CH 114

KEN4-5 minutes 19.02.2022

I sat restlessly in my seat. In front of me was Mayer Knox, wearing a scowl with his arms crossed as he stared at me. It felt like his eyes were going to bore holes in my cheeks. Since half a year had passed, another wrinkle had joined the ranks on Mayer’s forehead. Apparently, he had spent all that time always frowning, which made his already fearsome features look even more terrifying. I couldn’t tell how many minutes had ticked by in silence until Mayer began, “Yes. I am sure it must have been more important to measure the levels of your hard-working unit members, instead of coming to see me after half a year of utter neglect.”

I had always believed Mayer Knox to be a rational, efficient, and cool-minded person. Now I realized: cool-minded, my foot! In reality, he was so narrow-minded as to be bothered that I checked our levels first after laboring in the dungeons for six months and then coming to visit him. I let his nagging, or grumbling, go in one ear and out the other as I mused on his pettiness.

Mayer indignantly exclaimed, “You said you would check if I had properly done my overdue papers, yet forget checking, you did not even come to see me. I had no idea you were so loosely tongued.”

I should be the one saying that! I didn’t know he was someone who’d grumble about something so meaningless! Pursing my lips, I retorted, “You must have done them perfectly anyway.”

“You miss the point. It is trust that matters. Trust!”

“I told you that I wouldn’t rest in raiding dungeons until I reached level 40.”

“I did not know you would not even make a report in the middle.”

“Still, I made sure to return to base and replenish on supplies, and give a survival report too…”

“You only gave reports! Was it so hard for you to spare a word before going? And you never showed your face even once.”

“I didn’t have time for that. If I had to meet you and say something every time, Captain, I wouldn’t have met our schedule.”

I had a lot to say about that. I tried so hard so that we’d make our goal on time. Hearing my raised voice, Mayer’s raised brows finally began to settle. In a softened tone, he asked, “So, what was the reason for the sudden rush to level up? You did not give me much of an explanation.”

“There’s a dungeon that needs to be raided. A large type that requires four squads to challenge.” I calculated when the dungeon in question would open. Although there wasn’t that much time until the gate opened, it wasn’t to the degree of being impossible. “It’s going to open a week later… Since the special unit has to join, including me, it was necessary to level up enough to be of help. We barely made it.”

Mayer shot a sullen look at me as he muttered, “I would have made all the preparations if you had told me in advance.”

“I didn’t because I couldn’t let you leave me behind for being even the slightest bit late.”

“You do not trust me.”

“In another sense, I’m being like this because I do trust you, Captain. I had no doubts you would go, by yourself if needed.”

“Won’t lose a word.” Mayer twisted his lips as he finally loosed his tightly crossed arms. He seemed interested in the dungeon I was putting so much emphasis on. Leaning toward me, Mayer asked softly, “So, what dungeon is it? There should not be any at this time of the year that would draw such interest from you. And if it requires four squads…”

It was a pretty big dungeon, yes. I wet my dry lips, feeling thirsty. Pausing for a moment, I asked Mayer, “Uh… Could I have just one drink before talking?”

“Alcohol?”

“My throat burns too much to continue.”

“If that is the case, there is water too.”

What senseless thing was he saying? I made puppy eyes as I pleaded in a pitiful tone. “I seriously thought I was going mad doing nothing but running dungeons for six months without a single mouthful of alcohol. Can’t I just have one glass?”

“Drinking already when you will be hanging out with your unit members after this?”

“Drinking with you tastes the best, Captain,” I flattered. I wasn’t lying, of course. How couldn’t it taste good considering the precious brand he had in stock? Mayer didn’t seem to dislike my moderate flattery as a smile crept across his lips. “Then have a glass, but just one.”

I stifled the urge to cheer. The liquor Mayer brought out looked especially brilliant today.