Labyrinth Renovation – 007 | Sousaku – 創作

Episode 07: It’s gonna be all right!

"――So you're saying that this building is a big multipurpose store called Harwersutor in your world, and you're just caught up in this "teleportation"? "
"If I were to believe your story, Fiona…… that would be correct. Apparently, this is a different world than the one I was in."
"Hmmm. So it looks like we won't have to worry about eating for the foreseeable future. You still have that delicious one from earlier, don't you? "
"I don't know if it's okay to eat it without permission, but I think it'll be fine for a few years."

Strictly speaking, it might not be an issue in forever, but I think our minds would be affected before that.

"So I guess we're out of the immediate crisis."

Fiona said and began to think about something.
Looking at her facial expressions, she seemed to be getting much more relaxed. Well, even though they were trapped, help would eventually come. Fiona, she looks like a princess knight and probably must have been born into a good family.

"Uhh……"

I slowly raised my hand.

"So what is this place after all? "
"Eh? Didn't you listen to me when I explained it to you earlier? "
"I don't remember that. Sorry, I wasn't listening."

She told me she was talking to me when she was pinching my cheeks.
But that's because I realized that I had been transferred to another world, and my brain was half in a panic.
That is not my fault.

◇◆◆◆◇

A corner of the Hardware Store parking lot. There was a black stone monument-like object by the wall.
It was made of smooth black stone, simple but elegant, and its size was a little taller than my height.
Of course, there was no such thing in Dharma. There was a Shinto shrine in the office, but that's about it.
"I told you that I was sent to this level by a treasure chest trap, didn't I? You were probably called here because I wished for 『help』 at this monument."

Embedded in the monument was a sort of crystal ball, now broken.
"Of course, I knew about the rumors of the wish-fulfilling gems, but…… to be honest, I was skeptical about it. Well, I'm not sure if you are in fact the help, Maho――"
"Help……"

So it's Fiona's fault that I'm in a place like this?!
……I was indeed not ready to say that.
It's apparently true that I was summoned, but I don't think even she could have imagined that this would happen. Especially when she is trapped and locked up in a situation like this.

"So you're saying that defeating that dragon is the answer? "
"Ahh, I wish it were that simple.……"
"Is there something more? "
"Well……Like I said, this is a dungeon."

Come to think of it, that's what she said, wasn't it?
And didn't she also say it was the lowest layer?

"Um, do you mean this is like the basement? Does it look very deep? "
"Indeed. The only way to get out of here alive is to climb up dozens of levels of paths filled with powerful monsters…… you see."
"Ohh, I see. Do you mean that we have to clear from the lowest level of the dungeon in order to get out...... like a reverse clear? Which is why you couldn't do anything about it, Fiona…… no wonder."

I see, I see. I totally get it.
"Just to be sure, but why don't we just wait for help to come? "
"Well, maybe there will be adventurers who will conquer the lowest level…… Although the possibility is close to zero. This place is a fairly unpopular dungeon…… I don't have high hopes."

According to Fiona, this place is called the Great Labyrinth of Melquodia, and only up to the 14th level has been explored, and the monsters are strong and troublesome....... or so she explained.
In a typical dungeon, the lowest level is at the shallowest the 10th level. The deepest that has been discovered and traversed is 30 layers. Besides that, there were many dungeons that had not been traversed and it was not known how many floors below ground the lowest level was. If this place had 15 or 20 layers in all, it would be easy to escape, but according to Fiona, that was unlikely. It is said that the size of a dungeon can be roughly determined by the size of the first layer, and as this is known as the " Great Labyrinth," it has been confirmed to be the largest in the world.
I see. Well, I don't think we can expect any help.
"Then I guess we'll just have to conquer it. Well, we'll figure it out."
"……How can you be so optimistic? Is it because you don't know how strong the monsters are? "
"I mean, we've got all these supplies, you know? It'll be fine, it'll be fine."
"I doubt that……"

Well, I don't know what the actual situation is.
Since saying such a thing won't get us started, we can just take our time. We have the supplies. As we try, we will find a solution one day.
It's okay, it's okay.

"Wh……Why are you smiling……? Do you really understand the situation? "

Maybe I don't understand, but even so, I'm going to find out from now on, even if I don't like it.
At this stage, it would be foolish to suddenly despair.
I am more excited about the fact that I have been summoned to another world.
I mean, I was summoned to another world! And with my beloved Hardware Store, too!
That dragon seems like it needs to be defeated, but there are creatures yet to be seen, untamed worlds still waiting for me.
Oooh~! We're going to make it out of here alive, you and me!