Thus the Boy Runs Through the Labyrinth ~The Story of an Ordinary Boy Who Ended Up Punching Heroes, Demon Lords, and Even Gods~ – Chapter 16

The Golden Phoenix, Greed Branch

Currently, the Golden Phoenix is operating across two major continents, Israilia and Westria, as a colossal trading company. Its history dates back centuries, to the era of the Great Proliferation of labyrinths. They are known for engaging in various businesses and accumulating significant profits, but their primary trade was “moneylending.”

The Phoenix gained fame by providing loans to adventurers.

Adventurers, by nature, are professionals furthest from stability, akin to gambling. Even with a stable workplace like a labyrinth, they could be dead the next day. Despite possessing “ring bearers,” securing loans was an arduous task, highlighting their profound lack of creditworthiness.

Yet, the Phoenix lent them money. And they “profit handsomely.” What keen intuition they possess, identifying adventurers who would succeed, or those secretly hoarding “treasures,” only to lend money and collect it.

While often labeled ruthless, they strictly adhere to the laws and contracts of the Great Alliance and the Temple, never breaking them. By establishing a proper contract, they would lend money when it was desperately needed, regardless of the adventurer profession. Consequently, they received far more gratitude than condemnation.

Rumors even circulated that “those who borrowed money from them would achieve greatness,” but let us set that aside.

Kind to those who keep their promises, ruthless to those who break them. Such is the Golden Phoenix Guild.

“…Haa.”

Gannen, a man employed by the guild, is the new head of the Greed Branch of Sin City Plaudia.

A stubborn, large man. He climbed the ranks from the adventurer profession. When Zaza, who managed the labyrinths outside the city, became corrupt, he was the one who compiled evidence of the corruption and reported it to his superiors. It wasn’t for personal advancement, but a judgment to admonish Zaza for his reckless actions that could have even angered the Temple, and to protect the guild.

He was supposed to be a stubborn and earnest man, who consequently earned many enemies and couldn’t get promoted easily. However, due to the recent denunciation, he was significantly promoted and rose to the top. His work, previously unacknowledged, was finally recognized. In reality, there were more people who supported him than those who resented him. He couldn’t refuse the promotion.

While this should be a joyous occasion, he now had two problems.

“Gannen, I’ve compiled the reports here, please review them. This month’s collections are on your desk.”

“My Lady, tasks like these are for us…”

“Zaza’s departure caused a significant shift in personnel, and everyone is overwhelmed learning their new roles. I will fill the urgent gap. This has been decided by my judgment.”

Diz Gran Fenix.

She arrived when he reported Zaza’s fraudulent activities to the Head Guild in Sin City Plaudia. She claimed to be “representing Gofa Fenix,” who was the current top executive, the Guild Master of the Golden Phoenix.

“…Might you be a relative of the Guild Master?”

“His daughter. Though by marriage.”

The daughter of his organization’s leader had arrived. His heart wasn’t strong enough to welcome this as a wonderful thing.

Furthermore, she inexplicably possessed the title “Gran,” meaning a “Temple Official Rank.” (The reason for this was truly unknown. The Guild Master did not hold an official rank.) If only this young lady were a mere figurehead; it would have been manageable. Unfortunately, she was exceptionally competent. Her work was swift and considerate. With the chaos caused by Zaza’s downfall, the organization’s operations had ground to a halt, and he had become utterly reliant on her. This, in turn, caused Gannen significant stress.

And then there was the second problem, a problem she had brought with her.

“O’chan, what are you doing?”

“…Hmph, get off me, you pest.”

“Should I play with you?”

“I know you’re bored, but please spare me.”

Akane, a “Spirit Possessed,” clung to his neck. This was the second troublesome matter. A third-rate adventurer, Nameless, had begged for money, and as collateral for repayment, had offered this Spirit Possessed. Gannen couldn’t quite grasp her value, but Zaza had been fixated on acquiring her. He lent money to a third-rate individual with no prospect of repayment, guiding them to offer their daughter as collateral. His judgment, in hindsight, was correct. Even after his downfall, Diz had praised Zaza’s near-legal methods in acquiring the Spirit Possessed with a furrowed brow and a sigh, which spoke volumes. Ultimately, the adventurer perished, and as per the contract, the Spirit Possessed became the Phoenix’s property.

Or so it was supposed to be.

“Akane, Uncle is working. You mustn’t disturb me.”

For some reason, this transaction was halted by this young lady.

“Diz is bored.”

“I’m so envious. I’ll play with you in Uncle’s stead.”

“Ni-tan?”

“Uru is expected to come today. Until then, you must be a good girl.”

The young lady spoke to the Spirit Possessed, Akane, in a gentle tone. Akane nodded affirmatively, transforming into a snake and coiling around Diz’s neck.

Currently, Akane does not fully belong to the Phoenix. Faced with the outrageously absurd proposal from Akane’s “spirit brother,” Uru, Diz, for some inexplicable whim, agreed. Given her usual competence, Gannen couldn’t comprehend why she would exhibit such a capricious act.

