The entrance to Seiwa's western dungeon bustled with voices, like a never-ending marketplace.
People came and went under the massive stone archway, with adventurers of all kinds crowding about.
Adventurer's Guild staff busied themselves at the entrance, registering information for each team and issuing passes.
The air was filled with various spice and potion scents, mixed with the metallic smell of weapon maintenance oil.
Felyn stood among the crowd but hadn't found a suitable team.
After all, he was relatively young and didn't have many high-level seals, so no one was willing to team up with him.
"Sigh, looks like I'll have to go to the dungeon alone."
Felyn stood at the Adventurer's Guild front desk, hand supporting his chin.
Receptionist Lucia hadn't seen Felyn in a long time—she thought he'd latched onto the Claude family's coattails and wouldn't return.
"No choice really. Others team up to subjugate monsters—naturally they don't want to bring along an extra person."
Lucia handed Felyn a bronze badge while speaking.
She no longer dared place badges on her chest.
This guy Felyn definitely wasn't as innocent as he appeared.
"But just now there was someone who looked very capable and also seeking teammates. You could try your luck."
Lucia quietly pointed toward a girl sitting at a nearby table.
She wore a silver-white mask, only revealing her lower face, thin lips pressed together without a trace of emotion.
Seal patterns were carved into her breastplate, glowing faintly with her movements.
A white seal gun was strapped diagonally across her back, its elongated barrel gleaming coldly behind her.
"This person obviously looks very capable—would they team up with trash like me?"
"Who knows? I think you're quite popular with girls—maybe you could charm her too." Lucia joked.
Might as well try—it couldn't get worse anyway. With this mindset, Felyn steeled himself to approach and greet her.
"Miss, I heard you're also looking for teammates. I wonder if I'd be suitable? Don't worry, I won't cause trouble—you can take all the spoils, how about it?"
He couldn't kill many magical beasts anyway—he just wanted to pass the exam.
Through her mask, Bernice slowly looked Felyn up and down.
At this moment she seemed like a different person—unlike her cute demeanor in front of Felyn, even her breathing felt cold, emanating an unapproachable aura.
She nodded, her armor making subtle sounds with her movement.
"Really? Great!"
Felyn hadn't expected her to agree and quickly called Lucia to handle the team formation procedures, afraid she might change her mind.
His bronze badge was also upgraded to a crystal badge, allowing free exploration in the dungeon.
While registering information, the masked girl stood very close to Felyn.
He suddenly caught a familiar scent.
For some reason, Bernice's signature black-and-red highlighted short hair appeared in his mind.
No mistake—that metallic-clean perfume scent was unique in Seiwa.
She must be Bernice.
But why did this girl look like this now? Did she enjoy contrasts?
And why would she be willing to team up with him?
Felyn didn't want to investigate further since the team procedures were complete—withdrawing midway would incur Adventurer's Association penalties.
Just...
Indeed, wearing armor made it impossible to use breast pads.
Bernice's original size wasn't small either. Though artificial enhancement was visually appealing, it felt strange somehow.
Being small and natural was quite cute.
Felyn's body suddenly shivered as he realized Bernice seemed to be glaring at him fiercely from behind her mask.
"By the way, Ber... cough cough, Miss, you can lead this operation entirely. I'll just follow behind you. My abilities aren't strong—can we stay in the golden badge area?"
The masked Bernice nodded.
Felyn and Bernice walked toward the dungeon entrance together, but he couldn't help stealing glances at her.
So curious.
Was this mask some kind of seal on her?
Was she the type who usually bounced around cheerfully, then put on a mask and had chuunibyou outbursts saying things like "My lord, grant me endless darkness"?
Bernice felt very uncomfortable under Felyn's occasional furtive glances.
Daiyi had asked her to become Felyn's bodyguard.
Initially, Bernice thought Daiyi was just acting in front of her to prove she truly cared about Felyn.
But hearing Daiyi's tone, Bernice detected anxiety in this Truth Divine Church young lady's heart.
She was genuinely worried about Felyn.
How was this possible? That rational young lady would actually feel anxious over a man?
And one who stared at strange girls' chests constantly, still stealing glances at her now—a pervert.
"Felyn!"
A pink figure appeared from under a parasol. Viloti's boots clicked on the stone pavement as she approached Felyn in a few quick steps.
