Inside the reconstructed Golden Sun Wood Tavern.

"Let me tell you guys!

Back then, that Big Black Mushroom Man, just one punch! One punch!

Punched out such a—big—hole in the ground!

Knocked all of us down."

The green-clad adventurer, in an effort to be understood by others, spread his arms wide to gesture the width of that pit.

But clearly, not everyone was buying it. A scruffy adventurer sneered and questioned:

"A big-sized black mushroom would be understandable, considering there's a bunch of weird walking mushrooms down there now. But you say the sixth floor?

Everyone knows walking mushrooms don't go beyond the fifth floor.

Let alone the power you described, which obviously exceeds the scope of sixth-floor demons.

Even tenth-floor monsters would struggle to make such an impact as you described.

Moderate your exaggerations, alright?

Too much of it just makes people see through the lie right away."

The green-clad adventurer flushed red with embarrassment, stomped on the table, and fought back:

"I swear it's true, you can go ask my teammates.

If you go to the sixth floor now, you can still see that pit!

Do you dare to bet…"

Dylan picked his ear, wondering if the Big Black Mushroom being described seemed familiar.

Could it be the one he was thinking of?

Forget it, why think so much.

Savoring the taste, he drank the rich and mellow wine in his hand, far superior to the bad booze at the Rotten Willow Tavern.

Though, he wasn't quite used to it.

Dylan felt he was being somewhat mean, but it wasn't something he could control.

Now it's his third day up.

The reason he was sitting in the Golden Sun Wood Tavern instead of the Rotten Willow Tavern was because—

Cole, that fool, had a mishap!

Someone reported him for stealing equipment from dead adventurers.

He got caught, and the shop was closed.

Though everyone despised Cole's actions, the happiest person was probably the owner of the Golden Sun Wood Tavern.

Dylan even started to think maybe the owner was the one who reported him.

The Rotten Willow Tavern was closed, but not everyone could afford long-term consumption at the Golden Sun Wood Tavern.

For a time, low-ranking adventurers without a place to go were complaining, thereby putting significant pressure on the top.

It seemed they said they would send someone from the guild to keep the Rotten Willow Tavern running.

However, everyone was skeptical about whether the guild could manage the tavern well.

In fact, in Dumb Wind Town now, the guild's reputation has plummeted to rock bottom.

Last time, hiding the resonance event caused heavy casualties among adventurers.

Even though substantial compensation was provided afterward, adventurers' trust couldn't be restored.

Not to mention, the one managing Dumb Wind Town's branch is still the culprit of that event—Oberon!

Many can't understand what those bigshots in the main guild were thinking.

Rather than locking him up, they restored his position?

For a while, various rumors spread among adventurers.

Some say Oberon has a huge network of interests protecting him.

Or that Oberon gifted a large S level magic crystal to the top, dodging a disaster.

Among rumors, the most ludicrous yet widespread was:

Oberon sold tricks to the guild's bigshots for ten consecutive days, relying on exceptional skills to reclaim his branch president chair.

From the rumors, it's evident how unpopular this branch president is among adventurers now.

Dylan was indifferent to what was happening at the top; he only knew that this time, perhaps he had to compromise and buy wine from the Golden Sun Wood Tavern.

After all, having something is better than nothing, and he wasn't short of money right now.

He had already sent the boss's letter and the S level magic crystal through the guild's mailing network.

Using the highest standard of red letter, sending just one letter costs 3 gold coins.

Correspondingly, if the letter didn't reach the recipient, the guild will take full responsibility.

After fulfilling the boss's request, Dylan went to find the information brokers.

Paid a 10 silver deposit, asking them to inquire about Bella's whereabouts.

Given the boss's generous salary and frequent bonuses, he is almost close to saving 100 gold now.

It's about time to send this money, which he doesn't quite need, to his precious daughter.

Previously, he only inquired once, confirmed his daughter had recovered.

Afterward, he didn't get a chance to know his daughter's situation, so during this trip up, he conveniently handled these matters.

While unnoticed by people around, he quietly sipped on some magic potion.

Dylan only hoped those information brokers would act quickly.

-----------------

Rebuilding the Dumb Wind Town Adventurer's Guild is a massive project.

Even though the Demon Tide had passed for a while, only half of the guild was reconstructed.

Among the completed half included the branch president's office.

The office door was lightly knocked.

"Come in—" Oberon's muddled voice sounded like his throat was soaked in a vat of wine.

Mira Belle frowned at the branch president in front, who was drunk even in broad daylight.

Oberon's body, corroded by the Three-headed Serpent's venom, had fully recovered under the effect of regeneration potion.

However, the newly grown skin had a noticeable color difference from the old skin, looking quite odd.

People had started calling him a two-faced man privately.

"President, here's the latest underground city change report."

Mira Belle continued to fulfill her responsibilities as usual.

Oberon glanced, burped, and asked: "What... what changes?"

"About the ecological change report caused by the appearance of Puki on the first five floors."

"Again... again with Puki, got it! You... go away."

Seeing Oberon, Mira Belle knew that if she left now, the report would be useless.

"President," she purposefully emphasized these two words, "do you plan to remain so degenerate? Shouldn't you be proving yourself again now?"

Mira Belle thought these words could persuade Oberon to pull himself together, but she clearly didn't know him well enough.

Oberon seemed hit at a sore point and complained hysterically:

"Prove myself?

Do you think... think they let me return to this position because they still value me?

Think... I have a chance to, rise... again?

Wrong!

I'm only here as a target!

During reconstruction, all grievances are pinned on me, and once order here is restored, I'll be immediately kicked out!

Ha-ha... ha-ha-ha...

Most likely, dumped to the Archipelago, right...

Who knows, might just die in the fog one day.

I'm finished... this life is over..."

After saying this, Oberon couldn't bother to pay attention to Mira Belle beside him.

He gulped down the spirits, numbing his nerves.

Mira Belle watched him, truly looking beyond saving.

She could only leave with her discontent.

As for that report?

Oberon never glanced at it from start to finish.

He no longer cared about what would happen to Dumb Wind Town or the Purple Crystal Dungeon.

He only wished to indulge and numb himself properly before being sent to the Archipelago.

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