"I don't recognize this ceiling..."

Not the familiar wooden paneling, but a ceiling coated in plaster.

I—Jeanne Collet—sat up and looked around.

The light filtering through the frosted glass window gradually brought my memories into focus.

　

The room was stark, yet the furnishings were of high quality. Clean bedding, unusual for this world, and a simple yet dignified bed made of wood resembling teak.

The pillow was soft and fluffy, seemingly containing feathers—a rare feature for this world's goods.

In Meltya, where wooden windows are standard, this inn was equipped with glass windows.

I see, so this is what you'd expect from an inn catering to nobles. In truth, I couldn't even reach the front desk until I showed my gold class insignia—clearly, commoners aren't welcome here.

Naturally, the room I stayed in was the cheapest available among those for nobles—probably one prepared for a maid or butler.

"Morning... no, already past noon..."

I'd booked one of the most luxurious inns in the labyrinth city of Meltya and spent the night sulking.

Crawling out of bed, I headed toward the washstand.

Although this city does have a public water system, it's not so convenient that water flows just by turning a faucet. Still, this inn is worth its reputation—equipped with a water spirit artifact, making it possible to draw water at will.

I'm told I could even request a bath if I asked.

I filled the washstand with water and washed my face.

The face reflected in the built-in small mirror looks perfectly healthy and even makes me laugh.

What happened yesterday. The turmoil in my heart. My innate "physical strength boost" and "vitality boost" pay no heed to any of it.

Not even the thought of crying through the night—forget about that.

I do a light warm-up stretch to check my condition.

Nothing's wrong.

My body is naturally in top shape, and my mind is surprisingly clear and calm.

After just one night, everything returns to normal—almost like a RPG-like ability.

I ponder for a moment whether this is due to the blessing of point acquisition or if it applies to all transferees. Then I reconsider: if it applied to all transferees, that adorable roommate wouldn't have been dragging on like that for so long.

Tinkling the built-in bell, I soon heard a knock.

I asked the maid who entered to prepare breakfast.

Checking the status plate, I saw it was already nearly noon.

I'd already passed the check-out time, so I’d likely have to pay for two days’ stay, but that was no problem—I had the financial cushion for it.

"…Still, isn’t the viewer count unusually high?"

I noticed it while checking the time—over 300 million.

Maybe my separation from Kuro has drawn so much attention.

But 300 million is an abnormal number. Is Kuro doing something, or is something else happening?

I knew, more than anyone, that complaining here was pointless.

Kuro’s indecisive and overly meticulous nature was hard to understand, but I could see why he’d end up that way.

Even I wouldn't open a message again if I were in the same situation.

In reality, if I were just living in this world, messages—no, even connections to Earth—would be nothing but a hindrance, offering almost no benefit at all.

The only thing they'd really provide is knowing the whereabouts of other transferees, nothing more.

Sure, crystals and points earned through viewership are advantages, but those accumulate on their own regardless of whether you read messages or not, so fundamentally, they don't matter.

In fact, basing your actions on that goal is dangerous. Even I didn't deliberately act with the intention of increasing viewership—I only ended up gaining more viewers as a result.

I can understand why my childhood friend—Nanami—would lose her composure over this.

Anyone would—me too—feel compelled to help, to the point of obsession.

　

I know this rationally… or at least, I should.

I ended up like this because I couldn’t stand being anything less than the best—a childish selfishness.

—No, I really am a child.

"I should apologize…"

While half-heartedly eating the continental-style breakfast brought to me, I pondered what to do next.

…There’s nothing I can do about it.

It doesn’t matter whether Nanami is actually coming this way or not.

I’ll just keep playing along until Kuro is satisfied. That’s all I needed to do.

If the transfer from the north is really Nanami, then I should go meet her myself. After all, she won’t believe it without seeing it with her own eyes.

◇◆◆◆◇

After lunch, I left my room.

At the front desk, I settled the bill—it was quite a sum.

Still, it’s nothing compared to what I could earn by diving into the labyrinth.

Maze exploration is honestly quite profitable, but ultimately it's a gamble that puts one's life on the line—so it could also be said to be a privilege reserved only for those who grow strong enough.

The weak can't even get past the second layer and die, can't stand against monsters in the third layer, and make almost no profit in the first layer.

That's the reality of maze explorers in Meltya.

The most common type of party in Meltya is a six-member group focused on the third layer, yet even a stable silver-rank (Silvestor) party like that fights monsters only about twice an hour, earning roughly ten to twenty euros per hour.

Given that surprise attacks from other monsters—especially if they're Garden Panthers—could easily kill one or two members, or even result in total annihilation, how unprofitable the whole endeavor truly is should be clear.Still, death is just as close to us as it is to anyone else.

Even the recent Scylla battle could have ended in someone's death, depending on the circumstances.

It's only that "we're currently managing well," and over the course of years, it's not surprising if things eventually break down somewhere.

Unlike a game where you can simply continue after a game over, dungeon exploration is something we undertake with just one life.

Of course, since we've been granted gifts from the gods, we're incomparable to ordinary explorers.

Therefore, those who can earn money will inevitably do so.

Especially since those descending into the lower levels take on greater risks—despite being able to secure stable income if they wanted to—so being able to stay comfortably in a luxury inn might actually be expected.

　

"By the way, it seems the Great Spirit of Water has stepped outside the temple."

It was a light comment from the front desk attendant as I was just finishing up my transaction and turning to leave.

The fact that they felt the need to mention it specifically suggests it's quite rare.

In fact, I've never seen such a thing since arriving in this town.

"Wasn't the Great Spirit supposed to stay within the temple?"

