Crazy Adventurers

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

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

That morning, a blood-covered adventurer squad emerged from the Dungeon and produced a Fireball skill scroll before the many adventurers gathered at the entrance. The news instantly set every adventurer present ablaze with excitement.

But this 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 exactly which adventurer squads had obtained them.

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

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

In the villages near Adventurer Town, young people who had once been too afraid of danger and death to leave their homes were instantly swept away by dreams of wealth and becoming professionals. One after another, they dug out the savings they had accumulated over years and left their villages.

Large numbers 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 shabby equipment, then formed temporary squads and rushed madly into the Dungeon.

"Norton Squad is recruiting!"

"An adventurer squad led by Captain Norton, a veteran adventurer and peak Formal Professional, is now accepting newcomers without 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 way straight to the Fourth Layer, where everything you want awaits!"

"Furthermore, Captain Norton promises that the bravest newcomer and the one 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 shouted wildly at the surrounding crowd in voices brimming with temptation. Behind them stood Norton, his body radiating powerful battle aura. His black armor gave everyone a sense of security.

Beneath his raised visor, his face wore an expression of resolve, steadiness, and reliability. When his subordinates shouted the words "professional scroll," Norton took out a professional scroll from his chest and held it high for all to see.

"Brothers, I am the captain of Norton Squad. In order to conquer the Dungeon as quickly as possible, I hereby announce that Norton Squad is expanding its recruitment. And I keep my word—this professional scroll will be given free of charge to the new squad member who contributes the most this time!"

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves.

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

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

Everyone believed they would be the lucky one who gained everything.

In less than ten minutes, nearly a hundred people had joined Norton's squad, yet even more novice adventurers still wanted in. Not only did Norton refuse no one, he even gave free pieces of shabby adventurer equipment to ordinary people in the squad who carried pitchforks, hoes, and sickles.

He warmly patted their shoulders and told them they were welcome in Norton Squad. From then on, they were brothers who would share life and death. 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 force of more than three hundred marched mightily toward the Dungeon entrance.

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

"These people are really crazy."

Kuri had just walked out of the Adventurers' Guild. As he watched the adventurer squads heading for the Dungeon in groups, he saw that a large portion of them were nothing more than ordinary people. Very few would truly leave the Dungeon alive with treasure in hand.

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

"What's this? Why is our future Legendary Tier swordsman, Kuri, sighing over here?"

A slightly mocking voice came from behind him. Luna, the halfling, looked at the adventurers ahead who had lost their minds, a disdainful smile 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 see that person as an enemy blocking their path to riches, then curse and attack them madly.

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

Respect other people's fates and enjoy an immoral 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 of them start up again and smiled helplessly.

"Everyone, come with me."

At that moment, William stepped out and put an end to the farce. With a wave of his hand, he 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 laid out.

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

Lia looked at William curiously. If such precious items were sold, they could easily equal several years of income for their squad.

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

"This Water Healing scroll is for you, Lia. That way, when we are injured in the future, we can use magic to heal ourselves. Power Strike is for Kuri."

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