Labyrinth: Chapter 18/20

Chapter 18: The Crusader with a Sick Mind

The next day

Woods outside Axel

Darkness had temporarily joined a small party.

They were clearing out slimes that had been stealing food supplies.

"Ahh... finally cleared it all out…"

The party's leader, a young swordsman, flopped onto the ground.

"So weird! All the weak monsters nearby have vanished…"

"But the number of slimes hasn't gone down," the party's mage added.

"Well, I'm not complaining. I'll take easy jobs that still pay," the thief girl chimed in.

She turned to Darkness and grinned.

"Thanks for attracting those slimes."

"Things went way faster thanks to you."

"We'd heard some... rumors before."

"We were kinda nervous about teaming up at first…"

"But we were wrong. Sorry about that."

The three of them bowed apologetically to Darkness.

"Wha?!"

Darkness flailed, waving her hands in panic.

"N-no, it's fine... really…"

She blushed slightly.

Being entangled by slimes wasn't exactly unpleasant...

Darkness looked down at one of the slime corpses.

It wouldn't be too bad to keep one as a pet...

"ROAR—!!!"

A sudden roar echoed from deep in the forest.

A massive black saber-toothed tiger stepped out from the bushes.

Everyone's hair stood on end.

"Th-that's the new killer beast—!"

"What the hell is something that strong doing here?!"

"Run, now!"

The three teammates turned and bolted.

But Darkness suddenly charged toward the monster, sword in hand.

"Hey hey hey!!!"

"If we all run, we can make it!"

"I'll hold it off!"

She swung her sword down with a gleam in her eyes.

The three froze in shock.

Facing a monster like that for someone you just met?

"Damn… she's such a good person…"

"How could there be weird rumors about her?!"

"I even doubted her... I'm garbage."

The next moment…

The new killer beast slammed its paw down.

Darkness was sent flying.

Her armor cracked, her clothes tore.

"Are you okay—?!" the others shouted.

Darkness slowly stood up.

A wide smile on her face.

"I'm fine… don't worry… just run."

Then she rushed the beast again.

They were stunned.

Too moved to speak.

"No, we can't just sit here."

The leader suddenly remembered something.

He pulled out a potion bottle.

"This debuff potion is supposed to work on large monsters!"

"Maybe it'll help!"

He shouted at Darkness.

"Get out of the way—!"

He hurled the potion through the air.

It made a clean arc, aimed right at the new killer—

Until Darkness suddenly stepped in the way.

The potion exploded on impact.

Soaking her completely.

Instantly…

Her body was flooded with numbness from head to toe.

And then, suffocation.

"???"

Everyone froze.

They turned to the young man.

"Are your eyes on your ankles or what?!"

"How the hell did you miss that badly?!"

He was speechless.

Spiraling into a pit of self-doubt.

"I... I was aiming... at the monster…"

"How could it miss like that...?"

Darkness gripped her sword, using it to prop herself up.

Her face flushed.

Breathing heavier by the second.

Her smile... grew unsettlingly wide.

"No... I'm fine…"

"Heh... heh heh…"

"I... I'm good… hehe…"

"Eh?!"

Everyone turned toward her.

Darkness was panting.

"Not bad…"

"This situation... this sensation... not bad at all…"

???

Even the dumbest person would realize something was off by now.

"W-wait… is it just me?"

"Why does she... look like she's enjoying this?!"

They all exchanged awkward glances.

The killer beast hesitated.

It paced in place, refusing to charge again.

Darkness frowned.

She shouted at it.

"Come on!"

"Drool on me! Bite me harder! Push me to the edge while I resist, little by little!"

"What are you waiting for?!"

"Don't think I'll stop struggling just because I can't move!"

"Even though it's completely useless now."

"Still... come on!!!"

Killer Beast: "???"

The three adventurers: "???"

For the first time ever, they saw a monster with a [???] expression.

Eventually, thanks to Darkness's indescribable "bravery"...

The killer beast ran away in fear.

The three behind her swallowed hard.

They looked at each other...

Then at Darkness, who looked disappointed.

Confirmed.

This Crusader is 100% mentally broken.


---

Adventurer's Guild

At a table…

The young party leader bowed deeply to Darkness.

"We're giving you a little extra reward."

"But... please find another team."

Darkness blinked.

"W-why? I can tank!"

"You don't need to pity me!"

The young man shook his head violently.

"No. No no no."

"Please spare us."

As soon as he said it, the whole party fled without turning back.

Darkness picked up the pouch on the table.

Enough for dinner and a night at the inn.

But what about tomorrow…?

She turned to glance at the other adventurers nearby.

"?!!"

Instantly, everyone averted their eyes.

