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

"I can't be your hero."

"Because I already have your mother," he continued, slowly squinting his eyes.

"I hope that one day you will meet your hero."

Let's conclude with this sentence.

All the scenery gradually faded into the distance.

▲

"..."

His consciousness gradually became clearer.

What came into view in my blurry vision was not the continuation of the dream, but the monotonous room I was already used to seeing.

Slowly opening her eyelids, Ais blinked two or three times.

She stood there in a daze for a while, then slowly propped herself up on the bed with her hands.

She looked around with her mind still not fully clear.

It was dark and concealed; the room was very bright.

Sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the white curtains.

It's morning.

(...How I miss it.)

She glanced at the full-length mirror on the wall and gently wiped the corner of her eye.

I haven't had this dream in a long time.

In recent years, she has never thought of that distant memory that is fading away.

She wondered why she was having this dream, but she immediately found the answer. It must be because she had helped that boy yesterday, and her own situation overlapped with his.

She saw her own young heart reflected in that white-haired boy.

"..."

She recalled those impressive deep red eyes.

The boy's appearance was like that of a rabbit. Perhaps because so much had happened, his image lingered strangely in my mind.

Perhaps it was the white rabbit that brought her the dream; Ais's lips unconsciously curved into a soft, small smile.

"Ais—? Are you awake? Time for breakfast—"

After a while, Tiona's voice came from outside the door.

I haven't slept this soundly in a long time. It seems I overslept and missed my wake-up time.

Was it the fatigue from the expedition, or was it thanks to that recollection?

In any case, Ais felt a peace she had never experienced until last night. After replying to Tiona, she began to tidy her appearance.

▲

After breakfast, Ais and the others began to handle the aftermath of the expedition.

The loot brought back from the dungeon needed to be exchanged for money, and weapons and equipment needed to be repaired and repurchased. Items also needed to be replenished, and there was a mountain of things to do after the expedition. Because there were so many things to do, all the members of the guild were mobilized.

Everyone was assigned their tasks, and Ais and the others, who were ready at the main gate, set off from headquarters.

"There's a celebration party tonight! Don't be late!"

As Loki watched them go, they crossed the street and arrived at the bustling Northwest Avenue.

Orario has eight main streets. These massive streets radiate outwards from the city center, extending in eight directions: north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest. Since the city is circular in shape, it must look like a giant cake cut into eight equal parts when viewed from above.

The Northwest Main Street, where Ais and her companions headed, is generally known as "Adventurer's Street," the most crowded area for adventurers in Orario. Including the headquarters of the Guild, the governing body of the city... or rather, the dungeon, numerous shops essential for adventurers, such as weapon shops, item shops, and inns, line the street. Turning a corner into a back alley, they found themselves surrounded by old and somewhat eerie shops.

It was just past nine in the morning. Because many people would be heading to the dungeon at this time, the main street was teeming with adventurers preparing for their labyrinth exploration. Orcs carrying greatswords disappeared into weapon shops, dwarf mages bustled in and out of item shops, and many backpackers followed the adventurers as supporters.

Ais and her companions, being members of the Loki Familia, particularly attracted the attention of those around them. Their strength was unparalleled in Orario; everyone knew them, and they were the subject of various forms of envy and jealousy, the most obvious being fear. As a group, no one dared to block their path.

A path naturally opened up in front of Ais and the others.

"This feels awful—. Bert might actually be happy about it."

"Bert isn't that low-class, Tiona. He has his own pride and awareness as a first-class individual."

"Hey—, Grace, why are you speaking up for Bert? You'd better be!"

"In his view, contempt and arrogance seem to be different."

"I heard it but didn't understand—"

While chatting about the young man who was forced to stay at headquarters to handle miscellaneous tasks, Ais and the others arrived at the guild headquarters located next to the main street.

The Pantheon, built with white pillars, can only be described as solemn. It has a spacious courtyard with monuments, where many adventurers can be seen coming and going.

The guilds that run Orario naturally have full authority over the management of the dungeons and related affairs. In addition to the registration process for adventurers to become residents of Orario and thus gain a certain status and rights, they actively share all kinds of knowledge and information about the dungeons with adventurers in order to develop the city by utilizing the profits recovered from the dungeons, and they also provide assistance in exploration.

Their assistance is indispensable in navigating dungeons.

"Rivia, Grace, and I are going to exchange the 'Magic Stones' for money. Everyone, please proceed to your respective destinations according to the plan. Don't you dare sneak a cut of the money you earn, okay, Raul?"

"That time, I was just momentarily out of my mind! I really won't do it again, Commander!"

"Haha. Well then, everyone, let's disperse for now."

Resources recovered from the dungeon can be purchased by guilds or clans.

In particular, the "magic stones" extracted from monsters are monopolized by the guilds, including the right to buy and sell them. Therefore, they must be taken to them to exchange for money without exception.

After processing, "magic stones" can be made into various magic stone products such as "magic stone lamps." Beyond lamps, magic stone products have a wide range of applications, including ignition devices and refrigerators, and have become an indispensable part of daily life. Naturally, the global demand is also substantial.

The dungeons, teeming with endless monsters, allowed for the unlimited recycling of magic stones. By monopolizing these magic stones, guilds amassed enormous wealth.

Undoubtedly, Orario is the world's leading exporter of magic stone products. It benefits from the magic stone industry, a boon of the dungeons, and its development is more prosperous than that of a country on the continent.

That's why people call it the center of the world.

"Alright, let's go. Let's not get so confused that someone steals our 'dropped items' halfway there."

"I doubt anyone would cause trouble for the Loki Familia..."

"Better safe than sorry, Lefia."

Given the large quantity and substantial amount involved, the "Magic Stones" were entrusted to Finn and the rest of the leadership to exchange for money, while the other members formed smaller groups and went their separate ways. Ais and the others, led by Tione, also headed to their destination.

