Chapter 25: Seemed like there was a bold idea?
After calculating the time, Izay and Raul chatted briefly and prepared to conclude today’s exploration.
The monsters on the eighth floor weren’t anything extraordinary, so there was no need for a special check.
Instead, their stomachs were already softly growling in protest.
As the saying goes: Man is iron, rice is steel; missing a meal makes one hungry.
Though unsure of the exact time, Izay was certain he hadn’t eaten lunch today.
They entered the dungeon in the morning, and after exploring for such a long time in the labyrinth, fighting and cleaning up battlefields naturally consumed energy.
Once they finished collecting the spoils of war, Raul’s backpack weighed heavily with treasures.
Its name? The weight of money~
Young man, what’s inside this backpack… are nothing but pure silver coins!
Cough cough, my mistake, it should be golden Valis.
Returning was much simpler than exploring.
Just follow the marked routes in the adventurer’s manual; they’re usually safe.
Each level’s route has been verified countless times by the guild to find the most convenient paths between two floors of the maze, which adventurers must remember thoroughly.
Whether heading deeper or returning upstairs, these routes are always the best choice.
Many adventurers pass through daily, making them relatively safe.
But if you’re exploring the dungeon seeking rewards, it’s better not to explore along these marked routes.
During fights, depending on the situation, someone might steal your kills, and others would typically pretend not to notice to avoid getting involved.
By the way, the adventurer’s manual only provides routes up to the tenth floor.
Considering it’s a manual made for beginners, providing this much information is already more than sufficient.
On the way back, Izay and Raul saw many adventurers returning to the upper levels just like them.
Everyone carried bulging bags, smiling happily, probably delighted with their gains.
There were also some adventurers who walked with their heads down, looking utterly dispirited.
Perhaps they left companions behind in the dungeon, or maybe they didn’t gain anything?
Regardless, it had nothing to do with Izay.
After glancing at these people briefly, Izay and Raul laughed and returned to the surface on their own.
Following the memorized route, from the seventh floor to the first floor, finally finishing the “Departure Road,” they arrived at the large hole leading to the ground.
Approximately ten meters high, with a similar diameter, forming a thick cylindrical shape. Silver steps spiraled around the circumference, outlining a massive helix.
After climbing the steps, the view suddenly opened up, revealing an elaborately decorated environment all around.
This was the Babel Tower located directly above the dungeon—theground floor of the underground city, and the largest entrance to the dungeon.
Here, it was completely safe.
Many adventurers’ tense nerves relaxed instantly, their hidden fatigue overwhelming them as they sprawled out in this space that could accommodate thousands to rest.
Izay and Raul didn’t linger here long; their stomachs had become the most faithful overseers urging them forward.
Before rushing off to replenish their energy, they still needed to exchange today’s earnings at the Babel Tower.
“Izay, you wait over at the nearby rest area. I’ll go to the Magic Stones Exchange Window at the Babel Tower to convert the magic stones in my backpack.”
“Ah, okay.”
The Orario Adventurers Guild had two magic stone exchange windows—one at the Guild Headquarters, and one inside the Babel Tower.
Adventurers usually visited the Babel Tower window more often.
After all, it’s right above the dungeon entrance—how convenient!
Most adventurers exploring the dungeon for a day would exchange their magic stones within the Babel Tower.
Of course, it’s not like no one visits the Guild Headquarters, just fewer people compared to the Babel Tower.
Sitting on a chair designated for resting on the first floor of the Babel Tower, Izay stretched out his body in the seat, emitting a slightly comfortable sigh.
Beside him, his silver-gray spear was sheathed and leaned against his side.
Now that they were on the surface, he could finally look at the sky to judge the time.
The sky was gradually turning yellow, half of it dyed crimson, clearly indicating that the afternoon was almost over.
So, he had spent nearly the entire day inside the dungeon?
It was quite surprising…
Exploring the dungeon really was a time-consuming task.
However, Izay also knew this would likely only happen in the beginning.
Once familiar with the dungeon’s environment, exploration efficiency would naturally increase.
While Izay was gazing at the crimson sky and spacing out, Raul emerged from the Magic Stone Exchange Window carrying two heavy bags of gold Valis.
Two bags full of shiny gold coins, emblazoned with the guild’s emblem, immediately drew the attention of many nearby adventurers.
Envious eyes… or… ill-intentioned ones.
“Hiss… buddies, I’ve got a bold idea!”
A certain adventurer leaned close to his companion and whispered.
But his companion didn’t hesitate to slap him hard, then grabbed his head and shouted angrily.
“You have what kind of idea?! Look carefully who that is! Level 4 of Loki Familia, Raoul Nord the ‘Extraordinary Gentleman!’ Are we capable of provoking such a person?!”
“F**k, if you want to die, don’t drag us along.”
“That’s right, exactly~”
Adventurers aren’t all good-natured individuals. Living on the edge of life and death every day, many of them qualify as ruffians.
But they’re merely bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong.
Raul paid no heed to these loud conspiracies and didn’t need to.
They wouldn’t dare provoke Loki Familia, and just the name alone would scare them off.
Carrying the coins, Raul approached Izay, snapping him out of his daze. Smiling, he shook the bag in his hand and handed one over.
“Over 70,000 Valis, precisely 72,800. For our first dive into the dungeon, that’s quite an impressive haul~”
“The money can stay with you for now. I don’t have anywhere to put it right now, and carrying it would be too troublesome.”
Standing up from the chair, Izay waved his hand, showing no intention of taking it.
This trip to the dungeon, he was traveling light. Apart from his pockets, he had nowhere to store things.
A bag as big as a soccer ball, where was he supposed to put it?
“You little…”
Somewhat sensing his thoughts, Raul couldn’t help but chuckle. Laughing and scolding, he took the money bag back and stuffed it into his backpack temporarily to keep it for Izay.
Together, the two walked out of the Babel Tower. People around them were discussing where to eat tonight.
Famous taverns like “Flame Bee Pavilion” and “The Bountiful Mistress” were frequently mentioned.
Perhaps influenced by this atmosphere, Izay turned to Raul.
“Brother, shall we also indulge ourselves tonight with a hearty feast?”
In terms of age, Izay was sixteen, Raul nineteen. Calling him “brother” wasn’t inappropriate.
Hearing this topic, Raul scratched his head and sighed wryly.
“Though I’d love to agree, without any surprises, everyone will probably be dining at the Familial Group restaurant today. Tomorrow’s the expedition day, and our deity usually gives a little speech at this time.”
Mainly reminding the expedition members to value their lives and return alive—words from our deity before the battle begins?
