Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Although a connection with the Carlos Adventurers Guild had been established, I didn’t immediately go to meet them.
We had no idea what they might demand from us.
In this line of work, it was safer to assume they wouldn’t do you any favors out of goodwill.
Too many adventuring groups ended up in hell after wagging their tails at the wrong people.
“Captain, everything’s ready.”
“Good. Let’s head out.”
Elain might have been a veteran fighter, but as an adventurer, she was still a rookie.
She needed more experience.
Still, after one outing, she had become noticeably more efficient in preparing.
That oversized bag and cursed doll from before were gone.
Instead, she now wore a compact pouch at her waist.
Inside were a healing potion, three calorie bars, a carving knife, and a whetstone for her axe.
“How is this, Captain?”
She looked at me with sparkling eyes like a puppy waiting for praise.
“Good. Much more efficient than before.”
“Phew! Can I bring a bottle of water too?”
“That’s fine.”
Still, I couldn’t help but notice something.
“Do you really have to wear that maid outfit?”
“….”
Elain went silent for a moment.
For a berserker, that flowing maid dress should be nothing but a hindrance.
It could easily get in the way, reduce mobility, and be impractical for combat.
And come to think of it, how did she even wash all that blood off last time?
Blood stains don’t come out easily.
“This… is my identity, Captain. Think of it as my way of serving you…”
“Hmm.”
Armor would be better. Light leather at least.
But then again…
I remembered her smashing goblin skulls while wearing that same outfit.
Maybe it didn’t matter.
In fact, it might even help.
A maid dress-wearing axe lunatic would definitely leave an impression.
“Did you sleep well? No nightmares?”
As the carriage climbed the mountain road again, I asked her.
“Yes! I slept great. Very refreshing!”
“That’s good.”
Adventurers were a popular profession.
A job where you could gain money, fame, and romance.
But half of the rookies who tried it ended up quitting due to trauma.
Eating, sleeping, even basic bodily functions became restricted.
Mental and physical exhaustion piled up quickly.
That’s why managing an adventurer’s condition was important.
In that sense, Elain’s mental resilience was exceptional.
“Today we’ll test your new skill. If time allows, we’ll also try the named room we skipped last time.”
“…Alright.”
Her eyes sharpened with excitement.
No matter how refined she tried to act, she was still a northern berserker.
The “no-cock one” of the Crimson Anvil clan.
A crazy woman who could rip apart white bears.
Just built differently.
Meanwhile, at the entrance camp of the green dungeon, the Carlos Adventurers Guild was dealing with chaos.
“Are you serious? Two hours over and you want another gold?!”
“That’s the rule. Pay up and leave.”
“No way! I’m not paying!”
“Our rookie died in there! Take responsibility!”
The camp supervisor, Kaoli, adjusted his glasses with a tired expression.
Another day, another mess.
Adventurers never followed rules.
“Honestly… should I just kill them all and write reports later?”
He seriously considered it.
Then—
“Good to see you again, Kaoli.”
A familiar voice interrupted.
Kaoli’s expression instantly softened.
It was Siu.
The limping adventurer with calm eyes.
“Ah! You came!”
Kaoli stood up and shook his hand.
The other adventurers in the camp looked shocked.
Why was a guild executive greeting a nobody adventurer like that?
“Waiting for my reply, but I never heard back. Did my offer displease you?”
“It’s not that.”
“I don’t hand out my card lightly, you know.”
“I’m aware. The Carlos Guild isn’t some reckless bunch… unlike Blue Kill.”
“HAHAHAHA!”
Kaoli burst into laughter.
“Fair point!”
He quickly regained composure and signed the documents.
“Going into the dungeon again today?”
“Yes. We’ll try for the named room if possible.”
“The Red Goblin Grok, huh…”
Kaoli narrowed his eyes.
“Be careful. People who get too confident in there usually lose something important.”
“I’ll proceed carefully.”
“…Hah.”
Kaoli was satisfied.
This one was different.
He even offered recruitment.
“Ever considered joining our guild?”
“No.”
Rejected instantly.
Still, Kaoli laughed.
“Free entry for you today.”
“Thank you.”
“And that maid girl…”
He glanced at Elain.
Why was she staring at him like that?
Inside the dungeon, chaos unfolded.
Slash. Crack. Smash.
Goblin heads exploded one after another.
The “fire demon” had returned.
Elain moved mechanically, almost emotionlessly, reducing enemies to meat.
Her maid outfit was soaked red again.
But she didn’t care.
Something had changed.
Her body felt lighter.
Faster.
Stronger.
“…” she thought.
So it wasn’t just imagination.
The dungeon itself was amplifying her.
A strange force flowing through adventurers.
She didn’t know what it was, but her instincts screamed it was real.
Then—
She heard it.
A voice.
“Help…!”
Her head snapped up.
“There’s someone calling for help!”
“…What?”
“In deeper inside!”
She rushed forward.
“Wait, Elain!”
Siu grabbed her arm.
“This is a dungeon. That voice could be a monster luring us.”
“But it sounded human!”
“Monsters can mimic human speech.”
“But this is a green dungeon! You said only goblins appear!”
“Even so, exceptions exist.”
Elain trembled.
Her grip tightened on the axe.
Then—
Siu sighed and took out a return stone.
“Fine. We’ll check. But if anything feels wrong, we leave immediately.”
“Understood.”
The two moved deeper into the dungeon.