Episode 28.11 (1/2)

Afterward, nothing in particular happened for the next 12 days.

Besides taking a day off twice, Lecan and Arios kept going into the dungeon every day before coming back a day later. In other word, they have a habit of staying overnight in the dungeon whenever they go in.

The three <Grindam> members appeared to think <Willard> were biting off more than they can chew.

That's only natural. In this dungeon there's absolutely no danger in turning back to the stairway and going outside from there, so if a party goes out of their way to stay overnight in a dungeon, they must be doing protracted battle. Meaning they must be fighting on floors that necessitate drawn-out tactic in combat.

Nark himself had stopped asking Lecan and Arios how far they have gone to. Not like he'd believe the answer anyway. Hence he won't even bother asking.

Both of them are agreeable guests, they don't ransack nor dirty their rooms. They seem to enjoy the comfort this inn offers, and seem to like the food here. Arios would verbally praise the taste, and while Lecan wouldn't say anything, he always savored the food served and never left any on his plates.

They paid for their stay, and paid for bath fee and liquor without fail.

Thanks to <Grindam> and <Willard>, all five of the rooms are fully booked. Many high-ranking adventurers tend to act like they own the place, but neither <Grindam> nor <Willard> are the type that throws their weight around.

<Grindam> sometimes eat out instead. That's inevitable as they also have other acquaintances outside the inn. When that happens, they will eat their share in the next morning. It cost the same as dinner, but they pay for it without complaining, and Nark himself has no problem with it.

As an innkeeper, this status quo is really desirable to him.

On top of that, his wife is in a good mood.

There should be nothing weighing down on his mind.

But the night that day, 26th of month 1, a conversation between <Grindam> and <Willard> greatly bothered Nark.

The impetus was Tsuinga's question.

”By the way, you guys. Which floor are you two exploring now?”

”We're on floor 90.”

Nark spewed out the water he was drinking behind the counter.

”Wait, is that for real. That's the same floor as ours though.”

”It really is. Wow, didn't expect that.”

”What's your highest floor yet?”

”We just got to floor 90 today.”

”Kakaka. I see. Just a warning, the Giant Variants on Floor 90 are pretty tough.”

”Yep. We got to floor 92 ourselves. Wanna aim for floor 93 together once you two catch up to us?”

”Haha. That sounds nice. What do you think Tsuinga?”

”Kuhakaka. I mind not.”

Nark shouted in his head as he listened to their conversation.

(Oy!)

(Yer' just gonna believe 'em?)

(Those guys haven't even spent 20 days in the dungeon, y'know?)

(Ah.)

(Guess <Grindam> folk have no idea 'bout that.)

(Must think they been exploring long before.)

(Staying someplace else before getting here.)

(That's wrong!)

(These folk only started exploring this dungeon after coming to this inn!)

”Lecan-dono. What do you think?”

”Fumu. Since you asked and all, we'll be sure to tell you once we reach floor 92.”

”Ooh! You do that. Kakakaka.”

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