The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

The reward for defeating the S-rank monster on the 100th floor was three treasure chests.

The first box contained a set of Shoggoth materials. 

There was a shiny sphere like a polished mud ball, a small bottle of golden liquid, and an ingot of mysterious reddish metal. Since none of these were immediately identifiable, I'll have Roze appraise them later.

The second box held a mirror-like shiny blue-silver short sword.

When I picked it up, it was as light as a feather. Probably mithril, which rarely circulates in the market. Come to think of it, my beloved steel dagger was quite worn out, so it might be time for a replacement.

The last was a ring.

The inside of the copper-colored ring was densely engraved with characters. Of course, it's probably not just an ordinary ring, so I'll have this appraised too.

"You've collected them. Let's go back then."

Roze turned on her heel towards the teleportation device, treating this memorable 100th floor conquest rather casually. Don't you have any words of praise?

For her, defeating a Shoggoth is probably just par for the course.

Well, since we annihilated it instantly, I can't really complain.

I feel a bit reluctant to leave, but since I know we're setting out on a journey soon, I'll refrain from whining unnecessarily.

We quickly teleported back to the surface and had our exit confirmed at the reception. The receptionist, who was checking our guild card update records as if by routine, was startled when she saw the floor and boss information, and fearfully raised her face as if looking at monsters. But when she realized it was us, she seemed to accept it with understanding. ...Yeah. Please stop treating us like monsters.

After we received our guild cards and moved away from the reception, Roze was suddenly holding what looked like a small package and a large wrapped item.

"Ruruk, Elenora. You've done well these past four years. This is a congratulatory gift from me. Open it."

A present!

This is rare. It's Roze's seldom-seen dere mode. Ah, no, no. If I tease her, she'll get sulky and pretend it never happened, so I should accept it sincerely. I can tease her later.

[TL notes: "Seldom-seen dere mode" means a rare display of affection from a character who typically hides their tender side, making it a special or unusual occurrence.]

The small package was handed to me. I tore open the wrapping, took out the box inside, and opened it.

Inside was a book.

It was thick and quite old, but with intricate, ornate binding. This country already has excellent printing technology, but this was clearly handmade, one book at a time. In beautifully written, careful letters, the cover read "Biographies of the World."

"Master, could this be..."

"It's a literary book compiling rare legends and stories from across the continent, just as you like."

"Master, I love you!"

"Wait, Ruruk! Don't hug me!?"

Thank you so much! Thank you so much!

She wasn't just an unreasonable, prank-loving big sister!

Oh, after four years of hardship... it was worth enduring the harsh training.

"I'b zo zorry, thank you zo buch."

"You're crying too much! I'm glad I searched for it! Don't get your snot on me!"

Oops, I overdid it.

I was overjoyed, but the passersby around us are also put off. I need to control myself.

"S-so, how about you, Elenora? Is it useful?"

"Mm. Thanks, Roze."

Elen received a staff.

It was about the same length as Elen's height. A typical deep brown wooden staff with a curled, rounded tip. Several crystal-like, highly transparent minerals were embedded in the grip part.

Come to think of it, I've never seen magicians in this world carrying staffs. They usually only equip short daggers or small swords for self-defense in case of close combat. Everyone can use magic just by chanting, so it's probably common sense that there's no need to carry something heavy.

As I was wondering about the purpose of the staff, Roze explained.

"The staff is an item to efficiently gather mana from the atmosphere. Ordinary magicians can accumulate magical power just from the surrounding mana in nature... but Elenora's maximum magical power has become too high, and without using a staff to draw in mana, the surrounding mana quickly disappears, starting to affect her recovery speed."

"I see, so it's a concern that comes with being strong?"

"That's right. Magicians who need staffs are truly rare. Both as an adventurer and a magician, being a 'staff-bearer' is prestigious. Elenora has become famous in this city too, so I thought it might be time to let her have one."

Elen is already sometimes called by the nickname "Sheep of Wolf Extermination" in this city.

The reason is that for the past four years, she's been mercilessly unleashing overkill attacks on wolf-type monsters without question. It's the result of her killing intent.

Anyway, being that well-known, it might be better to let people recognize her as a skilled magician rather than trying to hide her abilities by using her young girl appearance, to avoid being bothered by others. At least, no fool would casually try to kidnap a 'staff-bearer'.

"Master, despite everything you say, you've been watching over us, haven't you?"

To me, deeply moved, Roze sighed and said:

"Elenora aside, you're too easy to read. More importantly, now that I've given you gifts, it's time to depart. I want to reach the next town by the end of the day."

"Ah, please wait a moment. Can we stop by the Adventurers' Guild to say goodbye?"

At this time, the 【Cheap Beer】 trio and Iso-san the server should be at the guild's tavern, and I want to let them and other adventurers who've helped us know that we're leaving this city.

"Can't be helped. Go quickly. Elenora, make sure Ruruk doesn't do anything unnecessary. I'll go ahead to the west gate."

"Yes!"

"Mm."

We ran to the Adventurers' Guild.

The guild wasn't far from the dungeon, so we quickly arrived and entered, finding the familiar trio in the usual commotion.

