Earth Dungeon 54.1

Test

Chapter 54.1. Tavern

Amatsugahara Market was bustling with activity. A population of 3,000 had gathered from the surrounding outposts. The city was divided into Amatsugahara Headquarters, Shingen's base, and this former station building. It served as the central hub for trade and the starting point for dungeon exploration tours. The market where the Amatsugahara Tours were held was bustling with a large crowd.

Not too long ago, the residents were mostly from the abandoned town. Since September, visitors from the outer districts had begun to flow in, greatly increasing the liveliness. Why was that? It wasn't just because corn and potatoes were being sold at low prices. The main reason for its sudden popularity was...

Ale. It was available both in the outer and inner towns. But exchanging it required dungeon cores. However, as soon as dungeons appeared, the military would swiftly conquer them. Even though dungeons sprouted up like mushrooms after rain, ordinary people couldn't acquire cores.

Therefore, ale was also scarce. Ale was for D-ranked adventurers, and it was practically impossible for regular people to defeat monsters of that rank and obtain it. Consequently, it was rarer than even in the ruins.

Or rather, the abundance of ale circulating here was unusual. People flocked here in search of ale. And upon learning that they could earn money through dungeon tours, they would use the money they earned to buy things at the market or something along those lines. The proprietors of the black market stalls, upon realizing this, rented shops and opened their businesses.

These shops sold a variety of items, attracting customers seeking them. New merchants came to cater to those customers, then established a positive cycle.

In no time, it became as bustling and crowded as the former station building used to be, if not more so.

Amidst the throng of people, those who had gone on the dungeon tours were returning. They were all tired but chatting with joyful smiles on their faces. And right beside them, Shadow Tiger followed along obediently.

"Wow, you can make money in Goblin Dungeons."

"Yeah, you're right. Maybe I'll join the tour in the afternoon."

"I'm feeling lucky today."

"Maybe we should try delving on our own."

"Better not, better not. You'll end up being turned into a hedgehog by an Archer."

Among the group, some individuals accepted their dungeon cores and headed into a tavern. With the release of E-ranked cores worth 300 yen each into the store's inventory, the rewards had also increased by five E-ranked cores. They aimed to grab a drink with the rewards in hand.

A sign displayed "Pure Ale 500 yen, One Glass of Ale 200 yen" at the store. Everyone understood the meaning written on the sign, so no one voiced it out. 

People would spend about half of their rewards on alcohol and would end up being scolded by their wives for it.

Among them, Ooki-kun, who called himself the most popular guy in Amatsugaha, finished the tour and stretched his shoulders to relieve the fatigue. Tours to defeat goblins were incredibly tiring. Even with Shadow Tiger and Shadow Snake around, one couldn't let their guard down. While paying attention to the Archers was important, customers who got ahead of themselves and thought it would be easy were more troublesome. By the way, Ooki-kun has been spreading the joke around that his name isn't really Ooki.

Even though they were supposed to finish on the 2nd floor, some annoying customers tried to go down to defeat the Knights. They thought they wouldn't get caught when they went secretly. But once they died, they wouldn't return. So they wouldn't get caught, right?

"Well, I understand the sentiment. But the D-ranked cores of Knights are worth 3,000 yen."

However, Knights were said to be beyond Shadow Tigers' capabilities, and in the first place, relying on Shadow Tigers to defeat enemies they couldn't defeat themselves was strange. That's what parasitism is.

Would these types of people continue to appear in the future as well? Ooki-kun sighed in exasperation, wondering whether he should have a drink. It was the typical appearance of a worthless man who would spend all the money he earned once he got it, typical of him.

"Well, let's refresh our minds and have a drink. After all, tomorrow is a day off."

"Welcome~. I'm sorry. We're currently fully booked."

The waitress smiled and gestured to the seats. It seemed that the end of the tour coincided. 

Many people were sitting in chairs, drinking ale, and enjoying smoked meat, potatoes, and corn.

Amidst the lively chatter and the merriment of consuming filling ale and hearty food, even more so than lagers, conversations flowed.

"When Archer appeared, I quickly threw my knife. With that support, my comrades swiftly thrust their spears!"

"I didn't even flinch when a Hobgoblin showed up. Held my shield firm, I tell you."

"Hey, wait, could it be that I leveled up to Skill Level 1? I feel like the flames of Ignite got bigger."

"A few centimeters of difference doesn't matter! You're not going to level 1."

Amid the noise and laughter, inquiring about any vacant seats while laughing echoed. Observing the restaurant's interior, Ooki noticed a vacant seat at one of the tables. He recognized the faces sitting there.

They were acquaintances, not friends. Not friends, but he wanted to drink. Well, being acquaintances wasn't an issue.

"There's a spot over there. I know people there, so let's sit there."

Ooki-kun's eyes were fixated on the drink. He wanted to drink. He decided that he would drink before the day off. Starting this week, Daiki made that determination. A decision that didn't necessarily need to be made. So, not drinking wasn't an option.

"Oh, yes. Here you go."

The waitress nodded and stepped aside. She lightly raised her arm in thanks and approached the table.

The people at the table noticed him and raised their eyebrows questioningly. He raised his hand in greeting.

"Hey, Gatekeeper."

"Oh, you're in high spirits, aren't you? Ooki, was it?"

"Maybe I should change my name... Can I sit? Looks like you're in high spirits too."

A total of three people. The ones sitting were the soldiers from the outer town who served as gatekeepers. They carried automatic rifles on their backs. It was unbelievable equipment for this abandoned town. They recognized him since he always paid them bribes. Well, they remembered each other's faces.

"Sure thing. This place is cheap and good, you know."

With their swift approval, he lightly bowed to show his gratitude.