Chapter 109: Soundly asleep

Yesterday, various things happened and I felt strangely tired. It seems that Sara and the others went to meet a woman named Gina and reported that they had become adventurers and could earn money.

Instead of praising them, she seemed to be worried, asking if they were okay. It’s understandable to be worried when you hear that children have become adventurers and can earn money.

When they answered that it’s okay because they have a Master, she then asked if the Master would come to the dining hall with them. She definitely intend to assess me.

“Master. Starting today, we’re going to explore the labyrinth with that person named Mel, right? Is she going to fight with us?”

While I was lost in thought about yesterday’s events, Marco asked me a question while having breakfast at the dining hall.

“No, She hasn’t formed a contract with a spirit yet, so you’ll level up like you did at the beginning with Kika. We’ll be splitting up.”

“Isn’t she going to become Master’s disciple?”

“No, she’s a blacksmith, but I guess she’ll be with us for a little while.”

Marco nodded in understanding and resumed eating breakfast. In a way, this is also growth. At first, he was completely focused on eating and had no room for conversation. Now, he has the leisure to ask questions if something is on his mind.

We’re together every day, so I didn’t notice any difference, but it seems like he’s gained a bit of weight. …Hmm, when we first met, he was so skinny. Now, with his slightly too thin appearance, he’ll probably become a healthy boy at some point.

“Oh, Master. Is something wrong?”

Sara noticed that I was looking at something and asked what was wrong.

“It’s nothing. Is it delicious?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

Sara nodded with a smile.

“Eat a lot.”

I couldn’t help but feel like a father rejoicing over the growth of a child. It’s a complicated feeling. I’m still young. It’s not a father’s feeling, but rather, I want to be tossed around by the turmoil of love. We finished breakfast and left the inn. Now, shall we go meet Mel?

I arrived at Mel’s workshop. When I entered, I saw Mel and Yunis next to each other. I hope she didn’t fail to convince her or something.

“Good morning. Are you ready?”

“Yes, good morning. Yuta-san. Yunis-chan says she has something to talk to you about.”

“Oh, what is it?”

I’d rather not have a tense conversation with a beautiful woman from the morning, but…

“Don’t worry, I’m not coming along. Honestly, I wanted to go with you, but Mel absolutely refused, and she won’t tell me anything about your conversation…”

She grumbled and complained.

“I’m sorry, Yunis-chan. But it’s okay, so don’t worry,” Mel reassured her.

“Yesterday was intense,” Melal interjected, trembling.

(What happened?)

“They’re good friends, so when something foreign comes between them, it becomes a mess. Yunis cries and clings to Mel, but Mel can’t share the details of the conversation, so it’s become quite troublesome. And when she talked about entering the labyrinth, it turned into a back-and-forth of ‘come along,’ ‘no, you can’t,’ and it became an unmanageable situation,” Melal explained.

Something foreign… Well, Melal is the one who introduced that foreign element. Well, I understand that it was a difficult situation. Just imagining it is exhausting.

For now, it seems like things have settled down. Yunis walked towards me while still hugging Mel. Mel’s legs were swinging back and forth. They’re childhood friends with a significant size difference.

“Mel won’t tell me anything about the content, but I’ll reluctantly accept it if it’s necessary to resolve Mel’s worries with a secret technique. However, if you do anything strange, I’ll kill you no matter what,” she said, not in a loud voice but with a calm smile. Her eyes weren’t smiling though. It’s important to maintain a good reputation even when helping others.

Also, is it fine to cover Mel’s mouth, but since you’re also covering her nose, she might be called to heaven before we even enter the labyrinth.

Maybe she didn’t want Mel to interrupt, but she didn’t have to cover her mouth so tightly. Oh, her flailing legs just hit me.

“Hey, don’t just stare, help her! She’s turning blue!” Melal panicked.

“I don’t want to know what you mean by ‘doing something strange,’ but rest assured, I don’t intend to do anything as terrible as you. It’s getting dangerous,” I said, pointing at Mel.

“What do you mean by terrible… Mel, what happened? Mel, stay with me.”

“What do you mean, what happened? You almost suffocated your childhood friend by covering her mouth and nose.”

Yunis, who shook Mel without my words reaching her, seemed to regain consciousness, but I think shaking her like that would make it hard for her to breathe. If it came to it, I planned to ask Silphy to send air into her lungs, but it seems she’s okay.

“Phew. I feel a little dizzy.”

“Are you alright? Should we take a break from today’s exploration?”

“No, I’m fine. Let’s go!”

She said it with determination and a serious expression, but it’s hard to take her seriously when she’s rubbing her cheeks while crying. And she’s crying with a runny nose. She’s ruining her beauty. She’s usually like this, emotionally unstable, but Melal says she’s never seen Yunis like this before. She must be really worried about me and Mel going on an adventure.

“Alright then. We’ll be heading out soon, so please somehow detach yourself from Yunis who’s clinging to you.”

“Yes, I’m… I’m fine now, and I’m not mad.”

“No~. I want to be together~”

It took some time to calm down Yunis, who was crying and sniffling. This duo is such a hassle. But even though they can’t see them, Bell and the others are trying their best to comfort Yunis, and that’s lovely.

