Ghost Knight King's Dungeon Project

Chapter 11 [Adventurers and Adventurers]

Sunlight shone on the streets of Fallenthorn City, illuminating the three people who stood out prominently on the street.

Clang, clang. The two-meter-tall heavily armored figure strode forward like a mobile fortress.

Such a tall warrior, while not exactly unique, is relatively rare even in the city of Fallenthorne, where adventurers and warriors make up the majority. Street vendors and passersby couldn't help but turn their heads in amazement.

The person leading the way was Randall.

Samael sized up the figure in front of him.

Rondar was a capable young man with brown hair, chestnut eyes, and a small scar on his left forehead covered by his bangs. He wore light leather armor, with simple breastplates and shoulder guards, and three or four pouches full of props hung from his waist. He also carried a short sword, a longsword, and a quiver.

What was particularly striking was a thick, rigid bow behind him. The massive, jet-black bow was covered with twisted knots, and the bowstring was made of three brown, rubber-band-like strands twisted together, about the thickness of a pencil.

"Let me formally introduce myself. I am Rondar Riska, a Level 3 Adventurer who was promoted last month. My profession is Longbowman and Hunter. I am skilled in powerful archery and both long and short two-handed swords. My main focus is on hunting, exploration, investigation, and other mixed-type missions." Rondar introduced himself to the two knights earnestly as he led the way.

“I am also the captain of the adventurer party… [The Trash Beasts of Fallen Thorn City].” Randall paused awkwardly when mentioning the party’s name. “The party includes me, a level 2 greatswordsman, a level 4 assassin/thief, a level 2 apprentice mage, and a level 1 apprentice potion master.”

His face turned red when the team's name was mentioned.

Talia chuckled under her helmet.

“This team name… is quite unique, the Randall Brothers,” Samael said seriously, without smiling.

“Samai…Samo, ‘Garbage Beast’ is a common name for the low-level magical beast ‘Scavenger’,” Talia explained in a low voice. “Scavengers are creatures that scavenge for food; they are almost purely scavengers. They often follow other large magical beasts to live together, scavenging for garbage, eating the leftovers of large magical beasts like cleaners. When living alone in the wilderness, they will also scavenge for corpses, vomit, and…excrement.”

In other words, the team's name is equivalent to "Garbage Collectors," "Super Dung Beetles," or "Dung Eater Squad."

Samael was a little confused.

Could it be that the members of this adventurer team have some rather unusual or unusual fetishes?

"I...I'm sorry for the commotion." Rondar coughed, his ears turning red.

“Why did you choose such a name, the Rondar brothers?” Samael asked.

Clergymen often address each other as brothers and sisters, which is a relatively formal form of etiquette. However, Samael's light and enthusiastic tone made this polite form of address sound much more intimate.

“This is because… according to adventurers’ tradition, the naming of a rookie adventurer team is usually based on the first mission that the team completes together,” Rondar explained.

"Even after the adventurers privately decided to form teams and registered in the hall, they were still just temporary teams with numbers."

"After completing the first mission, you must return to the lobby with one of the mission's loot items to become a formal team. You will then be officially named and registered based on the loot from the first cooperative mission. This is to prevent disharmony within teams caused by newcomers randomly forming teams, so at least one cooperative mission is required for team building and experience."

"For example, if the first mission is to hunt down a crimson dragon eagle and bring back a crimson dragon eagle feather, then it can be called [The Crimson Dragon Eagle of Falling Thorn City] or [The Dragon Eagle Feather of Falling Thorn City]."

"If the first task drives away the giant jaw beast pack and brings back a jar of soil with the pack's footprints, then it can be called [Beast Footprints of Fallenthorn City] or [Beast-Chasing Soil of Fallenthorn City]."

"This tradition leads to many new adventurer teams being very ritualistic when undertaking their first mission. They carefully select their teams, and even actively provoke extremely dangerous mutated beasts and take on very dangerous missions just for a nice-sounding and imposing team name."

