I Made a Contract with a Devil, but the Price is Strange

“Ugh….”

A headache that I felt as soon as I woke up. I frowned and slowly opened my eyes.

“Master!”

Inis’s face filled my field of vision. Hair flowing down. Her black pupils were moist with tears.

I reached out and wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes. I smiled slightly and slowly raised my body. Inis held my back to help me up.

“Please drink this.”

I took the water she offered and drank it. After coughing a few times, I asked.

“Where is this?”

“The greenskin territory. I tried to carry you out, but it seemed too dangerous, so I hid our bodies in a nearby clearing.”

“You did well.”

Inis’s leg wasn’t in good condition. If she had tried to carry me out of the labyrinth, she would definitely have been attacked by monsters or other adventurers.

“More importantly, are you alright, Master?”

“Yeah. Since I collapsed due to magic power depletion in the first place, there’s no problem with my body.”

I was fine as my magic power had fully recovered while I slept. However, my head still hurt. This would gradually improve with time.

“Were there any other changes? Did orcs or goblins come nearby? Or did the stairs disappear?”

“Groups of goblins occasionally approached the stairs. But when they saw the orc corpses you had burned, they ran away?”

Indeed, there was no way the cowardly goblins wouldn’t flee after seeing that. They only roamed outside because they were in groups; if they were alone, they would have stayed in their settlements.

“Let’s go right now.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to rest more before going?”

“No. I think it’s better to go outside and rest comfortably rather than staying here uncomfortably. And we’re hungry.”

We didn’t have much jerky and water left. Even if we wanted to stay longer, we couldn’t because of the lack of food.

“I’m fine.”

Right after Inis said that, her stomach growled. Her face turned bright red. She hung her head low.

“…I, I’m really fine.”

“Okay. I understand. Let’s go now.”

Honestly, I wanted to try implementing the flame spear again. But I held back since it could deplete my magic power again. I’m not sure if I could reproduce it exactly the same if I tried now.

We got up. After brushing off the dirt and leaves on our bodies, we went outside.

“It’s really still there.”

A circular staircase standing alone in the middle of the prairie. I didn’t notice when I saw it before, but it felt a bit strange.

“According to ‘A Guide for Adventurers Exploring the Labyrinth,’ such stairs disappear after being used.”

That guide again. They say a person who’s read only one book is more frightening than someone who hasn’t read any books.

The fortunate thing was that the book Inis had read was very useful. Of course, we couldn’t believe everything in it.

“You said the stairs aren’t fixed but keep disappearing and appearing in different places.”

“Right.”

“Then let’s go quickly. They might disappear while we’re standing here.”

We crossed the prairie with quick steps. Upon reaching the stairs, we grabbed the railing and began to climb up.

Boom—

A thunderous sound from below while we were steadily climbing the stairs.

“Master. The stairs are collapsing!”

At Inis’s shout, I hurriedly looked over the railing. Indeed, the stairs were completely disappearing.

“Quickly!”

We frantically climbed the stairs. Meanwhile, a scream came from behind. When I turned, I saw that Inis had fallen. Her leg, which had not yet healed, was the problem.

“Inis!”

She didn’t call my name. Instead, she bit her lips tightly and simply got up.

Boom—!

The stairs descending at a rapid pace.
Inis limping.
The exit not far away.

What choice should I make? There was no need to deliberate. I immediately turned and ran toward her.

“Kyaa!”

I put my hands under Inis’s knees. After firmly grabbing her back, I lifted her up. Thanks to not neglecting my training, lifting her wasn’t too difficult.

Boom-

The vibration gradually approaching. I gritted my teeth and climbed the stairs with all my might. Due to the circular staircase, I could clearly see the steps collapsing right below.

I kept blinking. I gnawed at my lips, and my breathing became increasingly rapid. Sweat broke out on my hands and feet, and my senses became acute.

In my expanded field of vision, I could see the characteristically dark space of the goblin cave. Just when we were only a few steps away, I felt my left foot sinking.

“Fuck!”

I took a big step with my right foot. After climbing two steps at once, I kicked the floor with both legs with all my might.

Boom!

A momentary feeling of floating. My vision darkened. I felt an impact on my body. When I saw Inis rolling on the floor, relief flooded me along with concern.

“Fire.”

Looking back, I saw that the exit we had come through was gradually getting smaller. Seeing that, I let out a deep sigh.

My heart was pounding wildly. It was beating so fast that I could hear the sound of drums in my ears.

“Master. Are you alright?”

Inis, who had wounds on her face and skin, approached hesitantly. I reached out my hand. It meant to wait for a moment. If I spoke now, I felt like I might vomit.

“I’m fine. Inis, how about you?”

After my breathing had somewhat calmed, I asked her.

It was so urgent that I had almost thrown Inis. I didn’t regret it. If not for that, she would have fallen straight down. She would have died instantly or her legs would have been shattered.

“I got some injuries, but I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief. I’m fine too.”

I suffered some bruises, and there were minor scratches from being scraped on the floor. But considering it was exchanged for our lives, it was a small price to pay.

“Kerrrk.”

The sound of goblin cries while we were talking. When I sent a flame in the direction of the sound, I saw five goblins peering at us.

“Ha….”

After facing dozens of orcs, it was amusing to see cave goblins.

