That was definitely a whimpering scream. It was too dark to see her face, but her voice told me everything I needed to know.
Roxanne was moaning something about "the order."
So that was the problem.
Even when it was just the two of us, she had been incredibly particular about me, her Master, going first. Since Sherry joined us, Roxanne had insisted on being first for everything: the serving of meals, being washed in the bath...
Naturally, that included the goodnight kiss.
I should have kissed Roxanne before Sherry.
Damn it. I stepped right on a landmine. I had trampled all over Roxanne’s pride.
This was bad. Extremely bad. No matter how I looked at it, this was a disaster.
I hadn't even been able to register the sensation while kissing Sherry. I didn't notice the taste or the softness. My only saving grace was that since it was the first time, I hadn't intended to use my tongue.
What do I do? How do I fix this?
Think. I had to think of something. I couldn't just stand there feeling guilty; I needed a plan.
"T-This is just a bedtime greeting, so Roxanne—as the number one—goes last."
That was it. That was the only card I could play. I scrambled to invent an excuse.
I managed to force some logic into it. As the saying goes, "Excuses and poultices stick anywhere."
"Yes, Master."
Suddenly, Roxanne’s voice brightened.
Safe. I was safe. The death sentence had been stayed.
I sprawled out on the bed. In my head, a reporter carrying a sign marked "Innocent" ran through the streets. Thank the heavens. The false accusation had been cleared.
I pulled Roxanne toward me as she snuggled in. She had given me a real scare. To make up for how much she had made me tremble, I latched onto her lips tenaciously.
I would pay her back. Double the intensity. The flames of revenge burned in my heart like the fires of hell.
Following the proper order, I decided to start with Roxanne.
Having exacted my revenge and exhausted my stamina, I rolled over on the bed.
I was enveloped in a pleasant yet listless fatigue. Right now, I didn't feel like moving a single muscle. I took a deep, abdominal breath.
While steadying my breathing, I checked my jobs.
Libertine Lv 1 Effect: Spirit Increase (Medium), Intelligence Increase (Small), MP Increase (Small) Skills: Increased Stamina, Abstinence Attack
There it was.
As expected, I had obtained a new job. I’d had a feeling—after doing all that, it was only natural.
I wondered what the acquisition conditions were. Was it loving multiple partners in one night? Loving multiple partners simultaneously? Or perhaps loving multiple partners multiple times?
I pondered the possibilities while ruminating on the intense acts from moments ago. Well, the conditions didn't really matter.
Perhaps I had exerted myself a bit too much. I had been more excited than usual. I had been relentless, repeating the act from every angle, tenacious and thorough, attacking as I pleased until my strength was spent.
Since it was just me against the two of them, I was sure it was fine. I’d been careful not to put too much burden on Sherry since it was her first time and she had such a petite frame. It might have been a bit tougher for Roxanne, though. Regardless, I was definitely a member of the Human race.
So the race-specific job for humans was Libertine. Humanity is truly terrifying.
One medium increase and two small increases was the same stat spread as Roxanne’s Beast Fighter. That was likely a standard characteristic of race-specific jobs. Since Libertine increased Spirit, Intelligence, and MP, it was actually quite useful as a support job for a Mage. It might be mediocre on its own, but for me, it was a solid addition.
"Master seems to have fallen asleep," Roxanne’s voice whispered through the dark.
I wasn't actually asleep, but I stayed quiet. Roxanne smoothed back my hair, which was damp and sticking to my forehead.
"It looks that way," Sherry replied.
"It was quite intense, after all."
I was too deep in thought to respond. Sherry snuggled closer to talk with Roxanne. She was so light I barely felt her weight.
"Is he always that amazing?"
"Yes. He seemed to be working extra hard today because you're here, Sherry. I wondered how things would go, but if he’s going to cherish us that much, then I’m glad you joined us."
It seemed Roxanne had been a bit anxious too. I thanked her in my heart, noting that being affectionate toward her clearly made her happy.
"Will I be okay?" Sherry asked.
