Chapter 186 – Well Deserved Rest
Chapter 186
Well Deserved Rest
Date : Day 2 of Frostfall 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Two days ago Freedom Party successfully defeated the Floor 2 Guardian—the Goblin Ruler.
They emerged from the dungeon victorious.
Although their delayed return had caused quite an uproar from Ina—who had nearly entered the dungeon herself to search for them—they had made it back safely.
After returning to Akela, the exhausted party went straight home. They spent the rest of that day sleeping, allowing both their bodies and minds to fully recover from the grueling ten-day expedition.
Only yesterday—after everyone had recovered sufficiently—Freedom Party finally visited Guild Master Fiona to submit their complete Scouting Quest report. They handed over the completed map of the second floor. They confirmed that, unlike the first floor, there were no hidden chambers or Monster Rooms.
Then they thoroughly explained every detail regarding the Floor 2 Guardian. The Goblin Ruler and its summoned army of exactly 1,500 Goblins. Once the army's numbers dropped below 50%, the Goblin Ruler would cast a battlefield-wide enhancement, significantly increasing the combat ability of every remaining Goblin under its command.
After that,they described the battle against the Goblin Ruler itself. Unlike the Goblin Berserker, the Goblin Ruler possessed no troublesome ability such as regeneration.
Instead, its true danger lay elsewhere.
Its Demon Steel armor and its skillful dual-wielding of sword and flag bearer proved more dangerous than the First Floor Guardian.
Guild Master Fiona carefully listened to every detail before recording the information for future adventurer parties.
With the report completed Freedom Party decided to immediately return home again. They spent the remainder of the day resting once more. Recovering. Relaxing. Enjoying the peace.
And just like that, two days quietly passed for Hyoren.
***
Hyoren stirred.
He slowly woke as he felt something move beside him. It was Ina. The Cat-clan Beastkin shifted beneath the blanket before slowly opening her eyes.
She let out a sleepy yawn as she sat upright.
That small movement was enough to wake Hyoren as well. He opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw after waking up was Ina's figure. Her petite form was gently illuminated by the morning light of silver sun streaming through the bedroom window.
She stretched both arms above her head.
"Munyaaa..."
After finishing her stretch, she turned toward him. A gentle smile bloomed across her face. Her cat ears gave a small twitch.
"Morning, Hyoren. Sleep well?"
Hyoren smiled back. He propped himself up with one elbow.
"Good morning, Ina. The best sleep."
He leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss. Then he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Soft bed… And I have the best hugging pillow ever."
His free hand reached toward her head. Gently, he began rubbing her fluffy cat ears. Her ears instantly perked upright. They twitched uncontrollably beneath his fingers.
Ina's face quickly turned bright red. She lightly tapped Hyoren's back in protest.
"Hey… It's still morning! And I have work!"
Hyoren laughed softly before letting her go.
"Sorry. I just wanted to give you enough attention after the ruckus two days ago."
Ina's blush deepened.
"Hyoren, please stop..."
She looked away, unable to meet his eyes.
Hyoren chuckled.
"Haha. Sorry, sorry."
He stretched his arms overhead before sitting up completely.
"Okay… Time to prepare for the day."
Ina smiled softly.
The tension left her body. Her perked cat ears gradually relaxed. Even her tail gently swayed behind her once again.
She leaned closer. Then lightly pecked Hyoren on the cheek.
"Good. I'll be late otherwise."
She slowly climbed down from the bed.
Her silk negligee, discarded on the floor the previous night, was neatly picked up before she slipped it back on. After straightening her clothes, she walked toward the master bedroom door.
"Okay, Hyoren. I'll go back to my room and get ready. See you later at breakfast."
Hyoren smiled. He simply raised a hand and gave her a small wave.
"See you later."
Ina returned the smile. Then she quietly opened the door. A moment later, the bedroom door closed behind her with a soft click.
***
After finishing his morning routine, Hyoren headed downstairs. His footsteps echoed softly against the wooden staircase as he descended toward the first floor.
