Chapter 7: My First Labyrinth


    Ellie submitted a request to Lydia to teach me.


    Lydia was a veteran adventurer with a reputation to match. Naturally, she wouldnt have epted the request for free.


    Though I dont know the exact amount, it must have been quite arge sum.


    To receive such a favor, in a time that is barbaric in both good and bad ways, was a favor Id never experienced even in my previous life.


    My heart felt ticklish, and a silly giggle slipped from my lips.


    Heh, heheheh.


    Eugh.


    For some reason, Lydia frowned as if she saw something she shouldnt have, but thats not whats important right now.


    I had to do something about this rising eagerness.


    Miss Lydia! Lets go, quickly! I feel like I could ughter everyst monster on the first floor right now!


    Calm down. Its impossible to do such a thing without a weapon.


    I can do it! If its me!


    Its because its you, Jonah, that its impossible.


    Lydia, who had sighed deeply, pressed her hands down on my bouncing shoulders.


    Delicate fingers. Yet, the intense strength that pinned my body to the ground made me snap to attention.


    Jonah, youre weak. Bold and quick, but otherwise, hopeless.


    Kuh


    To directly mention a problem I was already aware of hurt because it was true.


    In the continent of Pan, thanks to the existence ofbyrinths, anyone, man or woman, can be strong.


    But children are an exception. That was no different from Earth.


    Their bodies arent fully grown, and their magical power or aura, even if it has blossomed, is weak in both quantity and quality.


    It wasnt much different for the clergy field either. Unless its a special case like a saint or a saintess, for most believers, long-devoted faith was what became divine power.


    This field values experience far more than something like gender.


    Thus, a child was weak. Weak, but I had a 3-star skill I got from the gacha.


    The skill of pickpocketing might not directly aid inbat, but its undeniable that it has granted me a level of flexibility and agility that cannot be overlooked.


    However, it seems that wasnt sufficient. Lydia patted my shoulder and said,


    Its okay. You canpensate for what youck with something else.


    Like an elixir?


    Thats expensive. While effective, its not cost-efficient. Im talking about a weapon.


    With that, Lydia pulled a small dagger from her belt.


    Ill lend this to you.


    This is?


    My spare weapon.


    I examined the dagger Lydia handed me. It was heavier than I anticipated. The size, about the length of my arm, seemed just right for me to wield.


    The center of the shining silver de was engraved with unidentifiable characters, and the sharpness of its edges on both sides was enough to make me shiver.


    It looks expensive.


    I said I was lending it to you.


    Slightly averting my gaze from Lydias piercing eyes, sharper than any dagger, I inquired.


    Is it really okay to lend something like this? It looks valuable.


    Yeah. Its nothing special.


    Youre saying this weapon is nothing special?


    Lydia gave me a smug smile as I stammered.


    Im a sessful adventurer.


    Yes, well.


    I have a lot of money too.


    !


    Indeed. To me, its an expensive item, but to Lydia, its probably just something moderately useful.


    Huh? Thest time I saw Miss Lydias wallet, it wasnt that full.


    I bought new equipment.


    Indeed. Being a high-rank warrior must mean earning a lot of money, but also spending just as much.


    It wouldnt matter if one was satisfied with their current status, but to ascend to a higher realm, superior equipment is essential. Of course, skill is fundamental as well.


    As I nodded, Lydia took the sheath from her belt and fastened it to my waist.


    Her movements were unusually cautious, as if she was trying to avoid touching me as much as possible.


    As if she were trying to demonstrate that she harbors no hidden agendas. That shes not a threat.


    Theres no need to be so cautious


    Jonah. You and Senior Ellie are in a rtionship.


    Ha If only that were the case.


    ?


    Even as she tilted her head in confusion, Lydia skillfully attached the sheath. Once I slid the dagger back into its sheath, the weight around my waist became noticeably heavier. That weight morphed into a sense of security and confidence.


    Now that Im armed, lets go!


    Okay.


    I quickened my pace alongside Lydia, who gave a brief nod.<hr>


    Before long, we reached the heart of thebyrinth city. This wasnt the guild cksmith we had visited earlier, but rather the location of the adventurers guild headquarters.


    Its always bustling here, isnt it, Miss Lydia?


    There are many people, after all.


    Various races, armed to the teeth, paraded around, unting their adventurer status, while street vendors loudly hawked their wares to those adventurers.


    Some appeared to frown, seemingly put off by the chaotic atmosphere, but


    Given how much they stood out, they likely werent from thebyrinth city. Perhaps they were here to submit a request?


