"We will take these into our care, then."
The two female shop clerks followed the man, cradling the rabbit pelts in their arms.
"Thank you very much."
The female clerk behind us also bowed her head slowly. It seemed she wouldn't be accompanying them to the back; she remained in her model-like stance instead. Her bow was so deep it could only be described as a profound salutation.
Despite me not being a buyer today, her attitude remained impeccably polite. I wondered if selling rabbit pelts earned me the same treatment as a high-spending customer.
I didn't think explorers or adventurers—people who did such grimy, violent work—frequented a shop as upscale as this. The clerk had mentioned that rabbit pelt coats were popular among noblewomen, so for a high-end boutique in the Imperial Capital, the typical clientele likely consisted of high-born ladies.
There wasn't much point in being so formal with people like us, but I wasn't about to complain.
While there were fabrics on display throughout the shop, finished garments were scarce. It was likely an establishment centered on made-to-order commissions.
As I surveyed the interior, the male clerk returned, carrying a tray laden with coins.
"Thank you for waiting. We are purchasing the rabbit pelts at twenty Nahl each. Since you brought such a significant quantity, we have applied a special service to the transaction today."
There were many silver coins piled on the tray.
He called it a special service, but I knew it was just my thirty-percent price increase skill taking effect.
I swept the coins into a pouch with practiced ease and tucked it into my rucksack. In a shop like this, it felt uncouth to count every single coin in front of them. Their service was professional; I felt I should show them a measure of trust.
Selling three hundred pelts at twenty Nahl each came to six thousand. With the thirty-percent boost, the total was seven thousand eight hundred. At a glance, there were roughly eighty silver coins. Everything seemed correct.
"Payment received."
"Since you are capable of securing such a vast number of pelts, sir... would you happen to have any rabbit meat as well?"
The male clerk spoke up just as I was finishing the transaction.
"Rabbit meat?"
"It is not for the shop's inventory. I require it for my own personal use. If you have some, I would be very interested in purchasing it from you."
"Rabbit meat is a drop from the Slow Rabbit boss," Roxanne interjected, providing the necessary information.
So it was a boss drop. If that were the case, it made sense that an explorer selling pelts might have some.
"Unfortunately, I don't have any on me."
"Is that so?"
The clerk’s shoulders slumped in visible disappointment. Was it really that big of a deal?
"Ah... well, I don't think it would be impossible for me to get some."
Seeing the man look so utterly dejected, I couldn't help but offer a bit of hope.
"Truly? You would do that?"
"Y-yeah."
"In that case, could I trouble you for one or two portions of rabbit meat by tomorrow?" the clerk asked, his eyes practically gleaming.
The Quratar Labyrinth had documented maps, so finding the boss shouldn't be an issue. I hadn't cleared the 7th floor yet, but it was within my capabilities.
I had been entering the Quratar Labyrinth early in the morning specifically to farm pelts. My progress on the 7th floor of the Vale Labyrinth had stalled because the Escape Goats were such a nuisance to hunt.
Shifting the schedule around wouldn't hurt. Facing a boss on the Quratar 7th floor wouldn't be particularly dangerous if I stayed focused.
"All right. I'll do it."
"Thank you! You've saved my face. I am a merchant by trade, and we do not possess the Item Box skill. If I cannot procure the meat within a very short window, it will spoil."
Food items wouldn't rot inside an Item Box, but as he said, he was a merchant and lacked the skill.
Since he worked at a shop that bought rabbit pelts, he probably received requests for the meat quite often. However, a customer happening to have fresh boss meat on the exact day someone wanted it was a rare coincidence.
Perhaps that was why the staff had been so strangely polite—they were fishing for a supplier.
It felt like a heavy responsibility now. If I failed to bring the meat, the fallout might be awkward.
A bit anxious, I returned home to drop off our things and then headed straight for the Quratar Labyrinth, map in hand. I wanted to confirm I could actually secure the meat today so I wouldn't be scrambling tomorrow morning.
"Does it look crowded?" I asked.
"Not especially. There are more people than at dawn, but if we head a bit deeper, it should be empty enough to use magic without being seen."
