THE NEXT DAY
REMANTIA'S ADVENTURER GUILD
After we have breakfast, we head to the Adventurer Guild to report our achievement. And instead of doing it at the receptionist's desk as usual, we're inside the Guildmaster's office and sit on the sofa with Freddy standing near the side of the Guildmaster's desk.
As the Guildmaster raises the stone badge, the proof of our labyrinth conquest, in his hand, he murmurs in disbelief.
"This is real. I always thought conquering a labyrinth was just some overblown myth. But you actually did it..."
He pauses for a while before speaking.
"There's really a party capable of defeating a labyrinth…"
"So, how much do we earn for this?"
The Guildmaster then blinks from my question.
"R-Right! One moment!"
He turns and grabs a thick, worn ledger from a side shelf. His fingers flip through the pages in a rush, muttering under his breath.
"Labyrinth… conquest… reward... aha!"
He stops, squints at the page, then scowls.
"It says here the reward is one thousand large gold coins. But that's from over hundreds of years ago. It's totally irrelevant with how much currency has changed. So... let's make it ten thousand large gold coins."
With that, he calls out to Freddy.
"Freddy?"
"Understood."
Freddy exits the room, and we wait. Moments later, the door opens again as Freddy steps back in, holding a crate and placing it on the table. He opens the lid, and then golden brilliance floods the room as the Guildmaster gestures toward the open crate.
"How about this?"
Yomogi's eyes widen and sparkle.
"So much… it's really so much…"
Chantal giggles in disbelief.
"Hehe... no way. I never thought I'd actually see this kind of money. It's real?!"
Kimberly smiles, equally amazed.
"This is why... adventurers… risk their lives. I'm proud… to have come... this far…"
Pinna leans forward, eyes scanning the contents.
"This reward is approximately ten thousand times the total value of loot sold from floors one through ninety-nine combined."
Salacia bounces on her seat.
"Mmm~... What a journey we've had to earn this~…"
Manas's eyes don't waver from the crate.
"Gold… O, thou golden shine… thy brilliance knoweth no equal…"
Lilith hums lazily.
"Ufufu~... look at these babies. Tempting, aren't they~?"
Even Brunhild is also proud.
"I am honored to be a part of this achievement."
Ten thousand large gold coins means ten billion yen, or roughly two hundred times what my store earns on a normal day. And yet, seeing the sight of these girls — Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, and Pinna especially — who've walked such long paths to get here makes it feel worth every drop of sweat we shed.
So, I thank the Guildmaster for it.
"Thank you, Guildmaster."
"You've earned it. Every last coin."
Then, his expression shifts.
"Now, are you absolutely sure you want to refuse the S-rank promotion?"
"Yes. I appreciate the offer, but I'm not ready for that level yet."
In truth, I've been turning this over in my head since Freddy mentioned the A-rank and S-rank promotions, and I just realized I'd been swept up in the momentum. So that's why I didn't report anything after clearing the 99th floor, and we came back only after finishing the labyrinth.
Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, and Pinna fought for years to reach S-rank, and they lived through it. As for me, I don't even feel like I should be B-rank in the first place. And I already discussed it with the girls before this, and they all accepted my decision despite there were a little objection at first.
And aside from that, there's business to consider too. If people hear that an S-rank beat the labyrinth, they'll just say, "Of course they did," or "As expected of S-rank." But if they hear a B-rank did it, they'll go wild with curiosity and want to know more. And it means they'll come to the store just to see me, which also means more customers, and more money to get.
That's why I decided for no rank up, and in exchange, we will provide every bit of knowledge from our conquest.
Then, the Guildmaster nods.
"Very well, I appreciate the decision."
"Thank you, Guildmaster."
And with that, I keep my word.
Over the next several minutes, the girls and I detail everything — the hidden secret rooms and how to locate them, the Doppelgangers at the final floor and their abilities, and the Jashin last boss with its magic-nullifying powers.
Once we're done, the Guildmaster speaks again.
