Menu no.2 - The Dungeon Market

The moment I stepped into the wide-open hall of the dungeon’s entrance level, my senses were hit all at once.

The air was thick with the scent of sizzling meat, baked spices, and something sweet—maybe cinnamon?—lingering like a tease at the tip of my nose. Smoke from portable grills swirled lazily beneath the enchanted lanterns that hung from stone arches, casting a warm, flickering glow over the crowds.

Not just adventurers preparing for battle like I expected, but there are more than meets the eye! 

Blacksmiths hammered away behind makeshift stalls, sparks flying as they yelled over one another. Merchants peddled charms, potions, and grilled skewers with the practiced flair of street performers. Adventurers of every kind haggled, laughed, or shouted at teammates to hurry up.

Some sat in corners cleaning their weapons, others sprawled on crates and chugged something frothy from metal mugs. The buzz of voices echoed like a marketplace built into a cavern—chaotic, yet somehow comforting.

I stood there for a second, wide-eyed, . . .

 “ . . . i never expected the dungeon is more alive than in the game i used to play . . . ”

It wasn’t just a dungeon. It was a whole underground city breathing beneath the stone. And for the first time since waking up here, I didn’t feel entirely lost like what i gonna imagine . . .

But here I was—trudging through the bustling lower corridors of Drachenfall Dungeon, surrounded by food stalls, clinking armor, and glowing mushrooms stuck to the walls like fantasy nightlights.

Some of them looked at me like looking strange. Maybe because i still wearin my ‘barista clothes’.

Kazuha, leading with his chest heaving. Asuna, walking at his side with a big smile (yeah, probably imagining about the winning the bet). Tiara, calm and graceful, glancing back at me occasionally to make sure I wasn’t too overwhelmed.

Well, I was.

“You never go to the Dungeon ain't ya?” Tiara asking

“Well, . . . I only saw the dungeon through the screen of movie and the game. But never imagine it’s gonna be sooo much alive with my own eyes.”

Tiara smile and poke my shoulder. She really carried a warm, charming aura. Even though on the outside she looked like a cold knight clad in full armor.

“Glad ya are happy Daiki. Come on, do not get lost.”

I keep following Tiara and her Party.

Near the exit of the Dungeon, a Dwarf slamming down a glowing hammer suddenly waving his hand after seeing us.

“Kazuha, you little rat!” The dwarf bellowed. “Back from the pits already Yow?”

“Yooo-Mister Mitrovic,” Kazuha greeted, smirking. “I brought you some fresh loot.”

Kazuha reached into his pack and tossed over a few metal scraps that looked like broken armor plates. Mitrovic snatched them mid-air and inspected them closely.

“Good quality,” the dwarf muttered, rubbing his chin. “Dragonsteel fragments. Not bad.”

In return, he handed Kazuha a small leather pouch. Judging by the jingle, it must be coin money or something.

I was about to quietly shuffle past when Mitrovic’s eyes landed on me.

“Who’s the new kid? He smells like a surface-dweller.”

I opened my mouth to introduce myself, but—

“He’s the Hero!” Asuna declared, puffing out her chest proudly and turn his back on me. “The one destined to defeat the Drachenfall Dungeon!”

I nearly choked on my own spit. What the hell this girl?!

Mitrovic raised an eyebrow. “This scrawny thing?”

Kazuha groaned. “Don’t listen to her, she’s been reading too many fairy tales of Drachenfall lately.”

Asuna gasped. “Ka-Kazuha how dare! You saw it too—he was on the Altar of the Hero! That has to mean something!”

“Means he has a good sense of napping spots,” Kazuha muttered.

They were bickering again.

I turned to Tiara, my one sanctuary of peace in this band of lunatics. She met my eyes and simply shrugged with a smile, as if saying, “it’s normal.”

.

.

.

Eventually, we left the noise of the market behind and emerged through a wide stone archway into daylight—or, what passed for it. A massive shaft of filtered sunlight poured down from an opening far above, revealing the city of Drachenfall spread out before us.

My mouth hung open, my pupils widening as the sunset bathed the village in molten gold. The rooftops gleamed, the fields shimmered, and every shadow stretched long as if painted by an unseen hand.

It was breathtaking—

just like the radiant worlds I had only ever glimpsed in games i used to play. Yet this was real, achingly real, and its warmth seeped into my very pores, wrapping me in a gentle embrace. For the first time since arriving, I felt a fleeting sense of peace—fragile, but beautiful.

Bellow, there is a city built into and around the massive crater of the dungeon itself. Stone bridges, rope lifts, spiral stairs, and towers wrapped around the crater’s edges, while buildings jutted from the stone like strange mushrooms.

We didn’t stop to take in the sights for long. Our destination stood just a few blocks ahead: a wide, fortress-like structure with banners bearing a sigil I didn’t recognize.

'Drachenfall Guild Hall'.

The moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere changed. Fewer people, quieter voices. A bit like entering a government office… except the receptionist was dressed like a maid and had long, long ears.

I blinked.

Hard.

It is . . . the real elf.

She smiled as she greeted the party. 

“Welcome back, Kazuha.”

My god, Her voice was like the ding of a microwave when your food’s done—warm and polite, but also slightly unreal.

Kazuha stepped forward and dropped a bundle of glowing stones and strange berries on the counter. Tiara followed with a few more sacks.

“Here is the request for quest number 217,” Tiara said.

The receptionist examined the materials carefully. “Confirmed. Thank you Tiara. Here is your payment, 150 Reils for today.”

While Kazuha and Tiara put some sack on the cashier table, I was still trying to process her. Her name tag read: Alisa. Her blonde hair was tied neatly behind her back, and her frilly maid outfit looked sophisticated.

I was this close to pinching myself just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.

“Oi, rookie.” Kazuha shoved me forward. “Get him registered.”

Alisa turned her gaze to me. “Aww. one of your friend Kazuha?”

“G-good afternoon.” My god it is such clumsy introduction. “I am-”

“Sooooooooooo Alisa! Do you have a scanner identity?! We want to borrow it please, please, please!” Out of nowhere Asuna show up on my gaze and overtaking my dialogue. My god this girl really can't stop!

“As I remember Asuna. The guild teapot I lent you hasn't been returned yet since last week. May i know where it is?” one of Alisa's eyebrows went up.

Asuna face seems panic and playing her hair. “Aaaaaa that teapot , . . . we can discuss itu later right? maybeeee, after dinner tonight.” 

“Don’t worry about the thing we have borrowed Alisa. You can cut from our payment if it is not return to you yet.” Tiara speaks calm. She is very different than her party.

"Ti-tiaraaaaaaaa." Asuna look Tiara sadly.

Alisa stand for a while with cold expression. Man, it is cold. But after hear explanation from Tiara she seems more relieved. While Asuna and Kazuha looks more sad and gloomy.

“I want to introduce Daiki to you Alisa. We found him on the altar of heroes. Maybe you can scan him to get his ID?”

I move forward and stand up straight beside Tiara who introduce me.

“Oh! Uh— I am Mika-Daiki Mahendra. Just Daiki’s fine. Uh, I woke up in the dungeon today and long short-story i came to this place!”

She smiles and half bowing to me. Awww, elf are really beautiful.

“Well, nice to meet you Daiki. Hope Drachenfall guildhall you finds you well.”

She opened a drawer and began rummaging through stacks of paper and odd magical tools. Eventually, she frowned.

“Oh my. It seems our Scan Crystal is not in its usual place. Someone must have borrowed it for the archives. I’ll go retrieve it.”

She curtsied—actually curtsied—and disappeared into a back hallway.

While she was gone, Kazuha and Asuna immediately resumed arguing about whether or not I was some prophesied chosen one. They really never finished about arguing.

“Admit it, Kazuha,” Asuna poked his arm. “Even the guild system might register him as the Hero.”

“Or it’ll just say he’s a broke weirdo who plays with ancient artifacts,” Kazuha snorted.

Meanwhile, I felt my throat drying up.

“Uh, sorry to interrupt the fantasy banter,” I said, “but . . . does anyone have something to drink? I have not drinking yet since i teleported here.”

Tiara turned to me. “What would you like?”

I hesitated. “Tea? Or coffee. I prefere something cold.”

Tiara tilted her head. “Coffee?”

I blinked.

“Yes, coffee.”

The three of them stared at me like I’d just spoken in reverse.

“I have tea, but coffee? I never hear that drink. Is it like liquor or something?”

“Liquor? No, no. It has a bitter taste. Dark brown color and . . .”

“Bitter taste???? Why do you like bitter taste????? Weeeeirdo!!!! It is not tasty!” Asuna disprove.

I just lost my word.

I can’t believe the never taste or like coffee

Tiara chuckled and reached into her pouch. She handed me a small bottle.

“Here. Herbal tea. Dried from mountain leaves.”

“Thank you Tiara,”

I took a sip. Slightly sweet. Not bad. Quiete delicious actually.

Before I could mourn too long, Alisa returned with a glowing crystal orb.

“Alright,” she said, holding it out. “Let’s get his ID and stats. ”

I stepped forward, heart thumping in my chest. This was it. The moment of truth.

What if I really was the Hero?

What if I had some insane hidden class like “Dragon Slayer” or “Dungeon Lord” or—

The crystal glowed as it scanned me, flickering between blue and green.

Alisa blinked.

She leaned in. Then again, furrowed her brow.

“i will try to scan again.” she said.

Everyone leaned closer to Alisa.

“So? What is the result?” I asked, nervously.

Alisa squinted at the scan.

“No way, . . . This . . .  is imposible . . .”