Nozomanu Fushi no Boukensha (LN) - Volume 2 - Chapter SS2

A Promise with the Map Merchant 

“Sigh... I suppose this is enough for today.” 

I no longer knew how many hours had passed since I set foot inside the Labyrinth of the Moon’s Reflection. All I knew was that I had successfully slain a grand total of three Water Sprites. This was more than enough to cover my expenses as a Bronze-class adventurer. 

Although I began adventuring quite some time ago, I found it somewhat pathetic that I was still hunting in a place like this. At the same time, however, the fact that I still had all my limbs and faculties after so many years of solo adventuring was worth acknowledging. Most other adventurers were forced to retire for some reason or other some years into their career. 

While some may think my relatively healthy state was a result of cowardice, I didn’t feel it prudent to recklessly expose myself to danger. This, at the very least, was a responsibility I had toward myself. 

On the other hand, I suppose this was why I didn’t grow very much as an adventurer at all... Well, maybe that would be remedied with time. 

“Ah, I see you are quite done, Mister Rentt Faina!” 

Upon leaving the depths of the labyrinth, I found myself confronted with a rather peculiar greeting. 

Normally, the entrance would be relatively deserted, or only populated by a few adventurers at my level of strength. The man who greeted me didn’t seem like much of an adventurer at all, however. Instead, he was draped from head to toe in a pitch black robe. What a strange little man. 

“And you are...?” 

“Oh, my apologies. I hadn’t introduced myself, no? I am Jack. Jack the Map Merchant...” 

A familiar name, and an even more familiar profession. 

“Jack the Map Merchant...? That’s you? I’ve heard you sell good maps; however...I’ve also heard no one ever runs into you under normal circumstances.” 

The man before me was, without a doubt, the most well-known map merchant in all of Maalt. Despite this, Jack couldn’t be easily found, and seemed to take on a variety of faces and forms. 

Jack merely chuckled in response. 

“Those individuals haven’t merely searched hard enough! What I seek... Yes... What I seek are good adventurers...” 

In other words, Jack wasn’t only concerned with strength, but adventurers who displayed certain niche skills. 

But... 

“All right, then what does someone like you want with someone like me? I suppose you already know, but I’m just a two-bit adventurer who could never make it past Bronze-class.” 

That was just how things were, but Jack just shook his hooded head. 

“No, no! You are a good adventurer, yes yes. The proof is right there, in that map you made... It is even better than my own map of the Moon’s Reflection! I inquired hundreds of skilled adventurers... Yes, they prefer your mapping skills over mine... Even though I am a skilled Map Merchant, yours is still a step above.” 

I felt a bit surprised; to think so many of my colleagues felt that strongly about my map. 

I suppose there was some merit to it... If there was one thing I was confident about, it would be my personally annotated map of the Moon’s Reflection. 

And yet, where exactly did Jack learn of my map? I didn’t recall giving it out for free. 

As if anticipating my question, Jack continued his explanation. “You have, after all, helped mark the maps of many fledgling adventurers, yes? And in some of those markings, you highlighted traps and hidden passages even I did not know about!” 

“I see... Well then, are you here to maybe purchase my map? Or something along those lines?” 

If that were indeed the case, it would be quite a windfall, though I wouldn’t exactly be against it. 

The Labyrinth of the Moon’s Reflection was well-explored, and most adventurers would have a map of it by now, though. Yet Jack still chose to approach me—I suppose he had some ideas in mind. 

“Yes, well... That is part of it, yes. I do have a request... Could you come to my humble abode?” 

Saying so, he left directions to a dwelling located deep within Maalt’s back alleys, and then vanished without a word. 

Quite suspicious... 

“Well... If he really will purchase my map, I may as well pay him a visit.” 

“Is this...really the place...?” 

Those were the words that escaped my lips as I stood before the marked building. It was shabbier than I imagined it to be. This place didn’t seem like very much of a shop at all. 

Stepping through the doorway... 

“This... This is amazing...” 

“Yes, yes. Isn’t it?” a voice rang out in response from behind me—it was none other than Jack. 

“I suppose only you have this many maps to yourself! Well, in Maalt, at least.” 

I truly meant what I said, for the interior of the shop was stuffed full of maps: from the ground to the ceiling, and in every nook and cranny. The old and the new, small maps and large maps; some maps even displayed geography I didn’t recognize, most likely maps of foreign lands. 

“I can’t imagine how someone such as yourself would need to purchase my map.” 

That was what I wanted to say, but Jack interrupted me before I even uttered a word. 

“Come now. Nothing of the sort! I have said so before. I desire good adventurers.” 

“And just what do you mean, exactly...?” Jack’s statement was strangely-worded. 

“I do not want pity...so I shall speak simply. My father was an adventurer, a long, long time ago, yes. But now, he has gone missing. I wish for you to search... Yes, to search for his adventurer’s card.” 

A request I had heard more than once. Maybe this was why Jack mentioned his request so casually. Although his carefree demeanor remained, I could see a sense of determination deep within his eyes. 

“I do not mind.” I nodded. 

“You accept much too easily, no?” 

“I don’t want you of all people to tell me that... But, you do understand the limit of my abilities, right? I don’t think it should be too hard...” 

Jack nodded, explaining the details of his situation. 

According to Jack, his father disappeared within a certain labyrinth while plumbing its depths. But Jack had no idea where that labyrinth was. While the specifics of the event weren’t known, Jack’s father had reported that the adventurers in his party perished within the labyrinth, shortly before passing away himself. Although the guild itself made inquiries into the circumstances, Jack’s father had entered another labyrinth by his lonesome after reporting his comrade’s demise, and then disappeared altogether without a trace. 

“The circumstances are far too vague...” 

“Yes, yes. This is why I became a Map Merchant. If I continued mapping labyrinths, I would eventually be able to follow after my father’s footsteps... At least, I hope to be able to.” 

A strange motivation, but not exactly one that was flawed. 

But by making arrangements with adventurers in this fashion, there was a higher possibility that someone would eventually find his father’s card. Adventurer cards were designed to never be absorbed by a labyrinth. It would eventually be found, and if not by my hand, then someone else’s. 

“Quite the long story...but all right, I understand. I have no idea when or where I would come across it, but I accept the request.” 

“Oh, is that so? Well then...I leave it in your capable hands, yes. In exchange...I shall purchase your map for a good price, yes?” 

“I appreciate that. Then...would I be able to purchase maps from you when I need them, as well?” 

“Of course... When you do wish to purchase a map from me in the future, simply say...‘Sell me a map’. I will not respond if you say anything else... Remember this, yes?” 

“A code phrase of some kind, huh? I understand. I’m counting on you, too, Jack.” 

Although I didn’t know it at the time, my strange friendship with Jack would eventually come to greatly benefit me in the future...