"Good morning, Adam," I greet Adam as he enters the foyer of the inn we're staying at.

This one is much nicer than the one we stayed at in Ratton, compliments of me actually being willing to spend some decent coin on it. There aren't any of the perks that I'd find in one on Earth like free breakfast and a pool or gym, but the bed was rather comfortable and we were even able to get rooms that had their own bathing rooms attached.

I rented separate rooms for Adam and me the last few nights, despite how much I'd like to have someone in my bed. He's had something on his mind ever since we arrived here in Caniton and I'm sure it has to do with why he's looking for the dragon. After learning about his past and his evasiveness on all things related to it, I'm fairly certain there's cause for concern with Adam's search. I'd rather wait until his mind is able to focus on other stuff before approaching him about our sleeping arrangements.

"Morning," Adam greets me.

"I finished looking into the local Dungeon," I tell him. "It's actually pretty mapped-out, so there won't be too many surprises in it. Based on what I heard, we should be able to handle it. I was thinking of going to the Dungeon Guild and asking about anyone looking for a team to join for a run, to make it safer. Would you like to come with me, or do you still want to do your research?"

Most of the time we've been here so far, Adam's spent trying to find out what he can about the dragon he's looking for. He's made no effort to conceal the real reason he's here and the statement he made at Ryan's shop our first day has spread around a little. Quite a few people are nervous about his presence, but whatever his grandfather did for this town was big enough that the lord running it hasn't made a move to push him out.

One thing I did find out was that his grandfather more than likely was the demihuman dragon that passed through Finlar and Finlum three hundred years ago. There was one that showed up here around that time as well, though no one's been able to tell me what, exactly, he did in the area – other than that the lord at the time promised him a lot.

"I think I've learned all I can," Adam tells me. "The Dungeon is a good idea. But you don't have your pack?"

"We can hire someone there to carry the loot," I tell him. "That way, fighters don't have to worry about dealing with the packs while moving about in combat."

"Ah," he says. "Well. We're not going to find people who will work with us."

"So you think," I say. "Maybe your mysterious shadow will join us for the hunt."

Something I've noticed anytime I'm around Adam these last few days is a wolfkin who kind of stands out. He looks to be in his late twenties or early thirties, and has has pitch-black hair with eyes that are more orange than gold. His outfits consist of black and greys and he wields a sword on each hip. Whether or not he's trying to hide himself, I'm not sure, but I feel it's time to let him know that we're aware that he's following Adam around.

"Maybe," Adam shrugs.

"By the way," I say as we leave the inn. "You mentioned a few days ago about your grandfather being a Triple-Ranker. I know I could've looked up what that meant, but figured I'd ask you. My Status shows a Rank as well."

"Oh, that," Adam says. "Few people ever go above Level 35, even for adventurers. They reach a point where they're comfortable and then stop as higher stats aren't really needed unless you're going deep into wilderness, facing down a powerful demon, or taking on a high-tier Dungeon.

"When you reach Total Class Level 100," he continues. "You stop gaining Experience and can undergo something called a Rank Advancement Trial. It's a very difficult, very challenge trial that basically proves you're worth your abilities. It can kill you. If you complete it, however, you gain some decent boosts to all of your stats and can gain Levels again. I think you also gain an Ultimate Skill for it, but I'm not sure. Meeting someone who's done it once is extremely rare, though. Doing it three times makes you exceptional."

"Huh," I say. "Sounds pretty neat. So your grandpa was like, peak warrior?"

"Yup," Adam answers. "Using dragonfire weed was basically the only the way for people to put a dent in his life. We really did stay out of the conflict at the border, too. Killing our entire clan for that was stupid as fuck and it pisses me off and-"

"Adam," I interrupt before he can burst again. "Are you looking for the dragon to have it take revenge?"

"What?" Adam gives me a confused look. "No. I already killed the assholes responsible for it. They were weak as fuck and only resorted to dragonfire weed because they were cowards. I don't know what their plan was."

