CH 290

Episode 290 – The Quiet Streets

“I can finally, finally see the way out… I’m glad we managed to make it out alive.” (Lewin)

“I seriously thought we would die this time! We were able to make it out in one piece…I’m so happy I could cry…!” (Rosalie)

“Mm. It really was a lot of trouble. I want a longer break.” (Aruna)

“Of course. Let’s take a break from clearing the Dungeon for a while until we recover from our fatigue.”

After resting for several days in the Safe Area on the 20th layer and getting our bodies back into perfect shape, we finally succeeded in returning to the entrance of the Dungeon.

Even though we had rested in the Safe Area, we hadn’t been able to rest too well because of the rough sleeping bags in the tent. Our bodies were also in somewhat poor condition after being holed up in the dimly lit cave without sunlight for so long.

I felt like a long vacation was necessary for us to overcome the exhaustion from this unexpectedly long Dungeon expedition. Rather… on a mental level, it might be more accurate to say that I didn’t want to go back into the Dungeon for a bit.

“It’d be nice if there weren’t a lot of people waiting at the entrance though.” (Aruna)

Imagining the surging crowd awaiting us, we timidly walked out of the exit of the Dungeon into the Adventurer’s Guild. I thought I heard the tremendous roaring of cheers… but that was just my imagination. There were actually only a few people there to welcome us back.

As far as I could remember, this was the smallest audience we’d had since we formed the party. And to be honest, it made me a bit sad. Well, I was grateful that at least we could deal with this much.

“There’s no one here. Did Alex-san do something?” (Lewin)

“I think there’s a good chance. With how little people there are, maybe he put a restriction or something… But would he go that far just for us?” (Rosalie)

“Either way, I don’t care. It’s nice we aren’t being surrounded.” (Aruna)

While there were fewer people, there were still people around, which made me wonder if some major incident had occurred… I had a bad feeling in my heart.

“There aren’t a lot of people outside. There are only people here and there, but this is my first time seeing so few people around.” (Lewin)

“Is today some kind of special religious holiday or something?” (Rosalie)

“…..Hmm. I hadn’t heard of such a thing.” (Lewin)

“Who cares? Let’s hurry up and head back to rest.” (Aruna)

“Well, that’s true. We naturally won’t have a reflection meeting this time, so let’s all head back.” (Lewin)

I had a bad premonition about this, but the exhaustion I was feeling was so strong that I really didn’t have any attention to spare for it. I was sure that I would get some information while resting, and I didn’t want to think about it now…

“Well then, let’s set aside some time to meet up again another day! Lewin-san, Aruna-san, thanks for your hard work! (Rosalie)

When I got to Main Street, there were noticeably fewer people walking around. The shops were open, but the current street was such a far cry from the normally lively and bustling place it usually was that it felt like I was hallucinating.

That hazy feeling of uncertainty grew even stronger, so I decided to push off the drowsiness that was overpowering me and head for the Laudungeon Company. I could also ask a passerby on the street, but if I wanted to get a large amount of accurate information, the most efficient way would be to go ask Tobias.

I could also report that we had successfully cleared our way down to the 30th layer, so it would be like killing two birds with one stone. I stifled a massive yawn and made my way towards the Laudungeon Company on the outskirts of the town, biting back the exhaustion.

I passed by my brewing stand that was there as usual and went up the stairs to the 2nd floor. The doors were made of glass, so I could see inside. Everyone looked more serious than normal as they worked frantically on their tasks.

It was a relatively easy place to enter, but for some reason, this time I felt a bit hesitant as I pushed open the door. In the silence interrupted only by the scribbling of pens, over half of the gazes turned towards me when I entered.

Some of them were so focused they didn’t even notice me, but a majority of them were staring at me, making it quite an awkward situation. I scratched my head and forced a smile to my lips as I asked for Tobias.

“Sorry for disturbing you all. Is Tobias-san here?” (Lewin)

“Tobias is away on urgent business right now. If it’s okay, you could talk to me instead.” (Juno)

After a while of no one responding to my question, Juno stood up and replied to me. The Laudungeon Company usually had a good number of conspicuously empty seats, but today, the desks were nearly full. I thought he might be there even if he wasn’t sitting down.

I could also ask Juno, but it wasn’t anything urgent. She seemed busy, so I could just visit another day. After thinking that, I tried to say something, but…

“Would the same old coffee shop be okay? Let’s talk somewhere else.” (Juno)

Without even waiting for my answer, Juno got up and left the room. I hurriedly followed after her out of the Laudungeon Company.

On the way to that coffee shop, Juno walked briskly without saying a single word to me. Only after we had taken our seats in the coffee shop did she finally turn to face me. After receiving the coffees we ordered, I brought it to my lips and was about to take a sip when Juno suddenly began telling me a devastating, gut-wrenching story.