Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: When a Good Person Gets Angry (8)
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"Your outfit looks weird."
"As long as my senses are sharp, it's fine."
"It's a shame to hide it, though."
The Adventurer's Guild stood near the labyrinth—not too far, but at just the right distance to respond in time if something unexpected happened.
It was a place far from tidy on any normal day, but today the lobby buzzed with unusual murmurs. The guild master, who was lingering there with a watchful eye, and Mina—known for her solid reputation—were chatting amiably with some guy, drawing everyone's attention.
The man, hat pulled low and muffler covering his mouth, looked plenty suspicious. But with two pillars of the current adventurer scene treating him kindly, no fool dared to butt in.
Adventurer's iron rules: One, the shadier they look, the stronger they usually are.
Two, meddle in someone else's party drama, and you'll eat steel someday.
The man deftly dodged Mina's grab for his muffler, then suddenly raised his hand as if spotting someone. Accompanied by panting breaths, the newcomer burst into the guild—a girl who'd been impressing lately with her diligent work.
"Mina sis! And, uh, Manager?"
"Hey now. Quiet."
"Whoa, it's been forever since we properly greeted each other. I've seen you around the shop sometimes, but you're always inside."
"You could've come in and grabbed something to eat."
"Nah. I don't have the cash for that yet. Popping in just to say hi and leave would feel weird anyway."
Some folks who overheard the man and girl's exchange pieced it together. Everyone in the know was aware that the cafe manager—Mina's constant haunt whenever she had time—was a hidden powerhouse. And the girl was the kid Mina had pulled from the brink of death in the labyrinth depths.
Looks like she'd lent a hand while looking after her.
Watching the cafe manager vaguely hiding his identity like that, and Mina acting all girly in her own subtle way, made people itch uncomfortably. Their gazes turned lukewarm, and as the trio chatted and headed out, all eyes shifted to the guild master.
The guild master, staring at their backs with the same tepid look, turned toward her office—only to notice the stares locked on her. Her ears and tail shot straight up.
"Wh-what?!"
No one had asked anything, but the mood demanded some kind of answer.
**
"Is the Manager strong?"
"Eh, decently?"
I gave a vague answer to Liza's question. Her silver hair, neatly tied back and gleaming in the sunlight, swayed as she spoke. This was basically just to help her rack up results while she worked part-time at the cafe, so I had no plans to dive deep into the labyrinth or go all out myself.
Sure, watching a kid not even fully grown head into the labyrinth with just a dagger at her waist made me uneasy as hell. Paradoxically, though, she had no choice if she wanted to survive—so it wasn't my place to meddle.
Was it misfortune that she'd grown up in the slums without knowing her parents, or fortune that she had a knack for scrapping that kept her alive?
Seeing Liza stride ahead so pluckily reminded me of the orphanage kids from my academy days—and my past life. It didn't sit right with me.
"Hee hee. Been a while since I partied up with someone."
"...Without backing, it's tough to find a party. Beginner adventurers are all about the same skill-wise, so reputation and background matter more."
"Some folks won't believe I'm from the slums! Not that there's much I can do about it."
The slums here inevitably looked different from normal cities or rural backwaters. Half the people roaming around were adventurers, so to prey on them, bandits or thieves needed absurd levels of strength.
In the end, it was the weak preying on the weaker. No power? You stayed far from the slums—a natural segregation.
I hunkered down in my shop on a safe street, so unless something major happened, I never crossed paths with that world.
That was part of why I rarely ran into Liza, who'd half-escaped the slums.
Feeling awkward about dragging her into this on my own whim—after neglecting her for so long—I fiddled with my hat unnecessarily.
"Let's head in."
"Okay."
The surface levels near the entrance weren't particularly risky, but I took point as the most reliable vanguard. Liza peeked at my gear from behind, twisting side to side—clearly fascinated by the sword nearly as long as she was tall.
The labyrinth was underground, but some incomprehensible force beyond human tech shaped it, so it wasn't cramped, dim, or suffocating. This first underground floor had a faint glow, like any basement, and I'd heard deeper levels could even have skies and grasslands.
The layouts shifting every time? Yeah, totally mysterious.
"Ah. Hold up."
Liza stopped me from behind and darted forward. She tossed a wide coin from around her neck to the floor and flung her dagger at the wall. Arrows shot out toward the coin.
"Heh. Solo runs have sharpened my instincts."
"Yeah. I can see that."
"Spotting 'em early is key."
From the angle and speed, I roughly pinpointed the launch spot. Sure enough, traces of an opened wall panel. Huh, traps designed for beginners to detect? If there was a designer, I'd love to know their intent.
I stepped forward before disarming it. Another hole opened, arrow flying straight for my brow. I snatched it mid-air with my hand.
Not super fast. The tip's strength and speed? Any light metal armor would shrug it off.
Built with explorers' skill levels in mind—truly a wondrous place.
"Whoa, Manager. You caught that from the side?"
"Yeah. No magic enhancement at this speed—no issue."
