Leaving the guild, Zero went to see the dungeon. He had visited it a few times already, but never really enters it.
The high, tower-like dungeon. It stood up high in the sky, touching the clouds and blocking the sunlight. Its design is nothing to be amazed by, but its sheer, colossal height is out of one's imagination; boasting the tallest thing to ever exist; taller than any trees and any mountains. And as he looks at its final edge, he needed to stretch his head at a high angle - the sun, blocking his sight in the process.
Soon, he will try to go there.
There is no rule regarding the dungeon. Anyone who wants to enter it will be allowed, even children that are not permitted to enter the guild will be allowed to enter it. As no one really manages the dungeon, there is also no one that creates its rules; and this is the reason why it is considered the most dangerous place both outside, and inside the city.
Crimes are allowed inside; stealing and ambushes are common, but there are only a few that get killed by the people themselves, most of the few who became their victims fall into the hands of the monsters lurking in every floor, and not personally by them; not wanting blood to get on their hands. But still, there are only a few cases as many who enters the dungeon are strong enough to protect themselves.
Like in any game Zero had played before, the dungeon in front of him are completely the same. Having no rules and being a place for people to gather materials to earn money, and possibly, to further their skills.
And Zero is about to enter it... Now only trying to decide if he should do it today or tomorrow. He had already taken a short rest, and already has the energy for a stroll, but wanting to experience the dungeon to its fullness, he's considering of doing it early tomorrow.
He turns a look at the entrance of the dungeon. There are many people going in and out of it, most of which are adventurers like him and a few knights wearing their signature set of armor. But there is one particular group of people Zero is concerned of, particularly, the children that are wearing rags and carrying massive hauls on their backs.
The supporters. He already knows their existence as he always crosses paths with one, always. Small, thin children carrying heavy bags of weapons, armors, and necessary items; he pities them but he can't really do anything about their situation. They're normal members of those who go inside the dungeon - and most likely, they're necessary to them. The only thing he really can't accept is the fact that they seemed not being treated fairly by the people who hire them.
The truth is, he wants to hire one, but knowing he has his own way of storing and carrying his items, he thought that it would be unnecessary and it might only even hold him back.
[ ... ] continuing his own thoughts as he observes how the dungeon process, a sudden call was heard from his back. He felt someone made a light tap of his shoulder, and he felt Zear too, also starts to change position on his other shoulder. And as the reaction of any normal person, he turns to see who the person who caught both their attention was.
*Purr... and as a small sound escape Zear...
[ Yo! ] on his back, he saw the bluish, crystal-like eyes of the tomboyish knight he remembers having a fight with on his first day in this city...
[ Good morning, Zero. ]
[ You are... Will...! ] only barely able to remember her name, he calls her. And with a pout on her face, she reacted.
[ No, it's Will-sama. ]
[ You know I won't call you that... ]
[ Tsk. ] she clicks her tongue and looks away, and her silver ponytailed hair swayed together with her small movement.
Acting this way, Zero now can see that she really is a girl. Despite her tomboyish appearance, she still acts in a way Zero never thought he would see with a girl like her - especially, thinking back on how she treated him in their first meeting.
[ And... Why are you here...? ]
[ I have nothing to do so I went for a walk... I never expected to actually see you here... ]
'So obvious!'
That was his thoughts. With her eyes looking left and right, and her fingers playing with each other, she was obviously lying. And so with a sigh, he addresses her.
[ Haah.. did Alex told you? ]
[ Hu-Huh!? Why would Alex will...! ]
As far as Zero remembers, he told Alex that the reason he came to this city was for the dungeon - and that - he will always be here. He was sure that this meeting is not a coincidence and Will had intentionally looked for him.
Alex and Will were unexpectedly very close friends since childhood. Will, being overprotective with Alex - turning him into her now boyish nature. After the fight, he learned a bit more about the two of them and Will in particular. Like Alex, she has been only training to improve her skills her whole life; and she never leaves the Knights' Company for a small walk as she told him she was doing.
Zero could only think of one reason there is that he met her here, and that is -
[ As I said before... I won't join your battalion... ]
[ You bastard! I haven't even said anything! ]
[ It's already obvious... ]
Ever since that day he had defeated her, she kept pestering him about it. Even visiting his Inn a few times to ask him.
[ You...! That's not it at all! ] she shouts with her cheek puffing.
[ A-Anyway, if that is not what you came here for, and since you're obviously not really outside for a 'walk', why are you here? ]
[ Tha-That's...! ] seemingly panicking, sweat started to appear on her forehead. She then starts to scratch her cheeks, ready to make another lie.
[ I'm... Ahh, I thought I will go inside the dungeon... for today... ]
[ Huh? ]
[ Tha-That's right! I thought I would train inside the dungeon for today! Any problems? ]
( This girl... ) it was so easy to see through her lie that Zero was left with no words to say.
[ Haah... If you're really going, then please, take your time. ] and so, finally over with her, he bows a little and tries to go away.
[ Eh? Where are you going? ]
[ I'm going back to the Inn... I'm thinking I would need a rest... ]
[ Huh? Hey! Aren't you going to the dungeon, too? ] panicking, she asked.
[ I'll do it tomorrow... ]
[ Bu-But...! I'm on an outside mission tomorrow... ] she murmurs the last phrase, barely audible to Zero. And he doesn't really know why, but she started to play with her fingers again while looking the other way, as if she still has something to say that she's having trouble with.
[ Wha-what is it...? ]
[ Umm... This is my first time going inside so... I thought I could ask for your help... ]
[ ... ]
[ Can't I...? ]
[ ... ] Zero remained quiet... With his inner thoughts -
( Wha-What is this!? She's completely different than before! ) fidgeting like a girl in love, she asks. Looking at his eyes, seeing her bluish eyes wet a little from the embarrassment. Her Ikemen demeanor has disappeared and she's now only a girl of pure innocence.
( This is still the person who beat me up, right...? )
Where did that sadistic girl go? That was the question on his mind. Right now, Will is nothing but a woman, a beautiful one at that. Despite her body lacking curves, especially with her armor that only differentiate a little from those of normal knights, she still emitted an aura that will attract any kind of man. The power of MOE.
( Who is this person...!? ) with mouth, gaping, not knowing what to say, he stares at her, waiting for her to speak. And...
[ Please... Please go with me.... ]
( ... ) and just like that, Zero went to complete silence, before he could process everything and finally opened his mouth.
[ You're not seducing me, right? ]
*Bam!!!
[ ... ]
*Purr! *Purr!
After that, everything turned quiet, except for Zear who started to panic.
***
[ I can't believe I'm doing this with you... ]
[ Hmph! Feel the privilege of going together with my self! Will Victoria! ]
[ Right, right... ]
Walking together side by side with Will, he scratches his face that was still red from her attack. Their destination - the dungeon.
[ You should be honored that I will share my first time with you! ]
[ O-Oi! Don't say it like that! ] with a rush, he tried to silence Will who's shouting and laughing on top of her lungs. Taking small glances to the people that started to blush and gossip around them.
[ What do you mean? ] and like an innocent girl, she tilted her head back to his shout.
( I... I can't believe this person... )
[ Haah... Anyway... This is also my first time trying the dungeon, so don't expect me to lead. ]
[ Really? I thought you were already experienced... Hehe... So we're sharing our first time together, huh? ] with a large smirk on her face, she turned to Zero.
[ Please, stop. ] and Zero could only tiredly reply.