Chapter 9

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The day after having dinner with Sophia and Selma, I headed to the general store I often visit to buy recovery potions and other consumables, as we were set to explore the Great Labyrinth starting the next day.

"Hey, grandpa, hello."

"Oh, Orun, it's been a while... How have you been?"

The store owner was an old man in his early sixties with a long, completely white beard. I had been a regular customer at this store ever since I became an explorer in this town.

Even when I wasn't making much money, he would give me discounts, provide me with free prototypes, and sometimes offer advice as a senior in life. I owe a lot to this old man.

"It hasn't been that long. I was here just four days ago."

"Was it? Lately, I've been getting more customers, so I've been talking to a lot of different people."

"That's good to hear that business is booming."

"Hehehe, it's all thanks to you, Orun."

"I haven't done anything special. It's simply because the potions and items you make are of high quality."

"I know that. I know you've been promoting my store. Even though you've become one of the top explorers, you still come to my store, and you even promote it. I'm really grateful to you, Orun."

Suddenly, the old man started thanking me.

"What's with the sudden thanks? I'm the one who's been helped by you."

"Gratitude can be expressed at any time. It's best to say it when you can."

You're right; unexpected farewells can happen. "Say it when you can" is something I've learned from the old man. And yet, I might not be able to repay him anymore.

"... Grandpa, I'm sorry. Actually, I'm no longer a member of the Hero Party... So I probably won't be able to promote your store anymore..."

I used to promote the store using the Hero Party's reputation. I'm not famous on my own, and now that I'm no longer part of the Hero Party, I don't have much influence over others.

When I told the old man that I was no longer part of the Hero Party and wouldn't be able to promote his store anymore, he stroked my head with the same gentle expression as always.

"Don't worry about it, kid. It's been almost nine years since we met. You've been a great conversation partner for this old man for nine years. That's more than enough for me to be grateful. Don't worry about it. And besides—keeping the customers you brought in through your promotion is up to my efforts. You've done enough. Thank you."

"Thank you, grandpa. I should be the one saying thank you."

Touched by the old man's kindness, I couldn't hold back my tears. Normally, I wouldn't cry, but being kicked out of the Hero Party had affected me more than I realized. When Oliver kicked me out of the party, it felt like all my efforts were being negated. That's why being affirmed by the old man, with whom I've had a nine-year relationship, made me feel so much better.

The old man always listens to my complaints. He always helps me. He's always on my side. I consider him like a real grandfather, as I don't have a family. I can't betray him. I reaffirmed this and made a firm vow in my heart.

◇

After buying what I needed at the old man's store and doing some light exercise against the monsters in the labyrinth, I visited the headquarters of the Silver Hare of the Night for the details of tomorrow's instructional exploration.

"... It's impressive inside too."

Until now, I had only seen the exterior of the Silver Hare of the Night headquarters, and this was my first time stepping inside.

It was as impressive as the lounge of a top-tier hotel where I had attended parties hosted by the Marquis family, who had funded the Hero Party. Even I, who am not very knowledgeable about interior decor, could tell that many of the items were of high value.

"Orun, you're here."

Selma, who was sitting in a chair in the lounge's resting area, greeted me as soon as I entered.

"Good evening, Selma. This is my first time inside. It's a magnificent lounge."

"Thank you. The entrance is designed to impress, but the rest of the building isn't as grand. Let me show you around. Follow me."

I followed Selma. As she said, the quality of the decor seemed to decrease as we moved deeper into the building. However, it was still impressive enough for an explorer.

When we entered the room we were led to, it was a conference room with a man in his early thirties sitting inside. He was wearing a black and blue outfit that symbolized the Silver Hare of the Night, with the clan's emblem embroidered on his left chest.

(Is he an office worker? He seems to have a presence.)

"Orun, let me introduce you. This is Vince Briares, the leader of the Silver Hare of the Night."

I see. So this is the leader of the clan. That explains his presence.

Given the background of this instructional exploration, I knew it had to be a success, and with an outsider like me participating, I expected a high-ranking member of the clan to be involved. However, I didn't expect the leader himself to be here. I wonder what his intentions are. He's not the type to have free time.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Vince Briares. I've heard about you. I was hoping to have a conversation, and I heard you were coming here today, so I came over."

... Heard about me? I'm not famous, and the Hero Party only shared the minimum information about me. What exactly has he heard?

