Chapter 71

This story is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictional and have no connection to any real entities.

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066 - A Man Named Grissom

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It's the 90th day since my reincarnation. Today marks three months since I arrived in this world. When I think about this, I almost feel homesick for Japan, but I believe I have adapted to this world.

So, I think I will stop counting the days from now on.

I thought about entering the dungeon today, but the first snow of the season has started to fall in the capital. It's not heavy enough to accumulate, but it's cold.

To prevent the cold from seeping in, I grabbed the front of my cloak and closed the gaps as I walked down the main street. There are far fewer people out today compared to yesterday, probably because of the snow.

There's no carriage to take me to and from the dungeon. I thought walking would warm me up, but it hasn't at all. I should have taken the carriage.

The main street of the capital is paved with cobblestones, and most of the streets in the noble district are also cobblestone. While it's easier to walk on than dirt or gravel, the uneven stones make it surprisingly difficult.

As I passed the large building of the Adventurer's Guild, I could see the stone structure surrounding the dungeon's entrance, which resembles the Parthenon. I looked up at it again today, just as I did yesterday. I worry that the roof, supported by many thick columns, might collapse. It's a bit insensitive to think that, but how does it support that heavy stone roof without reinforced concrete?

"Are you Annelise!?"

As I was looking up, someone called out Annelise's name. I frowned and turned to look at the man who called out.

"Mr. Grissom... It's been a while."

Is this someone Annelise knows? She mentioned she used to live in the capital, so it's not unusual for her to have acquaintances, but it's not a pleasant feeling to see a male acquaintance.

The man named Grissom is not particularly handsome. He's in his late 20s, a bit chubby, with dull red hair that reaches the middle of his back, tied at the end. He's a mage, wearing a gray robe and holding a staff. The staff, about 180 cm long and made of metal, has a black gemstone—no, a magic stone—at its tip.

"What's with that appearance of yours!?"

This guy, calling Annelise "you," who does he think he is?

"The curse has been lifted."

"What!?"

Shouldn't he be surprised? If he's an acquaintance, he should at least say, "That's great."

I don't like people like this.

I don't like how he's so familiar with Annelise, but more than that, he lacks empathy. His words are rude, and his face is repulsive.

"Do you know each other?"

Since it wasn't a pleasant encounter, I stepped forward to end it quickly.

"What about you!?"

This guy is so aggressive towards me, a stranger... I can tell he has a crush on Annelise, but that won't win her heart. Only a gentleman like me can do that. Hehehe.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Baron Toy Futsickle. And you are?"

"Hmph. I am Grissom Elbassil, of the Elbassil family."

He looks to be in his late 20s, but he has a family name?

"From what I understand, illegitimate children of noble families lose their family names upon reaching adulthood. Are you a legitimate child or a knight?"

I learned about the noble system from Zeigen. When illegitimate children reach adulthood at 15, they are removed from the noble registry and are no longer allowed to call themselves nobles.

In this case, illegitimate children refer to those who do not have the right to inherit the family name. Typically, the eldest son is the legitimate heir, but it's also possible for a daughter to be the heir. This is decided based on the family's customs and the individual's talents.

Since Grissom is an adventurer and looks older than 15, he must be an illegitimate child. Unless he has an extremely aged appearance.

Illegitimate children can keep their family names if they become knights. Some nobles also allow bureaucrats to use their family names, but Grissom doesn't look like a knight or a bureaucrat. If he were a legitimate child, he would call himself one. That's the proper etiquette for nobles.

"That doesn't matter!"

"No, I think it does. It's illegal for non-nobles or non-knights to use family names. As someone from a baronial family, you should know that, right?"

"Shut up!"

This guy is a lost cause.

"Should I report this to the authorities?"

"Don't spread such lies!"

Grissom hurriedly moved away from us. His behavior clearly shows he's neither a legitimate child nor a knight. I should have used a detailed appraisal to learn more about him. That way, I would have known more about Grissom.

"I'm sorry for the trouble."

"It's not your fault, Annelise."

"But because of me, the Elbassil family—"

I placed my hand on her shoulder, and I could feel her trembling.

That guy, making Annelise tremble like that, is unforgivable. I feel a surge of anger. If I see him again, I'll make him pay.

No, that's not right. I shouldn't resort to violence just because I have the power. That would make me no different from him.

"Who is that Grissom guy?"

"He was in a party with me for a short time."

In a party with Annelise? Even for a short time, I can't forgive it!

"He asked me to be his partner multiple times, but I refused because of his behavior."

That's understandable!

"I was cursed, so I was only a party member for about a month. After that, I was kicked out of the party."

"Huh?"

That guy is disrespectful. If he were a true party member, he would have searched for a way to lift the curse for Annelise.

I take back what I said. It's fine to use force against someone like him. I'll make him suffer!

"I'll make him pay next time I see him."

"I'm not bothered by it."

"No, I am. To do nothing when Annelise is suffering and even kick her out of the party is despicable. I won't forgive him!"

"Master..."

"Annelise..."

Our gazes met. Her emerald green eyes reflected me. What beautiful eyes. My eyes only reflected Annelise. It was our world.

"Cough!"

"!? !?"

"Sorry to interrupt the moment, but I don't think it's appropriate to do that in public."

Gandalban's voice brought me back to reality, and I noticed people were staring at us.

"Hehe... Hehehe. It's a nice day, isn't it?"

"Unfortunately, it's snowing."

You should agree with that, Gandalban!

We entered the dungeon and used the Dungeon Move to reach the 4th floor.

From here, I needed to shake off the embarrassment and focus.

Our goal today is to reach the 6th floor, so we moved quickly.

My main job is Assassin, and my sub-job is Adventurer.

We quickly advanced through the 4th floor, and the monsters we encountered were instantly killed by Gandalban and the others. The 4th floor monsters were no match for us.

We also quickly dispatched the boss of the 4th floor and moved on to the 5th floor.

Then we sensed another treasure chest.

"Does the capital's dungeon have a lot of treasure chests?"

No one can answer this question. No one knows the dungeon's ecology (if that's the right word).

We found an open area surrounded by trees. It felt ominous.

In the center of the open area was a treasure chest, and the entire area seemed to be a trap. It didn't look like we could disarm it.

"This seems to be a Monster House."

"I agree."

Based on the overall situation, it's likely to be a Monster House. When we enter, monsters will swarm us, which is a troublesome setup.

Given Gandalban and Annelise's experience, this is probably correct.

The level of the 5th floor monsters is less than 20, so 100 of them wouldn't be a problem. More than that would be dangerous.

"The Monster House can't be disarmed. What should we do?"

"Perhaps we should avoid it."

"Should we give up the treasure right in front of us?"

"Life is more important."

Gandalban is voting for safety.

"Can we open it with Annelise's Mana Hand?"

"I'm afraid it's out of reach from this distance."

The treasure chest is about 100 meters away, and Annelise says her Mana Hand can't reach it.

After some thought, we decided to avoid it. There's no need to risk our lives here. The treasure chest is tempting, but we should avoid it.

"Are you sure?"

"I want the treasure, but life is more important. As a leader, I think it's unacceptable to put myself or my companions in unnecessary danger, Vars."

"I am impressed by your noble thoughts, Master."

"Flattery won't get you anywhere."

"That's not my intention."

"I know."

Gandalban is serious, as are the others. Only Rin understands my humor a little, but she's still serious.

"Alright, Vars, I'll leave the guidance to the boss room to you."

"Understood."

We left the treasure chest in the Monster House and hurried to the boss room. We took a detour, but we managed to defeat the boss and reach the 6th floor by evening.

Thank you for reading.

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