Volume 3 Chapter 3 The Reason for Fighting
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
While we were clearing the third floor of the dungeon, a swordsman from an adventurer party approached us.
He kept a moderate distance and bowed slightly with calm movements.
”Please forgive my sudden rudeness. I’m Gaedaf from the Gold Rank party ‘Star of the Dawn.’ I want to talk for a moment. You must be the famous rookies, right?”
His voice oozed confidence and ease.
It was clear from his presence that he was an experienced adventurer.
Lifia looked cautious and shot me a glance.
It seemed she was leaving the decision to me.
”I don’t know about the rumors, but I’m Taro, an Iron Rank adventurer. What’s this talk about?”
Since he introduced himself, I returned the favor.
”Our goal is to take down the bounty target, Hasa Fisco, hiding around here.”
Gaedaf’s topic was within my expectations.
I had heard from an informant that there were parties targeting bounties.
”I’ve heard about the bounty, but we haven’t seen him. Is he hiding in this plain?”
”Yes, we suspect so. There are too many adventurers in the second floor, and it’s impossible to hide there. The 4th floor isn’t suitable for long hiding either. It’s hard to believe he’d go as deep as the fifth floor, and if that’s the case, we can’t handle it.”
I had to agree with Gaedaf’s reasoning.
In this plain, it’s possible to secure water and food, and with Hasa Fisco’s combat ability, he could survive even surrounded by monsters.
It’s not something just anyone could do.
”Your goal is to defeat monsters, right, to level up? You seem to be leaving most of the materials.”
Gaedaf continued while observing us.
”I have no intention of sharing our financial situation.”
I gave a short reply.
It’s clear from our gear and actions that we’re not struggling, but there’s no reason to explain.
”I suspect you’re leaving materials for efficiency in time and dismantling.”
”…”
That was also correct.
But what’s the point of mentioning that?
”For example, if you throw a Mirage Brown Snail into an acid lake and wait about an hour, it’ll spit out just the shell.”
The Mirage Brown Snail is a monster of this floor.
It’s a giant snail with a shell about a meter in diameter.
I’ve heard that its shell sells for a high price.
I left it alone because I couldn’t figure out how to dismantle it.
And the Acid Lake is also one of the monsters on this floor, a slime that mimics a lake.
”It dissolves the flesh and leaves only the shell and hard parts. The Mirage Brown Snail’s shell is traded at a high price, so having this knowledge can be very efficient.”
That the Acid Lake could be used to dismantle materials was information Tifi didn’t have.
It’s the wisdom of the local adventurers.
”That’s valuable information, but why are you telling us?”
I asked, trying to figure out Gaedaf’s intentions.
It’s hard to believe he’d just give away such useful information for free.
”I want information to defeat Hasa Fisco. That’s all.”
”Specifically?”
”I want you to tell me the route you took to get here. I want to confirm the places where he wasn’t. And if you could give me information if you meet him again in the future, that would be good.”
I see, that’s something I can tell him without a problem.
I’ll briefly explain the route I took through the plains.
”That helps. This way, I can avoid wasting time.”
Gaedaf nodded in satisfaction, then glanced over at Lifia.
”Frankly, I’m glad you’re not becoming our business rivals.”
Seeing my questioning expression, he continued with a smile.
”I didn’t expect such a skilled half-elf. Not many pure elves could take down a Angler Grass with one shot. If you were aiming for Hasa’s head, our share might have been in danger.”
Lifia looked a bit embarrassed and averted her eyes while staying behind me.
”Don’t worry. We’re not planning to go after bounty heads.”
When I said that, Gaedaf chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.
”That’s good. Be careful as you go. Hasa is not just tough, he’s cunning too. Any adventurer could lose their life if they let their guard down.”
Gaedaf’s voice carried the weight of resolve and experience.
His expression also conveyed a serious determination to stake this battle.
”In truth, if you find Hasa, do you stand a chance to win?”
I asked honestly.
The movements of Hasa Fisco I saw once were far from normal.
I don’t know how strong Gaedaf and his party are, but I wonder if they can handle that.
Gaedaf briefly lowered his eyes, then looked straight at me and answered.
”Honestly, I don’t know. But we can’t lose. No, we can’t afford to lose…!”
”…I see.”
I couldn’t find any words to reply further.
From Gaedaf’s expression, I saw he was determined.
I hesitated to ask casually, knowing how heavy his resolve was.
His words leaked anger and grief.
It’s not just about money.
Maybe he has someone important taken from him, or some such reason.
”Then, we’re going. Sorry to hold you up.”
Gaedaf lightly raised his hand and headed back to his friends.
There was a quiet resolve about him, like someone heading into battle.
* * *
After parting from Gaedaf, some time passed.
We started walking again, but Gaedaf’s words and expression stayed in my mind for a while.
Hasa Fisco.
Since he’s hiding in this dungeon, we might not be completely uninvolved anymore.
But what should we do?
Since we now know there’s a high chance the bounty Hasa is on this floor, maybe we should stop exploring.
There’s no reason to take risks just to push forward.
We don’t lack for anything in our lives.
Waiting for Gaedaf and others, or other adventurers and soldiers, to defeat Hasa could be an option.
But we don’t know when that might happen.
Even veteran adventurers with a strong presence said this fight isn’t guaranteed to succeed.
If it’s months from now, we can’t just wait.
And my ‘Love Hotel’ still has a lot of room to grow.
I look forward to more features to enjoy with Lifia and Tifi.
That joy is what keeps me alive.
There’s nowhere nearby where I can efficiently gain experience outside this dungeon.
If we want to go to another dungeon or hunting ground, we need to be prepared for a long trip.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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