Chapter 502: The Price of Freedom [ Magic Castle Bonus - ]

By the following morning, the area surrounding Greyfen’s entrance had transformed into something resembling a bustling marketplace.

Hundreds of Warriors occupied the temporary camps scattered across the valley, while merchants arrived with wagons carrying provisions, weapons, potions, and other supplies.

News that the Adventurer Guild had claimed an S-Rank Dungeon had spread throughout the Royal Capital, attracting everyone from independent mercenaries to representatives of powerful commercial organizations.

However, the greatest attraction remained the enormous stone pillars surrounding Greyfen’s entrance.

More importantly, the Guild had finally begun preparations to sell S-Rank Dungeon Passes.

"Guildmaster, the registration tables are ready," Tobias reported, approaching Sage with several documents tucked beneath his arm. "We’ve established three separate queues for Adventurers, mercenary companies, and new applicants. However, the number of interested Warriors is considerably higher than anticipated."

Sage examined the gathering with satisfaction. "Excellent. Nothing makes a businessman happier than discovering his customers are willing to stand in line."

Tobias adjusted his spectacles. "That depends entirely upon whether we can accommodate them, Guildmaster. If this continues, we’ll need additional personnel before the afternoon."

"Then arrange it," Sage replied. "And make sure nobody starts selling their position in the queue. I’d rather not discover that someone has established a second business using my customers."

Nearby, Bramdir Coppervein was overseeing the construction of temporary wooden counters, while Oren coordinated the Warriors assigned to maintain order.

Several additional Guild employees had accompanied them from headquarters, carrying registration ledgers and supplies.

The arrangements were modest compared to the facilities Sage eventually intended to establish, but they would suffice for the first day.

A large wooden board had been erected beside the registration tables.

Written across its surface were the words:

Greyfen Dungeon — S-Rank

S-Rank Dungeon Pass: 100 Gold Coins.

Valid For One Entry

All Dungeon Loot Remains The Property Of The Rightful Finder

The moment the price was revealed, the surrounding crowd erupted.

"One hundred gold coins?!"

"That’s more than some Warriors earn in several months!"

"How are ordinary Adventurers supposed to afford that?"

A broad-shouldered mercenary captain stepped forward, his expression troubled. "Guildmaster Sage, I understand that Greyfen is an S-Rank Dungeon, but isn’t one hundred gold rather expensive for a single entry?"

Sage turned toward him with a patient smile. "Expensive compared to what? An ordinary dungeon, certainly. But Greyfen isn’t an ordinary dungeon, and the resources available within it may be considerably more valuable."

The captain frowned thoughtfully.

Sage continued, "More importantly, remember our previous discussion. If your company recovers treasures worth ten thousand gold coins from a noble-controlled dungeon demanding ninety percent, you’d surrender nine thousand. Under the Guild’s arrangement, you retain the entire ten thousand, apart from whatever you’ve spent on entry and preparations."

Several nearby Warriors began calculating the difference.

"That’s true," another mercenary admitted. "If five of us enter, we’d spend five hundred gold on Passes. But a successful expedition could recover considerably more than that."

"Precisely," Sage answered. "The Pass is an expense you can calculate before entering. Your potential earnings remain yours."

The explanation immediately changed the atmosphere.

Although some Warriors continued complaining about the price, others began discussing how much they could earn from rare monster materials, magical treasures, and valuable resources.

However, Sage wasn’t interested in encouraging reckless optimism.

"Before anyone starts imagining mountains of gold," he announced, raising his voice, "allow me to remind you that Greyfen is an S-Rank Dungeon. Its classification represents extraordinary danger, not a promise of extraordinary profits."

The surrounding conversations gradually quieted.

"Some expeditions may recover valuable treasures. Others may return with very little. And those who underestimate the dungeon’s monsters, traps, or unfamiliar environments might never return at all."

Leon stood beside him, his arms folded across his chest.

"I can confirm that warning," Leon added, his expression serious. "Our expedition encountered dangerous creatures and magical formations despite exploring only a limited portion of Greyfen. Anyone entering should prepare for circumstances far beyond ordinary dungeon exploration."

The words of a 6-Star Grandmaster Knight carried considerable weight.

Several younger Warriors exchanged uneasy glances.

One swordsman near the front slowly stepped away from the registration queue, apparently reconsidering his decision.

Sage noticed but made no attempt to stop him.

Good. At least someone understands the difference between courage and stupidity.

A mercenary captain approached the nearest counter and placed a heavy pouch upon the wooden surface.

"I’ll purchase six Passes for my company," he declared. "We’ve explored dangerous dungeons before, and we’ve prepared enough supplies for an extended expedition."

Tobias opened the pouch, counted the coins, and examined the company’s registration documents.

"Six S-Rank Dungeon Passes," Tobias confirmed. "That will be six hundred gold coins. Please understand that the Passes authorize one entry each. Leaving the dungeon will conclude that entry."

