Shiba led Valerian through the crowd and streets. The young man did not resist when he was dragged over. They came to a place that looked like some palace, but the vibe it gave was very noble and silent.

Valerian asked, "What is this place?"

He was looking at a white building surrounded by a fence and a green patch of grass on all sides. This place was located on the detached side of the city, and Valerian could not understand why Shiba had brought him there.

Shiba replied, "This is the tomb of dungeoneers. Every city in the world has one. It is said that these tombs and the dungeon entrances were all left behind by the high gods."

Valerian was surprised, and Shiba continued, "You want to know why I was warning you, right? My father was like you, with talent when it came to fighting. He independently cleared the first twenty levels and kept it a secret."

The young man asked why he kept this a secret when Shiba said, "This world has many powerful groups, like the Avion Party I mentioned the day before. These groups look for talented people to join them and become stronger. This is the way they control the world. My father did not fear them, but when he was scouted, he refused to join, and one day, he went to the dungeon, and five days later, his corpse was cremated inside that palace building."

Valerian gazed at her and asked, "You are afraid the same thing will happen to me?"

Shiba nodded with a solemn face. She added, "Are you not afraid of death?"

The young man chuckled and said, "I am afraid of death. However, I do not wish to face it before I return home and fight it out with Immortuous and his forces."

Shiba nodded and asked, "If you do not mind, please join a party. The guild will prevent the organizations from meddling with you then."

Valerian asked, "Why did they not intervene earlier?"

Shiba replied, "If someone moves independently, they will be exposed to too much danger. The dungeon has some rules. The life of many outweighs one. Also, all the dungeoneers contribute to the world’s safety, so they cannot be prosecuted until the guild has solid evidence of their wrongdoings."

Valerian realized what was going on and nodded. He asked, "So, you wish me to stir clear of all these things and smoothly advance?"

Shiba nodded and said, "I do not ask you to join my party. If you wish to go solo, then go solo but don’t be too flashy about it."

Valerian nodded and said, "Fine, let me think about it."

The two people stood at the fence, and suddenly Valerian smiled. Shiba asked, "What is it?"

Valerian replied, "This whole dragging me around reminded me of Morgana."

Shiba knew about Morgana roughly, as Valerian mentioned earlier. However, she did not know the relationship between the two people. Valerian began to talk about the few people in his life and told her about his relationship with them.

Shiba was surprised to hear his anecdotes and found that some were funny while some were bizarre. She could not help but comment, "I wish to see this world you talk about one day."

Valerian nodded and replied, "You will see it when right. Do not worry."

Shiba smiled faintly as the two of them walked back to the inn. Valerian said, "If I join your party, will it not trouble you?"

Shiba shook her head and said, "It will not. We can act as a cover for you. Imagine us as your shadows, and we will follow you in silence."

Valerian nodded and asked, "What about your progress?

Shiba waved her hand and said, "If you join the party, you will earn us money. Given your speed and earning potential, it will not be a problem to sustain the normal expense of the party. Also, you do not seem to be a money-minded person."

Valerian chuckled and said, "I did not expect you to be so cunning."

The two bantered on the way back to the inn and parted ways. Valerian agreed to join the group with Shiba and the rest to ensure trouble does not find him. He will be completing and registering the identity in the morning. However, he doubted if things would smoothen out with such ease.

Valerian was not scared of trouble but did not wish to waste time on such trivial power struggles. If someone were to block his way, he would kill them. Let them all be one with the dungeon. Worst case possible, he would stay inside the dungeon and never come out.

Thinking about this, he took off his gear and lay on the bed in his room. He looked at the sky through the window and thought briefly before falling asleep. The sky here had one moon. He wondered if he could ever go back to see two moons in the sky.

...

When Valerian woke up, the sun was shining brightly on the horizon. He finished freshening up and left the place quickly. He was headed to the guild building, and after that, he would go to the dungeon. Shiba agreed with him to meet at the guild building and finish the party admittance.

The young man stood at the steps of the guild building and spotted Captain standing outside the door yawning. He walked up and asked, "Did you not get enough sleep last night?"

Captain shook his head and said, "Viney went mad after she saw you killing so easily. She had me practice with her all night long."

Valerian smiled and said, "You spoil her too much."

Captain shrugged and said, "Well, cannot be blamed. She brings color to our boring lives."

Valerian nodded and entered the guild building. Captain followed him and led him to the second floor of the guild building. Valerian was confused, but Captain said, "The parties are all registered on the administration wing, and they will be given a Level too. So a guild manager will interview why you want to join the party or are being coerced."

Valerian nodded and asked, "This should have prevented the strong groups from monopolizing stuff, no?"

Captain sighed and remarked, "That was the motive, at least. However, the parties are cunning."

Valerian sighed in understanding. How could he not understand how these groups worked? He nodded and moved to the second floor. Captain led him to a room where Valerian found Shiba sitting on a bench and Viney leaning on her shoulder.

Across the room sat an old man. This person seemed to be a statue until he asked, "So, you are Valerian?"

The young man stood straight and nodded, "Yes, Sir."

The old man nodded and said, "Hmm, good. Can you tell me why you are joining this party?"

Valerian nodded and replied, "Sir, if I am to move inside the dungeon alone, the other parties will scout me and then trouble me. Shiba is someone I know and trust. So I thought going along with her party would be better."

The old man nodded and smiled. Shiba and the rest were surprised but understood that Valerian was being honest. The old man said, "Very well then, I will now register you as a party member."

Valerian nodded and thanked the old man. The old man took a paper and brushed a few words on it. Then the old man asked for his guild card. Valerian did not hesitate and passed the guild card. The old man said, "Girl Shiba, come and press the party symbol stamp on this card."

Shiba nodded and pressed a seal on the card. The mark was that of a fire and a sword. Valerian returned the card and asked, "Would you like to go to the dungeon with me?"

Shiba nodded and said, "We will head over there after breakfast. What about you?"

The young man thought about it and nodded. Shiba said, "Come along with us."

Shiba led the way, and Captain carried Viney in his arms. On the way to the restaurant, Valerian could sense a lot of gazes on him, but he walked closer to Shiba to avoid the people approaching him.

However, not everyone was as smart as the others. One person wearing a black cape and red armor walked over haughtily and asked, "So are you, Valerian?"

The silver hair was his identity tag. Valerian nodded, and the man asked, "Join our crimson brigade. You will get ten percent more in every task reward."

The people around them gasped, and Valerian shook his head. The man asked, "Why not?"

Valerian replied, "Brother, Shiba promised me a hundred percent of my task reward. Till I reach the tenth floor of the dungeon."

The man was shocked and said, "Shiba have you lost your mind? Such a big loss."

Captain sighed and said, "Red Fang, forget it. The registration is complete, and now you will have to wait a year to find a chance to snatch him with us."