"Forget the magic for now. Just take me to the boss."
I warped to the small room at the entrance of the 7th floor and handed the map to Roxanne. While I had scouted this floor briefly while hunting Slow Rabbits, the map only showed a simplified route from the entrance to the boss room. It was better to start from the beginning.
The crowds were thin enough. As long as I fought with Durandal, we wouldn't have any trouble. I decided that the Quratar 7th floor would be my go-to spot for MP recovery from now on.
We even had enough leeway for me to finish off a few stragglers with magic along the way.
"The boss room is just ahead," Roxanne whispered. "It sounds like someone is already there."
"Got it."
I put away my cane—my mage weapon—and entered the waiting room. While it wasn't exclusively for mages, it would look odd for a Monk to be wielding a staff in a two-person party.
There were six people in the waiting room.
As expected for this time of day, there was a bit of a queue. It had been the right call to keep Durandal hidden; it was too fine a weapon to show off to strangers.
The boss room doors swung open, and five of the people went inside. One man remained behind. I had assumed they were a party of six, but apparently not.
The lone man was an explorer.
I caught him stealing a glance at Roxanne's chest.
I get it, young man. I really do.
But unfortunately for you, she’s mine.
"Just the two of you?" the man asked.
"Yeah. Are you alone?"
If he had tried to hit on her, I might have considered turning him into a whetstone for Durandal, but since he was just making conversation, I was willing to be civil.
"I am. I've been saving up to hire party members, but it’s been slow going. My funds seem to vanish as fast as I earn them."
By "hiring," he likely meant buying slaves. So that really was the standard for solo explorers—common enough to be used as small talk in a waiting room.
Still, I wondered if he should be so cavalier about it. What would a slave think, hearing themselves talked about like a commodity?
Then again, perhaps I didn't look like a master and Roxanne didn't look like a slave to him.
A beauty like Roxanne wouldn't likely belong to a plain guy like me.
Wait. This guy...
Unforgivable.
Truly unpardonable.
He was a dead man.
"W-well, I'm sure it’s tough for everyone," I said, suppressing my annoyance.
"It is. When you're alone, monster-filled rooms are terrifying. Even if there’s a clear path, I hesitate to enter other labyrinths."
"That’s understandable."
If a solo explorer blundered into a room packed with monsters, it was game over. Since Quratar was so popular, rooms rarely stayed full for long, which made it safer.
However, Quratar charged an entry fee. Paying that every time made it hard to save money. It was a vicious cycle.
"It’s been over two years since I reached the 7th floor," he continued. "My Item Box capacity finally increased, and I leveled up recently, so I figured I’d take this chance to finally move up to the next floor."
"I see. Good luck."
"Thanks. I think I’ll finally be able to afford my first companion soon. Once I have help, my luck is bound to change. I’m going to start looking as soon as this fight is over."
The explorer offered a faint smile and stepped through the doors into the boss room.
Two years on the 7th floor. He must have been a ten-year veteran of the labyrinths. The world of explorers was a grueling one.
His business didn't really concern me, but I found myself hoping he’d make it. The fact that he hadn't stared too long at Roxanne suggested he was a decent enough sort.
While waiting for his fight to finish, another party arrived behind us.
Eventually, the boss room doors creaked open, signaling the end of the encounter.
"Alright. Let's go."
"Yes, Master."
I drew Durandal and stepped inside. Waiting in the center of the room was a rabbit with deep reddish fur. A Rapid Rabbit, Level 7. The floor boss.
It was a rare pattern—the boss was already there, waiting for us. Usually, they manifested after you entered.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
As soon as Roxanne entered and the doors sealed shut, the Rapid Rabbit lunged. It was a blur of motion.
Fast.
The creature closed the distance with terrifying speed. Because of its red color, it almost felt like it was moving at three times the speed of a normal monster.
I barely managed to bring Durandal up in a defensive stance.
The Rapid Rabbit kicked off the floor, pivoting instantly. Without losing an inch of momentum, it made a ninety-degree turn and darted to my left.
I swung Durandal, but the blade met only air.
The rabbit corrected its course and headed straight for Roxanne. At the last second, it leaped, aiming for her throat.
