Me and Snow had come to the front of the labyrinth when we lost our guild work because we had been overstretched from the first day.

　Snow said he was going to spend the day looking at the sky, so I forced him to come with me. I've been told by Palinkron to work in pairs as much as possible.

''Well. It's time to capture the labyrinth.
...... hmmm, it's a pain in the ass.
'Snow, I hear this is part of the guild's job. We've been told by Palinkron to extend the 'right path' or defeat the guardians (guardians).
...... There's no set deadline, so let's just flush it out, shall we?
'I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm going to flush it out at random, but I'm not going to take it seriously. Basically, I'm going to hunt for treasure in the labyrinth while hunting easy monsters.
...... What is an easy monster for Kanami could be a troublesome monster for me.
'No, really Snow, you can just let it slide. I'm going to do most of this on my own. I'll just watch in the back.

　She convinces Snow to skip out on her mouth.
　To be honest, I don't expect too much from her, who smells like things. However, she does have a minimal sense of responsibility, so if I'm in danger, she'll take care of it. She's an insurance policy in case things get out of hand, so to speak.

'......, just looking?　That's good. Then that's good.
Yes, good. We'll be off then.


[Party members joined by Snow Walker]
　The party leader is Aikawa Uzumi.


　I enter the labyrinth with Snow.

　As we pass through the entrance, we find ourselves in a damp, dark corridor.
　The rawness of the corridor and the unique luminescence of the path make me feel nostalgic.

　I was back in the labyrinth again.
　That fact shook my mind.
　For some reason, just with that 'fire' in between, the labyrinth had turned into something terribly nostalgic.

'...... Kanami, what's wrong?'

　Snow wondered when I had stopped, and called out to me.

'No, it's nothing. Let's go.
...... Yeah.

　I shake off the disturbing emotions and move forward.

　It should be an easy path to the 23rd layer, as the 'positive path' extends to the 23rd layer.
　I remember going to the 24th layer, I believe ......, before, and the last thing I remember is exploring on the 24th layer becoming too hard and leveling up on the 19th layer.

　But my last memory was snatched up like an old black and white photo.
　The key points are blackened and I can't dig up my memories well.
　Perhaps due to the shock of the 'fire', my memory of the area is very vague.

　However, I can't whine about it.
　I decided that it was probably because of the stress of getting lost in another world, so I pulled myself together and decided on a plan for today's labyrinth search.

　By the way, Snow's level is 16.
　She's two levels higher than me, and in terms of status, she's not much different from me.
　But when it comes to endurance, he's probably a few levels higher than me.
　The spells I've mastered are abundant, and I have no idea what they are.


【Status】
　Name: Snow Walker HP530/533 MP229/240 Class: Scout
　Level 16.
　Strength 10.22 Strength 10.02 Skill 5.24 Speed 5.43 Wisdom 7.92 Magic 10.86 Elemental 2.62
　Inherent skill: dragon blessing 1.09 Optimal action 1.89 Ancient magic 2.04
　　　　　　　Mind's Eye 1.07 Fresh Blood Magic 1.00
　Acquired Skill


　My goal is to resume leveling up at layer 19 and set up the Connection at layer 20.

　Due to the fire, all of my Connections have been unregistered.
　Thanks to that, I had to start at the first level.
　It's a pain in the ass, but it can't be helped. I'll try to get to the 20th level as soon as possible.

　However, it's a different story when we find the boss monster in Dimension.
　For the sake of strength and the special magic stones that would be dropped, there was no way to miss this one.
　I heard that returning rare items to the guild would be good for the members.

　Without a doubt, the two of us proceeded deeper into the labyrinth while searching for the boss.

...... hmm?

　Along the way, Dimension, which was spread out within the range of its naturally recovering MP, captured the boss monster with luck.
　Since it wasn't too far away, I'm going to go get its head.

　The closer we get to the boss monster's area, the more the corridor gradually transforms.
　A strange smell began to fill the corridor and my eyes and nose began to hurt.

　Thinking that the environment in this area is not good for my body, I quicken my steps.
　However, Snow behind me seems to be fine. I've heard that Snow is a race of dragon-newts, and that they are many times more durable than humans. It seems that they are a race that is resistant to this kind of bad environment.

