We walked toward Brett's table—his huge frame and punk-style hair made him easy to spot. The moment he saw us leave the counter, he raised his hand.
"Hey, you finally got the paperwork done. Took you long enough."
"You've got plenty of free time anyway."
I didn't feel like showing Brett any friendliness, so I answered casually before sitting down across from him with Lina.
"Still mad? Come on, it was just a joke."
So this is what he does to every low-ranked newcomer who shows up with a pretty girl? Does he scare every guy like this?
"Do you always freak out newbies like that?"
"Freak out? It was just a joke. I always explain afterward… and treat them to a meal."
"As expected, you really have nothing better to do."
Seriously, treating people every time? He must have way too much money.
"Pretty much. I've been an adventurer for almost thirty years. I've earned more than enough."
So Brett was in his forties, yet acted like a childish brat. If I really got mad, he'd be done for. With the Brave likely to appear soon, someone even stronger than Brett would show up. I decided to warn him.
"But you really shouldn't pull that kind of joke on first-timers. If you run into someone stronger than you—and someone who takes things seriously—you're dead."
Brett burst out laughing, thinking I was the one joking.
"Stronger than me? Hahaha! That'd have to be some old man already!"
"Whatever. Just stop doing that. Anyway, where's that treat you promised?"
His confidence was understandable, but arguing further was pointless. Eating was more important.
"I already ordered. Just wait a—oh, here it is."
Right as he said that, a waitress arrived with two plates of food. Brett paid—twenty-eight silver coins each. Ridiculously expensive.
On the plate was a large slab of meat drenched in fragrant sauce, along with a knife and fork.
It looked like it was cooked in a simple style. What kind of meat could possibly cost this much? I asked Brett.
"Mr. Brett, what meat is this?"
"Moose."
A moose? I stared at the plate in surprise. Moose live in temperate regions, not tropical ones—this area shouldn't have them.
"There aren't any moose around here, right?"
"It's from the dungeon. You probably don't know the ecosystem of the dungeon levels yet, do you?"
He answered my question and then asked if we understood how the dungeon worked. I answered honestly.
"No idea."
"Then listen up. Level 1 to 10 have monsters. But starting from Level 11, there are no monsters—only animals. They're animals with magic cores inside their bodies, but otherwise the same as regular ones outside."
Animals with magic cores? That wasn't important. What mattered was the taste. After eating both monster and animal meat, I preferred monster meat.
"I see. Mr. Brett, tell us what we need to prepare before entering the dungeon."
I remembered that the dungeon had deserts and snowfields, but I had no clue how big the temperature difference was. I expected him to list clothes and tools, but he brought up something else.
"Just call me Brett. You've been rude to me anyway, no need for formalities. Also, I still don't know your names."
"I'm Karen, and she's Lina."
After hearing my name, Brett burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Man, your name sounds like a girl's!"
That crossed the line. I wasn't cutting him any slack.
"Stop laughing! Just answer my question!"
"Alright, alright! I'll tell you. It's a senior's duty, after all."
We continued eating while listening to Brett explain the dungeon environment. The moose meat was indeed delicious. The reason for the high price was because moose appeared on floor 69—only adventurers of orange rank or higher could reach it.
Higher-ranked adventurers demanded higher pay. Without selling the meat at a high price, the guild wouldn't break even. No wonder it was the most expensive dish.
"…And that's basically it."
Brett finished talking, but my mouth was full of food, so I didn't reply immediately. He said we only needed breathable and cold-resistant clothing.
"That really is simple. By the way, is there anyone stronger than you in this guild?"
Hearing my question, Brett suddenly turned somber. He answered in a heavy tone, sounding slightly annoyed.
"There's one above me—a lunatic who reached floor 78. He's a battle maniac who loves fighting strong people. But he's hard to talk to, so be careful."
So the strongest was still Red-rank. No rainbow-ranked adventurers here. Brett warned us not to provoke this "lunatic." Had Brett been beaten by him before?
"Who is he?"
"His name's Okabuz Brandalla, the eldest son of Marquis Brandalla. He's only in his twenties."
Noble ranks went: duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron. As the son of a marquis—ranked second—he wasn't someone we should offend.
Okabuz probably became an adventurer to train himself. But shouldn't a man in his twenties be helping with his family estate?
"If he's the eldest son, shouldn't he be studying to inherit the title? Why is he allowed to be an adventurer?"
Brett scanned the surroundings to make sure no one was listening. When he spoke again, his voice was low.
"Because he keeps causing trouble. The marquis has to clean up after him all the time. Rumor is, he's already been stripped of his succession rights, and his younger brother will inherit instead."
A spoiled noble brat, huh? Probably pampered since childhood, causing trouble everywhere and letting his father use power to solve it. Definitely someone I didn't want to meet.
We had finished our meals and learned what we needed to prepare. Time to buy supplies. I stood up.
"Got it. Thanks for the treat. Lina, let's go."
"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Brett."
Lina stood and thanked him politely. Brett hurried to give us one last warning about Okabuz.
"Hey! He carries two swords. If you see him, avoid him."
"Got it. See you."
I turned and waved casually at Brett, pretending to leave coolly as we headed out of the guild to explore the town.