LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 43: Dungeon Raid Conference and a Test of Skill
Kazue POV
After leaving the Magic store, I went straight to the adventurer’s guild.
Even from far away, I could see that there was a bunch of adventurers gathered outside.
The number of adventurers gathered outside the guild was quite unusual.
“There’s a lot of adventurers gathered here today. I wonder what’s up?” <Kazue>
There are several parties of adventurers leisurely chatting with each other.
Most of the adventurers here appear to know one another to some extent.
As I walked close to the adventurer’s guild, I came to understand why these adventurers are gathered here right now.
I realized this after accidentally hearing some of the chatter of the adventurers around me.
Their topics are dungeon, raid, and Kobold.
From those topics and keywords alone, I was reminded of something.
Today was the day that Krisha-san told me, the day adventurers would gather to discuss the upcoming dungeon raid that would happen tomorrow.
“Come to think of it… Right, the dungeon raid.” <Kazue>
I rummage through my dimensional bag to look for a certain Request form I receive yesterday.
“Ah, it’s here.” <Kazue>
I took it out and read the content of the request form.
-----------------
Kobold Dungeon Raid Participation Quest
Rank: D
Detail:
- Participate in the annual Raid of the “KOBOLD DUNGEON” Located on the outskirts of the forest near the city of Luron.
- Join the raid and defeat as many Kobold-kind monsters within the dungeon.
- The guild also requests adventurers to gather as many materials from the kobolds.
- Treasures found within the dungeon can be kept by the individual/party who found the treasure.
- An additional reward will be given for defeating Kobold monsters.
The additional reward will be calculated as follows:
Kobold Archer----------------(10,000 DAL)
Kobold Knight-----------------(10,000 DAL)
Kobold Mage------------------(12,000 DAL)
Kobold Shaman---------------(12,000 DAL)
Kobold Elite--------------------(15,000 DAL)
Kobold Leader-----------------(50,000 DAL)
Kobold General---------------(1,000,000 DAL) + (2x D-rank Completion Assessment)
Kobold King-------------------(25,000,000 DAL) + (2x C-Rank Completion Assessment)
Reward:
200,000 DAL
-----------------------
“I can use this to gain money to buy the “Cooking” skill scroll later! Why didn’t I think of this right away?” <Kazue>
A weird smile formed on my face while I think about how to earn money by joining the raid.
I realized that I made such a disgusting look so I shook my head to remove the expression on my face.
I ignored the crowd for now since it seems that their meeting would not start at any moment from now.
I entered the guild but as expected I caught the attention of some adventurers because of the three wolves walking behind me.
I just ignored them talking about me and walked toward Krisha-san who was standing behind the adventurer guild’s counter.
There were still adventurers talking to miss Krisha, so I lined up behind them for the moment.
I patiently wait for my turn.
Then…
“Good morning Miss Kazue” <Krisha>
“Morning Krisha-san. Sorry to bother you but I want to ask about this dungeon raid quest.” <Kazue>
“Oh, sure… what do you want to ask?” <Krisha>
“About the rewards. I would like to ask about this (Completion Assessment) thingy.” <Kazue>
I pointed out the words written on the request form as I asked Krisha-san
She was looking at the form while I pointed this out.
“Ah, that means that if you’re able to defeat a Kobold General you will assess that as a “Completion” of a D-ranked quest. For example, if you managed to defeat 1 Kobold General after this raid is done, in addition to receiving a reward of 200,000 DAL and completion of a D-ranked quest. You will be rewarded with an additional 1,000,000 DAL and 2 completions of D-rank quests. So, if that happens after the raid is all set and done, instead of just receiving 1 D-rank quest completion the guild will reward you with 3.” <Krisha>
“I see, so it’s the same as that of what happened in Altus where I received 5 completion of E-ranked quest…” <Kazue>
“Altus? Do you mean the mysterious “Undead King Attack” that happened over a month ago in Altus?” <Krisha>
It seems that Krisha-san knows or heard about what happened in Altus from a while back.
