Chapter 16

★

"What? Trouble inside the dungeon?"

"Yes, there was a fight between adventurers on the third floor of the dungeon."

In the office of the Adventurer's Guild, the Guild Master was receiving a report from a staff member.

"The ones who got into a fight were Tim, an E-rank adventurer who registered last year, and 25 E-rank adventurers who registered this year."

"Oh, I remember him... Wasn't he the boy who couldn't manifest a skill and kept hunting goblins?"

The Guild Master recalled Tim's face. He remembered him as someone who had been serious during the training period.

"Wasn't he the one who couldn't hunt anything but goblins because he lacked a skill?"

"Apparently, he claims to have recently obtained a skill, and it's true that he has been slaying kobolds."

Upon hearing this, the Guild Master's eyebrows twitched.

"I see, so he obtained the qualification and ventured into the dungeon, huh?"

It must be the result of his persistent efforts. The Guild Master knew that there were people in the past who had their skills manifest late and went on to leave their names in history.

"The third floor is known as a place where low-rank adventurers earn their living. It's likely that a dispute over prey occurred there."

It's one of the annual squabbles. The Guild Master deduced that Tim, who made his dungeon debut a year late, received the baptism of fire there.

"Anyway, I'll confirm both sides' claims. Call them to the guild when they show up."

If a problem occurs, it's the guild's duty to resolve it. The Guild Master, with a stern face, instructed the staff member.

"Understood."

The staff member left after responding.

"Still..."

The Guild Master showed interest in Tim, who had obtained a skill and reached the third floor of the dungeon solo.

"If my guess is correct, he might become a representative adventurer of the guild in the near future."

He muttered to himself.

★

"Phew, it turned out well in the end."

At first, when my prey was taken and strange rules were imposed, I didn't know what to do. But thanks to that, I got to monopolize all the monsters that spawned around, which actually helped me level up faster.

Still, their faces...

I can't help but laugh when I recall how they stood there with their mouths agape while I collected the magic stones.

"Anyway, thanks to all that, my level has increased significantly."

I checked my status.

Name: Tim

Age: 16

Occupation: Mage Level 15

Strength: 119

Agility: 102

Stamina: 102

Magic: 109 + 30

Spirit: 106 + 15

Dexterity: 103 + 15

Luck: 87

Status Points: 0

Skill Points: 173

Unique Skills: "Status Manipulation"

Skills: "Swordsmanship Level 6", "Bash Level 6", "Healing Level 3", "Increased Skill Points Level 5", "Increased Status Points Level 5", "Increased Experience Points Level 5", "Light", "Trap Detection Level 5", "Trap Disarming Level 5", "Backstep Level 5", "Item Appraisal Level 5", "Dagger Mastery Level 5", "Fire Arrow Level 6", "Ice Arrow Level 6", "Wind Arrow Level 6", "Lock Shot Level 6", "Meditation Level 6"

This time, I visited the third floor to cultivate my Mage class.

At first, I considered becoming a Scout, but I thought magic would be necessary to progress further.

It turned out to be the right decision. Every time I leveled up, I allocated points to magic, and by the time I reached 100, I had the power to kill the third-floor monsters with certainty.

If I had chosen Scout, I would have wasted time trying to compete with new adventurers.

"Anyway, since everything except Luck is over 100, I'll change to a different class after reaching level 20 as a Mage."

While thinking about what to do next, I dozed off. When I realized it, I had fallen asleep.

"Ah, Mr. Tim, please come this way."

The next day, when I visited the Adventurer's Guild, the usual receptionist hurriedly approached me.

"Is something wrong?"

"Well, the Guild Master wants to talk to you about yesterday's incident."

"Really? The Guild Master?"

I was surprised to be called by such a big shot. I thought something might happen because of yesterday, but I didn't expect it to be this serious.

"Anyway, please come this way."

The receptionist grabbed my arm and led me inside.

"Guild Master, I've brought him."

Inside the room, a middle-aged man was sitting at a desk. Just his presence exuded a powerful aura. This man was the Guild Master, who oversees the adventurer's guild in this town.

In front of the Guild Master was a sofa, where the warrior from yesterday was sitting. He looked pale and extremely nervous.

"You're here, let's get started then."

He instructed me to sit next to the warrior and sat down on the opposite sofa. The Guild Master's intense gaze made me feel pressured, but I maintained eye contact, and he eventually looked away.

"Yesterday, you two fought on the third floor of the dungeon, correct?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"It... it..."

Unlike me, the warrior mumbled incoherently.

"What's going on!"

"Ah! Yes, that's right!"

The warrior flinched and answered when the table was slammed.

"I'll hear both sides. Tell the truth."

"It's his fault! He stole our prey with magic from a distance! It's all his fault!"

The warrior pointed at me and accused me as the Guild Master spoke.

"Is that true?"

The Guild Master glared at me. Normally, I would have been intimidated, but I had nothing to hide, so I remained calm.

"No, they were the ones who took my prey first. They claimed that the one who lands the first hit has the right, so I followed their rule."

"What do you say to that?"

"It's a lie! He was the one who took it first, and we protested!"

"Indeed, we have received multiple reports from their companions, which match the testimony."

The receptionist added calmly.

"Hehehe, that's the truth, you see."

The warrior, regaining his composure, gave me a lecherous smile.

"Do you have any defense, both of you?"

"Ha! It's your fault for being incompetent and causing this problem! Get lost!"

Ignoring the warrior's taunts, I responded to the Guild Master.

"Even though it started with their provocation, I now realize that I wasn't mature enough. I did a bad thing to other adventurers using the third floor."

I regretted getting drawn into their game and losing my cool, but I wondered if there was a better way to handle it.

"I see, it seems we have a conclusion."

The Guild Master closed his eyes in understanding and made his decision.

"Hahaha, get lost! Perpetual F-rank adventurer."

"The 25 of you, including him, are banned from entering the dungeon for six months."

"Huh? What? Why... why us?"

The warrior, shocked, was trembling.

"We have received testimony from other adventurers who were on the third floor at the time. They said that Tim was only retaliating against your harassment. Furthermore, you 25 have been causing similar trouble to other adventurers, and we have received many complaints about it."

"The guild isn't stupid. We don't rely on the testimony of the parties involved. We had already gathered evidence."

The warrior's eyes widened as he heard the Guild Master and the receptionist.

"Are you kidding me! Then ban him too! Is the guild favoring him!"

The warrior tried to drag me down with him.

"His attitude could have led to a ban, but from our conversation, it's clear that he has shown remorse. While his actions weren't commendable, a light warning should suffice this time."

The Guild Master looked at me as he said this.

"Then, please handle the procedures for them."

Several adventurers entered and restrained the warrior. The warrior was still shouting, but the decision was final.

"Then, I'll take my leave."

The receptionist left, leaving me alone with the Guild Master. I was unsure if I could leave, but the Guild Master crossed his legs and relaxed.

"Now that the troublemakers are gone, let's have a chat."

It seemed I wasn't going to be released just yet.