The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 30: The Eldenveil

Nothing could lift a mood quite as much as a trip to a dungeon. Well, at least as far as Lane was concerned.

Of course, it would be better if it was an active dungeon filled with dangerous monsters to fight... But beggars can’t be choosers. Standing in front of the Gate to the Eldenveil, Lane’s eyes practically shone, a genuine smile adorning his face. There was his spatial bag with the wavelength lock hidden in his jacket, and inside, there were over thirty capsules with the Fertilizer. He was all set and ready to go.

"Welcome to the Eldenveil! My name is Elena Harris, and I am your guide for this trip! How are you feeling today?" A thirty-something-year-old woman with thick-rimmed glasses, a sleek bob, and a fake smile plastered all over her face greeted them in front of the Gate. She was wearing a charcoal pencil skirt and a white shirt with the Trailblazer Guild logo. On her neck, she hung her Esper license on a lanyard, and so did the other tour guides waiting to receive the guests by the Gate.

It wasn’t a common practice - Lane remembered clearly that last time, no one from the employees had done that. As a result, Damien ended up going to each and every one of them to check whether they were all Awakened. Although in the end it turned out that they indeed were, it created so much trouble and extra work, that the Guild must have wanted to avoid it at all cost.

The corners of Lane’s mouth twitched, his smile widening even more. It was funny to think how Damien being so uptight and by the book was a menace to others, not just to him.

Damien’s eyes also landed on the lanyard. He quickly scanned the license, before nodding at the woman. "Thank you, we’re all doing good. Is it alright if we start right away?"

"Of course. Please follow me," the woman turned around, and walked through the Gate.

As the team entered after her, they arrived at a spacious reception hall. It was undoubtedly an unusual entrance to a dungeon, but it was more of a holiday resort. In order to receive their guests well, the Trailblazer Guild built elegant entrances on both sides of the Gate.

It was still early in the morning, so it was relatively empty, but even now, you could see the guests arriving at the Gate, checking in and out. It wasn’t hard to imagine how busy it was going to get later in the day.

"Are you still accepting guests at the moment?" Damien furrowed his brows, looking around. "According to the regulations, your dungeon inspection is almost a month overdue. The current safety status of the Gate is pending."

Elena Harris’s eyes twitched, but she was still able to maintain her wide smile somehow. "Yes, that is correct. However, that is only according to the new regulations, which were introduced only recently, without any prior warning. While I understand that the Awakened Association might believe that our dungeon doesn’t meet the safety standards. However, the unexpected changes have also put us in a difficult position. The guests have often booked those holidays far in advance. Can you imagine how disappointed they would be to have them cancelled so suddenly?"

Lane had to bite his lip hard to stop the chuckle from escaping him. As if the Guild was worried about the guests’ disappointment! If they did, that would only be because it could potentially negatively reflect on their reviews, although even then, they could push the blame onto the Association. It was clear that the actual reason they hadn’t closed the Gate was the financial loss they would undoubtedly suffer.

Damien, however, solemnly nodded his head. "I understand. It indeed must have been a difficult situation. However," he paused, his frown deepening as he looked to the side, out of the large windows behind which an enchanting, peaceful scenery could be seen, "People’s safety is still the most important. Since you chose not to close the Gate, have you put any additional safety measures in place?"

"Of course! We increased our security right after the dungeon break from the inactive Gate two months ago. There are Espers patrolling the dungeon regularly, we have also increased the number of Esper guards stationed in the resort."

"It would be best for Team Leader Lennox to discuss it personally with our Guild Leader," Elena Harris quickly added, anticipating the incoming questions. "He has been on a business trip until today, so he is running a bit late, but he should arrive before the dinner. Team Leader Lennox can ask him about everything then."

"...Alright. I understand." Damien didn’t insist. "Is it alright if we start with the inspection now?"

***

The Eldenveil had three hotels: Blue Pine Inn, a small, cozy wooden building, located deep in the forest. Emerald Manor, an elegant and spacious hotel right by the Gate. And finally, Lakeside Villas, the private, luxurious mini villas situated right by the largest lake. When Lane had been in the Eldenveil the last time, they had all been given twin rooms in Emerald Manor.

This time, however, when after hours of walking around and measuring Mana fluctuations, they arrived at the Verdant Hall, the fanciest restaurant in the dungeon, Elena Harris gave them an apologetic look.

"I deeply apologize. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we haven’t been able to arrange all of your accommodations in the same place. We have four rooms in Blue Pine Inn, three in Emerald Manor, and two Lakeside Villas," she explained, bowing deeply, as she handed Damien the keys. "I hope that it is alright."

Damien accepted the keys with a deep frown. It was clear he wasn’t too happy about their team being split up between different locations. He remained silent in the end though. After all, they were given those accommodations for free. It wasn’t something the Trailblazer Guild was obligated to provide, so it would be impolite to complain.

The room distribution was still a problem though. While they were all expensive hotels with high standards, there was a big difference between a twin room at the inn and a villa. There was no way to arrange everyone’s stay in a way that would be fair.

And there was one more problem. There were ten men and seven women on their team. And they only had nine rooms, which meant that one of the girls had to stay with a guy...

Or somebody had to share a room with Damien.

Sensing the danger, Lane tried to move away discreetly, so that he could cling to Arlo...

But it was no use. Those emerald eyes still landed on him, the gaze almost piercing right through him.

"Murray will stay with me, and we’re taking one of the Blue Pine Inn rooms."

"Ah... Team Leader, but..." Lane turned around, his lips bent in an awkward smile. "I think that Team Leader should have his own room. There’s an uneven number of us, so one person has to stay alone anyway..."

"Yes, but it’s the number of girls that’s uneven. It would be inappropriate to make one of them stay with a man."

"Why does it matter? It’s just sharing a room, not sharing a bed... What do you say? Anyone willing to share?" Lane turned to the girls with hopeful eyes.

Unfortunately for him, things wouldn’t go as he wanted. Although some of the girls didn’t appear unwilling - just as Lane said, they didn’t think there was anything particularly wrong with it - they still hesitated. Under Damien’s stern gaze, no one dared to step up.

"It is settled then. Now, for the rest of the rooms..."

"Team Leader, if I may..."

Lane lifted his head. It was Tina. He could feel a bubbling hope rising up again. Was she going to help him out?

"I suggest you take one of the villas. As our team leader, you should get the best room available."

...Or not.

’Well, whatever.’ Lane shrugged his shoulders, giving up pretty much without a fight. ’It’s not like he can find out anything just by sharing a room. I just need to hide my spatial bag, and everything should be just fine.’

While it wasn’t the most optimal arrangement considering his situation, it wasn’t the worst that could happen. He listened absentmindedly as the team continued the discussion, until they finally went to the dinner with the Trailblazer Guild’s Guild Master.