Chapter 3

Faced with the receptionist's flustered appearance, Misha's eyes widened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Emma, calm down. Distress signals aren't that rare. ...First, which dungeon is this about?"

"D-D-Class Dungeon, 'The Spiraling Abyss.'"

"Ah, I see... Fortunately, it's not far from here."

It's a dungeon that can be easily reached by carriage from here. I explored it several times when I was a student at the training school.

"Has the rescue team already been dispatched?"

"Y-Yes. I've requested an emergency rescue from the explorers present at the guild. However, the content of the distress signal has changed after the rescue team left... It seems they are severely injured. The rescue might not arrive in time."

I see, the situation is clear.

Explorers who have entered a dungeon can send a distress signal to the guild when they judge that they cannot return on their own. Upon receiving the signal, the guild immediately dispatches a rescue team to the dungeon.

This in itself is not unusual. However, in this case, it seems that the situation of the explorers who sent the distress signal has worsened more quickly than expected.

"Who is leading the rescue?"

I asked the receptionist, who had been listening to the conversation.

"U-Uh...? Excuse me, but who are you...?"

"Emma, explain it to her."

Misha told the receptionist, who was hesitant about revealing information to an outsider. The receptionist's eyes widened, but she quickly nodded.

"The rescue team is the B-Class party, 'Blue Sword Training.' This party is known for its stable exploration, but considering that the rescue target is severely injured, there are concerns about their speed."

B-Class party 'Blue Sword Training.' Their name is well-known among explorers. In particular, the leader, the blue-haired woman Medi, is a top-tier A-Class explorer, ranking in the top thirty in the country. They have the capability to explore 'The Spiraling Abyss.' However, the purpose this time is not exploration but rescue. Considering the time needed to treat the severely injured, the party might not make it in time.

"Can you show me where the signal is coming from?"

"Y-Yes. Here is the map."

Being Misha's subordinate, she was well-prepared. Looking at the map, I quickly imagined the route to reach the destination.

"Sixth floor. ...For a training school student, that's quite deep."

However, that level of depth should be manageable.

I stretched my body lightly and looked at Misha.

"Misha, I'm going."

Hearing my words, Misha's face showed a moment of happiness, but she quickly became serious.

"That would be a great help... but are you sure? Since you've been expelled from the guild, you're no longer an explorer. We can't pay you a reward."

"That's fine. Thanks to my past activities, I have more than enough money."

Being expelled from the guild means I can no longer take on any guild jobs. In other words, I won't be taking on the rescue request as a job but as a volunteer.

Exploring a dungeon is a matter of life and death. It might seem foolish to do it as a volunteer, but I'm not called a 'Labyrinth Slayer' for nothing. For a D-Class dungeon, there's no need to risk my life.

"Then, I'll be off."

It's about a twenty-minute carriage ride from here to 'The Spiraling Abyss'—but if I really push it, I can probably get there in about twenty seconds.

In the next moment, I firmly planted my feet on the ground and took off.

◇

"Kyaa!?"

Suddenly, a blast of wind erupted, and Emma screamed. She hurriedly held down her skirt, which had been lifted by the wind. With tears in her eyes, she looked ahead, thinking something had gotten in her eyes.

Before she knew it, Rector's figure had disappeared from in front of her.

"She's gone... Ah, we were still in the middle of the conversation."

Misha sighed and muttered. Seeing this, Emma hesitantly raised her hand.

"U-Um, Misha-sama?"

"What is it?"

"Who was that person...?"

After thinking for a moment, Misha answered Emma's question.

"The strongest, former explorer."

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