Dungeon Supervisor John was not having a good day. First the tavern ran out of Pikio beans, then townsfolk complained to him about the cooldown on the Insect Dungeon, and then right afterwards apparently someone put a maintenance sign on that dungeon despite how today is not one of the days where he goes to inspect it.

With this perfect storm and with John at the center of it all, there wasn’t anything he could do as annoyed adventurers stormed to his office, complaint after complaint. At this point, he’ll either need a drink or something sweet. And the tavern is also apparently out of alcohol. Of course it is.

Cutting his losses, John decided to go on a lunch break, and to also tear the damned sign from the Insect Dungeon’s entrance. As he walked around town with his cloak on, he tried to enjoy the sunlight. What will happen will happen whether he’s happy or sad, after all.

John appreciated the flowers on the windowsills of the small town, enjoyed how the grass was green in the springtime, but did not quite enjoy the fact that he occasionally sneezed from the pollen. This little mess with the Insect Dungeon did not go well with his allergies, especially not at this time of year.

He didn’t have much time for a calming walk when today is one of his rare busy days, but today seemed dead-set on annoying him as he tripped on a rock and nearly fell on his face. Luckily, it seemed like nobody had noticed. After that slip up, he decided to visit his closest friend.

He headed to the bakery, sighing as he sat down. Luckily, it was just him and his friend; the owner of the bakery, Fizz. He looked at John with concern and some pity.

“I’ll assume that the mess outside your office is gettin’ to you?”

Fizz asked with a smile, trying to find the problem. He was a kind guy; John had known Fizz since Fizz was a teenager. Fizz had short, fluffy black hair, a white shirt, a pink apron, and black boots. Sometimes Fizz would have a skirt too; John had long since stopped questioning that. Fizz was just a silly guy.

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“I swear, they’re like dogs,” John said, looking at the ground. “Just when this town has something going for it, it all just crumbles. And, the usual.”

“Hey, don’t let it get you down too much!” Fizz tried to cheer John up, putting a box of muffins on John’s table. “I’m workin’ on this new recipe using some of the stuff in the dungeon. Food used from dungeons usually tastes better, and it might take your mind off things.”

John raised an eyebrow.

“...But the nearest dungeon… is the Insect Dungeon..?”

“Just give it a try, it’s not as bad as you think! Try not to question it.”

Fizz responded, simply waiting for John to try it out. With a fair bit of fear, John took a bite and was pleasantly surprised by the fact that it was, actually, somewhat palatable. Even good.

“You’ve improved your muffin recipe again.”

John said with a smile. Fizz nodded enthusiastically before setting himself down next to John on the corner table of the bakery. Fizz never had too many customers, but he didn’t mind; He spent most of his time making sweets anyways.

“That’s right! What can I say? Muffins are one of the fun things to make,” Fizz said with a grin, “And it’s the first thing you ever tried from me. Anyways, you should try and relax; I know things have been chaotic lately between all the messes goin’ on today.”

John nodded, not having much else to say as he quietly ate the muffins. Fizz didn’t mind the silence, just sitting near him. After a few minutes, Fizz got him some lemonade to drink.

“Just for today, I’ll give ya’ another free box of muffins. I know you don’t like it when you take things for free, but see it as a gift instead.”

Fizz grinned at John, shoving a box of decorated muffins in his hands. Fizz never seemed to care about the line between muffins and cupcakes; It would either taste like a muffin with frosting or just a normal cupcake. John didn’t mind. A light smile on his face, John left the bakery feeling better than before.

Fizz always knew how to cheer him up.

John arrived at the dungeon, a box of muffins in his backpack with a tired look on his face. He didn’t want to conduct an impromptu inspection, but if some prankster tosses a sign on the thing, then John might as well get it done for the week.

Time for some inspecting, and he can deal with the angry horde of adventurers later.