Chapter 85 - Quest In The Burning Dungeon, Part 3

The other gave her a reassuring tap on the shoulder. "It's fine. He's just some F-Rank spoiled brat. No way he'd pick an A-Rank mission... though, honestly, that one should be classified as S+ by now." Despite her words, both receptionists couldn't help but glance nervously at Van, exchanging worried looks with the other adventurers nearby.Van studied the board intently.'I don't want to take anything too conspicuous. There are several S-Rank missions and beyond posted here. But as an F-Rank, picking one would draw too much attention...'His hand hovered over a C-Rank mission, and a collective sigh of relief spread among the receptionists and adventurers.Then his gaze shifted, catching sight of the A-Rank parchment.'Hmm...?'[Quest Title: Burning Dungeon!]Description: A villager from a small settlement just outside the capital has reported that his daughter and son were kidnapped and taken into a nearby cavern. The villagers dare not enter the cave, as a flame-like light is seen emanating from it at night, and blood-curdling roars echo from within. It is rumored that a dragon resides there. The father pleads for his children to be rescued at all costs—or, failing that, for their bodies to be recovered.Reward: 1,000 copper coins.Van's gaze lingered on the parchment.'That can't be a dragon. Dragons prefer high places—mountains, peaks. Even dragonkin stick to colder, elevated areas. I learned that the hard way during my 'wife-hunting crusade.' Thought I could charm the Dragon King's daughter... until the guards roasted me off their mountain. Guess I wasn't cut out for scalies.''Heh, could've been Donkey from Shrek or something.'He smirked faintly at the thought, then shook it off.'Then, a rogue mage, maybe?'Van pulled the parchment from the board and studied it closer, holding it up to the visor of his helmet."Hey..!! He's looking at it..!" One of the adventurers said with a murmur; Van not paying them any mind.'And the reward... 1,000 copper coins. That's just 1 silver. If I had to guess, that's everything the villagers could scrape together—probably their entire savings. A-Rank quests usually pay out in hundreds of gold coins. This parchment's worn, too. It's been here a while. Nobody wants to take it. They're too focused on the payment to care, then.'He clenched the parchment tightly, lowering his head for a moment.'They've got no one to help them. No one on their side... And I bet this quest's been out here for a week, probably more. The villager's children could be long dead.'Van stood in silence, his grip tightening further on the parchment.'I don't want to die of boredom; and this seems fun enough. Money's not going to be an issue once I collect the payment Nickelson probably delivered to Marcilla's guild. Screw it, I'm taking it. If anyone asks, I'll just flaunt my noble status—tell them mommy and daddy decked me out with gear fit for an A-Rank mission. That'll shut them up.'With that thought, Van turned to face the receptionist, parchment in hand. His voice carried an edge of indifference."I heard you walking up behind me. Whatever you want from me—I couldn't care less.""So, move out of the way. I don't have the time to deal with you." His tone was flat, his casualness hidden beneath the helmet. As he spoke, his gaze swept over the group standing in his way—ten adventurers, including the weeping paladin, Sylva, and the grumbling dwarf—all of them blocking the path to the receptionist. Their faces bore serious, determined expressions."Noble bastard. Don't take that quest," the dwarf barked, glaring at Van."Or what? I'll die?" Van retorted.'Haah... I wish they didn't stand so close. It hurts to look at them. Each one has a different color around them—and they all sting my eyes. This has to be related to the arcane stat. Seed of Darkness. That new passive I got... I'll have to read about it later.' Van thought, squinting beneath his helmet."Worse. Much, much worse. Please." The paladin stepped forward, placing a hand firmly on Van's shoulder. A somber, urgent expression on his eyes.Van paused, his reflexes tensing, almost ready to deflect what he expected to be a threat. But as he looked into the paladin's weary eyes, noticeable even through the blinding colors that surrounded him, he faltered. There was no malice—only earnestness... Vulnerability.He doesn't want me to die...? Van thought. Was he really such a good person?Van's gaze shifted to the paladin's relaxed hand on his shoulder, then back to his face. He let out a long sigh."I've made my choice. I'm going on this quest," Van said, brushing Unicus's hand off his shoulder with a firm yet measured gesture.'That fool... Just what does he hope to gain by going there? Is he as maniacal as his father was?' Sylva wondered, her narrowed eyes fixed on Van before drifting to Unicus.'Even when Unicus is begging him not to go... He's such a good person.' Her gaze softened, a faint blush rising to her cheeks as admiration and awe overtook her thoughts.Vaelthir silently glanced at Sylva; taking in her awestruck expression as she looked at Unicus.'My lady is at that age, I suppose... I can understand the necessity of working with humans, but... really, my Lady? To fall for a human? Inconceivable. In a mere forty years, he'll look older than your grandfather.' He sighed, his thoughts a quiet lament.'While you and I will still appear the same, even after a century passes.' Vaelthir closed his eyes, looking away in a mix of exasperation and slight envy. 