Roxanne shifted her head a fraction of an inch, letting the monster sail harmlessly past.
Heh, naive. Roxanne’s movements were far superior. In fact, she might actually be faster than the Rapid Rabbit.
The monster spun around and charged me again. I tried to time my strike to its tackle. I thought I had it, but the creature slipped right under my guard. Another miss.
"Dammit, stay still!"
The Rapid Rabbit came at me again. I noticed a set of leather armor lying on the floor just to the right of its path. Assuming the monster would dodge it and swerve left, I aimed my strike there.
Combat is about reading the next two or three moves.
Predicting its trajectory, I swung Durandal down.
The boss took the exact path I expected, but at the final millisecond, it jerked to the side, avoiding the blade entirely. Maintaining its velocity, it slammed into my side.
"Gugh!"
A dull pain flared in my ribs. I'd taken the full force of the tackle. I gritted my teeth, ignoring the impact to track the monster’s next move.
Not yet. I'm not done yet.
The Rapid Rabbit lunged at Roxanne again. It feinted with a quick sideways hop before pouncing.
Roxanne swayed back, letting the charge miss by a hair, and then swatted it away with the flat of her scimitar.
I see. So that was the timing. Or rather, that was "her" timing. It was a level of reflexes I couldn't hope to match.
But I had my own tricks. I was about to prove that a difference in raw speed wasn't the deciding factor in a fight.
The Rapid Rabbit targeted me once more, charging with everything it had.
I drew the monster in, waiting until it was inches away, and then activated the skill: Overwhelming.
In an instant, the Rapid Rabbit’s world slowed down.
I can see you.
I stepped calmly out of its path and circled behind it. I brought Durandal down with a heavy blow, sending the creature tumbling across the floor.
The boss scrambled up and tried to charge again. I met it with another burst of Overwhelming. The Rapid Rabbit hit the floor and didn't get back up. It was over.
The monster dissolved into a cloud of black smoke, leaving a hunk of meat behind.
Rabbit meat. We actually got it.
"Superb work, Master," Roxanne praised, retrieving the drop.
"Thanks."
"Its movements were so swift I nearly lost sight of it myself."
She said "nearly," which meant she had seen it perfectly clearly from the start. What I could only see by cheating with a skill, she saw with her natural eyes.
"I didn't know equipment dropped in boss rooms," I remarked, looking around.
In addition to the leather armor, there were leather gloves and boots scattered about. I also found a copper sword. It wasn't worth much, but it was a nice bit of extra income. I stowed them all in my Item Box.
"Um... Master? I believe those belonged to the previous party."
"What?"
"The boss was already here when we entered, remember?"
Now that she mentioned it, the boss hadn't manifested for us; it was already waiting.
I had thought it was just a rare spawn pattern, but it was much darker than that. The boss had killed the previous party and remained in the room, waiting for the next victims.
In other words, the armor and the sword belonged to the explorer I had just spoken to.
The man had been killed by the Rapid Rabbit.
Finally, I scanned the room with Appraisal to see if there was anything else left. I found a Black Magic Crystal. This likely belonged to him as well.
He had said he was finally ready to get his first companion. He probably had a green or yellow crystal he’d been working on. That was likely in his Item Box. Equipment remained in the room after death, but the contents of an Item Box vanished with the owner.
If he had been holding it, I could have recovered it.
But if he’d been aiming for green or yellow, there was no point in holding it. He might have even sold it already. If he had, the gold coins would be gone too.
"To find a Black Magic Crystal as well... you truly are remarkable, Master."
"It was just luck."
"Black Magic Crystals do not glow, so they are incredibly difficult to find."
That made sense. They didn't emit light like the others.
Finding one in a dim labyrinth with the naked eye would be a nightmare. I wondered how many I had walked past without knowing. This time, I only found it because Appraisal flagged it.
Perhaps I should use Appraisal periodically even in empty rooms.
Then again, I couldn't just stand around Appraising everything. I’d look like a fool if I found nothing. Balancing efficiency was difficult.
Now, the question was what to do with this crystal.
