I took a deep breath. "An island. A sealed gate. And a woman in white who said... someone was waking up."
Felix frowned. "This dungeon is connected to the deeper magic of the continent. That wasn't just illusion magic. That was a message. Possibly a prophecy."
At that moment, footsteps echoed from the tunnel beyond. They all stood, weapons ready. Emerging from the mist was a tall man clad in black-and-silver armor bearing the crest of the Elven Kingdom. His hood was down, revealing striking green eyes and hair like silver thread. A knight.
"I've come seeking a merchant," he said smoothly. "A peculiar one. With products not of this world."
I met his gaze, my sword already in hand. "Then I guess your search is over."
The knight's eyes narrowed. "So it's true...you have magical items with you." The air went still.
"Let's talk," the knight added. "Before others find you first."
The knight was massive—easily towering over the rest of us with a build that looked like it was forged by years of battle and enchanted armor. His silver-plated pauldrons were etched with runes that softly pulsed with mana, and his sword, strapped to his back, radiated a subtle heat even without being unsheathed.
I narrowed my eyes and focused my Guardian screen on him.
NAME: Sir Kaelion Auroch
LEVEL: 250
MANA: 1689 / 6900
STRENGTH: 1740
VITALITY: 1850
MAGIC: 1910
RANK: Royal Knight of the Elven Order
My jaw nearly hit the floor. He was more powerful than all of us combined—way more. I straightened up awkwardly, my heart racing. "What do you want?" I asked, trying not to let my voice crack.
Sir Kaelion's sharp, cold gaze lingered on me for a moment before he spoke. "I've come to bring you to the mainland. By order of the Saintess and the High Priest. They believe you may be the one we've been waiting for—the Summoned Hero."
Behind me, Elvie scoffed loudly.
"You must be joking," she said flatly, stepping forward. "His status is barely above a farmhand's. He's lower than a human child in magic and strength."
Kaelion's expression darkened, and I noticed a brief flicker of disappointment cross his face. "I saw it myself," he said. "My third eye confirmed it." He shook his head, more confused than annoyed.
"Guess I'm not your guy, huh?" I muttered.
I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a water bottle, a pack of mamon, and—gods forgive me—a sachet of roll-on deodorant. I had to do something. The man smelled like a swamp ogre who had worn plate armor for a week without bathing.
"Here," I said, handing him the items. "From my homeland. Maybe a little enchanted, but... surprisingly effective."
He raised a brow, but accepted the deodorant. "What's this for?"
"Trust me," I said, waving in front of my nose. "It's... necessary."
He gave it a hesitant sniff and nearly staggered. "This... this has mana?" The knight leaned in, shocked. "Wait, his mana just spiked!"
"It's nothing," I said quickly. "Probably just a foreign material your system isn't used to."
He stared at the small items with a strange reverence. "And you say you're not a summoned hero?"
"I was abandoned on an island," I explained. "My comrades left me behind. Elvie and Ella found me half-dead. I'm not from another world, I just come from another country. Far away. Very far."
He paused, deep in thought, before muttering, "That mist trap... I set it up to transport you. We thought it would bring you to the Saintess directly."
"So that woman in white?" I asked cautiously.
"Yes. The Saintess," he confirmed. "She saw a vision... a man with strange items. She thought it was you."
I turned my gaze away as Ella and Elvie exchanged looks behind me—silent, knowing gazes that I purposely ignored.
"Tell your Saintess she's mistaken," I said. "I'm just trying to survive and maybe sell some noodles."
A few hours later, after some food and awkward conversation, Sir Kaelion stood, bowed, and declared he would return to the mainland and report his findings. "If you are the one, fate will call you again," he said before riding off with a blast of wind.
We returned to the baron's manor in silence.
Ding!
Quest Completed
Reward: Magical Herbs for Your Companion – Added to Backpack
I flinched slightly as the notification glowed on the edge of my vision. The timing felt... strange. I glanced toward Ella and Elvie as we walked along the outer road leading back to the village. Ella was humming to herself, ever optimistic, while Elvie kept her eyes sharp and wary, scanning the path ahead.
I opened my backpack with a quiet rustle and started rummaging through it. My fingers brushed past the usual clutter—my dented kettle, a half-eaten mamon, three unopened cups of noodles—until they touched something unfamiliar.
Soft. Cool. Fragrant.
I pulled out a small pouch wrapped in enchanted leaf paper, glowing faintly green. Inside were a handful of shimmering, silver-veined herbs that pulsed with natural mana. I didn't know their names, but I could feel the power coiling off of them. Even I could tell they weren't ordinary.
"Whoa..." I whispered, holding the pouch up.
Ella peeked over my shoulder. "What's that? Oh, they're beautiful!"
Elvie turned slightly, her brows drawing together as she narrowed her eyes. "Those are... high-grade forest herbs. That kind only grows in places infused with spirit magic."
Looks like the Guardian screen decided to be generous for once, I muttered to myself, tucking the pouch carefully back into the bag.
Elvie stepped closer, giving me a side glance that wasn't quite suspicious but definitely not casual. "You should be careful with things like that. Magical herbs of this level are rare. If people find out you have them..."
"I know," I said, closing the bag tight. "But they're not for trading. They're for you guys."
That caught her off guard. She blinked once, then looked away, trying—and failing—not to look slightly touched.
Ella giggled and looped her arm around mine. "Aww, you do care!"
I rolled my eyes but grinned. "Just make sure you two don't die before we open that shop."
And with that, we kept walking toward the village, the magical herbs safely tucked away, and a small warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with quests or rewards.
A few peaceful days passed before I finally decided to approach the Baron in his richly furnished office, the scent of old scrolls and dried herbs filling the air. I made my case confidently.
"I want to rent out the dungeon inn. My companions and I are planning to set up a real store this time—something bigger than the stall."
The Baron raised an eyebrow, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the desk. "That's... ambitious, Dirk."
"I'm serious," I said. "We've proven we can attract adventurers and provide supplies. We can do more."
But the Baron's expression turned grim. "The dungeon's unstable. There are rumors that monster activity is increasing. Something inside is stirring. If they escape into the village, it'll be a disaster."
I frowned. "What are you suggesting?"
He sighed. "If you really want to help... join the adventurers clearing out the deeper levels. Prove yourself, and I'll reconsider your proposal."
And just like that, I was back to the dungeon—with monsters, danger, and who-knows-what else waiting below.
Because apparently, selling my items was not enough.