Chapter 40, The End of the Beginning

Translator: Barnnn

 

“Sorry for the wait.”

“Mm-hmm. Feeling nice and warm now? Here, let me dry your hair.”

“Oh, thank you.”

 

It had been three days since they left Bezbaro. They had passed through a town along the way but chose not to linger, pressing forward without stopping.

The reason: they wanted to enjoy their new bath to its fullest. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

“Hal, your wind’s messed up my hair.”

“This is tricky. I’ve dried most of the moisture, but not all, you know. Maybe I need a bit more training.”

“You’ve evolved from the Merlion to a bathhouse frog to a blow-dryer… Heh, you’re not even a living creature anymore.”

“Neither the Merlion nor the frog are technically alive anyway, so…”

“Oh no, you’re just one step away from renouncing your humanity!”

“So what, all I need now is a stone mask, huh?”

 

Hal had recently been obsessed with combining water and wind attributes in his magical techniques. It was, as Ize privately dubbed it, yet another chapter in his edgelord teenager phase. His post-bath “human blow-dryer” routine was just the latest addition.

Despite her teasing, Ize had to admit his technique was effective. Her hair, which had grown increasingly unwieldy, dried in no time. Not that it stopped her from complaining — though she was, begrudgingly, satisfied enough with the results.

 

“Hal, your hair’s getting long too. What’s your plan for it?”

“Good question. What happens if I cut it?”

“The moment it’s cut, the Camouflage will break, and it’ll turn black again.”

“Right. That’s… inconvenient. No barber for me, then.”

 

Their current brown hair, courtesy of Ize’s Camouflage skill, looked crispy enough to be mistaken for croquettes.

The issue was that any strands cut and left behind would instantly revert to their original black, making a trip to a barber impractical — and raising awkward questions.

 

“How about we just stop using the Camouflage?” Ize suggested.

“Too risky,” Hal replied immediately.

“Right…” Ize sighed.

 

Black hair wasn’t unheard of in this world, thanks to the Earthlings summoned as Heroes from various nations. Still, it was considered a foreign world’s trait — as it had not existed at all in this world originally.

As such, black-haired individuals were often assumed to be Sages — or their descendants — and as many Sages held noble titles, this assumption inevitably linked black hair to nobility as well.

This equation — black hair equals Sage’s descendant equals noble — might not come up in exams, but it was undeniably the norm in this other world.

And after enduring the awkward treatment that came as a result of it in Bezbaro, neither Ize nor Hal had any appetite for a repeat performance.

 

“We have three options,” Hal said, holding up three fingers and wiggling them around. “One, let it grow. Two, find a trusted barber. Three, cut it ourselves.”

“I’d like to avoid option three,” Ize said flatly. “Baldness is waving at us from across the river.”

“Let’s not cross that river, then. We’ll be in Jasted for a while. If we can find a good barber there, problem solved. Until then, it’s option one.”

“How long is ‘a while’?”

“At least until your Coming-of-Age Ceremony.”

“That’s… longer than I expected. I mean, five months? That’s the same amount of time we’ve been in this world.”

 

Hal pulled out his tablet, scrolling to a list of goals he had drafted back in Abrol.

 

Goals: Six Months

– Reunite with Fieda in Jasted.

– Train Hal’s skills (Dungeon exploration).

– Select Ize’s skill specializations.

– Assess and coordinate with Fieda’s skills.

– Plan routes based on the Merchants’ Guild’s list.

 

“Joining up with Fieda won’t be a problem on our end, so we’ll wait for him. As for the second through fourth goals, I think a long stay in Jasted just makes sense.”

 

Hal laid out his reasoning, explaining that winter travel was rare and often impractical. Settling in one place until spring seemed the wiser choice.

With a Dungeon right in the city, Jasted offered an ideal base of operations — adventurers could continue working even in the colder months. They could gain experience while preparing for Ize’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

Once that milestone was reached, testing Ize’s new skills and perfecting their coordination would be seamless.

 

“I see. Staying put in Jasted does have a lot of advantages,” Ize agreed.

“Exactly. Adventurers have probably already started booking their winter bases. By now, the cheaper inns might be full.”

“I hadn’t thought about that,” Ize said, her brow furrowing. “So you really have to plan for those things when traveling?”

“Mm-hmm — back when I was a supply manager, I dealt with all sorts of chaos during idol events and the New Years. Everything from sold-out venues to transportation bottlenecks. It’s not just about your own plans; you have to keep tabs on what everyone else is doing.”

“Spoken like someone who’s been through it. Let’s hope we find a place with nice rooms — and, hopefully, good food!”

“Let’s aim for reasonable, not luxurious.”

“Deal.”

 

The carefree journey to Jasted was winding down.

With only one day left, this evening would be their last chance to enjoy a bath in nature.

Premature nostalgia crept in, but the thought of arriving in a new city — and reuniting with Fieda — kept their spirits high.

 

“Dungeon meat… awaits!” Hal declared.

“Huzzah!” Ize cheered.

 

◆

 

The next day, the road to Jasted grew busier the closer they got. Horsebuses rattled by, and travelers crowded the highway. Ize and Hal deactivated their Stealth barrier, blending into the throng while hauling their dummy luggage.

Jasted loomed ahead — a city unlike any they’d seen.