"Newcomers often lack a full understanding of their own abilities, so they are always willing to go to great lengths to take on challenging powerful creatures beyond their level, all for the sake of a catchy team name. Although countless newcomers die as a result, and very few succeed, a catchy and imposing team name still has an irresistible attraction for novice adventurers. Therefore, every year, a large number of brave newcomers still rush headlong into the pursuit of a catchy team name, forcibly taking on high-level quests for their very first job."

“But when I teamed up with my teammates, everyone was probably… a bit timid.” Randall hesitated. “At the time, I was only level 2, and the other three people in the team, the greatswordsman, the mage, and the potion master, were all level 1. The potion master was even a newbie, still learning with the team. I… really didn’t have the courage to let such a team take risks for a nice-sounding title.”

"Therefore, our team's first task was to clear out the filth eaters that were attracted to the city of Fallenthorne and the surrounding area by residents' garbage and cemeteries."

"Although the filth eaters have a strong odor and can spray venom, as long as you avoid getting too close and control the distance when attacking, you can safely eliminate them without anyone being injured or poisoned."

"Their putrefactive bodily fluids can be used to refine simple toxins, their digestive glands can serve as a spell catalyst for the simple spell [Acid Arrow], their fat and oil are also one of the common extraction solvents for many low-level potions, and their skin can be made into cheap waterproof materials to sell."

"Our team includes potion makers, mages, and hunters. Although the materials and loot from the filthy eaters are relatively cheap and won't fetch much money, they are materials we will need in later missions, saving us the expense of purchasing them. This will also be of great help to our future missions."

"In the end, we brought the largest Foul Eater back to the mission hall. The loot also helped us smoke out four-fifths of the people in the hall, allowing us to complete the team naming without having to wait in line..."

“The Alliance’s latrine cleaners…” Talia let out a contemptuous sneer. Her voice was low, but still clear.

"...I apologize for making you two monks, who have traveled from afar, laugh at me." Randall wasn't angry; he simply sighed. Because it was the truth.

Under the absolute suppression of the opponent's true strength, my own abilities are simply not enough.

I knew that a war knight of this caliber would never look down on my trash beast team... What are Uncle Robin and Uncle Carlisle thinking?

"No, no, no! I think you guys did a fantastic job! Taran, you, you, you're talking nonsense, don't dampen their enthusiasm!" Samael pushed past Talia and pressed the cool gauntlet onto Randall's shoulder. "Randall brothers, you did a great job, this is how smart people do things. The team name is great too!"

Randall was startled by the cold temperature of the armor.

"Really...really?" Rondar asked instinctively, "What's so great about it?"

Randall looked at Samael.

Samael looked at Randall.

“I… uh, well,” Samael said, “I, well, I love scavenging and eating garbage…”

silence.

“What I mean is that scavengers play an irreplaceable and important role in the world. Someone always has to do the things that no one else wants to do, right?” Samael patted Randall on the shoulder. “Randall, don’t be embarrassed by the team name. It shows that you are pragmatic, clear-headed, and have a clear understanding of your own abilities.”

He turned to look at Talia.

“How about we… stick with this team for now?” he asked Talia for her opinion. “I think they’re pretty good.”

"They're pretty weak. They'd be a burden if they were to actually do any work, and we'd have to take time out of it to protect them." Talia snorted. "And this name...aren't you afraid of being laughed at if word got out? You're a knight in the [Trash Beasts of Fallen Thorn City] party?"

“We… can change our name.” Seeing a glimmer of hope, Rondar hurriedly explained, “If a new team has been established for more than a year and has completed more than 300 orders, they can change their name after meeting the requirements—just a dozen more orders and they’ll meet the requirements!”

"Many of today's famous adventurer teams used to have strange names. For example, the team of the level 6 veteran [Windsword] Norman, [Storm People], was originally called [The Mongrel-Beaked Dog of Fallen Thorn City].

"When we were discussing the team name, we felt that the most important things for a team name were distinctiveness, recognition, and popularity. But for a new team, popularity is not important; distinctiveness and recognition are what matter."

"Although the name 'Trash Beast' isn't pleasant to hear, it's very unique. It really made many clients remember us, and they were even more impressed by the quality and speed at which we completed the tasks. Later on, when there was another opportunity, they would sometimes send us regular tasks specifically to be done by us."