"Very well, I'll deliver this information to every adventurer in Remantia. And I'll make sure Yomogi and Chantal's achievements reach the Misdaras Guild. The same for Kimberly and Pinna, I'll notify Heiligeichen's Guild as well."
"I understand, thank you."
With that, we rise together and store the crate of gold in my dimensional inventory. Then, we step out of the office and exit the Adventurer Guild to go home.
BACK AT MOTEGI'S HOUSE
Arriving here, we gather in the living room and start sharing the spoils. With my [Appraisal] skill, I sort out all the coins and stack them in less than ten minutes, and once it's done, the girls are all staring at me as they still can't believe what they see.
Yomogi asks first.
"Motegi-chan, are you really sure about this?"
"Of course."
Chantal and Kimberly try to convince me.
"But you only got a little, Motegi-kun!"
"What are you talking about? This is already a lot."
"This is... a big success… shouldn't you… reconsider… the sharing rule, Motegi-sama…?"
"No, it's more than enough."
And Pinna objects to me next.
"Mathematically, Master, an equal division results in 1,111 large gold coins per person. You're accepting only 400."
"I know. Thanks for the math."
Okay, let me explain here.
If you think we share our labyrinth loot equally for all nine of us, that's a little wrong. That only applies for the girls, but not for me, and it's been done this way ever since it was just me and Yomogi. Think of it like how I serve food: big portions for me and the girls, and a baby bowl for Puck.
So let's say if we get 25,000 yen from selling the items, each girl's share would be 3,000 yen, and I would have the remaining 1,000 yen.
And in this case, each girl gets 1,200 large gold coins, and I only take 400, so it's acceptable for them to expect me to be a little bit greedy because we just cleared the whole labyrinth.
The reason itself is simple, and I've already said it since the beginning of the story: I became an adventurer to help Yomogi get a flower for her son. And after we achieved that goal, I just kept going because it was fun, thrilling, and perfect refreshment after a busy day at the store. Besides, the store income alone is more than enough for me... especially with the promise that the business will boom even more with that "B-rank cleared the labyrinth" marketing.
Salacia sighs playfully as Lilith leans in to whisper in my ear.
"Fine, darling~. But don't regret it later~..."
"I won't."
"If you change your mind, honey~… just ask me. I'll give you more~..."
"Thanks, but I'm good."
Manas and Brunhild place their hands on their chests in gratitude.
"Thou art generous beyond measure, mine king. I thank thee for thy favor."
"You're welcome, Manas."
"I will accept this division as you wish, my Lord."
"Good."
After that, I glance at them all.
"Alright, time to get ready. We still have a store to open, right?"
"Yes!"
As the girls hurry to the wardrobe room, I scoop Puck up and place it on my shoulder.
"Come here, Puck."
"Kyuu!"
I poke its nose as it chirps delightfully again.
"Ready?"
"Kyuu!"
"Hahaha..."
After the girls are finished changing, we head downstairs together. I take my usual spot behind the counter, and the girls move to the front to swing open the doors, stepping outside and saying in unison.
"Welcome to the store! Please enjoy your visit!"
**********
Once the customers pour in like a flood, another busy day begins.
And apparently, the word of a B-rank store owner along with his party clearing an entire labyrinth spreads like wildfire... as the river of curious adventurers begins flowing straight toward Motegi's store and joining the crowd.
At the counter, Motegi tends to purchases and gives back change as usual, and Puck perches proudly on his shoulder and chirps to every completed transaction.
"Kyuu!"
The line stretches long, and not just because of sales. It's clogged with curious adventurers, many of whom have already made their purchases but linger with questions, admiration, and awe.
"You really cleared the labyrinth?!"
"C'mon, man, tell us how you did it!"
"Can I touch your hand? Just for luck?"
Motegi just smiles and replies:
"I just sell good products. Maybe this store has what you need to do it too."
"Kyuu!"
Then, Motegi gestures gently.
