The morning sun in Seiwa bathed every street in gentle light.
The scent of freshly baked bread, the laughter of girls in short skirts walking together, and the rumble of carriage wheels all melded into a vibrant symphony as the city slowly came alive.
Western Seiwa.
This was the entrance to the underground mines—what people often referred to as the “dungeon.”
Because of the mines, magical beasts living in the caverns would generate magic crystals within their bodies. These crystals were the power source for all rune-based artifacts and sacred offerings used by the Church.
Hunting magical beasts to obtain magic crystals was like drilling for oil.
And just like oil fields attract all sorts of unsavory characters, dungeons were naturally breeding grounds for shady dealings.
To maintain order, low-rank adventurers were required to pay an entrance fee to the Adventurers’ Guild.
Once the guild had “robbed” you, at least you wouldn’t be robbed by someone else. If anyone tried, the guild would step in to punish them.
Simple logic.
“Ah, Mr. Felyn, back again? The school already informed us. You’re eligible for a crystal badge this time.”
Different badges granted access to different dungeon layers and monster levels. Coming alone would normally only earn a bronze badge.
“Thank you, Lucia.”
Lucia, the receptionist at the guild, was a curvy girl with a charming face. Her black stockings and white uniform accentuated her figure.
Noticing the youthful aura Felyn carried, untainted by society, Lucia felt a flutter stir in her heart.
She’d seen this handsome young man several times over the past few months.
“Here, take your badge, handsome.”
Lucia picked up the crystal badge and, under Felyn’s gaze, slid it between her chest, squishing it snugly between her generous assets.
It was exhausting being ogled every day by unwashed old men who hadn’t bathed in half a month.
She hated old men, and was becoming one herself in spirit.
Still, teasing someone felt incredibly satisfying.
“Why aren’t you taking it? Embarrassed?”
Maybe he’d think about her all day. Maybe he’d even fantasize about her tonight while relaxing at home.
“Thanks.”
Felyn reached out and gently retrieved the still-warm badge from her chest.
He kissed it and winked at Lucia.
“Blessed by the goddess of fortune today. I just know something good is going to happen.”
Lucia stood frozen on the spot, her expression stiff.
“Wait, Mr. Felyn, I happen to be free after work tonight. Want to hang out? I live at 512 Ranko District. I have a little brother and sister. My dad’s job is—”
Felyn gave a sweet smile, waved, and walked toward the dungeon entrance.
“I don’t need a dowry…” Lucia didn’t realize how much she’d just blurted out.
The dungeon entrance was unusually lively today.
Two academies had gathered around a hundred students here.
Each group consisted of five people. There were no powerful instructors leading them.
After all, this was a student council-organized activity. So no teachers involved.
“Did you hear? The team arrangements this year are really weird.”
“Yeah, I heard Caroline, Robert, and Emma. The top three in the year are all on the same team.”
“Isn’t that stacking the strongest together?”
“Someone must’ve arranged it on purpose, right?”
Felyn stood in the corner, eavesdropping on their conversation.
None of his classmates or friends were willing to join him, so he was forced to participate in this group activity.
Dungeons were dangerous places filled with magical beasts. Without teammates, the danger spiked drastically.
Yesterday, he overheard that Adelina seemed to be handling the team assignments.
Was she the one who arranged this for him?
"Guess I’ve been around Adelina too long," Felyn thought with a wry smile.
He was surprised he even entertained the idea.
To someone like that noble lady, he was just a tool to vent her frustration.
“The team assignments will now be announced.”
Names were read aloud, one group after another. When the top three names were mentioned, everyone silently prayed they’d be in that group.
Felyn sat in the corner, hearing two completely unfamiliar names.
Of course, it had nothing to do with him.
He was foolish to think someone would go out of their way to help him.
“Felyn Sorester.”
Here it comes. Please, just give me some competent teammates! Please!
He waited.
And waited.
No other names followed.
“That concludes the group assignments.”
He was in a team—by himself?
You’ve got to be kidding!
The other students whispered among themselves and glanced at him, but didn’t press further.
As a former noble, Felyn wasn’t welcomed by commoners. His reputation at school wasn’t great either, thanks to the whole Viloti situation.
No one would speak up for him.
Felyn felt helpless. I must’ve been framed by a villain.
Who knew being this good-looking would still get him ostracized?
Wasn’t there a gentle girl secretly crushing on me who’d jump in to team up?
He watched as the other students formed groups and walked into the dungeon entrance. He was left fuming.
At this point, even a male teammate would be fine!
The once-bustling plaza was now quiet, wind rustling through the empty space.
Oh well. Going solo has its perks. It will be peaceful and quiet.
Felyn sighed and headed toward the dungeon.
“Felyn.”
A familiar, gentle voice called from behind.
He turned to see Adelina standing there.
She wore a light blue, casual long dress embroidered with silver patterns that shimmered as she moved.
A white ribbon cinched her waist, highlighting her slim figure.
Her rose-tea-colored hair was tied into a high ponytail, a few strands brushing her cheeks, fluttering gently in the breeze. The tips curled slightly.
Her makeup was subtle. Her lashes curled upward, and the coral lip gloss made her skin look even more porcelain.
She looked less like someone going dungeon-diving and more like she was headed on a picnic.
“You’re alone… Was there a mistake in the team assignments?”
No way. Unless the student council was completely blind, there’s no way they’d mistakenly put someone solo.
“Maybe someone in the council just doesn’t like me.”
Felyn scratched his head and gave a helpless smile, trying to appear gracious despite the clear sabotage.
“Then that’s a serious oversight on the council’s part.”
Adelina absentmindedly twirled a strand of hair with her fingers.
“I was planning to hunt for magic crystals in the dungeon today too. How about we team up?”
She still looked gentle and kind, but something in her tone made Felyn uneasy.
“Think of it as my way of apologizing on behalf of the student council for how you were treated.”
Felyn instantly saw through everything.
So Adelina tampered with the list?
What did that mean?
Could it be that my pursuit of Viloti had been discovered, and she was taking me into the dungeon to silence me?
He noticed the plaza was now completely empty—not a single potential witness.
Crap. She really is going to kill me.
“If someone sees me with Lady Adelina, won’t that cause misunderstandings?”
“Don’t worry, no one will see us in the dungeon.” Adelina smiled and clapped her hands softly.
She’d brought every elite guard from her family today. Not even magical beasts or people would dare come near.
Felyn’s heart sank. His suspicions were confirmed.
This woman… she really was planning to take me out.
Maybe she had people waiting to ambush him inside. If he stayed out of the dungeon, he might still be safe.
Right now, it was only Adelina. He still had a chance to run.
“Adelina, I suddenly feel a little uncomfortable in my stomach. Maybe I should—”
He stopped talking.
From the guild emerged a hundred people in silver-white uniforms, all bearing the Claude family crest.
They lined up neatly, weapons glinting under the sunlight.
Mages, warriors, priests, assassins… elite professionals of every kind.
The formation looked more like a small army.
Felyn even recognized some of the most famous adventurers in Seiwa… working for the Claude family?
“My father said,” Adelina said softly, “that the dungeon’s too dangerous. He told me to bring extra protection.”
She looked down as she said it, but Felyn saw the sly smile on her lips.
Magic crystal hunt? More like looting the entire dungeon.
Magical beasts—run! Take your unborn children and run!
“Oh, what were you saying just now?” Adelina asked.
Nothing. Even if I did have a stomachache, I wouldn’t dare say it now.
(End of Chapter)