Chapter 229 Dark Turn from Hope
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Gunilla’s POV)
The next morning, Romy and I woke up pretty early.
We got ready to dive into the dungeon and headed to the morning market to pick up some missing supplies.
Even though it was only 6 in the morning, the village square was bustling with lots of shops and full of energy.
”We have to meet at the guild at 8, so let’s take our time and enjoy the shops.”
Romy pulled me along into the lively morning market.
* * *
”What surprised me is that the main branch of the ‘Zett Merchant Guild’ is in this remote village.”
The stall where they found the stuff they needed for the dungeon was apparently that famous ‘Zett Merchant Guild.’
I bought a big backpack that I could carry and a smaller one for Romy, plus a slightly pricey “magic tool lantern.”
I tied my favorite canvas sheet and blanket from my adventures in Reedull to the bottom of each backpack.
I stuffed her used shoulder bag with her change of underwear and other personal items.
We also found portable hard bread at a stall that caught our eye.
It was coated in chocolate, and when we asked the shopkeeper, they said, “We’ve made it so it won’t melt, so you can safely take it on your adventures.”
I bought 3 meals’ worth and packed them into the shoulder bag.
”Do you think this size backpack is okay?”
”I’s backpack is big (it’s huge), and it’s empty inside, so it’s no problem.”
We sat on the edge of the fountain in the square, checked the sharpness of our only weapons, our knives, and then sheathed them.
”Alright! Our gear is good to go. ──It’s 7 o’clock. Should we eat breakfast before heading to the guild?”
”Yeah, I’m starving! I can’t do a good job on an empty stomach.”
I and Romy walked over to a stall that smelled really good.
* * *
”Hey, looks like you made it. I’m counting on you today.”
While waiting at a table in the guild, the Adventure Party we hired showed up just a bit before our agreed time.
”Thanks for having us!”
Romy stood up and gave a little bow.
I followed her lead and bowed my head too.
”For now, take this. It’s got food in it.”
A guy with a big shield on his back placed a pouch-shaped bag on the table.
I stuffed it into my backpack.
It’s pretty big, so I still had plenty of room left.
”We’ll carry our own gear. You guys will hold onto the loot we find in the dungeon.”
The leader said that.
”Let’s go. It’s almost time for the carriage to leave.”
We chased after the party as the Thief led the way out of the guild.
* * *
A large 4-horse carriage rolled across the snowy field.
Inside, it was packed with adventurers.
”…Is that… ‘Rose Hip’? They’re taking on the Great Labyrinth too.”
The leader muttered as we passed a group of horse riders overtaking our carriage.
”Man, they’ve got some good-looking girls…”
I felt a bit uneasy seeing the lewd expression on another member’s face.
Romy must have sensed something from my expression and whispered softly.
”Don’t worry. They won’t bother girls like us who aren’t all that stylish.”
”I’m fine, but… I’m worried ’bout cute little Romy…”
I probably looked really worried.
Romy stretched up as much as she could and gently stroked my cheek.
”Gunilla, you don’t even realize how wonderful you are. ──If anything happens, just run away.”
She glanced around the cramped carriage.
”With this many adventurers diving into the dungeon, you can just run and ask for help.”
”Yeah…”
It’s not like we hadn’t faced ‘that kind of danger’ before.
There was a time when we almost got attacked by rough adventurers while gathering herbs.
Back then, Romy used her speed to escape, and I wasn’t even targeted.
The guys said ‘Titan women are a bad fit.’ I later found out they were talking about the size of… well, you know.
(That sweet little Romy… I gotta look out fer her…)
Even while deciding that, I prayed for nothing to happen.
* * *
Our party, including the leader, was a balanced group of 6: 3 Fighters, one Tank, one Thief, and one Magician.
We smoothly handled battles and broke through the First Floor.
We picked up the magic stones left by the defeated monsters, and the Thief stuffed the contents of the treasure chests (mostly ores) into their backpack, following along with them.
But everything changed when we descended to the Second Floor.
The monsters in the hall became larger, and we started to struggle.
Back on the First Floor, they had protected us, but now they seemed to have no choice but to look out for themselves.
Of course, none of us had ever fought before.
But we couldn’t just sit around saying that anymore.
Just a moment ago, there was a Goblin sneaking up on Romy, but I managed to tackle it and send it flying, avoiding disaster.
”Gunilla… ah, thanks…”
Fear was visible on Romy’s face as she said that.
”I reckon it’s time we head back… looks like everybody’s all beat up…”
I couldn’t hold back and said to the adventurers.
”We went through all this trouble to prepare. We’re going to the Third Floor.”
I spat that out at the group as they picked up magic stones and gathered ores from the treasure chests the Thief had opened, then I walked out of the hall.
”…Come on, let’s go. It’s almost time to set up camp for the night, so we should be looking for a spot.”
Romy forced a smile on her tense face.
* * *
”It was lucky there was a ‘Safety Zone’ on the Second Floor. Let’s spend the night here.”
In the spacious room, beds were lined up.
It seemed like a ‘rest area’ inside the dungeon.
Even monsters couldn’t invade this place.
But then, the leader, a Fighter, was using a sword to prop the sliding door shut so it wouldn’t open.
”If we do that, the others won’t be able t’get in!”
”What?!”
”She said, ‘If you do that, other adventurers won’t be able to use this place. There might be others in need too!’”
Unable to understand my dialect, the leader turned to Romy, the rabbit-eared girl, because of my accent.
”It’s fine. From now on, you’ll be serving us. It’s better if no one interrupts…”
The other members seemed to find this amusing and closed in on Romy.
”I heard rabbit-eared girls have strong desires. Don’t hold back, feel free to let it out.”
The thief whispered in a hoarse voice.
”Ah won’t stand fer this! Ya leave Romy alone!”
I stepped in front of the frightened Romy and glared at the men.
”Big girl, we don’t need you here.”
The leader grabbed my arm, but I tried to shake him off.
However, the other men held me down and pinned me to the floor.
”Hold her down. She’s making it hard for me to get in the mood. Don’t try to use her mouth or anything, or you’ll get bitten off.”
The leader grinned as he approached Romy.
”No! Stay away from Romy!”
I shouted, but the men holding me down covered my mouth.
”No… I don’t want this…”
Romy was backed into a corner, trembling in fear.
In such a confined space, she couldn’t even use her famous agility to escape.
”Don’t mind it. This is also part of your job.”
”No, it’s not! Our job is to be ‘Porters’!”
”If you don’t like it, you can leave this room… Can you guys handle the monsters in the dungeon on your own?”
”That’s… that’s unfair…”
The leader, who had grabbed Romy’s arm, now pinned her down and…
tore her clothes off.
At that moment, the door to the ‘Safety Zone’ rattled with a clatter.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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