After resolving Aerin’s armor issue, we decided to continue exploring the upper floors of the dungeon. But according to the dungeon handbook, the paths beyond Floor 8 were so complex that a guide was mandatory. So we headed to the Adventurers’ Guild to recruit one.
Tia, Aerin, and I sat at a guild table, eating while waiting for volunteers. The Sharkhead Gang thugs nearby seemed to have learned their lesson last time—they didn’t dare bother us anymore.
*[We’ve been recruiting all day and not a single person showed up.]*
Aerin stretched and complained.
*[Just wait a little longer~~~ Someone will come.]*
I said it, but honestly, I was tired of waiting too. If my Thief skills for tracking enemies and scouting worked in the dungeon, I wouldn’t be wasting energy hunting for a guide.
*[Excuse me—are you looking for a dungeon guide?]*
Just as we were about to give up, a petite girl appeared at our table.
*[Yes. How many floors can you take us to?]*
Tia started asking basic questions.
*[Up to around Floor 20. 30 silver coins per floor for Floors 1–10. After that, 50 silver per floor. And I don’t fight. If things get dangerous, I run first.]*
The girl answered seriously.
*[That much just for guiding?]*
Aerin’s face twisted in displeasure at the price.
*[Most teams have their own guides. It’s hard for loose groups like yours to find anyone.]*
*[Guess we have no choice. Husband, what do you think?]*
Tia shot me a questioning glance.
I checked Luna’s profile:
**Name:** Luna
**Level:** 23
**Class:** Thief, Professional Guide
**Gear:** Sturdy Wolfhide Armor
*[Alright!! You’re hired! Let’s take down the boss first. We’re moving out!!]*
I slammed the table and stood up.
*[Wait!!! What time do you think it is?! We go tomorrow!]*
Aerin grabbed my arm.
*[It is too late to go now.]*
The girl added.
*[Then tomorrow it is~~ I’m Pupil. These are Aerin and Tia. Meet here at 8 a.m. sharp.]*
I told the girl.
*[Got it!! I’m Luna. See you tomorrow!]*
Luna left the guild.
---
Hi there~~ I’m Luna~~ A Thief living in Mace City, making a living as a dungeon guide. Today, I had two tasks: first, leading my booked clients to their destination.
*[No wonder you’re a pro guide—you cut our travel time in half.]*
The one praising me was the team leader, a guy named Pupil. He hadn’t done anything useful since we started, yet the other two obeyed him completely.
*[Two more floors to the boss room. You sure you want to go there?]*
I asked this useless leader.
*[No problem!!]*
Pupil flashed me a confident thumbs-up. Where did this guy get such confidence? Taking down a floor boss usually required a 15-person team.
*[Stop shouting and help kill some monsters! Are you still scared of them?]*
Aerin spoke up—the girl in expensive-looking crimson armor.
*[I’ve long overcome that disgust. I’m letting you and Tia fight to train you.]*
Pupil spouted more nonsense.
*[So Master Pupil is the type who freeloads in a team?]*
I couldn’t hold back.
*[Impossible! As an elite mage, I can’t act rashly. What if I accidentally blow up the dungeon walls?]*
Pupil answered earnestly. Utter nonsense.
*[That’s never happened.]*
Dungeon walls couldn’t be destroyed.
*[It’s best if my husband doesn’t use magic. I can handle these grunts.]*
Tia explained—she had noble grace, a Gold-ranked adventurer, the only reliable one here. I’d been eyeing her Magic Staff; it radiated endless mana.
*[If even the leader’s wife says so, I won’t argue.]*
I was just a guide. How they fought was their problem.
*[She’s not his wife!! We’re not married yet!]*
Aerin suddenly yelled at me.
*[Heh. Must be nice being supported by two beauties.]*
Why did this good-for-nothing have two girls fighting over him?
*[Heh…]*
The useless leader wore a helpless expression.
I led them swiftly to Floor 10—the boss floor. Only by defeating the boss could we reach Floor 11. Normally, clearing it required a 15-person team with meticulous planning. But my second task today was to trick them inside—to send them to their deaths.
*[This is the boss room?]*
Pupil stared up at the massive stone door.
*[Yes.]*
*[Let’s go~~ We’re taking down the boss.]*
Pupil said something reckless. Was he brainless?
*[Wait!! You’re just walking in? This usually takes fifteen people!]*
What was I doing?! I should’ve let them go. Why did I stop them?
*[Yeah! Pupil, should we gather more people first?]*
Aerin looked worried.
*Damn. If they retreat safely, the Sharkhead Gang will kill me.*
*[No time for that~~ Let’s finish the boss and push higher.]*
Pupil shoved the door open and stepped inside.
*[I trust my husband’s strength.]*
Tia followed him in.
*[You two!!?]*
I was stunned. A Gold-ranked adventurer with zero sense of danger? They’d die for sure.
*[Ugh, you’re impossible!!!]*
Aerin sighed but went in too.
*This is a success… so why does my conscience ache so much?*
*[Lunaaaaa~~~ Hurry in~~~~]*
Good-for-nothing Pupil waved at me from inside.
*[I’m sorry~~ The Sharkhead Gang forced me to lure you here. I had no choice… don’t hate me.]*
Why were tears welling up? I never wanted to hurt anyone.
*[Huh? What did you say!?]*
Pupil froze.
The boss room door sensed intruders and slammed shut.
*[Sorry~~ Farewell~~~]*
I whispered through the closing gap.
*[Ahhh~~~~!!!!!!]*
I’d never felt such guilt. My chest tightened unbearably.