The closer he got to the dining room, the stronger the aroma of freshly prepared breakfast became. The rich scent immediately stirred his appetite. He unconsciously quickened his pace.
He opened the dining room door. A warm sight greeted him.
Inside the kitchen, Lena and Vina—the Fox-clan Beastkin mother and daughter—were carrying the final dishes toward the dining table. Several plates of breakfast had already been prepared, waiting to be served.
Hyoren's gaze naturally shifted toward the long dining table.
Crafted from heavy dark oak, it was large enough to comfortably seat ten people.
At the head of the table, his chair remained empty. Waiting for him. He quickly crossed over the room to sit on it.
To the seat on his left sat Elise.
The silver-haired elf leisurely sipped a cup of tea. Today, she had left her long silver hair loose instead of tying it back. Her outfit was simple. A green blouse paired with a small cardigan to ward off the winter chill.
As always, everything she wore was some shade of green.
Noticing him, she smiled gently.
"Morning, Hyoren."
He smiled back at her.
“Good morning, Elise.”
On his right sat Ina.
The Cat-clan Beastkin whom he had shared his bed with the previous night. His second lover rested her chin against one hand while quietly watching Vina finish arranging the table. Her Adventurer's Guild clerk uniform was as crisp and tidy as ever.
Beside Ina—Jackey was practically vibrating with anticipation.
The energetic Beastkin already had a fork in one hand and a knife in the other. His eyes remained locked on the food.
"Meat… Meat!"
Across from Jackey and beside Elise, sat the young noblewoman with long crimson hair.
Arianna wasn't wearing her usual wide-brimmed mage hat nor her signature purple robe. Instead, she wore a casual top beneath a dark purple jacket. Her long, wavy crimson hair had been tied neatly behind her neck in a simple low ponytail.
She was quietly reading a journal. Her brows were slightly knitted together in concentration.
There was no trace left of the severe Aethell Exhaustion she had suffered after the battle with the Goblin Ruler. She had recovered completely.
Hyoren walked to the head of the table before taking his seat.
"Good morning, everyone."
Arianna looked up from her journal. She gave a small nod.
"Good morning, Leader."
Jackey enthusiastically bobbed his head.
"Morning, Big Bro!"
At that moment, Lena placed Hyoren's breakfast before him.
The plate was generously filled. Slices of Ramtauro bacon. Several thick sausages. Perfectly cooked eggs. And a steaming cup of coffee was placed beside the plate.
The rich aroma immediately tickled his nose.
"Thank you, Lena."
Lena gave a respectful bow.
"My pleasure, Master Hyoren."
Once every plate had been served, Lena and Vina finally took their own seats at the opposite end of the table.
Hyoren quietly looked around the dining room.
A gentle smile naturally formed on his face. After spending ten days inside the dungeon. Surrounded by battles. Monsters. And danger.
This ordinary breakfast. Everyone peacefully gathered around the same table. It felt incredibly precious.
It felt like—home.
His dark eyes drifted toward Jackey, who looked moments away from attacking the food before anyone else.
Hyoren chuckled.
"Okay then, everyone. Let's eat."
The dining room quickly filled with cheerful voices. Then everyone happily began enjoying breakfast together.
***
After breakfast had been served, the dining room gradually fell into a comfortable silence.
The only sounds were the soft clinking of forks and knives against ceramic plates, accompanied by the occasional slurp from Jackey as he emptied his cup.
There was no need for conversation.
Simply sharing a meal beneath the same roof was warm enough. For a while, everyone quietly enjoyed their breakfast.
Eventually, most of them had nearly finished.
Well, everyone except Jackey. The Cat-clan Beastkin was already enthusiastically devouring his second serving without showing any signs of slowing down.
Hyoren set down his fork and knife.
"Okay, everyone."
Everyone looked toward him.
"We've already rested for two days..."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"But I think we should rest a little longer."
Although no one had complained, he could tell they were still mentally exhausted after spending ten consecutive days inside the dungeon.
