Chapter 156 – Absurd Reports
Chapter 156
Absurd Reports
Date : Day 4 of Lunaeve 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren walked through the growing dungeon town, followed by Jackey and Elise.
Bright silver rays from Luna shone over the settlement—the cold light casting long shadows across the uneven ground, illuminating dust motes that drifted lazily through the frigid air. The pale glow caught every rough edge of newly raised timber, every canvas surface stretched taut over temporary frames, every metallic glint from equipment laid out on merchant counters.
The place was far busier than when they first arrived five days ago.
Voices echoed everywhere—overlapping, competing, blending into a constant murmur that filled the basin with the restless energy of a settlement refusing to sleep. Workers hammered wooden planks together as new buildings rose from the quarry floor.
Merchants called out to passing adventurers while promoting their wares.
"Fresh potions! Best prices in dungeon town!"
"Rope! Lantern oil! Everything you need for diving!"
Food stalls released tempting aromas that cut through the cold wind. Grilled meat sizzled over open flames, the fat dripping and hissing against hot coals. Rich soup bubbled in large iron pots, steam rising in lazy spirals that carried the scent of seasoned vegetables and salted meat. Fresh bread sat in woven baskets, their crusts golden brown and still radiating warmth.
Jackey's golden eyes darted toward a meat skewer stall as they passed. His tabby cat tail swayed with obvious temptation. His nostrils flared.
"Big Bro... can we…"
Hyoren didn't even look at him.
"Later, Jackey."
Jackey's ears flattened slightly.
"But... meat..."
Elise giggled softly from behind them.
"Jackey, your stomach is louder than your voice."
The Beastkin's cheeks flushed beneath his orange fur. He rubbed the back of his neck with one clawed hand.
"I can't help it... The last time we ate was before the guardian..."
The old quarry was rapidly transforming into a proper dungeon town.
But the three of them ignored most of it.
Right now, they wanted to report their dive and finally get some proper rest.
They headed toward the largest structure in the area—the Adventurer's Guild tent. The canvas structure dominated the settlement's center, its size dwarfing every other temporary building surrounding it. The Guild's emblem hung from the entrance flap, the stitched symbol catching Luna's light.
However, as they walked, Hyoren noticed a familiar group approaching from the opposite direction.
Jigor and his party.
The broad-shouldered dwarf walked with his characteristic confident stride—his heavy boots crunching against the packed dirt with each step. Behind him followed Vani, her gentle expression carrying the weariness of recent exertion. Cathy and Denis flanked them on either side, their equipment showing fresh signs of combat.
Hyoren smiled immediately.
"Jigor, long time no see."
He raised a hand in greeting.
"Are you going to dive, or are you already back from it?"
Jigor's face brightened with recognition. The dwarf's weathered features shifted into a warm grin—the kind that reached his eyes and softened the hard lines that years of adventuring had carved into his skin.
"Hey."
He stepped forward and offered his hand.
"It's been five days, huh?"
The two shook hands firmly. The grip was solid.
"We just got back from a dungeon dive ourselves."
Then Jigor glanced at Hyoren's group. His gaze moved from Jackey's excited but exhausted face to Elise's dust-streaked silver hair to Hyoren's battered armor. The warrior's eyes lingered on the equipment—reading the story of their expedition written in scratches and dents and worn leather.
"How about you?"
Hyoren returned the handshake.
"Same. We just got back from five days of dungeon diving."
For a moment, the entire party froze.
The silence that followed was immediate—a pocket of stillness carved out of the bustling noise surrounding them.
Vani, Jigor's wife and the party healer, blinked in surprise. Her lips parted slightly, the gentle crease between her brows deepening.
"You three spent five days... camping inside the dungeon?"
Even Cathy and Denis looked stunned. Cathy's hand instinctively moved toward her short bow, her fingers wrapping around the wood. Denis simply stared.
Jackey puffed out his chest proudly. His golden eyes gleamed with characteristic bravado.
"Freedom Party is strong!"
His tabby cat tail spiraled behind him for emphasis.