“Huh? Uh… I guess I was???” <Kazue>
“You’re saying that you were there when that happened?” <Krisha>
“I guess?” <Kazue>
“WOW! So that means you were able to see the “Hero”?!” <Krisha>
“Uh… yeah… I supposed so?” <Kazue>
“Wow!, how lucky of you! How was he?! Does he look handsome as the rumors say?” <Krisha>
[Hero… she means Hano right? Leaving aside the fact that I don’t like him. Well at least it's true that he possesses a good-looking face, he is handsome… I give him that. But that does not change the fact that I don't like him at all.]
I replied honestly to Krisha-san and gave my honest opinion about Hano’s outer appearance.
“Well, I guess the hero was handsome. I guess?” <Kazue>
“I knew it! Ah, ~ hero… I was only reading about the "hero" from the history books I was reading when I was young. To think that I would be alive at the time when the new hero appears. Aa~ I envy miss Kazue to be able to meet with the hero.” <Krisha>
“Haha...” <Kazue>
For some reason, miss Krisha began fangirling about the hero.
She then started telling stories about the heroes of the past.
All I could do was listen to her excited voice.
[Just in case I would like to hide the fact that I know him. I feel that if that fact is revealed I would gain unnecessary attention later. Yep, Let’s just avoid that from happening.]
I noticed that the other adventurers lining behind me were starting to get impatient.
When I noticed this, I called Krisha’s attention by doing an unnatural cough.
-cough-
“- then the Hero…-“ <Krisha>
Krisha realized my intentions and stopped herself right away.
She blushed as she acknowledges her blunders then shyly asked for an apology.
“Ahem… sorry about that.” <Krisha>
She straightened by clearing her throat before returning to her "Receptionist mode".
“Uhaha…” <Kazue>
“-cough- Is there something else you need to ask miss Kazue?” <Krisha>
“No… that’s enough thanks Krisha-san” <Kazue>
To be honest I also wanted to ask about the cash reward but I think that my prior idea about this was correct so I did not ask any further, I was also concerned about the fact that other adventurers were beginning to lose their patience lining up.
I willingly left the counter and let the next adventurer to Krisha's care.
“See you later Krisha-san” <Kazue>
While tending to the next adventurer she gave me a silent wave as I go.
Later on, I joined up with the adventurers who will be participating in the Kobold Dungeon Raid gathered outside.
I did not wait long for the meeting to start.
The participants went inside the guild and proceeded to the second floor where an area meant for this kind of meeting is prepared.
Unlike the adventurer’s guild building in the Imperial capital, this guild only had 2 floors.
The first floor has the typical eatery, a receptionist counter, and some multipurpose rooms, it was quite similar to the one I saw in the imperial capital and Altus city, just albeit smaller.
The second floor on the other hand is divided into two partitions where the guild master’s office and a conference room are.
Unlike in the capital, this particular adventurer’s guild building has no library, unlike that of Altus where it had a small study room, and the capital, where the entire second floor was a library.
Right now, we are inside the conference room.
I looked around and felt the intense aura coming from each and every adventurer standing around me.
I could tell that they were no, by all means, pushovers.
The participants of the raids are all D-ranked or above, I am quite certain that I was the only E-rank adventurer who will be joining the raid.
There were about 40 adventurers gathered in the conference room.
The adventurers here were either talking with their party members or having a friendly chat with another adventurer who was a member of a different party.
I kinda feel left out all of a sudden.
I was reminded of the times when I partied with the “Water Oath” party back in Altus.
I suddenly felt a bit lonely and nostalgic for some reason.
But then I looked at my sides and saw the figure of my familiar sticking close to me.
[Somehow, their presence dispelled the feeling of loneliness from my heart. Right… I have these guys, they’re my current party members.]
Then...
“Thank you for your patience everyone. As you all know tomorrow will be the day that we will be challenging the Kobold dungeon. I feel that it was just yesterday that we last raided the dungeon. I could see familiar and some new faces around.” <Old Man>
An old fellow started talking in front of all the adventurers gathered.
