Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Threshold
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Fey's little fiasco with schooling that thief had wrapped up, and now I found myself following her up an endless uphill trek through the jungle.
"So, we climb up here and we'll hit the city, right?"
"Hah... hah... Yeah. This place 'Nether' is a massive hole in the ground from the surface. Climbing back up to the surface is basically the way out of the dungeon."
Fey explained kindly, even as she panted from the effort.
"Ah."
So, we're heading into a sinkhole formed on the surface.
Dungeon exploration story.
That let me guess the concept of the game I'd possessed into.
'Direction is up to down. The deeper you go, the rarer the sights.'
Probably the goal of this game is to descend to the bottom of this sinkhole.
Simple enough.
"By the way, this really is your first time exploring?"
"Ah, yeah. I helped out with my parents' work until I became an adult, then just headed to the city on a whim."
"Even so, isn't the common sense to register with the Explorers' Association or a guild in 'Threshold' first?"
"I'm the type who acts first and thinks later. I heard you could strike it rich here, so I came."
"...Hmm."
She seemed suspicious, but Fey ultimately let it slide without further comment.
"Anyway, be careful as you climb. Excluding the 'Black Dogs,' this area's considered peaceful, but that doesn't mean there are no monsters. I'll handle them of course, but if something goes wrong, you could die!"
"Ah, got it. I'll keep that in mind."
Yeah.
No way a dungeon conquest game skips combat.
Plus, I look like total noob level at a glance.
No status screen perks or anything, and one mistake could cost my life.
Caution first. Safety above all.
With that mindset, I cautiously climbed the jungle—
"...Oh, we're here."
Nothing happened at all.
"No issues? Pretty peaceful?"
It was even more comfortable than reality.
No annoying insects you'd expect in a jungle.
"Ah... no way, this can't be? I took down a few monsters just coming here..."
"Maybe they've got good corporate culture. Everyone clocks out at dinner time."
I joked, but got no reaction.
I quickened my pace to check on Fey and saw her tense face mumbling something.
"...No way, some kind of aura only monsters sense... as expected... a powerhouse..."
"Fey?"
"Eek! Y-yes? What's up?"
"No, you just seemed preoccupied with something."
"Ah, no! Don't worry about it! Just up this hill and we're at 'Threshold.'"
"'Threshold'?"
Odd name for a city.
"Yeah. Explorers around here all call it that. It has a name like Vine Derhum, but 'Threshold' feels more intuitive."
The threshold to the dungeon, huh.
Wonder what kind of city it is.
Heart pounding with anticipation, I crested the hill and—
"Whoa."
I lost my words for a while at the massive city sprawling before me.
At the jungle's edge stretched a forest of man-made structures contrasting nature.
My first impression of 'Threshold' was... in one word,
"Total chaos."
Like hacking up Earth's architectural styles and slapping them together haphazardly.
It resembled no single landscape I'd seen traveling, yet echoed every one I'd known.
Below spires like those in Western Europe stretched Eastern wooden pavilions topped with tiles.
Beyond classic medieval fantasy buildings pulsed steampunk worlds belching smoke and strange noises.
It felt like a kid dumping all their toys on the floor at random.
The chaos didn't stop at architecture.
"News! From major guild mergers to hot prospects hitting free agency! It's all in this paper!"
"Don't miss this relic auction for explorers! 8 PM at Garbaldi Hall! Featuring S-grade ooparts and more!"
"Meat for sale! Not sketchy monster meat—clean cuts from livestock I raised myself..."
Humans, dwarves, the occasional elf, beastfolk.
All sorts of fantasy races—the symbols of the genre—filled the streets, market stalls, tavern tables, and mysterious tents with bubbling chaos and clamor.
"Real den of madness."
How long had it been since I'd breathed air like this?
I took a deep breath, inhaling the chaotic frenzy.
This is tourism.
"Will, you seem used to cities. I nearly died from culture shock my first time."
"Not really... but I do like people-watching."
"Good thing. You'll meet all sorts if you're going to be an explorer."
That was when it happened.
-Grrrrumble.
A cry emanated from Fey's stomach.
"...Dinner time, huh."
Evening now.
"Um, er... Shall we eat? I owe you for today, my treat."
For real?
Meal while chatting with a local?
And free?
A traveler should kneel in gratitude.
"Should I start calling you sis now?"
"Don't."
"Heh, okay."
My steps felt light.
Who could've known?
