Chapter 44

Today's update as well ('ω')

I hope you enjoyed it.

Three days have passed since our first attempt to conquer "The Colorless Darkness."

During this time, we reported to the guild, held meetings to prepare for re-entry, and created a preparation list, making today a rest day.

The Adventurer's Guild and the Royal Research Institute highly evaluated our findings.

We discovered that the monsters and the treasure chest containing the "Black Box" in "The Colorless Darkness" indeed had some abnormalities, even in this uncertain dungeon.

According to Benwood and Mamaru, the treasure chest is first confirmed on the fifth floor's boss level, and it is standard to find it only after that in the dungeon.

This means that our investigation revealed a high possibility that something unusual is happening in "The Colorless Darkness."

However, more than that,

What is currently a hot topic is not the dungeon attack itself, but what happened afterward.

Our first attempt to conquer "The Colorless Darkness," which garnered attention across the kingdom, was already highly anticipated due to Marina's popularity. The unexpected challenge of a C-rank party, "Clover," taking on a high-difficulty dungeon also drew a significant live audience.

Then came the trouble with "Thunderpike."

We had already decided with the members and Benwood not to stop the "broadcast" inside the large cavern, as it would be the most obvious place to see the effects of the overflow.

However, what was shown was the pitiful reality of the A-rank party "Thunderpike."

As a result, the backlash against "Thunderpike" for their blatant extortion and discriminatory remarks, broadcasted across the entire kingdom, was significant, and it has become a major issue.

I, as a former member, am being treated poorly in several newspapers, which is quite troublesome.

Benwood is furious and is threatening to have Simon and the others expelled from being adventurers, but that won't be easy.

A-rank adventurers are somewhat special.

Their certification, while somewhat formalized, is granted by royal decree.

Even when I was certified, it was announced casually, but there must have been a signed document that had already been reviewed by the king.

A-rank adventurers are officially recognized as the king's vassals and assets.

In emergencies, they can act as the king's representatives or the country's delegates to quickly address issues.

In return, they receive various privileges from the state and have exceptional credibility as adventurers.

In short, even as the guild master, it would be quite difficult for Benwood to expel Simon and the others from their A-rank status.

If the proper procedures are followed, the first step would be to lower their adventurer credibility and discuss their demotion from A-rank with the king, followed by various penalties.

There is nothing I can do here.

The complaint has already been filed with Benwood and is being handled.

How it is processed is a matter for the state and the adventurer's guild.

I will find out how they intend to resolve this unprecedented situation after it is resolved.

The only silver lining is that Silk doesn't seem to care much.

In fact, she seems to be in a good mood and even showed some unusually affectionate behavior.

It's a bit unfair, somehow, to see Silk, who is usually so serious, showing such a face.

It makes me want to indulge her, which is a dangerous temptation.

"Ah, Yuke. It's that broadcast again."

Marina, who was fiddling with the "Black Box" on the table, pointed at the tablet.

"Again? I feel uneasy about it."

"Me too."

"The recent statements by 'Thunderpike' have caused a significant ripple, and the lingering issue of human supremacy in society—..."

The commentator on the broadcast continued to explain.

There was a slight sense of unease.

Initially, there were many comments condemning Simon and the others, but now the focus has shifted to the broader issue of "racial discrimination in society."

It might be a strategy by sponsors to divert public attention from "Thunderpike."

Without a statement from the individuals involved, it's unclear what's really happening, but it's a convenient situation for them.

Well, there's no point in me dwelling on their mess.

I am busy with my dreams and my companions.

I don't have the time to waste energy on them.

I don't forgive them, but I don't want to be involved.

"By the way, Yuke, I think I figured out how to use this!"

Seizing the moment when I stopped thinking, Marina poked the "Black Box" on the table and turned to me.

Her words were quite shocking to me, and my worries vanished from the back of my mind.

"Really!?"

"Sort of."

We had investigated the "Black Box" extensively with the help of the Alchemist's Guild, but we couldn't figure out its purpose and were at a loss.

Marina had been carrying it around because she liked it, but we had no idea what it was.

"I don't think I can do it without your help, Yuke."

"Me?"

It seems to be a type of magical item that requires an alchemist's touch.

Hmm? Wait a minute?

If we've figured out its true nature, should we report it in the report?

"Here, take this."

For some reason, Marina handed me the "Black Box."

"Huh? What do I do with it?"

"Um... think of me?"

"Think of you?"

As I thought of Marina, the "Black Box" gave a subtle reaction.

I felt something being drawn from my fingertips. It was similar to the sensation of a magical item drawing on my magic power when activated, but it was different somehow.

"What is this...?"

"This child already knows me. So, teach it about the Yuke who knows me."

Following her lead, I recalled Marina's image.

Cheerful and always bright like a blooming flower, a girl like the sun.

Yet, in battle, she leads the charge, unafraid of getting hurt, a brave girl.

Ah, yes.

That battle with the monster.

It was magnificent.

The sword's edge was sharp and beautiful, and even in the moment of taking a life, it was serene, like being in the midst of a funeral.

"!"

The light "Black Box" grew heavier.

Looking closely, it began to change shape... transforming into a sword.

"This is...!"

A single-edged black sword with a gentle curve, similar to a katana wielded by a samurai and the bastard sword Marina has used before.

"Yes, just as I thought!"

"What's the principle...?"

Even as an alchemist, I have no idea how this works.

I did feel the sensation of activating a magical item, but...

"Hehe, it's a secret~"

"Give me a hint!"

Marina laughed mischievously at my exasperated voice.

"This child needed a dad... that's it!"

With her vague explanation, I found myself at a loss again.

How was it ('ω')!

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【Additional Information】

The Black Box is a prototype of a magical item.

When the dungeon rewards intruders (those who open the chest) with an item, it determines its form, but this time it was not determined.

As a result, it remained undetermined and was brought back.

To activate it, the owner's "self-awareness" (the expectations of those who open the chest) and "other-awareness" (the dungeon's evaluation of the adventurer) must be input, allowing the Black Box to be recognized as a proper reward.