Chapter 273: Signal
We successfully found the Pill Bug and managed to get everyone to remember it. Although, when I placed it on my hand, everyone looked a bit disgusted.
Pill Bugs don’t have very good eyesight, and it seems they detect scents in the air with their antennae. So, I thought it was necessary to make sure everyone remembered it properly.
“Now, it’s just Shiva, right?”
“Please take care of the kids too,” Dinoss said.
“I already explored with Tina and the others.”
“Wait! When did that happen?!”
“We went to play in the Forest to gather mushrooms and wild herbs together, that’s when.”
They aren’t in the shallow, bright part of the Forest, but there are places deeper in where they can be found.
“Could it have been quite a while ago…?!”
Dinoss looked shocked.
“Kids love bugs, after all. They were rolling it around in their palms, but I bet Tina will start to dislike it soon enough. I wonder if Shiva will be okay…”
I had this image that adult women generally dislike bugs, so I was a bit worried.
“Wow. A dangerous game of poking a Pill Bug without the parents knowing.”
Dean had a horrified expression on his face.
“If Gene is around, it shouldn’t be dangerous.”
Ash was having his palms wiped by the Butler.
“If you know they exist, you can burn them away!”
Chris said something terrifying.
“If it comes to that, we’ll evacuate.”
We need to protect the Pill Bug since it’s weak.
“Don’t you dare let anyone know you’re keeping a Pill Bug, alright?”
Retze warned me seriously.
With that, our discussion about Pill Bugs came to an end, and the next day we were off to search for the last Party. It was highly suspected that they were on the twenty-seventh floor for the Magic Crystal, but since it would be troublesome if we missed each other, we planned to methodically eliminate possible locations.
“Ah, a signal.”
After investigating the first base on the twenty-fifth floor, Retze said.
“A signal?”
“It’s a veteran among Adventurers who specializes in carrying loads and doing odd jobs, and who keeps their mouth shut.”
“Are you talking about someone who’s strong but follows a foolish group?”
“You really don’t hold back, do you?” Retze chuckled wryly.
I crouched down beside him, looking at the ground where Retze was focused. There were a few small white stones.
“Is that their signal?”
“Yeah. Judging by this shape, it’s four… Since this is the twenty-fifth floor, it could be the thirty-fourth or the fortieth. Well, I haven’t heard of anything noteworthy on the thirty-fourth floor, so if the Hero knew how deep they went, it would probably be the fortieth.”
“I’ve never heard of such a signal.”
Dean frowned.
“Given this group, it’s not just nobles who change plans outside of contracts.”
“Oh, so Adventurers do it too?”
If that became widely known, the signal would be destroyed, and we might face some unreasonable complaints.
“Exactly. So only a handful know about this. When someone finds this, they’re supposed to discreetly pass the information to the Guild. It’s a safety net for weaklings like me, so it’s no surprise Dean doesn’t know.”
As I listened to Retze’s explanation, we all leaned in to examine the small stones.
The lantern’s light illuminated our faces from below, casting shadows that made it hard not to smile.
“What if they changed their minds and took a different route? Or maybe something from the past remains?”
Dinoss asked.
“If they changed their minds after leaving, I wouldn’t know, but it’s not something from the past. The area around the signal has been recently leveled.”
The stones in this Labyrinth were damp, and a bit of soil that seemed to have crumbled was gathered in the depressions and edges. The small stones were placed half-hidden in that little bit of soil.
Is it just me, or does the soil here seem darker because it absorbs more water than in other places? It’s tough to tell, Retze-sensei!
The person who received the signal is supposed to break it when they return after fulfilling their request and head to the Guild.
If the destination of the request overlaps, they’re just supposed to be a bit cautious. They won’t actively pursue it. It’s all very casual, a faint spirit of mutual assistance.
“It’s like bringing back an Adventurer Tag.”
Retze said flatly.
During our exploration, if we find the body of an Adventurer, we take one tag and deliver it along with the location to the Guild.
“This time, it means Retze was on the rescue team, and this Adventurer had a bit of luck.”
Dinoss remarked.
“I’d like you to teach me how to read the signals later.”
Ash asked Retze. Me too, me too.
“Sure, but only in a well-lit place.”
Retze stood up, holding the lantern.
After confirming the point for the Magic Crystal on the twenty-seventh floor from a message left by a member of the Party we were chasing, we decided to head straight for the fortieth floor.
Being an Adventurer means there’s a lot to learn if you take it seriously!