"Since it’s a Black Magic Crystal, I guess I should just keep it and let it soak up mana?"
"Um, Master? Magic crystals can be merged."
"Merged?"
"Yes. If you press two crystals together, they fuse into one quite easily."
"I see. Does it lose any mana in the process?"
"No, it is perfectly safe."
I wanted to keep a spare, but I was curious to try it. A Black Magic Crystal was only worth ten Nahl, so it was a cheap experiment.
I pulled the Green Magic Crystal from my rucksack. It gave off a faint, steady glow—enough to be seen easily.
The final stage was white, which presumably glowed even brighter. That would certainly make them easier to find.
I held the green crystal in my right palm and the black one in my left, then pressed them together. The black crystal sank into the green one without any resistance. As I pushed, it glided inside like it was made of liquid.
It actually felt quite good.
The resistance was perfect—not too hard, but not so soft that it felt like nothing. It was like popping bubble wrap. It was a bit addictive.
"And there we go."
The black crystal disappeared entirely, leaving a single green one.
Since the black crystal held less than ten kills worth of mana, it hadn't been enough to change the color of the green crystal, which held over ten thousand.
I tucked the crystal away and we exited the boss room, moving up to the 8th floor.
"I smell Needle Wood," Roxanne said, ears perking up. "This way."
"Ah, wait. Let's stop here. We'll fight on the 8th floor another time."
I stopped her before she could track them down.
The 8th floor was home to Needle Wood, but I just wasn't in the mood to fight them yet. We hadn't even cleared the 7th floor in Vale.
"I understand."
"The boss room here is probably getting crowded again anyway. We can come back at dawn. Let's head to Vale for the rest of the day."
"As you wish."
I didn't want to risk another encounter with the Rapid Rabbit so soon. I was making excuses to delay it.
Still, I couldn't just idle. We moved to the Vale Labyrinth and continued our exploration.
We didn't make much progress. I went through the motions, but my heart wasn't in it. My motivation had evaporated.
I decided to call it a day a little early.
Just a little. I didn't want to look weak in front of Roxanne.
That night, I sought her with a desperate intensity.
As if I needed proof that I was still alive.
That was when I finally realized how much that explorer's death was weighing on me.
I had killed plenty of thieves with my own hands. I knew the labyrinth was a dangerous place.
A lethal place.
A place where life was cheap.
But until today, that had only been abstract knowledge. Having a man I had just shared a laugh with die so close to me had shaken me more than I wanted to admit. Seeing his empty gear on the floor had made the danger impossible to ignore.
The way he had smiled as he walked to his death... how could I be sure that wouldn't be me tomorrow?
How could I know there wasn't a timeline where I was the one on the floor and he was the one walking away?
He had cleared the 6th floor. He had spent two years on the 7th, building up his strength and confidence before challenging the boss.
There wasn't that much difference between us. It wouldn't have been strange for our roles to be reversed.
The thought didn't bother me while I was in the heat of battle, but the longer I sat with it, the more it haunted me. I knew if I didn't tire myself out, I wouldn't be able to sleep. Once the house went quiet, the thoughts would take over.
I realized just how thin the ice was beneath my feet.
Just how perilous the labyrinth truly was.
How I lived every moment right on the edge of the abyss.
And I realized the nature of my circumstances—that I had no choice but to keep walking that thin ice.
I didn't know what Roxanne thought of me that night. Maybe she saw through me, or maybe I seemed the same as always. She simply accepted me with her usual, quiet tenderness.
I suppose I had always been intense with her.
I sought her until my body was spent, and only then did I allow my consciousness to slip away.
In the morning, I sought her again, starting with a deep, lingering kiss. Our tongues tangled until they felt like a single entity. I let myself drown in her kindness.
Just like always.
"Good morning, Roxanne."
"Good morning, Master."
"Let's head to Quratar this morning to hunt Slow Rabbits. They sell for a good price, after all. We'll take down the boss once or twice as well."
"Understood."
I still felt a bit of lingering lethargy, but I couldn't avoid the labyrinth forever.
I forced myself out of bed.
The man I met yesterday was dead. That was a fact. And yes, that might be me tomorrow.
