Ch.2929. Guaranteed Pass

The dungeon’s exit was located on the first floor.

In front of the massive gate, the party exchanged glances before closing their eyes.

A gentle breeze brushed against their skin.

Rex raised his head. The sight of a pure white temple entered his view.

‘We’re back.’

Quite some time seemed to have passed, as crimson sunset light streamed through the glass windows.

The temple had four large gates in total, including the exit Rex had just emerged from. Numerous adventurers were tangled in a chaotic mess, and priests were busily running around trying to manage them.

One of them approached.

“Mr. Harald. Returning?”

“That’s right.”

“Understood. How would you like to dispose of your spoils? With the current number of people, it will take approximately 30 minutes.”

After brief consideration, Harald shook his head.

“I’ll handle it myself.”

“Understood. Then, excuse me.”

The priest carefully looked over the party members before leaving.

Rex turned to Chloe with a puzzled expression.

“Does the temple also purchase items?”

“Yeah. It’s convenient, but they really lowball the prices. Rather than selling here for peanuts, it’s much more profitable to go to the merchant district. The temple also takes about a 20% tax.”

“Tax?”

A tax, not even an offering, from a temple?

Chloe shrugged and replied.

“This is Baron Lindvale’s territory. Since the dungeon is within the city, strictly speaking, it’s the nobleman’s private property. So you have to pay a portion of your earnings for using it.”

“I see.”

Seeing that Rex understood, Chloe added:

“It’s too late today, but I’ll probably dispose of the items tomorrow… Come with me. You’re not planning to keep that gold ring forever, right?”

It was an unexpected offer. Since there was no reason to refuse, Rex promptly nodded.

“Thank you, Chloe.”

Having arrived in the city just two days ago, he still didn’t know which district the merchants gathered in or where the armory was located. He was truly grateful that she had extended a helping hand first.

“It’s nothing.”

Chloe glanced at Rex and muttered quietly.

“And… just call me Chloe from now on. Drop the formalities. We’re about the same age anyway.”

“Is that okay?”

“Don’t if you don’t want to.”

Chloe grumbled in a sulky tone and turned her head away sharply.

Rex smiled gently and said,

“Thanks, Chloe.”

“…Let’s go get something to eat.”

Feeling somehow embarrassed by those blue eyes staring at her, Chloe left Rex behind and strode forward.

“Why are you suddenly walking so fast?”

“Because you’re slow.”

“Sure, let’s go with that.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the party was waiting for Rex and Chloe at the temple entrance.

Corner yawned widely and rubbed his stomach.

“My stomach’s sticking to my back. Let’s go eat.”

“Where should we go?”

At Patrick’s question, Harald stroked his beard and beckoned to Chloe.

“Let’s go wherever Chloe chooses. We can’t just ignore your first awakened blessing. I’ll treat everyone today, so choose without worrying about the cost.”

“Really? Actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to eat…”

As Chloe’s eyes lit up and she rattled off the names of various foods, everyone watched her with fond expressions.

Soon, the party set off toward the restaurant Chloe had chosen.

***

“Wait. This doesn’t seem right.”

Just before entering the restaurant, Chloe raised her hand and stopped everyone in their tracks. Her face, which had been full of anticipation and excitement, was now covered in cold sweat.

Corner, who had been complaining about hunger the whole time, furrowed his brows and tilted his head.

“What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“W-well, you see…”

Rex glanced at Chloe. Anxiety was visible in her amber eyes.

Chloe forced a bright expression and turned around.

“I just realized this place might be too expensive… I think we could go somewhere cheaper, right? Yeah. That’s it. Let’s just find another place—”

At that moment, someone’s hand firmly gripped Chloe’s shoulder. It was so strong that she couldn’t move an inch.

Chloe turned around stiffly.

Eira, with her usual gentle but somehow strict-looking face, whispered softly.

“Chloe.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go.”

Eira grabbed Chloe’s arm and dragged her into the restaurant.

“I swear Eira is the scariest one.”

Rex secretly agreed with Corner’s muttered comment.

