We begin exploring the third layer, the 'Mist-Enshrouded Great Garden,' where mist hangs thick in the air.

Having scattered in different directions, the sight of the other teams quickly vanished.

"How will we regroup with the other teams once we find the Demon King?"

"It's the horn, right?"

"The horn?"

According to Refrea, the horn is a wind spirit artifact, and by blowing a prearranged phrase at each location within the third layer, they can communicate the Demon King's location.

"Then we’ll need to practice with the horn."

"That’s right. I’ve never participated before, but the guild occasionally holds joint drills. You can’t respond to a call if you don’t know the phrase. … Still, it’s said the Demon King hasn’t appeared in this layer for years."

"What if it's the fourth layer?"

"In the fourth layer, the team that discovers it lights fireworks toward the waterfall. They say the waterfall is visible from pretty much anywhere in that layer."

"I see. They've thought this through."

The third layer is the fog layer. Even if we find the Demon Lord, it won't matter if neither of us can reach each other. That's why we're using the horn melody to track each other's positions.

Moupel, who had been leading through the fog, returned.

"Gre2, Trol2."

As expected of an experienced party, it's abbreviated—probably a mixed group of two gremlins and two trolls.

This is a troublesome combination for monsters in this layer.

Now, what should we do?

"Hikaru, have you actually seen other explorers fight before?"

"I have, but never watched a high-level explorer in action. Come to think of it..."

I’d say at most Silver rank. Gold, let alone the higher Mystic Silver, is unprecedented.

The group leading the way seems to be the red-haired leader’s party.

All six members are combat specialists. At this level, the idea of non-combat roles—like healers or porters—appears nonexistent.

"We don’t hire porters,"

"We’ve got a magical storage bag."

"What’s that?"

"You know, like the spirit magic that stores things in Hikaru’s shadow? This is a magical device replicating that."

"There’s even something like that…! Well, if there’s a magical device that replicates water healing spells, then it makes sense."

The Shadow Bag, or "Shadobag," was one of the third or fourth spells I learned. It’s not particularly advanced. So, magical item creation isn’t impossible after all.

"It costs around twenty-five gold pieces, you know,"

"That much?"

Magic items were apparently originally expensive, but twenty-five gold pieces is still incredible—enough to build a house.

Well, I suppose that's just proof of how useful it is.

Incidentally, since it has storage capacity comparable to the Shadow Bag, it's more than enough to hold enough spirit stones from a single exploration.

If we're talking about a Mithril-tier party, spirit stones harvested from monsters will likely be quite large, making it extremely difficult to carry them in a backpack.

"Oh, it's starting!"

A mixed party of gremlins and trolls sounds like a serious challenge if fought head-on.

We've only ever fought by separating goblins from trolls and eliminating them one by one, so we only know how troublesome they are in theory. Apparently, the goblins' spirit magic interferes with attempts to defeat the trolls, making things quite annoying.

Fundamentally, goblins stay behind trolls, so normally you can't even touch a goblin until you've defeated the troll first.

By the time you're struggling against the troll, the goblins often harass you with spirit magic, causing the front line to collapse.

Now, as for battles at the level of a magic silver rank—

"Ah, ah... I see... I see..."

It ended in an instant.

First, one goblin was cut down by a swift arrow strike, and before the next moment, another was pierced and killed by Madam Moupal's slender blade.

Honestly, I couldn't tell exactly when Moapple managed to bypass the troll and circle around behind it.

The troll's body was severed in half by the red-haired leader's massive sweeping axe slash, and the final one vanished just like dew under a spear.

"It's so impressive I can't even learn from it."

"Absolutely overwhelming. Truly amazing."

It was literally "a different level."

It felt just like when, in the game, you enter a low-level area and every monster becomes completely insignificant—this is what it must be like in real life.

"Just how deep are those people diving?"

"Sixth layer. They're one of the rare exploration parties capable of passing through the fifth layer, 'The Descent to Glory.'"

"Sixth layer! That's the deepest point right now!"

The total number of layers in the dungeon we're exploring hasn't been revealed yet.

Yet even up to the fifth layer, where information had already spread, the presence of someone who had explored and brought back data allowed other explorers to safely hunt monsters.

Venturing into the sixth layer, the 'Dawn's Great Plains,' which still holds no known information, meant facing an entirely unknown labyrinth and unknown monsters.

This was true exploration in its purest sense. One could genuinely say they were among the rare "true explorers" even within this labyrinthine city.

"Um... Hikaru, you're not seriously telling me they don't know about the 'Crimson Vial,' are you?"

"No, they don't."

"W-what?! They're the most famous explorer party in this city! That's why I felt something was off when they were talking!"

"I've only been in this town for a few weeks... So, is that group the one with the Crimson Vial party?"

"Yes, indeed. Everyone there is at the On-dyne (Mithril) rank. Their leader, Garnet, is said to be just a step away from reaching Salamander rank."

