Chapter 62: Crazy World
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: Crazy World
After pushing through the crowd, I reunited with the hooded Theodora at a distance.
"You did well back there."
"Did I? I’m not so sure. I was going to grab that sword for you, since you use two-handed swords."
"Not all two-handed swords are the same. And ten percent Rare Metal? I can have a sword made of one hundred percent pure Rare Metal if I want."
Right, Theodora was incredibly rich. I wasn't exactly in a position to be giving her gifts.
"Theodora, what kind of guts did it take for you to go into the Labyrinth with me anyway?"
"Huh? Oh, well, just..."
Even if she trusted me because she’s a good person, what if I’d made a mistake and gotten her hurt?
To be honest, meeting guys like the Antonio Brotherhood could have been a real problem if I hadn't been there. Even if I didn't have bad intentions, plenty of dangerous things could have happened in the Labyrinth.
"Oh, is that what you meant? I have a backup plan."
"A backup plan? Like what?"
"This."
Theodora pulled back the side of her deep hood slightly to show me her neck.
"A choker?"
"It’s a Teleportation Artifact. Whenever I want, whether I'm on the 1st floor or the 50th floor of the Labyrinth, I can instantly teleport to the Lymain Treatment Center."
"That’s impressive. I didn't know things like that were possible."
Money really is the best. You can never have too many safety nets for your life. I thought about buying an artifact myself once I made some more money.
"So, did you get what you wanted from the Labyrinth?"
"Huh?"
"Didn't you say there was something you wanted?"
"Ah, right. I did."
Theodora hesitated for a moment. About twenty percent of her reason for entering the Labyrinth was to obtain a skill; the remaining eighty percent involved complicated circumstances related to family pressure.
The Lymain family was built on a foundation of strict meritocracy. Whether one was from a branch line or the direct line didn't matter—as long as you had the ability, you could rise to the top.
Upon reaching adulthood, the women of the Lymain family had to prove their worth and build their value using the knowledge and know-how passed down since childhood.
A merchant needs a balanced set of skills. They must be persuasive enough to sway others through eloquent speech, and they must accumulate knowledge of market prices and value to distinguish a good deal from a bad one.
Hiding one's expressions and emotions is essential, and a graceful appearance is a formidable weapon for a trader. One must possess boldness, and it is equally important to have the martial power to back it up—and the evidence of that power.
A true merchant, as she was taught in the Lymain family, must have the stamina to handle a relentless schedule and workload, and the grace to maintain themselves even amidst a suffocating itinerary.
Theodora already managed numerous clients and maintained smooth relationships with them. Having proven her aptitude as a merchant, she now sought a powerful skill and a high-ranking Explorer’s Plate as solid evidence to support her continued martial training.
Since she had plenty of money, erasing a few strange curse skills was no difficult task.
However, there were limits to what she could do solo.
If she used her connections to find an explorer to accompany her, she could easily find a famous and powerful one of Cobalt Grade or higher.
But the Labyrinth was full of elements that threatened survival. Entrusting all those problems to an explorer contacted through known connections would naturally result in a significant, invisible 'debt.'
A member of the Lymain family must never owe a debt equivalent to the value of their life. Such a debt would provide a pretext for others to exert influence over not just the individual, but the entire Lymain family.
Debt would accumulate toward the person who arranged the meeting with the explorer who saved her life, and debt would accumulate toward the explorer themselves.
The ideal person would be an explorer whose current value wasn't high but whose future prospects were promising—someone perfect for investment.
At the same time, they needed to be easy to read, loyal enough not to have ulterior motives, and, if possible, not materialistic and poor at calculation.
Someone who wouldn't hold a debt over her, someone she got along with, someone who didn't have expectations based on her Lymain status, and someone who wanted nothing from her.
In short, she needed someone who was like a mythical rarity.
Of course, Theodora knew this was unrealistic, so she figured she would have to compromise to some extent.
‘How did he appear at just the right time?’
"Aven, I want a strong skill. Something powerful enough to protect myself. I also want to achieve a high rank. It’s something I need to do."
"Oh, is that all?"
Theodora felt a slight sense of relief at Yoo Eon's nonchalant reaction.
"I want to form a party with you periodically."
Even if Yoo Eon refused, she had a plan. To be honest, most of the monster parts Yoo Eon had processed at the dismantling workshop using her name were of low value—the kind that usually cost money just to dispose of because there was no demand.
If she could use that as leverage to keep him, it wouldn't be a bad deal.
"Sure. Let's do that."
"Uh...?"
"Why the surprise? Weren't you asking to go to the Labyrinth together?"
"Ah, yes... but are you really okay with that?"
"It works for me. Actually, until recently, I thought traveling alone would be easier, but the 2nd Stratum was so desolate. I felt like I was going to go crazy from the isolation. It’ll be nice to have someone along."
Of course, it wasn't just that the ecology of the 2nd Stratum was so shitty it made him want to lose his mind. Since Yoo Eon's own physical condition was unique, he figured there was no harm in traveling with someone who had excellent connections like Theodora.
"Y-yeah. Right?"
"But aren't you busy with work? I'd go into the Labyrinth every day if my body could handle it."
"That... might be a bit difficult. But I can go whenever I don't have anything scheduled."
"Hmm, I see."
The corners of Theodora's mouth, usually so well-controlled, twitched in a rare lapse of composure.
‘Is he really a mythical rarity?’
* * *
"Congratulations, Aven."
"Unbelievable."
