The sun was still high in the sky. If the roads in this town strictly followed the cardinal directions, it had likely passed its zenith and drifted slightly to the west. It was probably just after noon.
First, I headed out to the main street. I crossed the road and entered the second building on the right: the Explorer Guild.
So, "Explorer" really was a job class.
I used Appraisal on a random person inside; they were an Explorer, Level 17. The man was currently placing some luggage on the counter. I wondered if joining the guild was a prerequisite for becoming an Explorer.
The interior resembled a small-town post office, with a counter set a short distance from the entrance. Various notices were posted on the wall facing the street. There were only a few people inside the building.
"I’d like to sell these, please."
"Right, we’re buying."
An employee was dealing with a customer across the counter. It seemed this was the place to sell items.
In any case, information gathering came first. I headed toward a board covered in notices, keeping my ears open as I went. I hoped to find a guide or something similar.
...I couldn't read a word of it.
There was text everywhere, but I had no idea what it said.
My Intelligence Card used kanji, but it seemed the script used by the Explorer Guild was different. Was the guild special, or was the Intelligence Card the outlier?
"Hey, can't read it?"
Someone called out to me. It was a girl who looked to be about my age. Appraisal showed her as a Villager, Level 2. Actually, we weren't just close in age—we were exactly the same.
"Yeah," I admitted.
"I can read it for you. Ten Nahl for six minutes."
I see. A professional reader. In a world with low literacy rates, I suppose this kind of part-time job was common.
"I'll take you up on that."
I swung my backpack down and fished ten copper coins out of my drawstring bag. I wasn't sure if ten Nahl for six minutes was a high or low rate, but since it required a specialized skill like literacy, it was probably higher than manual labor.
I still had my 30% Discount skill equipped, but it didn't seem to be having any effect here.
"Here you go."
At the counter, an employee was handing money to the Explorer. Based on their conversation, I couldn't tell what had been sold or for how much. They were being discreet. Handing over large sums of money in public was a good way to get targeted, after all.
I handed the ten Nahl to the girl. I didn't hire her just because she was a girl—if information about this world was available, I needed to get my hands on it by any means necessary. Besides, Roxanne was much cuter anyway. I couldn't tell much about the girl’s figure through her baggy clothes, so Roxanne definitely won in the chest department too.
"Alright, until the sand in this glass runs out. Got it?"
She showed me an hourglass attached to her belt and flipped it over. She seemed surprisingly professional about it. I wouldn't have been shocked if the hourglass only ran for five minutes, but even if I complained, she’d probably just claim that five minutes of Earth time equaled six minutes in this world.
"Understood."
"Is there anything specific you’re looking for?" she asked.
Even with her asking, I had no idea what kind of information would even be on this board.
"Let’s see. What's written here in general?"
"First is information on the Labyrinths. The one at the top is the Quratar Labyrinth. It’s been explored up to the eleventh floor. The first floor has Kobolds, the second has Naive Olives, the third has..."
To be honest, none of it meant much to me yet.
"Is there information on the local Labyrinth?"
She stretched her arm out, running her finger over the posters one by one.
"Let’s see... doesn't look like it's up yet," she answered after finishing her search.
Well, they had said it was only just discovered.
"What else is there?"
"This side is job recruitment for Explorers."
The slave trader had mentioned that it was difficult for strangers to form parties, but it appeared they did recruit publicly. However, I suspected the conditions were probably terrible.
"What kind of jobs are we talking about?"
"What kind are you looking for?"
"Just read them from the top."
"The Knight Order of Marquis Negiruba, Level 70 or higher, primarily transport duties, details upon interview. This is just a hauling job for old people."
I still didn't quite get it. It didn't sound like they were looking for party members at all.
"Next?"
"The Warrior Order of Viscount Kustoff, transport duties. It's all stuff like this."
"Hmm."
I compared the top poster with the bottom one. I assumed the recurring characters meant "transport duties." This script... I didn't understand it at all.
While I was lost in thought, the six minutes ran out.
"Time’s up. What now? You done?"
The sand in the hourglass had finished falling.
"Thanks. That was helpful."
"See ya then."
She waved at me, and I left the guild. To be blunt, it hadn't been very helpful at all. I probably would have gained more if I’d spent those six minutes asking her to teach me the alphabet. Then again, that was her trade secret, so I didn't know if she’d agree. Besides, I wasn't going to learn to read in six minutes anyway.
I headed toward the center of town. Right now, securing a place to sleep was more important than anything else. I walked toward the inn the slave trader had recommended. He’d said it was to the southwest, on the far side of the Knight Order station.
