Inside the Adventurers' Guild.

The receptionist checked my adventurer card, then asked with a wry smile,

"Sir, are you certain you completed the special quest [Bandit Subjugation]? Alone? False reports mean double fines and revoked credentials."

"Yes. I also found many imprisoned adventurers in their dungeon."

"Thank you for the intel. For completing this special quest, your rank has been upgraded from G to F. The Guild appreciates your contribution and looks forward to your future endeavors."

She pressed a seal-like device lightly against my card. A faint glow pulsed. Then she handed back the card and a pouch of silver coins.

I stored the coins directly into my inventory space. Checking the card, my rank had indeed changed to F. I tapped the task menu on its right side.

I skipped all regular quests, switching straight to special assignments.

*Clear zombies emerging from Goran Grand Cemetery. Investigate anomalies beneath the graves. Special Quest. Reward: 35 silver coins.*

Damn. Only one special quest left. I recalled another—clearing goblins from Crystal Mine—but someone else must’ve taken it.

With no choice, I accepted the zombie-clearing quest. Honestly, I hated grim places like graveyards. Rotting zombies made me sick. Worst of all, this quest wasn’t worth much. No extra loot to expect—unless I robbed graves, but Goran was a pauper’s cemetery. Burial goods wouldn’t fetch a copper.

After pocketing the card, Nina and I left the Guild. Since zombies only appeared at night—unlike skeletons—we’d have to wait until dusk.

"Let’s find somewhere to rest first, Nina."

"Eh? Young master, aren’t we doing the quest now?"

"I took a *fun* one. Do you like zombies, Nina?"

"HUH??????????"

Her face turned deathly pale. She clearly hated them too.

Next came my favorite part: indulgence.

So far, I’d earned over 2,000 copper coins, 2,000 silver, and 600 gold. If I didn’t splurge, how could I honor my hard work?

I brought Nina to "Beastkin Haven"—a notorious money-sink. Like KTVs from my past life, but far classier. True to its name, it hosted human and beastkin entertainers: elves, catgirls, and more.

At the entrance, I tossed a gold-filled pouch to the greeting attendant.

"A luxury suite for the day. Send your most popular entertainers. Five elf dancers—curvy ones. Top-shelf food and drinks only."

I lounged on plush sofas, a shy catgirl in one arm, a sultry snake-woman in the other, watching elves dance and sing.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

My booming laughter carried through the room as the day slipped away.

After dark, I Teleportation Portal near the cemetery. Nina carefully hid behind me. I’d told her to stay at the inn if scared, but she insisted on coming.

Near the cemetery gates, torches flickered. Two night watchmen stood guard—likely to contain escaping zombies. They halted us immediately.

"Halt! Identify yourselves!"

"Adventurers sent by the Guild to clear zombies."

I showed my card. After verification, they opened the gates.

One guard, perhaps reluctant to see me throw my life away, warned quietly:

"Kid, heed my advice: don’t enter the underground mausoleum. Three teams went in before you. None ever came out."

"I appreciate the warning. I’ll be careful."

With that, I stepped into the cemetery, Nina trailing close behind.