Labyrinth Chapter 11/12

Chapter 11: Duke Vanir of Hell

Chishiya was stunned.

Not just because of the sudden appearance of the system panel.

But more so… because his identity had been revealed just like that.

Vanir grinned.

"Relax, I don't mean any harm."

"What we're curious about is the civilization of your world."

"Are you really here to partner with this useless shopkeeper?"

Wiz immediately went into defense mode.

"Eh, hey hey?!"

"Mr. Vanir!"

"Please don't call me a useless shopkeeper in front of customers!"

Chishiya narrowed his eyes.

Now that the truth was out, there was no point hiding anything.

Might as well cut to the chase.

"Yes, I'm here to work with Miss Wiz."

Wiz blinked in surprise.

"Eh? You want to work with me?"

"That's right."

Chishiya pulled a blueprint from his coat.

"Miss Wiz, can you manufacture this?"

Ever since arriving in this world, Chishiya had been brainstorming ways to strike it rich.

His best idea? Magic devices fused with modern tech from his past life.

Wiz took the blueprint.

It wasn't detailed—just some basic working principles and ideas.

Wiz tilted her head. "This is a magic tool… that outputs cold air?"

Chishiya nodded.

"Yes. It's called air conditioning."

"In my world, it's a best-seller during summer."

Vanir walked over.

"This is intriguing."

"I get the feeling this will sell like hotcakes."

He glanced at Chishiya.

"Didn't expect someone who just sells magic crystals to come up with something this creative."

Wiz froze.

"Eh? Selling magic crystals?"

Vanir shot her a sideways glance.

"You clueless shopkeeper. He's the one who sold you the magic crystal."

Wiz's eyes went wide.

"Ehhhhhh?! So it was you!"

Vanir facepalmed.

"Human, please ignore this out-of-touch shopkeeper for now."

"If you're serious about this partnership…"

"How about letting our store act as your agent?"

Wiz blinked.

"Mr. Vanir—!"

"I didn't know you had such faith in me!"

"I'll work extra hard to make money!"

Vanir replied coolly.

"Don't get the wrong idea."

"I just know how talented you are… at ruining a business."

Wiz: "Eh?!"

Vanir adjusted his mask.

"From now on, we'll run this store together."

"If I leave it to you alone, our dream of making money and building a dungeon won't come true even in another thousand years."

Then he turned to Chishiya.

"You provide all the convenient inventions from your world."

"She'll handle production."

"We'll take care of the sales and guarantee results."

"How about splitting the profits 50-50?"

A fifty-fifty split wasn't bad.

But… this was still their shop, not his.

And how much money could it really make?

Chishiya knew the difference between a one-off meal and long-term meals.

He rubbed his chin.

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"Mr. Vanir, did you say something about a dungeon earlier?"

Vanir chuckled.

"Correct."

"My dream is to build a dungeon that attracts all kinds of veteran adventurers!"

Chishiya: "If I help you finish that dream, would you work for me?"

Vanir paused.

"Help me?"

"The last person who said that nearly bankrupted me."

Wiz curled into a ball, embarrassed and clasping her hands.

Vanir: "So this time, I'll personally—"

Before he could finish, Chishiya cut him off.

"I have a dungeon."

"???"

Vanir and Wiz looked up at the same time.

Chishiya raised his hand.

A black portal opened before them.

"Would you two like a quick tour?"

Space teleportation magic?

They glanced at each other and followed Chishiya inside.

Then, they froze.

"What is this?!"

They saw countless labyrinth ants hauling stones, others mining magic crystals, everything running like a tight operation.

Chishiya explained.

"Let me show you around."

They exited the labyrinth.

There was a checkpoint at the entrance, and a huge plaque hung on the mountain above:

[Underground Labyrinth Enterprise Co., Ltd.]

Vanir was speechless.

"This is my first time seeing monsters employed like actual staff."

"Looks like I underestimated you."

Chishiya smiled faintly.

He had tasked all of this to the Labyrinth Ant Queen.

While the inner systems worked like a machine, the outside needed a presentable front.

You couldn't attract customers without a decent image.

"Mr. Vanir."

"If you work for me, you can fulfill your wish here."

"I want to make money. You want to savor the negative emotions of adventurers."

