The twenty-fourth floor of the Dungeon.
This was the lowest level of the Middle Floors, with the recommended standard being Lv.2 adventurers whose ability values ranged from C to S.
For Roy and Ryuu, descending to this floor naturally carried little risk. However, for Daphne and Cassandra, whose Levels and abilities were far lower, a place like this would mean death in a matter of moments.
If either of the two rookies were injured, Roy and Ryuu would be forced to protect two burdens. And if, at that time, they encountered any unexpected situation—such as a Monster Party, where they could be instantly surrounded by a large number of monsters—the chances of total annihilation would be extremely high.
Roy's suspicion toward Royman was not unfounded.
Royman was an excellent leader in terms of capability, but people like him often focused solely on profit while ignoring morality. In other words, as long as it was "for the sake of the bigger picture," the Guild Chairman before him would do anything.
The lives of one or two adventurers meant nothing.
Compared to the risks and chaos that would follow once information about the Juggernaut was exposed, such losses were utterly insignificant.
Facing Roy's doubts, Royman maintained his domineering posture.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. The expedition will not be changed!"
With that, Royman turned around, preparing to leave.
However, Roy noticed something subtle. When Royman mentioned the word "Juggernaut," his body stiffened for an instant. Royman himself hadn't expected Roy to catch it.
As Royman reached the door and grasped the handle, Roy spoke calmly.
"If we die, the information about the Juggernaut will spread throughout Orario the very next day."
Royman's footsteps halted.
Standing at the doorway, he stopped completely.
Royman turned back. The contempt and disdain he usually held toward adventurers vanished from his face. As the one who held power within the Guild—aside from the god Uranus pressing down upon him—he could be said to rule with an iron hand, standing above tens of thousands.
To him, adventurers were nothing more than fools who traded their lives for money, while he sat comfortably in a magic-stone-cooled office, earning countless valis with ease.
But at this moment, Royman realized he had been wrong.
More precisely, he had misjudged this person.
Royman stared at Roy intently, carefully examining the boy before him from head to toe.
Roy curled his lips into a cold smile.
"Chairman Royman, don't underestimate my resolve."
Sensing the faint killing intent in Roy's voice, Royman's pupils shrank slightly.
When an ordinary man erupts in rage, blood will be spilled within five steps.
As the Guild's ruler, once he left this room, Royman had countless ways to make Roy's life miserable. But as long as he remained inside this room, he was nothing more than a weakling who could be killed instantly by Roy.
This boy was far more dangerous than he had imagined.
After scrutinizing Roy for a long while, Royman finally spoke, as if he had at last recognized him.
"You're different from Alise Lovell. You're a qualified leader."
Roy smiled faintly.
Both of them were old foxes—there was no point playing mind games.
Royman continued, "Considering the impact, the maximum extension I can grant you is one week—"
"One month," Roy interrupted flatly.
"What will the other familias think? Half a month—"
"One month."
"You… win!"
Royman forced the words out through clenched teeth, his predatory gaze locked onto Roy's handsome face.
The door to the meeting room opened.
All the tension and hostility vanished in an instant, and the two appeared perfectly harmonious.
Roy clasped Royman's hand.
"Chairman Royman, thank you for your generous support."
"No need to mention it. The Guild's purpose is to support adventurers in their exploration of the Dungeon."
Royman's smile didn't reach his eyes. He clearly had no desire to exchange another word with Roy and turned away immediately.
"Chairman Royman, take care," Roy said politely.
Once in the corridor outside, Royman's legs nearly gave out. He clutched his aching stomach and hurried away, looking as though he were fleeing in disgrace.
Remmel witnessed the scene, his heart pounding. He could see the muscles on Chairman Royman's face twitching.
If even Chairman Royman—that pig—couldn't deal with Roy, then who in the world could possibly restrain this little demon?
Having successfully secured a one-month extension, Roy was in an excellent mood.
"Remmel, how about grabbing a drink?"
"N-no, no! I still have a lot of work to do!"
Remmel shook his head frantically and fled in panic, absolutely unwilling to get involved with Roy any further.
"What a shame," Roy muttered. He had wanted to thank him for his previous help.
Roy left the Guild Headquarters.
Strolling leisurely through the streets, he greeted familiar adventurers and shop owners along the way. When it came to social connections, he rivaled even Hermes.
After all, doing business meant making as many friends as possible—and as few enemies as possible.
Of course, once someone was confirmed as an enemy, they had to be dealt with swiftly and thoroughly, roots and all.
"Care for some apples?"
Standing in front of the apple stall, Roy was hesitating over whether to buy some when a heavy pressure suddenly washed over him, making his entire body tremble.
Roy turned around.
At the far end of the street stood a towering figure, built like a giant bear—a boaz with brown hair, standing over 210 centimeters tall, muscles bulging. A red chest guard covered his torso, and a massive black greatsword was strapped to his back.
The moment this man appeared, everyone on the street instinctively turned to look.
Ottar the King.
Captain of the Freya Familia, Lv.7, the strongest adventurer in Orario—without equal.
Ottar walked toward Babel Tower, each step heavy like a small mountain. Pedestrians quickly parted to make way, as if fearing they might be crushed otherwise.
"No one can stand in the way of the goddess's true will."
As Ottar brushed past Roy, his deep, resonant voice echoed directly into Roy's ears like a massive hammer strike.
A crazed smile slowly spread across Roy's face.
Very well—this time, he wasn't the one picking a fight.
Back at Stardust Garden.
"It's settled!"
Roy tossed the document—stamped with the Guild's official seal, confirming the one-month expedition delay—toward Ryuu.
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