Chapter 31: What Is an Adventurer?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: What Is an Adventurer?
“Here are the corpses of the High Orc Slugger and the Warlock.”
“I see. The fur color is definitely different from the usual High Orcs. They’re bigger, too.”
The director of the monster dismantling shop under the guild’s jurisdiction frowned as he examined the bodies of the High Orc Warlock and Slugger.
“Have these monsters appeared in the Labyrinth before?”
“They’re the first I’ve seen since I took over as director. I’ve only seen records of them in Monster Dismantling Savoring. This is my first time seeing the real thing.”
Even the director said they were a species he hadn't encountered before.
However, information about them was recorded in an ancient book titled Monster Dismantling Savoring, which contained records of almost every monster in the world.
From what I knew, Monster Dismantling Savoring was a book written long ago by a noble who hunted and cooked monsters, recording their appearances and general information.
In this day and age, where monsters have nearly vanished from the natural ecosystem, it was a book with little use outside of the Labyrinth City.
Still, I should make some time to read it.
That way, I can react quickly even if I encounter unfamiliar monsters like I did during this Labyrinth run.
“According to the records in the Savoring book... there might even be a High Orc Lord.”
“Right. We didn't run into one, but Lewis said the High Orcs seemed to be moving more systematically than usual.”
“Hmm. Did you report this separately?”
“The rest of the party should be doing that now.”
“A report will probably go up to the Guild Master. Anyway, the Magic Tower is going to be drooling over these corpses. The Warlock, especially, will have high research value. It’s a corpse that’s hard to come by in nature.”
“Then it would be better to take them to the Magic Tower?”
“Exactly. Rather than me touching these two, those nerds at the Magic Tower would be over the moon if you tossed these to them. You’ll be able to get a generous reward, too.”
I should take these two to the Magic Tower.
There was a Magic Tower located right here in the Labyrinth City.
“Then please just take care of the rest.”
“Got it. Let’s see... there are quite a few Hati corpses. They’ll fetch a good price. The dismantling won’t be finished until tomorrow afternoon. Get the payment from Edwin the day after tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
After handing over all the monster corpses, I stepped out of the dismantling shop.
Once the dismantling was finished, they would inspect the condition of the special parts and hides before paying a fair price.
While I was leaving the corpses at the shop, the rest of the party had finished reporting the unusual situation in the Underground City.
I saw Edwin, the counter girl, heading up to the Guild Master’s office on the second floor with the report in hand.
“That’s everything settled, then.”
“All that’s left is to receive the reward.”
“Haaaah. I’m exhausted.”
The party was gathered at the restaurant and pub on the first floor of the guild.
“Sit here.”
“Okay.”
Yuria naturally invited me to the seat next to her.
As I sat down, she handed me a biscuit.
“I already ordered food, so eat this for now.”
“Thanks. Haaaah. I’m beat.”
I wiped my face and let out a long sigh.
I was reaching my physical limit.
I’d eat, attend Rohan’s retirement ceremony briefly, and then head back to the lodging to sleep.
The Young Lady told me to let her know as soon as I returned from the Labyrinth, but I didn't think I could make it all the way to her place.
I was too tired.
My whole body ached.
It felt like my muscles were going to explode.
“First... we should talk about the rewards for this Labyrinth run.”
I was so tired I didn't want to say a word, but I had to settle what needed to be settled.
I couldn't just handle the rewards however I pleased.
Money had to be divided clearly to avoid trouble later.
If you split the rewards haphazardly, you’d end up with a knife in your back.
“First, I’ve left everything at the dismantling shop except for the Warlock and Slugger corpses. They said the payment will be ready the day after tomorrow.”
“They wouldn't take the Warlock and the Slugger?”
“The director wasn't sure how to process them, so he told me to take them to the Magic Tower. Since they’re new monsters, we’ll probably get a high price if we sell them there.”
“I see. In that case, the value of the Warlock...”
“Sion should take all of it.”
“Ooh. Agreed.”
“Sion killed it by himself, after all.”
The party members cleanly gave up their rights to the Warlock.
To be honest, I was worried they might get greedy, so this was a relief.
Since I took it down alone, it was only right that I kept it.
“Then I’ll go to the Magic Tower tomorrow to drop off those two corpses.”
“Good. And as for my share of the reward, you take it all, Sion.”