Hyoren chuckled while Elise looked slightly embarrassed by the attention. She tucked a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear—the gesture quick and unconscious.
Jigor rubbed his beard thoughtfully. The coarse hair rasped against his calloused fingers. His expression carried the careful consideration of someone recalculating their assessment.
"Lads..."
He shook his head slowly.
"Most people, including our party, were overwhelmed by the dungeon monsters. They were numerous and spawned quickly."
His expression became serious.
"We usually didn't wander too far from the Starting Room. We'd hunt for a while, gather loot, then head back out after we felt we had done enough for the day."
Vani nodded in agreement. Her hand rested briefly on Jigor's arm—a touch so natural it seemed unconscious.
"The monster density was much higher than expected. We exhausted our potions by midday on the second attempt. Had to retreat early."
Cathy crossed her arms. Her brow furrowed with lingering frustration.
"And there are always more appearing."
She clicked her tongue against her teeth.
"Clear a chamber, rest for ten minutes, and suddenly there are goblins sniffing at your heels again. It never stops."
Denis let out a sigh. The sound carried the weight of accumulated exhaustion.
"You clear one area, then later it feels like monsters are already returning."
He shook his head.
"Couldn't even map properly. Every time we tried to explore further, something would spawn behind us and cut off the retreat."
Jigor laughed bitterly.
"We decided we couldn't continue deep diving before we got used to the dungeon."
Then he shook his head again. His eyes drifted toward the Guild tent in the distance.
"I think most parties only managed to cover at most twenty percent of the first floor map."
Hyoren paused.
The number settled into his mind with quiet significance. Twenty percent. While he, Elise, and Jackey had spent five days pushing deeper, mapping every corridor, clearing every chamber, and ultimately defeating the Floor Guardian—most adventurers had barely scratched the surface.
That puts things into perspective.
For him, Elise, and Jackey, the dungeon had become their temporary home for five days. They had adapted to its rhythm, learned its patterns, and grown strong enough to overcome its challenges.
But for most adventurers, simply surviving the first floor consistently was already a challenge.
The Akela Dungeon was proving to be far more dangerous than many initially expected..
Elise stepped forward.
Her boots moved across the rough ground with quiet purpose, the sound of her footsteps almost lost beneath the constant noise of the bustling settlement. She tucked a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear. Then her smile widened slightly.
"We cleared the first floor, Jigor."
Silence. The word seemed to hang in the air between them.
Jigor's eyes widened. The veteran dwarf's weathered face went slack with surprise, his bushy eyebrows rising toward his hairline with almost comical speed.
Vani froze beside him, her hands stilling mid-motion whatever task they had been performing. Even Cathy and Denis showed obvious surprise, their expressions shifting from casual attention to genuine shock as the weight of Elise's declaration settled upon them.
For several seconds, nobody spoke. The silence stretched between the two groups.
Then Jigor finally recovered. The dwarf blinked several times, as if trying to confirm that he had heard correctly.
"Elise… tell me you're joking."
Elise crossed her arms and smiled. The posture was relaxed but confident, her emerald eyes meeting Jigor's incredulous gaze without wavering.
"We are not joking, Jigor."
Jackey immediately raised both arms high into the air. The Beastkin's muscular frame seemed to vibrate with barely contained excitement, his enthusiasm impossible to suppress even in the presence of the veteran adventurers.
"Freedom Party strong! WOHOO!"
Hyoren chuckled at Jackey's energy. The sound was warm and genuine, carrying the affection of someone who had grown accustomed to the Beastkin's irrepressible nature.
"We're not joking, Jigor."
He gestured toward the tunnel which lead to dungeon entrance behind them.
"We spent four days fully mapping the first floor. Then this morning we cleared the Floor One’s Guardian."
Jigor's eyebrows slowly rose higher. The expression of disbelief deepened on his weathered features, the surprise transforming into something approaching awe.
"Guardian too?"
Hyoren nodded. The motion was calm and assured, carrying none of the excitement that might have accompanied such a declaration from someone less composed.
"Yeah… During our dive, we were wondering why we never saw other adventurers."
