Roy followed the voice and arrived in the nearby woods.
"Mister! Are you okay?"
He saw a middle-aged man writhing in pain while leaning on a tree.
"I was gathering wild vegetables when I suddenly slipped. It looks like I sprained my ankle," the man said.
"Accidents always happen unexpectedly."
"That's true."
"Let me help you!"
"Yes, please. Wait, young man, what is that you're carrying? Crutches!?"
"Yes."
"Perfect! Please let me borrow it. In return, I will give you this."
He handed him a piece of paper. He wondered if it was a voucher for some products. But since he no longer needed to use those crutches, he agreed with him.
"Okay, Mister. You can use it."
He agreed without hesitation. Even that mother on the train unconditionally gave him a Revita potion.
He assisted him in getting up.
"Young man, you're so kind."
Roy just smiled. "If you want, I can come with you."
"Nah, it's fine. My home is just nearby. Alright, see you, young man."
He wanted to insist on assisting him till his house. But looking at the man, he seemed to have no problem walking with those crutches. Also, it was about to get dark, his sister would be worried about him if he was late.
Roy then nodded and said, "Take care, Mister."
The two then parted ways.
As Roy was walking, he suddenly thought that he didn't recognize that man. If that man truly lived in the neighborhood, he should have recognized his face. But it was the first time Roy saw that man no matter how he searched in his mind.
Roy thought, maybe he was someone new to this area.
Glancing to the paper in his hand, he was wondering what product this voucher was for. But as soon as Roy spread it in front of his face, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Wait! T-t-this is not a voucher! But a Dungeon Pass for a second-hand dungeon!" Roy exclaimed excitedly.
A while ago, after they parted ways, the man turned into a dark alley. Once he was in the alley, his body began shining. Then suddenly, from a middle-aged man, his body transformed into a gorgeous woman, wearing the outfit of a witch.
After her transformation, a black owl landed on her shoulder.
"How's your mission?" The owl asked.
"Ufufu. I finally found someone who can help us."
"You mean that boy just now?"
"Yes, Beatrice."
"Hmm… indeed he's a good person. But his talent is only elementary-tier."
"Eh? Pardon?" The witch looked like she failed to hear her.
"He's a good person."
"No, not that!"
"His talent is only elementary-tier."
"So I didn't hear it wrong. Ngh. Just when I thought I finally found someone who can help us!" The witch looked dejected.
"Well, well, we still have enough time to find a suitable person."
"You don't know how hard it was to find a suitable person!" After saying that, the witch massaged her temple and said, "Well, we can't waste time here."
The owl flapped its jet-black wings then its body glowed. A second later, the owl transformed into a carriage. The carriage had no wheels but there was a pair of brooms acting as jetpacks below it.
After the witch entered the carriage, it flew into the sky, leaving only the crutches on the ground. In just a matter of seconds, they were already high above. The witch muttered a question while sighing.
"Why is it hard to find a person who fits the qualifications?"
But, she couldn't give up. That thing she needed was very important. She needed to obtain it no matter what. Only a suitable person with mining as their talent and high level could break that thing's barrier. She had already sent some people before, but none of those people were able to approach it. There were even some who lost their minds. It was the reason why she changed her strategy. She thought maybe sending a good person there could do the trick.
When Roy arrived at their house, he was greeted by a cheerful Rei Rei.
"Big Brother! Welcome home!"
"Yeah, I'm back. How's your school?"
"Urrggh~"
She suddenly looked depressed.
"Our idiot teacher gives us many assignments," she sounded exhausted.
"Ahaha…"
He could sympathize with her, however, it was for her own good. In order to change the topic and lighten up the mood, Roy showed her the paper in his hand.
"Looked."
"What is that?"
"A Dungeon Pass."
"A Dungeon Pass? That means…"
"Yes! I can go and mine."
"Wow!"
"This thing is very expensive."
"But Big bro, how did you get that? Don't tell me…"
"Ahaha. Don't worry, I didn't do illegal stuff."
Roy then explained to his sister how he helped a man in who sprained his ankle.
After hearing his explanation, Rei Rei sighed in relief. She thought his brother already walked in the wrong path to save their property.
"But bro, isn't the dungeon very dangerous? Are you going to hire dungeon explorers?"
"Uhg, unfortunately, we don't have enough money to hire an exploration team. But don't worry. It's a Dungeon Pass for a second-hand dungeon."
"Second-hand dungeon?"
"Once a dungeon is cleared by the explorers, it will fall to the association's jurisdiction. That's why they are selling Dungeon Passes for anyone who wishes to mine the minerals inside. Since it was already cleared, no more monsters in it."
"Oh, I see."
"By the way, bro. What is that star in your eye?"
"Eh? Uh, it's nothing, don't mind it." Roy covered it with his hand as he started walking inside the house.
Looking at his embarrassed face, made Rei Rei giggle. "Ehehe…" she then said, "Bro is a comrade of mine, huh."
"Alright, no anime tonight unless you've done all your homework."
"Ehhh!"
She sounded depressed once again.
To lighten her mood again, he asked her what she wanted for dinner. Rei Rei quickly answered, "Fried Chicken!"
However, when Roy checked the refrigerator, it was empty.
Looking at her brother's troubled expression, Rei Rei laughed and said, "It's fine, Big Bro. Just cook whatever is available."
His only option is the canned foods.
"Tomorrow we will have chicken dinner! I promise!"
The next day, Roy went to the dungeon by following the address written in the Dungeon Pass.