Published: September 9, 2025
Satou here.
In recent games, emergency quests—sudden, limited-time challenges—add a little excitement to what could otherwise become monotonous gameplay. But in real life, why do emergency quests feel like nothing more than a pesky burden thrust upon us?
â—‡
Three days have passed since we defeated the bandits soaked in demonic enhancement potion. Besso and the explorers who possessed the potion were captured by the guild, and since then, no further attacks have occurred.
The day after that, at the guild master’s request, we investigated Rudaman’s hideout and illicit fields, but by then, they had already been abandoned, leaving only empty fields. Since the person who vacated it said so, there’s no mistake. The female guild staff who accompanied us collected Doomgrass and Self-Destruction Stem as evidence, then we returned to Labyrinth City.
“So the illicit fields were completely deserted?”
“Yes, the food and daily necessities were gone too, so they probably moved elsewhere.”
“We also searched for secret rooms, but as the Lord Noble said, no one remained. Since there were still unharvested Doomgrass and Self-Destruction Stem in the fields, it seems the mastermind bandits didn’t relocate them—they must have escaped on their own.”
In the guild master’s room, the female guild staff and I reported the investigation results.
“We also used magic to scan nearby passages, but found no one.”
“I see. Thank you for your efforts.”
“Will more people be sent to search for the abducted?”
“The location is deep in the backlands. Only those with the Iron Badge have the luxury to go that far and look for people. Even if they escaped on their own, they’d likely be devoured by monsters before returning to the surface.”
The guild master seemed to be giving up on rescuing or searching for them.
“Perhaps other explorers rescued them and they’re heading toward the surface.”
“That would be ideal.”
“I also think it’s unlikely, but I hope they return safely to their peaceful lives.”
“Let’s pray none of them have Refinement or alchemy skills.”
He seemed to brush off my words but added that last part.
“Why is that a problem?”
“Because if they had Refinement skills, they’d definitely be involved in making the demonic enhancement potion. Even those with alchemy skills would have been used for pre-processing. These people were enslaved to prevent the recipe from leaking, then locked away for life in the kingdom’s research facilities.”
“What about the others who were cultivating the plants?”
“The Doomgrass is one thing, but the Self-Destruction Stem is quite common inside the labyrinth, so there’s no problem.”
Hmm, so aside from those with alchemy skills, the others might be freed soon.
At that moment, the staff member hesitantly spoke up.
“Excuse me… may I?”
“What is it? Go ahead.”
“I think both the guild master and the Lord Noble are strong, so they imagine this, but normally, no one would attempt to break through the labyrinth teeming with monsters from a safe zone. Even if a few tried, the majority wouldn’t move without reasons like limited food supplies. In fact, ordinary crops were also cultivated in the fields.”
“So you’re saying there might be a hidden safe hideout nearby?”
“Yes, there could be concealed passages undetectable by magic, created by the Lord Noble’s retainer’s daughter.”
“Then let’s try torturing Rudaman and make him spill the truth.”
Apparently, Rudaman was tortured by the guild master afterward, but since he wasn’t killed, I decided not to dwell on it.
â—‡
The women protected at Ivy Manor were persuaded to stay with us because “releasing them immediately risks the mastermind killing them.” Curiously, only a handful strongly insisted on returning to the city, while most didn’t seem eager. I told them to wait about ten days. We’ll do something by then.
For now, the risk of the mastermind eliminating them is low.