Avoiding her gaze like it was a disease.

Afraid she might cling to them.

Darkness sighed.

She walked toward the quest board.

"I still don't have enough for tomorrow."

"Gotta pick a new quest."

[Investigate the slimes appearing in the forest.]

"Slimes... should be fine on my own…"

"Let's go with this one."


---

Meanwhile, in a corner of the guild cafeteria

Chishiya was rubbing his temples.

"ka-ka-ka-ka…"

Across from him, two small girls were devouring their meals like starving wolves.

How did he end up raising two food-obsessed brats?

As Chishiya stared blankly...

Megumin reached over and snatched his snack.

And immediately shoved it into her mouth.

"Hey! That was mine!"

Megumin munched triumphantly, cheeks puffed.

"Sensei, in a world where the strong prey on the weak, being naive like you is fatal."

"If you want something, you take it."

"Right, Rim-chan?"

Rim nodded while chomping down.

"Yummy~, so yummy~"

Chishiya clenched his jaw.

"You two little gluttons…"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 19: The World's Best Master!

Chishiya rubbed his temples twice.

Opened his account.

[Account Balance: 20 million Eris]

The total from selling Magic Air Conditioners and Magic Crystals had surpassed 20 million.

Which meant he could convert it into 200,000 Reputation Points.

With that, he could finally unlock teleportation anchors and start developing the tourism industry.

Across the table, Megumin swallowed the last bite of her food and looked at Chishiya.

"Sensei, didn't you say you were super busy lately?"

"So how come you brought us out today?"

Chishiya opened Rim's status panel.


---

[Rim]
[Gluttonous Dragon/Demon(Majin)]
[Energy Level: 10% → 30%]
[Labyrinth Resource Production Speed: Slow]


---

The truth was, Chishiya had noticed a problem.

The more resources mined from the labyrinth...

The faster Rim's energy dropped.

The two systems were clearly linked.

If her energy wasn't replenished in time, there was a risk of her going berserk.

Chishiya took a sip of wine and said casually, "It's not healthy to keep you locked inside the labyrinth forever."

"Might as well let you out for a walk every now and then."

Megumin pouted, clearly not buying it.

"Tch…"

"I've never seen a Sensei as irresponsible as you."

"Just dumped your apprentice inside and became some hands-off CEO."

"And!"

She slapped the table and stood up.

"Even if I said I only needed grocery money!"

"You've gone way too far!"

"Do you know what I've been eating every day living with a bunch of ants?!"

"Ugh… Ugh…"

She widened her eyes, covered her mouth, and gagged twice.

Chishiya stared at her, stunned.

...Don't tell me she really ate—

Megumin wiped her mouth and scowled.

"And another thing!"

"Living in a wooden shack?! I can't even bathe!"

"Do you know what I've suffered through?!"

She grew more worked up with every word.

Stormed right up to Chishiya, red eyes blazing.

Chishiya swallowed nervously.

"M-my bad…"

"Hmph…"

Megumin plopped back into her seat.

She rubbed her slightly rounded stomach.

"Whatever…"

"I'm full now anyway."

"But!"

"I'm taking a bath tonight!"

Chishiya: "No problem!"

"Oh, and—"

Chishiya reached into his coat and pulled out a shimmering rainbow-colored magic crystal, handing it to Megumin.

It was the high-grade ore that Wiz's shop couldn't move.

"This is for you."

When she saw the prismatic crystal…

Megumin's eyes lit up like fireworks.

"Isn't this… an S-rank Mana Ore?!"

"The holy grail of every great Arch Wizard?!"

"Sensei! You're giving this to me?!"

She was too easy to bribe. Chishiya smiled.

"So… do you like it?"

Megumin nodded like a bobblehead.

"I love it! I love it!"

"With this, I can make a staff that launches even more magnificent Explosion Magic!"

Seeing her that happy...

Chishiya couldn't help but grin.

"So, does that mean I'm forgiven?"

Megumin pouted again.

"Well... I'll mostly forgive you."

Chishiya: "What if I buy you a new robe?"

Megumin: "!!!"

Her whole face lit up.

"Sensei! You're the best master in the world!"

"Let's go! Let's go now!"

She grabbed his arm and pulled him out the door.

Chishiya's eye twitched.

"…This girl is so shameless…"


---

Later that morning

Chishiya took Megumin shopping for a new robe.

Aqua finished building two hot springs inside the labyrinth.

The queen ant got assigned to remodeling the wooden house.

After a long day of chores, Chishiya finally found a moment to breathe.

Back from the labyrinth, he headed straight to the Adventurers' Guild.

If the potions were getting results...

He could license distribution to the guild and skip a bunch of logistics.

