Chapter 122 – Akela Dungeon
Chapter 122
Akela Dungeon
Date : Day 22 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren looked around at the scattered goblin loot. The chamber floor was littered with the remnants of their brief battle—rusty weapons, crude clubs, dirty rags, and several glowing magic stones.
"What should we do with the goblins' loot?"
He nudged one of the crude clubs with his foot. The wood was rough and poorly shaped—clearly fashioned by hands that had no concept of craftsmanship. It rolled across the stone floor.
"We only take the magic stones?"
Ina crouched down and picked up a rusted dagger nearby, examining its edge. She held it up to the faint light—tilting it this way and that to assess its condition.
"These rusted daggers might be useless for you guys, but I still suggest taking them back."
She lightly tapped the blade. The sound was dull—lacking the ring of quality steel. The edge was pitted and corroded—barely capable of cutting anything anymore.
"The iron quality is terrible, but blacksmiths still buy things like this to smelt back into ingots."
She stood before handing the dagger to Hyoren.
"You could probably get around ten thousand Kres if you sell a pile of them through the Guild. Not much individually, but there are plenty of them."
Her tails swished slowly behind her.
“If a party doesn’t have a storage bag, most adventurers ignore this kind of loot. Carrying rusted junk around is annoying. But since you guys have one, you might as well collect them.”
Hyoren briefly examined the dagger before handing it to Elise, since she was the one managing the loot.
Elise smiled warmly. The expression was genuine.
"Thanks for the insight, Ina. We will gather them then."
Ina smiled back, her cat tails swishing energetically again.
“The clubs and rags can be ignored though. Nobody is going to buy those. The dungeon will absorb them eventually if left alone.”
Hyoren tilted his head. The gesture was curious—his mind latching onto an implication he hadn't considered before.
"The dungeon absorbs gear too? Then wouldn't it be dangerous to leave our equipment unattended?"
A trace of concern appeared in Elise's emerald eyes as well. Her pointed ears twitched—the motion betraying her worry even as her voice remained calm.
"That sounds worrying. It's convenient since there won't be trash everywhere, but..."
Ina giggled softly, her cat ears perking up.
"Don't worry. A dungeon only absorbs non-dungeon items if they're left alone for over twenty-four hours without any humans nearby."
She gestured around the chamber. The motion encompassed the walls, the floor, the very air they breathed.
"So as long as there are people around, your gear is perfectly safe."
Hyoren let out a relieved sigh. The breath he hadn't realized he was holding escaped in a rush—his shoulders relaxing slightly.
"That's good then. I was worried I wouldn't even be able to put my gear down while resting."
He paused before asking another question. The curiosity was evident in his voice—the desire to understand this world's mechanics driving him forward.
"And what about sleeping bags or tents if adventurers decide to camp inside the dungeon?"
Elise nodded beside him. The motion was small but significant—she had been wondering the same thing.
"Yeah, I was wondering about that too."
Ina pointed down the corridor. Her finger indicated the direction they would be going—deeper into the dungeon's depths.
"In larger dungeons, the Guild sometimes builds temporary outposts inside. As long as staff are stationed there, the dungeon won't absorb anything."
Hyoren was surprised with the knowledge. The information was practical—useful in ways he hadn't anticipated. Dungeons weren't just killing grounds—they were ecosystems with rules that could be understood and exploited.
"That's actually pretty convenient..."
Elise clapped her hands lightly. The sound echoed briefly in the chamber—a sharp contrast to the wet sounds of battle that had preceded it.
"Okay then. Let's gather the magic stones and rusted weapons first."
The three of them moved around the chamber collecting the loot.
The work was methodical—each person taking a section and sweeping it clean. The magic stones and salvageable weapons quickly disappeared into Elise's storage bag. The void swallowed them easily.
Afterward, they continued deeper into the dungeon.
***
Hyoren, Elise, and Ina moved with growing efficiency as a party. Their footsteps fell into a natural rhythm—Ina at the front with her ears constantly moving, Hyoren in the middle with his shield ready, Elise at the rear with her bow held loosely.
When they entered the next chamber, they found another group of goblins waiting inside.
Eight again. But this time, there were only two archers. The moment Ina identified the enemy composition, they moved almost instinctively. There was no hesitation—no discussion needed. Each person knew their role and executed it without question.
