That Time I Got Reincarnated as an Underground Labyrinth Manager

"How much?!!"

"Forty million—!!!"

Everyone was floored by the astronomical number.

An S-class Mana Stone only went for about 10 million Eris.

And this dress was worth four times that?

Was this some kind of twisted joke?

Who on earth could afford that price?

"Forty million Eris? It's so expensive I can't even afford to cry…"

"There goes my will to live…"

Some people sighed and began to leave in disappointment.

Off to the side, even Wiz looked stunned.

She had learned from last time.

Even she could tell this price was so high, no one would realistically buy it.

What was Chishiya trying to do this time?

Was this… part of his plan too?

Claire narrowed her eyes.

Forty million Eris wasn't just expensive—it was absurd.

Even in the royal capital, that was considered extravagant.

Let alone in a small place like Axel.

There weren't enough rich nobles to make this product viable.

So what was the point?

Meanwhile, over by Mitsurugi Kyouya—

His two companions sneered.

"He seriously dares to charge that much."

"Who'd pay 40 million Eris for that? That guy's brain is just one big gold coin."

Mitsurugi said softly, "That dress is still very beautiful. Don't you want it?"

"Wha—Who would want that kind of thing…"

"T-That's not it…"

They looked away, stammering.

In truth—

They absolutely wanted it.

They wanted it badly.

If Chishiya had sold it at a normal price, they would've rushed the store.

But now, it was too late.

If Mitsurugi found out, how would he look at them?

—

On stage, Chishiya continued smiling calmly.

Of course, that 40 million figure had just been pulled out of thin air.

Hype?

When you hold the core technology, why not manipulate the price?

Besides, he wasn't even planning to sell the dress in the first place.

Chishiya said, "Now, let me announce the second matter."

"Due to the complexity of defensive rune engraving—"

Not really. It was actually trivial with the Great Sage's help.

"Our store has developed alternative products that can effectively defend against elementary and intermediate-level magic."

"Prices range from 100,000 Eris to 4 million Eris."

"As for this dress, it's just a demonstration item."

Chishiya held up the white gauze dress again and looked out over the crowd.

"It will be given away for free through a game."

What?!

Several adventurers who were preparing to leave immediately froze in place.

"Did he just say free?!"

"Are you kidding?! He's giving away something worth 40 million?!"

"I heard this shop was honest, but this is next level!"

"Brother, you must be new here. The last pre-order promo was even better!"

"A C-class magic crystal usually sells for over 100,000 Eris, but it was only 70,000 here."

"Can you find that kind of deal anywhere else in the whole kingdom?"

"I've been saying this all along—Chishiya treats adventurers like family. He'd never scam us."

Claire's eyes widened in disbelief.

Free?

She had just questioned the purpose of his actions.

Now she realized—he really was giving away a priceless magical item?

Was this the resolve of a true hero?

To treat money like trash?

What a terrifying man...

They clearly weren't even in the same dimension anymore…

—

"What's the format of the game?"

Someone from the crowd shouted excitedly.

Chishiya smiled and clapped his hands twice.

The shop doors creaked open.

"Wahahahaha~! My time has come!"

A pink-haired little loli with twin ponytails sprang out first, flashing her little fangs.

She wore a cat-ear headband and a fluffy tail swayed behind her.

An overwhelming level of cuteness.

"Milim-sama, please slow down."

Shuna and Shion followed behind in elegant maid outfits.

"Yunyun! This time, you're going down!"

"No way! I'm winning this one!"

Megumin and Yunyun appeared next, both dressed in black lace maid uniforms.

Claire: ???

What… is going on here?

Why are all these gorgeous girls appearing in maid outfits?

Is this part of the game?

Even if there's a gap between me and the hero… is this seriously normal?

But before she could finish processing it…

Something even more confusing happened.

Darkness appeared, blushing like a tomato.

"Ch-Chishiya… the way they're all looking at me…"

"So intense… it's like they want to do something to me… uhnn…!"

Before she could finish, Chishiya quickly slapped a hand over her mouth.

...Please. Just shut up.

Claire: Huh???

No… wait. Huh???

HUH?!?!

Her mind reeled.

What is happening here?

Why is Lady Lalatina here?

Wearing a maid outfit, no less??

And… has her relationship with the hero gotten that far already?!

Iris tilted her head. "Eh? Claire, isn't that Lalatina?"

Claire swiftly covered her eyes. "No, Miss Iris. You're mistaken…"

And just like that…

Darkness died of embarrassment again.

—

In front of the store,

All six participants had taken their seats on the wooden platforms Chishiya had arranged.

Left side: Shion, Milim, and Darkness.

Right side: Shuna, Megumin, and Yunyun.

Chishiya announced,

"Everyone, it's time for the 'Maid Interactive Mini-Game!' Win prizes and take them home."

"But… there's a 10,000 Eris entry fee."

"Seriously?!!!"

Suddenly, every male adventurer who had dismissed the earlier dress reveal now looked like their eyes were glowing.

Sure, the reward was a skirt.

And sure, they were all grown men with no interest in skirts.

But now? Before them were cute girls. All. In. Maid. Costumes.

Who could resist?

Ten thousand Eris?

That was basically free.

Who cared about money when there was a chance to get up close and personal with this lineup?

"Boss! What are the rules?!"

"I'm in!"

"Count me in too!"

One after another, the men surged forward like a horde of pigs in heat.

Dust, in particular, had a completely unhinged expression…

Chishiya raised an eyebrow.

"The rules are simple."

"Arm wrestling and chess."

"If any of you…"

"…can beat one of the three girls on the left in arm wrestling,"

"Or win a game of chess against one of the three girls on the right…"

"The first winner will receive this 40-million-Eris magic item."

"All subsequent winners get a 1-million-Eris prize."

That is… assuming any of you actually win, Chishiya added silently.

?!!!

"WHAT—!!!"

The crowd exploded again.

On one hand, they were stunned by the generous rewards.

On the other, by how ridiculously easy the game seemed.

Forget chess for a moment.

Arm wrestling?

Seriously?

And there's a loli among the participants?!

Wasn't this basically giving away money?

They were seasoned adventurers.

There's no way they could lose to a tiny girl.

And 1 million Eris for a win?!

That was insane value compared to the 10,000 Eris entry fee.

Chishiya stood calmly on stage and smiled.

"Anyone who wants to participate, stay."

"Those who don't, Miss Wiz will assist you in the store."

"Now then… let the game begin."

"Please prepare yourselves."

(To be continued.)

***

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