Chapter 117 – What They Left Behind
Chapter 117
What They Left Behind
Date : Day 21 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren, and Elise waiting in the Audience room patiently. The four specialist also sat in silence. Not long after Ina left, the audience room doors opened again. Ina returned—this time alongside Fiona Akela.
Her presence was immediate. Commanding. It drew every eye in the room without effort.
Her wolf-cut red hair flowed freely, like a living flame behind her. The silver light from the windows caught the strands. Her muscular, athletic frame was clad in a simple yet immaculate Guild Master's uniform.
She didn't waste time on pleasantries. There were no greetings. No nods of acknowledgment. She moved to the head of the table with the efficiency of someone who had done this countless times before.
Her sharp gaze sweeping across the assembled team. Her eyes moved from face to face—assessing. Ensuring that everyone was present and accounted for.
"Good. You're all here. Let's begin."
Her voice was crisp. Decisive.
She turned and pointed to a detailed map of Akela's surrounding region mounted on the wall. Her finger settled on the main tunnel of the Old Quarry—the very place they had discovered the dungeon.
"We depart shortly. I won't delay this any further."
She glanced briefly at Ina. The look was quick—but loaded with meaning.
"Supplies are already being prepared. The Guild will provide everything. You won't need to bring anything additional."
Her tone left no room for argument.
"My party will consist of myself, Ina, and four specialists."
Her eyes shifted to Hyoren and Elise.
"You two will join us as the Freedom Party. Your knowledge of the area, and your encounter with Hifoppe are critical."
She turned back to the map.
"You will lead the way. You know the terrain. You've already cleared the path. We will follow your lead to the main tunnel."
Her finger traced the route from Akela to the quarry—the path they would take.
Hyoren and Elise followed her fingers and nodded.
“We’ll establish a camp just outside the Dungeon Gate. A secure perimeter will be set using Ward Stones. That will serve as our forward operating base.”
She then shifted her attention to Robert and Fris.
“Once the camp is secure, your work begins.”
Her gaze hardened slightly.
“You will conduct a full runic analysis of the dungeon archway. Your primary objective is to determine its official difficulty tier, as well as gather preliminary data on the terrain and elemental composition of the first floor.”
A brief pause as Robert and Fris nodded. Understood their role.
“Be thorough. We do not proceed without your report.”
She let the weight of that settle before continuing.
“Once we have confirmed the difficulty and your findings, we will decide our next step. If deemed safe, we will enter as a full party and verify the archway’s runes if it was correct.”
Finally, her gaze swept across the room once more. This time, it carried weight.
“The starting room is a safe zone… but don’t mistake that for safety. Another rune inside will be our first priority. It will provide general information… monster types, estimated levels, and known magical traits. It may also reveal large-scale traps or environmental hazards.”
She straightened, her presence sharpening.
“This is an unknown dungeon. One created by a Servant of Gidol.”
Her eyes hardened—steel beneath flame.
“We will not take unnecessary risks. We move methodically. We stay cautious. And we rely on each other’s expertise.”
A beat.
“Is that understood?”
A chorus of voices answered in unison.
“Yes, Guild Master.”
Nods followed—firm, resolute. The scouting party members exchanged glances—silent acknowledgments passing between them. They understood the stakes. They understood what was required.
Fiona's gaze softened fractionally as it landed on Hyoren and Elise. The hard lines of her face eased—just slightly. A hint of warmth breaking through the steel.
"You two did good work bringing this to our attention."
She crossed her arms. The posture was still commanding—but less rigid than before.
"Now, let's see what this new dungeon is made of. We leave now."
The chair scraped as the four scouting party stood and checked their gear. The sound was sharp—a sudden burst of activity after the stillness of the briefing.
Rick checked his two short swords and leather armor. His hands moved with practiced ease—drawing each blade slightly to ensure it slid smoothly from its sheath, checking the straps that held his armor in place.
Helga checked her kite shield and axe. She ran her fingers along the edge of the axe—testing its sharpness with a critical eye. The shield was hefted once—its weight familiar and reassuring in her grip.
