Growburn Village – Discovery (1)

The reason I was looking for the Village Chief was simple.

To grasp the situation, meeting the highest-ranking person here is the fastest method.

“Huh?”

As I slowly walked while observing my surroundings, two people at the village center caught my eye.

An elderly man with graying hair and a middle-aged man in armor were having a serious conversation.

“Are there many injured in the militia?”

“Quite a number. If monsters swarm again…”

“Then we won’t be able to hold out any longer.”

Those must be the people I was looking for.

I quickly ran toward them.

“So we have no choice but to abandon the village after all…”

“Excuse me, what’s going on here?”

“!!”

The soldier beside them seemed startled by my sudden approach and reached for his sword.

“Who are you?”

“Wait! I’m…”

“Calm down and sheathe your sword. I’ll handle this. Young lady, what brings you to this remote village?”

Their initial guarded expressions toward a sudden outsider softened slightly upon realizing I was a young woman.

This body certainly has its conveniences – as a sturdy man, I’d often faced unwanted suspicion.

“We received a request to investigate a dungeon near this village.”

“F-finally! I’m this village’s Chief. Did any Gold Badge or higher Adventurers come with you?”

“Well… Myself and the two helping people over there are all Silver Badge Adventurers. And the tall blonde man over there, Karlson-nim, is the coachman who brought us here.”

The Village Chief’s welcoming expression gradually hardened as he heard about us.

Seems he’s disappointed with our credentials.

“What? So only three Silver Badge Adventurers came?”

“Is there some problem?”

The Village Chief massaged his temples and sighed deeply.

“Sigh… This makes your coming pointless. You must have come without knowing the full details.”

There was clearly more to this story. What I initially thought was just troublesome work suddenly became intriguing.

“Were there others who came before us?”

“Of course we submitted the dungeon discovery to the nearby city’s Adventurer’s Guild. Some people did come here.”

“Given the current situation… they didn’t return, did they?”

The Chief’s answer matched my expectations.

“They all entered the dungeon and disappeared. After that, no one would take the request. Even we became reluctant to push it.”

“Didn’t higher-ranked Adventurers come since Silver Badges failed?”

“Our reward isn’t substantial enough… Gold or Jade Badge Adventurers consider the risk too high for the compensation.”

This is already looking complicated.

The higher-ups of the Rika Kingdom clearly dumped this troublesome Hero Party matter on us.

But unexpected requests create unexpected opportunities. If powerful enemies appear in the dungeon… things could get interesting.

“Thank you for coming this far, but please abandon the request and return. Don’t throw away precious lives.”

“Let us discuss it among ourselves first.”

“Careful consideration would be wise.”

After bowing to the Chief, I gathered Annie and Jade who were helping villagers.

As I slowly explained the situation from the Chief, both fell deep into thought.

“This seems too dangerous. Shouldn’t we just head to the Holy Kingdom?”

Annie seemed slightly frightened by the graver-than-expected situation.

But Jade would think differently.

“That might be true but…”

Jade looked around with a pained expression.

Most villagers wore expressions of despair. As expected, Jade couldn’t bear to leave these people.

“If we leave like this, they’ll have to abandon the homes they’ve built over lifetimes. Why don’t we at least investigate?”

“Right, let’s do as Jade says. We’ll just investigate – if it looks dangerous, we’ll immediately leave for the Holy Kingdom. How about that?”

Curious about the dungeon’s secrets myself, I supported Jade’s opinion.

“If you both insist… Since it’s helping people, I guess we can try that much.”

Seemingly moved by Jade’s determination, Annie nodded too.

“Then it’s decided? I’ll go tell him.”

I approached the Chief again. He was organizing reports of village damage.

“Back so soon? Made your decision?”

“Chief-nim, we’ll investigate the dungeon.”

As the representative, I announced our intention to take the request.

“Still don’t understand? The dungeon isn’t the only problem – increased monsters are dangerous too. Treating this like a normal request will get you hurt. You’re still young – if you disappear, I couldn’t live with myself.”

“Rena, wait.”

As the Chief kept dissuading us, Jade stepped forward to persuade him.

“Please trust us just this once. We truly want to help. At minimum, we’ll investigate near the dungeon or handle some monsters.”

“Chief-nim. You won’t regret entrusting this to us. You’d be shocked if you knew how amazing Jade is!”