　As I proceeded deeper into the area, I found a deformed giant with cloudy green skin.
　I immediately 'gaze' at it and obtain information.


[Monster] Goblin Lord: rank 3.


　The area around me is crawling with monsters that seem to be part of my family, but I don't care as I make my way towards the Goblin Road.

　The smaller goblins in my family are attacking me.
　However, all of them are decapitated without touching me.

　The eyes of the first layer of monsters will not be able to understand that I am wielding a sword.
　I intercepted my subordinates and approached the goblin lord.

　The battle was instantaneous. The moment the Goblin Lord was about to swing the club in his hand down at me, its neck and torso were separated.

　After picking up the magical stones dropped by the Goblin Lord, which are disappearing into light, Snow and I leave the area when we are done with our business. On the way, Snow was also attacked by goblins, but I'm relieved to see that he was able to intercept them with his bare hands in good time.

　After all, they seem to do it on their own as long as you take them out.
　It reeks of things, but it's not eager to die.

　I return to a safe area and analyze the results of the previous battle.

　I wonder why I didn't pick up a "title".
　If you defeat the boss, you will be able to see that you have picked up a "title".
　But I didn't get it in the current fight. I'm trying to remember if I've defeated a goblin lord before - shakily, my head hurts.

　As I recall, on the day I decided to go after the boss for the first time, I hunted a total of three bosses.
　I think there was a giant goblin among them .......

　I have a feeling (・・・・).
　It was like a fog in my head.

　Apparently, my memory is fuzzy these days.
　I'm sure it's due to the tension in the other world, but it still makes me uneasy.
　Maybe I should talk to someone around Palinkron when I get back.

　Realizing that the boss monster I defeated was covered, I sigh and head for the second level. On the way, I 'gaze' at the magic stone that the Goblin Lord dropped.


[Foolish Green Stone]
　A magic stone with the power of a foolish tyrannical king


　Unlike normal magic stones, there is no rank.
　It's a simple explanation, but it can be inferred that this is a unique drop that can only be obtained from that monster.

　It's a shame about the 'title', but it will make you feel better if you think of it as a souvenir for the guild.
　The guild's blacksmiths and craftsmen are always coveting these kinds of magic stones.
　Probably, they would be happy to see it.

　I walk up to the second level, thinking that it wouldn't be a bad idea to defeat the boss monster I'm wearing for the guild.

　And before I reach the third level, I find another boss.
　It seems that with my current level of Dimension, I can find as many bosses as I want with one hand.

　I said no to Snow and then went to hunt for the boss again.

　However, I can't just randomly hunt down the bosses I find.
　You also need to consider the location of other searchers.
　Once the boss is defeated, it will take some time for it to reappear.
　If I, as a high level player, hunt all the bosses and cause trouble for other searchers, it will give the guild a bad name.

　As much as possible, I must try to defeat only those bosses that the other searchers aren't after.

　Of course, there is no struggle.
　With my ability, up to 20 layers of bosses should be no problem.

　I defeated the giant fish boss as lightly as I reaped the wheat.


[I've earned the title 'Water Streams'
　A correction of +0.05 is added to your strength.


　This time it looks like he wasn't covered.
　I confirm the acquisition of the "title" in "Display".
　Although I can't see my status (・・・・・・・・) (・・・・・・), the text "+0.05 correction to strength" makes my cheeks relax.

　Casually, I take a look at Snow's status.
　She doesn't have a correction on her. However, since we were a party, the experience was firmly distributed.

　Perhaps the 'title' is a benefit only to me, a person from another world.

　With a little bit of disappointment, I head further into the depths of the labyrinth.

　I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do.
　However, I'm sure the opportunities to go through the shallow levels should become fewer and fewer from now on, so I'll try to defeat the bosses as much as possible.

　After repeating the same process at the 3rd, 4th and 5th layers, I found a party of searchers at the Dimension.

　It was a party of three searchers, a mixture of men and women.
　However, all three are slow and their expressions are not good.
　I switch the "Dimension" to "Dimension Multiple" for a little while to pick up their detailed information and "watch" them.

　All three of them were level 5.
　Furthermore, he could see that they were a well-balanced party that was worthy of the fifth level.
　However, their condition was poor. All of them have been poisoned and their HP is in the danger zone. There were no other explorers around, and if this situation continued, it could develop into the worst possible situation.

