Chapter 47

Putting aside Kano's caravan idea, after finishing the necessary shopping at the explorer's home center, I immediately put on my new gear and headed to the dungeon.

It was already past 5 PM. The rice field dungeon, which was the target of this exploration, was just a 30-minute walk from East Quartz High School. However, with our physical abilities, Kano and I could shorten the distance to about 3 minutes by leaping and flying.

From there, it would take about an hour to clear the dungeon, then report back to the guild, and finally head home—since my family usually has dinner around 7 PM, it would be a tight schedule to make it on time. But even if I didn't make it, it would be fine; still, I'd like to have dinner with the whole family.

So, I should hurry a bit.

"Kano, I'm sorry for leaving the luggage to you."

"What are you talking about? Since I can't contribute in combat, I'm here to support you and record the video. Please don't worry and fight to your heart's content."

Kano easily carried my bag, which contained all the items I bought at the home center and was quite heavy. She held her smartphone in her hand, ready to record the video at any moment.

It's really a great help. The caravan idea we discussed earlier is, in a sense, an extension of what we're doing now. Thinking about it, it's indeed much easier to approach the dungeon without any luggage. I might ask the guild if there's anyone as capable as Kano, who is utterly useless in combat but extremely competent as a supporter. If there is, I'll definitely try to recruit them. Even if that fails, I want to exchange contact information, yes.

"Let's go, Kouta. If you want to spend time with your family, time is limited."

"Right. Oh, by the way, please meet my family sometime. They've been saying they want to thank you, and they're really insistent about it."

"Y-Yes, of course."

While moving, I told her something my family had been saying for a while. My mom, dad, and even Yuzuko have been nagging me to bring Kano home.

They want to thank her for helping me become an explorer, but I think my mom just wants to meet a famous explorer out of curiosity, and my dad just wants to meet a beautiful woman. I was surprised that even Yuzuko was enthusiastic, but I wonder why? She seems a bit desperate, so there might be something going on.

I might talk to her when I get home.

By the time I thought about this, we had already arrived at the rice field dungeon. It was fast.

Despite carrying the luggage, Kano reached the same spot as me. She looked excited, with a flushed face. What's with the sudden excitement? It's a bit scary.

"What's wrong? Your face is red."

"No, nothing! I'm just excited and moved to meet the family of the Savior! This is truly a visit of honor, isn't it!"

"No, my family is just a normal household. Please don't make them out to be some great religious figures."

I can't involve my family in a fanatical movement. If my mom is called the Holy Mother, it would be a mistake, like a ham in a gift basket.

Thinking about how dinner might be just stir-fried bean sprouts for me for a while if this gets out, I discovered the dungeon. The effect of the dungeon search I obtained recently is quite convenient. Since the range is wide, it catches other dungeons, but there's only one that fits the location of the rice field dungeon.

We reached the target dungeon in a rice field a little away from my alma mater, East Quartz High School. There was a magnificent large hole in the middle of the vast rice field. This must be a real nuisance for the farmers. I guess no dungeon that appears in human living areas is ever a nuisance, but still.

"We need to get rid of this annoying hole quickly."

"Yes, and I need to meet Kouta's family."

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

Is she planning to meet my family today?

I really hope not... I'm not mentally prepared, and my family doesn't even know about this. It would be a surprise.

"Can you come to my place another day? Today is a bit too sudden."

"Oh... Ah, yes, you're right! How could I think of intruding so suddenly, what a fool I am."

Kano seemed flustered by the sudden request to meet my family. She regained her composure and cooled her red face with the night breeze.

Well, it's fine to meet them sometime. I just need to introduce her to my family. It's not that difficult.

After this brief exchange, we finally descended into the dungeon.

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