-Mysterious Dungeon(1)-

The next day, Kenshin and others checked out of the hotel they were staying in and headed for their next destination. After a whole day of touring, they checked in another hotel and had Mrs. Yui and the kids retire for the night.

“Ena, listen, you are in charge of keeping them safe. Got it?” Kenshin reminded seriously, not that he needed to in the first place. “Also, be careful of that man coming for revenge. Trashes like him will do anything to have revenge for littlest of matters.” As an afterthought, Kenshin warned Ena. He had seen people like that Mohawk man before. Often they were closed-minded fools, seeking revenge for the tiniest of grievances they suffered. What makes them dangerous, however, was their nature to go any length to achieve their motives.

He didn’t want the kids and Mrs. Yui to suffer any problem in their absence. Ena would be more than enough to handle any trouble coming their way. However, she would be useless when the opponent uses political power to deal with them. Thinking of this, Kenshin sighed and decided to add another layer of protection just in case.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Yuki’s number.

“Hey honey, how is your vacation going?” Yuki asked in a tone that made Kenshin sweatdrop.

“You are definitely angry.” Kenshin smiled bitterly. “I told you to come with us as well. Who told you to deny it?”

“But I couldn’t help it. I have way too much work piled up for me. It's your fault for choosing such a time to go on a vacation.” Yuki pouted. Her bitterness was clear as day in her voice.

“I am sorry then… if you didn’t like it, you could have said it when I asked. I would have postponed this vacation.” A sigh escaped Kenshin's lips. He couldn’t understand why she was so difficult to understand sometimes. He asked her opinion many times before planning this trip. Now she was blaming him.

“I’m just complaining. Don’t mind me.” Yuki sighed. She understood it was unreasonable for her to blame Kenshin now. But, she just wanted to act spoiled.

“Alright. Don’t worry. After I return, we will go to Moscow.” Kenshin already had a plan about that.

“To meet Vera?” Yuki asked with an indescribable undertone.

“Yes. I still haven’t thanked her for the help back then.” Kenshin’s voice became a lot softer when Vera’s mentioned. He had a deep sense of gratitude towards her. She helped him a lot during that mission to the north. Moreover, it was she who helped him condense his Intent back then.

After coming back from pushing that hand back inside he didn’t find her anywhere. After asking around, he found she had returned with her foster parents. They were level 150 hunters and had a very high status. This event had become a knot in his heart. Last time he asked Yuki to help him find her, and after a lot of searching, she finally found her.

“Alright. So, why did you call me? It's not to gloat at me, right?”

“Who do you take me for, a five years old kid!? Kenshin said to her his worries. After hearing everything, Yuki’s brow twitched in exasperation. “Kenshin, tell me honestly. Are you cursed by some protagonist disease? Why the hell are you keep getting dragged into these situations?”

“Sometimes, I too feel that’s the case.” Kenshin had nothing to say in his defense. That Kawakuchi family fiasco also happened from something like this. Now he pissed off the young master of another powerful family.

“Sigh… alright. I understand. I will keep an eye on them. You have Ena to protect them from all physical harm. I am here for all kinds of legal troubles they might face. Don’t worry, and go wild inside that dungeon.”

“I will! I have to defeat a dragon, after all. If I don’t become stronger, how can I challenge one?” From that sentence, Yuki felt his determination loud and clear. Her eyes couldn’t help but moisten at this.

“You are still hung up on it? Kenshin, I don’t want you to put your life in danger just because of me. You think I will feel better if something happens to you?” Yuki protested vehemently. Although she felt sweet, her rational side didn’t want Kenshin to go on such a dangerous endeavor.

“Don’t worry. I will not die that easily.” Kenshin said softly. Well, with his extra lives, he would really not die that easily. “Alright, I am hanging up the call. Talk to you later.”

“Wait, Kenshin!” Suddenly Yuki shouted, “You should know something about that dungeon.”

“What is it?” Kenshin asked, feeling interested in what she was about to say.

“There is a bounty on that dungeon. There’s a reward for those who can clear it. But make sure to not reveal what you see inside to the world.” Yuki warned very seriously.

Kenshin frowned. While the reward didn’t interest him, he was more than a little worried about the condition of not revealing the content outside. Nonetheless, since Yuki didn't say any further, it means she didn’t know anything more about this.

“Alright. I will not reveal anything. But, did you know if someone cleared this dungeon or not?” Kenshin felt it was very suspicious that so many mysteries were surrounding that place. Even though so many people run into it every day, it was still shrouded in a thick fog of unknown facts.

“No one ever managed to even pass through the first floor. That’s all I know. Even someone of my status isn’t privy to details of this dungeon.”

…

“Let’s go,” Kenshin said to Joy and Chiba after ending the call with Yuki.

“What did she say? She should know some insider information, right?” Joy asked hopefully.

“Nothing new in particular. The news about this dungeon, is heavily protected by some higher-ups. Not even someone of her rank has the clearance to read them.” Kenshin revealed whatever he heard from Yuki about this dungeon, even the bounty. Finally, he gave them the same warning Yuki gave him.

“I wonder what so strange about this place, prompting the officials to issue so many rules and regulations.” Chiba frowned while creasing her thin eyebrows. She was more than a little worried from the beginning. She preferred to raid safe places, not risking into going to dangerous places. That didn’t mean she lacked the courage. This dungeon was clearly out of her safe zone, so she was feeling a lot more apprehensive. It's only because of the unbound trust in Kenshin and Joy that she even came in the first place.

“Don’t worry, Chiba. If things go south, we will protect you.” Kenshin said while patting her forehead. He understood her concerns, but it’s a path they have chosen. After hearing about Yuki’s condition, Joy and Chiba also swore to help him defeat a dragon.

According to Tar’el, even someone of his strength couldn’t even dent the outer scale of a real dragon, let alone defeat it, forget about Joy and Chiba. Clearly, they lacked in the strength department.

Good thing was that there was a dragon in this world. All they have to do was to grow stronger. When they were adequately strong, Tar’el will reveal the location.