NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 44
“What? We don’t have a porter?”
A voice echoed through a section of the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Y-yes… It seems he caught some kind of nasty illness from our last dungeon expedition, and now he’s bedridden.”
The one raising his voice was Thomas, the leader of the Silver Shield clan in the royal capital.
Although Silver Shield only had about 20 members, they were actively involved in training newcomers and challenging high-rank dungeons.
Thanks to those efforts, their rookies had been growing steadily, and the clan had recently secured a solid position as a mid-tier group in the capital.
“Damn it… Now that you mention it, he did look pale when we got back.”
Thomas was a man with a strong sense of responsibility. He couldn’t help but feel guilty about the porter suffering from illness.
“What should we do? Worst case, do we go without a porter?”
One of the members in their raid party asked.
“No. We’re heading into a Rank IV dungeon this time. If we don’t have his [Item Box], we’re screwed.”
When tackling dungeons, the guild enforced minimum party size requirements to prevent reckless rookies from underestimating the dangers and getting wiped out.
Rank I: Minimum 4 members
Rank II: Minimum 5 members
Rank III: Minimum 6 members
The stronger the adventurer, the less they tended to take unnecessary risks. For that reason, Rank IV and above required a six-person team at a minimum.
Conversely, anyone below Rank IV was still considered a rookie.
“The rest of the team is ready to go, and besides—this is a dungeon we’ve been eyeing for a while. I won’t sit around and let another clan snatch it from under us.”
For this expedition, Silver Shield had already sent members ahead to map out the dungeon.
With a completed map, all that was left was to advance to the boss and take it down.
So far, no other clans had attempted a proper raid. But in a few days? That could change entirely.
By the time their regular porter recovered, the dungeon might already be cleared.
“In that case, how about hiring a porter from the guild?”
At this suggestion, Thomas placed a hand on his chin, deep in thought.
Dungeons weren’t just cleared by combatants. There were also non-combatants who specialized in carrying supplies—porters.
Those with the [Item Box] blessing or skill, but without combat abilities, often worked as porters.
They were responsible for carrying food, water, potions, and other supplies, as well as collecting and transporting loot.
Since porters did not participate in combat, even students and those without qualifications for high-rank dungeons were allowed to take on the role.
“But unless they have an [Item Box] as large as his…”
A Rank IV dungeon typically required several days to clear.
Even with a pre-made map, they’d still need someone who could store at least a week’s worth of supplies for the entire party.
The porters waiting in the guild hall were used to low-rank dungeons.
Even if they didn’t have to fight, the monsters in Rank IV dungeons were significantly stronger.
It would probably be too much for them to handle.
Postpone the raid? Or push through despite the risks?
Thomas was stuck, unable to find a clear answer—
—when suddenly.
“Um, excuse me.”
A voice broke through the tense atmosphere.
“Hm? What is it?”
Thomas kept his emotions in check as he turned to face the speaker.
“I couldn’t help but overhear… You’re heading into a dungeon, but your porter is out?”
The boy before them showed no signs of nervousness. Instead, he gave them a bright, confident smile.
“If it’s alright with you… would you let me join as your porter?”
“You?”
Thomas narrowed his eyes.
The boy was dressed in beginner gear, the kind sold at shops.
Not only that, but Thomas could tell immediately that the equipment had never been used before.
Silver Shield took pride in training rookies, but…
This was a multi-day dungeon expedition.
Bringing along an inexperienced porter was a huge risk.
Thomas was about to refuse outright when—
“Ah, sorry! I suppose you need to see it first before deciding.”
The boy smiled apologetically—
And then—
“Here, this is my [Item Box].”
He activated his skill.
“…What the—”
“Whoa! This is amazing!”
His party members gasped in shock.
Thomas, too, found himself unable to look away.
The [Item Box] before them was—
Even larger than the one their usual porter had.
“Well? What do you think?”
After a moment of silence—
“I’m Thomas, leader of the Silver Shield Clan.”
Before he even realized it, Thomas had extended his hand.
The boy blinked in surprise—then, realizing what that gesture meant—
“I’m Eric. Nice to meet you.”
He grinned as he took Thomas’s hand in a firm handshake.