《Survival Strategies of a Struggling Aristocrat》 CH 1 Underneath a dark and silent expanse of space that seemed to stretch infinitely, shimmering orbs of light emerged and soared in swirling patterns. These light orbs flickered and twinkled like birds, forming two distinct streams. These streams had their own characteristics. One was fewer in number but possessed great momentum, while the other had a larger quantity but lacked force. The fewer orbs, propelled with vigor, soared upwards, piercing through the sky before vanishing. The orbs that lacked the force to pierce the sky began descending midway, falling towards a boundary resembling the surface of the sea and sinking down into the lower depths. The other stream, overwhelmingly abundant in numbers, scarcely had any orbs that managed to break through the sky. They would start descending without even reaching halfway, falling towards the sea-like boundary and sinking down. An entity stood there, silently observing this spectacle. It stood in the empty void of space, a place where ordinary creatures could not survive. It was a being known as a transcendent. The transcendent being, radiating an overwhelming presence and brimming with immense power, compared the two worlds with eyes capable of seeing beyond dimensions. ¡°The harmony of the worlds has begun to distort,¡± The transcendent examined the stream of glowing orbs known as souls before exhaling a heavy sigh. ¡°It seems that some intervention is necessary,¡± From the stream that held a greater number of orbs, the transcendent plucked tens of thousands of them. Then, with deliberate precision, the orbs were split in half. The transcendent infused its own energy into the halves, restoring them to their original form. Through this act, the number of orbs doubled. The transcendent returned half of them to the original stream, while the remaining half was cast into the stream with fewer orbs. However, these orbs lacked the momentum to ascend to the heavens and soon began their descent, sinking down to the lower depths. ¡ô¡ô¡ó¡ó¡ô¡ô¡ó¡ó¡ô¡ô Masaya Hijiritani, once again, realized that he was experiencing a lucid dream, still the dream felt very vivid. After returning from work and having dinner, he had watched television to pass the time before going to bed. Yet now, he found himself standing in a place overlooking the sea. The morning sun was about to emerge from beneath the sea¡¯s surface. The sparkling sight of the crimson-stained sea, radiating a mesmerizing glow, aimed to enchant and draw people into a realm of mystique. A small boat floating on the water caught his attention. Squinting his eyes, he could make out a man, seemingly a fisherman, rowing the oars with great effort. The boat was so small that it could barely accommodate two people. Glancing down at his feet, he noticed a tiny crab bravely battling against the waves as it made its way towards the sea. The cries of seagulls reached his ears, and the sea breeze gently brushed his cheeks, carrying the scent of the humble houses that lay behind him. This was a small town called Beneshof, with a population of about 4,000 people. It was a fishing village ruled by the Baron Briones family. In the corner of his vision, he caught a glimpse of his younger sister. She, who was five years younger than him raised her voice loudly. ¡°Dennis, it¡¯s time for breakfast.¡± ¡°Got it, Amelia.¡± In this dream world, he was known as Dennis von Briones. It seemed that somehow Masaya¡¯s consciousness was connected to Dennis¡¯ consciousness when he dreamed. It wasn¡¯t like multiple personalities emerging at different times; rather, the knowledge possessed by the two personalities merged, creating the illusion of a new persona being born. However, in this world, the dominant personality was Dennis, and Masaya¡¯s consciousness assumed the position of a bystander. This phenomenon began about two months ago. At first, Masaya felt a sense of unease. However, as it repeated every time he had a dream, he started to get used to it. He shifted his gaze toward Amelia. Despite being of noble birth, she wore simple and worn-out clothes. They were the same clothes their mother had worn as a child. However, her features were refined, and her smiling face seemed to radiate with brightness. Dennis moved away from the coastline and retraced his steps along the unpaved road, hardened by countless footsteps. Scattered sparsely along the road¡¯s edges were evergreen trees that resembled pine trees. Within the pine forest stood the fishing huts used by the fishermen. They were constructed with slender logs and planks, giving off an air of simplicity. Inside, fishing tools and everyday items were neatly arranged. ¡°Hey, big brother. Elma said we¡¯re running low on salt. What should we do?¡± Elma served as the head maid in the lord¡¯s mansion. ¡°Have you informed Father about it?¡± Amelia¡¯s cute face contorted in displeasure. ¡°We should find a way ourselves when it comes to salt.¡± If the lord¡¯s family requested salt from a merchant, they would surely provide it without any issues. However, Amelia disliked obtaining it through such means. ¡°I¡¯ll go buy it,¡± Dennis offered. ¡°Thank you.¡± Beneshof was a town located on the outskirts of the Zelman Kingdom. To the south lay the sea, where salt, a necessity of life, should have been abundant. However, the kingdom had imposed restrictions on salt production. Only noble families with notable achievements were granted permission, while others were prohibited from owning salt fields. To acquire salt, they had no choice but to purchase it from the town¡¯s sole general store or from traveling merchants. And to buy it, they needed money. Dennis had never received any allowance or financial support from his parents. The lord¡¯s mansion was an old building, showing signs of wear and tear in various places. It was Dennis¡¯ responsibility to handle the repairs. Stepping into the dilapidated mansion, he made his way to the dining room. The staple food in this country was said to be wheat. There were types of wheat that looked and tasted the same as those consumed in Japan. Not only that, but there were also foods such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, cucumbers, carrots, and others that were indistinguishable from what they had in Japan. Breakfast consisted of the usual hard rye bread and a thin, salty soup. It was a meal that resembled the contents of a common farmer¡¯s plate rather than that of a noble. There was a reason for this. The Beneshof territory, ruled by the Baron Briones family, had been struck by a massive fire nine years ago. The fields, which were about to be harvested, were also burned, and many of the residents became victims. Lord Egmont, the ruler of the territory, expended his reserves to aid in the recovery. However, funds quickly depleted, and nine years had passed, leaving behind deep scars and an empty treasury. So, the Briones family could be said to have no money. They didn¡¯t even have enough funds to give their son an allowance. After eating a bland breakfast, Dennis stepped outside. He was a sixteen-year-old boy with black hair and amber eyes. Normally, he would be of age to attend school in the royal capital. However, due to the financial difficulties of the Briones family, they couldn¡¯t afford to send their second son to school. Only their eldest son, Gerald, had the opportunity to study in the royal capital and was currently training to become an officer in the city¡¯s royal guards. In the future, when Lord Egmont retired, Gerald would have to leave the city¡¯s royal guards and return to Beneshof to learn how to manage the estate. Dennis served as a backup in case something happened to his older brother, Gerald. Normally, he should have received a proper education, so instead, he was allowed to have freedom until the age of eighteen. Well, it was more like he was ordered to study on his own. He was only taught reading and writing. Therefore, he learned about history, geography, and general knowledge to some extent from the books in the mansion¡¯s study. However, there were limits to self-study. Due to a lack of fundamental knowledge, Dennis found it difficult to comprehend books beyond general knowledge. But that changed two months ago. Dennis¡¯s mind connected with the soul of Masaya, a Japanese working adult. Suddenly, knowledge that hadn¡¯t existed in his mind surged forth. It was initially confusing, but as time passed, he grew accustomed to it. Eventually, Dennis became capable of understanding every book in the mansion¡¯s study. Among those books, there were also writings about a form of magic in this world known as ¡°Mana Art (True Name Art).¡± Mana (true name) Art involves knowing the true names of beings, principles, and phenomena and using them as a core to manipulate reality. For Masaya, who lived in a world without magic, it was incredibly fascinating. While Dennis stood outside, gazing at the scenery, he pondered how to procure the necessary money to buy salt. Two ideas came to mind: exploring a place called a Labyrinth (Dungeon) or hunting lucrative prey in the forest. ¡°To acquire the necessary funds quickly, the Labyrinth seems to be the best option. After all, both choices come with their fair share of danger,¡± At that moment, Dennis made a miscalculation regarding the danger level of the Labyrinth. The information in the records he found in the study stated that the first and second floors of the Labyrinth only contained weak monsters like slimes and bats. ************ TN: It is literally translated as True Name Art but its spelling is ¡°Mana¡± and I think most if not everyone knows what mana is, so just for the sake of translating things as author wants to convey I¡¯m going to keep on using the term Mana, but you keep in mind that it means ¡®true name¡¯. CH 2 Dennis swiftly readied himself for the battle. The weapon he equipped himself with was a war hammer that one of his ancestors had used. This remarkable weapon, known as a Warhammer, boasted a steel head shaped like a cone. Although Dennis desired a sword, the mansion only housed the ones employed by Lord Egmont. In light of the latter¡¯s struggles in managing his territory, he had sold off the surplus swords. Aside from his weapon, Dennis diligently packed a backpack containing rye bread and a water bottle for sustenance before departing from the town. Nestled at the base of a rocky mountain in the southwest, the labyrinth adjacent to the town went by the name of Rock Mountain Labyrinth. It was just one of the numerous small labyrinths scattered about. However, very few people visited this Rock Mountain Labyrinth. Troublesome monsters dwelled on the third and fourth floors, and in order to further explore it, they had to defeat those creatures. Furthermore, it seemed that the only items obtainable within the labyrinth were ordinary metals, which offered minimal profits compared to the risks involved. After walking for about an hour and a half in the southwest direction, a rocky mountain came into view. The surroundings consisted of sparsely green and barren land, with small and large stones scattered around. The season was transitioning from spring to summer. Due to the long walk, sweat trickled down Dennis¡¯ face, and his throat grew parched. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a water bottle, taking a sip. ¡°Phew, just getting to the entrance of the labyrinth has exhausted me.¡± Although Dennis had a slender build, he was a guy who preferred to be outdoors, frolicking about, rather than remain indoors, reading books. However, ever since he had become connected to the soul of Masaya, he had developed a liking for reading as well. The entrance to the labyrinth looked like a cave. With caution, Dennis ventured into the labyrinth, illuminating the darkness with the flickering flame of a torch. Dennis began his journey, gripping a torch in his left hand and a Warhammer in his right hand. The records had mentioned that this Rock Mountain Labyrinth was a small-scale one with five floors. And on the first floor, there were only slimes. At that moment, Dennis believed that slime would be an easy victory. After advancing about thirty meters, he noticed a faint light within the labyrinth. It was emitted by the moss growing on the ceiling. ¡°A type of glowing moss, huh.¡± Dennis extinguished the flame of the torch. As expected, there was sufficient illumination. The labyrinth consisted of passageways constructed with stone walls and dome-shaped spaces, forming a maze-like structure. Finally, Dennis encountered a slime¡ªthe first monster he had ever seen before. With rare exceptions, such creatures only existed in special places like labyrinths. Therefore, Dennis had never witnessed one before. This slime was about the size of a washbasin and had a pale green color. It moved across the floor of the passage, reminiscent of a slug. Still, it was faster than Dennis had imagined. Dennis hurriedly swung his warhammer downward, attempting to strike the slime. However, the slime evaded his attack by moving forward, and the warhammer struck the floor of the passage, producing a dry sound. The impact reverberated through his hand, causing a sharp pain. ¡°Damn it,¡± The slime had approached his feet. As if it was intending to counterattack, it clung to his shoes and entwined itself around his ankles. In that instant, a jolt of electric shock surged through his foot. ¡°¡­¡± The pain was so intense that Dennis couldn¡¯t even utter a sound. It shot through his body, making his heart feel as though it might stop. He shook his leg vigorously, dislodging the slime. However, the separated slime began to creep back towards him. Dennis swung his war hammer once more. Its metallic head pierced into the slime. Yet, that alone wasn¡¯t enough to kill it. Slimes had cores, and unless those cores were damaged, they couldn¡¯t be defeated. Keeping his distance from the slime, Dennis took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself. ¡°What the hell was that electric shock-like sensation¡­¡± The records found in the study had mentioned that being captured by a slime would result in a surge of pain. However, he had never imagined that the pain would be this intense. Dennis desperately tried to avoid being ensnared by the slime while striking it repeatedly with his warhammer. It wasn¡¯t until the ninth attack that the warhammer pierced through the slime¡¯s core, finally putting an end to it. The defeated slime dissolved into thin air as if melting into the space. It seemed that the creatures in the labyrinth were not ordinary beings but rather entities that would disappear upon death. Feeling hungry, Dennis reached for the rye bread he had brought and took a bite. Afterward, he encountered several more slimes and struggled to defeat them while searching for metal deposits. After about three hours of wandering, he stumbled upon a small dome-shaped space. There were six slimes wandering around there. He had grown capable of taking down one at a time, but dealing with all six simultaneously was impossible. ¡°It will take time, but I¡¯ll defeat them one by one,¡± He lured the slimes out, starting with the one closest to the entrance of the small dome space, and eliminated them individually. It took him a whole hour to dispatch five of them. As he faced the last remaining slime, Dennis stumbled and fell on his back. He was quite exhausted. That was when the slime attacked. The moment it clung to his back, the familiar electric shock surged through him. ¡°Agh!¡± The impact was so intense that Dennis let out a strange cry. He tumbled and rolled, shaking off the slime. As soon as he felt the slime had detached from his body, he quickly stood up and swung his warhammer downward. ¡°You¡­ take this! One more strike!¡± Finally defeating the slime, he heaved a sigh of relief and sat down, feeling drained. ¡°¡­I¡¯m¡­ exhausted,¡± Dennis muttered wearily as he surveyed the small dome space where the slime had vanished. In the corner of his eye, he caught a glimmering sparkle. It was a silver-zinc ore deposit, shining brightly. In the depths of the labyrinth, mineral deposits were naturally formed, and they could contain metal crystals like native copper. Since these metal crystals were of high purity, sometimes it was difficult to distinguish them by color alone. However, according to the records, this particular layer was likely a zinc deposit. ¡°I need to mine it¡­¡± He drove his warhammer into the ore deposit and began mining the zinc. The metal sparkled and shimmered. If it were silver, it would be worth a fortune. However, mining silver and the like was not possible on this particular floor of the labyrinth. Dennis packed the zinc in his backpack. It was said that the mineral deposits in the labyrinth grew slightly larger after the last mining session. Since this particular labyrinth had been left untouched for a long time, he was able to gather a considerable amount. However, there was a limit to how much he could carry alone. He decided to mine around ten kilograms and head back. With great effort, he dragged his heavy feet and began his journey back. By the time he reached the entrance of the town, the sun was beginning to set. Dennis called out to Kasper, the shopkeeper who was preparing to close his store. ¡°Hey, Kasper, Can I have a moment,¡± Kasper turned around from locking up and directed his gaze towards Dennis. ¡°Oh, if it isn¡¯t the little young master,¡± ¡°Spare me the words; I¡¯m already sixteen¡±, ¡°I beg your pardon. So what can I do for you?¡± Once Dennis entered the shop, he took out the zinc from his backpack. ¡°I want you to buy this,¡± ¡°Oh, zinc, is it?¡± Kasper carefully examined the lump of zinc and then looked at Dennis. ¡°How about two silver coins for the whole lot?¡± Dennis, didn¡¯t have any knowledge of the market value of zinc, so he could only agree. With the money, he purchased a bag of salt. A bag of salt cost seven copper coins, so he received one silver coin and three copper coins as change. Incidentally, the currency in this country was called ¡°Pal,¡± and the coins were made of brass, copper, silver, large silver, and gold. One brass coin was worth one Pal, and one copper coin was worth ten Pals, and so on and so forth; the value would increase by one digit for each coin. When Dennis returned to the mansion, he was greeted by Amelia, who wore a worried expression, and Egmont, whose face looked stern. ¡°You¡¯re late. What were you doing?¡± Egmont asked. ¡°I went to buy salt,¡± Dennis replied. ¡°What¡­ just for getting salt, you took so long?¡± ¡°Well, I had to get money to buy it,¡± Dennis explained. At those words, Egmont averted his gaze, seemingly feeling guilty for not giving Dennis any pocket money. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you were up to, but if you¡¯ve come up with a way to earn on your own, it¡¯s commendable. However, when you¡¯re going to be late, leave a message so that everyone won¡¯t worry,¡± Dennis apologized, realizing that Amelia had been genuinely concerned and on the verge of tears. He took a bath to wash off the dirt, and then he cleaned his clothes. After changing into fresh attire, Dennis had a late dinner and then returned to his room. ¡°Dennis, can I come in?¡± When Dennis granted his permission, Amelia entered the room. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± ¡°Why are you apologizing?¡± ¡°Because I asked for the salt, and that¡¯s why you were late,¡± Amelia said. ¡°No, that¡¯s not it. I¡¯ve been planning this for a while,¡± Amelia grew curious about what Dennis had been planning ¡°It¡¯s about the Mana (True Name) Art. I¡¯ve been thinking of learning it,¡± Dennis revealed. To learn Mana Art, one needed to know a specific True Name. There was only one way to obtain a True Name: by defeating monsters in the labyrinth. It was said that there was a low chance of acquiring a True Name after defeating a monster. ¡°Oh, so the monsters will tell you their True Names?¡± Amelia said, slightly misunderstanding the concept. Well, it wasn¡¯t exactly telling, but for Amelia, who had just turned ten, that explanation would suffice. ¡°So, are you going to continue exploring the labyrinth from now on?¡± Amelia asked. ¡°Yeah, I plan to keep hunting slimes for a while,¡± Dennis replied. After today¡¯s experience, Dennis keenly felt the need for a weapon specifically designed for fighting slimes. He realized that his Warhammer was definitely not suitable for slime hunting. Dennis recounted the events in the labyrinth to Amelia. Along the way, Amelia showed signs of drowsiness, so Dennis called for Elma to take her back to her room. Afterwards, Dennis lay down on his bed and immediately slipped into the realm of sleep. CH 3 When Masaya Hijiritani awoke, he found himself in the company¡¯s bachelor dormitory. Due to his lack of popularity among the newcomers and the availability of vacant rooms, he had taken the liberty of using two rooms for himself. Feeling parched, he recalled his thirst and made his way towards the refrigerator. Retrieving a glass, he poured himself some vegetable juice and consumed it in one swift gulp. ¡°Phew, I had another strange dream. I wonder if it means anything.¡± Yawning lazily, he switched on the television. The morning news program highlighted the setting of a world record at the international track and field competition held in Paris. ¡°Hey, come on, that can¡¯t be true. 9.1 seconds is too fast!¡± The news seemed to have stirred up a commotion within the athletic community worldwide.. Doping suspicions had also emerged, and the report mentioned that the official status of this new record depended on the results of the examination. Masaya began preparing for work. He was employed at a rapidly expanding construction company, working within the design department. Although not classified as a black company (an exploitative business), the company lagged behind in talent development and compliance efforts. It seemed to Masaya that the upper management and senior employees had developed a sense of arrogance, possibly due to the rapid growth they experienced riding the wave of the global construction¡¯s boom. As a result, the sales department continuously took on more projects than they could handle and passed them off to subcontractors. Consequently, the design department was swamped with work. Masaya excelled at efficiently managing his workload, but not everyone was capable of doing so. Upon arriving at work, Masaya greeted his junior colleagues and took his seat. As he booted up his computer, he noticed several new emails in his inbox. ¡°Tch, Akemi-chan from the general affairs department is resigning¡­ What a mess,¡± Akemi-chan was the most beautiful female employee in the general affairs department, and Masaya had taken quite an interest in her as well. With his motivation dampened from the morning, Masaya opened the design data that had been stored in the server¡¯s designated folder. It was a resort hotel project that he had been working on as a personal side project. The hotel had been designed with a vision of a tropical paradise, complemented by the imagery of a blue sea. It was a project Masaya had indulged in during his free time, yet the basic design held up quite well. However, since it was more of a playful endeavor, the side project had significant flaws. The skywalk connecting the two towers, which served as the resort hotel¡¯s symbol, had been designed with an emphasis on aesthetics rather than structural integrity, resulting in insufficient strength. ¡°Hijiritani, how is the design for the Okinawa Karla Hotel coming along?¡± Karaki, the director of the second design department, inquired about a project that was supposed to be assigned to Masaya¡¯s senior, Takada. ¡°That should be Takada-senpai¡¯s responsibility,¡± Masaya replied. ¡°That¡¯s odd. Takada-kun mentioned that he¡¯s working on it together with you,¡± ¡°That sneaky bastard¡­¡± Masaya muttered under his breath. Takada was a master at taking credit for others¡¯ achievements. Most likely, the design was running behind schedule, and he was trying to drag Masaya into it. Half a year ago, Masaya had been subjected to an unpleasant experience. While working on a collaborative design with Takada, just as the project was nearing completion based on Masaya¡¯s ideas, Takada instructed him to go assist another team that was falling behind on their work. Unaware of Takada¡¯s true intentions at the time, Masaya obediently followed the instructions and provided support to the assigned team. However, when the tasks were finally completed, Takada took sole credit for the finished work in his report. When Masaya protested, Takada had the audacity to reverse the situation and claim that he was the one who had completed the project. ¡°I am in charge of the Tokyo Cleve Hotel,¡± Masaya said. ¡°Oh, I saw the design drawings that were submitted yesterday. They were well done. Now that things have settled there, please focus on the Okinawa Karla Hotel project,¡±Director Karaki said. At that moment, Takada popped up, showing his face. ¡°Hijiritani-chan, I¡¯m counting on you,¡± he said. It appeared that, between Director Karaki and Takada, it was a decided matter to involve Masaya in the Okinawa Karla Hotel project, whether he liked it or not. Masaya glared at Takada, but the sneaky-faced senior maintained a calm expression with a faint smile on his lips. Realizing that it would be futile to say anything, Masaya decided to check on the progress of the work. When Masaya asked to check the hotel¡¯s progress, Takada wore a smug smile and said, ¡°What are you talking about, Hijiritani-chan? What you are looking at now is the design for the Okinawa Karla Hotel.¡± At first, Masaya couldn¡¯t comprehend what Takada meant. However, as time passed, the truth became clear. This conniving rat had stolen Masaya¡¯s resort hotel project, which he had designed as a personal hobby and side project, and presented it as the proposal for the Okinawa Karla Hotel. ¡°Wait a minute. This is¡­¡± Masaya began, but Takada swiftly interjected with a cunning look on his face. ¡°This was diligently designed during working hours, right?¡± Takada implied, trying to assert that if it was designed during company hours, it belonged to the company. However, this was not something Masaya could accept or agree with. Director Karaki began to worry about the time. ¡°It¡¯s time for the meeting. Hijiritani, please report on the progress later,¡± Seeing off the director, Masaya confronted Takada. ¡°This is no joke. What happened to the design you created, Takada senpai?¡± Takada¡¯s face turned sour. ¡°My proposal wasn¡¯t well-received by the client. It¡¯s a good thing we had Hijiritani-chan¡¯s proposal,¡± he replied. Apparently, Takada¡¯s design had been rejected, so he resorted to stealing Masaya¡¯s design and presenting it to the client. ¡°Even if you¡¯re my senpai, it¡¯s terrible to show my work to the client without permission.¡± ¡°Shut up¡­ You should be glad to assist your senpai in his work. Be honored.¡± Takada said. Those words struck a nerve. ¡°Senpai, you¡¯re using underhanded tactics.¡± Masaya said, and from there the argument escalated, with Takada making the first move. ¡°Even though you¡¯re a junior, you¡¯ve got quite an attitude.¡± Takada spoke with his rat-like face, delivering a swift punch like a sly cat. The punch landed on Masaya¡¯s shoulder. It didn¡¯t hurt much, but anger surged within him. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be throwing cat punches with that rat face.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare make fun of me!¡± Takada threw another cat punch. Masaya simply twisted his neck to evade it and retaliated with a counterpunch to Takada¡¯s face. A squishy sensation reverberated as his nose crumpled and Takada¡¯s body sprawled onto the floor. The screams of female employees echoed throughout the office floor. What followed was chaotic. An ambulance was called, and Takada was carried away while the police took hold of Masaya . After being questioned, Masaya was released when another employee testified that Takada was the first to strike. ¡°This is the worst¡­ The worst day ever,¡± Upon returning to the company, Director Karaki was waiting. He stated that if Takada apologized, the matter could be resolved with a light punishment. ¡°Why is that? It was Senpai who struck first,¡± Masaya replied. ¡°You¡­ Even if you¡¯re capable of your work to some extent, I don¡¯t appreciate you defying your senpais at the workplace,¡± the director said. Emotionally drained from the police interrogation, Masaya refused the director¡¯s demand to apologize to Takada. ¡°I can¡¯t work alongside someone like him,¡± He said this, refusing to apologize. And with that, he vented his frustration about the company and left. It was essentially a resignation. Sitting in a nearby caf¨¦, Masaya sipped iced coffee to cool his head. As he regained his composure, regrets flooded in. ¡°Oh no¡­ What have I done?