Chapter 17: Heading to the Adventurer's Guild!

Ryuu Lion didn't understand—truly didn't understand.

Clearly, he was just a boy who hadn't even completed his adventurer registration yet.

Yet, she couldn't associate the word "ordinary" with him at all.

Even more puzzling to Ryuu was the fact that she didn't dislike Ryota.

Not even the slightest sense of wariness arose in her heart.

The instinctive aversion she usually felt when meeting adventurers from other races had inexplicably disappeared when she faced this young man named Ryota.

She lowered her eyes, gazing quietly at her empty palm.

After a long moment, a huge question mark appeared silently in her mind.

Just why exactly was that?

"Eh? Where did he go, meow?"

Familiar footsteps approached her from behind. Chloe and Anya bounced back into the front hall, one on the left and one on the right, only to see an empty seat and a lone, empty glass left behind on the table.

"Didn't he just sit down a few minutes ago, meow?"

"Did he really leave already, meow?"

Chloe poked her head out to look around, confirming that Ryota had completely vanished. Immediately, she pursed her lips in disappointment.

"And besides... he finished the drink. Ryuu, did you take payment from him?"

Anya blinked innocently, turning toward Ryuu.

Ryuu Lion calmly picked up the tray, her voice indifferent as she replied:

"I treated him."

"Hah?"

Both of their cat ears instantly stood straight up.

"You treated him, meow?!"

"Ryuu, you actually offered to treat someone voluntarily, meow?!"

Ryuu remained perfectly composed, returning the tray to the bar. While adjusting her apron, she explained briefly:

"He's a newcomer. Where would he get money from?"

Anya and Chloe exchanged a glance.

In the next second, strange smiles simultaneously appeared on their faces:

"Oh my, oh my, so being a 'newcomer' means you get free drinks, meow~"

"With so many newcomers arriving in Orario every day, why was it this particular handsome guy who got a treat from you, meow?"

Anya poked Chloe's waist playfully, teasing her friend with a mischievous lilt:

"Or could it be... that Ryuu also judges people by their looks, meow~?"

Ryuu stared at them blankly, as if looking at idiots. Just as she opened her mouth to explain, suddenly—

"What are you two yapping about?! Get back to work!!"

The true owner of "The Hostess of Fertility," Mia Grand, appeared, dressed in a blue work outfit and white apron, hands on her hips as she glared sternly at the two catgirls slacking off.

Her booming voice immediately made them behave, answering in unison:

"Y-yes ma'am! Right away, meow—!"

The two catgirls wailed mournfully as they dashed back toward the kitchen. Ryuu Lion could only smile faintly and shake her head.

These two idiots…

…

Meanwhile—

After leaving "The Hostess of Fertility," just as expected, Ryota soon heard the familiar mechanical voice in his ears:

[Explore Orario's Three Iconic Landmarks (2/3) · Completed]

[Chakra Limit Increased: +1000]

"That went smoother than I expected. Just one more to go."

He glanced back at the familiar green sign hanging above the tavern's door. The enthusiastic assault from those two catgirls and the serene, quiet gaze from Ryuu Lion as she handed him the drink were still fresh in his mind.

Blinking, Ryota muttered quietly to himself:

"I'd better speed things up… Can't afford to get dragged into another 'special service' again."

Following the directions Ryuu had pointed out before he left, Ryota navigated through winding streets and alleys until he finally reached a wide and neatly paved avenue.

This was Northwest Main Street—better known as Adventurer Street.

It was now half-past nine in the morning, the busiest time for adventurers heading into the Dungeon.

The entire street bustled with noise and activity.

The shouts of weapon merchants, the lively calls of street vendors, the commanding orders of adventurer parties assembling, all mingled together into a uniquely Orario-style noisy warmth.

Chaotic, yet brimming with energy.

Walking leisurely, Ryota scanned the bustling crowd. He quickly noticed many small-statured Pallums weaving expertly through the crowd, each carrying backpacks bigger than themselves.

Supporters.

This term was well-known throughout Orario.

Though Pallums generally lacked raw combat prowess, their exceptional agility and quick minds gave them a natural edge. Their precise memory, flexible adaptability, and meticulous control over resources and routes made them indispensable within the Dungeon.

These qualities made Pallums nearly perfect candidates for the role of Supporter.

Well, Finn didn't count.

After all, he was an adventurer determined to restore glory to the Pallum race.

At that moment, a familiar face flashed briefly through Ryota's mind:

"I wonder how Liliruca is doing now… Is she still in the Soma Familia?"

He paused, then shook his head forcefully, shaking off these random thoughts.

"What the heck? I've only been here a few days, and I'm already worrying about other people's fates?"

He muttered quietly, then raised his eyes again, looking ahead at the grand building constructed from massive white stones.

The Adventurer's Guild.

The administrative authority overseeing the Dungeon, established by the first god to descend to the lower world, Ouranos.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that half of Orario's lifeblood flowed through this building.

Not only did it manage and regulate the Dungeon, but it also handled practically every aspect of adventurers' daily lives—from exchanging Valis and Magic Stones, assigning quests, to compiling intelligence on Dungeon exploration.

It was a genuine central hub of the city.

Following the stream of adventurers, Ryota stepped through the Guild's main entrance.

Various signs stood prominently in the center of the hall, clearly guiding newcomers so that even first-time visitors wouldn't lose their way.

Soon, Ryota stood in front of the reception counters.

There weren't many people waiting in line here—clearly, not every new arrival could easily secure a Familia's Falna and officially register here right away.

Scanning around briefly, he noticed that the leftmost reception window was currently free.

He adjusted his steps and approached it directly.

Seated there was a young human girl with short pink hair, neatly dressed in a clean uniform. Her bright, clear eyes were attentively reviewing a stack of papers in front of her.

Noticing someone approach, she immediately raised her head and gave him a practiced, friendly smile:

"Good morning! How may I assist you today?"

Ryota glanced briefly at her, naturally letting his eyes settle on the name tag pinned neatly to her chest:

[Misha Flott]

Pink hair, official uniform, gentle smile…

Hmm… She looked vaguely familiar.

Hadn't she appeared in one of the original story's scenes?