“Come on, Taran, let’s go with this team,” Samael said. “It’s a really good team. I like it.”

He put his arm around Randall's shoulder, indicating that he and Randall should stand on the same side.

“Your taste is really…” Talia sighed, “Fine.”

"Thank you for your trust, two monks." Randall breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his heart pounding in his chest.

These two powerful knights were recognized by the experienced, discerning, and picky guard. If they were truly willing to join the team... or even stay for a long time, perhaps in the future, [Garbage Beast] could become one of the best adventurers, just like Norman's [Storm Man].

"Is this your first time visiting Fallenthorn City, you two monks?" Rondar asked as he led the way.

“Yes, Taran and I have hardly ever left the monastery before. Just think of us as savages who have never left the world,” Samael replied cheerfully. “Thank you, Brother Randall.”

*Bang.* Talia slammed her shoulder armor against Samael's shoulder armor, producing a dull metallic clang.

“Well… let me give you a brief introduction. This is Fallenthorn City, a medium-sized Alliance outpost on the edge of the Kana Plain in the northwest of the continent,” Rondar explained.

"This is a market where adventurers sell various loot and materials after completing quests. Of course, if you see something you like while browsing, you can buy it, but the vendors will inflate the price, making it much higher than their purchase price..."

"This whole street is basically lined with adventurer barracks. After registering, you can choose your accommodation, but you have to pay. Different tiers have different prices..."

"The streets near the barracks are lined with vendors selling quest supplies, daily necessities, and food... This street, on the other hand, is full of potion and equipment shops; you can buy equipment and potions here..."

“Genuine new equipment is quite expensive, so some adventurers who are short on cash will try their luck at the loot market. The loot market buys and resells second-hand equipment that adventurers have picked up from the corpses of the dead in the wasteland. People who don’t mind old and worn-out second-hand goods and the relics of the dead often go there to take a look, since the buyers may not know their stuff, and sometimes you’ll find good items being sold off cheaply…” Rondar led the way, guiding the two knights toward the Alliance Hall while introducing the various parts of the street to the two war knights.

"That's the Adventurers' Guild's main hall up ahead. Registration, quest posting, quest acceptance and submission—all sorts of related work is done here," Rondar said, showing the building in front of him.

The Alliance Hall is nearby; the tall, spacious four-story building is constructed entirely of white stone bricks and features a large, blue-painted arched roof, situated in the very center of Fallenthorn City.

A faded dark blue tapestry with gold trim hangs on the front of the building. The tapestry features an alliance shield composed of X-shaped crossed iron cast hands and a giant golden eye. The huge tapestry stands out against the white wall.

The oak doors, carved with the emblem, were wide open, and the hall was filled with people coming and going.

Rondar led the two knights through the doors of the League Hall.

The hall was filled with all sorts of strange characters. There was a mace-wielding sorcerer wearing a long robe with leather armor over it; a strong knight in full-body armor dragging a massive hammer; a bearded hunter carrying a bow, arrows, animal traps, and chains; and a seductive exotic dancer with dark skin, a thin veil covering her face, and gold rings around her wrists and ankles…

With all sorts of people mixed together, people like Samael and Talia didn't stand out as much.

The walls on the side of the hall were covered with task sheets of all sizes. Countless wax seals, signatures, coats of arms, and lengthy text descriptions crawled densely across each task sheet.

A large group of adventurers stood in front of the quest board, bewildered. Every now and then, an adventurer would step forward, tear off a quest slip, and turn to the office to complete the registration process. Several adventurers were arguing about who had gotten the slip first, as if whoever found the slip first had priority in accepting the quest.

Directly opposite the main entrance was a row of office counters, behind which sat neatly dressed clerical staff in uniform white shirts, brown vests, dark blue trousers, and ankle boots. Small brass badges with employee numbers and names were pinned to the chest of their vests.

"Please follow me, both of you. I know someone at the front desk here, so it'll be easier for you." Rondar pushed through the crowd, beckoned to the two, and led them to a counter.