So then he's not looking for revenge?

"In that case… what the heck are you looking for a dragon for?" I ask. "And this specific one, too?"

"My grandpa entrusted me with something as he died," Adam answers. "Asked me to deliver it to the dragon. I don't know what it is. It's a small orb, but doesn't have any information when I look at it through the System."

"Doesn't everything?" I ask. "Except monsters, people, animals, and such? I mean, even plants that are still alive have information in the System."

"Yeah," Adam nods. "I kind of suspect it's something divine in nature, those are known to be immune to inspection through the System."

That's not something I knew, but I file the information away in case it becomes important later.

"Do you think it was smart to let the tail know we knew he was following me?" Adam asks. "What if he starts doing it more discreetly? Or hires someone who doesn't stand out as much? Or makes a move to attack?"

"I don't get that kind of vibe from him," I say. "And how well do you think he or a new tail would manage to hide from your senses?"

Adam thinks on that for a few moments, then shrugs. As it turns out, a dragon's senses are exceptionally powerful and demihuman dragons have a significant portion of it. This town was built to handle the senses of beastkin, but Adam claims that he can hear stuff going on a few buildings away from the inn we're staying at. When he's submerged his head in the bath.

I'm not sure if he's serious about that or exaggerating, but it's pretty evident that his senses are good. The fact that he can actually be so calm and collected when assaulted by all the things he's taking in right now amazes me a little.

The Dungeon Guild is located near the northern end of the town, on one of its highest sections. Though the town was built off of the river that flows down the mountains as normal, it was built on this sloped area rather than a more flat one because it was easier to gain access to the Dungeon Gate that way. They actually constructed a building around the Dungeon Gate, and that building is the headquarters for Caniton's Dungeon Guild.

Due to Caniton nearing a city in size with its almost five thousand residents, there are actually quite a few people in the Dungeon Guild's headquarters when we arrive. Workers at the main counter, workers behind the bar for ordering food and drinks, and various adventurers here looking to head into the Dungeon or finishing up their business inside of it. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that the Dungeon Guild also handles various forms of adventuring in the wilderness north of Caniton as well.

"Hello, how can I help you?" The worker I approach greets me when it's our turn at the counter.

"Hello," I say. "My name's Jamie and this is Adam. We're both swordsmen looking for Party members to go into the Dungeon with us. If possible, we'd also like to hire someone to carry loot for us so that we don't have to worry about it."

"Fill out this form here," she reaches under the counter and pulls out a clipboard. "And we can post the notice up on the board. It may take some time to form the Party, please note on there when you're planning on going in. Do know that a sooner run might not yield members."

"Understandable," I say.

"Let me come with you."

"Fuck off."

"Hey!" Caleb protests. "You didn't even look at me! I'm a skilled martial artist who specializes in striking with magic! I can be of great help in this Dungeon!"

"And how can we trust you to not 'accidentally' hit Adam in the meantime?" I look at him. "So fuck off."

"I swear on my honor as a member of the Titan's Grasp that I will not bring harm to Adam while in the Dungeon!" Caleb thumps his right fist to his chest.

"I don't think I can trust anyone from a group that puts 'grasp' in their name," I turn back and start filling out the form. "That just sounds like they don't want to let go. Sort of like you and your quest to collect payment on that job you were hired for. Don't think we didn't notice you watching Adam the last few days. You were looking for an opportunity for when his guard was down."

"How about… I swear on my honor as an ex-boyfriend who got tossed six hundred yards that I want to run the Dungeon, too?"

As I go to look at Caleb in confusion, I notice that Adam's face is bright red.

"I don't care about your relationship status," I say. "I'm sure you got thrown because you were an annoying shit. Now leave me alone, I'm trying to fill out paperwork and you are not joining my Party."

"Adam didn't tell you?" Caleb asks as I return to filling out the paperwork.

"Tell me what?" I ask. "That you tried to kill him when you first met?"