Arianna had also fully recovered from the backlash of exhausting her Aethell Core. However, recovering from Aethell depletion and recovering from dungeon fatigue were two entirely different matters.
For ten days, they had breathed the stale air of the dungeon. They had remained inside an enclosed environment where there was no sunrise or sunset. Without checking their pocket watches, they wouldn't even know whether it was day or night.
Living under those conditions for an extended period inevitably wore down a person's mind.
Hyoren looked around the table.
"Maybe... a week of rest?"
He thought for a moment before correcting himself.
"We'll enter the dungeon again in four days. On the 6th of Frostfall."
A brief silence followed. Then Ina slowly raised one hand.
"Please wait a moment. I don't think you should hurry back into the dungeon."
Hyoren tilted his head.
"Why, Ina? I thought one week of rest would be enough."
Ina's cat ears twitched slightly.
"That would normally be true if you had followed your original schedule."
She folded her hands together atop the table.
"But during your last dive, everyone pushed themselves too far. As guild staff, we generally recommend staying inside a dungeon for around one week. Nine days is usually considered the limit for..."
She paused, searching for the right words.
But before she could continue, Arianna calmly finished the explanation.
"Yes, Leader. I've studied this before at the academy."
The young noblewoman looked toward Hyoren.
"Even scholars agree that a person's psyche can gradually change if they spend too much time repeatedly exploring dungeons."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Some scholars believe it is the lingering influence of Demon God Gidol. They claim that spending too much time within a dungeon slowly makes adventurers more prone to anger and emotional instability."
She lightly shrugged.
"Personally, however... I believe most scholars lean toward a psychological explanation. Remaining inside a cramped, enclosed environment for too long naturally places a burden on the mind."
Hyoren thoughtfully tapped his chin.
As a former medical student, psychology had been one of the subjects he studied back on Earth. Although he certainly wasn't an expert, the explanation made perfect sense.
"I see… So because we stayed in the dungeon much longer than recommended, you're suggesting we shouldn't rush back in?"
Ina nodded.
"Exactly. There are times when adventurers remain inside a dungeon for several weeks."
She gently brushed a strand of her shoulder-length brown hair.
“For example, if they're attempting to clear an especially massive floor. But afterward… They usually take a much longer break to compensate. That's why I recommend your party do the same."
Jackey swallowed an enormous mouthful of Ramtauro bacon before vigorously nodding.
Despite being completely focused on stuffing himself with breakfast, it seemed at least part of the conversation had reached him.
"Yeah, Big Bro!"
He pointed his fork toward Hyoren while still chewing.
"My old party once stayed inside a dungeon for three whole weeks!"
His tabby cat ears flattened slightly as he recalled the memory.
"It was awful! We barely knew what day it was anymore. Wake up. Fight monsters. Eat. Sleep. Then repeat!"
He shuddered dramatically.
"By the time we finally came out, I thought the sunlight was gonna blind me!"
Everyone around the table chuckled.
Jackey quickly swallowed another bite before continuing.
"Our party leader immediately gave everyone almost a whole month off afterward! He said if we went back into another dungeon too soon, we'd either kill each other or go crazy."
Jackey scratched the back of his head.
"At the time I thought he was just making excuses because he wanted a vacation."
He laughed sheepishly.
"But looking back… He was probably right. Those three weeks inside the dungeon were truly hell."
Laughter spread around the dining room.
Even Hyoren smiled.
Jackey might act carefree most of the time, but his own experience perfectly supported what Ina and Arianna had been saying.
Ina nodded with a satisfied smile.
"See? That's exactly what I mean."
She looked toward Hyoren.
"Physical fatigue can be healed with food, sleep, and healing magic. But mental exhaustion isn't nearly as simple. That's why the Adventurer's Guild encourages parties to rest properly after long dungeon expeditions."
She smiled gently.
"It's not because we think adventurers are lazy. It's because we want them to stay alive... and stay themselves.”
Hyoren nodded in understanding.
"I see. That sounds perfectly logical."
