Mice dominate the dungeon

Ha~ha~ha~

Big Ears stopped at a corner, leaned against the mine wall, and gasped for breath.

The little head would occasionally peek out to check if the human adventurers were following.

Seeing that the human adventurers had not followed, the large ear that had been leaning against the wall gradually slid off the wall.

Only then did Big Ears feel his little heart pounding wildly.

You scared me, you mouse!!

I'm just fooling rats in my dreams!!

Why are real people so hard to get along with?!

And how did I suddenly learn to speak...?

"I am Big Ears~"

When the big ears tried to speak again and heard the clear sound coming from their own throat, they involuntarily drooped down.

Looks like I'm not dreaming!

What should we do now?!

For a moment, Big Ears didn't know what to do, so he instinctively stood up and walked towards the hamster enclosure...

When the dazed Big Ears came to its senses, it was already back outside the park.

Big Ears itself has no idea how it got back; its mind is a complete mess right now.

After entering the park, Big Ears finally felt much more at ease.

Its gaze was fixed on the most magnificent and unique base camp in the park!

Should I talk to Boss Tuqi about this? But I'm afraid he'll see me as an oddball...

The big-eared creature, walking along the main road, tugged at its drooping ears, looking extremely conflicted.

Just then, Big Ears happened to pass by the cafeteria.

The air was filled with the aroma of roasted pine nuts and boiled mushrooms!

At that moment, Big Ears' belly let out a soft growl.

Never mind, let's eat first.

It left too early in the morning, before the cafeteria had prepared breakfast.

As soon as it entered the canteen, it saw the mice lined up neatly in a long queue, waiting for the kitchen mice to serve their meals.

The big-eared animals silently lined up.

The number of rats in the canteen gradually increased, with squeaking chatter, clattering of bowls and chopsticks, and occasional exclamations caused by a rat accidentally stepping on another rat's foot.

The large ears, which had been drooping, stood up again as it tried to catch every bit of information around it, attempting to find another talking mouse.

Most of these sounds were casual conversations, along with some peripheral information, but without exception, the mice all communicated by making "squeak squeak squeak" sounds.

But even when it came time to collect the food, Big Ears couldn't find a second mouse that could talk like it.

The hamster in charge of serving the food brought over a small wooden bowl containing...

Two slightly browned roasted pine nuts, a small handful of soft, cooked grass seeds, and half a dried mushroom.

As the meal was being served, the mouse mysteriously pulled out a bright red wild fruit from behind its back and secretly slipped it into Big Ear's bowl.

It seems to know that Big Ears went out to work early in the morning, and this extra red fruit is a reward for it!

Big Ears' eyes lit up, and its mouth opened slightly, as if it was about to say "thank you".

But as soon as the word "thank you" was uttered, Big Ears' expression changed, and he immediately covered his mouth.

Immediately, clutching his bowl, he ran out of the cafeteria in a panic.

Big Ears' strange behavior drew the attention of the other mice, but they were all puzzled.

Ignoring the gazes of the other mice, Big Ears rushed straight back to the scout's hut.

With a leap, the mouse burrowed into the velvety rags, burying itself deep in its nest.

"What on earth happened? How did I suddenly become able to talk?!" Big Ears covered his mouth and muttered mournfully.

Clearly, the large ears of a mouse were not quite accepting of the fact that it could talk.

It remembered a kind of monster next door, which could also talk.

But those monsters were all too ugly.

Could I have been contaminated by them? Will I end up looking ugly like that too?!

Don't do that!!

It also remembered that human adventurers had once remarked in casual conversation...

Those who are corrupted into monsters are tied to logs and then burned alive in a great fire!

"If the boss finds out I can talk, will he treat me like an oddball, and then...?"

The thought of possibly turning into a roasted rat made Big Ears clutch his head and shake it frantically.

Just as Big Ears was lost in his own thoughts and scaring himself...

The same drama is playing out on the other side of the world above ground.

----------

The unpredictable George followed the adventure team closely, traversing the layers of the dungeon, and returned to the dungeon entrance.

Only when the sunlight shone on his face again did George finally feel a little relieved.

But doubts and unease still lingered in my heart like a dark cloud.

Why did that guy named "Dardo" scare me?!

"Did I offend him?! But when did I offend this person?!"

George, now integrated into the town's population, begins to recall his past memories, but he can't find anyone who matches "Dardo".

Unable to figure it out, George could only return to the most fundamental and important question.

Who exactly is Dardo?!

I had never heard this person's name before in [Black Forest Town].

Either he's just like me, a nobody from the bottom of society.

They are either adventurers from out of town who have just arrived in the Black Forest.

To figure out which situation it was, he had no choice but to go there!

George slowly raised his head, which had been hanging low, and looked at a magnificent and somewhat unique building in the town.

The Last Cup and Tomorrow's Debt

This is the most famous tavern in the Black Forest town, the most extravagant place of indulgence!

It was also a hub for intelligence, where many rumors and royal news originated.

George rarely goes there.

Because the drinks there are quite expensive, it's not a place that an ordinary adventurer like him can go to often.

But to resolve his doubts, George pushed open the door of the tavern.

The heat wave, carrying several different smells, hit us.

The aroma of fermented ale, the smoky fragrance of burning pine in the fireplace, the rich, oily scent of roasted meat, and the spicy finish of dragon's blood tobacco.

Watching the other adventurers' gleaming weapons and their hearty drinks worth ten silver coins, the slightly hunched George cautiously moved between the tables, careful not to accidentally bump into those expensive items.

After finally reaching the bar, George forced himself to remain calm. Although he rarely came here, he knew the ins and outs of the place.

First, I ordered myself a relatively inexpensive drink, and then, while drinking, I went to a bartender who was wiping glasses.

She was a bewitching humanoid woman with golden curly hair and delicate, scale-like features on her exquisite face.

The blond bartender slightly raised his eyes, a smile playing on his lips, and said, "Excuse me, sir, how can I help you?"

George took a sip of his drink, considered his words for a moment, and then tentatively asked:

"I'd like to ask, is there a character named 'Dardo' among the adventurers recently?"

Upon hearing the name "Dardo," the blond bartender, who had been looking relaxed, looked up in shock at the unassuming middle-aged man in front of him.

"Your information network is truly impressive!"

"They actually knew that the Emerald-level adventurer 'Dardo' had secretly arrived in the Black Forest town!"

George: Huh?!