The rest of the party soon gathered their wits and entered the restaurant.

As soon as they opened the door, a rich, warm aroma wafted over them. Five or six waiters were moving between tables, serving food.

Rex sat down at an empty table with the others and looked around.

The overall atmosphere was on a completely different level from any ordinary establishment. Just looking at the next table, there was an entire calf on a platter—he couldn’t even begin to guess how much it cost.

No wonder Chloe was uncomfortable. Even now, she was squirming as if sitting on pins and needles.

Harald chided her in a nonchalant tone.

“Just sit still. I’m paying for you, so why are you acting like this?”

“It’s just… it feels burdensome…”

“Enough of that, just eat. I’ll show you the dignity of a party leader today.”

Harald called over a waiter passing by the table.

“Give us one roasted whole deer, veal steaks, and six glasses of wine each.”

“That will be 72 silver in total.”

Harald took out a gold coin from his pocket and flicked it. The waiter caught it deftly, held it up to the light, and nodded.

“I’ll bring it right away.”

As the waiter disappeared into the kitchen.

Since the price was higher than he had imagined, Rex cautiously addressed Harald.

“Is it really okay for me to eat at your expense?”

“You too? Come now, a high-ranked adventurer’s earnings are more than enough to cover this, so don’t worry. Chloe is just making a fuss. That kid wastes money on strange things, but with our experience, we earn quite well.”

“Then, I’ll gratefully enjoy the meal.”

“That’s right. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”

Before long, the food was served on the table one after another.

“Let’s make a toast.”

“How about our protagonist says a few words?”

The protagonist here obviously referred to Chloe.

Chloe awkwardly raised her wooden cup.

“Um… let’s all do our best? Stay safe and live long, diligent lives!”

“Ugh. That killed my appetite.”

“Hey, just eat already!”

When Corner teased her, Chloe made a huffing sound and downed her wine. The others chuckled and began eating.

Rex cut the steak with his knife and put it in his mouth. The tender texture of the meat and the aroma of stimulating spices melted on his tongue.

Indeed, it was worth the high price. It tasted better than any food he had eaten in his life.

‘Money really is a wonderful thing… Though I could never afford this with my own money.’

The veal steak disappeared into his stomach in no time.

Then, a waiter who had been watching their table from afar approached and cut the roasted deer into bite-sized pieces, explaining which part was which and how to eat it to enjoy it more.

As they continued their meal, Harald suddenly spoke up.

“Rex. Do you have any plans for the future?”

“For now, I need to keep entering the dungeon.”

According to Kaordix, consistently slaying monsters and accumulating karma was the fastest way to grow stronger.

Moreover, Rex possessed the blessing of the Steel Heart—which increased his divine power as he overcame hardships.

There was no reason not to enter the dungeon.

‘But why is he asking?’

Seeing Rex’s puzzled expression, Harald cleared his throat and got to the point.

“So, have you found a permanent party yet?”

“No. I just joined the Adventurers’ Guild today. I don’t know anyone.”

“Ah, I completely forgot you’re a newcomer. You’re just so skilled. Anyway… if you don’t have a party yet, how about continuing with us?”

“Pardon?”

At the sudden invitation, Rex looked at everyone.

They all seemed to want Rex to join their party.

Especially Chloe, whose gaze was intense, as if poking him with a stick.

Harald smiled meaningfully and continued.

“We’re considered one of the top-tier high-ranked adventurer parties in Lindvale. Everyone has a good personality too. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better party anywhere.”

“Wait. So… you’re offering me the vanguard position, not just as a porter?”

“Of course. As if we’d make a sanctified one who’s reached the stage of holy flame a mere porter. I’m not asking for an immediate answer. It’s fine if you refuse. Think about it slowly, and let me know when you’ve made a decision.”

Rex stood up. He needed to clear his head.

“I’m going to get some fresh air.”

“Don’t go too far.”

“I won’t.”

Rex left the restaurant, leaving everyone behind.

The cool night air blew in. Thanks to it, his intoxication subsided, and his mind became clearer.