But looking at it logically, the only way to be safer was to enter the labyrinth and level up.
If I didn't defeat monsters, I would remain weak. If I kept fighting, I would grow stronger.
I had the benefit of XP-boosting skills.
The labyrinth was dangerous, but in the long run, avoiding it was even more dangerous.
If I made an excuse today, I'd make another one tomorrow. If I didn't go today, I wouldn't go tomorrow. If I didn't go tomorrow, I wouldn't go the day after.
That’s why I have to go.
To enter the labyrinth the day after tomorrow, I have to go tomorrow. And to go tomorrow, I have to go today.
The fear was real, but it was purely psychological.
They say anyone can walk across a rope if it’s lying on the grass, but put that same rope a hundred feet in the air, and it becomes nearly impossible.
Physically, there is no difference.
The difference is entirely in the mind.
Even if the labyrinth is a tightrope, if I can convince myself I'm just walking on a rope in the grass, I can do it.
It might be a delusion, but it’s the only way to move forward.
With Roxanne leading the way, we hunted Slow Rabbits.
When it came down to actual combat, they weren't difficult opponents. They never had been. I knew that.
I felt no threat to my life.
And statistically, there probably wasn't one.
Whether it was a Slow Rabbit or a Mino, the danger was manageable. Higher floors would have more lethal threats, but as long as I didn't rush ahead, I would be fine.
We faced the Rapid Rabbit boss again as well.
It was strong, sure, but with Overwhelming, it was no match for me.
When it died, it dissolved into smoke, leaving behind a piece of meat. It wasn't even a rare drop; it seemed to be a standard item for the boss.
"That’s the second one. The clerk only asked for one or two, so this should be enough."
"Yes, Master."
"The meat drops pretty reliably, even if it is a boss. Is it really worth making a special request for?"
"Well... it isn't strictly 'rare,' but it is quite expensive. Most families only enjoy it as a special feast once or twice a year. If someone has a connection to an explorer, they often ask for it as a favor."
So it was a luxury item. I suppose that made sense for a boss drop.
In a world where not everyone could just waltz into a labyrinth, even common drops were probably hard for civilians to come by.
"I see."
"It is a very delicious meat, Master."
"In that case, let's kill it one more time. We'll have it for breakfast."
If she said it was delicious, I had to try it.
Fighting the boss again might be risky, but it was necessary. If I only followed my survival instincts, I’d be no better than an animal.
Humans are defined by the will to overcome instinct—to use intelligence to pursue a better life.
Better food, better living. That is the essence of humanity.
I ran the circuit again, smashing Durandal into the Rapid Rabbit while my mind wandered.
The labyrinth is dangerous. That’s a given. But the magnitude of that danger isn't beyond human judgment.
By staying calm, knowing my own strength, and accurately assessing the enemy, I can minimize the risk.
That is what humans do.
And that’s what I will do.
Coldly, rationally, and cautiously, I will judge my enemies. I will fight steadily and surely.
The key is to remain unshakable.
I won't panic because someone died, and I won't get arrogant because things are going well.
No distractions. No doubt. No agitation.
Because in the end, that is the safest way to live.
I sent the Rapid Rabbit flying with Durandal once more.
As long as I stayed focused, it was no threat. I could win every time.
The monster scrambled up and lunged at Roxanne. She shifted her torso by a fraction of an inch, letting the tackle whistle past her.
She didn't seem even remotely bothered by the red rabbit’s speed.
I felt a twinge of guilt for putting her in the way of such monsters for my own goals, but she was never in any real danger. If Roxanne was in trouble, I would already be dead.
I intercepted the rabbit as it turned back toward me.
I drew it in, activated Overwhelming, and slammed Durandal into its slowed form.
It hit the floor and dissolved into smoke.
"That’s our breakfast secured. I'm looking forward to it," Roxanne said.
"What’s the best way to cook it?" I asked.
"However you like, Master."
That was the one answer that didn't help.
My history of cooking had come back to haunt me.
Since my mother died early and I’d lived a somewhat solitary life, I was decent in the kitchen. It had been useful since buying the house, but my repertoire was limited to things I’d made before or could easily imagine.