"That wasn't our first meeting," Caleb says. "I'm from near where Adam's clan lived. He's the ex."

I glance at Adam, who mutters something about bad judgment. Several of the nearby beastkin snort at that.

"So you did something to piss him off," I say. "He dumped you, threw you six hundred yards – ignoring the logistics of that considering his Strength – and now you decided to accept a job for killing him?"

"First, he convinced a dragon to throw me," Caleb says. "Second, I woke up to find that he'd vacated the area completely. Third, I didn't do anything to piss him off, he just decided he was done with me after his clan was wiped out. Fourth-"

"Bullshit," Adam interrupts. "You told me that my clan getting wiped out was just a fact of war and that it was our fault for having someone so strong there! Then I realized that the only reason I was with you in the first place was because you were good at taking it in the ass! When I tried to break it off because of how annoying you were, you insisted that there was nothing wrong and we could stay together! And I didn't convince the dragon to throw you, he decided to on his own because of how fucking annoying you are! All I did was vent to him about what a piece of shit you are!"

"You also killed my dad!"

"Your dad helped poison my clan! You're lucky I stopped at just the ones who came after us rather than the entire village like my people normally do, or you'd also be-"

"Boys! Put them back in the pants before I whip it out and show you both just how inferior you are!"

The argument between them stops as the entire lobby goes quiet.

"Adam," I say. "You need to tell me in the future if a bounty hunter coming after you is after your head because he's pissed you killed his dad in retaliation for killing your family. Important information needs to be shared with the Party. Caleb, I've already stabbed you once, don't make me follow up on the threat to actually kill you. From what I hear, your dad had it coming so putting the blame on Adam is absolutely inappropriate. Both of you, I'm only taking into the Dungeon with me people I can trust to behave themselves during the trip, so if I can't trust that you're going to work as a team with myself and whoever else is in there, then you don't get to go! I need people who can keep a level head while fighting and exploring a place filled with monsters that we can't leave until we reach a certain point. Am I clear?"

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Adam and Caleb reluctantly accept the scolding.

"Thank you!" I turn back to the clerk. "Sorry about that. I feel like I've been dealing with a lot of over-sized children for the last week. The form asks for the type of party members I'm looking for. Is that referring to combatants, supporters, and loot-carriers?"

"Yes," she answers. "And what specific types you're looking for as well. Archers, mages, healers, defenders, close-range combatants… even the more specific types can be specified. Make sure to note the general power range you're looking for."

Based on what I heard about the Dungeon, it doesn't have any flying monsters. I'm only planning on the first Zone today as well, so people who can deal in brute force are better. Maybe one supporter, one person to carry the loot, and two or three other close-range physical fighters.

"I can handle both carrying the loot and fighting at close range," a voice says, and I look over to find the man who's been following Adam around approaching us. "I have a dimensional storage space that we can put the loot in. The space is quite large, so we can fit plenty in it."

Accompanying the man is a younger man about our age, dressed similarly to the older man and resembling him a fair bit. Father and son, then? The son doesn't have any weapons on him, though.

"Finally decided to approach us, eh?" I ask.

"It's your companion who has my attention," he looks at Adam. "I want to see the abilities of this young man who's looking for the dragon Avuldrax for myself. You can call me Fang and my son Claw. I fight with swords while Claw battles with martial arts. The first stage is child's play to me, so we'll act as backup when needed rather than as primary attackers. Do you think your sword will be enough in there?"

"I can do martial arts as well," I say. "And not all of the monsters are made of stone, according to my research."

Fang nods, then looks at Caleb. The snow leopardkin shrinks back a little under the man's intense gaze. Then Fang looks at me once more.

"If you take both into the Dungeon with us," Fang tells me. "I'm sure they'll behave themselves. The snow leopardkin wouldn't dare attempt to sabotage a Dungeon run by bickering with someone who returned less than eye for eye. That's the sort of thing that would cause misfortune to befall him."

