Three people waiting outside our house.

At yesterday's stage, it was possible that we were mistaken—maybe they weren't targeting us after all. We hadn't spoken to confirm, and they might just have happened to be standing in front of our house by chance... there was at least that possibility.

But now it's certain.

Since the word "TV" came up, their identity as transfer victims is confirmed.

"Um... sorry to bother you, but may I ask something?"

"You're Jeanne and Hikaru, right?"

"We're actually a bit in trouble..."

Seeing our stunned reaction to the unexpected situation, the three stepped closer, interpreting our silence as no refusal.

Smelling nothing but trouble and acting overly familiar. Jeanne tightly grabbed the sleeve of my coat. Her pale face turned even paler, clearly in full shy-mode.

I didn't want to get involved either.

"Let's run."

I made the decision instantly.

"Huh?"

"That's best. What do you think?"

"I'll create a Darkness Fog for just a moment—just use that chance to sprint through."

I whispered the plan quietly, so the trio wouldn't hear.

Though we shouldn't make flashy use of magic outside the labyrinth, I briefly activated my spell and dashed past the three, who couldn't react to the sudden darkness.

Right now, we can run 100 meters in about eleven seconds—though I've never actually measured it precisely.

The guild is right near the labyrinth. Before they catch up, let's quickly cash in the spirit stones and head to our usual diner to hide.

There, we finally managed to catch our breath.

"I never thought we'd have to wait for them to come out of the labyrinth. It's different from Earth, you know? Just give those guys a good shove and be done with it. Should we go straight to the guild and make a scene?"

After sitting down, Jeanne slammed the table in frustration.

To Jeanne, who's always wary of new arrivals, an uninvited visitor is nothing but stress.

Naturally, that's how I feel too.

If only they'd understand we ran away because we didn't want them around...

Incidentally, Refleia looks a bit embarrassed.

After all, she has a history of ambushes.

"Ah, um... I get that Hikaru and the others don't want to meet the new transfer student, but they didn't seem like bad people, did they? Why not at least listen to what they have to say?"

"No way. Anyone who's setting up an ambush is already a bad guy."

"I feel the same."

"They might have had a reason for setting up an ambush! Maybe they like Hikaru or something... Oh, wait, in that case, just ignore them!"

It's quite possible the person is a fan of Jeanne, but Jeanne herself wouldn't want anything to do with someone like that. Either way, they're far too blunt—please, just cut it out.

"Anyway, I'm absolutely not getting involved. If you really must, then let Clo do the talking."

"Hey, I'm not doing it either. I'll leave it to Refrea."

"Eeeeh...?"

"Leah. You wouldn't understand, but fighting those... the Second Wave Transfers, is nothing but a disadvantage for us. No, we've already suffered immense mental anguish—damage has already been done. They are enemies."

I was surprised that Jeanne had clearly stated "enemies," but I largely agreed.

It's unsettling how blunt she is, even on first meeting, and I can't fathom what she's thinking.

"Three people gathering just to wait for the first wave? You said you had problems, didn't you? No doubt they'll start asking for money, offering to help with exploration, recommending shops, forming a party together, or worse—begging to live with us. After all, this place is completely foreign to us refugees. ...Of course, it's obvious that helping such weak-minded people wouldn't lead to anything good."

"Janne's right. There's no benefit to it. We were just about to challenge the fourth layer."

"…It almost feels like you're trying to find any excuse to avoid contact at all… Well, if Hikaru and Janne-san don't want to, then I don't mind either way."

"Then let's stick to the plan—ignore them completely. If they push any further, I'll let Layya's Iron Block deal with them."

"What do you think I am, Miss Jeanne...?"

Just as I reached the conclusion of thoroughly avoiding her, the food arrived.

Dishes like stir-fried meat and vegetables, grilled udon, bread, soup—these days I order whatever comes to hand, and the four of us can finish them without a problem.

Jeanne and Fleure don't eat much, but both Refreia and I are eating more and more. We're not quite double yet, but I imagine we'll eventually end up eating like those professional gluttons—so exploring the labyrinth has its pros and cons.

Still, this world is great in one way: the food is genuinely delicious. If the food had been terrible and the portions scarce, it would have been pure hell.

Even in difficult circumstances, one's heart can be satisfied simply by eating until full of delicious food

. "By the way, Clo, how about that armor I asked you to get? Isn't it about

time it's ready?" Jeanne said casually as she finished eating.

