The three months I'd spent in that old shabby cabin, with the mayor, Jenny, Fez, and most importantly... Ann, felt like some kind of fever dream now. It was like a sort of phantom hallucination had hit me all at once.
"Karumi-san. I have a lot of things I want to ask you, and I'd like you to answer me, but first of all... was 'that place' real?"
My suit still had the marks from the arrow and lance that had pierced it. Those wouldn't come out no matter how much I'd scrub, and more importantly, I was still holding the silver ring---I wouldn't be able to think about anything else if I didn't ask for confirmation.
"Yes, it wasn't a staged trick or a dream. It was real beyond any shadow of a doubt. It is a bit different from our world, though."
"Thank you very much."
My heart felt at ease by the confirmation.
Those last words about the world being different ticked my interest as a gamer, but they didn't seem to have ill intent behind them, so I let it slide for now.
"First, allow me to apologize for causing you so much trouble. It was inexcusable. I was supposed to send you to a facility with enough personnel to advise and guide you, along with enough supplies to last you three months without having to do anything, but I ended up sending you off to a barren place due to defective documentation."
Yeah, so that initial situation was irregular as I'd suspected. The difficulty wasn't that bad thanks to the delivery box inside of the cabin and the Tundra eShop, but someone that wasn't used to games would've had a harder time for sure. Perhaps they would even starve or freeze to death from being unable to figure the system out.
"One week after I sent you there, I noticed the mistake in the documents and verified it in a hurry. But by then, you were already living normally, so I was allowed to just monitor your progress."
What was I doing one week after I got there again? I must have been planting the waterdry trees, harvesting pumpkins, and eating jerky. Wasn't that when I'd finally put together a decent bed and Ann fell from the sky...? Yeah, you could say I was living normally.
"Did I get called back here because the results of my training came out?"
"Yes. If you wish to resign, these three months of training will be taken into account and you'll be remunerated for your work. In the case you want to become a full time employee, you'll be officially starting your new job as appointed manager of the Labyrinth #228 in a week's time."
"Why is there a week period in between?"
"A human invasion is currently endangering the vicinity of the labyrinth. We concluded it's impossible to secure the safety of the manager due to the lack of defensive measures in the facility. We're considering a period of one week for the danger to subside in the surrounding area so that safety can be assured."
Enough time for Fez to get to the town and drive away the humans with Daemon's armed forces? Or enough time for the human raid party to leave after ransacking the whole place?
---So I'd be safe if I spent a week back here on Earth?
"The surrounding environment has to be put in order, and the rebuilding of the pioneering village isn't that complicated. The movement of people to rebuild the village and bring in the most immediate supplies for community life will take about two weeks. The estimated time until it becomes a proper village will be about one month."
That was a rather sound judgment. Yeah, pretty rational... But I refuse.
If you've ever played enough RPG, you must have come across situations where someone close to the hero or heroine dies in the middle the story. You must have, right?
In terms of game progression, it was viewed as necessary for developers to bring the story to a climax, or stir your emotions. From a user's perspective, it was seen as the character dying due to unavoidable circumstances.
But I really hated that.
Although gamers played all kinds of genres---ranging from RPG to action and FPS---rather than simply enjoying them for the fun of it, some immersed themselves into their worlds and set out to overcome challenges and adversity to then come out on top. However, no matter how much effort was made, no matter how strong your character was, or how skilled you were, there would always be someone you couldn't save. Didn't that basically negate all the effort and emotional investment that a player poured into the game?
The heroine that couldn't be saved might have been a mere NPC, but have you ever thought about it from the heroine's perspective? How awful it must be to see your lover resign to your death tens of thousands of times, and abandon you just like that...
Thankfully, this game wasn't one where the future was decided just yet.
In this case, it wasn't bad that I wanted to take on the challenge to save my heroine. I was a gamer that laughed off difficulty levels no matter how high they were, was I not?
"If I liberate the village... there won't be any rebuilding costs. I'm not sure what the outcome will be, but would you allow me to try on my own?"
"You'd like to help even at your own risk...? This isn't a problem that only affects you, Kousaka-san. If those close to the labyrinth put themselves in harm's way, the labyrinth itself will be exposed to danger. As someone employed as a labyrinth manager, and a member of society, wouldn't you prioritize your work?"
Karumi-san shot me down with the truth, a look of indifference on her face. The tone of her voice was cold-hearted and down to business, but the curiosity-tinged gleam in her eyes was different, as if she was gauging my response carefully.
There was nothing wrong with what she'd said, rather, her sound argument couldn't have been more perfect.
There might be civil liberties and humanity problems on Earth, but it was completely different compared to the other side. Abandoning the easily replaceable villagers and securing the life of an important labyrinth manager seemed like the most natural choice.
And the only one that knew how to traverse between Earth and the other world was Karumi-san here. I couldn't force her to help me. This wasn't the time or place to get emotional and act irrationally. It would be a mistake to choose the "Raise my voice and say I want to save the villager's lives" option. At the very least... that wasn't my playstyle.