“Burn.”

After burning the head of the chief goblin, I flicked my finger. The flame that had been floating approached the enemy, emitting heat.

Sizzle-

“Keaaaagh!”

The blazing fire greedily devoured the goblins. Seeing the monsters turning to ashes, I finally realized that we had made it safely.

“Ha.”

It was truly fucking difficult till the end.

“The settlement result is 94 silver.”

The employee spoke in a dry voice.

Inis looked at me. I looked at her too. When our eyes met, as if by agreement, we raised the corners of our mouths.

“Here’s 94 silver. Please count and check, and if there’s no problem, sign here.”

The employee offered a box full of silver coins. Inis brought a chest and started counting one by one. The way she concentrated with her eyes wide open was quite cute.

“One. Two. Three. Four….”

I also counted with my eyes from the side. The amount of silver coins given by the employee was exact.

“Ninety-four. Master. It’s correct!”

“Good.”

Inis said with a slight tear in her eye, perhaps from dryness. I put them all in my pocket and went outside.

“Now that our income is gradually increasing, I think we should deposit money in a bank.”

“It is certainly troublesome to carry it directly. From what I’ve heard, adventurers who go to deeper places buy things and pay later.”

“Do they buy on credit?”

“Something similar, I think. They write the payment amount on what they call a check? at the store where they purchased, and just sign it. The store collects the money on its own.”

This was a method that existed in the original world as well.

“What happens if they don’t have money to pay?”

“They get the purchased items back. If the items are damaged, they have to pay more. If the items are gone, they have to pay the balance, and if they can’t even do that, they become slaves immediately.”

“Getting into debt. Isn’t there such a concept?”

“It’s almost non-existent unless you borrow from a trading company that practices usury. In the first place, giving a check when you don’t have money to pay is essentially fraud, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Thinking about it that way, I could understand why they would immediately become slaves.

“I’ll have to be careful.”

“You should be careful. The labyrinth city is dangerous in many ways. Ah. By the way, Master.”

“Yes?”

“Before going to the inn, why don’t we stop by the adventurer’s guild? If other adventurers haven’t reported the disaster yet, we might get some money.”

“The guild gives money?”

I thought the guild didn’t do anything. At most, I thought they just managed the entrance?

“Yes. It’s not much, but they’d give about 5 silver. Not an amount to be ignored.”

“Sure. Since it’s right nearby anyway. Let’s stop by before going.”

I followed Inis to the adventurer’s guild. We approached the employee at the counter and informed them about the disaster.

“The news that a war has broken out between orcs and goblins in the greenskin territory has already been reported by someone else.”

However, it seemed we were already too late. Well, it’s not like we had come out immediately.

“The guild is planning to implement a rescue operation related to that. Would you be interested in supporting? If you escaped from there, it means you have sufficient skills.”

“I just came out, so I’ll decline.”

“That’s a shame. If you change your mind, please come back later.”

After greeting the employee, we went outside.

“Someone has already reported it.”

“It’s because we didn’t come out on the day the disaster occurred. But is it because of the reward money? The reports are certainly fast.”

“There’s no adventurer who dislikes money.”

I chuckled at Inis’s words.

“I’d like to buy armor today, but let’s do it tomorrow. I’m too tired.”

“I agree.”

I probably won’t be able to pay the price tonight. I felt like I would faint right away if I lay down on the bed now. The aftereffects of magic power depletion were still lingering.

We walked quickly through the streets. When we arrived at the inn, Muffin greeted us with a smile.

“I thought you were dead, but you’re back!”

“I’m still too young to die.”

“I’ll prepare stew and roasted meat right away. You’ll wash up right after eating, right? I’ll prepare hot water too.”

It was now a matter of understanding without words. I smiled and handed her the silver.

“Keep the change.”

“Thank you~”

Muffin disappeared with a gentle smile. The meal came out almost immediately, and we gobbled down the food.

“A beer?”

“Sounds good!”

“Two beers, please!”

Shortly after, Muffin brought two glasses of beer. After clinking the glasses, we immediately poured it down our throats.

Gulp gulp-

Cool beer. As the carbonation hit my throat, my body trembled. While in the labyrinth, we had to drink only jerky and lukewarm water every day. This was truly paradise.

It would have been nice if the alcohol was colder. Feeling a bit of regret, I continued eating.

“Ah. That’s good….”

After finishing our meal, we headed to the bathroom where hot water was prepared.

“Thank you.”

Inis brought clothes for me to change into and soap. When I asked where she got them, she said Muffin had lent them to her.

“I’ll wash first.”

“Yes.”

I went into the bathroom and then opened the door again. When I peeked out, I saw Inis sitting in a chair, nodding off. She had fallen asleep in the meantime.

“Inis.”

“Yes, yes?”

She raised her head abruptly and answered when I called her name.

“You look tired. Want to wash together?”

“Y-you and me together, Master?”

“Yeah. We can save on water costs, and save time too. You must be very tired, wouldn’t it be hard to wait?”

“That’s true, but… how could a slave dare to with their master….”

“We’ve already shared meals, so what’s the big deal about bathing? Come in. Let’s wash together. You’re tired.”

Inis hesitated. Finding her hesitation frustrating, I eventually came out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her up.

“Come in.”

“Eh, yes….”