A wry smile appeared on his face.
"Turns out most people were only hanging around the starting room, huh…"
Jigor shook his head in disbelief. The motion caused his braided beard to sway gently, the metal rings woven into the strands clinking softly against each other with the movement.
"Lads… you are truly something."
His gaze moved from Jackey, to Elise, then finally settled on Hyoren. The veteran dwarf's eyes studied each of them in turn, his expression shifting from surprise to something more thoughtful as he assessed the three younger adventurers who stood before him.
The more he looked at them, the more amused he became. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, the expression growing more pronounced as the implications of their achievement continued to sink in.
"I guess your party is the strongest on this frontier right now."
Then he laughed loudly. The sound was rich and genuine, booming from his barrel chest with the force of someone who had witnessed something truly unexpected and found it delightful rather than threatening.
"Hahaha! We veterans need to step up our game!"
Vani, his wife, nodded in agreement. Her expression carried the same mixture of surprise and admiration that characterized her husband's reaction, though her demeanor remained more composed.
"We might need to rely on your party's information though."
She looked at Hyoren expectantly. Her eyes held the sharp intelligence of someone who understood the practical value of what these three adventurers had accomplished.
"You fully mapped the first floor, right?"
Hyoren nodded. The gesture was brief but certain.
"Yeah. We were planning to report everything to Guild Master Fiona after this. The spawn patterns. Hidden rooms. The first floor map. The Guardian."
Jigor stroked his beard thoughtfully. His calloused fingers rasped against the coarse hair, the metal rings producing soft metallic sounds as they shifted beneath his touch. The veteran dwarf looked genuinely amused.
"Lads… are you sure?"
His tone became more serious. The shift was subtle but unmistakable.
"Those kinds of information can be worth a fortune."
He crossed his arms over his broad chest.
"You could keep it for yourselves. Sell it to a specific party. Or even monopolize it… Many people would."
Hyoren smiled.
"We already discussed it."
He looked toward Elise. The silver-haired elf met his gaze with serene understanding, her emerald eyes reflecting the same conviction that burned in his own.
The silver-haired elf nodded calmly.
Then he looked toward Jackey. The Beastkin had been watching the exchange with characteristic impatience, his golden eyes darting between the speakers as he waited for his cue.
The cat-clan beastkin immediately raised both hands. His arms shot into the air with enthusiastic energy, his fingers splayed wide as if trying to embrace the entire settlement.
"Yes! No monopoly from Freedom Party! WOHOO!"
Jigor laughed again.
Hyoren turned back toward him. His dark eyes met the dwarf's weathered gaze with steady directness.
"We don't seek fortune from this. We want to get stronger. Keep diving deeper. Keep exploring. We won't stay on the first floor forever."
His voice remained calm, but there was conviction behind it.
"So we'd rather share the information and let Akela benefit from it."
For a moment, the veteran party became quiet. The silence that fell between them was different from the shocked quiet that had followed Elise's initial declaration—this was contemplative, thoughtful, the silence of people processing something unexpected and finding it admirable.
The bustling sounds of the growing dungeon town continued around them.
Merchants shouted their wares to passing adventurers, their voices rising and falling in rhythmic patterns that had become familiar background noise. Workers hammered wood into place, the steady percussion providing a heartbeat for the settlement's constant construction. Adventurers passed by carrying supplies, their footsteps and conversations blending into the ambient tapestry of sound that characterized this frontier outpost.
Yet Jigor simply stared at the three younger adventurers. His weathered face had gone still, the amusement fading into something more profound as he studied them with new eyes.
Then he laughed. A genuine laugh this time—not the booming humor of before, but something warmer and more heartfelt that seemed to rise from deep within his chest.
"Hahaha!"
He shook his head. His braided beard swayed with the motion, the thick strands catching the pale sunlight and gleaming with subtle highlights. The metal rings clinked together.
"Now I understand why Guild Master Fiona speaks highly of you lads. The last time I spoke with her, she couldn't stop talking about you guys. Hahaha!"
Vani smiled warmly. The expression softened her features.
