100 Oh? The look on your face…?
Even today, wandering through the middle layer.
Hm.
It’s been quite some time since arriving in the middle layer, yet the end still isn’t in sight.
No wonder it’s the largest labyrinth in the world.
If a human were to attempt to clear this, they’d need to commit their entire life to it, wouldn’t they?
[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Identification LV9' has upgraded to 'Identification LV10'.]
Huh?
Oh?
Ohhh!?
Finally.
Finally, Master of Identification has reached maximum capacity!
Wah, so incredibly happy!
The very first skill I acquired—the one we’ve struggled through together—has finally, finally become complete!
At first, Identification was utterly useless.
Each level-up added subtle, incremental improvements.
The gradual joy of seeing it grow more effective.
Now, a refined, proper Identification skill.
You have persevered and grown, despite constant criticism.
And to the鉴定 master, universally acknowledged.
Even you, at last, at last!
Uo-on!
Finally.
Well done.
Moved.
Thank you, Judge-sama!
Please continue to look after me, Inspector-sama!
No evolution or branching, then.
No, it's fine, really.
It's impressive enough that the鉴定 (assessor) has reached a standstill.
I had expected a slight evolution toward something akin to a steward of wisdom.
Is there none?
I thought maybe, if it were you, but there’s nothing—
Shock.
…Really, none at all?
Za... za... za... za... za...
...What is this sound? Like sandstorm through a television?
"Za... request... Za... upper-level administrator authority... Za......"
Huh?
What? What?
"…Sari, the reason… No, reject… No…"
Something's wrong.
I don’t know what’s wrong, but it’s wrong.
《Za, Ping!》
The sharp, clear sound of "Ping" cut through the noise that had been present before. I flinched involuntarily.
《Request accepted by Upper-Level Administrator D.》
《Constructing skill 'Wisdom'.》
《Construction complete.》
《Condition met. Acquired skill 'Wisdom'.》
《'Identification LV10' integrated into 'Wisdom'.》
《'Perception LV10' integrated into 'Wisdom'.》
《Mastery level reached. Skill 'Taboo LV7' upgraded to 'Taboo LV8'.》
《Condition met. Acquired title 'Master of Wisdom'.》
《Title 'Master of Wisdom' effect granted skills 'Arcane Apex' and 'Stellar Magic'.》
《'MP Recovery Speed LV4' integrated into 'Arcane Apex'.》
《'MP Consumption Reduction LV3' integrated into 'Arcane Apex'.》
《'Mana LV9' integrated into 'Stellar Magic'.》
《'Protective Law LV4' integrated into 'Stellar Magic'.》
Huh?
Huh?
Huh huh huh huh huh?
No no.
Something’s wrong.
This is seriously off-kilter.
What’s going on?
Why did this happen?
What should I do?
Calm down.
Body, first—breathe.
In... in... out.
Good.
Now, organize step by step.
Start from when the strange sound began.
What was that?
Can’t tell.
Normally, I’d just dismiss trying to figure out something I don’t understand. But this time, that won’t work.
Because this is clearly an anomaly.
Anomaly. Yes. Anomaly.
I’ve always operated under the assumption that the world was normal—skills, abilities, all acquired through that lens. But in Japan, skills like this don’t exist at all.
In Japan, having skills would be the abnormality.
Was it acceptable for this world to accept such an obvious truth so simplistically—just because this is how the world is?
It would have been acceptable just a moment ago.
But now, it is not.
The voice from the heavens I distinctly heard a moment ago stated:
《Request accepted by Upper-level Administrator D.》
《Constructing skill 'Wisdom'.》
《Construction complete.》
These words—do they not resemble someone monitoring me (…………………………) and creating a skill (…………………………) in response to my complaints (…………………………)?
If that is truly the case, then the culprit is the individual known as Administrator D.
And considering what the term 'Upper-level' implies, the existence of administrators is not limited to this D alone.
Then, what exactly do administrators manage?
It is certain.
Skills.
Given this sequence of events, there is no other possibility to consider.
In essence, skills in this world were (……………………) things granted (……………………) to those who claimed the title of Administrator (……………………).
Why?
How?
That, I cannot determine.
But this much I can say:
Something is wrong with this world.
A cold sensation runs down my spine.
Not the same kind of fear I felt when encountering the Earth Dragon or the My Mother—this is a different kind of dread, creeping in slowly, steadily.
Is the so-called Administrator smiling at my frantic state?
I am afraid.
Skills I have relied on all this time now feel like alien forms, incomprehensible.
What should I do next?
What should I do?