'Oh well. I suppose such is a lesson you will have to experience the hard way.''I am patient, after all. And unlike a human, I have nothing but time on my hands,' Vaelthir concluded silently, his thoughts as steady as his composure.'...He's not using his force to resist me,' Van noted, his sharp eyes catching the slight parting of the paladin's lips—a crack in his resolve, filled with despair and somber resignation; as Van removed his hand."Leave him, UNICUS. That noble wants to die, LET HIM DIE!" A deep, guttural growl erupted from behind. The voice belonged to a towering dragonkin, his imposing figure commanding attention as he stepped forward."H-Hey!" hissed a human woman in a hooded cloak, her voice sharp with warning. "Don't provoke him... he's a noble!""Psche, who are you to tell me what to do? I don't even remember you walking in here!" the dragonkin snarled, his voice rising in challenge, drawing everyone's attention to the thief."I... I knew someone from the expedition," she stammered, her tone faltering. "The receptionist let me in b-because of that, so—""PSCHE," the dragonkin clicked his tongue, cutting her off. His gaze darted toward the receptionist, who gave a subtle nod confirming her words. With a dismissive snort, his scaly lips curled back as his eyes returned to Van. "If I feared the likes of him, I wouldn't have become an adventurer.""Hmph." The dwarf interjected with a grunt, his tone gruff. "The scaly has a point, runt." He jabbed a stubby finger toward Van. "Leave the quest and scram; you'll die a horrible death. Not that anyone here cares."He ended his remark with one eye squeezed shut in derision, his words oozing disdain. Around the room, the adventurers nodded in unison. Not a single face bore a shred of concern. Instead, their expressions were taut with caution,But only one of them wore despair etched deeply on his features.It was Unicus—the blonde-haired paladin with his short, spiky hair. His composure faltered as he stepped closer, desperation leaking into his voice."Don't do this! That quest... it's a death sentence! I've seen what happens to those who try. Please, listen to reason—don't throw your life away!" he nearly begged, both hands gripping Van's sides once more in a futile attempt to stop him."...Unicus, right?" Van muttered, his voice low as his gaze met the paladin's.'Did he happen to be there, or something? A villager from the area?' Van wondered momentarily."...?" Unicus swallowed hard, his grip tightening slightly as he searched Van's tone for meaning. The softness in Van's voice felt at odds with his menacing armor and cold demeanor.Even Sylva's ears twitched slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing with curiosity as she caught the unexpected shift in his tone.Van exhaled slowly, his Untrusted passive flashing through his mind stubbornly."The reason I'm doing this..." Van began, his voice measured, before letting out a deep sigh.'If I respond aggressively, they might... No, WILL escalate. I need to deflect... I know what to do.' Resolving himself, he straightened and spoke clearly."For the glory of my house."The room's collective expectancy crumbled into disappointment. Gazes turned away, frowns replaced the momentary intrigue, and a few adventurers rolled their eyes outright.'I'm not sure what I expected... It was his son, after all,' Sylva thought, releasing a silent sigh.'As expected of a human noble. So shortsighted...' Vaelthir's thoughts were no kinder, his disdain reflected in the slight narrowing of his eyes."What...?" Unicus whispered, his voice barely audible, trembling as he searched for meaning in Van's words. His gaze locked on the dark void of Van's helmet, as if hoping for something—anything—to pierce through the lackluster answer he'd just been given."...If you must know, I also wanted to... prove my sovereignty to my girlfriend—by showing off how I beat an A-ranked quest," Van said, his tone dripping with feigned confidence as he pushed Unicus's now-relaxed arms aside. "Don't worry. This baby you see on me? The armor, the sword? All magically enhanced to A-rank, sponsored by my loaded dad. Nothing could kill me."Van smirked, tapping his shoulder as he strutted past the paladin, flaunting his armor with exaggerated swagger. The adventurers around him watched in stunned disbelief."All... for some girl...!? This bastard," the dragonkin growled, his scaly visage twisting into a glare as he watched Van walk by.'It turns out he really is nothing more than a womanizer, just like his father,' Sylva thought with a grimace, her sharp features reflecting her growing disdain. 