The day after conquering the 10th floor of nesteil Dungeon.
As I began my assault on the 11th floor, I felt that navigating the dungeon had beco significantly more pleasant.
It wasn’t about the temperature. I hadn’t even put on the necklace yet, so how could I feel cool?
What I wanted to point out was that the number of adventurers had noticeably decreased.
There were several reasons for this. One reason was that not many people had managed to break through the boss that acted as the gatekeeper on the 10th floor.
Word had spread about the anomalies within nesteil Dungeon, causing people to hesitate in their attempts to conquer it.
Regardless, thanks to that, I didn’t encounter a single adventurer as I pushed through to the 20th floor.
It’s obvious what happens when there are no variables while tackling a dungeon.
Having been stressed out from the heat the day before, I gritted my teeth and went for a speedrun.
I was determined to attain that refreshing feeling after clearing the 20th floor.
“Ugh. Running to death is exhausting.”
“Is this level of fatigue really all you’ve got? There’s still much more to go.”
“I’m an information dealer, not a knight, you know.”
After swiftly dashing through the dungeon and letting Karl and Alsetin handle the boss fight, I pulled out my necklace as soon as I reached the 21st floor and put it on.
As soon as I did, the scorching air that had been weighing down on dissipated, and a refreshing chill spread from the necklace.
That coolness seeped into my bones, carving a sense of relief within , but it didn’t feel as if it would freeze to death like it had on the first floor.
Instead, it was more refreshing.
After the clash between the heat and the coolness, the chill ca out on top, causing a slight shiver to run down my spine. But having endured the heat for two days, I welcod the cold.
Good. Just having this necklace makes feel like a portion of the stress I’ve accumulated has lifted.
Feeling revitalized, I approached Karl and Alsetin, who were playfully roughhousing together.
“Hey, you two...”
“Hey, you pathetic losers. You’re not tired yet, right? Don’t tell you’re weaker than a girl like !”
“Of course not, my lady.”
“...Oh, are you going to keep going?”
The reactions from the two of them were contrasting.
Karl, accustod to the hellish life of the Alrn family, nodded as if it was only natural, while Alsetin, who was relatively closer to being an average person, trembled his lips.
Alsetin, looking a bit worn out, huh?
That’s understandable. After hours of fighting and running, it’s only natural he’d be feeling it.
While I had so downti, these two hadn’t had a single mont to catch their breath, so it’s no surprise they’d show signs of fatigue.
But you know, going down faster is beneficial for you, Alsetin.
Right?
So, let’s give you so motivation.
“Really?♡ Were you a pathetic little bug weaker than ?♡ I guess it’s understandable since you’re a loser from the back alleys♡ I’ll graciously let it slide♡ Hehe♡”
As I openly laughed in front of Alsetin, the veins on his forehead twitched.
“...No. I can do it.”
“If you can’t, it’s okay to admit it!♡ Just acknowledge that you’re weaker than a little girl!♡ It’s not wrong, so what’s the big deal?♡”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll give it a shot.”
Did you say you would? I didn’t force you to do it, did I?
So you can’t later call a ruthless boss, okay?
Got it?
Recently, one of the receptionists at the nesteil Adventurer's Guild, Charze, had begun to dread the approaching evening.
Originally, evenings were a happy ti for him.
The sunset ant it was almost ti to clock out.
Every night, he relished going to the tavern, downing two large mugs of beer while savoring skewers. How could he not be happy about evenings?
However, his newfound fear of the evening was solely due to one person.
With a bang,
the door swung open, drawing the attention of adventurers who then quickly dispersed.
It wasn’t that they had no reason to be interested. They just didn’t want to attract attention to themselves after all.
They might have been shouting about how soone was taking their ti, whether they had reserved the place, or why they were hurrying despite being late—all while arguing in front of the reception desk.
Regardless of who entered, they would usually refuse to step aside, but the person who just walked into the guild was an exception.
As if leaves scattered in the wind, adventurers parted to allow the girl passage, and Charze made an effort to smile as warmly as he could.
“Hey, big guy. Why do you look like a beast? I almost thought I was about to feed you.”
“I’m sorry for looking this way!”
Lucy Alrn.
The only child of the renowned hero, Benedict Alrn, who had gained fa across the continent, and a troublemaker who would lash out at anyone, noble or commoner, if they displeased her.
No one knew what had prompted her to venture into nesteil Dungeon, but Charze, who had been assigned to manage Lucy Alrn, was forced to endure a tightening feeling in his stomach every evening.
“Hurry up and move, you slowpoke. If you waste my ti, you know what will happen, right?”
The only fortunate thing was that Lucy Alrn wasn’t as dangerous as the rumors suggested.
Her words were quite harsh, and it seed she enjoyed provoking others, but that was as far as it went.
She only laughed at the terrified people without doing anything more.
Moreover, having saved other adventurers from the dungeon the day before, rumors were spreading among the guild mbers that Lucy Alrn was rely foul-mouthed but not a bad person.
So middle-aged adventurers even claid that she had matured from her reckless behavior in her youth.
Of course, Charze had nothing to do with those rumors.
To him, Lucy Alrn was rely a source of stress he had to deal with under her scornful and contemptuous gaze.