“Oh, you have a look of incomprehension.”

“Please don’t read my mind, My Lady.”

“Well, I do feel a bit bad. After all, this is entirely my amusement.”

“Amusement?”

Despite her constant smile and carefree demeanor, her work ethic was, in a word, competent. The word “amusement” seemed somewhat incongruous with her character.

“I’ve been working too hard lately, and an acquaintance suggested I take a break and have some fun.”

“And that fun is… that brattish child?”

“I don’t really understand what ‘fun’ is, what do you think?”

“I think it’s rather tasteless.”

“You’re considerate yet merciless where it counts. I commend you.”

“Thank you.”

As he bowed, he was struck twice on the head. The fact that this was the extent of it showed her leniency. However, that made her treatment of that brat all the more cruel.

“Honestly, I think he’s got no choice but to die. This Spirit Possessed’s brother.”

The condition she presented (or rather, the condition that brat proposed), becoming a Gold-rank adventurer, was far too difficult. Frankly, it was impossible. Only a legendary hero could achieve such a feat. And that brat had no such potential. In his line of work, he had seen countless dreamers. Therefore, he could confidently state that the brat was just an ordinary child, by no means a candidate for a future hero.

“I agree on that point as well.”

“So, you find it entertaining to watch the brat die miserably?”

“I’m not that… or rather, am I that tasteless?”

She tilted her head slightly, playfully manipulating Akane’s hand, and mused for a moment before stating:

“You know, I want to be defeated.”

Before he could grasp the meaning of her words, the bell announcing a visitor rang.

***

After parting ways with Shizuku, Uru visited the Greed Branch of the Golden Phoenix alone. As with his visits over the past two weeks, Diz welcomed him with extreme cordiality.

“Hey, Uru-kun. How have you been? Though it’s only been about three days.”

“I’ve been well, Diz. And Akane?”

“Don’t you think you could spend a little more time chatting with me?”

Uru fell silent for a moment, then slowly turned his face towards Diz and asked,

“…What are your hobbies?”

“Watching adventurers burdened with debt squirm and laughing, perhaps?”

“It’s not good for Akane’s education, so could I take her back?”

“I’ll take one thousand gold coins if you’re ready to pony up.”

“You wicked debt collector.”

“Everyone who’s in debt says that, wahaha.”

“Wahahaha!”

Diz chuckled gleefully. Behind her, Akane echoed Diz’s laughter, imitating her. It was disheartening. However, it was good to see she was lively.

“Akane. Come here.”

“Ni-tan!”

He called out. Akane’s face lit up, and she leaped into his arms, hugging him tightly. “My dear,” he thought, hugging her back. After a moment, Akane transformed into a girl and clung to Uru’s body, closing her eyes.

“You flaunt it so, don’t you? All I get is a shoulder ride.”

“How do you like that, envious?”

“I’m envious, and still amazed every time I see it. Spirit Possessed are rare, and their powers vary greatly depending on the spirit possessing them. Hers is like a shape-shifting metal… though it seems a bit different.”

Diz poured water into a teapot in the room, placed it on a magical machine Uru had never seen, and began to boil the water. While efficiently preparing tea, Diz observed Akane’s demeanor.

“How did you find her… no, in her case, how did she *become* a Spirit Possessed?”

Diz gazed at Akane, narrowing her eyes. Akane, not quite understanding, tilted her head. As Diz said, Akane was originally a normal human. At least, she wasn’t a Spirit Possessed from birth.

“…Well, it was when my old man came running back from the labyrinth as usual, bringing back a ton of junk that overloaded the carriage. There was a strange egg, mixed with gold and crimson.”

It was likely what was called a “spirit egg.” It was the state before a spirit was born into this world. The true nature of spirits remained largely unknown, and naturally, no one had ever seen them before birth. Uru’s father, who usually babbled about the junk he brought back as a treasure trove or ancient relics, certainly never imagined he would find actual treasure, and of the highest caliber.

“And Akane, who was playing with it, was ‘eaten’ by the egg.”

“‘Eaten’?”

“At first, I thought she was attacked by a Slime Demon.”

It was a terrifying sight. The sphere in the infant Akane’s hand suddenly enveloped her. Uru, witnessing it firsthand, screamed and tried to pry Akane away, but it was impossible. Uru’s father, drawn by his screams, rushed over, but in the next moment, Akane was completely swallowed by the mysterious red object, becoming a round sphere.

“…A sphere. So, like an egg again, or a chrysalis?”

“Something like that. There was nothing we could do, so we placed the sphere in a safe place and watched over it. It was roughly a full day.”

Honestly, he was anything but at ease and resented his father for bringing such a potentially monstrous object. But the next day, when he woke up, the egg had cracked, and Akane had emerged.

“Then her hair turned red, and her body became smooth, almost metallic.”

“And she gained the ability to change shape at will?”

“That’s right. Then, an acquaintance of ours, a Priest, saw it and said she was a ‘Spirit Possessed.'”