“Are you sure? We’ll get quite a bit thanks to the Hati corpses.”
“No, it’s fine. From that strange potion you drank... in many ways, this expedition would have ended in failure if it weren't for you. I’m satisfied just having brought Catherine out.”
“I understand. Thank you, Rohan.”
Rohan decided to hand over his entire share to me.
It would be rude to refuse when he was offering.
“Ahem. I’m taking my full share.”
“Yes, Mr. Lewis. I’m not going to steal it, so don't be so guarded.”
“What! When was I being guarded?!”
“Hahahaha. Your face looks exactly like you’re on guard.”
“Hachi! Even you?!”
The party members all looked at each other and laughed.
The conversation about rewards brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
“I’ll go to the Cathedral tomorrow morning as soon as I wake up to check on the recovered adventurers.”
“Let’s go together.”
“I’ll go as well.”
“Then shall we meet at the guild tomorrow?”
“Let’s do that.”
I decided to go to the Cathedral with Rohan and Hachi tomorrow.
Rohan was likely going because of Catherine, and Hachi seemed to want to see the faces of the people he had briefly shared the Labyrinth run with.
“Here is your food.”
“Oh! Finally!”
“Mmm. Hot food.”
“There’s meat, too?”
“I decided to splurge. I ordered honey wine as well, so let’s all have a drink.”
As soon as the alcohol arrived, Rohan raised his glass with a smile.
“To the Body Recovery Team and our safe return! Cheers!”
We clinked our glasses together, sharing the joy of survival.
This was it. It was practically a law that party members had a feast after a Labyrinth run.
Of course, if there had been infighting or if someone had died, we would have disbanded immediately.
But no one died, we didn't fight, and we even succeeded in our mission.
This was something to celebrate.
It would be weirder not to celebrate.
This was the reason I stayed until the end even though I felt like I was dying of exhaustion.
There was a superstition in the Labyrinth City that if you missed out on a celebration, your luck would turn sour.
We celebrated our safe return with everything we had and gulped down the alcohol.
I intended to drink moderately and leave, but I got swept up in the atmosphere.
One glass, two glasses, three glasses.
The buzz started to kick in.
If I drank any more, I felt like I’d pass out and lose consciousness.
Passing out drunk in the Labyrinth City was basically an invitation to be kidnapped.
I had to know when to quit.
“I think... I should stop here.”
“Already?”
“Yes. I feel like I’ll pass out if I drink any more.”
“Haha. Right, you worked hard. See you tomorrow.”
“Take care, Sion. You were the best porter I’ve ever met.”
“Let’s go to the Labyrinth together next time, too!”
“Get home safely...”
“Ooh. Thanks for the honey.”
I stepped out of the pub, receiving everyone’s farewells.
As I walked for a bit, Yuria followed me out.
“Hey, Sion.”
“Yuria? Why did you come out? Weren't you going to drink more?”
“Forget it. I feel like I’m going to get drunk, too. And...”
“And?”
“What’s the point of drinking if you’re not there?”
“Hey. No. Come on now.”
Whether it was the alcohol or embarrassment, Yuria’s face was flushed bright red.
“Then... let’s walk together for a bit.”
“Okay!”
Yuria smiled brightly and stuck close to my side.
The height difference wasn't that great.
People in the Labyrinth City were similar to Westerners on Earth, so the average height was quite high.
I was about 175 centimeters, which made me relatively short in this world.
Rohan, Hachi, and even Yata were taller than me.
Not to mention Horaru, who was a bear beastman.
“Whew.”
“The night air is cold, isn't it?”
“Yeah. It’s a bit chilly.”
“Want me to tell you a way to get warm fast?”
“What is it?”
“Like this.”
Yuria suddenly linked her arm with mine.
Her breast pressed against my arm.
It was soft.
“Hey. What are you doing?”
“I’m just linking arms. Why? What? Do you hate it?”
“No. It’s... sigh. Never mind.”
I let out a sigh.
Even when I tried to keep my distance, Yuria would approach me like this whenever she saw an opening.
No matter how much I pushed her away, she wouldn't budge.
I felt like pushing her away any further would be rude, so I just walked in silence.
The night air was cold.
The night in the Labyrinth City was as bright as the day.
The sounds of adventurers chatting could be heard from all over.
People fighting in a drunken stupor.
Drunks singing songs.
Even people making out in the corners of alleys.
