Crazy Adventurers

Today was a carnival for adventurers, and for all of Adventurer Town.

In just one day, countless adventurers who entered the Dungeon had found magical equipment, rare monster materials, and even skill scrolls in treasure chests. One squad had even obtained the most valuable prize of all: a skill scroll.

That morning, a blood-soaked adventurer squad emerged from the Dungeon and took out a Fireball skill scroll in front of the many adventurers gathered at the entrance. The news instantly set everyone present ablaze.

But that was only the beginning. The adventurers who left the Dungeon afterward either brought out rare monster materials, Elemental Gems, or magical equipment.

There were even rumors that more than one skill scroll had been brought out of the Dungeon—there were several. However, no one knew which adventurer squads had obtained them.

The reason adventurers learned of this was that the only professional skill shop in Adventurer Town had put three new professional skill scrolls on sale that day. Every one of them was identical to the skill scroll that adventurer had displayed upon leaving the Dungeon.

Wealth and power—these two things that filled people with endless desire and motivation—instantly ignited all of Adventurer Town. Countless adventurers flooded madly into the Dungeon, and many even sent word back to their hometowns.

In the villages near Adventurer Town, young people who had once feared danger and death and wanted nothing more than to stay quietly at home were instantly overwhelmed by dreams of fortune and becoming professionals. One after another, they rummaged through their homes, dug out savings they had accumulated for years, and left their villages.

A vast number of ordinary villagers poured into Adventurer Town. Driven by desire, people without even a single professional skill spent all their savings on a few pieces of junk equipment, then rushed crazily into the Dungeon with hastily formed squads.

"Norton Squad is recruiting!"

"An adventurer squad led by veteran adventurer and peak Formal Professional Captain Norton is now recruiting newcomers with no conditions!"

"If you want to search the Dungeon for treasure, obtain skill scrolls and become a professional, or get rich overnight, then join us!"

"Captain Norton and the professional vice-captains will lead the team directly to the Fourth Layer. Everything you want is there!"

"Furthermore, Captain Norton promises that the bravest newcomer who contributes the most this time will receive a professional scroll!"

"That's right, a professional scroll! A professional scroll that lets you directly learn professional skills and gain a professional's power!"

In the square outside the Adventurers' Guild, more than a dozen young novice adventurers continuously shouted enticingly at the surrounding adventurers. Behind them stood Norton, radiating powerful battle aura. His black armor gave people a strong sense of security.

Beneath his raised visor, his face wore a resolute, steady, dependable expression. When his subordinates shouted the words "professional scroll," Norton took a professional scroll from his chest and held it high for all to see.

"Brothers, I am the captain of Norton Squad. To conquer the Dungeon as quickly as possible, I hereby announce that Norton Squad is expanding its recruitment. And I mean what I say—this professional scroll will be given free to the newcomer who contributes the most this time!"

One stone stirred a thousand waves.

When a genuine professional scroll appeared before them, ordinary people who had rushed in from the villages, newcomers who had only recently become adventurers, and even quite a few veterans all ran toward Norton Squad.

The moment such enormous temptation and profit truly appeared before them, greed utterly drowned reason and wisdom. Compared to the dangers that might await them, everyone was completely captivated by the immense temptation.

Everyone believed that they would be the lucky one to obtain everything.

In less than ten minutes, nearly a hundred people had joined Norton Squad. Yet even more novice adventurers still wanted to join. Norton not only accepted everyone who came, but even freely handed out some junk adventurer equipment to ordinary people in the squad who carried pitchforks, hoes, and sickles.

He patted their shoulders kindly and told them that they were welcome in Norton Squad. From then on, they would be brothers who lived and died together. As long as Norton had a bite to eat, his brothers would never go hungry.

In the end, Norton Squad recruited a full three hundred people. Together with its original several dozen members, the team of more than three hundred marched grandly toward the Dungeon entrance.

What happened to Norton Squad was merely a microcosm of Adventurer Town that day. More novice adventurers formed temporary squads, entered the Dungeon, and carried with them a thirst for wealth and extraordinary power.

"These people really are crazy."

Kuri had just walked out of the Adventurers' Guild when he looked at the groups of adventurer squads heading for the Dungeon. A large portion of them were merely ordinary people, and very few would truly leave the Dungeon alive with treasure.

But no one cared about the adventurers who died in the Dungeon. Everyone's eyes were fixed on those who returned with treasure, skill scrolls, and precious materials. They believed that they would be the next lucky ones, then charged into the Dungeon without hesitation.

"What? Why was our future Legendary Tier swordsman Kuri sighing here?"

A faintly mocking voice sounded from behind him. Luna, the halfling, watched those adventurers who had lost their minds with a half-smile, disdain curling at the corner of her lips.

If someone stood in front of these people now and told them that entering the Dungeon would most likely get them killed, they would only treat that person as an enemy blocking their path to wealth and furiously curse and attack them.

They would not thank that person for the warning that might save their lives.

Respect others' fates and enjoy a wicked life—that was Luna's creed. After all, everyone had to take responsibility for their own choices, even if the price was death.

"You two really are something. Do you feel uncomfortable if you don't bicker every day?"

Beside them, Lia watched the two start up again and smiled helplessly.

"Everyone, come with me."

At that moment, William stepped out and stopped the farce. He waved a hand and led his three teammates back to the inn where they were staying. Everyone in the squad gathered in William's room, where two professional skill scrolls were taken out.

"Captain, didn't you sell them to the Adventurers' Guild?"

Lia looked at William curiously. If they sold such precious items, the money would be enough to match several years of income for their squad.

"No. I planned to give these two skill scrolls to you and Kuri." William looked seriously at the young man and woman across from him, then continued, "Rather than exchange them for gold coins, I would rather strengthen the squad."

"This Water Healing is for you, Lia. That way, we can use magic to treat our injuries in the future. As for Power Strike, it is for Kuri."

"Besides, both of you have already learned two professional skills. Once you use these professional skill scrolls, you may become true professionals."