Chapter 144 – Reunion, Rumors, and Revelations
Chapter 144
Reunion, Rumors, and Revelations
Date : Day 30 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren, Elise, and Jackey left the Adventurer's Guild tent with excitement bubbling inside them. They could barely wait to enter the dungeon.
But before they even managed to take several steps away from the tent.
"Oh... if it isn't Lonely Ranger and the lad... fancy to meetcha here."
The familiar voice stopped them immediately.
Hyoren and Elise turned around.
And saw a familiar stout figure approaching through the crowd.
The sight was immediately recognizable. Short. Broad. Only around 130 centimeters tall, yet built like a solid boulder. Thick muscular arms. Wide shoulders. A stocky body clearly forged for endurance and labor.
And most distinctive of all—his majestic brown beard. Long. Braided carefully. Decorated with metal rings. The rings caught Luna's silver light as he moved.
Stonebreaker's Jigor.
Hyoren smiled faintly.
"Oh. If it isn't Jigor."
He nodded politely.
"Long time no see."
Elise immediately latched herself onto Hyoren's arm proudly. Her fingers curled around his sleeve.
"Jigor! I'm not Lonely Ranger anymore!"
Her emerald eyes gleamed slightly.
"I have Hyoren as my lover now!"
Then she casually gestured toward the hulking Cat-clan beastkin standing behind them with a smug grin.
"And we even got another party member too. Jackey."
Jigor's eyes widened. His hand immediately touched his braided beard in disbelief.
"Huh? What?"
His gaze bounced repeatedly between Hyoren and Elise.
"Lonely Ranger found a lover... and even more party member?"
Then he looked upward dramatically.
"By Gravok's beard... some volcano gonna erupt soon!"
A brief silence followed. Then Jigor burst into roaring laughter.
"Gyahaha!"
Jackey immediately stepped forward enthusiastically and offered a handshake.
"I'm Jackey! Ina's little brother!"
His tabby cat tails swished proudly behind him.
"And I joined Freedom Party days ago! Nice to meet you, Jigor! You look so strong!"
Jigor's eyes widened yet again.
"Huh, WHAT?"
He pointed toward Jackey.
"That little minx Vice Guild Master actually has little brother?"
He stood still before finally shaking Jackey's hand.
Jackey nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes!"
Then he grinned proudly.
"Big Sis gonna marry Hyoren! That's why I joined the party!"
Hyoren immediately facepalmed. Jackey's memory truly was questionable sometimes. Muscle brain. Definitely. He joined because he lost the duel. Not because of marriage.
But surprisingly, nobody bothered correcting him.
Jigor's eyes somehow widened even further.
"WHAT?"
His booming voice attracted several nearby adventurers.
"That little minx?"
He looked utterly stunned.
"I thought she planned to fool around with every man in the world and never settle down!"
Hyoren scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"You are... not entirely wrong."
Then he sighed softly.
"But yes. Ina repented."
A faint helpless smile appeared on his face.
"And she became my lover too, now."
Jigor stared at Hyoren for several seconds before shaking his head slowly in admiration.
"You truly are something, lad..."
He pointed toward Elise.
"You melted the Lonely Ranger who rejected every party invitation."
Then he pointed somewhere toward the Akela City direction dramatically.
"And now you even tamed the little minx."
Jigor stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"But honestly? Good job!"
Then he burst out laughing again.
"It will make Akela more peaceful! No more angry wives dragging cheating husbands into the guild building! Gyahaha!"
At that moment, the rest of Jigor's party finally caught up.
A woman wearing pristine white priest robes stepped beside him first. A pure white veil concealed her hair completely, the thin fabric swaying softly behind her with every movement. The material caught the silver light as she walked. A calm and gentle atmosphere naturally surrounded her.
Vani Yight. Jigor's wife and the party healer.
"Good morning, Hyoren, Elise... and Jackey?"
She smiled politely afterward.
"Sorry for my husband's crassness."
Then she giggled softly.
"Though honestly... he is correct."
Her eyes swept between Hyoren and Elise curiously.
"Even we were surprised to hear the news."
A teasing smile appeared.
"For Elise and Ina to settle down with a single man..."
She shook her head lightly.
"You truly are something, Hyoren."
Then the remaining party members arrived too.