¡± Masaya began to ponder his future. If he left the company, he would have to move out of the company¡¯s dormitory. Moreover, as someone who enjoyed visiting historical architectural sites abroad, he had limited savings. At such a time, the name of a reliable individual sprang to mind ¨C Mononobe Fuyuhiko, his former university junior and the son of the esteemed chairman of the Mononobe Group, renowned for its diversified business primarily centered around groceries. He was an eccentric individual but economically privileged. He had inherited shares of the group¡¯s companies from his parents and could apparently sustain his livelihood solely from the dividends. This Fuyuhiko Mononobe had opened a detective agency in a regional city in the Kanto region. His office was located on the fifth floor of a building in the bustling downtown area. Masaya had arranged a meeting through his smartphone and headed towards the office. After leaving the station, he arrived in just a few minutes. Upon reaching the fifth floor via the elevator, he spotted the sign of the detective agency. ¡°Fuyuhiko, are you here?¡± Masaya entered the office and called out. He could hear sounds coming from a small kitchen area in the back, and soon a well-built man emerged. Standing at approximately 180 centimeters, a full ten centimeters taller than Masaya, he possessed a muscular physique that appeared chiseled from numerous hours spent at the gym. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡± ¡°I have something I need Fuyuhiko¡¯s help with.¡± ¡°I owe you a great debt, so please feel free to ask for anything.¡± Masaya hesitated for a moment before revealing that he had quit his job. ¡°That¡¯s good. So you¡¯re looking for a new job?¡± ¡°What¡¯s so good about it?¡± Masaya asked. Fuyuhiko chuckled, trying to brush it off. ¡°Well, never mind. I also need to find a place to live.¡± Masaya added Masaya had hoped that Fuyuhiko would introduce him to one of the construction companies within the Mononobe Group, That was assuming they had one. However, Fuyuhiko¡¯s suggestion caught him completely off guard. ¡°That¡¯s perfect. Why don¡¯t you become a detective?¡± ¡°A detective¡­ So you mean I¡¯ll be Fuyuhiko¡¯s subordinate?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t like the idea of being a subordinate, we can be partners instead.¡± Masaya wore a troubled expression on his face. ¡°No, it¡¯s not that I dislike being your subordinate. It¡¯s just that I wanted to be introduced to a company as an architect rather than becoming a detective.¡± Fuyuhiko weakly grasped Masaya¡¯s hand, as if desperately clinging onto it. ¡°Senpai, please help me this time. This detective agency, we have no clients coming in.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Please, I¡¯m begging you. Even if it¡¯s only temporary.¡± Fuyuhiko pleaded desperately. Upon hearing the circumstances, Masaya learned that there had been only three cases in the past three years. It seemed like a hopeless situation. Normally, a business in such a state would have already closed down, but Fuyuhiko was able to continue due to sufficient income from his dividends and other investments. ¡°Please, Senpai,¡± Fuyuhiko pleaded. Masaya reluctantly agreed to join the agency, at least until his next job opportunity came along. Fuyuhiko offered the detective agency as a place for him to stay. The office was equipped with a small kitchen, a shower room, and a toilet, making it suitable for overnight stays. Masaya moved some of his belongings from the bachelor¡¯s dormitory to the detective agency. The remaining items were stored in a trunk room. And the after a few busy days, Masaya drifted off to sleep in the back room of the detective agency. CH 4 Upon waking up, he discovered himself lying on a rigid bed. It was Dennis¡¯s room. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s morning. What should we do today?¡± He swiftly dressed himself and made his way to the dining room. ¡°Good morning, Dennis. You¡¯re late today,¡± His sister Amelia said, sitting on a chair and waiting for the meal. ¡°Yeah, I guess I was a bit tired yesterday,¡± Dennis replied. While talking to Amelia, their father, Egmont, woke up, and breakfast began. They had rye bread and salty soup again. ¡°I wish we had some tastier bread,¡± Dennis murmured, and Egmont glared at him. ¡°No need to be so extravagant. Rye bread is sufficient for breakfast,¡± Egmont said. In this world, there was also white bread made from wheat. To peasants, it was a luxury item, but to nobles, it was commonplace. The Briones family was simply an impoverished noble family. After finishing their meal, Dennis informed his family that he would be out for the day, expecting to return late. He first headed to the carpentry workshop located on the western side of town to place an order for weapon fabrication. The weapon was a sturdy staff-like object with square plates nailed together, resembling a fly swatter but with a menacing array of spiked blades at the tip. Franz, the master of the workshop, swiftly crafted the requested weapon in a short span of time. Upon completion, he tilted his head in confusion upon seeing the finished product. ¡°What on earth would you use something like this for?¡± Dennis knew Franz since he was young child. Despite his rough language, Franz was a skilled craftsman. Dennis smiled wryly and said, ¡°I¡¯m going for a little slime extermination.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ Are you going to the labyrinth, by any chance?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Franz¡¯s face contorted in exasperation. He couldn¡¯t fathom why anyone would willingly venture into such a dangerous place. Indeed, risking their lives to mine metals within the labyrinth didn¡¯t guarantee a significant haul of resources. Given Dennis¡¯s physical stamina, carrying around ten kilograms was his limit. Dennis had also considered this aspect and handed Franz the blueprint he had drawn up the previous night. It was a design for a small cart¡ªa compact model capable of carrying around one hundred kilograms. It was engineered with durability in mind. ¡°This¡­ It¡¯s different from a regular cart, isn¡¯t it?¡± Franz remarked. ¡°It¡¯s a type of cart called a ¡®rear cart,¡¯¡± Dennis explained. Franz seemed intrigued by the slightly different structure of the cart. ¡°I see. So the axles are independent on each side. With this, the carriage can be lowered,¡± Dennis chose the rear cart with independent axles instead of a regular cart, as he believed it would allow for easier transportation of heavy metals by lowering the carriage. ¡°And how much will that cost?¡± Dennis inquired. ¡°The price, huh¡­ Well, since I can have it ready in about three days, including the payment for the weapon, let¡¯s settle at three large silver coins,¡± Franz proposed. Dennis grimaced, finding the amount higher than he had anticipated. ¡°Can I pay at the end of the month?¡± ¡°Sure, as long as you pay the entire amount, I don¡¯t mind,¡± Franz agreed. Dennis made the promise, took his weapon, and left. He named the weapon with the fly swatter-like shape and spiked blades the ¡°Nail Rod.¡± Once again, he spent about an hour and a half making his way to the Rock Mountain Labyrinth. Upon entering, he set his sights on the mineral deposits. Along the way, he encountered a monster¡ªa green slime. Slimes came in different colors: green, red, black, and gold. Among them, green slimes were the most frequently encountered. The book on Mana Art discovered in the study revealed that green slimes possessed the True Name of ¡°Magic Energy.¡± This True Name, referred to as the ¡°Magic Energy,¡± held utmost importance in the practice of Mana Art and was essential for acquiring them. By attaining this True Name, one gained the ability to sense the magical elements within their own body. Dennis poised his Nail Rod and waited for the crawling green slime to approach. The moment it closed in, he swung down the Nail Rod. The cluster of spikes swinging down at the heart of the slime hit its mark, with each sharp point piercing through the slime. One of them seemed to have struck the core of the slime. The green slime lost its strength and dissipated. ¡°Taken down in a single blow. This weapon is something else,¡± Dennis remarked, pleased with the performance of his new weapon. However, once again, he failed to acquire a True Name. Both Dennis and Masaya had a streak of misfortune when it came to gambling, and it seemed that their luck was negatively affecting their ability to obtain True Names. He had been exploring for about two hours when he finally reached the small dome-like space with the mineral deposits. Along the way, Dennis had encountered and defeated five green slimes. Peering into the dome, he saw around five green slimes crawling around. ¡°It should be manageable with this number,¡± Dennis entered the dome and began to take down the slimes. His new weapon, the Nail Rod, proved to be powerful as he struck the approaching slimes with its blade-like spikes. With just one blow, he pierced through their cores, taking down four of them and delivering the finishing blow to the last one. However, at that moment, he sensed something above his body. The next instant, a rain of slimes poured down from the ceiling. ¡°Whoa¡­ Ahh!¡± He exclaimed, letting out a strange cry as he frantically tried to evade them. It seemed like around fifty slimes had been clinging to the ceiling, and they all dove down at once. Dennis swung the Nail Rod wildly, trying to fend them off. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his right leg. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a green slime attempting to crawl up his leg. ¡°Wha¡­¡± Dennis fought on in a state of semi-madness. He swung the Nail Rod down on the approaching slimes and leaped to avoid the attacking ones. ¡°Huff¡­ Huff¡­¡± After battling for about thirty minutes, Dennis was nearing exhaustion. His arms grew heavy as he swung the weapon, and he could no longer move with agility. The number of slimes had dwindled down to just a few. Despite feeling dizzy, he continued to repeat his attacks, almost stumbling. His mind became clouded with fatigue. Almost mechanically, he swung the weapon down and delivered the finishing blow to the last remaining slime. It was only then that he realized it was a black slime. ¡°Oh¡­ damn it,¡± The book on Mana Art had mentioned a cautionary note regarding the True Names obtained from slimes. It specifically warned against touching black slimes. Something began to materialize in Dennis¡¯s spirit. It was a form of text that couldn¡¯t be expressed in three dimensions. It resembled a three-dimensional version of a QR code, with something added to it. Though it made no sense, Dennis understood its meaning. It was the True Name symbol representing ¡°Magic Essence¡± True Name symbols contained the essence, principles, and true nature of concepts and phenomena. Dennis grasped the meaning of what the Magic Essence was. It was the original form of an unknown energy known as True Power, utilized in the practice of Mana Art. The Magic Essence is both a particle and an unknown form of energy. When the Magic Essence enters a living being, it transforms into Magic Energy. The power used in Mana Art was the conversion of Magic Energy into True Power. ¡°The book mentioned that by sensing and controlling the Magic Energy within oneself, a Mana Art can be activated. But what about the relationship between the Magic Essence and the Mana Art?¡± Dennis attempted to sense the Magic Energy within his body, but, unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t feel anything. ¡°I¡¯ll have to research the difference between Magic Energy and Magic Essence. But for now, it¡¯s all about zinc,¡± Dennis began excavating zinc crystals, collecting around ten kilograms and storing them in his backpack. With the heavy load on his back, he started making his way back, leaving the labyrinth and returning to Beneshof town. It was already evening when he arrived. Upon returning to the mansion, he headed straight to his study. He took out the book on Mana Art and began his investigation. He discovered that the True Name of ¡°Magic Essence¡± posed a dilemma. It seemed that once a person obtained this True Name, they would no longer be able to acquire the True Name of ¡°Magic Energy.¡± Within the realm of Mana Art, there were conflicting True Names that repelled each other, much like the repulsion between similar poles of magnets. The prime examples were ¡°Magic Essence¡± and ¡°Magic Energy.¡± ¡°This could be bad,¡± Mana Art was constructed upon the foundation of Magic Energy within the body, forming a system of intricate spellcraft. If he couldn¡¯t sense the Magic Energy, it meant he couldn¡¯t utilize True Names. ¡°But hold on. Is it really impossible for me to use them?¡± There might be a possibility of activating True Names by utilizing the Magic Essence outside the body, rather than relying solely on the Magic Energy within. It seemed worth a try, at least in Dennis¡¯s estimation. ************* TN: Again, I would have liked to use the term: ¡°True Name Art¡± but I¡¯m more inclined to keep using the term Mana, since it¡¯s also correct. CH 5 The following day, Dennis made his way to the beach in the early morning, eager to put the Mana Art to the test. Conveniently, there was not a soul in sight along the shore. According to the book of the Mana Art, it outlined a method for perceiving the essence of magic energy as a foundational principle. The process began by turning one¡¯s attention internally, honing in on the rhythmic flow of blood coursing through the heart and veins. He tried as the book instructed, but he couldn¡¯t sense any magic energy at all. He knew exactly why this was the case¡ªthe True Name he possessed pertained not to ¡°Magic Energy¡± but rather to ¡°Magic Essence.¡± ¡°¡­As I expected,¡± It was something he had anticipated. Following that, Dennis decided to try directing his awareness outward instead of within his body. After all, it was said that a magic source resided in the atmosphere. Taking a deep breath, Dennis calmed his mind and summoned his concentration. He first focused on his skin¡¯s senses, trying to perceive the wind. He felt the sea breeze brushing against his body, gently rustling his slightly longer hair. At that moment, Dennis sensed something in the midst of the wind. It was a fleeting sensation, but undeniably real. He extended his consciousness into the breeze. ¡°¡­¡± He captured a sensation unlike anything he had ever felt before. It was the unmistakable touch of magic essence. He could sense the magic essence colliding with his awareness, then bouncing away. Dennis stood on the sandy beach for about two hours, lost in thought. And just as his concentration was beginning to wane, he eventually acquired the ability to perceive the magic essence. ¡°It feels almost like being touched by tiny droplets of rain. But just sensing it isn¡¯t enough to do anything.¡± If he had obtained the True Name of ¡°Magic Energy¡± he could enhance his physical abilities simply by circulating it within his body. However, ¡°Magic Essence¡± existed in the surrounding air. Moving it around wouldn¡¯t increase his physical power. ¡°Is there something else I can do?¡± It seemed that the magic essence Dennis could detect only existed within a radius of about five meters. He decided to try gathering it. Dennis focused his mind and exerted the power he had acquired from the True Name of ¡°Magic Essence¡± onto the magic essence that he perceived. This power seemed to be a form of weak control. The drifting magic essence began gathering in Dennis¡¯s right palm. Due to his unfamiliarity, his brain felt as if it were overheating, almost to the point of burning. The mass of magic essence formed a ball about the size of a golf ball. The floating magic essence ball came to a halt right in front of Dennis¡¯ eyes. He realized that he could move it up, down, left, and right using the power of his will. ¡°Amazing, it¡¯s moving! When I can manipulate it like this, it¡¯s truly awe-inspiring.¡± A shiver of excitement ran down his spine, causing him to involuntarily breathe heavily. ¡°But¡­ what can I do with this?¡± It was possible to move the magic essence ball using his willpower. However, its movements were slow, and its practical use seemed limited. Dennis summoned all his willpower to envelop a small stone lying at his feet with the magic essence, attempting to lift it. The stone wobbled and gradually started to rise. ¡°Phew, I guess that counts as a success. With some practice, it might be useful¡­ although it doesn¡¯t seem likely. It¡¯s faster to move things with my hands.¡± He returned the magic essence to its original ball form. It appeared slightly smaller than before, perhaps due to the energy consumed in moving the stone or some loss of control. While fiddling with the magic essence ball, Dennis decided to try rotating it. Surprisingly, the magic element ball started to move perpendicularly to the direction of rotation. The higher the rotation speed, the faster it moves. ¡°When it rotates, it generates kinetic energy for movement¡­ How intriguing.¡± Dennis held the magic essence ball in front of his eyes and gave it a clockwise rotation. In that instant, the ball burst forth towards Dennis, hitting his cheek. ¡°Ouch!¡± Instinctive tears welled up in his eyes as he pressed his reddened cheek, enduring the pain. ¡°Why did it recoil¡­ could it be that the direction of rotation was incorrect?¡± The magic essence ball that had hit his cheek vanished into thin air. Dennis gathered the magic essence once again and formed it into a ball, this time rotating it counterclockwise. As planned, it flew forward. The magic essence ball plunged into the sea, creating splashes of water. Dennis confirmed the results and pondered. (¡°So, when the magic essence ball rotates counterclockwise, it flies forward. If I could rotate it even faster, would it increase its power?¡±) Feeling mentally exhausted, Dennis decided to put a halt to his experiments with the Mana Art and head towards the labyrinth. He returned to the mansion and prepared some bread for lunch, along with his weapon. On the way, he stopped by the general store to sell some zinc. After receiving two silver coins, he left the town. By the time he arrived at the Rock Mountain Labyrinth, the sun was directly overhead. Before entering the labyrinth, he sat down, ate his bread, and took a break. Ten minutes later, equipped with his Nail Rod, Dennis entered the labyrinth. Right from the moment he stepped inside, he noticed that the concentration of magic essence within the labyrinth was much stronger. Outside, he had only sensed occasional encounters between the magic essence and his consciousness. However, within the labyrinth, it felt more like a heavy rain pouring down on him. ¡°If the magic essence is this dense¡­¡± As an attempt, he decided to create a magic essence ball inside the Laybrinth, and to his surprise, it grew to the size of a softball. It was a stark contrast to the golf ball-sized magic essence ball he had previously created on the beach. The abundance of magic essence must have contributed to its significant size. Curious about its properties, he decided to test the larger magic essence ball by throwing it at a slime. The slime was sent flying, and the impact against the wall seemed to have no effect on it whatsoever. ¡°¡­It¡¯s useless,¡± Dennis felt thoroughly disappointed. He then swung his Nail Rod around as he continued exploring the labyrinth, eventually finding a hole leading downward. The entrance to the hole, as if carved out of the rock, was wide enough for three people to pass through side by side. With caution, he descended into the hole. The second floor of the Rock Mountain Labyrinth was known to be inhabited by slimes and poisonous bats. In other labyrinths, it was more common to encounter large rats rather than poisonous bats. It seemed that labyrinths with poisonous bats were a rarity in the country, with only two known to exist. The poisonous bats possessed poisonous fangs that could induce paralysis upon biting. However, the paralyzing effect was relatively weak. According to the books, the paralysis would only affect the specific area that had been bitten, rather than immobilizing the entire body. After walking a short distance, he heard the fluttering sound of wings and the shrill cries echoing through the corridor. Dennis poised his Nail Rod, prepared for an encounter. Though he had a war hammer stored in his backpack, he felt that the Nail Rod would be more effective. He swung the Nail Rod at the flying poisonous bats approaching him. The bats moved swiftly, making it difficult to hit them accurately. After several attempts, he managed to strike one of the bats on its wing, causing it to plummet down. He swiftly delivered a finishing blow to the struggling bat on the floor of the corridor. It disappeared as if dissolving into the air. ¡°They¡¯re tougher than slimes,¡± Despite being formidable opponents, he knew he could defeat them one by one. The challenge, however, lay in the confined dome-shaped space. There, metallic deposits coexisted with numerous poisonous bats. Dennis reached the small dome-shaped space and peered inside. Seven poisonous bats were hanging from the ceiling. He lacked the courage to jump in and face them head-on. Struggling against just one of them was already challenging enough, let alone being attacked by all seven simultaneously. ¡°I need to prepare a bow and arrows,¡± Being the son of a noble, he had received basic archery lessons from his father, although the busy Lord Egmont had only taught him the fundamentals. As a result, Dennis¡¯ skill level could be likened to that of an amateur. He contemplated whether to make a crossbow instead. A crossbow seemed ideal, as it offered high accuracy and power. However, crossbows had a slow firing rate. When facing numerous enemies, a slow firing rate could pose a significant problem. That¡¯s when he decided to give the magic essence ball a try. Although the magic essence ball had proven ineffective against slimes, it might have an effect on the poisonous bats. Concentrating his mind, Dennis formed the magic essence ball once again, then he aimed it at the hanging bats on the ceiling. The softball-sized magic essence ball struck one of the bats, sending it flying off with a powerful impact. Continuing to form magic essence balls, Dennis targeted the remaining poisonous bats. Some of them were still flying around in surprise from the initial magic essence ball, but there were still a few hanging from the ceiling. He aimed at one of them and successfully hit it with a magic essence ball. By chance, he managed to hit two bats simultaneously. They fell to the floor, weakened and exhausted. The unaffected bats emitted high-pitched screeches and went into a frenzied state. Forming another magic essence ball, Dennis realized that the magic essence seemed to replenish itself from somewhere, as it didn¡¯t seem to run out. Perhaps the labyrinth itself served as a source of magic essence. Although he missed a few shots, he managed to take down all seven bats. Seeing that they didn¡¯t disappear, indicating that they were not dead, he finished them off with his Nail Rod. Even after defeating all the bats, he couldn¡¯t obtain the True Names possessed by the poisonous bats. Moreover, it appeared that there were no metallic deposits in this small, dome-shaped space. ¡°Sigh, it feels like all my efforts were for nothing,¡± However, the only harvest from this encounter was the realization that the magic essence ball was effective against poisonous bats. Wandering through the two levels of the labyrinth, Dennis stumbled upon another small dome-shaped space. Inside, there were seven slimes and five poisonous bats. Dennis defeated the bats with magic essence balls and secured his safety by using the Nail Rod against the slimes. He immediately began searching for metallic deposits. After thorough searching, he discovered clusters of tin metal crystals. ¡°Yes!¡± Dennis rejoiced to the point of doing a little dance. Tin was more valuable than zinc or copper. Tin, when mixed with copper, formed bronze, which was in high demand. He decided to dig out around ten kilograms of tin and head back. Pushing his tired body forward, he returned to the town of Beneshof. Along the way, he stopped by the general store and negotiated with the owner, Kasper. ¡°Oh, so it¡¯s tin this time¡­ How about a large silver coin?¡± Kasper suggested. From Kasper¡¯s expression, Dennis could tell that selling it at that price would yield a significant profit. It was a cause for joy both for the people of the territory and for the Lord if the residents could make a profit. Dennis agreed to the deal. CH 6 The next morning, when Dennis woke up, he could hear the sound of rain. It seemed like it was raining today. ¡°It¡¯s raining. Maybe I should cancel my plan to go to the labyrinth today.¡± Dennis didn¡¯t feel like walking from the labyrinth to the town with a heavy backpack in the downpour. Besides, he needed some rest. He changed his clothes, washed his face, and headed to the dining room. Surprisingly, Egmont was already seated at the table. ¡°Good morning, Father.¡± Egmont nodded curtly. ¡°Dennis, it seems like you¡¯re planning to go to the labyrinth. Are you intending to become an explorer?¡± In this world, there was a profession called labyrinth explorer, who delved into the labyrinth to collect valuable items. There was a guild dedicated to this profession, with headquarters in the capital city and branches in major towns. ¡°I have no intention of doing that,¡± Dennis replied. ¡°Hmm, so you¡¯re after a ¡°mana¡± (true name)? Are you planning to learn the mana art?¡± Egmont inquired. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. I want to acquire some skills so I could grow independent,¡± Dennis said. Egmont nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s a good mindset. If only the fire nine years ago hadn¡¯t happened, you wouldn¡¯t have had to endure such hardships,¡± ¡°Father¡­ It can¡¯t be helped. By the way, how is Mother? Is she doing well?¡± Dennis inquired. Dennis¡¯s mother, Elise, had gone to her family¡¯s home in Clif with her youngest daughter, Margarete. Elise¡¯s father had fallen seriously ill, and she had gone to take care of him. Clif was a central city located north of Beneschof, governed by Marquis Clifbard. Its main industries were cotton cultivation, spinning and weaving, and livestock farming. ¡°She¡¯s doing fine. However, it seems that my father-in-law, Lord Jerg, is in critical condition,¡± Egmont replied. Jerg had served as the deputy commander of Marquis Clifbard¡¯s Knights and was highly regarded even when he retired due to poor health. Amelia¡¯s face showed signs of longing. It was likely because she hadn¡¯t seen her mother, Elise, for quite some time. ¡°I wonder if Margot is doing well,¡± Margarete was affectionately nicknamed Margot. Since they used to play together when they were at home, Dennis worried that Margot might be feeling lonely about now. ¡°Margot is doing well too,¡± Egmont informed them, having received a letter from Elise that provided updates on their situation. After they finished breakfast, Dennis was invited by Amelia to go to the church. ¡°They¡¯re organizing a soup kitchen at the church. The Sister is looking for volunteers,¡± she explained. The Azrul Church was a religious organization that worshipped Saint Azrul, known as the Child of God. When Amelia referred to Sister, she was most likely talking about Sister Claudia, one of the nuns. ¡°A soup kitchen, huh? But it¡¯s raining,¡± Dennis remarked. ¡°Even if it¡¯s raining, people still get hungry,¡± Dennis nodded in understanding at Amelia¡¯s words. Together, Dennis and Amelia made their way to the church. Dennis held a large umbrella as they walked side by side. After about ten minutes of walking, they reached the church¡ªan impressive building with a triangular roof and white-painted walls. ¡°Oh my, Sir Dennis, you¡¯ve come as well?¡± Sister Claudia greeted them warmly. She appeared to be in her thirties, wearing a slightly worn-out habit. ¡°Good morning. I heard you¡¯re organizing a soup kitchen. Here, please take this,¡± Dennis handed her a large silver coin, the money he had earned from selling tin the previous day. ¡°Oh, thank you very much. May Azrul¡¯s blessings be upon you,¡± Amelia watched all of this with delight. The cooking area was set up under a tent in front of the church. Many local housewives had come to lend a hand. They were busy preparing the ingredients while Sister Claudia took care of the pot. Amelia began transporting wooden dishes, and Dennis took charge of tending to the fire. Even before the food was ready, people in tattered clothes started gathering. The soup being served was made with fish donated by local fishermen and leftover vegetables. While there were many small fish, there was an abundance of them in the soup. When two sisters began distributing the food, a crowd swiftly gathered. ¡°Form a line, everyone. No pushing, especially the little ones,¡± Among the people partaking in the meal, there were children around Amelia¡¯s age as well. ¡°Young lady Amelia!¡± ¡°Amelia!¡± A redhead and a blonde girl approached Amelia, calling out to her. ¡°So, you two came. Was it delicious?¡± Amelia asked The redhead girl went by the name of Finne, while the blonde girl was apparently called Jasmine. It seemed that their parents had lost their home and orchard in a fire nine years ago, and they still appeared to be struggling. ¡°Yeah, it was really tasty.