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Chapter Nine: The Dark Side of Adventuring

The next day, when Miss Vilyric and Little Dragon Daughter returned to the Adventurer Guild in Flame Dragon City, they received two small mithril-level identity badges made overnight, along with adventurer manuals recording their basic information.

These manuals also contained some useful tips and knowledge for adventurer life, specifically designed for beginners to use as reference.

With this, they officially became registered mithril-level adventurers and could begin taking on various commissions.

“Miss, are there any interesting commissions from the guild? Difficulty doesn’t matter, but it’s best if it’s related to dragons.”

After wrapping up, Vilyric got straight to the point.

“Dragons, huh… Let me see.”

The shop staff who had helped Vilyric and her companion register the day before pondered for a moment, then looked down to browse through the commission directory on the desk. She had heard from her colleagues that these two were “truly stronger than mithril-level,” so she wouldn’t be negligent.

Tasks related to dragons usually had higher difficulty and, by regulation, ordinary beginner adventurers weren’t qualified to take them on.

But rules are dead, and people are alive; if the shop staff judged that they possessed the capability to handle the commission despite lacking the required adventurer rank, exceptions could be made.

Of course, if a commission provided in such conditions failed, the shop staff would bear some responsibility.

However, from this young lady’s perspective, the two girls before her, so young yet with such strength and exquisite beauty, were likely to become famous top adventurers in the kingdom, or even the world, sooner or later. So a small gesture now would be a very profitable investment.

After all, the shop staff also had to meet performance targets.

Regardless of where they went in the future, Flame Dragon City would be their registered location, which was already enough.

“Got it! Though they’re all just barely connected… Currently, the guild has recorded four commissions that are genuinely related to dragons. Here are the details.”

“Great, thanks~”

Vilyric took the four commission papers handed to her by the shop staff and skimmed through them.

“Um…”

“Help find the runaway Tier 3 magical beast, Flame Hwangbird cub? Hey, are you serious about raising magical beasts in the city? And without even knowing where it flew off to, how are you going to find it? The reward is so miserly, ridiculous! Next, next…”

“Master Alchemist Jax wants to create a blood revitalizing and aphrodisiac potion? He needs ten portions of essence from magical beasts with dragon lineage, each at least 500 milliliters… Emmm… Alright, let’s skip that.”

“The big merchant Frank in the east of the city has a pet dog that recently contracted some unknown illness, feeling listless and showing signs of partial dragon transformation. Mr. Frank offers a substantial reward to anyone who can save his beloved dog. If you can help it fully transform into a dragon, there’s even an extra reward…?”

“Wait, the dog wants to transform into a dragon? What’s wrong with this guy? But listless… Partial dragon transformation, huh? That does sound a bit like Dragon Blood Disease; could this be the breakthrough?”

After a moment of contemplation, Vilyric dismissed the thought that emerged.

“No, this should just be an innocent victim caught in the crossfire; the real cause of the sickness probably didn’t start here. Otherwise, Acting City Lord Nastaia and the others wouldn’t let things get out of hand.”

The Priestess shifted her gaze to the last commission description. After a while, her silver-blue eyes narrowed slightly.

【Investigate the truth behind the magical beast uprising in Dragonfall Valley】

Description: In the northern part of Flame Dragon City, Dragonfall Valley has recently seen low-tier magical beasts that typically only operate within the valley emerging and destroying farmland, harming livestock and people. Investigate the cause of this phenomenon, repel, and eliminate the invading enemies disrupting the rural areas.

Difficulty Evaluation: 1, Assist village guards in defense — requires at least copper or mithril level / 2, Leave the village to kill the rampaging magical beasts — a party of four at mithril level or above / 3, Deep dive into Dragonfall Valley for investigation — minimum ink steel level.

Reward: Determined by the types and numbers of magical beasts slain; if you uncover the truth and calm the beast uprisings, there’s a reward of 10,000 gold coins.

Well, this does seem quite relevant, and Dragonfall Valley, huh…

“Xiao Guang, do you remember when Isaac mentioned when the first case of Dragon Blood Disease appeared during treatment?”

“Ah?”

Little Dragon Daughter tilted her head in thought.

“It should have been… half a month ago, right?”

“Yes, I remember that timeframe as well.”

Vilyric opened the commission document, showing her pet the registration date at the bottom.

Though Little Dragon Daughter wasn’t very familiar with the royal language, she could still make out a few numbers.

“Mm… The registration time for this commission is also half a month ago? Master, do you mean…?”

“Exactly, seems like we’re onto something.”

The black-haired girl smiled knowingly, rolling up the commission papers and returning to the counter, handing back the excess while keeping only the one regarding “Investigate the Magical Beast Uprising in Dragonfall Valley.”

“Sister, I’ll take this commission, please.”

The shop staff glanced casually at the paper spread on the counter and immediately recalled the full details of this task.

“This one? So which action plan do you two want to choose? To be honest, even though you and your partner might be confident in your strength, since this is your first time on a mission, I advise…”

“I choose the third one.”

Vilyric spoke calmly, her face still adorned with a gentle smile, as if saying, “I don’t need sugar in my coffee,” about such a trivial matter.

“Huh? T-then… Okay.”

The shop staff showed a wry smile; she had indeed predicted this scene. Given how fearless they looked, aside from the possibility of being naive rookies, they must have enough strength to back up their confidence.

Given that one of them had severely injured Mr. Awen, who was at mithril level, could they perhaps be sky-level strong?

The shop staff named Aileen Noir felt her heart racing a bit faster.

Sky-level? That’s a rarity even in Flame Dragon City! Even after working here for three or four years, she hadn’t seen such a presence many times, let alone two young ladies looking so promising in front of her…

With a resolution in her heart, the shop staff spoke firmly.

“In that case, I, Aileen Noir, can guarantee that you two, as mithril-level adventurers, can exceptionally accept this ink steel-level commission. I’ll handle the paperwork.”

“I’ll double-check: Mithril-level adventurers Miss Vilyric and Miss Xiao Guang, do you accept the commission to investigate the truth behind the magical beast uprising in Dragonfall Valley?”

“Of course, please.”

“Alright.”

At this point, Aileen Noir looked around, as if she was committing a crime, quickly covering her mouth and quietly warning the black-haired girl in front of her.

“Also, there are other adventurers in the city taking on the commission to investigate Dragonfall Valley. If you and your partner cross paths with them inside the valley, please be cautious… The reward for the commission is only one, and in this line of work, accidents are quite common.”

“Mm?”

Vilyric frowned slightly, sensing something odd from Aileen’s strange actions and tone.

“Are you implying…?”

“Shh!!”

Clever shop staff immediately shook her head at her, giving a look that said it couldn’t be expressed in words.

If it was hinted to this extent and she still didn’t get it, then Vilyric would truly be foolish. Even the usually disinterested Little Dragon Daughter’s expression turned cold, letting out a somewhat cute scoff of disdain.

“I understand, thanks for the warning, Sister.”

The Priestess nodded knowingly.

So it seems the adventuring industry is quite competitive.

Well, that makes sense. In a big forest, there are all sorts of birds; it’s only natural to consider that… Did Uncle Lester and Hua’s relatively upright styles give me a preconceived notion?

Forget it; I hope they don’t get themselves in trouble; otherwise…