Ssam Labyrinth Days 7-10

Labyrinth Day 7. Today unfolded just like yesterday. The Oarak spent their mornings sparring, afternoons exploring the labyrinth and expanding the map, and evenings sparring again after dinner. I focused solely on exploration in the morning and afternoon, devoting my evenings to physical training. Even though my power was sealed. Basic stamina was something worth building steadily. Before bed, I pulled out the map for a look. The areas the Oarak and I explored today were in Passage 8. I planned to hold off on other passages until the map of Cave 8 was complete.

'Not bad. The map's shaping up nicely.'

Cave 8 was a maze of countless branching paths. One wrong turn and you could easily get lost. That's why we were mapping it out. As we charted the paths, we carved markers at every fork. The labyrinth walls were unnaturally sturdy, but the outer layers were soft enough to etch letters without issue.

Anyway. At this point, getting lost near the entrance was no longer a worry.

I checked the map one last time, then carefully stowed it back in the box. Settling onto the mattress, I lay down.

［Shout it out with joyyot! Duumba!］

“Duumba, duum-ba!”

“Dance with joy! Duumba!”

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Hedgehog Summoner God, Terio, and Ayula were still practicing their butt dance. Nothing unusual beyond them dancing longer than yesterday.

Labyrinth Day 8. The Oarak started calling the monsters "Master."

The healing Medical Mushroom-004 got dubbed "Shrine Maiden." The Oarak plucked strands from their thick hair and distributed one to each monster. It was a tradition for their kind—to give hair to their ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠teachers.

Most monsters weren't thrilled. The general reaction was, What the hell am I supposed to do with this?

Dog Spider-001 popped one in her mouth with curious eyes, only to go ［Sii?! Ptoo! Ptoo!!!］ and spit it right out. Tasted awful, apparently.

Serves you right for eating it...

Unlike the others, Necro Puppeteer (Psycho Clown-005) seemed satisfied.

［Kik. Not bad to have spares in case Rise kicks the bucket.］

The clown said that, tucking the Oarak hairs carefully into his outfit.

Then bedtime rolled around, and the supporters started sending aid items out of the blue.

Such alerts popped up five times.

Pruru sent mattresses. Five of them, no less. Enough for the Oarak and the other monsters too.

"Thanks. I was feeling bad sleeping on one alone anyway. Where'd you even get these?"

Right after Pruru's mattresses arrived, Yumi's aid came through.

Ha Yu-mi sent blankets and pillows.

"Thank you. I'll put 'em to good use."

As I gathered the blankets and pillows, thanking Yumi, Mysticism sent her aid last.

A single pair of panties dropped in front of me.

From the worn state, it was clearly used. Someone's worn panties, for sure.

"It's not that I haven't changed—couldn't. No spares."

I pinched the panties between thumb and forefinger. Hygienically, they seemed fine. A bit worn, but no stains or weird smells. Properly washed before sending, looks like.

"...A tad small, but wearable."

"Can't just toss it. She sent used ones 'cause no new ones, but washed, not straight off the body. Should be okay."

I tugged my pants down a bit. Planning to change before bed. But realizing the supporters were watching, I pulled them back up.

"See you tomorrow."

With that, I cut off the supporters. Slipped off my pants, changed into the panties, and hit the mattress. Nothing eventful today either.

Labyrinth Day 9. Mid-lunch, munching an apple, when Art Pega Unicorn came galloping up urgently.

［Explorer! Will you mate with me... Ah, ahem! Slip of the tongue.］

Art Pega cleared her throat and explained a centaur had found a vending machine.

I dropped lunch instantly, hopped on her back, and brought Black Magma Slime-003 along too. Bodyguards travel with you always.

［Here we go! Hold tight!］

We sped to the spot. As expected, Art Pega at full gallop outpaced my speed spell on foot—corners and all. Psycho Clown's power was just short bursts, useless for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠long hauls.

About two hours on her back later:

［Explorer! Right here!］

A centaur waved from afar, vending machine beside him.

I dismounted, bowed thanks to the centaur, and checked the machine. 16 minutes till despawn. Close call.

Hard to find even after a full day scouting. Was gonna buy everything useful anyway.

'Let's see... tickets for sale...'

No Evolution Ticket, sadly.

'Designated Dispatch is cheaper than last time.'

Still pricey, but who knew when the next one? Grabbing it. Transferable Return up a bit, but coins plentiful—bought without hesitation. Low and Mid Invitation too. Return? Untouchable price.

'Balls on that? No joke.'

Clearly not for sale. Price inflates with savings anyway. Might not even exist.

Post-purchase, checked remainder.

Six left. Spent thriftily. Without Pruru's 1 and Mysticism's 5, it'd be zero.

On the way back, I listed today's buys and asked Pruru to send all my cash converted to coins. About 50 million won left? Vending machines pop up unpredictably. Can't risk finding one without Pruru.

Labyrinth Day 10. Nabbed a Vegetarian Pigking for lunch. Could hunt them anytime now—scouted prime spots in Passage 8.

Oh, and other grub today too.

Leaf monster that supposedly shot lasers from its mouth. But all its leaves were totally edible. Rise tested first, proved safe.

So today: ssam wraps with leaves, meat, and apples.