Hiroshi arrived at the Castle the next day. He was quite surprised after learning that his party had started taking more dungeons without him. And most of all they didn't even inform him about it.
They had cleared three more F-rank dungeons. When he arrived at the Castle they had already left for another E-rank dungeon.
Just how much experience they would have gained.
He couldn't help but feel depressed about it again. But unlike before where he would have waited for his party to return to even attempt anything, he was confident enough to gain experience on his own now. And since he couldn't become stronger or raise his rank like normal people, he needed some kind of mission.
So the next day after arriving at the Castle, he requested a meeting with Archbishop Dominus.
He stood outside the Archbishop's office. When he knocked, a voice called from inside.
"Enter."
Hiroshi pushed the door open.
The office was larger than expected. Bookshelves lined two walls, filled with religious texts and reports.
A large desk sat near the window, covered in papers. Archbishop Dominus sat behind it.
"Hiroshi." The Archbishop didn't look up from the document he was reading. "I was told you requested this meeting."
"Yes, Your eminence."
"Sit."
Hiroshi sat in the chair across from the desk. The wood was hard and uncomfortable.
Dominus set down his pen and finally looked at him. "You've been cleared by the healers for two days now. Yet you didn't rejoin your party."
"They left without informing me."
"I see." The Archbishop's expression didn't change. "And now you're here because...?"
"I want a mission assignment."
"Your party will return in three days. You can rejoin them then."
"I don't want to wait three days."
Dominus leaned back in his chair. "You just recovered from dungeon corruption. Most people would take the time to rest. Build their strength back slowly."
"I've been resting for more than a month. I'm ready now."
"Ready for what, exactly?"
Hiroshi met his gaze. "Whatever mission you'll give me."
The Archbishop was quiet for a moment, studying him. "You understand that solo assignments are more dangerous."
"I understand."
"Do you?" Dominus pulled open a drawer and withdrew a folder. "Most summoned heroes work in parties for a reason. Support, backup, someone to cover your mistakes. Alone, every mistake could be your last."
"I know the risks."
The Archbishop opened the folder and scanned the contents. "There's a G-rank dungeon that manifested three days ago. Very small structure. Located in the eastern district."
"I'll take it."
"I'm not finished." Dominus looked up. "G-rank is the lowest classification we have. Barely qualifies as a dungeon at all. The reward is minimal, fifteen silver. The Guild won't even bother with it because the effort isn't worth their time."
"That's fine."
"Is it?" The Archbishop leaned forward. "Most heroes would consider this beneath them. An insult, even. Why do you want it?"
Hiroshi thought about how to answer. He couldn't explain that he needed any kind of combat experience he could get. That sitting idle felt like drowning slowly. That his party moving forward without him made him realize he'd fall behind forever if he didn't act now.
"I need to start somewhere," he said finally.
Dominus studied him for another long moment. "You're different from the other summoned heroes."
"How so?"
"They complain about danger. You're asking for it." The Archbishop pulled out a form and began writing. "Very well. The dungeon is stable for now. Not at risk of its expansion. You have twenty-four hours to clear it and report back."
He finished writing and stamped the form with an official seal. "Take this to the requisition office. They'll issue you basic equipment on loan. Lose it or break it, and you pay replacement cost."
Hiroshi took the paper. "Thank you, Your eminence."
"Don't thank me yet." Dominus's expression was serious. "G-rank may be low threat, but people still die in dungeons. Even easy ones. You'll be alone. No healer. No one to help if things go wrong. If you get injured badly enough, you'll die in there."
"I understand."
Dominus nodded slowly. "Dismissed. And Hiroshi, good luck."
Hiroshi left the office with the assignment paper in his hand.
The requisition office was in the basement level of the Castle. He found it after asking directions twice. The room smelled like oil and grease. Weapons lined the walls—swords, spears, axes—most showing signs of heavy use.
The woman behind the counter looked him over without much interest. "Assignment paper."
Hiroshi handed it to her.
She scanned it and raised an eyebrow. "G-rank solo. First time?"
"Yes."
She disappeared into the back and returned with a short sword in a leather sheath. The blade was plain steel, nothing fancy. "This'll handle rats and slimes. Don't lose it and don't break it either."
Hiroshi took the sword. It was heavier than the practice weapon he'd been using. The balance was different.
"Anything else?" the woman asked.
"No."
"Then you're set. Return the weapon when you're done, or pay if you don't."
Hiroshi nodded and left.
He spent the rest of the day preparing. The market district was crowded, full of merchants calling out prices and customers haggling. He bought what he could afford with his limited funds, dried meat, a water skin, basic bandages. It wasn't much, but it would have to do.
By the time he finished, the sun was setting. He returned to the dormitory and tried to sleep, but his mind wouldn't quiet. Tomorrow he'd face a dungeon alone for the first time.
Morning came slowly.
Hiroshi gathered his supplies before sunrise and left the dormitory. The streets were empty except for a few early workers. He followed the eastern road as the sky gradually lightened.
The Old Miller's property was about an hour's walk from the city center. The building itself had collapsed years ago, leaving only rubble and foundation stones. The dungeon entrance was obvious, a doorway that shouldn't exist, outlined in faint purple light, leading down into unnatural darkness.
An old man sat on a stool near the property edge, smoking a pipe. He looked up as Hiroshi approached.
"You from the Church?" the old man asked.
"Yes. I'm here to clear the dungeon."
The old man grunted. "About time. That thing's been down there for three days. City won't let me rebuild until it's gone."
"I'll handle it."
"You're going alone?" The old man looked him up and down. "You sure about that, kid?"
"Yes."
"Your choice." He pointed toward the purple-lit entrance with his pipe. "It's right there. Can't miss it. Try not to die, I don't want the hassle of reporting a body."
Hiroshi walked toward the entrance. The purple light pulsed slowly, and the darkness beyond seemed deeper than it should be. He could feel something in the air around it—a pressure, a wrongness that made his skin crawl.
He stopped at the threshold and drew his sword. Checked his supplies one last time. Everything was ready.
This was it. His first solo dungeon.
Hiroshi took a breath and stepped through the doorway into the darkness.