“Annie, that’s enough…”

“Hmm.”

The Chief seemed to relent before Jade’s determined eyes and our persistence.

“Fine. No point arguing further. Ask anything about the dungeon and I’ll tell you. If you need lodging, just say so. We’ll provide everything.”

“Thank you. We’ll request assistance once the village is settled.”

Jade returned triumphantly after concluding negotiations with the Chief.

“Seems well resolved.”

I patted his shoulder approvingly.

“Oh my. Well done indeed.”

“Th-thanks. We came all this way – couldn’t just leave. But… is this really okay? I’m worried it might be too dangerous.”

Though Jade spoke bravely, he still seemed uneasy.

“Even with your Hero’s power, we must be cautious. Most dungeons are monster nests, but I’ve heard some house Demons or Dark Mages.”

“Dark Mages still exist? Just hearing about their wartime deeds gives me chills.”

Annie shuddered at the mention of Dark Mages.

Dark Mages contract with Demons to wield Magi. Human sacrifice was just the beginning of their atrocities – even in my past life, I never showed them mercy.

Naturally, their numbers dwindled after Demons retreated to the Demon Realm following defeat. But there’s always someone dabbling in taboos.

“Just speculation. We’ll know after investigating.”

“S-still, I hope it’s not Dark Mages.”

“What should I do?”

Karlson cautiously asked from nearby. He must have seen our decision.

“Ah, Karlson-nim, thank you for everything until now. Now-“

I cut off Jade’s attempt to bid farewell.

“Wait. Would you accompany us as a porter for the dungeon investigation?”

“Oh, shall I?”

Karlson smiled brightly as if expecting this. Of course I wouldn’t let him leave.

But a cold voice immediately followed.

“Rena, you dislike Karlson-nim yet want him to come?”

“W-we can’t carry all the investigation supplies ourselves. This is necessary…”

I hastily defended myself under Annie’s suspicious gaze. Her look had progressed beyond doubt to mild anger.

“Fine, let’s do that.”

But suddenly Annie brightly smiled and agreed.

“H-huh?”

“It’s good if Karlson-nim stays. Especially for you. Right?”

“Umm…”

Her reaction feels slightly terrifying.

I look forward to our private conversation. Of course I know Annie saw Karlson and me through the door crack at the inn.

But Annie hasn’t mentioned it yet, perhaps saving it for later.

Karlson was too entranced by me to notice, but Annie’s gaze through the door crack was… sweetly intense.

If I mishandle this, it’ll become troublesome. I need to prepare properly.

**

Annie was unpacking at the inn recommended by the Chief.

“I need to find Rena quickly.”

Her mind raced urgently.

She had to find Rena. The village’s dire situation prevented her from discussing what she’d seen.

She needed to talk about that incident and uncover the truth immediately.

Annie finished organizing swiftly and rushed outside.

-Knock knock.

Annie went straight to Rena’s room and knocked.

-Creak.

“Who- Oh? Annie, what’s wrong?”

Rena opened the door and welcomed Annie warmly.

Her usual beautiful, gentle self. Unbelievable that this was the same person who’d been drenched in semen with a vulgar expression that night.

But everything Annie saw was reality, not a dream.

‘Stay calm.’

Asking Rena directly would provide answers.

Annie steadied her breathing and composed herself.

“Let me come in first.”

“Sure, come in.”

-Thud, click.

Annie locked the door upon entering, then dragged Rena toward the bed.

“H-hey! What’s gotten into you?”

Ignoring Rena’s flustered questions, Annie sat her on the bed. She pulled a chair over and sat facing her.

“So what’s this about?”

“Rena, do you like Karlson-nim?”

“What? Karlson-nim?”

Rena looked baffled before waving her hands dismissively.

“That’s absurd. Why would I?”

“Then you have no relationship with him? Nothing hidden from me?”

“Of course not. Why would I keep secrets from you and Jade?”

“Really?”

If Rena insisted on denial, Annie had no choice. She reached for Rena’s shoulder.

-Rip.

Annie forcefully pulled down the shoulder of Rena’s dress.

“W-wait!”

Rena cried out in surprise, but the fabric was already lowered.

“Then what’s this?”

There on Rena’s exposed shoulder-

-was a vividly dark kiss mark.