# E9 - A Less-than-Ideal Hero
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/G9DUEG084/a-less-than-ideal-hero)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:04] protagonist**
* We met with no real trouble after*
* conquering the Labyrinth stratum lord,*
**[00:09] protagonist**
*and two days later, we got out of the maze.*
**[00:14] Lammis**
Seems like a desolate sight.
**[00:18] Shui**
It's because ordinary people
seldom come to this stratum.
**[00:22] Hulemy**
So there are only facilities
hunters would need.
**[00:26] Lammis**
Really?
**[00:28] Lammis**
But there's no wall.
**[00:30] Lammis**
How do they protect against monsters?
**[00:32] Filmina**
Outside the maze, it's a wasteland
where nothing lives. Even monsters.
**[00:37] Lammis**
Wow.
**[00:39] Director Bear**
Many domains of the dungeon
still defy our understanding...
**[00:44] Director Bear**
Such as this current resurgence
of so many stratum lords.
**[00:48] Director Bear**
I can't help but think it's a bad omen.
**[00:52] protagonist**
* I guess encountering two stratum lords*
* so quickly would usually be impossible.*
**[01:00] Kerioyl**
So, here we are.
**[01:01] Kerioyl**
The Labyrinth stratum's Hunters Association.
**[01:17] Director Bear**
Kesha...
**[01:18] Kesha**
Huh?
**[01:19] Kesha**
Oh, Director Bommy! You're back already!
**[01:23] Director Bear**
You too, Uliwa. I know you're bored,
but don't make it so obvious.
**[01:28] Kesha**
I-I apologize.
**[01:31] protagonist**
* Huh, Director Bear's real name*
* is Bommy. That's surprisingly cute.*
**[01:35] protagonist**
* But in my mind, I'm going to*
* keep calling him Director Bear.*
**[01:39] Director Bear**
All of you have worked hard.
**[01:41] Director Bear**
Feel free to take it easy today.
**[01:54] protagonist**
* With the stress gone now that there's*
* finally a roof over my head,*
**[01:59] protagonist**
* I fell asleep for the first time since*
* falling into the Labyrinth stratum.*
***SIGN*** Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon
***SIGN*** A Less-than-Ideal Hero
**[03:39] Kerioyl**
Okay, you take care of the rest.
**[03:41] Lammis**
Sure.
**[03:47] protagonist**
* We're remaining here because*
* Director Bear asked us*
**[03:50] protagonist**
* to survey the perimeter*
* of the giant labyrinth.*
**[04:07] Mishuel**
Excuse me, my name is Mishuel.
**[04:10] Mishuel**
I only just arrived at this stratum today.
**[04:11] Lammis**
Look, Hulemy. That guy's
looks are picture perfect.
**[04:12] Mishuel**
Do you have a detailed map of the maze?
**[04:15] Hulemy**
Yeah, I'll say.
**[04:23] Mishuel**
Um...
**[04:25] Kesha**
Y-Yes!
**[04:26] Kesha**
If you don't mind waiting three days.
**[04:28] Uliwa**
We plan to have the latest
accurate map then!
**[04:32] Mishuel**
I see. I shall call on you
at another time, then.
**[04:36] Kesha/Uliwa**
We'll be waiting!
**[04:41] protagonist**
*Behold the hottie effect!*
**[04:44] Lammis**
Didn't he seem like a gallant
hero out of an old tale?
**[04:48] Hulemy**
That heroic image has been romanticized
all out of proportion.
**[04:52] Hulemy**
Famous hunters are typically
musclebound or middle-aged dudes.
**[05:02] Lammis**
Okay, okay, then what about
the famous hunter they called
**[05:06] Lammis**
"She of a Hundred Blessings
and Divine Favor"?!
**[05:09] Lammis**
I've heard she was of surpassing beauty!
**[05:13] Lammis**
I look up to her like crazy!
**[05:15] Hulemy**
Ah, She of Divine Favor.
**[05:21] Hulemy**
Documents and verbal accounts do say
that she was truly kind and beautiful.
**[05:28] Hulemy**
Well, maybe that looker we just saw
is that sort of special person.
**[05:33] Hulemy**
If he's strong enough to challenge
the Labyrinth stratum alone,
**[05:36] Hulemy**
he must be pretty good.
**[05:51] Mishuel**
I came here because I heard there
weren't many people in this stratum...
**[05:56] protagonist**
*What's with him?*
**[05:57] protagonist**
* Unlike earlier today, now he*
* seems like a dismal depresso.*
**[06:01] protagonist**
*The "hottie who could nottie."*
**[06:04] Mishuel**
I was so nervous!
