異世界迷宮の最深部を目指そう
Aim for the Depths of the Different Worlds Labyrinth
7. 準備期間とレベルアップ
Chapter 7 – Preparations for Level Up
MTL: uniquegasuki
Editor/ Proofreader: (not proofread)
The sun is setting as I stop reading to ask the librarian a question.
Every now and then someone would stop reading to ask the librarian a question. I follow their lead and try to ask a question without being suspicious.
After a few hours of reading I had gathered a lot of information.
From the books, I became aware of this world’s basic history. I had studied this world’s modern penmanship, job occupations, and learned about the people’s daily life. Above all else this library has numerous amounts of information on the labyrinth and adventurers. (T/N: thank goodness author didn’t go into detail)
I precede to the address that I got from the librarian. I arrived at the place where I can exchange things for money.
When no one was looking I retrieved the leather bag from my 『belongings』 and hung it around my hip.
While I was at the library, I was unable to learn more about the 『display』 or 『belongings』 system. There is a high possibility that only I possess it; and, that is way I thought to hide it.
I enter inside. This place looks similar to a curio shop from my home world. There are antiques and junk scattered around.
I call out to the shopkeeper who is plump man.
「I know it’s late, but do you mind exchange this from money?」 (Kanami)
I politely start the conversation.
From the beginning my intent is to not take this conversation lightly. I’m here to get money, information gathering can wait. There is no need to take any unnecessary risk.
「Hmm, sure. Let me have a look.」 (male shopkeeper)
「Yes.」 (Kanami)
The shopkeeper respond right away. So, this place isn’t unusual afterall.
――Belongings
Dry Meat 3 Water Pouch 2 Hemostasis Medicine 2 Oil 2
Paralysis Needle 1 Antidote 2 Polish (鑢) 1 Ooria’s Longsword 1
Leather Glove 1 Leather Boots 1 Wooden Bow 1 Iron Knife 1
Common Arrow 1 Lighter 1 Smartphone 1 Pebble 4
Twig 1 Rank 10 Magic Stone 12 Rank 9 Magic Stone 3――
First, I retrieve the 12 ‘rank 10 magic stones’ from my 『belongings』; I pretended that I had taken them out from the leather bag around my hip. Next, I place the magic stones on the counter in front of the shopkeeper.
「Oh, ‘young’ magic stones. I’ll pay 1 copper per stone.」 (male shopkeeper)
「Okay, I understood. Please do.」 (Kanami)
From the start, the shopkeeper had no intentions to negotiate; after hearing the man’s straightforward way of speaking, Kanami gave an immediate reply.
「Here, 12 copper coins. Do you have a certificate?」 (male shopkeeper)
「…… no, I do not.」 (Kanami)
「Well then, place your finger right here.」 (male shopkeeper)
The shopkeeper points to some black ink and blank paper.
I’m surprised he asked for a certificate. It seems that it is unavoidable. As I make a fingerprint, I thought, 「In my home world, how many years ‘before the common era’ did people start using fingerprints?」; I found this situation usual.
「You don’t have a certificate but you went to the labyrinth; are you a foreigner?」 (male shopkeeper)
It is possible that the shopkeeper finds me suspicious because of my awkward expression. If he hears my answer, he might start to doubt me.
「Err, this is the first time I have been to the labyrinth. I heard about the labyrinth and came here from a far away country.」 (Kanami)
「Oh, is this your first caught? Not bad. So, where are you from?」 (male shopkeeper)
Not bad, huh. Although, I’m sad that most of these were looted from corpses. The ordinary conversation wasn’t bad, because I had already secured the needed information about what to say while I was at the library. (T/N: beware the small talk)
I established that my home country is in a remote country. In addition, it’s a minor country even among the remote countries. If I remember correctly, the place is 『Fania (ファニア)』.
「It is quite far away. The place is called Fania; have you heard of it?」 (Kanami)
「Fania, huh? I don’t know the details, but I have heard of it once. You sure have come a long distances. What kind of place is Fania?」 (Shopkeeper)
What an usual amount of free time this person has. I thought small talk happened before the business transaction.
