Chapter 15: Before the Dungeon
ㅤThe dungeon entrance was incredibly bustling.
ㅤ
ㅤNot only adventurers, but guild staff were also stationed at each guild’s branch office. The Warrior, Magician, and Thief Guilds each had their tents set up, managing the entry and safety information of their affiliated adventurers.
ㅤAt the joint tent of the three guilds, they were also buying🔹and selling drop items.
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ㅤThe lord’s soldiers were also stationed there. They seemed to have built a position facing the dungeon entrance, preparing for any emergency.
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ㅤHowever, the most bustling place was the temporary tavern.
ㅤThe tavern merchants had brought food, alcohol, daily necessities, and more, creating a grand bazaar.
ㅤThere were even temporary lodgings set up with tents nearby.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Sigh…… This is kind of different from what I imagined.”
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ㅤI had imagined a more eerie and gloomy atmosphere.
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ㅤ”Well, certainly, if a living adventurer is going to dive into a dungeon, they need to prepare. There’s no such thing as fast travel, after all.”
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ㅤI myself was exhausted after walking for about an hour from the town.
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ㅤBut,
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ㅤ（I have pretty good stamina for me.）
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ㅤAlthough I was tired, my energy would return after stopping for a bit.
ㅤOtherwise, it would have been doubtful if I could even make it this far.
ㅤNo matter how high my aptitude is, I’m a modern woman who hasn’t done much physical activity. It was reckless of me to think I would arrive quickly because of my game-filled brain.
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ㅤ”First things first, I guess I’ll eat.”
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ㅤI headed towards the temporary tavern.
ㅤThe strong adventurers drinking and talking loudly were a little, no, quite scary.
ㅤI slipped past them unnoticed and spoke to the tavern master.
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ㅤ”Ahaha…… Do you have anything light?”
ㅤ
ㅤ”Oh, you’re an adventurer too, little lady? I have sandwiches and smoked meat.”
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ㅤThe tough-looking master, who resembled a sea monster, answered unexpectedly cheerfully.
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ㅤ”Here you go, little lady with the lovely smile.”
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ㅤThe master served me a sandwich and smoked meat.
ㅤHonestly, they didn’t look very appealing, but they tasted pretty good.
ㅤ
ㅤ”What about drinks? Ah, something other than alcohol.”
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ㅤ”I have carbonated water, but it’ll be more expensive than alcohol. There aren’t many good water sources around here. It’s not drinkable unless it’s carbonated.”
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ㅤ”Ugh, then I’ll take that.”
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ㅤI ordered hesitantly, but when I drank it, it was just normal carbonated water.
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ㅤ”What’s the situation with the dungeon?”
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ㅤI decided to ask the master while I had the chance.
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ㅤ”Nothing much. Most adventurers come back halfway through the first layer. It seems they get lost without a Thief who can map precisely.”
ㅤ
ㅤ”Huh? What about the Cockatrice?”
ㅤ
ㅤ”Hey, hey, are you one of those aiming for that thing, little lady? Let me give you some advice, don’t. If you’re aiming for the Cockatrice’s rare drop, you won’t have enough lives.”
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ㅤ”Ah, yeah. I don’t plan on pushing myself that hard.”
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ㅤ”Good. There have been quite a few guys who used to come here who got greedy and never came back.”
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ㅤ”Is it a difficult dungeon?”
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ㅤ”The first layer isn’t that strong monster-wise, and they haven’t found any particularly vicious traps yet.
ㅤBut, it seems there’s a 『mountain』 beyond the maze.”
ㅤ
ㅤ”A mountain?”
ㅤ
ㅤ”Well, you see. Even in the same dungeon, the atmosphere can change completely midway through. In adventurer slang, it’s called 『the dungeon getting serious.』”
ㅤ
ㅤ”That’s an interesting expression.”
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ㅤThe master glanced at me at my words.
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ㅤ”You’ve got guts, little lady.”
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ㅤ”Do you know anything about that 『mountain』?”
ㅤ
ㅤ”Whoa, that’ll cost you for information.”
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ㅤ”How much?”
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ㅤ”About this much.”
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ㅤThe master indicated the amount with his fingers.
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ㅤI paid it immediately.
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ㅤThe master looked surprised.
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ㅤ”Little lady, you’re supposed to haggle a bit in these situations.”
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ㅤ”Information is important. I’d be in trouble if I skimped on money and they were reluctant to give me information.”
ㅤ
ㅤ”Well, I’ve been outwitted.
ㅤAlright, I’ll tell you everything I know.
ㅤHey, you with the eavesdropping ears next to me, I’ll give you this, so go to a different seat.”
ㅤ
ㅤThe master gave the customer next to him a dish of snacks and sent him away.
ㅤThe customer didn’t seem to have any complaints and moved to another seat with his drink and snacks.
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ㅤAfter confirming that, the master leaned towards me and opened his mouth.
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ㅤ”So, let me get straight to the point. Beyond the maze on the first layer…… is a monster house.”