154 - - 152nd 50th floor.

I've had a general discussion with the Grand Master. All that's left is to confirm the paperwork and introduce the adventurers we're taking. I guess I'll have to apply for a rank upgrade as well.

The Grandmaster seems to think that our weakness is women, and he keeps asking me what I like. I don't mind talking about such things, but I'm not bold enough to talk about my preferences in the presence of people I've almost never met before. I was a little relieved when a secretary-like woman came out from the back of the room with a group of men.

"This is the party you're taking me to. This is Wings of the Labyrinth and this is Muscle Star. Please."

"Huh, huh."

They asked me to do something great. The labyrinth wings are no problem. Three men and two women with a sword, a spear, a thief, a sorcerer, and a monk. It is a little frustrating that the leader is a good looking guy, but it is not as bad as the other one.

Muscle Star...... knows what I mean. You must be the type of person who has faith in muscles. Everyone is muscular, even the people dressed as sorcerers and priests are muscular. Especially the two guys in robes and priestly robes.　With that kind of muscle, he would be able to equip himself with full armor.

Sylphy has quietly moved away from the Muscle Stars. He doesn't seem to like them.

"Both of them are A-rank adventuring parties and are among the best in the country. I brought Muscle Star from King's Landing.

The grandmaster, noticing my sluggish response, offers an additional explanation. That's not the point, though. And it was the Grand Master who brought the Muscle Star? Give me a break.

"So there's no one with an S rating?"

"Yeah, I can't tie up an S-rank in the labyrinth."

That's what you're saying. It would be easier if S-ranks could help the S-ranks to attack the labyrinth, but if they are occupied with the labyrinth and procuring materials, they would not be able to move in case something happens. But I wanted to take a look at the S rank.

I see.

"I'm Alec, leader of the Wings of the Labyrinth. It's a pity that you have to take me first as an adventurer, but it's nice to meet you.

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you."

He seems to have a good personality. He's handsome and I bet he's popular. Normally I would be jealous, but I can't help but notice the guy next to him.

"I am Muscle. My real name is Muscle, but my soul name is Muscle, so please call me Muscle. But I heard that you use a hammer as I do.　You don't have enough muscle, do you?"

Mr. Muscle tilts his head curiously. The soul's name is Muscle. ...... He's a bad guy. I don't want to get involved.　I look at the Grand Master and he nods his head. What kind of nod is that?

"Um, I'm Yuta. Pleased to meet you. My hammer is very special, so please don't worry about it.

"Well, you're not the muscle type. ......"

Mr. Muscle looks disappointed. It seems he was expecting a muscle friend. I say hello to each of the party members, but few names come up. Oh well, it's a short acquaintance, and if I only knew Mr. Alec and Mr. Muscle, I'd be able to make it work.

"So, we're ready, when do we leave?　I think we should dive into the labyrinth once to make sure we are working together. ......"

"Yes, yes. We'll be working together, so I'd like to have some idea of what we're capable of."

Alec and Muscle began to confirm their schedules. But it's not exactly what I had in mind.

"Well, since we seem to have a difference of opinion, I'd like to tell you that I'm not going with you. I'll meet you in front of the stairs going down to the 50th floor. From there, I'll join you all in the boss room, and we'll split up after I defeat the fire dragon and exit to the 50th level.

Technically, it was Sylphy who was to be defeated, but even if I told you that, you wouldn't understand. For a moment, I thought of going into the boss room separately to get the ten Fire Dragons, but that would make Sylphy angry, so I decided not to do that.

"Oh, and all the materials for the Fire Dragons are mine, you know."

I say this because it would be troublesome if someone asks for it on the way. I still have some of the materials from the last Fire Dragon, and I'm willing to share them except for the meat, but then I should give them wholesale to Marie, who has been so kind to me. Half of the meat will last for a while, and I'll take the heart and tongue for the challenge. I'm looking forward to the dragon tongue, not the beef tongue.

Besides, I want to start processing materials. I'm dreaming of dragon equipment. At first I was going to ask Mr. Ax, but now that Mel has become my apprentice, I'll ask him. I'm sure he knows a craftsman for something that's not his area of expertise. They've been blacksmiths in the labyrinth city for generations. They must be well-connected.

What do you say we make Sarah and the others some equipment out of the fire dragon's stuff?　I'm not sure if it's a good idea to equip a child with such a dangerous thing, but I think it's better to equip him with good equipment since his life is at stake in this job. But there is also the possibility of kidnapping or something like that. We should think long and hard before making a decision.

"Let's see, the meeting place is in front of Fire Dragon's room, and Yuta is the only one who fights, right?"

It feels like it's been a long time since I've been called "you.

"So you don't need our help?"

Alec and Muscle turned to the Grand Master in confusion. The Grand Master also looked surprised.

"What?　Aren't you coming with us?"

"That's right. I only promised to help you break through the fifty layers. I won't take care of the other layers. If you can't reach the 50th layer without me, what's the point?

"No, but I would normally go with you, wouldn't I?　Besides, it is better to fight with all of us than to fight alone. They're the party we're counting on, and we don't want them to die because of your mistake."

Whoa, I think we have a chance here. We're going to show (Sylphy's) power to the Wings of the Labyrinth and Muscle Star, but it's better to come out big here too, so we can spread the word.

"No, I beat him by myself to begin with, and with a fire dragon, there's no reason for me to lose no matter what mistakes I make.

What are you talking about? In fact, I'm worried that if he sees a fire dragon, he's going to freak out. I know I can beat it, and I'm sure I can act calm if I put my mind to it, but the Fire Dragon is a force to be reckoned with.

The adventurers around us are getting restless, and word will spread soon. It would be perfect if we could actually show the Wings of the Labyrinth and Muscle Star that we can beat the Fire Dragon with ease.

"Are you serious?"

The atmosphere of the Grand Master, which had been light until now, changes drastically. He asks me to intimidate him with a tense atmosphere.

"I'm not serious, but I can beat him with a single hand. It was a single blow last time, so it's a piece of cake.

"Yuta!　You're doing great. But I'd like to see you go bigger."

Sylphy is happy. I'm sure she's reading my mind and enjoying herself. I'm fine with these situations when I'm in a good mood until I'm in a good mood without realizing it, but when I do it when I'm calm, it's embarrassing. I feel like I'm creating my own black history.

"Seriously, a fire dragon hit you with a single blow?　Easy win?"

The grandmaster is confused, having returned to a lighter state in an instant. Come to think of it, the wholesale Fire Dragon was immediately dismantled, so only Marie's people know that it was decapitated by a single blow.

"That's why there's nothing to worry about. How long will it take the Wings of the Labyrinth and Muscle Star members to reach the Fire Dragon's room?

"Uh, yeah, let's see, it would take ten days for the labyrinth wing alone, but if we work together with the Muscle Stars, we can get there a little faster, right?"

Alec answered in confusion. Ten days, that's quite a long time. I'm glad I'm not going with you. If I stay with the Muscle Stars, I'm going to be forced to do muscle training.

I had a friend in Japan who was into muscle training, and he would work out wherever he could find time. Muscle Star people seem to be even worse, and I am sure they will start muscle training in the labyrinth when they are camping or taking a break. I may be biased, but it doesn't seem like a wrong guess. Well, I guess that means we'll be there in ten days.

"I see. Then let's meet in front of the Fire Dragon's room ten days from tomorrow. The Adventurers' Guild is building a facility on the 49th layer, so we can arrange a time, right?

"Yeah, that's fine, but are you sure we're not going to fight the fire dragon?"

Alec looks a little disappointed. Did he want to fight a fire dragon?　I'd like to say that if you fight that thing, you'll die soon.

"My muscles want to fight a fire dragon, too. ......"

Mr. Muscle has joined us. The party members behind me nodded, their muscles bulging. I don't understand. I can talk to spirits, but I don't know what muscle is feeling, and I don't want to know.

"Please give up the fight against the fire dragon. I don't want to take any unnecessary risks.

We don't want to be crushed or burned to a crisp if we say we want to fight. I don't want another failed request. Alec and the Muscle Stars look disappointed, but Alec's friends seem a bit relieved.

"Well, I guess we can't be selfish when we ask them to take us there..."

"Well, I'll eventually get good enough to try it on my own."

I feel like they both have good personalities. They seem to have chosen the type of people who would not get into trouble. I know it's just my imagination, but there's no way such a guy can defeat a fire dragon!　I thought people would complain about it. No, I don't think they would bring such a person, but there are Valkyries and so on, so we can't rest assured.

Well, I'll leave it at that. Now all that's left to do is to confirm the documents and to apply for the rank increase?"

No, don't proceed. I mean, how strong are you?　I know you beat the fire dragon, but I didn't hear it was a blow."

The confused Grand Master returned. How strong is he?　I know they won't ...... do it, but if we can get the contract spirits to go all out, I know it will be ...... disastrous. He is a dangerous man for sure.

"It's hard to say how strong he is, but he's strong enough to take down a fire dragon with a single blow."

It is embarrassing to call oneself strong. It feels like saying, "I'm a good fighter. And I can't beat a fire dragon by myself.

"I don't get it at all!　I mean, if you're that strong, why didn't you convince the previous Guilmouth by showing your power?　It wouldn't have caused such a fuss, would it?　Why not?"

I just wanted to get back at the former Guilmouth for harassing me because they made fun of me for being a genie magician. ......That takes guts to say among adventurers who mostly don't know me. I'll try to cover it up.

"It's just the way things are. I didn't want to distribute valuable materials to an adventurer's guild that was harassing me, so I distributed them elsewhere, and then all sorts of things came together and that's how it happened."

He looked at me as if he was looking at something very unfortunate.

"I'd rather go home soon, so please continue."

The atmosphere around us became more delicate, so we hurriedly checked our documents and processed our rank-up.

"Well, I'll see you in front of the Fire Dragon's room in ten days."

He tells Wings of the Labyrinth and Muscle Star, and quickly leaves the guild. I trust that our discussion has not ended badly.