The dungeon subjugations in Baim followed a style where they would first gather all personnel deemed capable of the job before departing.
Leaving a dungeon unattended was dangerous, as Monsters would pour out all at once and cause massive devastation to the surrounding area, making subjugation a necessity.
Sometimes, towns and cities existed that sought to manage dungeons in order to reap enormous profits. However, managing one required a considerable number of people.
It wasn't just the lord — the difficulties were many, ranging from managing the dungeon's surroundings to securing cooperation from the adventurer Guild.
If properly managed, a dungeon could become a place that generated vast wealth.
It would continue spitting out Monsters, providing a steady supply of Magic Stones. At times, treasure could even be found as well.
As long as the treasure in the innermost chamber wasn't taken, the dungeon would never disappear and would keep yielding riches. However, if the attempt failed, hordes of Monsters would spawn, and there was also the risk that towns or cities that failed at management would be destroyed.
The Baim Guild was sometimes commissioned by outside parties to carry out subjugations, and it also had its own survey teams capable of discovering dungeons.
They could discover them, but their teams lacked the equipment needed to actually take on a dungeon.
That was why the Guild dispatched adventurers.
"So, with that explained… I'd like to head out for the dungeon subjugation in one week."
Having returned from the Guild to the inn, I gathered everyone who was exhausted and gave my explanation.
Shannon was hugging her pillow, looking half-asleep and not listening to a word I said.
Monica had no interest — or rather, if I said I was going, she'd go, and if I said I wasn't, she wouldn't, so I hadn't bothered asking for her opinion.
I prepared tea for everyone, and once it was done, she returned to my side and stood by.
Aria, running her hand through her hair.
"More importantly, how are we handling the reward this time? Don't tell me you're going to say some of it goes toward preparations for the dungeon subjugation."
She didn't seem to have any issue with the dungeon subjugation itself, but when it came to the reward, Aria was not about to compromise.
The reward had been neatly divided into nine equal shares, and it was being paid out each time.
"I'm thinking of using the money we earned at Central this time. Actually, I'll chip in a bit of my own toward outfitting costs, so get your gear sorted. I'm planning to head to the Guild tomorrow to sign up, and while we're there, we can check how long the whole thing is going to take."
Even though we call ourselves companions, our party was small.
I had a large sum on hand, but our earnings were split neatly nine ways, so there was no such thing as a party fund.
Under normal circumstances, with an arrangement like that, the unspoken rule was that you covered your own preparations from your own share.
Eva looked somewhat relieved.
"This is a big help for someone as new as I am. Honestly, it's my first time in a Dungeon and I have no idea what I'm supposed to get... Oh, let's go shopping together, Novem!"
At Eva's clingy request, Novem gave a wry smile.
"That sounds good. What about you, May?"
May, who looked like a young child, was sitting on the sofa drinking the cocoa Monica had prepared. She seemed to prefer sweeter drinks over tea and the like.
"I wouldn't mind going shopping? But I don't really need any equipment. Besides, this isn't my first time in a Dungeon. I've crushed plenty of them before, you know."
Everyone turned to her with surprised looks, but despite her girlish appearance, her true form was that of a Kirin.
Golden short hair and blue eyes.
Small in stature but generously proportioned in the chest, dressed in a bare-midriff, bare-shoulder, bare-thigh outfit that looked freezing cold — May was no ordinary human.
Novem then said:
"Then how about we buy you a robe or a coat? That outfit looks freezing, and it's rather conspicuous."
At Novem's suggestion, May nodded.
"Hmm, that works then. I don't really know what to spend money on anyway."
That settled it for May, but the real issue was Aria.
Monica glanced over at Aria, carried a tray up to her mouth to hide her grin, and snickered.
"Well, that settles it — no more worrying about equipment."
Aria tended to consume a lot of money on a regular basis.
It wasn't that she was spending it on frivolous entertainment; rather, Aria used several pieces of equipment, which cost money. Because of that, I had decided to provide the initial stipend.
(And besides, she'd just been talking about replacing something or other recently.)
Of course, Miranda, who used up supplies just as quickly, managed to make her budget stretch. Because of this, Aria was in a weaker position.
Aria avoided my and Monica's gazes, falling silent. Miranda looked at such an Aria.