¡± ¡°It was delicious.¡± Both of them looked slightly undernourished but answered joyfully. Amelia introduced Finne and Jasmine to Dennis. ¡°I am Dennis, the second son of the Briones family. Nice to meet you,¡± When Dennis greeted them, Finne and Jasmine seemed a bit bashful, but they returned the greeting with sincerity. ¡°Is Sir Dennis assisting Lord Egmont?¡± Jasmine inquired. With a wry smile, Dennis replied, ¡°No, the responsibilities of the lordship are to be inherited by my older brother, Gerald. So, I have been given the freedom to pursue my own endeavors.¡± Curiously, Finne then asked in a boyish tone, ¡°What are you currently doing?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been venturing into the Rock Mountain Labyrinth, mining zinc and tin,¡± Dennis replied. Finne and Jasmine exchanged surprised expressions. ¡°But aren¡¯t there monsters in the labyrinth? Isn¡¯t it dangerous?¡± ¡°One of the purposes of exploring the labyrinth is to defeat the monsters and obtain true names (mana).¡± Dennis explained, answering Finne¡¯s question and providing insight into what the labyrinth was like. Jasmine hesitated for a moment, then raised her voice, ¡°What exactly are True Names?¡± ¡°They are said to be the true names of beings, principles, or phenomena. Once you acquire a True Name, you gain the ability to utilize Mana Art (True Name Art),¡± Dennis explained. The three, including Amelia, expressed their curiosity about Mana Art, so Dennis proceeded to explain. ¡°Wow, Mana Art is amazing,¡± It seemed that even Amelia was impressed. On the other hand, Finne¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement as she made a request. ¡°Hey, Sir Dennis. Since you can use Mana Art, can you show it to us?¡± Caught off guard, Dennis, who possessed only a single ¡°True Name¡± and had limited proficiency in Mana Art, grew flustered. ¡°Uh, yeah, sure. Let me show you something simple.¡± The three girls gazed at Dennis with anticipation, their eyes gleaming with excitement. Dennis focused his mind, gathering magic essence, and enveloped a small pebble lying on the ground. Slowly, the pebble began to levitate, rising to the height of his eyes. ¡°Wow!¡± ¡°That¡¯s amazing!¡± ¡°Incredible!¡± While this might have been mistaken for a magic trick in Japan, the demonstration impressed the girls, who expressed their admiration. After finishing the cleanup following the meal distribution, Amelia and Dennis returned to the mansion. Dennis spent the rest of the day engaging in training to control magic essence, and as the day drew to a close, he wrapped up his practice. The next day, with the rain having subsided, Dennis ventured into the labyrinth. Progressing through the first floor, he defeated slimes along his path and proceeded to descend to the second floor. There, he confronted poisonous bats and continued his journey towards the mining area, successfully extracting approximately ten kilograms of tin before returning. The sun was positioned directly overhead, indicating that it was around noon. Dennis took a moment to rest, savoring a loaf of rye bread, and subsequently buried the mined tin near the entrance. Dennis had made the decision to accumulate the tin for the time being, since the completion of the wheelbarrow was scheduled for the following day. His plan entailed transporting the tin to the town once the wheelbarrow was finished. On that day, Dennis made three round trips. It was during the final journey, after defeating a poisonous bat, that a ¡°True Name¡± flashed into his mind. ¡°Great! I¡¯ve obtained my second ¡°True Name¡±.¡± The True Name that emerged in Dennis¡¯s mind was called ¡°Ultrasonic Wave¡±. Thanks to his knowledge of the other world, he had a basic understanding of the term ¡°ultrasonic waves¡±. Otherwise, he might not have fully grasped the concept of the True Name ¡°Ultrasonic Wave¡±. ¡°But it¡¯s a True Name that I¡¯m not sure how to utilize,¡± When thinking of ultrasonic waves, associations like ¡°ultrasonic cleaning,¡± ¡°ultrasonic cutter¡± or ¡°fish finder¡± came to mind. He considered the possibility of using ultrasonic waves for cleaning, but he vaguely recalled hearing that they were ineffective on fabrics. He also entertained the idea of using ultrasonic waves as a weapon, like an ultrasonic cutter. However, he knew that actual ultrasonic cutters required pressing against the object and making precise cuts rather than swiftly slicing through prey. Lastly, the ¡°fish finder¡± function of ultrasonic waves seemed like a potential application for fishing. It held value as a subject for further research. After making three round trips, Dennis mined thirty kilograms of tin. However, he could only bring back ten kilograms today, so he shouldered that portion and began his journey back. Upon arriving in town, Dennis sold the tin at a general store. ¡°Do you have more tin today? I¡¯ll buy as much as you have,¡± Kasper said. Doubts arose in Dennis¡¯s mind at Kasper¡¯s words. The demand in this town and its surrounding areas shouldn¡¯t be that high. Seeking confirmation, Dennis questioned Kasper, who responded with a smile. ¡°We will transport it to Clif in the north and Darius to the east and sell it there.¡± Clif was a city where Dennis¡¯s mother, Elise, resided, while Darius was a large city near the capital. Considering the active exchange with the capital, there was likely a high demand for metal products. ¡°Well, even though they said they¡¯d buy as much as we have, there¡¯s a limit to the amount of metal that can be mined in the labyrinth.¡± Dennis frowned at Kasper¡¯s words. It was known that the mineral deposits in the labyrinth were small in scale and would quickly be depleted. However, in return, the deposits would regenerate over time. ¡°Hey, do you know how long it takes for the mineral deposits in the labyrinth to regenerate?¡± Dennis asked. ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, it takes several months to a year,¡± Hearing those words, Dennis felt disappointed. From the next day onwards, Dennis continued his exploration of the second floor of the labyrinth and the task of mining tin from the mineral deposits. CH 7 Masaya had limited knowledge about the work of a detective, so he settled himself on the office sofa and received an explanation from Fuyuhiko. ¡°Hmm, investigations into infidelity or personal conduct, and even pet searches,¡± ¡°There are also smaller tasks like creating alibis for cheating cases,¡± Fyuhiko added. ¡°Oh, even things like that¡­ So, what is this detective agency particularly good at?¡± Masaya inquired. Fuyuhiko pondered for a long while, causing Masaya to realize something. The detective agency wasn¡¯t capable enough to have specialized areas of expertise. ¡°Well, I phrased the question poorly. What kind of requests does this agency intend to focus on?¡± Masaya corrected. ¡°To be honest, I wanted to be involved in solving murder cases,¡± Fuyuhiko said. Masaya looked at Fuyuhiko with a dumbfounded expression. ¡°I get it. I went to detective school too. I know that detectives don¡¯t usually investigate murders,¡± Fuyuhiko said. ¡°Before attending detective school, you thought you would be doing more deduction and reasoning; huh?¡± Masaya said. Fuyuhiko averted his gaze, causing Masaya to sigh and demand an answer to his previous question about the agency¡¯s specialization. In response, Fuyuhiko uttered the words ¡°investigations involving infidelity.¡± ¡°A reasonable choice. And how do you attract clients?¡± Masaya asked. ¡°We advertise in local magazines and on websites,¡± Fuyuhiko replied. Just to be sure, Masaya checked the promotional website. The home page displayed Fuyuhiko¡¯s face with a frivolous grin, leaving him unimpressed. ¡°This website won¡¯t do,¡± Masay judged. Fuyuhiko wore a perplexed expression. He seemed to be quite fond of the website¡¯s design. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with it? It¡¯s a site designed to attract troubled individuals with my charming smile and bring them to this agency,¡± Masaya groaned. When Fuyuhiko had a serious expression on his face, he could pass for a respectable gentleman. However, his smiling face gave off a carefree vibe. What made it seem lightweight was his loose tongue and thoughtless nature. ¡°Fuyuhiko, you look better with a serious face than when you¡¯re smiling,¡± Masaya pointed out. ¡°I actually quite like this website,¡± Fuyuhiko said. Masaya let out another sigh. ¡°Let me be clear, Fuyuhiko. Your smiling face gives off a frivolous impression. It¡¯s better not to show it in front of clients,¡± Masaya said. Fuyuhiko¡¯s expression suddenly transformed into an exaggerated ¡°Gaaah,¡± reminiscent of a character straight out of a comic strip. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ harsh,¡± Anyone who saw this website would definitely never consider hiring their services. Masaya began to question who was behind creating such a website that gave him such a strong conviction. ¡°Did you hire a professional company to make this website?¡± Masaya asked. ¡°No, it was done by a middle school relative of mine who¡¯s skilled in this kind of thing,¡± ¡°That makes sense.¡± If Fuyuhiko had hired a professional, the website would have turned out much better. Masaya decided to entrust the task to a proper company. Over the course of the next two weeks, Masaya assumed the role of an apprentice detective. After giving the website a complete overhaul, they started receiving a higher number of requests. However, these requests were not for the infidelity investigations Fuyuhiko had hoped for but rather for cases of finding lost pets. The city where the detective agency was located had a residential area that sprawled away from the bustling downtown. It seemed that many households in that area owned pets. ¡°Senpai, it went that way!¡± Masaya and Fuyuhiko struggled to capture the stray cat they had cornered in an empty lot. The targeted Siamese cat proved to be quite nimble, making their capture efforts challenging. Despite getting scratched on his cheek, Masaya managed to seize the Siamese cat. ¡°Phew, that was quite an ordeal,¡± ¡°Amazing as always, Senpai. This makes it our third success this month,¡± Fuyuhiko exclaimed. ¡°You¡¯re right. Although, I¡¯ve gained more scratches this time,¡± ¡°These are scars of honor,¡± ¡°I highly doubt that being scratched by a cat brings any honor,¡± Masaya retorted. ¡°You¡¯re just being dense, Senpai.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a harsh way to put it. Are you still holding a grudge from when I called you frivolous before?¡± ¡°No, not at all. Look, I didn¡¯t even get a scratch this time.¡± Masaya himself was well aware of his declining physical condition. Over the past few years, his work has kept him busy and confined to his desk as he focused solely on design tasks. During his student days, Masaya had climbed mountains and gone to the beach with his friends, so he hadn¡¯t felt his physical decline as much. However, around the age of thirty, he started noticing it more frequently. ¡°Maybe I should start training my body,¡± ¡°Shall I introduce you to the gym I go to?¡± Fuyuhiko suggested. ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s not just about training my body. I¡¯m looking for something that can lead to skill improvement,¡± Masaya explained. Fuyuhiko looked perplexed. ¡°Skill improvement¡­ like what?¡± ¡°Learning martial arts, for example,¡± ¡°Ah, I don¡¯t think martial arts have much to do with skill improvement in our detective work, but I do know someone who practices martial arts on their own,¡± Fuyuhiko said. Masaya gave Fuyuhiko a suspicious look. ¡°What¡¯s with that suspicious expression? When I expressed my desire to learn martial arts back in high school, it was my father who found a Sensei for me.¡± ¡°Oh, really? If it was Takfumi-san who found them, then they should be trustworthy,¡± Masaya said. ¡°Hey, what do you mean by that?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it fine? I only meant to say that Takfumi-san is someone who can be trusted.¡± Masaya¡¯s father, Takafumi, was the chairman of Monobe Holdings and a remarkable figure who had significantly expanded the Monobe Group, exerting great influence in the business world. The martial artist Fuyuhiko mentioned lived in the outskirts of a residential area not far from the detective agency, about a 20-minute drive away, in a mansion-like building with what seemed to be a training hall. Fuyuhiko led Masaya inside. The building looked like a samurai¡¯s mansion, and there was what appeared to be a dojo, where they encountered a middle-aged man with a small stature and a kind smile. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Sensei Miyasaka,¡± Fuyuhiko greeted. ¡°Hmph, Fuyuhiko. You ran away after only six months, and now you come back,¡± ¡°Not really. I didn¡¯t run away. I just got a bit busy,¡± Fuyuhiko explained. Sensei Miyasaka was a formidable practitioner who had studied Shaolin Kempo since childhood and later learned one sword style (Itto-ryu) and revealed a reality style (Jingen-ryu), establishing his own unique Miyasaka style. ¡°Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Masaya Hijiritani, a friend of Fuyuhiko¡¯s,¡± ¡°I¡¯m Genzo Miyasaka,¡± Masaya and Sensei Miyasaka exchanged greetings. It appeared that Sensei Miyasaka taught Shaolin Kempo in his own dojo at home. His students mostly consisted of boys and girls ranging from elementary to junior high school, with many quitting in high school due to exam preparations. ¡°Coming here, does that mean you want to learn Shorinji Kempo?¡± Masaya lowered his head and said, ¡°Yes. However, in addition to Shaolin Kempo, I would also like to learn swordsmanship, if possible.¡± Sensei Miyasaka¡¯s expression turned to one of surprise. ¡°That¡¯s quite unusual. May I ask you for the reason?¡± After thinking for a moment, Masaya showed the scratches he received from a stray cat. ¡°Currently, I work as a detective at Fuyuhiko¡¯s agency, and I often get scratched by stray cats. I can¡¯t react to attacks that I used to be able to avoid in the past.¡± Sensei Miyasaka made a peculiar expression. ¡°So, you want to learn martial arts to fight against cats?¡± ¡°And also because my body has become sluggish, I thought of training it a bit. Is that not a good enough reason?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not that it¡¯s a bad reason, but I thought it might become something half-hearted.¡± ¡°I may not become a good disciple in your eyes, Sensei. But if it¡¯s still okay with you, please allow me to learn.¡± Sensei Miyasaka granted permission for him to join. Apparently, he didn¡¯t turn away those who wanted to join in the first place. And with that, Masaya bought a scooter and started commuting to the dojo on it. CH 8 During the first days when Masaya entered the Miyasaka Dojo, he was taught the fundamentals of Shaolin Kempo, such as the stances and body movements. At first, he experienced muscle soreness, which hindered his work, but once the soreness subsided, he rapidly absorbed the techniques. This amazed both Masaya himself and Master Miyasaka, who was instructing him. ¡°Masaya, have you practiced any martial arts before?¡± Miyasaka asked. ¡°No, not at all. I just enjoy watching professional wrestling and kickboxing matches, but I¡¯ve never actually learned them,¡± Masaya replied. ¡°I see¡­ Well then, starting today, I shall introduce you to the rigorous practice of Miyasaka-style¡¯s hard wood striking,¡± ¡°Wood Striking¡± was a training method where a sturdy log, approximately two meters long and made of oak or chestnut, was partially buried in the ground, leaving around seventy centimeters exposed. The aim was to strike the log with a stick, driving it into the ground¡ªa practice method known as wood striking. Originally, it was a training method used in the Satsuma clan¡¯s revealed reality style (Jigen-ryu), but it has been incorporated into the Miyasaka style. However, there were unique adaptations in terms of stances, footwork, and sword swings that differed slightly from the revealed reality style (Jigen-ryu). The training ground was located at the summit of a nearby mountain. It seemed fitting that the practice involved sprinting up to the top. After approximately twenty minutes, they reached the peak, where five logs were firmly planted in the ground. ¡°Choose any log you like and begin the practice of wood striking.¡± Masaya randomly picked one and assumed a high stance, deviating from the prescribed ¡°Dragonfly¡± stance of the Satsuma style. Stepping closer to the log, he gathered his strength and swung down with full force, letting out a resounding ¡°Shaaah!¡± As the stick struck the log with a solid thud, a shockwave reverberated through Masaya¡¯s hands, causing them to go numb. The thought of repeating this action multiple times made him want to cry. After delivering around a hundred strikes with all his might, Masaya reached his limit. He turned to Master Miyasaka and said, ¡°I¡¯ve reached my limit.¡± Master Miyasaka chuckled, seemingly expecting this outcome. ¡°Well, that¡¯s to be expected in the beginning. But let me make it clear, eventually, I expect you to be able to deliver around a thousand strikes.¡± ¡°¡­Impossible.¡± ¡°It may seem that way now. Tomorrow morning will be tough for you, but do your best,¡± The meaning behind Master Miyasaka¡¯s final words was unclear at the time. However, the next day, Masaya found himself unable to raise his arms. He was immobilized by excruciating muscle soreness. ¡°So, this is what he meant. I¡¯m glad today is a day off,¡± Masaya had to grit his teeth even while attempting to eat. ¡°In times like these, if only I had the magic essence that exists in my dreams,¡± On a mere whim, Masaya actually started attempting to focus his mind and sense the magic essence, just like he did in his dreams. In that moment, he felt a click, as if a switch had been turned on in his mind. Suddenly, an unimaginable sensation coursed through his body. He could feel the presence of magic essence in the air. ¡°¡­¡­No way¡­ Wasn¡¯t all of that supposed to be merely a dream,¡± However, there was a definite sensation. Masaya gathered the magic essence within his detectable range, forming a magic essence ball just like in his dreams. It was even the same size as the ones he managed to gather in the labyrinth. ¡°What does this mean? Does it imply that the Earth contains magic essence of the same concentration as the labyrinth?¡± Masaya¡¯s mind was filled with confusion. Ever since he sensed the magic essence, he felt its presence within his spirit, something he referred to as ¡°Mana (True Name)¡± in the dream world. ¡°Wait a minute. Wasn¡¯t that just a dream? If that¡¯s the case, then it means I possess the True Names of both ¡®magic Essence¡¯ and ¡®Ultrasonic Wave¡¯,¡± Masaya pondered as he delved into his spirit, confirming the existence of the two True Names. If the dream was indeed real, Masaya started to wonder if it was a phenomenon unique to him. With that thought in mind, he powered up his computer and began his research. Curiously, after creating the magic essence ball, the soreness in his arms seemed to ease. Perhaps the act of gathering the magic essence exerted a certain influence on his condition. Despite the slight improvement in muscle soreness, the pain persisted. Enduring the discomfort, Masaya typed on the keyboard, searching for information about his peculiar dream. ¡°There are too many search results to make sense of. I should narrow it down a bit,¡± Masaya searched using some keywords and found a few relevant hits. He came across a story written by a woman on a dream interpretation website, claiming to have experienced lucid dreams. According to her account, she would merge her consciousness with that of a girl named Maeta in a different world and live a life together. It seemed to mirror Masaya¡¯s own experience. He looked into other similar cases. All of them shared stories of experiencing lucid dreams and venturing into the same world as Masaya. As he delved deeper into his research, Masaya realized that this phenomenon was not limited to Japan but was happening worldwide. While no one seemed to be making a fuss about it yet, he knew that if people discovered that those who obtained ¡°Mana¡± (True Name) in the alternate world could also wield magic in the real world, it would inevitably cause a commotion. ¡°If only there was someone I could confide in,¡± Following that idea, Fyuhiko¡¯s face flashed in his mind. However, If he told that guy, he would definitely gossip about it. Masaya quickly dismissed the idea as soon as it came. At that moment, a face emerged in Masaya¡¯s mind, replacing Fyuhiko¡¯s. It was a person who happened to be a physics professor at Meijin Chuo University, the university Masaya graduated from. Professor Kanbara, his former teacher, had retired from the university and continued with his own research. His residence was located in Yokohama, and Masaya had been invited there once before. As an expert in architectural physics, which was rare in Japan, Professor Kanbara was highly respected among students for his diverse interests and research. Since Masaya had his contact information saved on his smartphone, he decided to reach out to him. And just like that, Professor Kanbara kindly agreed to listen to Masaya¡¯s concerns. Masaya took a train to a nearby station and then walked to the professor¡¯s house. It was an ordinary house with a small garden. He was greeted by the professor¡¯s daughter. Masaya¡¯s heart skipped a beat involuntarily. She was a charming young woman in her early twenties, with a resemblance to the professor but possessing a cute demeanor that reminded him of a small animal. In the study, where Masaya was asked to wait, he noticed that the professor appeared older compared to the last time he had seen him. His hair had turned completely white, and deep wrinkles were etched on his face. Masaya shared the story of his lucid dreams. Then, just as he was about to mention the part about the ¡°Mana¡± (True Names), the professor interrupted him. ¡°Hold on a moment. You¡¯re talking about dreams, right? That¡¯s beyond my expertise,¡± For some reason, he called his daughter. The young woman, who had greeted Masaya earlier, entered the room. ¡°Koyuki here is majoring in psychology at her university,¡± Professor Kanbara added. Unable to refuse, Masaya explained the lucid dreams once again, with the daughter also joining in the conversation, just like her father. ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, it seems like ordinary lucid dreams. Although it¡¯s strange to have a continuation of the same dream repeatedly,¡± Kyouki remarked. ¡°Yes, if this were just a dream, that would be the case¡­ but it feels like a real different world,¡± The eyes of the professor and his daughter transformed, reflecting a pitiful look. ¡°Please spare me that look. I have my reasons to think that way,¡± Masaya said. ¡°Reasons? What kind?¡± Masaya began by mentioning that there were many people around the world who experienced similar lucid dreams. Koyuki tilted her head slightly, deep in thought. Her expression was cute, and Masaya couldn¡¯t help but gaze at her. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t give Koyuki those dirty looks,¡± the professor interjected. Startled, Masaya quickly averted his gaze. ¡°Dirty looks? That¡¯s harsh. She was just so cute that I couldn¡¯t help but stare,¡± he explained. Koyuki blushed, her cheeks turning rosy. ¡°Oh my, Hijiritani-san,¡± At that moment, the professor¡¯s gaze turned stern. ¡°If you lay a hand on her¡­ you know the consequences,¡± The professor¡¯s gaze was serious. ¡°Y-Yes, Professor. By the way, I still have another reason,¡± Masaya said. ¡°What could that be?¡± ¡°It¡¯s about the mentioned ¡®Mana (true name)¡¯ that seems to exist in my spirit.¡± The professor let out a sigh, as if completely skeptical. ¡°I can prove to you the existence of magic essence.¡± Masaya said. ¡°How would you go about proving it?¡± ¡°I can gather magic essence and manipulate objects with it,¡± Masaya replied. ¡°Surely, you¡¯re not suggesting you¡¯ll perform some sort of magic trick?¡± the professor questioned. ¡°If you doubt that there is a sleight of hand involved, then please specify what to move and how, Professor,¡± Masaya said. The professor grinned like a mischievous child. ¡°In that case, let¡¯s see you lift a Fish-shaped pastry eraser from my cherished Japanese sweets eraser collection.¡± Professor Kanbara seemed to be a collector of erasers. Within the storage cases lined up against the wall, there was a special case containing a variety of Japanese sweet erasers. Masaya knew that the professor was eccentric, but he turned out to be even stranger than he had anticipated. It seemed that the professor had chosen the Fish-shaped eraser simply to show off his collection. The professor took out the Fish-shaped eraser and placed it on the desk. It was an eraser that closely resembled a Fish-shaped pastry, measuring about five centimeters in size. ¡°Now, give it a try and make it move,¡± Masaya hovered his hand over the Fish-shaped eraser and focused his mind. He gathered magic essence and enveloped the eraser within it. ¡°Hmmmm¡­¡± With intensified concentration, Masaya let out a low groan as he strengthened his control over magic essence. The Fish-shaped eraser began to sway and slowly lifted off the desk. The professor and his daughter were astonished, the former¡¯s eyes almost popping out of his head. Afterward, the two of them started searching for any hidden mechanisms or tricks. However, they found nothing. In the end, they had to accept the truth. Having acknowledged the existence of Mana Art, the Kanbara father-daughter pair started extracting knowledge from Masaya about the alternate world and Mana Art as if squeezing it out of him. Thanks to that, Masaya ended up completely exhausted. CH 9 In terms of the people¡¯s lucid dreams of the other world, Masaya believed that there was little attention given to it by most countries. However, unbeknownst to him, one particular nation had taken notice and embarked on an investigation. That nation happened to be the United States of America. The series of events unfolded with a traffic incident in Los Angeles. A patrol car had identified a stolen vehicle and was commanded to halt it. Instead, the stolen car abruptly accelerated, refusing to comply with the order. Naturally, a car chase ensued. The stolen vehicle recklessly tore through the city streets, narrowly avoiding multiple accidents. Just as it approached a busy intersection, the traffic light switched to red. The sound of children¡¯s cries filled the air, as students returning home from school found themselves directly in the path of the oncoming stolen vehicle. It was a scene that foreshadowed tragedy. Yet, it wasn¡¯t only children traversing the pedestrian crossing at that moment. There was also a man around thirty years old. Determination was evident on his face. Without hesitation, he leaped in front of the terrified children, who were unable to flee, and collided head-on with the stolen vehicle. A tremendous crash reverberated as the front of the stolen vehicle crumpled. Everyone thought the man¡¯s body would be sent flying through the air. However, the man who had braced himself against the car seemed to slide backward, clinging onto it. Beneath the man¡¯s feet, the asphalt had been torn apart, creating a deep groove. It was an unbelievable sight. When the stolen vehicle came to a complete stop just fifty centimeters away from the children, everyone gazed at the man in utter disbelief. As the man distanced himself from the car, he collapsed onto the ground. The surrounding crowd immediately sprang into action, filled with a sense of urgency. ¡°Call an ambulance! We need an ambulance!¡± The police officer from the pursuing patrol car called for an ambulance upon seeing the unconscious driver and the man lying on the road. Subsequently, the man was transported to the hospital for treatment. The attending doctor who treated him couldn¡¯t believe his own eyes. The laceration on the man¡¯s abdomen was healing right before his eyes. ¡°This is impossible¡­ unbelievable.¡± The doctor called upon his colleagues to join him, as he couldn¡¯t bear the weight of such a significant discovery on his own. A few days later, information regarding the man in question reached Mayor Craig of Los Angeles. The County of Los Angeles, with a population of over nine million people, encompassed prominent areas such as Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Long Beach. So the mayor himself was quite the big shot. ¡°Was the person who wrote this report perhaps under the influence of alcohol?¡± The mayor asked his secretary. ¡°No, sir. Despite the extraordinary content, the author is of sound mind.¡± ¡°This man, Bertrand Wainwright, possesses strength and regenerative abilities beyond those of a normal human,¡± ¡°Is ths something he was born with?¡± ¡°Well¡­ according to the latter part of the report, it seems to be an ability he acquired around the time he started having a certain dream.¡± ¡°An ability acquired within a dream?¡± The secretary proceeded to describe the contents of Bertrand¡¯s lucid dreams. ¡°So it¡¯s a narrative of dreams.