"Why not a win-win deal?"

"Let's grow bigger and stronger together."

Vanir's lips curled up into a satisfied smile.

"Interesting…"

"This place is way more fun than the Demon King's army."

"I accept!"

[Ding!]

[Successfully recruited Vanir]
[Please check rewards carefully]

Vanir: "Alright, tell me your plan."

Chishiya replied.

"First, the magic shop's name should be prefixed with our company's name."

"In return, the company will provide resource support."

"If the store profits, we'll give year-end dividends."

Vanir nodded.

"No objections here."

Chishiya turned to Wiz. "What about you, Miss Wiz?"

Wiz: "I don't really have any objections…"

"But…"

"There are still some losses on the shop's books…"

Chishiya smiled.

"That's fine. As long as you're willing to work for me."

"I can handle the losses."

Wiz's eyes lit up.

"Really?!"

"Mr. Chishiya, you're so reliable!"

"It's such a relief to have a dependable boss~"

Back at the magic shop.

Wiz pulled out the account book carefully.

Vanir stayed quiet.

His expression said everything.

"…Let's go scout the market."

He patted Chishiya's shoulder.

"Good luck."

Then he walked away without another word.

Chishiya blinked.

Why'd he leave in such a hurry?

Wiz stepped up with a smile.

"Mr. Chishiya, this is for you."

He accepted the account book.

And suddenly had a very bad feeling.

"..."

A few seconds later.

His worst fears were confirmed.

Can someone please explain…

How a tiny little magic tool shop…

Could rack up a debt of 50 million Eris?!

Wiz sighed in relief.

"Thank goodness I have a reliable boss like Mr. Chishiya."

"Otherwise, I'd have no idea what to do with this much debt."

[Ding!]

[Congratulations on successfully recruiting Wiz]
[Please check rewards carefully]

(To be continued.)

Chapter 12: Magic Air Conditioner

Chishiya rubbed his temples.

The corners of his mouth twitched into a forced smile.

"Miss Wiz, can you explain this 50 million Eris debt?"

Wiz: "…"

She lowered her head, placing her hands against her chest awkwardly.

"Well… I borrowed some money to buy a few S-class magic crystals…"

"But, Mr. Chishiya!"

Wiz looked up. "I really think these are quality goods!"

"They're sure to be a big hit!"

Chishiya gently set down the account book and smiled faintly.

"Miss Wiz, it was a pleasure meeting you."

Wiz: "Huh, huh?!"

Chishiya turned around.

"Mr. Chishiya, where are you going?!"

Chishiya picked up Rim.

"Mr. Chishiya?!"

Chishiya ran.

"Mr. Chishiya—!"

Out on the street...

Wiz clung tightly to Chishiya's pant leg.

Chishiya: "Wiz, let go!"

50 million Eris!

What kind of sick joke was this?!

Miss Wiz, you look so harmless, but you're absolutely lethal!

Wiz refused to let go.

"Mr. Chishiya, please don't leave—!"

"If you don't help, the shop's going under!"

"I'll do anything you ask!"

Tsk tsk tsk…

Passersby whispered as they took in the scene.

Especially at the sight of Chishiya carrying a little girl in his arms.

"Sigh… young people these days."

"Love drama?"

"The poor child, caught in the middle…"

What a disaster. Chishiya's eyelid twitched.

"Fine! I'll help you, okay?!"

Wiz looked up, eyes sparkling.

"Really?!"

"Yes, really. Now let go already."

The farce finally ended, and they returned to the shop.

Chishiya said, "Miss Wiz, can you contact the person who sold you those magic crystals?"

"….."

Wiz shook her head.

Chishiya sighed.

No chance of getting a refund, then.

He looked at her.

"Miss Wiz, let's go over things first."

"You said you'd do anything, right?"

Wiz nodded.

"Yes! As long as I can make up for the losses, I'm willing to do anything!"

Chishiya: "Good. That thing I sketched out earlier…"

"How many could you produce in one week?"

Wiz answered seriously.

"If I don't eat, drink, or sleep, I can make about 50."

Chishiya narrowed his eyes.

The quantity was solid.

But pricing and sales… that was going to be the real problem.

Oh well.

