[I just interviewed 10+ translators today. I’m trying to make this series independent from VIP… Expect big changes soon. Thanks for the patience! (11/20/20)]

[Lin and Lan will be the official names for the twin sisters going forward. Jin will also be changed to Jhin as well.]

–

Evan D. Sherden Turns 14 (4)

At dawn, when the earth was lit up by the sun, Evan went to inspect the personnel and equipment for the last time in front of the dungeon knight’s HQ building.

“Everyone has properly packed their weapons, right?”

“Yep!”

“Perfect.”

“Then, let’s divide into teams one and two.”

The dungeon knights moved in alignment with Evan’s instructions. Lin and Lan, however, remained hanging from Shine’s arms. At least for the time being, it was unlikely they would fall off.

“Young master, these guys…”

“It seems to be too early to instill such concepts in the mind of 8-year-olds. Shine, take good care of them, so they don’t make any mistakes while playing in the dungeon.”

“I’m a nanny even inside the dungeon, damn it.”

The future Silent Night sighed and thoroughly ratted Lin and Lan around. On Lan’s back, there was a greatsword that was larger than her. Evan wondered if the choice to send these children into the dungeon was really a good one. No matter how much they’d been training, these guys were too young.

“Will she really be able to swing that…?”

“At least, she can cut a goblin. Her greatsword aptitude is really excellent.”

Leo, who came to see his little disciples off on their first dungeon expedition, said so with pride. He wanted to see the cute little girl he had turned into a fierce greatsword warrior off. Of course, Evan was also one of the main reasons.

“Well, if grandpa says it’s okay, it’ll be okay…both can handle divine power.”

“Yes, the Gongshin is very pleased with them.”

A smile similar to Leo’s was hanging on Aria’s mouth. Actually, the couple might be too similar, Evan thought.

“So Evan, are you really coming out before your birthday?”

“Sure. I have to get my birthday presents. Come and see, grandpa.”

“…Okay. Come back safely.”

Leo lightly tapped Evan’s shoulder and stepped away. Evan led his group into the dungeon without saying anything more. The only sound to be heard was the footsteps of people entering and leaving the dungeon. But at some point, the sounds stopped near Evan’s group.

“Uh, are you Sir Evan?”

Evan and his group were wearing hoods to hide their identity, but there were many children in their group, so they were somewhat noticeable. These were…Evan happily waved at them.

Hello, Alan. Daisy too.”

“It’s an honor you remember our name.”

“Okay, really. There are no nobles like that.”

They were the guild master and submaster, Alan and Daisy, of the dungeon attack guild Paradise Wandering. Among the many guilds in the city, Paradise Wandering was a famous guild with overwhelming skill. It was a group of wonderful warriors who survived until the end of Yoma Great War 3 to fight with the demons. There was no downside to becoming acquainted with these people in advance.

“Are you entering the dungeon?”

“Yes. I want to teach the children about the dungeon.”

“It’s amazing to enter the dungeon at your age, but these little ones…”

“We’re not little!”

“We’re eight now!”

“Eight?” Usually, most people entered the dungeon for the first time at the age of 18 as an adult, but to enter the dungeon at the age of 10 or younger… Alan’s smile stiffened.

“This…are you really okay?”

“Because they are special children. Please don’t gossip, though. We don’t need to be noticed already.”

“Who are you talking about? I’ll keep a lock on my mouth. Alan?”

“Yes. Even if I were to say something, no one would believe it. If you can enter the dungeon at that age and even clear the first floor properly, it would be a surprise…hey, shall we enter the dungeon again?”

“We just came out after clearing the 53rd floor. Absolutely impossible.”

Since the Thunder Lycan slope on the 45th floor was pierced, each guild had been spurring on to attack the dungeon. Among them, the ones at the forefront were the Paradise Wanderers and the Thunderbirds, who had tried to scout Raihan previously. The Phoenix Guild, to which Belois’s magical debate partner Eloa von Sirpe belonged, was following behind with a slight margin.

“Then, we’ll go. See you later.”

“Yes, yes. Oh, wait.”

“Do you have anything more to say?”

“Well, it’s a little bit tedious, so…if you enter the dungeon, be careful of the Thunderbirds guild.”

The mention of the guild caught Evan’s ear. Alan became more active as he felt he had caught Evan’s interest.

“It is said that they are in contact with some unsavory forces. I usually don’t take an interest, but there are stories of them committing crimes to entice new explorers entering the city…”

“Oh, sure. I’ll talk to the Ironwall Knights.”

As expected, the guild that caused problems in Yoma Great War 3 was already up to some mischief. Evan had a bitter smile on his face. Of course, as the Ironwall Knights have greatly strengthened thanks to his human supplementary plan, it wouldn’t be difficult to defeat them even in an emergency. What if the knight commander Mikhail D. Airok came out? His sword wasn’t one the Thunderbirds could challenge.