A lanky tall man with long blonde hair draped over black mage robes. Dennis Folkrite. Their mage.
And beside him came a young teenage girl practically bouncing with energy. Short brunette hair cropped practically. A compact bow slung behind her back. Cathy Frozz. Their scout and ranger.
Dennis gave a tired but polite nod toward them.
Meanwhile Cathy waved energetically.
"Morning you two!"
Then her grin widened mischievously.
"Wait..."
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice dramatically like someone sharing a dangerous secret.
"So the gossip I heard was actually true?"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"A man who suddenly appeared from nowhere somehow got two infamous women as his lovers?"
Then she suddenly pointed accusing finger toward Hyoren.
"So it was YOU, Hyoren!"
Hyoren scratched his cheek awkwardly again.
"Well... I cannot exactly deny it anymore if it has already spread that far."
Cathy's eyes immediately lit up.
"That's the biggest scoop of the year!"
She practically bounced in place from excitement. The motion was almost childlike.
"Lonely Ranger and Vice Guild Master Ina actually settling down?!"
Then she looked toward Hyoren again with exaggerated admiration.
"You truly are terrifying, Mister Hyoren."
Elise smiled softly beside him before glancing toward Jigor with a slightly amused expression.
"Jigor. You are entering the dungeon too?"
Jigor nodded immediately.
"Yeah!"
He crossed his thick arms proudly.
"We only returned to Akela three days ago from our long escort mission."
Then he gestured around the bustling encampment.
"And suddenly THIS happened!"
Vani smiled helplessly beside him.
"We just finished escorting the caravan toward Yughur City."
Her robes swayed gently in the cold wind. The fabric moved with a soft rustle.
"And when we returned... Forest of No Return activity had receded."
She looked toward the distant quarry tunnel.
"And then a completely new dungeon appeared."
Jigor grinned widely.
"So we decided to try our luck too!"
Then he laughed loudly.
"If this dungeon is profitable enough, we might stop escort quests entirely and become full-time divers instead! Gyahaha."
Hyoren nodded.
"That is the same for us too, Jigor."
Jigor then heavily tapped Hyoren's shoulder with enough force to almost stagger a normal person.
"Okay then! We need to register ourselves first."
Then he raised fist proudly.
"Good luck with your dive!"
His grin widened beneath the massive beard.
"May Gravok's fire keep burning in your hearts!"
Then he turned around and entered the Adventurer's Guild tent together with his party.
Hyoren smiled faintly.
"Good luck to your party too, Jigor."
Vani gave one final polite nod before following her husband. Dennis and Cathy entered not long after. The young ranger gave a small wave before disappearing into the tent.
Leaving the Freedom Party standing alone once more.
Hyoren looked toward Elise and Jackey afterward.
"Shall we go?"
Elise nodded lightly. Her silver hair swayed softly with the motion. The strands caught the pale silver light.
"To the dungeon."
Jackey practically jumped in excitement.
"Freedom Party's first dungeon dive! WOHOO!"
The three of them finally left the bustling tent city behind. And walked toward the main tunnel of the Old Quarry.
Toward the Archway. The gateway leading into the pocket dimension of Demon God Gidol.
***
They walked only a short distance before arriving at the entrance of the main tunnel.
The entrance itself had been completely transformed just like the rest of Old Quarry. What once used to be jagged dark maw on the cliffside was now reinforced properly. Thick wooden beams and stone foundations secured the tunnel entrance while iron braces were embedded firmly into the surrounding rock.
Even the road leading inward had been flattened and smoothed for easier travel.
The three entered the tunnel. The formerly narrow mining path had widened considerably. Hanging magic lamps illuminated the corridor with pale blue light while massive support beams ensured the ceiling would not collapse.
Their footsteps echoed steadily against the stone. Eventually they arrived at the wide cavern deeper inside. The space opened up around them.
The same place where Hyoren and Elise once fought their deadly battle against Goblin Knight Hifoppe.
And just like outside—It had transformed completely. The cavern had been widened and reinforced further. The walls had been reshaped—rough uneven quarry walls were smoothed into something far more stable and organized.
Now it resembled a massive underground waiting hall bustling with life. People were everywhere.
