On our way to the ground floor entrance, we find and rescue a party that is about to be wiped out against Watadama and Dokuyaribachi.
Elitia is already fully recovered, so it's too early to leave it to her, but we all help out. Suzuna was also seen shooting a bow for the first time, but just like I was able to handle a sling, it seems that as long as I can equip it, I can get a practical hit rate.
''When the arrow hits, there's a strange response...''
Think of it as an added bonus to the attack if you're ahead of me.
'Is that so? Ariehito-san, amazing.......you've already mastered your skills in this world.
It's all of us. I can't do it alone.
It's not humility, it really is, so we must always remember that. I'm only the rear guard, and I'm only strong if I keep my ranks together.
The young man who seems to be the leader of the party we saved is a bit younger than me, and seems to be a swordsman-type profession.
'Did they break up the ranks, and it was a total collapse? That's a lot of work.
"Wow, beautiful lady.......wait, what's with this party? It's all women!
"It's a harem....wow, I've never seen that in real life before...!
(It's weird coming to another world and being real, but it's real.)
It seems that my fellow youthful boys are the type to say what they think. I never brought the word "harem" up in conversation in my previous life, but it was quite embarrassing when it was actually said. Everyone didn't seem to hear it very well, though, so that was a blessing.
And Igarashi-san, after all, seems to be the older sister that the boys admire. She's younger to me now, but if I met Igarashi-san in high school, I would have had the same reaction as they did.
''Hmm........oh, you, aren't you Misaki! What the hell, you're here because you're worried about us!
Yes - as soon as I saw their faces, I realized that this party of four men only was the people Misaki had sent out earlier.
I thought I was going to have a bad reaction to being found by the handsome leader, but Misaki whispered a "thank you" to me and got off my back. He had been awake for a little while now.
''Haha, I thought I'd come after all, but I kind of fell for this thing called a trap. It was tough, but these people saved me.
Wow, that's tough luck. I mean, he's a life-saving species, so watch out for him.
I mean, we had help too, but you know what? Those bees are f*cking awful, for real. They can't hit you, and they look like they're poisonous.
It's hard work, isn't it? It's not safe for me to go on like this, so I'll try to become stronger on my own. I don't think I should leave it up to Junpei and the others.
Misaki... then you can come with us...
Junpei seemed to be the name of the young man who seemed to be the leader. But Misaki shook her head.
'My job seems to be lucky, but that's all it seems to be. I think what Junpei and the others need is probably a monk or someone who is a wizard or something. I'm my own person and I'm trying to find a place for myself, or something like that.
''Well I see. Too bad, but we're certainly brainiacs.
I don't want them to be destroyed like they were before. Shouldn't we put in something that can alert us so we don't get attacked out of nowhere?
They did their best to not show Misaki their pettiness - and then they went back to hunting watadama again.
''........They're nice people! But there are as many parties as there are stars, and there's a flow to where you enter, isn't there? That's something I want to cherish.
'That's true, though. They must have been happy to have you in there just yesterday.
'Oh, don't say that, it stings. I was thinking about making those people into worker bees, and I would be the queen. But I have to be strong enough not to be caught by bad people.
'Misaki-chan, then you're going to be with us from now on...'
'Hmmm ... that's it, but that's going to be a bit of a challenge. Let's see, what was your name again?
Oh, I didn't know your name. My name is Alito.
The position of gambler apparently has a skill that increases the drop rate of the treasure chest. It would certainly be a boon to have her stay, but I had a feeling that she wouldn't be acting with us, somehow.
'I fainted easily, but I kind of knew that Arihito-san and the rest of the party was outrageous. With a half-hearted resolve like mine, I'm not sure if it's too early to ask them to let me in now, or I'm reflecting on the fact that I was that rash!
'It's not like I want to conquer the labyrinth that stoically either. I'd like to move up the pecking order, and I don't intend to stay in the Eighth Ward forever.
'The idea of getting out of the eighth district is already amazing! I heard that the experience level will drop if you don't earn it every day. There are people who can't get out of the 8th district without being level 1 or 2 for a long time. That's what it means that there are 3,000 searchers in this district!
--If you ask me, it's true. I could take down a strong enemy by demonstrating my 'rearguard' skills, and I didn't think it would be that difficult to earn funds or move up the ranks.
Even if I encountered a named one, I'd have to run away because my party wasn't strong enough to do so - and many parties would be second-guessing me. If they could only defeat them, it would make a world of difference, but with an enemy that strong, it was 'impossible to win, so running away is normal'.
''Once the party leader is ranked number one in the pecking order in this district, there's a test to go to the seventh district. But you can still make a living in the eighth district... so a lot of people will stop trying.
Elitia's words have real feeling and weight. I guess I've seen people like that before.
''I'll try to do my best in my own way too.
'Not bad at all....................Come to think of it, Misaki got caught in the treasure chest trap. What happened to the contents of the box?
Oh, I had it in my bag. Those scary old men took it away.
-- That being said, we must return to collect. Even so, it's hard for all of us to return, so Elitia shrugged her shoulders and even used her "sonic raid" to run an errand. I'm sorry to let a higher level searcher use their skills for such a thing though.