**[06:07] Mishuel**
Why does everyone stare at me like that?!
**[06:12] Mishuel**
It was scary...
**[06:14] protagonist**
*Whoa, whoa, you're saying
*this *is the real him?*
**[06:17] Mishuel**
I can't do it!
**[06:19] Mishuel**
I hate talking to people!
**[06:21] Mishuel**
Don't make me do it anymore!
**[06:24] protagonist**
*He's actually bad at communicating,*
**[06:26] protagonist**
* and to hide it, he's completely*
* assumed this hottie persona.*
**[06:30] protagonist**
*Suddenly he seems more relatable!*
**[06:32] Mishuel**
Stop that!
**[06:33] Mishuel**
Mom said it was bad to always
think negative things.
**[06:37] Mishuel**
Be positive... Be positive...
**[06:41] protagonist**
*Now I kinda want to help him.*
**[06:43] protagonist**
* Don't cacao pods alter your*
* autonomic nerves so you can relax?*
**[06:49] Boxxo**
*Hello there.*
***SIGN*** Gentle Cocoa
**[06:52] Boxxo**
*Hello there.*
**[06:53] Boxxo**
*Please insert coins.*
**[07:01] Mishuel**
It's so sweet and delicious.
**[07:03] Mishuel**
And very relaxing somehow.
**[07:07] Mishuel**
This is a great magic item.
**[07:09] Mishuel**
I'm not dealing with a person,
so buying things isn't nerve-wracking.
**[07:13] Mishuel**
Right! Tomorrow, it's negotiation time!
**[07:16] protagonist**
* "Negotiation time"?! He might try*
* to buy me from Lammis!*
**[07:22] Lammis**
Boxxo!
**[07:24] Lammis**
Mishuel's going to accompany us on our job!
**[07:28] protagonist**
*Oh,* that's *what he meant by "negotiation."*
**[07:34] Lammis**
Weren't you actually planning on questing
through the inside of the maze?
**[07:40] Mishuel**
That's true.
**[07:41] Hulemy**
No harm done.
**[07:43] Hulemy**
We've got a capable hunter
coming along with us.
**[07:46] Hulemy**
Sounds reliable to me.
**[07:49] Mishuel**
That's true.
**[07:50] Mikenne**
It's an honor to work alongside the
one they call the Aloof Black Flash!
**[07:57] Mishuel**
That's true.
**[07:58] protagonist**
* Mishuel, work on changing*
* up your responses a little.*
**[08:03] protagonist**
*Your reputation will suffer.*
**[08:05] Lammis**
By the way, Hulemy. How long will it
take to go all the way around this?
**[08:10] Hulemy**
From what I saw of Boxxo's images,
I'd say less than three weeks.
**[08:15] Hulemy**
What do you think, Mishuel?
**[08:17] Mishuel**
That's true.
**[08:21] Mishuel**
I-I'll be the rear guard, for safety's sake!
**[08:25] Lammis**
Okay.
**[08:27] protagonist**
*There go the communication issues.*
**[08:29] protagonist**
*But I've been paying close attention.*
**[08:32] Mishuel**
This month, learn to be as natural as
possible around unfamiliar people.
**[08:37] Mishuel**
Learn to be natural...
**[08:39] Mishuel**
Learn to be natural...
**[08:41] protagonist**
*Looks like by being with this group,*
**[08:44] protagonist**
* he's trying to improve his communication*
* issues at least a little.*
**[09:04] Mishuel**
I was so nervous.
**[09:07] Mishuel**
They're both beautiful, and the
Band of Gluttons are all so cute.
**[09:12] Mishuel**
It was all I could do to
keep my face neutral.
**[09:20] Mishuel**
* Everyone said we'd be*
* fine with Boxxo on watch,*
**[09:25] Mishuel**
* but does this boxy magic item*
* really have a mind of its own?*
**[09:28] Boxxo**
*Hello there.*
**[09:30] Mishuel**
Yes, good evening!
**[09:34] Mishuel**
H-Hey...
**[09:41] Mishuel**
It's good, all right.
**[09:43] Mishuel**
And here, shopping *usually* stresses me out.
**[09:47] protagonist**
* Yup. One of a vending machine's*
* merits is its accessibility.*
**[09:54] protagonist**
* A week went by, but there*
* was no combat whatsoever,*
**[09:57] protagonist**
*and the days passed smoothly.*
**[10:00] protagonist**
* But today, something seems*
* amiss with Lammis.*
**[10:03] Hulemy**
Hey Lammis, what's going on?