That building must be it. Apparently, it was a safe, high-security inn run by some guild. Since it was right in the heart of town, I suspected the rates would be steep. But you couldn't put a price on safety. I was currently carrying thirty-three gold coins; I couldn't risk staying in some sketchy dive.
I stepped inside. It wasn't exactly a luxury hotel, but it was tidy and well-maintained. Several tables were set out in what looked like a lobby-slash-restaurant area. They were all empty. It probably wasn't the right time for guests to be around, and it seemed this world didn't have a widespread habit of eating lunch.
"Welcome."
As I approached the counter, a voice called out from the back. A man in his thirties emerged; his job was listed as Innkeeper, Level 28. So there was even an Innkeeper job. Come to think of it, Alan had mentioned an Innkeeper Guild.
The man was dressed in rough, casual clothes similar to mine. Apparently, this wasn't an especially high-class establishment. Given my budget, that was a relief.
"Do you take long-term stays?"
"Planning on heading into the Labyrinth?"
I wondered how he knew that immediately. Then I realized—a newcomer with two weapons hanging off him asking for a long-term stay was obviously here for the Labyrinth. Since one had just been found, the town was likely seeing an influx of people like me. Peak season was about to begin. I hoped there were still rooms.
"That's right."
"Do you want a private room or a shared one?"
"Private."
So they had shared rooms too. It sounded like the cheap communal lodgings of the Edo period. Given the cultural level of this world, that made sense. But for the sake of my own safety, sharing a room with strangers was out of the question.
"What grade of room?"
"Just a standard one. Nothing too expensive."
"How about dinner? You can order it separately, but it's cheaper if you bundle it. Lodgings run by the Innkeeper Guild take pride in their food. A meal that would cost you over a hundred Nahl elsewhere is only sixty if it's included in the room rate. Of course, if you want to go hunt for something cheaper, that’s your business."
It seemed I had already been flagged as a stingy customer. I considered my options. I doubted I’d be able to stomach the lowest-tier food this world had to offer, and I was from Japan.
"I'll take the dinner option, then."
It would be a pain to search for cheap places to eat every night. The convenience of being able to eat at the inn after a long day was worth it.
"We’re an Innkeeper Guild house. We’ll need to check your Intelligence Card, if that’s alright."
"I don't mind."
It was a security measure to keep out troublemakers. Intelligence Cards were certainly versatile for that kind of thing.
"Good."
"Just curious, are Thieves the only ones you turn away?"
"Who else would there be?"
"No... fair enough."
It seemed slaves and nobles were both welcome.
"Oh, right. Among demi-humans, they’re called Bandits, and among Beast-kin, they’re Pirates. Also, there are rumors that a Thief who commits enough atrocities becomes a Feral Thief. Not that I’ve ever seen one. Those are all banned too, obviously."
"I see."
So Thieves had advanced classes too.
"The cheapest private room is 260 Nahl, plus 60 for dinner. Let’s see... since you’re staying long-term and you seem like a decent sort, I can give it to you for 224 Nahl a night. Payment is in advance, but you can pay day-by-day if you like."
Lodging and dinner totaled 320 Nahl. Subtracting 30% made it 224. My discount skill was working perfectly.
"Understood."
I took off my backpack and pulled out my drawstring bag.
"Meals are served in the dining hall next to the entrance. Breakfast is included in the lodging fee. Officially, it starts thirty minutes after sunrise, though we usually open a bit earlier. Dinner starts in the evening, and last order is thirty minutes after sunset. We’re strict about the time for that one—if you’re late, you don't eat. And don't forget, the dining hall lights are only lit for two hours after sunset."
"Got it."
I placed four silver coins and forty-eight copper coins on the counter. It felt a little petty, but since I could choose the number of days, it was better to keep the intervals short while I felt things out. Since there was always the risk of losing my entire bag, I paid for an extra day just in case.
The innkeeper counted the coins.
"Two days' worth. Received. Now, give me your arm."
"Sure."
"Flowing spirits’ will, rhythmic pulse of wisdom’s tune, Intelligence Card, Open."
I extended my left hand toward the man. This was much more efficient than having to sign a guest book.
"Is this right?"
"Yeah. Michio Kaga."
My Intelligence Card had my name written in kanji; I wondered if he could tell that Kaga was my surname.
"That's it."
"Still a Villager, huh? Well, keep at it."
"Thanks."
"I'll show you to your room. Follow me."
The man stepped out from behind the counter. He didn't offer to carry my backpack.
"Understood."
I followed him up two flights of stairs. It seemed my room was on the third floor.
"If you're going into the Labyrinth, we can buy ingredients from you here. I can't take huge quantities, but I need a steady supply for the menu."
