Catgirls And Dungeons-Chapter 171: Guildmaster, hang in there!

"PHWUAAHHH!! Urrrghhh! That was crazy! Fuck this! Curse this S-rank dungeon!"

Karlogen’s voice is a mix of exhaustion and exasperation, his scales glistening with sweat as he breathes heavily, each gasp a labored.

"Ha... Haa..."

Sweat beads on his scaled forehead, trickling down his face, and his slitted eyes bulge, wide and frantic, as if he’s just escaped a dragon’s lair.

I blink, caught off guard by the Guildmaster’s meltdown.

Whoa...

"Haha," Eris laughs, her voice bright and teasing as she strolls toward him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, old man, it’s only the first day!" Her tail flicks playfully, and her grin is all mischief.

"ERIS! I QUIT!" Karlogen snaps, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her like a salt shaker, his face dreaded like he has just seen a ghost. "I quit! You can be the Guildmaster from now on! I can’t deal with this anymore!" His voice cracks, half-serious, half-desperate, and his tail thumps against the wall for emphasis.

"Nah!" Eris laughs, shrugging off his grip with ease. "I had enough with Shadowfang already! I’m never going back to that kind of work!" Her grin is bright, unbothered, and she crosses her arms, her ears twitching with amusement.

"Tch..." Karlogen clicks his tongue, his shoulders slumping as he glares at her. "Whenever you’re ready, this Guildmaster seat is always open for you!"

"Haha, thanks but no thanks!"

Meanwhile, I watch in awe.

I can’t believe it

S-rank dungeon is nuts!

To think the sheer amount of paperwork alone could rattle an A-rank adventurer like Karlogen, the formidable Guildmaster, into such a frazzled mess!

Poor him...

My heart twinges with sympathy, but the sight of the mighty Guildmaster reduced to a frazzled mess is just too funny, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing.

"Oh, hello, Felicia," Karlogen says, finally noticing me. He straightens, regaining his composure with a visible effort, his wings tucking neatly behind him. "Ehem," he clears his throat, combing a clawed hand through his hair and adjusting his tie with a quick tug.

"Good morning, Guildmaster Karlogen!" I chirp, hopping to my feet and bowing, my tail swishing with nervous energy. "Um, thank you for seeing us!"

"So, how are you feeling?" he asks, his slitted eyes softening as he studies me. "Do you still feel pain in your heart?"

"Ah, I still do," I reply, my hand drifting to my chest. "But as long as I don’t use much mana than my body can handle, I’m fine. Thank you for helping me a few days ago!" I bow again, my tail curling gratefully.

"Haha, that’s good to hear!" Karlogen chuckles as he steps closer, patting my head gently.

Now that I think about it...

Guildmaster Karlogen and Gordon do share a certain warmth, a warmth that makes me feel like I’m in the safest place in the world. They’re like old uncles, caring for us young ones with a gruff tenderness, as if we’re truly family.

But then...

"Wait..." Karlogen suddenly halts, his slitted eyes narrowing as he flicks his tongue, tasting the air like a serpent sensing prey. His wings twitch, and his voice sharpens"Your mana... why do I sense it’s stronger now? Way stronger than before? What did you do?"

"A-aaaaaa..." I stammer, my tail fluffs out, and my ears flatten in panic.

The truth is, Alter took control of my body and boosted my mana a little, but I can’t tell him that!

And thus, my mind scrambles for an excuse, my face heating up as I fumble for words.

"Oh, Felicia accidentally ate some weird mushroom!" Eris jumps in, her voice quick and smooth. "Maybe that’s why her mana’s acting weird now?" She flashes a grin, casual as ever, but her eyes dart to me, urging me to play along.

"Oh, right!" I nod vigorously, my ears bouncing as I latch onto the lie. "I ate this weird mushroom, and boom! I was out cold for two days!"

My tail swishes for emphasis, and I force a sheepish smile, hoping my blush looks more guilty than panicked.

"Yeah, she even had a slight fever," Eris adds, leaning in with a convincing nod, her hand resting on my shoulder like a protective big sister.

"Oh?" Karlogen bends forward, his scales glinting as he studies me, his eyes narrowing with concern. "A mushroom? That’s dangerous!" he exclaims, his wings flaring slightly. "Eris, why’d you let her eat something like that?"

"I-it’s my fault, Guildmaster Karlogen!" I blurt. "The mushroom looked so tasty and so similar to the one that I had at the market, so I just ate it! But by the time Eris noticed, it was already in my stomach..." I clasp my hands, bowing my head, my tail curling tightly around my leg as I sell the story.

And then, to my surprise, Karlogen buys it.

"Haaiizz..." Karlogen shakes his head, letting out a heavy sigh, his wings sagging with relief. "Alright, good thing it wasn’t toxic or deadly. But don’t do that again, you hear?" His tone softens, but his eyes stay stern, like an uncle scolding a wayward niece.

"Yes, I learned my lesson!" I chirp.

"Good!" Karlogen smiles, his scales shimmering as he straightens. He then reaches into his pocket. "Okay, here’s your Identification Card, as promised."

He pulls out a sleek, hard card, its surface gleaming like polished silver. I receive it with both hands, my fingers trembling with excitement, my tail flicking wildly.

"Ooooooowhhh!" I gasp, my eyes wide as I hold the card up, its edges catching the chamber’s soft light.

Even though I knew what it would say, even though it’s just a fake, holding it now feels special—like a dream made solid.

The card shines in my hands, a piece of my new life.

There’s even the embossed seal of a lion’s head, certified by the Löwenberg Knights Order. My heart swells, a mix of pride and disbelief, and I clutch the card to my chest.

"Congratulations, little one! You’re an adventurer now!" Karlogen says, his voice cheerful and proud.

"Nn! Thank you so much, Guildmaster Karlogen!" I squeak, brushing away tears of appreciation with the back of my hand, my ears bouncing as I bow again.

My chest feels like it’s glowing, and I can’t stop smiling, the weight of the card in my hands anchoring me to this moment.

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Identification Card Details:

Name: Felicia Flufftail

Date of Birth: August 13, 1305

Race: Cat Furren

Hometown: Sablethorn, Zehrak Desert

Adventurer Rank: E

Criminal Record: None