A warm smile appeared on Ina's face.
"Since all of you spent ten days inside the dungeon… I think resting for another ten days would be appropriate."
Before Hyoren could respond, a soft laugh escaped Elise.
"Fufufu… Ina."
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her pointed ear.
"I agree we should rest a little longer. But..."
She paused dramatically.
"Ten days is awfully specific. And I think I know why."
Hyoren blinked.
He looked around the table. Arianna was already smiling knowingly. Lena and Vina exchanged amused glances. Only Jackey remained completely oblivious as he returned to attack his mountain of food.
Ina's cheeks immediately turned red.
"W-What do you mean, Elise? I was only recommending what I thought would be best for your party!"
Elise laughed again.
"Fufufu… The 10th of Frostfall. Isn't that right?"
Hyoren frowned in confusion.
"What do you mean, Elise? What's happening on the 10th of Frostfall?"
The emerald eyes of the elf sparkled mischievously.
"Ask the one who suggested it herself. Fufufu..."
Hyoren turned toward Ina. Ina let out a defeated sigh.
"Fine… I admit it."
She puffed out her cheeks before pointing her fork accusingly toward Elise.
"I wanted to go to the festival with all of you!"
She huffed.
"There. Are you satisfied now?"
For a brief moment, silence filled the dining room. Then everyone burst into laughter.
Even Arianna couldn't suppress her amusement.
"Ohoho… Lady Ina truly is quite amusing."
Lena and Vina looked at each other with gentle smiles.
"The festival, huh?"
Lena nodded.
"Indeed. It's almost here."
Vina's fluffy tail immediately wagged.
"Mother! Can I go with Dirk?"
Lena smiled warmly at her daughter.
"Of course. Enjoy the festival with your boyfriend. But be careful, okay?”
Vina nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! Thank you, Mother!"
Hyoren remained the only one still confused. He looked toward Elise for help.
"What festival?"
Elise smiled gently.
"The Snow Festival, Hyoren. It's held every year on the 10th of Frostfall here in Akela."
She turned her gaze toward the window. Beyond the glass, Silver Luna hung high above the winter sky.
"In the Akela region… The first snowfall usually arrives on the 7th, 8th, or at the latest, the 9th of Frostfall. And to celebrate the arrival of winter's first snow… The city holds a festival."
Hyoren's interest was immediately piqued. This would be his first festival in another world.
A Snow Festival, huh… A Winter Festival then…
His thoughts immediately drifted back to Earth.
Will it be like the Sapporo Snow Festival...? Or perhaps something similar to the Kamakura festivals...?
He had always enjoyed attending winter festivals with his friends back in Japan.
This world's version would be completely different. And his curiosity only continued to grow.
"Ooh… That sounds interesting."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Tell me more."
He wanted to learn everything he could about the festivals of Kresneger.
Ina's amber eyes immediately lit up.
"It's really fun, Hyoren."
Her fluffy cat ears perked up with excitement.
"There'll be so many stalls! They sell all kinds of things. Food, drinks, handmade trinkets... even some rare items brought by traveling merchants."
She smiled as if she were already picturing the lively streets.
"Sometimes merchants from neighboring towns and villages come as well. So there are always new things to see every year."
She paused before continuing.
"Oh! There are also musical performances. Many bards come to perform throughout the festival. They sing, play instruments, and even tell heroic tales."
Hyoren nodded thoughtfully.
From the sound of it, it wasn't all that different from the festivals back in Japan. The only difference was that this one was set in Kresneger.
"Is there anything else?"
Ina nodded enthusiastically.
"And then… The main attraction. A snow sculpture contest!"
Her smile widened.
"Anyone can participate. Individuals, families, even parties of adventurers. They sculpt anything they want from snow, and the judges choose the winners."
Hyoren's interest immediately grew.
A snow sculpture contest… So it really is similar to the Snow Festival I know…
An image of enormous snow sculptures from Sapporo flashed across his mind. He had visited the festival several times back on Earth. Towering castles. Anime characters. Historical monuments.