Adventurers gathered in groups across the chamber. The parties varied in size. Some sharpened weapons. Some adjusted armor straps. Others checked supplies repeatedly while many simply lounged around chatting loudly as they waited for missing party members.
The air was filled with overlapping conversations, laughter, clanging steel, and the occasional sizzling sounds of portable cookstoves.
Temporary merchant stalls had already appeared along the cavern walls too. The structures were makeshift but functional. Potions. Arrows. Camping gear. Preserved foods. All kinds of dungeon-related supplies were displayed openly beneath hanging lanterns.
One food stall near the corner was especially crowded, selling skewers of roasted meat together with steaming cups of coffee to adventurers preparing for long dives ahead.
Elise looked around slowly. Her emerald eyes reflected the countless lights filling the underground chamber.
"Look at this..."
Her voice carried faint awe.
"Back then, when we fought Hifoppe... we never would have imagined this place becoming something like this."
Hyoren nodded quietly beside her.
"It felt oppressive before."
His gaze swept across the bustling underground waiting hall.
"But now..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"It almost feels festive."
And it truly did.
The memories of their desperate life-and-death struggle inside this tunnel now felt strangely distant. The recollection was still present but seemed to belong to a different place. Back then, this place was silent, dangerous, and oppressive.
Now it had become a bustling center of commerce and activity. A testament to both the Guild's terrifying efficiency and humanity's endless greed toward newly discovered dungeon.
Jackey looked around enthusiastically. His head swiveled constantly. Even though it was his first time here, he could easily feel the excitement filling the cavern.
"Big Bro, this is normal for dungeon towns!"
His tabby cat tails swished behind him energetically.
"The one near my hometown was even bigger and livelier than this!"
Hyoren chuckled lightly before gesturing forward.
"Let's move on."
The three navigated through the crowded chamber toward the far end of the cavern.
And there—embedded into the massive stone wall—stood the Archway. Its runes still pulsed ominously. The light was steady but unsettling. Still eerie. Still unnatural.
But strangely, the surrounding atmosphere had changed how it felt.
Before, it resembled a terrifying crack into an unknown nightmare. Now, it almost looked like a gateway toward opportunity. Toward wealth. Toward adventure.
Two heavily armed Guild guards stood stationed beside the Archway. Their presence was imposing. Their expressions stern and unwavering as they monitored every adventurer approaching the portal.
As the Freedom Party approached, one guard raised his hand.
"Guild cards, please."
His sharp eyes swept over them.
"No unauthorized parties may enter the dungeon."
Hyoren handed over the three guild cards.
The guard inspected them efficiently with practiced ease.
"Freedom Party."
His eyes scanned the information briefly.
"Confirmed Akela Dungeon Exploration Quest."
Then he nodded.
"You are authorized to enter."
The guard stepped aside afterward.
"Good luck."
Now the three of them stood directly before the Archway.
The structure loomed above them. Pale blue runes pulsed across the structure rhythmically, bathing the three figures in eerie light.
The inside of the archway was solid. A smooth metallic-looking surface sealed the center completely. The material was strange. Cold. Unnatural. There was no visible doorway at all. Yet everyone knew this was indeed the entrance to the dungeon.
Because Gidol's pocket dimension did not physically exist within normal reality. Touching the Archway would teleport them into that separate world.
Hyoren, Elise, and Jackey exchanged brief glances.
No words were needed. This was it. The true beginning of the Freedom Party's new era.
Together, the three reached forward and placed their hands against the cool solid surface at the center of the Archway. The surface was cold against their palms.
And immediately—that familiar contemptuous voice echoed directly inside their minds A psychic sneer filled with amusement and malice.
So... you stupid humans who think yourselves heroes wish to enter my playground again? Xixixi...
Hyoren answered calmly inside his mind.
Yes.
The world instantly dissolved. His vision vanished completely. No sound. No sensation. No light. Absolute nothingness. For brief moment, it almost felt as though his very existence had ceased entirely.
Then suddenly—solid ground returned beneath their feet. The suffocating void disappeared. And the three of them found themselves standing once more inside the familiar oppressive silence of the dungeon's Starting Room.
***
The Starting Room was no longer empty. The vast and grand safe room of the first floor felt far less oppressive because of that. The presence of other people seemed to transform the atmosphere.
Several adventurer parties had already arrived before them.