**[10:06] Hulemy**
If you're not feeling well, you and
Boxxo can ride on the cart.
**[10:10] Boxxo**
*Hello there.*
**[10:12] Lammis**
I'm fine.
**[10:14] Lammis**
Couldn't be better!
**[10:17] Mishuel**
L-Lammis, you mustn't overexert yourself.
**[10:20] Mishuel**
A rest is what you ne—
**[10:22] protagonist**
*Oh, shit!*
**[10:24] Mishuel**
Lammis!
**[10:28] protagonist**
*That was close!*
**[10:29] protagonist**
*Nice one, Mishuel!*
**[10:32] Mishuel**
Hulemy, can I ask you to look after her?
**[10:35] Hulemy**
Sure, no problem.
**[10:37] Hulemy**
Come on, we're changing those clothes.
**[10:40] Lammis**
I-It's fine, I'll do it myself.
**[10:43] Hulemy**
Don't try to play hero when
you're ready to fall over.
**[10:47] Hulemy**
You should just accept
kindness when it's offered.
**[10:52] Hulemy**
As usual, you push yourself
right up to the edge.
**[10:56] protagonist**
*Huh? Was she sick?!*
**[10:58] Hulemy**
At times like this you've got
to rest, not power through it.
**[11:02] Lammis**
Y-Yeah...
**[11:06] protagonist**
* Right. She's had other off days*
* like this, about once a month.*
**[11:12] protagonist**
*Sorry I failed to pick up on it.*
**[11:14] Mikenne**
What's going on?
**[11:16] Pell**
Maybe she's hungry.
**[11:18] Short**
Suco, do you know?
**[11:19] Suco**
I heard with humans and many
other monkey-like species,
**[11:23] Suco**
the women have this thing where
they bleed from down there.
**[11:27] protagonist**
*What can I do to help?*
**[11:33] Hulemy**
Huh? Boxxo, what is it all of a sudden?
**[11:36] Hulemy**
It must mean something
if you just transformed.
**[11:47] Hulemy**
How do you use this?
**[11:50] Hulemy**
This cloth has a strange feel.
**[11:52] Hulemy**
Or is it paper?
**[11:54] Hulemy**
Oh, maybe...
**[11:57] Hulemy**
Look at that absorbency!
**[12:00] Hulemy**
I get it! That solves that problem!
**[12:03] protagonist**
*It's a real-life problem, all right.*
**[12:06] protagonist**
* You see lots of lady adventurers*
* in fantasy worlds,*
**[12:09] protagonist**
*but I bet it's no picnic behind the scenes.*
**[12:21] Boxxo**
*Hello there.*
***SIGN*** Insert coins
***SIGN*** Items inside
are washed
***SIGN*** Your laundry is clean!
**[12:25] Hulemy**
Well, well!
**[12:29] protagonist**
* It needs a test run anyway,*
* so no charge this time!*
**[12:37] protagonist**
* It's been over two weeks since we*
* set out to survey the perimeter.*
**[12:41] protagonist**
*By Hulemy's reckoning,*
**[12:43] protagonist**
* we should be able to return to the*
* Labyrinth stratum village in three days.*
**[12:48] protagonist**
* After what happened with Lammis,*
* Mishuel has started eating with everyone,*
**[12:52] protagonist**
*and he seems much better adjusted.*
**[12:55] protagonist**
*Yep.*
**[12:57] Mishuel**
Boxxo is a truly outstanding magic item.
**[13:00] Lammis**
Yeah.
**[13:01] Lammis**
His food and drinks taste good,
he dispenses tons of useful tools,
**[13:05] Lammis**
and he even protects us!
**[13:08] Hulemy**
As far as I know, there are no written
records of any magic items like Boxxo.
**[13:15] Mishuel**
You don't say.
**[13:19] Short**
What's up, Mikenne?
**[13:21] Mikenne**
Everyone, stop!
**[13:26] Mikenne**
Can you tell anything, Pell?
**[13:29] Pell**
Let's see, there's human scent
coming from up ahead a little.
**[13:33] Pell**
Four or five of them.
**[13:36] Short**
I can't make out what they're saying,
but they sound like men.
**[13:40] Hulemy**
Seriously?
**[13:41] Hulemy**
There wouldn't be any hunters
in a place like this, though.
**[13:46] protagonist**
*This is starting to get suspicious.*
**[13:49] Mishuel**
Everyone, I apologize.
