It took a couple of hours more to discus the fine details of the tactics I proposed, such as the quality of the soldiers over the quantity of them and how to improve that quality in a short period of time.

It also seems that west of the city there was a 'cave' where one could enter and was able to find there monsters living inside. That was of course...

"No matter how you look at it...that's a dungeon isn't it?"

[Mmm... That's what I thought as well. However even if we know its name, we have little to no information about it...](Charles)

When I asked about the details, the General told me that a squad of five scouts entered that place and didn't return. When he saw that happen, he ventured inside with fifty of his best soldiers, but at the sight of monster like creatures, some of which he never saw until then, he ordered a retreat and sealed the place off. I have to agree that it was indeed the most logical solution from his standpoint, since he lacks knowledge about the danger it might possess.

But right now, it should be used to their and this world's God benefit.

"That place is known indeed as a dungeon... or a war simulator. Most people use the first term."

[Did you hear about it before boy?] (Laurence)

"I'm 25 already you stupid gorilla! You are probably at most 6-7 years older than me... Who are you calling boy!?"

"Yes... some. Remember what I told you previously about killing the monsters and assimilating their experience? Well, in a country away from here I once passed through, a similar dungeon was discovered. Mildly put, is a place that defies reason and has multiple floors as one goes forward. Also, the deeper you go, the stronger the monsters get. Obviously, in most cases the monsters inside this dungeon differ from floor to floor and also have different fighting characteristics. The place I have visited used the dungeon to make its soldiers and adventurers stronger, by increasing their levels and granting upon them better weapons and armors."

[What? Better weapons and armors? How is that possible?] (Laurence)

"Apparently in this place, each time a monster is slayed it might drop...ahem! leave a material behind. Most of them are superior to any materials existing above ground. Not only that, but one might also find existing armaments inside it, that could grant attribute points or skills to the wielder."

[By Ahnur! That would explain your suggestion if that's the case! But you said that the strength of these monsters deepens on the floor they are on, didn't you? How would they be able to challenge those monsters?] (Charles)

"This is only a rumor I have heard but, apparently when a person reaches a higher level, they receive a special skill that they can use. This skill is determined by the actions that person took to reach that level. Have you heard of this before?"

[Huh!? Wait! Don't we have some people that went past level 10 and had something similar happen to them? Right! Some of our veteran soldiers, after reaching level 10 received a skill that increased the experience gained even more than the blessing of the world.] (Laurence)

"Meaning that, a person that only trained in order to get experience, at level 10 would receive a skill that makes gaining it, much easier. Now, what would happen if a person was to reach the same level, by slaying monsters? What kind of skill would he receive?"

[I see what you mean... Indeed in that case the skill would be battle oriented. So what you're suggesting is to use this dungeon ourselves and improve the strength of the army before attacking the Goblin village?] (Charles)

"Is only an option. The first floor of the dungeon should be relatively easy to overcome, therefore I would advise selecting fifty of your best soldiers by using similar tactics to what I mentioned previously and gather knowledge about the dungeon. Ah! I almost forgot! You should be careful since there is a possibility of traps in the dungeon. Like pitfalls, or by stepping on some stone, would activate a trap that would shoot arrows at that position. So if you have someone with good detection skills, include him in the fifty. Oh! And to be able to use it later on as well, have the initial party draw a map of each floor, to be useful to anyone else willing to enter such place at a later point it time. This map should come also with information about the monsters, like their levels, their skills, their weak points and any other relevant details. Therefore, include the people with the Eye of Truth skill you mentioned previously."

[Yes, that does sound good since it might serve as good training ground for our soldiers and maybe even the adventurers, if materials can be gathered inside. General, should we let His Grace know about this?] (Laurence)

[Not yet. First we need to know more about this place and what it can provide us with. If indeed everything is like Michael here said, it will prove as a valuable asset not only for our city or our country, but for the entire continent in the fight against these creatures. Because of that Michael, please understand why I desire to confirm it before further providing it to any of my superiors. Also, please don't say a word of this to anyone else. Is the same for the two of you! Don't disclose any details about the dungeon or the attack plan yet! ] (Charles)

"I completely understand, so you don't need to worry about it. What I'm I to do next? I registered as an adventurer here, but I lack the common knowledge about this place entirely. I would also like to find a place to eat and sleep for tonight..."

[Hmm? Yes, don't worry as there are inns close by the guild. Do you have any money for the accommodation?] (Charles)

"Like I said I lack the common knowledge about this place, that, including the currency. Ah! I do have these coins though."

Remembering the coins in the pouch I took from the Goblin, I took some of them out and showed the three different types I had, hoping that at least one of them would belong to this place.