¡± ¡°It could possibly be a narrative of an existing parallel world,¡± ¡°A parallel world? That¡¯s no joke. Do we have any evidence?¡± The secretary retrieved some documents and showed them to the mayor. The documents contained testimonies from individuals who claimed to have had lucid dreams of the same world as described by Bertrand. ¡°Based on those testimonies, there are individuals who have started researching a world where something resembling magic, known as ¡°Mana Art (True Name Art)¡± exists. And the evidence of this lies in the abilities that Bertrand possesses.¡± ¡°What kind of abilities does he have?¡± ¡°He possesses True Names such as ¡®Magic Energy¡¯ ¡®Great Strength,¡¯ ¡®Hardening,¡¯ and ¡®Natural Healing.¡¯ With the use of Mana Art, he is said to exhibit abilities akin to a warrior wearing a powered suit.¡± ¡°That¡¯s remarkable. I¡¯d like to meet him myself. Can you arrange a meeting?¡± ¡°Understood, sir.¡± The mayor, Craig, met with Bertrand and witnessed his abilities firsthand, therefore, becoming convinced of the truth of his claims. As the mayor of Los Angeles, Craig had a diverse circle of friends and was particularly close to Brandon, a senior advisor to the President. Mayor Craig informed Brandon about Bertrand¡¯s abilities and expressed his opinion that this should be a matter to be addressed by the government. Senior Advisor Brandon, without reporting to the President, shared the information with the religious organization to which he belonged. This organization had grown significantly under the leadership of its founder, a spiritual leader named Sauphlem. They worshipped a divine being whom they called the ¡°Transcendent¡±. ¡°Sir Brandon, we must gather those who possess True Names quickly. We must find them before the government does.¡± ¡°I shall follow the words of the spiritual leader,¡± Brandon responded. Although Senior Advisor Brandon didn¡¯t report to the President, one of the intelligence agencies reported the existence of individuals who possessed superhuman abilities and shared the common experience of lucid dreaming. The government began searching for individuals who experienced lucid dreams, calling them ¡°Cool Dreamers¡± and those who possessed True Names were labeled ¡°Mana Holders.¡± As a result, two factions embarked on a competition to find the ¡°Mana Holders.¡± ¡ô¡ô¡ó¡ó¡ô¡ô¡ó¡ó¡ô¡ô Meanwhile, in Japan, Masaya continued his training. Through relentless tree cutting exercises, his body became leaner, shaping into a more muscular physique. On that day, he was searching for a lost calico cat. ¡°Hey, senpai, did you find it?¡± ¡°I did come across a similar one, but¡­¡± This area seemed to have many stray cats, and he had come across several calico cats. However, none of them matched the one he was looking for. ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t that the one?¡± Fuyuhiko spotted the calico cat and ran towards it. It seemed like the role of a pet detective was growing on him. He lured the cat with some food and successfully caught it. ¡°We did it, senpai!¡± Masaya approached and examined the calico cat. There were more black patches on this cat compared to the one they were searching for. ¡°Unfortunately, this isn¡¯t the right cat. Take a closer look. The number of black patches on this cat is greater than the one in the picture.¡± Fuyuhiko¡¯s happy expression turned to a disappointed one, but then he had an idea and perked up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even if the number of patches is different, we can just return this one and say we provided excellent service to our client,¡± Masaya silently tapped Fuyuhiko on the back. There was a loud thud, and the cat they had caught escaped. ¡°Ouch! That hurts, senpai. You¡¯re going beyond the limits of a comeback.¡± ¡°Oh, sorry. Lately, I¡¯ve become unexpectedly strong.¡± ¡°Is it because of the tough training with Master Miyasaka? It seems like you¡¯re no longer experiencing muscle soreness.¡± ¡°Well, I guess that means I¡¯m still young.¡± ¡°At this point, you¡¯re already giving off an old-man vibe.¡± ¡°Hmph, say what you want. Eventually, I¡¯ll become a martial arts master and prove you wrong.¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather you become a master of finding cats than a martial arts master.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want that. Being a martial arts master seems more likely to help me become popular, but being a master of finding cats won¡¯t do the trick.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Masaya and Fuyuhiko continued their conversation while searching for the cat, and as evening approached, they finally found the lost cat. After finishing their work, Masaya headed towards the dojo. He changed into his training attire and grabbed a stick before heading outside. Outside, he spotted Master Miyasaka and greeted him. ¡°Are you going for wood striking now?¡± Miyasaka asked. ¡°Yes,¡± ¡°The mountain path can be dark, so be careful,¡± ¡°I have a military flashlight, so I¡¯ll be fine,¡± With that, Masaya dashed off. He swiftly ascended to the top of the mountain and caught his breath at the designated wood striking practice area. Placing the flashlight on a tree branch provided just the right amount of light. Masaya performed approximately 500 wood strikes. The area near the mountain peak was slightly sunken, preventing the sound from echoing downward and ensuring it wouldn¡¯t disturb the neighbors. After finishing the wood striking practice, Masaya gathered the surrounding magic essence. He felt as if it helped alleviate the fatigue in his body. Perhaps absorbing the accumulated magic essence activated the cells in his body. Normally, he would release and return the gathered magic essence, but today he had something he wanted to test. He had the idea of imbuing the stick with magic essence and striking the log to see what would happen. He wrapped the gathered magic essence around the top 20 centimeters of the stick. Holding the stick in that state, he swung it down onto a fresh log. The moment the stick made contact with the log, he felt a peculiar sensation. The force of the impact seemed to be absorbed by something, almost like wrapping rubber around the stick. Upon inspecting the struck part of the log, it remained unharmed. ¡°It seems that has no effect,¡± As he contemplated heading back, he realized there was something else he hadn¡¯t tried. It was the true name of ¡°Ultrasonic Wave¡±. This true name allowed him to generate vibrations of the ultrasonic range, effectively generating ultrasonic waves. It also granted him the ability to sense ultrasonic waves. Masaya had actually tried the true name of ¡°Ultrasonic Wave¡± before. He attempted to impart vibrations of the ultrasonic range onto the stick. The result, however, was a failure. A sharp pain ran through his hand as soon as he gripped the stick, causing him to reflexively let go of it. Masaya imparted vibrations of the ultrasonic range onto the stick wrapped with magic essence. Only this time, he didn¡¯t feel any pain in his hand. In that state, he swung the stick up and struck the log. The log split cleanly in two. It wasn¡¯t a clean cut but rather felt like countless blades shaving off layers from the log, resembling the motion of an electric saw. Witnessing such a scene, cold sweat broke out from Masaya¡¯s back. ¡°This is dangerous¡­ If I were to use something like this in Japan, I¡¯d be branded a murderer.¡± On that day, Masaya acquired an astonishing weapon. Previously, he believed that an ultrasonic cutter couldn¡¯t be used as a weapon. However, it seemed that when combined with magic essence, it exhibited tremendous power. ************* TN: The term Cool Dreamers was written in English; I do not know exactly what the author meant by it so I left it as it is. CH 10 Dennis woke up from his sleep, feeling the sunlight on his face. Thoughts of the knowledge Masaya had acquired in Japan flooded his mind. ¡°Using Ultrasonic waves with magic essence, huh? Well, mastering swordsmanship seems undoubtedly crucial to making full use of such power.¡± Dennis became curious about a style of sword in Miyasaka dojo, which Masaya had started learning. In this world, there were several sword styles that existed. The style his father, Egmont, had learned was called Kurtz Fine Swordsmanship. Kurtz Fine Swordsmanship was a technique primarily focused on duels, employing moves aimed at the neck, thighs, wrists, and other vulnerable areas. On the other hand, Miyasaka sword style was built around diagonal and reverse diagonal slashes, and its strikes, fueled by one¡¯s entire being, possessed an undeniable power that could not be easily evaded. Dennis found the power of a single strike appealing, especially when it came to defeating monsters. By combining the technique of infusing magic essence into the tip of a stick with the vibrations of ultrasonic waves, he could unleash a formidable force. Incidentally, Masaya referred to the technique of combining ¡°Magic Essence¡± and ¡°Ultrasonic Waves¡± as ¡°Quaking Blade.¡± Dennis started practicing the Kenpo and swordsmanship that Masaya was learning. Of course, since he didn¡¯t have a training partner, he could only practice alone. In that regard, practicing wood striking was ideal. Dennis set up several logs on the nearby sandy beach and began practicing by striking them with a stick. The sound of wood striking resonated loudly in a place like the sandy beach. The nearby residents quickly noticed Dennis¡¯s peculiar training. Egmont watched Dennis strike the logs and remarked, ¡°Using a mere stick to strike with such brute force won¡¯t defeat anyone.¡± ¡°I¡¯m aiming to slay monsters, not human opponents. This level of practice is just right.¡± Egmont shrugged his shoulders and walked away. Some of the residents came to observe, but no one showed any intention of participating. After a month of practice, Dennis felt that his swinging motion with the stick was becoming more natural. ¡°I think it¡¯s about time to venture into the third floor of the labyrinth.¡± The reason Dennis hesitated to descend to the third floor was because he knew he would encounter formidable monsters there. The creatures on the third floor were Poisonous Bats and Red-Eyed Wolves. The Red-Eyed Wolves were wolf-like creatures, about the size of large dogs. They were named so because they had red fur around their eyes. These dangerous monsters could easily bite through a human¡¯s throat with their sharp fangs. According to the books he read, the true name obtained from the Red-Eyed Wolves was ¡°Sense of Smell¡±, It was said that one could gain a sense of smell comparable to that of a dog. Dennis geared up for the journey to the Rock Mountain Labyrinth once again, wearing hunting attire and carrying a backpack with bread, a water bottle, a war hammer, and a sturdy wooden staff. Upon arriving at the labyrinth, he descended to the first floor. Ignoring the slimes, he proceeded to the second floor. Since it was impossible to avoid the Poisonous Bats, he fended off the attackers by striking them with his staff. Aiming accurately at the heads of the Poisonous Bats and striking them precisely with the staff proved to be challenging. The creatures darted around, evading direct hits to their heads and instead getting hit on their wings, causing them to fall. Dennis continued the process of finishing them off one by one. Finally, Dennis reached the entrance to the third floor and proceeded to descend with caution. This floor, too, was a maze-like area made of stone walls. Upon descending, he immediately encountered a three-way intersection. Dennis chose the left path. To ensure he would be prepared for any encounter with Red-Eyed Wolves, Dennis decided to create the ¡°Quaking Blade.¡± He gathered magic essence from his surroundings and infused it into the tip of his staff. Then, he applied vibrations of the ultrasonic range. And thus, the Quaking Blade was complete. The weapon, equipped with the rapidly vibrating magic essence blade, was thus called the ¡°Quaking Blade¡±. Only a small part was translated into English, but it served as an example of Masaya¡¯s less-than-stellar naming sense. (Quaking is said in Japanese; blade is said in English.) To maintain the Quaking Blade, Dennis had to control the magic essence. It would drain his spiritual energy, but there was no other choice. Dennis couldn¡¯t help but think it would be great if he could instantly complete the Quaking Blade, without exerting any effort. Currently, it took him approximately 30 seconds to complete the Quaking Blade. Being able to finish it instantly seemed a long way off. While immersed in contemplation, Dennis became aware of a presence steadily advancing from the far end of the corridor. Sensing the approaching figure, he instinctively poised his Quaking Blade for action. A Red-Eyed Wolf sprinted towards Dennis like a black bullet, leaping at him. The sheer terror that washed over him surpassed anything he had experienced before, surpassing encounters with slimes and Poisonous Bats. ¡°¡­.¡± Suppressing his fear, Dennis swung down his Quaking Blade that he held high. Right then, tblade connected with the Red-Eyed Wolf¡¯s head, cleaving through its flesh and fracturing its skull in a fatal blow. A tingling sensation lingered in Dennis¡¯s hand as the fallen wolf dissolved, almost as if it were melting away. ¡°Phew, I managed to take it down¡­ Huh?¡± In a momentary lapse of focus, Dennis inadvertently lost control over the magic essence, causing the Quaking Blade to vanish into thin air. ¡°This is bad.¡± Dennis hastily reshaped the Quaking Blade, fully aware that if another Red-Eyed Wolf were to launch an attack at that very instant, it would be fatal. After he formed his Quaking Blade, Dennis ventured deeper into the third floor. He encountered two Red-Eyed Wolves and managed to defeat them. After proceeding for about twenty minutes, he stumbled upon a small dome-shaped space. Peering inside, his gaze met the eyes of three Red-Eyed Wolves. Choosing to confront them at the entrance, he reasoned that there would be no worry of being attacked from the sides or rear. The forefront Red-Eyed Wolf lunged for Dennis¡¯s throat. The latter swung his Quaking Blade frantically, inadvertently striking the wolf¡¯s neck and delivering a fatal blow. After dispatching one of them, Dennis regained his composure. He remained cautious not to lose control of the Quaking Blade as he faced the second wolf. The second wolf, with a wary look in its eyes, snarled at Dennis. In response, Dennis shouted back, ¡°Come at me!¡± . Responding to Dennis¡¯s battle cry, the Red-Eyed Wolf leaped to the right and lunged at him. Then, following his practiced technique, Dennis simultaneously unleashed a powerful downward swing of his Quaking Blade from above. ¡°Shhh!¡± A hissing voice echoed out as the Quaking Blade carved through the face of the Red-Eyed Wolf. Just as he thought he had taken it down, the final wolf closed in on him. At that moment, Dennis attempted to create some distance by stepping back. But it was a mistake. The agile Red-Eyed Wolf managed to close the gap swiftly. As a result, Dennis swung the staff wildly while attempting a diagonal strike. The center of the staff struck the wolf¡¯s torso. The impact almost sent the staff flying, but Dennis exerted strength in his fingers, deflecting the wolf¡¯s charge. However, by the time he realized it, the Quaking Blade had already vanished. A chilling sensation ran through Dennis¡¯s mind, as if blood was draining away from his body. In this situation, he had no choice but to rely on the staff alone. The staff Dennis was using had been crafted from the branch of a resilient tree called the Mourning Willow. It was a wood so hard that lumberjacks would cry and complain loudly while working with it. ¡°If only I could use the Quaking Ball¡­¡± When the Quaking Blade was successful, Dennis also came up with the idea of using Quaking Balls. It was a method of attacking by imbuing vibrations into the magic essence ball and launching it at the enemy, much like the vibrations of the Quaking Blade. However, the Quaking Ball didn¡¯t work out. He was able to maintain the magic essence in the form of a ball and induce vibrations of the ultrasonic range, but he couldn¡¯t figure out how to make the ball rotate. It seemed that he could manipulate up to two forms of magic essence simultaneously, but three was beyond his capability. Dennis held his staff high while glaring at the Red-Eyed Wolf. It was an anxiety-inducing situation. He had been practicing the Miyasaka style for a month now. In exchange for severe muscle soreness, he had gained only a slight increase in muscle and skill, which he had to rely on at this moment. The red-rimmed eyes of the wolf brimmed with hatred after having witnessed its comrades fall. Gazing into those eyes, Dennis felt uneasy about his high stance. It seemed as though his vulnerable torso was inviting an attack. However, the ultimate technique of the Miyasaka style was the diagonal strike from above. If he succumbed to his unease and switched to a mid-level stance, he would lose the swiftness of his sword. The Red-Eyed Wolf rushed in, aiming for Dennis¡¯s legs. It seemed to be planning to sink its fangs into his shin and bring him down. Dennis unleashed the diagonal strike, just as he had practiced. The staff sliced through the air, producing a sharp ¡°whoosh¡± sound as it connected with the wolf¡¯s head. A solid thud reverberated, providing a sense of impact. The Red-Eyed Wolf staggered, as if suffering from a concussion, and turned around, revealing its back. Recognizing this as an opportunity, Dennis pursued relentlessly. He sprinted forward, releasing a battle cry, and swung the staff down. From that point on, he was consumed by fervor, repeatedly executing diagonal strikes and reverse diagonal strikes. When Dennis finally came back to his senses, the Red-Eyed Wolf had vanished. Instead, something unusual had fallen to the ground. It was a fang of the Red-Eyed Wolf. ¡°Oh, a drop item,¡± Drop items were rare treasures. It was said that one had to defeat dozens, even hundreds, of Labyrinth monsters to obtain them. However, the chances of obtaining a drop item increased when battling long-lived creatures. . ¡°So, this is a Red-Eyed Wolf¡¯s fang,¡± The fallen fang gleamed with a metallic luster. There was a theory that monsters were originally made of magic essence, and drop items were believed to be crystallizations of that essence. Within this small dome-like space, there were no mineral deposits. Feeling weary, Dennis decided it was time to head back. On his way home, he would mine some tin on the second floor before returning. Dennis sold the tin at Kasper¡¯s general store. Moreover, he also showed Kasper the Red-Eyed Wolf¡¯s fang, and the latter¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Well, this is a monster¡¯s drop item. How about one gold coin for it?¡± Kasper suggested. ¡°Ehh, that much?¡± Dennis was surprised because the selling price was higher than he had anticipated. Drop items like fangs and horns were said to be used for weapon enhancements. Weapons crafted using these materials, when melted down and incorporated, were known to possess greater durability and sharper edges than regular ones. CH 11 On that particular day, the lord of Barras territory, which was located on the eastern side of the Yusla River, paid a visit to Beneshof town in the company of three of his subordinates. This unexpected guest piqued Dennis¡¯s curiosity. Lord Victor of the Barras territory was a man with a round face and a big nose. He was in his forties and had a solid physique. Egmont respectfully greeted them and guided them to the reception room, and even though they were fellow baronets, Egmont displayed deference by bowing his head. ¡°Why is it that I have to remind you about the interest payment each time?¡± Lord Victor of the Barras territory exclaimed in an irritated voice. The Beneshof territory had borrowed money from neighboring lords, and this debt was creating immense pressure on the territory¡¯s management, causing hardship for Egmont. Egmont remained expressionless as he lowered his head. ¡°I apologize. I have been delayed with the paperwork.¡± Victor snorted disapprovingly, his expression sour. ¡°So, have you gathered enough funds to repay the interest?¡± Victor inquired. ¡°Well, you see, we¡¯ve only managed to gather fifteen gold coins. Could you please give us a little more time?¡± Egmont lowered his head once again. Looking him down, Victor responded, ¡°Just fifteen gold coins? That¡¯s troublesome indeed. Contracts must be upheld¡­ In that case, I¡¯ll take your study¡¯s collection of books as a substitute.¡± Egmont let out a growl, knowing well that there was nothing else of value to offer. ¡°It cannot be helped,¡± Victor instructed his subordinates to transport the books. The subordinates searched through the mansion, eventually locating the study. Inside, Dennis was engrossed in reading a book. After exploring the labyrinth for three consecutive days, Dennis decided to take a day off. ¡°Who might you be?¡± ¡°You are Sir Dennis, right? We are under the command of Baronet Victor. Our orders are to seize items of value,¡± The subordinates replied. Hearing the term ¡°seize,¡± Dennis frowned. ¡°Are you planning to seize the books here?¡± ¡°It seems that books are the only noteworthy items,¡± Dennis had thoroughly read through the books in the study, and there were some valuable ones he held dear. ¡°So, how much do you need?¡± ¡°We require twenty gold coins for the interest, and Sir Egmont seems to be short of five gold coins,¡± Those words were laced with barbs. It was an insult, implying that the lord himself couldn¡¯t produce a mere twenty gold coins, and questioning whether five gold coins could be produced by someone like Dennis, who was a young man. Dennis felt his face flush with embarrassment. Alongside the shame, he gained a new realization of just how dire the situation of the Briones family was. Considering the conversion of a single gold coin¡¯s value to Japanese yen, it would amount to somewhere between two to three hundred thousand yen. However, with the low prices of food and land, it seemed to resemble the economic conditions of a developing country. Taking that into account, five gold coins were a significant sum. Calculating the value of a single gold coin as three hundred thousand yen, it would total one million five hundred thousand yen. It was an amount that a young man under the age of twenty couldn¡¯t readily come up with. However, there were exceptions. Those known as labyrinth explorers. They had the potential to amass great wealth by risking their lives. And Dennis, despite being a novice, was one such labyrinth explorer. ¡°Which books from the collection are you taking?¡± ¡°All of them,¡± In this world, books were considered valuable treasures. The entire collection in this study alone should be worth well over a hundred gold coins. ¡°It seems that Sir Victor likes to engage in despicable business,¡± Dennis remarked. Following his words, the three subordinates¡¯ expressions changed immediately. ¡°Are you insulting our master?¡± Dennis calmed them down, and together they made their way to the reception room. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, all of you? Have you already relocated the books?¡± Victor inquired. ¡°No, we encountered Sir Dennis in the study, and it appears that he wanted to have a word with you, Sir Victor.¡± Victor turned his gaze toward Dennis. ¡°Oh, really? What is it about?¡± ¡°I will provide you the lacking amount,¡± Dennis responded. Right then, Egmont looked at Dennis. ¡°Hold on, the lacking amount is five gold coins,¡± It appeared that both baronets harbored doubts about Dennis possessing the necessary funds. Nonetheless, Dennis reached for a pouch dangling around his neck and retrieved five gold coins from within. Dennis lined up the gold coins on the table. ¡°This should be sufficient,¡± Victor briefly wore a frustrated expression before collecting the coins and placing them into his own pouch. The remaining fifteen coins had been received from Egmont. ¡°We¡¯ll come back in six months,¡± Victor declared, leaving behind a parting remark. With that, he and his subordinates departed. Egmont summoned Dennis to his study. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Where did that money come from?¡± Egmont inquired. ¡°As my father is well aware, it was earned by delving into the labyrinth,¡± Dennis replied. Egmont weakly shook his head, harboring anger at himself for not realizing that the labyrinth could serve as a great source of funds. ¡°How far along is the exploration?¡± Egmont asked. ¡°I¡¯ve descended to the third floor,¡± Dennis answered. ¡°The level where graphite can be mined. Not a place of great value,¡± Egmont remarked. There were differing opinions regarding that viewpoint because they knew that graphite was a valuable material. ¡°Do you think you can descend to the fourth floor?¡± Egmont asked. ¡°I¡¯m having a tough time with the Red-Eyed Wolves on the third floor, but I¡¯ve heard there are Iron deposits on the fourth floor, so I¡¯m determined to keep going,¡± Dennis replied. The blacksmiths in Beneshof purchased iron from other towns and used their workshop¡¯s furnace to heat it and create products. They couldn¡¯t sell their iron goods for more than those made in other towns, so the blacksmiths didn¡¯t make much profit. From the next day onwards, Dennis resumed his labyrinth exploration. Even with the use of the Quaking Blade, the Red-Eyed Wolves proved to be formidable foes. However, despite facing numerous dangers, he continued to explore the labyrinth and brought back the mineral known as graphite. However, the graphite didn¡¯t sell well, so it was stored in the territory¡¯s barn. On the seventh day of exploring the third floor, after defeating the fifty-seventh Red-Eyed Wolf, Dennis obtained a new True Name. It was ¡°Sense of Smell.¡± This True Name granted him a sense of smell on par with that of a dog. However, its use consumed True Power. Normally, True Power was converted and supplied from the ¡°magic energy¡± within the body. However, in Dennis¡¯s case, the conversion from ¡°magic essence¡± to True Power took place. This had a significant drawback. In areas where the magic essence concentration was thin, it became difficult to activate Mana Art, and even if activated, they couldn¡¯t unleash their full potential. Compared to those who possessed the True Name ¡°Magic Energy,¡± who could activate Mana Arts at any time using the accumulated magic energy within their bodies, Dennis was at a disadvantage. By the time he acquired the True Name ¡°Sense of Smell¡±, his Miyasaka-style swordsmanship had greatly improved. The method of learning through practical combat proved to be efficient. The knowledge was also shared with Masaya, resulting in the latter¡¯s own swordsmanship advancing as well. Not only swordsmanship but also the most significant progress was seen in the control of magic essence. Even in consecutive battles, Dennis no longer lost control of the Quaking Blade, and he could annihilate a group of Red-Eyed Wolves within the small dome space by strategically positioning himself at the entrance, engaging in one-on-one fights as much as possible. Yet, unbeknownst to Dennis, defeating a group of Red-Eyed Wolves was considered a milestone for labyrinth explorers. Finally, Dennis located the entrance to descend to the fourth floor and eagerly went down with enthusiasm. The creatures encountered on the fourth floor were Armored Lizards. These bipedal lizards were as big as large dogs. They were covered from head to tail in armor-like scales, making them formidable creatures to defeat. For such a small labyrinth, they were remarkably powerful monsters. However, even the Armored Lizards had their weaknesses. Their throats were not covered by armor. ¡°If I can strike their throats with the Quaking Blade, I might be able to take them down,¡± Dennis thought to himself, at the same time recalling the phrase, ¡°Easier said than done,¡± which came from Masaya¡¯s knowledge. The sharp claws on the Armored Lizards¡¯ forelimbs proved to be troublesome. The staff Dennis was using as a substitute for a sword was not as long as a spear. If he were to thrust, there was a risk of being counterattacked. ¡°Should I prepare a spear¡­ But within the labyrinth, there are narrow passages to consider. I need to come up with something,¡± CH 12 Dennis had been waiting until he could master the use of ¡°Armor¡± before descending to the fifth floor. Recently, he had become able to fight while keeping the true name of ¡°Armor¡± released. The preparations to descend to the fifth floor were complete. Since he had decided to take Amelia and the girls to the labyrinth every other day, he wouldn¡¯t take them to the labyrinth tomorrow. Dennis determined that Amelia and the girls, whose bodies were still growing, needed a day of rest. Instead, he made the decision to venture into the labyrinth alone and challenge the fifth floor. The next morning, as Dennis finished his training and waited for the meal to be prepared in the dining room, Amelia woke up. She had a sleepy face. ¡°Are you tired from yesterday?