"Many people believe the Great Spirit cannot leave the temple, but that's not entirely true. For example, during festivals, the spirit does come out from within."

"I see. So are they holding a festival right now?"

"No, the exact details are unclear... something about someone having guided them, or so it's said."

"Guided...?"

Could it mean someone somehow brought the Great Spirit out using some method?

Could something like that even be possible? I've heard the Great Spirit is an entity akin to a god...

I'm the one they call "unwanted," and after having a bad experience once, I've stayed away from the temple. I've never actually seen the Great Spirit, but could it really be someone who can understand words?

A bad feeling washed over me.

Kuro, who should have come looking for me, didn't show up. The viewership number was unusually high. The Great Spirit, guided by someone.

The lie about Nanami being transferred. The current situation.

Everything seemed to fit together for some purpose.

That kind of... feeling...

"Apparently, there was someone loved by even the temple, and that's why the Great Spirit appeared."

The bellboy took over the conversation.

A shiver of dread crawled up my spine.

"Loved by everyone...? What kind of person is that?"

"Something like a black-haired boy in all-black clothes..."

A clicking sound like dots connecting into lines echoed in my mind, and I clicked my tongue at my own foolishness.

"Where is that great spirit!?"

"Huh? If you head out onto the main road and go north, there's a crowd gathered—should be easy to spot."

"North!? Toward the mansion!?"

I was staying at the best inn within the domain of the water spirit, and in fact, I wasn't far from the mansion at all.

I wouldn't be lying if I said I hadn't secretly hoped that Kuro would come looking for me.

Just finding me, and saying one word of apology—that would've been enough.

I never thought it would end up like this.

"I'm... really an idiot...!"

Ever since I met him, I'd been acting spoiled and dependent.

I acted all calm and composed, but that was just thanks to the boost from "Life Force Up," making my mind more stable.

In reality, I was nothing more than a 17-year-old girl from Earth.

I was just obsessively infatuated with a cool, exotic boy with black hair—someone dependable and kind to me—someone I had little immunity to as a girl of the same age.

I tried to hide it, yet occasionally made my best attempts at approaching him.

So when I realized I wasn’t special at all, I couldn’t help but get angry.

I had no right to feel that way.

I was such a hopeless fool.

The main street was unusually crowded.

It was already busy around here, but this was abnormal.

That must mean the Great Spirit has come out of the temple.

Is Kuro safe? What is Reya doing?

Pushing forcefully through the crowd,

the town wasn't that large. If she ran at full speed, the mansion would be reached in no time.

There it was.

A woman of overwhelmingly massive build.

Clad in a sky-blue dress, she looked like a goddess—if one were to call her a god—or a monster—if one were to call her a demon.

It was obvious she was not human.

"Kuro!"

For now, she had to find him.

But there was no sign of him anywhere.

No one else resembling another transmigrator either. Had she been overreacting?

The Great Spirit merely stood there, motionless.

The people around her seemed to be ordinary townsfolk, except for those clad in priestly robes.

She couldn't make sense of the situation at all.

I've heard that great spirit can speak, but is that really true?

I know I'm an outcast and can't form a "contract" with the Great Spirit, but I'm not really sure what kind of reaction it would actually give.

It might even attack me suddenly.

Though spirit magic shouldn't affect me, I can't be certain it's absolutely ineffective.

After all, it's a being akin to a god.

Even if I was panicking, I might have made a mistake.

I'm completely exposed right now. If it's an adversarial presence, I'd have no way to defend myself.

I paused, carefully observing the Great Spirit.

Preparing for the possibility it might launch an attack at any moment.

"Oh, oh, stinking, stinking. What's this? Seems there's a misfit here. Unbearable stench indeed."

The great spirit, unmoving and detached, suddenly turned toward me and made a gesture that scattered the air around its nose.

Its gaze was clearly directed at me, and the surrounding townspeople visibly flinched, stepping back as if repelled.

Could it be... that I'm the odd one out?

"Hohoho. Just when I thought I'd savored the finest fragrance, now I'm forced to endure an appalling stench. Even in my long life, this is unprecedented."

The townspeople around me looked thoroughly bewildered.

I myself was shocked too.

I never thought I'd be told straight to my face that I stink...

"Oh dear, so foul! My nose feels twisted. It’s driving away my appetite completely."

Wait, hold on. Do I really smell that bad?

I admit I didn’t bathe yesterday... but still...

"Unbearable, unbearable. I couldn't possibly stay in a place like this. Huh, hahaha..."

The Great Spirit swiftly retreated, putting distance between itself and me, as if shocked.

The townspeople around me were all staring in dumbfounded silence.

"Outcast..."

A voice murmured faintly, and like ripples spreading across water, their whispers began to echo.

—Outcast

—Why here, of all places?

—Don't let him near the temple!

—Shouldn't outcasts be culled after the sacred rite?

—Come to think of it, he really does stink...

—Ah, yes, I can feel it, awful stench...

I knew their eyes.

The eyes of those who see heretics. The eyes of humans determined to purge the heretic.

A tight grip around my heart, as if squeezed by an invisible hand.

If the boost from increased vitality hadn't also enhanced my mind as well as my body, I'd have just crouched down right there.

　

(Is staying here really a good idea?)

I forced my way through the crowd and ran toward the labyrinth.

There was no point in staying here anymore, and staying itself seemed to carry a dangerous aura.

I wanted to praise myself for managing to make a relatively calm decision.

(So that's it—being disliked... I hadn't actually known how I was treated in this world. Or perhaps it was better I didn't know. After all, it wasn't just some meaningless debuff that added thirty points of penalty...)

The fact that I could think so calmly about it made me feel slightly eerie.

Still, where on earth had Kuro gone?