“She’s really more dull-witted than she looks. It took this long to process her loot.”
“I’m sorry, Lady Alrn.”
Finally, it was over.
Now that she was leaving, I could finally prepare to go ho without worry!
With a joyful heart, Charze reached to hand Lucy Alrn the money but suddenly realized there was sothing else he needed to say, stopping his hand mid-motion.
“What is it, big guy?”
“Lady Alrn, there have been continuous anomalies occurring in the dungeon lately. There could be unexpected dangers, so please be careful when entering...”
“Pfft.”
As Charze warned her, Lucy Alrn scoffed, looking at him as one would at a clown.
“Are you worried about ? Trying to get my attention? You’re a pedo who likes girls, huh? Pervert. Beast. Disgusting.”
“No! That’s absolutely not it!”
“Wow. Your face is turning red. A pathetic big guy being played by a girl. How embarrassing.”
With her giggles ringing in the air, after Lucy Alrn left, Charze buried his forehead into the reception desk.
Ugh.
I hate this.
I really hate this.
When will that person go away?!
nesteil Dungeon is a harsh environnt even among the large dungeons, making it a place where many noble offspring tremble and turn back. So why doesn’t she complain?!
Just go back!
As the rumors say, act spoiled and return to your territory!
As he wiped his face with a sigh, Charze felt soone tapping him on the shoulder and looked up.
“Hey, Charze. Are you really—”
“No! I’m not! I like people who have co out!”
“That’s why you can’t get a girl, huh?”
“No, I’m not!”
Charze’s cries filled with resentnt caused the guild’s previously tense atmosphere to ease, if only slightly.
However, that didn’t last long.
The door of the guild opened again, and silence fell over the place.
It wasn’t Lucy Alrn returning.
This ti, it was g Georg, the eldest son of Count Georg, who manages nesteil.
The expressions of everyone in the guild tightened at the presence of an aristocrat directly related to the guild.
Charze was no exception.
The one who had just been shouting was now hastily greeting g Georg, swallowing hard.
What’s going on? Why is a guy who usually lives off his family and spends ti with girls here?
“Lord Georg! What brings you here?”
The guild leader rushed out to greet g, but his expression was indifferent.
What’s going on? Normally, he would’ve said sothing about not being polite.
That guy is known for his foul temper.
“I have sothing to discuss regarding the dungeon's rampage. I plan to set up an investigation team.”
“Ah! Yes. That’s an extrely important matter! I was prepared for it.”
“No. Explain the minor details to the butler here. I have other matters to attend to.”
g Georg responded and looked out the window of the guild.
“Hey, guild leader.”
“Yes?”
“Who was that girl who just left? I’ve never seen that face before?”
Seeing g Georg licking his lips, Charze felt a chill run down his spine and bit his lips.
nesteil is a divide between adventurers and commoners.
Why?
Look at the environnt of nesteil Dungeon! Would noble offspring want to conquer this place?!
I feel like I’m going to die from exhaustion, so there’s no way the average noble would endure this heat. They can’t.
Of course, there are so noble children aiming to turn their lives around by tackling large dungeons, but those guys usually look for more comfortable places. They won’t co to such a harsh and unpleasant spot.
Thus, the proportion of nobles in nesteil is overwhelmingly low compared to other locations.
As expected, the main custors here are commoners and adventurers, so the stores and markets are tailored accordingly.
Why do the street restaurants in the academy cater to noble offspring?
That’s why they emphasize luxurious, flamboyant, and refined experiences.
While those are delicious, after having them often, there are days when I crave junk food.
The aggressive flavor that disregards the original taste of ingredients.
Today, I sought out a restaurant on nesteil Street to satisfy that craving.
This place, being in the commoner’s district, specializes in such food!
“Grandpa. Grandpa. Look at that! Isn’t it amazing?!”
Wow. Look at that person tearing into a pig’s leg.
It’s so aggressive! It looks delicious!
“Grandpa! How long are you going to stay trapped in the past? We need to enjoy new cultures!”
While I was waiting for the food I ordered with excitent, a group entered the restaurant.
From the looks of them, a man dressed in expensive clothing and adorned with various accessories, accompanied by what seed to be his guards.
That’s... definitely g Georg, right?
A trashy guy with a foul personality who enjoys fooling around with girls.
He was the one responsible for the headaches in the nesteil-related story.
Why is he here?
He’s a noble and a talented mage, so he despises commoners and adventurers.
What reason would he have to co to a place like this?
“Ah, there you are.”
As g scanned the room, he caught my gaze and a smirk crept onto his face.
...What the hell?
What is that disgusting grin and gaze that makes want to curse?
Wait! Why is he coming this way?!
Don’t you know who I am, Lucy Alrn?!
I’m the infamous troublemaker of the Alrn family! If you poke , I’ll bite back!
Don’t co near! Don’t you dare!
“It’s a pleasure to et you, beautiful lady. My na is g Georg, the eldest son of the Georg family that manages nesteil.”
The pervert, trying to sound impressive, greeted with a ridiculously smug voice and smiled at again.
Ugh. This is seriously the worst.
Why are all the guys who co up to first perverted creeps?
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