Chapter 437: [Kaleidoscope]

The party members rode their five Land Birds through the bustling, noisy underground hall.

The Adventurers coming and going would subconsciously step aside to make way for them.

As a result, the already crowded space instantly became even tighter.

Some people mumbled a few indistinct words under their breath.

‘Tch… must be newbies, right? So fearless… Daring to bring mounts into the ruins…’

‘Yeah, they look all high and mighty now. They’ll learn their lesson once they get ambushed by a Demon…’

He paid no mind to the idle gossip.

Zelir cast his gaze over the surrounding Adventurers, who were gathered in groups of three and five, laughing and talking loudly.

Although the heavy stench of sweat and blood made the air a bit oppressive,

Zelir actually quite liked this kind of atmosphere.

Every time he came, he could pick up on the latest news from the Adventurers’ idle chatter, which was filled with boasts and bragging.

“I’m telling you, there are Decaying Knights in that busted-ass castle on the second floor!”

A bearded Vanguard gestured animatedly.

“And man, are they fucking loaded! I saw it with my own two eyes yesterday. A party fought to the death to take down a Decaying Knight…”

“The loot included a full set of Plate Armor and an enchanted Knight’s Longsword! I reckon it could sell for several hundred Gold Coins.”

“For real? That’s awesome… Then let’s go tomorrow! We’ll just focus on farming Decaying Knights!”

‘A few hundred Gold Coins… That’s enough for me to get a whole new set of gear.’

“Have you guys heard? The light-screen entrance to the third floor of the ruins has been opened! You can go down and explore now!”

“That fast? Didn’t they say a few days ago that a Nine-headed Dragon Snake was guarding the entrance?”

“Yeah, I heard about that too… That thing is a genuine [Cruelty] rank Demon. What kind of party is badass enough to take it on?”

“You guys are behind on the news, huh? This just happened yesterday.”

The Adventurer who spoke was smug, proud of his exclusive information channels.

“Besides, the Association has sent a large group over to establish a forward camp. This has to be real.”

“I wonder what kind of treasures are waiting for us on the third floor…”

“Let’s go, let’s go! Hurry up and form a party! We have to be the first to explore the third floor!” 𝖋𝙧ⅇ

“Count me in!”

Zelir sat atop his bird, a leisurely expression on his face.

Gray, however, was secretly thrilled as he listened to their words.

Even Marcus couldn’t help but let a hint of a smile touch his lips.

‘The feeling of one day becoming the object of others’ awed discussions… it’s really not bad at all…’

…

「The next day.」

In the early morning, Zelir awoke in his comfortable king-sized bed in the Heart of the Emerald Residence.

The quality of his sleep last night had been quite good; he no longer felt groggy, trapped between sleep and wakefulness.

He did a rough internal check.

‘Very good…’

The piercing pain in his mind had faded significantly, and his Magic Power reserves had smoothly returned to one hundred percent.

‘It seems it won’t be long before I can shake off the aftereffects.’

After a session of Shallow Meditation to consolidate his condition, Zelir pushed open the vine-entangled window.

A moist, fresh fragrance washed over him, invigorating his senses.

It had rained last night.

A gentle breeze drifted and swayed through the lush canopy, which was like a green ocean.

As it blew through the trees, the layers of branches and leaves rose and fell like ocean waves with a soft RUSTLE.

Crystal-clear water droplets gathered into streams on the leaves, sliding slowly along their veins.

The sun had just begun to rise, and in the morning light, the colors of Sengu Town seemed to have grown a little brighter.

Early-rising townspeople, wearing cloaks woven from leaves, were hurrying toward the market in the center of town.

Amidst the flow of people coming and going on the street, Zelir also saw a bare-chested Beastman with rippling muscles.

For some reason, Zelir suddenly recalled Marcus’s advice about Beastmen from the day before, and he let out a strange little laugh.

After he went downstairs, the crisp voice of Miss Hera at the front desk rang out.

“Mr. Zelir, good morning!”

“Good morning, Hera.”

“You’re a very busy man, Mr. Zelir.”

Hera’s tone held a hint of playful complaint.

“You haven’t been at the Heart of the Emerald Residence for a while, so no one has been enjoying the complimentary breakfast service I prepared for you…”

In Hera’s opinion, Zelir’s party was perhaps a bit too extravagant.

A room that cost forty Silver Coins a day was left empty for days on end, purely to keep it reserved.

‘That’s a cost of several Gold Coins per day.’

‘Is this to be expected from a party with a Mage…’

“We were busy exploring the ruins.”

Zelir walked to the counter and glanced at the menu.

“I’ll have the buttered bread with thick-cut ham, a double order of fried eggs… and three berry-flavored filled pies.”

Ever since Zelir’s Constitution had improved, his appetite had grown much larger, and he could eat a lot more than before.

“Of course, please wait a moment.” Hera turned and called to the back kitchen.

Zelir had just sat down at a table by the window when he noticed a familiar figure at the top of the stairs.

Gray was coming down too.

“Gray…?”

Zelir was a little surprised.

“You’re up so early today… Didn’t you go to the Cat Lady Tavern yesterday?”

“Nah, I went to bed early after we got back.”

Gray yawned and sat down across from Zelir. “I was so tired yesterday, I really didn’t have the energy.”

“Hera, another breakfast, same as mine,” Zelir called out to the front desk.

“You got it!” Hera replied.

They didn’t have to wait long; breakfast was soon served.

The aroma wafted over, whetting their appetites.

A golden-brown loaf of bread was sliced down the middle, stuffed with four thick slices of ham, with a small pat of butter placed to the side.