Dungeon (1)
I only managed to regain my strength after sleeping for another full day.
Even after fighting a boss raid, I hadn't felt this drained. It really hit me again just how close I'd come to dying this time.
Still, maybe all that rest paid off?
“I'm starving…”
I hadn't felt hungry even once since eating that soup, but now my stomach was gurgling and twisting violently.
Right. Time to fill my belly and then get back out there—whether it was hunting or whatever else. I stretched my stiff body and rose from the bed.
Feeling the damp air against my skin, I walked over to the wardrobe.
Inside were the standard uniforms worn by the outpost's soldiers, replacing my completely ruined original clothes. They must have placed them there while I was sleeping.
I let out a sigh. Just thinking about having to wear that outfit from now on gave me a headache.
“Let's think positively. It's way better than what I had to wear in Lundel.”
It did reveal my figure quite clearly, but it wasn't overly exposing. I convinced myself as best I could and changed into the uniform.
Once dressed, I stood in front of the mirror and examined my reflection.
“It actually looks really good on me.”
The problem was that this was me now. Still, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this body had saved my life this time.
Thinking about that made my emotions swirl. It had only been two months, yet I worried I might already be losing my masculinity.
“Get a grip. That's not what's important right now.”
I forcefully pushed down the rising distractions and stepped out of the tent for the first time in two days.
Towering trees that blocked the sunlight, gloomy tents, dark elves moving about with their hoods pulled low. The scenery hadn't changed at all in two days.
But the atmosphere was completely different from before.
“Is that the human? The one who took down the Alraune?”
“So the story about becoming an honorary member was true.”
“Should I go talk to her?”
The dark elves, who had previously shown outright hostility beyond mere coldness, were now sending me glances full of interest—and even goodwill.
Just because I'd killed one monster, their treatment of me had flipped this drastically? While I stood there bewildered by the changed looks, Kalinia suddenly appeared in front of me.
“You finally came out. Did you rest well?”
“Yeah… thanks to you.”
“I see. The uniform… suits you well. That's good.”
Kalinia looked me up and down before smiling. Her gaze felt burdensome, so I quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, everyone seems to have changed a lot…”
“It's because they've all acknowledged you. Unlike those cowards, you've proven yourself a true warrior.”
“Cowards?”
“You didn't know? There are two other outposts in Durigarda besides ours.”
One was the Defense Corps, the other the Supply Corps. They were stationed in the east and north respectively, carrying out their duties.
But why? Every time the Defense and Supply Corps were mentioned, Kalinia's expression grew increasingly fierce.
And before long, as she explained about them, Kalinia began to raise her voice in anger.
“Those bastards are cowards who just play house in safe zones! Parasites that do nothing but devour food every single day! They don't send support, they don't fight properly. It's humiliating to even call them warriors. In that sense, Ian, it's fortunate you came to us. A warrior like you shouldn't associate with trash like them!”
Not only Kalinia, but the other dark elves shouted in agreement with her opinion.
These elves… maybe they didn't actually hate humans. Maybe they just hated anyone who wasn't them?
Watching them, I could only force an awkward smile. It felt like I'd get skewered if I argued here.
“Ahem… cough.”
Kalinia, realizing her unseemly outburst a bit late, lowered her voice again.
“Sorry. I got worked up in a way that's not like me.”
“Ah, no… I'm fine.”
“Thank you. Anyway, since a new warrior has joined us today, we'll hold a feast. Everyone is to participate.”
Cheers erupted at Kalinia's declaration. Looking at the excited elves, I carefully whispered into her ear.
“Do I have to join this too?”
“The protagonist is saying strange things. Of course you must participate.”
I sighed as I felt Kalinia's hand patting my back heavily.
Looked like leveling up today was out of the question too.
Meanwhile, at the Defense Corps outpost that had become the players' new residence…
“Shouldn't we go look for her?”
A meeting about conquering Zone 3 was underway. The very first item on the agenda was Ian's survival status. Emily looked around at everyone as she spoke.
Shaura objected.
“But didn't you hear? The west is the Search Corps' territory.”
The east and north had been relatively safe, allowing for quick exploration.
But no one had spotted any sign of Ian.
There was only one meaning behind that fact: either Ian was already dead, or she was in the Search Corps' domain.
“That's not a place even the dark elves here set foot in. I agree she's an important asset, but we can't afford to lose that much fighting power by recklessly searching the area.”
Unlike the previously explored east and north, this was a place teeming with danger. The dark elves they'd grown somewhat close to had strongly advised against heading west.
Besides, the Defense Corps commander Malacor had said he would look into it, so Shaura believed it was time to wait.
However—
“So we're just supposed to keep waiting here? We don't even know when they'll let us go over there?”
Emily had initially held some hope, but she no longer believed Malacor would actually help.
That guy only knows how to flash a friendly smile. The more I see him, the more he seems like someone with no ability who just holds his position.
He reminded her of corporate bosses back in reality—the type who always talked about getting along nicely but never actually did anything themselves.
Moreover—
“And we've already explored both the north and east. Did we find anything?”
Everyone in the meeting, including Shaura, shook their heads. The more they searched, the more certain they became that the boss was in the dangerous western region.
“We're going to have to cross over eventually anyway. It won't cause any problems if we do it a few days earlier. Everyone's levels have already hit the limit here.”
As she said, the players' levels had long surpassed those of the monsters in this area. The experience efficiency was terrible.
Inside the tent filled with silence, Adrian was the first to raise his hand.
