The Dungeon. In the end, I'd come back down after all.
All the way here, my expression had refused to soften even once.
"Haa, I really don't want to work."
The shadowy fellow who introduced himself as Phels had commissioned me to investigate the cause of a Dungeon abnormality on the 24th Floor. Monsters had been spawning in massive numbers, causing severe damage, and he wanted me to find the culprit and eliminate them.
Then, he told me to head first to the village of Rivira on the 18th Floor—or more precisely, to a certain tavern within the village.
According to him, I was to rendezvous with some collaborators there and complete the request together.
In short, it was a forced party-play quest.
For a shut-in like me, it was the kind of tedious chore that didn't appeal to me in the slightest.
Still, since I was firmly in the subordinate position this time, what choice did I have?
I'd just obediently do as the boss commanded and get the job over with as quickly as possible.
"So~ an~noy~ing~"
If this had been a solo request, I would have powered through it with everything I had just to hurry back to my cozy workshop.
But with the nature of the work being like this, I just couldn't muster any energy.
Zero motivation... zero motivation...
"Well, it's not like they'll charge me a penalty just for being a little late."
And so, devoid of any real enthusiasm, I dragged my feet and took my time. I didn't wander off, though; I came straight down to Rivira.
And then—huh?
"Why does the village look like this?"
The shops in the village all looked like they had been rebuilt, then collapsed, then rebuilt again—each one wearing a shabby, makeshift appearance that screamed 'recent repairs.'
Well, fine, let's just assume the original buildings were shabby to begin with.
No, wait—where the hell did the palisade barrier and the magic batteries I'd painstakingly installed go?!
Who the hell was the bastard responsible for this?!
"Don't tell me something happened while I was gone?"
After a brief moment of contemplation, I decided there was no point in pondering it alone and went straight to the local, Bors, to hear what had happened.
But once I heard his story, it was a real sight to behold.
What? A monster that looked almost human—a humanoid woman—and a swarm of some new species of monsters that looked like plant stems?
That damn woman had just barged in and caused a ruckus, and that was how the place ended up in this state?!
And on top of that, she had actually survived after he used Stella, then came back to attack again?!
Setting everything else aside, surviving that hit...
Somehow, that felt like an insult to my pride.
"Don't even get me started. I really thought I was a goner."
"Hmm. To think she was an opponent capable of surviving even your last resort. In that case, you should count yourself incredibly lucky just to have kept your life."
"Yeah, I agree. If possible, I never want to experience something that horrific again. If it happens one more time, I'm running away without looking back. Seriously, you can never let your guard down in this damn Dungeon. Even ten lives wouldn't be enough."
I let Bors's whining drift in one ear and out the other as I sank into thought.
A humanoid monster that looked almost human, and a new species of monster.
For some reason, the former interested me more than the latter.
Was she something like the Apostles from my previous world?
Or was it just mimicry?
Given that she was capable of conversation, it didn't seem like something so simple.
"I'd actually like to meet that woman once."
"Forget it, just forget it. Even you might die, you know?"
"If the pursuit of knowledge is the cause, I'm more than willing."
"Tch. You're not going to live long either, are you?"
Anyway, after hearing the full story, I promised to set up new barriers for the village.
Of course, I couldn't do it immediately because of the request Phels had given me, so I told him I'd install them the next time I returned to the village.
Naturally, I made it very clear that I would need a lot of materials, so he had better prepare plenty in advance.
Bors made a tearful face at that... but what do I care about a man's tears?
"Hee, was there always a tavern in a place like this? I've been here several times, but I never noticed it."
After that, I wandered through the chaotic streets of the village for a while before finally arriving at the tavern that served as the meeting point.
And sure enough.
I ran into an unexpectedly familiar face in an unexpected place.
Ah, right, her name was...
"What, it's the lady from Hermes Familia?"
"You are...?"
Asfi Al Andromeda.
The captain of Hermes Familia, known by the epithet "Perseus," the all-rounder.