"Dropped items" are mainly used as materials for weapons and armor. Although they can be exchanged for money at the guild, you can only get a certain market price, which is the lowest price you can get. While you don't have to worry about being cheated and the items are safe and reliable, most adventurers still hope to get a higher selling price, so many people will take them to merchants or business-related "familias" for appraisal.

Of course, there's a risk of being taken advantage of, but if you're confident in your negotiation skills, trying to negotiate with these people isn't a bad option. —By the way, most novice adventurers venture into these kinds of places, and most end up in dire straits. It's safer to leave it to the guild to handle initially.

"Raul and his team are really good at negotiating and get a lot of money. They're amazing. I would definitely get scammed if I were them—"

"They've suffered a lot, that's why they've learned so much. It was the commander who instructed them to do it. You just refuse to learn anything."

In fact, simply invoking the reputation and name of the Loki Familia can be useful in negotiations. Because they are one of the few factions capable of retrieving valuable resources from the depths, merchants and various Families are very afraid of offending Ais and her group and being blacklisted for dealing with them.

The group members knew exactly what their regular customers needed, and each headed to different locations on Northwest Street with their respective "dropped items." Ais and the others, on the other hand, arrived in front of a huge building.

The buildings, all constructed of pure white stone, are decorated with light balls and herbal emblems that symbolize the Dean Kate family.

"Welcome, members of the Loki Familia."

"Amid, it's been a long time—"

A young girl came out to greet Ais and the others, and Tiona cheerfully raised her hand to greet her.

As a human, her appearance immediately evokes the image of a "delicate doll." Her petite stature, less than 150cm, further reinforces this impression.

Her long, fine, silver-white hair cascaded down her head as she bowed, and her large eyes were framed by dreamlike, long eyelashes. Her attire was a white-based [Family] uniform, vaguely reminiscent of a healer.

Amid Teyasanare.

She is a member of the [Deankaite Familia] and knows Ais and others.

"I'm here today because of the adventurer's request I asked you all to make, right?"

"Hmm. Is now a convenient time?"

"No problem. This way, please."

Led by Amid, Ais and the others, who came to report that the adventurer's request had been completed, proceeded into the building.

The Deankaite Familia is a healing and medicine-making family. Their activities primarily involve selling their own developed elixirs (restorative medicines), as well as providing professional healing techniques and items.

Not only do they sell high-grade medicines that other shops and [Families] can't obtain, but they also offer advanced treatments to restore lost sight, services that are highly praised. Although their customer base is limited, they are widely supported by adventurers of the middle to upper classes.

The facility was divided into areas such as a pharmacy, treatment rooms for patients, and waiting rooms. The building was bustling with activity, indicating a thriving business. Ais and the others were led to a corner near the service counter.

"I'm very sorry. The consultation room is currently occupied. Would it be alright to talk here?"

"Never mind. Let's get to the point. This is the spring water the adventurer requested. We should have the required amount. Please check it."

Tiony placed the bottle filled with spring water on the counter.

Amid picked up the water bottle, checked it once, and nodded.

"Confirmed... Thank you all for completing the request. On behalf of the [Family], I would like to express my gratitude. Here is the reward. Please accept it."

The other party had prepared twenty doses of panacea. These were the highest quality goods sold by the [Deankait Familia], with a unit price of no less than 500,000 falies. Tione's mouth gaped open at the mention of the reward, while Lefia stared intently at them.

These small bottles were sealed in a crystal box, and Ais frankly thought the faintly glowing seven-colored liquid was beautiful.

"Amid, we actually obtained some very valuable loot from the deeper levels. Could you please appraise it for us? If you can offer a good price, we'll sell it here."

"I understand. I will do my best."

"So, Ais."

Urged on by Tione, Ais walked to the counter.

She opened the long container in her hand and handed the rolled-up items inside to Amid.

"……This is……"

"'Cadmus's Membrane'. I got it by chance while doing an adventurer's quest."

Amida expressed her astonishment silently.

Faced with a rare item that had fallen from the sky, she put on gloves and carefully examined it with her naked eye.

"Cadmus's Skin" is an excellent material for armor and can also be used as a raw material for recovery items. For commercial [Familia], such a rare drop item is enough to make them extremely eager to obtain it.

"...It seems to be genuine. The quality is also impeccable."

"Really? Then, what's the asking price?"

"Then let's buy it for seven million Faris."

"One thousand five hundred."

—Tione seized the opportunity to make an exorbitant demand.

Tiona and Lefia stared in fright, and even Ais was a little surprised, but she showed a bold smile.

Although Amid's doll-like expression remained unchanged, her shoulder twitched.

"You're joking. I can only offer up to eight hundred."

"Amid? As you said, I also think the quality of this membrane is impeccable. I would even dare to say that it is superior to any one that has been circulating on the market so far... 1,400."

The negotiations began in a warm yet calm manner.

The fierce battle that suddenly broke out under the stage shocked Ai Si and others instantly.

"Th-that, Tione?"

"The leader entrusted us with everything, telling us to 'make as much money as possible,' you know? I'm not going to sell it off cheaply."

"The commander didn't say it like that, did he?"

A sense of mission—or rather, an ambition to gain the praise of her beloved—made Thione's blood boil.

Only at this moment did the girl act like an Amazon, true to her instincts, ignoring neither her younger sister's voice nor the elves' cries. Ais didn't dare breathe, watching the scene unfold.

Tiony leaned over the counter, her elbows resting on it, while Amed stared intently at her.

"Eight hundred and fifty. The price can't be raised any higher."

"The powerful dragon we fought this time was too energetic; we almost lost our lives. If only we could include the lifespan we lost in the calculation! 1,350."