Chapter 48: CH 33

Clashing together were two opposing and conflicting elements — the strained atmosphere and the calm tone of the speaking. 

In the middle of this meal where it didn’t feel like any food could be easily swallowed, a conversation, or rather, an interrogation began.

The content was to confirm the facts presented in the Dive Report, as well as matters relating to the Lich, matters the Adventurer’s Guild Guildmaster, Joe, was interested in. 

<But, I just can’t believe it. Even a Lich can be dominated. It sounded like it was activated by piercing the magic core with the tip of the sword… Is that right, Rowe?>

<That is true. In fact, when I was being carried to the surface, it was the Lich that brought me to the 14th Floor shortcut.>

<Perhaps that girl can even control a Labyrinth Boss?>

<This is my personal opinion, but it’s probably impossible. Because the Labyrinth Boss doesn’t have a magic core.>

That was correct. 

After defeating the Labyrinth Boss, nothing remains. Only the path leading to the deepest part of the labyrinth — the passageway to the labyrinth core will open. 

<Hmm, I see……>

Joe then asked a few questions about Yuika’s abilities.

What was the maximum number of monsters that could be controlled?

<I don’t know the exact amount, but as far as I can tell, I think about 10. If there’s more than that, they will become rampant.>

How long could they be used for?

<……Well, who knows. After all, she was exploring the labyrinth while constantly changing monsters.>

Were there any other restrictions?

<I’m a Sherpa, right? Skill analysis is the work of the Adventurer’s Guild. There was no time to think about unnecessary things while exploring the labyrinth. All I did was give directions and look after myself.>

Rowe answered smoothly.

<Well, that’s true.>

In the bushes, Berry smirked.

As Yuika’s lover — though she still hadn’t recognised it — there was no way Rowe would openly disclose her information. While staying calm and not giving his opponents room for doubt, he was able to give a vague report. 

After that, the topic shifted to Rowe’s personal circumstances.

The questioner was Gima, the old woman from the Sherpa Guild.

<Rowe boy. I know you’re staying at your current job for your sister.>

<…>

Rowe, who had been answering without hesitation, fell silent.

<With your skill, even without crossing such a dangerous bridge, you’d still be able to make enough to eat. The reason why you entrust your precious little sister to someone else and risk that much danger to dive in the labyrinth is because you have some goal, am I wrong?>

Rowe’s “skill” referred to his passive Gift of [Stamina Recovery]. And it was true that for physical jobs such as transporting luggage, he could without a doubt, work many times more than the average person. 

Baramon nodded. 

<That’s right, you’re still young. From what I’ve read from the Dive Report, if you are truly an excellent individual, it wouldn’t be strange if you had one or two ambitions. And if you are a man–>

He took a breath, to emphasise his own words. 

<–then you should never let a chance go.>

<…A chance, huh?>

<That’s right. You don’t seem to realise it yet, but it’s a big deal for someone without money or status to be able to connect with someone wielding power like me. You could say that it’s a turning point in your life. Whether a relationship, a business, or a marriage, there are often things in the world that you can’t grasp until you stand on that stage.>

<Social class, right?>

<If that’s what people are calling it, that’s exactly it.>

There was a metallic clank, and the sound of chewing. 

<……Hm. This sauce is excellent.>

The meal progressed in silence for a while, and eventually Rowe answered.

<Unfortunately, I don’t have the ambition to live up to all your expectations. I just want to live in a good place and have a good life.>

<From where you stand, I don’t think that’s as easy as you make it sound.>

<Yes. To achieve that, I need money.>

<This kid is good at business. He’s saved up a good bit.>

To Gima’s teasing, Rowe let out a sigh.

<For now, it looks like you’ve achieved your goal, but when you think about the future, it’s not enough, isn’t it?>

<Speaking of which, you’ve been like this for a long time…>

Joe sounded like he had a wry smile.

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<Do you know, Baramon? When he was an Adventurer, he was called the ‘Labyrinth Feeder’.>

<Oh. Isn’t that a rather grand nickname?>

Until a few years ago, in the shallow layers of Tyros Labyrinth, a certain Floor Boss was wandering around. 

