Chapter 17

"Surprisingly, we're number one in the weekly rankings ('ω')!

I'm so grateful for everyone's support!

'Congratulations~'

'Congratulations, indeed.'

'Everyone, congratulations on the C-rank promotion.'

'The teacher too! A-rank is amazing!'

──At a small izakaya a bit away from the Adventurer's Guild.

In a private room, we were toasting each other, celebrating even though it was still early in the day. We could have gone to the guild's attached bar, but we've been getting a bit of attention lately. I thought it would be better to choose a place where we could relax without worrying. It's a bit more expensive than the guild bar, but the drinks and food are a bit better here.

"Well, it was tough, but we managed to achieve it. Here's the reward."

I placed a leather bag, slightly larger than usual, in the center of the table. The special request was processed internally as a B-rank request, and the reward was significantly increased. We also received a good price for the Zarnag's corpse. I think the guild probably added some compensation as well.

"Silk, could you check the contents? This should bring us one step closer to buying a base, right?"

"Sure, I'll do that."

Silk's brown fingers untied the bag and began stacking the coins one by one. I knew what was in the bag, but for a beginner, the moment of confirming the reward is always exciting. Marina and Rain were also captivated by the gold coins being neatly arranged on the table. They still have that fresh, beginner enthusiasm.

"There are so many...!"

"That's because it was ultimately processed as a B-rank investigation and extermination request."

Silk thought she had finished counting the contents of the bag, but then she pulled something out. A small note and... a 'Randall Platinum Coin' attached to it.

"This... is for the teacher."

"Hmm?"

When I checked at the request counter, this wasn't in the bag. Unfolding the note, it read, 'This is my apology.' Benwood, as always. He doesn't need to do this; my trust in him hasn't wavered. ...But I'll gratefully accept it.

"It seems to be a special reward."

Silk placed the Randall Platinum Coin next to the neatly stacked gold coins. One of these coins is worth twenty gold coins. For an average family, it could cover two months of living expenses. To just hand it over like that, the guild master must be making a lot of money.

Silk, who had been counting the gold coins, muttered softly.

"...I think we've reached our goal."

"You've saved up enough money?"

Marina leaned in to look at the table, almost falling over. Be careful.

"Yes. I'm not sure yet, but with this reward, we've reached the amount we planned for."

"Great! Congratulations."

At my words, Silk lowered her eyes slightly.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just... I feel a bit conflicted and guilty. Everything we achieved was thanks to the teacher. This request and the steel crab we cashed in, we couldn't have done it without you."

Sigh, I see. You were worried about that. But, in a way, this is also a result of the friction I caused. It's a bit sad, but it seems I'm still not fully part of Silk's family.

"Silk, I'm the leader of 'Clover'... your party. You don't need to be so formal. I'll do my best for you, and the results, good or bad, belong to the entire party. So, don't worry. This is something we all earned together."

"...Yes."

Silk looked up and smiled. It was a reserved and serene smile, very elf-like, but it seemed her mood had changed. Seeing this, Marina and Rain also smiled.

"Hey, Yuke."

"Hmm?"

Rain refilled my mug with fruit wine and looked at me. Her cheeks were slightly red, maybe a bit tipsy.

"What's your dream, Yuke?"

"Why the sudden question?"

"We're close to reaching our goal. I want to hear about the next one."

Rain gently tapped her mug against mine and smiled. She's using my story as an excuse to enjoy more drinks, huh? You're more mischievous than I thought.

...Well, that's fine.

"My dream is to challenge the deepest part of the 'Colorless Darkness' dungeon."

At my words, Rain choked. To choke while using my story as an excuse... I know it's a big deal, but you don't have to be so surprised.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"That's... the 'Gate of the Abyss'?"

"Yes, one of the 'Gates of the Abyss.'"

The 'Gates of the Abyss' are portals to other worlds that have existed since ancient times. They are said to be located at the deepest parts of extremely dangerous dungeons that often go berserk. One of these dungeons is the 'Colorless Darkness.'

"Do you want to go through the 'Gate of the Abyss,' Yuke?"

Rain looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"No, I just want to see it. The edge of the world."

It's a vague goal, more of a romantic dream. I want to see the cliff that stretches endlessly in this world... such a slightly childish dream is what makes me an adventurer.

"Maybe that's like you, Yuke?"

"I'm glad you understand."

I smiled at the puzzled Rain.

"But, I can kind of understand. Hey, Yuke, how about... a live stream when you get there?"

"Whoa, that's not as simple as you think."

Entering a dungeon requires approval from the Adventurer's Guild. At the very least, we need to be an A-rank party to get exploration permission.

"I'm in favor. Yeah... that should be our next goal."

"I also think Yuke's dream is very beautiful. I've been so focused on money and living expenses that I've forgotten about such feelings."

The three of them looked at me with determined eyes.

"We'll work harder... to make Yuke's dream come true!"

"Sure. This time, it's our turn."

"Let's do our best, teacher!"

...The power of alcohol is amazing. No, it's also the 'youth' of beginners. But, I'll gratefully accept their enthusiasm. Until now, I didn't even have someone to share my dreams with.

"Sure. One day, the four of us will go see the 'Gate of the Abyss.'"

How was that ('ω')?

I hope you enjoyed it.

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See you tomorrow at noon...!

Thank you very much!