Hyoren rushed forward to gather the aggro of the melee goblins while Elise and Ina targeted the backline. His shield was raised—his sword held at the ready. The goblins turned toward him.
"Double Shot!"
Two arrows flew simultaneously.
THUMP. THUMP.
Two goblins dropped. The arrows punched through their targets with deadly precision—one through the forehead, one through the throat.
"Precision Throw!"
SWOOSH.
Ina's knife spun through the air and buried itself into another goblin's throat. The blade rotated end over end—a silver blur against the dim stone backdrop—before finding its mark with unerring accuracy.
The creature collapsed with a choking sound. Its hands clawed at the blade protruding from its neck—futile attempts to dislodge the metal that had ended its life. Blood bubbled between its fingers as it fell.
Meanwhile, Hyoren held the front line steadily. The goblins' clubs and rusted weapons slammed against his shield again and again, but he absorbed every blow patiently while waiting for openings to counterattack. Each impact sent vibrations through his arm—but his stance held. His feet remained planted—his weight distributed evenly as Ronald had taught him.
SQUELCH.
One goblin fell. His sword caught it across the chest—the mithril-alloy blade cutting through crude leather armor and flesh alike. The creature crumpled without a sound.
BASH!
Another stumbled backward after taking a shield strike directly to the face. The impact was solid—the goblin's nose collapsing under the force of the blow. It staggered—dazed and bleeding—before a sword strike finished it off.
With coordination far smoother than during the first encounter, the three dismantled the group of eight goblins even faster this time. The battle was over in moments—a testament to their growing familiarity with each other's fighting styles.
The goblin corpses around Hyoren slowly dissolved into white particles once more, leaving only magic stones and scattered equipment behind. The transformation was almost beautiful in its own way—the violence of their deaths erased by the dungeon's absorbing mechanism.
Hyoren looked toward Ina. His breathing was steady—his heart rate elevated but not racing. The fight had been easier this time.
"Fighting with three people really feels different compared to just two."
He paused briefly before continuing. The words were forming in his mind—taking shape as he considered what he wanted to say.
"Hey, Ina. Have you ever considered joining us?"
The invitation was genuine. He meant it—every word.
She was skilled. Her knowledge from twenty years working as Guild staff was invaluable. And her work as a scout had been flawless so far. She had identified threats before they became problems. She had guided them through the dungeon with confidence.
But more than that—Hyoren simply enjoyed her company. The realization had been growing in the back of his mind—taking root without his conscious awareness.
Her presence strangely put his heart at ease. She was easy to talk to, lively without being exhausting, and somehow her giggles had already started sounding like music to his ears. The way she teased him. The way she smiled. The warmth she brought to every conversation.
Beside him, Elise quietly smiled. A knowing smile. As if she already understood that Hyoren genuinely enjoyed being around Ina. Her emerald eyes were warm—watching the exchange with an expression that was difficult to read.
Ina giggled softly again, the same musical voice Hyoren had begun to like.
"I'm happy to hear that invitation."
Her amber eyes glinted playfully. The expression was familiar—the same look she always gave him when she was about to say something teasing.
"If this was an invitation to become your lover instead, then I would agree instantly right now, Hyoren."
But beneath her teasing tone, there was a faint trace of melancholy in her gaze. Something that flickered briefly in her amber eyes before being masked by her usual playfulness.
Hyoren immediately waved both hands frantically.
"Ina! I-I didn't mean it like that!"
For a split second, he instinctively looked toward Elise, worried she would become angry or start hissing again. His heart rate spiked—anticipating the familiar jealousy that had characterized their earlier interactions.
But Elise merely continued smiling. The expression was calm—serene even. There was no anger in her eyes. No possessiveness. No territorial display.
Honestly, her calm smile somehow frightened him even more. The unknown was always scarier than the familiar. He knew how to handle jealous Elise. He had no idea how to handle this version of her.
Hyoren hurriedly corrected himself. The words came out faster than he intended—his desire to clarify overriding his usual composure.
"Ina... I mean as a party member."
He glanced toward Elise again. She was still smiling. But this time, the smile felt different. There was something in her expression—something that hadn't been there before.
"Ina as a party member, huh... Hyoren?"
A soft giggle escaped Elise's lips. The sound was light—almost musical. It echoed briefly in the chamber before fading into silence.
"You're sure it's only as a party member? Fufu."