The memories naturally resurfaced. A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"I see. That does sound fun."
Elise nodded in agreement. Her long silver hair gently swayed as she moved.
"It truly is one of Akela's most enjoyable festivals."
She took another sip of her tea before continuing.
"The city becomes incredibly lively. People travel from villages, settlements, and even neighboring towns just to attend. The streets are packed from morning until late evening."
She paused.
"There are children playing in the snow… Families enjoying the festivities… And adventurers spending the coin they earned throughout the year."
A gentle smile appeared on her lips.
"So… Even if Ina hadn't suggested extending our break… I was actually planning to suggest it myself."
Ina immediately puffed out her cheeks.
"See?"
She crossed her arms.
"Then why did you tease me? Humph."
The adorable pout only made everyone laugh even harder.
Even Arianna covered her mouth with one hand, unable to suppress a graceful laugh.
"Ohoho… Lady Ina is surprisingly easy to tease."
Jackey, who had finally finished his second serving, grinned broadly.
"HAHA! Big Sis was always like that!"
Hyoren couldn't help smiling at the cheerful atmosphere around the table.
Then he nodded.
"I see. It really would be a shame if we were trapped inside the dungeon while everyone else was enjoying such a festival."
His gaze slowly swept across every member of Freedom Party.
A smile spread across his face.
"Then it's settled. We won't enter the dungeon again until the 11th of Frostfall."
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"We'll enjoy the Snow Festival first… Then, after we've had our fill of fun… We'll head back into the dungeon."
For a brief moment, everyone looked at one another. Then smiles blossomed across every face.
"Yes!"
"Agreed!"
"I can't wait!"
"WOHOO!"
The dining room erupted with cheerful voices.
Their next dungeon expedition could wait. For now, Freedom Party would enjoy their well-earned rest together.
***
After breakfast, Hyoren and Elise stepped out onto the front porch of Wyvern Street Manor. Their home stood quietly beneath the pale silver light of Luna, its stone walls and wooden beams untouched by snow—for now.
Today's objective was simple.
Sort through the loot they had obtained during the dungeon expedition. Among the pile were three unidentified weapons waiting to be appraised. Two had come from the golden chest inside the Monster Room. The last had been dropped by the Goblin Ruler itself.
Besides that, Hyoren also needed to visit the blacksmith.
His chainmail bore countless damage from repeated battles, while his shield had accumulated deep scratches and several dents after blocking countless times.
Both had served him faithfully. Both deserved proper repairs before their next dungeon dive.
A cold breeze swept through the street.
Hyoren instinctively pulled his jacket a little tighter around himself.
Winter had already settled over the region. Although snow had yet to fall. It wouldn't be long now. The chilly air alone was enough to make his breath faintly visible.
Beside him, Elise adjusted the front of her cardigan. The cardigan wasn't particularly thick, but it was more than enough to keep away the winter chill.
Her long silver hair remained loose, gently swaying with the winter breeze
Hyoren glanced toward her.
"Let's go, Elise?"
Elise returned his gaze before giving a small nod. A gentle smile appeared on her lips.
"Let's go, Hyoren."
The two of them stepped off the porch and walked through the front gate together.
Today's outing would only be the two of them.
Ina had already left early for work at the Adventurer's Guild.
Meanwhile, Jackey and Arianna had both decided to stay home.
Although their bodies had recovered, the long dungeon expedition had clearly taken a greater mental toll on them than either wished to admit.
Jackey had declared he wanted to spend the entire day sleeping. As for Arianna, she intended to continue reading several journals she got from the Academy before.
After everything they had endured over the past ten days. A peaceful day at home was well deserved.
The manor gate closed softly behind them.
Without any particular hurry, Hyoren and Elise began strolling down the streets of Akela City, enjoying the crisp winter morning together.
***
As they walked along the familiar streets of Wyvern Street, the lively entertainment district gradually came into view.
The streets were already bustling despite the early hour. Taverns had their doors wide open. Laughter drifted from inside. The cheerful melodies of music and song mixed with the chatter of patrons.