Amazing. Salamander rank is the first rank—the highest level.

Since there's currently no one at the first rank in this town, that means they're also the most valuable party in terms of contribution.

In my previous world, rough jobs were generally considered men's work.

But in this world, there are 'ranks' and 'spirit magic.'

That's also why even someone like me, relatively small in stature, can still fight.

Naturally, women can fight just fine too. What matters more is how well a party coordinates as a unit.

"Wow, Refrea, you really know people in such a party."

"Back when I teamed up with the kids from my hometown, there was a party made only of women, and they were really kind to me. It's an upper-class person's duty to look after juniors."

"I see. Well, it's true that there are more men in this field."

Though not particularly knowledgeable about explorers, it's obvious at a glance that this industry leans heavily male.

Being surrounded only by women would make one feel uncomfortable, so that's probably why they developed a system of mutual support.

"Gloria's party is famous too. 'The Goddess's Sneeze' sounds cute, but it's powerful."

Only the six members of 'Crimson Vial' participated in the earlier battle.

We were the ones who fought, while the other six stayed behind on standby. So being on standby means being part of 'The Goddess's Sneeze.'

Gloria, her brunette wavy hair tied back in a bun, and everyone else in full heavy gear, formed a party that seemed brimming with momentum.

"Hey, Refrea-chan, how can someone as delicate and cute as you be powerful? Say it—adorable, beautiful, and strong."

"Oh, were you listening, Gloria-san?"

"Of course I was. If anyone's the powerhouse here, it's you, Refrea-chan. With that enormous sword you're wielding."

"I'm aiming to be an explorer who never loses to monsters. I still have a long way to go to match my master."

Gloria's party, around the same age as Refrea (a bit older, perhaps), seemed to have a more relaxed dynamic than the Crimson Vial.

"Still, the Crimson Sisters really are something. They don't even bother with monsters from the third layer."

"Ruby-sen, huh?"

"Hehe, that's just a nickname for Garnet-sen."

Garnet, clad in crimson armor, with red hair and wielding a massive red axe, was undeniably as fiery as a living flame.

That deep red color might even have the effect of drawing monsters toward her, like a matador.

　

"Anyway, today's exploration should be pretty relaxed. Unless we run into a panther, but those don't show up often."

"Wait—aren't you going to encounter the Demon King?"

"Hehe~ The Demon King needs several days to gather enough power to ascend one level. If we found one two days ago on the fifth floor, it's either already moved to the fourth floor or hasn't arrived yet. Still, since there've been exceptions in the past, we're double-checking the third floor just to be safe."

I see. It's good to meet them head-on on the third floor, but it's dangerous if the Demon King, who was searching for the fourth floor, already arrives at the third floor and then reaches the second floor before we realize it.

Maybe that's just how big the power boost is from advancing floors.

"So, tomorrow we're going to the fourth floor?"

"Yes, yes. Hikaru-kun, have you ever been to the fourth floor?"

"No, not at all."

"Then stay right behind us. I'll protect you."

Gloria gives a sharp wink.

Still, if we keep going like this, we'll have a chance to see monsters we haven't encountered yet on the fourth floor. And if we go all the way down to the fifth floor, we'll be able to watch the veterans' strategies up close.

Next up, they say, are the girls from 'Goddess's Sneeze.'

I'll stay back and watch them fight, idly thinking to myself.

(Thank goodness we're in first place)

If the current live rating hadn't been number one, I might have descended to the fourth floor alone just to face the Demon King.

Until I was dragged away by Refreia yesterday, I was completely consumed by despair—and I really had intended to do it.

But if staying in the current position means I can still become the overall number one, that changes everything. The thought of pushing myself too far and dying is terrifying.

It might be a passive mindset, but the idea of failing now, after getting this far... that's what truly scares me.

I'm on the verge of obtaining the Sacred Jewel of Resurrection. I could feel it—just a little more effort, and I’d have it.

I manipulate the status board, reading the explanation I’ve seen countless times before.

"Pearl of Reviving the Dead: Sacred Artifact. A divine gem that calls someone precious back from the afterlife to this world. Can be used for those who died on Earth or in another world. Be aware—the deceased will revive at the location where they passed away. Only

someone truly precious to you can be revived." If I reach

first place, I can bring Nanami back to life. But I don't know how my life would change, or if it would

change at all. Even if I bring Nanami back, she'll return to the place she died—the room where she passed away on Earth.

Right now, I don't even know how to tell her that she's alive

again. But that's okay. Even

if I can't think of anything right now, or can't find meaning in living in this world.

If there's just one thing I've accomplished—bringing my childhood friend back to life—then at least I can find meaning in having come to this world... in being hated by people all over the world.

Whether this is hope, or merely meaningless sentimentality, I don't know.

Still, it's the only thing I can cling to right now.

I can no longer return to my original world, and I have no choice but to live here, exposed to curious stares.

I must live like this until I die—there's nothing else I can do.