After we registered, Sel nudged me toward the job board.
"Let's check out some quests," she said. "We came here for a reason, remember?"
Honestly? Everything had been moving so fast, I'd already lost track of why we were even here. Deep down, I feared that I'd never find where I truly belong. I didn't know which quests to take, what I was good at, or what I should be doing. But I held a quiet hope: that in this chaotic journey, I would somehow discover my true purpose.
I wasn't alone. I had Sel. Her calm, determined presence gave me hope. There was something about the soft, floral scent that lingered whenever she was near, like fresh blossoms after a summer rain, that assured me of her unspoken support. Together, maybe we'd figure things out about this world, my past, and each other.
"Hey, Reiji," she said, pointing to a parchment nailed to the board. "This one looks decent — herb gathering in the Forest of Sinners. Low risk, and decent pay too."
I nodded.
"Yeah, not bad. Plus, we'll get to learn more about the kingdom."
Before we could grab it, a voice cut in.
"Sel. Reiji. We've got a quest more appropriate for adventurers like you."
It was Lyra. She'd just finished speaking to someone. He was built like a war golem, a single jagged scar cutting across his cheek, hinting at countless battles fought. He moved like someone who used to kill for a living and was still very capable of doing it.
"This is the Guild Manager," Lyra said. "He wants to speak with you. Privately, if that's alright."
The man stepped forward with a surprising smile.
"Name's Garron. Garron Thale. A pleasure to meet you two. Saw what happened earlier. You've got some great skills."
Wait, what? His voice was unexpectedly cheerful, especially for someone so intimidating.
I stood there, stunned...
This walking fortress was friendly?
Sel sighed.
"I'm Sel. And this moron here is Reiji."
I blinked.
"Uh—yes, sir. It's nice to meet you. I just… wasn't expecting someone like you to be so, uh… chill."
He chuckled.
"Hah! I get that a lot."
Then his face shifted — serious, hard.
"But we've got something important to talk about. How about we continue this in my office?"
That sudden shift in his tone made my pulse quicken with unease.
We followed him through a reinforced iron door, up a quiet hall, and into an office that looked more like a war room than a workplace. Blades hung on the walls. Maps. Monster anatomy sketches. A cracked helmet sat on the desk like a trophy.
"Have a seat," Garron said.
I did — carefully.
"This isn't something I usually discuss with brand-new recruits," he began, "but we're out of options. I apologize."
I felt Sel tense beside me. Her narrowed eyes darted quickly to Garron, suspicion clear in her posture.
(What's really going on here? This kingdom is suspiciously cheerful, and everyone acts almost unnaturally kind. Our only trouble was that bizarre piece of meat... No, something is definitely off here.)
"We've had adventurers disappearing," Garron said. "A dungeon just beyond the kingdom's edge. It started small — a few delays. Then full parties vanished. We sent search teams… and they didn't come back either."
"...And you kept sending people in?" Sel said flatly. "Are you insane?"
"Sel, calm down," I muttered.
"No, she's right," Garron cut in. "It was reckless. That's on me."
I frowned.
"But… why keep doing it? If people were disappearing…?"
Garron sighed.
"The king insisted. He wanted answers — immediately."
"Couldn't he send his knights?" I asked.
"He could've," Garron said. "But most of them are trained for brute force and physical combat. Very little magic.Also, that dungeon… It's different. It's not just dangerous — it's unnatural. It shifts. Changes. Almost like..."
He paused.
"...like it's alive."
My blood ran cold, a shiver running down my spine as the realization hit me.
"Alive?" I echoed.
A dungeon that moves on its own? That doesn't sound normal.
(...Could it be?) – Sel.
Garron leaned forward, voice low.
"We're in need of people who specialize in earth magic — and at high levels. The court mages could handle it, but the king doesn't want to send them in. Probably because they're too valuable to the kingdom."
"Valuable? Over the lives of people?" I clenched my fists. "The king really thinks that way?"
"Between you and me… I think Kael is the one to blame." – Garron.
"Wait, really?" I said, surprised. But the more I thought about what an asshole he was, the more it made sense.
"I don't know how true it is, but there've been rumors," Garron continued. "Apparently, Kael requested that the king grant him a special jewel — one that grants its user any one wish, a really priceless jewel, and it can only be found in that dungeon. The king, not wanting to risk his relationship with the strongest man in the kingdom, agreed to his request. That's just the current state of affairs."
Garron leaned back in his chair.
"We're not asking you to go in blind. Just scout. Observe. Return. You'd be doing me — and this kingdom — a greater service than you know."
I didn't say anything — just sat there gripping my card tighter, unease twisting my stomach.
Sel met his eyes.
"We'll consider it."
Maybe this was my journey.
But nothing about it felt safe anymore.
"Well... I guess that'll have to do for now."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lyra and the other adventurers entered the room.
They wanted to throw us a small welcoming party. Probably to butter us up — but whatever, we partied. Sel quietly warned me not to eat or drink anything given to me; better safe than sorry, I guess.
"Ma—Reiji, let's go," Sel said. She seemed cautious....Wait. Was she just about to call me Master?
"Leaving already? The party's just getting started," Garron said with a raised brow.
"Thank you so much for the party, sir. Everyone — we really appreciate this, truly," Sel said, bowing slightly. "But we'll be taking our leave. We came from a village far from here, and the exhaustion's catching up."
"Well, alright. You can always find me here at the guild. I'll be waiting for your response to my request, alright? Sel. Reiji." – Garron.
It was already late, and I was starting to feel both hungry and sleepy. With that, we decided it was time to leave the guild party.
But something didn't sit right. Why did the Guild Master sound so evasive? The answers didn't line up. Looking at Sel's frown, I knew she'd noticed these holes, too.
"Reiji, wanna grab lunch? I'm starting to get hungry..."
She rubbed her stomach and let out a groan. "This body is a pain. How do you humans keep up with this torture?" Sel whined.
"Thank God—"
Sel interrupted me with a grin.
"Don't you mean 'Thank me'? You do remember I'm the goddess, right?"
"Oh yeah? Sure doesn't feel like it. Honestly, I was starting to think I was the only one feeling hungry. Thought being a goddess meant you didn't have to worry about stuff like that."
"You're right. I shouldn't be feeling hungry. But this feeling... It's almost unbearable." Sel grumbled.
"And now that I think about it... We don't have any money, do we?" I said.
"Heh..." Sel smirked. "You don't have to worry about that. I am a goddess, remember?"
She pulled out a bag and shook it lightly.
"We've got some starter provisions. We should be good for a few days."
"Starter...? Wait—Sel, don't tell me yo—"
"SHUT UP, OKAY?!"
She turned away with a pout on her face.
"I did what I had to..."
Now that I think about it... Sel's really smart. Until recently, she felt like a totally different person. Is this all just an act or...? No. Sel just seems like Sel. I'm probably overcomplicating things.
"Reiji, don't forget — stay on your guard. Don't stray too far from me, alright?" she said softly.
"Does that mean you were the one wh—"
"Shh. What did I say?" she cut me off. "I'll explain your powers later, okay? Let's focus on other things for now."
"Oh... yeah. Sorry about that."
Meanwhile, back at the guild...
The Guild Master's true face emerged.
"Boss, we've done as you commanded," said a shadowy figure. "We're keeping tabs on both adventurers as we speak. If anything suspicious happens... we will execute them."
Garron leaned forward, an evil grin spreading across his scarred face.
"Good. I'm going to teach those punks how things really work around here..." – Garron, Former Knight Commander.