Chapter 43: The Dungeon of Beginning ②
Chapter 43: The Dungeon of Beginning ②
Translated by AmaLynne
Edited by AmaLynne
The dungeon was managed by the Adventurer’s Guild.
The Dungeon of Beginning was under the control of the Sky Kingdom, and could only be challenged with permission from the Adventurer’s Guild.
The reception desk was located in a small two-story building, which was lined with weapon shops, tool shops, and innkeepers, making it look like a small village.
「I thought it would be more lively since it’s a popular dungeon.」
「You have to get permission from the government to set up a store in this dungeon.」
「Really?」
「The stores are small, but they’re all royal wares with their headquarters in the capital.」
「I see. It’s a dungeon owned by the government, so it’s well taken care of, isn’t it?」
Erica crossed her arms and nodded at Sam’s muttering, saying it was obvious.
「We can’t let some strange store open for business when people from all over the continent flock to this dungeon.」
「That’s true, too.」
It’s a dungeon that belongs to the country.
The reputation of the surrounding stores will directly affect the reputation of the country.
「But I heard that they are planning to open more stores soon.」
「It’s good to have more shops. There are too few stores for so many adventurers.」
「I agree with you, but it seems that there are so many people who want to open stores in the dungeon that it’s not easy to decide.」
「It’s a tough time for the country.」
Unlike the dungeons he had seen all over the continent, the area around the dungeon was bustling with activity.
There was even a dungeon city, a town built around a dungeon.
Dungeons enrich people’s lives.
On the other hand, they can also be dangerous, as there are periodic outbreaks of monsters in the dungeons.
But the more people stay in the dungeon, the more the return is worth the risk.
「Now, let’s go to the reception… Looks like it’s busy again today. Have you registered as an adventurer?」
「Of course I am.」
Then he hands Erica his adventurer card.
She looked at the card and clicked her tongue.
「…you’re B-ranked. You’re so cocky.」
「What about you, Erica-sama?」
「C-rank… Hey, what’s with the triumphant look on your face?」
「No, I don’t. I don’t think I’m better than you.」
「You know what? A C-rank in my age group is a pretty big deal!」
「In other words, the fact that I’m younger than Erica-sama and I’m B-rank is even more impressive, right?」
「Ugh!」
He was right.
There are not many people of Sam’s age who can become a B-rank adventurer.
Sam didn’t become a B-rank adventurer without a lot of effort.
He almost died many times and went through many deadly battles before reaching the rank of B.
「Well, well, don’t worry about it. Rank isn’t everything, you know.」
「Then don’t give me that smug look! It pisses me off! I’m pissed off! Stop that smug look! I’m so angry!」
Sam could tell that Erica didn’t really hate him because she could communicate with him like this.
Sam can’t help but understand Erica’s feelings.
Her older sister, whom she admired and adored, had made an outsider her disciple and inherited everything she owned.
If you’re in the same situation, even if you’re not Erica, you’ll be annoyed.
「It’s crowded, isn’t it?」
「That’s why Dungeon of the Beginning is so popular.」
「If it was just for beginners, it wouldn’t be so popular, right?」
「The materials for the monsters in the beginning dungeon are always in demand. There are also good quality medicinal herbs growing in the dungeons, so even if you’re not good at fighting, you can still earn money.」
「That’s very nice.」
It seems to be an ideal dungeon for adventurers.
The deeper you go into the dungeon, the more difficult it becomes, to the point where even experienced players are prepared to die, and you could spend your whole life just trying to get into this dungeon.
「I’ve gained experience in this dungeon too. Sometimes I even challenged them together with Sister Ur.」
「So you and Ur were close.」
「We are sisters, you know. But she was a court wizard, so she was very busy. Even so, she used her occasional days off to take care of me.」
「That’s just like Ur.」
It seems that Ur’s ability to take care of people has always been there.
Sam also recalled that Ur had taught him a lot of things.
「…so when my sister suddenly disappeared, I was worried.」
「It’s understandable, a family member you love so much has suddenly disappeared.」
「It’s not that. I was afraid that she might have gotten tired of us, or we might have done something that make her upset.」
Ur left his family to hide her illness and to find a successor.
However, Erica and the others must have been very worried when they were not informed of the reason.
It was understandable that Erica would have negative thoughts.
「I don’t think Ur would hate her family.」
「I know! That much! Don’t you dare talk about my sister!」
「―――Pardon me.」
The conversation that had been going on for so long was cut short at this point.
Sam’s attempt to comfort Erica seemed to have the opposite effect.
In the awkward atmosphere, Sam searched for words, but could not find any, and could only wait quietly for their turn at the reception desk.