"Insane. I can pull tricks like that, but I'm lousy in fights, so I can't go deeper. Kinda jealous of folks who handle everything."
"Combat? Just rack up experience, and it'll click into your style quick."
The problem was the risks piling up along the way.
Anyway, she couldn't handle fights yet, but her sharp eyes nailed hidden doors and locked chests like a pro. Definite adventurer talent.
With reliable allies, she'd grow fast.
And as her temporary "reliable ally" duo with big sis Mina, today's run wrapped up smoother than a tailwind.
I learned the lower labyrinth layouts, traps to watch, precautions, and typical loot. Not bad harvest.
Plus, Liza's talent was more useful than expected.
"Wow. Finishing a day's quota this quick is a first."
"Grab some party members, and it'll get easier. Deeper runs too."
"Eek. But no one's scouting me."
I ruffled her slightly pouty head as we exited the labyrinth. The sun, tilted a bit west, greeted us.
Head back, lunch, then training?
"We'll head to the cafe then."
"See ya, Mina sis!"
"Yeah. Just check the guild master... Nah. Might not make it today."
Pout. I told big sis she could drop by anytime before Liza and I headed to my shop.
Liza, in high spirits, undid her ponytail—risky in the labyrinth, but safe now—and hummed beside me, hair loose.
No real reason to keep hiding my face, so I stowed the hat and muffler in my bag.
We didn't chat much on the way to the shop, but it wasn't awkward silence.
Liza was clearly happy, and I was bittersweet about leaving the cafe briefly—but stepping into "hiring staff" territory gave me plenty to mull over.
Just as we left the bustling heart of the labyrinth district, Liza froze mid-step.
"...Manager. Let's take another route."
"Someone troublesome up ahead?"
"Yeah. Folks I knew from the dump days."
"Dump" was slum slang. Outsiders rarely used it—too discriminatory—but locals wielded it self-deprecatingly.
Pre-adventurer acquaintances she didn't want to see now? Probably guys she'd ripped off who held grudges, or persistent harassers.
"Liza. It's fine. People you don't wanna meet, right?"
"...Yeah."
"I won't pry into your situation or your history with them. Spill if you feel like it, or keep quiet forever. Least, from today—you're working with me."
Saying to a mid-teen girl what I'd told orphanage kids a year-plus ago felt embarrassing.
Still.
"I'm always on your side. Your fault? We get scolded together. Baseless bullying? I chase 'em off."
"...Yeah. Okay."
Tears welling in her blue eyes, she clutched my hand. We walked toward them together.
Spotting Liza, they approached with fake-friendly smiles—a trio of guys and one girl, reeking of slum stench.
"Oh, Liza. Made a friend? Impressive for a newbie adventurer."
"...Mind your own."
"Nah, we can't abandon a buddy from the trash heaps. And you're not heartless enough to ditch friends."
"Sigh. Sorry to interrupt, but we've got afternoon plans. Mind stepping aside?"
"Oh dear, sir. See, Liza ran with us for a while. We looked after her, but she up and went solo. We've got feelings invested, so we need a lil' compensation."
I gave the guy miming coins my blandest look.
"How much to cut ties completely?"
"Pardon? Well, uh. Three imperial gold?"
"Here."
Not like I was broke. I dumped a handful from my pocket—six or so. Decent show.
"...Sir. You're quite well-off."
"Eh, if the world splits rich and poor, I lean rich."
"Can't spare more?"
"Hmm."
I pulled four more gold, infused them with aura, and hurled them into the ringleader's thighs and shoulders.
He crumpled without a scream. The other two bolted into an alley. Left: one girl.
"That enough? Ten coins should tide you over awhile."
"Y-yesyesyesyes. More than enough."
"Oh? Overflowing, huh? Guess I can take some back."
I twisted the still-aura-bound coins out painfully, flesh and blood dripping. Laid all four before her eyes.
"You said excess. Take what you need."
She shook her head mute. She scooped the coins the guy dropped in his fall and vanished. I yanked the groaning idiot's hair up—face pale as death, edging green.
"Hey. Take this as payback and scram, or wanna test how many coins in your body make you 'well-off'?"
"Sc-scram. I'll go."
"Can't walk? Want me to call someone?"
"N-no. I'll manage alone."
"Right. Grab your cash at least."
Shoulder muscles shredded, his trembling hands got one coin each. I folded his fingers neatly, sent him off.
What a pain. Tormenting weak kids hits my no-go zone—got savage quick.
"Manager."
"Ah, sorry. The three behind that moron had blades. Better end it clean before a fight. Scary, huh?"
"No way! That was cool!"
"Uh... yeah."
Not normal tastes.
Noble days taught me to grind foes slow—acting it out was easy. Worried that finding violence and threats "cool" was the real issue.
Get her used to peace while she's around. New goal.
Anyway, she chattered—wanting sword aura on her dagger, etc.—breaking the earlier silence. We reached my cafe.
Unlocked the door, flipped the CLOSED sign.
"Ready to learn the ropes?"
"Yes!"