147 Back to the Dungeon

"So... How did we end up here?" Serena asked 

"We followed the path" John replied 

"No, but why." 

"So we could conquer it" Ariel replied 

"Didn't we have another day of holiday?" 

"There's been a change of plans." Said John as he quietly stared at master 

She was surprisingly insistent on clearing this dungeon. But if it's 5 floors, john believed that it would at least take less time than before. 

As the four quietly stood In front of the Dungeon at the beach, someone called out to john, it was coming from the volleyball Area direction. 

The beach was empty today, barely anyone here, not even the adventurers from the other day. 

[That reminds me, didn't I promise I'd tell them about how I catapulted myself?] 

[You only remembered this now?] 

[Better than never.] 

When they turned to see who it was, they were slightly surprised that to see Tiana. Not because it was her but because she was running with all her might, through the beach all the way to the tower 

When she arrived, she was completely out of breath, so much that she collapsed on to her knees. 

"John... Have you... Seen... Zakaragi...?" Tiana Asked while trying to catch her breath 

It was certainly impressive how she managed to make it to the tower in a single dash. 

"Zakaragi? No sorry, is he not here today?" John asked 

Tiana nodded 

"I see..." 

Tiana looked dejected, and when John noticed this, he got an idea and a grin appeared on his face 

"Are you worried about him?" John asked 

[She didn't see him since the dangerous event yesterday, so it makes sense] 

"What? N-Not really..." Tiana replied while looking a bit flustered 

"Another Tsundere? Or is it simply ignorance?" John muttered 

"What's with this tasundere thing again?" Serena asked 

"It's nothing, more importantly, we're about to attempt to this dungeon, so you should start heading back soon, Tiana." 

"Yeah..." Tiana muttered as she slowly began walking back 

"Tiana, I hope you find him!" Ariel shouted 

"I'm sure that you will!" Serena Shouted 

"I will!" Tiana replied with a look that was better than earlier 

She then started to jog back 

"Shouldn't you stop her?" Serena asked 

"Nope, but I have something to give her." 

The instant he said that, he vanished, leaving a trace of darkness behind. 

Tiana was caught off guard by John who suddenly appeared in front of her and nearly fell over again. 

"Eh? H-W-When did you?" 

"No need to be so freaked out... I just wanted to tell you something." 

"B-But, Y-You just appeared out of thin air..." 

"It's alright, don't mind the minor stuff." 

"How is that minor!?" 

"A ball? Isn't that only for nobles?" 

"Don't mind the minor stuff." 

"Again, how is that minor?!" 

"We were given an invitation despite being commoners, it's fine if you come, I'm sure Zakaragi will be happy if you did." 

"But... Wouldn't a commoner like me look out of place?" 

"We're all commoners, if you dress up nicely, the nobles will never notice." 

"That sounds like a theory..." 

"Doesn't that make it more enjoyable if it comes true?" 

Seeing as how I had a point, Tiana let out a sigh before saying 

"I'll go, but... I don't have a dress." 

"That's fine, after we conquer the dungeon, we're all going shopping for clothes." 

"C-Conquer?" 

"Mhm, keep that a secret. Bye" 

"Ah, wait!" 

And just like that, John vanished 

"And he just disappears like that... He didn't even let me thank him." Said Tiana as she turned around 

John was already back at the group 

"Who is john...?" She muttered as she turned forward before continuing her jog 

------------------------------------ 

"Finally... Do you know how long I was waiting for you guys to make a decision? Standing in front of the tower for god knows how long- I mean *cough* ID?" 

"..." 

They were all speechless, John handed over his Adventurer's ID as he apologised 

"You're B-Rank? Hm, so you all meet the requirement to enter, what about the lady over there- Huh? Wasn't there a lady with you?" 

[That reminds me, master didn't show an ID in the gate, what's wrong with her adventurer's ID?] 

"What lady?" John asked 

"Hmm... Never mind, you're free to pass." Said the guard before stepping aside 

With that, the three walked inside, and as for master, she was nowhere to be seen. 

"Wait a minute." The guard suddenly said as he stopped John 

"..." 

[Did he find out that master sneaked in?] 

John was nervous but kept quiet 

"You're that boy from the other day, aren't you? The one who caused minor casualties" 

"Y-Yeah..." 

"Really?! I heard a lot about you, I've been wanting to say this since I heard about what you did. Thank you very much" Said the man as he bowed his entire upper body 

"Wha- That's too much, it's fine, I didn't do much." 

"You summoned a strange lightning Monster, and raised walls around so that the attack would reach the people, right? Me bowing isn't much in comparison" Said the man 

[So he's the honest-type... More importantly] 

"It's fine, really. Also, if you don't mind me asking, where did you hear that information?" 

"Hm? It's been spreading as a rumour, a young boy with the ability to use unbelievably strong spells, there's also a rumour that you saved the duke's daughter and that he's planning to reward you." 

[…] 

"But I can't believe it, for you to be only B-Rank, I was sure you'd be an S-Rank based on how you managed to stop a nationwide threat. Something S-Ranks are usually called to deal with" 

"W-Wait, you're saying an S-Rank was called to deal with that threat?" 

"Yeah, but by the time he arrived it was over" 

[That guy that I saw on the beach... Could he have been the S-Rank this guy is talking about? More importantly, is it alright for him to tell me all of this] 

"Is it alright for you to tell me all of this?" John asked 

"Of course, you saved my wife after all." The man replied