The next morning, Kugutsu and Patton arrived at the labyrinth’s entrance to check in. As expected, the receptionist glanced back and forth between the documents and Patton with a puzzled expression.
“This is a problem, Kugutsu-san. If you’re bringing a new golem with you, it must be properly registered.”
“It’s not new. The core is still Patton’s. Only the body’s… changed a bit.”
“A bit…?”
“Yes.”
The receptionist’s eyes darted faster between the paperwork and Patton.
This was humiliation beyond words. *Please stop looking at me like that*, Patton thought, feeling as though he could burst into tears — if golems had such a function, that is.
“Um… this isn’t a required question, so you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but… why did you replace a knight-type golem with a female-type one?”
“Because it’s cute.”
“Eh? Ah… well, yes. I suppose so…”
“That’s all.”
“…I see.”
The receptionist signed the form, less because she was convinced, and more because she realized there was no point continuing the conversation.
Once inside the labyrinth, Kugutsu and Patton began their exploration. The first floor wasn’t exactly crowded, but they occasionally came across other adventurers, and didn’t encounter any monsters at all.
“Let’s try to bring back some meat from a Maze Wolf or a Giant Boar today,” Kugutsu said, sounding more like he was planning a picnic than a dungeon expedition.
The “Mountain-Top Kingdom,” where they lived, was a land of eternal cold — even in summer, the temperature barely reached ten degrees, and winters routinely dropped below minus thirty. Crops barely grew, and hunting was difficult, so they made their living by collecting ingredients from labyrinth monsters and selling them at the market. Nearly forty percent of the population were adventurers.
“How’s the new body feeling?” Kugutsu asked.
Patton hesitated, then grumbled, “For something made of scrap parts, it moves surprisingly well. Compared to the knight-type, it’s a lot lighter… I’m worried about the drop in power, though. I’ll have to completely change how I fight.”
“If it’s moving well, that’s good to hear.”
“Good!? It’s not good at all! I’m a male-type core — I can’t keep walking around in a woman’s body!”
His anguished shout echoed through the dim labyrinth.
“About that…” Kugutsu scratched the back of his head. “Apparently, the latest research says golem personalities don’t actually have male or female distinctions. They announced it at the academy recently.”
“What? No, come on — I’m a guy! Just because some fancy scholar says otherwise doesn’t mean I’ll agree to that!”
“You only think you’re male because you’ve always used a male-type body. Once you get used to a female one, maybe you’ll start thinking like a woman.”
“That’s ridiculous! What’s next — if I was put in a dog’s body, I’d think I’m a dog!?”
“Maybe.”
“Grr…!”
Kugutsu’s casual response left Patton fuming, though he couldn’t come up with a proper counterargument — he simply didn’t have the technical knowledge to fight back.
“…I won’t give up. Even if I’m in a woman’s body, I refuse to lose my man’s heart!”
“That’s fine too. Who you are is something only you can decide,” Kugutsu said, his eyes lingering on Patton’s newly polished rear. He’d worked hard sanding it to perfection, and it showed.
Patton wasn’t sure if that was encouragement or teasing, but the nonchalant tone only made him more determined. *I’m a man. I am a man!* he swore to himself.
They continued chatting as they descended to the second floor. After a while, Patton suddenly stopped in his tracks.
“There’s something up ahead,” he muttered.
A deep growl echoed from the shadows — a Maze Wolf emerged, baring its fangs.
Patton tensed and drew his cheap sword. With his old knight body, he could’ve crushed such a foe with one arm, but now… he had no idea how strong he really was. He couldn’t afford to lose — if this body broke, they’d truly be bankrupt. A fight on the second floor might seem trivial, but for them, this was a battle that could decide their future.
“Come on, mutt. Big sis’s gonna—” He caught himself mid-sentence. *Wait, did I just almost say “Big sis”?* There was no time to think — the wolf lunged, drool flying.
“Take this!”
Patton swung his sword diagonally, but misjudged the distance. The wolf dodged easily. It kicked off the wall, lunging again — its jaws closing in fast. Patton twisted his body just in time, slipping past the bite with surprising grace. *Whoa… this body moves smoother than I thought!*
He seized the opening, slashing upward at the wolf’s exposed flank. The beast, caught midair, couldn’t dodge. His blade cut deep, sending blood spraying as the Maze Wolf hit the ground with a thud — dead.
“Did… I do it?”
Patton stared in disbelief, then clenched his right fist. After years trapped in a bulky knight body, fighting in something this light and agile felt… exhilarating.
“So, do you like it?” Kugutsu asked with a grin. Seeing someone appreciate his craftsmanship always made him happy.
“…Yeah, it’s a good body. I like it.”
Then, realizing how that sounded, Patton waved his hands frantically. “Wait! Not like that! I don’t mean I *like* the *body*! Just that… being light and fast isn’t bad, that’s all!”
“I didn’t say anything, did I?”
“You were *going* to.”
“Maybe.”
“You—!”
Kugutsu kept smiling, unfazed. Patton tried to stay mad, but soon broke into laughter. Their voices — one male, one female — echoed warmly through the shadowy labyrinth.
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