"You'll be fine. Even just now, Master didn't force you to do anything you couldn't handle, right? He's a kind Master."
I wanted to test out the Libertine skill, Increased Stamina, but now was clearly not the time.
"I look forward to being in your care," Sherry whispered.
"And I look forward to yours."
Using their conversation as a lullaby, I finally let go of my consciousness.
When I woke up, I was using Roxanne as a body pillow.
Our legs were tangled, and I had both arms wrapped around her back. I had been looking forward to waking up with a beauty on each side, but apparently, it wasn't meant to be.
I couldn't control my movements while I slept, so I suppose it couldn't be helped. I was completely clinging to Roxanne. Had I been longing for the fur on her back? Or was Sherry too small to be a sufficient body pillow? Or maybe it was just the simple allure of Roxanne’s chest.
Since I was hugging her from the front, I could savor her soft elasticity to my heart's content. I gave her a little squeeze. A moist, supple, yet bouncy resistance met my touch.
This was irresistible.
"Mmh."
While I was enjoying myself, Roxanne leaned in for a kiss. Damn it. She was already awake. She had seen right through me.
"Good morning, Master."
"G-Good morning."
We exchanged greetings in low voices.
"Ah. Good morning."
It seemed Sherry was awake too. Her voice came from behind me. I guiltily removed my arms from Roxanne and pulled Sherry close.
"Good morning to you too, Sherry."
I pressed my lips against hers. Her kiss was still awkward—reserved and stiff. It had its own kind of charm, but to be honest, I preferred Roxanne’s proactive response. I shouldn't compare them, though. She would get used to it eventually.
However, I couldn't help but go back for a second kiss from Roxanne while we were getting dressed. She actively entwined her tongue with mine, offering a sense of reliable comfort. We moved our lips against each other, lost in the sensation for a few moments. Roxanne had said she was happy when I was affectionate, so I figured this much was fine. Since I didn't have Libertine equipped, I couldn't even blame the Increased Stamina skill.
I donned my gear and prepared to enter the Labyrinth. As my available jobs increased, I found myself wanting to equip more and more of them.
Explorer was a must for Party Formation. I couldn't drop Hero, with its massive stat boosts, or Mage. And given the risks of the Labyrinth, Monk was essential for emergencies. That meant I couldn't equip Alchemist, Cook, and Libertine all at once.
Since most people in this world could only have one job, this was a luxury problem. Human desire truly is limitless. I decided to test Libertine later and equipped Alchemist for now; I wanted to keep the Plating on Sherry’s equipment.
By the way, I had discovered that if I removed the Explorer job, the Party would automatically disband. Since the Item Box skill was also available to the Cook job, I supposed I could eventually let someone else take the Explorer role if necessary.
"I am ready," Sherry reported.
"Then let's go."
I warped us into the Labyrinth. It was early, so we headed to the Vale Labyrinth 1st Floor.
"Master, where are we?" Roxanne asked.
"The Vale Labyrinth 1st Floor. This is Sherry’s first battle with the Party, after all."
She could probably tell by the scent that it wasn't our usual haunt on the 7th Floor of Quratar. I gave her a brief explanation.
"I see. Understood."
"First, I want to see Sherry fight. I'll weaken the monsters with magic, and Sherry, you finish them off."
"Y-Yes!"
"Roxanne, you take point and keep their attention."
"As you wish."
I adjusted my Bonus Points, dumping them into Intelligence Increase until I had just enough power to defeat exactly half of the Needle Wood Lv 1s with a single spell. I unleashed the magic and sent Sherry in to finish the survivors.
Sherry swung her club, hitting a Needle Wood right in the center. It looked like a solid, impactful blow. Roxanne lightly brushed off the monster’s clumsy counterattack with an ease that suggested she could do this in her sleep. Seizing the opening, Sherry hammered the monster again. Their coordination was surprisingly good.
Sherry finished the monster off.
"Hmm. No luck?"
I checked the jobs immediately, but she hadn't unlocked Master Smith. Maybe the condition wasn't just "defeating an enemy with a hammer." Or perhaps it required Villager Lv 5 first.