Armor...? "Armor

, armor... oh! Right! I did order it—now that you mention it!" She had

completely forgotten about it, having been told it would take quite some time from order to completion

. She had placed an order at the dwarven master's recommended armor workshop for a custom mithril scale mail, paying eight gold coins already.

Though it was said to take at least two weeks, it should be finished by now. I'll stop by before heading back

. ◇◆◆◆◇ The next

day after receiving the armor.

When morning came, I quietly opened the wooden window and checked outside.

"They haven't come yet... Maybe they'll show up soon."

The usual trio hadn't arrived in front of the house.

Even when it was time to leave the house, the three didn't appear.

Seems they've given up, then.

"They might be waiting at the guild, so we can't let our guard down, Cro..."

Even after leaving the house, Jeanne remained slightly tense, constantly on alert.

She acts bold toward people she trusts, but completely awkward around strangers. Or maybe Jeanne, too, had been receiving hateful messages like me. After all, real popularity tends to attract its fair share of haters.

"Cro, I've been thinking—maybe we're not at the right level to casually chat like we did yesterday. Perhaps we should start projecting more authority."

"Pressing, equipment or something? I think Reflia's weapon already has plenty of pressure."

"True. In fact, I doubt they'd even talk to Reya. Even I wouldn't have approached someone like that if it weren't for our connection."

"Someone like that..."

Well, I get it.

Reflia's incredibly beautiful, so talking to her must take real courage.

And her weapon's huge too.

"So, Reya. I'm counting on you to handle the front desk at the guild. Cro and I will be waiting."

"Eh? It's fine, really."

"If those guys try talking to you, just hit them once."

"I already said this before—didn't they mention they had some powerful weapon?"

Jeanne had already become quite relaxed around Reflia, even able to joke with her. They're about the same age, so I think that's a good thing.

Incidentally, if we actually went all out, it'd cause serious trouble, but I doubt they'd fire at Reflair right in the middle of the guild.

When we stayed hidden outside the guild, Reflair came out about five minutes later.

It seems they didn't run into the other three.

"……So, what are the two of you doing?"

Reflair said, looking exasperated.

"What do you mean, just trying not to be seen?"

"The trick is to thin out your shadow just enough with Dark Mist so you don't stand out."

"Sigh, both of you are strong, yet so oddly timid in weird ways…"

Both me and Jeanne were naturally introverted to begin with.

While the people from the other world treat us and Plus equally, transferees are different—especially those in the second wave.

Let's be honest.

Both Jeanne and I are afraid of the second-wave transmigrants.

We hired Grapeflue as usual and entered the labyrinth.

Passing through the first floor, then the second, and the third.

Floors that the newly arrived second-wave transmigrants haven't reached yet.

Ever since we came to this world, the labyrinth has felt more comfortable than anywhere else.

The path leading to the fourth floor. While moving forward, defeating the monsters we encounter, Jeanne, who had been checking her status screen, suddenly looked surprised and said,

"Hey, Cro. Did you notice this?"

"What are you talking about? I can't see other people's status boards, so I don't know."

"It's the one from the Abyssal Transmigrant. That guy—don't know if it's a man or woman—but they're still alive."

I hadn't noticed because I rarely check the world map.

Upon checking, the blue dot is indeed still there. Its position has shifted to the outer edge of the Abyss.

"Incredible... How many days have passed since the transfer?"

"Almost ten days now. Given the distance it's moved, it's clearly not stuck by the barrier stone. The second wave transferees are dangerous, but this one's in a league of its own—truly terrifying."

The Abyss seems to be an exceptionally dangerous place, even by this world's standards.

A wasteland stretching for dozens of kilometers, walls hundreds of meters high, predatory beasts hungry for blood.

Though the world map doesn't reveal precise details, even Refrea knew it was a perilous zone. It's unlikely any newly transferred Earthling could survive here.

Yet this transferee has survived.

Either they received an exceptionally valuable gift from the gods, or they're a master at combat and survival.

"But the wall of the abyss hasn't been crossed yet. Once that's done, it'll truly be real."

"The map shows the line overlapping, so how would you even know?"

"There's a slight dot inside. It shouldn't have been crossed."

Will they eventually scale this sheer cliff, hundreds of meters high, and survive?

Well, it's quite far from Meltya (it feels close on the world map), so the chance of this abyss traveler coming here is probably low, but it might be wise to stay alert anyway.