"Akela is lucky to have adventurers like you."
Cathy nodded.
"Most people would have sold that information."
Denis showed a rare smile. The expression seemed almost unfamiliar on his typically stoic features.
"And for a lot of money… definitely…"
Jackey puffed out his chest proudly. The Beastkin's posture became even more erect than usual, his shoulders squared and his chin raised with unmistakable pride.
"Freedom Party is generous!"
The declaration was so shameless that even Jigor burst out laughing again. The dwarf's laughter was infectious, spreading through the group like ripples across still water.
Hyoren and Elise exchanged an amused glance. Their eyes met for a brief moment, shared understanding passing between them without need for verbal communication.
Somehow, hearing Jackey say it out loud made it sound much more ridiculous. The sentiment was genuine enough, but the Beastkin's irrepressible enthusiasm transformed what might have been a noble declaration into something almost comical in its earnestness.
***
Jigor then glanced upward toward the sky.
His weathered eyes squinted against the pale silver light, tracking the position of Silver Luna as it hung above the basin. The celestial body had already begun its slow descent from its zenith.
He looked back toward Hyoren and smiled. The expression carried warmth and genuine respect, the veteran dwarf's weathered face creasing with lines that spoke of countless battles and hard-won wisdom.
"Anyway, you guys deserve some rest. We won't take any more of your time!"
Vani nodded warmly. Her composed features softened into something approaching maternal affection.
"You all really did something great for many of us."
Her expression softened further.
"Please rest well."
Cathy leaned forward slightly and gave them a playful wink. The gesture was quick and mischievous.
"We are definitely going to use that information later!"
She grinned, the expression wide and genuine.
"Thankies!"
Meanwhile, Denis remained as quiet as ever.
The stoic mage said nothing, his expression betraying none of the emotions that might have been stirring beneath the surface. He simply bowed respectfully toward them, the motion formal and precise.
Then Jigor and his party departed.
The veteran adventurers disappeared into the crowd of merchants, laborers, and adventurers moving throughout the growing dungeon town. The bustling settlement swallowed them whole.
Hyoren watched them go for a moment. His dark eyes tracked their departure until the crowd claimed them entirely, the veteran party becoming indistinguishable from the countless other figures that populated the frontier outpost. Then he turned toward his own party, his attention shifting to the matters that still required their attention.
"Okay."
He stretched his shoulders slightly. The motion produced a series of soft pops from his overworked joints.
"Let's go report to Sherly and get our well-deserved rest."
Jackey immediately raised a fist. The Beastkin's arm shot into the air with characteristic enthusiasm, his golden eyes blazing with excitement that seemed inexhaustible despite their prolonged expedition.
"YES!"
Elise smiled and nodded. The gesture was subtle but genuine, her emerald eyes reflecting the quiet satisfaction.
The three of them headed toward the Adventurer's Guild tent. Their footsteps carried them through the crowded settlement, weaving between merchants and laborers and fellow adventurers with the easy coordination that had become their second nature.
As they entered, the atmosphere immediately became more organized than the bustling streets outside. The chaotic energy of the frontier town gave way to something more structured and purposeful, the difference palpable in the way sound and movement seemed to settle into more orderly patterns.
Several wooden tables had been arranged inside the massive tent. The furniture was functional rather than decorative, each surface covered with papers and writing implements that spoke to the administrative work required to manage a dungeon town's operations. The tent was not empty. There was still one adventurer party ahead of them reporting their results to Sherly, their voices carrying in hushed tones as they detailed their expedition to the attentive clerk.
So the Freedom Party quietly waited their turn. They moved to one side of the tent, positioning themselves where they could observe without interrupting the ongoing report.
While waiting, Hyoren listened casually to the ongoing report. His ears caught fragments of conversation.
It sounded familiar. The pattern was recognizable from his earlier conversation with Jigor's party, the same cautious approach repeated by yet another group of adventurers.
