by volume 2
“Onii-san, Onii-san. White haired Onii-san.”
Hearing the unexpected call, my actions couldn’t be helped but be interrupted.
“Eh?”
I turned to the direction where the sound came from. However, the nearby Adventurers continue to disappear from my eyes. I couldn’t find the person speaking with me.
“Onii-san, B…Below”
Searching for the slightly angry female voice, I looked downwards, ah, found her.
Her height was about 100 centimeters. Her cream-colored long robe was draped over her entire body. From the hood, you could see only a bit of her maroon-colored bangs. On her back was a big backpack that was several times bigger than her petite body. That backpack was huge to the extent that it was scary.
Bell, who was feeling a strong sense of déjà vu, tried hard to dig through the memories of yesterday night during the alley. Then he widened his eyes.
“Y…You are……”
“First time meeting you, Onii-san. Although it is a little abrupt, but are you looking for a Supporter?”
This way, it covered Bell’s voice, the girl used her baby-like finger to point behind Bell.
The direction of her finger was pointing at Bell’s backpack.
Only those that are solo Adventurers will equip a backpack. Anyone can tell by simply connect those points together.
Thus, she used a half-sure tone to confirm it as if he needed a Supporter, or something.
“A……Ahhhh?”
“Are you still confused? But isn’t the current situation very simple? A Supporter that is very important to an Adventurers, but is limited in amount, came to you”
In contrast to Bell’s dazed expression, the girl revealed a sunshine-like smile.
“T…That’s not the case……You are yesterday’s……?”
“……? Onii-san, have you met with Lili before? Lili do not seem to remember such a thing”
Towards the girl that tilted her head cutely, Bell also tilted his head.
The passing Adventurers around them all threw a what-are-they-doing type of gaze to them.
“Huh?”
“Besides that, Onii-san, what about it? Do you need a Supporter?”
“About that……If it is possible, then I probably will want to……?”
“Really! Then, why don’t you take Lili away, Onii-san!”
The girl was extremely excited. Her round eyes that were covered by her hood and bangs also shone brightly.
The large eyes gazed at the dagger inserted at Bell’s waist.
“That’s not it, but is it really okay, ah……?
“Ah, is it my name? I’m really sorry, Lili forgot to introduce herself”
The girl took a step back and revealed a hearty smile.
“Lili’s name is Liliruca Arde. Onii-san, what is your name”
The girl’s eyes that was looking up at Bell, seemed to be flashing strangely.
Chapter 2: Supporter’s Circumstances
“In other words, you’re a Supporter that has no affiliation……”
“Yes, Lili did enter a
Babel 2nd floor, the simple canteen. Most of the Adventurers have already entered the dungeon by noon. In the vast space that was used by a few, I was currently having a conversation with a petite girl across the table.
This was to carefully consider the suggestion that was brought forth by the girl, Liliruca Arde.
“The
“
According to Liliruca-san, it seems that she negotiated and was allowed to accompany Adventurers in exploring the dungeon as a Supporter. However, it seems that her contract with her companions was canceled. Afterwards, she was perplexed while she was trying to find a target to renew her contract. She had passed through days of walking back and forth to the guild and Babel. Then today, she found me.
Since I had no Adventurer companions and also no Supporter, I was a genuine solo Adventurer.
According to her, she would not consider supporting anyone else. In other words, she already had the feeling that I could be the only one.
Although I really wanted a Supporter since a long time ago……However, I was not happy to the extent where I could straightforwardly nod my head to her request.
I quietly observed the girl in front of me. Her body was very thin. Under her deep hood that she was wearing, her thin lips had an innocent smile sketched onto it. She had a cute and compact face, and her nose also had a graceful curve. It gave off an impression of
Although I was reluctant to suspect such an innocent child, but it was simply common sense to not accept the other party’s request without questioning it.
Since there were also other areas that I was concerned about, I decided to first question her and understand her completely.
“Why are you choosing me, who belongs to a different
“Ehehe, Lili is small and does not have much strength. To Lili, who is slow in everything, the other
Being excluded by her companions, but describing it as if nothing had happened, I could not help but have a cold sweat.
“People who do nothing cannot rest or eat in peace. Continuing to stay at the
Even though it was their residence, but she couldn’t sleep there. It even got to the extent where she feels like she couldn’t hang around that place……H…How could there be such a thing.
What she said to me was shocking. There are actually people who are excluded within a
In my opinion, a
Although
This was absolutely not a way to comfort others, it was a place that was filled with a warm atmosphere that you could call it your home. Even if the amount of people increases, this should not change.
