Chapter 499: The First S-Rank Dungeon

The enormous Dungeon Core continued radiating brilliant golden light as Sage examined the translucent notification floating before his eyes.

Behind him, the other five members of the expedition were recovering from their battle against the Core Guardian, unaware that the crystal had already acknowledged a new owner.

[Ding!]

[Dungeon Claim Successfully Completed!]

[Dungeon: Greyfen]

[Ownership: Adventurer Guild]

[Evaluating Dungeon Classification...]

Sage watched the notification with considerable interest. Although he had already claimed more than fifty dungeons throughout Evergreen, none possessed anything approaching Greyfen’s extraordinary scale.

Its enormous manifestation, countless unexplored floors, and powerful monsters made it fundamentally different from the smaller dungeons under the Guild’s control.

Several seconds passed before the System completed its assessment.

[Evaluation Complete!]

[Official Dungeon Classification: S-Rank]

[Classification Basis: Mana Concentration, Dungeon Structure, Monster Potential, Floor Depth, and Overall Threat Level.]

[Warning: S-Rank Dungeons contain threats capable of overwhelming even highly accomplished Warriors.]

Sage’s eyes brightened.

S-Rank.

It was the highest classification included in the Dungeon Ranking System he had publicly introduced through the Adventurer Guild.

More importantly, Greyfen was the first dungeon under Guild ownership to receive that classification.

He immediately understood the significance.

An ordinary dungeon could provide Adventurers with resources, equipment, and opportunities to improve their strength. An S-Rank Dungeon, however, possessed the potential to attract powerful Warriors from across the Kingdom and perhaps even beyond its borders.

And every one of those Warriors would eventually need to deal with the Adventurer Guild.

Sage struggled to suppress his smile.

This might be the most profitable piece of property I’ve ever acquired.

"Guildmaster, is something wrong?" Iris asked, noticing his prolonged silence beside the crystal.

Sage turned toward her, adopting a thoughtful expression. "Quite the opposite. I was considering just how unusual this dungeon is. Its mana concentration alone exceeds anything I’ve encountered in Evergreen."

Leon approached the platform, his sword returned to its sheath. "That’s certainly true. Even the Guardian was considerably more dangerous than most creatures I’ve encountered. And judging by the dungeon’s structure, there are probably much stronger enemies deeper inside."

"Which makes our next responsibility rather important," Sage replied. "We need to ensure that nobody mistakes this place for an ordinary dungeon."

Mina glanced toward the crystal. "Uncle Sage, does that mean we’re finally finished?"

"With the claiming expedition? Yes," Sage answered, smiling at her. "With the consequences of claiming it? Unfortunately, I suspect our troubles are only beginning."

The group prepared to leave after recovering their remaining equipment. Although they were exhausted, the chamber’s formations had stabilized following the Guardian’s defeat, and Sage was able to guide them toward the newly accessible return passage.

By the time they emerged near Greyfen’s entrance, an enormous commotion was already underway.

Hundreds of Warriors had gathered beyond the gigantic rune formation surrounding the dungeon. Mercenaries, independent adventurers, merchants, and representatives of several noble households stood beneath the towering stone pillars, arguing loudly about what had happened.

The moment Sage and his companions appeared from within the sealed entrance, the crowd erupted.

"Guildmaster Sage!"

"They’re alive!"

"Those are the people who entered before the pillars appeared!"

A heavily armored mercenary pushed toward the front of the gathering. "Guildmaster! What happened inside? Why has the dungeon entrance been sealed?"

Sage examined the crowd before answering. "The entrance has been sealed because Greyfen is now under the management of the Adventurer Guild."

For several moments, the surrounding Warriors fell silent.

Then the shouting began.

"What?!"

"How is that possible?"

"You’re saying the Adventurer Guild owns the entire dungeon?"

One noble representative stepped forward, his expensive cloak brushing against the dusty ground. "Guildmaster Sage, surely you understand that claiming ownership of such an important location cannot be accomplished merely by entering it first."

Sage regarded the man calmly. "Fortunately, that isn’t how the Guild establishes ownership. Greyfen has been successfully claimed through the same procedure used for our dungeons in Evergreen. The pillars and entrance formation are evidence of that claim."

The nobleman’s expression darkened. "The Crown will certainly wish to examine this matter."

"Then I welcome its representatives to do so," Sage replied pleasantly. "The Adventurer Guild has no intention of concealing the fact that we now control Greyfen."

Leon remained beside Sage, his imposing presence discouraging several particularly agitated Warriors from approaching too closely.

Meanwhile, Rowan noticed that more people were gathering along the surrounding slopes. News of the strange pillars had evidently spread beyond the original expedition camps.

