11. Special Request
After wrapping up what should have been a simple lunch—but somehow never was—Ian and his companions headed to the Adventurer's Guild as Cheong-ah and Bella rose from their seats. The guild, which was usually quiet during lunchtime, was packed today with an unusual number of adventurers. Even though the building was large enough to easily hold over a hundred people, it was overflowing, nearly bursting at the seams.
In the midst of that chaotic scene, Bella—who was probably the least patient among them—furrowed her brow and grumbled.
"Ugh, why the hell are there so many people? This is annoying as shit."
"I told you on the way here. It's because of that special request. You saw the posting yourself."
"Tch... I know, but so what? I can still bitch about it if I want, right? Ugh, this is such a pain in the ass. Hey, Ian. You go first and clear a path. We'll follow."
With a sigh at Bella's continued complaining, Ian replied. Then, turning back to the ever-composed Cheong-ah and Dina, whose tadpole-like belly protruded prominently, he said,
"Sigh... Fine. You two be careful following me. It's way too crowded in there."
"Yes, darling. Don't worry. I'll stick right behind you. Here, Dina—hold my hand."
"This body is no child. Cantankerous girl."
"Still, hold on. You're so small; one slip and you could get lost."
"Small, you say? That is most unfair."
Dina wilted at the word "small." Bella teased her further.
"Heh heh. Shorty. What, you think you're tall or something? Just grab Cheong-ah's hand. Lose it and you'll end up a lost kid."
"Silence that vulgar mouth of yours, beast girl."
"Vulgar? You little—! Hey, you done talking?!"
"Far from it. You always mock me as 'shorty' like that. What is not vulgar about exploiting another's weakness? My name is Dinaria. Beast girl!"
"Oh yeah? And you keep calling me 'beast girl' like it's nothing—!"
In the end, Dina and Bella started bickering. The commotion drew the eyes of nearby adventurers.
"What's going on?"
"Dunno. Those two just started fighting outta nowhere."
"Ooh, fight show's starting?"
As the two looked ready to throw down any second, Ian quickly signaled Cheong-ah with his eyes. She nodded and stepped in to mediate.
"Enough. Both of you, stop it."
"No, cantankerous girl—that beast girl started mocking me first!"
"Hey, she keeps calling me a beast this and beast that!"
But the two shot back defiantly, ignoring her. Cheong-ah's face turned icy, and in a flat, low voice, she said,
"Dina, keep it up and you'll go hungry tonight. Bella, same for you means no booze for a week."
"Urk...! No dinner? That's too cruel!"
"Hey, a week without drinks is overkill..."
"So both of you cut it out. Aren't you embarrassed by all these stares?"
At Cheong-ah's words, Bella and Dina glanced around. Dina's face flushed beet red under the blatant stares, while Bella snarled and yelled,
"Wh-what...? When did all these eyes pile up?"
"What're you looking at, you bastards? Eyes down! No gawking!"
The adventurers, recognizing her instantly, scattered at her outburst. With the situation more or less sorted, Cheong-ah turned to Ian.
"Darling, it's done."
"Yeah. Good job. Let's head in."
As Ian and his group entered the guild, a long line of adventurers snaked toward the reception desk, all eager to claim the special request. On the opposite side, those who'd already taken quests were bustling about, recruiting companions.
Forming parties aggressively...
"Silver Badge party recruiting! Anyone for frontliner, temporary for the special request?"
"Here! Silver Badge frontliner!"
"Sorry, no dual-wielders."
"Aw, come on? You said frontliner. No discrimination, take me."
Others scanned the job boards for recruits.
"Hey, this one's Bronze Badge backliner?"
"Bronze backliner? Archer or mage?"
"Uh... archer."
"Damn, archers always whine about picking up arrows... annoying."
"What can ya do? Good mages are all partied up."
"Sigh, fine. Can't go without a backliner."
The place was a madhouse. Ian had no choice but to shove through the crowd toward the back. As he pushed past, glares followed him—some even shouted about cutting in line.
"Hey, watch it! Who the hell keeps shoving?!"
"Ah, those guys are cutting!"
Of course, they shut up quick when their eyes met Bella's scowling face trailing behind.
"Hey, idiot. Use your eyes. It's the Fallen Princess."
"Ah..."
Finally breaking through the line, Ian reached the desk and rapped on it.
