Chapter 16

Today, I'll be updating with enthusiasm ('ω')!

I hope you enjoy it.

A few days after returning from the forest by Lake Ordan,

We received a summons from the Adventurer's Guild.

Most likely, it was about the C-rank quest we completed recently.

After all, it was... something that should have been a B-rank quest, and the fact that a D-rank party accomplished it had become a topic of discussion, for better or worse.

After all, we had live-streamed the whole thing.

The guild must have been in a bind.

Quests are assigned based on the adventurers' experience to determine whether they can handle them.

This is to prevent the quest giver from suffering losses due to failure and to prevent adventurers from taking on quests beyond their capabilities, which could lead to their retirement.

Especially with 'extermination quests,' which always involve combat and thus carry a high risk, the guild checks the adventurer's credibility and past achievements before assigning them.

In this case, the quest was officially just a collection quest.

However, the guild was aware of the situation in the forest by Lake Ordan, and any experienced adventurer would have quickly realized that it involved investigating and exterminating a problematic monster.

This could make it seem as if the guild had sent a D-rank party to tackle a B-rank extermination target.

The guild probably didn't expect the Zalnag.

I didn't either until we encountered it.

But after seeing the live stream, there's a chance that young adventurers (newbies) might start taking unnecessary risks, pretending it was a coincidence.

Everyone wants a glorious battle record and high adventurer credibility, especially newbies.

Our extermination of the Zalnag should be recognized.

At the very least, the three other adventurers' credibility and records should reflect the Zalnag's extermination.

However, how to justify this is a bit tricky for the guild's higher-ups.

"Will it be okay? Will we get in trouble?"

Marina looked at me anxiously as we walked to the guild.

"No, I don't think we'll get in trouble... but we might be told it's a hassle."

I don't know what the guild will say.

The reward for this quest hasn't been paid yet.

The most likely outcome is that the quest never existed in the first place.

It wasn't even posted on the quest board, and only we, 'Clover,' saw it.

If we say we entered the forest for personal reasons and just happened to encounter and defeat the Zalnag, the guild's reputation would be preserved.

"Please wait here."

Mamal led us to the back room on the third floor of the guild, a place we rarely visit.

Soft, plush sofas and large windows.

Being led to the reception room means it's not an interrogation, which is a relief.

"What should we do... I'm getting nervous. Does this mean Yuke has to handle it alone?"

"No, the guild wants all party members present."

"Yuke, it's up to you."

Rain is surprisingly calm and composed.

While her casual attitude of leaving everything to me is a bit much, she seems to be the type who sticks to a plan once it's decided.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

A burly middle-aged man appeared at the door.

He's wearing a fine suit, but it's so tight it looks like it might burst. I always think he should get a bigger size.

"Good job, Yuke."

"It's not my fault."

This big guy, Guild Master Benwood, is an acquaintance of mine.

"Tell me the details."

"It's as reported."

"I don't mean the objective facts you submitted. I want to hear your thoughts."

Benwood's sharp gaze and pressure make Marina and the others shrink back.

"Cut it out, Benwood. You're scaring my party members. If you wanted to talk to me, you could have just called me."

"Alright, you've dropped the unnecessary formalities."

Benwood grins.

He's still a troublesome guy, always so rough.

"About the Zalnag? It's as reported. But from what I've heard, I think it might have been in the forest by Lake Ordan for two or three months."

"Hmm? Why do you think so?"

"Marina said she didn't encounter any monsters or animals, which is unusual for this time of year."

"You're right. So, what do you think?"

I understand what he's getting at.

But this is just a guess, and I shouldn't say it lightly.

Still, I have to say it to move the conversation forward.

"...There's a possibility of an 'overflow.' It should be investigated."

"I see."

Benwood signals Mamal to leave.

He's probably going to issue an emergency investigation request.

An 'overflow' is a phenomenon where monsters spill out of a dungeon due to some cause. Normally, dungeon monsters don't leave the dungeon because they are bound by the maze's magic.

However, sometimes this binding fails, and they escape.

This is a sign of something unusual happening in the dungeon and a warning of a major outbreak.

If a monster as powerful as the Zalnag is escaping from the dungeon, it's a very dangerous situation.

"Alright, now this is for all of you. I deeply apologize for putting you in danger this time."

Benwood stands and bows deeply.

Marina and the others are surprised.

"Ah, we're fine... Yuke was there."

"Yes, that's right. With Yuke, there was no problem!"

"Yuke's magic made it seem like we defeated it."

Don't try to pass everything off to me...!

I could have only held it off by myself.

"Regardless of Yuke... from what I saw in the live stream, I think you all have sufficient skills. I want to promote you to C-rank. Is that okay?"

"Is that okay?"

I can't help but ask.

It's an unexpected outcome. I thought they would try to cover it up.

"It's the result of discussions with other guilds. We'll issue a statement that this was achieved with the help of an A-rank adventurer, Yuke, to keep the newbies in line."

"I'm a B-rank."

"Are you kidding? That live stream... it showed an undiscovered new magic. We'll say you used it to defeat the Zalnag. Congratulations, you're an A-rank adventurer as of today."

I can't help but give a dry laugh at the guild master's smug face.

How was it ('ω')?

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