"Now, if you're all done chatting, please move aside. You're blocking the line."
A wave of embarrassed laughter follows, and the adventurers shuffle away with awkward apologies, dispersing into the various sections of the store.
First up, they squirm over the toiletries section.
"Get the citrus one!"
"No, the mint one's stronger!"
And Pinna has to calm the crowd.
"Please refrain from jostling. There is an adequate supply for all. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and sanitizer stocks have been replenished. Maintain order."
The tension melts immediately. Adventurers nod and obey, swarming the shelves in organized frenzy, each cradling their selected items as though they were enchanted artifacts.
Over at the weapons section, Manas proudly gestures to a new lineup of gear.
"Behold! A new line of arms, hewn not from mundane ore, but from the spoils of a vanquished Alloy Golems. Here lieth blades and armor of mithril, adamantite, and orichalcum!"
Adventurers inch forward, trembling as they touch the pieces.
"I've only heard about these in legends…"
"I never thought I'd see orichalcum in real life... it's like holding a dream…"
"I'm buying it! I don't care what it costs."
In the kitchenware section, the usual crowd of housewives surrounds Yomogi, their eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Did you really beat the labyrinth?!"
"I wish I could be like you!"
"You're amazing!"
Yomogi giggles warmly as she makes them gasp with her words.
"Fufufu... thank you, but I think you're already strong too. You take care of your homes and your families every day. That's a strength all on its own."
"She's too kind…"
"She sees us…"
"I feel… seen…"
Then, Yomogi straightens again.
"Now, would you like to see our newest item?"
"Yes!"
With that, she lifts a sleek black pan from the shelf.
"This is called a non-stick pan. You can fry food without it sticking no matter how delicate. Eggs, fish, pancakes… they'll glide like butter!"
"Ooohhh!"
At the masonry section, a group of broad-shouldered masons slump against a stack of tiles, sighing.
"We'll never be like you, Chantal…"
"Yeah, you cleared the labyrinth, but we just carry bricks."
Chantal then lets out a loud snort, cheering them up.
"What the hell are you talkin' about? You guys are tanks. Who can carry three slabs on one shoulder and still joke about it? You're as strong as any adventurer."
"She's right…"
"Damn straight!"
"Hell yeah!"
Then, Chantal asks them.
"Now, what'll it be today?"
"Mortar sacks!"
"You got it!"
At the woodworks section, Salacia trails her fingertip across the surface of a new sculpture, leaving a slick, shimmering trace on the wood as she murmurs to the nobles nearby.
"These are carved from the roots of a Tera Mandrake…"
The nobles lean closer with wide eyes.
"Incredible craftsmanship…"
"I've never seen wood like this before…"
"Even if abstract, the rarity alone… makes it priceless."
In the ceramic section, Kimberly hands a nobleman a finely packaged set of soft blue mugs. He takes it reverently, eyes darting between the box and the elf before him.
"If this was approved by the Great Sage and the man who cleared the labyrinth, it must be divine."
And Kimberly offers a serene smile.
"I am… merely... doing my best… whether... on the... battlefield… or helping... the store…"
At the gemstone section, Lilith trails her nail over a polished peridot as her eyes never break contact with a group of noblemen.
"You'd be lying if you said you didn't want this~..."
The noblemen stammer, visibly enchanted.
"Y-Yes!"
"Of course we want them!"
"Please, just ring us up already!"
At the precious metals section, Brunhild completes a sale of a 16-ounce platinum bar to a noblewoman, bowing her head politely.
"Thank you for your patronage. This is engraved with our pilus follis mascot. It is a worthy item for long-term investment."
The noblewoman peers at the engraved bar, her eyes sparkling.
"It's so cute..."
And just like that, the store runs louder, brighter, and busier than ever... thanks to another of Motegi's successful gambles.
By choosing to stay B-rank, he sparked a storm of curiosity and admiration. And now, that decision becomes the store's best marketing strategy yet, as it brings in more crowds exactly as he predicted.