A few escorts stood near the entrances of luxurious establishments, politely greeting passersby while hoping to attract customers.
The entire district was as lively as ever.
Months ago, Hyoren would have found the atmosphere somewhat overwhelming.
Now, it had become just another part of everyday life. Neither he nor Elise paid it much attention anymore. They simply continued walking side by side.
The crisp winter breeze gently brushed past them.
Hyoren glanced toward the silver-haired elf walking beside him.
"It's been a while since we've gone out with just the two of us like this, hasn't it, Elise?"
Elise gently brushed a strand of silver hair away from her face.
"That's true..."
A soft smile naturally bloomed across her lips.
"Then..."
She looked at him with amused emerald eyes.
"Let's enjoy today's date… Fufufu."
Hyoren couldn't help chuckling.
"A date, huh? I guess I like the sound of that."
Back then, it had always been just the two of them. Shopping for daily necessities. Buying supplies before an expedition. Accepting quests. Adventuring. Eating together. Walking through Akela City's streets.
Almost every memory from those early days in Akela had been shared solely between himself and Elise.
Then Ina had become part of their family. After that came Jackey. Then Lena and Vina. And now—Arianna.
Their household had steadily grown livelier. Freedom Party was no longer a party of two.
The household at Wyvern Street Manor, their home, also kept growing. It had become a home filled with laughter, conversations, and footsteps echoing through its halls.
Hyoren was genuinely happy about that. He wouldn't trade any of them for anything.
Still, it also meant opportunities like this had quietly become much rarer. Time alone with his first lover naturally became less frequent as more people entered their lives.
He stole another glance at Elise.
She walked beside him at an unhurried pace, quietly enjoying the peaceful morning without saying a word.
A faint smile rested on her face.
Hyoren also smiled at her.
I should make the most of today…
With that quiet resolve forming in his heart, Hyoren continued walking through the winter streets.
Beside him, the silver-haired elf matched his pace perfectly as the two of them enjoyed their rare date together.
***
After leaving Wyvern Street behind, the two of them turned into the Adventurer's District.
The bustling streets immediately greeted them.
Rows of street vendors lined both sides of the road, enthusiastically calling out to passing customers while displaying their wares. Fresh ingredients. Everyday necessities. Equipment maintenance supplies. Small accessories.
The district never lacked merchandise for adventurers preparing for their next expedition.
Groups of adventurers strode purposefully along the streets.
Some headed toward the Adventurer's Guild branch to accept new quests. Others were making their way toward the city gates, likely bound for the Dungeon Town or the surrounding wilderness. Some, however, looked completely relaxed, simply enjoying a day off after returning from an expedition.
Hyoren and Elise slowly weaved through the crowds.
Neither of them was in a hurry. Today wasn't about rushing from place to place. It was simply a leisurely outing.
Their date.
Before long, not far from the Adventurer's Guild branch, they arrived at their first destination.
Grit & Gear Arms. Borin's blacksmith shop.
Without hesitation, the two stepped inside. The small bell above the entrance rang, announcing their arrival.
A wave of sweltering heat immediately washed over them. It was a stark contrast to the cold winter air outside. The warmth of the forge quickly chased away the chill lingering beneath Hyoren's jacket.
Inside, Ironforge's Borin was hard at work.
The dwarf blacksmith stood before a blazing furnace, repeatedly striking a glowing piece of metal atop his anvil. Each powerful swing echoed throughout the workshop with a steady rhythm.
The familiar sound brought a faint smile to Hyoren's face.
Borin noticed movement near the entrance. His hammer stopped midair. He turned toward the door. The moment he recognized the visitors, a broad grin spread across his bearded face.
"Hey! If it isn't the lad..."
His eyes shifted toward the silver-haired elf.
"And you, Elf Ranger... Elise! Long time no see!"
With practiced movements, Borin picked up the glowing metal using a pair of tongs before lowering it into the quenching barrel. Steam immediately billowed upward with hissing sound.