Hyoren blinked in confusion. The question didn't make sense. What else would she think he meant?
Usually, when Ina flirted with him, Elise would smile too. But those smiles never fully reached her emerald eyes. This time was different. Her smile looked genuine. Almost as if she was not asking whether he wanted Ina in the party—but whether he truly only wanted that much.
Elise and Ina glanced at each other. The look was brief—lasting only a moment—but it seemed to carry weight. It almost felt like they were communicating through their eyes alone. Like there had already been some kind of understanding between them beforehand. Some conversation or agreement that Hyoren had not been privy to.
Like the two women somehow understood the conflict inside Hyoren's heart without him ever saying it out loud. And for now, they both chose to stay silent about it.
Ina was the first to speak again. Her voice was softer now—the playfulness tempered by something more genuine.
"I'm really happy about the invitation. But I think I prefer doing domestic and desk work, Hyoren."
She gently held her own hands behind her back. The posture was demure—almost shy. A stark contrast to her usual flirtatious demeanor.
"I still train my skills from time to time, of course. Mostly for self-defense during Guild scouting missions like this."
Her smile turned softer. The expression was genuine—unhidden. There was no teasing in it. No playfulness. Just honest acknowledgment of who she was and what she wanted.
"But I never truly wanted to become an adventurer."
There was melancholy hidden inside her amber eyes.
"So... I'm sorry."
Hyoren shook his head lightly. The motion was gentle—dismissal rather than denial.
"There's no need to apologize, Ina. I know you love your work as Guild staff."
His tone was calm and understanding. There was no pressure in his voice—no attempt to change her mind.
"Everyone has their own aspirations. I'm not going to force you."
He looked toward Elise, and she nodded in agreement. Her pointed ears twitched slightly—the motion subtle but present.
"He's right, Ina."
Ina's expression immediately brightened again. The melancholy faded—replaced by her usual cheerfulness.
Then suddenly, she leaned closer toward Hyoren until her lips were near his ear. The motion was swift—unexpected. He felt her breath against his skin before he registered her proximity.
"I can't become your party member..."
Her whisper brushed softly against him. The words were barely audible—meant for him alone.
"But if you want me as your lover instead, then I'm open to it."
Her voice lowered further. The whisper became even softer—if that was possible.
"I truly mean it."
A shiver instantly ran down Hyoren's spine.
The sensation was electric—starting at his ear and traveling down his back like a cascade of cold water. His heart rate spiked—his body responding before his mind could process what was happening.
Before he could even react properly, Ina already pulled away with a mischievous smile. The transition was seamless—one moment she was whispering in his ear, the next she was standing at a respectable distance with an expression that suggested nothing unusual had occurred.
And somehow—Elise giggled together with her. The sound was harmonious—their laughter blending in a way that seemed almost practiced. As if they had shared jokes before. As if this was normal.
The two women casually started chatting afterward as if nothing strange had just happened.
They talked about random things. About what they would do after returning to Akela. About food. About houses they wanted in the future—the locations, the layouts, the amenities. About peaceful daily life.
It strangely felt as though Ina had naturally slipped into their dynamic already. As if she had always been there—filling a space that Hyoren hadn't realized was empty until it was occupied.
Meanwhile, Hyoren remained frozen in place. Completely unable to keep up with the situation. His mind was racing—trying to process what had just happened. Trying to understand the shift in dynamics that had occurred without his awareness.
He simply could not understand what had happened between Elise and Ina. Why Elise's stance toward Ina had changed so much. The jealousy that had characterized their earlier interactions was gone—replaced by something that looked almost like acceptance. Almost like encouragement.
He wanted to ask, but he was afraid it would break their dynamic.
He didn't want to disrupt whatever understanding they had reached. He didn't want to lose Elise. The crisis before had taught him he couldn't live without Elise. He was afraid of losing his anchor in this world.
But a question arose in his mind.
Why his heart tightened when Ina whispered those words into his ear. The sensation was unfamiliar—different from what he felt with Elise. Not better or worse. Just different. A new kind of warmth that he didn't know how to categorize.
Ignoring the turmoil inside Hyoren's heart, the two women calmly began gathering the goblins' loot. Rusted weapons and magic stones disappeared one after another into the void of Elise's storage bag.
Afterwards, Elise touched Hyoren's arm. The contact was light—her fingers barely brushing against his skin. But it was enough to draw his attention away from his spiraling thoughts.
