Chapter 82 - Concern

While the situation proceeded in the forest, even in Riviria there was a rather festive atmosphere, although at the same time many wanted the situation to return stable as soon as possible.

This line of thought was headed by the people who, wanting to stay on the 18th floor, decided to create pubs and shops.

In the most famous pub, 3 figures of public interest could be noticed, chatting among themselves about what to do in the expedition.

Putting down his jug of alcohol, Gareth smiled as he savoured the contents of the jug. It wasn't a top quality alcohol like those he could find in his homeland, but it was still acceptable.

Seeing him so happy, Finn sighed while he reminded him.

"Gareth, you know that when we are on a mission I don't want anyone to drink. You may also be an exception to the rule, but don't go overboard"

With these words, he stared at him while he nodded in agreement. Even though he was a dwarf and it would have been extremely difficult to get drunk with this little alcohol, he always had to set the example of one of the adventurers in charge of the Loki Familia.

Declaring that this was his last drink, Gareth quickly finished everything while the third person there, Bete, continued to drink his soft drink in silence.

With 'everyone' now ready to talk, Finn sighed again. He knew that the expedition wasn't that difficult if we talk purely about defeating monsters. For now, the anomalies have only occurred in the upper floors, no problems have occurred in the middle and lower ones.

Looking back at this information for a second, his expression turned serious as he started to remember the short events in his head. Most importantly, what happened when Ais met a Dragon in a floor where Dragons shouldn't be there.

"Something worries you?"

Hearing Gareth's question, Finn nodded as he answered

"If it was something that has to do with the whole dungeon, why only occur in the upper floors? there were no problems in the middle and lower floors, and the monsters now are calming down again, to understand this situation facing monsters or asking for information is not enough, but the question is, in addition to researching the unknown, what can we do?"

Being asked this question, Gareth looked at his empty cup. He wasn't an expert when it concerned these types of thoughts, but he too was determined to make the life of adventurers as stable as before.

"I think this isn't something we can understand in a day or two.."

Nodding at his statement, Finn turned his head to look at Bete as he stared at his soft drink

"I think the same as Gareth. This situation is a pain in the a.s.s and I don't know what we can really do. In case I will hunt any monster that will try to disturb me"

For Bete, the whole situation was just a pain, like a certain 'weakling'. Remembering this, he clenched his jaw but, without adding anything, he heard Finn's reply

"I guess that we don't have a choice but to investigate."

Saying this, he stood up as he wanted to return to the main tent. Mainly because there were still things he had to do. Knowing this as well, Gareth said goodbye to him while Bete just waved his hand without really caring if he was here or not.

Smiling at how much hopeless Bete was, he went away while the two of them continued to talk about other things.

---

The reason Ryuu decided to participate in this expedition has nothing to do with the Dungeon itself. It all started the day before.

While Ethan was having 'intense' moments with Ais, the situation in the Hostess of Fertility was rather normal, with various adventurers that, after Ethan's debut, now were focused on the expedition itself.

"Tomorrow we'll participate in an important expedition, there will be a collaboration called by the guild to face the problem regarding the Dungeon. You all may know this, but I think it's better to talk about it"

Saying this, The man asked them the others' ideas regarding this situation. Deciding to talk first, the man next to him replied in a serious tone

"I think it won't be so easy, as they declared the Dungeon is having abnormalities, but is that all to send the main familias together in an expedition? No...we're talking about something dangerous considering that a level 3 or 4 is required in the party to enter the Dungeon itself. Whatever is in there is certainly not welcoming us.."

Nodding, their small talk continued while Syr served other customers. The fact nobody had real news about Ethan sincerely worried her a little. She didn't feel she had this great bond with him, but he was still someone she interacted with, and he also seemed like one of the very few people she could trust.

'Until I can know you better, you can't afford to fall behind..'

Thinking this, Syr returned to the kitchen to report another order while Ryuu saw her sighing. Confused, she decided to ask what happened.

"Is everything alright..Syr?"

Being asked, she snapped out of her thoughts as she waved both of her hands in front of her c.h.e.s.t to 'dismiss' her.

"Y-Yes, don't worry. I had something in mind"

Taking the next dish to serve, she immediately went back while Ryuu's interest was piqued. During the time she had come to know Syr better, Ryuu could easily understand that she wasn't telling her the truth.

Returning to prepare next orders, Ryuu made up her mind to ask her the next time she could have caught her.

---

With their day pass quickly, The first one to sigh happily was Anya that, with her tail that waved side to side, immediately went to her room as she wanted to finally have a bath.