The captain nodded. "Understood."

Tobias completed the transaction and handed over six specially prepared Passes bearing the Guild’s insignia and the corresponding dungeon classification.

The captain examined one with considerable interest.

"So these are the famous Dungeon Passes I’ve been hearing about."

"Indeed," Tobias replied. "The same entry system has been operating in Evergreen. Greyfen simply requires the appropriate S-Rank version."

The mercenary smiled before returning to his companions.

His purchase appeared to break the hesitation gripping the crowd.

Within minutes, several additional companies approached the registration tables.

Some purchased enough Passes for their entire expedition, while others registered their interest but delayed payment until they could recruit stronger companions.

A few independent Warriors chose not to purchase anything.

For them, one hundred gold represented a substantial investment, and the possibility of losing both their money and their lives was too great.

Sage considered their hesitation perfectly reasonable.

An S-Rank Dungeon wasn’t intended to be a convenient training ground for inexperienced Adventurers.

Meanwhile, Mina stood beside Iris, watching the growing queue with undisguised amazement.

"Uncle Sage is making so much money," Mina whispered, counting the number of Warriors approaching the counters. "And he hasn’t even entered the dungeon again!"

Iris smiled. "That’s because the Guildmaster is selling access to something valuable, Mina. The Warriors are paying for the opportunity to explore it themselves."

Mina considered the explanation before grinning. "Then Uncle Sage really is clever. Everyone else does the fighting while he collects the gold."

Sage, who had overheard the conversation, turned toward her with an offended expression.

"Mina, please don’t describe your beloved uncle’s business arrangements as though I’m some shameless profiteer."

Mina tilted her head innocently. "But aren’t you?"

Lucan burst into laughter.

Sage sighed dramatically. "Children truly are the greatest enemies of a respectable reputation."

Despite the lighthearted exchange, the business surrounding Greyfen was developing rapidly.

Several merchants had already approached Bramdir about establishing permanent supply stalls near the entrance. Others wanted permission to purchase monster materials directly from returning expeditions.

Garen Holtweiss arrived shortly before midday, accompanied by two assistants carrying documents.

"Guildmaster Sage," the merchant greeted, examining the crowded valley with obvious admiration, "I must congratulate you. You’ve managed to turn a dangerous hole in the ground into the most interesting commercial opportunity near the Royal Capital."

Sage smiled. "Garen, I’m delighted you’ve recognized the potential. I assume you didn’t travel all this way merely to compliment me."

"Naturally not," Garen admitted. "My associates are interested in supplying expedition provisions, purchasing recovered materials, and establishing storage facilities. If Greyfen attracts the number of Warriors everyone expects, the surrounding trade could become substantial."

"Then we’ll discuss the appropriate arrangements," Sage replied. "However, the Guild will establish the regulations governing commercial activities near its entrance. I have no intention of allowing the entire valley to become an uncontrolled marketplace."

Garen nodded approvingly. "A sensible precaution. Competition will be fierce once the larger merchant associations become involved."

Sage glanced toward the registration counters.

Tobias was already struggling to manage the growing number of applicants, while Oren directed several Warriors away from an argument concerning queue positions.

The Guild would need considerably more than temporary wooden tables.

It would require permanent registration facilities, storage buildings, supply merchants, expedition services, and personnel capable of managing the growing demand.

More importantly, the Guild’s headquarters would need to expand its administrative operations.

"Tobias," Sage called, beckoning the administrator toward him. "I want a report prepared concerning today’s sales, new registrations, and requests for expedition services. We’ll also need additional staff assigned to Greyfen."

Tobias nodded, making several notes. "Understood, Guildmaster. I’ll coordinate with the headquarters personnel and prepare recommendations for expanding our operations."

"Good," Sage replied. "And speak with Maura about establishing a proper information service for Adventurers preparing to enter."

Tobias looked up from his documents. "Information concerning Greyfen itself?"

"Exactly," Sage answered. "Known monsters, environmental hazards, explored routes, and anything else that might help Warriors prepare. We should begin collecting reports from every expedition willing to provide them."

Leon approached after overhearing the conversation.

"That’s going to be important," he observed. "An S-Rank Dungeon with hundreds of unexplored floors could conceal dangers nobody in the Kingdom has encountered before."

Sage nodded slowly.

The first wave of Pass sales had already demonstrated Greyfen’s enormous commercial potential. Gold was flowing into the Guild’s treasury, merchants were competing for opportunities, and Warriors from across the Royal Capital were preparing expeditions.

But attracting customers was only the beginning.

If those Warriors entered Greyfen without reliable information, unnecessary deaths could quickly damage the Guild’s reputation.

And unlike selling Dungeon Passes, building trust required something far more difficult than collecting gold.

Sage looked toward the towering pillars surrounding Greyfen’s entrance, his expression becoming thoughtful.

Access brings them through the gate.

Information will determine whether they trust us enough to return.

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

Now Sage needed to prove that his organization could manage one.