Dungeon Dream

[Ueno's Shabby Clinic, Outskirts of Urano Empire]

Al stirred awake, his body heavy and sore.

"Where... am I?" he croaked.

"Oh, you're finally awake," a deadpan voice greeted him.

Blinking through the haze, Al recognized the shabby clinic's rotting beams and the overwhelming stench of antiseptic.

"Yikes, it's Dr. Sketchy's house," he muttered, waving a hand at the stench. "No wonder it reeks so much in here."

"I should've let you die," Ueno shot back, his arms crossed. "You've been out cold for three days, and I was hoping for some peace."

"Ahaha! Always a ray of sunshine, aren't you?" Al snickered.

"Here," Ueno interrupted, shoving a steaming mug into Al's hands.

Al took a sip and recoiled. "Ugh, bitter! Are you poisoning me now?"

"I should, but no. By the way, Jeanne left after dumping you-literally-on my front door."

Al's eyes widened. "What?! She left me here? Did she say something like, 'Please,save him! He's my soulmate, and I can't live without him!"

Ueno's eyebrow twitched. "Nope. She just left you here like a sack of trash. Didn't even check back once."

"Hahaha! That does sound like her!" Al chuckled awkwardly, scratching his neck.

"So, when are you leaving?" Ueno asked, folding his arms. "I'm not running a charity here."

"Chasing me out already? Have some sympathy, doc-l iust woke up after a three- day nap!"

"I have no sympathy for freeloading trash like you."

"Fine, fine. By the way, where's my gear?"

"In the storeroom."

"Got it. Thanks, Sketchy."

Moments later, Al emerged from the storeroom, fully dressed in his battered armor.

"Here." Ueno handed him an envelope.

"What's this, a love letter?" Al teased.

Ueno's glare was enough to freeze fire.

Al tore it open. "A... BILL?! One MILLION

Aira?! You've got to be kidding!"

"Huh, I underestimated. It's closer to 1.4 million now."

"Wh-why?! What for?!"

"Tending your wounds, keeping you alive, repairing that heap of scrap you call armor, and several other generous acts of kindness."

"But I didn't ask for a repair!"

"Clinic policy, remember?"

"Come on, give me a discount at least!"

"Sure, 1.5 million Aira."

"S-stop increasing it!"

"1.6."

"Fine, fine! I'll pay↓

"Good. Start now."

"Uh... can I pay part of it?" Al gave him his best pitiful look.

"I'll allow it-for now."

[Transaction: -30,450 Aira]

Al stared at his nearly empty wallet. "There goes my 30,450 Aira."

"Which leaves you owing 1,369,550 Aira," Ueno said smugly.

"Y-yeah, thanks for reminding me... Bye now!"

"don't pay back, I'll find you-and it won't be pleasant."

Al shivered. "I hate that stinky doctor."

[Urano Empire - Main Gate]

Al approached the bustling gates and frowned. "Why is there such a long line? Did someone promise free ale?"

He nudged the person in front of him. "Hey, what's going on?"

"You don't know?"

the man replied, surprised.

"Sector 2's dungeon is acting up!"

"The Duke ordered immediate evacuation to the other sectors. Everyone's fleeing."

Al's grin widened.

"Now that sounds interesting."