"Karen?"
"Yes, adventurer. While you wait, please write your name and rank on the paper in front."
"It's me. Ian."
Too swamped to recognize his voice, she gave the standard line. Ian knocked again, louder. She looked up, saw him, and brightened.
"Oh? Ah, Ian! I was waiting for you!"
"You look slammed."
"Y-yeah... pretty busy. Anyway, head on up. The branch chief's waiting."
"Got it. Thanks for the hard work."
The stairs to the upper floor were behind the desk, so Karen opened the gate for them. They climbed straight to the branch chief's office.
Knock-knock.
Almost immediately, Hopkins' voice came.
"Who is it?"
"Adventurer Ian."
A brief clatter from inside, then the door swung open. Hopkins greeted them warmly.
"Ah, we've been expecting you. Come in."
"Right..."
They entered and took seats on the sofas Hopkins indicated. He personally brought tea and snacks. The moment he sat, Ian cut straight to it.
"Why'd you call us? I get the special request gist, but..."
"Straight to business, I see. Very well, I'll explain."
Hopkins sipped his tea, inhaling its aroma, then spoke.
"First, thank you, Fallen Princess, for handling yesterday's sudden request so swiftly."
"Uh, yeah? Well, the pay was right. Sure."
Bella scratched her cheek, embarrassed by the sudden thanks.
"Yes, thanks to you, we spotted the Lord-class monster early. Truly grateful. Actually, I called you for one favor."
Ian asked,
"A favor?"
"Yes. For this Lord-class monster subjugation, I'd like your party to act as the detachment team."
"Detachment?"
"Yes."
Hopkins continued.
"First, how much do you know about Lord-class monsters?"
"Uh, well..."
Ian recalled what Bella had told him on the way. The incident in the Empire a decade ago. But that probably wasn't it. He shook his head.
"I know about the Empire thing ten years back... but that's it."
"That's fine. Most adventurers don't know much."
"Ah, okay."
"Lord-class monsters—or Monster Lords—appear without warning; the phenomenon isn't fully understood. They just... show up one day."
From there, Hopkins launched into his explanation.
Conditions for becoming a Monster Lord weren't certain, but candidates were intelligent monsters—those that could communicate with humans to some degree or formed packs.
"The first one in the Empire was a goblin."
"...A goblin?"
The weak goblin as a Monster Lord? Ian was skeptical.
"Yes, just a goblin. The Empire let their guard down. 'A goblin? How strong can it be?' Big mistake. Their power defies imagination."
Hopkins explained that Lords first gathered their base species.
"Using those goblins, it subjugated surrounding monsters. How a mere goblin gained that power... Just its appearance made goblins rulers of the area. It even wiped out a knight order solo during the subjugation. Believable?"
"Hard to buy, but..."
If it's real, then yeah.
After the goblin, Monster Lords popped up everywhere: orc, lizardman, even ogre.
"The ogre one was bad. Caught early before it built forces, yet it massacred most active adventurers in multiple regions alone."
"But is it definitely a Monster Lord? Couldn't the orcs just have fled together by chance?"
Hopkins set down his cup, face grave.
"Yes. When issuing the special request, I checked with nearby branches. Confirmed: definite Lord-class."
"Got it. So the detachment...?"
"It's confirmed a Lord appeared, but we don't know which monster. Given the orcs you mentioned, it's likely built a large force. Any delay and we might've had a monster wave. As branch chief, I'm mortified we caught it so late."
"Happens. So?"
"To minimize adventurer losses, each branch picked their strongest party for a detachment. While main forces handle the minions, you slip behind and kill the Lord."
"...Hm."
"Thus, as Tronen branch chief of the Adventurer's Guild, I humbly request your party."
Hopkins bowed deeply.
"Slay the Monster Lord."
"Uh, well..."
"Please protect Tronen and keep the other adventurers safer."
Stunned by the bow, Ian hesitated. Even with other strong parties dispatched, the Lord sounded tough—did they need to risk it?
Cheong-ah, Bella, and Dina watched him expectantly.
"What do you think?"
"I'll follow your lead, darling."
"Whatever. You're the leader."
"Yeonja decides. I shall obey."
Can I really call this shot? Ian rubbed his chin, pondering. After a long silence, gears turning in his head, he faced Hopkins squarely.
"Fuck it. Let's do it."