Chapter 3: Searching for the Explorer_1

(Unless there are unexpected circumstances, there should be a double update today. Of course, if something unexpected happens without warning, just pretend I never said this.)

"Uh, I get it." Catherine did not further inquire about the obvious agenda lurking beneath. Instead, she stated her requirements directly: "We received a mission that requires us to find an Upper Bronze Rank explorer to temporarily team up with us. However, no one who responded to our post in the town center is qualified. We heard that you are the most informed person in this town. We hope you can provide us with some clues."

"An explorer?" The boss pondered, wiping dishes as he did so. "And they have to be of the Upper Bronze Rank or higher? Where are you going?"

"The Crying Cave." Catherine briefly considered before adding, "The details of the mission need to be kept a secret."

The boss laughed and shook his head, "You don't need an Upper Bronze Rank explorer for the Crying Cave, you don't even need any explorer at all. That place has been searched thoroughly. I have the maps and magical beast distribution maps here. You can just take them and go there directly."

"I have the map too, don't try to brush me off with that," Catherine tapped her finger on the counter and lowered her voice, "After all, we are a Silver Rank adventure team. We know some secrets too."

"Silver Rank!" The boss looked mildly surprised, "A Silver Rank adventure team needs to have at least a Gold Rank member, it's not the type that can be seen everywhere. Are you sure your team is a Silver Rank one?"

"Of course." Catherine looked extremely proud: "We are Nellie's Adventure Team."

"Pfft." The beautiful lady boss couldn't help but chuckle. She studied the distracted Vivian and Lena, who was engrossed in a novel out of boredom, before covering her mouth and chuckling, "I should've figured it out. You are Nellie's fan club."

"Hey!" Catherine glared at the barmaid, a dangerous tone creeping into her voice, "We're Nellie's Adventure Team, not a fan club!"

"Uh, sorry sorry." The barmaid was still laughing, "It's just that you got quite a reputation, haha."

The boss slapped the barmaid's head from above to halt her laughter, though a smile played across his own face, "As long as it's you guys, you should be eligible to know the secret of the Crying Cave. Indeed, at least an Upper Bronze Rank explorer's help is necessary. If you were to venture into the unexplored areas, the higher the level of the explorer, the better."

"What secret does the Crying Cave hold?" Catherine asked with confusion, "We've only heard rumors that it's not simple, but we're not very familiar as we don't come around this area very much."

"The Crying Cave is not as small as most people think. Actually, there's a vast space in the lower level. However, the gap in the strength of the magical creatures between the two levels is very large, which poses a great danger to the oblivious adventurers. Hundreds of inadequate adventurers or mercenaries used to die there every year before the lower level was hidden. They said that about seventy years ago, the Adventurer's Guild, together with several professional guilds, set up some magic barriers over the entrance to the lower level. Only an Upper Bronze Rank explorer or higher could have the ability to find the entrance. And this secret is only shared with the Silver Rank or higher teams by the Guilds to protect their lower rank members."

"No wonder he couldn't find it," Catherine spoke bitterly, "we were nearly tricked out of twelve gold coins."

"You guys got deceived?" The barmaid poured drinks for other guests while leaning over the counter, "Let me think, an explorer... it should be little Scart. That guy indeed is of the Upper Bronze Rank, but unfortunately, he's an Upper Bronze Rank thief. His exploration skills are very lacking."

"That's him, and he not only deceived us, but he also missed several magic creature traps in the cave. If we hadn't saved him, he would've died in there."

"Ah, adventurers." The boss seemed resigned, "Same as mercenaries, it's hard to say where and when they'll die. Maybe it would be better if he died here, at least then someone would collect his body."

"Forget it," Catherine sighed, "Do you have any recommendations for an explorer?"

The boss furrowed his brows in thought, then hesitated, "There really is someone who fits the bill, but I highly advise against getting involved with people like him. Actually, another upper-rank explorer will return to town in three months, I suggest you hire him."

"That won't do, the mission deadline isn't that long, we can't wait three months." Seeing the indecision on the boss's face, Catherine pressed on, "Why do you think we shouldn't hire the first person? Is he also not qualified?"

"No, he is definitely qualified. To my knowledge, even a Gold Rank adventure team has once hired him and successfully completed the mission. Besides, he's not only an explorer, but he can also adapt to other roles."

Catherine's eyes lit up at the information, "Great, this is just the person I want to find. Please give us his contact information."

The boss remained silent, only offering a cryptic smile as he continued to clean the dishes. The porcelain plates squeaked as he cleaned them. Seeing this, Catherine clenched her teeth in frustration and said irritatedly, "Should ten silver coins be enough then?"

The boss merely smiled and held up a finger.