Chishiya touched his chin and muttered, "But first, we need money."
The essence of the underground labyrinth was simple: a giant farm.
To sell the stuff inside.
Not a bad deal.
He downed the last of the water in the box.
These supplies… looked like beginner loot.
A newbie starter pack?
Whatever. Rim ate most of it anyway…
He opened the system shelves.
[Product Shelf: Empty]
"Empty, so I have to stock it myself, huh?"
[Correct]
[The host can directly place goods on the system shelf.]
[The system will use big data algorithms to locate precise customers across worlds.]
[Items are converted into reputation points based on each world's currency and returned to the host.]
"So convenient?"
Chishiya raised a brow.
That eliminated a lot of hassle.
But first, he needed to figure out what he could actually produce right now.
He pulled up the labyrinth resource tab.
[Current Resources: Low-level Magic Ore, Iron Ore, Copper Ore, Rare Metals, Healing Grass (Low-grade)]
Let's skip iron and copper for now.
Magic ore...
That one was a blank spot in Chishiya's financial knowledge. Earth didn't have this stuff.
"System, can you mine it for me?"
[Negative]
"...?"
[There are tools in the box. The host can mine manually.]
"Excuse me?"
You're a system. You know modern college students can't even pass a basic fitness test.
I struggle with stairs. You want me mining?
This is ridiculous…
Grumbling, Chishiya pulled a pickaxe from the box, walked into the cave, and started swinging at the glowing blue ore on the wall.
I have to mine.
I need money.
I need food.
If I don't dig up product, I don't eat dinner.
Even heroes fall without a coin to their name.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Damn it!!!"
The sounds of metal clashing and Chishiya's cries echoed through the cave.
…
No idea how much time passed.
Clatter…
Chishiya dumped the contents of his backpack.
A pile of crystal-like minerals spilled out, glowing faintly. They looked like raw crystals but gave off their own light.
There was enough to make a small hill. Maybe over a hundred pieces.
It didn't seem like much, but Chishiya's legs were trembling.
He looked like he'd just walked out of a mining simulator.
His face was so dark it outshaded his sweatshirt.
"...I didn't think I had it in me."
Sometimes you don't know your limits until you push them.
Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Chishiya said, "System, will this do?"
[Analyzing...]
[Low-Level Magic Ore, Mana Purity: 50%]
[Evaluation: C-Rank Item]
"Magic ore… is this stuff the main energy source in other worlds?"
[Correct]
The system confirmed.
Chishiya narrowed his eyes.
"Then I should be able to make some decent money from this."
He loaded all the magic ore onto the system shelf.
Then shifted his attention to the other materials.
"Can iron ore be used to make armor?"
[No. The host must recruit specialized employees to unlock the corresponding technology.]
"So, same goes for herbs too?"
[Correct]
"Got it."
That meant the next step was recruiting employees from other worlds.
Chishiya tossed the pickaxe aside.
"System, like you said… how do I travel to other worlds?"
[Opening the map for the host...]
Shwoooosh.
A full map projected into the air in front of him.
Continents drifted across it like puzzle pieces on tectonic plates.
Chishiya's location was precisely at the intersection of them all.
[All worlds are connected to the host's labyrinth.]
[The host may choose any world to enter.]
Shwoooosh.
Several world panels floated into view.
[God's Blessings on This Wonderful World]
[Frieren]
[That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime]
[The Dungeon of Black Company]
...and more.
"They're literally all anime titles."
Chishiya blinked.
Aqua. Frieren. That adorable slime boss, Rimuru... all iconic characters.
Were these the "core employees" the system wanted him to recruit?
His gaze sharpened.
"Alright then."
"Let's start with the first one. Konosuba World."
[Confirmed]
[Transferring...]
———
Novice Town: Axel.
Surrounded by 10-meter-high stone walls, the city was lined with medieval-style brick buildings.
The streets resembled an old European town.
On one particular street...
Wiz's Magic Item Shop
A curvy brunette in a purple robe leaned tiredly on the counter.
Rustle...
Wiz flipped through this month's ledger, visibly distressed.
"Why... another loss?"
"I really have been trying so hard..."
Jingle.
The bell above the door rang.
Someone had entered.
"Hey! Shopkeeper! What's wrong with this potion you sold me?!"
A dusty adventurer stomped in and slammed a half-empty red potion bottle onto the counter.
Wiz jumped in surprise, shrinking back.
"W-What happened?"
The man snapped, "Your potion that boosts Paralysis ended up paralyzing me!"
"I nearly got eaten by a monster, you know that?!"
"S-So sorry!"
Wiz bowed deeply in apology.
"I'll issue a refund right away..."
"What kind of garbage shop is this?"
The adventurer took the money and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Wiz let out a deep sigh.
"That's the tenth one this month..."
"These were all supposed to be top-selling items…"
Ding!
A mechanical voice suddenly echoed.
[Welcome to Underground Labyrinth Enterprise Co., Ltd.]
[Dear customer, we proudly present the following product:]
[Magic Crystal, Mana Purity: 50%!]
[Introductory Price: Only 50,000 Eris! Order now!]
"Underground... Labyrinth Enterprise?"
Wiz stared at the floating projection in front of her.
"Is this... projection magic?"
"U-Uh, I don't really need this…"
"Why not ask someone else instead?"
Magic crystals with only 50% purity could only be used to craft C-rank magic items.
Who'd pay for that?
Wiz shook her head firmly.
Her store had been running in the red for months. She couldn't afford to gamble on some random item.
[...]
[Are you sure you don't want just one?]
"No."
She shook her head again, and her chest bounced along with the motion.
[...]
[As part of our beta launch, the company will offer you one crystal as a free trial.]
[If you find it satisfactory, please reach out.]
[Contact us by saying the company's name aloud.]
[We look forward to working with you.]
Beep.
The projection vanished.
In its place, a blue magic crystal appeared on the counter.
Wiz hesitantly tapped it.
"It just... appeared?"
"Was that spatial magic?"
"Underground Labyrinth Enterprise… What a strange name."
"But…"
She looked at the magic crystal.
"Could this thing... really sell?"
(To be continued.)