“Heeh, so this is the [Ordinary Cave] huh…”
The male adventurer set foot in the empty cave.
There were three people in the party in all. They received the investigation commission from the guild and were F-Rank adventurers.
“Oi oi, be careful. This is still a dungeon, we don’t know what kind of traps there could be.”
“Yeah, but…”
Even though his timid comrade stopped him, he entered as though he didn’t care at all.
The passage stretched left and right. However, there wasn’t anything to see… just the remnants of a burned wooden door.
“Guess none of the bandits survived it.”
“Wow… Well, these guys didn’t have good luck, huh.”
“Looks like there’s a room a bit ahead. Let’s go.”
The adventurers backtracked without incident. It was to be expected. In this cave, there were neither traps nor monsters.
As for the contents of the commission, it was the delicious work of getting a silver coin by just reporting how many goblins come out.
It’ll more or less turn into a Goblin subjugation. Well, something like five Goblins could easily be defeated by a single F-Rank adventurer. Three people would be a surplus for ten.
Then, they arrived at the room with the Dungeon Core inside.
It wasn’t a problem with just this many coming out. It was settled with two, three crude swings of their swords.
“Heeh, pheeew…. five. Alright.”
“Commission complete. Hmm? What is it?”
One of the adventurers was looking at the Dungeon Core.
“So this is it.”
“Why not break the Dungeon Core?”
“But, isn’t there talk about how knights can become Sage Knights and get stronger if they destroy a Dungeon Core? Couldn’t we get stronger and instantly get to A-Rank if we destroy it?”
“A-Rank…”
He gulped.
Even adventurers, those that dream about getting rich quick, most are between F-Rank and E-Rank.
Above that there were even the inhuman S-Ranks. Though it was said a single S-Rank person could affect the world, so far it hasn’t happened.
“But you know, when they ask us about it, what would we do? There’s also the dudes that come after us, what then, wouldn’t we get caught and our Guild Cards get confiscated?”
“… Oi, you’re a genius.”
Though that would actually come to light immediately once the magic tool detected their lie, the three unfortunately didn’t know there was something like that.
The discussion was quickly settled. Drawing his sword, he stabbed it towards Dungeon Core.
The Dungeon Core didn’t react at all, as if it were ordered to ‘not do anything’.
Then, finally, the sword pierced into it… With a high pitched noise, the crystalline sphere shattered.
“—!?”
I jumped awake.
… There’s an unpleasant sweat covering me head to toe.
… I saw a bad dream. In the dream, the Dungeon Core was destroyed.
… Ah, seeing a nightmare like that is something you don’t want when you’re sleeping outside.
Since we didn’t take satisfactory preparations, we had food and water remaining in our luggage, but having to order the Clothes Golem to intercept enemies and sleep on the cold ground sucked.
Meat and I were sprinting at full speed to return to the [Ordinary Cave], but the day fell on the way and we decided to sleep in the open.
Clothes Golem, come to think of it, how are you even seeing things? Can you even see to begin with?
However, I was thinking a lot about what I saw in my dream.
Thinking about it now, even without coming to destroy the [Ordinary Cave]’s Dungeon Core on a commission, someone could one day come to destroy the core for personal reasons without a commission. Besides, all they needed to do to continue being adventurers was jump ship and head to another town.
… Right, in other words, I’ve just been lucky up to now.
There wasn’t any guarantee that someone wouldn’t just appear one day and destroy the Dungeon Core.
No, more than not having the commission, it wouldn’t be odd if it happened now.
“… Nuu… Papa…. nyumu… more…”
When I looked to the side, Meat was holding me while she slept.
That said, it was early in the morning and I could see to some degree.
… Gu-… muscle pains, for fucks sake!
By the time we arrived, it had already become near noon.
Though it took more time then I though, we arrived at our base.
… When we looked at the cave from exiting the forest, we saw an impossible scene.
At a white table and chairs, Rokuko was gracefully enjoying herself over tea, with an unfamiliar white-haired Ojou-sama. Beside the Ojou-sama was a black clothed butler with blonde hair… a man? No, a beautiful woman in male clothing?
“Ah, Kehma! Welcome back, that was pretty quick!”
“Eh, can’t you understand just from looking? It’s a lady’s tea time you know?”
Rokuko answered with a boast while sticking out her nonexistent chest.
That’s not it. I wanted to know why the heck you were doing something like that.
“No. 89 Ane-sama dropped by!”
“Heeh, eighty-nine… No. 89? Wait, the Dungeon Core!?”
“Yeees, nice to meet you… … Kehma-san, are you doing well?”
The white Ojou-sama waved her hand elegantly.
Though she had an unreasonably honest type, I wonder why. I felt a chill.