While Robert and Fris chatted about runes. Their voices were low—technical terms flowing between them like water. The nervous energy that had characterized Robert earlier seemed to channel into something more focused when the conversation turned to his area of expertise.
Ina approached Hyoren and Elise while they were also checking their own gear. Her cat tails swished quickly.
“You two ready?”
Elise was done checking her new Moonveil Bow. The silver gleamed matching her hair. Her quiver was also seated on her hips. The arrows were ready—waiting to be drawn at a moment's notice.
Hyoren sheathed his new Mithril-alloy Broadsword and tied the scabbard on his hips before looking at Ina.
"Ina... you're coming with us?"
Hyoren hesitated, then added.
“Are you going to be alright? Can you even… fight?”
Ina giggled, her cat ears twitching lightly. The sound was musical—genuine amusement rather than mockery.
"Fufu. I can fight, you know."
She placed a hand on her hip, a hint of pride in her posture. The stance was confident—the kind of pose that came from someone who knew their own capabilities.
"I'm level 8. No official rank since I'm not an adventurer, but I've done field work for over twenty years as part of the guild staff."
She shrugged lightly. The motion was casual—but the information was anything but.
"Recently, I've been doing more desk work as Vice Guild Master, so I haven't gone out much. Haven't touched my sword in... five years, maybe. So yes, my skills might be a bit rusty."
Her smile returned, playful as ever. The expression was familiar—the same mischievous grin she always wore when she knew something others didn't.
"That's why I'll be only handling logistics this time."
She reached into a small pouch at her side—her storage bag—and pulled out a short sword along with several throwing knives.
The short sword was well-maintained despite her claim of not using it—the blade gleaming with fresh oil.
With practiced ease, she fastened the sword at her waist and slipped the knives into her belt. The movements were smooth—muscle memory guiding her hands even after years of disuse.
"But for self-defense? And for the kind of monsters around Akela..."
Her tail swished once behind her. The motion was confident—assured.
"I can handle myself. Fufu."
Hyoren blinked, genuinely surprised. His eyebrows rose—the expression of someone whose assumptions had just been shattered.
He had always thought of Ina as a non-combatant. A clerk slash Vice Guild Master. A flirtatious cat-beastkin who processed paperwork and teased him mercilessly. The idea that she had spent over twenty years doing field work—That she was level 8—It reshaped his understanding of her entirely.
But the more he considered it, the more it made sense. Guild staff weren't just desk workers—they had to do field evaluations, scouting, risk assessments. They had to verify quest completions and assess monster threats. Of course they would need combat training. Of course they would need to be capable of defending themselves.
She wasn't as fragile as she looked.
He turned to Elise. The question was implicit—asking if she had known about this side of Ina.
"Did you know about this?"
Elise smiled wryly. The expression was knowing—tinged with the same surprise he felt.
"Honestly? No. In the three years since she came to Akela, she's barely left the guild."
She crossed her arms. The gesture was thoughtful—her mind clearly working through the implications.
"But I knew she had proper training from her gait. I just never thought to ask."
Ina giggled again, her tail swishing with obvious delight. The sound was pleased—satisfied in a way that suggested she enjoyed surprising them.
"Fufufu. I'm impressive, right?"
Hyoren and Elise exchanged a glance—and laughed. The sound was light—a moment of levity in the midst of preparation. But the next moment startled them.
"Move."
Fiona's thunderous voice snapped through the room, cutting their laughter short. The word was a command—not a request. It carried the weight of someone accustomed to being obeyed without question.
She was already beside them. Towering. Her movement had been silent—so quiet that neither of them had noticed her approach until she spoke.
Her greatsword—nearly as tall as she was—rested against her back, its sheer size amplifying the weight of her presence. The blade was massive—a slab of steel that seemed impossible to wield effectively. And yet she carried it as if it weighed nothing. At 180 cm, she stood on equal height with Hyoren, yet somehow felt far larger.
"If you're done preparing, then we leave, you fucker."
