Chapter 1 - Hot Spring
The seventh layer of the Labyrinth of No Return.
We proceed through a cave with scorching hot lava flowing below, killing red lizards and salamanders as we go.
"Damn you, brother, you look so cool!"
A sweaty Jouga looks at me with a grudge, but I don't have time to share the points with everyone and make them take [Fire Resistance].
"Be sure to hydrate often."
That's all I'll say instead. Just be cool about it.
I've done my research beforehand, so we all have plenty of water bags.
"Master, it looks like we can't go through here."
Meena, who was leading the way, stopped, but a pool of lava was blocking the path.
However, the passage itself continued to the back.
"Hold on a minute. I'll just fill in the map."
I stick to the wall and move forward like a gecko.
It's a [Stick to Wall Lv5] skill. I can even use levitation.
"I always thought that Alec was becoming more and more inhuman. ......"
"I agree with you."
"The master is the master."
"That thing is just plain creepy. I'd rather float."
"Oh, God, watch over him so he doesn't go down the wrong path."
"But why don't you use [Levitate] these days?"
"You like the gecko walk better, don't you? I want to try that, too!"
Fufufu, Letty, do your best to find a spell like that.
"Hmm? What, a dead end already?"
The passageway turns into a dead end around the corner, but there's a golden treasure chest on a pedestal.
"It's a treasure chest."
"" Oohh ""
"All right, I'll open it!"
I could have taken the trap-removal skill, but since Saki was showing a lot of enthusiasm, I took her there as a floating princess.
Just in case, I'll give about a thousand points to Saki to strengthen her trap removal skills.
"Fufu, I can feel my darling's love. Okay, success!"
Inside the treasure chest was a ruby ring.
Saki appraised it herself, and it said that it had the effect of disabling flames.
"Tsk, it's useless for me."
I've maxed out my flame resistance, so I can take the flames without a problem.
However, my clothes and equipment can only withstand a certain amount, so I won't jump into the lava pool.
"Well, yeah, someone in the party can use it."
"I guess so. Let's give it to Serina."
"Oh, is she your favorite?"
"You're wrong, it's because she's got the Starlight Attack."
"That's righ'."
So I gave her the ring, but she blushed and fidgeted and seemed strangely conscious of it.
"T-thank you ...... Alec. I'll take good care of it."
"No, not really, I didn't mean it like that."
"Y-yeah. I know."
"" Hyu-Hyu "" (TLN:whistling sound)
"Shut up, then. Let's go ahead."
""" Okay """
We were going through a rocky area, but then again, there was a place where the lava made it impassable.
"Then wait for me."
I went on, and came to a place where there was no lava but hot water.
I stuck my hand in, and it seemed to be a good temperature.
"Hey you guys, come here."
I'm going to carry them in float state and take them there.
"This looks like a hot spring."
"Yeah, it does."
"Can I come in?"
"Meena, are there any enemies around?"
"I think it's okay."
"Then we'll have one person on watch."
"Hooray!"
Meena said she'd take the watch, so we left her to it, took off our clothes, and soaked in the hot water.
"Ooooh, the water's nice and hot."
"Really."
A rocky area separated the men's and women's baths, but that was okay.
It's not a place where you can be careless, so it's better to think of it as a place to wash your body.
"We should get going."
"Eh? Already?"
A few of the ladies voiced their displeasure, but I guess we can seriously consider how to prepare a bath in the inn.
No, this could be an interesting business.
"Let's get back to the surface."
Once I was back on the surface, I went to the Merchant's Guild to apply for the "Rental House System" and heard an explanation from Yumi.
"Anyone can rent a house as long as they register their name and location. The price is also free."
"Hmm, that sounds pretty simple."
"Yes, it is. Recently, the number of adventurers visiting the Labyrinth of No Return has been increasing rapidly, and the number of available innkeepers has been decreasing, so the Merchant's Guild proposed this system and the King approved it."
"Your suggestion?"
"No, it was Janatha..."
"Hmm. Well, I guess he finally did something useful."
"Yes."
Janatha is no longer with us.
Mitsurugi has since been handed over to the castle's soldiers. He was a bounty hunter, and I don't know what happened to him after that.
Well, I guess he went to jail, and for a very long time.
"Here's the form, then."
I handed the application form to Yumi.
"Yes, err, is it the seventh layer of the dungeon?"
"Yes, that's right. It's not going to be open every day, but that's okay."
"I'll submit it to the royal castle. If they say anything, you'll have to give up."
"Hmm, well, that's fine. We'll use it on our own then."
The rates are free for unmarried women and 100 gold per night for everyone else.
The basic fee is by reservation only, and includes transportation and escort by at least five A-rank parties. However, the guests must be experienced in the seventh layer.
We didn't do anything special, but the Adventurer's Guild certified us as an A-rank party.
I guess they're trying to recruit a powerful clan since White Dog was destroyed, but I don't care.
I received two applications immediately, but it was Sarah's and Elisa's.
Well, if you have experience with the seventh layer, you're bound to have your own lineup.
"Alec, please take care of us."
"Please take care of us today."
"Thank you for applying for the "Black Cat of the Wind" hot springs. I'm Alec, the manager."
"Pfft, I know who you are! Ahahaha."
Sarah laughs, though.
"Well, I guess so. Let's do this the normal way."
"Y-yeah. By the way, where are Serina and the others?"
"They're off today. There are more of us now, so... I don't have any other intentions."
I don't tell anyone who might get in the way about this project.
"Hmm, if you're ready, let's go."
I also brought along Saki, Meena, Ione, and Nene. They were a tight-knit group even at the party.
"By the way, the hot spring, you sure come up with an interesting idea, Alec?"
Edgar, the drunken oldman who is already slurping down cans of liquor, says that, I don't need you, though.
Well, it would look suspicious if I told all the men to leave, so I'll just let it slide.
"I was just exploring the seventh layer when I found it. It felt pretty good, so I thought I'd share it with you guys."
"Hmm? Then why don't you just sell it to the guild as information?"
"Because it's the seventh layer, and it wouldn't be good for the aftertaste if people died because they were too curious to take a chance."
"Well, let's put it that way."
"But is it really possible to take a bath in a dungeon?"
The earnest young man, Abel, also worries about it, but I don't need you either.
"I'll let you actually see it for yourself. Well, you can trust me on that."
"Of course, you can trust Alec."
Elisa nodded broadly, but the other members of the group, Marin and several of the women, looked uneasy.
"I don't really know much about Alec, though Sarah seems to be a good friend with Alec."
A Magician in Sarah's party said. She's a cool beauty with red hair and a black robe.
"Yeah, we're good friends."
"Sarah has a fearless streak, you know. ......"
The Priest in Sarah's party chuckles and says. She's a green-haired, reserved-looking girl, and I'm guessing she's a virgin.
"The fourth layer quest turned out to be a disaster, so why not this one too?"
That's what the burly female warrior said, but it's happened before.
"We've already confirmed that there are no enemies this time, and we're not going to tamper with the labyrinth. I think we'll be fine."
"I hope so."
The three mixed parties moved leisurely onward.
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