"Did I do something wrong?" Sherry asked, looking worried.
"Ah, no. Not at all. You were great. Let's try this spear next."
That was a slip of the tongue. I shouldn't have sounded so disappointed.
Next, I had her defeat monsters with a Copper Spear, a Copper Sword, and even her bare hands, but no new jobs appeared. Swordsman and Monk probably required Villager Lv 5. I would just have to wait for her to level up.
"Ow!"
During the bare-handed fight, it naturally took longer, and Sherry took a hit. I’d taken plenty of hits when I started out bare-handed, so it couldn't be helped. As for Roxanne, she was facing them head-on and hadn't been touched, but that was Roxanne for you.
"How was that hit? Can you handle that level of damage?" I asked while applying First Aid and Plating.
"I-Is this recovery magic?"
"It is."
"As I thought, you have multiple jobs... Ah, no. If the attacks are only this strong, I don't think I'll be taken down in one or two hits."
Sherry answered while continuing the fight. She seemed remarkably calm for someone who had just been struck. The fact that she recognized the recovery magic meant she had taken a decent amount of damage, though. Still, we could probably move up a few floors.
Next, I tried defeating one with the club myself. If I unlocked a job by using it, then "defeating a monster with a hammer" probably wasn't the trigger for Master Smith specifically. Usually, one action didn't trigger multiple different jobs. I brought the club down on a Needle Wood’s head.
"This is awkward."
"You should use the weight of the head more, Master. Use the centrifugal force," Roxanne advised.
Since I wasn't used to it, the hammer felt clumsier than a sword. The center of gravity was all at the end, so you had to swing it with the intent to smash. Every weapon had its own quirks. I managed to kill the monster and checked my jobs.
I held my breath for a second. Nothing. No new jobs. I tried with a spear, but the result was the same.
"Why are you trying it too, Master?" Sherry asked.
"Just testing a theory."
I even had Roxanne try the spear and hammer, but she didn't get any new jobs either. I’d tried with a wand before and got nothing, so clearly not every weapon had a corresponding job. Or maybe we just didn't meet the hidden requirements.
"It’s difficult to use without practice. It takes a lot of strength to swing. I prefer my sword," Roxanne commented.
It seemed the hammer was indeed destined for Sherry. As for the spear, she could use it, but spears were best used by a Rear Guard poking from behind the Front Line. It didn't suit Roxanne’s role.
Having tested the basics, we moved up. On the 3rd Floor, I had Roxanne find monsters other than Kobolds. Kobolds wouldn't be much of a test for Sherry. Even on higher floors, Sherry held her own. She was small and cute, but she had a certain dignity when she fought. She was probably about as capable as I was, though not on Roxanne's level.
There’s a saying among Rakugo storytellers: if you think someone is slightly better than you, they're actually far superior. If you think they're your equal, they're slightly better. If you think they're slightly below you, then they're actually your equal.
By that logic, Sherry was probably a better fighter than me.
"Next is the 4th Floor. Try to find something other than Kobolds again."
"Yes, Master."
Roxanne led us to a Mino. Even against a Mino on the 4th Floor, Sherry was fine. I finished the beast off with Durandal while she kept it busy. The Mino collapsed into smoke, leaving a hide behind.
"This hide is the material for leather gear, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Sherry, have you ever picked one up?"
"I haven't. In the Labyrinth I used to frequent, Minos only appeared on much higher floors."
Bingo. This might be it. When I picked up a Leaf, I got the Herbalist job. To get Master Smith, maybe you just had to pick up the raw materials.
"Go ahead and pick it up then."
"Yes!"
As Sherry reached for the drop, I caught myself glancing at Roxanne. I was worried she might be jealous that I hadn't asked her to do it. But her expression didn't change. I’d had her pick up so many things that it probably didn't matter to her anymore.
I was putting everything into my Item Box. Usually, the Master’s box was used for convenience. Since nobody was counting, it was easy to keep things organized. If Sherry tried to use her own Item Box, she would realize she wasn't an Explorer anymore, but so far, we were in the clear. I took the hide from her, put Durandal away, and checked her jobs.
