (・・・・・・), the lucky ones have those skills. And then there are also those who are deeply religious who get it after a long period of training. Priests who are in charge of leveling up in public institutions, churches, etc. are the latter. By the way, I'm the former.
Rastiala speaks what I want to know like it's nothing.
He takes it for granted that I am unfamiliar with this world.
And I used the expression "in this world" as normal.
It takes my breath away with surprise.
I choose my words carefully and do the best I can.
'I didn't know that: ....... Thank you. I don't know what you want though. I don't even know what you're getting at, and I'd like to call someone to get rid of you .......
'What? Wait, wait, wait for it! You're in trouble. I'm here to help you. I'm here with good intentions to help you digest the experience you've accumulated!
Raising his hands in overreaction, Rustyala expresses his good intentions.
'No thank you. I've checked with the library about the levels and I know where the church is.'
I coldly deny it.
I want to refrain from doing that to such a suspicious person.
For me, the event of leveling up is very important.
Both in practical terms and in terms of my love for the game.
'Yeah, yeah: ......'
Rastiara's shoulders slump at my response.
'So, please leave.
Normally. More like this: ....... There's not much of a reaction. Oh, come on, it's already .......
Rustyala mutters in a teasing manner.
Apparently, my response was unplanned for her.
Still, I firmly and silently urge her to leave. In response, Rustyala looked up and looked at me as if she had decided on something.
''Good. Then shall I force you to do it?
It was the best smile I've seen all day.
I look into those eyes.
They are nothing like the first impression I had.
I can only be in awe of those deep golden eyes.
Scary. I could only think of her as 'a monster in human skin'.
No matter how much emotionally, no matter how much you try to move that beautiful face, you can't feel any human warmth in her eyes. They have cold eyes, like a reptile that is hunting its prey.
Cowering in fear, I get up from the bed with all my might and try to move.
In response, the action Rustyala took was chanting.
With a small wave of his hand like a conductor, he chants his magic.
In the meantime, I head for the exit at a glance.
Since there's nothing to be gained by confronting this guy, the intervention of a third party is preferable. The first thing I have to do is get out of the room.
Then, I reach the exit of the room and put my hand on the doorknob-like protrusion of its door - I don't move.
It doesn't move in the slightest.
The door is frozen like 'magic' and the doorknob is glowing a light purple color.
I shout for help, banging hard on the door.
'Duh, someone--!
It's soundproofed, so that's fine, but I'm going to ask you to be quiet.
Before I knew it, Rustyala had come up behind me and was stroking my throat from behind.
I quickly brushed that hand away. But I notice that I'm beginning to glow a light purple color from my throat to my mouth. I feel a chill at the fact that the same kind of magic as the doorknob has been cast on my throat.
''--?
My throat doesn't quiver.
Rustyala confirms this and reaches out again for the hand that stroked my throat.
I resolve myself and take that wrist. I put some effort into it, intending to twist it up to Rastiara's back.
-- A moment later, I'm thrown into the air.
I can see the top of Rastiara's head below. Then I understand. I had been thrown to the ground, my hand taking my wrist in the opposite direction.
It's not the physical strength of a girl who would weigh less than 50 kilos.
My head, which is cooling rapidly, spins fully and concentrates on taking a passive position. The thought was aided by the mindset that I had decided that no matter what happened, it wouldn't be a surprise.
He passed the edge of the ceiling and was knocked to the floor.
Luckily, he was grounded by both feet and his right hand - but the impact was immeasurable. As his face contorts in shock and pain, Rustyala is right in front of him.
He took out a knife from his 'belongings' and held it up.
For a little while, Rustyala looked surprised. However, he immediately smiles and reaches out his hand as if nothing happened.
In contrast, I was unable to move.
My conscience put the brakes on the act of cutting the girl with the knife.
I know you're thinking something naive, so I just pretend to cut her down with a knife and take out a water bag from my possessions with my free hand to try to distract her.
As a result of the fact that this is not a good idea, it's a very good idea to be able to have a good time. Then, in a frighteningly fast motion, the knife in his hand is flipped and his leg is swept away.
I'm not going to be able to get my head held down and a spell is cast.
The moment you feel a light purple glow in your brain, your body stops moving at all.
Hmmm. It's amazing what you can do with your passivity and judgment. It's suddenly unbelievable that you're level 1 with this.''
I was not at all toothless, but to Rustyala, it seemed to be worthy of admiration.
He continues to talk with a look of heartfelt surprise.
''Is this what you call 'the number that doesn't appear in the numbers'? Well, wow, wow. The strength and speed are about a tenth of mine, so how can you passive that thing you just did? Magic is also very difficult to pass, it's terrifying.
Maybe it's the light purple magic, but I can't respond to anything.
If my body doesn't move, I can't swear.
I can only feel anxious about this situation.
'Don't worry so much. Believe it or not, I really don't have any bad intentions. I'm just going to level up. No, really.
While saying that, Rastiara got on my back, which I couldn't move while crawling, and took out an old-looking book from her pocket.
''Let's see, the chanting for leveling up is, let's see, ....... "'Thou shalt cut up and save--'
Rastiala begins to chant, and a white light leaks out of our bodies.
'-'-It is in me, it is in you,' he says. ...... Maybe that's it.
Soon the magic was over.
If Rastiara didn't lie to me, this would mean that my level had risen.
''Since you're my 'candidate' of importance, I can't have you wandering around at a joke level of level 1. If your status is low, you'll die in a huff for some reason or another, so I didn't feel bad about it. But with this, I'm relieved for the time being.
Rastiara wipes his sweatless forehead and approaches the window of his room as if his work is done.
I'm going to take my leave now, since all these scary people are looking for me with their eyes and ears. Oh, don't worry, you'll be able to move around sooner or later. Okay then.
With those last words, Rustyala flew away from the window.
By the way, my body remains motionless.
I check my own status while looking away from Rastiara, who left like a storm.