Platinum Adventurer, The March of Ordeal

It’s been three days since I boarded the bandwagon of Petrification Antidote Potion coins.

I know this.

Investment is about waiting.

It’s nothing more than a contest of patience, waiting for the moment when the assets I acquired will rise.

So, even though I invested my entire fortune, I am at peace.

This present calm is only an omen for a coming storm, one that could break out at any moment.

So, for that day, I will watch in tranquility.

For the storm to come.

For the price to skyrocket.

“Br— Brother Dmihtan…? Why do you keep staring at the bulletin board?”

When I heard a voice behind me, ripples appeared on the once-calm pool of my heart.

What the—

I came to my senses and found myself standing in front of the Adventurer’s Guild request bulletin board.

I was waiting there for something related to Lagmor Mountain.

Damn.

How can I stay calm?

“Serena.”

“Yes?”

“Even if your entire fortune were at stake, could you remain calm?”

I don’t want to keep looking at the board either.

But what can I do? My whole wealth is riding on this!

All the money I had earned until now through successful commissions as the Dungeon God and by handling various jobs.

Every last coin had been put into ‘Petrification Coin.’ It’s only natural to be on edge!

“Well, I’m not sure… I’ve never been in that situation…”

At Serena’s words, a sigh slipped from my lips before I realized it. Serena stared at me with startled eyes.

Damn it.

If I’d known it would be this nerve-wracking, I wouldn’t have bet everything!

“Whatever you’re waiting for, wouldn’t it be better to calm down first?”

Serena spoke with a worried voice.

She was right.

Staying here like this doesn’t change anything. I’m just wearing myself down for no reason.

“All right, Serena.”

After answering Serena, I began to head back to the Bearded Cat Inn.

News will come if I just wait.

“Oh! There’s a new request!?”

“Move it!”

As some adventurer looked at the bulletin board and spoke, I shoved him aside and peered at the board.

No, nothing’s changed at all! What new request, you bastard.

“The storm is coming.”

Despite what I’d said to Serena only seconds earlier, my face was pressed against the board.

The price surge will come.

Those who endure will win.

“Brother Dmihtan! It’s already the third day! It’s been three days since you started staring at the Adventurer’s Guild board!”

“Serena, you wouldn’t understand! You’re a noble!”

Serena, now hailing from a wealthy family. How could she possibly understand the heart of a commoner striving for financial freedom?

No way!

*〈Thrag sneers at your actions.〉

*〈Mortis looks at you with pity.〉

These damn gods.

When they’re useless, they gang up together.

“If you’re going to be an adventurer, you at least need to take care of yourself!”

Serena grabbed me by the waist, intent on pulling me away.

I wriggled my body to break free.

“Ugh, urgh!”

But Serena’s strength was like a mountain, and I was simply dragged away.

I haven’t met one yet, but I bet this is what it would feel like if an Ogre grabbed me.

“Serena, you’re like an Ogre! Let go of me!”

“T-that’s a bit too rude, isn’t it… Oh?”

Just as I was thinking she might twist me up like a fresh fruit juice, a guild staff member came down and pinned something to the board.

Serena read it.

“Lagmor Mountain… Dungeon detected.”

The moment Serena read it, my eyes flew open.

The surge is here!

* * *

Leonhart Eclair.

The commander of Golden Wind, a platinum-rank adventurer party, and a Paladin class. It’s not an exaggeration to say he’s admired by all adventurers.

When he entered the Adventurer’s Guild, every gaze in the room was drawn toward Leonhart.

“Look, isn’t that the leader of Golden Wind?”

“A platinum rank adventurer? No way, is that really Leonhart?”

“He’s not only skilled, but incredibly handsome too.”

“Please, just 3cm closer…”

Admiring and envious whispers.

Leonhart was all too accustomed to such attention—both respectful and tinged with jealousy.

He understood well.

Golden Wind, one of the continent’s few platinum-rank adventurer parties, had achieved legendary status in record time.

Countless adventurers dreamed of joining Leonhart, and he was only too aware of their hopes.

That’s why he thought—

For someone to live in the same era as a great Paladin, no, a ‘perfect being’ like him must be an honor.

‘It’s only natural.’

There aren’t many people like me.

He ran his hand through his blond hair.

Golden hair sparkling in the sun—divinely blessed looks.

― I really can’t stand this.”

And an insufferable personality.

― Leonhart, I acknowledge your skills, but I really can’t get along with that damned personality any longer.”

Leonhart closed his eyes. Instantly, memories of a previous squabble with his party played vividly in his mind.

“Rommel, what are you trying to say?”

With a calm smile, leonhart looked at his comrade, rommel.

Rommel shot him a venomous glare.

“Just this month alone, 50 gold coins from the group fund disappeared.”

“Mm.”

“All spent on your personal purchases!”

