novelraw Chapter 148: Back to the Stronghold
Chapter 148: Back to the Stronghold
The familiar noise of the stronghold greeted them.
Explorers moving around. Vendors calling out. Equipment clanking.
The group headed straight toward the mission hall.
Their boots echoed across the wide stone floor as they approached the counter.
The captain handled most of the reporting.
He spoke with the attendant while the rest of the squad stood nearby waiting.
Arthur leaned against one of the pillars while listening.
Dungeon cleared.
Boss eliminated.
Area secured.
The usual report.
It didn’t take long.
After the paperwork was finished, the attendant stamped the mission completion and handed the documents back.
"Good work," she said.
The captain nodded.
"Thanks."
With that done, the group stepped outside the mission hall again.
The mission was officially over.
For a moment nobody moved.
Then the captain turned toward Arthur.
He scratched the back of his head again like he had done earlier.
"Listen... about today."
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"You already thanked me."
"I know," the captain said. "But still."
He extended his hand.
"I mean it. You saved the squad."
Arthur took the offered hand and shook it firmly.
"Happy to help."
The captain smiled.
"Hopefully we’ll get another chance to work together."
Arthur nodded.
"I’d like that."
And he meant it.
This mission had been dangerous, but he enjoyed the experience.
The squad worked well together and the atmosphere felt natural.
The captain squeezed his hand once before letting go.
The other explorers stepped forward one after another.
"See you around, Arthur."
"Next time try not to steal the boss kill so fast."
"Yeah, give us a chance to look useful."
Arthur laughed as he exchanged a few more words with them.
They were clearly more relaxed with him now.
No awkwardness left.
Just mutual respect.
Ryn stood nearby watching the scene with a small smile.
When the others finished their goodbyes and started leaving, he stepped forward as well.
"Not bad," he said.
Arthur tilted his head.
"Not bad?"
Ryn smirked.
"You just earned the respect of an entire silver squad. And you were basically the star of the mission."
Arthur shrugged.
"You didn’t do so bad yourself."
Ryn shook his head.
"Don’t try to spread the credit."
Arthur chuckled but didn’t argue.
They stood there quietly for a moment while the rest of the squad walked off.
Eventually only the two of them remained.
Ryn folded his arms.
"You know," he said slowly, "I’d like to work with you again."
Arthur looked at him.
Ryn continued.
"If the commander allows it."
There was no joke in his voice this time.
Just sincerity.
Arthur noticed the way he was looking at him.
Ryn understood something important.
Arthur wasn’t going to stay a bronze explorer forever.
Anyone who saw that fight would know it.
Sooner or later his rank would rise.
Maybe even beyond silver.
Ryn seemed aware of that already.
Arthur studied his expression for a moment.
The resolve in his eyes was clear.
It made Arthur pause.
In this new world he hadn’t really thought about allies yet.
But right now...
It felt natural.
Arthur gave a small nod.
"I’d like that too."
His answer was simple but it carried the meaning clearly.
Ryn’s smile returned.
"Good."
The tension faded immediately.
He stretched his arms and returned to his usual relaxed attitude.
"Anyway," he said, "I should report to the captain properly."
Then he gave Arthur a quick wink.
"Don’t get too famous while I’m gone."
Arthur rolled his eyes.
"No promises."
Ryn laughed and walked away.
Arthur watched him disappear into the crowd for a moment.
Then he turned in another direction.
His steps carried him toward the familiar exchange counter.
As usual, Elena was already there.
She looked up from her desk the moment she saw him.
A bright smile appeared on her face.
"Well well," she said playfully.
"Fancy seeing you alive."
Arthur leaned on the counter.
"I get that a lot lately."
Elena laughed softly.
"I heard you went on a joint mission with a silver squad."
Arthur nodded.
"Something like that."
She tilted her head slightly.
"And?"
Arthur shrugged.
"I came back."
"Clearly."
She tapped the desk lightly with her fingers.
"Good timing actually."
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Her fingers tapped lightly on the desk as she continued speaking.
"So about the core you brought last time."
Arthur rested his arms casually on the counter, she had picked his interest.
She picked up a small document from the desk and glanced at it before looking back at him.
"The research department finished examining it."
Arthur watched her calmly, though he was already a little curious.
Elena tilted her head.
"They said it’s useful for their research."
Arthur blinked once.
"That’s good... I guess?"
Elena nodded.
"It is. And because of that, they placed a value on it."
Arthur straightened a little.
"Alright. How much?"
Elena held up the paper.
"Twenty five yen."
Arthur raised his eyebrows.
"Twenty five?"
Elena gave a small shrug.
"I know. I was surprised too."
She tapped the desk again.
"That’s the price they gave me. Apparently it’s about the same value as a boss monster core."
Arthur leaned back slightly.
"That little thing?"
Elena nodded.
"Exactly my reaction."
She lowered her voice slightly as if sharing a secret.
"I don’t know the exact reason they want it. They didn’t explain the details."
Arthur expected that.
Research departments rarely shared information freely.
Elena continued.
"But they did say something else."
Arthur looked at her.
"If anyone brings another one of those cores, I should buy it immediately and send it to them."
Arthur smiled faintly.
"That’s convenient."
Elena folded her arms.
"You sound very calm about this."
Arthur shrugged.
"Well, it’s unexpected money. I’m not complaining."
Truthfully he was pleased.
He didn’t even plan to use those strange cores for anything himself.
If the research department wanted them and paid that much, it was basically free profit.
Elena looked at him for another moment before her expression softened.
"So..."
She leaned forward again.
"Did you bring anything interesting this time?"