Yesterday I was holed up pecking at a keyboard, now adventuring such a cool place.
In a city brimming with kindness, care, hope, and fun.
I was certain.
'This game's genre... definitely a healing game.'
This place is paradise.
A traveler's paradise breathing dreams, hope, and adventure!
And after a few dozen minutes, I learned a few things.
"Sisit, you're back today. 10 silver for two, seating charge extra. Base meal time's over, 3 silver per ten minutes after... but what the heck! 2 silver! Service!"
Even paradise has its scammers.
And,
"Really?! Wow! Thank you!"
There are suckers who fall for it.
"...Wait a sec. Mister, this ain't right."
I spoke to the lizardman running the restaurant.
"Sisit... what? I gave a discount. What's the complaint?"
"Discount my ass. You didn't charge those folks who just sat down any seating fee."
Anyone could see it was a rip-off aimed at first-time travelers.
Fey, changed into spare city clothes, gave off polished noble lady vibes.
Me in country bumpkin rags.
To a seasoned merchant, we just looked like walking wallets.
"I heard what others paid. Fried stuff for two, 5 silver. No seating fee."
"Ssssit! Same everywhere else!"
"Then we'll go elsewhere. Plenty of places to eat."
The lizardman rolled his eyes at my firm reply.
"Ssssit! Fine. Sharp for a young human. I'll skimp less on service, come back. Next time, full price."
Surprisingly cool about getting caught, in a brazen way. Seems shrugging off scams is local culture.
"Anyway, worked out well, Fey... Huh?"
"Scammed? Me? The Magic Tower's top elite since its founding?"
She was stuck in shock at being ripped off.
But to me, she'd probably been fleeced plenty already.
"...By chance, how much do you pay per night at your inn?"
"Inn? About 100 silver a night... tips 5 silver per person. It's a nice place though..."
No way.
Twenty times a meal. Unless it's a palace, total scam.
And what caught my eye especially...
"Per person?"
What does tipping per person mean?
"Yeah, one per staff, so 50 silver... total 1 gold 50 silver a day."
"..."
At this point, I had no clue where to start correcting her.
"Fey, if I may ask...?"
"Yes?"
"Did you grow up in some remote tower or something?"
No way you'd lack this much economic sense unless locked away.
"...How'd you even know that? As expected..."
And it was spot on.
What's with "as expected"? What does she think of me?
My first meal in this world was surprisingly decent.
After eating meat from some bizarre creature that tasted like chicken, I chatted idly with Fey.
"...So you came from the Magic Tower to this place to find your sister? And you're becoming an explorer for that?"
"Yes. She's my only family."
Maybe from the booze we shared, but her lips were looser.
That's how I learned the roots of her gullibility.
Fey was a student at a Magic Tower a bit away from 'Threshold.'
Having spent most her life there, it made sense she was clueless about the world.
"My sister became a Nether explorer to pay my tuition. Luckily I got a scholarship, but... she never stopped adventuring. Suited her."
Then a year ago, her letters stopped.
Worried, she hired a broker to track her, but just got scammed with no results.
"So that's why you came all this way."
"Yes. After our parents died, she's all I have."
"Ah."
"H-hey, you just thought I was unreliable!"
"Misunderstanding."
I hadn't until now, but seeing her get tipsy off a little alcohol definitely made her seem unreliable.
"But theoretically, I know more than most explorers! I studied tons from my sister's letters! And my Magic Tower degree..."
As I nodded along to Fey's empty boasting,
"Shissit, no seats! Out!"
A loud voice came from the entrance.
Looking over, the lizardman owner was jabbing a finger and yelling at someone.
A woman with faded grayish-green hair. Hood pulled low hiding her face, but bandages wrapped one side.
A huge backpack on her back, dangling mystery metal tools clinking together.
"Fuck, your wife said it'd be fine. If I came, make space in the kitchen even. Now you pull this?"
The woman didn't back down, firing back fiercely.
"That wife's been dead for ages—stop pimping her out! Can't make seats outta thin air! Get out!"
"I ain't asking much. Lemme drink and go—just one chair."
"Shissit! No! Stop bothering and scram!"
'Hmm...'
Something intuitive hit me watching her.
A gamer's instinct honed clearing games for three years post-paralysis.
"Excuse me, boss?"
That casual attitude like she was just grabbing her drink. Gear prioritizing function over looks.
"We've got space here. Care to join us?"
I sense it from this vagrant.
The veteran presence we need right now.