Raindrops hammered against the windowpanes.
At the Adventurer's Guild, Eina looked out at the scene from her desk.
"It's raining…"
The golden moon had been replaced by heavy clouds, and a torrential downpour began. People on the streets scrambled for shelter, and the streets quickly emptied.
Eina, working amidst the bustle of the Guild, paused, listening to the relentless rain, staring out the window.
"Ugh~, overtime and a downpour. What bad luck~."
"…It's probably just a thunderstorm. It'll stop by the time we go home,"
Eina's colleague approached her desk, piled high with documents, sighing at the rain.
It was around nine o'clock at night. The staff were still battling overtime. Supervisors were frantically dealing with paperwork. Eina's friend and colleague, a human girl named Misha Flott, leaned against Eina's back, saying she was exhausted.
"I know we're busy with the festival preparations, but I wish the higher-ups would show some appreciation~. Everyone's not as capable as Eina."
"Get off me, Misha, you're heavy. Stop bothering me!"
"Eh? Eina, did you finish the festival preparations already?"
Ignoring Eina's protest, her colleague's eyes widened at the documents.
She reached into the thick pile, pulling out a sheet of paper before Eina could speak.
"Adventurer introduction… Ah, Eina's new recruit, that newbie!"
"…I summarized his information for the team leader."
Knowing further explanation was futile, Eina sighed and answered honestly.
The paper contained basic information: race, birthplace, experience, Familia—essential information for living in Orario.
The name at the top was Arthas.
"He reached the fifth floor in three days?!"
The girl exclaimed, shocked by his speed.
"That's right. He didn't properly clear each floor. He just kept descending, and luckily reached the fifth floor. He almost died there."
I'm glad I didn't write about him reaching the ninth floor… that would have been too shocking.
Lifting her beautiful lashes, Eina felt a headache thinking about Arthas's disregard for her instructions and her lectures.
Aaaaah… why did I get saddled with this recruit?
"That's not entirely true, was it because of the Minotaur the Loki Familia missed? Even experienced adventurers would have trouble with that monster."
"True, the Minotaur was unusual… but that brat… he went to the ninth floor… the ninth floor!"
Eina mumbled indistinctly, and Misha didn't understand.
Eina took back Arthas's file and looked at the reference section.
"That guy always thinks his luck represents the Dungeon's state, not realizing he could die."
His equipment was practically nonexistent, and he had no companions. He wandered the vast Dungeon alone, relying on luck. He probably hadn't even had a real fight yet.
If he encountered a monster, he'd be dead.
"Regardless, I won't let him do this again. If he does it again, I'll tell his Goddess to confine him!"
"That's not just overprotective; that's spoiling him. Why do you care so much about him, Eina?"
"I don't care! I'm just angry! He's an idiot!"
Eina said angrily, her cheeks flushing slightly.
She was genuinely angry at his nonchalant attitude towards adventuring and his life!
Didn't he know many people worried about him? This couldn't be ignored!
Despite these thoughts, Eina's face reddened further, her elf ears burning.
I… I'm not worried about him!
I wonder what he's doing… did he listen to my advice?
...
"It's raining."
Returning to the church from the tavern, rain poured down from the night sky.
Hestia hadn't returned yet, probably delayed by the sudden downpour.
Arthas was about to go to the church basement; the dilapidated church offered little protection from the rain.
But he heard footsteps behind him. Curious about who would visit this secluded place at this hour, he turned.
He saw a beautiful girl with radiant golden hair, Ais Wallenstein, staring at him with piercing golden eyes.
"Miss Wallenstein… what…"
Slightly surprised, he wondered why she had followed him.
"You used magic… on Bete?"
"Um… magic?"
Arthas was even more confused. When had he used magic? Why didn't he know?
"Bete's words were harsh, but he's my companion, so I don't want anything to happen to him. This punishment should be enough. Can you forgive him?"
Ais Wallenstein looked earnestly at Arthas, who was even more bewildered.
"I don't understand. When did I punish him? I just slapped him. That shouldn't be a big deal, right?"
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