He was wearing elegant-looking clothes, a cane, and a monocle that I almost mistook him for an old noble.
The old man was brimming with confidence and elegance from the way he carries himself in front of all the adventurers gathered in this place.
I began to wonder just who was this imposing old man.
As if answering the questions in my mind the old man continued to talk.
“I know that most of you know who am I but for the sake of those young ones who do not know me, let me introduce myself. I am Belgarath Gwydion the guild master of the Luron adventurer’s guild.” <Old Man/Belgarath>
[Hoo~ so this old man is the guild master. I see…]
“First of all, I would like to talk about our fighting force. In this event, we have 4 B-rank, 13 C-rank, 28 D-rank, and 1 E-rank adventurer who will be participating in this raid.” <Belgarath>
When the guild master announces the participants the adventurers made a commotion after hearing that 1 E-rank adventurer will be joining the raid.
[Uwah, So I was the only E-rank who joined the quest.]
It seems that the adventurers around me knew that I was that E-ranked adventurer.
It was not a surprise, after all, it seems that the adventurers here seem to know each other.
Knowing that the adventurers are aware of me and were looking in my direction, I pulled up the hood of my coat and hid my face.
The commotion continued for a little while until the guild master raised his hands.
As he raised his hands, I felt a strong presence surge in the room, the other adventurers also did.
The conference room became silent all at once and the guild master took the attention of all of the adventurers in the room to himself, including me.
[He probably exerted his aura over the conference room to take the attention of the adventurers away from me. Well, his real purpose may be different but thanks for doing that GM (Guild Master)!! Thanks a lot!]
As if nothing happened the Guild Master continued to talk.
“As I was saying. Putting these members into the account, I am confident that we can raid the dungeon without much problem. Now, we can talk about the method of conquering the dungeon.” <Belgarath>
The guild master commenced explaining how things will go around.
All in all, there are 4 B-rank, 13 C-rank, 28 D-rank, and 1 E-rank adventurer joining the raid, a total of 46 adventurers.
There was no elaborate plan on taking over the dungeon.
If there was a plan, it was very simple.
The 4 B-ranked adventurers who are also the leaders of 4 different parties are tasked to defeat the Kobold King.
The other adventurers are tasked to provide support or to just exterminate the kobolds from within the dungeon.
As for me, I was tasked to just exterminate kobolds.
To be perfectly honest I wanted to be a part of those who are tasked to defeat the Kobold King.
It was because I wanted to see a boss monster just for once.
[But I guess that’s too greedy of me, I just hope that I would have a chance to take on a Kobold General if possible. Ideally, I want to deal with 5 of them so I’ll have enough money to buy the Cooking skill. If not, I would just have to kill as many kobolds as possible and collect their fangs and sell them later to the guild. I still prefer to deal with at least 1 kobold general. Several Kobold leaders are not bad either.]
“Is there any question?” <Belgarath>
The guild master asked as he finished all his pointers and reminders about dealing with the kobolds.
As the guild master asked for questions.
A male adventurer standing next to me raised his arms, for some reason he was looking at me.
“Guild master, we know that we need to support other adventurers if they came into trouble but I don’t think an E-rank adventurer should join us in this upcoming dungeon raid. If that happens rather than “helping” we will eventually end up “babysitting”. To be honest, I don't think an E-rank adventurer would be any help for us in the upcoming dungeon raid, rather I think that she would just drag us down.” <Adventurer>
The guild master nods at the adventurer who said those words.
On the surface, the adventurer did have a point.
It was not as if I could not understand his sentiments.
The other adventurer in the conference room must have been thinking of the same thing.
“Hmnn… I understand your sentiment. What do you think about that miss?” <Belgarath>
The guild master looked directly in my direction and was probing for an answer from me.
[I guess I have to reply to this. If I don’t answer they would end up removing me from joining the raid. I can’t have that, I need money to buy the “cooking” skill scroll later, and for me to have a chance of doing that I need the reward from this quest. So…]
“Uhmm, you don’t have to worry about me I can take care of myself. Also, I wish to join the raid and I promise to not bother anyone during the raid so rest at ease.” <Kazue>
I said confidently to the guild master.
