Volume 1 Chapter 20 Another S-Rank Party
When we returned from the upper layer to the surface, it was already dark outside.
The Cretia soldiers who were waiting at the dungeon entrance had set up several tents for camping.
Near the tents, the campfire and torches were illuminating the darkness, and there seemed to be a soldier keeping watch nearby.
As the soldier noticed us, he approached us slowly.
"Oh, it looks like you made it back safely. It was faster than expected, but how was it inside?"
"Yeah, it might sound like a joke, but... there wasn't a single monster in the upper layer. So we were able to walk through easily. It feels like anyone could progress without necessarily being an adventurer or a knight. Although, we don't know how long it will stay like this."
One of the adventurers answered the soldier's question.
In response, the soldier seemed lost in thought without saying anything.
"I see... Just hang on for a bit."
The soldier went into one of the tents behind us and after a while, came back in front of us.
"We'll consider the investigation complete. Thank you all for your cooperation. Collect your reward from the guild."
'Good grief, I brought potions and all, but this is such a letdown!'
'If only we could always get such easy and profitable jobs!'
'Well then! Let's head back and have a drink at the tavern!'
As soon as they heard the confirmation of the request completion, the adventurers began to return to the town, chatting among themselves.
Until now, it was customary to spend the night in a safe place because the forest was dangerous, but after defeating the Chimera, there are hardly any monsters. So, there shouldn't be any problem just going back like this.
"Ark-sama, shall we also return to Voltana?"
"Let's do that. After all, if the guild doesn't lift the blockade, there's nothing we can do."
Following the adventurers, the two of us begin walking through the forest.
"Anyway, I was surprised that the soldiers suddenly arrived."
Fatina suddenly said that.
"In fact, the monsters in the eastern dungeon went on a rampage and caused a lot of damage, so I guess the government has started to seriously investigate."
"That's right! It's completely peaceful around here!"
(...But is that really the case?)
Although I said that to Fatina, I feel like some countries are responding faster than before.
In the end, we returned to town that day without incident.
I thought the inn was already full because it was time, but luckily there was a room available that day, so we were able to stay there.
The next morning, we visited the adventurer's guild again to check on the situation.
Ah, Ark-san, Fatina-san. Good morning. You've arrived just in time."
When our eyes met, the receptionist went out of her way to come running towards me from the counter.
"Good morning! Elvira-san. I've come to receive the payment for yesterday's request, but what do you mean by 'just in time'?"
"Oh, yes. That's right. Thank you for your hard work yesterday. We have received confirmation from one of the soldiers from Cretia Kingdom that the request has been completed, so we will be giving the two participants their rewards as well. Please proceed with the necessary procedures here."
After the receptionist returned to the counter, I followed suit.
With a clink of metal, six gold coins and a document indicating the receipt of the reward were placed on the counter.
I signed the confirmation document for receiving the reward and put the coins in a leather pouch.
"Well, what's the matter with the talk?"
"Well, you see... we have actually received a somewhat special request."
"A special request? What is it?"
"Yes, it's something a little different here, so please go inside."
The receptionist said so and left the counter to another staff member. She opened the usually closed door to the right of the counter and guided us deeper into the building.
"Actually... in order to conquer the Eastern Dungeon, another S-Rank party has come to visit this town."
As we walked down the hallway, the receptionist spoke.
"Another S-Rank party?"
So, another party besides Allen and Balzark has arrived.
However, even though there is a dungeon near Voltana, it feels too coincidental for three S-Rank parties to gather here. There should only be a few S-Rank parties in the whole world.
"So, they are here right now. They want to meet you two and talk directly. Can you at least listen to their story for now?"
"Oh, I see..."
I also feel the same way, but Fatina seems even less enthusiastic and her ears are drooping again.
Maybe she heard about being an S-Rank adventurer and associated it with Allen's party.
(By the way, what does an S-Rank adventurer want?)
I myself am just an E-Rank adventurer.
It is true that I dealt the final blow to the Chimera, but that was thanks to the efforts of all the adventurers who fought together at that time.
So, if an S-Rank adventurer is trying to make contact, it's not because of me──
(Perhaps it's Fatina's invitation.)
With a level cap of 100 and the skill [Sword Saint], Fatina is likely wanted as a comrade in other adventurer parties.
Eventually, when we reached the door at the far end of the hallway, the receptionist stopped.
Then she knocked on the door and opened it.
"We apologize for the wait. We have brought the two of them."
The room was arranged like some sort of waiting area, with a luxurious-looking sofa placed in the center.
Inside the room, three unfamiliar people were standing.
There were two women and one man.
One of the women had striking fiery red hair tied back in a bun.
She was slightly shorter than me, but being an S-rank adventurer, she must have a lot of experience and be older than us.
She had a sword at her waist and wore a light armor made of white metal and leather, so she was probably a swordsman or something similar.
The other woman standing next to her was not wearing the typical loose white robe of a priestess, but instead, she was dressed in a black-themed religious attire and had brown bangs peeking out from the wimple she was wearing.
She seemed younger, perhaps due to her shorter stature, and was likely the priestess of this party.
Lastly, there was a man much taller than me, clad in a dark blue full-body armor.
A sturdy shield was leaning against the wall near him, indicating that he probably had the role of drawing in enemies as a shield bearer.
When we entered the room, a female swordsman approached us.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ryuin, the leader of this adventurer party. This is Veronica, the priestess, and this guy is Leoness, the Holy Knight."
Veronica and Leoness slightly bowed their heads towards us, following Ryuin's introduction.
"I'm Ark. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Fatina. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Ark-san and Fatina-san. Sorry for calling you out suddenly. Can I talk to you for a moment?"
The three of them sat on the sofa, so we also sat facing each other.
"We just arrived in this Voltana town a few days ago, and we heard about your achievements at the guild. They said that even though you're a fresh E-Rank adventurer, you defeated the Black Chimera."
"There were many adventurers present at that time, so it wasn't just us who defeated it."
"That may be true, but... well then, Veronica, please."
Veronica, a girl who was asked for something by a person named Ryuin, stared at my face for a while.
And then, she froze with her eyes wide open.
"W-What's wrong, Veronica? Are you okay?"
"R-Ryuin... this person, he's incredibly strong. He has stats like a monster, even though he's only level 1..."
"Well, I had a feeling that something was off from our conversation, but for Veronica to be surprised, it must be quite something..."
(I wonder if she has the skill called Appraisal...)
Among the numerous skills available, one that falls into the rare category is called "Appraisal."
Unlike attack or healing skills, this skill doesn't directly have any effects, but it allows the bearer to identify the true nature of various items and the stats of living creatures.
In simple terms, it's like being able to activate the same effect as the crystal balls placed on the counter in the guild, anytime they want.
Veronica must have used that skill to peek at my stats.
"Sorry, I know it's rude, but let me check the status."
Ryuin turned back towards us and spoke again.
"And then I have a favor to ask. I want you to help us explore the dungeon in the eastern dungeon, or rather, the 'Emerald Green Dungeon'."
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