 

“Feels like I’m looking up at a giant Baumkuchen,” Hal remarked, craning his neck.

“It’s incredible,” Ize murmured. “I can’t see inside at all.”

 

The Dungeon in Jasted was a Rank 2, one of the more dangerous types for the locals to handle without assistance from otherworlders.

To guard against the periodic Deluges — when Mystic Beasts surged out of the Dungeon — the city had been fortified with layers of traps and defenses.

Its outer wall, towering over ten meters high and just as thick, wasn’t just a shield but also a perimeter in which adventurers could fight without fear of harming civilians or destroying property.

 

“Near the center is the Dungeon,” Hal said, pointing in its general direction. “Around it, apparently there are inns for adventurers, then the Guilds, the artisan district, and then the residential areas. The safest part is by the walls, where the lord and city officials live.”

“Now THIS is definitely different from the usual,” Ize mused.

“It’s a city that relies on the Dungeon, but lives in its shadow — the constant fear of a Deluge must be exhausting.”

“But since it’s a Rank 2 Dungeon, the cycle should be long, right?”

“Yeah, about a hundred years in between,” Hal said with a nod. “But it’s short enough for the fear to get passed down through generations.”

“When was Jasted’s last Deluge, again?”

“If I remember correctly, it was…”

 

“Thirteen years ago,” came a deep voice from behind.

 

Startled, Ize spun around, her gaze landing on the torso of a massive man.

To see his face, she had to crane her neck until her muscles ached.

 

“My neck’s going to snap,” Ize muttered under her breath.

 

The man was built like a mountain — twice as tall and wide as she was, and clad in worn leather armor that bore the scars of countless battles.

 

“Were you part of the effort to stop the Deluge thirteen years ago?” Hal asked, his tone curious.

“Actually, yeah,” the man replied, his voice rumbling like thunder. “I was just a kid back then, barely turned adult. But even then, I was already twice the size of the little guy, y’know.”

“Unnecessary details,” Ize grumbled, crossing her arms.

“Well, if it’s been that recent, it should be safe while we’re here,” Hal said.

“You think so?” The man’s brow lifted as he leaned in slightly.

“Huh?”

“If you think a Dungeon is ever ‘safe,’ you’ll never make it as an adventurer, kid.”

“Ah, well…” Hal hesitated for a moment. “Yes, you’re right. Thank you for the advice.”

“Ugh, you really are a kid, huh? You sure you’ll be okay?”

“We’re meeting up with a companion who’ll help us train.”

“Well, that’s something. Make sure to get plenty of life experience along the way.”

“By the way, old man,” Ize interjected, “are you from Jasted?”

“Old man? Little guy, I’m not even close to old! And no, I’m not from around here. I’m a Deluge chaser — one of those guys who specializes in clearing Dungeons on the brink of a Deluge. Just passing through to meet a friend.”

“A Deluge chaser!?”

“Is that different from a regular adventurer?” Hal asked, his interest piqued.

“Well, technically, I AM an adventurer. But when a Deluge’s about to hit, most local adventurers aren’t experienced enough to handle it. You round up a bunch of greenhorns, and they’ll just get in the way. So the Guild brings in folks with Deluge experience. That’s how people like me came to be. Some call us moles, though, because we’re always digging where the action is.”

“That’s so cool!” Ize exclaimed, eyes wide.

“I know, right?” the man said, chest puffing up with pride.

 

As the line moved slowly forward, the burly adventurer continued chatting with them, generously sharing his knowledge.

He explained everything from essential dungeoneering equipment to avoiding the worst-tasting emergency rations and navigating accommodations while on long expeditions.

 

“Thank you for all this invaluable advice. Please, let us treat you to something as thanks,” Hal said earnestly as they neared the gate.

“Huh?” The man tilted his head.

“I mean, we can’t just take all this for free.”

“Ah, you’re a stiff one. Just take it, kid.”

“But–”

“Then use it. If you think my words are worth anything, live long enough to make them matter.”

“All right — we will. That’s a promise.”

“C’mon, we can’t let you go empty-handed!” Ize piped up, rummaging in her bag. “Here — at least take this. It’s delicious!”

“Okay, okay, fine,” the man chuckled as Ize handed him a biscuit. It looked comically small in his massive palm, and he crunched it down in one swift bite, chewing with satisfaction. “Thanks, little guy.”

 

It turned out the man wasn’t based in Jasted, though if he lingered in the region until spring, there was a chance their paths might cross again.

Once they were all done with the registration and were through the gate, Ize watched his towering figure disappear into the streets, a faint sense of anticipation blooming in her chest.

 

“I got so caught up in the conversation, I didn’t even notice the process,” she said.

“Eh, it wasn’t anything special,” Hal replied, though his tone was suspiciously awkward. “They just checked our Adventurer Cards…”

 

What Hal didn’t say — what he’d never say — was that when Ize handed over her card, the receptionist had visibly flinched.

What Hal didn’t mention — what he’d never mention — was that the clerk had pulled out a machine, one unused during Hal’s own registration, to inspect something specific on Ize’s card.

What he wouldn’t even hint at was the momentary look of shock on the face of the giant adventurer who had been behind them.

 

Some truths, Hal decided, were better left unspoken, even to the person in question.

 

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