Vol3 Chapter 31 S-rank Ruins.

Amos arrived at the Adventurer's Guild not long after Karos had left for the academy.

This time, however, he wasn't here to browse the request board.

Several adventurers recognized him.

"Morning, Eoghan."

"Taking another request?"

Amos gave a few casual nods as he made his way toward the reception counter.

"Morning."

The receptionist looked up.

Her expression brightened slightly when she recognized him.

"Good morning, Eoghan."

Amos rested one hand against the counter.

"I need to speak with Gareth."

The receptionist paused.

"The Guild Master?"

"Yes."

"Is there something wrong?"

"No."

Amos shook his head.

"I just need to discuss something with him."

The receptionist's expression changed.

"Is it about your S-rank promotion?"

"That's the one."

She nodded.

"Understood. I'll let him know you're here."

She turned toward another receptionist and quietly exchanged a few words before returning her attention to Amos.

"He's currently in his office."

Amos nodded.

"Can I see him?"

"I'll send someone to escort you."

"Thanks."

Amos stepped away from the counter and waited, his eyes wandering around the guild. Everything felt familiar—the request board, the tables, the adventurers, and that same noisy atmosphere he’d known for years.

Feels like I haven't been here in forever.

A few adventurers nearby were discussing a recent request.

"I heard Eoghan's going for S-rank."

"Seriously?"

"That's what I heard."

"He's already A-rank. Doesn't surprise me."

"I'd like to see what kind of promotion quest they give him."

Amos pretended not to hear them.

Apparently the news travels fast.

A guild employee approached him.

"Sir Eoghan?"

Amos turned.

"Yes?"

"The Guild Master is ready to see you."

Amos nodded.

"Lead the way."

The employee gestured toward the corridor.

Amos followed.

As they walked farther into the guild, the sounds of the main hall gradually faded behind them.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a large wooden door.

The employee knocked.

"Guild Master Gareth. Eoghan is here."

A brief silence followed.

Then a familiar voice came from inside.

"Send him in."

The employee opened the door.

Amos stepped inside.

Gareth sat behind his desk; several documents spread before him. He looked up from his work and studied the masked adventurer standing before him.

Amos shut the door behind him.

"Morning, old man."

Gareth leaned back a bit.

"Good morning, brat."

His eyes narrowed faintly.

"I assume you're here about the promotion."

Amos smiled.

"Among other things."

Gareth gestured toward the chair opposite his desk.

"Sit."

Amos took the seat.

Gareth folded his hands together.

"Then let's talk."

Gareth leaned back in his chair.

"Before we discuss the quest itself, there's something you should know."

Amos waited.

Gareth picked up one of the documents on his desk.

"Your promotion has already received considerable support."

Amos raised an eyebrow.

"From whom?"

"Guild Masters."

"Plural?"

Gareth nodded.

"I've contacted several guildmasters across the Empire. I wanted formal recommendations before submitting your promotion."

He placed the document back on the desk.

"Most of them know your name already. Some have personally reviewed your records. Others have spoken with adventurers who have worked alongside you."

Amos remained silent.

Gareth continued.

"Every one of them gave their approval."

Amos blinked.

"All of them?"

"Yes."

"That's more than I expected."

"You've spent five years building your reputation, Eoghan. Your accomplishments speak for themselves."

Gareth folded his hands.

"But there's still one problem."

Amos already knew the answer.

"The S-rank accomplishment."

"Exactly."

Gareth's expression became serious.

"An S-rank isn't awarded simply because someone is strong enough to fight at that level. You need an accomplishment worthy of the rank."

Amos leaned back.

"So you found one."

"I found an opportunity."

Gareth reached for another document.

"Recently, ruins were discovered in a region under the Empire's jurisdiction."

Amos's expression sharpened.

"Ruins?"

"Yes."

"How old?"

"We don't know yet."

Gareth opened the document.

"The location has been kept relatively quiet while we investigate. The Guild sent an A-rank adventurer team to scout the site."

Amos frowned.

"And?"

"They were supposed to return several days ago."

"They haven't?"

Gareth shook his head.

"No report. No messenger. Nothing."

Amos's eyes narrowed.

"How long?"

"Long enough that we're no longer assuming they're simply delayed."

Gareth placed the report on the desk.

"The ruin has now been classified as an S-rank threat."

Amos studied the document.

"So the guilds sending an S-rank team."

"Yes."

Gareth's expression became solemn.

"The Empire has only a handful of S-rank adventurer teams. One of them has been assigned to investigate the ruins."

Amos looked up.

"And you want me to go with them."

Gareth smiled faintly.

"Precisely."

Amos leaned back in his chair.

"Why me?"

"Because this isn't simply about clearing a dungeon."

Gareth tapped the document.

"It's an opportunity for you to prove that you can operate alongside S-rank adventurers in an S-rank situation."

