âAh, I need to speak with the Guild Master first.â
[6] There were some grumblings, but, the Guild was right next door so I pretended not to hear them and made a beeline for the reception. At the counter, I showed my guild card and the receptionist immediately called for Nadia-san.
âYou mentioned that youâll be going to the dungeon today, so Iâve been waiting,â
âWaiting? What for?â
âAh, that isâŠâ [3] Nadia-san looked away. There was a blush on her face. Eh? What? Why?
âMukouda-san is finally here,â there was a creepy âteeheeheeâ sort of laughter and the last face I expected to see pop out from behind Nadia-san.â
â⊠haah? Wh- wh- why are you here?!â
It was the unforgettable face of a beaming middle-aged elf. It was the absolute lover of all things dragon-related. It was Elland-san.
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Since it wasnât convenient to talk right in front of the reception window, our group moved to the second floor. I was still in a daze and half-blinded by Elland-sanâs dazzling smile, âElland-san, why are youâŠâ
This guy was supposed to head for the Royal Capital with the Detoxification Necklace after our party left Doran. He was supposed to report to the Adventurerâs Guild HQ and hand the necklace over to the King.
[4] âThe King was really happy with your gift. I decided to stay at the Royal Capital a bit as itâs been a long time since Iâd last been there. On the last day of my trip, I went to the Guild HQ to say my goodbyes when I heard it.â
[4] He suddenly rushed forward and seized my hands, âMukouda-san! I heard it! I heard it! A Red Dragon! A Red Dragon! I heard Mukouda-san has defeated a Red Dragon and was heading towards Avering! I calculated the distance and thought I could make it in time. No, I have to make it in time and here I am! Iâm here! Tada!â
What do you mean âTada!â? Are you being cute?
A middle-aged man would never be cute!
âAaah! When Doranâs Guild Master suddenly appeared this morning I thought there must be some sort of emergency,â Nadia-san muttered bitterly. [5] [6] Elland-san did not seem to have heard her, âAnyway, anyway, letâs focus on the important matter here. A Red Dragon! A Red Dragon! Show me the Red Dragon!â
What the- âIâm sorry, but weâre on our way to the dungeon.â Fer, Dora-chan and Sui had been waiting to challenge the dungeon for a long time, I canât delay them anymore. Every day, itâs âWhy arenât we there yet?â, âHurry up!â, âLetâs go now!â and so forth. I canât just delay everyone for the sake of one crazy elf!
âWhat are you talking about? A Red Dragon is more important than a silly old dungeon!â
Ugh, you went and said it.
[6] A wave of killing intent chilled my spine. Ah, Nadia-san is angry.
âDoranâs Guild Master, Elland-san. What do you mean by âsilly old dungeonâ?â she was glaring at Elland-san, who glared back at her.
[6] Hiiii!! I donât want to stand between these two glares.
Unexpectedly, Elland-san backed down first. He coughed and said, âI donât mean it that wayâŠâ
An angry Nadia-san was truly a sight to behold, âYou donât mean it that way? However, it sure sounds like you do mean it that way. Thanks to Mukouda-san clearing Doranâs dungeon, you are now swimming in profits. I have been waiting for Mukouda-san to visit Averingâs dungeon for a long time now. This could be the momentous clearing of Averingâs dungeon since 200 years ago.â
Nadia-sanâs eyes⊠they were like the eyes of a lion about to swallow its preyâŠ
âN-no, ah, ah that is⊠I spoke out of turn! I was too excitedâŠâ [6] Elland-sanâs hands felt very sweaty around mine. I could see the sweat running down his forehead.
âExcited? From what I can see, youâre just a selfish little elf who only cared about your own profits and damn everybody else.â
[6] Elland-san was shrinking away. More importantly, he was squeezing my hands quite painfully. I must stop this.
âNadia-san. Please rest assured that the Red Dragon will not be taken out unless and until my party has cleared the dungeon. The original plan is to clear the Avering dungeon first before leaving for Doran to see Elland-san for the dismantlingâŠâ
âHumph! Iâll let it pass this time considering Mukouda-san since heâs here to clear the dungeons for me. However, Guild Master Elland, it would be wise for you to consider your words properly before spitting them out.â [5]
âS-sorry, I shall be careful from now on,â Elland-san was now cowering away like a little cat.
There is zero dignity in this guy. If heâs such a coward, why on earth did he bother picking fights like this?
Speaking of which, âElland-san, donât you have to go back to Doran? Youâll make Ugor-san angryâŠâ
âItâs fine, itâs fine, Ugor-kun does a very fine job managing things there. Anyway, itâs decided. I shall join you in your dungeon challenge!â
⊠⊠haaaahhhh? [5]
âHurry, hurry! Letâs go before something else happens!â
âNo, no, no, what do you mean letâs go? Youâre a Guild Master, arenât you? Anyway, youâre not an Adventurer anymore!â
âOh? Sounds like a good idea.â
âBut, Nadia-san, Elland-san is not an Adventurer!â
âDonât you know?â Nadia-san smirked. âDungeon dives are not limited to Adventurers. Knights and some strong merchants could challenge it too. Basically, anyone with the appropriate skill can go dungeon diving. Of course, everyone is responsible for their own lives, but we do draw a line against weaklings. As a former S Ranker, Elland-san should have the ability to protect himself at least.â
âEeeehhhh?!â
âMoreover, with Elland-san in your party, the possibility of clearing the dungeon increases.â
[5] Elland-san was now striking a pose. He was standing in a heroic pose with his hand under his chin, âExactly. As expected of former S Rank Giant Princess Nadia. Dungeons could only be cleared when members with complementary skills are formed.â [5] [6] Giant Princess⊠I must say thatâs a really appropriate and intimidating nickname. However, âI donât really need to form a party with others since I have Fer, Dora-chan and Sui with meâŠâ
âWhat are you talking about!? Thereâs a problem! Thereâs a huge problem! I want to enjoy an Adventure with Dora-chan! How can I miss seeing Dora-chan in action?! I donât care what happens next, Iâm going with you and Dora-chan into the dungeons!!â
Haaahhh, I see. Still, âWe might be stuck in the dungeon for a long time. Surely you need to return to Doran and resume your responsibilities as Guild Master? [5]â
Take the hint, you stupid elf!
âDonât worry, Doran will be fine as long as thereâs Ugor-kun!â
No, it wonât, I can imagine Ugor-sanâs pissed off face already. âBut, what if something happens? What if some high ranking monster attacks Doran?â
âNo problem, no problem. Ugor-kun is a former B Ranker. Also, there are lots of powerful Adventurers loitering around Doran. No problem at all!â [5]
Arrgh, he got me there. I sighed, âHaa, I understand. Weâll challenge the dungeon together.â
âYes!â Elland-san was beaming. He was also staring at Dora-chan really passionatelyâŠ
âHohoh! Looks like itâs all settled. Alright, Iâll take care of the registration on this side. Just head over to the dungeons right away. Iâll be expecting loads of loot and Drops from you guys!â [5]
[Gumihou: Elland joins the Party!]
[1] Structural Change: Combine 2 paragraphs
[2] Structural Change: Combine 3 paragraphs
[3] Structural Change: Combine paragraph & dialogue
[4] Structural Change: Change passive sentence to dialogue