“Even if we go, the problem is our base. We can't keep traveling back and forth across this vast rainforest. The Search Corps over there probably won't cooperate either.”
“They most likely won't. That's why I'm thinking of setting up a campsite in a suitable spot.”
“So that's the only way…”
Adrian pondered deeply, along with those who still hadn't made up their minds. Emily scanned their faces one by one before speaking.
“Alright then, does anyone here oppose heading west?”
She hadn't expected to be able to take everyone anyway. Having decided to only bring volunteers for the sake of morale, Emily waited for their reactions.
The first to raise his hand was Shaura.
“I'll sit this one out.”
Quite a few others followed suit and raised their hands.
Only five people hadn't raised their hands and supported the western expedition. Though she felt like her insides were burning, she barely managed to compose herself.
“Understood. We'll go with just our party and five others—six parties total heading west.”
“Let's do that.”
As soon as the meeting ended, the six parties that had agreed to head west left the outpost and set off.
They arrived in the west after noon. From that moment on, monster attacks began.
“Everyone prepare for battle!”
The level of the monsters wasn't much different from the east, but their numbers were three times greater. The players fought against the monsters and steadily advanced.
Still, there weren't any major difficulties. After two months, the players' skills had improved greatly, so they moved efficiently even without specific orders.
“It's quieter than I expected.”
Despite the warning to be wary of Search Corps ambushes, they had ventured deep into the west without seeing a single dark elf.
The players thought to themselves.
“What is this? Was it just posturing?”
“Yeah. There's no need to create faction conflicts even in a game like this.”
Before they knew it, night had fallen. As they debated whether to set up camp—
“Huh? Isn't that an outpost?”
A tent emitting a faint light appeared ahead.
Adrian, who had chosen to head west, asked Emily.
“What do you want to do?”
After a brief moment of thought, Emily answered.
“I'll go alone first. We don't want to provoke them unnecessarily.”
“Will you be okay?”
“If it's dangerous, I'll call for you. Don't worry.”
At that moment, Naira and Mugi stuck close to Emily's sides.
“We're not letting you go alone this time. We're coming with you.”
“M-me too. I'll follow…”
“You two…”
In her heart, she didn't want to bring them.
But remembering what had happened during the Zone 2 raid, she reluctantly nodded. The current Emily had no justification to stop her younger sisters.
“But you must follow my orders exactly. If it seems dangerous, run away immediately.”
“Mugi, did you hear that? You have to run away for sure.”
“I'm saying that to you too, you idiot.”
“Eek!”
After quickly setting the policy, Emily's party headed toward the outpost.
The tension made their palms sweat. Not long after, the group reached the entrance.
However…
“There's no one here? Where did they all go?”
Normally, any military outpost would have sentries posted at the entrance.
Yet despite the noisy presence felt from inside, the entrance was eerily quiet. Sensing something strange, the group entered the outpost and—
“W-what is all this?”
They saw it.
“Kyahaha! This booze is great! Hey, human! Have another drink!”
“Hehe, your cup's empty. Let's drink until we die today!”
“To the brave warrior, cheers!”
Dark elves drunk on alcohol, and—
“I-Ian?”
“Ugh? E-Emily…? Uhh?”
—along with her, barely able to hold herself upright.
“Hic! Hehe… My friendsss…”
Ian.
The next morning, inside Kalinia's tent.
In the end, the players were allowed to use the Search Corps outpost.
It was partly because of their connection to Ian.
“So you've come looking for a comrade… You're brave humans, even if not quite as much as our own soldiers. Much better than those cowards in the east. Very well. I permit you to use the base for the time being.”
It was because Search Corps Commander Kalinia, moved by the players' camaraderie, had readily granted permission.
Kalinia looked at the players sighing in relief and continued.
“So, you wish to explore this area?”
Emily, representing the players, nodded.
“Yes. There's something we need to find here.”
“Hmm… Are you trying to deal with dangerous creatures like Ian did?”
“Uh… well… something like that.”
“I see. Since you called her a comrade, that makes sense.”
After pondering for a moment, Kalinia spoke.
“Fine. We'll accept the humans' help.”
“Really?”
“Manpower is always in short supply. Our goals align, so there's no need to be stubborn about it.”
Kalinia's gaze turned toward Ian, who stood among the delighted players.
“In this western region, besides the Alraune you defeated, Ian, there are three more elite monsters.”
“Th-three more?”
“Yes. Each one possesses power comparable to the Alraune.”
Seeing Ian's flustered expression, she raised her fingers one by one.
“The first is the Juggernaut located north of the outpost. The second is the Solar Bloom to the south. The third is the Silent Orchid to the east. These are the elite monsters we have yet to eliminate.”
“And you want us to take them down?”
“Of course I'm not forcing you. Subjugating them is strictly our duty. However, if you say you'll do it, we'll consider providing support. Will you accept?”
The Search Captain's Proposal
📍 Objective: Assist Search Captain Kalinia in subjugating the three remaining elite monsters plaguing the western region.
🎁 Condition: Maximum of two parties per monster.
All eyes met in the empty space.
It was clearly a dangerous request. The weight of the party limit made it hard to decide easily.
But everyone present knew exactly how sweet the rewards from quests could be. Especially during this stagnation period, there was no better way to level up efficiently than through quest experience.
Eventually, all eyes turned to the leader, Emily. She spoke to Kalinia.
“Yes. We'll accept.”
“As expected of Ian's comrades.”
Quest Accepted!
It was the moment the subjugation force was formed.