Her gaze sharpened. The warmth from earlier was gone—replaced by the hard edge of someone who had no patience for delays.
"Don't fucking dilly-dally. Every minute that dungeon stays unattended raises the risk, you fools."
Ina scowled lightly. The expression was familiar—the look of someone who had long since grown accustomed to Fiona's language but still felt obligated to object.
"Language, Guildmas."
Then she turned to Hyoren and Elise, her tone softening just a bit. The shift was subtle—but noticeable. The professional mask giving way to something warmer.
"But she's right. Let's go, Hyoren, Elise."
Hyoren and Elise nodded. The motion was simultaneous—two people who had learned to move in sync through weeks of fighting together.
Without further delay, the three of them fell in behind Fiona and the Harvengald’s scouting party.
They moved as one—out of the audience room, down the stairs, and through the guild hall. The guild hall was busier now—adventurers moving about their morning routines, the clatter of equipment and murmur of conversation filling the space. Eyes followed them as they passed—curious glances that noted the armed group and the Guild Master at their head.
Then with creak of heavy iron wood door, they were out into the open air.
***
In front of the guild, they stood. The morning air was cool—the kind of crispness that bit at exposed skin and made breath visible in small puffs. The streets of the Adventurer's District were beginning to fill with early risers—adventurers heading out for quests, vendors setting up their stalls, the smell of fresh bread drifting from nearby bakeries.
She crossed her arms in front of them. Her greatsword at back gleamed under silver Luna sunlight. The blade caught the light—flashing like a warning beacon against the mixed hues of the sky. The golden Sol was already so small that the golden hue was almost gone entirely—its light fading as Luna's silver dominance grew stronger.
"Let's go. We will rush to the Old Quarry."
She looked up. Checking the dual suns position. It was in the middle of their ascend towards the zenith. The shadows they cast were long.
"If we rush, we could arrive at Old Quarry just after midday. Let's go."
Fiona turned and started walking. Her pace was brisk. Not wasting any time. Her boots struck the paved stone with a rhythmic certainty—each step purposeful and unhurried despite their speed. The greatsword on her back barely seemed to move—secured tightly against her frame as if it were an extension of her body rather than a separate object.
The rest of them followed her.
They walked over Adventurer's District. The familiar streets passed by in a blur—the weapon shops, the potion vendors, groceries, general goods, and many other stores. Passing the slope and Archway which separated the District to Merchants' District, then finally they exited the North Gate.
The two guards at North Gate, which already notified, didn't try to stop them. They stood at attention—saluting as Fiona passed. Fiona was the wife of Baron Guts Akela. The guards already knew her. Her face was recognized throughout the town—not just for her position, but for the sheer presence she commanded.
Fiona looked at Hyoren and Elise. Her gaze swept over them—assessing. The look was quick but thorough—the kind of assessment that came from years of leading parties into dangerous territory.
"Now, you two. Lead the way. Pick the faster route to Old Quarry."
Her eyes locked into Hyoren. The blue irises seemed to bore into him—seeing through to the core of his being.
"Especially you, Hyoren. You know the fastest route right?"
She grinned. The expression was sharp—knowing. She understood he was the one who ran carrying Elise with Berserker activated. Creating rumor in Lakeview Village as a monster who left a trail of dust.
Hyoren scratched his cheek. He didn't want to admit it. The memory of that desperate run was still fresh—the burning in his muscles, the haze of Berserker, the weight of Elise in his arms as he pushed himself beyond his limits. But he just nodded.
"Right. Follow me."
They set off again, with Hyoren leading the way. His stride was confident—sure of the path ahead. The others fell in behind him—Fiona's imposing presence a constant reminder of the stakes.
From his desperate run between the Old Quarry and Akela, he remembered the fastest route—where to cut through, which turns to skip, which narrow trails to take. The landscape was burned into his memory—every tree, every rock, every bend in the path. The terror of that run had etched the route into his mind with painful clarity.
They moved with purpose.