    With that thought, I stealthily grasped Lydias fingertips.


    Startled, Lydia turned to look at me. Despite having done nothing wrong, her intense reaction made me stumble over my words.


    Its, its crowded here! I just didnt want us to get separated Should I hold somewhere else?


    This will also be a secret from Senior Ellie.


    With that, Lydia offered me her pinky finger. Holding it, I timidly followed her, aware of the gazes of those around us.


    Shock. Mockery. Envy. And eyes filled with lust.


    Well, thest one, lust, is something Ive frequently encountered since incarnating into this body in a female-dominated world But what about the rest?


    As I looked around, puzzled, I noticed a duo not far from me that seemed simr to us.


    A man, dressed like a novice archer and clearly new to thebyrinth, walked alongside a veteran female adventurer who was massaging his buttocks as they strolled.


    The man had his head bowed, trembling slightly, evidently quite embarrassed.


    Ah?


    Upon closer inspection, I noticed there were a few parties that, while not as tantly handsy, clearly had an unbnced dynamic.


    Most of these parties involved women eyeing male newbies with sly interest, or conversely, men clinging to seeminglypetent adventurers.


    Indeed, there were parties of veteran adventurers genuinely mentoring newbies but, surprisingly, these were the rarest cases. And even then, they were only seen where all the members belonged to the same n.


    I was the one who introduced the setting where requests weremonly exchanged among adventurers, but I never anticipated it would apply in this manner as well.


    Only now do I begin to understand the woman who had groped me earlier, offering to hire me as a porter.


    It wasnt that she was strange; it was just that this kind of trade was openly happening.


    Thanks to that, I could understand how my actions a moment ago might have appeared.


    It would have looked like a young brat was already trying to sweet-talk the women, trying to get something in return. And they would have been shocked that the target had been Lydia.


    Ignoring the nces thrown my way, I tightened my grip on Lydias pinky.


    Miss Lydia, Miss Lydia.


    What.


    Do you intend to do something to me that you cant tell Ellie?


    Absolutely not.


    Then walk more confidently. Dont make a face as if youre hiding something.


    Eum


    After a moment of contemtion, Lydia nodded. Good. This should have eased the difort somewhat.


    I shrugged my shoulders, believing that the issue was resolved easily.


    Well! I still think theres no need to worry so much since Ellie and I arent a thing yet!


    Lydia frowned at those words as if she were witnessing the worst viiness of the century.


    Why is she looking at me like that? Nothing has happened yet, so its true that we arent a thing! Its Ellies fault for not taking me to bed!


    Feeling wronged, I huffed and puffed as we turned a few more corners. Then, therge gray b beyond the building of the adventurers guild came into view.


    At first nce, the b, resembling a tombstone, was densely engraved with indecipherable characters.


    Anguage only those with divine status can read and use. Its the Words of Divine.


    Of course, even I couldnt read the Words of Divine But I knew what its contents were.


    I was the one who created that setting, so I had the entire thing memorized.


    Here is


    Yes. The entrance to thebyrinth.


    Its not my first time seeing it, but every time I do, it feels strange. Its as if someone had recreated exactly what was in my head.


    For reference, this wide-open space where the entrance is located is called the Pangrave Square.


    Originally, thebyrinth had been pure chaos. However, by entering through that door, said to be made by the Goddess of Love, you can enter abyrinth where a bnce patch had been applied.


    Unless someone wanted to be thrown into an unknown ce, fighting monsters far beyond their caliber, they must enter through the main entrance, which was also why it was always packed with so many people.


    Although the line was long with many adventurers looking to enter thebyrinth, it quickly shortened, and soon it was our turn.


    Standing in front of the b, Lydia ced her hand on its rough surface and spoke.


    Its simple to use.


    Just ce your hand on the b and think about entering, right? You can also teleport instantly to the deepest level youve been to.


    You know?


    I was originally aspiring to be an adventurer, after all. I just researched these things in advance.


    While Iid out the basic settings, how those settings were developed and utilized was up to the people here.


    So, I had just been checking to see if any changes had been made But, perhaps it was difficult to utilize such an object in any other way. There was nothing in particr to note.


    However, I had heard rumors that they were researching something called a teleport gate, attempting to replicate a simr phenomenon with magic.


    Though they have failed so far Well, maybe theyll seed someday. Its fitting for this fantasy setting.


    I chuckled and ced one hand on the stone b.


    Shall we go?


    Sure.


    The setting of thebyrinth, which I had pondered so hard to create in my previous life.


    My opportunity to experience it firsthand had finally arrived.