Chapter 25
"Roll call!"
"One!"
"Two!!"
"All present!"
With Dent-san on our side, today is the long-awaited day of the strategy.
"Equipment check!"
"Mask, check!!"
"Apron, check!!"
"Leather gloves, check!!"
"Clothes that can get dirty, check!!"
"Headscarf, check!"
We were in the stable, doing a final check of our equipment.
In addition to our usual easy-to-move-in gear, we were dressed as if we were about to go clean.
We checked each other by pointing to make sure nothing was missing.
"Hey, Liberta. Do we really need to dress like this?"
"Yeah. We're going to exorcise ghosts and look for treasure in the mansion, right?"
I had told Nel and Amina that we were going to exorcise ghosts in a haunted mansion and that it was so dirty that we needed to clean it to find the treasure. But Nel and Amina didn't seem to fully grasp the concept of a garbage-filled mansion.
Having been freed from the Moti Dungeon Death March, the two were excited about the treasure hunt but were puzzled by the unusual attire, far removed from a normal adventure.
"You'll understand when we get there. Honestly, this gear might not even be enough. But due to budget constraints, we can't prepare more."
However, in my opinion, this is barely sufficient. I'd like to have even more equipment if possible.
"Alright, this is the last thing. Both of you, you have the orbs, right?"
But there's no point in wishing for what we don't have.
So, as the final step, we take the Skill Advancement Orbs in hand.
"Y-yes."
"I have it."
They each held the legendary item of this world with nervous hands.
"The usage is as I explained."
"Uh, Status Open."
"Status Open."
Nel Class 0/Level 0
Basic Stats
HP 0 MP 0
BP 0
Skill 1/Skill Slot 2
Spearmanship Class 10/Level 100
Amina Class 0/Level 0
Basic Stats
HP 0 MP 0
BP 0
Skill 1/Skill Slot 2
Staffmanship Class 10/Level 100
Liberta Class 0/Level 0
Basic Stats
HP 0 MP 0
BP 0
Skill 1/Skill Slot 2
Spearmanship Class 10/Level 100
Our status menus appeared before our eyes.
"Uh, do we just touch the skill part?"
"Yeah. That's right, isn't it?"
I nodded, understanding their anxiety about using the item for the first time and the fear of failure.
"Yes, like this, touch the skill you want to enhance."
I demonstrated by touching the spearmanship part with my index finger.
"Use Skill Advancement Orb on Spearmanship? Yes/No"
A confirmation screen appeared.
"Once this screen appears, touch 'Yes'."
We only have one skill, so there's no worry about choosing the wrong one.
"Skill, Spearmanship has evolved into Advanced Spearmanship."
The announcement resonated in my brain, and it was also reflected in the status menu.
And then.
Liberta Class 0/Level 0
Basic Stats
HP 0 MP 0
BP 0
Skill 1/Skill Slot 2
Advanced Spearmanship Class 1/Level 1
The evolution was successfully reflected in the status.
"It really evolved."
"It's real."
They were amazed, comparing the orb and my status menu back and forth.
"Then, shall we try it?"
"Okay."
"Let's try."
Seeing the successful example, they both nodded at each other and did the same as I did.
"I did it!! It evolved!!"
"Me too!!"
The results were as joyful as expected.
"Liberta, look!!"
"Liberta-kun! This is amazing!!"
Nel Class 0/Level 0
Basic Stats
HP 0 MP 0
BP 0
Skill 1/Skill Slot 2
Advanced Spearmanship Class 1/Level 1
Amina Class 0/Level 0
Basic Stats
HP 0 MP 0
BP 0
Skill 1/Skill Slot 2
Advanced Staffmanship Class 1/Level 1
They showed me together, confirming that the evolution was successful.
"Alright, all three of us have successfully evolved. Of course, this is a secret."
"I know!"
"That's right. Status isn't something you show to others anyway."
Nel's words reminded me that what's common sense in games is not common sense in this world. That's why it's necessary to be a bit secretive, aligning with this world's common sense.
This status is a secret among the three of us. We nodded in agreement.
"Then! Let's head out for the quest!!"
"Ooh!!"
Dressed as cleaners, a rather endearing sight, we raised our hands and left the stable.
"Then I'll pull, you two push."
"Okay!"
"Leave it to me!"
We pulled the cart prepared in front of the stable and set off. It was around sunrise.
Three children moving a cart covered with cloth. Our destination was the northern adventurer's guild.
With children's legs, it would take about an hour or a bit less than two hours.
As the sun rose, more people appeared. We moved along with the flow of people.
"Ah, I see it."
"Are we there?"
"We don't come here much. It's really far when walking."
We finally arrived at our destination. Nel and Amina were still full of energy.
We didn't just wander around dungeons for nothing. Our legs and stamina were well-trained.
I also felt that my physique had become a bit sturdier.
We wouldn't tire from this distance.
We left the cart in front of the guild.
Peeking inside from the entrance.
"Wow."
"There are so many people."
"Adventurers start early, and quests are posted during this time. If you don't get up early, you can't get good quests, so many people gather like this!"
It wasn't as crowded as a packed train, but it was comparable to a major Tokyo station in the morning. I couldn't help but groan at the thought of entering this crowd.
It was Amina's first time seeing the adventurer's guild in the morning, but her reaction was simpler than mine. Seeing us like this, Nel explained why there were so many people.
"Where's Dent-san?"
"Isn't he here?"
"Probably not."
We were supposed to meet at the northern adventurer's guild. But the crucial Dent-san didn't seem to be here.