"Aria, you need to think a little more carefully about how you spend your money. You know your income has increased, but Baim costs money in all sorts of ways, right?"
Aria offered an excuse.
"...The timing was bad. And I had to replace some things, and if a Dungeon subjugation was on the schedule, then even I would..."
(Well, I figured as much, so I prepared the money.)
At that moment, Shannon, hugging a pillow, was nodding off, her head bobbing like she was rowing a boat.
Exasperated, Miranda pinched the cheek of the sleeping Shannon with considerable force. Shannon's eyes filled with tears as she dropped her pillow and struggled to pull Miranda's hand away.
And once freed, Shannon said...
"...Hey, wouldn't it be better for me to stay behind? Since I'm not really combat-effective, I think I should just relax at Baim."
To her younger sister, who was essentially declaring herself non-combatant, Miranda smiled and swung her fist down.
I said...
"Denied. We only have nine people total; I can't leave anyone behind at Baim. Besides, you'll be staying behind at the base."
The base wasn't the Guild we were using.
When challenging the Dungeon, the adventurers of Baim would prepare simple tents for overnight stays. When gathered, even a small group numbered over a hundred; a large one could exceed a thousand.
Adventurers returning from the Dungeon needed a place to rest on the surface. That was the base.
I looked at Clara.
The well-mannered Clara sat on the sofa, sipping her tea.
When I turned my gaze toward her, she simply nodded, as if there were no problem at all.
Clara, who had been an adventurer in a city with a Dungeon from the start and had plenty of experience in support roles, seemed to have no issues.
I wrapped up the discussion.
"Tomorrow, I'll go ask for whatever we need. Let's hand over the preparation funds while we explain things then."
Everyone was about to set things in motion for the Dungeon subjugation a week away.
The next morning.
As I stepped out of the inn, I happened to run into a rare acquaintance.
When I went outside, the narrow-eyed man I'd spoken with on my first day in Baim was walking past the inn.
"Oh, hey there."
"Oh, good morning. The rookie with all the potential."
The grinning narrow-eyed man called me the rookie with all the potential. I tilted my head, and perhaps reading my confusion, he proceeded to explain the situation.
"You're famous at the Eastern Branch. I mean, word got around that someone arranged a Dungeon subjugation for you within just one month. There's a rumor you must be some well-known adventurer, y'know? Since I was the one who guided you on your first day, people started coming to me for information too. Made a pretty penny off it, I'll say."
Watching the narrow-eyed man proudly declare that he'd sold my information for profit, my cheek twitched. But he could clearly see right through my mood.
"Don't worry, don't worry. I didn't give away anything all that important. I just said you seemed like a capable adventurer. Thanks to that, I had plenty of income this month. Yep! Having the adventurer you guided on their first day become famous really pays off, huh!"
As I watched the grinning narrow-eyed man with a deadpan look...
"By the way, Laiel."
"What?"
When I gave him a flat stare, the narrow-eyed man raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Don't be mad. I really didn't have any big info to sell, I just answered what people asked me. More importantly—you're heading to the subjugation, right?
"Well, then."
He nodded.
"Then, why not buy some information from me?"
I hesitated for a moment, but decided to hear him out.
"It depends on the content. So, how much?"
"Well, since you let me make some money off you, breakfast is fine. Actually, I know a good place. Their breakfast is popular."
So, he'd tell me if I bought him breakfast.
Even if I was heading to the Guild, I had time to spare. So I decided to buy the information from the narrow-eyed man.
The Sixth Generation's Skill [Search] showed his reaction as still blue. I'd need to be cautious, but it was probably fine just to listen.
"Alright. I'll treat you. That's all you want, right?"
"Quick to the point, thanks."
Led by the cheerful narrow-eyed man, I headed to the shop he introduced.
It was a place bustling with people even in the morning.
Many looked like adventurers, and there were even groups ordering steak and alcohol from the early hours.
*(A typical scene for adventurers)*
Baim also managed a Dungeon, and many adventurers challenged it. And those who spent time in the dark Dungeon would sometimes return early in the morning.
So, shops catering to adventurers and opening early for business like this naturally increased.
*(Same as in Aramsass. Not that unusual.)*
The shop itself was spacious, and the tables and chairs looked sturdy.
The narrow-eyed man ordered breakfast and started eating. As for me, I'd already eaten at the inn, so I just ordered a drink.