I heard the adventurer beside me click his tongue.
This action made me cringe my brow from my annoyance.
“That’s not the problem here, even if you promise that you won’t be causing problems there’s no proof that you won’t. You’re just E-rank, even if you can deal with one or two kobolds there’s no telling what’s going to happen inside a dungeon.” <Adventurer>
“Uhh… like I said I don’t think that’s going to be a problem so don’t worry.” <Kazue>
I said with confidence once again, this time facing the adventurer beside me.
He shook his head as if he heard something exhausting and stupid.
“Look, I’m worried about you missy, at least join a party. As I can see, you work alone, yes? I don’t think an E-rank adventurer such as yourself can enter a dungeon such as this one without a party. If you can do that then I won’t be bothered anymore.” <Adventurer>
[Oh, it seems that this adventurer was concerned about me. At first, I thought he was just trying to bully me or something but I guess I was wrong huh? Well, sorry but I can’t afford to back down now or party with other people. If I join a party, I need to share the “rewards” later on and I can’t do that. (For the sake of obtaining the “Cooking” skill). I need every single DAL that I can get during this event. If only I was not in dire need of DAL right now, I might have joined a party but for now, I need to do this SOLO.]
I smiled at the mister before I replied.
He blushed for some reason and took a step back.
“That won’t be necessary, I have these guys with me after all.” <Kazue>
I moved aside and showed the figure of my three familiars standing beside me.
“Hah? Do you mean these monsters? Excuse me but those are F-ranked monsters, Blue-eyed wolves, right? Even though one of them looks unnaturally large I don’t think they could be much help against the Kobolds.” <Adventurer>
-sigh-
It seems that this mister was looking down on my familiars.
Well, the blue-eyed wolf is indeed just an F-ranked monster, in theory, they won’t be able to defeat Kobolds who are D-ranked monsters.
But from my experience, Isamu, Kaori, and Hayate are strong enough to fight them on equal terms.
So, I tried to ensure the adventurer once again.
“I understand what you mean but my familiars can deal with them just fine, Right guys?”
Isamu, Kaori, and Hayate replied with a confident howl.
“But missy.” <Adventurer>
By the looks of it, it seems that the adventurer was still not convinced.
“Enough” <Belgarath>
The guild master interrupts our debate and decided to deal with this himself.
“If this continues, we will not get to a conclusion. So, Mr. Andrew, why not test the ability of this girl and her familiars? Decide after seeing what she’s capable of doing. I would also want to see this adventurer’s abilities with my eyes.” <Belgarath>
******************
“Uwah... I had a feeling that things will end up like this…”
I sarcastically mock myself.
Right now, we are standing in the plaza in front of the guild.
I am standing inside a circle of adventurers and bystanders who were prying on what was about to happen.
This situation reminds me of the time when I dueled Levethy back in Altus.
“This duel’s purpose is for us to assess if Miss Kazue is capable of joining the upcoming Kobold Dungeon Raid Quest. For that, we will have a mock duel with Andrew and his party members against Kazue and her familiars.”
The guild master announces the purpose of the duel as he stood between me and Andrew, the adventurer who tried to stop me from joining the raid.
-sigh-
[This is starting to get bothersome.]
Standing opposite me were Andrew-san and his party members.
It seems that Andrew-san was the leader of that party.
His party was composed of an Archer, 2 mages, a healer, a spear user, and Andrew-san who carries a large two-handed sword.
For the sake of having a fair duel, one mage and the healer were kept on the sideline to watch the duel.
It is up against Me and my 3 familiars vs Andrew and his 3 party members.
“Missy, sorry but I won’t be holding back, after all, if you’re not capable of holding yourself against me then you’ll surely die in the dungeon. Please don’t think bad of me later.” < Andrew>
“I understand Andrew-san. I will show you that you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll show you that I’m good enough to join the raid.” <Kazue>
[Also, this is for the reward I will gain after.]