No luck. Picking up a hide wasn't the condition for Master Smith. I suppose if it were that easy, everyone would be a smith.
"I should probably save these hides instead of selling them. We can have someone make gear for us later."
"Um... I'm sorry. If only I were a Master Smith..." Sherry apologized.
Crap. I hadn't meant to make her feel bad, even if that was exactly why I wanted the job. I had to be more careful. Being a leader was full of social pitfalls.
"By the way, how do people usually become Master Smiths if they aren't an Explorer Level 10?" I asked to change the subject.
"At the Temple of Elene," Roxanne answered.
"Elene?"
"The Temple of Elene doesn't grant specific jobs like a Guild Temple. Instead, you receive a divine revelation that grants you a job you are most suited for."
In this world, you usually changed jobs by visiting a Guild Temple—joining the Merchant Guild to become a Merchant, or the Explorer Guild to become an Explorer. But there was also a temple that assigned jobs based on aptitude.
"I see. Thanks."
The question was whether it only switched you to a job you had already unlocked, or if it could grant you a new one entirely. Since Guild Temples couldn't grant locked jobs, Elene was probably the same.
"The First Emperor also obtained the Hero job at the Temple of Elene," Roxanne added.
"Hmm. Did the First Emperor have a story about fighting thieves?"
"Yes. It is said his very first battle was repelling a band of thieves," Sherry said.
That was it. The condition for the Hero job was exterminating thieves. But perhaps it had to be your first battle. That had been the case for me, too. If it were just about killing thieves, Hero would be much more common. Most people in this monster-infested world trained before facing thieves, or if they hadn't trained, they simply died.
That was likely why Hero was so rare. The First Emperor unlocked it in his first battle and then simply used the Temple of Elene to switch to it later. Taking Sherry to the temple wouldn't help if she hadn't unlocked the job yet.
"Sherry, would you be happy if you became a Master Smith?"
"N-No."
"Really?"
I thought she wanted it. Sherry looked down, whispering quietly.
"I've already given up on that dream."
Don't give up! I wanted to shout. Think about the people around you! I’m rooting for you! I’m working hard in this world too, so don't quit now!
"I am a slave now. Becoming a Master Smith would only cause trouble for you, Master."
She had a point. A slave with a high-profile job like Master Smith would attract unwanted attention. If I pushed her too hard, she might start to doubt my intentions. I wanted to encourage her, but I had to be careful.
"Don't worry. Things will work out eventually," I said, offering a somewhat irresponsible bit of comfort.
It was my own selfishness driving this, after all. I shouldn't force my desires on her.
"If Master says it will be okay, then I believe him. It will be fine," Roxanne said, backing me up. I wondered where she got all that faith in me. I certainly intended to make it happen, though. We were so close.
"Alright. You seem to have the hang of things, so I'll start using magic now. I'll handle the bulk of the fighting. Sherry, focus on defense and evasion. Coordinate with Roxanne."
I started casting. Even at Villager Level 3, she wasn't going to get one-shotted on these floors. It was better to get her used to the flow of battle here.
"I've never been in a party with a Mage before, but your magic is even more powerful than I heard. You're as good as a professional Mage—maybe even better," Sherry remarked.
Well, I was currently a Level 32 Mage, so that made sense.
"Is that so?"
"The Front Line can relax when the magic is this strong. Thank you, Master."
The 4th Floor was easy. The real test would be the higher floors. We had to get the basics down now.
"Sherry, you can stay closer to the wall," Roxanne advised.
"Yes!"
I watched them work together, and they seemed to be gelling well.
"Next is the 5th Floor. The monsters get stronger here, so stay sharp."
When three monsters appeared, Roxanne took two and Sherry took one. It made my life very easy. On the 8th Floor with four enemies, it wouldn't be quite so simple.
When there were only one or two enemies, Roxanne held the front while Sherry flanked them. A spear would have been better for that, but switching was a pain, so she stuck with the club.
