Chapter 32

One of the reasons why *Bleble* is considered a difficult game is that, despite being an RPG, it also has elements of a resource management game.

The primary resource that needs to be managed is "time."

Players must defeat the evil god within two years, which requires efficient use of time.

This world is vast, and moving between different "regions" often takes several days.

Moreover, difficult dungeons and special towns are often located at the edges of the world, and as the game progresses and the players' range of movement expands, the time limit becomes increasingly challenging.

To avoid wasting time, players must explore dungeons in the same region consecutively, take on escort and transport requests along the way, and plan their actions carefully. Otherwise, the two years will pass in no time.

Another important resource to manage for saving time is "monsters."

Considering monsters as a resource might be difficult for some, but if you think of them as "experience points," many people would understand.

To gain experience points, you need to defeat monsters. However, in *Bleble*, monsters do not spawn endlessly.

Once defeated, monsters are replenished gradually over time. If you defeat just one or two, they will respawn quickly, but if you clear a dungeon completely, it will take about ten days for all the monsters to respawn.

Therefore, if you stay in one place and wait ten days for the monsters to respawn, you will quickly reach the two-year time limit. Adventurers in the game must be like migratory birds, flying around to find dungeons suitable for them.

"And the more powerful you are compared to your level, the more options you have for leveling up. The reason I prioritize increasing my stats over leveling up is partly due to this."

In *Bleble*, you don't get much experience from defeating monsters that are lower level than you. For example, a typical level 20 adventurer can only efficiently level up by challenging dungeons of level 20 to 22.

However, if a level 20 adventurer has the strength equivalent to level 25, they can challenge dungeons ranging from level 20 to 27. This alone increases the number of options several times over. As a result, the time and effort spent on travel and waiting decrease, allowing for faster leveling up.

"Well, this... cough, most adventurers don't seem to know their own level, so they might just go to places they find easy to clear."

When I explained this, Rad and the others nodded with bright eyes.

Perhaps because they felt their growth at the temple, Rad, especially *Brave Blade* Rad, seemed to react positively. To be honest, I had kept it a secret until the day of the job change to create this effect, and it seemed to work better than I expected, making me smile.

(The equipment requirement for Brave Sword is 75 strength, so I could have changed jobs three days ago.)

But I'll keep that to myself. The performance is important for feeling growth, and if it motivates them, all the better.

"Ah, but old man! What if we end up in a dungeon with no monsters left? How do we tell the difference?"

"...Quests."

Even if his mood improved, he still called me "old man." I answered his question with a stern face.

"To avoid such conflicts, adventurers take quests related to the dungeon from the guild. This way, they can see if the dungeon is being cleared. Also, the materials from monsters are useful for various purposes..."

"Hmm, what kind of purposes?"

"That's, blacksmithing, alchemy... various purposes."

To be honest, I don't know either. The flavor text only says they are used for "various purposes."

The best way to handle this is to push the conversation forward. I pointed outside, urging Rad, who was still tilting his head, to move.

"If you're convinced, let's go to the guild to take a quest. Of course, in full adventurer gear."

At those words, Rad, who had been in a good mood, grimaced and said, "Ew."

***

When we entered the guild, I could feel the gazes of everyone in the room.

And they were not mixed with good and bad feelings as before. Most of them were curious looks directed at Rad and the others.

Well, that's understandable. Rad and the others' outfits didn't look like they were ready for an adventure.

Rad, with weights all over his body and creaking spring armor. Nuek, wearing a wizard's outfit but staggering with his spiral glasses. Mana, wearing a pointy hat and huddling under a white robe. And finally, Plana, who caught my eye, wearing iron clogs and a bulky goggles.

I tried to compliment her, "Ah, those spiral glasses suit you better and look cute."

"If you say one more word, I'll shoot you."

Plana said this in a serious tone and quickly left.

"...Sigh."

Despite my effort, she's not very friendly. As I sighed,

"...I think it's a natural result."

A voice even less friendly than Plana's came from behind. It was Resilia.

