Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Next, I will also become an adventurer in Orario.

Although I probably won't become a hero... I hope that this will allow me to get a little closer to those I admire.

Under the watchful gaze of the clear, flawless sky, I offered a silent prayer with heartfelt wishes.

*

The day after entering Orario.

I immediately began searching for a "familia" willing to let me join.

"Divine grace" bestowed by the faction's chief god – [Ability Value].

Only those who bear this mark can call themselves adventurers in the labyrinth city.

I mustered all my energy and enthusiasm, and visited each of the strongholds where faction badges were displayed.

...I did visit...

"Rejected again..."

It was past noon.

Having suffered a total of ten consecutive losses, I sat down in the semi-circular square facing the bustling avenue.

I sat on the stone steps, feeling dejected.

It seems things weren't going to be that good after all. Contrary to my enthusiasm, the members of the [Family] were all quite indifferent.

They practically turned me away the moment they saw what I looked like.

Not only was my clothing a clear indication that I was from the countryside, but my professional qualifications were also limited to that of a farmer, and to make matters worse, I didn't have a single weapon. A country bumpkin who was determined to be taken care of by a "familia" and was completely naive would naturally be rejected. My first impression would be terrible, and of course, no faction would actively recruit me.

If one was originally engaged in manual labor or was a professional craftsman like a blacksmith, the compensation might be different...

"Race probably has some influence too..."

As I walked away dejectedly after my tenth attempt to join the [Family] failed, an elf male who was visiting the base camp brushed past me and was greeted with open arms.

When I turned my head and saw this scene, my face twitched involuntarily, as if I were witnessing a high wall between races.

I have heard elsewhere that humans and dwarfs are inferior to other races.

Beautiful and charming elves skilled in "magic," or strong and powerful dwarves who can hold their own against low-level monsters even without "favors," needless to say, would likely be more likely to receive preferential treatment.

Perhaps, no matter what, ordinary people are not very competitive in this kind of competition.

No, the real problem is probably that I look like a complete country bumpkin...

"……Um!"

After sighing for what felt like the umpteenth time, I slapped my cheek and looked up.

There's no use in being frustrated! If I have that kind of free time, I'd rather keep looking for a "family" that's willing to accept someone like me.

I did some research and heard that large factions don't even accept anyone as a member. If you want to try your luck, you should look for an adventurer faction that's still developing and has as many members as possible.

To fill my stomach, I bought a snack called "fried potato balls" from a vendor.

For someone like me who wants to save money, the affordable price of 30 Fares is something to be grateful for.

And because it's a potato-based snack, it's filling.

I had a premonition that I would have a long-term relationship with it in the future, and I told myself to keep going and started running in the bustling city of Orario.

*

Then—two days later.

"Today, everything failed again..."

Bathed in the scorching glow of the setting sun streaming in from the west through the massive city walls that encircle the city, I staggered back to the hotel.

Orario is an incredibly vast territory, and after several days of running around, my body was already exhausted.

But none of the families I visited were willing to accept me.

I even went to the faction that was recruiting members, based on the flyers posted on the street corner, but I was rejected after they compared me with other applicants.

"..."

I heard laughter.

I heard the voices of the gods and their entourage, shoulder to shoulder, talking and laughing.

My solitary shadow stretched across the ground, halting my steps. I could only lower my head in despair.

I let my pathetic expression be tinged with the colors of the setting sun as I slowly made my way to the hotel where I was staying.

Today marks three days since then, and when I asked the owner to let me stay longer...

"...Including the update fee, it's 2,500 fali for three days."

“Eh…”

"Didn't we initially say we'd only rent it for three days? There's one less room that was originally reserved for other guests, and this is the processing fee."

Seeing my surprise at the price, the shop owner said indifferently.

That makes sense... This uncle runs the hostel, so if he says so, then it must be so. I took my purse out of my bag and put almost all the money I had on the counter.

Without reacting to my uncle's sudden slip of his elbow off the counter, I went back to my room on the second floor.

I resisted the urge to eat dinner and decided to go to bed early.

"Still not working today..."

I pulled the thin blanket over myself and looked up at the wooden ceiling.

I'm out of money.

If you fail to join a [Family] within the next three days, you'll have to sleep on the streets.