I’d never eaten rabbit. I wasn't even sure if it was like the wild rabbits back in Japan. Was I supposed to make a stew? A roast?
I had no idea how to prepare game meat.
"Er..."
My eyes darted around.
"Um... perhaps we should try Roasted Schema?" Roxanne suggested.
"Roasted Schema?"
"Yes. You slice the meat, wrap it in schema leaves, and grill it. Our schema plants have taken root nicely; it should be fine to harvest a few leaves now."
I sighed in relief. Lately, Roxanne had been getting very good at bailing me out.
"Right. Roasted Schema it is."
I locked in the decision before she could change her mind.
Roasted Schema was the only way to go. It was the pinnacle of cuisine. It was the obvious choice.
We finished our hunt, bought some bread and side vegetables, and went home.
While Roxanne was out in the garden, I sliced the rabbit meat and pounded it with the flat of a Kobold Knife since I didn't have a proper mallet. I didn't know if pounding rabbit meat was standard, but I did it anyway. Beef, pork, chicken—everything benefited from being tenderized, so I figured it couldn't hurt.
Roxanne returned from the garden with several leaves that smelled like aromatic potherbs. I recognized them from our vegetable garden.
So this was Schema.
"Schema really does grow quickly. Taking four leaves wasn't an issue at all. We should probably wait a bit longer before harvesting the bulbs, though."
"Bulbs?"
"Yes. If you grill or boil them with the meat, they remove any gamey odors. It’s the most common herb used in this region."
So it was like garlic or ginger. A very practical vegetable.
I seasoned the tenderized rabbit meat with Kobold Salt and freshly milled pepper, then wrapped them in the schema leaves. I greased the wok with olive oil and got to work.
"Oh... wow. This is actually really good."
The flavor was excellent—rich and savory, with a mellow texture that practically melted on the tongue.
The schema leaves had a bit of a kick to them, similar to chili leaves. It balanced the fatty richness of the meat perfectly.
"It’s delicious! And so tender. I don't remember it being this soft before."
Hammering it had definitely been the right move.
Success.
The olive oil was a drop from the Naive Olives on Vale's 6th floor. The Kobold Salt was from Vale's 3rd floor. The pepper was from the Quratar 3rd floor boss. And finally, the star of the show was the rabbit meat from the Quratar 7th floor boss.
It really felt like the labyrinth was the foundation of our entire lives—even our dinner table.
After breakfast, we warped to the Imperial Capital.
I walked into the clothing shop through the front door this time.
I wasn't here to sell pelts today; I was here to sell meat. It was a technicality, but it felt different.
"Welcome back, sir."
"I brought the rabbit meat as promised."
"Thank you! Please, come this way."
The male clerk led us straight to the back counter.
I opened my Item Box and placed two portions of meat onto the tray he provided.
"Here."
"Wonderful. We usually buy rabbit meat for one hundred and sixty Nahl per piece, but since you went out of your way for me, I would like to offer you four hundred and sixteen Nahl for the pair. Does that sound acceptable?"
A "special price"... or just my thirty-percent skill again.
I had brought two specifically to trigger the bonus, so it was exactly what I wanted, yet it still felt a little hollow.
"Fine. That works."
"One moment, please."
The clerk hurried off with the meat.
"Is it alright if I look around for a bit?" I asked the female clerk who remained.
"Of course, sir. Please feel free."
I decided to browse.
The ready-made section was located in a corner near the counter.
There were garments there with a lustrous, beautiful sheen. Women's clothing, clearly. I noticed some with thin shoulder straps.
They were camisoles. I’d spotted them yesterday and had been curious.
When I picked one up and unfolded it, it was quite long—a full dress that flared out at the hem. A camisole dress.
The fabric felt like satin and was incredibly thin. It wasn't quite transparent, but it was dangerously close.
"Those are very popular with noblewomen, sir. They are typically worn as innerwear or sleepwear," the clerk explained.
It probably wasn't the kind of thing a man should be staring at too intensely. I quickly put it back.
"What do you think?" I asked Roxanne.
"Um... well..."