All sorts of humans were decorating the night streets.
As I walked, watching their debauched and reckless behavior, Yuria spoke up tentatively.
“Hey, Sion.”
“Yeah.”
“Why... why are you trying so hard to push me away?”
“....”
I didn't expect her to ask so point-blank.
Even in this, she was very much an adventurer.
The kind of people who charge forward even when they know they might die.
The eccentrics who crawl into the Labyrinth risking their lives.
Fools who draw their swords for a single coin, choose the hard and difficult path, and stake their lives on love.
That was an adventurer.
Yuria was an excellent adventurer.
That was why I chose my words carefully.
“There are a few reasons.”
“What are they? If it’s something I can fix, I’ll try.”
“It’s, uh, how do I put this? It’s not something you can fix just because you want to.”
“What is it, then? Do you not like my hair color? Should I dye it blonde? You said the Young Lady you rescued... was blonde.”
Yuria toyed with her hair, her confidence wavering.
I didn't like how she was comparing herself to Lady Leah.
Yuria was one of the most impressive people I knew.
I hated seeing her belittle herself by comparing herself to someone else.
“No. I like your hair color. And don't compare yourself to the Young Lady. You’re plenty attractive on your own.”
Yuria’s eyes widened at my words.
And soon, tears welled up in her eyes.
She asked, her voice trembling, “Then what is it? What is it that you don't like so much? Tell me. You have to tell me so I can change.”
“....”
To keep a woman who says this much at a distance and tell her to go away... would make me a total piece of shit.
I had no choice but to tell her now.
About why I was pushing her away.
I stopped walking.
“Yuria.”
“Yeah.”
“I....”
I kept hesitating. Even right before the words left my mouth.
“The thing is...”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m listening.”
“I... I like slaves.”
“Yeah... huh?”
I confessed my preference.
Yuria tilted her head, asking what on earth I was talking about.
“What I mean is, I like slaves. Someone who will only look at me. That kind of... slave. Someone who won't cheat, won't look elsewhere. It has to be a slave, someone bound by that kind of compulsion.”
“So... you rejected me because I’m not a slave?”
“Yeah.”
“....Eh? Ha. Hahahaha!”
Yuria laughed out loud.
People passing by stared at us.
I felt a bit embarrassed, but I waited until Yuria’s laughter subsided.
After laughing for a long time, Yuria wiped a tear from her eye and patted my shoulder.
“Hey! If that’s your taste, you should have said so sooner! Man, I thought you were gay. You scared me!”
“Huh? You... you don't find it disgusting that I like slaves...?”
“Why would I find that disgusting? Are you an idiot? That’s a perfectly normal preference.”
“Normal?”
“Yeah. So you just liked slaves. Man, you should have just said so. Come on, let’s go.”
“Huh? Where?”
“My place.”
“Your place??? No, why would I go to your place at this hour! Guild Master Moira will be there!”
“My mom’s not there. I live on my own.”
“On your own? You live by yourself?”
“Yeah. I’ve lived apart from my mom since I got my silver badge. She nags way too much.”
“Uh... no, still. A man going to a woman’s house at this hour...”
“Oh, forget it, you anxious dork. Are you a eunuch? If I tell you to follow me, just follow me.”
Yuria seemed to be in a great mood, grinning as she dragged me along.
I couldn't resist.
Her strength was incredible.
“Wait, wait! I have no intention of dating an adventurer, either!”
“A slave lover and an anti-adventurer? Aha~ so that’s your type?”
“What do you mean, 'that's my type'!”
“You like domestic women. Got it. I understand. Should I start calling you 'dear'?”
“This crazy woman! You’re not listening to a word I’m saying!”
If I let myself be dragged away like this, I was definitely going to be raped by her.
Damn it...! Why is her grip so strong...!
Yuria was a monster who could stall a High Orc Slugger by herself.
A porter like me had no choice but to be dragged along.
“Sion! Today! Let’s become adults together!”
“You crazy bitch! Don't shout things like that in the middle of the street!!”
“Ah! I want to mate! Today!!! With Sion!!! I’m going to mate!!!”
“Shut up!! Fuck! You crazy woman! I told you to shut up!”
Yuria laughed heartily, mocking me.
The adventurers on the street who saw our spectacle all laughed and clapped.
Damn Labyrinth City...
It really was a place full of lunatics.