'I know his upbringing likely shaped him into this, but... this is insufferable.'"Lady Sylva," Vaelthir, her ever-watchful guardian, interjected with a sharp tone. "Be sure to steer clear of scum like this.""You don't have to tell me, Vaelthir," she replied firmly, her gaze following Van as he continued toward the exit."What a dumbass. Ain't that right, Arnolt?" a human adventurer hissed, his words laced with derision. He nudged the dwarf beside him, who stood silently with his arms folded, his sharp eyes fixed on Van.Arnolt's gaze lingered on Van's tight grip on the parchment, the way his hand clenched it as if it were his lifeline. The dwarf said nothing, his silence prompting the human adventurer to raise an eyebrow, clearly expecting a snarky remark.Van reached the exit, the whispers of the room following him like shadows."Good. One less noble in the world is a good outcome, anyway," someone muttered from the crowd.Unicus clenched his teeth, his frustration boiling over until, unable to contain himself, he burst forward, shoving others aside as he made his way to Van."I'M TELLING YOU, YOU'LL DIE—" he yelled, his voice filled with raw desperation."Hush now!" Van interrupted, suddenly spinning on his heel with an over-the-top flourish. His arms spread wide in an exaggerated motion as his voice rose with mock grandeur."Or I'll invoke my noble rights to have you thrown in jail for daring to lay your hands on someone like me, the son of the Duchess Bariumoxidia Calciumsulfat... from the illustrious Periodictable family."'...Not sure why I went that far... but it feels liberating somehow,' Van thought, his expression hidden behind his armor as he processed the words he'd so brazenly spoken."W-who...?" one of the adventurers stammered, breaking the silence."I've never heard of her..." another muttered."Either way... to use his power to threaten someone who just tried to help them? Psche, can't say I'm surprised by these nobles..." the dragonkin growled, his scaled tail swishing in irritation.'...Terrible,' Sylva thought, her sharp features twisting into another grimace. Vaelthir, standing stoically beside her, echoed her sentiment with a cold remark. "To think scum like him actually exists..."Van's voice cut through the murmurs, quieter now but resolute. "So..."The single word caught Unicus's attention, his tense posture softening slightly as he turned to look at Van."Just leave me alone. You'll get nothing from associating yourself with me," Van said, his tone bold yet subdued. His gaze met Unicus's squarely, despite the blinding glow that surrounded the paladin in Van's perception. He held the gaze for a few lingering seconds, letting the weight of his words settle before turning away.'No fight broke out. I'd call that a win,' Van thought, exhaling an unseen sigh of relief as he exited the large guild."Hmph, good riddance!" one adventurer muttered, while others voiced similar sentiments, their words blending into a low murmur.Meanwhile, Arnolt and Unicus remained still, their eyes meeting in shared silence."U-Unicus!" Sylva exclaimed, rushing to the paladin's side. Her voice quivered with concern as she hesitantly placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright...? You should sit!"Unicus looked down at her, his tired eyes softening at her concern. "I'm... I'm fine, Sylva," he replied with a weak, reassuring smile."It's just... the way he spoke... felt off," Unicus murmured, his voice low, almost as if speaking to himself."Off? What do yo—" Sylva began, but her words were interrupted."...I'm going with the kid, Unicus." Arnolt's gruff voice cut through the conversation as he strode past the paladin and the elf, heading toward the exit."Arnolt!? Why...?" Unicus called out, his brows furrowed in confusion as he turned to the dwarf."Like you said, something about what he spat out bothers the living shit out of me. Like my ass itches and I can't reach it," Arnolt replied, his tone blunt as ever, not bothering to slow his stride."And noble or not, he's just some snotty brat. Probably can't even wipe his own ass," the dwarf added with a grumble, pushing the heavy doors open and stepping into the sunlight."...!" Unicus's eyes narrowed as his thoughts churned, his gaze fixed on the exit where the dwarf had disappeared."Unicus...?" Sylva said softly, her voice tinged with concern as she noticed the growing resolve in his expression.Meanwhile, Van was already some distance away from the guild when a sharp cry cut through the bustling street."HEY!!! NOBLE BRAT!!!" The booming voice of Arnolt carried over the noise, drawing the attention of onlookers as the dwarf stomped toward him, his every step deliberate and heavy."DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING THERE BY YOURSELF!! I MAY HAVE A HEART OF STEEL, BUT I AIN'T ONE TO WATCH SOME YOUNG'UN DIE—NO MATTER HOW ROTTEN THEY ARE!" Arnolt bellowed, his voice echoing like thunder.Van turned around abruptly, startled by the sudden outburst. His gaze locked onto the dwarf, battle axe and pickaxe crossed on his back, glinting in the sunlight. Behind him, Unicus marched with equal determination, his armor gleaming as it caught the sun's rays."What are you doing?" Van blurted out, his voice tinged with a mix of irritation and disbelief. His gaze darted between the gruff dwarf and the steadfast paladin. "I told you to scram. I wanted to bring glory to my—""Yeah, yeah, save that bullshit for those other airheads in there," Arnolt interrupted, his rough voice cutting Van off mid-sentence. His one eye squeezed shut as usual, he waved a dismissive hand toward him, silencing him with his sheer presence."No ordinary noble looking to 'bring glory to his house' is gonna admit their daddy did something for him willingly like you did," Arnolt