「There isn’t much to speak of. Aside from that, do you know a good place to stay?」 (Kanami)
「Ah, a place to stay? In Fuuzuyaazu, there are public lodgings. However, they are expensive. Although, in the first place Fuuzuyaazu doesn’t have any cheap inns.」 (male shopkeeper)
「Is that so?」 (Kanami)
It is expensive to live in this country, Fuuzuyaazu.
I had a vague assumption from when I talked with that guard.
「It seems that they only let selected people enter this country. Fuuzuyaazu is the most affluent looking country. You’re the first person I’ve met in this country that seems uninformed. Although this country has good public order the prices are high. Afterall, it is a knight country with the showy nobles at the center.」 (male shopkeeper)
「I see……」 (Kanami)
It was a coincidence that I happen to arrive in 『Fuuzuyaazu』. Although, whether this place is a good or a bad country, I don’t know.
So is this a country made for rich people?
「To be honest, without having money in Fuuzuyaazu it will be difficult to explore the labyrinth. The few copper coins you earned is only enough for one meal. That is why to stay in Fuuzuyaazu one needs to be an adventurer who is able to gain a high income from exploring the labyrinth.」 (male shopkeeper)
「Is that so? …… By the way, how much more does it cost to rent a room is this country compared to the other countries?」 (Kanami)
「I don’t know about the surcharges, but compared to the neighbouring countries the lodgings in Fuuzuyaazu can cost up to a several hundred copper coins more.」
「S, several hundred…… uh!?」 (Kanami)
「This is a country where people will carry around gold coins without a second thought. It’s unfortunate that you have no money. Today you will have to sleep outside near the 『kokusen line (魔石線ライン)』. Tomorrow you should go east to 『Varuto (ヴァルト)』. The public order in that country is somewhat bad, but it’s a suitable place to explore the labyrinth. You should be able to find a place to stay there for several coppers coins.」 (male shopkeeper)
I want to refrain from sleeping on the streets. I’m already mentally exhausted, and I don’t want to think about the stress it will leave me with. The conditions for the 『???』 skill to go out of control is already known. Although, the effects were helpful a number of times, I have a bad premonition about it.
Furthermore, the place called the 『kokusen line』, I don’t quite understand the details; and, I wasn’t able to learn anything further from the library about the 『maryoku magic stone line』. Besides, I rather not sleep out in the open as the shopkeeper had suggested.
In other words, today, I can’t be frugal in trying to make money.
I wonder why the shopkeeper was willing to give a beginner like me advice?
「Eh, err, well, do you mind taking a look at my other belongings? How valuable are these……」 (male shopkeeper)
「Hmm, you still have more. Show them all to me.」 (male shopkeeper)
「Yes……」 (Kanami)
Afterwards, I exited the shop and retrieved the longsword from my 『belongings』. I thought about say that a friend had entrusted it to me, but that sounds suspicious. However, the shopkeeper didn’t enquire more about the sword. Perhaps, in this world the other people do not possess a 『personal effect』 system nor do they have magic tools.
I only left myself the bare minimum that was needed, and exchanged the rest for money.
◆◆◆
――Belongings
Silver Coins 10 Copper Coins 21 Iron Knife 1 Dried Meat 3
Water Pouch 2 Hemostasis Medicine 2 Oil 2 Antidote 2
Lighter 1 Smartphone 1 Pebble 4 Twig 1――
I currently have 100 copper coins and 10 silver coins in my 『belongings』. It is all thanks to the longsword and the two rank 9 magic stones that I had. (T/N: yes, I know it says Copper Coins 21 above)
After getting a bit of hope I walked around Fuuzuyaazu in search for a cheap place to stay.
I didn’t procedure a extravagant lodging; I rented a single room. Because the lodging includes dinner and breakfast, I went to the dining room. The meal is served as a buffet, and there are numerous peculiar dishes. I’m embarrassed by not knowing their table manners; so, I asked one of the employee. Because of the cost to stay at the inn is high the employee politely taught me.
Honestly, the meal was unappetising.
Compared to my home world this food is worlds apart. None of it was tasteful. There was something like mash potatoes, and the main dish was a loaf of bread.
I finish my meal and return to the room I rented.
It is a simple room. If I were to grade the room, I would call it unhygienic. However, it seems that in this world this is a first-class room.
Confronted by this fact I became lightheaded. I take a deep breath to calm my spirit. (T/N: the protagonist is a whiny little b***h)
「I’m tired……」 (Kanami)
I fall into the hard bed with my equipment on.
This is the first break I had taken today.
Relax.
Suddenly, I remember that I have 『forgot my priorities』.
If this was my normal train of thought, I would have thought this day was strange. There are numerous things worth questioning.
And, without an answer I found it all unsettling.
Why did this all happen?
What did I do? When I awoken in the labyrinth, I was attacked by a monster. There is magic. And, this world is more or less similar to a RPG video game. Is something toying with me? I almost bleed to death. I looted corpse like a common bandit. There are too many things to ponder about, but I must continue to live on. Although, I’m unsatisfied with the current circumstances. What exactly is this world? Where is my home world? Where is my family? I may not have parents, but I do have a 『younger sister』. Did I suddenly vanish from my home world? Has my sister been left all alone? Is there, is there no method for me to return home? I won’t be able to get-up early to make breakfast for two tomorrow. I have slipped into this fictional like world. Every time this 『display』 pop-up I feel a nauseating sickness. How is this video game like status and system appearing in my eye? To what extent had my brain been tempered with? I’m overcome with an overwhelming sense of fear. I’m sure that I’m able to communicate with the people of this world. It is as if, I’m watching a Hollywood movie that is dubbed in Japanese. Although it sounds impossible, it very handy. I’m joking. It makes me want to vomit. This is a joke that had became a sick joke. It is nauseating. And, I can’t take a shower. SHIT, THIS MAKES ME ANGRY, HAHA, HA―― (T/N: sigh)
――Skill 『???』 is out of control.
A certain amount of emotion has been converted to stabilize mental state.
Confusion has been corrected by +1.00――
The display disappears.
And, the raging blaze in my head is instantly extinguish.
Haha, I’ve done it again.
But, I couldn’t help it.
I need to take measures to understand my current circumstance.
I’ll try my best.
The only thing I can do for now is to repeating this over and over to myself.
Currently, the most important thing for me to do right now is rest my body.
Even a child can die.
I rest my tired brain.
And, I sleep like a baby.
I fall into the abyss of darkness.
As I didn’t dream, I’m wrapped in a room of darkness.
It is a jet-black world.
Although, I slept for a few hours it felt like a few minutes.
And thus, I fell asleep.
◆◆◆◆◆
「Wake Up!」 (???)
I had the air knocked out of my lungs.
My stomach is flattened and I awaken in pain.
「Hey, hurry up, please wake up. Hurry, hurry!」 (???)
I hear a voice.
It is high pitch, and it sounds childish.
Of this I’m certain……
「Ah…… your……」 (Kanami)
As I open my eyes, I confirm the owner of the voice.
Unless I’m hallucinating this person is.
「I have brought something good; so, please wake up.」 (???)
The voice belongs to the eerie girl I met inside the labyrinth. If I recall, her name is Lastiara (ラスティアラ).
She isn’t wearing the armor that she worn in the labyrinth. Lastiara is wearing casual clothes made of white silk.
Anyhow, this girl is firmly pressing down my stomach.
I can’t wrap my mind around the current circumstances. Although, I originally never understood what was happening to begin with; but, I’m still able to conversate normally.
「This here is my room……」 (Kanami)
For the time being I criticize the intruder to see what happens. By the way, I don’t know if trespassing is considered a crime is this world.
「Oh, ooh, amazing. You aren’t surprise in this situation.」 (Lastiara)
「I sure am surprised, but it just hasn’t caught up to me.」 (Kanami)
Although the girl is smaller than me, I speak to her politely.
I don’t know who she is, but it is highly likely that she is the daughter of an upper class family that is somehow related to this labyrinth.
「Really? Well, I’m very worried, you know. You are level 1, and you can level-up.」 (Lastiara)
Lastiara looks delighted as she speaks.
I find the enjoyment that gleams from her eyes terrifying. Her eyes that are about the size of a ping-pong-ball has the hollow gaze of a dead fish. I’m freaked out by her eyes that don’t become focus. (T/N: she sounds hot)
「Are you a person that can see levels?」 (Kanami)
I gave her an indifferent response.
By the way, in this world, levels and understanding of levels is common knowledge. At the library there are many books that describe level and status. And, it is written that selected people are able to see levels.
However, being selected as one of god’s chosen people leaves me uneasy.
「Eh, in this world……, if a person is lucky they will possess the ability. Although, if a devoted person trains for a long time, they can obtain the ability. A public institution, the church is in charge of level-ups; it is performed by a priest. By the way, I’m the former type.」 (Lastiara)
Lastiara causally talks about the things that I wanted to know about. She talked to me as if, I was naturally inexperience about this world. And, 「in this world」, is this something a person would normally say.
I’m so surprised by everything that it takes my breath away.
I try my best to select the right words to say.
「I didn’t know, thank you very much. However, why are you telling me this. I don’t know who you are. Must I call someone to sent you away.」 (Kanami)
「Hold on a moment. No need to be worried. I came here to help you, because you have amass an excess amount of EXP. I’m here in good will.」 (Lastiara)
She over exaggerates by raises both her arms to express that she came here with good intentions. (T/N: that’s alright with me)
「I refuse. I have already researched it at the library and I’m aware of the church’s location.」 (Kanami)
I coldly refuse her.
There is no need for me to be modest; I want this suspicious person to leave. To me, leveling up is an important event.
「Eh, eheh……」 (Lastiara)
On my reply, Lastiara shoulders slump downwards.
「Now, please leave.」 (Kanami)
「normally it would have been…… this reaction is light, meh……」 (Lastiara)
The Lastiara who has become timid begins to mumble something. It seems that our interaction had turned out different than she expected.
And thus, in silence I firmly stay by my decision for her to leave.
However, Lastaria looks toward me with a determined expression.
「Alright then, coercion it is.」 (Lastaria)
She makes the best smile I’ve seen today.
I look into her eyes. The impression I get from them haven’t changed at all. How can those deep gold pupils be so terrifying.
Scary. I think this girl is a monster pretending to be a human. No matter how much I find her face beautiful, I don’t see the warmth of a person in her expression. I only see the eyes of a cold blooded predator.
Although my body is overcome with fear, I somehow gather the strength to raise from the bed.
In response Lastiara began an incantation.
「『destable wooden box』『soundless sky、songless』『unbind……――」 (Lastiara)
Lastiara waves her hand as she recites the magic.
As quickly as I could, I went for the exit. There is no advantage for me to confront this person alone; therefore, I need a third party to intervene. My first priority is to exit this room.
While she is preoccupied with using magic, this is the best time for me to make my exit. I place my hand on the doorknob of the exit; It w――on’t move.
The doorknob won’t budge. The 『magic』 had solidified the doorknob when a purple light was emitted from it.
I pound on the door to request for help. (T/N: she really wants him)
「Someone――Hel!」 (Kanami)
「The room has been soundproofed. Just accept it and quiet down.」 (Lastiara)
Lastiara had approached my back without me noticing. From behind me, she reach to my throat and strokes it.
Immediately, I brush away her hand. I noticed that my throat emitted a purple light; it was the same magic used on the doorknob. From my throat I feel an usual chill.
「――(ah)!」 (Kanami)
No sounds come out from my throat.
Lastiara confirms this by placing her hand on my throat once more. I prepare myself to grab her wrist and twist it behind her back.
