The Fall of Babel

The Proposal and the Mystery of Mugic

"Mugic..."

It was the first time I had heard that word; it was something entirely new to me. When they mentioned the name of that object, I thought it might be some kind of exploration equipment or a sample of a rare mineral from the Dungeon that I hadn't heard of before. Because yes, I already knew in advance that this would be the place they'd send me. When the other miners, outside the walls of Orario, immediately lost interest in the proposal, I was the one who, enticed by the offered sum, raised my hand without a second thought. It was the biggest mistake of an impulsive person who had yet to learn to weigh the consequences.

The recruiter, my current employer, was a person who went by the name Illia, though I'm not sure if that's her real name. From now on, I'll have to address her this way in every conversation that comes up. Illia was a curious and peculiar individual. And since I find myself surrounded by oddities, I don't let that sour my experience. Although the sentimentality in this situation, as evidenced by how she and her companion handle things, is apparent, my opinion is that her behavior was disastrous and childish.

Undoubtedly, they assumed that someone with a precarious job and excessive labor abuse, where one could be buried alive at any moment, would immediately accept the proposal without considering the details and would show up without any issues. That's why they proceeded without hesitation. However, assembling a whole group from a company that is seen every day of the week and announcing to everyone the proposal to enter the Dungeon without professional accompaniment is inherently suspicious. I didn't reflect on this situation at the time when I should have, because the excitement of fulfilling a well-paid task clouded my judgment. I don't know if regret will come knocking on my door soon, but I can partly blame my terrible job and partly the reckless impulse within me.

The amount of Valis they would give me for this task of searching for that thing here was why my survival instinct ignored my body, as well as my common sense. Bringing the Mugic to the surface was the only thing that mattered because I knew all this reckless nonsense would be worth it in the end.

"... If this endless war against the Dungeon ever ends, it will be thanks to the Mugic," said a voice to her companion in murmurs.

"And does that... do something special?"

Interrupted from another side.

"My lady... it seems he's already here," the maid calmly spoke to her mistress.

"Is it you, then?" asked with a tone coming from an unsure person hearing a man's voice.

"What's with that question?"

The conversation was audible from the other side of the door. This surprised the two women inside the room. Both were shocked by his arrival, even though they had arranged to meet all three days earlier; they didn't expect the third member to arrive so early.

The man from outside the room, to answer the doubt, said:

"I am what I am. What I am and I am. What I am and that is all I am. Because I am what I am."

"There's no doubt, my lady. It's him."

"Then we will begin," she said. "... Sir. What was it again?"

She asked the person on the other side of the door and he responded without hesitation:

"Antauri. My name is Antauri."

He announced with a clap that was heard from the other side.

"Mr. Antauri, of course."

"And who am I addressing, by the way? We clearly saw each other days ago at the meeting you held during the lunch break, at noon, to, well, negotiate your proposal and other things related to our now recently formed company. Or am I mistaken?"