Earth Dungeon 31.2

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Chapter 31.2. The Market

"We're here for goblin hunting in the dungeon! We have bodyguards, so archers are no problem. The participation fee is 300 yen. It may be slightly dangerous, but the reward is 30 items per person in half a day."

It seems they're gathering people for hunting. Will it make a profit of 300 yen in a day...? Many people are lining up. It seems each area has a hunting ground prepared. They even dive into the dungeon. I'm not sure what it means when they say archers are not afraid, but a boy with a jet-black snake on his shoulder is gathering people.

There don't seem to be many people gathered yet. It's scary to face goblins. It could indeed be difficult to gather a group.

Once again, I turn my face towards my wife and child. I clench the bag of currency in my hand, making a decision.

"Alright! Shall we have some food?"

"Yes, dear!"

"Yay!"

My wife and child also smile, and we walk towards the shop. Many people are happily chatting and eating together.

"I'm sorry. Um, I'll have three bowls of noodles and one okonomiyaki, please!"

"Sure. Thank you for your purchase! Please wait a moment."

With practiced movements, a man scoops the noodles into a wooden bowl and starts cooking the neighboring okonomiyaki. He cheerfully places the okonomiyaki on a wooden board and hands it over. It looks like a watery sauce, but a nostalgic scent tickles the nose, a memory that seems almost forgotten.

"I'll collect the chopsticks and bowls, so please put them in the collection box over there."

"Oh, thank you."

As I think about when was the last time I said thank you, I paid the money and received the piping hot noodles and okonomiyaki. Then, I move with my wife and child to the seats for eating and place the dishes on the table.

"Well then, let's dig in."

"Yes."

"Bo~n appéti~t!"

With a smile, I bite the suinton (a dish made of vegetable scraps and wheat flour). Despite being a clump of vegetable scraps and flour, it's filling and delicious. The saltiness is a bit mild, but being able to slowly eat a hot meal is a rare treat.

My wife cuts the okonomiyaki (a savory pancake) and hands it to our daughter. It's mostly made of flour, but my daughter eagerly takes a bite, and her eyes widen in surprise.

"It's delicious! What is this?"

"It's called okonomiyaki."

My daughter happily eats, exclaiming how tasty it is. She usually would have hard, moldy bread or soup with barely any vegetable scraps. Having soup would be a luxury. Cold meals are a daily occurrence.

My wife smiles kindly at our daughter, who eats with a happy smile. I also take a mouthful of okonomiyaki, and my heart fills with the taste of the sauce that fills my mouth, and a single tear flows unknowingly.

"Ah, it's truly delicious."

"Yes, it is."

My wife nods with teary eyes. When was the last time we could have a meal in such a relaxed and contented manner?

"Should we check if we can live here?"

Perhaps this place could become a safe haven, even in this abandoned town. I see a glimmer of hope in the lively atmosphere around me and gently stroke my daughter's head as she engrosses herself in eating the okonomiyaki.

Though it may be a bit lonely to call it a marketplace, the bustling sounds of people, the laughter and chatter, bring a faint smile to the man's lips as he leans against the wall with his arms crossed.

-POV Change-

[For now, they seem happy, and that's what matters.]

[Yes, I think it's a decent start.]

[Shizuku is being harsh as always.]

I chuckle at Shizuku's cheerful words as she flies happily in front of me. It's true. It's a decent start. He had anticipated worse scenarios, but there were no major issues.

"So far, the number of customers is increasing smoothly. The residents are also growing, so we might need to expand the walls."

The residents who come to this abandoned to either settle here, join the nearby Shingen Community, or find housing near where they want to live. Well, the other places are too terrible. It's only natural, after all.

[It's growing too fast in just one week, don't you think?]

She's shedding a teasing glance at me. Shizuku's remark carries a mixture of concerns. Indeed, it's a start that's progressing too smoothly.

Many people are eating the suinton (vegetable scraps) and okonomiyaki being sold. Frankly, there are too many. Because the Shingen Community has a population of about 1,000 people. Yet, around 100 people have gathered here. Some are participating in the hunting tour.

There are people in the community who hunt slimes and who cultivate fields. Of course, there are also children at home. Strangely, 100 people are eating here in broad daylight.

[This many in just one week. It might increase significantly after a month.]

[I don't think there will be that much vegetable smuggling either.]

[Let's create a market and avoid shortages in a month. Now, let's see how flexible Karin can be.]

I realized Karin had no interest in the vegetable scraps I brought. Since she was reluctant when it related to borrowing wheat flour, it was just trash to her. So she can be flexible to a certain extent, but there are limits to what she can gather.

Then.

[Are you planning to add a new lineup?]

[Yeah, but it's a difficult matter. There are many things to consider.]

After saying that, the dark-robed man turns his back on the lively crowd and heads back home.

Pretty hard-boiled, right?