◆ ◆ ◆
They were sorry for causing trouble for Rival-san, but when they told him about Bergen and the others, they bravely entered the labyrinth.
It seems that Bergen and the others, who have the skill to eliminate signs, were abusing it to cause all sorts of problems. Until now, they hadn't been able to pursue it without any evidence, but this time they seemed to be able to get a clue.
After Rival-san and the others disappeared down the stairs, Igarashi-san spoke to me.
''Rival-san and the others are doing something to protect the order of this neighborhood, aren't they? It's a bit of a shameful thing to call a private police force, but it's something like that.
'Yes. I think a lot of people owe a lot to them.
The meaning of being in the first labyrinth for them, who are probably more experienced and higher level than us. It's because they've found the purpose of training the younger generation and are finding fulfillment - that's the impression I got when I saw them alive and well.
I guess my goal is to be first in the pecking order? Since the first labyrinth will have a juggernaut-like monster in it, though, it's going to be quite a long way before I'm able to explore the most difficult labyrinth in the first ward.
''Elitia, are the explorers in Ward 5 roughly level 8 or so?
'Ummm I think it's about 10. My level is low for a bit of a reason...
Elitia looks at me, as well as the rest of her friends. Igarashi-san and Suzuna both looked at her with concern.
''Well I'll tell you later. If you see me like that and I don't say anything, I'll make you feel scared. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Suzuna.
'No I'm glad to know a little bit about what Elitia-san is having to deal with. From the beginning, I had the feeling that you had something on your mind.
It's only the second day of their meeting, but the girls are already in a relationship that could be called friends. Misaki, perhaps having the same impression, squared her shoulders with Suzuna and Elitia from behind.
''Kyah.......what?''
I felt like she got along better with Suzu than I did, and I was jealous. I've known Suzu-chan and I have known each other since we were little.
Misaki asked Suzuna to come with you... or was it just Misaki asking Suzuna to come with her?
No, we've been in the habit of going skiing at least once a year, so it's not like either of us invited him.
The reason Suzuna corrects that is probably because of the accident and the reincarnation. It's not because one of them invited him to join the accident - that's what he thinks.
'........I didn't think that labyrinths and exploration meant anything to me, but.... I'll do my best to change my mind. So..........please buy me dinner!
Okay. Theresa, then don't take me to the agency.
Theresa - she doesn't nod. Could this possibly be such a sign of intent?
'Rear-kun, why don't you ask Leila-san how long you're allowed to take Theresa out?
Wow, I've been thinking about this lizard hat for a while now, but it's really cute. Wow, it's so sleek and cool.
Misaki flattens and touches Theresa's skullcap - or rather, the full face of the lizard. Only her mouth is peeking out, but she looks subtly shy, while being pulled straight up and tied together.
When I'm told it's smooth and cool, I'm tempted to touch it to see what it feels like. But if I, as a man, touch it, I'm likely to be s*xually harassed, so I have to restrain myself.
◆ ◆ ◆
When I returned to the guild, Louisa-san was already feeling something like a premonition, and she greeted me while being nervous to look at me.
''So Elitia-san and Suzuna-san were accompanying you today? I'm glad to hear that Igarashi-san was also active.''
Thank you. But I could barely keep up with the boys in the back.
'I couldn't do anything about it either ... just watching. But next time I'll have to try harder...
Louisa beckoned me over to her, saying, "A little bit," as if she had a thought for our men. And then she said in a voice that my friends couldn't hear.
I'm being approached by all the women.
'No, no, it's not like that. She's a free-spirited girl.
''So the other four will continue to work together in the future? Elitia-san is level 8, so soon, Atobe-sama will also graduate from the eighth district...
''Even if that happens, I'd like to ask Louisa-san to be in charge if possible. If the ward changes, that's still not possible....
''No, no. All of the guilds are inter-transferable so if you're willing, Atobe-sama, we can keep you in charge for a long time.
'That's good to hear. I'm finally getting used to it, but I'll miss you if you change your charge... hmm?
I turned around when I was pecked on the arm and it was Elitia.
'Aricht, it's the leader's job to report back on the results. We have a change of clothes to change into, and I'll have to go back to the inn for once.
Yeah, right. All right, I'll take care of the rest.
'Don't worry, Kyouka said that Theresa will accompany you to the inn. We'll meet up later at a tavern near your quarters.
The mercenaries were allowed to take them out until eight o'clock in the evening, so there was still plenty of time to get there. We could leave the tavern at 7:30 and head to the mediation office in time.
After we parted from everyone, before heading to the private room we used yesterday, Louisa-san asked me a question.
''Um, by the way, I don't think it's likely that you'll run into someone with a name today either...''
''Yes, I defeated that juggernaut on the second level and left the process to the couriers. I heard that he's going to come back to the guild later to report back to me when he's done carrying it.......Luisa-san!
'Ummm...'
The word "juggernaut" was too stimulating for Louisa-san, who was too surprised even by Red Face.
As I supported Louisa-san, who was suddenly about to stroke in the corridor, and stopped thinking about the softness of her body, I thought. I hadn't asked her, but I wondered how old (or how old) she was - or, more importantly, I still wanted a way to cure her from fainting.
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