Chapter 16. Isn't It Reasonable for an Archer Like Me to Use a Gun?
They traversed the long and oppressive "Labyrinth of Rocks."
The moment Shirou Emiya and Lili stepped into the 18th floor, the field of vision suddenly opened up. No longer were they in dark, damp passageways, but in a vast, boundless underground space. Massive glowing crystals were embedded in the ceiling dozens of meters above, radiating brilliance like broad daylight. Beneath their feet lay lush green meadows, and in the distance, one could even see shimmering lakes and dense forests.
"No matter how many times I see it, I find it incredible," Shirou said, taking a deep breath of the fresh air as his tensed nerves relaxed slightly. "To think a place like this exists inside the Dungeon."
"This is the 18th floor, the 'Under Resort'."
Lili wiped the sweat from her forehead. Though her body was exhausted, her spirits were high. Her massive backpack was stuffed to the brim with Magic Stones, and she even had several bags hanging off the outside with rope.
"Emiya-sama, shall we rest at the town ahead? Although things there are expensive, we can restock our supplies."
Lili pointed toward the edge of the distant forest, where a rugged town built of timber and rock was faintly visible.
Rivira Town. A lawless zone where wanted criminals, rogue adventurers, and greedy merchants gathered. While nominally a supply station for adventurers, it was actually a place rife with violence and fraud.
"Yeah, I wanted to check it out anyway."
Shirou nodded, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes. His [Mind's Eye] told him that the nauseating scent of the bastards who tried to set them up with "Monster Lure" on the 13th floor was currently concentrated in that town.
.
.
.
Rivira Town, a tavern named "The Jolly Roger."
Calling it a tavern was a stretch; it was more like a large shack built from raw logs. The interior was smoky, filled with the stench of sweat and low-quality alcohol.
"Hahahaha! Cheers!"
At a round table, several adventurers who looked somewhat disheveled were raising their mugs in celebration. It was the very same party that had used "Pass Parade" on Shirou earlier.
"What total crap luck! We finally lured a whole mob, and that rookie actually didn't die?"
The leader, a scarred man with a burly build, downed a mouthful of ale and cursed indignantly.
"What kind of monster is that kid? I looked back once, and he was basically taking a bath in the middle of that horde!"
"Boss, forget that freak," a lackey beside him said, his face still pale with lingering fear. "Anyway, we made it to Rivira. Once the heat dies down, we'll swap floors. Even if that kid lived, he's definitely gravely injured. He's probably back on the surface crying by now."
"Too true! As long as we didn't die in that hellhole, it's a win!"
Scarface slammed the table with a grin.
"Barkeeper! Another barrel! And call over that dealer who sells the contraband; I've still got a few bottles of Monster Lure to offload..."
"Oh? Would you consider selling those to me?"
A gentle voice suddenly spoke up from behind them.
"Huh? Who the hell are you? Do you know the rules—"
Scarface turned around impatiently. Then, his expression froze. The mug slipped from his hand, spilling amber liquid all over the floor.
Standing behind him was a youth with short red hair. He wore light leather armor, his hands tucked in his pockets, a crimson shortsword hanging at his waist, and an innocent smile on his face. Behind the youth, the Pallum girl carrying the massive backpack was staring at them with eyes that looked like she was viewing trash.
"Y-You! How are you here?!" Scarface jumped up as if he'd seen a ghost.
"What about the monsters?! There were dozens of Hellhounds!"
"They've been dealt with."
Shirou pulled out a chair and sat down casually, as if chatting with an old friend.
"Cleaning up the battlefield took a little time, so I arrived late. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"De-Dealt with?"
The lackeys nearby turned white with fear. He wiped out dozens of middle-level monsters? And looking at him, there wasn't a single scratch? Is this guy a Level 3?!
"W-What do you want?"
Scarface was a veteran of the underworld and regained his composure quickly. He signaled his men, who began creeping toward their weapons.
"This is Rivira! It's a lawless zone! Even if you're from the Loki Familia, you need strength to make a move here—"
"Strength, you say?"
Shirou interrupted him. He slowly extended his right hand and placed it on the table.
"Trace—On."