"Let's go, Hyoren. Why are you still frozen like that? Fufu."
Ina, who had already prepared to depart, giggled as well. Her cat ears twitched with the motion while her tails swished lightly behind her.
"Yeah, Hyoren. Don't turn into a statue now. We still have scouting work to do."
Their voices finally snapped Hyoren out of his stupor. The words cut through the fog of his confusion—pulling him back to the present moment.
"Oh... right. Sorry."
He quickly followed after them. His legs moved almost automatically—carrying him forward while his mind was still processing what had just happened.
Ahead of him, the two women walked side by side while giggling together again in perfect harmony. Their laughter echoed through the corridor—light and warm against the cold stone.
And somehow, watching that scene made Hyoren feel strangely warm inside. The sensation was unexpected—a flicker of something that might have been contentment. Or peace. Or something else entirely that he couldn't name yet.
The three resumed scouting the first floor of the dungeon.
The atmosphere inside the ruins should have felt oppressive. The corridors were damp, cold, and heavy with moisture. The air was thick—carrying the scent of old stone and something else. Something that might have been decay or might have been magic.
But somehow. With the two women chatting and giggling in front of him, the dungeon no longer felt gloomy at all.
***
After about an hour of methodical exploration, it became clear that the information from the Runic Tablet was accurate. The layout, the enemy composition, even their levels—everything matched perfectly.
Ina looked around the small chamber after they dismantled their sixth goblin group. Their coordination had improved with each encounter. Around them, the goblin corpses slowly dissolved into white particles.
"We already spent around one hour scouting this dungeon."
She wiped her shortsword clean with a dirty rag. The weapon gleamed dully in the pale dungeon light once she was finished.
"Four goblin groups so far. The pattern matches what the Runic Tablet described. Level 10 enemies. Groups made of normal goblins and Goblin Archers. Around seven to ten monsters per group."
After finishing, she casually tossed the bloodied rag away. The cloth landed on the stone floor—soaked through with goblin blood that would never be cleaned. Though it didn't matter. The dungeon would absorb it eventually.
"Let's head back to the starting room and regroup with the Guildmas."
Hyoren and Elise nodded in agreement.
Once they finished gathering the loot, the three began retracing their path through the ruins.
Thanks to Ina's Mapping skill, backtracking through the labyrinth was effortless. The corridors that had seemed so confusing on their first pass now felt almost familiar. Every turn, every branching path, every dead end was recorded in her mental map.
Even when they encountered a respawned goblin group in one of the chambers, the monsters were quickly dispatched with practiced coordination. The battle was over in moments.
After a while, the familiar shimmering portal finally came into view once more.
Hyoren, Elise, and Ina stepped through it together. The transition was smooth—barely a ripple of sensation as they passed through the magical barrier. The scenery shifted, and they returned to the majestic hall containing the towering statue of Gidol—the dungeon's starting room.
A wave of relief quietly settled over Hyoren. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly.
Fiona and the four specialists were already there, resting near the relief carvings along the wall. Some were drinking water while others quietly chewed on hardtack. The atmosphere was relaxed. Their equipment was set aside.
The moment Fiona noticed Ina's group returning, she gestured toward them.
“Come sit. Give your report.”
The three joined Fiona's group and finally allowed themselves a brief rest after hours of continuous scouting. Hyoren lowered himself to the ground—his back finding the wall behind him. Elise settled beside him—her shoulder brushing against his arm in a gesture that had become almost automatic.
"Guildmas. Everything matched the Runic Tablet's information. No traps so far. The monster composition and levels were accurate as well. The spawn rate was in high side though..."
Fiona nodded. The motion was brief—acknowledging the information without unnecessary comment.
"We found the same thing on our side. The Runic Tablet reading was correct."
Her gaze shifted toward the two runic specialists—Robert and Fris—and she gave them an approving nod.
"You two did a great job."
Robert adjusted his glasses while Fris offered a small smile. The two specialists seemed pleased by the acknowledgment.
Then her sharp eyes swept across everyone present before she cleared her throat. The sound was commanding—drawing attention without requiring volume.
"The dungeon will officially open one week from now. And from this moment onward, I declare its name as the Akela Dungeon."
The name hung in the air—weighty with implication. A dungeon named after the city it would serve.