Who am I? The owner of a Gold-grade Explorer’s Plate. My life has definitely changed since I started this explorer business. Well, it literally changed since I dropped into another world, but you know what I mean. I guess the position really does make the man.
"You're Gold Grade now."
"Hah. Truly surprising."
"Congrats. I was actually betting with Dahlia on when you'd kick the bucket."
Katrina, standing nearby and chewing on some jerky, tossed out the joke.
"Is that true, Dahlia? I'm disappointed."
"N-No way! Senior, what are you talking about!?"
"Haha. I know it's a joke, Dahlia. Don't be so upset."
"Honestly...!"
Katrina walked over and rested her arm on Dahlia's head as she usually did, then turned to me.
"So, what on earth is that skill?"
"Were you watching the fight?"
"Of course. How could I miss something that entertaining? Besides, you're quite the hot topic within the guild lately."
"Me? Why?"
"Are you seriously asking that?"
Hmm, is that so? I guess it makes sense. I was a Brass-grade explorer who could have died at any moment, and then suddenly I'm soloing Alpha entities. Rising to Gold Grade in less than a month is bound to make me a hot potato.
Anyway, it was a happy occasion. Me, a Gold Grade? I couldn't believe it.
"The people who participated in the Orc Chieftain raid have been coming back up, too. Your skills have been clearly verified. Everyone was shocked to hear you were only Silver Grade, you know?"
"Haha, is that right?"
I figured as much. Weren't there other Silver Grades among the people there?
"Thanks to you, two Silver-grade explorers actually retired. They handed in their plates and left."
"Wait, seriously?"
"Well, it's hard watching your comrades die. I can't say your influence had nothing to do with it."
"Mmm."
I guess that's what they call a sense of relative inferiority. I’d finished everything I needed to do at the guild, and Theodora had already left for her scheduled appointments. She said she’d give me the raid support reward later. Man, good deeds really do bring rewards.
"Aven, come by the workshop in about three days when you have time."
"Why? Is something up?"
"I'll have something nice ready for you. Think of it as a promotion gift."
"Really? I'd appreciate that a lot."
Today was a very good day. Good enough that I could consider it my new birthday. Phew, I should head back to the inn and ask them to whip up a celebratory meal.
* * *
Walking through the streets of the Southwest district, the world looked beautiful. I felt like I’d experienced this feeling once before.
"Hey there, handsome young man! Let me ask you for directions!"
"What the—"
A voice that sounded like a strikingly young girl, yet possessed a rustic, old-fashioned tone, called out to me. When she said 'handsome young man,' every guy on the street turned around.
But in the end, the question was directed at me.
"Sure, kid. What do you want to ask?"
She had deep reddish-purple hair and bright, yellow-green eyes. I felt like I’d seen her somewhere before. She looked to be about ten years old.
She looked like a typical elementary schooler, but her outfit was unusual. It seemed she wanted to be an explorer when she grew up; she was draped in a robe and wearing gear that looked a bit haphazard. The equipment had plenty of signs of use, as if she’d taken things someone else in her house used to wear.
"It's been a while since I've been on this road, so I don't remember it well! Can you show me the way to the Beast Bull Inn!?"
"Where the hell is the Beast Bull Inn?"
The Beast Bull Inn? I didn't know much about the local inns to begin with, since I was the type to settle down in one place.
And what kind of name was 'Beast Bull'? It was right up there with 'Mounted Goat'...
Wait. Could it be?
"Kid, are you by any chance looking for the Mounted Goat Inn?"
"Huh? Did the name change? I reckon it might have been Mounted Goat?"
"That’s perfect. I was just heading there myself. Follow me, little one."
"Oh! Much obliged!"
On the way, I bought a lamb skewer and tucked it into the kid's hand, then took her hand so she wouldn't get lost.
"Kid, why are you going to that inn anyway?"
"I've got something to deliver! And I'm gonna sleep there while I'm at it! I feel at ease there!"
"An errand, then?"
I could have taken the item and delivered it for her, but it’s better to let a kid finish what they started. That’s how you build independence.
"The Mounted Goat Inn is nice. The Auntie's cooking is delicious, too."
"Is it? I thought the soup was a bit bland. I like mine saltier!"
"Eating too much salt is bad for you. And it wasn't even that bland."
Did someone recommend the inn to her? The Mounted Goat Inn was certainly honest and clean. Still, it felt a bit much for a kid to be out alone. Then again, listening to her talk, it seemed like this wasn't her first time running errands.
After walking for about five more minutes, we arrived. In the first-floor dining area, Tresha was pushing a mop, but there was no sign of Sera or the Auntie.
"Oh, Tresha. Did you see your friend off okay?"
"Ah, Brother Aven! Welcome back! Yes, I saw them off. Hehe."
"Good, that's a relief. Where are Sera and the Auntie?"
"Auntie went grocery shopping, and Sister Sera is upstairs tidying up the bedding. She’ll be down soon."
As Tresha finished speaking, the kid beside me asked, "Who's this!? She wasn't here before!"
"Huh...?"
Tresha looked at me with a bewildered expression and blinked.
"She was looking for the Mounted Goat Inn, so I brought her along. Said she had something to deliver."
"Oh, really? An errand, maybe?"
As our conversation wound down, the sound of light footsteps came from the stairs. It was likely Sera coming down. Since Sera had been here for a long time, I figured she might recognize this kid.
"Sera, I'm back."
"Oh, Yoo Eon! When did you get here?"
"Just arrived. This little girl says she has something for you."
"A little girl?"
Sera’s gaze shifted slightly downward to the left.
And then, a single word escaped her lips.
"D-Dad...?"