HI3: I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie

The first level of the dungeon didn't have any particularly large or rare monsters. It was mainly common fare: goblins, trolls, snake men, dwarves...

Rumor had it that the second level was where things got interesting, with rock giants, ogres, dark elves, eye demons, and other uncommon, rare beasts lurking about.

While the enemies on the first level weren't especially powerful, the real trouble lay in the fact that adventurers weren't familiar with the layout of the dungeon. This made them vulnerable to surprise attacks, leading to heavy casualties.

"Lady Rozaliya, since the princess is currently safe, where should we head first?"

After understanding the situation, Platinum dismissed the tavern staff before turning to Rozaliya and Liliya.

"We're in no rush... We can visit the dungeon anytime. As for Her Highness, she's been fine for over a month now. It seems the wicked dragon won't harm her anytime soon.

Who knows? When we arrive, we might even rescue a princess pregnant with a baby dragon..."

Rozaliya, munching on some nameless vegetable, appeared utterly unconcerned...

"Huh?" Listening to Rozaliya's words, Cellinia, Platinum, and the others were left puzzled.

"Let's check out the Adventurer's Guild first. There might be suitable commission tasks available.

According to the map Hoshiguma gave us and the marked locations... we're not far from the forest where the Oni Clan resides. We can complete some side quests on our way to their village. Then... let's go slay that wicked dragon!" For some reason, Rosaliya showed absolutely no urgency about saving the princess.

Perhaps it was because rushing wouldn't change anything. Since so much time had already passed, whatever was meant to happen likely had already occurred. So... there was no need to rush.

"Yes, ma'am."

-

"Is this supposed to be the Adventurer's Guild? It seems awfully... modest..." Liliya said, sounding a bit underwhelmed as they arrived at the adventure guild for this city.

The group had just finished lunch at a small tavern, but the adventurer guild was even smaller. Oddly dressed adventurers sat scattered about, chatting among themselves, while some public quests were posted directly on the wall behind the counter. An old man was slumped over near it.

"That's what you'd expect in a small frontier town," Savage shrugged, hefting her mace casually.

"...I suppose so..."

At that moment, Platinum walked up to the counter and patted the old man. "Hey, wake up."

"Oh... are you turning in a quest or taking one? Or do you need something?" The old man sat up hastily, his eyes still hazy, but his question came out practiced and familiar.

"Are there any particularly challenging quests?"

Platinum laid a strange-looking card on the counter.

The old man shook his head slightly, rubbing his eyes to get a closer look...

"Platinum rank..."

He was stunned, and when he looked up, he realized they were six female demihumans, all seemingly teenagers...

"What? A legendary Platinum-rank adventurer?"

"That demihuman is actually a Platinum-rank adventurer..."

"No way..."

Hearing the old man's voice from behind the counter, all the adventurers in the Adventurer's Guild turned to gaze at the girl with white, horselike ears and a pigtail, their eyes wide with astonishment.

In this world, adventurers were ranked as follows: White Porcelain, Black Jade, Steel, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Legend, and Hero.

However, most adventurers could only achieve Steel rank throughout their entire lives.

(TL Note: Then why the heck are there so many ranks after steel?)

Generally, Silver rank was considered the peak. Only those who made tremendous contributions to their respective kingdoms were eligible for Gold or Platinum ranks.

As for Legend and Hero ranks...

One had to have battled Demon Lords or dragons, or... been a follower of the Hero, achieving epic feats.

Even Silver-ranked adventurers were rare. Now, seeing a Platinum-ranked character—a demi-human at that—adventurers couldn't help but steal a few extra glances.

"I'm talking to you!" Seeing the old man before her stunned, Platinum couldn't help but remind him again.

"A high-difficulty quest? I... I happen to have a few." The old man finally snapped out of it and hastily pulled out a notebook, flipping to the last few pages.

"Let me just show them to you, miss!" After a quick glance, he decided to hand the notebook directly to the young girl—the Platinum-ranked adventurer, whose integrity was unquestionable.

"Alright." Platinum took the commission notebook and turned to look at Rozaliya and Liliya behind her.

"Rozaliya, Liliya, take a look and see if there's anything suitable for you?"

"Oh...right..." Realizing what was happening, Rozaliya walked over to Platinum's side and started looking through the notebook with her.

Although initially surprised that Platinum herself was a Platinum-ranked adventurer, upon further thought, it made sense.

Platinum used to be both a knight and an assassin. Since Amiya held her in such high regard, it was no surprise that Platinum had made significant contributions to the Demi-human Kingdom. It was fitting for her to be a Platinum-rank adventurer.

Moreover... given that her name was Platinum, it was only natural for her rank to be Platinum as well.

Only the old man behind the counter couldn't help but glance several extra times at the sight of a Platinum-rank adventurer calling two even younger demi-humans "sir" and "miss." Exactly who were these important figures among the pink and blue demi-human girls?

"This quest will work—Jungle Giant's Heart—with a reward of 3,000 gold." After looking through the missions, Rozaliya found one close to the Oni Clan.

"Perfect. Let's get it registered," Platinum agreed without hesitation.

"Yes..." Upon hearing this, the man wanted to warn her but stopped himself.

-

After completing the necessary procedures, Rozaliya and Liliya felt somewhat disappointed. Although they had accepted a mission from the Adventurer's Guild, the System had not generated any associated quest.

To others, 3000 gold coins was a vast sum, but to Rozaliya... even a single use of her skills cost more than that.

So... the idea of farming quests was completely shattered.

But then again, if these adventurers' tasks could generate System quests, it would be like handing crystals to herself.

After adjusting her mindset, Rozaliya's group left the humble Adventurer's Guild and headed towards the secluded hideout of the Oni clan.

"Rozaliya, Liliya, regarding my identity as a Platinum-rank adventurer, I obtained it for the sake of convenience in my past affairs." On their way, before Rozaliya could even ask, Platinum preemptively explained.

"Hmm, you don't need to explain such things to me. I understand," Rozaliya waved her hand nonchalantly, showing no concern. As for Liliya, she seemed even less bothered.