Samael and Talia followed.

Behind the counter was a young receptionist. But someone in front of the counter was talking incessantly.

"...Ah, the eyes of the Crack Claw Bird are as fierce as those of the Dragon Vulture! Its claws are like steel knives, slashing towards me in an instant! That cold light, even the Storm Sword Technique is no match for it!" The person in front of the counter boasted incessantly to the receptionist.

"Guess what? I dodged! The sharp claws slashed past my nose an inch away, and I could even smell the terrifying force of the wind! Luckily, my sword was still so sharp, and my body was so strong that I swung my sword back and chopped off the Crack Claw Bird's head!"

The man had dark blue hair, a scruffy beard, wore simple leather armor and a gray cloak, had a long sword at his waist, a straw in his mouth, and was leaning on the counter, talking incessantly to the receptionist.

Following professional ethics, the receptionist awkwardly forced a smile, looking utterly dejected. When she saw Randall, it was like seeing a savior; she hurriedly stood up to greet him.

“An adventurer has come to hand over his work. Mr. Lukewin Rost, I… I must finish my own job first.” She nodded politely to the adventurer who was loitering and boasting at the counter.

The adventurer, known as Lukewin Rost, turned and gave Randall an arrogant smile.

"Hey, isn't this the Trash Beast Rondar?" he laughed arrogantly. "Here to pick up other people's unwanted quests again?"

“If you don’t have anything important to say, please step aside from the counter, Lukewin Roth,” Rondar sighed. He wasn’t one to get angry, nor did he want trouble. But trouble always seemed to find him.

"I have serious business to attend to! I'm also getting promoted to level three!" Luke Wen arrogantly picked up a promotion application form from the table. "You got promoted to level three by luck and picking up those trash quests, but I didn't! I earned it through honest and fair play!"

“Mr. Rost, you haven’t become a Level 3 adventurer yet… After submitting your application form and materials for promotion, it will take two days for review. You will be notified of the review results,” the receptionist reminded him. “You don’t need to… wait here indefinitely.”

“You’ve already submitted your application, can you move out now?” Rondar asked.

Luke snorted, chewing on a straw, and reluctantly moved away from the counter.

“Ronda… Mr. Ronda, how can I help you?” The receptionist was clearly familiar with Ronda, and instinctively addressed him by his first name, but then realized halfway through and changed it to his surname as a polite greeting.

“These are the two of you, Miss Lillian. Could you please register these two monks for adventurer status?” Rondar stepped aside from the counter.

Samael and Talia stepped forward.

"Ah... Hello! Alliance civilian clerk, ID KNL3562, L. Watson, at your service."

Receptionist Lillian Watson rose and bowed slightly. She took two forms with agreements from the drawer and placed them, along with a dip pen and ink bottle, in front of Samael and Talia.

"Excuse me, do you two know the words in Common Language?" Lillian asked patiently. "Can you write them? If you need, I can read them to you and fill in your names. You can also use your fingerprints in the signature section."

“No need, we can read. Thank you,” Samael said.

He picked up the agreement form and glanced at it.

The general content includes the duties and income model of adventurers, as well as brief prohibitions in the "Adventurer's Code," such as prohibitions against robbery, theft, and killing, with violators to be tried according to law.

He glanced at the form Talia had filled out and followed the template, filling in the pseudonym "Samo," the identity section "Ascetic," and the profession section "War Knight."

“In addition, the processing fee is 2 Erdrik Empire silver coins.” Miss Lillian took back the form, checking the contents as she reminded, “If you two are not from the Erdrik Empire, you can also use 2 Floren Kingdom silver coins, or 4 silver Akche from the Supar Empire, or 3 silver holy coins from the Holy Light Church.”

Talia and Samael exchanged an awkward glance.

Talia slightly moved her wrist, touching the back of her hand to Samael's, indicating, "I'm too embarrassed to say it, you do it."

Samael nodded, indicating, "I'm thick-skinned, so leave it to me."

