We were surprised when we went up to the forty-first level. First of all, the temperature inside the labyrinth had dropped.
　That's why the heat-resistant tool we were going to have made yesterday was no longer needed, and we didn't waste any magic stones.
　It's a good idea to prepare for a situation where you might need them immediately, and just in case you have to leave your magic stones with Paula and Dolan, but it looks like the magic stones will be used by Golem-sama.


'So, I know that Kefin's squad will be escorting me. I've been wanting to ask you for a while now, didn't you disappear in the Adventurer's Guild? How did you do that?

　I was really curious about the shapeshifting jutsu that determined the ninjutsu of the manga world.

''........I heard that's called a ninjutsu.
　Another reincarnation here? Let's explore.

'Why the questioning system if you're using it? Is that ninjutsu a skill?

'Yes, sir. There was a man who had reached Yenis before, and he was a wreck and had no money. But he moved by muffling his footsteps, or made it look like there was something in the middle of nowhere, or turned into a beast when he should have been a man of the human race.
　I guess his skill level gradually increased.

'I hired him in the organization because I thought his abilities would make my job easier. Then he was taught ninjutsu, and one day he died in this labyrinth.

"? What do you mean?

I told you about the guys on the 30th level, but I think they did it.

'There may not be any bodies left if you die in the labyrinth, but there's a chance you could be alive, right?

No, the guys I was exploring with never came back, except for two of them, and they died the day after they got back.
They said they were killed before they died, so I'm sure of it.

　You haven't decided if you're a reincarnate yet. Calm down. I didn't think you'd be so upset to hear that a stranger had died.

"...when did that happen? And what's that guy's name?

It was about two years ago now, about the same age as Master S-class. I don't know if he was lying or not, but he said his name was Hattori.

　........well, it's no use thinking about it. But still, ninjutsu... can I learn it too?
Can I remember that?

''Yeah but if you're going to teach me, you'll have to do me a favor. I know I'm deviating from the slave's ranks, but here it is.

I'm just going to ask. So don't get out of a fighting stance. You're in a dangerous situation, so keep your eyes open for anything that might come up.

''I'm sorry. I'd like you to take me on a journey with S-class-sama if you can. I don't mind being a slave for the rest of my life.
　Kefin said, then bowed his head again and looked forward.

''Well I have a long way to go before I leave. Well, I'll think about it.''
　Kefin didn't know if he was nervous or happy because his ears were standing on end, but he seemed to be fired up.

　Two Fire Bears and a Fire Saber Tiger appeared after that, but while Paula held the two Fire Bears down with her golem, the seven crime slaves launched a coordinated suicide attack on the Fire Saber Tiger, taking it down despite its wounds.

　The two Fire Bears were turned into magical stones by the giant golem controlled by Paula, who held the Fire Bear in one arm each and tightened it up with a bearhug, turning it into a magical stone.
　I felt like I could gradually read Paula's character in that father gag-like treatment. But first, he decided to call on Kefin and the others to recover and labor.

''Forty levels is enough of a partnership, isn't it?''
　After they had fully recovered from the area middle heel, they gave me a subtle look when I re-hung the area barrier and said so again, but Kefin said just one word.
''I'll do my best.''
　I let Paula take the two Firebears and I put the Fire Tiger Saber magic stone in my magic bag.

　After that, we walked through several branches and finished our search in two hours, covering 40 layers in five hundred meters square.

''What do you think? Can we still explore?
　I decided that Lionel, Ketty, and Kefin could do it in response to my question.
　Indeed, the search party was only grazed, so they must be fine.

　We stepped into the forty-two levels, and it was here that the first treasure chest appeared.



　He called out to us that he had found the treasure chest that Keti's team had discovered just before the end of the forty-two level search.
''Master, there's a treasure chest, Nya! I want you to open it.
Why would I open it?
　Then Bardell of Keti's squad answered the question.
'The treasure in the labyrinth depends on the person who opens it. The traps must be released, but what's inside is the luck of the person who opens it.
'I've never heard of it before. Then I'll tell you when Lionel's squad joins us.

　Ten minutes later, I met up with Lionel and the others and went to the room where Keti's team found the treasure chest and opened it.

　And what came out...?
...What is this?

　It was a scarlet ball that wasn't transparent.
　You're going to be able to get the best out of it.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

'Unfortunately, it wasn't a magic book or equipment. That's right. It's just fine, and we'll have lunch a little early.

　I told them and we decided to have lunch. I asked Dolan and Paula what that was while we were eating, and it was something that made my mouth grin involuntarily.


　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to find the right one.

''.........it might not be good.''
　I was nearby, and I picked up on the muttering.

What's wrong with it? You mean it's hard to capture? Or will there be a stronger enemy?
　Lionel shook his face and replied.
''........I was thinking of the worst case scenario. It would be fine if we were simply chasing after them, but if we're not good, the party could have been wiped out...''

...What do you mean by that?

''Today is the third day of the attack and you are advancing too blindly. This is not the way to advance in the unknown realm of forty levels. Besides.........it's doubtful that we have that much combat power in the first place, including that Shaza and his entourage.

'Could it be that I just led you to it and Shazza isn't there?
No, you're not. We've seen many horse tracks at the entrance to the labyrinth. Lord Jasun told me that no adventurers come to the labyrinth on horseback. From that, I'm sure they are there...

"...then let's go back to the 40th level. It'll take us an hour to get back, right? There's a big difference between resting here and resting on forty levels, right?
　Sure, going to help is an option, but that's not what I care about.
　My life and the lives of Lionel and the others are important.
　It may sound strange, but I didn't think it would be right to go to the rescue by weighing their lives against everyone else's.

　In the end, they obeyed me and occupied the boss's room on the 40th floor, and with few words, they nourished their spirits for tomorrow's search.


　Everyone woke up early the next day.

　As I took my meal, I felt a little excited that they were willing to think and move so much for the adventurers.

'Let's go to the forty-fifth level, just so we don't get distracted by the fact that we're going as a group!
"Yes.

　In an hour, we came to the point where we turned back yesterday, but we still didn't see anyone.

　Even after exploring the forty-five, forty-six, and forty-seven floors, there was still no sign of Lord Jasuan and the others.

''In the end, the only thing we got today was that bracelet?
　At the forty-seventh level where I was exploring just now, I found a second treasure chest, and what came out when I opened it was an arm band, but in the end I didn't know what it was, so I put it away in my magic bag.
　I tried to get the appraisal skill before, but it was 100 SP, so I gave up quickly.

I want to talk to everyone. Do you want to go one more level? Or do you want to come back tomorrow?
Overall, you don't seem to be tired physically or mentally.
I'm not even hungry yet.
''S-class master, we don't need to sleep for two or three days. I'd rather not go before the 50th level boss, but we can go until then.
　Lionel, Ketty and Kefin's voices followed and the others seemed to be fine.

'All right. We'll move on then. But as I said before, safety first.



　Thus we proceeded to the forty-eight levels and finally found the squad that was ahead of us.