Hum! Emerald Magic Circuits lit up. A pitch-black, menacing-looking handgun appeared in his hand. Of course, that was merely the external form projected by magecraft; in essence, it was a "magic gun" capable of firing high-density mana bullets.
Bang!
Without even looking, Shirou casually pulled the trigger. A mana bullet grazed Scarface's ear and precisely shattered the hilt of the sword held by a lackey behind him who was attempting a sneak attack.
"Ah!" The lackey screamed, the webbing of his thumb split open as the broken sword clattered to the floor.
The tavern went dead silent. Everyone stared in horror at the red-haired youth. No chanting, no grand movements—just a lift of the hand to disable a man's weapon.
"I don't like violence," Shirou said, blowing the faint blue smoke (mana residue) from the muzzle, his tone still mild.
"But I'm no saint either. Since you used 'Pass Parade' on me, it's only reasonable that I ask for some 'emotional distress compensation,' right?"
"R-Reasonable... perfectly reasonable!"
Cold sweat poured down Scarface's face.
He could feel it; although the youth was smiling, the pressure he emitted was more terrifying than a Floor Boss. If he dared say "no," the next bullet would definitely blow his head off.
"So... how much do you want?" Scarface reached for his pouch with trembling hands.
"I don't need money."
Shirou shook his head, his gaze sweeping over their gear. "Your armor and weapons look decent enough... Lili, go pick out the valuable pieces. We'll take them back to Tsubaki-san as recycling materials."
"Eh? Really?" Lili's eyes lit up. She immediately dropped her backpack and walked over, rubbing her hands together.
"Then I won't hold back! These bracers are Mithril-plated! This necklace has anti-poison effects! And this sword, though the edge is chipped, the steel is good..."
The next five minutes saw a hilarious scene of "robbery" play out in the tavern. The seemingly frail Pallum girl stripped the adventurers down to their underwear like a seasoned bandit. Meanwhile, the red-haired youth sat nearby, sipping juice and supervising with a smile.
The surrounding thugs remained as quiet as cicadas in winter, not daring to breathe loudly. In Rivira, might makes right. And this red-haired kid's fist was clearly harder than steel.
"Emiya-sama! A bountiful harvest!"
Lili held a pile of equipment, her face blooming with joy. "If we fix this junk up a bit, it'll sell for at least a million Valis!"
"Excellent."
Shirou stood up, and the magic gun dissolved into motes of light. He walked over to Scarface, who was shivering in the cold wind wearing nothing but boxers, and looked down at him.
"I'm only taking the gear this time because you didn't actually hurt anyone," Shirou's voice turned chillingly cold. "If I see you using such underhanded methods to harm people again... I'll throw you into the 'Large Tree Labyrinth' on the 19th floor to serve as fertilizer.
Get out."
"Yes, yes, yes! Thank you for your mercy, my lord!"
Scarface and his men scrambled out of the tavern, drawing a burst of laughter from the street outside.
"Phew... much better."
Shirou stretched and turned to Lili. "Let's go find an inn. We'll stay the night here and head back to the surface tomorrow."
"Understood, Emiya-sama!"
Lili looked at Shirou's back, her eyes brimming with adoration. This was her "god." Gentle like the sun when kind, and like a demon king when punishing the wicked. So cool!
-
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However, the two did not know that from the shadows in the corner of the tavern, a pair of eyes had watched the entire proceeding. It was a figure draped in a black robe, wearing a mask painted with strange patterns.
"Red hair... no-chant magecraft... and those strange constructed weapons."
The masked figure murmured in a raspy, distorted voice. "Just like the reports described. The brat who ruined the Soma Familia's plans."
He pulled a black crystal from his robe and whispered into it:
"Target confirmed. He is in Rivira Town. Do we strike tonight?"
The crystal flickered, and a cold voice responded:
"No rush. That so-called 'Strongest Rookie' will make an excellent Subject No. 1 for our Knossos (Artificial Labyrinth). Wait until he falls asleep... then bring him underground."
"Understood."
The masked figure stowed the crystal and watched Shirou and Lili depart, letting out a bone-chilling sneer.
The night in Rivira was destined to be anything but peaceful.
The tentacles of the Evilus had already quietly reached toward this shining new star.