Chapter 405: The Crisis in Ravenrim

“What kind of look is that? Are you just like those philistines, thinking I’m spouting nonsense? Let me tell you—people like you fail to grasp the true nature of money, which is why you’re stuck in such shallow circumstances. If you truly want to get rich......”

Monroe launched into a grand tirade, tossing around obscure terms like “leverage” and “high-risk, high-reward” left and right.

“......In short, you need to understand—I’m not wasting money. This is an investment in the future! Only by being willing to sacrifice today can you strive for a wealthy tomorrow. Do you get it?”

“Oh? Is that so? Would you mind letting me listen to this ‘investment’ plan as well?”

A deep, low voice cut through Monroe’s rambling, coming from right beside him.

Monroe was still too caught up in his own hype to sense the danger. He turned his head casually, waving a hand dismissively.

“I can’t just tell you that—it’s a trade secret! Though if you’re willing to pay a confidentiality fee......”

His voice trailed off mid-sentence as he locked eyes with Luigi, whose face was as dark as a thundercloud.

“......”

After a long, tense silence, Monroe suddenly scratched his head and glanced up at the sky, forcing a cheerful tone.

“Whew, nice weather we’re having today~! Oh! If it isn’t my dear junior brother! When did you get here? What a coincidence!”

“Are you done talking?”

Luigi didn’t buy his cheap act for a second, his voice cold as ice.

“Uh......”

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Monroe’s forehead, and he took an involuntary step backward.

Luigi advanced toward him, his expression still stormy.

“Can you explain something to me?”

“Where did all the money we earned the day before yesterday go, Senior Brother Monroe?”

He practically snarled the last few words, emphasizing each syllable with gritted teeth.

Monroe’s panic spiked. His eyes darted around frantically, then he pointed dramatically behind Luigi.

“Ah! Look up at the sky! What’s that?!”

Without waiting for Luigi, who remained completely unmoved, to react, Monroe spun on his heel and bolted.

But he hadn’t even taken two steps when a grinning Lore stepped out in front of him, blocking his path.

“......”

This time, cold sweat poured down Monroe’s face like a waterfall.

He turned around, only to find Luigi standing right behind him.

“Luigi...... Do you believe me when I say this is all a misunderstanding?”

“Heh~. A misunderstanding? How many times have you said that now?”

Monroe’s face paled, and he rounded on Lore with a shout.

“You haven’t even officially joined our group yet! Why are you already taking his side?!”

“......Huh?”

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A few seconds later.

BOOM!

Chaos erupted on the street.

Hulim calmly walked back to Eileen’s side.

“?” Eileen glanced toward the commotion, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “Hulim, what’s going on over there?”

“Nothing to worry about. Just some commotion from trash being disposed of.”

“???!”

......

Meanwhile, as Hulim and the others wandered the entertainment district,

At the Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters.

An Ancient Magical Artifact—one rarely used in ordinary times—suddenly stirred to life, emitting a faint, urgent hum.

Firuvin stepped forward to examine the message it transmitted, and his expression darkened instantly.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he strode out of the room......

Some time later, a figure appeared before Hulim, Irus, and Eileen.

“Firuvin? Well, this is a surprise. I never thought I’d see you out and about for leisure.”

Irus said, sounding genuinely astonished.

“Unfortunately, I’m not here to relax.”

Firuvin shook his head, his gaze locking onto Irus with unshakable gravity.

“Irus, we have a major crisis on our hands. You need to leave immediately.”

“......”

Before long,

The three of them followed Firuvin back to the Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters.

“Huh? Eileen? What are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to be out shopping with Hulim?”

Russell was nursing a drink at the guild tavern when he spotted Eileen out of the corner of his eye. He waved her over, his voice slurred with alcohol.

But then his eyes fell on Hulim beside her, and he perked up even more.

“Hey, Hulim’s here too? What brings you two all the way to the guild?”

He stumbled to his feet, unsteady on his legs.

Not far away, Lucian and Frots noticed the commotion and stood up as well. Unlike Russell, they hadn’t been drinking—they’d been discussing the details of their next labyrinth expedition. Russell was supposed to be part of the discussion, but he’d snuck off to the tavern halfway through.

“Is something wrong?”

Lucian’s sharp eyes picked up on the tense atmosphere at once. The fact that two S-Rank powerhouses—Firuvin and Irus—were present together, looking so hurried, could only mean one thing. He stepped forward, asking the question on everyone’s mind.

Hulim replied calmly, “I’ll fill you all in on the details later.”

With that, she quickened her pace to catch up with Irus and headed upstairs to the upper levels of the guild.

They entered the topmost room of the headquarters.

“Take a look at this.”

Firuvin handed an Ancient Magical Artifact to Irus.

As she read the message it displayed, Irus’s expression grew increasingly grim.

She set the artifact down, and Hulim picked it up, scanning the contents.

The news it carried was beyond dire.

The Elven Kingdom of Ravenrim was under full-scale attack by Gulos. Reinforcements from the north and south had been pinned down by the Demon Horde under Gulos’s command, making it impossible for them to provide support. Ilz, the City of Trees, was now completely surrounded—and it had been confirmed that an S-Rank powerhouse was among the forces laying siege to the city!

At present, Ilz had activated its Barrier and was barely holding off the assault, thanks to the power of the World Tree. But without the intervention of another S-Rank powerhouse, the siege would never be broken.

“Darius...... So you’ve finally stopped hiding.”

Irus muttered to herself, her voice cold with resolve.

“I understand the situation. I’ll head to Ravenrim as fast as I can!”

Firuvin nodded, letting out a heavy sigh.

“Unfortunately, I can’t leave Bongisto—this place is just as crucial. Which means this time, you’ll have to go alone.”

Firuvin was also an S-Rank powerhouse, but Bongisto could not afford to be left unguarded. He had no choice but to let Irus go to Ravenrim by herself.

“I’m coming with you.”

Hulim spoke up firmly.

Firuvin blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly.

“Then we’ll be counting on the two of you.”

The group exited the room.

Firuvin said, “Wait for me at the guild gate. I’ll go arrange some transportation for your journey.”

With that, he left them temporarily.

Hulim and Irus descended to the first floor.

There, in the guild hall, the four members of the Silver Squad were still waiting for them.

Hulim walked over to them.

“Hulim, what’s going on? What’s the big hurry?”

As soon as she approached, Lucian pressed her for answers, his tone urgent.

Hulim quickly filled them in on the emergency unfolding in Ravenrim......

“Whoa, hold on—that sounds super dangerous! Are you two really gonna go alone?”

Russell exclaimed in shock after hearing the whole story.

“Russell, you absolute fool,” Eileen said, rolling her eyes in exasperation. “This kind of crisis doesn’t require a huge crowd—it needs top-tier powerhouses who can take charge. Sending a bunch of ordinary people wouldn’t help at all, especially since there are three entire armies involved!”

“Uh... Yeah, that makes sense......”

Russell scratched his head, then suddenly registered what she’d said.

“Wait a second—did you just call me a fool again?!”

“Did I? I was just stating a fact.”

“Huh?! That is calling me a fool!”

“Shut up, you idiot. Stop embarrassing yourself.”

“Hey——!”

As the two bickered back and forth,

SCREECH——!

A deafening cry echoed from outside the guild.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The sound of massive wings flapping violently filled the air, growing louder and louder. A moment later, a Giant Eagle descended from the sky, landing with a heavy thud right at the guild gate.