"It's because I look at it from a work perspective that I'm suggesting that we can get better results from acting now, instead of waiting to repopulate the village."
By this point, I'd grown out of spewing stuff like "I want to save someone important to me", or other impulsive and heroic one-liners. I was too old for that now.
I had to persuade Karumi-san that saving Ann and the villagers was in the company's best interests. Compared to my younger self that could do anything out of sheer strength or courage... That was too cringey. This was the way the game played out in the world of adults.
I took a flimsy-looking paper cup that looked like it would fall apart at the slightest bit of pressure, and put some instant coffee, sugar, and milk powder in it. Since the coffee enthusiasts out there would get angry if I called it coffee, we'll just say I wet my whistle with that coffee-based drink, and spoke once again.
"I went through the training, and just like you said, if I become a full-time employee, I'll officially become the manager of Labyrinth #228. In which case, there's barely anything as of now. I made a pathway, expanded the room, and created an exit connecting to the surface. But I'll need even more manpower to at least give it the appearance of a proper labyrinth. I think I'll go senile in that world before accomplishing any of that on my own with only a pickaxe."
Even though Ann and I tried our very best building the stairs to the surface every single day, it still took us a whole month. I didn't know how much time and labor would be required if the intention was to build a proper labyrinth on that plot of land.
To dig up a labyrinth with my own two hands sounded like a fun endeavor, though.
"You're right. The labyrinth was supposed to be completed by now after fifteen years of work, and a lot of funds were invested into it. The fact that not a single hole in the ground was dug desp
ite it being reported as completed in the official documents is quite ironic, I must add."
"In these three months... It might be true that I've only come into proper contact in the last month, but I've assessed that the people I exchanged and dealt with have the mental and physical prowess to partner up with me to build the labyrinth. If there are new villagers that will come instead, they'll more than likely be preoccupied with trying to improve their situation in a new place. I'm not sure I can produce better results without knowing their qualities or disposition like I do with the current residents."
Mayor Hopper and the villagers might be a little scary at times, but they were ruggedly honest and hard workers to a fault. Never mind that I was together with Ann, they still accepted me with open arms. And the thought of learning to play and work with them seemed like fun.
"I see, what you say is reasonable indeed. However, don't you think you're getting your priorities backwards, so to speak? You would be wielding your qualities as a superior labyrinth manager and exposing yourself to a very real danger in order to achieve what you say."
Karumi-san stated the simple truth. I could see her reasoning as a gamer that pursued figures and efficiency. But people with their own wills and dreams lived in that world, like other players in a multiplayer game. And I didn't care about risking my life to save Ann, Sara, Deneb, or any of the other player's lives.
I may act and talk like an adult on the surface, but I was just a serious player in this game of life. Camping and playing like a coward wasn't cool, and it was literally better to die than live on with regrets your whole life.
"It's an honor to hear you say I'm a good labyrinth manager. As a superior labyrinth manager, if I'm to consider the future of the labyrinth's expansion, I need those people. I judge that the risk necessary to save them is one worth taking."
How about that? I gazed at Karumi-san to gauge her reaction when she grabbed a cup of the same sugary milk coffee and drank it up as if it were really delicious... She flashed me a delightful smile that I could only compare to blossoming flowers in spring.
"........."
Since she didn't show a hint of emotion ever since we'd met, the unexpected smile made me choke on my words for a moment.
"Looks like I'm defeated. That's a splendid facade. There's no room for complaints."
She said she lost, but I couldn't sense a hint of bitterness in her cheery tone.
"Our company---no, I have been looking for a labyrinth manager like you, Kousaka-san."
Was she testing me? Well, they were looking for people good at games, so I doubt they had been looking for the kind of adult bureaucratic person that could only deliver rigid judgment.
"Like me? What does that mean?"
"A person with the desire and will to make the desires of their heart a reality---without getting caught up in the concepts of good and evil," she said in a cutesy manner, tilting her head to one side. "See, since we're subordinates of the Great Dark Lord, we aren't exactly knights in shining armor material, right? And since we're more or less a company, we need people that can keep up appearances and act like adults."
I calmed down and tried to think back on everything. I was a human that was...
---Living in a country that's ruled by a Dark Lord... For the sake of the people of a country called Daemon... Trying to fight off humans.
There was the minor detail about Daemon also having humans among its population too, but we were certainly doing something akin to an evil organization's work.
"Although, I personally think you're more than what our company deserves as far as labyrinth managers go. But you're still the talented person I've been looking for so long. I won't hand you over to any other department."
There was an almost carnivorous grin on Karumi-san's face. I thought she was a more calm and collected person, but it seemed she was pretty expressive on the inside.
"I will accept the responsibility for your plan, but first I'd like to confirm one thing. It's kind of a regulation, you see... Well then, even if you were to retire here, your remuneration for the last three months of training comes to the amount of 500,000 yen, and the additional fee for your outstanding performance adds 180 million yen that will be paid to you."
That additional fee was wildly different, but it was a huge number, so... I couldn't complain.
Karumi-san raised her index finger and continued.
