The Story of How I Ended Up Becoming a Hero Without Realizing It While Training in the Infinite Labyrinth - Chapter 17

Knowing herbs grew here, I spent the two days until gear completion holed up on Floor 2, searching.

Found four gathering points.

Checked Floor 1 thoroughly—nothing. Assumed points start from Floor 2.

Each point respawns every two hours.

Not gradual—they pop fully grown. First time, I yelped in surprise.

“Decent haul. Hunting monsters while cycling points was best.”

At first, I only gathered—arrived early, waited awkwardly.

Switched to hunting en route.

Perfect: time-efficient, stones, herbs, levels—all at once.

“Asked Rui casually—she said it’d help a lot. Gotta push.”

Shinonome Group lags rivals partly from herb shortages.

New magic-tool project aims to fix it, but success uncertain—she said.

“For now, keep secret. Only hundreds… Need 1,000+ for research.”

Ate breakfast, mulling this.

Cleaned dishes, prepped to leave.

Biked to Higuchi Workshop—first visit in days.

Reception recognized me—straight to lounge.

“Hajime-san, been a few days. Doing well?”

“Great. So excited I stayed up late.”

Chatted briefly. Tesshin had two wooden crates brought in.

One: full armor.

Other: sword and shield.

“Armor first. Made from Black Wyvern hide. You said iron plate restricts movement—wyvern leather fits.”

Full set: top/bottom, gloves, boots.

Top included hood—covers head snugly.

“W-Wyvern? That’s expensive material…”

“Yes. Budget nearly covered it. Anything less wouldn’t suit you.”

Smiled warmly. Moved to weapons.

Sword: wyvern fang blade—razor sharp, he said.

“Over budget on materials?”

“Barely. Worth the investment. You’re Lady Shinonome’s friend—planned good gear anyway. But watching you… felt potential. Solid investment.”

“…So I keep coming back as I grow?”

“Exactly. Workshop’s new—my generation. Lady Rui brings customers, but brand weak. Unsure how long we last.”

Rui alone gives fame… but pre-Awakening me never heard of this place.

“Could go big someday.”

“Fine. If I live to see you advertise us—success.”

“Long-term vision.”

“Short-term already won meeting Lady Rui. Can’t chase miracles forever or shop collapses.”

Promised: “I’ll make a name—count on it.”

Took gear. Tesshin’s passion moved me—I revealed Inventory on spot.

“…My investment eye was right. Glad.”

Shocked face, muttered that.

Gear ready—rushed home, entered 【Infinite Labyrinth】.