[Morning at Westhill Estates]
The Truck Survivors gathered in the courtyard, the warm morning sun shining down on their newly acquired mansion. Birds chirped in the trees while Sho prepared breakfast skewers.
Daichi (grinning): "Alright, everyone! The Guild posted new Silver Rank quests yesterday. Time to pick our first one."
Ms. Sato: "After all that farming and market brawls, a real dungeon run sounds refreshing."
Takeshi (polishing his truck): "As long as I get to drive, I'm good."
A messenger from the Adventurer's Guild arrived, handing them a sealed scroll.
Guild Messenger: "Urgent notice from Guild HQ. You're being personally requested for a Silver Rank quest in Grancia Kingdom — neighboring country to the east."
Usapyon: "Ooh, road trip!"
[Quest Briefing]
At the local Guild branch, Clarisse, now acting as their liaison, unrolled the quest scroll for everyone to read.
Quest Title:Investigate and clear the Forgotten Depths Dungeon in Grancia. Confirm safety for border town trade routes. Completion reward: 50,000 gold and get priority for Gold Rank exam.
Clarisse: "Grancia's been having trouble with a dungeon that reopened last month. Several adventurer parties have gone missing. The king personally asked for your group."
Daichi: "Time to earn our keep."
Aya (pumping a fist): "Dungeon adventure!"
Hiroshi (cracking knuckles): "Good training."
Takeshi (grabbing his keys): "Truck's ready."
[Setting Off]
The full clan gathered outside as Takeshi revved up his beloved Fuso Shogun 510.
Takeshi: "You guys wanna walk or ride like kings?"
Team 1, Team 2, Team 3 (in unison): "RIDE!!"
The Backup Squad grumbled about having to sit in the truck bed again.
Ken: "I call window seat!"
Usapyon: "Shotgun!"
They loaded weapons, supplies, food, and Sho's portable kitchen into the truck, setting off down the cobbled road eastward. Townsfolk waved as the mighty truck rolled by, its loud engine roaring through the countryside.
[On the Road]
Hours into the journey, they passed through fields, forests, and small villages. The trip was mostly peaceful… until Aya's beast Ponta started growling.
Aya: "Uh, guys… Ponta senses something ahead."
Takeshi (adjusting his cap): "Hold on tight."
Ahead, a small horde of goblins ambushed a merchant cart.
Daichi (drawing his sword): "Time to stretch our legs."
Takeshi (grinning): "Or…"
He gunned the truck's engine.
Hiroshi: "Here we go again."
WHAM!
The truck bulldozed through the goblin mob like a battering ram, sending bodies flying.
Ms. Sato (sighing): "Still counts as combat training, right?"
[Crossing the Border]
At the Grancia border checkpoint, the guards eyed the truck warily.
Grancia Guard: "State your business."
Daichi (handing over the quest scroll): "Silver Rank adventurers. Dungeon assignment."
The guard's expression changed immediately.
Grancia Guard: "By the goddess, you're the Truck Survivors? The ones from Westhill? You're free to pass!"
A dozen local adventurers cheered as they drove through. Their reputation had spread.
[Dungeon Arrival]
By evening, they reached the entrance of the Forgotten Depths — a gaping black maw in the hillside, old stone archway cracked with age.
A stone sign read:"Enter at your peril."
Mari (looking pale): "Creepy…"
Daichi: "Alright — same teams as always."
The clan split into their usual four groups, weapons ready, spells charged. Takeshi parked his truck nearby, the headlights aimed at the entrance.
Takeshi (grinning): "If anything runs out, it's getting a grille to the face."