#1082 A Conversation Between the Forerunner and the Successor

I’m the S-Rank adventurer, Silver Wolf!

...Wait, wait, wait.

Actually, calling myself “Silver Wolf” feels way too awkward.

To be precise, I’m Corey, the second-generation Silver Wolf.

Even though I inherited the name from the previous Silver Wolf, who became the Guild Master, in all our minds, he’s still the real Silver Wolf!

I barely scraped through the promotion exam, probably because they expected me to grow into it, so that name is still way too much for me.

Way too soon!

So, everyone around me, including myself, just calls me Corey, the S-Rank adventurer.

Murshela, who got promoted to S-Rank right after me, inherited the title of Golden Bat II, but over there, the original is still going strong.

Their confusion must be off the charts.

Anyway, I just want to rack up achievements as quickly as possible so that I can be recognized by myself and others as the true second-generation Silver Wolf in both name and reality.

That’s why I’m seeking experience, challenges, growth, and results!!!

To cultivate the strength and track record worthy of the second-generation Silver Wolf, oh heavens!

Bring on the trials and tribulations!

With that in mind, I was battling through the upper levels of Lord Alexander’s dungeon.

Then one day, I got a summons from the Guild Master—the original Silver Wolf himself.

Of course, if he calls, I’ll rush over immediately!

It doesn’t matter where I am!

So, right in front of Lord Alexander’s chamber in his dungeon, I did an about-face and headed back.

***

“So you were just about to clear it, weren’t you?”

Waiting for me was Silver Wolf.

When I reported my quest status up to that point, he visibly wrinkled his nose.

“If you got that far, you should’ve gone ahead and finished it. For an adventurer, completing quests is the most important thing. To just abandon it because the Guild Master called... that’s a waste.”

“No! For me, responding to your summons is the most important thing!”

“I-Is that so...?!”

Silver Wolf looked momentarily perplexed but quickly cleared his throat and composed himself.

“Corey—or rather, Silver Wolf II. I have a special quest for you as an S-Rank adventurer.”

“Yes! I’ll do it!!”

“No. Listen to the details and consider it carefully first, okay?”

No, no, it’s fine!

To me, orders from Silver Wolf are absolute! They’re like the voice of the gods!

Following his words is everything in my adventuring life!!!

I can’t afford even a moment’s hesitation!

“Well, I’m not sure about that... I appreciate your enthusiasm, but anyway.”

Silver Wolf forcibly changes the subject.

“The quest I want you to undertake is... land development.”

“Land development?”

A quest I’ve never heard of before.

Exploring uncharted territories untouched by humans is certainly part of an adventurer’s job.

But the main purpose is exploration, or rather, the ultimate goal is to discover undiscovered dungeons.

Because adventurers’ interests always revolve around dungeons.

Land development instead of exploration... That means not just investigating but cutting down trees, leveling the ground, and transforming it into a more livable environment, right? By human hands?

If I say this, I might get scolded, but that’s not really an adventurer’s job, is it...?

“Well, someone like Golden Bat would definitely say, ‘That’s grunt work for third-raters, not something to bother top-tier adventurers with!’ or something like that.”

Urk...!

Being told I think the same way as that Golden Bat makes me instantly nauseous...!

“My view is different. Although it’s not common now, there was a time when land development around the Human Kingdom was more active than wars with the demons. That was some hundreds of years ago.”

Wow.

So there was such a time in the Human Kingdom, too?

“It was during the era when a rare wise king appeared among the human rulers. Back then, we adventurers actively cooperated in land development. Our main duty was guarding the pioneers and frontier villages, but we also engaged in the development work itself.”

Silver Wolf speaks eloquently.

Howlingly eloquent.

“Venturing into uncharted lands where no one has ever set foot, pushing back the wilderness while braving the marvels of nature to stake their own claim. It’s no wonder adventurers saw a kindred spirit in such a daring endeavor. I, too, believe that pioneering is a splendid form of adventure.”

If Silver Wolf says so, then I’m totally on board!!!

