BXBX NOVEL Chapter 28 – Uncharted Dungeon (6)
Chapter 28 – Uncharted Dungeon (6)
Chapter 28 – Uncharted Dungeon (6)
“Oh, oh oh oh!”
The party members screamed with excitement as they rushed forward.
They examined the contents of the box closely, then screamed in disbelief.
“Unbelievable! Gold! Real gold!”
Inside the box were significant amounts of gold coins, numerous silver coins, decorative items brimming with artistic value, and small gemstones.
“Haha, hoho!”
“Unbelievable!”
Even the priest, who shouldn’t harbor greed for wealth, couldn’t hide her excitement.
It was a substantial amount.
The thief added more.
They rummaged through the wealth, which was difficult to calculate due to its sheer quantity.
“Ho.”
Ketal also approached the box with an interested expression.
He picked up one gold coin and flicked it.
The gold coin, spinning through the air, landed in Ketal’s hand.
“Kasan. How much is this amount worth?”
“I, I can’t calculate it right away! Unbelievable! Such a reward!”
“Is that so?”
Judging from their reactions, it seemed to be an overwhelming amount.
Of course, the material reward was of interest, but there was something else they were more interested in.
“What should I call you?”
[You can call me whatever you want. Administrator or ghost, as you wish.]
“Then I’ll call you a ghost. Is this all the reward?”
[For now, yes. Do you have something else you want?]
“It’s nothing major. I just have a few questions.”
[…Questions?]
The ghost seemed a bit taken aback.
An adventurer who cleared the dungeon wants something other than gold and treasures.
However, after regaining composure, the ghost spoke calmly.
[Clearing the maze grants everything in this place as a reward. Ask any questions you want. I’ll answer what I can.]
“That’s a generous offer.”
Ketal chuckled.
“When this maze is cleared, what happens to you?”
[I disappear.]
The ghost replied casually.
[I am the administrator of the maze. Once the maze is conquered, my existence becomes meaningless. I will vanish along with the maze. That’s the end of it.]
“Is that so?”
Ketal stroked his chin, his thin eyes focused on the ghost.
The ghost was intelligent.
Not much different from a human.
For such an intelligent being to be merely a tool for the maze was surprising.
After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Ketal asked,
“Were you born with the dungeon?”
[Yes.]
“As the administrator of the dungeon, you can’t leave the dungeon.”
[That’s correct.]
“But that’s strange. You said even if you were a hero, you couldn’t break the laws of the maze.”
It was something that couldn’t be said without knowing external information.
The ghost explained calmly.
[I know roughly about external information. I’ve known since I existed as myself.]
“So, the one who made you knows the basic concepts and ideas of this world. You’re aware of the information.”
[That seems to be the case.]
The ghost was momentarily surprised.
It had never thought about the one who made it.
Ketal looked at the ghost with interest.
“Who could be the one who made you?”
The one who made such an intelligent being just a dungeon administrator.
One who knows about external information.
Perhaps that existence would be involved with all the dungeons in this world.
“I’m full of curiosity.”
Ketal laughed joyfully.
This world truly delighted him.
Dungeon cleared.
They returned to the guild hall with the rewards.
Mercenaries and receptionists were astonished.
Rumors spread quickly about Ketal’s departure to the unidentified dungeon.
Most of them thought they wouldn’t see Ketal anymore.
That was the weight contained in the word “unidentified dungeon.”
Especially since the unidentified dungeon Ketal aimed for was an unknown dungeon that had existed for over decades, where no one had returned from.
But Ketal returned.
With countless rewards announcing the dungeon clearance.
Rosa stumbled as she examined the wealth before her.
“It’s, it’s amazing. With this quantity and quality….”
It took considerable time just to confirm.
During that time, Rosa learned about the unidentified dungeon from Ketal.
The information about the unidentified dungeon itself was extremely valuable.
Rosa, who heard the rough information about the dungeon from Ketal, nodded her head.
“Is that so… From what you’ve said, it seems like a conventional form. Then… even reaching first-class level should make clearing possible, right? It seems like an A-rank level dungeon.”
“Are there beings with self-awareness starting from A-rank?”
“It’s rare, but it’s not unheard of. As you mentioned, they occasionally appear in A-rank dungeons or higher. However, they’re still very rare.”
Listening to Ketal’s words, it seemed like a very conventional form of dungeon.
Top-tier individuals with extraordinary strength could use their skills to detect a wide range of areas and swiftly conquer the maze.
The problem lay in not providing information, but with enough preparation, it seemed possible to clear it at the top tier.
But there was a problem.
“You said you could destroy the maze walls? That’s a bit concerning….”
That part was ambiguous.
If you could break the maze walls, even a top-tier dungeon would be possible to conquer. But if that was blocked, the difficulty would increase sharply.
If the ghost’s words were true, then maze transformation was impossible.
Wall destruction was also included in that.
But Ketal claimed to have broken the walls and conquered them.
