Sponsorship from the Merchant Guild
Dorne's party decided to sate their hunger before checking the total capacity of 【Inventory】. Arvin entered with servants carrying food.
"Looks like everyone's up! I've brought the meal you requested, Brother Dorne."
The party drooled at the spread on the table. Even on Earth, Dorne had never eaten like this. Freshly baked, warm, soft white bread was just the start—meats from beasts with hooves, oven-roasted winged creatures, sweet-stewed dishes in rich sauces, perfectly cooked fish. The annex dining table overflowed with land, sea, and air delicacies.
After nearly three days of relentless marching and a full day of sleep, the party members piled their plates high and savored the feast. The only sounds were clinking cutlery against plates.
Dorne speared a glistening piece of pork braised in dark sauce with his fork.
Crunch. The massive chunk—enough to fill even his enlarged mouth—hit his teeth, and an extraordinary sauce flavor exploded across his tongue. Sweet yet savory, rich and complex, not simplistic at all. It teased every corner of his mouth, top to bottom, between his teeth. Fresh pork aroma mingled with premium spices in perfect balance, wafting out with each exhale like crashing waves.
"Whoa, this is delicious. (Since reincarnating,) I've never had anything this good."
"Haha, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Thank you."
"We're the ones who should be thankful for a meal this amazing!"
Eresa's plump tail stiffened straight, then wriggled like a snake in place, even coiling around her waist at times.
Raon couldn't believe food like this existed; he glared suspiciously at each bite before eating.
Lilia was the most composed, though she ate faster than usual, the fur on her small round ears bristling slightly.
"Oh, by the way, everyone. My father wants to express his gratitude. Would it be okay if he visits during tea time after the meal?"
Dorne replied to Arvin, "Sure. Let's make tea time thirty minutes after we eat. We just woke up and need a meeting. You know we've had some big changes in the party."
Dorne exchanged glances with his deliciously devouring comrades, who nodded in agreement.
Clink, clink...
The party's first proper meal in nearly three days drew to a close. The mountain—not quite Everest, but hill-sized—had settled neatly into their stomachs. Giant Dorne had eaten proportionally more. (Probably a side effect of 【Giant】, he figured.)
Even Eresa, who clinked her utensils to the last, set down her fork and knife. The servants cleared the remnants and tableware.
"Alright, Arvin."
"Yes, Brother?"
"Could you give us the room for a bit? We're about to have a meeting."
"Of course. I'll come back with Father."
Understanding he couldn't join the party's discussion despite sharing the meal, Arvin left the dining room.
Confirming the door closed silently, Dorne spoke up.
"Okay. We've had a lot of changes in the party, right?"
"Yeah. Huge ones."
"That's right! I got a Supernatural Ability too!"
Raon silently watched Dorne without a word.
"Starting with me: I acquired the combo ability 【Giant】. My guess is, since we overcame a trial most parties don't face on Layer 2, we got two abilities each as a reward. Personally, I think it's the best match for my 【Iron Man】—great value for the cost."
"Agreed. I got two material abilities at once and completed 【Fighting Spirit】."
"Same here, Brother."
The warrior trio's eyes turned to the last member, Eresa, who had been waiting her turn.
"I got one too! An amazing 【Inventory】! Common abilities are rare enough, but 【Inventory】 of all things! No more goblin wolf riders shredding our gear!"
Dorne picked up, "Speaking of gear—it's great we'll store it safely and conveniently now, but we have nothing left to store."
"Gasp..."
Swept up in the massive current where ditching gear was the only way to survive, Dorne's party had lost most of their belongings. Eresa's eyes widened round.
"So... we're in big trouble?"
"Haha, not really. We weren't carrying valuables anyway. We'll spend a bit on basic labyrinth gear, but the goblin magic stones we harvested at the end should cover it. We just need to cut costs where we can."
"We can dive back in, but it's not ideal."
Lilia eyed Eresa and Raon as they raised the issue.
"The problem is we've grown too fast."
"Huh? Isn't that good?"
To Eresa's head-tilt, Lilia explained, "It is good. But our earnings don't match our strength. Explorers with 【Fighting Spirit】 usually wear plate armor pieces, helmets, quality weapons. Aside from your shield and hammer, Brother Dorne, we're still noobs."