Glancing at Syr to prevent her from holing up in her room without her being able to ask about it, she continued to do so as Mama Mia shouted

"Now! Today's work end here, you are free to go"

Hearing these words, Ryuu bowed to Mama Mia before staring at Syr. Being a very attentive person towards her staff, Mama Mia immediately understood that there was something strange about the way Ryuu stared at Syr but, without paying too much attention, she let her go as she knew there surely was a reason for her actions.

With Syr that was heading towards her room, Ryuu finally had the chance to talk with her. Approaching her, she asked

"Can you tell me... what happened now?"

The voice behind her made Syr flinch before she laughed in 'amus.e.m.e.nt'

"I don't think I can hide anything from you, can I not do I?"

Without actually replying her, she looked up at the ceiling with a smile on her face

"I am worried about an adventurer who has been here a few times. The aura he emitted was that of someone extremely kind but also with totally confused thoughts. As if he didn't know how to adapt to something he already knew..and I...ended up intrigued by this trait of his personality."

Turning to look at her, Syr sighed as she added

"That's all. He's someone pretty famous now, he's the new core member of the Loki Familia, Ethan"

Her words made Ryuu think about the person she mentioned as she remembered adventurers that were talking about him as of late. Understanding that she was worried because there was nothing regarding him other than he won in the event, Ryuu asked some more questions while Syr, now forced to answer, decided to take her to her room to continue talking about it.

"As I was saying, the fact is that I was particularly impressed and intrigued by the way he looked at me. Never in my life has anyone looked at me like that.."

Hearing her blatantly put things in this way, Ryuu's eyes widened as she was surprised but, in a second, her face returned to normal as the conversation continued.

'I see. This... adventurer is someone Syr is interested to..How rare'

Thinking this, Ryuu's brow twitched as she had a stupid, yet important question to ask.

"Do you at least know his last name? I don't remember you mentioned his."

Her question brought Syr to think about it. Understanding he didn't tell her his last name, Syr knew that, from the rumours spread by adventurers, nobody knew Ethan's last name.

"He probably never said it..or, he doesn't have one?"

Her rhetorical question also led Ryuu to think about what Syr wanted to imply with this question but, without dwelling too much on it, Ryuu had already decided to investigate because, as she said, she had no news about him, and she didn't want to make her friend worry so much about it.

Seeing the expression she was making, Syr clenched her jaw slightly as she took Ryuu's arm by the sleeve of her blouse.

"I don't want you to do anything, Ryuu. It's fine"

Smiling at her, she understood her intentions from the beginning, but she couldn't let her do so. She knew he probably was busy dealing with a lot of things..

Shaking her head, Ryuu added

"..I heard from some adventurers of the Loki Familia that he will participate in the expedition for the problems in the Dungeon. I want to--"

Before she was able to finish her speech, Syr brought a finger on her mouth

"It isn't necessary for you to go that far. I'm not his lover either, and we barely knew each other. What would he think if I send someone to check on him like this? I don't want to seem so desperate."

Sighing, she knew Syr wasn't so easy to convince when things were not going as she said, and that was precisely why Ryuu wanted to directly check for herself. Both because the fact that Syr cares about someone other than the staff of the Hostess of Fertility is something that has never happened over time, and also because she didn't want to see her friend so afflicted when she had the opportunity to do something to help her.

With her that already made up her mind, Syr sighed again, this time internally as she knew that anything else she could say wasn't enough to stop her. the only thing left to do was ask for Mama Mia's permission.

Exiting by the door, Ryuu exited the room but, before she headed towards Mama mia's room, she replied

"You never asked me to go and check for you. it's something I want to do. I do not want to see you like this."

Her words made Syr flinch as she was about to reply but, before she could, Ryuu already left. Even though she wanted to sigh again, she decided not to as, after closing the door, she laid down on the bed as their conversation echoed in her mind....

---

(I have a discord server. discord.gg/cpVr5X8 If you enter it, you can join the Qienta Familia! play a lot of fun games, but, obviously, that's not all, I post there images regarding things you may see in the story, such as the [Twin's Digimon] and [The Devoted Heart].)

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(Alternate Titles: "It can't be..this...really is just a side chapter!", " You can't mess up with Ryuu's determination, Syr. Hold on to this friend closely.", "Finn's aching thumb!? Where is that scene?", "Bete in this chapter is so useful, I miss the 'tch' already","Ryuu's stubborn personality...")