“There was no problem with wall destruction. Perhaps the ghost misunderstood something.”
“Hmm… I see. I’ve heard stories of beings with self-awareness deceiving mercenaries, so it could be a case like that.”
She had never heard of dungeon laws being broken.
Maybe wall destruction isn’t included in the transformation.
Rosa organized her thoughts.
Thus, the unidentified dungeon received an evaluation as an A-rank dungeon.
And finally, the settlement of rewards came to an end.
The amount was enough for an ordinary person to live on for several years.
Ketal divided it equally and distributed it to his companions.
The thief shook his head in disbelief.
“Oh, no! We can’t accept this! We didn’t do anything!”
From start to finish, Ketal had conquered everything.
They couldn’t be so shameless.
But Ketal said generously,
“Aren’t we comrades? Although you haven’t done anything significant in this dungeon, we’re still party members. I don’t see a need to distinguish.”
“K-Ketal…”
Their faces were filled with emotion.
However, even so, they weren’t so lacking in conscience as to accept a quarter of the share. They somehow managed to refuse and only accepted 10%.
“I-I’m okay with taking it all….”
The warrior murmured softly, but closed his mouth when he saw the looks from the thief and the priest.
“Next time, let’s meet again.”
“…Yes.”
There was no longer any resistance towards the barbarian.
This barbarian was truly a kind and good person.
There might be those who call him naive.
But they couldn’t help but be moved.
The priest, Heize, prepared herself.
“…If, by any chance, you become interested in our god, please come to our sanctuary.”
“Oh? Is that okay?”
“Yes. As Priest Heize of Kalosia, I will permit Ketal’s entry.”
The sanctuary is a place where only a very small number of clergy can enter.
But Heize allowed Ketal’s entry.
It was the greatest reward she could offer.
“Take this.”
The priest offered Ketal a piece of ornamentation.
It was a piece intricately adorned in a strange shape.
The priest smiled softly.
“With this, you should be allowed entry into the sanctuary. Even though Priest Kalosia may not be welcomed by many… Still, if you’re okay with it, we will welcome Ketal.”
“To receive permission from those who serve a god. It’s a valuable experience.”
Ketal chuckled and bowed politely.
He received the piece that certified entry into the sanctuary with appropriate courtesy.
The priest’s face was filled with emotion at the sight.
The thief, Kasan, also seemed to hesitate for a moment before taking something out of his pocket.
“Ketal. Please accept this.”
The thief also handed Ketal an ornament.
It was a complex ornament in the shape of a dagger and mask.
“What’s this?”
“It’s the entry pass for the Thieves’ Guild. With this, you can enter the guild’s guild hall.”
“Really?”
“Is that true?”
The priest and the warrior were surprised at that statement.
The Thieves’ Guild was highly secretive.
Not even the location of the guild’s guild hall was known, and even if someone knew, they couldn’t access it without permission.
It was unknown what they believed in or what they could do.
They were literally an unknown group.
There were many who used the name of the Thieves’ Guild, but those truly affiliated with the guild were very few.
That’s why they couldn’t help but be surprised at the fact that Kasan was really a member of the guild.
The thief scratched his head coyly.
“I may not have the skills or status, but I was born and raised there. It’s not as impressive as the rumors say. If you have a chance, please come and visit later. I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll take it gratefully.”
Ketal readily accepted the ornament.
Then their gaze turned to the warrior this time.
Sensing their gaze, the warrior hesitated.
He spoke at a very rapid pace.
“I-I also want to give something, but unfortunately, I’m currently in training and unable to offer anything to anyone. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s inevitable.”
Ketal smiled as if he didn’t mind.
The warrior shook his head sadly.
“Well then, everyone, let’s meet again next time. Hopefully soon.”
“Yes!”
They parted with much happier faces than before.
* * *
Ketal went to get clothes tailored with the money he received first.
After a while of taking measurements, an estimate finally came out.
It required quite a lot of money, but there was no problem.
The tailor said it would take some time for the clothes to be made once Ketal accepted.
Even waiting was a pleasure.
Ketal happily made a reservation.
Even then, there was still a considerable amount of money left.
Ketal pondered how to spend it.
He decided to save it for now.
This was a fantasy world.
There might be valuable items.
It would be the right answer to save in case of a shortage of money, as there might be some valuable items.
“I wonder if there’s an underground market.”
An underground market that sells all kinds of rare items.
It’s one of the conventions of fantasy.
That might exist too.
If he asked Cain or the lord, they’dl probably answer.
With joy, Ketal moved his feet.
Rosa said they were discussing promotions for the dungeon clear, and today the results would be announced.
Could he be promoted to Grade E?
This world never made him bored for a single day.
As Ketal moved with anticipation and joy, something caught his eye.
“Hmm?”
He bent down and picked up what had fallen on the ground.
He examined it with curious eyes.
It was a small bead shining brightly in jet black.