A relationship that should share the joys and sorrows throughout your life, that should be a
And this child’s
I felt a bit dizzy. Although I simply could not believe it, but it feels that I was suddenly pulled back to the world that I was familiar to, and I produced a slight tremble.
“The money that I have left to live in the hotel is only a fist-sized amount, so I really don’t know what to do. Please Please Please! Lili wants to enter the dungeon together with Onii-san!”
Did she notice my hesitation to speak, Lili added a large explanation in one go.
……Although there were many thoughts that emerged, but I ignored them.
I, who was deeply troubled by various things, quickly switched my thinking and turned my consciousness back to the original purpose.
“I understand Liliruca-san’s circumstances……There is one final point that I want to confirm. Is that okay?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“We, really never met each other before?”
Yesterday, the hobbit girl that I met in the alley, is she really not Liliruca-san.
That was what I was curious about. Although I wasn’t able to clearly confirm from just the appearance and the voice, but that child had characteristics that was exceedingly similar to her. Only one day had passed, so I should not have been mistaken.
“Lili feels that it is her first time meeting with Onii-san……Could it be that you’ve noticed wrong?”
“……If it is possible, can you take off that hood?”
If I’m able to confirm what was underneath that deep hood she was wearing, then I should be able to make an accurate judgment. The reason why I couldn’t be sure whether or not they were the same person was mainly because I had only seen half of that child’s face.
Liliruca-san, who clearly revealed a shaken expression from this request, had her body trembled slightly a few times, and quietly muttered “I understand……”. She used both her tiny hands to lift up the hood.
“……Eh?”
“I…Is this okay?”
What entered my view was extremely cute animal ears that trembled slightly above her head.
I half-opened my mouth, and was frozen on the spot.
“……Beast…Beastman?”
“Y…Yes, Lili is a dog person.”
I was stunned and stared for a few seconds, pa, I stood up imposingly and leaned over from one side of the table.
Perhaps feeling my gaze, Liliruca-san, who was sitting on the chair, seemed to be embarrassed and slowly wrapped her body. The tail that was hiding underneath the robe was also revealed. A maroon colored tail was constantly moving around.
Not a Hobbit, but a Beastman girl?
……It can’t be.
I couldn’t accept it and unconsciously raised my hand towards Liliruca-san’s two ears. Ignoring Liliruca-san’s trembling shoulders, I grabbed onto the two animal ears.
“Nnnnn……”
There was a warm and soft feeling in my fingers that wrapped around it. There was also a fluffy feeling.
When I moved my fingers, Liliruca-san’s face was blushing and constantly trembled.
……It was real.
Whether it was this bushy hair or the flesh underneath its skin. Even the pink and moist inner part of the ear, all of it cannot be made. There is no doubt that it was animal ears.
(I…It’s not that child……)
This isn’t a mistake anymore. No matter how similar they look, but their race was different, and there is nothing more convincing than this.
Pushing out those common points outside of my mind, I gave up on my original suspicion.
“A…About that, Onii-san……”
“——!? S…Sorry!”
Hearing the voice that was about to disappear, I finally noticed my own posture. It was like I was about to jump over to her. So I pull away from her.
She, as a beastman, quickly used her hands to cover the two ears that was played around by me. Then with reddened cheeks, she stared at me and revealed a mischievous smile.
“There was actually a boy who played around Lili’s most important ears, and made a big mess out of it……If that’s the case, you have to take responsibility, right?”
……I was surprised to the extent where I could not speak.
Instantly, I was embarrassed and my face turned red, and I could only temporarily apologize.
“……W…Why do you have to hide your own race’s behavior?”
“Lili’s hair is very thick, so it is very ugly. So I do not wish to let other people see……”
After apologizing for a long period of time, I timidly inquired. Liliruca-san shyly replied while she wore the hood again.
Although I find the broomy hair very likable, and very cute……But this was a problem that I, as a man, would not understand. Perhaps if I was a female, then maybe I would understand.
Anyways, if it was the dwarf race’s Hobbit then I might still understand, but there was actually such a small beastman child……Could Liliruca-san’s age be only around 10.
“Then, Onii-san, how about it? Do you want to hire Lili?”
“……I understand. Then tentatively, just for today, please be my Supporter”
“Thank you!”
Because of the guilt generated due to the ears, I was unable to reject her request. If I had rejected it, then wouldn’t I have become a perverted man who harassed this girl before running away.