In that moment I’m thrown into the air.
Below me I see the top of Lastiara’s head. And then, I understood. When I had grabbed her wrist, she had reversal the grip and threw me. There is no way a girl that weighs about 50 kilos could have that sort of strength.
I quickly calm my mind as I’m rotating in the air. I concentrate and try to perform an ukemi. Beforehand, I had readied myself for anything that might happen.
I graze the ceiling and crash onto the floor. Luckily, I was able to plant both my legs and right arm on the ground to break my fall. The pain from the impact causes my face to warp. Lastiara draws closer to me.
I prepare to retrieve the knife from my 『belongings』. Lastiara will soon see the surprising turn of events. I immediately grin, because from out of nowhere something appeared from my hand.
But, I stop myself as she had moved closer to me knowing that I would use a knife on her. I take out a water pouch from my 『belongings』 to blind her.
Lastiara had anticipated my counterattack. She knocks away the water pouch and swiftly brushes away the knife with her foot.
As she held down my head, Lastiara recites magic.
I sense a purple light from my body, and I become unable to move.
「Oh, an ukemi, how nice. Your judgement is also good. Amazing. It is hard to believe your a level 1.」 (Lastiara)
I was unable to do anything against her, and yet she is impressed.
She continues to talks as if she’s surprised.
「This is something that can’t be expressed with a 『numerical value』. Definitely amazing. Not to mention, your strength and agility is only 1/10 of my own. Despite that, you were able to perform an ukemi. If I didn’t have magic, it would have been trouble for me.」 (Lastiara)
I can’t reply nor can I retort.
In this situation I can’t even feel anxious.
「There is no need to worry. You might not believe me, but I have no ill intent towards you. I’m here to help you level up, truthfully.」 (Lastiara)
While saying so, Lastiara gets on the back of me who is groveling on the floor and unable to move. She retrieves a worn out book from her bosom.
「Now then, the level up incantation was…… 『carefully reflect――」 (Lastiara)
Lastiara began to recite the incantation. From both our body a white light leaks out.
「――the existence in oneself, come forth』, and that’s all.」 (Lastiara)
As soon as the magic ends I level up. Lastiara wasn’t lying.
「You are 『the one I’ve chosen』, therefore it’s embarrassing having you walk around as a level 1. With such low status, what if something happens to you? It more than just about appearances. Now, I can have peace mind.」 (Lastiara)
Her task is finish. She wipes a single drop of sweat from her brow, and moves towards the window in the room.
「Well now, because there are people frantically searching for me, I will kindly leave.」 (Lastiara)
Lastiara jumps out of the window.
By the way, I’m unable to move my body.
I watch the tempest of trouble, Lastiara leave. I check my status.
――Status
Name Aikawa Kanami HP 119/121 MP 71/141 No Class
Level 4
Physical Strength 3.03 Endurance 3.15 Ability 4.07 Speed 5.05
Intelligence 6.09 Maryoku 8.08 Potential 7.00
Condition: Confusion 4.29
EXP: 127/800
Equipment: Otherworld clothing――
――Bonus points 3
Skill points 3
Generated――
What is this……
It seems that the girl, Lastiara, had no ill intent towards me. However, for now I’m unwilling to accept this egoistic person.
Although, the matter is insignificant I’m still cautious of her.
Afterall, I had paid the high fee to rent this room, and yet, I’m sleeping on the cold floor.
The day ends.
――Status
Name Aikawa Kanami HP 119/121 MP 71/141 No Class
Level 4
Physical Strength 3.03 Endurance 3.15 Ability 4.07 Speed 5.05
Intelligence 6.09 Maryoku 8.08 Potential 7.00
Condition : Confusion 4.29
EXP : 127/800――
――Skill
Innate Skill Swordsmanship 1.01 Ice magic 2.00
Secondary Skill Dimension magic 5.01
――Magic
Ice magic : Freezing 1.00 Ice 1.01
Dimension magic : Dimension 1.01――
Another World Translations 