"You're getting the rhythm of it," I noted.
"Yes. Once we deepen our coordination, we'll be fine. I look forward to working with you, Sherry," Roxanne said.
"And I with you!" Sherry replied.
The truth was, being a Rear Guard was incredibly easy compared to the Front Line. They were the ones in the thick of it, risking their lives. One mistake meant a face full of teeth or claws. The pressure was on a completely different level. Being in the back was practically a vacation. If I could keep the party from getting wiped out, I could probably make it to the top of the Labyrinth just standing here.
I finally understood why the slave trader only suggested big, scary-looking guys when I asked for a Front Line. I owed Roxanne everything.
"Roxanne, thank you."
"Master...?"
"By the way, Sherry, do you know what kinds of magic are out there?" I asked, leaving the confused Roxanne behind.
"I don't know the specifics of magic jobs, but generally there are three types: All-target Attack Magic, Single-target Attack Magic, and defense magic."
"Only three?"
Storm, Ball, and Wall. I wondered if there was a fourth type I hadn't unlocked.
"Ouch!"
On the 5th Floor, Sherry took another hit while we were fighting a group of three. I used to get hit all the time against three enemies, too.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine! I used to fight on the 8th Floor, so the 5th is nothing."
I applied First Aid and Plating. She was being brave, but I knew she was feeling it.
"Don't compare yourself to your old self. The gear, the party, and the situation are all different. If it’s too much, tell me."
"Thank you, Master. But I am truly alright."
The real reason I was worried was that she had "leveled down" to Villager Level 4. She’d just hit Level 4 a moment ago—levels go up fast when you're low. She’d hit Level 5 in no time. I still hadn't told her about the job change. I was just postponing the inevitable, hoping that by the time I told her, she’d trust me enough to handle it.
"She'll be fine," Roxanne said, nodding firmly. Sherry might be too polite to complain, but for now, she seemed stable.
To test the Libertine job, I added a sixth job slot on the 6th Floor. I kept Alchemist in the fifth slot to maintain the Plating and added Libertine to the sixth.
"Back to yesterday’s topic—do you know anything about the Libertine’s skills?" I asked.
"Sherry, do you know?" Roxanne asked, immediately passing the buck. She looked at me as if to say, Why are you asking me? Fine, I'll just ask Sherry from now on.
"I don't know either. It's not the kind of job people talk about openly."
Fair enough. You don't exactly brag to your parents about becoming a Libertine.
Libertine Lv 1 Effect: Spirit Increase (Medium), Intelligence Increase (Small), MP Increase (Small) Skills: Increased Stamina, Abstinence Attack
Increased Stamina seemed like a passive, while Abstinence Attack was likely an active skill. I’d been worried, but equipping the job didn't make me lose my mind with lust. I still wanted to touch Roxanne, but I always wanted to do that. If the job made you a permanent lecher, you'd probably spend your life in a dungeon.
I decided to test Abstinence Attack. Roxanne found a Cheap Sheep Lv 6, and I moved in. I focused on the skill and slashed.
A weak, wobbling strike hit the sheep.
What the hell was that?
It was weak. Pathetically weak. It was an embarrassingly half-hearted blow.
I wondered if the skill had even triggered, but it was so weak that it had to be the result of the skill. Was the power "abstinent" because it was an Abstinence Attack? Give me a break.
I slashed normally the second time. The monster didn't die. Usually, I could kill a 6th Floor enemy in two hits with Durandal. Since it was still standing, that meant my first hit had actually done almost zero damage.
Abstinence Attack apparently made my attacks weaker. I’d held off on testing it until the 6th Floor, thinking it might be a powerful finishing move, and it turned out to be a total joke.
Maybe it was for weakening enemies to capture them?
I tried it again, and if anything, the strike was even more pathetic than the first. I decided to seal that skill away indefinitely. I finished the sheep off normally. Because of that test, it took four hits instead of two. How very "abstinent."
Maybe it traded power for extra experience? Even if it did, I didn't want to use it.
