Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 64: Grade V Explorer ④
The Explorer’s Guild – Hydrangea Branch.
I’ve often come here when called, but this is my first time coming of my own accord.
First, I head over to check the requests on the wall.
The requests posted across the wall are sorted by rank.
Each request has a number. You memorize the number, then go to the reception desk to inform the receptionist.
After that, they check whether the request is still available, and if so, you get the details.
Whether it’s available or not depends on overlap. Requests are first-come, first-served.
Meaning, the person who accepts it first gets the rights to it.
There are designated times for updating requests, which is why the number check is necessary.
If you want money or a specific type of job, you have to come early in the morning.
The requests on the bulletin board are regular requests—anyone can accept them.
Then there are Guild Requests, issued directly by the Explorer’s Guild.
They’re cheap and tough, but award a lot of points needed for promotion.
Designated Requests are ones where the client specifically names the explorer they want.
Because the Guild charges a high mediation fee for designated requests, most of them come from nobles.
Request types usually fall into four categories:
【Gathering】, 【Subjugation】, 【Exploration】, and 【Escort】.
The first three are fairly self-explanatory.
But what exactly is 【Exploration】?
There was one like that in the basic tasks every Grade VI Explorer must take at the start.
After the explanation, I thought it was necessary, but… well, kind of dull.
Still, I found myself interested in it.
So, I decided to take an 【Exploration】 request.
I looked over the V-Class board.
Subjugation, subjugation, gathering, escort, gathering, escort, escort… exploration—there!
“Water Dungeon: Recovery Spring Survey – 1,200 Oro.”
Cheap. Compared to the others… this one’s the cheapest. Must be a Guild Request.
Though 【Exploration】 requests are usually regular ones, Guild Requests are also included.
According to Agaro-san, most 【Exploration】 requests are Guild-issued.
Still, compared to rummaging around in garbage heaps, 1,200 Oro feels like a fortune.
“—Guess I’ll take this one.”
I memorized the number and headed to the reception counter.
At the reception, I was given a number ticket.
I took it and sat on a nearby bench.
Sitting on a long bench like this, holding a number ticket—it gave me a strange nostalgic feeling.
“…Weird feeling.”
“Na?”
“…Even though it’s noisy, it somehow feels oddly quiet.”
“Na?”
Now that I think about it, I’ve been around others a lot lately.
Not long ago, I used to be alone all the time… I chuckled wryly at the thought.
Before long, my number was called.
“Ah—thank you for waiting. You’re here to accept a request, right? Please show your Explorer Tag.”
The receptionist was an elf.
She had dark blonde hair, like pudding, tied up with a simple wooden hair ornament.
Her blue eyes were ringed with dark circles, and she wore four piercings in her long right ear—very noticeable.
How to describe her… a bit of a gyaru? Her nametag read Corte.
I handed over my tag. Corte visually confirmed the back side.
“All right, confirmed. Please give me the request number.”
“V-1566.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Corte left briefly and came back holding a parchment.
“Let’s see… ‘Water Dungeon: Recovery Spring Survey – Reward 1,200 Orro.’ Ah—this one. Are you sure about it?”
She looked a bit puzzled reading it aloud.
I mean, yeah, that’s the reaction I expected.
“Yes. I’d like to take that one.”
“Hmm, okay, let me explain. First—are you familiar with the Water Dungeon?”
“Yes. I know where it is.”
Hydrangea.
A massive dungeon city surrounded by countless dungeons—rare even across the continent.
There are dungeons inside the city itself, and to the north, south, east, and west of Hydrangea, there are dungeons of Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth.
The Fire Dungeon is west, the Water Dungeon south, Wind to the north, and Earth to the east.
There are also several smaller dungeons scattered around the main four.
“Ah—just like its name, the Water Dungeon is full of abundant water sources. There are many aquatic monsters, and more liquid-type creatures than in other dungeons. Like other dungeons, its deepest level is still unknown. The further down you go, the more dangerous liquids like poison swamps appear. Since you’re Grade V, you’re only allowed to go as far as the 30th floor.”
“I understand. What is the Recovery Spring?”
“The Recovery Springs are rest points located on floors 1, 3, and 6 of the Water Dungeon. Though it says ‘recovery,’ they’re simply springs with drinkable water where explorers can rest. That’s why they’re called Recovery Springs.”