Three children peeking into the adventurer's guild from the inside were noticed by some adventurers.
I hoped we wouldn't get into trouble...
"Hey, you're in the way."
Just as I thought that, someone called out from behind.
"Ah, sorry."
Turning around, a large bear beastman stood there. A vertical scar on his right eye. Biceps thicker than my waist. His physique was at least three times larger than mine.
Combined with that, I couldn't help but apologize and step aside. Nel and Amina were so scared they hid behind me.
"Hey, this place is dangerous. If you have no business here, get lost."
Seeing that, he made a slightly sad face?
I thought his expression changed for a moment, but it quickly returned to normal, so I'm not sure.
"I have a meeting with Dent-san here."
"Dent? A human with a beard around here, a late-blooming bachelor?"
Thinking that maybe he's just scary-looking but actually kind, I decided to test the waters and asked. He pinpointed Dent-san with oddly specific information.
Pointing to his chin, the beard part was understandable.
But the rest of the information, was that necessary?
However, the information wasn't wrong.
"That's him."
"Got it, wait a bit."
I nodded obediently, and he walked into the guild with heavy footsteps, just as his appearance suggested.
"He seems like a nice guy."
"Yeah."
"We kind of misjudged him."
Appearance and kindness don't always match. The bear man kindly went inside to look for Dent-san.
Seeing that, Amina and Nel looked a bit apologetic.
"Let's thank him when he comes out."
"Right."
"Yeah."
And after a few minutes of waiting.
"Hey! Don't grab my collar!! You're so strong, my clothes will tear!!"
A familiar man's shout was heard.
Nel and Amina also heard it and looked towards the entrance.
"Claws! Claws! My clothes have been making weird sounds since earlier!!"
Peeking inside, I saw the bear man dragging Dent-san along.
He didn't need to go that far to bring him.
"Is this him?"
"Y-yes. Thank you."
"Thank you very much!"
"Nah, I was just free. Dent, don't make kids wait outside. It's dangerous."
"I know, damn it!! My clothes aren't torn, are they?"
However, Dent-san was brought out and thrust forward, so we had no choice but to thank him. Following me, Nel and Amina also thanked him, and I thought I saw a slight smile on his face.
But again, it was so brief it might have been my imagination.
He quickly warned Dent-san and went back inside.
"Ah, good morning."
"Hey, you're early. I haven't accepted the quest yet."
Dent-san, checking his collar to see if it was torn, noticed a small hole and sighed deeply.
Then, resigning himself, he pointed to the quest board with his thumb and told us to wait until the crowd thinned.
"Is it okay? Won't it be taken?"
"Occasionally, someone tries, but no one with enough strength is here today. It's a quest that's been sitting there, even the guild is troubled by it. It'll probably stay in the corner."
Nel, anxious about her first quest and worried it might be taken by someone else, voiced her concerns to Dent-san, who laughed and assured her it wouldn't happen.
"Hey, Dent! Babysitting kids today!? If it's good money, let me in too!!"
"Shut up! Go hunt some goblins or something!"
"Hahaha!! See ya!"
Occasionally, other adventurers who had accepted quests teased Dent-san, but it was just their way of greeting.
"Uh, sorry for causing trouble."
"Nah, they're like that even without you girls around. Today, I'll drink some good wine and brag about it. So, don't fail the quest, kid."
"Leave it to me, we're fully prepared!"
Amina, not knowing this, thought the teasing was because of her and apologized. Seeing her looking apologetic, Dent-san put his arm around my shoulder and laughed, saying today would be a splurge.
In my calculations, today probably wouldn't be a splurge. Mainly because of the smell.
Judging by Dent-san's outfit, it was definitely work clothes. Going to that place in those clothes would undoubtedly be disastrous.
Dent-san, who knew the scene, came in these clothes. It should be fine, but we'd need to get rid of the smell to splurge.
I decided not to mention it and confidently nodded, patting the cart.
"Huh, so this is your plan?"
He lifted the cloth and saw only a large wooden barrel inside.
"Is this okay?"
"Absolutely."
He must have thought there were weapons inside, seeing the unexpected contents, he looked at me with a worried expression.
But, having succeeded many times, I confidently nodded as if there was no other way.
"...Well, alright."
His face clearly showed he was uneasy. Reluctantly, seeing the space in front of the quest board clearing, Dent-san stood up and went to accept the quest.
We watched his back intently.
Several familiar adventurers called out to him, saying there were no good ones left, or that he was late, and various jeers were thrown. As Dent-san approached, a commotion arose.
"No way," "Are you serious?" surprised voices, worried voices. Faces filled with doubt, faces laughing with interest.
Amidst a mix of emotions, Dent-san carefully looked at one request sheet and took it.
The guild was in an uproar. Friends seriously warned him to stop, but he said it was fine and joked that he'd run away if things got tough, then quietly handed it to the receptionist.
Even from a distance, the northern receptionist's surprised face was visible.
She repeatedly confirmed with Dent-san if he was really going to do it.
After some back and forth, Dent-san nodded, and the receptionist took out a large stamp and made a crisp, satisfying sound.
Hearing the stamp, the adventurers were in an uproar again.
Under strange gazes, Dent-san came out of the guild with the quest acceptance form in hand.
"Here, kid. I've accepted the quest."
And with a tired smile, as if to say we're in this together, he showed it to me.
Quest acceptance complete.
Now, let's start cleaning Count Clermont's garbage-filled mansion.