She looked intrigued.
Thin, delicate clothing suited Roxanne. If she wore this over her bare skin...
"It would definitely look good on you. How much is it?"
"Eight hundred Nahl. A very reasonable price for such quality."
I didn't know much about the going rate for fashion, but that sounded expensive. It was more than all the non-combat clothes I was currently wearing combined.
Then again, if it was silk, I’d expected it to be even higher.
"Pick out two."
"Are you sure, Master?"
I nodded. Roxanne began to look through the rack with an intensity that bordered on hunger.
Being a high-end shop, they had a decent variety of colors.
Blue. A bit too cool for her image.
Red. A bit too aggressive.
Green. Calm and elegant.
Yellow. A soft, pretty shade.
Black. Always a classic, but...
"I think this one would look best," I said, pointing to a pale crimson dress.
A pinkish hue would be adorable on her. It wasn't a bright, garish pink, but a soft, elegant rose.
"I agree. Thank you, Master."
Roxanne continued her careful selection.
"Thank you for waiting, sir. Here is your payment."
The male clerk returned with the money, but Roxanne was still browsing. There was no way her shopping was going to be a quick affair.
I took the money and stowed it in a drawstring bag. There were about forty silver coins; it looked correct.
"The stitching is beautiful, but it looks like it might tear easily," Roxanne remarked to the female clerk.
"True. The material is not designed for durability."
"How should I wash it?"
"Use water and Koichi Fruit Bran. Please wash each garment separately and press them gently."
Roxanne continued to ask questions as she made her final choices.
Eventually, after much deliberation, she settled on a white one and the pale crimson one.
I swapped my skills to ensure the thirty-percent discount and made the purchase.
I couldn't help but feel like I had fallen right into the shop's trap.
The staff was so impeccably polite that it made you feel comfortable. They encouraged you to return multiple times until you felt like you had to buy something. And then, they conveniently placed items an explorer could actually afford right near the counter.
Their sales strategy was terrifyingly effective.
But honestly? It wasn't a bad purchase.
That night, when I saw Roxanne dressed in the pale crimson camisole, that feeling was reinforced tenfold.
It wasn't a bad purchase. It was a masterpiece of commerce.
"Wow... Roxanne, it looks incredible on you."
"Thank you, Master."
The soft rose tint made her skin look like it was glowing. The smooth silk draped over her body with an elegant, supple grace.
It didn't cling tightly to her skin, yet it followed every curve of her body perfectly.
Well... it clung to two specific curves.
Her breasts were practically fighting for space. The thin fabric was being pushed to its limit by the sheer volume of her chest.
I could even see the faint protrusions at the peaks.
Those were the rarest ingredients of all.
The thin fabric made the swell of her chest look even more imposing than usual. It was a different kind of impact.
Roxanne was breathtaking without clothes, of course, but adding a single, delicate layer somehow made her presence even more overwhelming. Combined with the shimmer of the silk, she looked like she was radiating light.
I truly, deeply felt that I had made the right choice as a consumer.
"You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"...Master, I... ah..."
I silenced her with a kiss.
Darn. I can't take this.
In terms of my self-control, this was a very dangerous purchase.
The following day, we spent our time in the Quratar and Vale Labyrinths, but I made sure we finished early in the afternoon. I wanted time for the bath and for Roxanne to change into her new nightwear.
Entering the labyrinth had stopped feeling like a burden.
However, because I was focusing on collecting pelts in Quratar, our progress in Vale was slow.
I was still worried about the 8th floor, where groups of four monsters could spawn. That meant I’d have to handle two at once. Roxanne could probably handle three, but I didn't want to rely on that.
Facing two monsters simultaneously was a daunting prospect.
Because of those lingering concerns, I wasn't really putting my all into the Vale 7th floor.
Returning early, I got the bathwater ready.
"Sorry. I need to take care of something first."
I’d used up a fair amount of MP, so I warped to the Quratar 7th floor.
Following Roxanne’s lead, we encountered a group: two Minos and a Slow Rabbit.
I decided to take out the horned Minos first. I planned to have Roxanne hold the other Mino and the rabbit.
