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

No one will cross the line that has been drawn. No, it should be said that it is gradually disappearing.

Because, just as she said, those people all died.

Deep within this labyrinth that has expanded beneath Orario.

Among them, there must have been some who truly fell in love with the adventurers, and cried their eyes out. Eina, too, once collapsed to her knees when the adventurers she was responsible for returned from the dungeon as corpses. Looking around, even Missia had lost her energy and become quiet.

Adventurers carry risks, and they might suddenly disappear tomorrow.

Therefore, no one wants to get too close to them.

On the surface, they feign smiles and gentle words, but in reality, the essence of these service girls is always business.

"Zul, I won't interfere with what you do at this point... but if you're always so shrewd, you'll regret it someday, and something bad will happen to you."

"……yes."

Among these waitresses, only Eina deliberately tried to get closer to the adventurers.

She readily agreed to the adventurers' requests, carefully discussed matters beforehand, and took the initiative to give lectures.

Eina wanted to do whatever she could to help them so they could return safely from the dungeon.

She refused to accept that they wouldn't come back and desperately didn't want them to die.

Despite having experienced heartbreak several times, Eina still longs to be close to the adventurers.

"You guys are all the same, you like everyone except adventurers, forget it. Besides, their money only goes to their own faction's familia, not you. It's a terrible deal, a really terrible deal! ...If you really want to associate with them, just squeeze as much money out of them as possible before they kick the bucket!"

These last, rather outrageous remarks made them all burst out laughing.

Although it ended in a joke, what the older waitress said this time was probably a warning and a piece of advice.

This applies not only to Eina, but also to the other younger generations.

Although waitresses are known as the "flowers of the guild," it's a demanding profession that requires a certain level of self-discipline to succeed.

*

After chatting with her colleagues, Eina set off home alone.

She crossed the northwest street facing the guild headquarters and headed towards the northern part of Orario.

The North District has many upscale residential areas where guild members live, as well as apartment buildings specifically for service girls. The guild manages many buildings to provide housing for its employees.

(So ​​shrewd and sophisticated, huh... I'm speechless.)

Even late at night, the streets Eina walked on were still bustling with activity.

Although there were fewer pedestrians than on the main road, the taverns lining the street emitted warm lights and laughter. The streets, illuminated by magic stone lamps, were so bright that one could see clearly even at the other end of the road.

Eina felt a little frustrated as she recalled what the older waitress had said to her earlier.

"...Do I look like I'm flattering people...?"

Even if the person didn't mean it that way, that's how it might appear to others.

She genuinely wanted to become a force to be reckoned with among adventurers and had no intention of changing her current attitude and approach towards them. However, at the same time, she did indeed feel conflicted.

Indeed, quite a few adventurers were moved by Eina's kindness, just like Dorumur and Ruvis.

Perhaps it's because the other waitresses distanced themselves from adventurers that they attracted more attention.

Eina murmured to herself, sighed quietly, and put her small bag back on her shoulder.

"...?"

Unwittingly, Eina felt a gaze upon her and looked behind her.

On the stone-paved street, no one seemed to be paying any special attention to Eina.

Not seeing anyone she recognized, she turned her head to face forward.

Then she continued walking forward, and not long after...

"...!"

The enigmatic gaze once again fell upon her neck.

There's no mistake, someone is indeed watching me.

Eina was momentarily out of breath. She steadied her heart and walked for a while before suddenly turning around.

The straight street came into view in the emerald eyes.

On the familiar route home, a dark figure quickly ran into a side road.

The man, wearing a hooded robe, peeked out from the shadows, staring at him.

A chill ran down Eina's spine.

"...!"

She quickened her pace to get home.

Eina was thrown into a panic and rushed to her residence.

There were very few pedestrians on the street. Although the surrounding taverns were bustling and noisy, the road illuminated only by magic stone lamps made her uneasy.

(They've caught up—!?)

Someone's gaze remained fixed on her, stubbornly following Eina's every move.

Soon, she arrived at the trendy road leading to the upscale residential area. The road, lined with streetlights at equal intervals, was deserted, and the other person, seemingly aware of this, suddenly exuded a suspicious aura.

Without realizing it, Eina started running. Clutching her bag, she kicked and stomped on the paved road with abandon, running what felt like an endless distance until she reached the entrance of the apartment complex.

She hurried into the courtyard, leaning on a pillar and panting as she looked back, only to see a blanket of darkness spread out before her, with no suspicious figures in sight.

