Chapter 33: A Meeting of Rising Stars

As usual, the entry gate in the dungeon is a random teleport.

I was thrown into a plaza surrounded by stone buildings. The central fountain spewed a golden liquid, and there were no noticeable defects on the streets or buildings.

Everything here is pristine.

This city lacks a sense of life. It feels inorganic, like a life-sized replica, with any organic disorder removed. This otherworldliness indicates that this place is also part of the dungeon.

I inhale deeply.

I’ve already deployed [Flexible Enhancement: Red] for physical reinforcement. I’m ready for combat at any moment.

Regarding advancing to Area 4, I consulted with Kirishima-san, who has experience. I was anxious about going solo.

The response was, “I pity the monsters in Area 4.” Why is the perspective always on the monsters? I inwardly grumble about Kirishima-san as I begin my exploration.

I leap up to the roof of a building to get a view of the area. The same type of structures stretches out as far as I can see, but there’s one noticeably taller building among them. That’s likely the [Church], where the gate to Area 5 is said to be.

I also confirmed the location of the camp. That’s my return point.

I can see small dots moving in the distance. They’re adventurers. As I’ve heard, it’s clear that many people use this place as a hunting ground. I’ll be careful not to overlap with them.

I continue scouting.
I anticipated not encountering many monsters more than I had expected because the monster spawning method in Area 4 is quite unique.

The primary monsters that appear in this area are demi-human Grids. They walk upright on two legs and have gray fur like wolves. The Grids are armored, armed, and operate in parties.

However, looking over [The Fallen Holy City], there are no signs of any dwelling places for the Grids.
The reason is simple. They are the same as us adventurers.

The Grids appear through the gate.

“…Finally.”

Three signals suddenly appeared within my search range. I move across the rooftops to approach them.

I confirm three Grids on the stone-paved road. Their equipment includes maces and a crossbow—knowing about it beforehand, I’m still surprised by the intelligent choice of weaponry.

The Grids immediately adopt a combat stance upon seeing me. They’re well-coordinated, dividing into front and rear guards, with a crossbow aimed at me. I sense magic. Those arrows are troublesome.

“[Ice Blade Dance]”

I launch countless ice shards, knocking down the crossbow bolts. The front Grid takes the attack. The armor absorbs most of the damage, but there’s slight bleeding. It’s enough to freeze them from the inside.

“[Freeze]”

The front Grids slow down. One of them seems to have noticed my intent and turns its back to protect the rear.

—Alright, you first.

I head toward the isolated front-line Grid. The speed equivalent to a Red Walker is effective here. I grab the Grid’s face with my right hand.

It’s tough. In my earlier days, I wouldn’t have been able to penetrate this.

“[Frostbite]”

But I’m different now. The [Blade of Truth] infused into the ice blade boosts my attack power, easily shattering the Grid’s robust skull. Freezing the wound immediately prevents any blood splatter.

Two left.
They have no time to reorganize their broken formation. I approach and construct magic with both hands simultaneously. The fact that they gathered in the back to defend becomes their undoing.

“[Frostbite]”

I blow away the remaining two and exhale slowly.
The breath I exhale turns white due to the magical aftershock. I’ve gotten used to this.

I need to collect both their weapons and armor. Only the metal parts are necessary, so I crush and discard the rest. My bag is already stuffed. Doing this solo makes the carrying load more impactful.

I’ve heard that the bodies disappear on their own if left alone. Once I finish collecting, I decide to head back to the camp. As long as I maintain physical enhancement, the weight isn’t much of an issue. The bag’s capacity is the limiting factor.

I thought I might stay in the Area 4 for about three days, but I’m considering wrapping up the exploration by tomorrow. With two days round trip, I should be able to transport the collected items by myself.

For today, I’ll head back to the camp and rest.

50,000 yen a day for luggage storage and lodging combined.
It makes me feel faint. I heard the deeper the camp, the more it costs, but five times more already? Eventually, it might cost a million per night… I’m scared of dungeons.