Afterward, he adjusted the runic controls attached to the furnace, lowering the intensity of the flames. The roaring fire gradually settled. At the same time, the temperature inside the workshop became noticeably more comfortable.
Removing his thick blacksmithing gloves, Borin walked over to the front counter.
Hyoren greeted him with an outstretched hand.
"Hello, Borin. We've been cooped up inside the dungeon."
Borin firmly returned the handshake before folding his muscular arms across his chest.
"That's exactly what adventurers are supposed to do! Hahaha!"
Hyoren and Elise both chuckled. It had indeed been quite some time since they had last visited the shop.
Borin leaned slightly over the counter.
"So… What brings you here? Need a new sword? New armor? Or..."
He suddenly paused. A mischievous grin spread across his face.
"Don't tell me… You're changing weapons again? To an axe this time? Hahaha!"
Hyoren scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"No, Borin. I'm perfectly happy using a sword. Changing weapons once was already more than enough. The retraining was absolute hell."
The dwarf burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! That's why I said you were a weird lad! You already had a perfectly good spear… And then you suddenly decided to switch to a sword!"
He shook his head while laughing.
"Most adventurers stick with one weapon their whole lives. Takes guts to start over from scratch."
Hyoren could only smile wryly.
Looking back, learning the sword and shield after becoming accustomed to fighting with a spear really had been an exhausting process.
Eventually, Borin tapped the wooden counter with one thick finger.
"Alright then. So… What do you need today?"
The dwarf smirked confidently. Ready to help his old customers once again.
Hyoren smiled before reaching into his storage bag.
"I actually came because of these."
The first thing he pulled out was a massive greatsword.
Even with his current Strength, Hyoren had to use both hands just to lift it out of the storage bag. With a heavy swing, he carefully laid it across the velvet-covered counter with a heavy sound. The counter groaned under its tremendous weight.
Borin's thick eyebrows immediately rose.
The weapon was enormous. Its blade gleamed in a pristine white, yet the rest of the weapon was dominated by a deep emerald green. The hilt. The crossguard. Even nearly half of the blade itself was engraved with intricate green runic patterns that intertwined with one another.
The weapon measured well over two meters in length. Its sheer size alone made it an intimidating sight.
To Hyoren's eyes, however, the elaborate ornaments decorating the sword felt excessive.
Not only did they add unnecessary weight, but the overly extravagant design also made the weapon appear somewhat gaudy. It certainly wasn't a sword he would ever choose to wield.
"This came from the gold chest in the first Monster Room we cleared."
Then Hyoren reached into his storage bag once more.
This time, he withdrew a mace.
Unlike the gigantic greatsword, it was a one-handed weapon. He gently placed it beside the larger weapon. Compared to the greatsword, it looked almost modest.
"This one came from the gold chest in the second one."
The mace was crafted entirely in pure white.
Its shaft was smooth and sturdy, leading to a beautifully balanced head that immediately drew the eye. Rather than being covered in excessive ornaments, every detail seemed deliberate. Elegant. Refined.
Intricate runic inscription flowed naturally across the weapon from top to bottom, carved directly into the white metal itself. The patterns were delicate and harmonious, giving the impression of carefully written scripture instead of mere decoration.
At the very top of the mace rested a small crown-shaped crest.
It wasn't large enough to dominate the design. Instead, it served as a graceful finishing touch, lending the weapon an air of quiet dignity.
At the opposite end of the shaft, a compact counterweight completed its balance, making the weapon appear practical despite its exquisite craftsmanship.
The mace possessed a robust build suitable for battle. Yet, instead of feeling heavy or intimidating, it radiated purity. A quiet holiness. The kind of weapon that looked as though it belonged in the hands of a saint, a priest, or a holy knight rather than an ordinary warrior.
Its beauty wasn't flashy. It was serene.
The more one looked at it, the more its craftsmanship became apparent.
Hyoren looked toward the dwarf.
"Okay, Borin… These are the first two pieces of loot we want you to appraise.”