First Support from Unknown-001

That was the last chat from above. No more messages came from the jo-ryeokja. In the supporter list, "Unknown-001" was prominently displayed. They hadn't left the broadcast. Probably just plunged into confusion. For an ordinary person, accepting the existence of other worlds or monsters was a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tough pill to swallow.

'Well, now they've got no choice but to believe it.'

While the supporter sorted out their thoughts, I decided to check on the newborn baby spider.

[Siii...]

The baby spider wobbled onto the back of my hand. It scampered up my arm quickly and settled near my shoulder.

[Siii!]

The baby spider grinned wide. It wasn't creepy at all. With a face like a puppy's, it was downright cute.

'Taming seems to have worked.'

Beyond its behavior following me around, I felt an invisible thread of connection between us, like a bond of fate.

'There was a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tamed monster list too, right?'

I summoned a rectangular window in mid-air. After fiddling with it a bit, I found the tamed monster list.

No photo of the monster. The name was blandly listed as "001." It didn't seem to have an official designation. Or maybe I had to name it myself.

It was definitely 001. It was the only tamed monster, and when I narrowed my eyes at the baby spider, "001" floated above its head.

'Name changes should be possible, right?'

They were. A light tap on the name field brought up a virtual keyboard. Without much thought, I changed it right away.

『Dog Spider-001』

From now on, this spider's species would be Dog Spider. No need for a personal name. I kept the number simply to distinguish it from other Dog Spiders later. I'd tame more if they proved helpful.

I'd check Dog Spider-001's abilities later. The supporter, whom I'd guessed was lost in confusion, had finally returned. They were full of questions now, starting to believe this wasn't some concept broadcast. Though not fully convinced yet.

"Come on, believe me now. Why would I lie about something like this?"

Even after earnestly explaining several times with a serious tone, that was the reaction. This was the third time for that question.

"I told you, it's real."

Normally, annoyance would creep in by now. But I was fine. It was frustrating, sure, but that was the normal reaction. No point grumbling at a supporter who'd come to help me.

Fortunately, they seemed to be believing it now.

"Think the police can help?"

"Reporting won't do shit anyway, so skip it. Can you send me something like a gift instead?"

More explanation seemed needed. Labyrinth explorer and supporter. I'm the explorer, out in the field conquering the labyrinth—frontline worker. You're the supporter, aiding from safety—support staff. Like office job. In other words, the supporter provides aid to the explorer. That was my explanation. Not sure if it was a good analogy. I didn't know much about explorers and supporters myself.

"Got it?"

"Good."

Wanting to report to police made them seem kinda dumb, but I swallowed the thought rising to my throat. Couldn't pick a fight. I was in the subordinate position; they were the superior.

'Now I need to explain why they should support me and what they gain from it...'

Few act without gain, unless volunteers. No one helps purely out of kindness without reward. So most would think: Why help you? What's in it for me?

I'd pondered responses. Even considered bullshitting: Supporters get help back from explorers. Monsters might flood Earth someday; I'd dispatch them then. Pure fabrication to coax support. Felt too scummy, so scrapped it.

What I settled on: Treat me like an avatar. Like raising a game character—support with that gacha-pay feeling.

Nothing else came to mind. Couldn't grasp any merit for them otherwise. Fawning or clowning for help? Better to survive solo.

Anyway, as I geared up to pitch the game character angle, the supporter chatted first.

"Huh?"

"You'll help?"

"No, I'd love the help."

"Just surprised. Didn't expect you'd agree so readily."

"No real gain for you though. You cool with that?"

Reason for helping: just to aid someone in distress. Seemed kinder than expected. Or maybe someone I knew. Identity even more intriguing now. Not asking yet. At least not a bad relation.

"Fully buying the other world bit now, huh."

"Honestly, no clue. No 'support' button on your screen?"

Chat stopped. They were hunting for the support method. I petted Dog Spider-001's head while waiting. About a minute later, chat resumed.

Coin? Oh, right—earlier it showed possessed coins: 0.

Still half-doubting. Fair enough now—"coin" screamed scam. Natural to suspect this setup was rigged to extract money.

"Not a scam, don't worry."

"...What'll make you believe?"

The message popped up in front of me. Another rectangular window appeared beside it.

"Thanks."

"Dunno."

"Coins gotta be for something, just don't know what yet."

"Sorry. Anyway, can you send items besides coins?"

"Fee? How much?"

"Huh. What items are under 5-coin fees? List 'em?"

Chat paused briefly. Resumed after about 10 seconds.

"Hm... Can you send food?"

Needed rations first. Getting hungry.

"Yeah, thug-level fees. Others?"

"...Food fees all high, huh."

Couldn't avoid fees. I'd repay on Earth return.

"I'll cover fees later. Send one bread for now."

Shortly after, an item dropped right in front of me.

The bread pierced dimensions to arrive. Supporter-sent.

I silently picked up the bread.

It was a mint chocolate bread.