……And, to be fair, a Supporter is an existence that I hope to have one of these days. I, who wish to become stronger, wanted to fully concentrate on the battle. Liliruca’s proposal was just what I hoped for.
“Then, when do I have to pay the contract price……I should have to give, right?”
“Although there is also the circumstances you have just said, but since today is still a trial period, so it should be okay if you give me part of your share of revenue from exploring the dungeon? Lili will be so happy if she is able to receive 30% “
“Ah ah, you only want this little? Actually you should have a bit more…….”
After some time, Liliruca-san, with a carefree smile, and I faced each other and immersed in a conversation.
× × ×
In the dungeon, using the confirmed floors as a threshold, the terrain and nature will change.
The 1st to 4th Floor are constructed with light blue walls. Almost all monsters that appear are low-level monsters such as Goblin and Kobolds. There are very few species.
Although there is a subtle change that is produced when approaching the 4th floor, but it is known that the only area that the rookie Adventurers can easily raid are the uppermost floors, as long as you’re not acting by yourself while being surrounded by monsters. In other words, if you form a party, it is difficult to lose your life.
However, from the 5th floor onward, the situation begins to change.
Not only does the wall’s appearance turns into a light green color, the dungeon structure itself becomes more complicated. Led by the
And the interval between the monster emerging from the wall cannot be compared with the 4th floor. The instant you enter a dead-end, it was common for numerous monsters to climb out from the walls and surround you.
Most of the rookies that lack tension on the upper floors will die here. Even if they aren’t careless, the 5th to 7th floors is the first to demonstrate the dungeon’s threat. It is also the first difficulty that Adventurers will encounter.
Once items that were brought were overused, then they will not be able to progress further to a Lower Floor easily. First they should train their foundations on the 4th floor or above. This is not limited to just
To rookie Adventurers, they should first have the goal of building up strength and working hard.
And this is especially so for solo Adventurers.
“Fu~~!”
“GISHAAAAAA~!?”
Bell’s circumstance was slightly different.
Although he had not entered the ranks of a top-class Adventurer, but he had a growth speed that was well above ordinary people.
A violent horizontal strike caught the Killer Ant’s thin abdomen and split it in half.
The current location is on the 7th floor. Normally, it is a floor that requires a team to work closely together, but Bell continued to battle by himself against the endless swarms of monsters.
“JIGIGIGIGIGIGI~!”
“Ha!”
“BUGII!?”
Dodging the
Taking advantage of when the huge moth loses its balance after its wing was cut off, and inserting the
“Stay there, don’t move!”
What headed to Bell this time was Killer Ants again. And it was two of them.
Staring at the monster that used its mouth, which was specialized for insects to intimidate me, the next instant, I accelerated.
I pretended to have both Killer Ants as targets and headed towards the middle of the two, but my actual target was the one on the right.
Suddenly, I forcibly changed my direction. At that moment, the monster’s reactions was also slower by a
beat.
“——GA!?”
The dagger that assaulted forward, stabbed at the middle of the Killer Ant’s body.
To crush the hard shell,
Although Bell wanted to immediately deal with the other Killer Ant——But he could not pull out the Dagger.
“Huh!?”
The hard shell that was pierced caused the Dagger hilt to be stuck. Bell temporarily could not move.
Just at that moment, the Monster that had its brethren killed entered a berserk state and dramatically turned around, its sharp claws swung down towards Bell.
Bell rapidly lifted up his left arm.
“GIIIIII~!?”
“……Ahhhhhhhh~!”
Gakin, what repelled the claw was the jade colored hand armor.
Sparks flew out from on top of the armor, which even the Killer Ant’s attack power could not cause any damage onto.
Bell began his counterattack. Ignoring his numbed left hand, he threw the dagger it was holding onto into the air, then grabbed it using his right hand, which left the
And slashed.
The
Ignoring the power of the weapon that was evaluated as the lowest, the dagger had already given a fatal injury to the Killer Ant.
“——GI”
“Next!”
After recovering
“Bell-sama, so strong~”
Beside the scene where Bell was continuously dispersing the group of Monsters, Lili was gathering the corpse of the monsters that he killed together.
Her actions were very skilled. Even when she was smiling slightly, she did not forget to be careful of her surroundings. There was no doubt that she was trying to avoid to bump into other monsters. Using a tea-color specially created rope for Supporters, she was tying the hands and legs of the monsters, and pulled them through the dungeon.
