Vol. 7 - Ch. 377 - Pressing for <Intermediate-mid Gate> & The Restless Upperclassmen

"H-Hey, Look.""What...... is it guild <Eden>!?"

We arrived at the <Dungeon Gate - Intermediate-mid Passage>, or as other uses in short, <Int-mid Gate>.

A buzz spread among the people present there as we opened the gate and took our entry.

There was me, well of course, along with 10 other members. Hmm, I guess the appearance of a large group was probably unusual, eh? Everyone's attention had focused on us.

"For the love of god, it can't be happening! How, How did they already reach our level despite being first years!?"

"H-Hey. I think I am hallucinating, this is <Int-mid Gate> right? Maybe it's <Int-low Gate>?"

"Ah, actually, I also think I have probably lost my way to the <Int-low Gate>."

"Stop trying to deny reality! This is without a doubt <Int-mid Gate>!"

"B-But. Then what the hell is with those first years? You aren't saying that they progressed to <Int-mid Gate>, do you? Oh right, they must be here for a field trip. But isn't it too early for first years?"

"Hold on, The supervisor of <Int-mid Gate>, Sergeant Hopimas, has gone out to verify that! We will know the truth immediately!"

"Considering their numbers, I bet they must have been here to check the place, nothing more. I hope that's just the case, for the peace of my mind."

"Isn't the requirement to enter an <Intermediate-mid> dungeon three marks of Int-low dungeon and all party members must be at LV50? There's no way it should have been possible, right? Isn't there speed too monstrous?"

"If they have really fulfilled the condition, then I, I......"

"O-Oi, get a hang of yourself, you---what!?"

"What the hell! Sergeant Hopimas gave their approval?!"

"They really have fulfilled the condition..."

"What's the point of all my hard work......I......"

"Hey, this guy is done for. This isn't the place to be depressed!"

"I, it took me two years to get here."

"Not you too, pull yourself together!"

When he showed our marks to the <Intermediate-mid Gate> Sergant Hopimas, the one holding the same role as <Intermediate-low Gate> Zezelthon, the earlier buzz transformed into a huge clattering nose.

My gaze caught a big group at the back of the crowd, all doing an Orz pose. Were they playing? It was kinda funny since it kinda resemble <Loser's Room> play.

"Welcome to the <Dungeon Gate - Intermediate-mid Passage>, or you can call it <Intermediate-mid Passage>, guild <Eden>."

"Thank you very much, Sergeant Hopimus."

White haired Sergeant Hopimus, the one in charge of supervising and explanatory role, offered his welcoming words just when my attention was occupied by the behind the crowd situation. I returned my gaze to the front and thanked him.

Welcome...... I turned my attention to observe the surroundings. Hmm, was this cacophony really a welcoming movement for us?

"There has never been a precedent of first years coming to challenge the dungeons here at this term. But since it's <Eden>, I think that's inevitable. Feel free to ask me anything if you don't understand anything, you got that?"

"Thank you very much. We will definitely discuss it when needed." Sᴇaʀᴄh the NʘvᴇlFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

"Nice, Nice-go for it."

'Quite a peculiar way of speaking huh~', I thought and parted ways with Sergeant Hapimus. So he had just come to check our qualification huh.

Well, time to advance on our path.

"Sorry for the wait, everyone. It's the moment everyone has been waiting for, let's head into the dungeon!"

"Let's go~"

The only one who responded to my enthusiasm was Hannah. It's a bit lonely to be given the cold shoulder. Hannah was stuck closely to my back, almost clinging to me. I had asked if she could participate in our exploration using <(Guest) Bracelet>, and this close distance was the necessity born out of it, apparently.

She was powerless against the Intermediate-mid dungeon's bosses given his skills, but there shouldn't be a problem for her to harvest materials and perform her alchemy. Although she couldn't participate in combat, Hannah accepted that condition.

With this, Hannah could still be part of the dungeon exploration team, though in all this, the distance she kept with me was suddenly shortened. (How did it come to this?)

I glanced at the girl's camp, who were just giving the 'it can't be helped' vibe. None of them uttered any word about this strange situation since a while ago. Really strange.

I stopped thinking about the peculiar closeness and continued my conversation with others.

"Hey, Zephyr, which dungeon are we going for today! You still haven't told me anything!"

Lana, with her hand on her waist, asked excitedly. What did she mean where, didn't I already explai---hmm?

"Speaking of it, it seems like I forgot to tell you?"

"What!"

"Aahaha."

I smiled to gloss over the matter.

Well, it wasn't like I didn't inform them. I believe in the motto of 'informing and feedback'. It's just, the whole conversation this time revolved around 'we are going to clear 3 dungeons within this Dungeon Week', so I kind of forgot to inform which ones we were going to challenge.

This count as already been explained, so I am still safe.

"We are going to <Solitary Kitten Dungeon> today. Given it's difficulty level and the time to clear it, it would be better to start from here."

"Isn't it the dungeon where monsters usually appear alone---ah, you told this beforehand."

"Have you finally remembered?"

"Who do you think this Princess is, of course I do! And you ought to say it from the beginning!"

Lana's face lit up with a smile. Dungeons were fun, of course, but there was another reason behind choosing this dungeon.

"You all heard him, right, everyone? We are beginning with <Cat-Dun>!"

"Good job."

"Hmm, sounds good."

"Indeed. That sounds perfect."

"Hurray! Lulu is also looking forward to it!"

"L-Lulu with a cat...... I can't wait to see it."

Karua, Rika, Ester, Lulu and Celia all cheered hearing remarks from Lana. On this note, <Cat-Dun> was the alias of <Solitary Kitten Dungeon>. This dungeon was pretty popular among the girls.

"Zephyr, hurry up! Where is the gate!"

"Calm down, and it's there."

When I pointed out, the girls sprinted towards the direction, leaving behind their guild-master. But, I was supposed to be the guild master, right?

"Let's go. Zephyr."

"Ahh, I know Sierra wouldn't leave me behind."

"Hmm......"

I wasn't alone! Only Sierra stayed back to accompany me, the one who was left behind. I was really happy with her consideration.

"Umm, I am also here though, Zephyr-kun."

Correction, Hannah was also accompanying me. I have two allies. I wasn't as moved as in the case of Sierra, but.... I wasn't going to say it out loud.

Ahem, anyway! Those girls were really fast! They all had already reached the gate.

"Alright, let's march onward! Everyone, follow me!"

" " " " "Let's goooo!" " " " "

And somehow, Lana was playing the role I, the guild master, should have been doing. Following her shout, they all entered the gate. That was supposed to be my goal......

"Cheer-up, Zephyr. You're the one we rely on inside the dungeon."

"S-Sierra~!"

Hearing Sierra's encouraging word, I felt like my eyes misting up. Yes, I am just happy. Men doesn't cry after all. But, I regained my mood thanks to her words.

Alright, it's Dungeon Time!

Amidst the loud clatter of <Int-mid Gate>, we passed through the gate of <Cat-Dun>.