Just like Jigor's party, this group had stayed relatively close to the Starting Room. They hunted monsters safely, never straying far from the relative security of the dungeon's entrance. Collected loot from the goblins they slew, gathering magic stones and rusted weapons. Tested the dungeon's difficulty, probing the boundaries of what they could handle without over committing.Turned away before pushing too deep, retreating to safety while they still had the strength and supplies to do so.
Honestly, from what Hyoren had seen today, that was probably how most adventurers approached the Akela Dungeon. Cautiously. Carefully. No unnecessary risks. The first floor was already dangerous enough for many people, its labyrinth corridors and relentless spawn rates presenting challenges that could overwhelm the unprepared or the unlucky.
The three-person party eventually finished their report. Their conversation with Sherly concluded. She accepted their reports and wrote several notes onto a stack of papers, her pen moving with practiced efficiency across the paper.
The adventurers thanked her before leaving the tent, their footsteps carrying them toward the entrance with the slightly hurried pace of people eager to be elsewhere.
As they passed by, one of them glanced curiously at Hyoren's group before heading outside.
As the reception table became empty, Hyoren approached the counter. His boots carried him across the tent floor with measured strides, the sound of his footsteps soft against the packed earth.
"Good Afternoon, Sherly. We're back from the dungeon."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"On schedule."
The neat blonde-haired clerk looked up from her paperwork. Her pen paused mid-stroke, her attention shifting from the documents before her to the three adventurers who had approached her counter.
The moment she recognized them, a visibly relieved expression appeared on her face before turning into a smile. The transformation was dramatic—the tension that had been subtly present in her posture melting away as identification gave way to relief.
"Freedom Party!"
She placed a hand on her chest dramatically. The gesture was theatrical but genuine, the relief in her voice carrying an undercurrent of exasperation that suggested their absence had caused her considerable anxiety.
"It's barely on schedule!"
She shook her head, the motion causing her blonde hair to sway gently around her shoulders.
"No other party actually camps inside the dungeon, and you guys disappeared for five days!"
Jackey looked proud instead of apologetic. The Beastkin's chest swelled with unmistakable satisfaction, his golden eyes gleaming with the pride of someone who had accomplished exactly what he set out to do.
Sherly continued. Her voice carried the tone of someone who had been holding onto frustration for several days and was finally able to express it.
"I know your party registered for a six-day dive, but other adventurers reported that the dungeon has a very high spawn rate and a confusing labyrinth layout."
She adjusted her glasses. The motion was precise and deliberate, the gesture serving as a punctuation mark for her words.
"So they all decided to only probe around the Starting Room before returning."
Her expression softened slightly. The frustration faded from her features, replaced by something gentler and more personal.
"I was almost worried."
Elise stepped forward. Her movement carried the grace that characterized everything she did.
"The encounter rate and spawn rate are indeed a problem."
She nodded in agreement, the gesture confirming Sherly's assessment of the dungeon's challenges.
"We had to fight constantly."
Then she glanced toward Jackey. Her emerald eyes moved to the Beastkin with purposeful intent, acknowledging his contribution to their success.
"But we have Jackey, who is experienced in dungeon diving. And we were prepared beforehand."
She tucked a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear.
"So we decided to keep pushing and clear Floor One."
Jackey immediately flexed both arms. His muscles bulged beneath his skin, the display of physical prowess entirely characteristic of the enthusiastic Beastkin.
"Yes!"
His tail swished behind him, the appendage cutting through the air with energetic sweeps that matched his excited tone.
"So many Green Skulkers!"
Then he puffed out his chest proudly, his posture radiating satisfaction that bordered on smugness.
"But Freedom Party is strong! We whacked everything! HAHAHA"
Sherly stared at him for a moment. Her eyes remained fixed on the Beastkin's form.
Then her professional composure cracked. The stern facade she had maintained throughout their conversation wavered, the corners of her mouth twitching with suppressed amusement.
"Pfft…"
She quickly covered her mouth. Her hand rose to conceal the smile that threatened to break through her professional demeanor, the gesture coming too late to hide her reaction entirely.
"You guys truly are different…"
A warm smile appeared on her face.
"No wonder when Senior Ina visited yesterday and I reported that your party still hadn't returned, she said it was fine and I don’t need to panic."