Amos was quiet.

Gareth continued.

"If you enter those ruins with them, help rescue the missing A-rank team if they're still alive, and successfully conquer whatever lies inside..."

He paused.

"...that would be the accomplishment you need."

Amos glanced down at the report again.

"And if the S-rank team approves of me?"

Gareth nodded.

"Even better."

He leaned forward.

"Their recommendation would carry considerable weight."

"So if I complete the ruins and get their approval..."

"You would have an extremely strong case for S-rank promotion."

Amos smiled faintly.

"Sounds straightforward."

Gareth stared at him.

"Don't say that."

Amos laughed.

"I'm joking."

"You'd better be."

Gareth sighed before continuing.

"The A-rank team was experienced. They weren't sent there blindly. If they haven't returned, there's a reason."

Amos's expression became serious again.

"I understand."

"There is another reason I chose you."

Amos waited.

Gareth looked directly at him.

"You've always been willing to take responsibility when other adventurers hesitate."

Amos raised an eyebrow.

"That's a nice way of saying I take troublesome jobs."

"That too."

Gareth smiled.

"But this time, you'll be entering something that may be far beyond anything you've faced before."

Amos stood.

"Then I suppose I'll have to find out."

Gareth nodded.

"The S-rank team is scheduled to depart soon."

"How soon?"

"Tomorrow morning."

Amos paused.

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

He looked toward the window.

His one-week holiday had barely begun.

Amos sighed.

Of course.

Gareth raised an eyebrow.

"Something wrong?"

"No."

Amos smiled.

"Just thinking about how convenient this holiday turned out to be."

Gareth frowned.

"I don't understand."

"You don't need to."

Gareth shook his head.

"You're a strange one, brat."

Amos turned toward the door.

"I've heard that before."

"Get some rest tonight."

Gareth's voice became more serious.

"Tomorrow, you'll be entering an S-rank ruin."

Amos stopped at the door.

He glanced back.

"One more thing."

Gareth looked at him.

"If that A-rank team is still alive..."

Amos's expression hardened.

"I'll bring them back."

Gareth nodded.

"That's the answer I was hoping for."

"Wait."

Gareth looked up.

"Hm?"

"You said an S-rank team is going to the ruins."

"Yes."

"Which team?"

Gareth was silent for a moment.

Then he answered.

"An all-female team. Six members."

Amos raised an eyebrow.

"All six are S-rank?"

"Yes."

"Is it the Blue Wolfs?"

"It is."

"You know Blue Wolfs?"

"I've heard of them."

Gareth leaned back in his chair.

"We've chosen Blue Wolfs for the expedition."

"They're one of the Empire's few S-rank teams."

Amos nodded slowly. Gareth started talking about them to him.

Amos listened, then paused.

"Wait."

Something about Gareth's expression had changed.

"You said six members."

"Yes."

"And you know them personally?"

"I do."

Amos narrowed his eyes.

"How?"

Gareth gave him a strange look.

"Because one of them is my daughter."

Amos froze.

"Your daughter?"

"Yes."

Well, that's unexpected.

He quickly composed himself.

"How many children do you have?"

Gareth answered without hesitation.

"Two."

Amos nodded.

"Two?"

"Yes."

Gareth leaned back.

"Selene and Irene."

For the briefest moment, Amos's mind went completely blank.

Selene.

The woman who had been teaching his class at Arianne Academy since the beginning of the semester.

And now Gareth had just casually revealed that she was his daughter.

Of course.

Amos maintained a perfectly neutral expression.

"I see."

Gareth studied him.

"You've never saw them?"

Amos shook his head.

"No."

The lie came naturally.

Technically, I do know Selene.

But Eoghan doesn't.

That distinction would have to remain intact.

Gareth smiled.

"You should meet them someday."

Amos paused.

"Irene?"

"Both of them."

Gareth's expression softened slightly.

"Selene is usually busy with the academy, and Irene is often away on assignments with her team. It isn't easy getting them together."

"I understand."

"But perhaps after your promotion quest."

Gareth gestured toward him.

"If you succeed, I'll introduce you properly."

Amos gave a small smile.

"I look forward to meeting them."

Gareth nodded.

"Good."

Amos turned toward the door again.

As his hand reached for the handle, he stopped.

"So I'll be joining Irene and the other four?"

"Yes."

Amos chuckled.

"Right."

He opened the door.

Gareth called after him.

"Eoghan."

Amos glanced back.

"Yes?"

"Don't underestimate the ruins."

"I wouldn't dare."

He stepped out and closed the door behind him.

The moment he was alone in the corridor, his expression changed.

Irene is an S-rank adventurer.

He paused.

And Selene is Gareth's daughter.

Amos stared blankly ahead.

He started walking.

I should go check my equipment to see if it’s enough.