Upon arriving in town before dawn via teleportation, I noticed the atmosphere had changed considerably.
“Hey there, mister! We’re cheap and delicious!”
Even at this hour, eateries lined the Great Street were open. Was the town aiming to be sleepless? Peeking inside a shop, I heard…
“Say that one more time!”
“Hah, I’ll say it as many times as you want! Why are you running away from there!?”
Two men in a Party, apparently from a newly discovered Dungeon exploration, seemed on the verge of a fight.
“Customers!?”
A bald man, likely the shopkeeper, intervened. Other customers hurled taunts at the duo, and I even saw some placing bets.
I slipped away before getting caught in the crossfire. My destination was the affluent district where many wealthy individuals resided, specifically the mansion that provided me with information about the beautiful Yoko Fox sisters.
I pressed the magic tool at the entrance. A few seconds later, the mansion’s gate opened, revealing a familiar Bodyguard.
“—!”
He was larger than the Vessel Body Zazan version. Seeing the realization dawn on my face, he inhaled sharply and approached the iron gate. He unlocked it with a clang and dragged me inside without even waiting for me to greet him. Huh? I came here for information about the Yoko Fox sisters.
“Welcome back.”
The master of the mansion, and my Client. He seemed very different from last time, and agitated.
“So, you’ve acquired it, right? Since you’re here. I’ll pay the Reward, so hurry up and give me That Thing.”
He wanted “That Thing”—the legendary Secret Treasure of the Yoko Fox Clan. The agitation stemmed from his desperate desire for the treasure, likely prompting this impatient summons over the past few days. Middle management is tough. I remember dying once after a job I was entrusted with failed. Back then…
“Hey! Hurry up and put That Thing on the Table.”
My Client slammed his fist on the table, repeating his demand. But I couldn’t fulfill it, as I hadn’t obtained the Secret Treasure. I had only come to inquire about the sisters’ likely whereabouts and the location of anyone hiding them. Now, how should I navigate this situation? Zazan’s face was memorable. They’d likely investigated me thoroughly too.
“Apologies, you haven’t acquired it yet, have you?”
“—!! Ah—Idiot!!” The Bodyguard yelled, echoing his employer. My ears rang.
“No, well. That Bodyguard over there—”
“Silence! No excuses! Hey.”
“Yes. It’s the Master’s order. You will die.”
*Crackle.*
You were the one who let me into the mansion without asking my business. And yet, you intend to kill me?
“You think I’ll die silently?”
*Bang!*
I kicked off the underside of the table, aiming for my Client’s face—but was sent flying in an unintended direction by the Bodyguard’s kick, missing my target. What kind of kick was that?
“See ya! Never coming back!”
*Crash!*
I broke through the window and fled outside.
“Don’t let him escape!”
“Yes.”
The Bodyguard also burst through the window, pursuing me. But, too bad!
“Gotcha!”
“Huh? What are you—”
*DOKAN!!*
*CRASH!*
Zazan self-destructed—his Possessed Magic Power went berserk. At point-blank range, a complete surprise attack. This is what happens when you try to kill me, you idiot!
I watched from above in my Astral Body.
“What was that explosion—Hah!?”
My Client gaped at the sight of a portion of his garden being blown away. Other windows, besides the one I’d broken, were shattered inwards by the blast, and I could hear the servants’ cries of pain and screams.
“Master—!?”
“Kyaaaah!”
“S-save me—”
“It hurts, it hurts—”
Hahaha, I’m sorry, Maid-sans—but not really. I know you were entertaining the Client. She’s his woman, not mine. The Client should handle the treatment and care.
“Oops. Maybe I should head back to the Dungeon now.”
The commotion in the affluent district had attracted a horde of private soldiers and patrol guards. While fantasizing about cute girls is enjoyable, the reality is disappointing. So, I’m returning to my house—the 2nd Floor of the Dungeon—where beautiful women are guaranteed.
“—What!? You bastard Zazan!!”
“Master. Please go inside. It’s still dangerous outside.”
“Damn it, let go! I’m doomed either way if this continues.”
I could hear my Client and his butler’s voices from behind me. Serves you right.
The commotion just before the Morning Sun rose. It was impossible not to wake up. The masters of the affluent district ordered their servants and guards to investigate what had happened.
“An explosion at Master—’s residence? A self-destruction terrorism by magic power rampage?”
They ordered further investigation into whether it was an Organization or an individual.
Within minutes to hours, the masters received detailed information.
“An Adventurer—D-rank, Zazan—was sent to retrieve some item…”
The masters understood that an Adventurer had self-destructed, but… they couldn’t figure out what item he was sent to retrieve.
“Suspicious. Extremely suspicious—”
Immediately, intelligence officers and agents skilled in stealth were dispatched to Master—’s residence.
Around Noon, the first report arrived.
“—This town is far away.”
Several hours later.
The second report was delivered.
“—He’s packing his bags? Fleeing?”
You, who stood at the same level as us in this town. This means someone of considerable standing is also involved in this incident.
“Just who could it be!? A Noble? Surely not a bloodline! But, the things a bloodline would desire…”
Could that man even obtain it in the first place?
Deciding that further information gathering was unnecessary if Master— was absconding, the masters recalled their intelligence officers and agents. Then, each began to infer who the big player was. It was possible that they might even make contact. The masters’ true desire was to be prepared.
They wanted to rejoice in Master—’s failure, but the possibility that they might be next worried them.
“Haa, I don’t want to be involved.”
The town was buzzing with the discovery of an as-yet-unfound Dungeon. Without any interference, they could have expanded their influence in this town while benefiting from the Dungeon.
However, they didn’t believe the person who initiated this incident would remain silent. The town itself might suffer disadvantages.
“Haaa—”
The masters sighed deeply again, dreading what lay ahead.
