Chapter 12 – The Reason I Became a Slave

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　Ati pulled the trigger of her sniper rifle. Tan—a barely audible shot rang out.

“Hit confirmed. One down.”

　Ati nodded in satisfaction, but I couldn’t see anything because the spot she was pointing to was too far away.

　This path stretches straight for about 200 meters, and there was said to be a monster at its end. However, even with the labyrinth light, the interior was so dim that an ordinary person like me couldn’t see a thing.

“Let’s go check it out.”
“Yes.”

　We walked for a while.

　Then we came upon a monster that had been shot through the head and lay dead.

　It was a creature resembling a large mole, about one meter in length.

　It really was there.

“One shot.”
“They’re just shallow-layer monsters, so this was an easy kill. Besides, I’ve always had pretty good eyesight and hearing.”

　I knew she was skilled, but this was even better than I expected.

　Her skill is evident even in places with poor visibility.

　That claim of being able to shoot down three birds with one shot doesn’t seem to be empty bragging.

　When I previously ventured into the labyrinth, didn’t you go quite deep?

“…I have ventured down to about the middle of the lower levels before, but I couldn’t go that far on my own. It depends on the labyrinth’s characteristics, but in a place like this—which seems relatively undemanding—I should be able to farm safely down to about the mid-layers.”

　Even with her skill, it seems that’s as far as she can go.

　Perhaps her reliance on bows and guns is a drawback. After all, there’s a limit to the number of arrows and bullets.

“That’s right. That’s the tricky part—I have to save some for the way back. Also, there are increasingly many monsters with troublesome abilities.”
“Troublesome monsters… huh. Now that you mention it, I heard that deep-layer monsters might appear. If they do, can you take them down?”

　I asked just to be sure.

　I already fully acknowledged Ati’s ability, but safety always comes first. It’s important to know just how far she can go if we ever encounter one.

“If a monster has a weak spot where bullets can pass through, and if I can ambush it, I can kill it. Since monsters other than the target aren’t deep-layer creatures, it actually makes it easier—I can take a clean shot. I’ve even killed a deep-layer monster that had come up into the shallow levels before.”

　That’s reassuring…

“The danger of the deep and lower layers isn’t just about the strength of individual monsters, but about the entire ecosystem. Of course, you can’t underestimate the monsters themselves, but…”

　I suppose if it’s just one or two, you can defeat them under the right conditions—but if a monster doesn’t fit those conditions, you’d have to run.

“That’s how it is.”

　She speaks so matter-of-factly, but that’s entirely thanks to her skill. For ordinary explorers, by the time they realize they’re dealing with a deep-layer monster, it might already be too late.

　…By the way, you mentioned you’ve ventured down to about the middle of the lower levels before, but said you couldn’t do it on your own. Did you have any companions back then?

“There was a labyrinth exploration party in the Western Continent composed solely of women. I was once a member of that group. However, various things happened… well, how should I put it.”

　Ati’s face darkened.

　I got the feeling that I’d asked something I shouldn’t have.

“I won’t press you, so if you don’t want to say, that’s fine.”
“…You’re very kind. But since this is a rare opportunity, I think I’ll let Harold-sama know.”

　She seemed willing to talk about it. When I mentioned wanting to go to the Southern Continent, she didn’t give me a reason—so I assumed she was the type who wouldn’t discuss her own past. Maybe she’s grown less cautious around me. Perhaps the day I can hold her is near.

“To summarize briefly, the female leader fell for a certain man and became infatuated with him—lavishing him with gifts. We were earning a good amount as a party, but that wasn’t enough, and one day I was dosed with sleeping pills, and when I woke up, I found I had been sold off to a slave trader.”
“…Eh?”
“I apparently heard somewhere that Dark Elves, if they are virgins, fetch a high price.”

What should I do… I never imagined that this story was connected to how I became a slave.
“To think such a thing happened… it must have been terrible. That female leader was just too awful.”
“Well, I suppose she truly did fall in love.”

　With a wry smile, Ati’s demeanor softened. After enduring such hardships, how can she remain so calm? I just couldn’t understand.

“In the end, I became a slave to a good master like Harold-sama. …Had I been purchased by someone cruel, I’m sure I would have harbored a hatred fierce enough to curse them to death.”

　That struck a chord in my heart. It hadn’t even been long since I acquired Ati. I don’t recall ever having a master this good. And yet, hearing those words… it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

　I then cut off the conversation and decided to start skinning the dead mole monster. I took out my knife and diligently began slicing into its fur. Since it was a shallow-layer monster, it might not fetch much money. Apparently, if left alone, the labyrinth will absorb it—so if you think it won’t make much, you can just leave it be. But as the saying goes, every little bit counts, and it should at least fetch some small change. It’s always better to have more money.

“…Besides, I can now understand the leader’s feelings and words. If I were to truly fall for Harold-sama, I might end up doing anything as well.”

　Ati mumbled something, but I couldn’t quite catch it—she was doing her utmost to keep her expression hidden.

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After my near-teary expression had settled, I spent some time exploring the labyrinth.

So far, there hasn’t been a single crisis or any chance for me to step in.

Ati’s sniping was simply too excellent.

I’ve practically become the guy in charge of skinning monsters for their materials.

Since only mole monsters keep appearing, I’ve accumulated an enormous amount of fur.

I was just scouting today, so maybe it’s about time to head back.
Of course, even though it’s only the return route from the shallow levels, I mustn’t let my guard down.
I should be careful.

“――Harold-sama”

Just as I thought I had come to a complete stop, Ati fixed her gaze intently down the side passage.

“I can see a door ahead. Perhaps there might be some kind of treasure. Since it’s the shallow levels, even if there is something, you can’t expect much, though…”