Inside the Guild.

"Hey, have you tried the new potion from the cute shopkeeper?"

Adventurers were chatting at the tables.

"It works! It really works!"

"Way more effective than I thought!"

"Right?"

"Even a Horned Crocodile took the debuff!"

"There've been fewer low-level monsters around Axel lately."

"These potions have been a huge help."

From his seat in the corner, Chishiya sipped his drink.

Not bad. Feedback looked promising.

Mass production might be worth it.

He walked up to the front desk.

"Miss Luna, do you know when the next Chamber of Commerce carriage is leaving town?"

If these potions could affect high-level monsters…

They'd sell like crazy in elite markets.

Places like the Royal Capital, or the Water City.

Might as well start exporting.

Behind the counter, Luna tilted her head in surprise.

"Chishiya-san doesn't know?"

"Due to an increase in high-level monster sightings lately…"

"All local trade caravans have stopped running."

Chishiya blinked.

"High-level monsters... showing up frequently?"

"What's causing it?"

Luna shook her head.

"No one knows."

"But the Guild has already posted investigation requests."

"If we hear anything, I'll inform you immediately."

Chishiya rubbed his chin.

So the trade routes were suspended...

This was seriously cutting into his profits.

Then Luna added.

"Chishiya-san, maybe you could take the commission?"

"The carriages are grounded, and the Guild's getting desperate."

"If you find the cause, you'll be rewarded."

Chishiya nodded.

His goal was to make money while doing absolutely nothing.

But with this many employees depending on him...

And his current power level being somewhere around "Demon King Adjacent"...

A simple investigation shouldn't be a big deal.

"Sure."

Luna smiled and handed him a commission.

"Given your current rank... let's start with this one."


---

[Commission: Investigate the sudden appearance of slimes in the forest]


---

Chishiya raised an eyebrow.

"Slimes?"


---

In the forest

"Freeze."

Boom—!

A black saber-toothed tiger was flash-frozen, then shattered into icy shards.

Chishiya rotated his wrists.

Wiz's ice magic was way more practical than Megumin's explosions.

And surprisingly efficient.

That killer beast was strong enough to one-shot rookie adventurers.

Most parties would need three or four level-20 adventurers just to bring one down.

Chishiya bent down and picked up the monster's magic core.

Should sell for a decent price.

After all...

Rim eats faster than the labyrinth can produce…

He still didn't have enough cash to upgrade the labyrinth…

Remodeling the house cost a fortune...

Damn it, the more he thought about it, the broker he felt.

Making money was non-negotiable.

He tucked the core into his coat and continued along the path marked on the map.

Come to think of it…

Ever since receiving all those blessings, his magic had felt stronger.

Before, it was just a vague impression.

But now, the power was definitely real.

Take that rookie killer earlier.

He probably didn't even use 30% of his strength… and it still got one-shot.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 20: The Mentally Ill Knight Drives a Demon King Army Cadre Crazy

Following the markers on the map,
Chishiya arrived alone in the deeper part of the forest.

He looked around.

There was no detailed information on the slime cluster in the commission.

"Is this really the place?"

Just as Chishiya was questioning things,
a strange sound echoed from deeper in the woods.

"Come… come on—!"

"No… you're welcome…"

Chishiya: "???"

...What the hell?

Is this how kids are playing in the woods these days?

Tch. Focus, Chishiya. Positive energy.

"..."

After two cautious steps forward, he paused.

"Should I really be investigating this? I mean…"

He pushed aside the bushes.

Instant regret.

There, in a small clearing,
a blonde woman in full armor was surrounded by slimes.

Her sword had been tossed aside.
She stood there… visibly enjoying herself.

"Ah~"

Rustle...

She heard the leaves moving behind her.

Darkness turned around and locked eyes with Chishiya.

"…"

The silence was deafening.

Darkness: "???"

"EHHHHHHHHHHHH——?!!"

Her face turned beet red.

She scrambled for her sword.

"You… you vile slime scum! Y-you dare use illusions on me?!"

"Take… take this!"

She swung her sword at the nearest slime.

Three minutes passed.

She hadn't landed a single hit.

"Haa… haa… haa…"

Darkness panted, gripping her sword tightly.

Her eyes kept flicking to Chishiya from the corner of her vision.

So humiliating…
So shameful…
So utterly disgraceful...

...but also… kind of thrilling.

Just as her thoughts were spiraling.

The surrounding slimes suddenly fused together.

In the blink of an eye, they became a giant slime.

Its tentacles wrapped around her armor-clad body.

Too shameful!
To be seen like this!
And yet… what comes next...?

Hehe… hehehe…

Darkness stifled a smile, her mind entering full delusion mode.

