Chapter 500: Dungeon Passes in the Capital

The commotion surrounding Greyfen’s entrance showed no signs of subsiding.

Ever since Sage announced that the Adventurer Guild had officially classified Greyfen as an S-Rank Dungeon, the gathered Warriors had been discussing its potential treasures, powerful monsters, and extraordinary mana concentration. However, their excitement was gradually giving way to another concern.

The enormous stone pillars surrounding the entrance remained firmly in place.

Golden runes illuminated their surfaces, forming a magnificent magical barrier that prevented anyone from approaching the dungeon without permission.

And judging by the expressions of several noble representatives, they were becoming increasingly displeased with that arrangement.

"Guildmaster Sage!" a heavily armored mercenary called from the front of the gathering. "You’ve explained that Greyfen belongs to the Adventurer Guild, but what about the rest of us? Are you saying nobody else can enter?"

Sage turned toward the man with a pleasant smile. "Of course not. What would be the point of managing a dungeon if nobody were allowed to explore it?"

The mercenary frowned. "Then why is the entrance sealed?"

"Because uncontrolled entry into an S-Rank Dungeon would be an excellent way to create an unnecessarily large collection of corpses," Sage replied calmly. "And while the Adventurer Guild offers many services, organizing mass funerals isn’t currently among them."

A few Warriors laughed, although others continued staring at the barrier with obvious frustration.

Leon stood beside Sage, observing the crowd. The presence of a 6-Star Grandmaster Knight was proving remarkably effective at discouraging anyone from attempting to settle the disagreement through force.

Sage allowed the murmuring to subside before continuing.

"Those familiar with the Adventurer Guild’s operations in Evergreen should already understand how this works. Every dungeon under our management operates through a standardized entry system. Greyfen will be no different."

A young Warrior near the front raised his hand. "Are you referring to those Dungeon Passes mentioned in the Guild’s Guide Book?"

"Precisely," Sage answered. "The Dungeon Pass system has already been operating successfully throughout Evergreen. It isn’t something we’ve invented specifically for Greyfen."

Several experienced Adventurers nodded in recognition.

Although the Adventurer Guild was still establishing its influence in the Royal Capital, stories about its unusual dungeon management had already spread beyond Evergreen. Some Warriors had even traveled there to explore Guild-controlled dungeons themselves.

However, for most of those gathered, the mechanism remained unfamiliar.

Sage gestured toward the towering pillars.

"When the Adventurer Guild claims a dungeon, its entrance becomes protected by a magical formation. This formation regulates entry through Dungeon Passes issued by the Guild. Anyone possessing a valid Pass corresponding to that dungeon’s classification may enter through the designated passage."

He paused before pointing toward Greyfen’s entrance.

"Since Greyfen has been classified as an S-Rank Dungeon, entering it will require an S-Rank Dungeon Pass."

A wave of discussion swept through the gathering.

"An S-Rank Pass?"

"Does that mean ordinary passes won’t work?"

"What happens if someone tries entering without one?"

Sage raised his hand, signaling for silence. "A Pass issued for a lower-ranked dungeon won’t grant access to Greyfen. The formation recognizes the appropriate classification, and anyone attempting to enter without valid authorization will be rejected."

As though determined to test his explanation, a broad-shouldered mercenary approached the golden barrier.

"Then what if someone is strong enough to force their way through?" the man challenged, drawing several curious glances.

Sage regarded him with mild amusement. "You’re welcome to discover the answer, provided you don’t damage anything belonging to the Guild."

The mercenary hesitated before extending his hand toward the formation.

BANG!

A burst of golden light threw him backward.

He landed heavily on the ground, drawing startled cries from the surrounding Warriors.

Sage sighed. "And that, everyone, is why I generally recommend listening before conducting personal experiments."

Mina covered her mouth, struggling to contain her laughter.

"Petty Uncle Sage, you knew that would happen!" she whispered accusingly.

Sage glanced down at her. "I gave him a perfectly reasonable warning. Some people simply prefer practical demonstrations."

Lucan shook his head with an amused expression, while Rowan helped the embarrassed mercenary regain his footing.

Unfortunately, the demonstration did little to satisfy the noble representatives.

A finely dressed man stepped forward, accompanied by two armed retainers. His embroidered cloak and expensive sword marked him as someone accustomed to receiving considerable respect.

"Guildmaster Sage," the nobleman began, his expression stern, "this arrangement raises serious concerns. Greyfen appeared within the Kingdom’s territory. Surely you cannot expect the nobility to accept that a newly established organization may restrict access to such an important resource."

Sage regarded him calmly. "The Adventurer Guild isn’t preventing qualified Warriors from exploring Greyfen. We’re establishing a regulated method of entry."

"By requiring everyone to obtain permission from your organization," the nobleman countered.

"By requiring everyone to possess an appropriate Dungeon Pass," Sage corrected. "There’s an important distinction."

The nobleman’s expression tightened.