"Nice to meet you, I'm Orun Doura. It's an honor to meet the leader of the Silver Hare of the Night."

"You don't need to be so guarded. I know you're no longer part of the Hero Party. There's no need for us to play games, right?"

... I can't read this guy at all. Most people's thoughts are reflected in their expressions. Even high-ranking nobles can be read to some extent, but I can't read anything from this man.

The Hero Party and the Silver Hare of the Night had different sponsors. When we reached the same floor, our sponsors even instructed us to engage in inhumane sabotage. I didn't want to bring the nobles' conflicts into our world, but since we were receiving support, we couldn't refuse. We didn't engage in inhumane acts, but we did try to hinder each other. It was a real hassle. The instructions stopped when the Silver Hare of the Night's internal conflicts and the Hero Party's progress through the floors calmed down. However, the sponsors of the Hero Party and the Silver Hare of the Night probably don't find the current situation amusing.

"... I see. So, I heard you were going to explain the details of tomorrow's instructional exploration?"

"Yes. Selma will do the explaining."

"Yesterday, I told you the general plan. We'll clear the first to the fifty-first floor of the Great Labyrinth in three days. Specifically, we'll reach the twenty-first floor on the first day, the thirty-sixth floor on the second day, and the fifty-first floor on the third day."

Even after hearing it again, it sounds like an unreasonable schedule. The person who came up with this plan probably doesn't understand the Great Labyrinth very well and only consulted overconfident high-level explorers.

"... If we're taking new explorers, it will be a one-day trip, right?"

"Yes. It would be too much of a mental burden for new explorers to stay overnight in the labyrinth."

If we follow the shortest route and the high-level explorers take care of the floor bosses, it might be doable.

"Next, regarding the monsters along the way. Ten new explorer parties will participate. The monsters in the direction of our progress will be fought by the new parties in rotation, while the monsters that appear from the sides or behind will be taken care of by the supervisors."

The supervisors are high-level explorers like me and Selma. If the ten parties take turns fighting and the high-level explorers handle any unexpected monsters, the burden on the new explorers will be minimal. They'll have to fight about one-tenth as many times as they would on a regular exploration. Considering the fatigue from moving, it might be a wash, but...

"There will be five supervisors, including me and Orun. Each will be responsible for two parties. If the new parties get into trouble during a fight, you should intervene. In the upper floors, let the new parties handle the fights themselves. From the thirty-first floor, the supervisors should give instructions."

The Great Labyrinth is divided into four sections: the upper floors (1-30), the middle floors (31-60), the lower floors (61-90), and the deep floors (91+).

Naturally, the monsters get stronger and the floors get larger as you progress.

Explorer parties are also ranked in four levels: C for parties that have reached the upper floors, B for the middle floors, A for the lower floors, and S for the deep floors.

"That's the general plan. Do you have any questions?"

Questions? There are too many things to point out in this plan... But since it's a known plan, there's no point in bringing them up. I'll just ask about the one thing that's really bothering me.

"Then, just one question. Why are there only five supervisors? With such an unreasonable schedule, why not bring multiple A-ranked parties and let the high-level explorers handle all the monsters along the way?"

"That's... The goal is to bring the new explorers to the fifty-first floor. However, this is a rare opportunity for them to explore the labyrinth with the support of high-level explorers. Wouldn't it be a waste not to use this opportunity for their growth?"

That sounds like an excuse. The results are what matter. The process is irrelevant. The Silver Hare of the Night should know that. There must be another reason for choosing this group, but I doubt they'll tell me. Selma's expressions are easier to read, so I might get some information if I press her, but with Vince Briares here, I might just be digging my own grave.

"I understand. It's going to be a tough three days, but I'll do my best to help."

"Thank you. Next, regarding the compensation. I'd like to offer two gold coins as an advance and ten gold coins as a reward. How does that sound?"

That's quite high...

The currency in this world consists of seven types of coins: iron, small copper, large copper, small silver, large silver, gold, and platinum. Iron coins are the least valuable, and platinum coins are the most. Each type is worth ten of the next lower type. A gold coin is enough for a commoner to live comfortably for a month.

"I don't have a problem with it, but isn't it too high?"

"That's how much I value you, Orun. I'm counting on you from tomorrow."

"I understand. I'll do my best."

In the end, the leader didn't say a word. What was he even here for?

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