"So what do we do?"
"Sadly, we dive only as deep as our gear allows and buy upgrades steadily. Plenty of power, but no cash to grow—classic bottleneck. Going elsewhere costs for carriages, so we have to hit the East Labyrinth once more."
As talk turned to non-fixed-party explorers' examples, Dorne said, "On dispatching to other labyrinths: doesn't chasing money like them strain us?"
"True. Our party's unique—all earnings pooled as party funds."
"Getting hired out individually is silly, and funneling those wages back isn't right. With only two slots left, it's awkward."
"So what now? Stick to East and South Labyrinths till we're deep divers?"
"Once we've saved enough, head west to recruit...?"
Knock knock knock! As Dorne's party strategized operations, someone rapped on the dining room door. The thick, quality wood made a solid thud rather than a sharp rap.
"Who is it?"
"Arvin!"
The party exchanged glances. Thirty minutes weren't up yet.
"Tell him to come in."
"Yes."
"Come in!"
Creak. The heavy door opened silently as Arvin and a man resembling him entered. Arvin's father, leader of the East Labyrinth Merchant Guild, bowed.
"Sorry to interrupt your meeting. I know it's rude, but please allow it."
The guild leader awaited their response, still bowed.
"Apology accepted. Why visit now, specifically?"
Straightening, the man explained his intentional rudeness.
"I'm Eleven, leader of the East Labyrinth Merchant Guild. I have a proposal. Waiting till your meeting ends might force plan changes, so..."
"...Have a seat."
As the father-son duo sat, a servant followed with teacups and desserts. Eleven waited patiently as cups filled and sweets were arranged.
Once ready, Dorne asked, "So, Mr. Eleven. What's the proposal?"
Dorne the explorer had come to Eleven's attention the previous day. After hiring a veteran to help his foolish son gain a manly physique—only for the boy to return unchanged—the report mentioned sheltering the lifesaver in the annex.
From then, Eleven investigated thoroughly: quizzing acquaintances, guild staff who'd spoken to Dorne, even visiting his inn.
And today: deliberate rudeness to gauge Dorne's response. He was sponsorship material.
"I want to sponsor you—Dorne's party."
Dorne was inwardly surprised by Guild Leader Eleven's unexpected offer.
"Do merchant guilds sponsor explorers?"
"Quite a few do."
"Why?"
Dorne hit the core. Unswayed by gold, focusing on essentials—Eleven's assessment held true.
"Humanity battles monsters for land worldwide, all races honing skills together... but human politics persist. Guilds too."
Close explorer allies gave guilds an edge in rivalries.
"No involuntary involvement in guild affairs?"
"Not entirely absent, but none since I took over."
Dorne was tempted. It filled their missing puzzle piece—and walked in on its own feet. But would ties to such a powerhouse clash with Eresa's idea of freedom?
Nomf! Munch munch nomf! Munch... Eresa clearly loved the guild's desserts.
"How long do I have to decide?"
Eleven stepped back, no greed shown. "No rush. Just before you leave the annex. Details via my son."
"Got it. We'll communicate through Arvin then."
The guest departed after sweets and offer, leaving Arvin with sparkling eyes.
"Alright, Arvin. You've earned a seat at meetings now."
"I'll just listen quietly."
"Good."
Dorne didn't hide party matters. Leaks wouldn't hurt. He'd align sponsorship details with their needs.
"...That's the situation, Eresa."
"So, the offer's great, but you're worried because of me?"
"Short version: yes."
Eresa looked up, gazing at her seated comrades. Dorne, reliable before, now more so. Lilia, cool but loving her sister's attention. Raon, timid and quiet yet pulling his weight. (Kid Arvin.)
Her new family, adrift after losing parents in this vast world. Two lacked animal ears or tails, but that didn't matter. They were her anchor, her ground amid crashing waves.
So she said, "'We' are my freedom. I don't need any other."
Lilia beamed. Raon nodded trustingly. Giant leader Dorne directed. Eresa overcame her past.
Their explorations entered a new phase.
"Now, shall we hear the sponsorship details?"
"I'm ready. Ask away!"