Caleb gulps, then gives a reluctant nod. Something tells me that the wolfkin was delivering a very clear threat to him.

"You cause the slightest issue with our run," I tell Caleb. "And I will personally see to your death."

"Understood," Caleb responds.

"Can we join?" A pair of women and a guy our age approach, all three of them brown-haired wolfkin, all three with bows; it was one of the women who spoke. "We're archers who specialize in casting magical arrows, our attacks can damage the monsters to some degree. They're good for tripping them up or causing distractions. We were looking for a Party for the first Zone."

Going off of the quality of their gear, they're all somewhat beginners as well. My instincts are telling me that we can accept them for the run as well. Those same instincts assure me that Fang and Claw can be trusted in there.

"Alright," I say. "That makes eight out of fifteen slots, but I think this should be enough."

"Then there's room for three more, yes?" A voice asks.

"Your Lordship!" The clerk exclaims, and I turn to face the speaker.

The speaker is a white-haired wolfkin who looks to be in his late forties, a sword on his hip. Accompanying him is a woman and a man, both foxkin with hair just as snow-white as the wolfkin's, both appearing to be in their late thirties.

"Lordship?" I ask.

"The duke of Caniton," Fang says. "Been a long time, Charles."

"Hello, 'Fang'," the way Duke Caniton says that suggests that Fang isn't his real name, which probably should have been obvious. "Been what, a century?"

A century? If he only looks to be in his forties but is over a century in age, then he must have a high Vitality. While I didn't look into ways that it could be increased, something tells me that both of these men are Rankers to have the Vitality needed to look as young as they do at their ages.

"Didn't think you'd be interested in a couple of boys like this," Fang says.

"Hm…" The duke looks at Adam. "The demihuman dragon is interesting, using the token that was given to Asher three centuries ago. A direct descendant, from what I've assumed?"

"My grandfather's name is Asher," Adam says. "The token was his. He gave it to me right before he died."

Fang snorts and Adam glares at him.

"An amusing thought came to mind," Fang tells Adam. "Nothing to concern yourself with. So you wanted to see the abilities of Asher's grandson for yourself?"

"Actually," the duke looks at me. "He was only a small part of my interest. I was curious about the Summoned accompanying him. You are… fascinating."

He could tell I was a Summoned? I'm curious about how.

"Fascinating in what sense?" I ask.

"You're not the first Summoned I've met in my time," the duke says. "But the aura you give off is… unique. Even among the Summoned. Something tells me that the Skills you were given by the gods are leagues above the rest. I'd like to see your abilities for myself. If you don't mind me and these two guards accompanying us. Much like Fang and Claw, we can stand in the back and let you all do the fighting, stepping in only if needed."

In other words, he wants to test me. I don't sense anything hostile coming from him, it does seem to be mostly curiosity that's led him to approaching us. That doesn't make me any less nervous about having several very obviously powerful people watching my Dungeon run.

Though I'm not sure refusing is much of an option. Since I don't sense anything hostile, though, I'm sure I can relax a little.

"Alright," I nod, then turn to the clerk. "Looks like we don't need the form after all. Sorry for wasting your time."

"That's fine," she says. "You can head back to the Dungeon once you're ready, and we have rooms for Party members to get to know each other if you'd like to use one."

"Thank you," I turn to the collection of people who are to join my Party. "Let's use one of those, shall we? We can do some proper introductions in there."

Somehow, we end up with another three people in our group by the time we make it to the meeting room; a grey-haired wolfkin man in his late forties and two golden-haired dogkin women in their late thirties. At this point, I'm just assuming any older person joining us is going to be someone important. The fact that this man was shown some respect by everyone we pass by and seems to be on a first-name basis with the duke seconds that.

"Alright," I put a chair against the door. "There's only one more slot in this Party and we're not filling it up. I'll get started on the introductions, but first, I want to be clear that based on what I know of this Dungeon, we could be in there for the entire day, possibly several days, just to complete the first Zone. Does everyone understand that and accept that they may not be returning home tonight?"

