147. Beauty Ticket, Ancient Labyrinth Hell
We continued forward, guided by the voice instructions. Along the way, we encountered several demon monsters, but not a single conflict arose. It was thanks to Infernos, whom I'd tamed right after entering hell.
[Infernos, long time no see.]
[Good to see you.]
[Infernos, who are those tough-looking guys?]
[Can't you tell just by looking? Explorers.]
[Dumb-nos, where you headed?]
[Taking a stroll with some new friends.]
Infernos exchanged greetings with every monster we met. Thanks to him, none of them showed any hostility toward us, who were with him.
Hell was under strict management by a single monster, I heard. Not just the existing residents, but every newly born monster too. Those who disrupted the order faced execution or exile. The Stone Maker types we'd run into before? Exiles.
A monster wielding that kind of influence had to be SSS-grade threat level, no doubt. What kind of beast managed hell?
I was about to ask for more details when—
"You have arrived at your destination. Guidance ended."
The voice cut off. A square object came into view—a familiar vending machine shape.
Questions about hell's manager could wait. With only about 20 minutes till despawn, I hurried to the machine. Any dawdling could've been disastrous.
⏳ Despawn in: 00:20:25
I finished scanning the ticket list. One new addition: the Beauty Ticket.
The machine shared all listings with my supporters too—only I could see them.
With the inventory checked, I eyed the prices.
"...Huh?"
The Evolution Ticket price was insane.
"Why's the Evolution Ticket so pricey here?"
"Regular one's about 20k coins. Lustrous? Roughly 10 million, rounded up."
Lustrous was out of reach, obviously. But regular? I had enough coins.
Pricey compared to past ones, sure... but
'SS-grade evolution ticket. Still a bargain.'
Just expensive relative to before. Logically, as Ellis and Sage said, it was cheap. S-to-SS evolution for that? Even 1 million or 100 million for Lustrous would've made sense.
Being able to buy them at all defied logic.
"Gonna buy everything except Lustrous. No time to waste before despawn."
"Obviously. Boosts charm."
"Kinda steep. 10k coins."
Some supporters tried to dissuade me, but I bought the Beauty Ticket anyway.
Not out of vanity. I figured it wasn't just cosmetic.
Charm: the power to captivate hearts. Boosting it via Beauty Ticket? Labyrinth monsters would warm to me faster. Even SSS-grades, maybe.
If it neutralized wild hostility and built favor, it'd revolutionize labyrinth life.
One ticket wouldn't do much—"slight" boost, after all. No instant miracle.
Future investment, then. Dimensional altars meant steady coins now, beyond supporter aid.
Purchases done. I used the Beauty Ticket immediately.
Just to check, I asked the supporters.
"Guys, anything different about me?"
"No effect yet, huh."
As expected. I turned to the monsters. Their gazes felt... warmer. Special.
[Father, you suddenly look even handsomer. Though you always were.]
[Looking extra dashing today, son.]
[Dad, you look tastier than before... I mean, cooler!]
Kinogine Arachne, Niara Nephensis, Blood Jellyfish Princess.
[Ppi-bo ppi-bo...]
[Charm increase confirmed.]
Medical Mushroom and Iris. Every monster noted my heightened allure.
Seemed my new charm worked only on labyrinth lifeforms. Summons and puppets included.
'Tamed ones were max affection already, so no change there... Pure biological appeal boost. Labyrinth-exclusive.'
Plenty satisfying. The exact power I'd hoped for: ingratiating with labyrinth monsters.
'Good buy on the Beauty Ticket.'
Planning to stock up steadily.
Infernos's turf. Installed the warp device from Omega there. Returned to shelter.
[Ppi-ii...]
No hesitation—I used the Evolution Ticket on Medical Mushroom.
Pink light gently enveloped her, swiftly morphing into a softly glowing pink egg.
Time remaining: 24:00:00