Status Window Chapter 28 : Vocational Experience as an Adventurer (4)

28. Vocational Experience as an Adventurer (4)

The moment we passed through the large gate, the hustle and bustle of the royal capital faded into the distance. In its place, grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see. A sea of green shimmering in the sunlight, and an endless blue sky spread above it. The wind caressed my cheeks, carrying the scent of grass.

"Wow... this is the outside of the royal capital! It's really my first time coming here!"

I gasped unintentionally. My heart raced, and a warmth spread slowly through my body.

"Right?! Kuuh~, the outside world is the best after all!"

"Isn't it exciting! Choosing adventurer was the right answer, seriously!"

Under the sun, the three of us laughed together. The wide world we knew nothing about yet spread out so close it felt like we could reach it if we stretched out our hands.

This is the world outside the royal capital. The scenery I've always dreamed of. An indescribable sense of liberation welled up, grabbing hold of my heart.

"Fufu, seeing your eyes sparkle this much makes me happy as your guide too. Look, the building with the dungeon is over there."

The lady pointed smoothly. In that direction, on the outskirts of the capital, stood a solitary but imposingly huge building. Surrounded by thick stone walls, with a sturdy iron gate at the entrance. It looked like a fortress built to contain a hole to another world.

"A long time ago, a dungeon suddenly appeared on this land. Before that, it was just a grassland, but one day, it gaped open... People realized the resources obtained from the dungeon were very important, so they built a castle nearby, and eventually, a town was born. Layer upon layer, that's how the current royal capital came to be."

"I know! We learned that in school!"

When I answered while puffing out my chest, the lady narrowed her eyes and relaxed her mouth.

"I see, you studied properly. Good girl. Then, this is enough explanation."

Winking lightly, the lady started walking toward the building.

"Well then, let's go. Into the dungeon."

At those words, my heart skipped a beat. My feet naturally moved forward, and the shadow of the huge building loomed close by.

Passing through the iron gate and taking a step inside the building, it was a completely different world from the quiet outside.

The interior of the building was a vast hall with a high ceiling, where countless voices echoed creating a vortex of noise. Along the walls, merchants lined up stalls tightly, stacking wooden boxes and cloth sacks to call in customers.

"Cheap, cheap! Three beginner potions for this price!"

"Can't you go higher? It's rare stuff."

"Buy this from me!"

Voices flew back and forth everywhere, and smells, colors, and sounds mixed together chaotically; it seemed as if heat itself, rather than just liveliness, filled the space.

In the center of the hall, adventurers came and went, their equipment clanking. Leather armor, metal armor, robed figures. Ages and appearances varied, and everyone was preparing tools with practiced movements or holding strategy meetings with companions.

"I heard the market price for materials found on the previous floor has gone up."

"Seriously? Should we sell now then?"

"Yeah. Gotta restock on the way back anyway."

Hearing the conversations of passing adventurers made my heart race even more.

At the back of the hall, counters that seemed to be the Dungeon Association reception were lined up, with several queues formed. It seemed submission of subjugation certificates and receipt of rewards were taking place there, with staff busily processing documents.

"Wow... this whole place is a building for the dungeon..."

When I muttered, overwhelmed, the lady chuckled.

"That's right. This is the gateway to the dungeon. Adventurers gather, goods flow, and information circulates. In a sense, you could say it's the heart of the royal capital."

Indeed, those words made sense. The whole hall was filled with a pulsating liveliness, and just standing there made my chest hot.

"Now, your first dungeon. Signa, I'll leave the guidance to you."

"...Yeah."

Signa-san nodded at the lady's words.

"...This way."

Her sharp gaze turned toward us. The boys shrieked "Hiii!" and followed fearfully. I moved next to Signa-san to walk together so I wouldn't fall behind.

However, seeing her up close, she's really huge. Even looking up, her face is far away. When I stared at her, Signa-san's eyes glared this way. The intensity was enough to freeze my spine, but joy overflowed. This pressure is irresistible.

"..."

She's staring at me, but I have no idea what she's thinking. Therefore, since I want to get along with Signa-san, I'll open her Mind Window without permission.

*[...Why is she approaching? Is she not scared of me?]*

Hoho, she seems confused. Normally, people are scared of Signa-san and don't approach, apparently, but that has nothing to do with me.

*[Even so, she's small. Were children this small? Kinda cute.]*

At that time, piron, the notification sound rang. Hoho, parameters can change just by being nearby. Maybe it's thanks to the Charm skill though.

When I raised my gaze, Signa-san directed a sharp glare at me. But since I know her true feelings, I'm not scared at all. I can approach without hesitation. Thanks to the Mind Window.

"...Look. That's the entrance to the dungeon."

There was a large door at the end of the passage, wrapped in a mysterious film of light so the other side couldn't be seen. Could that be the entrance to the dungeon?

"Entering."

Saying that, Signa-san walked in briskly.

"Uwah! My mental preparation isn't done yet!"

"Finally, the dungeon! What kind of place is it!?"

"I want to see it quickly, but I also kinda don't want to see it yet...!"

Facing the dungeon, we stopped. We wanted to enter right away, but it was a little scary. As we hesitated like that, Signa-san, who had gone ahead, directed another sharp gaze at us.

"...Come."

" "Y-yes sir~!" "

Frightened by that gaze, the boys ran forward.

"Fufu, Rio-chan isn't scared of Signa, huh."

"Yes! I'm totally fine!"

When I answered with my chest puffed out, the lady's expression softened.

"...You're really reliable, Rio-chan."

Saying that, the lady lowered her gaze slightly, tucking her hair behind her ear with her fingertips as she searched for words.

"Because Signa's achievements are too great, and because of that appearance... many people think she's scary or hard to approach. Even though she doesn't intend to intimidate anyone... before she knew it, people kept their distance. She has almost no close friends right now."

The lady sighed softly and gave a lonely smile.

"That's why, if there's a child like Rio-chan who interacts with her without fear... surely Signa will be happy too. That person is actually kind."

Indeed, with Signa-san's intensity, she might normally be hard to approach. But if we can become friends, she might take me on adventures together. Such an expectation sprouted in my chest.

"So, please be friendly with her from now on."

"Yes, leave it to me!"

Making a secret promise with the lady, we stepped through to the other side of the film of light.