"Good to know."
"If you want hot water to wash up, let us know when you get back. It's twenty Nahl. I’ll bring it to your room after dinner and collect the basin in the morning. If you need a lantern, the rental is ten Nahl. It comes with about an hour's worth of oil. You can add your own oil if you want, but just make sure you don't start a fire."
"I'll be careful."
We arrived just as he finished the explanation. The man unlocked the door.
"Here you go."
"Oh."
The room was a long, single-room studio about ten tatami mats in size. There was a closet right next to the entrance, a bed in the middle, and a desk and chair further back. On the wall past the chair was a wooden window.
It wasn't a bad room at all. It was far better than the room at the Village Chief’s house, even if that one had been free.
"The shelf at the bottom of the closet has a lock, and the walls are built with Shielding Cement, but don't leave your valuables lying around. Managing your belongings is your responsibility. An employee will come in once a day to clean. If you have laundry, you can negotiate with them then. Please leave the key at the desk when you go out. This is room 311."
The innkeeper showed me the key and placed it on the closet.
"Got it."
"Well then, enjoy your stay."
The man left. I sat down on the bed. It wasn't especially soft, but it wasn't hard either. It was a decent bed.
I took off my backpack and unpacked. It should be fine to leave my jersey in the room. The Village Chief had called it valuable, but it wasn't something I’d be devastated to lose. The same went for the leather boots, which had a low resale value anyway.
I hesitated between the scimitar and the copper sword before leaving the copper sword in the closet. The scimitar was a one-handed weapon, while the copper sword was two-handed. Since I had a background in kendo, the two-handed sword would be easier to use, but I was going to use Durandal in actual combat anyway. For just carrying around town, the lighter scimitar was more comfortable.
I put my things away and locked the closet, tucking the key into my backpack. I also put the Thief's Bandana and my two money pouches in the pack.
I checked the room key. There was something written on it—likely the room number. The two vertical lines... was that a "one"? My Intelligence Card used Arabic numerals, but this script was different. It looked similar to the characters I’d seen on the posters at the Explorer Guild. I suppose this was the standard script for this world.
Well, there was no sense in just sitting around. I might as well check out the Labyrinth. I stood up and shouldered my pack.
I dropped off the room key and left the inn. After a quick look through the market, I followed the road to the castle gate. Just as I’d suspected, there were no guards there either. I passed through the gate and headed toward the forest. They’d said the Labyrinth was just inside the treeline.
I walked along the edge of the fields. Just before reaching the forest, a black wall suddenly appeared on a tree to my left.
What was that?
As I watched, people began emerging from the wall. Six of them in total. Was that Movement Magic? It was incredible—I definitely wanted to try it myself.
Oh! There was a Mage. A real Mage! I used Appraisal on the six of them and found one person with the Mage job. They really did exist. I wondered if this group was a party.
"This way."
"Understood."
When an Adventurer in the group spoke, a Knight nodded, and they headed into the forest. He seemed pretty full of himself, considering the Knight had the lowest level of the bunch.
I followed the direction they went and found a small mound of earth slightly off the path. The same kind of black wall was attached to the mound. Was that the entrance to the Labyrinth? It looked less like a mound and more like a dirt igloo. It was as if a piece of the underground had just poked its head out.
Someone was standing near the entrance—an Explorer. He was talking to the group of six.
"How far have you made it?"
"Only to the second floor. It was only just discovered, after all."
"What about the monsters?"
"Floor one is Needle Woods. Floor two is Green Caterpillars."
The one standing at the entrance was the Explorer answering the questions.
"What shall we do?"
"Starting from the first floor is fine," the Knight directed.
As I thought, the Knight seemed to be the leader of that party. The six of them approached the black wall and vanished inside. Just as I expected, that was the way in.
I suppose it's my turn.
I concentrated and thought, Character Reset. I set my discount to zero and equipped Weapon VI. Of my two remaining bonus points, I put one into Chant Shortening. Trying to recite long incantations in the middle of a fight sounded like a nightmare.
When I selected Chant Shortening, the skill display updated to Chant Omission. So that was how the progression worked. I was relieved the next step wasn't something like "10% Reduction."
I put the final point into Critical Rate Increase. When I selected it, the skill changed to Critical Rate Increase 10%. So this one only gave a 10% boost. It would probably max out at 30%. A rather subtle number.
I finished the configuration. I tucked Durandal into my waist and approached the entrance. Perhaps because I’d made an effort to ignore him, the Explorer at the entrance didn't say anything to me.
With a mix of trepidation and excitement, I stepped into the black wall. I passed through it without resistance and headed inside.