chapter 55

After the discussion with Ouka, I decided to focus on the search for the dungeon Skullhead came from.

The moon is much lower and morning is approaching. I want to find it, if possible before the other adventurers start moving.

In the forest at night, I rely on Ouka’s night vision and sense of smell.

“Master, I detected a faint smell that is different from the rest.”

“It’s very likely that Skullhead was travelling between the dungeon and the forest. It’s reasonable to assume that it’s in this direction.”

“By the way, Ouka.”

“What is it?”

“Why do you keep calling me master?”

“Would you prefer, master?”

TL Note: She calls him master informally before she was speaking formally with him.

Ouka clasps her hands together, and her cheeks blush in embarrassment.

Hmm, being called master isn’t bad, but it sounds more like something a maid would say. I’m thinking of Ouka as a slave.

“You don’t have to call me master or use an honorific title; I’m just a regular guy.”

“Tsumugi-san.”

“Alright.”

When she called my name, I was thrilled.

“I’ve gotten used to it, or at least I like it.”

“Do what you want……”

“Yes! Let’s proceed, Tsumugi-san!”

I feel like Ouka’s slave level has increased. If she’s fine with it, there’s no need for me to force her to change.

It’s not that I didn’t want to change the way she speaks when it’s just the two of us or anything like that.

Ouka’s nose twitches as she walks further ahead.

“It smells like blood again.”

“A dead body?”

“No, I don’t smell anything rotten, and the smell is weak.”

“Hmm, maybe it’s underground, so the smell isn’t coming up as much.”

“Oh, that’s it! You’re Tsumugi-san indeed!”

But the smell means there’s an entrance.

Sure enough, after walking for a while, I found it.

“You’re making it easy for me to get in.”

A rock that seemed to be two times larger than a man.

There was a hole hidden in the ground behind it, a staircase in the form of a dirt dig.

It was as if it was inviting us to come in.

“……”

“Ouka?”

Ouka was silent, staring at the hole.

Sweat seeped from her forehead.

“What do you smell?”

“Yes, no, the only smell is blood and dirt.”

Ouka falls silent.

“If anything, I’m the only one going in.”

“No, no, I’m coming.”

She replies that, but the look on her face is forced.

“It’s okay; I just want to get to the bottom of this discomfort.”

“……Got it.”

I don’t know what that strange feeling Ouka has.

But if anything happens, I’ll do my best to protect her.

We walked into the dungeon together.