The sobbing was... excessive, to say the least.
"Chishiya-san, you don't even know the kind of life I've been living."
"Sleeping in stables every day."
"Dragged down by this idiot."
"Everything I earn gets swallowed by debt."
"People look down on me wherever I go."
"You're the only one who ever gave me this kind of money!"
"From today on, you are officially the person I admire most in the world!"
Chishiya: "…Well… that's really not necessary…"
———
After leaving the restaurant, Chishiya raised his hand.
A black portal appeared in front of them.
"Come on. I'll give you a tour of the company."
With that, he stepped through first.
Kazuma and Aqua exchanged a look, then followed.
When they emerged, they found themselves at the entrance of the Labyrinth.
Kazuma looked up at the plaque.
[Underground Labyrinth Enterprise Co., Ltd.]
Aqua latched onto Kazuma's arm.
"Kazuma! There are so many ants!"
Not far ahead, dozens of Labyrinth Ants were hauling stones.
Some were dragging lumber.
The surface looked a little rough, but a few crude structures were already starting to take shape.
Chishiya explained.
"Don't worry, they're harmless."
At that moment, the Ant Queen stepped out.
"Master, welcome back."
"And these two?"
She glanced at Kazuma and Aqua.
Chishiya said, "Friends."
The Queen bowed politely.
"Welcome."
Kazuma and Aqua awkwardly waved back.
"Uh, hello."
Kazuma turned to Chishiya.
"Chishiya-san, what… what is all this?"
Chishiya replied calmly.
"This is my company."
"As you can see, it's an underground labyrinth."
Kazuma: "HUH?!"
"H-how did you do this?!"
Chishiya continued.
"I brought a divine artifact with me when I reincarnated. You probably have one too."
Kazuma: "…"
He turned toward Aqua, who was busy staring at the ant workers.
Aqua: "K-Kazuma! Look! That ant is building a house!"
For the next ten minutes, Chishiya gave them a rundown of the Labyrinth System and his plans for a commercial district.
Kazuma picked it up fast.
Based on the layout, he even suggested a few adjustments for the street layout.
Chishiya thought to himself—this guy's a natural businessman.
Even if he's a complete failure as an adventurer.
Kazuma: "Chishiya-san."
"Leave the Succubus Café to me."
"I'm confident I can get them to move in before the grand opening."
"And as for the hot spring resort…"
He pointed at Aqua.
"Give it to that one. She might be a dumbass, but she can still be useful."
Chishiya smiled.
"Then I'll leave it to you both."
He pulled two pouches from his coat.
"Here's your monthly salary."
"I'm paying in advance."
"Don't slack off."
Kazuma froze.
He held the pouch tightly, eyes welling up.
What kind of trust was this?
He's not even worried we'll just run off?
"Chishiya-san… no, aniki!"
"I swear, I will never let you down!"
Chishiya gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"I'm counting on you."
"Y-Yes!"
———
After sending Kazuma and Aqua back, Chishiya returned to his cabin.
"Come to think of it, I haven't checked the profits from the last few days."
He was referring to the system's recruitment rewards.
He opened the door, ready to lie down and rest.
Only to find his bed already taken by two girls.
Megumin and Rim were curled up on it, sound asleep.
Chishiya didn't disturb them.
He sat in the chair and opened his system panel.
[Congratulations to the host]
[Successfully Recruited: Wiz, Vanir, Kazuma, Aqua]
[Corresponding rewards have been issued]
He pulled up his personal info.
[Name: Chishiya Shuntaro]
[Core Employees: Megumin, Wiz, Vanir, Kazuma, Aqua]
[Account Balance: 3 million Eris (convertible to Reputation Points at 100:1)]
[Reputation Points: 2000]
[Labyrinth Level: 1]
[Special Abilities: Explosion Magic Lover, Leadership, Ice Witch's Blessing, Demon King's Blessing, Goddess of Luck's Blessing, Goddess of Water's Blessing]
Chishiya glanced at his account.
They'd made 10 million Eris over the past two days.
Half had gone to Wiz for materials.
He'd also paid salaries to Kazuma and Aqua.
Now he only had 3 million Eris left.
Converted to modern Earth currency, it wasn't even $100,000.
Chishiya rubbed his temples.
"…Still a long way from my goal of doing absolutely nothing."
"But at least the Labyrinth has unlocked new features."
"We can start developing new products."
He opened the Labyrinth Technology Panel.
[Congratulations! The Labyrinth Technology Panel has been unlocked.]
[Current Technologies: Potion Crafting, Healing Technology]
Potion Tech was self-explanatory—use herbs to craft potions.
Healing Tech…
Chishiya clicked it.
And was stunned by what popped up.
[Soul Isolation Barrier: Retains the souls of the dead inside the labyrinth.]
[Healing Holy Water Tank: If someone dies within the labyrinth, they can be revived within one hour.]
Oh my god.
This was basically a weaker version of Aqua's resurrection.
Meaning adventurers could fight monsters in the labyrinth without fearing death.
That's the pitch!
That's the selling point!
This… this was a goldmine.
Once the labyrinth officially opened, the healing tank alone could make a fortune!
Chishiya held back his excitement.
Not yet.
The Magic Air Conditioner wasn't ready for mass production.
They needed to expand product development.
And production capacity.
Then suddenly…
"…What's up with Darkness these days?"
He remembered something.
The herb inventory still hadn't moved.
System Notification:
[Customers have lost interest in basic herbal medicine.]
[They are hoping for a stronger product.]
Chishiya: "????"
Just what's going on in that perverted knight's brain?
Well, either way, it was time to develop some new potions.
[Potion Development Technology]
The system screen popped up.
On it, a giant cauldron.
Next to it stood a chibi version of Wiz on a ladder, stirring the pot.
Bubbles containing different herbs floated up.
[Drop ingredients into the cauldron.]
[Random chance to discover a new recipe.]
[Current known formulas: 0]
"…Why does this feel like a minigame?"
Chishiya mumbled as he clicked on the herb bubbles.
Before long.
[Ding!]
[You've unlocked the Basic Healing Potion Formula!]
[Ding!]
[You've unlocked the Basic Mana Potion Formula!]
[Ding!]
[Failure. You created a pot of unknown sludge.]
On screen, chibi Wiz held her nose, turned away, and gagged.
Chishiya clicked again.
"…This is actually kinda fun."
———
Time flew.
Before he knew it, Chishiya had played all night.
———
The next morning…
Chishiya opened his eyes and rubbed his sore back.
He'd fallen asleep at his desk.
He had spent all night experimenting with potion crafting.
(To be continued.)