◈ 236. [Free Exploration] Hot spring facility (3)
In conclusion.
It wasn’t a ghost.
“Help me! Help me, oh! I’m not a monster, I’m not even a ghost! I’m an adventurer! Save me!”
rest area.
A woman with long light green hair, drenched in water, is on her knees praying.
There are three tear dots vertically below the left eye, giving it an unusual impression. Even when I’m still, I feel like I’m crying a little.
Long ears sticking out through wet light green hair are visible. I groaned.
“You’re an elf… … ?”
If there was a Lily who hated elves, she would have been more frightened than when she saw a ghost, but it’s not a monster anyway.
‘It could be worse than a monster, but… … .’
NPCs are sometimes more menacing than monsters.
I glanced at Lucas. Lucas immediately drew his sword.
“What were you doing in here? answer.”
Lucas asked in a stern voice, and the elf woman gave a high-pitched sound and explained the situation.
“As I said, I am an adventurer! I was exploring this dungeon… … !”
I narrowed my eyes. Is it an ‘NPC party’?
NPC party.
This is what is often referred to as a ‘tactician’.
There are several NPC adventurer parties who have been heading to clear dungeons for years or decades, not newbie parties like us that have been in for less than a year.
Depending on the progress, they can become allies or enemies. If it goes well, you can even transfer under his command.
‘We haven’t met yet, but we’ll meet in a place like this.’
And I know every side of every NPC party active in the dungeon. It’s because the game is also terribly intertwined.
Among them, there was only one party made up of elves.
‘The Holy Grail Exploration Team under the direct control of the Elf Queen.’
100 years ago, the time when kingdoms of different races collapsed due to war with humans.
The Elf Queen gave a secret order to the guards to break through the unfavorable war situation.
It was a national treasure of the fairy kingdom in the past, but he ordered them to find the Holy Grail, a magical source that was stolen.
With the Holy Grail, you can use the ancient magic of the fairy kingdom again.
So, the 5 members of the bodyguard set out to search for the Holy Grail and came up with an underground dungeon in the Lake Kingdom as a likely location for the Holy Grail.
It was 100 years ago that I jumped into the dungeon like that.
The elven kingdom was already destroyed, and even the previous queen who gave the order lost her life.
The pitiful party of 5 elves, still unable to give up their mission, continue their raid into the depths of the dungeon in search of the Holy Grail, like an ax handle rotting in a fairy tale.
These are the Holy Grail Exploration Team.
‘But why alone? Besides, why were you in a hot spring facility?’
As I became puzzled and frowned, the frightened elf woman began to explain in detail.
“Me and my colleagues were clearing the dungeon in District 6. I had heard the information that the object our party was looking for was in District 6.”
“however?”
“But suddenly the commander of the Nightmare Corps and his subordinates appeared… .”
The elf woman began to tremble.
“The ‘Wolf King’ of the 9th Rank Werewolf Corps and his subordinates were directly hunting for an adventurer party.”
“… !”
“We pride ourselves on being a skilled party in our own way, but we never imagined that a corps commander would appear in person. It just fell apart.”
Right after that, the elf woman screamed while tearing her hair out.
“But after destroying us, they say something like, ‘They’re not the guys we’re looking for’! What! If that’s the case, why did you attack!”
Those words suddenly reminded me of a warning I had given me in the past.
– Some of the nightmare corps commanders are targeting you.
– The deeper you go into the Lake Kingdom, the easier they will find your traces and send pursuers. In the worst case, the corps commander may appear to kill you directly.
I said that the nightmare corps commanders are trying to find me and kill me.
‘Could it be that they are searching the inside of the dungeon to find our party?’
Is that why the adventurer party is attacking the tribe in sight? Were these elves caught up in the quest for the Holy Grail?
“After that, they started kidnapping us and taking us somewhere. In the meantime, I was able to escape alone thanks to the fact that I was lucky enough to loosen my grip… … .”
The elf woman looked down at her wrist. Traces of rubbing on the rope remain red.
Her face flushed red, as if she was ashamed of leaving her comrades behind and leaving alone.
Looking at it, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Kelly Bay said this before.
– It looks like something is going on in the depths of the dungeon.
– Seeing that the wandering dead and the adventurers who went inside after requesting equipment from me haven’t been seen for a long time, it seems that something big is going on.
The NPC party is missing.
‘Was all of this the work of the nightmare corps commanders? Are you attacking and kidnapping an NPC party to find me?’
What if not only these members of the Holy Grail Exploration Corps but also other NPC parties are being kidnapped?
‘… Aren’t I also responsible for their abduction?’
While I was lost in my thoughts, the elf woman continued to speak.
“I managed to escape, but I was exhausted and injured. I can’t afford to return to base camp alone.”
“So you took refuge in this hot spring facility.”
“yes. Reorganization is possible here. And since my profession is an assassin, stealth is my forte. He had been recovering for several days in the women’s bath, avoiding the monsters at the entrance.”
The elf woman glanced at Evangeline.
“But suddenly someone came in, so I thought it might be an enemy, so I dived into the hot tub and hid… I came out suffocated and was very surprised… … .”
“Well, it would be surprising if someone suddenly rises from the bath…” … .”
Evangeline was still on the other side, clutching her surprised chest and sending a wary gaze.
“Anyway, I understand the situation.”
I motioned for Lucas to put the sword away. When the pointed sword was removed, the elf woman let out a sigh of relief.
“Is there anything we can do to help?”
It seemed that we were the reason they were attacked, so we felt the need to help.
When I asked, the elf woman’s face brightened.