　I hurriedly run out to the party of three to get to them.
　Snow looks curiously behind me, but I follow silently.

　-- I'm not going to abandon them.

　Unless we don't have the strength to spare, but that's not the case.
　If you're not mentally capable of rescuing them, or if you don't have the mental capacity to do so, you won't go to their aid. But right now I'm fortunate enough to be one of the best people in the world, and my sister, who is more important than life, is being treated in a safe place.

　There's plenty of power to spare. Then it's only natural to help people within your reach.
　And it was also estimated that helping people might improve the reputation of the guild.

　I arrive at the party with one of the fastest speeds in human history.
　Upon arrival, I introduce myself.

''--I'm Kanami of the guild 'Epic Seeker'. I have no hostile intent. I was allowed to approach you at a distance, as I thought you were in a less-than-ideal state.

　The three men and women revealed their wariness at my sudden appearance.
　However, I think their expressions softened a little bit when I told them my guild name.

　The swordsman man, who seems to be the leader of the guild, steps forward and speaks to me.

''Haha, haha--....... We don't belong to a guild. I'm the party leader, Kalk. As you can see, I'm not in good shape. We're all affected by the poison. And frankly, we need help. Of course, when we get back to earth, we will thank you.
All right, I understand the situation. But don't worry, sir. I have plenty of things to help you recover.

　As I answer, I pretend to pull many items out of my 'belongings', pretending to pull them out of the bag I have on my hip.

'Oh, oh ......!　Thank you ......!
We have a full range of antidotes. We have a simple restorative and some food. Can you calm down and tell us what happened to you when you were poisoned?　I will treat you with an appropriate antidote.
Okay. ......

　If there was a Palinclone who could use sacred magic, recovery would be easy, but both me and Snow could only use attack or auxiliary magic.
　I used the items I had stored in my 'possessions' for these situations to heal the three of us.

　The party leader seemed to understand how cooperative I was, and he was cooperative as well.
　Within a few minutes, all three of them recover from the dangerous situation.

'Thank you ...... for the help. Thank you, Kanami-dono of 'Epic Seeker' ......
No, when you're in trouble, you're in trouble.

　I responded with conventional words.
　However, the three of them were probably overwhelmed by the fact that their lives were saved, and they kept repeating their gratitude over and over again.

Thank you, Kanami: ......

　The woman who lowered her sword thanked me with tears in her eyes.
　I know how you feel.
　Dying from poison is a horrible, mind-numbing thing to do.

　I smile and congratulate them on their safety.

'Yes, I'm so happy for you: ......
'So, Mister Kanami. I'd like to thank you for your help: ....... I don't have anything for you at the moment, so I'm going to bring you back to earth--
'I don't mind that. We haven't done much.

　It was about to become a thank-you note, so I immediately declined.
　To be honest, there's no way I'm going to get the money that's added to the amount of items I have now.

No, but ......, as a competitor, I can't afford not to return anything ......
You're welcome. I'm from the guild. If you feel indebted to the guild 'Epic Seeker', and if you have the opportunity to spread the story of 'Epic Seeker' to others in a positive way, there is no better way to thank me.

　So I'll try to promote it.
　This is the kind of groundwork a new guildmaster needs to do. ...... maybe.

'Oh, right. ....... I'm really sorry. Biggest thanks to Kanami-dono, and to the guild 'Epic Seeker': .......
'Yes, that's all I need to know. Our interests are aligned, thank you very much.

　With that, I left the party of three.

　They waved to us until they were out of sight. But I want them to stop in the labyrinth. It's a lot of trouble for me to get caught off guard by a monster because I was looking out for something else.

　And when they are out of sight, Snow comes out of the shadows and takes a breath.

'...... style.'
Snow, why were you hiding?
...... was a pain in the ass.
'Oh, yes ......'

　I knew that I didn't have to ask, but I just had to get confirmation.
　It turns out my prediction was correct and I move my feet to move deeper into the labyrinth.

　Behind me, a questioning voice comes up.