Eina stood frozen, her heart pounding.

*

"What?! I was followed on my way home tonight?!"

"That's too loud, Missia!"

The lobby service desk in the morning.

As several adventurers gradually arrived, Missia heard what Eina had said and shouted it out loud.

Eina quickly told her to keep her voice down, "I'm sorry!" She covered her mouth with her small hands.

"Was anything done to you? Did you see the other person's face or anything?"

"I wasn't hurt, and I didn't see his face or anything... because he was wearing a hoodie."

Eina recounted everything that had happened the previous night.

The two sat at adjacent windows in their usual spots, with Missia leaning slightly forward towards Eina.

"That's dangerous, Eina! Talk to your boss and ask the guild to hire a bodyguard for you!? The Ganesha Familia members who stayed in the city would definitely be happy to help!"

"No, no need, that's too much... Maybe I made a mistake."

Hearing her friend's loud voice, Eina shrank back in fear.

She felt that involving factions closely associated with the guild was making a mountain out of a molehill. Just as she had said, it might just be a big misunderstanding.

Most importantly, she really didn't want to be the only one receiving special treatment.

"This is no exaggeration at all! Not long ago, these kinds of strange things happened all the time! I heard about young women being harassed and then taken away from the city!"

"How is this possible... This is Orario! The interrogation is already quite strict, and how could anyone dare to attack the guild..."

"But, but! I've heard that some people have been sold into brothels, and there are also rumors that the knights of the Kingdom of Lachia have invaded the city...!"

Hearing her say one unsubstantiated thing after another, Eina looked at her with suspicion.

Missia loves listening to gossip; she must have heard a lot of rumors and speaks her mind without hesitation.

She seemed to want to say something more, but the adventurers started lining up at the window, so she had to start processing their orders. Eina also began working.

(However... I was indeed followed last night.)

Recalling what happened last night, a chill immediately ran through my body.

This unease was so overwhelming that it left her feeling completely distraught.

Eina wasn't going to believe Missia's rumors, but... she shuddered.

In a place beyond the reach of consciousness, Eina's body trembled.

"Miss Eina?"

"!"

Upon hearing a voice, Eina abruptly raised her head.

Bell, looking completely bewildered, stood right in front of her.

It seems he was queuing at his own window, and now it's his turn.

Oh no, I'm at work right now.

After scolding herself for being careless, Eina immediately put on a smile again.

"Sorry, Bell, I was just lost in thought. What's up today?"

"Um, I wanted to discuss exploring the dungeon with you..."

Eina granted his request and left her seat.

She told Missia and the substitute staff to leave the window and get ready before heading to the interview room with Bell.

"Huh? You've already reached the 17th floor?"

"Yes, thanks to the help of everyone in the Takemikazuchi Familia... I would like to officially begin my journey to the 19th floor."

Eina sat in a chair inside the room, talking to Bell across the table.

He had just undergone his second "upgrade" a few days ago.

Although she had reached LV.3, the speed at which she was clearing the floors was too fast, leaving Eina in awe.

And then there was the matter of the world's fastest record holder, White Rabbit. She was once again amazed by the boy in front of her.

"Um... Miss Eina."

"What is it, Bell?"

"What... happened to you?"

Upon hearing this question, Eina's eyes widened.

You seem a little listless...

Eina thought she was acting normally, but it seems the mental shock she suffered was greater than she had imagined.

It was at least big enough that the boy could see right through it.

"I don't know if I can be of any help... but at least I can listen to what you have to say..."

Bell's speech became increasingly incoherent. Blushing, he scratched the back of his head and said, "...Besides, it's always Miss Eina who listens to my troubles."

Perhaps it was because of his inner unease that he became vulnerable, but his clumsy yet tender gestures made Eina's heart clench with sweetness.

Eina smiled unconsciously, momentarily forgetting her position, and couldn't help but act coquettishly towards Bell.

"It's like this, yesterday..."

As she recounted the whole story, Bell's expression shifted rapidly, and he eventually became speechless. Eina watched his reaction, gave a wry smile for a moment, and then casually gazed at Bell's face.

She meant, if.

If Bell could walk me home.

If, as Missia said, he could act as a bodyguard to protect her.

Eina thought about it for a moment, then immediately shook her head, telling herself not to let her mind wander.

She felt ashamed of this selfish and despicable way of thinking.

"Sorry, forget what I just said, Bell."

"Eh... But... but..."

"This is my personal problem, and it's not that serious. I'll figure out a way to solve it myself."