Chapter 46

At the Explorer Home Center, I was selecting items for E-class explorers. Since weapons have nothing to do with me, I had to choose between armor and items.

For example, armor. When I was F-class, I only wore a cut-resistant and pressure-resistant shirt over my underwear, but now that I'm E-class, it's a bit of an upgrade. The cut resistance is improved, and it also has heat and cold resistance. In other words, it’s supposed to make the temperature feel the same wherever you are. Is that really true?

Safety boots have also been significantly upgraded. The ones I used to wear only had iron in the toe, not much different from what you can buy at a regular home center. This time, the E-class ones have thick iron soles. As a result, they are incredibly heavy, and non-explorers would probably find it impossible to walk in them even if they could put them on.

"E-class explorers might find it difficult to wear these at first. As your level increases, your strength will also improve, making it easier."

"Yeah... I think it would have been pretty tough to be told to wear these in the first dungeon for new explorers."

"In your case, you have skills, so it’s not a problem. Given the condition of being solo, your physical abilities being ten times greater are truly remarkable."

That’s true. In other words, I can manage, but others probably can’t.

This made me realize the importance of having equipment that suits one's capabilities.

Next, it’s the items. These are pretty much the same as before.

A flashlight, portable disinfectant, band-aids, gauze, and other first aid supplies. Just in case, I also put a rope and a pickaxe in my bag.

Sometimes, the entrance to a dungeon is unusually deep and fragile. There are stories of explorers entering and the entrance collapsing, making it impossible for them to come out. If it’s in a popular area, it might be okay, but there are reports of explorers starving to death while holding the dungeon core in a remote forest. It’s an old story, but it’s true.

I tend to rely on my abilities and forget, but dungeons are essentially filled with malice. Not only are the monsters dangerous, but the dungeons themselves are full of traps. In higher-level dungeons, there are traps that can kill you instantly. It’s like a demon.

"It’s hard to know how much and what to prepare."

"Bringing too much can also be a burden. Normally, explorers form parties, and each member prepares in different ways..."

"I’m basically solo."

The skill that only allows me to use full power in solo combat is frustrating at times like this. The more advanced the dungeon, the more traps and other malicious elements there are. Can I really handle it? This is one of the problems I, as an explorer, face. The low adaptability due to being solo is something I need to address urgently... Can I even do it?

With a grim expression, I thought about it, and Kanae-san suggested:

"Maybe you could form a party... or rather, a caravan, where you are the only combat member. If the other members are seen as combatants, it might not work, but if it does, it would clearly reduce your burden."

I see... Forming a team with supporters who have roles other than combat might be possible.

The effect of the skill "Walking in a Wilderness Where Not Even the Wind Blows" is "All abilities are ten times greater when fighting alone." From this, it seems that as long as I fight alone, it doesn’t matter how many people I go into the dungeon with.

What do you think, Liebe? I’d like to hear your opinion.

"Hmm... I think it’s possible, but if you don’t have highly skilled supporters, you might end up being just a bodyguard. Once the supporters start showing combat intent, you might not be considered fighting alone anymore."

That’s... quite harsh. It would be very difficult. Even supporters, since they are going into the dungeon, naturally have combat skills. Asking them to completely abandon any combat intent and only support me? To not even show hostility when encountering monsters and only cheer me on?

That’s impossible. Such shadow-like supporters can’t function as explorers. Even if they could, I don’t think there are people that specialized around.

When I told Kanae-san this, she seemed to reach the same conclusion and reluctantly withdrew her suggestion.

It would be great if it could happen, but it’s just not realistic...

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