Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Dungeon
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"That's a damn good idea!"
"Right? We're going together?"
Rarely getting this pumped up, I readily accepted the offer. A dungeon was literally a toothy pit that devoured people—unpleasant and horrific—but it was also a promised land offering massive rewards proportional to the danger. Adventurers wouldn't hurl themselves into such a death trap for no reason. All sorts of valuables were hidden inside.
I'd picked up some swordsmanship and gained a bit of confidence in my skills. But it wasn't a huge leap. I could objectively assess my own abilities.
It was just the trend. The flow was pushing adventurers toward dungeons, and the more people entered, the lower the difficulty naturally became. I figured I might not make a killing, but I wouldn't lose out either.
"Then we'll need to recruit more party members."
"How about five?"
"Five's a bit much for splitting profits.... Meria. Four sound good?"
"Four? Yeah, that works."
Meria's personality was... go-with-the-flow, like she was handing the reins over to me entirely. I had no idea if she saw the dungeon as some neighborhood cave, but recalling her brutal performance in the goblin den, she probably didn't think much differently.
"Alright, four it is. For the rest of the party."
With four members, we didn't need a mage, but a priest would be ideal. I'd handle damage and tanking, Meria could tank. Just needed a healer and another tank. Who'd be good for tanking?
"Oh, right. Kobson's around."
"Kobson? You know him?"
"Yeah, there's a Kobson on the board's applicant list. If it's not a coincidence, sounds like a guy I know. If it's my acquaintance, mind if I bring him in?"
"Doesn't matter to me."
One spot filled: Kobson.
This wasn't an era with widespread personal comms like the internet or phones, so recruiting meant waiting at the guild for them to show or leaving a message with the receptionist—the classic ways.
"First, let's register the party."
I went to the counter and registered us. Purpose: dungeon exploration. No quest required it, but it was practically mandatory in case of accidents.
"Excuse me, miss. Is there a Kobson on the dungeon applicant list?"
I asked the receptionist about him too. Anyone posting their name on the board would have a personal profile at the guild—that was common sense. A photo would be nice, but that was noble stuff. Not for adventurers like us.
"One moment. Need to pull the applicant list."
I took the list she handed me. Scanned the packed names for Kobson and read the tiny profile beside it. [Blond][Owns breastplate and helmet][Freckles on face]. Looked like a match.
"Close enough. Could you pass a message to him? Tell him to join our party. Waiting here tomorrow morning."
"Got it."
"Any idea when he'll get it?"
"We'll sort contacts before sundown and repost on the board."
He'd be checking the guild for parties, so it'd reach him quick. They update the board before evening, so even if he shows tonight, he'll see it by tomorrow.
"Hey, Meria. Party's registered. Left a message for the other guy."
"Good job."
"See you here tomorrow morning."
I had prep to do, so I turned to leave. Long-term dungeon runs needed more than you'd think. Food for days, oil, fire-starting tools. The gear alone rivaled caravan escort loads.
Consumables were essential investments anyway.
"Huh? Leaving already? Hold up. You free today?"
"No real plans."
Just shopping, no big agenda. Grab sundries, swing by the smithy... Oh, for a priest, maybe loiter by the church? Whatever, it'd all cost money, and with my savings mostly gone, I'd stick to basics and crash.
Meria grabbed me.
"We're dungeon-bound, so prep properly, right?"
"Obviously. Entering without prep is the dumbest move possible."
Just as she said—I was heading out to do exactly that. She continued casually.
"Then let's go together."
"Where?"
"To prep for the dungeon. Gotta buy stuff."
"True."
"So, together."
"Together?"
She said it so nonchalantly that my brain short-circuited for a sec. What was this old-school girl-friend vibe? Acting all chummy with me— was she hitting on me?!
I panicked internally and blanked out. Meria frowned.
"Huh? No, why? You hate it?"
"Nah, not that. Just didn't expect the 'together' invite."
"We're going anyway. Better together—keeps track of what we grab."
Fair point.
"Yeah, okay. General store first."
We left the guild and headed to the outskirts shopping district. Shops near the gates catered best to travelers and adventurers. That's where we went.
"By the way, Meria. From that hometown talk last time, you're not from Isvant either?"
"Right. I'm from out of town too. Meant to head to Krasheim but this place grew on me, so I've been here a few months."
"Same. Krasheim for me."
"How's it there? Lots of work?"
"Every day."
But Winia lived there... I'd sworn never to go back. Should've bailed sooner. This place had solid adventurer infrastructure, better facilities overall. The guild I joined here was top-notch.
Chatting took us to the shops before we knew it.
"Dried rations, oil, fire starter should do it?"
Dried food was my staple meal-solver, fire tools inseparable from adventuring. Nothing else critical. Potions? Bought one for 2 silvers from the alchemist after gremlins beat me silly—no need for more.
Winter gear? Quilted armor and cloak sufficed. I'd sleep anywhere with that. Meria okay? Her clothes didn't look warm, but women handle cold better anyway.
"Hmm... Anything else?"
"Usual stuff's enough."
We bought sundries at the general store and stepped out. What made a dungeon special? To adventurers like us, anywhere outside the city walls was dungeon-adjacent. Same prep.
"All set. Prepped and done."
It wrapped quick for shopping together, leaving me at a loss. Like hanging with a buddy but no PC bangs, pool halls, bowling—pure nostalgia, super awkward.
"Meria. We're here together, but nothing left. What now?"
Smithy? No buys or repairs needed. Church prowling? Weird...
"Yeah. I suggested it, but... nothing else."
"Tricky... Screw it, food?"
"Sure. Starving. Good spots?"
"Soup fan? Hit a good one before. Wanna try?"
"Sounds good."
The place? That soup shop from my first days in Isvant. Tasty, but skipped since to save coin. Dining with a girl meant no cheapskating.
I retraced my steps and led Meria there. [Patrick's Soup Specialty]. Open for business.
"Welcome!"
The door opened to the overworked girl greeting us, savory smells wafting. Meria lit up at the aroma.
"Ah! The 1-copper tip guy!"
"Good to see you."
She remembered. No tips before? We sat and ordered. Splurging on arrival, I got the bacon soup from last time. Meria matched me.
"Meria. Know anything about the dungeon? Straight up—I know jack shit."
Waiting for food, I spilled honestly. No bullshit: zero knowledge on Isvant's dungeon. Just tagging along impulsively. Never cared before, no reason to research.
"Not an expert, but wanna hear about the least dangerous one, the Ossuary Palace?"
True to form as the proposer, she knew something. Ossuary Palace...? First thought: columbarium. The spot I'd visit for holidays, storing cremated bones.
"Ossuary Palace? That's our spot?"
"If anywhere, yeah. Others exist, but they're risky with crap rewards—I don't know 'em."
"Cool. Lay it out."
Meria's explanation followed.