The Story of How I Ended Up Becoming a Hero Without Realizing It While Training in the Infinite Labyrinth - Chapter 20

“Wait—Hajime! You told me only a few hundred!”

“Obviously a lie. If I said nearly 2,000, you wouldn’t accept.”

Exact count: 2,012—including odds and ends—placed in the warehouse.

Daiki, Reiko, and Rui stared in shock.

“Hajime-kun, we can’t take this for free…”

“No, payment received. Part of the debt—and Rui covered my gear.”

“B-But that was for you…”

“Same here.”

Rui looked flustered; I smiled back.

Daiki instructed staff to store herbs carefully, then returned.

“Shocked multiple times in an hour… Nothing more, right?”

“That’s all for today. Clear more floors—bring more later.”

“Plenty already. Years’ worth of surprises in one day.”

“Same. Herbs aside, Inventory holding that much amazed me. How big is it?”

Reiko eyed my storage.

“Haven’t tested limits—tons. Herbs, daily goods, food. Tons of magic stones too.”

“Food… time-stopped?”

“Forgot to mention. Yes—fresh as inserted.”

Placed piping-hot ramen on the table.

“No flavor loss?”

“None. Exact state when stored.”

“…Tōjō family threw away a potential goldmine.”

Reiko smirked.

“So, hiding your power—future plans?”

“Stay hidden until graduation. Ties sever then—full Awakened activity after.”

“And us? Worried about Tōjō-Shinonome relations? I say drop the Tōjōs—Father?”

Both: “Same as Rui.”

“But same prefecture, powerful families—better friends…”

“You’ve been gone years. Their arrogance tires everyone. We deal only for good labyrinth materials.”

“They withhold more yearly, take over half from dispatched Awakened. Many leave. Us cutting ties changes nothing.”

House declining—unsurprised.

Raised by Shinonome, I saw the rot early.

“Perfect timing—my materials sealed the decision.”

“Planned to recruit post-graduation anyway.”

“Such a plan?”

“You refuse to live with us. Surround you, force marriage—no escape.”

Reiko laughed: “Rui’s possessive.”

“Not unpleasant… but want to repay debts alone first.”

“We never expected repayment.”

“Still—man’s pride.”

Business done, I started leaving.

Daiki invited dinner to celebrate cleared misunderstandings.

No reason to refuse—went to their usual yakiniku place.

I refused herb payment; Daiki forced the bill on me.

Fun evening with the family.

Home—entered 【Infinite Labyrinth】.