Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 85 - Quest In The Burning Dungeon, Part 3

The other gave her a reassuring tap on the shoulder. "It's fine. He's just some F-Rank spoiled brat. No way he'd pick an A-Rank mission... though, honestly, that one should be classified as S+ by now." Despite her words, both receptionists couldn't help but glance nervously at Van, exchanging worried looks with the other adventurers nearby.

Van studied the board intently.

'I don't want to take anything too conspicuous. There are several S-Rank missions and beyond posted here. But as an F-Rank, picking one would draw too much attention...'

His hand hovered over a C-Rank mission, and a collective sigh of relief spread among the receptionists and adventurers.

Then his gaze shifted, catching sight of the A-Rank parchment.

'Hmm...?'

[Quest Title: Burning Dungeon!]

Description: A villager from a small settlement just outside the capital has reported that his daughter and son were kidnapped and taken into a nearby cavern. The villagers dare not enter the cave, as a flame-like light is seen emanating from it at night, and blood-curdling roars echo from within. It is rumored that a dragon resides there. The father pleads for his children to be rescued at all costs—or, failing that, for their bodies to be recovered.

Reward: 1,000 copper coins.

Van's gaze lingered on the parchment.

'That can't be a dragon. Dragons prefer high places—mountains, peaks. Even dragonkin stick to colder, elevated areas. I learned that the hard way during my 'wife-hunting crusade.' Thought I could charm the Dragon King's daughter... until the guards roasted me off their mountain. Guess I wasn't cut out for scalies.'

'Heh, could've been Donkey from Shrek or something.'

He smirked faintly at the thought, then shook it off.

'Then, a rogue mage, maybe?'

Van pulled the parchment from the board and studied it closer, holding it up to the visor of his helmet.

"Hey..!! He's looking at it..!" One of the adventurers said with a murmur; Van not paying them any mind.

'And the reward... 1,000 copper coins. That's just 1 silver. If I had to guess, that's everything the villagers could scrape together—probably their entire savings. A-Rank quests usually pay out in hundreds of gold coins. This parchment's worn, too. It's been here a while. Nobody wants to take it. They're too focused on the payment to care, then.'

He clenched the parchment tightly, lowering his head for a moment.

'They've got no one to help them. No one on their side... And I bet this quest's been out here for a week, probably more. The villager's children could be long dead.'

Van stood in silence, his grip tightening further on the parchment.

'I don't want to die of boredom; and this seems fun enough. Money's not going to be an issue once I collect the payment Nickelson probably delivered to Marcilla's guild. Screw it, I'm taking it. If anyone asks, I'll just flaunt my noble status—tell them mommy and daddy decked me out with gear fit for an A-Rank mission. That'll shut them up.'

With that thought, Van turned to face the receptionist, parchment in hand. His voice carried an edge of indifference.

"I heard you walking up behind me. Whatever you want from me—I couldn't care less."

"So, move out of the way. I don't have the time to deal with you." His tone was flat, his casualness hidden beneath the helmet. As he spoke, his gaze swept over the group standing in his way—ten adventurers, including the weeping paladin, Sylva, and the grumbling dwarf—all of them blocking the path to the receptionist. Their faces bore serious, determined expressions.