¡± ¡°Mmm, I¡¯m tired, but it was really fun. Are we going to the labyrinth today too?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go alone today. Amelia, please teach Finne and Jasmine how to read and write.¡± Amelia had been taught to read and write by her mother, Elise. Dennis requested that she teach Finne and Jasmine the same. ¡°Sure. But aren¡¯t they going to become labyrinth explorers?¡± Amelia seemed to question whether labyrinth explorers even needed to know how to read and write. ¡°Labyrinths like the Rock Mountain Labyrinth have been explored and documented. If they are going to become labyrinth explorers, it would be beneficial for them to be able to read those records.¡± Dennis explained. ¡°Oh, I see,¡± Amelia agreed to teach Finne and Jasmine how to read and write. Dennis gave the girls another instruction¡ªto practice using the true name of ¡°Magic Energy¡±. ¡°By the way, Amelia can already use Mana Art. There¡¯s no need for you to go to the labyrinth anymore,¡± Dennis said. ¡°No, just swirling the Magic Energy within the body doesn¡¯t quite satisfy me,¡± Amelia responded. Amelia wanted to use visible Mana Art, which made things more complicated. The true names that could be obtained in that labyrinth were ¡°Magic Energy¡±, ¡°Ultrasonic Wave¡±, ¡°Sense of Smell¡±, ¡°Armor¡±, ¡°Crystallization¡±, and ¡°Lightning Strike¡±. Among those true names, Dennis did not quite understand ¡°Crystallization¡±, so it was excluded. When it came to visible Mana Art, ¡°Lightning Strike¡± was the closest option. It was possible that ¡°Sense of Smell¡± could also be satisfying to her, but it might be good to learn the true name of ¡°Lightning Strike¡± for self-defense purposes. This country could not be called a safe place. Being able to use ¡°Armor¡± and ¡°Lightning Strike¡± would be helpful in cases of emergencies. However, the problem was that the true name of ¡°Lightning Strike¡± could only be obtained from the monsters on the fifth floor. Even though it was only a small labyrinth, he would have to let Amelia completely conquer it to get the abilities. As Dennis pondered over these thoughts, he noticed that Amelia was glaring at him. He had been lost in thought, completely ignoring her. ¡°You know, there are monsters on the fifth floor that possess interesting true names. I¡¯ll look into it.¡± Dennis said. ¡°That¡¯s a promise. Dennis headed to the labyrinth to challenge the fifth floor. Upon arrival, he began to venture deeper into the labyrinth. He reached the fourth floor by taking the shortest route and then descended to the final floor, the fifth floor. Dennis now wielded the Vajra Staff as his weapon. After defeating the Armored Lizards with the staff, he trained to become proficient in its use. The labyrinth was similar to before, with its maze-like corridors. Holding the Vajra staff, Dennis proceeded cautiously. Suddenly, he noticed a presence approaching from ahead. Dennis unleashed the true name of ¡°Armor.¡± A thin membrane formed over his body as he moved forward. It was indeed a Carbuncle, a fox-like creature with crystal blue horns, who unleashed a lightning ball towards him in a sudden encounter. From the blue crystal horn, a lightning ball resembling a spherical electric discharge with sparks was born, flying towards Dennis. Its speed was around 100 kilometers per hour. Dennis couldn¡¯t dodge it. The lightning ball, with a diameter of about 10 centimeters, hit his shoulder. In that instant of impact, sparks scattered and electricity cracked. A snapping sound echoed, accompanied by a pungent smell. Surprisingly, the attack didn¡¯t inflict any pain. It became evident that his ¡°Armor¡± had shielded him from harm. Taking advantage of the opening, Dennis swiftly swung his Vajra Staff downward, delivering a decisive blow to the charging Carbuncle. The Carbuncle met its demise, turning into dust and disappearing. ¡°I see, with ¡®Armor¡¯, these monsters are not much of a threat.¡± Dennis ventured deeper into the labyrinth. Along the way, he encountered six Carbuncles and dispatched them effortlessly. He then discovered a small dome-like space and decided to investigate its contents. Within the dome, seven Carbuncles roamed about. Suddenly, he heard a faint sound from behind. Dennis swiftly turned around, only to find a single Carbuncle in the midst of unleashing a lightning ball. ¡°Whoa!¡± Dennis instinctively threw himself into the small dome to dodge the incoming attack. In retrospect, he wondered why he had made such a move, but in that moment, his body acted on pure instinct. Finding himself trapped amidst the enemies, Dennis faced a barrage of concentrated attacks from the Carbuncles. While evading the incoming lightning balls, he swung his Vajra Staff with agility. He took several hits from the lightning balls. Thankfully, his protective membrane remained intact, otherwise, he would have died. Amidst the chaotic battle, Dennis regained his composure. He focused on taking down the Carbuncles one by one with precision. He targeted the one on the far right, rushing towards it and bringing his Vajra Staff down upon it. After defeating one Carbuncle, Dennis gained control of the battle. One by one, he struck down the Carbuncles and finished them off. Within a few minutes, the battle came to an end. ¡°Huff, I fought quite clumsily.¡± However, there was a valuable harvest. Amidst the fight, he acquired the true name of ¡°Crystallization¡±. After he took a moment to catch his breath, Dennis decided to search for mineral deposits. On this particular floor of the labyrinth, the deposits consisted of coal. Although it was high-quality smokeless coal, its value wasn¡¯t significant. Coal mines for open-pit mining were located in the northern region, making it impractical to carry coal weighing around 20 kilograms back from this floor. As a result, the fifth floor was an unpopular area. Nevertheless, coal was more abundant than iron and other minerals, and it could serve as fuel if there was a way to transport it in large quantities. Dennis chose not to engage in mining and resumed his journey deeper into the labyrinth. He discovered two small dome-like spaces and eliminated the Carbuncles within. However, he was unable to obtain the second true name of ¡°Lightning Strike¡±. Finally, Dennis arrived at the ultimate dead end. There stood a stone wall measuring three meters in front of him. ¡°Sigh, I¡¯ve reached the end.¡± Frustration engulfed him as he couldn¡¯t obtain the true name of ¡°Lightning Strike¡± in the end. Since acquiring the true name of ¡°Crystallization¡± had been relatively easy, he had expected the same for ¡°Lightning Strike¡±. However, things don¡¯t always go as planned in this world. Subconsciously, Dennis lifted his Vajra Staff and struck the stone wall in front of him. It made a hollow thud, leaving something lingering in Dennis¡¯s mind. ¡°What could it be? What is this feeling?¡± Dennis raised his Vajra Staff once more and struck the stone wall again. Once again, it produced a light sound, triggering a sense of unease within him. ¡°Could there be a hollow space on the other side?¡± Curiosity sparked in Dennis¡¯s mind. He formed a Quaking Blade on his Vajra Staff and struck the stone wall with force. It resulted in a small crack appearing on the surface. Aiming for that crack, he struck it repeatedly with the Quaking Blade over and over again. Suddenly, the stone wall crumbled with a loud rumble, revealing a dome like space beyond. It was twice as large as anything Dennis had encountered before¡ªa vast expanse. And there, standing in the center, was a lone Carbuncle. ¡°Could this be a Carbuncle?¡± Dennis was taken aback by the creature¡¯s large size. Normal Carbuncles were about the size of a medium-sized dog, but this one was a size larger, surpassing even a large breed. It seemed to be a subspecies of the Carbuncle. The Crystal horn on the Carbuncle¡¯s forehead shone not with a blue hue but with a radiant ruby red. It exuded an aura reminiscent of a king among Carbuncles while fixing its gaze upon Dennis. Its eyes emitted an eerie light, brimming with suspicion. As if beckoned, Dennis stumbled forward and entered the chamber. His consciousness seemed numbed, devoid of any cognitive power. In Dennis¡¯s mind, Masaya, who had been observing from within, began to surface, sensing the impending danger to their lives. The Ruby Carbuncle approached slowly, its eyes gleaming with a satisfied glint of capturing its prey. There was something special about that gaze, something beyond ordinary. The Ruby Carbuncle lunged forward, aiming to sink its fangs into Dennis¡¯s neck. In that split second, the Vajra Staff lifted high and struck the Carbuncle¡¯s forehead. The crystal horn snapped cleanly from its base and tumbled to the ground. The Ruby Carbuncle let out a terrifying scream, writhing on the ground. With a newfound clarity of mind, Dennis saw an opportunity and formed a Quaking Blade. He believed it was necessary to dispatch this strange creature. As Dennis¡¯s consciousness sharpened, Masaya¡¯s consciousness, which had delivered the attack to the Ruby Carbuncle¡¯s forehead, began to sink back into the depths of their shared spirit. Given that the crystal horn had been shattered, there was no need to worry about the Ruby Carbuncle¡¯s lightning ball attack. The creature that had been rolling on the ground suddenly leaped away. The growling Ruby Carbuncle glared at Dennis, clearly intending to do something. Then, out of nowhere, another Carbuncle appeared and launched an attack on Dennis. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Dennis exclaimed in surprise as yet another Carbuncle appeared before him. ¡°Could it be¡­ it¡¯s summoning Carbuncles?¡± CH 13 The royal capital of Montal, situated east of Beneshof, lay approximately ten days¡¯ walk away. Embarking on their journey, Dennis and Egmont ventured forth alone, leaving behind Amelia, Dennis¡¯s younger sister, as she was unable to endure the physical demands of a long trip. They crossed the Yusla River, reaching the opposite bank via ferry, and then proceeded eastward towards Barras and Mynmey. The majority of the towns marked on the map surpassed Beneshof in size and population. Nevertheless, such towns were scarce, with numerous settlements along the road being small villages not even designated on the map. While they traveled, Dennis and Egmont lodged in these villages. For Dennis, this journey was not a comfortable one. He was accompanied by Egmont, who hurried ahead with a gloomy expression. His father hardly responded to Dennis when he tried to talk to him, which was extremely frustrating. ¡°Can¡¯t you at least tell me who big brother¡¯s future bride is?¡± ¡°She is the daughter of Sir Gustav, the commander of the Second Cavalry Unit,¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t that amount to marrying into an influential family?¡± When it comes to the Second Cavalry Unit, it was considered a prestigious military division. Its commander held a higher position than even the frontier lords. He should also be a baron. From an outsider¡¯s perspective, it would be nothing short of an enviable matter. However, for Egmont, it felt like an act of betrayal. Egmont had incurred debts just so he could send Geralt to the prestigious academy in the capital, hoping that he would become a distinguished lord of the Beneshof territory. On the eighth day, when they reached a place called Darius, a city under Duke Baltzer¡¯s rule, Dennis noticed a lurking presence trailing them from behind. ¡°Someone¡¯s following us,¡± Dennis whispered. ¡°What?¡­ Bandits, perhaps?¡± Egmont swiftly turned around. Two dubious men gave him a flustered look before one of them whistled. It appeared to be a signal for their companions. Suddenly, three men emerged from the sprawling coniferous forest on the left side of the road. Their unkempt beards and filthy clothes suggested that they were a bunch of good-for-nothings who led a rough life. The bandits approached with crude laughter. ¡°Hey, you guys. Hand over anything valuable.¡± Egmont immediately regretted not having prepared a sword for Dennis as well. All Dennis had brought as a weapon were his usual makeshift staff made from the weeping willow tree and a knife. Dennis set down his backpack and took up his staff, readying himself. Then came Egmont¡¯s instructions. ¡°You take care of the two in behind. I¡¯ll hold off the other three.¡± Dennis held his staff high in a high stance before charging towards the two bandits. ¡°Ooooh!¡± Caught off guard by the unexpected assault, the two bandits hastily drew their swords. Dennis swung his staff downward at the man on the left. The man tried to defend himself, but it was too late. The staff struck his shoulder, causing a bone-cracking sensation that lingered in Dennis¡¯s hand. The Miyasaka style, like the revealed reality style, was a practical swordsmanship technique. The speed of Dennis¡¯s downward strike was unlike anything the bandits had ever seen before. The other bandit let out a cry and thrust his sword forward in an attack. It seemed he had some experience in not just brawls but also sword fighting and killing. It was a well-aimed thrust aimed at Dennis¡¯s hip. Dennis swung down from above, aiming to knock the opponent¡¯s sword aside. The clash of the weapons reverberated with a metallic resonance, and the staff recoiled ever so slightly, extending forward towards the enemy¡¯s throat. ¡°Ugh!¡± The staff landed cleanly on the opponent¡¯s throat. This was the Miyasaka style¡¯s ¡°sweeping thrust¡±. With the Miyasaka style¡¯s basic high stance, the defensive move involved sweeping down from above. Dennis swiftly drew his knife and pressed it against the fallen man¡¯s neck. After a momentary hesitation, he made a decisive cut. He then delivered a finishing blow to the other bandit writhing on the ground, who had been previously struck in the shoulder. ¡°Ugh.¡± Dennis grimaced, avoiding the blood that spattered towards him. The realization that he had just killed someone washed over him after he saw the blood. He struggled to suppress the overwhelming sensation that threatened to freeze his thoughts. Under different circumstances, he might have considered capturing them instead. However, he had to assist Egmont as soon as possible. He looked back and witnessed Egmont enduring the three bandits¡¯ onslaught, fighting back despite being overwhelmed. Dennis dashed forward quietly. After getting close enough to the enemy, he leaped with full force. In mid-air, Dennis poised himself in a high stance and brought his staff down upon the head of a bandit who was about to slash Egmont. A dull thud resonated as the skull caved in under the impact. The man crumpled to the ground. ¡°You bastard!¡± One of the bandits shouted before lunging at Dennis. A sweeping slash came from the side, aiming to mow down Dennis. In response, the staff swung down from above, meeting the sword. ¡°Shaa!¡± Dennis activated his power, and the staff and the sword clashed with a whooshing sound. In the next moment, a cracking noise echoed as the enemy¡¯s sword snapped in two as if it were the rustiest of blades. ¡°Hyaa!¡± Dennis pursued without mercy. Swiftly, he brought down the raised staff upon the bandit¡¯s neck. The man attempted to block the staff with his current shortened sword. However, the forceful blow drove the sword and the staff into his throat, crushing his airway. The man¡¯s eyes rolled back, and his lifeless body collapsed. Dennis shifted his gaze to the last remaining bandit. It was at this moment that the Briones family¡¯s heirloom sword pierced through the bandit¡¯s chest. Egmont, breathing heavily and his shoulders raising up and down, looked at the fallen corpses of the bandits. Out of the five, Dennis had taken down four, and he did that all with just a staff. ¡°Incredible swordsmanship,¡± Egmont muttered under his breath. However, his words went unheard by anyone. Dennis sat on the ground while wearing a dazed expression on his face. Egmont decided to leave Dennis alone for a while. In the meantime, he started dragging the bodies to the side of the road, tidying up the scene. ¡°Hah, they don¡¯t have anything valuable.¡± The bandits had a small pouch, but it only contained small change¡ªbrass and copper coins. Egmont has collected them for now, bundling them together in one pouch and hanging it from his belt. Watching his father¡¯s actions, Dennis let out a deep sigh. ¡°Which one is the bandit, really.¡± Through his father¡¯s actions, Dennis felt the insignificance of life in this world. Finally, a surge of determination to stand up emerged within him. Dennis rose to his feet, gathering the unbroken swords and carrying them on his shoulder. Upon their arrival in the next village, Dennis and his father reported the bandits¡¯ incident to the village chief. Someone had to bury the bodies. And on the tenth day, they reached the royal capital of Montal. The spire of Montal Castle came into view first, followed by the sight of the town¡¯s streets. The city expanded in all directions from the central hub of the royal castle. The main thoroughfare was paved with cobblestones, and bustled with horse-drawn carriages. Most of the buildings were made of brick, except for the royal castle, which was constructed from stone. Surrounded by high walls and a moat, the royal castle covered an area of approximately fifty hectares, equivalent to that famous theme park in Chiba. The castle in the heart of the city, known as the White Swan Castle due to its magnificent appearance, was also made of white marble. It housed the king¡¯s abode, offices, an audience chamber, a council room, and guard quarters. Surrounding the royal castle were the mansions of nobles, forming the noble district. The Briones family, holding the rank of baronet, should have had their mansion in the noble district as well, but it was nowhere to be found. They had never been wealthy enough to build a mansion in the noble district. It was a sad reality. For the time being, they found an inn and rested there. The following morning, they paid a visit to the headquarters of the ¡°Royal Guards¡± to meet Geralt. They requested an audience with him and were directed to the waiting room in the headquarters. Geralt, dressed in his military uniform, appeared when he was called. ¡°Father, Dennis, it¡¯s been a while,¡± Originally, Geralt had a shy and rustic demeanor to him, but it seemed that city life had refined him. Even from Dennis¡¯s perspective, Geralt had transformed into a handsome young man. ¡°I received your letter and came flying,¡± Egmont¡¯s words made Geralt¡¯s face cloud over. They went to a nearby resting area outside the headquarters, where Egmont and Geralt began their conversation. It was a place where soldiers took breaks between training sessions, and at the moment, there was no one else around. According to Geralt¡¯s account, the other party¡¯s family only had one heir, a daughter named Cassandra. He didn¡¯t want to share any more details with Dennis; hence, the latter had to wait in a slightly secluded area until Egmont and Geralt¡¯s conversation was finished. Carried by the wind, Dennis caught snippets of conversation containing words like ¡°heir registration¡± ¡°royal family¡± and ¡°debt¡±. While he didn¡¯t fully grasp the meaning of the first two, the mention of ¡°debt¡± painted a clear picture in his mind. It seemed that Geralt didn¡¯t want to inherit a territory burdened with debt. Dennis knew that if he were in his brother¡¯s shoes, he might have had the same thoughts. Afterwards, it appeared that Gustav, the bride¡¯s father, joined the conversation as well. On that evening, after they returned to their lodgings, Egmont went out, leaving Dennis alone at the inn. Egmont seemed to have returned after Dennis had already fallen asleep. When Dennis woke up the next morning, the room was filled with the scent of alcohol. Egmont, who woke up around noon, left Dennis behind once again. Growing tired of staying in the inn alone, Dennis ventured out into the town, aimlessly strolling through the shopping district. He planned to buy souvenirs for his sister before returning. The row of shops lined up before him evoked memories of Japan. Each shop in the town may have been small, but they were filled with goods that were absent in the town of Beneshof. Jewelry stores, apothecaries, restaurants, thrift shops, fruit stands, fabric merchants, tailors, blacksmiths, weapon and armor shops¡ªvarious types of establishments lined the streets. Dennis entered a weapon and armor shop, intending to sell a sword he had retrieved from one of the bandits. ¡°I¡¯d like to sell this sword,¡± He spoke to a man, who appeared to be the shop owner. ¡°Let me have a look at it.¡± The owner said, taking the sword out of its sheath to inspect it. ¡°This is a sword mass-produced in Kum, isn¡¯t it?¡± Kum was a mining city situated southeast of the capital. It was a city where metal ores mined from actual mines, rather than labyrinth-produced ones, were refined and processed. As expected, Dennis was haggled down to a low price. Nevertheless, he ended up with two large silver coins, so he began searching for any usable swords among the shop¡¯s stock. The price of a good-quality sword seemed to be several gold coins. It was far beyond what Dennis could afford. Reluctant to give up on acquiring a new weapon, he wandered around the shop. That¡¯s when his eyes caught sight of a barrel tucked away in the corner, filled with a dozen or so sticks. Inside the barrel were mostly junk items, like worn-out clubs or spear handles without their heads. However, one of them caught his interest. It was a black stick, about ninety centimeters long. Dennis wondered if it had been coated with something, but it appeared to have a naturally black wooden surface. It seemed like it was made from a type of wood that Dennis had never seen before. ¡°Uncle, what is this?¡± Dennis picked up the black stick; he was surprised by its heavy weight, which surpassed even the practice staff he usually wielded. ¡°Oh, that one? That¡¯s said to be the sacred staff used by Saint Azrul.¡± ¡°Come on, you must be joking. There¡¯s no way something like that would be mixed in with the junk items in a barrel.¡± The owner grinned. ¡°You saw through it well. It¡¯s just a mysterious stick. It¡¯s known for being sturdy and heavy, but it was too heavy for anyone to use effectively.¡± Apparently, some people attempted to attach a blade to this stick, trying to turn it into a weapon like a polearm (naginata) or a field sword (nodachi). However, the weight of the stick on the handle was too much, resulting in extremely poor balance. Although this stick was made of wood, it definitely wouldn¡¯t float in water. It weighed about three times as much as a longsword. Nevertheless, Dennis was fond of it and inquired about its price from the shopkeeper. ¡°How about one gold coin?¡± ¡°That¡¯s too high. Judging by the fact that it has been sitting here for quite some time, it probably wouldn¡¯t find a buyer,¡± Dennis remarked. The owner¡¯s temple twitched slightly. ¡°You¡¯re quite astute. How about four large silver coins?¡± A full-fledged negotiation ensued from there, eventually settling on two large silver coins. Dennis decided to name the stick the ¡°Vajra Staff¡± and made up his mind to use it in the labyrinth. ************* TN: Baronet title is above a knight and bellow a baron. CH 14 After purchasing a weapon and leaving the shop, Dennis headed towards a thrift shop. He intended to buy a souvenir for Amelia. Since he didn¡¯t have enough funds to buy new fabric, he planned to check out the second-hand clothing. Clothing in this country was expensive. There were various types of fabrics, such as linen, cotton, wool, and silk, and they became increasingly expensive in that order. When it came to silk fabric, one needed to prepare five gold coins to afford it. Even second-hand clothing made of silk fabric was pricey, costing one or two gold coins. Upon entering the thrift shop, Dennis searched for something good among the silk garments and cotton textiles. Eventually, he settled on a shiny, dark red dress and a green coat, both made from top-notch silk fabric. However, their designs were considered outdated. Dennis decided to remodel Amelia¡¯s clothes, so he bought things based on the quality and quantity of the fabric rather than the design. However, the item would cost a total of two gold coins and three large silver coins, causing Dennis¡¯s purse to become significantly lighter, almost swaying in the wind. After strolling around for a while and returning to the inn, he found that Egmont was already back. ¡°Where have you been?¡± ¡°Just went to town to buy a souvenir for Amelia,¡± Dennis replied. ¡°I see¡­ tomorrow, it has been decided that you will accompany me to the castle,¡± Egmont said. Dennis was taken aback by the sudden mention of the castle. ¡°Why me? Why should I go to the castle?¡± ¡°Geralt has been officially being adopted into their family,¡± Egmont explained. ¡°No way¡­..So, what about the heir to our Baronet family?¡± Egmont directed his gaze at Dennis. ¡°There is no one else but you.¡± ¡°But I haven¡¯t received any type of proper education to become the head of a noble family,¡± Dennis said. Nobles lived in their hometowns until the age of twelve, after which they were supposed to receive their education as nobles at an academy in the capital city. After four years of study, the noble children would graduate and either return to their hometowns or take up official positions in the capital city. ¡°As the head of the noble family, the only essential subjects you absolutely need to learn are etiquette, land management, and battlefield action. You can learn them while I¡¯m still alive,¡± Egmont explained. Dennis didn¡¯t have any interest in inheriting a debt-ridden territory. However, if he were to also refuse, Amelia would have to marry someone else and inherit the territory. That seemed pitiful as well. Reluctantly, Dennis agreed, feeling there was no other choice. The matter of visiting the castle was also related to this decision. It seemed that the successor of a noble family had to take an oath before the king as the next heir in line. It appeared that Geralt had also taken such an oath, but they decided not to go through with the formalities. Such occurrences were not uncommon. In a world with a high mortality rate, it was common for successors to pass away or become unable to inherit due to various other reasons. Dennis didn¡¯t have any suitable attire to present himself in front of the king without embarrassing himself. Therefore, they decided that he would borrow the clothes Geralt had obtained and use them to enter the castle. In the castle, King Manfred III was discussing his afternoon schedule with his secretary, Barnabas. King Manfred was around forty-five years old, an energetic man with a solid build and a sharp intellect. ¡°We have two ¡®Successor¡¯s Oath Ceremonies¡¯ scheduled. Following that, there is a meeting with Minister Klaus,¡± ¡°Hmm. Who are the successors?¡± ¡°We have Sir Eckhart of Kum Territory and Sir Dennis of Beneshof Territory,¡± The king couldn¡¯t recall the exact location of Beneshof Territory. Observing this, the secretary added, ¡°Beneshof Territory is a baronet¡¯s territory situated on the western outskirts, near the frontier.¡± ¡°I see. So, the one to watch for is the prospective successor of Kum Territory. What kind of person is he?¡± ¡°He graduated in second place from the Royal Zelman Academy and is said to be one of the Four Devas in Kurtz Swordsmanship,¡± the secretary informed. ¡°Ah, the Four Devas. I heard that Marquis Theobald, the current head of Kum Territory, is skilled in Hartmann Swordsmanship. So, his son chose Kurtz Swordsmanship. It seems that this art of the sword is flourishing,¡± ¡°It appears that the swiftness of the sword is praised more than sheer strength,¡± ¡°In that case, what about the successor of Beneshof?¡± the king asked. ¡°I don¡¯t have much information about Sir Dennis. However, there have been reports that, on his way to the capital, he defeated four bandits in combat,¡± ¡°Oh, so he¡¯s more of a practical fighter. What style does he use?¡± Secretary Barnabas stated the facts in a composed manner. ¡°It seems he has his own unique style.¡± ¡°Hmm. Wasn¡¯t he educated in the capital?¡± ¡°Sir Dennis is said to have left Beneshof Territory for the first time on this occasion. It appears he hasn¡¯t received proper formal education.¡± King Manfred¡¯s face clouded over. ¡°Why was someone like him chosen as the successor?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard that it¡¯s because the eldest son, Sir Geralt, is marrying into the Gratzel family,¡± the secretary explained. ¡°Poor fellow¡­ Chosen as the successor without even being prepared.¡± In the afternoon, the ¡®Successor¡¯s Oath Ceremony¡¯ began. In the audience chamber, Eckhart¡¯s relatives, as well as Dennis¡¯ father and brother, were present to witness the procedure. Dennis had a nervous expression as he knelt on one knee in the audience chamber. Feeling the pressure from the king seated on the throne, he instinctively tried to lift his gaze. However, he remembered that this was the audience chamber and forced himself to endure, keeping his eyes down. As he did so, he heard a low voice from above. ¡°Raise your head.