The cave had a high ceiling, and though it was unclear where the light came from, it was dimly illuminated regardless of day or night. Deeper inside the cave, which felt more open than expected, there was a staircase carved into the rock, leading upward without end.

Ignoring the branching paths along the way, Dada continued climbing relentlessly, doubling back repeatedly, until eventually the bright orange sky came into view.

As soon as Dada exited the dungeon, they returned to the Adventurer’s Guild to report.

“Master, I’ve returned.”

“Ah, Dada. How was it? What’s the situation on the 60th floor?”

“Yes. Due to rumors of the boss disappearing, we’ve been conducting a full-scale investigation of the 60th floor for the past two weeks with increased personnel, but…”

Dada skimmed through the report in their hands once more before passing it to the Guild Master.

“We commissioned three A-rank parties to thoroughly survey the entire 60th floor. As for the ordinary monsters that spawn there, they’re only at a level that a few A-rank adventurers could handle. Their numbers weren’t particularly high, either. Regarding the pressing issue of the Ogre boss… unfortunately, its presence was confirmed today for the first time in about two months. Just before I arrived, a pair of kobolds who entered the boss room were attacked with that infamous weapon and suffered broken bones. Thankfully, their lives weren’t in danger. It doesn’t interfere with healing magic, and it doesn’t seem to pursue those who flee. Afterward, it took some of the 60th floor’s treasures and disappeared deeper inside, as usual.”

“I see. I was hoping we’d gotten lucky if it had vanished.”

The emptied director’s office was filled with a heavy atmosphere. As the Guild Master hung his head, Dada shrugged and continued the report.

“We ran an appraisal, and its level has risen yet again. Desperate research is being conducted to counter that terrifying poison mist, but no practical equipment has been developed yet. The status abnormalities it previously had are also gone. It’s no longer a monster we can handle. Fortunately, encounters with it are rare, so we’re advising adventurers to flee without engaging if they spot it.”

“…Understood. I’d hoped the guild could take control of that floor since it’s where the dungeon’s treasures gather, but… I suppose we’ll just have to keep waiting for gaps when the Ogre isn’t around.”

The Guild Master read the report thoroughly, but nothing new stood out, nor did any viable strategy to defeat the Ogre come to mind.

Dada, a birdfolk with folded wings sitting on a backless chair, and the Guild Master, a lizardman covered in scales, both let out deep sighs, shook their heads, and returned to their respective tasks.