“Miss Watson, could we pay on credit first? Let us take on a simple task or something, earn some money, and then pay you back…” Samael gestured. “We come from a monastery. When we set out, our mentor told us not to be too concerned about worldly possessions. We’ve been begging for alms all the way… no, we’ve been practicing asceticism all the way. Thank you for your help.”

Talia silently turned her face away.

“Well… I can pay for you two first…” Lillian hesitated.

“No, no, I’ll do it.” Rondar quickly placed the silver coins on the counter. “It’s nothing, I’m so glad to be able to help you both.”

"Thank you so much, Brother Randall." Samael put his arm around Randall's shoulder happily. "I'll definitely pay you back when I make some money."

“No, no need to be so polite, Brother Samos. It’s just a few coins, no need to make such a fuss.” Rondar shook his head. “I should be thanking the two knights for condescending to help us.”

Lillian put away the form, took out two small iron plates with chains, and carefully engraved the two people's fake names, "Samo" and "Taran," on them with the tip of an iron pen that glowed with a faint blue light.

"Please keep your identity card safe and carry it with you at all times. It has a specific magical rune code on it. You need to use your identity card to accept and submit quests and collect corpses." She bowed slightly and handed two identity cards to Samael and Talia with both hands. "If you lose or have it stolen, please come to the hall to report it immediately. We will invalidate the old code and issue a new one for you."

“Furthermore, according to the Alliance rules, new adventurers must join an existing team and learn at least one quest before they are allowed to start soloing. Please understand,” Miss Lillian said, shifting her gaze to Rondar, then to Samael and Talia. “Excuse me, is it Rondar… or Mr. Riska’s team that will be taking on this task of mentoring new adventurers?”

“Yes.” Rondar nodded. “Please just write out a task sheet on the spot. No need to post it on the wall, I can take it now.”

The procedure of posting the task list on the wall was skipped. This was clearly an attempt to pull strings, but Lillian just smiled and didn't say anything.

Miss Lillian Watson took out a blank mission form, wrote out the details of the newcomer Samo and Taran's internship mission in the name of the Alliance, and then stamped the Adventurers' Alliance's X-shaped iron-cast hands and giant eye circular seal at the bottom.

"Accepting new recruit internship assignment, reward amount 25 Erdrick gold coins, please..." Just as she let go and pushed the form out, a hand reached out from the side and snatched the new recruit internship assignment form!
"Whoever gets the slip first gets priority. That's the Alliance's rule. I'll take this quest slip." Lukewin Rost, who had been silently watching from the side, proudly waved the quest slip in his hand. "Hey, you two can come and train in my three-person team! [The Crackclaw Bird of Thorn City], much better than someone's trash beast."

“You…” Rondar frowned, and even he, who was usually good-tempered and rarely got angry, subconsciously touched the large bow on his back.

Talia's claw-shaped gauntlets twitched slightly toward Lukewin, but before she could actually do anything, Samael's hand grasped them, squeezed them lightly, and then released them.

“Don’t worry, Rondar brothers. You just need to join any team and complete a simple internship to officially become adventurers, right?” Samael asked. “After the internship, we can team up again. It won’t affect anything. We promised to team up together. Monks don’t lie… I mean, knights don’t lie.”

“Fine… alright.” Rondar sighed.

"Gentlemen, don't rush to make a decision! Maybe after you've completed a mission with our team, you'll find that my team is better and you don't need to pay any attention to these trash beasts!" Lukewin Rost said with a straw in his mouth, revealing an annoyingly arrogant smile.

　As a Hollow Knight player, around mid-August, to celebrate the upcoming release of Silksong, the author designed an annoying adventurer character named "Lukewin Rost" (originally named "Lukewin Zot") based on Zot in the early plot outline for torture. This character has no major impact on the main plot, serving only as an Easter egg, side plot, and character development in the early stages, and also introducing mysterious and subtle foreshadowing that will be used in later plot developments.

　　Unexpectedly, just five days after the outline and characters were finalized, Silksong announced its release date as September 4, 2025, which is truly a fortunate event.

　　Wishing everyone good luck, continuous good fortune, and all your wishes come true in life.

　　On August 25, 2025, "Deep Sea Aquarium" commemorates good fortune with its readers.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)