Chishiya's system interface popped up.


---

[Name: Darkness]
[Recruitable Employee]
[Recruitment Rewards:]
1. Knight's Body: Greatly enhances host's physical defense.
2. Kingdom Nobility: Increases profit margin by 25% when dealing with noble clients.


---

Recruitable…

But…

Chishiya stared at the woman who was literally basking in her tentacle-fueled humiliation.

Nope. Not a chance.

This woman is beyond help.

Still, to stop this from getting any weirder, Chishiya finally stepped in.

"Freeze."

In an instant, the slime froze solid.

It shattered to pieces on the ground.

Darkness blinked.

"Huh?"

Almost disappointed.

But with Chishiya still standing there, she held back.

"Ahem…"

"Thanks for the help…"

Darkness cleared her throat.

"I was… under an illusion, that's all."

"These slimes are really crafty..."

"..."

Chishiya said nothing.

Illusions? From slimes?

God-tier mental gymnastics.

Darkness gave him a grateful bow.

"Anyway, thank you again."

Chishiya waved dismissively.

"No big deal."

Darkness studied him curiously.

Simple clothes. Average gear.

But…

Way too good-looking. Not her type.

She preferred the kind of guy who was totally useless, muttering bitterly about society while hitting himself with an empty bottle.
A hopeless man forced to work just to survive.

Someone like…
That perverted shopkeeper who sold cursed goods.

Yes… yes… he was just right.

Darkness flushed red, already imagining his greasy face in her mind.

"Since you're okay now, I'll be heading out."

Chishiya turned around.

That giant slime earlier was likely the source of the disturbance.

With that dealt with, he could get back to his real job—selling products.

"Please wait!"

Darkness called out to him.

"May I ask your name? I want to properly thank you later."

"Chishiya."

With that, he turned and left.

Recruitment could wait.

He already had more than enough unmanageable weirdos in his company.


---

Back at the Guild counter

Chishiya reported his findings to Miss Luna.

Luna nodded and returned the commission slip.

"Alright, Chishiya-san. Once it's confirmed, the reward will be transferred to your account."

Chishiya nodded.

He checked the time.

Almost time to open shop.

He was about to leave when.

BEEEEP!

A sharp alarm blared through the Guild.

Urgent notice! Urgent notice!
All adventurers, please arm yourselves and gather at the town gates!
Repeat: All adventurers, to the front gates! Immediately!

"What the hell's going on?"

The Guild broke into chaos.

Everyone rushed toward the entrance.

There, they found—

A massive, purple-black slime.

It gurgled and burbled as toxic bubbles rose from its body.
It spewed foul gas and noxious mist with every pulse.

Standing before it was—

A blonde crusader.

Chishiya: "?"

He stared blankly.

Why…
Why did he immediately feel like this was somehow Darkness's fault?

Then someone shouted.

"Wait… isn't that a Demon King Army officer?!"

"Poison Slime Hans!"

"Why is he here—?!"


---

Outside the town

Hans, the toxic slime officer, was on the verge of a breakdown.

Damn it!

Dealing with Axis cultists in Water City was already bad enough.

Now he was assigned to Axel… and ran into this nightmare!

Vanir had gone missing in Axel, so Hans was sent by the Demon King to investigate.

And today, while chilling in the woods,
this lunatic knight jumped out of nowhere.

Claimed he "reeked of evil" and challenged him to a duel on the spot.

And the worst part?

His poison didn't work on her.

Even after full exposure,
she didn't collapse.
She got excited.

She even started saying weird crap with a flushed face.

Hans: A complete psychopath—!!!

Darkness, now covered in toxic slime,
bit her lip, cheeks flushed red.

"I… I won't let you hurt the people of Axel!"

Hans's eye twitched uncontrollably.

"Lady. You're insane."

"I told you already!"

"I'm not interested in the rookie adventurers here!"

"Do you not understand human language?!"

Darkness narrowed her eyes.

"How can I trust the words of a Demon King officer?"

"You must have some twisted motive."

"For example…"

"Poisoning me… and then fulfilling your sick fantasies!"

"Your eyes… they're totally giving it away!"

Hans: "You're insane!?!?"

"Stop saying things that'll ruin my reputation!"

Darkness ignored him completely. "Quit pretending—!"

Hans: "???"

"You're trying to corrupt me with your poison, aren't you?"

Hans: "???"

"Or maybe you want to do something even more depraved?!"

Hans: "Wait, what—"

"She's definitely a hopelessly evil monster."

Hans: "I'M THE MONSTER?!"

"COME ON! COME AT ME! H-H-HAAH… I WON'T GIVE IN TO YOU!"

(To be continued.)