**[13:51] Mishuel**
There's a good chance they're here for me.
**[13:54] Mishuel**
I do not wish to cause you any
trouble, so I alone will—
**[14:00] Lammis**
We don't know for sure yet.
**[14:02] Lammis**
Besides, we can't let you
go alone if it's dangerous.
**[14:07] Mishuel**
Please, let go!
**[14:09] Mishuel**
If you go with me, your life
might be in danger!
**[14:12] Hulemy**
Calm down.
**[14:13] Hulemy**
Care to tell us why they're targeting you?
**[14:20] protagonist**
* I wouldn't take it too seriously if*
* this were just communication issues,*
**[14:23] protagonist**
* but his secretiveness*
* seems really problematic.*
**[14:27] Hulemy**
I get that you're concerned about us,
but there's no need to worry.
**[14:31] Lammis**
And getting hurt is no concern
with Boxxo by our side.
**[14:35] Boxxo**
*Hello there.*
**[14:37] protagonist**
*Proof is better than argument.*
**[14:42] Mishuel**
What is this blue light?
**[14:45] Lammis**
It's called a barrier,
and it's Boxxo's blessing.
**[14:49] Hulemy**
How about if your attack doesn't get
through at all, you let us come with you?
**[14:56] Mishuel**
Understood.
**[14:57] Mishuel**
If the defense fails, can you promise
not to follow me, no matter what?
**[15:02] Lammis**
Sure thing.
**[15:03] Mishuel**
Then I will not hold back.
**[15:12] protagonist**
*Bring it on!*
**[15:13] protagonist**
* No matter what sort of attack,*
* the barrier will block it.*
**[15:16] protagonist**
*You can do it, barrier! Don't lose, barrier!*
**[15:30] Mishuel**
It blocked it?!
**[15:32] audio guide**
*You consumed 500 points.*
**[15:35] protagonist**
*W-Wow!*
**[15:36] protagonist**
* The eight-legged crocodile stratum lord's*
* ramming attack ate up 1,000 points,*
**[15:40] protagonist**
*so his was* half *that powerful?!*
**[15:43] Lammis**
Thanks, Boxxo.
**[15:44] Boxxo**
*Hello there.*
**[15:46] Lammis**
See, all good.
**[15:48] Lammis**
No matter what happens, we'll be fine.
**[15:51] Hulemy**
What she said.
**[15:55] Mishuel**
All right.
**[16:00] Lammis**
Boxxo, you know what to
do if it comes down to it.
**[16:03] Boxxo**
*Hello there.*
**[16:06] Mikenne**
Lammis, there are five humans.
**[16:09] Mishuel**
Yes, three are probably
highly-skilled swordsmen.
**[16:13] Mishuel**
The remaining two most likely use magic
or blessings—perhaps of the four elements.
**[16:19] Lammis**
Wow! You can sense that this far away?
**[16:22] Mishuel**
Yes, to a certain extent.
**[16:42] leader**
You must be Mister Mishuel.
**[16:44] leader**
We have come for your life.
**[16:48] Mishuel**
As I suspected.
**[16:51] Mishuel**
Who do you work for?
**[16:54] leader**
I suspect you already know.
**[16:57] Mishuel**
True enough.
**[16:59] leader**
By the way, are the beast person
and the girl there with you?
**[17:03] Mishuel**
They are not.
**[17:05] Mishuel**
We just accepted a job together.
**[17:07] Mishuel**
I don't mind if you come after me,
but I won't let you harm them.
**[17:13] Lammis**
Mishuel...
**[17:19] leader**
Very well. I swear not to harm
them if you don't resist.
**[17:26] Mishuel**
I'm supposed to believe that?
**[17:28] leader**
That's up to you to decide.
**[17:31] leader**
Now, what will it be, Mister Mishuel?
**[17:34] Mishuel**
My response is obvious.
**[17:36] Mishuel**
By defeating all of you,
I keep you from harming them!
**[17:40] leader**
How commendable of you!
**[17:42] leader**
With noble sentiment in your heart,
you can meet your death in the wasteland!
**[17:49] Mishuel**
Lammis, be careful!
**[17:50] Lammis**
Okay!
**[17:55] protagonist**
*I* think *the barrier can also
protect against magic and such!*
**[17:59] protagonist**
*Good!*
**[18:00] protagonist**
*Lammis, feel free to go to town!*
**[18:06] mage A**
What?!
**[18:07] mage A**
A blessing that controls water?!