"You go ahead and make them. I'll figure something out once they're ready."

———

The next day

Chishiya arrived at the store bright and early.

First order of business: change the signboard.

[Underground Labyrinth Prop Shop]

"If this actually sells well, it'll boost the Labyrinth's reputation too."

He walked into the shop.

Wiz was at the workbench, tinkering with something.

"Mr. Chishiya, you're here?"

Hearing his voice, she looked up.

As expected of a lich. She had no issue pulling an all-nighter.

"Wiz, how many did you finish?"

Wiz stretched and pointed to nine tall units lined up behind her.

Chishiya was surprised.

"You already made nine?!"

Wiz nodded.

"Based on the idea you gave me, I embedded ice magic into each one."

"As long as you feed it a magic crystal, it'll blow cold air anytime."

Chishiya gave her a firm pat on the shoulder.

"Miss Wiz."

"Now comes the most important part. It's all on you."

Wiz replied seriously.

"Don't worry! I'll do my very best!"

———

An hour later

A row of tables was set up at the shop entrance.

Chishiya shouted with everything he had.

"Dear adventurers, don't walk past this chance!"

"Our shop has just launched a brand-new product!"

"Essential for staying cool in summer!"

"Only 200,000 Eris per unit. Take one home today!"

Right next to him...

Wiz stepped out shyly.

Wearing a maid café outfit that was clearly one size too small.

"Mr. Chi… Chishiya… Are you sure this will work?"

Chishiya gave her a confident thumbs-up.

"Trust me. It will."

As an expert in dropping baits…

Chishiya knew exactly what kind of degenerates filled Axel's adventurer ranks.

Sure enough, the moment Wiz stepped out…

Every man within a 50-meter radius spun around like they'd picked up on a pheromone signal.

Swish!

Heads turned in perfect sync.

Sharper than radar.

In an instant, they were surrounded.

"Miss Wiz, please go out with me!"

"No! Come with me!"

"Be mine!"

....

Wiz: "Eh?!"

"Mr. Chishiya, isn't this… kind of wrong?!"

Caught off guard, Wiz was overwhelmed by the chaos.

"Everyone, calm down!"

Chishiya stepped forward.

"Thank you all for attending the grand launch of the Underground Labyrinth Prop Shop's latest product!"

Everyone froze.

"A launch… event?"

"Yes. Allow me to present our store's new product."

He gave Wiz a signal.

She pulled off the red cloth.

Revealing the nine vertical air conditioners underneath.

"What is that?"

"So sneaky. I thought this was a dating event, but she's selling stuff…"

"Forget it…"

"Sorry, Miss Wiz. We're not interested in magic tools."

People began to drift off.

Wiz: "Mr. Chishiya…"

Chishiya raised a hand to stop her.

"Don't panic."

"It's the hottest season of the year. I'm sure a lot of people are struggling with the heat."

"The product we're launching today solves that exact problem."

"Wiz."

He turned and gestured.

Wiz nodded and slotted a magic crystal into one of the devices.

The next second.

A cool breeze burst forth.

"Whoa! What kind of magic tool is that?!"

"It's blowing cold air?!"

"How does it even work?!"

As the temperature dropped, the adventurers who were leaving turned back.

"It actually cools the air?!"

"With this, I wouldn't have to suffer through sleepless summer nights!"

"Does it have any side effects?"

Someone asked cautiously.

Chishiya replied.

"Rest assured, this product has no side effects."

"It only requires a low-grade magic crystal to operate."

"One C-grade magic crystal can power it for over half a year."

As the crowd thickened...

Chishiya raised his voice again.

"To celebrate our launch, all first-day buyers will receive one complimentary C-grade magic crystal!"

The audience buzzed.

"What?!"

"200,000 Eris per unit, and it comes with a C-grade crystal?!"

"A C-grade magic crystal's worth 100,000 Eris on its own!"

"What's this device called?"

Chishiya smiled.

"I call it the Magic Air Conditioner."

"There are only nine units available."

"If you want one, now's your chance."

"Because starting tomorrow, we won't be giving away any more magic crystals."

"First come, first served."

As soon as Chishiya finished speaking...

The crowd exploded into a frenzy.

"I want one!"

"Me too!!!"

(To be continued.)