Chereads / Masked Knight : Enigma / Chapter 13 - The Tomb of Darkness!

Chapter 13 - The Tomb of Darkness!

Not long after Hayato arrived at the city, he stepped into the bustling Mystoria Guild Building. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of adventurers of various ranks discussing their quests and sharing stories. As he made his way towards the receptionist, a bulky man in full metal armor stood in his path, blocking his way.

Bulky Man: "Hold on there, old man. What's someone like you doing in our guild?"

Hayato calmly presented his adventurer ID, revealing his A-rank status as a member of Gladin's Adventurer Guild. The bulky man's demeanor quickly shifted, and he stepped aside respectfully.

Bulky Man (Alfonso): "Apologies, sir. Didn't realize you were an A-rank adventurer. Name's Alfonso, C-rank adventurer of Mytoria. Good luck with your endeavors."

Hayato continued towards the receptionist, Bianca, without acknowledging Alfonso further. Bianca, a young woman with bright pink hair and glasses, greeted Hayato with a warm smile.

Bianca: "Welcome to the Mystoria Adventurer Guild. How may I assist you today?"

Hayato presented his adventurer ID to Bianca and inquired about any suitable quests available.

Bianca took a moment to examine the ID, ensuring its authenticity, before retrieving a stack of quest scrolls from a nearby shelf.

Bianca: "We have a few A-rank quests that might interest you. They range from hunting dangerous monsters to retrieving valuable artifacts."

Hayato carefully reviewed the options, his eyes settling on an S-rank quest that caught his attention.

Hayato: "I'll take this S-rank quest. It seems challenging enough for my abilities."

Bianca raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by Hayato's choice.

Bianca: "That's a formidable quest, but do you have a party? S-rank quests usually require a team of at least three A-rank adventurers."

Hayato leaned forward, his gaze unwavering.

Hayato: "I prefer to tackle this quest alone. I have my own methods and prefer not to rely on others."

Bianca hesitated for a moment, contemplating Hayato's request.

Bianca: "Very well. If you're confident in your abilities, I'll make the necessary arrangements. Good luck, Hayato."

Hayato nodded, appreciating Bianca's understanding, and prepared himself mentally for the challenging S-rank quest that awaited him.

As Hayato was about to leave the Adventurer Guild, he turned to Bianca and asked for a recommended inn where he could rest before embarking on his quest.

Hayato: "Is there an inn you can recommend? I need a good place to rest before I proceed with the quest."

Bianca nodded with a smile and mentioned the Taverna dell'Incanto, introducing its owner, Marco De Luca. Hayato thanked her for the suggestion and made his way towards the inn.

Not too far from the guild building, Hayato arrived in front of Taverna dell'Incanto. The exterior of the inn boasted a charming and inviting atmosphere, with its wooden facade adorned with colorful flowers.

Hayato breathed a sigh of relief, pleased with the inn's exterior, and hoped that the interior would be just as pleasant. He pushed open the door and stepped inside, where he was greeted by Marco, the innkeeper.

Marco: "Welcome to Taverna dell'Incanto! I'm Marco. How can I assist you today?"

Hayato inquired about the price for a seven-day stay, including dinner and breakfast. Marco took a moment to calculate the cost.

Marco: "For a seven-day stay with meals, it will be 1 gold and 20 silver coins."

Hayato raised an eyebrow, surprised by the price, which was double that of Gladin's inns. Nevertheless, he handed Marco 2 gold coins.

Hayato: "Thank you, Marco. Here's the payment. May I have the room key and the change, please?"

Marco thanked Hayato and handed him a room key along with the appropriate change. Hayato expressed his gratitude and excused himself to his assigned room.

Inside the room, Hayato found himself greeted by a lavish and well-decorated space, befitting the price he had paid. The bed was incredibly comfortable, tempting him to succumb to its softness and drift into a deep slumber. However, he knew he had to prepare for the upcoming quest.

Hayato decided to freshen up with a shower, washing away the fatigue from his long journey. Afterward, he donned his adventurer outfit and a light armor, ensuring he was ready for the challenges ahead. He also meticulously honed his katana, ensuring its sharpness.

After settling into his room at Taverna dell'Incanto, Hayato felt a surge of excitement. He decided to take a stroll through the bustling market area of Mystoria, eager to explore the local delicacies and immerse himself in the vibrant atmosphere.

As he wandered through the narrow streets, the air filled with the aroma of freshly baked pastries and sizzling meats. Colorful stalls lined the sidewalks, displaying an array of exotic fruits, spices, and handmade crafts.

Hayato's attention was immediately drawn to a charming little bakery with a sign that read "Dolce Vita." He approached the counter where an elderly woman named Nonna greeted him warmly.

Nonna: "Buongiorno! What can I get for you, young adventurer?"

Hayato couldn't resist the sweet temptations displayed in the glass case before him.

Hayato: "I'll take one of those cannoli and a slice of tiramisu, please."

Nonna happily packed the pastries into a small box, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Nonna: "Enjoy, mio caro! May they bring you good fortune on your journey."

Hayato thanked Nonna and continued his exploration of the market, savoring the delectable treats as he walked.

Amidst the vibrant crowd, Hayato stumbled upon a stall selling an intriguing assortment of spices. The vendor, a jovial man named Luigi, greeted him with a wide grin.

Luigi: "Ciao, traveler! Care to sample some of the finest spices in all of Mystoria?"

Hayato was intrigued and decided to try a pinch of each spice, reveling in the explosion of flavors that danced on his tongue.

Hayato: "These are incredible! I'll take a small quantity of each."

Luigi carefully packaged the spices, offering a few cooking tips along the way.

Luigi: "Remember, a pinch of spice can elevate any dish to new heights. Buon appetito!"

Hayato bid farewell to Luigi and continued his culinary adventure. He stumbled upon a bustling street food stall where a skilled chef was expertly preparing a local delicacy known as "Arancini."

Hayato couldn't resist the mouthwatering aroma that wafted from the stall, enticing him to join the queue.

Chef: "Welcome, my friend! Would you like to try our signature arancini? They're filled with a savory blend of rice, cheese, and your choice of meat or vegetables."

Hayato eagerly placed an order, choosing a combination of meat and vegetables. As he bit into the crispy exterior, the flavors exploded in his mouth, leaving him craving for more.

Hayato: "These arancini are amazing! I'll take a few for the road."

The chef beamed with pride and happily prepared a small package for Hayato to carry with him.

With his appetite satiated and a bag of culinary treasures in hand, Hayato continued his journey through the market, savoring the lively atmosphere and engaging in conversations with the friendly locals.

As the sun began to set, Hayato realized it was time to make his way to "La Tomba dell'Oscurità," the dark-infested dungeon he had chosen for his S-rank quest.

Hayato set out towards the nearby forest, known as "La Selva Oscura," a place connected to the mystical essence of Mystoria, where "La Tomba dell'Oscuritàn" located.

Arriving at the entrance of the dungeon without any notable issues, the fading light casting eerie shadows on the ancient stone structure. Hayato took a deep breath, the anticipation of the upcoming challenge filling him with a mix of excitement and determination.