Hyoren blinked in surprise. The information caught him off guard, his expression shifting to one of startled curiosity.
"Sherly, Ina came to this town?"
Sherly nodded. The motion was casual, as if the visit had been unremarkable despite the significance of the person involved.
"Yeah. A routine inspection."
She shuffled a few papers on her desk. Her fingers moved through the documents with practiced ease, the motion automatic while her attention remained focused on their conversation.
"She asked if there were any problems with the guild branch and how the dungeon expedition was progressing."
Hyoren nodded slowly.
That made sense. The Guild would naturally inspect branches near newly discovered dungeons to make sure everything was functioning properly. The combination of new territory, increased adventurer traffic, and the inherent dangers of dungeon exploration created circumstances that required careful oversight.
And Ina, as Vice Guild Master, was exactly the sort of person who would be sent.
Her combination of administrative competence and combat experience made her ideally suited for evaluating frontier operations where both skills might be required. Still—hearing that Ina had not been worried about them gave Hyoren a warm feeling in his chest.
She trusted them. Or at least trusted his judgment enough not to panic.
Hyoren smiled. Then his expression became more serious, the shift in demeanor signaling the transition from casual conversation to official business.
"Okay then, Sherly."
He placed both hands on the counter. His palms pressed against the wooden surface, the contact grounding him as he prepared to deliver the substantial information they had gathered.
"Please listen carefully. We have a lot of things to report."
Sherly immediately straightened in her seat.
She grabbed a fresh stack of paper. Her other hand reached for her pen. The pen hovered above the blank parchment, ready to capture whatever information they were about to provide.
"Okay..."
The blonde clerk nodded.
"Please begin your report."
Hyoren glanced briefly toward Elise and Jackey. His dark eyes moved from one to the other, a silent communication passing between them.
Elise gave a slight nod. Jackey gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
Both silently leaving the explanation to him as the party leader. The decision had been made without discussion, their trust in his ability to articulate their findings implicit in their silence.
Hyoren took a breath. The air filled his lungs, the familiar scent of paper and ink and canvas settling around him like a cloak. Then began his report.
***
Hyoren handed over his guild card along with Elise's and Jackey's. The three metallic rectangles transferred from his possession to Sherly's waiting hand.
Then Hyoren began speaking. His voice was calm and measured, the tone of someone delivering information they had carefully organized in advance.
"We managed to kill a total of 1,256 goblins."
Sherly's pen immediately stopped moving. The writing implement froze above the paper, its tip hovering motionless in the air as the significance of the number registered upon her consciousness.
"And a single Goblin Berserker acting as the Floor Guardian."
The pen remained frozen above the paper. Sherly's eyes had widened slightly, her professional composure showing the first cracks under the weight of information that seemed to defy normal expectations.
Hyoren glanced briefly toward Elise before looking back at Sherly.
"We also have reports regarding the Guardian itself. Its capabilities, combat behavior, and skills."
He continued counting on his fingers.
"We also have information regarding a hidden corridor, a Monster Room, and a complete map of Floor One."
Then he smiled politely.
"Which one would you like to hear first?"
Silence.
Sherly's pen remained suspended in midair. Her eyes slowly widened, the motion gradual but unmistakable as the full implications of everything Hyoren had just said cascaded through her mind like an avalanche gaining momentum.
Hyoren patiently waited. His posture remained relaxed.
Several seconds passed. The quiet stretched between them, filled only by the distant sounds of the settlement continuing its ceaseless activity beyond the tent walls. Then Sherly suddenly shook her head rapidly. The motion was vigorous and almost frantic, her blonde hair whipping back and forth with enough force to dislodge several strands from their careful arrangement.
"Wait… Wait wait wait wait wait!"
She put both hands on the desk. Her palms slapped against the wooden surface with a sound that echoed through the tent, the impact emphasizing the urgency of her demand.
"Please waiiiitttt!"
The blonde-haired, bespectacled clerk just couldn’t hold it anymore.
Sherly’s composure finally cracked. The report given by the Freedom Party was simply too absurd.