“I see…”
“For the survey, you’ll use this kit I’ll give you to check the springs. Again, there are three—on the 1st, 3rd, and 6th floors. Don’t worry; I’ll give you a map as well.”
“A map… I heard the Water Dungeon is really big.”
“Yes, that’s why you’ll need the map to avoid getting lost.”
“Got it.”
“Hmm, anything else you’d like to ask?”
“Since it’s water, I assume fire is effective?”
“Ah, yes. Fire is definitely advantageous by elemental standards. But that alone won’t carry you through. It’s helpful, not a solution. If you don’t have elemental relics, I recommend bringing cheap legacy items like fire stones or impact stones.”
“Impact stones?”
Right, those are like fire stones—disposable legacy items that cause shockwaves when thrown.
“Impact stones are very useful. For shallow floors, they’re effective on most monsters.”
“Thanks. I’ll try buying a few.”
“One thing to be careful of: Do you have any lightning-elemental relics?”
“No, I don’t have any elemental relics.”
“Hmm… then please just keep this in mind—lightning is dangerous. Water conducts electricity. One wrong move, and you could die.”
“Understood.”
“Right—any other questions?”
“Is there a deadline for this request?”
“Ah, yes. One week. Also, just in case… the survey kit and map can be easily identified if sold.”
“There are people who sell them…?”
“Sometimes. Just occasionally.”
So there are. Corte gave a wry smile.
“…I understand. I don’t have any more questions.”
“In that case, I’ll hand over the survey kit and the map.”
Corte produced a small wooden box and a scroll.
Then she opened the wooden box.
“Ah, I’ll explain how to use the survey kit.”
“Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
I listened carefully to Corte’s explanation.
Once it was over, I thanked her—and with that, I headed for the Water Dungeon.
It takes about two hours on foot from Hydrangea—at least it feels that way.
If you take a shared carriage, it’s about 40 minutes. The remnants of a sunken city start to come into view.
Beyond the ruins lies a large lake.
Its shape is unnaturally circular, and its surface is like a mirror—still and clear.
Almost like a basin of water—just like the city of Hydrangea itself.
“…So this is it.”
“Na!”
The lake is called Hydrangea.
It’s confusing, but this lake is the namesake of the city we live in.
That said, almost no one actually calls it that.
Everyone just refers to it as the Water Dungeon.
As I approached the lake, I could see the remains of an old fortress.
Surrounded by walls, inside were a few taverns, inns, and general stores.
Ah, and one chapel as well. I looked around as I entered the ruins of the fortress.
“There are quite a few people here, huh?”
Most of them were likely explorers. There were also street vendors.
My eyes caught a bundle of swords stuffed carelessly into a barrel under the eaves of a shop.
“…………”
No, not now. Another time. My objective lies further ahead.
At the back of the fortress ruins is a pier, and at its end lies the entrance to the Water Dungeon.
“That must be it…”
In the water at the end of the pier was a large gaping hole.
Though it’s somewhat enclosed, for some reason no water flows into it. A mysterious phenomenon.
“Na?”
“Yeah, we’re going down into that hole. There are guards, so keep quiet.”
“Na!”
“……”
As I approached the entrance, four gatekeepers were standing there.
They glanced at me with suspicion. When I showed them my explorer tag, they nodded.
So, I guess I’m good to go. I passed through the entrance.
The entrance to the Water Dungeon resembled the dungeons found in the city.
High rocky ceilings. A long, large staircase descending below.
One key difference—small streams flowed on either side of the stairs. The air was damp.
I reached the first floor.
“W-Whoa…”
The 1st floor of the Water Dungeon.
It was a limestone cave, with countless small holes and chambers.
Water flowed everywhere. From deeper inside, I could hear the roar of a powerful waterfall.
Walk a little, and there’s a stream. Walk a little more, and there’s a small pond. Water certainly won’t be an issue here.
The monsters I encountered included water slimes and a weird creature—basically a lump of water with an eyeball floating in it.
Also, some bats… well, those aren’t monsters. Since it’s just the first floor, there shouldn’t be anything too tough.
I followed the map toward the first Recovery Spring.
Eventually, I found a place that matched the description.
It was just past a rickety bridge. Scattered around were slanted stone statues, and at the center—there was a spring.
A stone-built spring. Yeah, this does seem like a good resting spot.
Oh? Someone’s here. Just one person. Sitting at the edge of the spring, taking a break.
And it’s a girl—wait, could it be…?
“Bid-san?”
When I called her name, she turned around.