Sage continued before he could interrupt. "Consider the alternative. Hundreds of Warriors rush into an unfamiliar S-Rank Dungeon without preparation, without understanding its dangers, and without any reliable record of who entered. When expeditions disappear, their companions won’t even know where to begin searching."

He gestured toward the gathered Warriors.

"The Adventurer Guild intends to establish an orderly entry process, maintain expedition records, and provide information concerning known dangers. None of those measures guarantee survival, but they offer considerably better prospects than allowing everyone to charge inside whenever they please."

Several independent Warriors exchanged thoughtful glances.

A veteran mercenary captain folded his arms. "That sounds reasonable enough, Guildmaster. But what prevents the Guild from refusing entry to anyone it dislikes?"

Sage smiled faintly. "An excellent question. The Guild’s intention is to make dungeon exploration accessible to qualified Adventurers, not reserve every valuable location for a handful of powerful households."

The remark attracted immediate attention.

Sage continued, "Naturally, entry will remain subject to the Guild’s regulations. Anyone who violates those regulations may lose their privileges. However, a Warrior’s noble birth, wealth, or family connections won’t automatically determine whether they’re permitted to purchase a Pass."

The response caused another wave of murmuring.

For independent Warriors, the possibility of entering a valuable dungeon without seeking the patronage of a noble household was extremely attractive.

For the noble representatives, however, it was considerably less appealing.

Leon leaned toward Sage. "You’re certainly making an impression, Guildmaster."

Sage maintained his smile. "A favorable one, I hope."

"That depends entirely upon whom you ask," Leon replied, glancing toward the increasingly displeased noblemen.

Sage chuckled before returning his attention to the crowd.

"There’s another matter everyone should understand. Purchasing a Dungeon Pass doesn’t mean the Adventurer Guild will protect you from every danger inside."

A young swordsman frowned. "Then what exactly does the Pass provide?"

"Access," Sage answered simply. "Nothing more, nothing less. It allows you to enter a Guild-controlled dungeon. It doesn’t make monsters weaker, remove traps, or prevent you from making foolish decisions."

Mina looked up at him. "Uncle Sage, you’re talking about foolish decisions again."

"Only because they’re remarkably common," Sage replied.

He then addressed the gathering more seriously.

"Greyfen is an S-Rank Dungeon. Our expedition encountered powerful monsters, dangerous magical formations, and environments capable of killing careless explorers. And we only examined a very small portion of its enormous interior."

The crowd gradually quieted.

"Even experienced Warriors should prepare thoroughly before entering. Those who underestimate its dangers simply because they possess a Pass may never return."

The warning carried considerable weight coming from someone who had personally explored the dungeon alongside Leon.

Rowan stepped closer to Sage and lowered his voice. "Guildmaster, we’ll need proper arrangements before allowing expeditions inside. Registration records, Pass distribution, and somewhere to organize the waiting Warriors."

Sage nodded. "Agreed. We should also establish clear instructions concerning entry procedures and the Guild’s responsibility."

Iris glanced toward the surrounding camps. "And perhaps warn everyone about the difference between dungeon monster classifications and dungeon ranks. Some might assume every creature inside an S-Rank Dungeon possesses overwhelming strength."

"An important distinction," Sage replied. "We’ll make sure the information is included."

He turned toward Lucan.

"Once we return to headquarters, I want Tobias informed that preparations for Greyfen’s entry arrangements must begin immediately. We’ll need administrative staff, proper records, and a reliable method of distributing the appropriate Passes."

Lucan nodded. "Understood, Guildmaster. I’ll make sure the instructions reach him."

Sage looked toward the enormous formation once more.

The golden runes continued shining brilliantly, completely indifferent to the arguments taking place outside.

Fifty-odd dungeons in Evergreen, and now an S-Rank Dungeon beside the Royal Capital.

The Guild’s influence was expanding far faster than he had originally anticipated.

More importantly, Greyfen would provide an opportunity to demonstrate that the Adventurer Guild could manage something of extraordinary importance without surrendering control to the nobility.

A merchant near the front finally raised his voice.

"Guildmaster Sage! You keep mentioning these S-Rank Dungeon Passes. When will they become available?"

"Once the necessary arrangements have been completed," Sage answered. "We’ll announce the distribution procedures through the Adventurer Guild."

Another Warrior immediately called out, "Will there be a limit on how many we can purchase?"

"Any restrictions will be explained before sales begin," Sage replied.

A third mercenary pushed forward, his expression impatient. "Then there’s something else we need to know, Guildmaster!"

Sage looked toward him expectantly.

The man gestured toward the towering pillars.

"If everyone needs an S-Rank Dungeon Pass to enter, how much are you going to charge us?"

The question immediately silenced several nearby conversations.

Then more voices joined in.

"That’s right! What’s the price?"

"How expensive is an S-Rank Pass?"

"Will ordinary Warriors even be able to afford one?"

Sage surveyed the eager faces surrounding him.

He had been expecting that question.

And judging by the crowd’s sudden enthusiasm, he suspected his next announcement would be considerably more interesting than anything he had revealed so far.