“Thank you, but that’s not it. It could be dangerous for the children if they met inside the dungeon. I wanted to warn you.”

“Ah…”

Evan figured out what Alan wanted to say. In the dungeon, it was easy for someone to commit a crime. There was no prying human eyes, and it was easy to conceal evidence. Even something like murder could just be pinned onto the monsters within.

“Are they doing that in the dungeon?”

“I haven’t seen it myself. If I had, they would be kneeling before the Marquis. However, it is highly likely, so be careful. I don’t want to see someone who’s going to be big like you getting involved with them.”

Alan’s gaze lingered on Raihan for a moment. The Thunderbirds guild master, Jenien, had been prevented from scouting Raihan by Evan in the past. If he held a grudge over it, going through the dungeon would present a good opportunity to strike.

“Thank you for the advice. I’ll be careful.”

“Well, thank you for listening seriously.”

“What are you laughing about, idiot. They’re the dungeon knights.”

“Haha, then see you later.”

It was clear that they were both very good people. Evan looked at Shine after the two left, and he calmly nodded.

“I heard. Be careful.”

“There’ll be no problem. Take this.”

Evan threw a round compass-like object at Shine. It was the monster meter that Evan had used in the Duchy before.

“I set it to react to non-monsters.”

“I’ll use it, but what about you?”

“At the Thunderbird guild’s current level, they can’t fool my senses.”

“Is that so?”

After that, they reached the dungeon’s entrance without further incidence. An Ironwall knight, a priest belonging to Serpina’s faction in the Earth Church, and a mage of the Phoenix Guild greeted them. All of them were prepared in advance as people who could keep quiet about Evan’s party.

“Then, we’ll go right in.”

“Princess Anastasia, do your best.”

“Captain, I will surely break through the 20th floor!”

“Kids, cheer up!”

First, the team with Shine as the leader entered. Unlike Anastasia, who appeared tense, Lin and Lan were just excited. They were really cute kids.

“…Those vulgar things.”

“They’re kids, kids.”

Arisha was worrying over if she would be able to kiss Evan’s cheek if she were young enough, but then they had gone straight into the dungeon before she could come to a conclusion.

“Wooow…”

“…”

When they opened their eyes, they were already on the 11th floor of the dungeon. Evan, Belois, Raihan, and Arisha had already broken through a long time ago, but Ena, Jhin, and Serena were challenging it for the first time. This floor was often referred to as the real starting point of the dungeon. Ena took in a deep breath and grabbed her spear tensely, while Jhin looked around with sharp eyes and readied an arrow. Both were great for beginners.

“Ruby, recon!”

[Mew!]

“Lucy, protect me. Rudy, wait.”

[Lao!]

[Meow!]

“…The atmosphere is only different there.”

Evan looked over at Serena as she prepared to explore the 11th floor.

“No.”

“What? Oh, you have to escort other kids besides me!”

“No, that’s not it. You can’t just eat alone like this.”

“Huh?”

If he left it to Serena, she would clear the dungeon by herself. Needless to say, that might prevent Jhin and Ena from leveling up. Though it was natural, she had learned that from seeing Evan.

“Leave the reconnaissance to someone else. This time, you only need to do the fighting…Jhin, try scouting. Can you do it?”

“Yep.”

Jhin’s eyes could see accurately far away. Moreover, they could see magical power, which made them excellent for finding traps.

“I can.”

“I’ll take you on the fastest route as soon as the map is fully drawn up. But that’s all. From the 11th to the 20th floor, keep in mind that you’ll be dealing with the battles and traps on your own.”

“Ah.”

Evan’s strict tone made Ena more nervous, as she clenched her jaw and grasped her spear even harder. If you were an explorer challenging the dungeon, this sort of tension was normal! Evan nodded, feeling thrilled at the sensation he hadn’t tasted for a while. However, he knew it wouldn’t last. He knew best how strong the power of those he had raised was.

“Oh, Jhin already killed one!”

“I was able to aim first, so I killed it.”

“… Don’t miss the next one. Captain, I’ll trigger one more trap!”

Serena used her connection with Ruby, Lucy, and Rudy to attack the monsters, and Jhin, who didn’t want to lose out, searched for monsters to fight diligently. Ena, who was scared at first, started to wield her spear earnestly. The spear, which boasted an impressive reach, showed good harmony with them. As a result, the party reached the hidden boss room on the 15th floor within only 4 hours.

“It’s a boss fight, so don’t tire yourself out in advance.”

“I’m not tired, so let’s get the boss right away, oppa! The hidden boss is mine!”

Evan wondered where on earth the tension they had felt before went, but he wasn’t particularly disappointed.

He just missed the scenes full of tension that would appear when he was playing games.