The Unwanted Undead Adventurer (望まぬ不死の冒険者)

This is it. I'm a dead man.

I'm not supposed to go.

Not like this.

I still haven't reached mithril-class!

Huh?

No, no, no, no, no.

Wait. That's impossible.

This can't be happening!

He's the one you really ought to be asking.

The day starts early for adventurers

which has a romanticized air to it.

Until you remember that's the case

for most poor people.

Only nobles, wealthy merchants,

and academics can sleep till midday

with their privileged, disorderly lives.

And yes, I'm aware that may just be

my bias talking.

I have a scholar friend, who sometimes forgets

to sleep for days because they're so focused

on their research.

I should check in on them soon,

but it's not like I can contribute

much to their work.

I'm just a lowly bronze-class adventurer

born and raised in a town you can't find on a map.

Why would Rentt Faina know anything

about scholarly pursuits?

Okay.

There's one reason adventurers get up early,

to be the first in line for the good jobs.

The guild is essential for us.

It provides those in my profession

with suitable tasks based on rank and skills.

All kinds are available.

They vary from monster extermination,

protection, herb and material gathering,

even cleaning the muck out of drains.

Morning, Rentt.

Uh, good morning.

Are you heading to The Moon's Reflection?

Yeah, if there aren't any decent jobs.

You're always putting in the hard work.

Well, see you later.

Same. And good luck.

- You, too. - Later.

Hmm...

Looks like the Labyrinth it is then.

Most adventurers belong to a party,

but I generally work alone.

There are a few reasons for that,

but it's mainly because I'm not very skilled.

I've been at this for ten years now

and I'm still only bronze.

The second lowest rank.

I get by, though.

You can make a living hunting monsters

and selling magic stones

and other materials to the guild.

Thank you. Come again.

I've done my best to be thorough and disciplined.

I've even got an emergency fund just in case.

But in an instant, my entire life changed

all because I decided to throw caution to the wind.

When it comes to Labyrinths

the deserted Moon's Reflection has been thoroughly explored,

yet, I was able to find something unbelievable.

What is this?

A secret passageway?

This must be my day!

Hmm.

There's no doubt.

This hasn't been explored!

What's in here?

Hopefully, valuable items or weapons.

Actually,

all I need to do is report this to the guild

and I'd probably make a killing.

I should've stopped there, but instead

I charged in going deeper and deeper

into that suspicious place with no one watching my back.

Because I'm a fool.

Face-to-face with a dragon.

The greatest of all monsters in the flesh.

According to legend, they take on many forms.

While your average one is enormous,

some are considerably larger.

Even though I'd never seen one before

I knew right away what it was.

Its sheer presence.

The pressure it exerted that left me frozen in place.

What else could it be, but a dragon?

I never stood a chance.

A perpetual bronze adventurer against

such an exceptional creature.

How am I still alive?

I was eaten by a dragon!

No. Wait. Am I actually alive?

I mean, it doesn't exactly look like I am.

I'm an undead.

I've become an immortal monster.

If I run into a bishop or priest,

they could easily destroy me with purification magic

and there's no coming back from that.

What I've become is a violation

of divine providence and the laws of nature.

I shouldn't exist in this world.

When I put it that way,

it sounds like I am technically dead.

But I'm still conscious and have my memories.

I should probably go back to town.

Uh...

No, I can't do that.

It's not like I want to die yet.

But I'm already dead, so I meant

I don't want to be destroyed?

Oh, no! I'm so confused!

An adventurer can't afford to lose his head!

There's no point in dwelling on questions

I don't have answers to.

The dragon seems to be gone.

First things first, I need to leave this area.

These labyrinths can be found

all around the world.

Numerous researchers have tried to explain

their mysteries, but no one knows

where they come from or how they work.

Not only do the mazes come in various sizes,

magical equipment

and treasures are hidden inside.

Not to mention monsters lurk around every corner.

The inhabitants stalking the corridors

are mysterious, as well.

The Labyrinth of the New Moon

is more popular since there's good money to be had.

In a few days, a solo adventurer like me

might make the journey here.

I'll try asking them for advice.

Oh! But first of all, I need to figure out

how to even talk to them!

Huh?

My body feels heavy.

Maybe because I have no muscles

and my physical abilities are significantly worse.

I'm weaker than a normal person.

But that's expected.

After all, I'm a skeleton.

While I could've defeated them easily as a human.

I need to be careful now!

Oh!

I don't have the strength to raise my blade!

Not good!

Uh... Ah!

I'm nothing but bones.

It's not like I can expect to use

fancy sword techniques.

Uh, but I have other abilities.

All living things draw

on their vital energy for strength.

What we call, "Their spirit!"

Oh, looks like it's working.

You and I are the same.

Our strength is equal, but I have equipment.

And the advantage!

If I buff my strength with spirit energy

and raise my attack power.

Whoa!

Oh! Is it still alive?

It feels like I recovered the spirit energy I used.

Just like she said.

When it comes to monsters