Everyone acknowledges this fact and confirms that they accept it.

"Alright," I say. "We'll introduce ourselves, our fighting style, our role and goal in the Dungeon, and maybe a little bit else about ourselves. My name is Jamie, and I'm the head of the Fangs of Fire-"

"I thought it was the Flaming Tail?" Adam asks.

"I changed the name," I say. "Do I need to get a talking object? I thought we left that behind when we left Finlar and Finlum?"

Several people snort when I mention the name of the villages. Something tells me they've had first-hand experience with those guys down there.

"Now," I say. "Back to the introductions. My name is Jamie, and I'm the head of the Fangs of Fire. I'm also the one heading the Dungeon run, so it's my Party anyone joining will be in. I primarily fight with a sword, though I also know martial arts and how to use a knife. While I don't know any magic, that won't hinder my fighting style.

"As the duke here mentioned," I gesture to the duke. "I'm a Summoned. I was only brought here less than a month ago, so I'm still learning about this world. As no doubt everyone knows since we Summons aren't an uncommon existence here on Tielmar, that means I have some pretty unique abilities. The important one is that my body is somewhat adaptable to the situation. I haven't tested it out, but there's an implication that I'll be able to gain some Strength and Constitution as needed as long as the difference isn't too high. I don't want to have to test that out, however. In the Dungeon, I'll be focusing on the more squishy monsters. My goal in the Dungeon is to get stronger and acquire some loot to bring back."

I gesture for Adam to speak.

"I'm Adam," Adam states. "I fight with a sword, martial arts, a knife, and some magic mixed in. For the Dungeon, I'll probably mostly use martial arts against the opponents as they're fairly resistant to blades. My goal with the Dungeon is to get a little bit stronger and grow my hoard of money. In an emergency, I'm able to temporarily cover myself in dragon scales that are as tough as authentic dragon scales, meaning my defense becomes significantly superior to what my Constitution would suggest when I activate that ability."

That's new to me, but I think Adam's only stating it because he's trying to let the others here know that he can make himself extremely tough if needed. I'm curious what the cost is for that, though.

"Contrary to what that thing claims," Adam says. "I never dated it. I fucked it for a month and a half until it tried to defend its father assisting in the unwarranted slaughter of my clan just because we had someone powerful there and despite the fact that we stayed out of the conflicts with your kingdom."

"My name's Caleb," Caleb says once Adam finishes. "I'm a member of the mercenary group known as the Titan's Grasp and am currently under contract for a job to hunt down and kill the demihuman dragon who came into our town and slaughtered forty-seven people."

"Village," Adam says.

"It's had more than two thousand residents for ten years," Caleb states. "That makes it a town."

"Glorified village."

"I'm serious about getting a talking object," I say.

"I primarily fight using magic martial arts," Caleb continues his introduction. "In other words, my focus isn't on Strength but on Magic. I can do it with arcane force, the four base elements, the three primary afflictions, and holy."

"Four base elements are fire, water, earth, and air, right?" I ask.

"Yes," Caleb answers.

"What are the primary afflictions?"

"Poison, sleep, and stun," he answers.

"Got it."

"In the Dungeon, I'll be assisting as a primary combatant utilizing my martial arts," Caleb says. "My goal in the Dungeon is to get stronger."

"You may call me Fang," Fang says. "I fight using swords and in the Dungeon, I will provide backup assistance if necessary to those going in to get stronger. I will also utilize my dimensional storage to help bring back any loot acquired within. My goal in the Dungeon is to observe the grandson of Asher, the demihuman dragon who came to this town three centuries ago and slayed the dragon that was causing issues here as well as fixing other issues that were going on at the time."

So that is what Adam's grandfather did, huh?

