The dungeon is a place for work, business, and opportunities. Adventurers will go inside to collect mana crystals to sell, knights and merchants will send troops to collect all kinds of materials, and some people really only like to get stronger... but there are a set of people who make use of the dungeons not because they want to, but because they need to.
Particularly, the so-called 'supporters'.
Alice was one for as long as she can remember.
[ Hey, supporter, hurry it up! ] with a shout, the person who had hired her had ordered her for the immediate pick-up of the mana crystal that was on the ground. The monster they had defeated was not that strong so the mana crystal she's ordered to pick is small, so small in fact that she's having a hard time looking for it.
[ Tsk! This supporter is holding us back...! Hurry it up or we'll leave you for your own good! ]
[ We should've chosen someone else... This kid is not fitting. ]
The party was prideful, and they look at her as if she was trash. Even though she was trying her best to do what she can, carrying all their equipment and items inside the bag on her back, she receives not even a single kind word from them, only those of mocking and hating ones.
But she was already used to this kind of abuse already. In fact, this is normal and she wishes that their abuse of her will only stay at this level, as there were even those who spit on her, beat her up, and borderline using her as a bait to lure out monsters. Her luck is the only thing she has for herself and it's the only thing that is keeping her alive.
As a halfling, she has a very strong body, despite her thin and petite appearance, she is very strong. But that physical advantage of her is only being used to carry heavy objects and helps her endure the physical abuse of those around her.
'This is good enough to keep on living' - even if everything is nothing but bad, if she can still keep on living, she will accept it.
[ Hurry up, sloth! ]
[ Hey, that's a good one, how about we start calling her that from now on? ]
[ Haha! Right, let's do that! ] they began to laugh and their bad mood disappear.
They kept on mocking her even further. She dislikes the feeling, but she was still glad their attitude turned a little shift. If they're in a good mood, then they will eventually losses their abuse of her.
[ I... I picked it up... ] she said to the group with a whisper, and they nodded and continues to laugh.
[ The sloth took forever to finish! You better be careful as we might suddenly leave you behind without us even noticing! ]
[ U... un... Thank you very much... ] she forced herself to utter the thankful words they do not deserve.
And so, they continue. They pass the 20th floor, and now, they're on the so-called 'mid-floors', where groups of monsters start to gather in groups to ambush and attack people.
She warned them about these floors; about how the monsters here are much tactical than those below, wanting them to keep their guards up. But they didn't listen at all and only brushed her off, one even bumping himself onto her to push her off.
These adventurers are inexperienced. Unlike the other veterans she had worked for in the pasts, these teens seemed to have no experience or knowledge regarding the dungeon, or maybe even how to deal with monsters themselves - as, despite the danger, they still have their weapons hidden under their sheaths or clothing.
They continue to chat with each other without minding their selves at all, leaving Alice to become anxious, looking at all directions, keeping her guard up for any kind of ambush from the monsters.
She had experienced an ambush on the same floors before, and she was just like that she was able to survive. But now, if that ever happens again, her luck might've already run out for her to survive again. That's why despite she didn't like to, she kept as close as she can to the group.
But soon, that worry of hers came true, as a large hobgoblin suddenly appeared in front of them without them noticing. Onsight, it bashes its huge club onto them, only barely able to dodge it as it swings right down, leaving a large creak on the floor in the process.
The leader, in response, tried to unsheath his weapon, but as he locked it earlier for some unknown reason, he wasn't able to take it out immediately as another rush of the enemy's weapon swings towards them. Luckily, just as it was about to hit him, a teammate of his pulls him back with brute strength and he was able to recover.
[ Tsk! Everyone! It's just a single goblin, it won't win against us! ] the group follows with the shout of his command, readying their weapons as they prepared to counter the enemy.
Large smiles appeared on their faces as they're sure of their victory. But... Before they could even lift their weapons for an attack; red, glaring eyes appeared from behind the single enemy.
[ Thi-this is...! ] on their wake, is an army of hobgoblins with different sizes.
There was no way they would win.
As they stare at their enemy, their legs began to shook and sweat started to accumulate on their forehead, not being able to move from the fear and shock, which are their current emotions.
[ Ru-run... ] a whisper formed on the leader's mouth, a whisper that soon turns to a shout out of fear.
[ Ru-run! ]
An act that was only a shameful, fake leader would do, he was the first to run back in their group; full of sweat and teary eyes.
And as their leader was already gone, the party started to crumble, following his act of only caring for themselves, they run from where they came from with haste as if their lives depend on it, in which it is now.
And finally, Alice was the only one left. She was used to the sight of these monsters. In her knowledge, they're hard to beat, but never did she see a party that had hired her before run away from them. That was why they're action is a surprise to her.
It was only soon that she realizes that she now also needs to run. Run as fast as she could for the sake of her life.
And so, with the haul behind her back, she ran in a speed she never did before. The thing she's carrying only becoming a hindrance to her movements, and she desperately wanted to get rid of it. But if she ever survives without it on her back, she might meet a worse fate than death on the hands of this party, so she's afraid to let go of it.
And before she even knew it, tears are already falling from her eyes, leaving tracks of wet outlines on the ground for the monsters to follow.
She continues to run, and on the way, she met the leader of the party who seems to have stumbled on the ground. Immediately, she tried to help him despite the monsters already keeping up, but...
[ Do-don't touch me dirty, halfling! ] he only brushes her off, treating her like the trash he always sees her.
[ I... I only wanted to help... ]
She looks behind and see the sheer number of enemies that already caught up to them. Now realizing that going out on her way to help this person was a mistake, as the hobgoblins are already on their sight. Glaring at the two of them, ready to bash open their skulls.