"Until then, the dungeon is off-limits. Any party wanting to enter after the opening must register at the new Guild counter we will establish in front of the dungeon gate."
Her expression hardened further.
"And let me make this perfectly fucking clear. Floors 31 and above are forbidden to anyone below Silver rank. Any adventurer caught violating that order will be expelled from the Guild immediately."
She looked toward Ina. The gaze was direct—expecting compliance.
"Ina. Take note of it. Make sure everyone understands these rules."
Ina's correcting habit surfaced almost instantly.
"Language, Guildmas."
But the warning lacked any real force now. The warning had become habit—the kind of thing you said because you had always said it—not because you expected it to change anything.
Afterward, she nodded professionally.
"But understood. I will prepare the official dungeon announcement along with the special regulations."
Her expression also turned serious. The playfulness that usually characterized her features was gone—replaced by the focused demeanor of a Guild staff member handling important business.
"This is the first dungeon in history to require restrictions based on floor depth. I'll also need your authorization stamp to send a report to the Central Guild. They need to know about this immediately."
Fiona gave another approving nod.
"Good. Do it."
Afterward, she addressed the rest of the scouting team, including the Freedom Party.
"Alright. We've confirmed the data."
She stretched her shoulders slightly.
"We'll rest a bit longer before heading home. I want everyone back in Akela before the suns set."
Then Fiona looked at each of them one by one, her gaze lingering slightly on Hyoren and Elise.
"The exploration is complete. Well done."
***
The group rested for a while longer. And finally after about an hour of rest, Fiona finally stood up again. Her eyes gazed at everyone.
"Everyone. Time to move."
Everyone followed her toward the raised platform in the center of the hall.
The massive teleportation circle Runic Array was still glowing faintly beneath their feet—its pale light casting strange shadows across the carved floor. The swirling red Teleport Orb on top of polished black smooth stone pillar pulsated—its rhythm steady and hypnotic.
Fiona stared at the orb briefly.
"We're heading back, everyone."
A chorus of affirmatives answered her.
"Good. Let's go home."
With that, Fiona placed her hand onto the Teleport Orb.
The world dissolved into darkness for a brief instant.
Then suddenly—they were back inside the main tunnel of the Old Quarry. The air was different here—warmer and less stale than the dungeon's atmosphere. The magic lamps they had left behind still illuminated the cavern with dim light.
Behind them, the runes in the archway silently pulsed with pale blue light. The entrance to a place that would soon become one of the most important locations in the region.
The dungeon which now had a name—Akela Dungeon.
***
The return to Frontier City Akela was a quiet affair. The five specialists and the Freedom Party moved with weary but efficient steps after the long scouting mission.
By the time they entered the Adventurer's Guild, the evening rush had already started.
Fiona Akela led the procession. Her massive frame cut through the crowd—adventurers instinctively parting to let her pass.
Her powerful presence alone was enough to silence the whispers that started spreading the moment people noticed her entering alongside unfamiliar specialists from Harvengald. The combination of the Guild Master and these strangers was enough to draw every eye in the room.
She stopped before the main counter and swept her sharp gaze across the guild hall.
Then she shouted. Her voice cut through the ambient noise—commanding attention without requiring amplification.
"Everyone! Fucking hear me out!"
The noisy hall quieted almost instantly. Conversations died mid-sentence.Every head turned toward the Guild Master. A wave of murmurs spread among the adventurers.
"What happened?"
"Guild Master rarely shout like that unless it's important."
"Wait... those are scouting specialists from Harvengald, right?"
The whispers overlapped—creating a tapestry of confusion and anticipation.
Fiona crossed her arms. Her expression was serious—the kind of expression that preceded important news.
"We just confirmed a new dungeon appeared near Akela. Only two to three hours walk from the city. Located at the Old Quarry!"
The entire guild hall erupted into louder chatter. The news was shocking for the adventurers crowd. The Old Quarry had been a known location for years—abandoned.
"No wonder Guildmas went out yesterday. That was rare."
"So that's why Harvengald sent specialists..."
"A dungeon near Akela?"
"No way. More adventurers are going to flock into this city now."
Fiona waited patiently for the noise to settle before shouting again. The sound rolled across the hall.
"I hereby declare its name as Akela Dungeon!"
The guild hall instantly became quiet again. The name carried weight—a permanent designation that would be recorded in Guild records and spoken by adventurers for years to come.