said, his voice gruff."They're all proud scumbags with egos the size of the moon and no grit to back it up. Ain't no way they're crediting anyone but themselves. And..."His gaze fell on the now-crumpled parchment in Van's hand, his lips tightening. "No one clutches a piece o' paper like their life depends on it for no reason. Sure as hell ain't to impress no one," Arnolt added, signaling toward the parchment with a slight tilt of his head."I ain't gonna ask," The dwarf continued, "But I ain't gonna sit quietly, either. I was curious about that quest, either way."Van remained silent, his grip on the paper faltering instinctively. '...' His fingers loosened slightly before he forced himself to respond, though his own words sounded distant, almost hollow. "I was just... excited," he murmured.Arnolt huffed, crossing his arms but saying nothing further."Arnolt's right," Unicus interjected, stepping forward. His voice carried a note of quiet determination. "I don't buy this cold mask you wear. And..." He paused, drawing in a deep breath. "I am an A-Rank Paladin. I went on that quest. More than fifteen of us went... and I was the only one who made it back."Van's gaze shifted to Unicus, his eyes lingering on the paladin's weary form. The dark circles under his eyes."That's why," Unicus continued, his tone steady as he straightened his posture, "if you're hellbent on going, then I'm coming too." He sniffed sharply, hardening his expression. "I'll be your party leader.""OUR party leader," a mature yet smooth voice echoed from behind. All heads turned toward the source—Vaelthir."Vaelthir...? Everyone?" Unicus said, startled, as he looked past the elf to see the others approaching. The towering dragonkin Savathon, Sylva, Vaelthir himself, and the hooded female thief all strode toward them with purpose."Do not look at me. Lady Sylva insisted on going. I merely followed," Vaelthir said coolly, casting a sideways glance toward the group."I'd prefer the noble died... but if he does, it'll reflect badly on the guild," the dragonkin muttered, his scaly arms crossed as he avoided looking directly at Van. "I'm going too.""I... I trust Unicus's judgment!" Sylva chimed in enthusiastically, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush.'Unicus seemed like himself again when Arnolt went after Van Hellix. If helping Van means helping Unicus... then of course I'm going to be there for Unicus..! I mean, close to him—ah, I mean, to HELP him!' Sylva's cheeks flushed as she furiously shook her head.'And... I should tell Van Hellix how his father died. He might be a bad person like his father, but he deserves to know. Maybe... maybe it'll fix him somehow?' Her resolve hardened as her gaze landed firmly on Van.Van remained silent, the crumpled parchment still in his hand as his eyes swept over the group. He seemed unsure of what to make of the scene before him."So, give me the parchment and follow my lead. Please," Unicus said earnestly, his hand extended. His weary yet determined eyes sought Van's gaze through the shadowy openings of his helmet, as if trying to pierce the darkness and connect."..."'Oh well... Since the villagers know him, it might be easier to find out what happened if they trust him,' Van reasoned silently. He extended his hand slowly, placing the parchment into Unicus's waiting palm.'And it's not like I'm entrusting my life to him. If anything, their presence will just make things more complicated later on...''...So why does it feel like my shoulders are lighter now?' The thought lingered as Van's eyes softened, briefly flickering downward, while the weight he'd been carrying felt, inexplicably, less oppressive.Unicus let out a faint, weary smile, his fingers closing gently around the parchment. Van lowered his hand to his side, silent but resigned."Thank you," Unicus said softly. His voice carried a quiet sincerity as he looked directly at Van, then to the rest of the party. "I'll keep you safe. No matter what."With that, the group began to march, their footsteps steady with purpose. Van followed a few paces behind, his armored figure blending into the movement of the party.'Van Hellix Jr., huh...?' The thought lingered in the human thief's mind, a flicker of suspicion burning in her chest as she walked behind the group.-----------"Hey, Ilfri. When did you let that hooded girl in? I don't remember seeing her walk in," one of the guild receptionists asked, her voice tinged with suspicion."Oh... her..." Ilfri muttered, her expression clouding as she blinked rapidly. "I... don't remember letting her in..." She faltered, clutching the reception table for balance. Her voice dropped to a faint whisper, barely audible. "But... I had to... didn't I? Someone told me to...""Ilfri!!" her coworker exclaimed, rushing to her side to catch her before she collapsed.-----------'I'm going to find out... just how you recognized me,' she thought, a low growl rumbling in her throat as her sharp, cat-like eyes narrowed, locking on Van's back. She fell in line with the others, her movements tense, deliberate. 'And if necessary... I'll kill you. If you know who I am... then you must be connected to those who killed my mother.'Her claws twitched involuntarily as her mind hissed the name that burned in her heart:

'The Queen of the Feline-Halfling Tribe...!'