Chapter 82: Alone and the Entrance of the Dungeon (1/2)
Early morning of the next day.
I came to the guild.
My pansy self ended up looking around searching for Rifreya, and I was annoyed at myself for that, but it looks like she hasn’t come. Even if she were here, I had no intention of speaking to her.
I have already told Rifreya that our party has disbanded, so I am alone today.
The disband was on my own whim and one-sided, but the Viewer Count Race should have originally been something I should have done on my own. There was almost no merit for her, and there was only the gigantic demerit of being watched by several hundreds of millions of people without her knowing.
…She probably would have cooperated with me even if I told her my circumstances.
But that’s because she wouldn’t really understand the reality of ‘being seen by several millions of people’. There’s not even televisions in this world, so there’s no way there would be anyone in this world who would be able to understand that.
There’s no way it would be fine to just accept an okay from her just because she said so.
I decided to do anything in order to revive Nanami. That feeling is still burning strong.
However, it looks like I am not that strong of a person to accomplish my own objectives with the sacrifice of others.
I don’t mind if I myself get hurt. I don’t mind dying if it is after reviving Nanami.
…However, I can’t utilize Rifreya, who doesn’t even know my circumstances, any further.
The kinder she is…the more beautiful she is…
Every time she smiles at me, I find myself drawn into that innocent smile, and every time that happens, they become heavy shackles, constricting my heart.
The world has returned to gray now that I am alone, but this is the world I am supposed to be in.
…That’s why…this is fine. This is how it should be.
(There’s a lot more people than usual.) (Hikaru)
The dungeon is closed, so the explorers with nothing to do must be loitering around. It was strangely noisy.
They shouldn’t be able to enter the dungeon, but…
“Alright! We will now begin taking applicants for the Demon Lord subjugation!”
Looks like they are taking applicants.
The details of the Demon Lord subjugation team were written at the worn-out notice board.
-Only Silver Rank or higher explorers.
-Participants will be issued 5 silver coins each day.
-30 silver coins will be awarded to all participants on the success of the subjugation.
-10 silver coins will be awarded to the unit that finds the Demon Lord.
-Depending on your contributions, special rewards might apply.
I see, even if it is called a Demon Lord, it is still only one monster. If there’s several tens of participants, this would be a sweet event that you can earn money from without needing to put yourself in danger.
By the way, the guild is apparently the one taking the Demon Lord Spirit Stone.
I am pretty interested in the Demon Lord’s Spirit Stone since I have the undead summoning ability, but that just can’t be helped.
(Even so, there’s unexpectedly a lot of silver rank explorers and higher.) (Hikaru)
They are not as big as the weapon of Rifreya, but the weapons they carry are big, and they feel like veterans used to battling monsters. All of them most likely can use Spirit Abilities.
The many scratches and dents that can be seen from the battle-worn metallic armor, giant shields used to stop the charge of monsters, the long spears used to fight at a safe distance; they all look like equipment that would cost a good amount of money.
In comparison to that, there’s me with my cheap black clothes as usual. My only decent equipment is the gauntlet and the shortsword.
I am completely out of place.
Right now this guild is for the sake of the adventurers that are silver and higher, so the unrestrained gazes sent to me were painful.
I quickly left the guild and headed to the dungeon.
The crystal spiral column was there as always, but there was a slight off feeling.
(…It is slightly…muddy?) (Hikaru)
The gigantic column crystal was not transparent; it was releasing light as if there’s sparkling stars spread around it.
As if it were a Chaotic Spirit Stone.
(Is it because a Demon Lord has appeared…? In that case, the arrival of a Demon Lord can be seen from the outside too?) (Hikaru)
The entrance of the dungeon has 4 soldiers as usual.
Those soldiers might be what they call Templars. They are hired, and it is a job that you wouldn’t be able to accomplish without a decent degree of strength after all.
On top of that, there’s a board standing there, and the entrance is closed off with rope.
There’s most likely not a single person inside the dungeon.
The Demon Lord subjugation team will be entering tomorrow.
(…Now then, let’s go.) (Hikaru)
I use Darkness Fog, and decide to sneak into the dungeon when I find an opening.
I only have 5 days in the Viewer Count Race to revive Nanami. There’s no way I can just pass the time without entering the dungeon.
The Tier of Shadow Bind and Summon: Night Bug are going to reach 3 soon. When that happens, it should turn into a one step stronger ability, and if possible, I want to meet the Demon Lord.
I am sure that being reckless is the bomb that will allow me to reach 1st place.