Lakeview Village was bypassed entirely. The village appeared on the horizon—a cluster of buildings that grew larger and then smaller as they passed it by. The villagers who happened to be outside watched them go—eyes widening at the sight of the armed group moving with such determination.
Conversation was scarce. The only sounds were the crunch of boots on dirt, the rustle of equipment, and the occasional call from Fiona to adjust their heading.
By the afternoon, the scarred landscape of the Old Quarry came into view. The terrain changed gradually—the hilly forest giving way to rocky ground, then to the unmistakable signs of excavation. Pits and trenches scarred the earth—remnants of the mining operations that had given this place its name.
They stopped at the edge of the goblin settlement.
The dilapidated shacks still stood. The crude walls and broken gate remained. They leaned at precarious angles—some barely standing, others collapsed entirely. The gate that had once marked the entrance hung from its hinges—the wood splintered and dark with old stains.
But the bodies—were gone. Slimes had already done their work. The gelatinous creatures had consumed everything organic—leaving behind only the barest traces of what had happened here.
Still, the aftermath lingered.
The signs of slaughter. Scattered Goblin's bones. Battle marks. The traces of nearly four hundred goblins—campfire, leftover things which were not dissolved by slime, crude weapons and armor scattered. Broken spears and notched swords lay abandoned in the dirt. Crude leather armor—too small for human use—was draped over fence posts and scattered across the ground.
Fiona scanned the area, her sharp eyes taking everything in. Her gaze moved from structure to structure—cataloging the damage, assessing the scale.
"I trusted your report, but..."
She let out a low breath. The sound was heavy—carrying the weight of her surprise.
"You really fucking wiped out a settlement this size? Just the two of you?"
A faint, impressed scoff followed. The sound was genuine—unvarnished appreciation for what they had accomplished.
"Fascinating. It's fucking unbelievable. But, I'm truly impressed now."
Ina stepped forward with a small frown. Her cat ears twitched—the only sign of her disapproval.
"Language, Guildmas."
She crouched briefly near the broken gate, inspecting the surroundings before turning back to Hyoren and Elise. Her amber eyes gleamed. The light in them was warm—admiring without being fawning.
"But she's right."
A small smile curved her lips.
"You two are incredible."
The Harvengald scouting party shared the sentiment. The four specialists exchanged glances—silent communications passing between them as they took in the scope of what they were seeing.
Rick let out a low whistle. The sound was appreciative—tinged with disbelief. His sharp blue eyes swept across the settlement—trying to calculate the numbers that must have been here.
"Yeah, even our party might turn and run with tail tucked away if we see a settlement this big."
Helga remained silent, but the way her gaze lingered carried clear respect. Her eyes moved from the scattered weapons to the battle marks on the ground—reading the story of what had happened here with the practiced eye of a veteran. Her lips pressed together—not in disapproval, but in the kind of quiet acknowledgment that spoke louder than words.
Robert and Fris murmured to each other, quietly debating the sheer improbability of two people dismantling a settlement of this scale.
"Is it possible, Fris?"
Robert's voice was hesitant—his scholarly mind struggling to reconcile the evidence before him with what he knew to be possible.
Fris adjusted her glasses. The lenses caught the light—flashing briefly as she considered the question.
"If I use my area of attack magic it might be possible. But my Aethell reserve should be depleted and I'm not sure if it will truly kill every goblin. I will be defenseless afterwards."
The admission was honest—acknowledging the limitations of even powerful magic when faced with such numbers.
Robert nodded. The motion was slow—thoughtful.
"Right?"
Everyone was amazed at the fact. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken questions and reassessments. The scouting party looked at Hyoren and Elise with new eyes—reevaluating their initial impressions based on what they were seeing.
While Hyoren just stood, smiled wryly and scratched his cheek. Not used to attention. The gesture was self-conscious—his way of deflecting the praise that was being heaped upon them. His dark eyes darted from face to face—uncomfortable with the scrutiny but accepting it gracefully.
While Elise smiled proudly at their work. Especially at Hyoren's strategy which made this possible. Her emerald eyes were bright—proud of her lover to be recognized by these many powerful people.