Felyn frowned, "Viloti? Why are you here?"
Today she wore a deep blue robe with white stockings wrapped in tall boots, gleaming in the sunlight.
Viloti's originally aloof gaze softened instantly upon seeing Felyn, her amber eyes hiding traces of excitement.
"Father required me to come to the dungeon." But her gaze never left Felyn.
That joy instantly froze into frost upon seeing the masked Bernice.
Who was this woman?
"Well, I'll be going then—teaming up with a big shot."
Viloti tugged at Felyn's sleeve, looking up with pleading eyes.
"Felyn, can't I come with you?"
"No."
"Why not!"
"I'm going to the dungeon to observe magical beasts—that's different from your goals, isn't it, Viloti?"
"It's the same!"
Felyn grasped Viloti's hand, trying to make her release him.
"How could it be the same? You already took this course properly, right? Plus you've been accepted to Royal Capital Academy—you don't need such basic courses."
Since the fitting room incident, Felyn had thoroughly reflected on his relationship with Viloti.
Even if she didn't know the contract's contents, he had to maintain distance and vigilance at all times.
Viloti gripped Felyn's sleeve forcefully, looking like she wouldn't let go.
"Felyn, do you hate me now?"
Viloti's voice suddenly became very small, "Because... because you've already seen my body, so you're not interested in me anymore?"
She lowered her head, pink hair falling to cover her drooping lashes, fingers unconsciously twisting the robe's hem.
"What? No, no! Absolutely not like that!"
Felyn quickly denied it.
And I didn't even see anything! I didn't do anything!
"Then let me follow you," Viloti grasped Felyn's sleeve. "I promise I won't cause trouble."
Felyn panicked instantly, not expecting Viloti's threatening tactics to be so masterfully executed.
"Viloti, I don't think this is appropriate. You came to help me, right? Though you can command your guard corps however you want, Lord Silafiel might get angry."
"Don't mind him."
Silafiel would cough up blood, hey!
"But Lord Silafiel might blame me. I'm just a fallen noble, so I'd rather not cause trouble."
Viloti bit her lip, slowly loosening her grip on Felyn's sleeve.
Her lashes trembled slightly, as if struggling to suppress something.
Felyn was right—father wouldn't do anything to her, but if someone from the guard corps reported to father, then Felyn would appear in father's sight.
"I understand."
"Mm mm, you should work hard hunting today too, Viloti. We'll go first."
This was for the best.
From his peripheral vision, Felyn saw Viloti still standing in place, pink hair gently floating in the wind, her slender figure appearing especially lonely in the crowd.
Sorry, just bear with it a little.
Your path leads to the stars and sea, while I'm just a stumbling stone by the roadside.
You shouldn't stop advancing for someone like me.
Felyn and Bernice entered the dungeon entrance as the transfer seal began activating.
"That girl likes you."
The masked Bernice suddenly spoke.
"She just doesn't understand what liking means. She's mistaking dependence for affection."
Moments later, Felyn and Bernice were transported into the dungeon.
"Ber..., my lord, I'll just follow you. I can help carry things or whatever—you don't need to mind me."
"Understood."
"I can also help carry things for you, Felyn."
Viloti's voice suddenly came from behind, startling Felyn.
"Viloti?! How are you here?"
"Why can't I be here?" Viloti pouted, turning her head aside.
Pink hair swayed gently with her movement, reflecting the dungeon's blue-tinged light.
"Didn't you come to the dungeon to complete your father's assigned task?"
"Yes, I'm completing my task right now—just happens to be along your route." Viloti put her hands behind her back and took two steps closer to Felyn.
"Felyn, water for you."
Viloti looked at Felyn innocently, holding water right up to his nose with both hands.
...
At the nearby Adventurer's Association registration desk.
"What did you say?"
Adeline had just reached the entrance when Guard Corps Captain Ailo reported that Felyn had already entered with a masked girl and Lady Viloti.
"Felyn is with Viloti?"
Adeline's gaze seemed to see Viloti shamelessly throwing herself into Felyn's arms.
That shameless bad woman who won't give up!
"Lady Adeline, what should we do?"
Adeline glared at the entrance and stamped her foot.
If only she hadn't washed her hair and done makeup!
Adeline had started getting ready at 8 AM but accidentally ran late.
Damn it!!!
"Chase after them!"
(End of Chapter)