What the...
Are you kidding me?
Just bring me back to life already.
I'm pretty sure I was...
on my way to go skiing with my coworkers.
So did our bus get into an accident?
But my memories are...
Are all the people standing in this line... dead?
Chief Igarashi...
I will now begin guiding you all in order.
Please proceed forward calmly.
She's here, too?
Next, please.
Mr. Arihito Atobe?
Uh, yes?
Please take this.
Once you arrive,
go to the guild first and choose your job.
Guild?
Well, then...
Welcome to Labyrinth Country!
Huh?
THE WORLD'S STRONGEST REARGUARD
A NOVICE SEEKER IN LABYRINTH COUNTRY
So this is the guild?
Well, I came here like she told me to, so...
That lady...
I think she was on the bus with me.
Ms. Suzuna Shiromiya, thank you for filling out the paperwork.
I see the job you're hoping for is Shrine Maiden.
Congratulations!
I've assessed your aptitude, and your request was accepted.
Hey, got a minute?
Uh, y-yes... Can I help you?
I'm new in this town...
I know. Anyone who's registering at this guild
is a novice who just reincarnated here.
I'm looking for someone with a rearguard job.
There's a part of my vanguard job that's... not the best.
It might not be easy for a novice like you to team up with me...
Check it out. Elitia's trying to recruit people again.
B-But if you join a party, you should level up quickly.
Wonder how many days this one'll last.
So please form a party with me!
Huh?
No matter how strong she is,
as long as she has that, it's always gonna end the same way.
What does that mean?
Thank you for inviting me.
S-So you'll do it?
Thanks!
Okay, first of all, let's go get some tea or something!
Sir...
You have an unregistered license?
Oh... Yes.
Then please step right up.
I'll take care of your Seeker registration
and provide any advice you may need.
My name is Louisa Farmel.
Here in Labyrinth Country, only those who register as Seekers
are permitted to enter labyrinths.
For starters, please present your license.
Um... before that, can you tell me...
What is "Labyrinth Country," exactly?
Labyrinth Country is a nation that is home only to Seekers,
who explore labyrinths, and those who support them.
People whose souls reincarnate into Labyrinth Country
begin new lives here as Seekers.
Reincarnate? Seeker?
Yeah, I guess I really did die back there.
S-Sir?
Your memories are in disarray because you only just reincarnated.
I'm sorry I explained things in such depth right off the bat.
Would you like to be seen by a Healer?
Oh... No, I'm all right.
It was just a bit of a headache.
So, um... the first thing I need to do is register, right?
You'll find that the "Job" line on your license is blank.
Please write the job you think you are most suited for,
or the one you most want to try, in that blank.
So I'm not choosing from a specific set of jobs?
People reincarnate here with all sorts of different backgrounds.
This system allows us to make the most of that.
Whether or not I'm able to get a job that's in high demand
will determine whether I get off to a good start or a bad one.
Please take all the time you need to think it over.
A job, huh?
Atobe-kun! I have an idea for a really cool project!
ATOBE-KUN!
Give me any thoughts you may have!
I'll use 'em all!
Before I reincarnated, I was worked to the bone every day
LET'S GO!!
ATOBE-KUN
by an elite boss who was younger than me. Work was hell.
But now I'm in Labyrinth Country, a different world.
I won't have to work under a high-powered career woman,
and I'm free from the shackles of that company.
For now, I just want to set myself up for a nice, easy life.
Atobe-kun!
Gah! Chief Igarashi!
What do you mean, "gah"?
Oh, sorry... I guess, since you're here, you must've also...
Yeah. I died back home and reincarnated here.
Everything I see here makes me think this is some cosplay world...
but we'll be starting our new lives here, huh?
Though it hasn't really hit me yet that I'll have to fight monsters and stuff.
What? Monsters?!
That's one of the things people who reincarnate here do for work.
Here, your job and who you party up with are matters of life and death.
Yes, I guess so.
Atobe-kun, have you not picked your job yet?