The sleeping arrangement here is the same two-tier bed system as at the last camp. I can shower, eat, and there are spaces for socializing. Considering these facilities are available inside a dungeon, 50,000 yen might be reasonable, I guess. It’s hard, though.

Other adventurers are glancing at me. Maybe solo adventurers are rare, or perhaps they’ve heard of me. Some people from parties I’ve turned down are here too, making me uneasy.

I wander in the dining hall looking for a seat… If only Kirishima-san were here at times like this. They’d find and drag me to a seat swiftly.
I never thought I’d feel so lonely among people.

Eventually, I find a seat and bring food to my mouth.

A man plops down heavily in the empty chair in front of me.

“I heard you’re a rookie special entity killer, but you’re younger than I thought.”
“…And who might you be?”

The man has brown hair streaked with white and wears round, gold-framed sunglasses. He laughs with a rough voice, tugging at his long chin beard.

“Gah-ha-ha! A rookie who doesn’t know me, huh? But I’ll forgive you. I used to be all fiery, but now I’m quite relaxed. Yes, that’s the luxury of a veteran.”

The man snaps his wrinkled fingers loudly.
Despite his loud voice, no one around complains, suggesting he’s truly a veteran or perhaps someone you shouldn’t mess with. Both possibilities exist.

I bite silently into my bread. If something happens, I’ll just run.

“Remember this, rookie! I’m ‘Veteran Joe.'”
“…Veranda Farm?”

“Are your ears clogged!?”
“Sorry. The bread is just so good.”

“Ah, good bread is a fine thing. But kid—”
“I’m Isshiki.”

“Ga—”
“Isshiki.”

“Ahem. Being stubborn is a good trait in an adventurer. I commend your spirit for not backing down even against veterans. Isshiki—listen when people talk. Especially when they introduce themselves.”

It’s exhausting and bothersome to be approached in this way.

“…I’m eating right now. I’ll listen later, so please be quiet.”
“…Alright.”

The man brings back coffee and sits across from me again.
I take my time, even going back for seconds, and finish my meal after making him wait a lot.

I return to my seat with green tea. The man is still sitting there, swirling his now-cold coffee. He looks rather displeased.

“Isshiki, my coffee went completely cold while waiting for you. Do you know what this means? Yes. Cold coffee is easier to drink.”
“I see.”

The man downs his coffee in one gulp and strokes his beard again. It’s quite the beard, possibly good enough to make a brush.

“Again, my name is ‘Veteran Joe.’ Call me Joe-san.”
“What do you want with me? I generally refuse party invitations.”

“It’s not me. The one interested in you isn’t me… Isshiki, a brat like you—no, a kid more demonic than you orders me around. Imagine me, a veteran, being used as an errand boy at this age. It’s disgraceful for a veteran. Darn it.”

Joe-san scrunches his face and tugs on his beard.

“And besides… Oh, here they come.”

The adventurers in the camp start to clearly chatter. They must be someone even more famous. A path forms as people step aside.

Entering the dining hall is a girl with hair as red as flames. Her hair is unbound, reaching down to her waist, and she approaches, swaying it. There’s a sword at her waist.

The girl stands behind Joe-san and taps him on the shoulder.

“I told you to bring him once you found him. Didn’t you understand what Lila said?”
“The fellow was eating. Even a veteran couldn’t move him during that.”

“Then that can’t be helped. Lila will let it pass.”

The girl sits next to Joe-san and looks straight at me. Being gazed upon by those blue eyes almost makes me forget how to breathe.

—Who is this girl?

The mana flowing around her is incredibly smooth.
It’s evident at a glance that she’s strong. Strong? Perhaps more accurately, she’s different. Fundamentally different from ordinary adventurers.

The girl smiles, showing her white teeth.

“Lila Scarlettears. Join me, won’t you?”