"You may call me Claw," Fang's son introduces himself. "I fight using martial arts. In the Dungeon, I will provide backup assistance to the people who are here to actually run the Dungeon. Like my father, I'll also utilize my dimensional storage to help bring back loot. My goal with the Dungeon is merely to help sate my curiosity about the grandson of Asher."

"My name is Katie," one of the young women introduces herself. "I'm the head of the Raven's Call Party, which consists of my boyfriend and girlfriend here in addition to myself. We used to have more members, but they abandoned us recently and we're looking for a new group. We've never been in the Dungeon before and are hoping that this run can help us gain a few Levels and earn some extra coin. I'm an archer who primarily uses conjured arrows of arcane force and conjured arrows of compressed air. As a ranged fighter, I'll provide backup to the close-combat fighters."

"My name is Elise," the other young woman introduces herself. "I'm a member of the Raven's Call Party and am Katie's girlfriend. I'm an archer who primarily uses conjured arrows of fire or conjured arrows of water, though can also use conjured arrows of ice. My role in the Dungeon will be to provide ranged assistance to the close-combat fighters, usually with my [Ice Arrow] spell. My goal with the run is to get stronger and earn some loot."

"My name is Chance," the young man introduces himself. "I'm a member of the Raven's Call Party and am Katie's boyfriend. I'm an archer who primarily uses conjured arrows of stone or conjured arrows of arcane force and will provide ranged assistance to the close-combat fighters in the Dungeon. My goal with today's run is to get stronger and earn some loot."

"My name is Charles," the duke introduces himself. "I'm the duke here of Caniton and the surrounding areas, but you can all call me by name for the purpose of the Dungeon run. I fight using a sword and will provide backup assistance to those actually attempting to run the Dungeon if needed. Much like Fang and Claw, I have a dimensional storage ring that I can help store loot with. My goal in the Dungeon is to observe the abilities of the Summoned and to observe the grandson of the dragon who provided a great assistance to the territory three centuries ago."

"My name is Phillip," the foxkin man accompanying Charles introduces himself. "I am one Charles's aides. My primary fighting style utilizes knives mixed with magic. Much like Charles, I am here to observe the Summoned and provide backup assistance to the primary group as needed."

"I am Michelle," the foxkin woman accompany Charles introduces herself. "I am one of Charles's aides and my primary fighting style involves magic. I will provide backup assistance to the primary group as needed and am here to assist in the observation of the demihuman dragon."

"My name is Henry," the wolfkin man who joined us on the way here introduces himself. "I am the head of Caniton's Dungeon Guild and am a magic martial artist, much like the mercenary here. I have a spatial storage ring we can store loot in as needed and will provide backup assistance to the primary group as needed. My goal with the Dungeon is to observe the grandson of Asher and the Summoned who came here. Mostly, I'm curious about the people who pulled Charles and 'Fang' out of their hiding holes."

So seeing those two men are a rare sight, then? Even with one being the duke?

"I don't hide," Charles adds. "I mostly manage the city without drawing attention to myself. It's easier that way."

"Sure," Henry snorts.

"I am Tiffany," one of the dogkin women introduces herself. "Assistant Guildmaster of the Caniton Dungeon Guild. I am a magic martial artist and will provide backup assistance to the primary group as needed. I am here to provide assistance to Henry for the observations during the run."

"I am Jennifer," the other dogkin woman introduces herself. "Another Assistant Guildmaster of the Caniton Dungeon Guild. My specialty is healing magics and I will provide healing as needed to those in the Party for the duration of this run. My goal is to assist Henry with his observations during the Dungeon run."

"Alright," I say. "Now that introductions are out of the way, let's go to the Dungeon. Last chance for anyone to back out if they've changed their mind on potentially not being home tonight."

Sadly, no one does. While I'm grateful that we're basically guaranteed to survive no matter what, I'm not sure I feel good knowing that eight of the fourteen people going into the Dungeon are here to observe two of us. There are more observers than there are people here to actually run the Dungeon.

Please, whatever gods are out there, let this be a good run.