The Story of How I Ended Up Becoming a Hero Without Realizing It While Training in the Infinite Labyrinth - Chapter 9

The next day, I wanted to dive into the labyrinth again, but it was my shift at work. I grabbed the bag with my uniform and headed to the café.

The place I work is a coffee shop near home.

When I started living alone, I stumbled on Café Urano. Got hooked on the master’s cooking, kept coming back, and eventually started working here.

“Hajime-kun, you finally awakened! Congrats~”

“Honestly, never expected it this late.”

“No one knows when it’ll happen. Can’t be helped. So, heading back to your family now?”

The master of Café Urano, Urano Masamichi.

A cool 50-something guy, amazing cook.

He’s an Awakened, but his dream was always the café—only dives labyrinths occasionally to keep the shop running.

He knows my situation: kicked out by family.

“No plans to return. Even if they beg now, I’m not going back.”

“Yeah, figured. I’d do the same.”

Smiling, the master looked at me. “Want to cut your work days?”

“Was it that obvious?”

“Yep. Your face gives everything away. But you’re Awakened now—quit and focus on that if you want.”

“No way. You’ve done too much for me. I promised I’d work until graduation unless fired. I’ll keep that.”

When he hired me, I swore to work until graduation unless he let me go.

Without him, I might not even be alive and whole.

He taught me chores, cooking—everything.

“I’m glad you’re staying, but I just don’t want to limit your future.”

“I’m fine. I’ll adjust shifts and balance getting stronger as an Awakened.”

“Hehe, looking forward to it.”

I handled occasional customers, ate the master’s lunch, then headed to a furniture store on the way home.

I’ll spend more time in the Waiting Room—better prepare now.

“But no need to make it nicer than real life…”

At the store, I checked bedding first.

My current set is a cheap futon—works for summer and winter, but hot in summer, cold in winter. Hard to sleep.

“Might as well replace both. Got money thanks to Rui, and more coming from magic stones…”

I browsed.

Bought one single bed set and one double bed set.

Didn’t want to flash Inventory, so arranged delivery for tomorrow.

“Time to clean.”

Back home, I started prepping for the beds.

I hadn’t cleaned since summer break.

Tools in hand, I stored essentials in Inventory, trash in bags.

“…All clothes in Inventory—way more space now.”

Even the clothing boxes went in. Two beds would fit fine.

Side note: tested with meat days ago—Inventory stops time. Fridge might be unnecessary.

“Tomorrow, after beds arrive, I’ll visit a real-world labyrinth.”

Days awakened, still haven’t seen one.

With Infinite Labyrinth, no need—but I want to compare.

I’m tackling Extremely Hard, but don’t even know how normal labyrinths differ.

“Closest and easiest: the one Rui’s family manages… Wonder if she’ll let me in.”

I texted Rui for permission.

Reply in under 10 minutes.

The content gave me a headache.

But anywhere else meant travel, so I agreed.

Next day, beds delivered. Once the crew left, I stored them in Inventory and stepped out.

Rui’s car was waiting. I got in and was driven to where Rui and her party waited.