Survivor in the Danger Zone (1)
My memories vanished starting from dinner with Princess Vanessa. When I opened my eyes, it was already late morning. I rushed to work and checked—Vanessa had already returned to the Empire. I hadn't properly shown her around the guild during her visit, hadn't scouted any trade opportunities with the Elaithe Empire, and hadn't even seen her off. A total failure as acting vice guild master, no matter how you sliced it! I headed straight to Guild Master Veronica's office. I had to take responsibility for this!
Veronica blinked at me, glancing back and forth between the wall clock and myself.
"Are you just getting in now?"
"Y-yes! I'm late! Please punish m—"
"Natalia said you wouldn't be moving until evening."
"Pardon?"
"She said you drank something weird because of the princess and passed out. Then she carried you home..."
Something weird? She meant that wine? No wonder—even I don't pass out that fast no matter how weak I am with alcohol. It must've seemed off to Natalia too.
"...Anyway, I was going to process it as sick leave, but you dragged yourself in anyway. Your sense of responsibility toward work is beyond what any man could manage. It's practically obsession."
Veronica smiled as she said it. Somehow, I'd scored points! This wasn't good!
"Guild Master! I'm truly sorry for the discourtesy to the Elaithe Empire's princess—"
"Ah, thanks for playing along with my little prank."
"...Pardon?"
"While you were showing the princess around, Evolaine showed up. She was fidgeting, terrified we'd side with the Empire—adjusted the contract terms heavily in our favor. Quite the sight."
Veronica grinned like she'd genuinely enjoyed it. Evolaine was Jenoran's 9th princess. Veronica had been interested in Jenoran from the start; the Empire was an afterthought.
So what the hell had all my efforts been for?
"And Princess Vanessa seemed pleased with the tour. Said she'd send a personal gift. No idea what it'll be, but good work anyway."
"No, I—"
"I have a schedule, unfortunately. I'd love to chat more, but it'll have to wait."
In the end, I stayed at the guild today too. I trudged back to my desk behind the reception counter. The waiting secretaries, the Maries, bowed politely.
"Welcome back, Vivaldi-nim."
"Y-yeah... Any special matters...?"
"We passed along a named request from Vice Guild Master Kali. And..."
"What the hell is the problem?! Aaang?!"
The moment I sat, that 'special matter' assaulted my ears.
"This request demands bulk materials from mid-grade monsters, so you'd need to go below the Great Labyrinth's 31st underground floor."
"That's why I'm going!"
"Unfortunately, you haven't been recognized as Silver-rank adventurer yet, so we can't issue entry permission."
A freshly joined Bronze-rank adventurer was arguing with Marie over a rejected request. Bronze-ranks were limited to the 30th underground floor due to skill issues.
"I've hunted dozens of mid-grade monsters before coming to Labyrinth City! No problem!"
"The threats deep in the Great Labyrinth aren't just monsters."
"What does a receptionist know?!"
The adventurer reached out and grabbed Marie's collar. Marie didn't flinch, just fixed her with a cold stare.
"If you're the type who failed the Silver-rank exam, go ahead."
"You damn bitch...!"
"H-hold on!"
I wedged between them and stopped the adventurer. She huffed and released Marie.
"Vivi! I can handle mid-grade monsters no sweat! Give me this request!"
The commotion drew stares from other adventurers. Then a pretty decent plan popped into my head. What if she embarrassed herself in front of everyone? Acting vice guild master getting pushed around by a mere Bronze-rank.
"B-but... y-your skills are... p-pretty lame, aren't they?"
"...What'd you say?"
"Th-the Silver exam isn't that hard... if you failed, y-you're kinda... l-lame... right?"
I could see veins bulging on her forehead. Getting insulted like that by someone without even basic adventurer quals—no wonder she'd snap. If she attacked me now, I'd be defenseless, and the acting vice guild master's dignity would hit rock bottom.
...But seeing that burly fist rise for real terrified me! Still, other adventurers were stepping in to stop her, so it'd be fine, right?