Incidentally, Resilia was also dressed for "adventuring" today, but she looked surprisingly normal, which made her stand out.

"I did compliment you."

"Only someone with dead senses or you could take that as a compliment."

Her words were as sharp as ever. Unlike Rad and the others, Resilia didn't seem to be in a good mood.

"If you have any complaints, feel free to say them."

When I encouraged her, she showed a thoughtful expression.

"It's not that I have complaints. I don't think I'm being treated unfairly or favored. I think this is the best course of action. But..."

"But?"

After a series of unsatisfactory explanations, she answered in a small voice.

"...My strength has also increased to 130."

"Huh?"

I was confused for a moment.

"It's nothing. Just a momentary lapse."

Resilia forcefully ended the conversation, saying she would check on the others, and quickly left.

"Hmm?"

I couldn't understand, but I guessed it might be a sense of competition with Rad and the others. It's not impossible, but it felt different.

(Well, she's the one who has helped me the most since I came to this world. I should pay more attention to her.)

Deciding to support Resilia, I followed her to check on Rad and the others. As I approached the counter, I heard Rad's enthusiastic voice.

"Um... D-rank adventurer, Rad, right. Our party name is..."

"<Brave Blade>!"

...That's right.

By coincidence, the party name Rad and the others chose was the same as the game's title, <Brave Blade>.

Rad laughed, saying, "When we were thinking of a party name, I got a sudden vibe from that name."

(But I thought, "Title recovery, maybe you're the protagonist after all.")

"Hmm. So, what kind of quest will <Brave Blade> take?"

The receptionist, moved by Rad's nervousness, smiled and asked. Then, the first quest of the newly formed <Brave Blade> was announced by Rad.

"We will take the quest for <Seven-Colored Lava Cave>!"

The moment this declaration echoed in the guild, a brief silence fell over the adventurer guild. Then, a wave of voices spread.

"Lava cave? Is he crazy?"

"Ah, he's dead."

"Sure, he's just talking."

"Hey, shouldn't we stop him?"

The whispers were all negative. But that was to be expected.

The recommended level for <Seven-Colored Lava Cave> in the game is 15. In this world, it's a dungeon that veteran adventurers, known as mid-level adventurers, barely start to tackle. It's not a place for new adventurers to choose for their second exploration.

Elina, the receptionist, tried hard to dissuade Rad, but he remained firm.

The adventurer's rank is just a guideline, and the receptionist has no authority to refuse a request the adventurer wants to take. Despite the unexpected time it took, Rad successfully secured the quest for <Seven-Colored Lava Cave> and left the adventurer guild, feeling the gazes of the senior adventurers on his back.

***

After leaving the guild, we confirmed our strategy and essential items for the adventure, then left the city for <Seven-Colored Lava Cave>. While walking outside, Rad, who seemed anxious, spoke up.

"Hey, old man. Is it really okay for us to take this quest?"

He had understood the explanation beforehand, but the opposition he faced must have made him anxious. As we walked toward the dungeon, Rad looked at me worriedly.

"Of course, there are risks. But I believe you can..."

Just as I opened my mouth to reassure him, I suddenly heard an unusual sound in my right ear.

"Watch out!"

"Brother!"

Plana's warning and Resilia's shout were almost simultaneous, followed by a few moments later by ice arrows raining down from the sky.

"What!"

I pushed Rad away with my arm as he opened his eyes in surprise.

They probably didn't intend to hit us. The rain of arrows from the sky pierced the ground one after another, blocking our path.

"Who!?"

In response to Plana's question, a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees.

"I thought I warned you."

Standing in front of us were three veteran adventurers, armed with weapons. I didn't know most of the adventurers in this city, but I recognized the man in the center.

"Veltaran..."

The bearded man, called by his name, glared at me with fiery eyes and drew his sword. A well-worn, scarred greatsword was pointed at me.

"I'm sorry, but this is a no-go zone. I understand your audacity, but I can't let young adventurers die needlessly because of a delusional brat."

Veteran Adventurers A, B, and C appeared!