Kays Translations

Chapter 32: Black Swallow Megadia(3)

Knockout. The grade 3 explorer, Destruction Blade Agaro, collapses.  

Uninterested, Megadia turns on her heel and walks away.  

“Hey, you.” 

Pakila calls out to her.  

Bold move. Megadia glances down at us.  

Whoa, what a presence. The towering gothic lolita woman smiles warmly.  

“Oh, hello.”  

“Indeed. Hello.”  

“Hello.”  

“You know who I am, don’t you? So, what do you want?”  

“I’m Pakila, a grade 3 explorer and a member of Torquetum.”  

“I’ve heard of it—the all-female team…”  

Megadia shifts her gaze to me.  

“I’m not part of them. I’m not even an explorer.”  

“Then, are you her hired hand?”  

I suppose that’s how it looks.  

Pakila seems slightly flustered.  

“No, Wof is… well, never mind that. If you’re free, why don’t we chat for a bit?”  

“Sure, but only if you’re buying.” 

Megadia replies with a grin.  

“You’re still drinking?” 

I blurt out.  

“Just a palate cleanser. Let’s see… I’d like some cider.”  

Her bright red lips curl into a smile. 

Still drinking, huh?  

Since the main floor was too crowded, the owner, Barnes, arranged a table on the second floor.  

Grateful for the privacy, we moved upstairs to what turned out to be a VIP room.  

The decor had a distinct sense of luxury, and Megadia sprawled across an expensive-looking sofa.  

Pakila and I sat across from her, separated by a semi-transparent table.  

“This is nice. A quiet place to drink.” 

Megadia said, taking a sip of her cider.  

“You sure do love your drinks.”

 Pakila remarked.  

“I enjoy drinking.” 

Megadia replied casually.  

No surprise there.  

“Thanks for agreeing to talk.” 

Pakila said.  

“No problem. So, what do you want to know?”  

“…How does one become a grade 2 explorer?”  

Megadia paused, her glass of cider slightly trembling in her hand. She finished her drink and set the glass down.  

“So, you want to become grade 2?”  

“Not just me. Everyone in Torquetum does.”  

“Why?”  

“Hm?”  

“You’re doing fine as you are, aren’t you? You don’t need to aim higher just to live comfortably.”  

She wasn’t wrong. Even grade 5 explorers could live a stable life.  

“If you can aim higher, why wouldn’t you? Striving for the top is what makes life exciting. Anything less would be dull.” 

Pakila said proudly.  

Megadia sipped her cider, seeming to mull over the statement.  

“Is that the collective mindset of Torquetum?”  

“For the most part. Though Liv and Lupinus may have their own motives or goals. As for me, that’s my reason.”

“That’s interesting. I like it. Ambition is admirable—I’ll be cheering for you.”  

“That’s reassuring to hear.”  

“By the way, what about you?”

 Megadia suddenly turned to me.  

“Me?”  

“You’re going to become an explorer, aren’t you?”  

“Yes.”  

“Are you aiming for grade 1?”  

“Not at all. I’m like the majority—I’ll be satisfied if I can live comfortably as a grade 5 explorer.”  

“So, for you, being an explorer is just a means to make a living?”  

“That’s right.”  

“Hmm…”  

What was that about? Why did she ask me that?  

Pakila also looked puzzled.

“Um, why are you asking me this?”  

“Because it’s normal.”  

“Normal?”  

“Most people have motives like yours, Wof-kun. I was the same way.”  

“But you’re grade 2.”  

“A lot happened. Now, I think this is fine. Torquetum is aiming for grade 1, right?”  

“That’s correct.”  

“Of course.”  

Megadia glanced at me briefly, then poured herself another glass of cider and took a sip.  

“Well, it’s fine. Anyone can become grade 2.”  

“What do you mean by that?”  

“You’ll understand once you get there. Anyway, let’s see… right, all of Torquetum is grade 3, correct?”  

“Yes, that’s right.”  

“And all of you are women?”  

“That’s true, but…”  

“Perfect. You’re aware of the dungeon anomalies, aren’t you?”  

“Of course.”  

“Yes. They’re a nuisance.”

Megadia tilted her head curiously.  

“A nuisance? Sure, some dungeons are closed, but there are plenty of others.”  

“The garbage dumps are only in the closed dungeons,

“Ah, the garbage dumps… that’s right. Then it needs to be resolved quickly. Oh, by the way, I was looking for companions to help tackle the anomalies. I’d love for Torquetum to join me.”  

“What?!”  

“What do you think?”  

Pakila looked perplexed, her cat ears twitching with uncertainty.  

“I can’t answer on my own. I need to discuss it with the others.”  

“I’m looking forward to a positive response.”  

“That’s great news, Pakila-san,”

 I chimed in.  

“Y-yes… I suppose it is,” 

She replied, still bewildered.  

Pakila seemed shaken by the unexpected offer. It was understandable; the magnitude of the proposal was overwhelming, even to me.  

Still, something felt off.  

Why was Megadia including me in the conversation? The matter concerned Pakila, not me.  

Was she trying to be considerate, perhaps thinking I’d feel left out? That didn’t seem likely.  

After all, this had nothing to do with me. I didn’t have any business with Megadia, nor did she seem like the type to extend such courtesies.  

And yet, she kept glancing at me.  

What was going on?  

I decided to focus on my tea for now.  

*Sigh… calming.*  

“Hey, Wof-kun,” 

Megadia called out again.  

“What is it?”  

“How about becoming my hireling?”  

I nearly spat out my tea.

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