After watching the narrow-eyed man for a while, he finished eating, wiped his mouth, and told me the information I'd been after.
"Now then, I should do the work that comes with the reward, shouldn't I? If you're able to take on Dungeon subjugation, that means you're an adventurer recognized by the Guild. Well, I hear that even those with bad records can get contracts if their abilities are outstanding enough, but adventurers with that kind of skill tend to leave the Eastern Branch anyway."
From within the Jewel, the Fourth Generation had compiled the information the narrow-eyed man had shared.
*Even with a merit-based system, they still check your character to some degree, huh? So Lyle stood out because he was recognized in such a short time?*
The narrow-eyed man continued his explanation to me.
"You caused trouble right after arriving at Baim, didn't you? That duel commotion."
"Yes."
"The one who stepped in to mediate, **Crate Benini**, has apparently also been selected for this Dungeon subjugation. It took about half a year, but he has a reputation for being diligent. On the other hand, a party led by a man named **Albano**—who looks every bit the playboy—is participating too. Actually, Crate and Albano arrived at Baim around the same time."
"What about it?"
The narrow-eyed man took a drink and offered me some advice.
"They're both extreme in their own ways. Albano is carefree but has no openings. He used to lead a band of thieves, so his group has great mobility. Crate's party, on the other hand, is heavily armed and built for combat. That said, Albano is pretty shrewd. Dungeon subjugation contracts have been going out for several months now. Well, how should I put it—Crate has a competitive streak toward Albano, and Albano knows that, so he likes to needle him."
From inside the Jewel, the Seventh Generation's voice came.
*...Why did they request a joint subjugation? The truly is incompetent.*
I agreed.
If something went wrong, we'd be the ones in trouble.
The narrow-eyed man continued explaining.
"The main party is a group of knights led by **Alette Baie**. She came to Baim on some kind of warrior's pilgrimage, I think? Seems like she has some troublesome objective. High combat strength, and solid support to match. Strong, that one. There's also a solo adventurer named **Marina** participating. Other than that, no big names."
I found it odd that a solo adventurer was joining the subjugation.
"A single person for a Dungeon subjugation? Do they have some kind of special skill or something?"
In general, solo adventurers were rare. There were some, like Clara, who provided support and helped out multiple parties, but they weren't exactly common.
But I found it curious that the adventurer recommended for the Dungeon subjugation was a solo player.
"She's pretty strong. Exceptionally so, I'd say. You could call her a bit of a battle maniac."
The narrow-eyed man was chuckling about how "she won't pick a fight as long as you don't offend her, so it's fine," but I couldn't laugh along.
(Exceptional? On par with Ceres?)
What caught my interest was this adventurer named Marina, who was supposedly that strong. If she really was, I'd want her cooperation on this for sure.
"Alette's already been decided as the next vice-commander of some kingdom's knight order, so she's on the commanding side. She's also the one in charge of this subjugation. Well, it's not like she's in it for the money, and she's serious about it, so she's pretty popular among fellow adventurers too."
The information the narrow-eyed man had provided was about the other parties participating in the Dungeon subjugation I'd be joining.
Having finished his drink, the lean man turned to me with a smile.
"Was that helpful?"
He asked.
"It was worth more than the cost of breakfast. Oh, and separately from that, there was something else I wanted to ask about."
"What might that be?"
I said to the narrow-eyed man—
"You mentioned you're an information broker, so what kind of information can I buy? Things like intel on neighboring countries—can you get all sorts of things? I'd like to know more, if possible."
At that, the narrow-eyed man shook his head.
"That's not my main line of work. I can pick up rumors, but I can't verify them or back them up. If you want to buy from a proper information broker, I could introduce you. But it's a mixed bag. There are people like me, and then there are those who deal in information on a serious level. Naturally, if you're buying from the serious ones, expect the price to skyrocket."
So it really does cost money, I thought, reaching for my cup to take a drink. But it was already empty.
(No good for now, then. But on the flip side, if I can get my hands on the money, I could get an introduction.)
I said to the narrow-eyed man:
"Then, once I've started making real money, please introduce me to someone capable."
Maybe he thought I was joking, because he just shrugged his shoulders.
"Sure. Once you start making real money, then, yeah."
I picked up the receipt from the table and stood from my seat.