Every time I visit the [Family]'s headquarters, I'm met only by adventurers. Since my party members won't talk to me, I might as well go directly to the main god if I really have no other choice. Anyway, these past few days, I've seen gods or goddesses walking around on the streets all the time... but every time I try to approach them, I can't help but shrink back because of fear. Besides, most of those gods are accompanied by guards, and if I just get too close, I'll get glared at. I've had that experience several times already.

Only once did a guy seem willing to accept me, but he said something a bit hard to understand, like, "On the condition that you become a crossdresser in my family!" I panicked and ran away.

I still feel a little scared... Perhaps it's because of this incident that I've become even more afraid to get close to those gods.

"...Could I possibly meet a good God?"

As I was thinking, it became completely dark outside the window.

I remembered what the adventurer had told me before I entered the city.

He said it depends on the individual's ability.

They also said it was "luck".

Will I ever be able to find a "family"... a deity willing to accept me?

"..."

When I arrived in Orario, I was filled with hope, anticipation, and excitement.

Now, my hands and feet are so cold.

My heart feels so cold.

Anxiety, worry, and loneliness.

I couldn't help but feel a loneliness that I had never experienced in the village, a loneliness that I couldn't feel when I was with my grandfather.

This feeling is even very similar to the sense of loss that comes with the passing of one's grandfather.

This is the first time I've felt that this birdcage-like city surrounded by massive stone walls is so cold.

Night had fallen, and the magic stone lamp flickered unreliably.

The view of the ceiling was shrouded in a hazy film.

...It's alright.

Tomorrow, tomorrow definitely...

*

however……

"You should leave. We don't have the resources to support a burden like this."

It's like they're mocking my words of comfort...

"Adventurer? Perhaps you should try being a porter (support worker) instead!"

They gave me cold looks and refused to let me in.

"I'll consider it if you bring money! Hahahaha!"

I have never been able to find a faction that is willing to accept me.

In the blink of an eye, three days have passed.

"...Thank you for taking care of me these past few days, Uncle."

On the morning of my stay, I greeted the uncle at the front desk.

I can't afford to pay anymore.

This outcome is quite reasonable.

I feel so pathetic, I can't even lift my head.

After a few words, I walked out of the hotel.

"...Ugh! Damn it!"

Then, just as I was about to close the door...

The uncle, who had been sitting at the counter reading the newspaper, started violently scratching his hair.

He first stood up as if he were furious, then took out something he had hidden under the counter, came to me in surprise, and quickly handed it to me.

"Take it."

“Eh…”

He handed me a bag of black bread.

I panicked and didn't accept it, but my uncle insisted on giving me the bread.

"Kid...you need to learn to be a little more skeptical of others."

Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to survive.

The uncle, who shook his black hair and didn't like to talk to people, said this.

Then, as if severing some thought, he turned around and closed the inn door.

I silently looked down at the bag in my hand, feeling a burning sensation on the inside of my eyelids. I didn't know why.

I gripped the bag tightly and bowed deeply at the door.

"...I have to go."

I turned my back to the hotel that had taken care of me for the past six days and took a step forward.

The sky over Orario is still clear and blue today. It's springtime, and the weather is mild, pleasant, and peaceful. I unconsciously moved along the shadowy sides of the buildings.

After finishing all the black bread while sitting on a street corner, I searched around for any "family members" who hadn't yet rejected me.

Along the way, I passed by adventurers dressed in dangerous gear or gorgeous clothes several times.

They were heading towards the magnificent underground labyrinth slumbering beneath the white walls and towering towers in the heart of the city. It was a den of rampant monsters, and today they would surely weave another fairytale-like adventure.

The gods silently watch over the adventurers' tales, while the city's inhabitants eagerly anticipate the adventures they will bring back. Many are happy for this start of the day, just like any other, sharing laughter with one another.

I wandered aimlessly through the city, enveloped by these cheerful sounds.

Then, for the sixteenth time today, I was turned away by the "family" (a type of religious organization)... and finally slumped down in a corner of the street.

"..."

Ignoring the stares of others, I leaned against the building wall, as if I had exhausted all my strength, staring blankly at the endless stream of people in front of me.

Is there a place for me to stay here?

Would anyone here even glance at me?