[Good! That's all three types of currency this continent uses. You have the brown one that is copper. About 10 copper coins would give you a good night sleep at a decent inn and another 5 would guarantee three meals per day. The one with the white color is silver. A silver is worth 50 copper coins. With about 10 silver you can buy yourself a full armor set or a really good weapon from a decent smith, but looking at you, you might want to visit a taylor first. Lastly, the yellow one is gold. The gold coin is worth 20 silver coins, or 1000 cooper coins. Needless to say, with 10 gold coins you could easily buy a war horse or a small-sized cart if you are a merchant. By the way if you intend to buy a house in our city, depending on its size and location it will be between 50 - 100 gold, or in some cases higher.] (Ronald)

"Hmm? Isn't this good? I have money at least. If I remember it right, I have that one gold coin, about 7 silver ones and should be around 20 copper coins. So that is about 27 silver coins and another 20 copper. I should be fine for food and a place to sleep I guess for a while."

[Also, since you were the one to provide us with information about the Goblin Village, the reward for the request posted by our army is worth 5 silver. That might not be a big sum to show our appreciation for all you have done for us so far, but I hope to be able to return this favor after talking with our King. At that time, no doubt we will show up in front of Him victorious from the war against the Goblins and the scouting of the dungeon...] (Charles)

Wow...Dramatic much? He seems to have took off in a world of his own making... Haaaah! Really now, I might've meddled to much...

"I appreciate the help just as much and I strongly believe you will be successful in your task. Is there anything else required of me?"

[Ahem! That would be everything for now. Please do come by if we ask for you, since your knowledge is highly valuable for this endeavor.] (Charles)

"Understood! It would be my pleasure."

"Take note Ron! That's how you lie with a smile on your face!"

[Thank you for you help today Corbett. Many lives, both soldiers and common folk, will be spared thanks to the information you gave us. You truly have my gratitude for it!] (Laurence)

Would you look at that! The middle-aged man with a gorilla-like personality bowed his head in gratitude for the people. I guess it does make sense, since he also seems the honest and straightforward type just like Ronald...

"Please Commander, raise your head! I only did what is natural. Please look out for me in the future as well since, like I said, I lack common knowledge."

[Understood... I will gladly do so!] (Laurence)

[Then with your permission General, Commander... I will escort Michael to get his adventurer's tag and guide him to the inn. Would that be fine?] (Ronald)

[[Yes.]]

"Thank you very much Ronald!"

[No problem. It should be me who thanks you. Let's go!] (Ronald)

After descending the flight of stairs to the first floor, we headed towards the reception desk where I was handed my adventurer tag by the old man, who grinned while telling me about it.

[As you can see its current color is white, meaning that you are at the lowest rank, G. To be able to increase it, you must earn points. Those points are awarded automatically by monster kills or requests you have completed. Since you already completed a request posted by the General, your tag has been infused with 5 points worth of experience. Like the leveling of a regular human, the tag follows the same type of experience gain, only doubled. Meaning that you need 20 points for level two and 50 points for level three and...you get the idea. The highest rank is SSS, but no one has achieved even SS for now. The order is from G to A and then S, SS and SSS. Any questions?] (Receptionist)

That experience point gain...I could see the percentage on my end, but didn't really look into the numbers... I should take care of that later. Also...adventurer system rank... Could that useless game God try at least to show a bit of imagination!?

"No, I understand. Thank you for your kind explanation!"

[Hmpf! I look forward to your accomplishments, not useless thanks.] (Receptionist)

[Have a good day!] (Helen)

"Thank you very much. Same for both of you!"

When we managed to exit the guild, both Ronald and myself were taken aback by the commotion outside. He went ahead and talked with some of the people he knew and returned telling me that they heard about a way to reach the Goblin Village and came to show their support. Those people were mostly adventurers and they wanting to help, stands to show that they are quite united in this city. It was a pleasant sight...

We walked down a street and Ronald pointed at a tall building almost the same height as the adventurer's guild, telling me that is the Alchemist's Guild. Then we passed by a restaurant and some shops that sold either clothes, weapons or armor. It surprised me how he took his time in explaining the market prices, all in order for me not to be ripped off by the first merchant I came across.

Then, after about thirty minutes of leisure walk we reached the inn.

[I'll go and inform my fellow guard-mates of what happened today, so I'll leave you here. If you need help with anything, come by the east wall and find me there. I'll do my utmost to help you out.] (Ronald)

We parted ways for now with a manly hand shake and I stood in front of the building he dropped me at.

"My first inn experience in another world. This should be interesting..."