Chapter 28 - The Return of the First Unit
Near the royal palace, the exercise grounds bustled with activity. Some noble daughters were still drenched in sweat, working hard on the athletic course, while others lounged casually, showing off their glowing skin and chatting cheerfully.
These were the ones who had successfully conquered the eleventh floor of the dungeon.
"Wowww~ That eleventh-floor hot spring is just incredible!"
"Totally! It’s on a whole other level compared to the others!"
Their loud and deliberately conspicuous bragging echoed through the area, much to the annoyance of a different group—those noble girls who had been deemed unfit to challenge the eleventh floor.
Among them were several who had long flaunted their skin, made radiant from repeated visits to the sixth-floor baths.
Money had gotten them that far before. Even with weak bodies, coin could still buy access. But now? Now, physical fitness was required—and the line had been drawn.
They couldn’t lash out in frustration, either. The girls flaunting their status had actually cleared the eleventh floor.
They didn’t just have better endurance now. Thanks to all that training, their figures had transformed. Meanwhile, those who’d once boasted only of smooth skin had been utterly dethroned.
Crushed and humiliated, many noble girls now trained relentlessly on the athletic course, hoping to be chosen for the Queen’s next dungeon expedition.
"Hoh? The noble ladies—non-combatants, mind you—seem awfully fired up with their training, don’t they?"
"They’ve got this intense fire in their eyes. Something must’ve happened, huh?"
"This weird-looking training ground wasn’t even here last time we came through. What the heck is this?"
A heavy, commanding voice rang out. The noble girls instantly turned toward it in alarm.
"Th-the First Unit...? You've returned...?"
A young lady from an earl’s house, who just happened to be nearby, addressed the armored figures in formal language, stiff as a board.
The First Unit. An elite squad composed mostly of commoners and former slum-dwellers, chosen solely for their exceptional combat skill. In the Kingdom of Sepans, their status rivaled even that of high-ranking nobles.
In fact, they were held in higher esteem than the Queen’s own Second Unit, which was composed of nobles.
Their job? Dive into foreign dungeons, survive the most grueling battles, and return with spoils—a grueling cycle of dangerous missions.
And whenever they did return home, they were treated as triumphant heroes. Even the aristocracy would speak to them with respect and formal language, honoring their rank and acknowledging the harsh burdens they bore.
Well...
That’s the official reason for the respectful tone, anyway.
But let’s be real—even if they were commoners, no one would dare speak casually to the First Unit.
Because they were terrifying. Just visually terrifying.
Due to the brutally harsh environments they lived and fought in, every one of them bore a look that could only be described as downright menacing.
Their eyes were unnaturally sharp—so intense it was hard to believe they were even human. The very air around them radiated a tension more terrifying than any wild beast, and deep scars carved across their faces looked like claw marks from monsters.
They exuded such an overwhelming aura that it wasn’t hard to imagine—if you so much as said the wrong thing—they’d lop off your head in an instant and let it roll across the floor without a second thought.
Compared to these people, the intimidating bodyguards back home looked like cuddly puppies.
"Yeah, we’re back. Is Her Majesty in the palace?"
"Y-yes! Queen Yuzha should be inside today!"
"I see. By the way... what’s up with this training ground? Everyone looks like they’re taking it very seriously."
"Y-yes! It was built so we could train to qualify for the new dungeon that was born in the Kingdom of Sepans! Everyone’s giving it their all!"
The earl’s daughter responded like a new recruit speaking to a drill sergeant—back ramrod straight, voice sharp and clear, nearly shouting “Yes, ma’am!” out of reflex.
There was no real reason for a noble to speak that way to a soldier... But the First Unit’s aura was just that intense—it overwhelmed you into submission.
"A new dungeon, huh...? There wasn’t anything like that the last time we came back. And it’s not even two years old, yet there are qualifications required for people to go in?"
"Hmm… well, never mind that. Captain Touji, let’s report our latest spoils to Her Majesty first."
"You’re right. Sorry to interrupt. Exercise is good—keep at it, lovely young ladies."
With that, the First Unit slung their heavy packs over their shoulders and made their way toward the palace.
Only when they were gone did the tension among the noble girls finally ease.
"Siiiiigh... That was terrifying. I know they wouldn’t hurt us, but it felt like staring down wild beasts just released from a cage..."
"No kidding..."
"What is it?"
"I just realized... it’s been a while since I saw skin that wasn’t touched by the hot springs."
"...Yeah. That’s part of what made it scary."
They had almost forgotten. Human skin—without the healing magic of the baths—could look so battered, so rough.
Over the past half year, the people of Sepans had grown used to flawless, beautiful skin.
After all, even commoners could soak in the first-floor hot springs now.
So when Captain Touji said “lovely young ladies” as she left, there was a bit of irony behind her words, as though she was saying, “You’ve lived your lives free of hardship, untouched by struggle, haven’t you?”
To that, the noble girls could only think:
Yeah... sorry about that, Captain Touji. But every girl in Sepans looks like this now...
"Your mission was harsh and perilous. You’ve done well. Tonight, a banquet will be held in your honor to celebrate your safe return. Enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
“We are deeply honored, Your Majesty! Thank you for your gracious words!”