The power to freely alter one’s body without using techniques resembling magic. A wielder of miracles that defied human limitations. A being between human and spirit, possessing the power of a spirit. Upon hearing this, his father excitedly exclaimed, “What a discovery!” and Uru promptly slammed a nearby piece of junk into his face.

“That’s all. It’s not a pleasant memory at all.”

“Ni-tan, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. It’s just a story about how glad I am that Akane is well.”

While stroking Akane’s head to reassure her, Diz muttered to herself, lost in thought.

“Hmm… a rare case of spirit self-preservation… A supplement for faith and magic power deficiency…?”

“You too, have you never seen a Spirit Possessed before?”

“Mm, well, yes. I know of a few in records, but this is my first time seeing one in person. And since the spirit possessing them varies from person to person, her case is completely unheard of.”

Saying this, she stroked Akane’s snake-like neck, and Akane purred contentedly. The gesture was reminiscent of a cat. Diz chuckled.

“Spirits are supernatural beings. High-dimensional life forms that create phenomena beyond human control without any risk. To embody their power within a human form is truly the epitome of a miracle.”

“Having captured such a being, what do you want to do?”

As Diz herself stated, spirits are embodiments of the world. They reflect all phenomena and all beings. They are undeniably superior life forms to humans. To attempt to capture them would technically be an offense punishable by the Temple. The idea of doing so simply because a Spirit Possessed, a fusion of human and spirit, appeared, was utterly incomprehensible coming from a moneylending guild.

“It won’t be a problem for the Temple, I’m third-ranked. I can hide it well.”

“That only makes less sense. You have the ‘Gran’ title, an official rank, right?”

“That’s right. Your reverence is lacking, Nameless-kun.”

“Should I grovel and prostrate myself?”

“Hahaha?”

“It doesn’t seem like it would be a very enjoyable experience, so I’ll pass.”

Diz waved Uru away as he was about to kneel. Yes, Diz Gran Fenix. She held the “Gran” rank, an official position set by the Temple that governs each metropolitan country. In short, she was of the privileged class. Normally, Uru, a Nameless, would be considered disrespectful even to speak to her so freely. In some countries, it could lead to imprisonment or even execution. He should have changed his attitude immediately, but it was too late. He only realized she was a Priest after committing the folly of presenting her with unreasonable conditions. In essence, it was a desperate act.

“Well, I separate myself as a businesswoman and a Priest, and I have no intention of wielding my priestly authority over you as a business associate, so rest assured.”

“I have no reason to be assured, but if not, I have no choice but to believe you, as the alternative is death.”

“Well, I’m a ‘delinquent’ Priest too. Don’t worry too much about it.”

Uru swallowed the words, “Are you kidding me?” He couldn’t cast stones, but she was indeed a strange woman.

“So, why exactly do you want to research Spirit Possessed? You.”

“Because I need to.”

“Need to? For a Priest like you?”

With her privileged status, she should have been able to do as she pleased within the city to some extent. Moreover, as a “Gran,” third in rank, she was a person of considerable power. It was completely baffling what she could possibly need.

“For this world. This world that is filled with malice, hostility, and unreasonableness, I need it.”

“…Is it alright to say that? You serve the Sun God.”

This world is the garden of the Sun God, Zeuradia, the primordial spirit and the One God. Spirits are the messengers of the God, and Priests are their servants. Diz’s statement seemed like an insult to the God’s garden. However, she merely shrugged, unfazed by the remark.

“As I said. I’m a delinquent Priest. I do hold reverence for the One God, though.”

“…Well, I don’t care what problems you cause as a Priest. I can’t do anything about it, anyway.”

There was no benefit to reporting her, and he had already established over the past two weeks that she had no hesitation in dissecting Akane. Ultimately, Uru’s task remained unchanged. After downing the seemingly expensive tea offered in the reception room in one gulp, Uru stood up.

“See you, Akane. Be good.”

“Ni-tan, don’t die.”

“I can’t guarantee that… I’ll do my best.”

His sister made a pouting face that ruined her lovely features, so Uru nodded. She seemed satisfied. Her cute, cheerful smile returned, and she rejoined Diz. Diz smiled at Uru as she embraced Akane, who had returned to her snake form and was wrapped around her.

“Keep training hard to become an adventurer, okay?”

“…I am trying my best.”

He was still desperately training under the absurd instructor, Guren. Compared to when he started, his efficiency in labyrinth exploration had undoubtedly improved. He was earning Magic Stones. He could feel his body strengthening through Magic Power replenishment. However,

“I still haven’t received a Copper Ring from Guren. I haven’t even been granted permission to aim for it.”

No matter how much Uru mustered his resolve and clung to Guren’s training, he never nodded in approval.

“Regardless of the circumstances, if you can’t obtain a Copper Ring in two more weeks, the deal is off.”

“I know, you damn bastard.”

With her defiant smile at his back, Uru left the room to head for the Training Hall.

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