If you could get one that gives me someone to turn to, that'd be great.
Um... incidentally, Chief, what job did you pick?
Me? I'm...
Actually...
we're not boss and subordinate anymore, so...
Instead of "Chief"...
N-Nothing! Never mind!
My job is Valkyrie.
I can use swords and spears,
and apparently, I'll be able to use some spirit magic.
That sounds like a pretty impressive job.
I figure I'll have a better chance at surviving if I can do lots of things.
The most crucial point of a party is how roles within it are divided up,
so you want to avoid having multiple people with the same job.
I see. Thank you for the lesson.
Then I should choose something that'll make me useful to my partymates.
Your partymates?
Huh? Oh, er, I mean...
I-If we both manage to survive, let's meet up again somewhere,
Chief Igarashi.
Got it! I should hurry up and find some partymates myself, then!
She didn't seem like her usual self...
Hey, I'm sure she'll be fine.
Well? Have you decided?
Oh, um...
In that case, I'll explain a bit more about jobs.
A Seeker's job directly affects their Contribution Points.
Contribution Points?
Bringing back rare treasures,
defeating strong monsters,
saving a companion's life...
Performing such actions in labyrinths will earn you Contribution Points.
And...
the number of points you have determines your place in the Seeker hierarchy.
SEEKING RESULTS
Your activities in labyrinths are recorded and displayed on this page.
NO RESULTS TO DISPLAY YET
Wow, it's almost like a tablet.
The hierarchy determines your status in Labyrinth Country,
the food, shelter, and clothing you get, and various other things.
People at the bottom sometimes have to live in stables.
I'd rather avoid that...
Um, Louisa-san...
Are rearguard jobs in high demand, even for novices?
Yes, a rearguard is essential to any party,
but they have lower stamina and defense than vanguard and midguard jobs,
so they're less likely to still be around in five years.
That means there's always a demand for rearguard jobs.
If they're in demand, it might be worth choosing one, despite the risks.
What rearguard job would I be good in?
Maybe if I just put "Rearguard,"
it'll automatically pick the one I'm most cut out for...
REARGUARD
Huh?
Let me just take a quick look at this...
What in the world did you write?
"Rearguard."
Congratulations, Mr. Atobe!
Your request has been accepted!
Uh, h-hang on a minute, Louisa-san!
Just... what job did I end up getting?
Y-You're a Rearguard.
At least... I think you're a Rearguard.
SWORDSMAN
To be honest, I've never seen this language before.
Normally, whatever a Seeker writes stays as it was written.
But when it's a job that has no precedent, well...
I know I told you it was always in demand, but...
You might find it difficult to form a party.
I consider myself partly responsible for giving you that advice,
so I'll enact special measures.
Until you figure out your job's strengths,
please use these Mercenary Tickets.
DEFENSE SUPPORT LV. 1: REDUCES INJURY TO PARTY MEMBERS IN FRONT BY 10 POINTS
ATTACK SUPPORT LV. 1: ADDS 10 INJURY POINTS TO ATTACKS BY PARTY MEMBERS IN FRONT
SUPPORT RECOVERY LV. 1: RESTORES 5 VITALITY POINTS EVERY 30 SECONDS TO PARTY MEMBERS IN FRONT
REAR VIEW: SPENDS 5 MAGIC POINTS TO EXPAND YOUR VISION TO COVER YOUR REAR FOR A SET PERIOD OF TIME
So the skills I can acquire are...
How much is ten points of damage, anyway?
I guess "Rear View" allows a rearguard with low stamina to watch the rear.
That sounds useful, too,
but the one I should take first is is Defense Support 1,
and after testing that out, Support Recovery 1, so I can heal...
No, I'll put that one on hold.
I'll find out if there are potions or other ways to heal first.
Okay, I'll put some points into Defense Support 1 first.
No noticeable changes...
Maybe once I'm in a party I'll know for sure
whether I picked wrong or if things will work out.
