“But… it is rather strange.” The guide then mused unconsciously scrunching his brows, seemingly in deep thought, as he constantly checked the various entrances stationed at each corner of the brightly lit semi-circular den.

It is not wrong to have such a thought as the Bouqmouses usually go back to their dens right after finding their desired greenery for the day after all.

Also, as it is currently within the night hours the Bouqmouses couldn’t possibly have stayed longer on the surface to dry their harvest.

Thus there are no other reasons for it to stay out for so long.

The only other possible explanation is that there is another intruder inside this labyrinth so the Bouqmouses may have given them a greeting….

But it seems that their way of entry is a bit different to how the Hero and the Guide had previously ‘entered’ the labyrinth.

“…ugh…” Under the Guide’s constant movements, likely due to how heavy the Hero’s head was, the latter now showed discomfort from feeling the movements of the unstable ‘pillow’.

“…Despite there could possibly be others inside this labyrinth that could do us more harm than the monsters present, this Hero would forcefully make others his personal pillow as he sleeps without a care for the world….”

“Really…. How could someone be so inconsiderate?” Disappointed but not surprised, the Guide could only mutter his rants so as to not disturb the Hero’s rest.

Lest the childish Hero wakes up in a foul mood and thus make more of a mess, the poor Guide wouldn’t know what to do when that happens.

So, he could only stay still despite the unbearable weight of the Hero’s head on his lap.

“Looking at this Hero one more time… the pudding hair really does stick out. I remember that people in his world who wear the pudding color on their hair are called a ‘Yawn key’? or was it ‘Yangkee’??”

As the Guide had currently nothing to do but stay still, the boredom and lack of tasks prompted the said Guide’s train of thought to constantly run around.

“Ehem… regardless what the right term was, why did the prophecy choose him? As the ‘Yangkees’ are rather known for being troublemakers and were all constantly exposed to cruelty… or maybe the damned [άγγελος] are now all at their wits end.”

“Speaking of pudding hair… sukkar was the reason we got dragged into this labyrinth in the first place. No… rather it was mostly due to my irresponsible reconnaissance that I failed to even determine if the location was really safe or not…. “

“…It seems I must reflect on my poor control over impulses.”

“Regardless of all that, despite successfully getting what we came for and escaping from that …ugh…. Even till now I can still hear the constant buzzing of its wings and the smell of onions wafting in the air…”

The Guide then shivered at the mention of that creature, especially since it was coming from his own mouth.

“Ugh…Well first and foremost, we need to get out if this labyrinth. It is far too advanced for the Hero to even think on having a slim chance to clear it.”

Barely recovering, the Guide then smoothly pushed that thought to the corner of his head as he continued his soft mumblings.

“Also the constant rumbling noises are starting to bother me. This shaking is obviously not natural, the only other cause of such a feat is that it is man-made.”

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This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

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Waking up to the various rumbling noises, the Hero found himself stationed on the Guide’s lap.

The said Guide however had a visible frown plastered upon his face as he further scrutinized his already narrow eyes.

Seeing that frosty yet stiff look, the gears in the Hero’s head finally began to work and so caused him to remember vaguely that he had previously blacked out right after teasing the poor Guide.

The Hero then remained dazed as he wondered how he managed to rest on the fussy Guide’s lap without even waking-up till now due to the rumbling noises in the far distance.

Snapping him out of his daze however was the voice of the said Guide that could barely let out a sentence without fully gritting his teeth.

“How long are you going to remain sleeping Hero? Do you need me to pat your head and tell you ‘good morning?’.”

Interpretation: [How long are you going to keep using me as a pillow, at your level we can’t even clear this labyrinth so how much more time do you intend to waste?! At this rate we’ll likely be stuck in this labyrinth until the day you die.]

It sure felt as if the Guide had said it like that as the way it was delivered wasn’t at all gentle contrary to the words spoken.

“Oh? My bad~ do forgive this tired lowly me, dear guide!” Without missing a beat, the Hero quickly sat up as the Guide remained sitting.

“You don’t look the least bit sorry to me Hero. If all you intend is to give a performance why not try a bit harder at managing you expressions.”

The Guide then glared at the Hero who was subtly letting out a small strained chuckle due to the former being unable to stand.

Despite the fact that it was likely due to how long he had stayed sleeping on the Guide’s lap, the Hero shamelessly couldn’t withhold his laughter any longer even while the latter resorted to staring daggers.

“HAHAHAHAHA haa~ at any rate, the Bouqmouse hasn’t returned yet?” Trying hard to change the subject, the Hero couldn’t help but still feel curious why the owner of this den hasn’t at all yet returned.

“Yes, for the past hour or so. It is likely that the Bouqmouse greeted the other unwelcomed guests.”

“…Say, do Bouqmouses attack people?”

“If you do so as try to take their arrangements, then yes, they would spare no effort in tearing your limbs.”

“Arrangements? You mean those dried flowers and fresh plants in here? Despite knowing that information you still intended to take some. Our dear guide, are you dumb or what?”

“I forgot to tell you that it is only in normal circumstances that Bouqmouses prefer to attack.”

“So there are exceptions?”

“I’m glad you are making use of your brain Hero.”

“All thanks to our dear guide’s determined guidance. But it seems that in order for us to even dream of getting out, we have to meet the other unwelcomed guests.”

“How observant... and yes I suppose that I’ll give you credit in thinking that. As in order to even encounter a Bouqmouse we have to stop the rumbling noises that the other guests keeps on making.”

“They sure are diligent when it comes to disturbing others.”

“Oh, I believe we aren’t here to praise you though Hero.”

“Ouch~ dear guide I don’t necessarily disturb others…”

“Then next time if you’re going to sleep about, try and find a corner you can use as a pillow instead. Better yet in the next village, we should just purchase some outdoor equipment you can use.”

The Guide then said with the look that seems to say ‘with the money you received from the castle of course’.

“I’m not all to blame for that our dear guide~! I was just too tired so please stop giving me that look. Didn’t I say before? You shouldn’t give yourself anymore wrinkles~”

Recognizing the Guide’s intent the Hero quickly shifted the subject away from ‘money’.

“I don’t scrunch my eyebrows for no reason Hero, now I wonder who of all people actually has the right to complain.”

“If you don’t like it so much, you can just go on your merry way and I would take my time to defeat the demon king.”

The Hero then leisurely teased the Guide knowing full well that the latter would for sure reason that the people ‘need’ the Hero and that the Demon King ‘must’ be defeated quickly, just like what the Guide had said on the day they first met.

“I wish it was that simple, Hero.” Contrary to what the Hero thought the Guide would say, the latter only gave a brief response.

While saying so, the Guide’s eyes seemed to contain various rippling emotions… the most noticeable being ‘melancholy’.

Caught off-guard by the Guide’s short retort, the Hero could only once again try to change the subject so as to not dampen the mood even further. “By the way~ since the Bouqmouse isn’t home, you sure you don’t need the ‘rare’ plants that they have gathered?”

“Oh come to think of it, due to a certain someone, I have not been able to move at all and take my time to get some of those plants.”

“Hey! Our dear benevolent guide I have already apologized didn’t I? So please just let this go…”

“Hurry and help then.” The Guide then motioned towards the Hero to help in taking some of the rare plants within the brightly lit den.

“Much obliged!” Relieved that the Guide had let him go without the least bit of an hour long sermon, the Hero happily helped.