‘A party, huh.’

It was something he had been pondering anyway. After all, parties were essential for adventurers.

Rationally speaking, accepting Harald’s offer was the right choice.

The biggest reason was that everyone seemed to be of good character.

Since the type Rex despised most were those worse than beasts, the party members certainly passed that standard.

Although their acquaintance was only a day old, that was how it appeared for now.

After various considerations, his heart ultimately leaned toward joining the party.

By now, quite some time had passed, and just as he was about to return, he suddenly felt someone watching him.

Across the dimly lit street, someone in a robe was observing him.

The robe looked somehow familiar.

“Elin?”

Rex murmured without realizing it. Even the thick darkness couldn’t deceive Rex’s eyes. It was definitely the robe Elin wore.

The figure slowly walked toward Rex and stopped right in front of him. As Rex had guessed, it was indeed Elin.

He couldn’t be happier to see a familiar face in an unfamiliar city.

Even though it had only been two days since they last met, it somehow felt like he hadn’t seen her for at least a week. Perhaps it was because of the dungeon trip.

“Hello.”

“Hi.”

Elin was still a woman of few words. Strangely, her clothes were quite disheveled, with dust all over them, as if she had been rolling on the ground.

“Are you hurt?”

“No. I just came back from the dungeon.”

“Oh, are you an adventurer?”

“…Maybe?”

It was an ambiguous answer. Well, it wasn’t as if only adventurers frequented dungeons. Many entered dungeons without joining the guild. Like mercenaries…

“What about you?”

“I just joined the Adventurers’ Guild today. They assigned me to a veteran party, and thanks to them, I went all the way to the third floor. Who did Elin go with—”

“I went alone.”

“What?”

Knowing how dangerous it was to enter a dungeon alone without a party, Rex couldn’t help but ask again.

Elin replied in an indifferent tone.

“I don’t know anyone.”

While she seemed unbothered, Rex felt awkward. Perhaps because they were both outsiders, he felt a sense of kinship.

Then, suddenly, a brilliant idea came to mind.

“Elin. Then you need a party, right?”

“Yes. I can’t go beyond the fifth floor alone.”

“…The fifth floor? No, that’s not what I meant. If you don’t have anyone to go with, how about joining my party?”

“Party?”

Rex recited exactly what Harald had told him.

“It’s a party of high-ranked adventurers, one of the best in Lindvale. From what I’ve seen, they all have good personalities. If you have nowhere else to go—”

“What about you?”

“Pardon?”

“Will you… be there too?”

Elin hesitantly grabbed Rex’s sleeve.

Rex smiled gently and said,

“Of course.”

“Then… I’ll join.”

Seeming relieved by his answer, Elin let go of his sleeve.

Rex immediately returned to the restaurant with Elin and bowed his head to the party.

“Though I’m still lacking, I’ll work hard. Please take care of me from now on.”

“Oh! You’ve made a good choice. But, who is this person beside you?”

Everyone’s joy was momentary as they looked at Elin with curious eyes.

Rex scratched his cheek awkwardly. It was only natural for them to react this way when someone who went out for fresh air returned with a stranger.

“This is Elin. She… is looking for a party to enter the dungeon with.”

“A party? Is she asking to join us?”

“Yes.”

Feeling their gazes demanding an explanation, Rex swallowed hard.

This was crucial. How he spoke would determine Elin’s treatment.

If he abruptly asked them to accept Elin, they would clearly show reluctance.

Naturally, Rex had already prepared a story to persuade them.

Rex took a deep breath and began.

“I’m not asking just because of our acquaintance. Elin is a mage—”

“What? A mage?”

Rex nodded.

But an entirely unexpected response came back.

“Accepted.”

“Excuse me?”

“Unconditionally accepted!”

Somehow, the reaction was even more enthusiastic than when he had declared his intention to join the party.

Harald addressed Elin with an attitude as if he were greeting nobility.

“How could such an esteemed person come to such a humble place… Our party always welcomes mages. Haha!”