I'm Leila.
Assistant manager of the Mercenary Office.
Um... I'd like to use these tickets.
I can give you a demi-human for those.
I'd prefer a vanguard. One who can use a shield, if possible.
Mm.
All we've got left is a female Lizardman.
Lizardman?
She's a Rogue.
She can use most equipment to some degree,
and she wears a leather buckler.
She should be plenty useful on the first floor, the Field of Dawn, up ahead.
I see.
I guess I should start by testing out
Defense Support 1 on some weak monsters.
All right, I'd like to hire this Lizardman, please.
Mm.
A Lizardman, huh?
So... something like this?
Sorry for the wait.
Huh?
Huh?!
THE WORLD'S STRONGEST REARGUARD
Rearguard is a job I'll guard close to my heart.
THE WORLD'S STRONGEST REARGUARD
Uh... hello?
Her name's Theresia.
A... human girl?
Former human, to be exact.
Huh?
A demi-human is what a human transforms into after being
killed by a monster in a labyrinth.
That's part of why they say the dead can't be revived in Labyrinth Country.
If this transformation can be undone, they can return to their original form.
But you treat her as a Lizardman now?
Well, it's not illegal to put the slave crest on demi-humans.
We can't communicate with them.
In general, they can only act on the orders we give them.
Though they do fight instinctively when combat breaks out.
I definitely didn't see this coming.
Well, my name is Arihito.
Nice to meet you, Theresia.
Well, I have a weapon now.
I'm finally starting to look like a Seeker...
but I feel bad making a little girl like this fight.
I'll find some weak monsters to test my skills on,
then call it an early day.
So that's the first labyrinth, Field of Dawn.
Oh, another novice, huh?
He's Japanese, just like the Valkyrie in that last party we saw.
Oh, yeah, that hottie.
A Japanese Valkyrie?
That must be Chief Igarashi.
I guess she formed a party quick.
I'm Ribault.
I make a living finding people in labyrinths
who can't move anymore and rescuing them.
H-Hello. My name is Arihito.
It's nice to meet you.
Um, Ribault-san...
Since you rescue people, does that mean it's dangerous inside labyrinths?
Not really, as long as you don't take on enemies you can't handle.
You have a mercenary with you,
so if you stick to low-level monsters,
you'll make it out on your own as long as you're careful.
Just...
watch out for Named monsters.
Named monsters?
Any novice who takes on one of those is gonna die.
If you see one, run straight outta there.
They die?
Understood. Thank you for that important lesson.
There are other parties in there, too,
and if you're in a pinch, just call us.
We patrol regularly, but we can't be in there around the clock.
Got it.
Right...
Theresia.
Let's go.
Is that fluffball a monster?
ENCOUNTERED MONSTER: COTTON BALL LV. 1 — DROPS: ??? — CAUTION
Cotton Ball, level 1...
Is this one of the monsters Ribault talked about?
You're kidding me...
It hits that hard at level 1?
Let's run from this one, Theresia!
Theresia?!
Her life itself is being whittled down!
Wai—
What am I doing, letting a little girl like her protect me?
I have to do something... but what can I do as a Rearguard?
DEFENSE SUPPORT LV. 1: REDUCES INJURY TO PARTY MEMBERS IN FRONT BY 10 POINTS
Defense Support... That's it!
Theresia, I'll back you up!
DEFENSE SUPPORT LV. 1
Okay, Theresia!
Make your move after I shoot it!
D-Did we beat it?
I should have used my skill right at the start.
Are you okay with those wounds?
Should we exit for now and heal up?
I'm sorry, Theresia.
To be honest, I wasn't taking this seriously.
Dying in a fight like this wasn't even on my radar.
I finally understand now.
Thanks for protecting me.
From now on, I'll do my part to protect you, too.
What's that?!
Chief Igarashi?
Is her party fighting something?
A Redface...
Damn it! Why is a Named monster here?!
Named?
BOOMERANG DIVE
Chief Igarashi!