¡± Dennis lifted his head and was met with the majestic figure of the king before him. If this had been a few years ago, he might have been overwhelmed by the king¡¯s majesty and the sacred atmosphere, and he might have been unable to act properly. But now, he had Masaya¡¯s knowledge and insight, so he could calmly assess the elaborate embroidery adorning the king¡¯s attire and the carefully groomed beard that accentuated the king¡¯s majesty. The Oath Ceremony began. ¡°Eckhart Din Kumphalis, do you swear to inherit your territory and dedicate yourself to its prosperity?¡± ¡°I swear, in the name of the Creator, to inherit the land protected by my ancestors and guide it to prosperity.¡± In the midst of the sacred atmosphere, the Oath Ceremony continued, and Dennis also spoke his oath. After the ceremony concluded, King Manfred addressed the two of them. ¡°From now on, you will learn the genuine aspects of governing your territories. Utilize your strengths and lead your lands to prosperity. So, I ask you, what are your strengths?¡± King Manfred turned his gaze towards Eckhart, prompting him for an answer. ¡°¡­I am skilled in the art of the sword. Through my sword, I intend to train strong soldiers and strive for the maintenance of law and order in my territory,¡± Eckhart replied. Next, it was Dennis¡¯ turn. ¡°I don¡¯t particularly possess any notable strengths. However, there is a small labyrinth in my territory. Currently, I am exploring the labyrinth, in the hopes of making something of it,¡± Dennis answered. ¡°No notable strengths, you say¡­ Do not be humble. I have heard that you defeated four bandits in combat.¡± After the small talk, King Manfred inquired about Dennis¡¯ swordsmanship. ¡°I heard that you practice your own unique sword style. What kind of swordsmanship is it?¡± ¡°It is not my own unique style. By chance, I encountered a master swordsman and learned from him,¡± It is easy to declare that skill as one¡¯s own unique style, but the Miyasaka style encompasses the essence of refined swordsmanship developed over many years. Claiming it as one¡¯s own creation would naturally lead others to perceive you as a genius in the making. ¡°Oh, what is this style called?¡± the king inquired. ¡°It is called the Miyasaka style,¡± ¡°What an unusual name. Is the master of this style a foreigner?¡± ¡°I believe so,¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to see it,¡± The king¡¯s words captured Eckhart¡¯s attention. ¡°In that case, allow me to be your opponent,¡± Eckhart offered. Dennis thought it was unnecessary, but those around them began to show interest. In a world with limited entertainment, the aristocrats wouldn¡¯t like to miss an opportunity like this. Among the nobles were the ranks of duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron, baronet, and knight. The last rank, knight, was the only hereditary title, bestowed upon commoners who attained an official position. Led by King Manfred, the two of them moved to the training grounds. Dennis and Eckhart stepped forward. Eckhart was a boy of the same age, but he had a more robust physique and a well-trained body. The two faced each other, each wielding a wooden sword. It became clear in that moment of confrontation¡ªEckhart appeared to be the better swordsman. It was only natural, considering that Eckhart had honed his swordsmanship since childhood. However, that didn¡¯t mean Dennis had no chance. Eckhart was unaware of how fast Dennis¡¯s overhead strike from the Miyasaka style¡¯s high stance could be. Dennis¡¯s sword, descending from above, possessed extraordinary speed. Despite having recently started practicing the Miyasaka style, his speed was abnormal. One could attribute this to the presence of Masaya. It seemed as if his presence accelerated the time it took for their combined thoughts and consciousness to comprehend and acquire techniques. Among the spectators, Marquis Theobald and his younger brother engaged in conversation. ¡°Big brother, this is an excellent opportunity.¡± ¡°What for?¡± ¡°To showcase Eckhart¡¯s skill to the king,¡± ¡°Nonsense. This is simply an opportunity to examine the sword used by this young man named Dennis,¡± Marquis Theobald stated. Despite saying that, the marquis gazed at his son with evident delight. It was the look of a father who was confident in his son¡¯s victory. ¡°On the opposing side is Eckhart, who was chosen as one of the Four Devas. That country bumpkin won¡¯t even have a chance to showcase his swordsmanship.¡± ¡°That may be true, but I also fear that Eckhart might go too far,¡± Meanwhile, Egmont and Geralt watched Dennis with worried expressions. ¡°Father, how good is Dennis with a sword?¡± ¡°For his age, he¡¯s remarkable. However, his opponent is one of the Four Devas of the Kurtz Style. I can only pray he doesn¡¯t suffer a humiliating defeat,¡± Egmont replied. It seemed that the king himself would serve as the referee. ¡°This is an exhibition of swordsmanship. No use of Mana Arts is allowed,¡± With the king¡¯s signal, the match began. Dennis poised his wooden sword in a high stance, while focusing his entire body on observing Eckhart¡¯s movements. Eckhart never considered himself to be the one to lose. He had trained diligently in the Kurtz Style to the extent of being recognized as one of the Four Devas. However, upon seeing his opponent¡¯s stance, a sense of unease began to sprout in his heart. It was a stance that left his torso wide open, yet it carried an unmistakable air of deliberate provocation, beckoning for an attack. Doubt began to creep into Eckhart¡¯s heart, slowly eroding his confidence. Sensing his son¡¯s hesitation, Marquis Theobald broke the silence. ¡°What are you hesitating for?¡± Startled by the voice, Eckhart sprung into action. Since he judged that the attack to the torso was a trap, he aimed his wooden sword at the raised arm, swinging it with precision. Eckhart¡¯s sword moved with remarkable swiftness, slicing through the air as it honed in on Dennis¡¯s arm. Yet, Dennis¡¯s wooden sword descended with even greater speed. The two wooden blades clashed mid-air. In terms of sheer power, Dennis¡¯s wooden sword proved its superiority, effectively deflecting Eckhart¡¯s strike. The onlookers, including Egmont and Gerard, were taken aback by Eckhart¡¯s unexpected defeat. Disbelief was etched across their faces, mirroring the disbelief in their hearts. King Manfred couldn¡¯t hide his surprise, ¡°To think that a young man hailed as one of the Four Devas would¡­ this Miyasaka sword style cannot be underestimated!¡± Upon hearing his words, Secretary Barnabas, unable to contain his own surprise, responded, ¡°It appears that the Beneshov territory has found itself a good successor.¡±. King Manfred nodded quietly, acknowledging the statement. CH 15 Masaya was roused from his sleep in the back room of the detective agency. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s morning. What time is it?¡± Rubbing his eyes, he cast a glance at the alarm clock, noting that it was a little past nine. The morning felt sluggish, and on days like this, all he wanted was to crawl back into bed. He got dressed and went out to the office, turning on the television. He brewed some coffee and watched the news while drinking it. The news was reporting a case of arson murder. ¡°Are there any witnesses? How did they manage to throw the flames through the window? Masaya became interested in the arson murder case because it had happened in one of the buildings he had designed. ¡°Good morning,¡± Koyuki Kanbara entered the detective agency. She had been working as a part-time employee since last month. Fuyuhiko was in need of an extra pair of hands, even if it was just a part-time job, so he hired her. That was the official explanation, but the truth was that Professor Kanbara, who had confided in Masaya about the lucid dreams and the Mana Art, wanted to continue his research and requested that his daughter Koyuki be hired as a part-time employee in the same agency as Masaya. Koyuki seemed to be in a situation where she could graduate if she submitted her graduation thesis. Her job hunting was also going well, as she had received job offers from several companies. It seemed that she had some time to assist her father during this period. According to Professor Kanbara¡¯s instructions, Masaya was supposed to record the lucid dreams he had. The professor was exerting tremendous concentration in an attempt to uncover the true nature of Mana Art. ¡°Good morning. Let¡¯s work together today as well,¡± ¡°Likewise. Speaking of which, I have a message from my father. He wants you to try dividing the gathered magic essence into two,¡± Masaya let out a sigh. Every morning, he would carry out experiments as instructed by Professor Kanbara. Some of the instructions were beneficial for him, but there were also instructions that made him question their practicality. ¡°Alright, but I don¡¯t really understand how that would be useful,¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know either,¡± Koyuki admitted. ¡°Well, never mind then.¡± Masaya gathered the magic essence in the air and attempted to form it into two magic essence balls. It took more time and effort than simply forming the gathered magic essence into one ball, but he succeeded in the end. He reported this to Koyuki. ¡°You did it. It¡¯s amazing, isn¡¯t it? Can you fir them simultaneously?¡± Koyuki inquired. Once again, her request was for something truly challenging. Masaya attempted it diligently but found himself unable to accomplish the task at hand. It appeared that manipulating the magic essence had a limitation, restricting him from handling two balls simultaneously. Around the time that experiment concluded, Fuyuhiko arrived for work. He greeted everyone with a refreshing smile before taking his seat. Koyuki brewed a cup of coffee and served it to him, and he enjoyed the aroma before taking a satisfying sip. ¡°What¡¯s our task for today?¡± ¡°We¡¯re searching for Oguri-sama¡¯s pet dog, Betty-chan,¡± Koyuki replied. Fuyuhiko nodded. Lately, there has been an increase in clients asking their detective agency to find their lost pets. Thanks to word-of-mouth about their high success rate, demand has grown. The reason behind their increased success rate lay in Masaya¡¯s Mana Art. Within the True Names he had acquired, he had the ¡°Sense of smell¡±. This allowed him to possess a sense of smell on par with a dog¡¯s, enabling him to track down lost pets. When he first tried out the ¡°Sense of smell¡± ability, he was in the office. The scents of coffee, human odors, kitchen waste, car exhaust, and various other smells bombarded his brain, causing a throbbing headache. The unfamiliar influx of information overwhelmed his senses, as if his brain was experiencing an overflow. As Masaya grew accustomed to it, he became capable of distinguishing among the multitude of smells. He would utilize this ability to track down and capture lost pets. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go.¡± Fuyuhiko prepared for the task of capturing the pet and called out to Masaya. Masaya and Fuyuhiko headed to the scene. The location was the remains of a factory near Oguri¡¯s residence. This place had become a gathering spot for stray cats. Someone seemed to be feeding the cats, attracting many felines. They knew that Betty, was a dog, and it was most likely receiving food along with the cats. He tracked down the smell leading there. However, he didn¡¯t know the exact time when Betty would appear. They had no choice but to stake out the location. The two of them concealed themselves in a place where they could see the entrance of the factory, keeping watch. ¡°Betty isn¡¯t showing up,¡± Masaya murmured, and Fuyuhiko wore a bored expression, as if he were getting tired of waiting. ¡°It¡¯s almost lunchtime. Should we buy something?¡± Fuyuhiko suggested. ¡°Yeah, why not?¡± ¡°What would you like?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll leave it to you, Fuyuhiko.¡± ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll get Sweet roll and milk.¡± ¡°Huh¡­ Are you some kind of old-school detective from the Showa era?¡± ¡°Well, you know, the basics are important in everything.¡± ¡°But Sweet roll and milk aren¡¯t exactly ¡°basics¡±.¡± Fuyuhiko chuckled and headed towards the convenience store. What he brought back from the store was a katsudon. Continuing their stakeout throughout the afternoon, around two o¡¯clock, a dog the size of a Shiba Inu, resembling a wolf, appeared, accompanied by several other dogs. ¡°Senpai, that¡¯s Betty-chan.¡± Behind the dog that Masaya suspected might be a wolfdog, there was the adorable figure of a Chihuahua. The distinctive collar around its neck confirmed that it was the Chihuahua they were looking for. ¡°What¡¯s with that dog? It looks like it¡¯s so fulfilled in life. What a character!¡± Fuyuhiko commented, his eyes filled with frustration. ¡°The one with the issue here is you. What¡¯s the point of getting jealous of a dog? Stay calm and think of a plan to capture Betty,¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to think. Leave it to me,¡± Fuyuhiko declared. With those words, Fuyuhiko charged towards Betty, the Chihuahua. However, the wolfdog stood in his way, blocking his path. ¡°Hey, get out of the way!¡± Fuyuhiko shouted, trying to scare the wolfdog away. In response, however, the dog growled and lunged forward, clamping its jaws around Fuyuhiko¡¯s stomach. ¡°Ouch!¡± Fuyuhiko was sent flying, the force of the impact throwing him off. The wolfdog truly displayed astonishing explosive power. Masaya rushed to Fuyuhiko¡¯s side as he lay on the ground. ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± ¡°Senpai¡­ I¡¯m done for. I¡¯ll leave the rest to you. Gah.¡± ¡°Are you an idiot? Don¡¯t say things like ¡®Gah¡¯ about yourself,¡± Masaya scolded. Fuyuhiko seemed to be in genuine pain, with teary eyes, but he could still crack jokes, so he should be fine. It seemed that the ¡°stylish¡± fall had absorbed most of the impact. The problem now was the wolfdog. Masaya shifted his gaze towards it. The wolfdog had assumed an aggressive stance, propelling itself off the ground with a low posture. Its speed was far from ordinary. Had Masaya not honed his reflexes through sparring with Master Miyasaka, he would have surely taken a direct hit. Masaya managed to react in time, seizing the front paw and twisting, causing the wolfdog to fall backward. This was an application of the Shaolin Kempo techniques he had learned from Master Miyasaka. The wolfdog rolled on the ground and swiftly regained its footing; it seemed to have sustained minimal damage. ¡°Uuu¡­ Woof!¡± The wolfdog let out a bark and charged once again, but this time Masaya flipped it down using a technique from Shaolin Kempo. Through repeatedly rolling and countering, Masaya managed to assert his dominance over the wolfdog. It seemed to acknowledge defeat, exposing its belly and lying down. Masaya approached and gently petted the dog while muttering, ¡°Good boy, good boy.¡± With the wolfdog and Betty under control, it was only then that Fuyuhiko finally managed to get back on his feet. ¡°Fuyuhiko, perhaps it¡¯s time for you to relearn the Miyasaka-style,¡± Masaya suggested. ¡°Hahaha¡­ I just let my guard down for a moment.¡± They placed Betty in the prepared basket, but were unsure of what to do with the wolfdog. Since it didn¡¯t have a collar, there was a possibility that it was a stray dog. However, Masaya vaguely recalled that the breed known as wolfdogs was popular and expensive. Incidentally, the other dogs had apparently escaped. Masaya discussed this with Fuyuhiko, and they decided to take the wolfdog back with them. They arranged for Betty to be returned to its owner before requesting that the reward be transferred. Back at the office, the two of them showed the wolfdog to Koyuki. ¡°Wow, what a cute dog!¡± Koyuki exclaimed, clearly captivated by the wolfdog as she gently stroked it. The wolfdog seemed to enjoy the attention. Masaya tried searching for the wolfdog in the lost pet database but couldn¡¯t find a match. ¡°What should we do with this dog?¡± Fuyuhiko grinned and suggested, ¡°We could sell it at a pet shop. It seems like it could fetch a high price.¡± As if understanding those words, the wolfdog glared at Fuyuhiko and let out a growl. ¡°Just kidding. Don¡¯t get angry.¡± Koyuki expressed her desire to adopt the wolfdog as a pet to be kept at home. It seemed that she had wanted a dog for a while. In the end, everyone accepted, and they named the wolfdog ¡°Kohaku¡± (Amber). In the days that followed, Kohaku¡¯s life took a remarkable turn after he was rescued by Masaya. This marked the beginning of his transformation into a special dog. CH 16 On that day, an unusual request for a missing person investigation was brought to the detective agency. The clients were the parents of the man who had gone missing. Masaya received the request form from Koyuki and gazed at Fuyuhiko, who was eager to get started. ¡°Well, where should we start the investigation?¡± ¡°First, let¡¯s go to Matsuda-san¡¯s apartment. I have the key.¡± The missing person, Kozo Matsuda, was the same age as Masaya, thirty-two years old. He worked as a part-time delivery worker, and it had been a week since anyone had seen or heard from him. The parents had received a call from the courier company where he worked part time, and they contacted the police and began searching. They filed a missing person report with the police, but given the current situation where tens of thousands of search requests are submitted every year, it was unlikely that a thorough search would be conducted. Generally, the police only conduct searches when there is a possibility of a crime or in cases involving children or elderly individuals with dementia. The two of them headed toward an old apartment nestled in a residential area. Ideally, they would have searched for clues in the presence of the missing person¡¯s parents. However, it seemed that the parents were occupied with their work and couldn¡¯t be present. Inside the cramped apartment room, belongings were scattered everywhere. It appeared that tidiness and organization were unfamiliar concepts to the person who lived there. ¡°What a messy room. It reminds me of Senpai¡¯s room back in college,¡± Fuyuhiko remarked. ¡°Shut up. I was too busy during those days to bother with cleaning,¡± Masaya replied. During his student days, Masaya juggled multiple part-time jobs and had no time to spare for cleaning. Although, it was also a fact that he occasionally went out for drinks whenever he did have free time for cleaning. ¡°Oh, there¡¯s a laptop here,¡± Fuyuhiko exclaimed as he discovered a laptop and turned it on. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s not right to snoop around without permission.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I have proper authorization from the parents,¡± The laptop that had been turned on prompted them to enter a password. ¡°Naturally, you anticipated the matter of the password, right?¡± Masaya asked Fuyuhiko, and the latter smirked and replied confidently, ¡°Senpai, don¡¯t underestimate me. Do you think I¡¯m such a thoughtful person?¡± Masaya let out a sigh. ¡°It¡¯s ¡®thoughtless¡¯; you¡¯re using the wrong terms. Well, never mind. What about the password?¡± ¡°Well, based on the state of this room, it¡¯s likely that the occupant is a careless person. I think there¡¯s a high chance they chose a password randomly,¡± Impressed by Fuyuhiko¡¯s detective-like deduction, Masaya asked, ¡°So what¡¯s the plan then?¡± ¡°In this world, there are well-known passwords that lazy individuals often use,¡± Using his smartphone, Fuyuhiko searched for a list of risky passwords and began trying them out. As it turned out, the password in question matched the list¡¯s top fifteenth password. Fuyuhiko looked at Masaya with a smug expression. ¡°See? I told you,¡± Seeing Fuyuhiko¡¯s smug expression, Masaya felt a twinge of frustration. Fuyuhiko started investigating the data, looking into the emails and websites the person had used. Eventually, they discovered the identity of one of the person¡¯s friends. It was someone named Momota, a fellow student from high school. And so, Masaya directed his attention towards Kozo Matsuda¡¯s SNS account (social networking service). It appeared that people were engaged in discussions about lucid dreams. Even those who dreamed of the different world were joining the conversation. As Masaya delved into the content, a sense of unease crept over him. The individuals on social media seemed captivated by the topic without fully grasping its profound implications. The existence of ¡°magic essence¡± and ¡°magic energy¡± as well as the concept of ¡°true names¡±, had the potential to greatly change modern society. Professor Kanbara was actively researching these subjects, and the revelation of true names appeared to have a significant impact. As Masaya pondered over this, Fuyuhiko seemed to have decided to go and talk to Momota, who was a friend of Kozo. ¡°For now, let¡¯s go to Momota¡¯s place,¡± ¡°Sounds like a plan,¡± Fuyuhiko¡¯s suggestion was reasonable, so Masaya agreed. Momota¡¯s residence was not far from Kozo¡¯s apartment, and it was a house with a garden. However, even after ringing the doorbell, no one came out. It seemed like nobody was home. Just as Masaya and Fuyuhiko were about to give up and return, two men approached them. Their piercing gazes exuded a menacing aura, immediately putting Masaya on high alert. ¡°Excuse us, can we talk to you two for a moment?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± The men took out their police badges from their inner pockets and showed them. They seemed to be detectives. ¡°Are you two acquainted with Momota?¡± Masaya and Fuyuhiko denied it. ¡°We are detectives. We are searching for a friend of Momota.¡± ¡°Who is this friend?¡± ¡°A missing person named Kozo Matsuda.¡± The detectives exchanged glances. ¡°On whose behalf are you conducting this search?¡± ¡°His parents.¡± ¡°¡­From now on, don¡¯t meddle unnecessarily. Kozo Matsuda has become a crucial witness in a certain case. If you find out his whereabouts, please contact the police.¡± The detectives left, leaving Masaya and Fuyuhiko behind. Right then, Fuyuhiko asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°This means that Kozo did something,¡± Masaya replied. ¡°What did he do?¡± ¡°They didn¡¯t tell us either, so I don¡¯t know. But the only case that the police department seems to be investigating these days is an arson murder. ¡°Seriously¡­ That¡¯s dangerous. People have died in that case.¡± The arson murder case had occurred in the business district, so there were many witnesses. According to their testimonies, something that resembled a fireball flew in through the window and ignited the place. ¡°It¡¯s possible that someone threw a Molotov cocktail,¡± Fuyuhiko speculated. Masaya felt a sense of unease. Within the realm of Mana Art, there was a technique that involved the true name ¡°flame¡±, which could enable similar actions. ¡°Should we decline this request?¡± Masaya suggested. But Fuyuhiko responded, ¡°Wait. If we can find him before the police do, it would be great, right?¡± ¡°But he might be a murderer,¡± ¡°He¡¯s not a wanted fugitive; he¡¯s just a crucial witness,¡± Fuyuhiko replied. Masaya contemplated that this could potentially lead to big trouble. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s decide on our search strategy. I¡¯ll look into Kozo from the perspective of him being the arsonist.¡± ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll stake out Momota¡¯s house.¡± The two of them parted ways. Masaya headed to the business district by bus, waiting for the sun to set. There were rumors that the culprit might return to the scene. If they had specifically targeted someone working in the building they set on fire, there was a possibility of them causing another incident, especially considering that there were people hospitalized due to injuries and burns from that previous event. ¡°Oh, Senpai,¡± Suddenly, a voice came from behind Masaya while he was wandering aimlessly. When he turned around, he saw his junior colleague, Yamaguchi. ¡°Yamaguchi, on your way back from work?¡± Masaya asked. ¡°Yes, Senpai. What are you up to right now?¡± ¡°Just some stuff,¡± The two of them entered a coffee shop, and Masaya asked Yamaguchi about what had happened at the company since he had quit abruptly, leaving his work behind. ¡°I took over the Tokyo Cleve Hotel project that you abandoned. I made a few adjustments based on the client¡¯s requests, but overall, it was well received,¡± Yamaguchi said. Upon hearing that, Masaya felt relieved. ¡°I see, that¡¯s good to hear.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not good at all. The Okinawa Karla Hotel project turned into a big mess.¡± ¡°That was Takada¡¯s job.¡± ¡°But the design plans that were given to the client were for the resort hotel that Senpai was making in his free time, weren¡¯t they?¡± ¡°Takada took them without permission and gave them to the client. There were issues with the structural calculations, so they needed significant revisions.¡± Yamaguchi let out a sigh. ¡°No wonder¡­ It seems like Takada Senpai was working on those revisions, but while we were dragging our feet, another company took the job. Director Karaki was furious and yelling about it.¡± ¡°Hmph, serves him right. What happened to Takada?¡± ¡°He¡¯s been assigned to organize documents. He might become a target for layoffs.¡± ¡°Layoffs¡­ Is the company in such a difficult situation that they have to resort to that?¡± ¡°It seems that the folks in the First Business Department messed something up with the New Zealand project. I¡¯ve heard it will cost a huge amount of money to complete the job according to the contract. We¡¯re running a deficit this fiscal year.¡± As Masaya continued listening to the current state of the company, he began to think that quitting might have been a good decision on his part. ¡°By the way, what are you up to, Senpai?¡± ¡°Me? I¡¯m a detective.¡± ¡°¡­ D-detective? That¡¯s quite a bold career change.¡± Yamaguchi said with a half-stunned expression. ¡°It¡¯s been tough, but it¡¯s an interesting job.¡± ¡°Come to think of it, you¡¯ve lost weight¡­ No, your body looks more toned.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because I have started working out,¡± CH 17 After parting ways with his junior, Yamaguchi, Masaya ventured out into the city at night. The city, adorned with shining neon lights, was more enchanting compared to the other world¡¯s. It was brimming with things that captivated people. However, when he looked up at the sky, he couldn¡¯t see any stars. In the night sky of a different world, countless stars glittered, but the city in the modern society was too bright for the stars to be visible. He pondered what the arsonist had been targeting. If they were targeting people, there might have been a specific individual among those who were injured or burned in the fire caused by the arson. These victims had been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and admission. Masaya directed his steps towards that very hospital, drawing upon the latent power of his ¡°sense of smell¡± stored within his spirit. Lately, he has begun to grasp the true purpose behind the use of true names. Previously, he had only understood the significance of his true names and wielded control in accordance with their concepts. However, it was discovered that by unleashing their true names, Masaya and Dennis could assimilate and exert control over the objects represented by those true names, which proved to be a potent ability. Though it was merely a sensory difference, it was effective for both Masaya and Dennis. By unlocking the power of ¡°smell¡± Masaya gained a sense of smell akin to that of a dog. Various scents wafted through the air, converging around Masaya. They transformed into information and flowed into his brain. Standing still for about ten minutes, he carefully assessed the incoming scent information. He recalled the scent of Kozo when he entered his room. He searched for the same scent. Distinguishing between human scents and others was relatively easy. Human scents varied depending on the types of bacteria inhabiting the body, but for hygiene-conscious modern individuals, the differences were subtle. Although Masaya now possessed a dog-like sense of smell through the true name of ¡°sense of smell¡±, his brain¡¯s information processing capabilities concerning scents were inferior to those of an actual dog. It seemed that dogs were superior in terms of smell after all. He felt a bit disheartened. Masaya began to stroll along the main street at a leisurely pace. After circling halfway around the hospital, he caught the scent he was looking for. ¡°This scent; there can be no mistake about it.¡± Masaya followed the captured scent. It was past 10 o¡¯clock, so there were few pedestrians around. The scent emanated from a seven-story building. As Masaya gazed up at the building, he caught sight of a fiery bird soaring across the night sky. It was about the size of a pigeon and had wings. The flaming bird crossed the road, rebounded off the hospital wall, and landed in the bed of a parked pickup truck. In the next instant, with a loud boom, the bed of the pickup truck burst into flames. It seemed that combustible materials were stacked there. ¡°Th-There¡¯s a fire!