Firefly in the Dungeon

「Fragment III」Act, Placing the Stone

During their growing phase however, such a young sprouts is an easy prey for Evilus. As easy as setting an ambush in the Dungeon. With them disconnected from the surface, a rescue would come too late. That, or it wasn't discovered in the first place. After all, the death of an Adventurer during their dungeon diving is a common occurrence.

Exploiting such blindspot, Evilus will prevent Orario from having any future High Class Adventurer, which is beneficial for their advantage. And even with some extra resources, culling some High Class Adventurer would still be possible.

It was also not limited to attacking. The fact that Evilus is capable of recruiting people speaks itself, and judging from their member willingness to throw their life, brainwashing wasn't excluded from the list.

Gaining support from another faction, be it from outside or inside Orario is also within the possibility. Took the Guild's monopoly over magic stone market as example, a gold mine in the plain sight. Because greed exist in the heart of many, an overly greedy person would be tempted to have their hands on it without much thought―specifically, merchant.

Now that i think about it, their naming sense was spot on. . . kind of. Alice muttered, before looking at her scribble.

With her thought written on the piece of paper, Alice next purpose is to pass it on the right person. Preferably someone who is smart enough to take the warning but doesn't put much trust into it, but still held some power to move the masses. After all, its nothing but a thought based on short time observations. Yet, having a precaution is better than being clueless.

Then again, giving it openly is not an option for her. As much as she is willing to help everyone, this was all she could do currently without rising much problem at hands. At least until she had her foothold standing strong. Which is strong enough for her voice to held some weight against many.

"Who will, it be, i wonder. . ?" Alice said in another sigh.

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While it took time to find the right person, Alice used the time gap to get her own starting point. Because living in a civilization can be quiet harsh, so does the current predicament. As even Alice herself shackled by the thing called financial.

She needs money. Desperately. That's why her eyes were set on the ground, for the easiest way to obtain money in Orario lies beneath the very place she stood.

Easiest yet also the hardest. Alice is well aware that the Adventurers is capable of earning milions of Valis―that is how the currency called, in a single expedition. If not, how could they afford some of those magically enhanced equipment Alice happen to see from the window of some blacksmith's shop? The price alone was enough to bury someone to death.

Yet to enter the dungeon and sell those magic stone, Alice need to register as an Adventurer herself at the Guild. That lead her back to the beginning, because one will need a Familia to register, or turth to be told, being one that has received Falna. At least, that's the common sense of ordinary, still sane, person. As Alice will not be surprised if there is some that is trying to earn money with such means even if they are Falna-less. Not that she couldn't. However Alice doubt if they were paid that well.

There is also a side of the Adventurer which people is often blind to. Because to the contrary of their glorified image, Adventurer is a harsh job with many risks, with death as one of them. As for a Low Class Adventurer that is the majority in the city, maintenance cost of their Equipment is often took a big portion of their earnings, leaving just enough for them to enjoy few days rest.

". . . Black, company." Alice muttered to herself. The side of her lips were twitching ever so slightly.

On the other hand, with such a restrained choice, Alice couldn't just join any Familia without deep thought consideration, and while it was a play-safe on her side, it does have some downside such as this time.

Starting from scratch, is always tough, isn't it? she thought so.

Unable to think of any better options, Alice finally decided to put her possession on use, hoping for some quick way out. Turth to be told, she is a hoarder even if money is not included in her list, and in a way, she is a loot goblin. A wierd person that like to have every single thing within her grasp, from a lump of coal to legendary-level treasure. Though she doesn't mind to sacrifice some of it depending on the situation, especially if it could save lives. She even has a series of stone with smiley face on it.

Looking at the smiley-faced stone that she took out from her robes, Alice began to wonder absentmindedly. "How much, is this worth. . ?"

She had no clue.

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