“Could you please save our party?!”
It comes out like this too. I ran my hand over my chin.
These Holy Grail Quests are the weakest of the NPC parties in this dungeon, but they are one of the few normal people who are kind to us.
If you give grace, it will help you in the future attack.
“Do you know where they were taken?”
“Perhaps they were taken to the ‘Wolf Den’ in Area 7, their home base.”
Is it District 7? … .
It’s quite far in the yard that I haven’t cleared all the dungeons in District 5, let alone District 6 yet.
Above all, if it were the stronghold of the Werewolf Corps, they would be stationed there, but it was too risky to invade there.
‘But there is a way.’
After the eradication of the Werewolf Corps attacking the Cross Road during this defense battle is complete.
The place they used to be their stronghold will also be less well-defended. Then rescue will be possible.
‘The question is, will the prisoners hold out until then? … .’
Tring!
Then, a system window popped up in front of me.
[Sudden Quest – NPC Rescue]
– Rescue the NPC kidnapped by the Nightmare Corps.
-Location: Area 7 ‘Wolf Den’
-Reward: ???
– Remaining period: 30 days
Kindly pops up a quest window right in front of you. Ader guy.
I think it’s breaking news, but there is some pretty important information written on the system window.
‘Quest expiration date is 30 days. Are the prisoners still alive for at least 30 days?’
There must be a reason why you didn’t kill him. He’s probably being newspapered by monsters.
The limit to endure that is the next 30 days.
‘Because the next defense is in 27 days… … .’
Alright, time is running out.
I explained the situation here to the elf woman.
I’m the head of the southern defense line, and in four weeks the Werewolf Corps will attack the city, and after defeating them, I’ll go rescue my comrades together.
The elf woman cried when she heard that it would be a month later, but what can I do? This is realistically the best help I can give.
“All right. My comrades are strong people, so I must pray that they hold out as long as possible… .”
At her words, I nodded.
“instead… It’s hard to say, but for our party’s exploration, we’ll prioritize paving the way to the ‘Wolf Den’ as much as possible.”
“Then I will help you with that exploration!”
The elf woman jumped to her feet.
“It’s been rolling here for a long time, so things are pretty crisp! I am especially confident in route guidance and reconnaissance!”
Annet What kind of windfall is this? Although it was a short-term hire for 30 days, it was possible to add one NPC character to the party without pay.
“good. Let’s work together until then.”
Long live the free characters! I’ll roll it all over the next month!
I put my hand forward. Then the elf woman looked down at my hand with round eyes. I clenched my hand.
“Shake hands to shake hands. It’s a partnership now.”
“ah… aha! handshake!”
The elf woman, who rubbed her palms on her clothes, smiled awkwardly and held my hand with both hands.
“sorry. I’m not used to the human way of greeting.”
“How are you doing? Anyway, since we’re helping each other, let’s get along well.”
After the awkward handshake, I nodded.
“My name is Ash. what’s your name?”
“My name is Belldandi. Please take good care of me, Mr. Ash.”
Elf woman- Belldandi smiled innocently.
But is it because of the tear point? Even though he was smiling, he had the impression that he was crying somehow.
‘Berdandi?’
When I heard the other person’s name, I was quite surprised.
SSR grade assassin character Belldandi. This woman is the leader of the Holy Grail Search party.
‘I thought it was another character with a lower level because he looked so strong… … Wasn’t it a named NPC?’
Right then.
growl.
“Ugh… !”
Belldandi made a loud noise from the boat and looked up at me with a teary face.
“Ho, I’m sorry, but do you have anything to eat… ? I’ve been starving for days… … .”
“… .”
I took a baked egg and honey water out of the bag and gave it to him. I brought it because I wanted to eat it, but it will be more useful to someone who is starving… … .
“delicious! So delicious! This is the first egg to eat!”
Belldandy ate the baked egg I gave him while almost crying.
“The ingredients of the outside world are precious here! Usually, meals are made with preserved food left by the people of the Lake Kingdom… … It was delicious. Today’s rice… … .”
“… I’ll bring more ingredients next time I come. Just talk.”
I was mobilized to the party without pay, but I can take care of at least a meal.
“World tree, my God! How can you be so merciful! Then next time you come!”
Belldandi pleaded with her eyes twinkling.
“Give me some sunflower seeds!”
“… .”
I wanted to ask something like a hamster, but I thought it was an elf’s appetite and nodded.
I want to eat, so I’ll bring it to you.
Looking at Belldandi, who was gulping down nectar with a happy face, suddenly came to mind the faces of the shadow corps members, who were also elves.
The three who left after receiving a mission and haven’t returned yet, and the two who left on a path of no return.
Those guys were so happy when I first brought them a meal.
“… .”
Deep in thought, Quylan muttered with a dark complexion as he looked down at the empty egg carton.
“I was expecting a baked egg… .”
“… I’ll bake a new one when I get back.”
“As expected, His Highness the Prince! You take good care of your subordinates!”
Of course it sucks. At least eating doesn’t make me sad. Even if you have a good meal, the desire to leave the company is greatly reduced.
Then Damian and Lucas looked at me silently. I clicked my tongue.
“Did you guys want to eat too?”
“yes… .”
“yes!”
Damian was shy, but Lucas was needlessly courageous.
“Okay, I’ll bake you as soon as I get back…” … .”
Then someone grabbed my collar and pulled it all the way. Looking over there, it was Evangeline. why are you
Evangeline asked with a soft smile.
“Are you going to bake me too?”
No, you brought it by yourself and ate it! It’s a round pear!
