***

“Hero!” The Guide seemingly noticing something ahead called for the Hero’s attention with which the said Hero was busy laughing at this dire situation.

The laughs then ceased as the Hero finally payed attention to the Guide that was running behind him.

At the corner of the Hero’s eye, a glowing light caught his attention.

Finally understanding the Guide’s intentions, the Hero slowed down and took the said Guide’s hand as he followed the glowing light.

With the boulder a few miles behind them, the Hero dragged the Guide as he sped up.

The glowing light was now within reach as the Hero prompted a sharp turn with the Guide in tow.

A few moments later, the boulder crashed into the wall thus blocking their path.

“Pwew~ I thought we were a goner just now. But~~ how do we get out of here? The boulder graciously blocked our way.”

As he muttered in passing the Hero began to use his sword to try and smash the boulder, but to no avail.

“Save your breath Hero, that’s a material from the labyrinth.” Without looking at the idiotic Hero, the Guide began to scramble through the huge luggage.

“So?” With a questioning look on his face the Hero finally stopped trying to break the indestructible boulder.

“Haa… At your current level you can’t even as much think to try and clear this labyrinth let alone try to cross its rules.”

Finally finding what he was looking for, the Guide let out a brief sigh as he slowly explained to the Hero.

“Ouch~ that’s pretty harsh guide. I have a veryyy~ fragile heart you know~”

“…I speak nothing but the truth, as it’s the creed of a Guide.” Using a stick like object the Guide began to mark the wall.

“Did… You sign a contract of truth or something?”

“…” The Guide then replied nothing, which the Hero took as a silent agreement.

“Wait seriously? Also won’t that marking disappear?”

“It’s only applied when speaking with you Hero and no, the marking won’t disappear. This rod is inscribed with a spell that is specifically used in labyrinths such as this. ”

“Oh~ I see, what a very useful object!” The Hero then brought his open palm and fist together, seemingly in understanding.

But soon the said Hero flashed a confused expression on his face as he continued his words of doubt.

“Wait... Is it alright to disclose this kind of information?”

“Yes that’s right. As you, the Hero is included in the said clause so it is only right that you learn of it.”

“That’s not the point- What I mean is… I don’t need to do anything else in exchange for this information?”

“What? Were you expecting a challenge or something?”

“Well~ that’s what you always order me to do when you disclose a useful piece of information.”

“….”

“Ah~ haha… don’t look at me like your gonna poison my food later or something~ I mean didn’t I tell you that I am immune to various types of poisons.”

“…That wasn’t a joke?”

“Of course not! Don’t tell me you didn’t take my words seriously~? I’m hurt!”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

‘How can I take your words seriously when everything that comes out from your mouth is either a joke or some kind of nonsense…’

“Pfft- hahahahahah!!”

“What’s so funny this time Hero?”

“Nothing~ nothing! Haha! So~ how are we gonna get out?”

“We walk.”

“Easier said than done- hmm? What’s this glowing thing?” A long winding trail soon caught the Hero's eye.

The glow of this trail however, was far different from when the Guide uses his ability on the Hero.

Noticing of the soft glow underneath their feet the Guide immediately recognized this trail. “Isn't this... A Luminescentslug’s path!”

“A what, now?”

“A Lu.Mi.Nes.Cent.S.Lug’s path.”

“Yup no clue!”

“…”

“What?”

“Haa… As long as we follow this path, we’ll be safe for a while. We’re really lucky that it wasn’t cleaned by a Bouqmouse yet.” Remembering that the Hero was still ineptly learned towards this world, the Guide could only briefly let out a small sigh.

Perplexed and maybe slightly offended with the Guide's reaction, the Hero could only point out the naming sense of this world's people. “You know, your people’s naming senses are either straight forward or downright weird.”

“Just follow the trail Hero.” Having enough of this tomfoolery, the Guide went ahead to follow the trail leaving behind the Hero and his unanswered notion.

“Yes~” The Hero in turn only slightly shrugged his shoulders, seemingly used to the Guide's behavior as he followed the latter meticulously.

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“Hey, I’ve been meaning to say this earlier but why do I feel like we’re getting deeper into the labyrinth than getting closer to the exit?!”

After walking for a long, long while, the Hero could not help but voice his complains as even in his original world he had never walked for this long.

“I said [we’ll be safe], not [we’ll find the exit].” Without so much as looking back, the Guide answered the grouchy Hero.

“…We’ve been walking for almost an hour now! or maybe more... Anyways! I can’t take it anymore~ I’mma pass out!” The Hero in turn answered the Guide begrudgingly as he forced himself to drag his now numb feet.

“Hero, it’s best to not move away from the Luminescentslug’s trail as this labyrinth is stronger than your current level.”

“But~ butttt!! My legs hurtttt~ don’t yours hurt toooo??? Hmm~~ let’s take a break pleaseee! I’m begging you oh honorable guide!” On his wits end the Hero could only beg the Guide to let them take a break as the latter seemingly have no idea what 'rest' is.

“I already said we can’t take a break 'for now' Hero, the risk is too much and we can’t camp out in this narrow hall.” Taking into account the barely wide hall that could fit about a handspan on either side of a person, the Guide could only follow the Luminescentslug's trail despite being tired himself.

The place being tight and narrow was just not an ideal place for rest nor for battle if one ever ensues.

“I can’t anymore! Carry me, drag me or just leave me behind I’m too tired oh honorable guide”

“Must you really be this childish Hero? Haa… we just have to wait until we get into a clear spot then you can get your royal rest.”

“I’m really seriousss~ my legs hurt from all the running and not only that I-“

“Be quiet for now…”

“What-“

“It seems you can get your royal rest early after all and without the need of having to leave you behind.” The Guide then pointed forward as at the end of the hall revealed a clear dome-like space littered with all kinds of plants and flowers.

The over-abundance and freshness of the plants makes you slightly wonder, [how exactly do these things grow in here?].

“…! A clearing and it’s huge too." Finally noticing the direction where the Guide was pointing at, the Hero then felt a slight breeze blowing on his face that seemed unlikely in a sealed off underground labyrinth such as this.

In conclusion the Hero could only think that this wasn't at all an illusion, but reality.

It seems that they have finally arrived at a place suitable for rest.

Clap clap

The Guide then proceeded to clap with a blank expression as he walked ahead of the overreacting Hero. “….Your luck is really plentiful, oh gracious Hero.”

“Oh-ho! Our dear honorable guide learned the word [sarcasm] I wonder where you did though.” Regaining his vitality the Hero walked ahead while facing the Guide and thus proceeded to pester the latter with an ever mischievous smile present on his face.

Briefly stopping in his tracks, the Guide looks to be wearing an expression that seems to say [seriously?] as he then voiced his honest opinions with a tone that expresses he's so done with the Hero's antics. “Isn’t it obviously from the person in front of me, oh dear gracious Hero.”

“Dear heavens I must be blind though! Nobody is in front of you dear guide~” The Hero then said shamelessly as he proceeded to walk beside the tired Guide.

‘How thick skinned can you possibly be…’ Annoyance present on his face, the Guide then walked ahead of the Hero as if he's done talking reason with the latter.

‘Hehe~ his thoughts are written all over his face, I won’t say it out loud though pfft.’

“For some reason I feel as though I’m being silently disrespected. Do you have any ideas who could possibly do such a thing, Hero?”

“God forbid! Oh wait do you guys even have a god in the first place?”

“….You need to learn more.” Finally at his wits end, the Guide left the Hero with a huff as he proceeded to enter the clearing.

“Hey~ guide~~ wait for me~~”