Leonhart, unruffled, idly fiddled with the necklace around his neck.

“This glorious necklace is an ornament worthy of someone like me. The face of the commander can’t look shabby, right?”

Especially the commander of a platinum-rank party. As he added that, rommel’s face grew even darker.

“That’s not something party funds should be used to buy, leonhart.”

“Heh, rommel!”

Leonhart clicked his tongue and flicked his hand, as if to dismiss Rommel’s words.

“As I said, I’m the commander. Golden Wind, commander. If I look flashy, the whole party looks flashy.”

“Haaa.”

“In other words, it’s an investment.”

“Investment, my ass! Just last month, you spent 30 gold coins on something called ‘Scabbard of the Sun’!”

Even as Rommel’s voice grew louder, leonhart remained perfectly composed.

“So? What’s wrong with finding a scabbard that suits my sword?”

“YOU ALREADY HAD ONE! One that had seven jewels in it!”

“Just seven. The jeweler said someone like me should have at least twelve!”

Rommel was lost for words.

“It’s not just this month.”

He flipped through the party ledger and spoke.

“Golden Rose Cloak, 40 gold coins. Perfume for the Luminous, 10 gold coins! Toothpaste for the perfect smile, 5 gold coins! Who the hell spends 5 gold coins on toothpaste!?”

“Toothpaste… five gold coins?”

Another party member, karin, asked incredulously.

Leonhart just shrugged.

“It’s a special blend with gold dust.”

Then he flashed a grin wide enough to show off his teeth.

“This isn’t investment—it’s wasteful!”

“Waste? That’s insulting.”

Leonhart thumped his chest.

“I am the symbol of Golden Wind. When I shine, the party shines too.”

“While you shine, the party is headed for bankruptcy!”

Unable to stand it, rommel threw the ledger down.

“Because of your bullshit, we can’t even pay the porters’ salaries we hired!”

“Hmm.”

Leonhart tilted his head.

“Just being with me should be the greatest reward there is.”

At his words, rommel shot out of his seat.

“Leonhart, I acknowledge your skills, but I really can’t get along with that damned personality!”

“W-wait, rommel!”

“Don’t stop me, karin! I’m joining another party next month!”

And so, one comrade left. Leonhart looked after him as if he couldn’t comprehend it.

“How could someone not understand what an honor it is to be with me?”

“Sorry, leonhart. To be honest, I’m also looking for another party.”

Leonhart turned his head toward Karin.

“I’m not the only one. Elise seems to be preparing to leave, too.”

“What?”

“Still, golden Wind won’t disappear.”

Karin stood up and looked at Leonhart.

“Because the symbol of Golden Wind, paladin Leonhart, still remains.”

Thus, another comrade left.

He’d also heard that his remaining comrade was planning to leave too, so now Golden Wind’s only member was Leonhart himself.

Leonhart, replaying those conversations with his ex-comrades, opened his eyes once more.

Let them leave.

After all, the strongest one in Golden Wind was himself.

He put in the most effort to climb to platinum rank. So, he was sure he could lead the party alone.

“There’s only this much left on the credit card!?”

At Leonhart’s panicked voice, the guild staff member flinched and nodded nervously.

“Y-yes…!”

“Don’t be ridiculous! There should be enough here for a party to live off of for years!”

“Well…”

The receptionist, sweating bullets, began to check Golden Wind’s ledger and then showed him the figures.

“J-just counting all the unpaid loans and interest to the Guild, here is the sum.”

【Unpaid Wages: 120 gold coins】

【Equipment Repair Fees: 80 gold coins】

【Potions on Credit: 45 gold coins】

【Unpaid Lodging: 30 gold coins】

Total: 275 gold coins.

Leonhart rubbed his eyes.

【Remaining Funds: 8 gold coins】

Once,

This party had become platinum rank in record time, making waves everywhere.

Golden Wind.

The party that shattered every record considered impossible and tried to reach the highest heights—had now crashed down.

“No!”

No, that’s not true. Leonhart clenched his fist and muttered.

“As long as I’m here, golden Wind won’t fall!”

Right.

That’s why he had accepted a new commission this time, hadn’t he?

A new dungeon had appeared on Lagmor Mountain.

If he could conquer that dungeon, he could save the party from disaster.

But to do that, he must buy a Petrification Antidote Potion.

According to information from Belhaim’s Adventurer’s Guild, there were rumors that petrification-related monsters would appear in this dungeon.

“Sorry, we don’t have any petrification antidote potions. They’ve all sold out.”

So Leonhart began searching everywhere for the potions.

“I’m sorry. All the petrification antidote potions have been sold.”

Then, something strange began to happen.

“They’re gone! Some guy came by and bought all of them!”

In Iushil, leonhart could not find any trace of the petrification antidote potions.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep