Gacha Addict in a Matriarchal World

Chapter 161: The Veil Of Deception (3)

After taking down a few more Cogwheel Stragglers at the bottom of the moat. We returned to the surface via the nearest Safe Zone.

The fog wasn’t unnecessarily thick to the point that it obscured vision. There wasn’t a stench of decay. The irritating sound of cogwheels was no longer audible, and the ground was firm, not soggy.

This obvious fact began to feel incredibly beautiful.

While I had often marveled at the scenery that seemed to perfectly embody my imagination.

Perhaps because it was so well-realized, stress had unknowingly accumulated. Well, it wasn’t exactly an ideal environment.

“A normal world is such a wonderful thing....”

“Yes. Everyone says that after their first visit to the 3rd Floor.”

“Heh heh. So far, the environment of the Labyrinth itself hasn’t been difficult, right? You can start getting excited.”

Lydia and Benny nodded as if they expected this. Together with them, I exchanged the loot at the Guild.

The Magic Stones were much more expensive than those on the 2n Floor, and the other loot fetched a decent price as well.

But since we couldn’t catch many monsters in the first place, the earnings were disappointing.

After calculating today’s potion and special arrow costs, it felt like I just barely avoided a loss.

Sighing deeply, I watched Lydia, who was already buying a skewer of some unknown monster meat, and Benny, who kept stepping on Shadow trying to sneak out from under her, pushing it back in.

“Miss Lydia, Benny. We finished earlier than expected. What do you want to do?”

“That’s right. It’s still broad daylight. We have plenty of time.”

“Well, usually we stay holed up in the Labyrinth until early evening...but I guess we can’t help it today.”

Lydia and Benny looked at each other and nodded, then spoke in turn.

“Let’s go back to Ellie’s shop in the evening like usual. But right now, it’s lunchtime.”

“How about we eat out for a change? We can also talk about the Labyrinth today.”

“I don’t mind, but...why are you acting so ominous over just eating? People might think we’re up to no good.”

“...Misunderstanding. Troublesome.”

“Wh-what do you mean up to no good! We’re just eating and having a secret chat in a quiet place, that’s all?!”

“Wow.”

Saying it like that really does make it sound shady.

Since it’s Lydia and Benny, nothing untoward will actually happen, though.

With a doubtful look, I alternated my gaze between the two and slowly nodded.

“Okay. So where shall we go?”

“A place with rooms and is quiet.”

“Oh, are we going there after all?

Lydia and Benny exchanged a silent glance and nodded.

What is it? Just where is this place?

I can’t tell Ellie I’m being taken there, but a place with rooms and quiet, a place even I hesitate to name...

“Gasp!”

Is it a slightly risqué place?!

In this world, it’s common for bars of a certain size to double as brothels. Since it’s not illegal, naturally such steamy places have increased.

Even Ellie’s place started as such a place initially. Although now it’s changed quite a bit and feels like a themed pub.

Well, since they’re taking me, they probably won’t go to such a serious place.

Seeing the Unicorn Dagger react to Lydia and Benny, it’s strange that the two who are still virgins would suddenly go to such a store.

However, the possibility of it being a somewhat risqué shop cannot be ignored.

“Ugh. Hearing it like that, it certainly sounds like a situation that’s easy to misunderstand.”

Lydia was briefly flustered, but she quickly shook her head and continued speaking.

“As you can see yourself, Jonah, it’s not a strange shop.”

“That’s how it seems. Although there are a lot of strangely expensive and fragrant-looking drinks lined up... Why is it a secret from Ellie?”

“How could I tell Senior Ellie that there’s no delicious alcohol at Fairy and Silver Coin, so I went to another bar far away.”

“Uh, well...that’s true.”

No matter how much money Ellie has saved up from her active days, and even if she started this job half as a hobby.

Even so, Ellie is the owner of Fairy and Silver Coin. If you bring up another bar in front of her, you’d better be prepared for a scolding.

“So, Jonah, you have to keep it a secret that you came here today too. Got it?”

“Sure. I promise.”

Nodding, Benny snatched a snack I was about to eat and opened her mouth.

“Since everyone seems to have ordered a drink they like, shall we get to the main topic?”

“Yeah. Anyway, the main topic would be about this hunt not going well, right?”

“That’s right. The mechanized monsters on the 3rd Floor are all so tough that it’s too hard for my combat style to deal with them quickly.”

“First of all, let me say this. It’s strange to deal with monsters so swiftly. I also partied with others when I climbed the 3rd Floor.”

“So, are Lydia and Benny going to help me too?”

“No. I thought about that too, but considering why we’re sticking to you, Jonah, to explore the Labyrinth, it seems better to let you fight alone, so I gave up.”

“Ugh. When you fight tough opponents, your skills are bound to improve by force.”

“That’s exactly it. Jonah has been lucky so far, with good weapons and great talent, so you haven’t had to struggle much. But monster hunting originally requires more effort and thought.”

“Are you telling me to think hard and put in a lot of effort this time?”

“Exactly. Of course, I’ll help if it gets dangerous, and I might support you a bit if you need something... For example, like how to use the new greatsword you made this time.”

“Oh.”

I haven’t formally learned weapon skills, but I’ve spent quite a bit of time practicing alone with the Unicorn Dagger or Wrist Crossbow, and I’ve used them in real battles more than once or twice.

But isn’t it true that I made the greatsword this time and immediately took it to the field for its first demonstration?

Of course, there are bound to be proficiency issues. Lydia said she would help fill that gap.

Considering the toughness of the 3rd-Floor monsters, it would be ideal to learn to use the greatsword’s weight like a blunt weapon.

Nodding to myself briefly. As Lydia and I were having an important conversation, Benny, who was chattering with Shadow, suddenly came into view.

How annoying...

Even though I knew it was immature, I wanted to make Benny uncomfortable.

“Oops.”

“...Huh?”

I sat right down on the sofa where Benny was lounging. In other words, I sat my butt on Benny’s back.

In that position, crossing one leg and resting my chin on my arm, I asked in a slanted posture.

“Why? Do you have something to say to me, Benny?”

Benny’s eyes twitch slightly and then quickly scan me from face to back. It’s always such a blatant scan.

After spending a moment, Benny finally speaks.

“Oh, no? There’s no problem, so you can just stay like that?”

Though Benny says so, perhaps the body is more honest. I could feel Benny’s lower waist twitching and trembling.