The rewards were unsurprisingly not worth all the risk. Even with how influential the Captain was, he was still only the eight-floor boss. So we wouldn't receive all that much no matter what happened.

Yet with the accomplished looks on the Silver Bees face, it seemed beating the boss had been enough reward in itself.

I wasn't sure what they had against the boss. They hadn't faced the beast before, as far as I was aware, considering they were still alive.

Yet they seemed so happy that they had bested the creature., I could only assume that it was due to some trauma that had occurred to their trainer, as was the tale for many of the Delver's first attempt at taking on the Captain.

He was not a boss to be taken lightly. The most fatal boss under the tenth floor. The Lighthouse protector was arguably more powerful, but as long as a common team had the numbers, they could face that boss with relative ease.

Shaking off all the wounds we had received from the overgrown turtle, we began to make our way back towards the top of the Dungeon. Our promised introductions would be carried out along with a friendly and healing meal in one of the local restaurants.

I was glad I had faced the boss with this group. There were stronger ones I could have joined if I wanted to delve below the fifth floor. Yet the Silver bee's had been a solid group. I was looking forward to delving with them again. Even if they were a bit quiet.

Now I could also find out their true identities. I was truly curious if they were related to any well-known teams from the past. My recollection of such things was hazy certainly, but the genuinely famous ones I could still remember. Like most children, I had a healthy dose of fascination with the powerful delvers.

Especially those of more common upbringing, they were like shining beacons to me growing up.

The Salted Crab was named after the boss on the seventh floor. With a painting of the Elder Crab welcoming us into the property. It was the primary restaurant for the weaker delvers. Most of the other high-quality restaurants around the Dungeon needed a referral and proof of delving to a deep floor to be allowed entry.

Such was their exclusivity.

Of course, the same could not be said of the Salted Crab. As long as one had the money, anybody could enter the tavern at their own will.

It was still a popular place for delvers to eat. Yet, it was offset by the few noble children trying to brag about their own accomplishments but lacked the strength to actually delve beyond the tenth floor.

These were indeed the bottom of the barrel in terms of nobility around the Capital. Lacking both the strength and the means to reach below the tenth. Even with the massive amount of resources, any scion of the Capital would have access to.

Also, lacking the individual wealth to simply pay for a more qualified team to take you down below the tenth floor. Entirely lacking in all aspects but bravado.

We ignored the various groups as we proceeded to a simple alcove at the back of the tavern. Sitting down, we all quickly ordered food. Once the waitress had left, silence descended on the group.

It was only a waiting game for the Silver Bees, who didn't want to reveal themselves first. Even Yerin, who had returned to his chatty self, was now quiet, awaiting the reveal.

"Very well, if no one else is going first, I may as well take the initiative. My name is Ganley. I grew up in the outer ring. I plan to enter one of the famed mage academies in the next few weeks."

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With my introduction over, I shot the Silver bees an expectant look.

Even then, it took a few seconds before they began. Surprisingly it was Scout who led the charge.

"My name is Omar Baird."

With a simple nod, he returned to his stoic silence. I racked my brain, trying to think if I had ever heard of anybody with the surname of Baird before. I couldn't think of one on the top of my head. It might be worth taking a look into.

"My name is Hana Baird."

Leader was next to make her introduction. I hadn't expected a name native to the Capital after hearing her brother, their origin became even more curious.

Now it was only Striker who had yet to introduce herself. They also hadn't given any further information.

"My name is Traci Baird."

It was like they had coordinated their introduction. None of them spoke anymore than they had to. That trend didn't change even when the food arrived.

It was only Yerin who had picked up the conversation. I had tried to dig a little deeper into his past, but he had shut down that line of conversation very quickly.

He had revealed that he grew up outside the city, but he wasn't saying a word beyond that.

Since the others had decided not to participate in the conversation, we had an in-depth discussion about the lower floors.

What Yerin believed would be the best make up of Delver group to take on each of the famous bosses in the depths of the Dungeon. He had a surprisingly good grasp of the tactics of the lower floors. Given enough time, he could become someone pretty powerful.

That was when we were met with an uninvited guest.

"Well, if it isn't the Silver bees, what are you guys doing out of the Dungeon so early. Shouldn't you be halfway through your second run by now?"

A group of grizzled delvers had decided to join us for our meal. The scowls that now adorned the Silver bee's faces told of their history with the group.

The leader who had spoken up was glaring with near hatred at the group through his single eye. The other was scarred shut. The ferocity coming from the man would have been terrifying if it had been tied to someone of real strength. The baleful aura surrounding him was like a puppy trying to roar like a dragon.

The Silver bees could recognize that much as well, as they tried to ignore the pompous men. That worked until they all grouped up around the table.

Each one ugly, all were showing off the countless scars they had arranged around their body. Yet if we were to ask just what enemies had managed to scar them so, their arrogance would quickly disappear.

This display would work on any naive group. Still, I had dealt with far more terrifying people in the past. This would just be some fun.

I was interested to see just how the Silver Bees managed to deal with these people. They didn't seem to want to leave anytime soon. Yet, instead of aggravating once again, they simply stared at the siblings without saying a word. It was truly curious.

"What do you want, Irio? Have your band of idiots killed off another rich offspring, so you have come to hide with the more powerful groups?"

That was interesting. It wasn't rare for people to die while working with mercenaries. After all, it was mostly people taking on risks far too high for their level of skill. But to get a reputation for doing so was indeed something else. I wondered how competent they were to still show their face in a place like the Salted Crab.

It was probably only the Silver bees who had this opinion about this group. I wasn't inclined to doubt their judgment, however.

"You guys better watch out next time we meet in the Dungeon. We won't go easy on you this time."

They seemed satisfied with their intimidation even though there was no sign that it affected the group. With a grunt, they all moved away to a nearby table.

I was genuinely mystified why that had even done such a thing. It made little sense to me.

The Silver Bees also decided they didn't want to be forthcoming about their own rivalry with the group.

Either way, I now had a group that I knew I could avoid if I entered the Dungeon again.

Next time, however, I was going to aim for something with a little higher stakes. There were always teams looking for back up members. The next time I entered the Dungeon, I wouldn't be a simple Initiate.

The Silver bees decided to leave soon after, happy with their progress for the day. Even if they would be going back to only facing the fifth floor again in the future.

I would delve with them one more time before I went into the academy. I wanted at least some form of relationship with them.

That would take a lot more than the single run we have had so far. I was surprised that they hadn't spoken with Yerin any further. He seemed like a good fit for the team. They seemed happy with their insular sibling makeup of the team at the moment. Yet I couldn't see it only being them who discovered the secret in the past, even with Scout's abilities.

They left me alone with the mysterious Yerin, who, despite speaking nearly non-stop for the past hour, hadn't really said a word. I had to try to get to the bottom of that.

"So Yerin, what are your plans for the future?"