¡± A businessman walking down the street shouted in a loud voice. The commotion spread like ripples on the water. People began to gather around the area where the fire had broken out. Masaya ran towards the emergency staircase of the seven-story building where the flaming bird had flown from. He had seen a figure on the staircase, and he could hear footsteps descending from above. As he waited, a man of the same age as Masaya appeared from the emergency staircase. ¡°You¡¯re Kozo Matsuda, right?¡± Masaya called out. The man looked at him with a frightened expression. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a private investigator hired by your parents to search for you.¡± ¡°A private investigator¡­ meddling unnecessarily.¡± Masaya glared at Kozo with sharp eyes. ¡°I witnessed you setting the fire. Please turn yourself in to the police.¡± ¡°You say you saw¡­ What did you see?¡± ¡°I saw you throwing a flaming object towards the hospital over there.¡± Masaya had suspected that Kozo might have used a Mana Art, but if he mentioned it, it would reveal that Masaya himself was a lucid dreamer of the other world. Kozo¡¯s face contorted as he retorted, ¡°I didn¡¯t throw anything; don¡¯t talk nonsense. Look at where the wind was blowing.¡± ¡°¡­It is a headwind. Even a professional baseball player couldn¡¯t make it reach.¡± The seven-story building and the hospital were at a considerable distance from each other. Moreover, in the face of the headwind, it would be impossible to reach that distance without some kind of tool. ¡°I don¡¯t have anything on me. Want to give me a body search?¡± Kozo retorted with a defiant attitude. If he had used Mana Art, there wouldn¡¯t be any evidence to be found. Initially, Masaya considered calling the police. However, he hadn¡¯t witnessed the moment Kozo set the fire clearly. To be honest, Masaya thought it would be best not to get too involved in this matter. ¡°I¡¯m not a detective (cop) I just need to know your whereabouts. Anyway, let¡¯s go to your parents¡¯ house for now,¡± Masaya said, deciding to call Fuyuhiko on his smartphone and asking him to come pick them up in the car. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t make decisions on your own. I never said I would go back,¡± Kozo protested. ¡°In that case, tell me your address or where you¡¯ve been staying.¡± ¡°Do I look like I have a designated place?¡± It seemed that Kozo hadn¡¯t returned to his own apartment and had been staying overnight at an internet caf¨¦. ¡°Why? Don¡¯t you have your own apartment?¡± ¡°There are creepy people watching over it,¡± Kozo replied. Masaya didn¡¯t believe those words. Later, he would come to regret it. Fuyuhiko came to pick them up. After taking a quick glance at Kozo, Fuyuhiko ushered them into the car and drove towards Kozo¡¯s home. ¡°The request was successfully completed.¡± You¡¯re truly something, senpai,¡± Fuyuhiko said. ¡°Don¡¯t flatter me, Fuyuhiko. By the way, did you meet Momota?¡± Masaya asked Fuyuhiko who was driving. ¡°I heard the story. His fianc¨¦e fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam.¡± Kozo remained silent without changing his stern expression. ¡°Could it be that the people who were in the building that was set on fire are the scammers?¡± Fuyuhiko speculated. ¡°Can you think of any other reason why I would go after them?¡± Kozo raised his voice while restraining his hatred. Masaya felt that the conversation was taking a disturbing turn. ¡°But attacking the hospital was going too far. There were other patients there,¡± Masaya said. ¡°I targeted the special room where they were hospitalized,¡± Kozo replied. ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say is that there¡¯s no need to kill them,¡± ¡°What would a stranger like you understand? Satomi was¡­¡± Observing Kozo¡¯s silence, Masaya speculated that something had happened to Kozo¡¯s fianc¨¦e. Fuyuhiko¡¯s face turned pale as he drove. He realized he was with an actual murderer and felt a sense of fear. Upon reaching their destination, Masaya and the Fyuhijo handed Kozo over to his parents. They were repeatedly thanked and began their journey back. ¡°Oh, right. What about the police?¡± Fuyuhiko asked, reminding Masaya of something. He had been asked to inform them once they found out Kozo¡¯s whereabouts. ¡°Well, there¡¯s no helping it. If we attract police attention, it¡¯ll make our job more difficult. But we should at least inform them,¡± Masaya said. Masaya called the contact number he had obtained from the detective he spoke to earlier and informed them that Kozo had returned home. The following day, they heard unexpected news. ¡°Senpai, did you see it?¡± Fuyuhiko burst into the office. ¡°Oh, the news? I just saw it,¡± Masaya replied. It was news of the arsonist¡¯s arrest. However, it turned out to be someone different from their expectations. It wasn¡¯t Kozo¡¯s name but someone else¡¯s. The previous night, Kozo had been captured by an organization called the Special Strategic Forces of the Ministry of Defense. He was locked in a room whose location he couldn¡¯t determine and was under interrogation. Surprisingly, Kozo confessed quite readily. Various circumstances had taken a toll on him mentally. The interrogator was a man who seemed like an officer. ¡°You have two options,¡± ¡°What are they?¡± ¡°One is to face punishment as a criminal, and the other is to cooperate with us.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like either of them. I have things I must do,¡± Kozo replied. ¡°Is it related to the fraud group that deceived your fianc¨¦e? Those people will be arrested and face a fair trial,¡± ¡°¡­Why me?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re a special individual. You should know that,¡± ¡°I¡¯m just an ordinary guy.¡± ¡°You were posting about lucid dreams in another world on a dream interpretation website. If you didn¡¯t want to be discovered, it was a foolish act.¡± At the time Kozo started posting on the website, he didn¡¯t consider lucid dreams to be anything significant. ¡°Now, make your choice.¡± In the end Kozo chose to cooperate. CH 18 Dennis returned to Beneshof from the royal capital. Along the way, he parted ways with Egmont, who said he was going to visit the squire Carlos, acting as the lord¡¯s representative. When he reached a point where he could see the familiar mansion, Dennis noticed a small figure running out from the house. ¡°Welcome back, big brother Dennis.¡± Amelia rushed over and hugged Dennis. Evidently, she had missed him dearly, as she clung to him for quite some time. Dennis tenderly caressed her head. With Amelia safely in his arms, they made their way into the mansion together. ¡°I bought you souvenirs,¡± ¡°Really¡­ show me, show me,¡± Dennis retrieved a second-hand garment he had purchased in the royal capital from the bag on his back and handed it to Amelia. ¡°Wow, it¡¯s beautiful.¡± ¡°We can remake it and make a dress for Amelia.¡± ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll go show it to Elma.¡± Amelia said as she held the second-hand garment and made her way to Elma, the head maid. Meanwhile, Dennis sat in the dining room chair, letting all the tension leave his body. ¡°The successor, huh? Things have gotten complicated.¡± Dennis was unaware of the current situation in Beneshof territory. He didn¡¯t know the extent of the debts or the amount of tax revenue. He knew he would have to investigate these matters soon. However, he wasn¡¯t going to become the lord immediately. Egmont, the current lord, seemed healthy and likely to live for a long time, so Dennis knew it would be several more years before he took over. During their journey back, Dennis and Egmont had a discussion. Egmont had advised Dennis to start learning about managing the territory right away. But Dennis requested a year or so of leeway. He wanted to study about the labyrinth and the territory. Egmont, who was feeling guilty, agreed without much hesitation. Amelia returned to the dining room, bringing Elma with her. ¡°Sir Dennis, this fabric is wonderful. How would you like it to be tailored?¡± Elma asked. ¡°My elder brother is going to get married. Amelia will also attend the wedding, so please tailor a dress for her to wear for that occasion. ¡°Understood. However, from these two second-hand garments, I can make one more dress,¡± Elma replied. ¡°That is right. Can you make a casual outfit from the remaining fabric?¡± Dennis inquired. ¡°A casual outfit made of silk fabric?¡± ¡°By ¡®casual outfit,¡¯ I mean something to wear for a small outing.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Amelia¡¯s eyes sparkled as she alternated her gaze between the second-hand garments and Dennis¡¯s face. ¡°I wonder what kind of dress it will be. I¡¯m excited,¡± Amelia exclaimed. Seeing Amelia¡¯s joyful expression, Dennis felt that his journey to the royal capital was worthwhile. In this world, having a new outfit tailored was a special event. People might wonder why nobles like them would think this way. However, for lower-ranking nobles like a Baronet, having a dress tailored only occurred once every few years. ¡°But these second-hand garments were quite expensive. Perhaps the high cost of clothing is due to everything being done by hand. From spinning the yarn to weaving the fabric, to tailoring, many people are involved.¡± Dennis, who had no interest in fabric or clothing, possessed knowledge from Masaya¡¯s world. In Japan, there were abundant amounts of fabric and clothing, with many of them being cheap. After a while, Egmont returned. Dennis and Egmont had a bland dinner, and they listened to Amelia talk about what kind of clothes to make. Amelia, who had been excited, fell asleep while still clutching the second-hand garments. Elma took her and left, leaving Dennis alone with Egmont. The sun had completely set, and darkness enveloped the surroundings. Egmont lit a lamp. ¡°We must also save lamp oil. If only that fire hadn¡¯t happened, we wouldn¡¯t have to go through such hardships,¡± Egmont remarked. ¡°There¡¯s no use complaining about it.¡± ¡°That may be so, but these nine years of hardship have been no small matter. Besides, it¡¯s you who will face hardships in the future,¡± Egmont said. ¡°How much debt do we have?¡± Dennis asked. ¡°To Marquis Clifbard, it¡¯s 2,000 gold coins, and to Baronet Victor, it¡¯s also 2,000 gold coins. We¡¯re barely managing to repay the interest.¡± Dennis was surprised to find that the debt was actually smaller than he had anticipated. However, upon reflection, he realized that repaying it would still be a challenging task. The majority of their territory¡¯s income came from taxes, and those tax revenues had drastically dwindled. The cause of this decline could be traced back to a catastrophic fire that occurred nine years ago, which resulted in the destruction of the seed storehouse and the loss of vital wheat seeds. Those seeds had been meticulously cultivated over many years to suit the climate of the area. While they managed to acquire seeds from other towns, the harvest was not as bountiful as before. Naturally, this had a significant impact on tax revenues. The decrease amounted to over thirty percent. Egmont explained the situation and presented his proposed solution. In an attempt to restore the tax revenues, he had made the decision to expand the farmland. ¡°It didn¡¯t work out as planned,¡± Dennis remarked. ¡°No, although we increased the farmland slightly, the tax revenues didn¡¯t see a significant rise.¡± Egmont had described it as a small increase, but the farmland had actually expanded by nearly ten percent. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, perhaps we should stop expanding the farmland.¡± Dennis suggested. ¡°But how will we repay the debts then?¡± Dennis recalled various products that existed in Masaya¡¯s world but were absent in this world. He thought that creating new products wouldn¡¯t be difficult. However, he soon realized that his thinking was superficial. ¡°Couldn¡¯t we harvest products from the sea and sell them inland?¡± ¡°Are you talking about seafood? To sell them inland, we would have to preserve them with salt. That would require a large amount of salt,¡± Egmont explained. In the coastal territories where they had obtained permission for salt fields from the king, they acquired salt at a low cost and preserved seafood for sale in the inland regions. Egmont believed that it would be impossible to compete with those territories in that business. Dennis agreed with Egmont¡¯s view regarding the preservation of seafood with salt. However, he remembered that there were abundant fish in the seas of the other world as well. In particular, there were large populations of fish similar to sardines and herrings in the nearby waters of the Beneshof territory. He recalled thinking that with just a net, they would have a guaranteed abundance of catch. Incidentally, fish similar to sardines were referred to as ¡°lower fish¡± in Beneshof, and they were not commonly consumed. ¡°There might be something that can be processed without salt,¡± After saying that, Dennis abruptly ended the conversation before he returned to his room. He didn¡¯t have any specific ideas himself. He simply let slip his feelings to Egmont; he had a hunch that if Masaya could investigate, they might find something. The next morning, Dennis resumed his training in martial arts and swordsmanship, which he had taken a break from. It was clear that his muscles had dulled, making the practice more challenging. After the training, he returned to the mansion to have breakfast. Amelia, with an excited expression, was sitting in her chair, eagerly awaiting the meal. ¡°Good morning.¡± ¡°Good morning, Big Brother Dennis.¡± The rye bread for breakfast was as dry and tough as usual, with an unpleasant texture. Dennis couldn¡¯t help but wonder if there was something wrong with the way it was being made. After breakfast, he pulled the cart and headed towards the labyrinth. The rock mountain labyrinth stood there unchanged, just as it always had. He set up the cart near the entrance and stepped inside. ¡°Well, it¡¯s been a while since I explored the labyrinth.¡± Dennis¡¯s usual weapon was a staff. He carried the Vajra Staff he had obtained in the royal capital as a backup, strapped to his back. He relied on his regular staff because he hadn¡¯t grown accustomed to the weight of the Vajra Staff. Ignoring the slimes on the first floor, he went to the second floor. He swiftly defeated only the attacking poisonous bats. He continued in a similar manner through the third floor and arrived at the fourth floor. ¡°Alright, this is where it gets serious,¡± Dennis focused on gathering magic essence. The speed at which the magic essence gathered far surpassed his previous attempts before going to the capital. During his journey, he couldn¡¯t practice martial arts or swordsmanship but had been intensively trained in controlling magic essence. At about half the usual speed, the Quaking Blade was complete. Dennis began to advance. After about five minutes, he encountered an Armored Lizard. The monster roared loudly and lunged at him. Being prepared, Dennis unleashed a diagonal slash from overhead with the Quaking Blade, targeting the lizard¡¯s shoulder and chest. He felt a solid impact and took a step back. The Armored Lizard collapsed at his feet. In the next moment, it disintegrated into fine particles, disappearing like dust. ¡°It seems my skills haven¡¯t dulled.¡± He continued deeper into the labyrinth, defeating the Armored Lizards he encountered one after another. By the time he reached that small dome-like space with the iron ore deposit, he had defeated five Armored Lizards. In the small dome-like space, about ten Armored Lizards gathered. ¡°This is bad. There are too many,¡± He was torn between retreating and fighting. That hesitation proved to be a mistake, as the Armored Lizards noticed him and launched an attack. If that was the case, there was no choice but to fight. Although the Armored Lizards weren¡¯t as fast as Red-eyed Wolves, they were swift as well. Taking his usual position near the entrance, Dennis prepared to confront the Armored Lizards. He defeated the first one with a diagonal slash and swiftly followed up with a horizontal strike against the next. He severed the foreleg of an Armored Lizard attempting to scratch him with its sharp claws and thrust his weapon into the throat of another trying to bite him. With no time to catch his breath, Dennis realized he had to keep up the pace, parrying the enemy¡¯s attacks and launching counterattacks. He counted up to the fifth lizard, but beyond that, he fought instinctively. Exhaustion built up, and Dennis felt his mind growing hazy. At that moment, the final Armored Lizard leaped at him from above, attempting a head-on collision. It was the first time one of these monsters used this kind of attack. Unable to counter in time, Dennis had no choice but to defend. He gripped the staff with both hands and thrust it forward to block the charge. It was only when the lizard collided with him that he realized the strength it possessed. In terms of sheer muscle power, it seemed to exceed Dennis¡¯s own by more than double. Dennis was sent flying, crashing into the wall of the corridor before expelling air from his lungs. As he suffered the impact, the Armored Lizard, with its mouth wide open, lunged at him. Rolling sideways to evade the attack, he quickly got back on his feet. His legs trembled unsteadily. ¡°Haa!¡± Dennis shouted, summoning his resolve and steadying himself. He raised the staff to a high stance, but the quaking blade had been deactivated, as expected. CH 19 ¡°This is bad. I don¡¯t have a weapon to take down this creature.¡± With the quaking blade extinguished, he couldn¡¯t defeat the Armored Lizard. He discarded the staff and swiftly drew the Vajra staff from his back. Feeling its weight in his hands, he assumed a high stance. Exhaustion from the consecutive battles weighed heavily on him, making the Vajra staff feel even heavier than it was. As the Armored Lizard lunged, attempting to swipe at him with its sharp claws, Dennis swung the Vajra staff down upon its arm. He felt the sensation of the monster¡¯s bones breaking as the Vajra staff struck the front limb. Not only that, but the Armored Lizard was also flipped over. The relentless power of the Vajra staff, weighing over three kilograms, was evident in each blow he delivered. The fallen Armored Lizard tried to get up from the ground, but Dennis pounded it again with the Vajra staff. Again and again, he relentlessly pounded the fallen creature¡¯s head, neck, and body with the Vajra staff. With every strike, he could feel the monster¡¯s bones shattering until, finally, its breathing ceased. When the Armored Lizard disappeared, a true name actually popped up inside Dennis¡¯ spirit. It was the True Name of ¡°Armor¡±. There were records talking about this True Name in the study of the mansion as well. The True Name of ¡°Armor¡± transformed the skin into a tough armor-like material, resembling that of an Armored Lizard. Since it didn¡¯t change the outward appearance to a dark green armored hide, many wielders of this True Name used it. Right then, a noise caught his attention. Looking in that direction, he noticed a piece of green skin on the ground¡ªthe second drop item he encountered. ¡°If I sell this, I might get around two gold coins.¡± When he reached down to pick up the drop item, a sharp pain surged through his right chest. It seemed he had been injured by the Armored Lizard¡¯s previous charge. The small dome-like space, where he had defeated all the monsters, now served as a safety zone until the monsters respawned. Despite the pain, Dennis began mining for iron, enduring through the discomfort. After digging out approximately twenty kilograms, he decided to stop. He then returned to the surface, loaded the iron onto the cart, and took a moment to catch his breath. As his chest throbbed with pain, he removed his jacket to examine the wound. The area around his chest had turned into a bruise, displaying a deep shade of blue. ¡°It¡¯s painful. My stamina didn¡¯t last throughout the fight. Maybe I still need more training? No, the main cause might be the excessive and unnecessary movements.¡± After reflecting on the previous battle, taking a break, and having lunch, Dennis headed to the first floor of the labyrinth in the afternoon. This time, he didn¡¯t pass through but went directly to the small dome-like space. Inside the space, around fourteen slimes roamed around. He struck the slimes with his Quaking Blade, taking them down one by one. The Quaking Blade proved effective against the slimes as well. In the now monster-free small dome-like space, Dennis decided to try using the True Name of ¡°Armor.¡± He focused his consciousness and unleashed the True Name. However, it required the prerequisite that the True Name of ¡°Magic Essence¡± had already been released. The released True Name of ¡°Magic Essence¡± converted ambient magic essence in the atmosphere into True Power, supplying it to the True Name of ¡°Armor¡±. There was a change in Dennis¡¯s skin. A thin membrane seemed to adhere to the surface of his skin. The records mentioned a transformation into resilient skin, but in reality, it appeared that the thin membrane was the armor. Incidentally, this thin membrane had an official name: ¡°Armored Membrane¡±. Dennis came to know this through research in the records at a later date. Curious about its effects, Dennis tapped his left arm with his right hand. It made a loud click sound, but he didn¡¯t feel any pain at all. It seemed to have an effect, but he wasn¡¯t sure of its durability. ¡°It would be desirable to keep it activated constantly while exploring the labyrinth¡­ but it can be mentally exhausting.¡± Dennis decided to train in Mana Art on the first floor. After all, he realized that he couldn¡¯t efficiently train on the surface due to the thin concentration of magic essence. From then on, Dennis spent two months going back and forth between the labyrinth and the town until he had completely depleted the iron deposits. He had mined around 1,600 kilograms of iron. In the small town, the annual consumption was sufficient at only 500 kilograms. The remaining iron was entrusted to Kasper at the general store, who sold it in another town. Dennis received his share, which amounted to thirty-two gold coins. The unexpected windfall filled Dennis with joy. With his newfound wealth, Dennis couldn¡¯t understand why no one else was willing to delve into the labyrinth. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t they, when there¡¯s such a fortune to be made?¡± He sought answers from Egmont. Egmont replied with a wry smile. ¡°Well, you see¡­¡± According to Egmont¡¯s explanation, it seemed that Dennis had been able to amass such a large sum of money because he had exclusive access to the labyrinth. Usually, groups of several people would venture into the labyrinth. Moreover, many parties would descend simultaneously, resulting in the rapid depletion of mineral deposits. Consequently, it appeared that individual gains were not substantial. Additionally, one could not afford to be complacent about the labyrinth¡¯s monsters. Not only the Armored Lizards, but even the Slimes had the potential to kill labyrinth explorers. ¡°Reconsider going into the labyrinth alone. It¡¯s too dangerous. Isn¡¯t there someone else?¡± Egmont advised. ¡°I¡¯ll look for someone,¡± ¡°I want to go into the labyrinth too.¡± Amelia spoke up, causing Egmont to frown. ¡°No, it¡¯s not allowed. The labyrinth is not a place for games.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s just the first floor, it should be fine; I heard it¡¯s only filled with Slimes.¡± Amelia argued. ¡°Even Slimes can be dangerous,¡± Egmont said. Amelia puffed out her cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s not fair that only Big Brother Dennis gets to go. I want to use Mana Art too.¡± It seemed that Amelia had a desire to use Mana Art. After discussing it with Dennis and Egmont, they decided to let Amelia gain some experience on the first floor only. They discussed that If Dennis went alongside her and the two only encountered slimes then it should be fine. However, Amelia didn¡¯t have the appropriate clothing and backpack suitable for exploring the labyrinth, so they decided to ask Kasper at the general store to order them. Kasper agreed to prepare the items in a few days. A few days later, more people expressed their desire to venture into the labyrinth. They were Amelia¡¯s friends, Finne and Jasmine. It seemed that ever since they saw Dennis using Mana Art for the first time, they became interested in exploring the labyrinth. The parents of the two girls approached Dennis and asked if they could also be taught how to fight in the labyrinth, reasoning that if Amelia was being taught, they should also receive guidance. They wanted to become female explorers themselves, as there were plenty of women among the labyrinth explorers. ¡°Please, Big Brother Dennis. This is a once-in-a-lifetime request.¡± ¡°But you see, labyrinth exploration is dangerous,¡± Dennis hesitated. The girls¡¯ parents explained to Dennis that they had lost everything in that devastating fire nine years ago, making it difficult for them to support their daughters. If they couldn¡¯t find a solution, they would have to leave Beneshof and search for jobs in a larger town. Without any education, the only occupation available to girls like them would likely be in the entertainment industry. Both the girls and their parents expressed their dislike for such a prospect. Upon hearing about Amelia¡¯s ¡°debut¡± in the labyrinth, they seemed to consider that they could become labyrinth explorers if they went together. News of Dennis earning a large sum of money in the labyrinth had spread among the common folk, and many of them were eager to challenge the labyrinth themselves, hoping to achieve similar success. However, they were aware that it would be difficult without knowing how to fight. While there were individuals who had thought of attempting the labyrinth, it seemed that they gave up after getting injured and returning. Considering these circumstances, they approached Dennis for help. They didn¡¯t want to put their children in shady jobs and thought it would be better if they could become labyrinth explorers themselves, which led Dennis to contemplate the situation. However, upon learning more about their situation, it became apparent that it wasn¡¯t easy. They had multiple children to support, and even a minor injury to the parents would lead to dire circumstances. Dennis decided not to pry any further. Perhaps it was all due to the poor state of the territory, which led to such a difficult life for its residents. Dennis pondered over the situation and decided to take the two of them along. He realized that he might not have the luxury to delve into the labyrinth next year once he started diligently learning about managing his territory. He believed it was necessary to cultivate individuals who would dive into the labyrinth on his behalf and bring back various resources. With that in mind, he decided to start by preparing weapons. He asked Franz, the carpenter, to make two Nail Rods. He handed over the Nail Rod he used to Amelia and gave the newly made ones to Finne and Jasmine. They also had backpacks and water flasks prepared. The next day, with all the preparations in place, Dennis and the others headed towards the labyrinth. Dennis pulled a cart with a backpack on it, while Amelia and the rest followed, dressed in comfortable clothing and holding the Nail Rods. ¡°Sir Dennis, is it true that the first floor of the labyrinth only has slimes?¡± Jasmine asked. Yes, that¡¯s why I want you all to defeat the slimes and obtain the true name of ¡®Magic Energy¡¯.¡± Jasmine and the two girls cheered with excitement. Then, Amelia asked. ¡°If we obtain the true name of ¡®Magic Energy¡¯, will we be able to do what you have shown us before?¡± ¡°No, for that you have to obtain the true name of ¡®Magic Essence¡¯. But it¡¯s complicated, so you all should stick with ¡®Magic Energy¡¯.¡± ¡°Eeeeh¡± Amelia and the others voiced their dissatisfaction. ¡°I want the true name of ¡®Magic Essence¡¯ too.¡± Finne selfishly expressed herself in a boyish tone. Dennis believed that they could afford to be selfish like that until they actually faced the slimes in battle. Once they experienced the lightning-fast attacks of the slimes, they would think either name was fine. CH 20 The four of them arrived at the labyrinth, and Amelia and the girls appeared somewhat fatigued. Sensing this, Dennis made the decision to allow them some rest in the shade of a nearby rock. ¡°Is this hole the labyrinth?¡± Following Ameila¡¯s inquiry, Dennis nodded and explained once again to be cautious inside the labyrinth. ¡°Listen, no matter how frightened you become, never let panic overtake you. If you feel scared, just stay behind me.¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°Understood¡± ¡°Okay¡± Together, they ventured into the labyrinth. Amelia and Jasmine were cautious and fearfu, while Finne¡¯s eyes shimmered with excitement. Their individual personalities were clearly evident. ¡°The labyrinth is so dark,¡± Finne was wide-eyed and scurrying around. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We have light. It may be a bit dim, but you¡¯ll get used to it.¡± After approximately five minutes of walking, they came across a green slime. ¡°So, this is a slime?¡± Amelia stared at the green slime with wide eyes. Finne and Jasmine did the same. ¡°First one¡­. will Finne fight?¡± ¡°I will.¡± With enthusiasm, Finne stepped forward, wielding her Nail Rod. She swung the Nail Rod down and attacked the green slime. Although the first two strikes didn¡¯t hit the core, she managed to finish it off on the third attack. Indeed, it seemed that she couldn¡¯t obtain the true name from the first slime. Still, Amelia and the others searched and moved around, defeating several green slimes one by one. During that time, they also endured the slime¡¯s electric shocks, which helped them realize that they couldn¡¯t let their guard down against these types of monsters. Finally, they arrived at a small, dome-like space with mineral deposits. ¡°There are seven green slimes inside. Let¡¯s go all at once.¡± Finne exclaimed with enthusiasm. ¡°Wait¡­ Look up at the ceiling.¡± Dennis stopped the three of them from rushing in. This small dome-like space was the place where Dennis obtained the true name of ¡°Magic Essence¡±. It was also the location where numerous slimes were clinging to the ceiling. ¡°The ceiling¡­ Is there something up there?¡± Amelia and the others looked up at the ceiling, their breath catching in their throats. The sight of numerous green slimes wriggling around was enough to make the ceiling appear as if it were rippling. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ kind of creepy,¡± Jasmine expressed her thoughts. And Dennis couldn¡¯t agree more. ¡°Sir Dennis, are we going to defeat all of them by ourselves?¡± ¡°This number is challenging for you guys. I¡¯ll take down only thirty percent of them, so when I give the signal, come inside.¡± Dennis held the quaking blade in his hand and entered the small dome-like space. He started taking down the slimes crawling on the ground. As he did so, the slimes clinging to the ceiling suddenly dropped down in unison. ¡°Big brother!¡± ¡°Aaah!¡± ¡°Kyaa!¡± Amelia and the girls exclaimed in surprise. Dennis remained calm. He maneuvered through the descending slimes, evading them while swiftly eliminating them with the quaking blade. After taking down around thirty percent of them, Dennis gave the signal. Amelia and the others, who had been waiting near the entrance, joined the battle. With serious expressions, they swung their Nail Rods with all their might. Gradually, the number of slimes began to decrease. ¡°Ah!¡± Finne exclaimed, startled by something. Dennis realized that the girl had successfully obtained the true name of ¡°Magic Energy¡±. This time, there didn¡¯t seem to be any black slimes, so they wouldn¡¯t be able to obtain the ¡°Magic Essence¡± like he did. Even after acquiring the ¡°Magic Essence¡±, Dennis had defeated hundreds of slimes, but he had never encountered a black slime. It must be an extremely rare existence. Following Finne, Amelia and Jasmine also obtained the true name of ¡°Magic Energy¡±. ¡°Don¡¯t stop moving. There are still slimes left.¡± Amelia and the others, who had obtained a true name for the first time and momentarily halted their attacks, regained their composure and resumed the battle. When all the slimes had been defeated, Amelia and the two girls sat down, completely drained, as if they had given it their all. ¡°Big brother Denis is quite strict. Even though we¡¯re all girls.¡± Amelia said. ¡°I was actually plenty easygoing. You should know that I had to take on these slimes all by myself before.¡± Dennis replied, prompting Amelia and the others to nod in agreement. ¡°Now, it seems that all three of you have obtained the true name of ¡®Magic Energy¡¯.¡± The three girls exchanged glances and nodded happily. Dennis observed Amelia and the other girls with mixed feelings. He was relieved that they, including his sister Amelia, had safely obtained the true name of ¡°Magic Energy¡±. However, he couldn¡¯t help but feel dissatisfied with the fact that they had achieved this with less than twenty percent of the slimes compared to the number he had defeated. (In my case, I struggled to the point of thinking I might die. Is this the norm? If so, then I must have unbelievably bad luck.) After taking a short break, Finne¡¯s stomach rumbled audibly. ¡°Are you hungry? Let¡¯s have lunch.¡± ¡°Yay!¡± Finne seemed quite hungry, as she immediately took out rye bread and a water bottle from her backpack and started eating. Amelia and Jasmine laughed and pulled out their own lunches from their backpacks, resigned to the situation. After finishing their lunch, Dennis started teaching them about how to use ¡°Magic Energy¡±. However, since Dennis didn¡¯t possess the true name of ¡°Magic Energy¡±, he had to rely on the theories he had read in books and materials, organize them in his mind, and proceed with training. After about three hours of training, Amelia and the others learned the tricks of using ¡°Magic Energy¡±. It all started with being able to sense the presence of Magic Energy within their bodies. Once they could sense the magic energy, they trained to control it. In today¡¯s training, they managed to gain a little control over it. When they could circulate the Magic Energy within their bodies, their physical abilities improved. It was like a fifty percent increase compared to their usual capabilities. If Eckhart had used this ability in the match before the king, Dennis would have surely lost, as his ¡°Magic Essence¡± didn¡¯t possess such enhancing powers. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s gather the zinc and head back.¡± Dennis hadn¡¯t completely exhausted the zinc deposits. He knew that iron was more valuable than zinc, so he had focused on mining on the fourth floor until now. He handed each of the three girls a rock hammer for mining. A rock hammer is a tool with one side shaped like a pickaxe, similar to a regular hammer. These custom-made rock hammers were specially crafted by Dirk, the blacksmith. Dennis had realized the limitations of using a warhammer for mining and had requested these tools. The sight of the three girls digging in the ore deposit was adorable, as if they were playing pretend. However, after each of them had dug around two kilograms, they grew tired. Dennis decided to stop the mining and head back. After returning to the surface and loading the zinc onto a cart, Amelia and the others started rubbing their eyes, looking sleepy as if they had run out of energy. ¡°Are you all feeling sleepy? You can just hop onto the cart,¡± Dennis suggested. ¡°But¡­¡± Jasmine struggled to keep her eyes open, but Amelia and Finne climbed onto the cart and sat down before falling asleep. Jasmine couldn¡¯t resist any longer and also climbed onto the cart, soon falling asleep and letting out gentle snores. Dennis pulled the now heavier cart back to the town. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived in town. It¡¯s time to wake up,¡± Finne yawned and sat up. Amelia and Jasmine also woke up and stretched. ¡°Sorry for falling asleep,¡± Amelia apologized. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Let¡¯s sell the zinc at the general store.¡± At the general store, they sold six kilograms of zinc and received forty pals and four copper coins each. ¡°Is it okay for us to have these?¡± Finne asked, placing the copper coins on her palm to confirm. ¡°These are what you mined and brought back. You can take them without hesitation,¡± Four copper coins amounted to a modest sum, equivalent to the cost of a single meal. Nevertheless, it was the first money they had earned themselves, and it brought them joy. They held onto the coins tightly. After bidding farewell to Finne and Jasmine, Dennis returned to the mansion and pondered whether to challenge the fifth floor. He had yet to descend to the fifth floor, which was the final floor of the Rock Mountain Labyrinth. The monsters on the fifth floor were called Carbuncles. They resembled foxes, with horn-like crystals made of magic essence on their foreheads. According to the information he found in the study of the mansion, they were rare creatures known for their ability to unleash lightning balls. What made them rare was the fact that defeating these creatures granted the true name of ¡°Crystallization¡± or ¡°Lightning Strike¡±. It was uncommon to encounter monsters that yielded two true names. Dennis hadn¡¯t descended to the fifth floor because he wasn¡¯t fully prepared. The troublesome aspect of battling Carbuncles was their lightning ball attacks. However, according to the information he had, Carbuncles weren¡¯t considered particularly formidable creatures. After acquiring the true name of ¡°Armor¡± from the Armored Lizards on the fourth floor and becoming proficient in that Mana Art, defeating them should be relatively easy. CH 21 Dennis had been waiting until he could master the use of ¡°Armor¡± before descending to the fifth floor. Recently, he had become able to fight while keeping the true name of ¡°Armor¡± released. The preparations to descend to the fifth floor were complete. Since he had decided to take Amelia and the girls to the labyrinth every other day, he wouldn¡¯t take them to the labyrinth tomorrow. Dennis determined that Amelia and the girls, whose bodies were still growing, needed a day of rest. Instead, he made the decision to venture into the labyrinth alone and challenge the fifth floor. The next morning, as Dennis finished his training and waited for the meal to be prepared in the dining room, Amelia woke up. She had a sleepy face. ¡°Are you tired from yesterday?¡± ¡°Mmm, I¡¯m tired, but it was really fun. Are we going to the labyrinth today too?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go alone today. Amelia, please teach Finne and Jasmine how to read and write.¡± Amelia had been taught to read and write by her mother, Elise. Dennis requested that she teach Finne and Jasmine the same. ¡°Sure. But aren¡¯t they going to become labyrinth explorers?¡± Amelia seemed to question whether labyrinth explorers even needed to know how to read and write. ¡°Labyrinths like the Rock Mountain Labyrinth have been explored and documented. If they are going to become labyrinth explorers, it would be beneficial for them to be able to read those records.¡± Dennis explained. ¡°Oh, I see,¡± Amelia agreed to teach Finne and Jasmine how to read and write. Dennis gave the girls another instruction¡ªto practice using the true name of ¡°Magic Energy¡±. ¡°By the way, Amelia can already use Mana Art. There¡¯s no need for you to go to the labyrinth anymore,¡± Dennis said. ¡°No, just swirling the Magic Energy within the body doesn¡¯t quite satisfy me,¡± Amelia responded. Amelia wanted to use visible Mana Art, which made things more complicated. The true names that could be obtained in that labyrinth were ¡°Magic Energy¡±, ¡°Ultrasonic Wave¡±, ¡°Sense of Smell¡±, ¡°Armor¡±, ¡°Crystallization¡±, and ¡°Lightning Strike¡±. Among those true names, Dennis did not quite understand ¡°Crystallization¡±, so it was excluded. When it came to visible Mana Art, ¡°Lightning Strike¡± was the closest option. It was possible that ¡°Sense of Smell¡± could also be satisfying to her, but it might be good to learn the true name of ¡°Lightning Strike¡± for self-defense purposes. This country could not be called a safe place. Being able to use ¡°Armor¡± and ¡°Lightning Strike¡± would be helpful in cases of emergencies. However, the problem was that the true name of ¡°Lightning Strike¡± could only be obtained from the monsters on the fifth floor. Even though it was only a small labyrinth, he would have to let Amelia completely conquer it to get the abilities. As Dennis pondered over these thoughts, he noticed that Amelia was glaring at him. He had been lost in thought, completely ignoring her. ¡°You know, there are monsters on the fifth floor that possess interesting true names. I¡¯ll look into it.¡± Dennis said. ¡°That¡¯s a promise. Dennis headed to the labyrinth to challenge the fifth floor. Upon arrival, he began to venture deeper into the labyrinth. He reached the fourth floor by taking the shortest route and then descended to the final floor, the fifth floor. Dennis now wielded the Vajra Staff as his weapon. After defeating the Armored Lizards with the staff, he trained to become proficient in its use. The labyrinth was similar to before, with its maze-like corridors. Holding the Vajra staff, Dennis proceeded cautiously. Suddenly, he noticed a presence approaching from ahead. Dennis unleashed the true name of ¡°Armor.¡± A thin membrane formed over his body as he moved forward. It was indeed a Carbuncle, a fox-like creature with crystal blue horns, who unleashed a lightning ball towards him in a sudden encounter. From the blue crystal horn, a lightning ball resembling a spherical electric discharge with sparks was born, flying towards Dennis. Its speed was around 100 kilometers per hour. Dennis couldn¡¯t dodge it. The lightning ball, with a diameter of about 10 centimeters, hit his shoulder. In that instant of impact, sparks scattered and electricity cracked. A snapping sound echoed, accompanied by a pungent smell. Surprisingly, the attack didn¡¯t inflict any pain. It became evident that his ¡°Armor¡± had shielded him from harm. Taking advantage of the opening, Dennis swiftly swung his Vajra Staff downward, delivering a decisive blow to the charging Carbuncle. The Carbuncle met its demise, turning into dust and disappearing. ¡°I see, with ¡®Armor¡¯, these monsters are not much of a threat.¡± Dennis ventured deeper into the labyrinth. Along the way, he encountered six Carbuncles and dispatched them effortlessly. He then discovered a small dome-like space and decided to investigate its contents. Within the dome, seven Carbuncles roamed about. Suddenly, he heard a faint sound from behind. Dennis swiftly turned around, only to find a single Carbuncle in the midst of unleashing a lightning ball. ¡°Whoa!¡± Dennis instinctively threw himself into the small dome to dodge the incoming attack. In retrospect, he wondered why he had made such a move, but in that moment, his body acted on pure instinct. Finding himself trapped amidst the enemies, Dennis faced a barrage of concentrated attacks from the Carbuncles. While evading the incoming lightning balls, he swung his Vajra Staff with agility. He took several hits from the lightning balls. Thankfully, his protective membrane remained intact, otherwise, he would have died. Amidst the chaotic battle, Dennis regained his composure. He focused on taking down the Carbuncles one by one with precision. He targeted the one on the far right, rushing towards it and bringing his Vajra Staff down upon it. After defeating one Carbuncle, Dennis gained control of the battle. One by one, he struck down the Carbuncles and finished them off. Within a few minutes, the battle came to an end. ¡°Huff, I fought quite clumsily.¡± However, there was a valuable harvest. Amidst the fight, he acquired the true name of ¡°Crystallization¡±. After he took a moment to catch his breath, Dennis decided to search for mineral deposits. On this particular floor of the labyrinth, the deposits consisted of coal. Although it was high-quality smokeless coal, its value wasn¡¯t significant. Coal mines for open-pit mining were located in the northern region, making it impractical to carry coal weighing around 20 kilograms back from this floor. As a result, the fifth floor was an unpopular area. Nevertheless, coal was more abundant than iron and other minerals, and it could serve as fuel if there was a way to transport it in large quantities. Dennis chose not to engage in mining and resumed his journey deeper into the labyrinth. He discovered two small dome-like spaces and eliminated the Carbuncles within. However, he was unable to obtain the second true name of ¡°Lightning Strike¡±. Finally, Dennis arrived at the ultimate dead end. There stood a stone wall measuring three meters in front of him. ¡°Sigh, I¡¯ve reached the end.¡± Frustration engulfed him as he couldn¡¯t obtain the true name of ¡°Lightning Strike¡± in the end. Since acquiring the true name of ¡°Crystallization¡± had been relatively easy, he had expected the same for ¡°Lightning Strike¡±. However, things don¡¯t always go as planned in this world. Subconsciously, Dennis lifted his Vajra Staff and struck the stone wall in front of him. It made a hollow thud, leaving something lingering in Dennis¡¯s mind. ¡°What could it be? What is this feeling?¡± Dennis raised his Vajra Staff once more and struck the stone wall again. Once again, it produced a light sound, triggering a sense of unease within him. ¡°Could there be a hollow space on the other side?¡± Curiosity sparked in Dennis¡¯s mind. He formed a Quaking Blade on his Vajra Staff and struck the stone wall with force. It resulted in a small crack appearing on the surface. Aiming for that crack, he struck it repeatedly with the Quaking Blade over and over again. Suddenly, the stone wall crumbled with a loud rumble, revealing a dome like space beyond. It was twice as large as anything Dennis had encountered before¡ªa vast expanse. And there, standing in the center, was a lone Carbuncle. ¡°Could this be a Carbuncle?¡± Dennis was taken aback by the creature¡¯s large size. Normal Carbuncles were about the size of a medium-sized dog, but this one was a size larger, surpassing even a large breed. It seemed to be a subspecies of the Carbuncle. The Crystal horn on the Carbuncle¡¯s forehead shone not with a blue hue but with a radiant ruby red. It exuded an aura reminiscent of a king among Carbuncles while fixing its gaze upon Dennis. Its eyes emitted an eerie light, brimming with suspicion. As if beckoned, Dennis stumbled forward and entered the chamber. His consciousness seemed numbed, devoid of any cognitive power. In Dennis¡¯s mind, Masaya, who had been observing from within, began to surface, sensing the impending danger to their lives. The Ruby Carbuncle approached slowly, its eyes gleaming with a satisfied glint of capturing its prey. There was something special about that gaze, something beyond ordinary. The Ruby Carbuncle lunged forward, aiming to sink its fangs into Dennis¡¯s neck. In that split second, the Vajra Staff lifted high and struck the Carbuncle¡¯s forehead. The crystal horn snapped cleanly from its base and tumbled to the ground. The Ruby Carbuncle let out a terrifying scream, writhing on the ground. With a newfound clarity of mind, Dennis saw an opportunity and formed a Quaking Blade. He believed it was necessary to dispatch this strange creature. As Dennis¡¯s consciousness sharpened, Masaya¡¯s consciousness, which had delivered the attack to the Ruby Carbuncle¡¯s forehead, began to sink back into the depths of their shared spirit. Given that the crystal horn had been shattered, there was no need to worry about the Ruby Carbuncle¡¯s lightning ball attack. The creature that had been rolling on the ground suddenly leaped away. The growling Ruby Carbuncle glared at Dennis, clearly intending to do something. Then, out of nowhere, another Carbuncle appeared and launched an attack on Dennis. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Dennis exclaimed in surprise as yet another Carbuncle appeared before him. ¡°Could it be¡­ it¡¯s summoning Carbuncles?¡± CH 22 A fierce battle erupted between Dennis and the ordinary Carbuncles, with the Carbuncles launching lightning ball attacks while Dennis skillfully evaded and retaliated. The Ruby Carbuncle appeared fixated on summoning more of its kind, but Dennis managed to bring down one of the Carbuncles. At that crucial moment, the true name of ¡°Lightning Strike¡± flashed through his spirit. ¡°Oh no, this won¡¯t work.¡± Dennis realized that if he didn¡¯t take down the Ruby Carbuncle, he would run out of stamina before it did. He unleashed his Armor, knowing that he could withstand several lightning ball attacks by relying on it. Ignoring the regular Carbuncles¡¯ attacks, Dennis made a daring decision to charge straight at the Ruby Carbuncle. With this plan in mind, he dashed forward, even as a lightning ball struck his body. Undeterred, Dennis pressed on, enduring the pain of the attack. However, when the third lightning ball connected, his armor membrane quivered, and stray currents assailed his nerves. ¡°Ee~~~~~~¡± Dennis gritted his teeth and locked eyes with the Ruby Carbuncle before charging forward. With a final leap, he swung his Quaking Blade down, landing a solid hit on the creature¡¯s thick neck and slicing through its flesh and skin. The Ruby Carbuncle let out a shriek of pain. Sensing that his armor membrane wouldn¡¯t hold up much longer, Dennis made up his mind to finish it off swiftly. Once he concentrated, Dennis relentlessly targeted the Ruby Carbuncle¡¯s neck. After several attack, the Quaking Blade sank halfway into its neck. Victory was within Dennis¡¯s grasp. The Ruby Carbuncle shattered into countless fragments, disintegrating into dust. Simultaneously, the summoned Carbuncles vanished as well. It seemed that when the summoner perished, the summoned creatures disappeared too. Right then, a new true name flashed into Dennis¡¯s mind. It was ¡°Summon (Carbuncle)¡± ¡°Summon¡­a rare true name. However, its usefulness remains questionable.¡± There were several known true names for summoning, but they weren¡¯t considered highly valuable. Yet, the true name used to summon the Carbuncles this time seemed to possess exceptional utility. Creatures capable of using lightning ball attacks can be valuable assets in battle. However, it is said to be difficult to coordinate the summoned beings¡¯ actions as a team. To gain complete control over the summoned creatures, one must exert mental power to command them effectively. Attempting to make the creatures fight according to instructions would render the summoner unable to participate in the battle. As a result, many individuals who possess the ability to summon refrain from using it, as it would serve no purpose. While it may be possible to utilize powerful summoned creatures, obtaining a true name that allows summoning such creatures requires defeating beings several levels stronger, like the Ruby Carbuncle. Nevertheless, among the nobles, there are some who employ their subordinates to assist in defeating the creatures before dealing the final blow themselves, and thus obtaining the true name for summoning. Dennis named the dome-like space where the Ruby Carbuncle resided the ¡°Boss Chamber¡±. Inside the Boss Chamber, there were no mineral deposits, but instead, he discovered a large door in the back. ¡°What could this door be?¡± Dennis opened the door, which stood about three meters tall. Beyond it, an unbelievable expanse stretched out before him¡ªa vast forest covering an immense area. Dennis thought that he had stepped outside the labyrinth, but when he looked up, he saw a ceiling covered in rocky formations. He was still within the labyrinth. It was at this moment that the sixth floor of the labrynth was discovered. ¡°This is a great discovery!¡± For decades, even centuries, it was believed that the Rock Mountain Labyrinth consisted of only five floors. Hence, it was deemed an insignificant labyrinth. However, this recent discovery shattered those beliefs. The sixth floor that unfolded before Dennis appeared like a vast forest, spanning several square kilometers. Labyrinths of this magnitude were only known to exist in the vicinity of the royal capital; they were the three major labyrinths of the kingdom. In these forest-like labyrinths, a diverse range of food and materials could be gathered. They often served as natural treasure troves, which meant that the Beneshof territory gained a significant source of income. The entrance to the sixth floor was affixed within a cavity halfway up a cliff. There was a height difference of about ten meters from the ground to the door. To descend to the ground, it seemed Dennis had to follow a pathway carved into the cliff. Dennis, succumbing to the desire to uncover the nature of the next level, broke the cardinal rule of exercising caution within the labyrinth and descended the slope. What he encountered seemed like an ordinary forest, but the fact that it thrived with lush greenery in a sunless labyrinth was inherently unnatural. The ceiling radiated a dimly lit ambiance reminiscent of an overcast sky. A gentle breeze rustled through the air, reaffirming the mysterious essence of the labyrinth. Dennis thoroughly observed the forest, keen on every detail. From within the woods emerged a figure resembling that of a small child. ¡°A human¡­ no, a humanoid monster.¡± The creature had an ugly, gnome-like appearance, adorned with a rich green skin. It was a type of monster known as a goblin. Dennis recalled the information he had read about goblins in one book. They were described as creatures with the intellect of a five-year-old child, yet adept at wielding tools. The book also noted that they possessed strength on par with that of an adult man. Dennis realized that underestimating them due to their small stature would result in him getting hurt. The goblin noticed Dennis and swung the club it held, rushing towards him. Dennis raised his vajra staff in a high stance. At the moment the goblin was about to enter striking range, Dennis lunged forward and swung his staff down in a diagonal strike. The vajra staff crashed into the goblin¡¯s skull, delivering a single blow that sent the creature tumbling down and vanishing into dust. Dennis decided to go back. because he felt a little tired. He ascended the slope and returned to the door, finding no change in the surroundings. However, something caught his eye¡ªa glimmering object. It was the crystal horn of the Ruby Carbuncle, a drop item, it seemed. ¡°This looks like it could fetch a good price.¡± He carefully placed the crystal horn into his pouch and started trudging back towards the surface. He considered bringing back some coal, but his mental fatigue urged him to abandon any further mining efforts. Upon returning to the mansion, Dennis reported his findings to his father, Lord Egmont. ¡°W-What¡­ you discovered the sixth floor?¡± Egmont displayed an expression of profound astonishment. ¡°We won¡¯t know unless we investigate, but I might be able to gather valuable herbs and food,¡± Dennis said. ¡°That¡¯s excellent news. However, having only you retrieve them won¡¯t be of much use,¡± ¡°What about calling for help from elsewhere?¡± Dennis proposed. Egmont dismissed the idea with a negative shake of his head. ¡°I still don¡¯t want the existence of the sixth floor to be known in other territories. If we hire people from elsewhere, it will eventually be revealed.¡± Other than the so-called small labyrinths, labyrinths like this were highly sought after by nobles as a source of resources. If it became known that such a labyrinth existed within the Beneshof territory, it might attract unwanted attention, and people might interfere. Egmont seemed to be afraid of such people. ¡°Developing our dungeon explorers steadily seems to be the best approach,¡± Dennis remarked, to which Egmont nodded in agreement. ¡°It will take time, but it¡¯s the most reliable method,¡± ¡°In that case, should we use Amelia and the others as test subjects?¡± Dennis suggested. ¡°You said test subjects?¡± Egmont raised an eyebrow, which made Dennis realize that his choice of words had been poor. ¡°Let¡¯s just try to develop Amelia and the others into dungeon explorers. I won¡¯t push them beyond their limits,¡± Dennis clarified. ¡°I hope so. If Amelia gets seriously injured, Elise will kill me,¡± Egmont remarked. Despite his haughty demeanor, Lord Egmont seemed to be under someone¡¯s thumb. If Amelia¡¯s mother, Elise, were present in the mansion, she would likely have opposed Amelia¡¯s exploration of the labyrinth. As the discussion about the labyrinth concluded, Egmont appeared hesitant, as if there was something weighing on his mind. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Dennis inquired. Egmont made up his mind and began to speak. ¡°It¡¯s about the debt we owe to Baronet Victor. I want to find a way to repay it as soon as possible, but I can¡¯t see a clear solution.¡± He asked Dennis to lend his wisdom in finding a solution to repay the debt. Dennis had an idea, or more accurately, it was an idea that had come from Masaya. To the north of Beneshof town, there was a forest. Within that forest, there was a grove of trees that bloomed with red flowers and bore large fruits. Masaya, upon seeing the forest, had remarked that it resembled a camellia tree. He had informed Dennis that oil could be extracted from camellia seeds and suggested that the oil could be sold. Recalling this, Dennis decided to have Egmont look into it after conducting some research. In the meantime, he thought of asking Masaya to investigate the method of extracting oil from camellia seeds. Incidentally, the tree resembling a camellia was called a Sange tree. Its fruits seemed to serve as food for squirrels and field mice.