***SIGN*** Insert Payment
***SIGN*** Choose Settings
***SIGN*** Activate Trigger
***SIGN*** Replace When Done
**[18:09] protagonist**
* It's only powerful enough to hurt a little,*
* but it's enough to obstruct your view!*
**[18:13] protagonist**
*And here's some car wash soap for you!*
***SIGN*** Choose Settings
**[18:19] mage A**
What's this?!
**[18:19] mage B**
M-My eyes hurt!
**[18:22] mage B**
My eyes!
**[18:23] protagonist**
* You can't cast magic where*
* you want if you can't see!*
**[18:27] protagonist**
*Now, for rinse mode!*
**[18:33] mage B**
My eyes!
**[18:42] Lammis**
Mishuel, we won over here!
**[18:59] Mishuel**
Thank you very much.
**[19:01] Mishuel**
It would have been dangerous,
without your help.
**[19:03] Lammis**
Huh? N-N-No problem...
**[19:06] Mishuel**
Could you go get the others?
**[19:08] Mishuel**
There's information
I must extract from these people.
**[19:11] Lammis**
Sure, you got it.
**[19:13] Lammis**
We'll bring back Hulemy and the others!
**[19:16] Lammis**
Looks like Mishuel has a lot going on, too.
**[19:19] Lammis**
I'm not quite sure how deep I should
get into a thing like this.
**[19:23] Boxxo**
*Hello there.*
**[19:26] Mishuel**
I apologize for involving
you in personal matters.
**[19:29] Lammis**
Don't worry about it!
**[19:31] Lammis**
Boxxo gets me involved lots, what with being
abducted and falling into stratum splits.
**[19:37] Hulemy**
You got that right.
**[19:39] Boxxo**
*Too bad.*
**[19:40] protagonist**
*Sorry to cause so much trouble.*
**[19:43] Mishuel**
I can't reveal any details, but there's
a reason my life is being targeted.
**[19:49] Mishuel**
Traveling with you further will
also put your lives in danger,
**[19:53] Mishuel**
so I will transfer to another stratum.
**[19:56] Mishuel**
I really appreciate all that you've done.
**[19:58] Lammis**
Hold on a minute.
**[20:01] Lammis**
If you're a powerful guy with a past,
why not join the Menagerie of Fools?
**[20:06] Lammis**
The captain was saying he's
looking for talent like that.
**[20:09] Hulemy**
Yeah, he was going on about that.
**[20:13] Hulemy**
He said, "As long as they're strong,
their history doesn't matter.
**[20:16] Hulemy**
In fact, there's not a single person
in the group who's not in *some* mess."
**[20:22] Mishuel**
Is the Menagerie of Fools
that famous team of hunters?
**[20:26] Lammis**
That's right.
**[20:27] Lammis**
They're all interesting people.
**[20:30] Lammis**
We work with them sometimes.
**[20:32] Hulemy**
I'd try talking to them once rather
than think about it too hard.
**[20:37] Mishuel**
All right. I'll plan on contacting them.
**[20:41] Mishuel**
Well, perhaps we'll meet again.
**[20:51] Mishuel**
The Menagerie of Fools is
full of people I don't know.
**[20:56] Mishuel**
I can't handle that!
**[22:33] protagonist**
* Having finished our job, we came back to*
* Clearflow Lake stratum after so long.*
**[22:41] clerk**
Boxxo, haven't you been doing business
here in the village for over a week?
**[22:53] protagonist**
*Looks like someone's been impersonating me.*
**[22:56] protagonist**
* They set up where Chains*
* Restaurant used to be.*
**[23:00] voice**
A silver coin was ins—
**[23:02] voice**
—ted.
**[23:04] Hulemy**
Was that a cough just now?
**[23:06] voice**
Thank you—
**[23:07] voice**
Ow!
**[23:08] voice**
—very much!
**[23:09] Lammis**
This tastes like Chains Restaurant food.
**[23:15] protagonist**
*And then, everything became clear!*
**[23:17] protagonist**
*It was a simple setup.*
**[23:18] protagonist**
* The fake vending machines were*
* connected to the former restaurant.*
**[23:25] protagonist**
*The following day, I started selling again.*
**[23:28] crow**
Fools! Fools!
**[23:29] protagonist**
* By the time a week had passed, the fake*
* vending machines were no longer in service.*
***SIGN*** Next Time
***SIGN*** Gastric Measures
**[23:35] Boxxo**
*Thank you very much.*
**[23:37] Boxxo**
*I look forward to your next use.*