"Guildmaster," Rowan murmured, "I believe we have a much larger audience than expected."

Sage glanced toward the growing crowd.

"Excellent," he replied quietly. "That saves us the trouble of finding one."

He stepped onto a raised section of stone near the entrance, allowing his voice to carry across the gathering.

"Everyone, since there appears to be considerable confusion, allow me to explain something important about Greyfen. The Adventurer Guild has completed its initial assessment of this dungeon, and the results are rather extraordinary."

The crowd gradually quieted.

Sage allowed the silence to settle before continuing.

"As many of you know, dungeons have existed throughout the Kingdom for generations. Some contain relatively weak monsters, while others harbor creatures capable of slaughtering entire expeditions. Unfortunately, there has never been a universally reliable method for determining their danger before Warriors enter."

Several experienced mercenaries nodded.

Sage continued, "One noble might describe a dungeon as dangerous because it contains powerful monsters. Another might consider a similar dungeon manageable because his household possesses stronger Knights. Such judgments depend heavily upon personal experience, and that inconsistency has cost countless Warriors their lives."

A middle-aged adventurer near the front raised his hand. "Guildmaster, are you referring to the Dungeon Ranking System mentioned in your Adventurer Guide Book?"

"Precisely," Sage answered, recognizing the opportunity. "The Adventurer Guild established a standardized classification system so that Warriors could better understand the risks associated with different dungeons. Instead of relying entirely upon rumors, we evaluate factors such as mana concentration, environmental dangers, monster strength, and the overall structure of the dungeon."

He paused briefly before adding, "The purpose isn’t to guarantee anyone’s safety. No classification can accomplish that. Its purpose is to help Adventurers prepare appropriately and avoid entering places far beyond their capabilities."

Lucan folded his arms, observing the crowd with interest. Several Warriors were already discussing the explanation among themselves, particularly those familiar with the Guild’s operations in Evergreen.

A mercenary captain called out, "Then what rank is Greyfen? Surely it’s considerably higher than the dungeons you’ve claimed before!"

Sage smiled.

"An excellent question."

He allowed another moment of silence to settle over the gathering.

"After examining Greyfen’s extraordinary mana concentration, its enormous internal structure, and the strength of the monsters encountered during our expedition, the Adventurer Guild has officially classified it as an S-Rank Dungeon."

For an instant, nobody spoke.

Then the entire gathering erupted.

"S-Rank?!"

"That’s the highest classification!"

"You’re telling me something that dangerous appeared this close to the Royal Capital?"

Several Warriors stared toward the sealed entrance with expressions of disbelief.

Others immediately began calculating what an S-Rank Dungeon might contain.

Rare materials, powerful treasures, extraordinary magical resources, and monsters capable of challenging the strongest Warriors in the Kingdom.

The possibilities were almost unimaginable.

One noble representative turned toward his companions, his expression grim. "Send word to the capital immediately. The household must learn about this before our rivals."

Nearby, a merchant was already instructing his attendants to prepare messages for his business associates.

Sage watched the reactions with considerable satisfaction.

And there it is.

The announcement had accomplished precisely what he intended.

Greyfen was no longer merely an unusual dungeon that had appeared outside the Royal Capital.

It was now an officially classified S-Rank Dungeon.

And the Adventurer Guild controlled its entrance.

Leon stepped closer to Sage, lowering his voice. "You realize this announcement will attract considerably more attention, don’t you?"

"Naturally," Sage replied, maintaining his pleasant smile. "But hiding the dungeon’s importance wouldn’t make it any less dangerous. At least now, anyone planning to enter will understand that they’re dealing with something exceptional."

Leon considered his answer before nodding. "Fair enough. Although I suspect the noble households won’t be particularly pleased."

Sage glanced toward the towering stone pillars.

"Captain Leon, when have powerful people ever been pleased about discovering something valuable that doesn’t belong to them?"

Leon laughed quietly.

Across the gathering, arguments had already begun concerning the Guild’s authority, the dungeon’s potential resources, and whether noble households should be permitted to organize their own expeditions.

Yet one fact remained impossible to dispute.

The enormous rune formation continued sealing Greyfen’s entrance.

Nobody could enter without the Adventurer Guild’s permission.

As messengers departed toward the Royal Capital, carrying news of the extraordinary discovery, Sage looked toward the distant city walls.

By nightfall, every major noble household, merchant association, and mercenary organization would learn the same astonishing news.

The Adventurer Guild had claimed its first S-Rank Dungeon.

And the Royal Capital was about to discover just how valuable that achievement truly was.