But the second Mino decided to target me instead.
Its horn swung toward me.
I dodged frantically, but I wasn't quite fast enough. My left index finger, which was gripping Durandal, got caught between the horn and the blade.
"Agggh!"
A sharp, white-hot pain flared in my hand. It was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
The impact had hit just the right spot. A dull, heavy throbbing began to pulse through the bone.
In a fit of pure spite, I slashed the Mino with everything I had. It was a petty outlet for my anger, and I knew it. It was my own fault for being careless.
I hadn't put on my leather gloves because I’d only planned to do a quick circuit. I’d made sure Roxanne had her mittens, but I’d slacked off.
My magic crystal was still in the Item Box, too.
I’d had to cut my Crystallization Acceleration and Earned XP skills just to bring out Durandal.
I still didn't fully understand the mechanics of the Required XP skill, so I tried not to touch it.
For example, if it takes twenty kills to level up, and I use Required XP 1/10, it should only take two kills.
But what if I kill one monster without the skill, then turn the skill on for the second kill?
Conversely, what if I kill one with the skill on, then turn it off for the next ten?
I had a rough idea, but testing it strictly would be a nightmare.
Monster XP wasn't perfectly consistent, and on higher floors, you couldn't control the exact mix of spawns.
I’d have to hunt hundreds of monsters to get a statistically significant result. And since I couldn't unequip Durandal during the test, I wouldn't have enough bonus points to spare for the XP skills anyway.
The benefit didn't seem worth the effort.
My working theory was that turning the skill on only at the moment of a level-up was useless. It likely looked at the total work done.
So I just left the skill alone to avoid wasting points.
After finishing the hunt and absorbing some MP, we headed home.
My finger still throbbed.
I had grown complacent. I’d underestimated the monsters. It was a harsh reminder that the labyrinth was always lethal.
I looked at my finger. There were no visible marks. Given the pain, I’d probably suffered a burst vessel or a bruise, but Durandal’s HP Absorption had likely healed the physical damage instantly.
"Master? Is something wrong?" Roxanne asked, seeing me staring at my hand.
"I just got grazed a bit."
"Are you alright?"
She looked genuinely worried. Even though it was my fault for ignoring her advice about the gloves.
"I'm actually in quite a bit of pain. Could you... lick it for me?"
I held my index finger out to her.
"Um... er... oh..."
Roxanne looked taken aback, but she didn't pull away.
I think I can pull this off.
I moved my finger closer to her lips.
Roxanne parted them.
The soft, rose-tinted lips slowly separated, revealing the deep red within.
Her tongue looked incredibly soft and enticing.
She leaned in and closed her mouth around my finger.
The sensation was incredible—fleshy, warm, and impossibly soft. Her thick tongue entwined with my finger, wrapping around it with gentle pressure.
Roxanne closed her eyes as she sucked on the digit.
Her chestnut eyelashes were thick and long, a trait of the Wolf-kin. They gave her a look of mature, striking beauty.
I stayed perfectly still, letting her do as she pleased.
Her tongue circled my finger repeatedly, the friction soft and comforting. Within the warmth of her mouth, the lingering ache in my finger seemed to dissolve.
She eventually parted her lips, and for a moment, I could see the glistening red of her tongue again.
A thin thread of silver stretched between my finger and her palate, but she quickly caught it with her tongue and licked it away.
As she slowly pulled back, I had to fight every urge to close the distance.
I really, really wanted to close the distance.
Roxanne, do you have any idea what you're doing to me?
"Ah... yes. The pain is completely gone. Thank you."
"I see..."
Roxanne looked down, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Is that some kind of skill?"
"No, Master. It is not."
"It’s incredible, then. It felt like a high-level healing spell."
"I don't think it was anything so grand."
"No, it was amazing. I’ll be counting on you if anything happens in the future."
"...A-all right, Master."
I praised her to the heavens and secured a promise for next time.
It had been a masterful play. I’d suffered a painful injury through my own stupidity, but I’d turned it into a massive win. A blessing in disguise, truly.
I had no more doubts about the labyrinth. None at all.
I would keep going back. Every single day.