Known as the Owl Bear, as the name suggested, it was a monster with a head of an owl and the body of a bear. 

Its characteristics were a body covered with stiff feathers and a tough body. It also had sharp claws. Moreover, it had the troublesome  species-specific Gift [Physical Recovery]. 

The problem was the floor where this monster appeared.

The 13th Floor――

Because the shortcut connected to the 14th Floor, most intermediate Adventurers started their exploration from the 14th Floor.  

In short, the ones with the highest possibility of encountering the Owl Bear were beginner Adventurers. 

Its spawn point was unknown. Moreover, it was a monster that roamed the labyrinth.

With its high defence and Gift of [Physical Recovery], it was disadvantageous to fight it in drawn-out battles.

In fact, many beginner Adventurers became sacrifices to the Owl Bear, and the 13th Floor came to be called the Death Floor. 

<Even for an Adventurer’s Guild, it finally became a situation we couldn’t overlook. A subjugation request was issued, but… there were few people that accepted. The drop items of the Owl Bear were feathers that could more or less be only used for quills, and it’s magic core wasn’t that big. Finding and defeating them also took time. All in all — unappetising prey.>

It meant that hard work put in would not be rewarded.

<The saviour who appeared at that time was Rowe.>

The reward for the Adventurer’s Guild’s subjugation request was, to put it bluntly, cheap. However, that was because the reward for success had to be split among the members in the party, so for those exploring the labyrinth individually, it was a little better. 

<The Guild too, wasn’t able to provide compensation that could satisfy intermediate Adventurers, and there was a possibility that beginner Adventurers would have the tables turned on them. That’s why I decided to sign an exclusive contract with him. Thanks to that, the death rate of beginner Adventurers was greatly reduced.>

The respawn period of the Floor Boss was about half a month. 

Using the Dungeon Oasis on the 14th Floor as a base, Rowe explored the 13th Floor and repeatedly hunted the Owl Bear. 

It took about 3 years to figure out its spawn point. After that, to change the flow of the magic particles, one part of a passageway was sealed, and the Owl Bears no longer appeared. 

<That’s why you got the nickname “Labyrinth Feeder”, huh.>

Baramon groaned.

<Yeah, that’s exactly how. Heartless Adventurers criticized Rowe. That he was obstructing the exploration of beginner Adventurers and monopolizing the goods on that Floor. But he didn’t deny that. Do you know why, Baramon?>

<Well, not at all.>　

<It’s simple. Because we paid him money to shut his mouth.>

Joe laughed mischievously.

<Even as an Adventurer’s Guild, it’s not good for our reputation if other people find out that we relay requests to a specific Adventurer. Besides, we also didn’t want beginner Adventurers to avoid the 13th Floor. That’s why I decided to give him just a little bit more to keep quiet. And he gladly accepted. In short — for money.>

Berii thought otherwise.

Rowe had been hunting in the 13th Floor to obtain the rare drop item from the rare Silver Plates, ‘Heavy Silver’.

The reason was “just because” or in other words, “because it was interesting”.

Actions that ordinary people couldn’t understand were intuitively understood by fellow Adventurers.

<……Rowe. You are someone who won’t hesitate having to tarnish your own name for money. Am I wrong?>

Rowe neither confirmed nor denied the old man’s question.

After taking a deep breath, he said in a relaxed tone.

<It seems that I was invited to an outrageous meeting.>

<What do you mean?>

Rowe answered Baramon’s question without hesitation.

<You want me to do something, right? To protect this town.>

“…Huhu.”

Baramon laughed.

His low-pitched laughter grew louder and deeper, echoing through the room.

<Gima. Isn’t this a young man who gets what people are trying to talk about? He’s also fearless, I like him.>

<Because among all those easygoing people from my side, his personality alone is different.>

Suddenly, a soft bell could be heard ringing.

A waiter immediately came into the room and cleaned up the table.

When it was quiet again, Baramonu resumed the conversation.

<–Well then. From now on, it’s time to talk about work. Of course, I hope you don’t speak of this to anyone else.>

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