"This little shit thinks a bit of guild flattery makes her hot stuff?!"
"Eek! S-sorryyy!"
"Crazy bitch has lost it."
Someone grabbed the adventurer's wrist. The next instant, her head smashed through the floor, upper body slamming into the ground. Vice Guild Master Kali dusted her palm, pointing at the twitching legs.
"She's expelled. Drag her out if she shows tomorrow."
"Damn right, Vice Guild Master!"
"That bitch tried to touch our Vivi?!"
"Time for some manners lesson right now!"
Damn, expulsion! I'm jealous! Kali watched the others drag the fainted woman away, then turned to me.
"Th-thank you, Kali-nim..."
"Hey."
"Y-yes?!"
I expected a lecture on how pathetic the acting vice guild master was. But Kali just emotionlessly handed me a paper.
"My named request. Come with."
"...Me? Really?"
"Yeah. You."
The strongest adventurer in Tragodia after Veronica herself—naming me for a high-difficulty request? What help could I be?
The request form mentioned a special-grade monster.
"H-how am I supposed to handle a special-grade monster...?"
"Hah? Who said fight? I'll bring guild elites for that."
"Th-then why me?"
"...Dunno exactly, but gut says I need you."
"...Pardon?"
"I'm a meathead, but my instincts are killer. Probably some brain-teaser a brute like me can't handle—need a thinker like you."
"N-no thanks."
I shook my head furiously, rejecting Kali's request outright. Not some scheme to get her to hate me and boot me from the guild. I genuinely didn't want to go!
I'm an office drone—how could I tag along on something like this?! Last time Kali forced me into the Great Labyrinth, I nearly died of fright. Now a special-grade monster zone?!
"...What'd you say? Repeat that."
"Uh... your request... feels scary... and super suspicious...!"
"That's why I need you! You defying me now?"
"D-do I have to obey Kali-nim's every order?"
For once, I was glad for the acting vice guild master title. On paper, Kali and I were equals. I didn't have to blindly follow her commands!
"...Hah?"
But this was Labyrinth City. Where brute strength was the law for these barbaric women.
Dawn, thick with fog. The team Kali named for the request gathered at the city outskirts. Kali scanned us and nodded.
"Good. All here."
"Hold up, question first?"
Bella raised her hand high, greatsword on her back. Already twice my height, her arm looked like a utility pole. Kali jerked her chin—ask away.
"What is it?"
"Who's this?"
"..."
The one Bella pointed at perked up her black cat ears—Natalia.
"Her name's Natalia. Our vice guild master."
"Huh? She filling the spot Vivi was temp-ing?"
"Nah. Long story—originally yours. Knowing more hurts."
"Hmph..."
After a staring contest with Natalia, Bella pointed at someone else.
"And why's a plain receptionist coming?"
"Right! I don't know anything abou—"
"Not you, Vivi."
Energy drained when I realized she wasn't pointing at me. Me being here was weird enough—why wasn't anyone calling it out?
"Hehe, w-well, I can fight a little...!"
Haru scratched her cheek, answering. In my memory, 'a little' was an understatement. Not just Haru—Marie was here too.
"This request seems risky, so I picked the absolute best. No deadweight to drag us down—don't worry."
Three receptionists and it's the elite squad? One's definitely useless in combat.
"Eh, fine. Vice Guild Master's instincts never fail."
Bella lowered her arm, done questioning. Why wasn't my presence bugging her?! I shot desperate looks, but Kali ignored me, unfolding the request form.
"Our target's a territory near special-grade monster turf. Goal: find the lord's missing daughter."
"Not subjugating the special-grade?"
"If unavoidable. Not priority."
Kali folded the form, face turning serious.
"Lord just wants his daughter, but digging around—dozens went missing there. At least three digits."
Chills ran down my spine at that. I wanted to bolt, but Natalia tucked me under her arm and hopped onto the kangaroo beast.