After recovering MP, we fought for a bit on the 6th Floor before moving to the 7th. To be honest, I was just waiting for Sherry to take another hit so I could justify the move. That sounds terrible when I put it that way, but I figured it was better to let her experience the reality of the floor while she was focused.
"Alright, the 6th seems fine. Let's move to the 7th. This is our main hunting ground."
"You could have moved us sooner, Master. I was fine after that hit earlier."
She totally saw through me.
"The Labyrinth is where we bet our lives. It’s better to be cautious. We might be strong enough for higher floors, but I want to clear them one by one."
"I see. That is a very wise approach."
"Thanks."
I’d managed to smooth it over. And it was the truth, mostly.
"I've heard many people lose their lives in the boss rooms of the 6th and 7th Floors. They call it the 'Demonic 7th.' It’s impressive that you stay so focused here, Master."
"Really?"
"Yes. Beginners usually get overconfident around these floors. That’s where the trap is. People get impatient because growth slows down, and they're tempted to rush to higher floors."
I remembered the man I’d seen die in the 7th Floor boss room. Had he been impatient too? He’d been stuck on the 7th for years. He’d said he was almost ready to buy his first slave—maybe he thought he was just one push away from moving up.
Sherry’s warning hit close to home. I had to stay sharp.
We spent the rest of the morning on the 7th Floor. Sherry was keeping up well. She was a bit more nervous than Roxanne, but compared to me, she was doing fine. I kept Alchemist equipped for the Plating and dropped the sixth slot.
My Bonus Point allocation was feeling solid. As a Level 33 Explorer, I had 32 points, plus my base 99.
I had 31 in Required XP 1/10, 63 in 20x XP Gain, 15 in 16x Crystallization Acceleration, 15 in Fifth Job, 3 in Chant Omission, and the remaining 4 in MP Recovery Speed Increase, Appraisal, Job Settings, and Character Reset.
Since we had more party members, the experience would be split, so I prioritized the XP boost. I needed to get Sherry’s level up as fast as possible. I’d lowered the crystallization boost, but we didn't need money immediately.
"Master, the sun should be up by now," Roxanne informed me.
Her internal clock was perfect. Clocks weren't common here, so people must have a better sense of time. I still relied on my modern habits too much.
"Alright, let's head back."
I checked Sherry’s jobs one last time.
Villager Lv 5, Explorer Lv 10, Herbalist Lv 1, Warrior Lv 1, Merchant Lv 1, Shrine Maiden Lv 1, Swordsman Lv 1, Monk Lv 1.
Villager was at Level 5. Still no Master Smith. So Level 5 wasn't the trigger. The other jobs—Warrior, Merchant, Swordsman, and Monk—had all appeared at Level 5.
"So there really is a Shrine Maiden job," I muttered.
Damn it. I said it out loud.
Sherry looked at me with a pained expression. Roxanne’s look was more... pitying. Like she was looking at a confused child.
I did it again. I kept making the same mistake. To them, I must seem like a total weirdo who just mutters nonsense.
I warped us to the Quratar Adventurer Guild to escape the awkwardness. Even after buying breakfast and warping home, the air felt heavy.
Once we were back, I helped them with their gear.
"Wait, Sherry, was your hair always like that?"
With her hat off, her hair looked different—supple and soft instead of the usual fluffy volume.
"You're right. It seems lighter today," Roxanne said, reaching out.
"Does it?"
"Oh! It’s so soft!"
"Thank you."
"Master, feel this! It's incredibly soft!"
I’d noticed that when I washed it last night.
"May I?"
"Yes, of course."
I patted Roxanne’s head first. I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. The order was everything.
"Ah..." Roxanne smiled happily. She was so cute. It was definitely worth the extra effort to be considerate.
I patted Roxanne’s dog ears with my right hand and placed my left on Sherry’s head. Since Sherry was short, she was at the perfect height for patting. And she was right—her hair was incredibly soft and light. Like a cloud.
"Wow. You're right. It’s amazing. You have beautiful hair, Sherry."
"T-Thank you very much!"