“Hey, Master. Are you okay?”

I don’t know what they’re worried about, but I guess they’re worried about everything in general. I’m worried too, just like Marco.

“Let’s do our best together.”

Marco reluctantly nodded. It’s kind of annoying, but it’s nice of him to at least nod.

Finally detaching Yunis, we got ready and headed towards the labyrinth. However, Yunis, who was still teary-eyed, insisted on following us all the way to the labyrinth, and the stares from people around us were quite painful.

To others, everyone except me and Ynis looks like little children. So, it would seem like I’m the one who made her cry. I can’t accept that. I wonder what rumors will spread this time?

“Everyone ready? Then let’s enter the labyrinth.”

Everyone nodded, and as I was about to proceed towards the entrance, a voice stopped me.

“Yuta, wait a moment.”

(Silphy, what’s wrong?)

“I’m curious about something, so wait a moment.”

Silphy’s words made me hold back everyone who was about to move forward. I wonder what’s going on?

“Melal, how far do you plan to follow us?”

Silphy called out to Melal. Now that she mentions it, he’s been following us naturally.

“How far? I’ll follow wherever. I’m worried about Mel, after all.”

“That’s not happening. A spirit without a contract entering the labyrinth will only drain you. Just wait quietly.”

Come to think of it, she said something like that before. If that’s the case, it would be bad if he followed us.

“I’ll be fine even if I go.”

“Don’t be disobedient. If you’re so stubborn, I’ll have Yuta call Dyne to take care of you.”

Melal shivered slightly. Since Silphy had been with Sara and the others, she didn’t witness the scene. But it’s impressive how well she captured Melal’s weak points in our conversation.

“Would you rather stay at the workshop or spend three days with Dyne? Which one do you think is better?”

If it’s Dyne, she’ll be able to restrict Melal’s actions, and she seemed eager to talk to Melal, so she would gladly take care of him.

“…I’ll stay at the workshop. Yuta, I’m counting on you to take care of Melal.”

(Understood. So just wait quietly.)

“Got it.”

“Master, what’s wrong?”

“Ah, sorry. It’s nothing. Let’s enter the labyrinth then.”

Finally, we entered the labyrinth, leaving Merle and Unis behind with their puppy-like eyes.

“Phew.”

This is bad. Things can’t continue like this. Lately, materials from the labyrinth’s 50th floor and beyond have been circulating in places unknown to the Adventurers Guild.

The guild is actively searching for those who have reached beyond the 50th floor, but their identities remain unknown.

Requests for material collection pour in from the country, the military, nobles, and merchants. It’s not wrong to rely on the Adventurers Guild. However, the problem is that the guild doesn’t have information on those who have surpassed the 50th floor.

While the military and mercenaries may make use of the labyrinth, they fall behind adventurers who delve deep into it. Conquering the Fire Dragon on the 50th floor would undoubtedly require the cooperation of adventurers.

However, although I confirmed that someone has established a frontline base on the 49th floor, where the Assault Dragon and Wyverns caused a commotion, that’s all there is. While there are signs of battles, there’s only the footprint of one person.

It’s possible to reach the 49th floor if one specializes in concealing their presence and possesses enough strength, but defeating the Fire Dragon alone is clearly impossible.

Even the continent’s top-tier magicians, knights, and adventurers would be sacrificing their lives to challenge it. Even if they were to successfully defeat it, I don’t understand the point of hiding that achievement.

It’s insane to throw away the chance to gain unimaginable wealth and fame. Well, I suppose they are selling the materials, but the profit is minuscule compared to what they could gain by making it public.

Furthermore, although we established checkpoints on the 49th floor, new materials from the 50th floor and beyond still found their way out. The adventurers on guard duty testified that nothing had passed through. What on earth is happening? There are too many mysteries. What do these challengers want?

With the 50th floor breached, the acquisition of God Herb is highly anticipated. There are many talented individuals who can no longer fight in wars. The creation of the Recovery Potion would be a tremendous blessing.

We have also been pressuring the commercial guilds that acquire the materials, but the results are unsatisfactory. We finally discovered that the Porius Company is monopolizing the materials… but that annoying company president eludes our pursuit. Just thinking about that face makes me feel a surge of murderous intent.

At some point, our limits will be reached, but it seems they want to greedily enjoy the profits until that time comes. That raccoon!

“Ugh.”

A sharp pain pierces my stomach. Lately, I can’t sleep well and my health is deteriorating. Reluctantly, I organize the documents that have piled up at night, but they all mainly concern materials from the 50th floor and beyond. It only makes it harder for me to sleep.

Knock, knock!

That’s an unusually rough knock. Is it an emergency?

“Come in.”

“Excuse me.”

The person who entered was the head of intelligence in the guild.

“What’s the matter?”

“Guildmaster, we’ve identified the individuals who have breached the 50th floor.”

“What! Who are they?”

They have caused us so much trouble. While I can’t be impolite due to their group’s power, I do expect them to be of some use. At the very least, they should assist our adventurers in breaching the 50th floor. Kukuku, I might finally be able to sleep soundly.