One group of four burly-looking men sat near the massive statue of Gidol at the back of the chamber. Some were eating late breakfast while others seemed to be discussing strategy seriously.
Another two-person party stood near the shimmering portal leading toward the dungeon proper, carefully checking weapons and armor one final time before entering.
But Freedom Party was not here to socialize. Nor sightseeing. They came here to grind.
Without wasting time, the three walked directly toward the portal
While walking steadily, Hyoren began thinking about strategy already. Naturally, he ignored Jackey for tactical discussions. Asking the Cat-clan beastkin about strategy was pointless anyway. Jackey only knew how to whack things harder.
Hyoren glanced toward Elise instead.
"Okay, Elise. How exactly does your Mapping skill work?"
Elise tucked a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear while continuing to walk.
"It's automatic."
Her emerald eyes shifted briefly toward him.
"We only need to walk normally. The map inside my mind will fill itself automatically."
She gestured lightly ahead.
"Places we already traversed will become clear."
Then she made a small sweeping motion with her finger. The gesture was almost like she was tracing something in the air.
"And unexplored areas will remain dark."
Hyoren chuckled quietly.
Typical RPG map... with fog of war... Was the design intentional? Or coincidence?
He glanced toward Elise again.
"So basically we just wander around until we find stairs leading downward?"
Elise shook her head immediately.
"There are no stairs, Hyoren."
Before Hyoren could respond, Jackey suddenly stepped forward loudly.
"Yeah, Big Bro! No stairs!"
His tabby cat tails spiraled energetically behind him.
"We need beat the big baddy before we can go next floor!"
Elise chuckled softly at Jackey's explanation.
"Jackey is right."
She nodded.
"We need to defeat the Floor Guardian inside its chamber before the next floor unlocks."
Then she pointed ahead toward the shimmering portal while still walking.
"So instead of searching for a staircase..."
Her silver hair swayed gently with the motion.
"We search for another Archway, just like dungeon entrance on the outside. It is the teleport gate leading toward the Guardian Chamber."
Hyoren tapped his chin thoughtfully while continuing forward.
This dungeon setting really was like an RPG... Defeat the boss before the next floor unlocks. Did Gidol truly come from Earth? Was he actually a gamer?
The thought itself sounded ridiculous enough that Hyoren quickly shook his head slightly.
"Okay."
His expression became focused again.
"Then we rush toward the guardian."
Elise immediately tapped his shoulder.
"No, Hyoren"
Hyoren blinked, confusion appeared on his face.
"We should not rush."
Her emerald eyes became more serious.
"Even if we find the archway early, we should fully map the floor first before challenging the Floor Guardian."
Hyoren's brows rose slightly. His pace even faltered briefly before stabilizing again.
"Why Elise? It’s a waste of time right?"
Jackey immediately turned around dramatically.
"Title, Big Bro! Title!"
He pointed proudly toward himself.
"Just like mine!"
His grin widened.
"I got title after full clear dungeon near my hometown!"
Then he proudly puffed his chest.
"The Axor Ruins was Iron-rank dungeon! Full of humanoid monsters using axes! And after fully clearing it, people got title! Whirlwind Axe!"
Then he raised his thumb proudly.
"It boosts melee attacks by five percent!"
Elise nodded lightly.
"Jackey is right."
Her emerald eyes glinted faintly.
"When adventurers completely map every floor then clear the dungeon, they usually receive a title related to the dungeon's theme. Most effects are subtle..."
She paused briefly. Then her lips curled slightly upward.
"But imagine if we keep clearing dungeons throughout our lives..."
Her words trailed off.
Hyoren didn't need her to finish. He already knew the implication. He nodded in understanding.
"The effects will continue stacking, right, Elise?"
Elise’s lips curled into a pleasant smile.
"That's right, Hyoren."
Hyoren fell silent afterward. Deep in thought.
He always assumed Jackey's title came purely from his fighting style. Turns out it was a reward from the dungeon itself.
Eventually their conversation stopped naturally as they arrived directly before the shimmering portal.
Hyoren exhaled slowly, shaking away lingering thoughts. Then he glanced toward Elise and Jackey.
"Ready, Elise? Jackey?"
Both nodded immediately.
And without hesitation—Freedom Party stepped through the shimmering portal together. Toward the dungeon proper.