Some were chatting and laughing, others were tense and serious—but regardless of mood, everyone was armed to the teeth.
No one dared underestimate the "Dungeon."
The ever-changing "Underground Labyrinth" could cost a life with the slightest carelessness.
"Whew."
Taking a deep breath, Fron tightened his backpack straps, pulled up his cloak hood, and melted into the crowd.
Target: The Tower of Babel!
---------------------------------
"Meow, so sleepy meow."
The drowsy cat girl, wearing a cute light green uniform and a white apron, had traces of sleepiness on her petite, adorable face—truly a lazy cat.
In front of the tavern, she lazily swept her small patch with a broom nearly as tall as she was.
"Seriously meow, these adventurers wake up so early every day meow, they really don't know how to enjoy life meow."
"Alright, Anya, everyone is just trying to get by, us included."
That serious voice and tone belonged to a stubborn elf.
A beautiful elf girl dressed in the same tavern server uniform as the cat girl, her cute face framed by a lovely white lace headband and slightly wavy short green hair, gave off a fresh and pleasant vibe.
The only thing ruining the look was her unchangingly cold expression.
"Ryu, aren't you sleepy meow? And what's so great about the dungeon meow? Just thinking about those disgusting monsters makes me—ew."
The cute catgirl named Anya had her brown tail puffed up, clearly showing how much she hated the dungeon.
Casting a glance at another black-haired catgirl who was slacking off instead of working, the elf girl swept the ground seriously, lost in thought—maybe she'd always been like that. The tavern staff were all used to it.
"Ryu, look look! Over there, over there! There's a handsome blonde guy with golden eyes, just like that Sword Princess! Wow, so handsome meow, meow wants him to pet my—"
"Shut up, Chloe! You're being rude!"
"Eh eh eh, where where where? Let me see too meow."
—The speechless elf girl sighed in annoyance. These two cats were always like this, getting overly excited and eventually digging their own graves. They always had terrible luck in the end anyway.
After piling the cleaned-up trash into a corner bin, the elf girl named Ryu followed the gaze of the two cats.
Knowing her friends so well, she figured that anyone who could attract their attention must not be ordinary.
In her view was a young adventurer in a black cloak with a hood, carrying a large pack on his back.
Ryu had already noticed him standing not far from the tavern, observing the place for quite a while.
With her exceptional dynamic vision, she saw the curiosity in his eyes—probably a newcomer.
The "Hostess of Fertility" tavern was truly famous in the area. There were hardly any adventurers who hadn't heard of it.
"Wow, handsome guy, want to come in for a drink~"
The black-haired catgirl, Chloe Rollo, flashed a sweet, adorable smile and cheerfully called out to the blond youth.
Fron was on his way to the central tower, Babel, and had taken a detour through the back alley to buy two 30-valis fried potato balls for lunch. As he passed by the well-known tavern, he paused slightly, curious.
And then he got spotted by the catgirls cleaning in the morning.
"Hmm? My soul probably isn't dazzling at all, Freya shouldn't notice me—could it be I'm just too handsome?"
Thinking narcissistically, Fron winked at the four girls watching him and pointed to himself.
"That's right meow, meow invited you just because meow liked the look of you meow! Regular folks could beg meow and still wouldn't get invited meow!"
So poor he could barely afford food, and if he got scammed again—
"Ugh, never mind, never mind. I've only got 30 valis to my name, really sorry!"
"Huh? An adventurer that poor?"
Even the cold-eyed elf girl widened her eyes slightly at Fron's words.
"No way, no way, don't tell me you really are—"
Fron scratched his nose in embarrassment and gave the only short-haired human girl, Lunoire, an apologetic smile:
"Sorry, I just became an adventurer yesterday. Today is my first time heading to the dungeon."
"So you really are a newbie meow. With those scrawny arms and legs, don't go getting lost in the dungeon meow."
That cat's sharp tongue really hit hard, Fron muttered inwardly.
"Well, it might sound like bragging, but I do feel like—I'm actually kind of strong."
After speaking, he thought for a moment, the corner of his mouth curling up as he winked:
"In that case, how about a little bet, beautiful catgirl lady? For example, a free lunchbox? Then tonight when I return victorious, I'll help boost your sales — not a bad idea, right?"
"——"
"Pfft—"
"Haha, I'm dying! Chloe, you fell for it, meow!"
"Hey hey hey, this guy's not dumb either!"
Anya and Lunoire burst out laughing, and even the usually expressionless elf Ryuu twitched her eyebrows.
As tavern waitresses with four years of experience, they'd seen countless tricks, but usually it was that "witch" pulling tricks on others — today it was the other way around.
This really was—
"Mister—"
"My name is Fron, Fron Argon."
"Mr. Argon, since this is your first day exploring the dungeon, please be very careful. Down there, you can never be too cautious."
Eyes the color of the sky seemed to tell the story of this girl. Her serious and polite demeanor fully demonstrated to Fron what an elf ought to be.
Should he say, as expected of the "Gale Wind"?
Fron quietly noted this in his heart and solemnly nodded, putting away his smile.
"Thank you. Then, I'm off."
"Good luck, newbie!"
That tuft of golden hair quickly vanished into the crowd, and the girls gathered around Ryuu.
"Ryuu, did you notice? That guy has a special kind of aura."
Anya, sharp in senses and of noble background, leaned closer to the elf girl with a broom in hand and whispered.
"He is indeed different. I didn't feel any sense of revulsion from him, but what exactly it is… I can't say."
It's well known that elves never allow people they dislike to touch them. In fact, just being near someone they dislike makes them frown.
Yet that man from earlier didn't give her any unpleasant feeling — even Ryuu herself found that curious.
Chloe and the other human girl Lunoire also came over.
"Sniff sniff, he smells like ink and books, meow."
"You dumb cat, why are you sniffing like that? He's already long gone. Just admit it, you think he's handsome, you lovestruck feline."
"Meow!!! You foul-tempered woman, what nonsense are you spouting!"
"You know deep down whether I'm right or not—"
"Meow—take this punch!"
"What are you silly girls shouting about so early in the morning?! Get back to work!!!"
A thunderous roar silenced them instantly.
The true owner of "The Benevolent Mistress," Mama Mia, stood at the window in a dark blue work uniform and white apron, arms akimbo with strong arms, glaring fiercely at the slacking girls.
Then she glanced at Fron's departing figure, as if deep in thought.
As for Fron, he was, of course, unaware of the commotion after he left.
After this small interlude, Fron smoothly arrived at the massive central plaza of Babel Tower.
The enormous central plaza gave Fron, a first-time visitor, an overwhelming sense of awe.
The endless square spreading out from Babel Tower was paved with uniform white stone. The craftsmanship of master builders made them seem like one seamless surface.
At this time — peak hours for adventurers entering the dungeon — the entire plaza teemed with people.
Some moved alone, likely high-ranking adventurers confident in their strength.
Others moved in teams — some with three to five members, others with over a dozen.
Swept up in this grand sight, Fron's heart surged with excitement as he embarked on his very first exploration.