"It is a Bronze-tier dungeon. Open to all Copper-rank adventurers and above!"
Excitement immediately spread across the room. The announcement was better than many had hoped. Bronze-tier dungeons were the sweet spot for beginner and intermediate adventurers—challenging enough to provide experience and loot, but not so dangerous that survival was uncertain.
"The inside is mainly goblins. The first floor consists of level 10 goblins. Loot and monster spawn rate are good."
She pointed a finger toward the crowd. Her finger seemed to single out every adventurer in the room.
"Official opening will be six days from now!"
The hall exploded into excited discussion. The opening of the Bronze-tier dungeon was a great boon for these adventurers on Akela.
"Bronze-tier? That's amazing."
"I was already getting tired grinding goblins in Forest of No Return."
"Good loot and good spawn rate? That's money right there."
"I need to tell my party immediately."
"Akela is going to become really crowded after this."
The voices overlapped—creating a symphony of excitement that filled the hall. Adventurers were already turning to their companions—discussing strategies, planning expeditions, calculating potential profits. The atmosphere had shifted from curiosity to anticipation.
Fiona stomped her foot.
BANG!
The hall quieted again.
"But there is a caveat!"
Her expression hardened.
"Official notice will be posted later. But this Bronze-tier dungeon has complications. It has over thirty floors unlike normal Bronze-tier dungeons."
A wave of confusion spread through the hall. The discrepancy was enough to give even the most excited adventurers pause.
Fiona continued before anyone could interrupt.
"So listen carefully, you fuckers. No adventurer below Silver-rank is allowed to enter floor 31 onwards. Or I would rip your fucking guild card personally. You all hear me?"
A chorus of uncertain but obedient replies answered her.
"Understood, Guildmas!"
Most of them looked confused, but nobody questioned it openly. To Copper-rank and Bronze-rank adventurers, even the early floors already sounded like an excellent hunting ground. The restrictions on the deeper floors were a concern for the futures.
Fiona nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Now scram!"
Hyoren, Ina, and Elise watched as the crowd slowly dispersed afterward, though the excitement still lingered heavily throughout the guild hall.
The atmosphere felt completely different now. Livelier. Hopeful. The constant murmur of conversation had taken on a different quality—less weary, more animated.
Hyoren looked around in amazement at the adventurers already discussing plans with their parties. The speed of the change was remarkable—within minutes, the entire dynamic of the room had shifted.
"These adventurers are really excited."
Elise giggled softly beside him, her pointed ears twitching slightly—the sound was musical. Her emerald eyes sparkled as she watched the scene unfold before them.
"Well, we can't really blame them. A dungeon like this, especially a low to middle-tier one, will trigger an economic boom."
She gestured vaguely toward the crowd.
"Dungeons are more than just hunting grounds. They're engines of commerce. Every magic stone that comes out of there will fuel the civilization. They are important for magic toole, equipment, and infrastructure throughout the region."
Ina leaned forward slightly, her cat tails swishing behind her.
"Fufu. Elise is right, Hyoren."
She gestured toward the adventurers around them.
"The demand for magic stones is always high. And the majority of adventurers are Copper-rank and Bronze-rank."
Her amber eyes narrowed knowingly.
"So a dungeon that matches their level will always become a popular place to earn money."
Hyoren slowly nodded in understanding.
The economics made sense. More adventurers meant more money flowing through the city. More money meant more businesses. More businesses meant more opportunities for everyone.
Looking at the excited adventurers around him, he could already imagine how much Akela would change after the dungeon officially opened. The sleepy frontier city he had arrived in would transform into something else entirely.
A new dungeon had appeared near Frontier City Akela.
More adventurers would flock toward Akela seeking money, experience, and fame inside the dungeon. They would come from other cities—other regions—drawn by the promise of a Bronze-tier dungeon with good loot and manageable difficulty. The population would swell—perhaps dramatically.
And where adventurers gathered, merchants would follow. Blacksmiths. Innkeepers. Traders. Caravans. Even migrants searching for opportunity. The infrastructure that supported adventuring would expand to meet the demand. New shops would open. New services would be offered. The city would grow—both in size and in complexity.
Money would start flowing into the city faster than ever before. Magic stones would be harvested by the thousands—sold to the Guild and used to power the magic technology that made civilization possible.
It was the beginning of an economic boom for Frontier City Akela.