Hmm, really now.
Every time I see her, I think she has an epithet that's far too grand for her.
Her ability to create magic items isn't so much the result of accumulated knowledge—like mine—but rather owes a great deal to the "Mystery" ability granted by her Falna.
No matter how much of it was her own latent potential, it still felt a bit... cheat-like, didn't it?
Of course, that's rich coming from a special case like me, a reincarnator.
Still, the fact that I can't help but think that means I've probably aged enough to become petty.
I really thought I'd never become one of those old fogeys.
It's true that once your position changes, your perspective changes completely.
I should keep that in mind and be careful later.
"What brings you here?"
"Well, let's see..."
Leaving the puzzled Asfi behind, I walked into the tavern.
The seat I was to take was the very first one at the counter.
And the rendezvous code was...
"Your order?"
"Uh, let's see... [Potato Boy, Spicy Bacon Flavor]?"
In an instant.
The moment I finished speaking, I felt a barrage of gazes hitting my back.
When I turned around, everyone in the tavern was staring at me.
Which meant...
"I see. So all of you are the collaborators."
"Yes, that's correct."
"You expected me? You don't seem very surprised."
"Well, you aren't the type of person who would come to a place like this just to drink. I had a rough idea the moment you sat down. Though I was quite surprised when I actually saw your face."
"I see."
Her epithet might be a bit excessive, but as a leader, she was undoubtedly a highly capable individual.
If I were to compare her to my previous life, she felt like a class president.
In other words, she had that sharp, dependable older-sister vibe.
Unlike the tropes in subculture, however, she lacked that erotic aura.
And she didn't seem like the type to have a clumsy gap, like some "curry maniac" I know.
She was a talent that Hermes was wasting miserably.
I wondered what kind of items would be produced if her "Mystery" ability and my knowledge were combined.
Setting aside my previous thoughts, I was personally very curious.
If she weren't a Familia captain, I'd want to hire her as an assistant, just like Lili.
In every sense, it was "Hermes, die, Fou."
He-die-Fou! He-die-Fou!
"Let's wait a little longer."
"Is someone else coming?"
"Yes. That person mentioned that support would come from two different sources."
"I'm one. How much longer for the other?"
"Just a moment. We don't have much time to spare, so let's wait a bit longer. If no one arrives, we'll set off."
Step, step.
"Oh, they're here."
The moment the words left her mouth, footsteps echoed from the entrance stairs.
Naturally, all the eyes in the tavern shifted toward the door.
And a woman who looked like a young girl appeared.
Another familiar face.
Though unlike Asfi, we were practically strangers.
"Sword Princess?"
"You are...?"
It seemed Ais Wallenstein had the same thought.
She looked at me with a fairly surprised expression.
It wasn't very obvious, given her naturally stoic demeanor.
"Your order?"
"Uh, um... [Potato Boy, Matcha Cream Flavor]."
Clatter!
"Y-you're the reinforcements?!"
A brief commotion broke out behind us.
A beastwoman girl had fallen over in shock; it seemed she was acquainted with Ais.
Well, even without that, the fact that a famous first-class adventurer from the city had arrived as support made her reaction perfectly natural.
In fact, the others were reacting similarly.
"Well, everyone's here. Let's get moving."
"I agree. Shall we introduce ourselves on the way?"
Asfi nodded in agreement and urged her members to move.
Ais, who remained quiet, gave a simple acknowledgment and followed obediently behind us.
Hmm. This party.
For something thrown together so hastily, it was starting off better than I expected.
If the atmosphere stays this reasonable, I might actually be able to complete the request without any major conflict.
"...Please, I beg of you, do not go around talking about us."
"Ah... sure."
"Asfi, do you want to try too? If I win, you have to go on a date with me..."
"Sein, Fire Arrow."
"Ahahaha! Kikus, rejected again!"
"Why are you so stylish?! ...Idiottttt!"
Uh, um... this is fine, right?