"Desuto-san, Soda-san, Hellheaven-san!"

"Oh, if it isn't Ruruk. What's up?"

"Yeah Ruruk, why're you in such a hurry?"

"Heaven doesn't run away."

They were drinking the cheapest ale as usual, even in the middle of the day.

I handed 6 copper coins to a passing server, asking for three more ales for them.

"Oh Ruruk, are you treating us? As expected of the dungeon's top earner, you're different."

"Yeah! But is it okay? We haven't done anything for you today."

"Grateful. With alcohol, even hell is heaven."

"Well, I've decided to leave this city today, so it's a farewell gift. You've all taken care of me, so please let me treat you to one last drink."

Really, they've helped me so much these past four years.

Taking care of the three when they were drunk was a daily occurrence, I've helped them countless times when they messed up in the dungeon, when they tried to take me to the red-light district, Elen stopped talking to them, and when Iso-san kicked them for that, I had to carry them back to the inn.

...Wait? Haven't I been the one taking care of them rather than the other way around?

Well, never mind the details.

My adventurer life here was fun thanks to these people.

"Ruruk! Indeed, you're too big for this city..."

"That's right, it's a new start for you and Miss Elenora. We're happy but sad..."

"Parting is hell..."

Desuto, Soda, and Hellheaven said with tears in their eyes:

"But if possible, one more drink!"

"You idiots! Are you only thinking about mooching drinks even when Ruruk and Miss Elenora are leaving on a journey!"

"Ouch!"

Iso, who was passing by, kicked them hard in the rear with her safety shoes. Ouch, that looks really painful.

Exasperated, Iso quickly smiled and patted our heads.

"You two have become famous in the guild, so I'll miss you when you're gone."

"Me too."

"Mm."

"But I can't tell freedom-loving adventurers not to go. I'm wishing for your safety and further success. Come back anytime, okay?"

"Yes, thank you very much."

"Mm, thanks."

She was a strong-willed but beautiful and kind big sister.

"Ruruk, take care!"

"Yeah, don't get hurt!"

"We'll be praying from heaven... *sniff*"

We shook hands with the crying 【Cheap Beer】 and said our goodbyes.

After that, we greeted other familiar adventurers and staff, and reluctantly left the Adventurers' Guild that had taken care of us for so long—

"Wait a minute!"

The Guild Master came running down the stairs to stop us.

He's still a loud old man as ever.

"Ah, Guild Master, you were here too. We came to say goodbye as we're leaving the city now."

"Hmm! Is that so... No, more importantly, Ruruk!"

He grabbed my shoulder firmly.

Despite being an old man, his muscular power is subtly painful.

"I just received an urgent report from the dungeon reception, is it true that you conquered the 100th floor!?"

"Yes. We just defeated the boss."

"Just the two of you? What about other parties?"

"As always, just us two."

I showed him my guild card.

The Guild Master confirmed the proof of clearing the 100th floor on the back of the card, and with a trembling voice, said:

"Y-you... Why were you trying to leave without reporting this?"

"Huh? Is there an obligation to report floor breakthroughs?"

"That's not it! The 100th floor boss must be an S-rank monster! Defeating an S-rank monster is the primary qualification for promotion to A-rank adventurer. With your abilities, do you think it's fine to remain at B-rank!"

Well, that's a tricky point.

My promise with Lilith was to become a respectable adventurer by the time she graduates from the ladies' academy.

Honestly, that goal could be said to have been achieved when we became B-rank adventurers. There probably aren't many B-rank adventurers in Muuteran, and in these four years, we've earned quite a bit and are living independently. In fact, we have enough savings to live a life of leisure forever. We're truly dungeon tycoons.

I don't feel the need to raise our adventurer rank any further, but it's true that you don't often see S-rank monsters outside of dungeons, so opportunities for A-rank promotion are probably rare. Would it be a waste to miss this chance...?

Hmm, I'm not sure.

"Listen, Ruruk. To become an A-rank adventurer, you need the authority of multiple Guild Masters. For you two who have only been active in this area, promotion is still impossible. That's why I haven't interfered much with your activities... However, if you're going on a journey, that's a different story. When young and capable adventurers like you go out, the Guild intends to provide as much support as possible. There are requests you can't accept as B-rank, but can as A-rank. Therefore, I, in the name of the Adventurers' Guild Stoania Kingdom Area Supervising Guild Master, approve. Adventurers Ruruk and Elenora... may you receive the blessing of the sages."

Saying this, the Guild Master took out his own guild card and placed it against our guild cards.

Then the surrounding spiritual essence moved slightly, engraving something on the cards.

"...With this, you're just one key away. I sincerely hope that you will continue to be active as adventurers on your journey."

"Yes. Thank you for taking care of us for these four years."

"Mm, thanks."

And so, we received the Guild Master's recognition and obtained one qualification for A-rank adventurers.

This time, we truly said our goodbyes and left the Adventurers' Guild.

On the way to Roze waiting at the west gate, as I was about to be distracted by the cutting-edge reasoning devices displayed in various shop windows, Elen hooked the tip of her staff into my collar and dragged me back, choking me. Gack.

...Elen-san, aren't you using that staff wrong?