But seriously, how amazing is he? Not only is he clued up on current events, but he’s also a walking encyclopedia on the history of adventurers!

That’s our Silver Wolf for you, rising from an S-rank adventurer all the way to guild master!

“The modern revival of pioneering is a joint effort between the New Human Kingdom and the Demon Kingdom. Remember not too long ago when, for some reason, there was a sudden surge of babies being born? Is that what they call a baby boom?”

Yes.

Come to think of it, you and Black Cat also had a baby, didn’t you?

Congratulations on the new addition to your family!!!

“Uh, yeah, thanks... but that’s like the hundredth time you’ve congratulated me, so that’s enough. Anyway, with so many children being born, the population has exploded, and the government is scrambling to deal with it. One of the measures they’ve come up with is land development.”

I see.

So if the population has increased and the existing towns and villages have become cramped, they can just expand them.

Or build new settlements.

So that’s what the land development project is for!!!

“The new Human Kingdom’s government decided to organize pioneer groups and send them to potential development sites. That’s when they approached our Adventurers’ Guild. They want to recruit the majority of the pioneers from among the adventurers.”

Most of them?!

Is that okay to recruit that many?

Doesn’t that mean they’re basically outsourcing the entire development project to the Adventurers’ Guild?

“It seems there’s a lot of infighting within the government. The old foxes from the former Human Kingdom only think about self-preservation. They’re afraid that as the land expands, new forces that don’t obey them will emerge.”

What the heck is our country doing...?!

“President Ritheseus, who is leading the country now, is talented and capable but still quite young. Expecting him to control dozens of old parasites who’ve lived several times longer than him, surviving only for their self-interest, is a bit much.”

Huh, is that so...?

I’m not really familiar with politics, but the current king’s name is Ritheseus?

I just found that out.

“If you aim to stand at the top of adventurers, you need to pay attention to world affairs. S-Rank adventurers are prime targets for those in power. If you live carefree without thinking, you’ll be swarmed by greedy people and won’t be able to move.”

Ugh, is that how it is?

As expected of Silver Wolf, his lessons really hit home!

“Although Ritheseus is actively bringing in fresh talent, it’ll probably take ten years to replace the rampant old parasites. The more righteous the change, the slower it progresses. But immediate problems won’t wait for gradual improvements.”

Um, yes.

“Actually, I’ve been acquainted with him since before he took his current position. I taught him some of what I’d learned as an adventurer, and he was an excellent student with a pleasant demeanor. If he’s working hard to improve the country, I feel compelled to help.”

What?!

Silver Wolf is praising a junior other than me?!

Absolutely unacceptable!

“Don’t get competitive.”

But but!

I’m the only one who needs to carry on after you!

“His request also aligns with the interests of our Adventurers’ Guild. After the war ended, some jobless mercenaries drifted into our field, remember? A portion of them have been repeatedly failing quests.”

Huh? What do you mean?

“Many thought that mercenaries and adventurers were similar professions and switched over, but there are differences after all. Those who adapted and excelled as adventurers and those who didn’t became clearly separated. So quite a few of the mercenary converts are stuck around E-Rank or D-Rank.”

So we’re going to send those people to land development work?

Even if they weren’t suited to being adventurers, they might discover some talent there.

It’s also perfect for further personnel adjustments.

“Finally... I can get to the reason I called you here...”

Oh, right.

For me, just being able to chat with Silver Wolf is meaningful enough.

“Are you a teenage girl or something?! ...In short, I want you to serve as the leader, the commander of that pioneer group.”

“Understood!!!”

“An immediate answer?! At least think it over a bit more! You’re just accepting unconditionally because it’s a request from me, aren’t you?! As an S-Rank adventurer, please, from now on, stop doing that!!!”

Of course, if it’s from you, I’ll agree to anything!

If you tell me to think about it, then I’ll think about it a bit more!

...I’ve thought about it—I’ll do it!

If it’s an order from you, there’s no reason to refuse!!!