It had definitely been coarser yesterday. Washing it must have made the difference. I wondered how much dust had been trapped in there. She might have never had her hair properly washed before. Roxanne’s ears felt extra fluffy today too. Dog ears really were the best.
I spent a few minutes savoring the texture of dog ears and dwarf hair before breakfast.
"So, about the Shrine Maiden job..." I started, bringing it up over breakfast. Enough time had passed that I figured it was safe.
Sherry immediately looked down, her face full of sorrow.
"I just remembered it suddenly," I added quickly.
"Did you hear something about me, Master?"
"No, nothing like that."
"..."
"Really, nothing!"
Was it that bad?
"I tried to become a Shrine Maiden because I couldn't become a Master Smith," Sherry explained in a tiny, barely audible voice. She wouldn't look up.
I see. She had failed to become a smith, and then she had failed to become a shrine maiden too. That had to be a huge blow to her confidence. It was like failing your first and second choice for college.
"W-Well, there's no reason to be sad about it."
She just hadn't had the levels for it back then.
"Yes. I will work hard as an Explorer instead. I'll be fine," Sherry said, forcing herself to look up.
Actually, she wasn't an Explorer anymore either. I appreciated the positivity, though. I wondered if I should make her a Shrine Maiden. I checked the job's details.
Shrine Maiden Lv 1 Effect: MP Increase (Small), Intelligence Increase (Slight) Skill: All-target First Aid
"Wait, the skill for Shrine Maiden is..."
"..."
"...Do you know it?"
Crap. Landmine again. But the skill was All-target First Aid. It was a party-wide heal.
"It is recovery magic," Sherry said.
"Like a female version of a Monk?"
"The male version is called a Priest."
So Priests and Shrine Maidens had party heals, while Monks had single-target heals. There was probably a trade-off in MP cost or potency, otherwise, nobody would pick Monk. For now, Monk was enough for us since we weren't taking massive damage.
"How do you even become a Shrine Maiden?"
"I... I couldn't do it."
"Right. But what was the process?"
"At the Religious Guild, they have a sacred site where you must stand under a waterfall. They say that if you unify your spirit under the water, you'll receive an inspiration. I thought I felt something, but..."
She looked away. She had felt it—she just didn't have the Villager level to seal the deal.
"It’s okay. I hear not even half the people who try can become Shrine Maidens. It doesn't affect your work in the Labyrinth," Roxanne said, comforting her.
"Exactly. It's no problem at all."
"Thank you."
Wait, if I wanted to become a Priest, I’d have to stand under a waterfall? That sounded like a lot of work. I wanted to be the one getting comforted by Roxanne and Sherry.
"They should really just set a requirement, like being Villager Level 5 or something, before they let people try," I muttered.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, you know."
If they had a level requirement, Sherry wouldn't have had to go through that "failure" when she actually did have the talent for it.
"Master... you might not know this since you're an Explorer, but 'Levels' aren't a thing for anyone else," Roxanne said gently.
"Wait, what?"
"Yes. Explorers gain experience and their Item Boxes get bigger—that's what people call a 'Level.' But no other job has anything like that. You didn't have a level before you became an Explorer, did you?"
I did, actually. I was a Level 1 Villager. But then I realized—you can only see levels with Appraisal or Job Settings. Neither of which anyone else has. Intelligence Cards only show the job, not the level.
So "Levels" were not common knowledge in this world.
"I see. I didn't know that."
"I-It’s alright, Master! Even if you don't know common things like that, you're still amazing in the Labyrinth!" Sherry chirped.
"Exactly! It's not a problem at all!" Roxanne added.
They were comforting me for being an idiot. I realized I’d mentioned levels quite a few times before. Roxanne must have been looking at me with pity that whole time.
Was I that guy? The weirdo who talks about things that don't exist?
"Even if you aren't the most knowledgeable, Master is still Master," Roxanne said.
"Yes! They say some of the smartest scholars in history were eccentric. One of them even lived in a barrel!"
I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or an insult.
"R-Right. Let's just focus on the 7th Floor for now."
Damn it. Was I really the pitiful one here?