'...... Why didn't you get a thank you for that?　You'd better take what you can get.
'There's no point in thanking me. It's better to make it work for the guild.
'But just because it's good for the guild doesn't mean it's good for Kanami.
I didn't do it just for me. It's for everyone in the guild. And in the long run, it's ultimately good for me, too.
...... haha, sweet. I knew it was sweet.
I'm not naive. Call me a good investor. I'm not fooling around with that kind of charity.
...... I doubt if those people really feel indebted to you. Even if they did feel it, they might forget about it tomorrow. If you just look at the numbers that seem realistic, Kanami has lost some of the items, but he hasn't gotten anything back. She's gained nothing.
I'm not a physical person. Now I have the possibility of gaining something tangible and important. That's all I need.
"'Long term', 'formless objects', 'possibilities'. None of them are fuzzy.

　He's biting off more than he can chew. It's not like Snow.
　I thought about it and tried to take more time to explain, but then Snow stopped talking.

'You can go to ......, but if that's what you want Kanami, fine.'

　Maybe he sensed that I was about to start a long conversation and discontinued it.
　But I think I've learned a bit more about Snow from our current series of conversations.

Oh, that's fine by me. --I've lost time. Let's move on.

　And then we resume the progress of the labyrinth.
　On the way, we defeated the bosses just like before, and got the magic stone. The number of searchers decreased as the layers got deeper, and we didn't have any events like the three person party we had just seen, and we successfully reached the 10th layer. Although we fought about three bosses on the way, we were able to defeat them without consuming HP and MP.


[The title 'Thousand Year Shell' has been acquired.
　A correction of +0.05 is added to your strength.
You have earned the title "The March of the Feather
　Speed is corrected by +0.05
He earned the title "The One Who Sips Sick Water.
　Magical power +0.05 correction


　We enter the tenth layer and we are surprised at how bleak it is.

'Huh?　There's nothing there: ......
...... Not long ago, it was a sea of flames. Apparently, it's true that ten layers of guardians (guardians) died.
'Really?　If that's true, that's great. Defeating a guardian (guardian) is 'heroic', isn't it? I wonder what kind of person defeated him: ......?

　Even with my limited knowledge, I know the greatness of the beings known as guardians.
　It's a legendary presence that has become the narrative of explorers, a boss that even the strongest explorers were unable to defeat in the past.

'...... It's certainly amazing. But it's probably Kanami anyway, in my opinion.
What?　Me?
'...... Nothing. Just talking to myself.
No, for a soliloquy, you made me listen to you.
...... It's too much trouble any more. Let's move on.
...... haha. Okay,

　I nodded reluctantly.
　Snow says aloud, "It's a bother," and the conversation doesn't go any further.
　We worked together yesterday and it's in my bones.
　So I didn't pursue it. The content, perhaps, but it would lead to a conversation about memories of the first day. It's not a story I want to hear over and over again.

　We walk through ten layers of nothingness.

　The former blazing fire is no longer in shadow or shape - and the emptiness is even stronger because of the drop.
　That magnificent and noble flame will never return.
　The emptiness was enough to make me think so.

　It's none of my business .......
　For some reason, it's very sad .......

"--Magic [Connection]

　Set up a magic door in the corner of the room.
　Then, cover it with a protective colored cloth from the 'belongings' to keep it out of sight.

...... is this dimensional magic?
Yeah. This will get us to the guild office.
...... but doesn't that mean other explorers can use it?
Mm, sure. Okay, I'll tell you what. --Magic.

　I use freeze magic to gently freeze the door.

　The Connection is fragile and easily broken.
　Normally, there's no way to freeze it. However, I, who built the Connection, had a perfect grasp of its structure, so it was possible to freeze it without breaking it.

　Since I wove the magic with a different image than the normal "Ice", it might be better to call it the new magic "Ice Lock (Lock)" if anything.

'...... Frozen?'
If you try to force it to dissolve, the door will break. The only person who can use this door to melt it is me, the magician. --I guess you could call it the Ice Lock.
'...... weird name. But it's better than nothing?
Ten levels of doors aren't very practical anyway. Let's set up the door on level 20. There's no way the average seeker can get there, so we can set it up without worrying about it.
...... Maybe this is a good break for today?
No. I'm coming, Snow.
...... Mmm.

　We told Snow, who was foolishly trying to tell us, and we went further into the labyrinth.