"However, this additional fee includes the current savings of the labyrinth itself, so it will decrease if the situation of the labyrinth worsens... In the worst case scenario, it could very well disappear entirely. Will you still take the risk regardless?"
It didn't seem like there was ill intent in her voice still. The obscene amount of money certainly was more than a mid-career person like me could ever dream of earning after just three months, but the silver ring I held right now was worth far more than that.
"This might be a little out of place, but... I choose 'yes'."
Karumi-san smiled as she heard my answer and nodded radiantly. You'd think she just fell in love.
"Kousaka-san, please don't die. Our company... No, I expect great things of you," Karumi-san said with a mischievous wink. "That's why, I'll give you a little advice for breaking the rules. Keep what I'm about to tell you a secret to everybody, okay?"
Karumi-san was... the very picture of a beautiful lady.
"I was allowed to look into you after sending you off to training, and there so happens to be a very unusual labyrinth manager in that world that manufactures golems and exhibits them in Tundra's eShop. Labyrinth #13, if I remember correctly. There's a certain giant-sized manned golem currently listed which just happens to have a very high affinity with you, Kousaka-san. It's designed to defend, but it also has offensive capabilities, so it may be useful for your current situation."
Karumi-san snapped her fingers, and... I heard the creaky sound of a door opening right behind me and... Slam! At the same time I heard the door closing, I was left back in front of the little cabin sitting in the middle of the ravine I'd missed so much.
"Well, then... I guess I'll go with that."
I drank the remaining coffee out of the cup I was holding in my hand, and opened several UI windows around me, including Tundra's catalog.
---Let's try taking a look at the giant golem Karumi-san told me about first.
◇
"Hmm... These two here look promising."
After browsing the Tundra eShop for about 30 minutes, I singled out the two most promising items.
Assault Golem Armor - Comet (Height: 7 m / Weight: 6.5 t) == 13800000 DL
[Recharges automatically! Get up to six hours of battery life on a single charge!]
Seller : Manager, Labyrinth #13
Rating : ★☆☆☆☆
Reviewer : Manager, Labyrinth #201
- Amazing friccing speed! Pretty funky mecha bro! It goes to friccing fast I ended up pulling the emergency brake and coughing out blood! It'll pop like a popcorn if you so much as brush a wall you can't break, it's pretty fricced up!
Rating : ★★☆☆☆
Reviewer : Manager, Labyrinth #102
- I value it good as a pretty ornament. It's currently just sitting outside to scare a few loitering demons, but it's rather pretty to look at. I'll ignore reviewing it in regards to its functionality in this review.
Rating : ★☆☆☆☆
Reviewer : Manager, Labyrinth #601
- Bad stability. I heard it was 3 times faster than the other model this same person has up for sale, so I tried giving it a whirl, but 3 times faster also means 3 times harder to use, but that's not all, the armor is also 3 times more thin. It does have an option to fly using a flying unit, but controlling it is so hard I just gave up. I'm afraid of even trying to use the default jump unit.
I tried it out just because an acquaintance asked me to, turns out the attack power is quite high, but the equipment is specialized for close encounters. Why wouldn't it have shooting weapons? B
esides, did the price lower compared to when I bought it? This is a selling off price, isn't it? This isn't even a golem, it's a goddamn robo... oh, looks like I got a visit!
Automatic Cursed Sword (Height: 1.2 m / Total Length: 1.5 m) == 6800000 DL
Brand : Jr. Devil King Edge
Seller : Preceding Manager, Labyrinth #552
Rating : ★☆☆☆☆
Reviewer : Manager, Labyrinth #35
- Tough to use for older folks. A sword that bestows various faculties to the body of the wielder, it also bestows fencing abilities, tactic skills. This cursed sword gives you all those. You can use it without problem even if you don't know anything about wielding a sword, but there's a catch... if you're too rough using it you might die because of the muscular pain the next day...
Rating : ★★☆☆☆
Reviewer : Manager, Labyrinth #172
- It has a lot of value as work of art. The single edged sword image makes for a beautiful single piece, but the fencing abilities it gives are not very beautiful. It doesn't grant any kind of way to protect the body, so I wouldn't recommend it as a weapon for managers.
The giant golem from Labyrinth #13 that Karumi-san told me about was expensive enough to drain most of my savings, but I'd decided to go through with it still. It seemed it was hard to maneuver, but it had good performance, which was nice.
It seemed like the 'Comet' was more focused on looking intimidating than being aerodynamic. It pretty much looked like a futuristic set of armor. No one from Earth would see this and call it a golem.
The golem looked to be more difficult to steer than a robot, but when I thought back to robot games that were played in large cabinets, it was a riot for gamers even if they were a bit unwieldy. It was certainly a product that hit all my preferences, but I wondered what she meant by 'good affinity'.
Next thing was the supposedly cursed sword; it seemed like I could increase my physical faculties just by holding it. I'd fought using blades in games countless times, but this was a suitable item for someone that didn't have any kind of real swordsmanship or fencing experience.
Strongest Gamer; Let's Play in Another World Volume 1 Page 18