The First Female Knights’ Unit had just returned from a grueling expedition into the deepest reaches of the Thread Dungeon in the Kingdom of Dolpins.
Their spoils included a vast quantity of impossibly strong threads and fabrics—materials that could never exist above ground.
These resources would undoubtedly be invaluable for future dungeon expeditions. Queen Yuzha was most pleased and warmly welcomed the First Unit’s return.
“By the way, Your Majesty, we heard whispers of a new dungeon being born in the kingdom?”
“Indeed. Though word has likely reached other nations by now... I suppose the rumors haven’t made it down to the dungeon depths?”
“No, Your Majesty. After completing our task, we delivered the designated loot to the King of Dolpins and returned straightaway.”
Dungeons like the Thread Dungeon were vast and deep. Merchants would even venture underground to sell food, allowing adventurers to exchange drop items for supplies and continue exploring without returning to the surface.
So, it wasn’t surprising that the First Unit was unaware of recent events above ground.
“Before we discuss anything further—baths have been prepared for all of you. Wash off the dust of your journey, and we’ll talk afterward.”
Queen Yuzha wore a sly, mischievous grin as she made the offer.
It would indeed be improper to stand before her in such dusty, battle-worn attire. The invitation was more than welcome.
But... there was something about Her Majesty’s smirk that felt suspicious.
Did she set something up in the bath? A prank, perhaps?
“You heard Her Majesty. Let’s go. Time to cleanse ourselves.”
“Yes, Ma’am!”
During their dungeon expeditions, washing meant wiping down with cold water—proper baths were a luxury none of them had experienced in years.
Excited and eager, the knights made their way to the baths.
As they washed at the rinsing area, idle conversation began.
“You think this dungeon drops some kind of magical lotion or something…?”
“No idea. But the skin and hair on everyone—Her Majesty, the Second Unit... They looked like pampered noble ladies fresh out of a fairytale.”
“You mean those noble girls at the training grounds too? They were exercising like their lives depended on it just to get into this dungeon?”
“If that’s the case, then this has got to be the most absurd, pointless dungeon ever made.”
The knights stepped into the bath—its waters drawn from the first floor of the Hot Spring Dungeon.
The moment they sank in, something extraordinary began to happen. Their tough, battle-hardened skin—calloused and coarse—started to soften and smooth right before their eyes.
“What the—?”
“Wait... huh?”
“N-no way… What is this?!”
Faced with the bath’s clearly unnatural effects, the members of the First Division could do nothing but stare, wide-eyed in shock.
Their skin was visibly improving by the second, smoothing and clearing before their very eyes—and the sudden transformation left them speechless.
Then, as if acting on cue, they all sank into the tub up to their shoulders and began splashing the water over their faces, scrubbing intently.
Even the one who, just seconds earlier, had scoffed that “this is the dumbest dungeon ever” was now scrubbing fervently, desperate to restore her elephant-hide skin to something more human.
They were warriors. A combat unit forged by battle, women who had abandoned vanity for the sword. They lived to fight—and died in glory.
Yet now, within the hearts of these First Division warriors who have always lived by those words, something long buried had begun to stir. The slumbering spirit of maidenhood was awakening.
So this was what the new dungeon could do…
Captain Touji finally understood the Queen’s grin as she had sent them to the bath.
“Fwahaha! You look like different people, Captain Touji. Well? Isn’t it amusing?”
Where moments ago the First Division had exuded the raw presence of a pack of wild beasts, they now looked more like a well-groomed pride—washed, brushed, and considerably more presentable... though still unmistakably dangerous.
“Your Majesty... what exactly is this?”
“It’s the Hot Spring Dungeon,” Her Majesty replied, chuckling with obvious delight. “It manifested in this land less than a year ago. As you’ve now experienced, the waters have miraculous effects—your skin is rejuvenated. And the deeper the level, the stronger the effect.”
“In fact, the dungeon has already grown to eleven floors. I recommend you all take a plunge to the very bottom and try every bath along the way.”
“Your Majesty... forgive me, but what purpose is there in making our skin beautiful?”
Over half her knights had just given off a distinct “Wait, we’re not going? Why not? Let’s go!” vibe.
They were already halfway seduced by the dungeon.
“Captain Touji, if I recall... your left pinky was left immobile due to injury, wasn’t it?”
“...Yes.”
She glanced down at the finger in question.
In truth, it wasn’t just her finger. Her joints ached, her body felt like it was beginning to collapse under years of strain.
She had been pushing through with grit alone—but she knew. A few more years, at best. Death or forced retirement loomed near.
“It’ll heal in the ninth-floor bath.”
Touji’s eyes widened.
“You’ll even regain a bit of your youth. Three years or so, though it only works once.”
The entire First Unit gasped.
The average age of the First Unit was on the older side. Even Captain Touji was over forty. To regain even three years of youthful strength—the benefit was enormous.
“Well, Captain? Tempted to descend to the bottom?”
For a warrior like Captain Touji—who had always prided herself on being above such superficial things... Even she could only nod.
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