Chapter 6

Continuing the goblin hunting on the third floor for another day, I managed to secure the budget of 5,000 zeni needed to buy my weapon.

This time, I bought a one-handed mace, which is often referred to as a beginner's weapon among adventurers.

The advantages of a mace are surprisingly numerous.

A mace can be used effectively even without much skill, as long as you have a certain level of strength. Unlike a sword, which requires you to consider the direction of the blade and swing it straight, a mace can deal sufficient damage even when swung with brute force. Thus, a mace can compensate for the user's lack of skill to some extent.

Additionally, a mace degrades less over time. For example, a knife that prioritizes sharpness, like the one Yuel uses, can quickly become dull if it repeatedly hits hard objects like a monster's bones or claws. It might even break if it takes a direct hit from an opponent's attack.

A mace, to be honest, is just a bar of iron. Of course, the grip is wrapped in leather, and the shape is designed to have the center of gravity at the tip. However, because of this, a mace is sturdy and can withstand the attacks of monsters, unlike a blade. It is user-friendly for those who lack the skill to dodge attacks.

The idea of buying a mace initially came from the easy assumption that "maces are for clerics, right?" But after hearing about it, I found that maces are surprisingly easy to handle.

So, I bought a mace. This one looks like a metal bat. The only difference from a bat is that the tip is slightly pointed. I wanted a mace with spikes for its cool look, but the weapon shop owner advised against it. Apparently, spiked maces and sword maces are difficult to use defensively. If you're not a muscular person who can overpower monsters, you might end up taking a hit and losing the fight because you can't properly deflect attacks.

---

The stairs leading to the fourth floor of the dungeon. Beyond this point, the Green Ivy, a plant-like monster that resembles a human, resides. Its distinctive feature is the vines located where its arms should be. It uses these vines to strike or bind its opponents.

Binding. I wonder if there are scenarios where a female adventurer is bound and suspended, and another vine... well, you know. If a female adventurer is surrounded by many Green Ivies, she might end up completely entangled. My imagination runs wild. I'd love to see Luluka's party in action.

Following the sign, I found it. There was only one Green Ivy in a large room.

Yuel, who spotted the Green Ivy first, rushed forward. I, as usual, watched while holding a sandwich and a water bottle. I have my mace on my back, but I have no intention of fighting. I would only get in Yuel's way.

Yuel entered the range of the Green Ivy, which was swinging its vines like whips. A large, green vine aimed at Yuel, but her knife intercepted it, slicing it off. The second vine met the same fate, flying off in a different direction. The Green Ivy, now deprived of its attack method, stood still as Yuel plunged her knife into its neck.

The Green Ivy dissipated into particles of light without even slowing Yuel down. The battle lasted only a few seconds, despite the vine attacks being a formidable threat.

If I were to use my mace to block the vines, I would likely be hit in the back of the head and knocked out. While the Green Ivy's attacks might not be as powerful as a monster's, I doubt I could defeat it as quickly as Yuel.

Yuel's level is just too high. She can easily eliminate a Green Ivy on her own without much time. There's no need for me to join the fight. The mace is for self-defense when there are many enemies.

---

We've made considerable progress on the fourth floor. We should be approaching the entrance to the fifth floor soon.

As I gently stroked Yuel's head, I noticed two figures approaching from the direction of the sign. One of them was supporting the other. They were a pair of male adventurers, both around twenty years old. As they got closer, I saw that the shorter one was half-carrying the taller one. A trail of blood followed them. One of them was injured.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Ah, are you a priest? That's great. This guy got his leg mauled by a Giant Ant. We haven't run into other adventurers today, and I don't know if he can make it to the surface. Can you at least stop the bleeding? Can you heal him?"

I'm wearing a cleric's robe, but I'm not a priest. However, I can use healing magic. Explaining this would be a hassle, so I'll just let it be.

"His left thigh is gone... it was eaten. This is bad. *Ex Heal*."

I considered asking for a reward, but the bleeding was severe. The taller one, Male A, looked pale and was shaking from blood loss. If I left him in this state and tried to negotiate a high price, he would likely resent me. Besides, negotiating with a wounded man would be pointless.

"Wha... *Ex Heal*!?"

Male A and Male B were shocked by the instant healing. *Ex Heal* is a powerful spell that few can use.

I don't intend to show off, but I don't have a reason to hide my abilities when someone is injured.

"Meeting a skilled healer like me is a stroke of luck for you."

"Amazing... to heal such a severe injury in an instant. Who are you... no, thank you. You saved him."

Male A, now standing on his own, was feeling his leg, still in shock.

I healed him. I didn't have the nerve to leave a severely injured person, but now that I've healed him, I feel a bit greedy. I want a reward. I want money. But I don't know if these guys can pay. They might, or they might not. Giant Ants are sixth-floor monsters. These guys probably overestimated their abilities and ventured into a floor beyond their level. They likely don't have much money saved up.

"Master, you're amazing!"

Yuel looked at me with admiration. It feels good. She must have a particular appreciation for healing magic. She's looking at me with a mix of excitement and admiration. It feels very good. I need to be someone Yuel can respect. I want her to respect me even more. I want her to look at me with even more admiration. I'll use my coolness to impress her. I'll be a mysterious, handsome, and skilled healer who dives into dangerous dungeons and heals the injured with a cool demeanor. Right now, I am the selfless and noble master Yuel admires.

"I don't need money. Take care of the life you've been given. Yuel, let's go!"

I made a graceful turn and left without waiting for their reaction.

"Y-Yes, Master!"

It's about time to head back. Yuel seems moved by my selfless act. Her eyes are shining even more. Ah, it feels good. I'm sure my stock in Yuel's eyes has skyrocketed. I must be incredibly cool right now.

"That's amazing! You're so skilled, even the royal healers can't do that! Meeting you was a stroke of luck, hahaha!"

I felt a light impact on my back. It was Male B, who was hugging my shoulder and patting me on the back, seemingly very happy.

"You're a good guy, man! I want to show these creeps what it's like to be on the receiving end of a beating!"

Male A, who had suddenly become energetic, also started talking to me and followed me.

Wait, something's off.

This isn't what I imagined. I thought Male A and Male B would be stunned by my powerful healing magic, and after I left, they would wonder, "Who was that selfless and cool mysterious priest?" But they recovered too quickly. Maybe that's just how adventurers are—quick to adapt.

I intended to part ways with them here, but we're heading in the same direction. I must be an idiot. I thought leaving with a cool turn would be better, but it was a mistake. I was too caught up in my own image, and my thinking was clouded. Ah, being touched by men is just gross and meaningless.

---

"Seriously, Shiki, that Elise is a real piece of work!"

"Yeah, I accidentally touched her chest, and I got fired! It's ridiculous!"

"Someone as skilled as Shiki shouldn't be treated like that. What is she thinking?"

"Yeah, exactly!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

The scene shifted to our usual tavern. They turned out to be quite friendly. The taller one, who was injured, is Eito. The shorter one with rough language is Geyser. We were being treated to a meal in a corner of the tavern.

"But if you can heal like that, any clinic would want you, right?"

"Well, to be honest, I'm not actually a priest. I haven't done any training. I don't want to be asked too many questions about that. I'd prefer if you kept the *Ex Heal* thing a secret."

Maybe it wouldn't be a problem if I'm not a priest, but there's a risk. According to Elise, it usually takes years of rigorous training to be able to heal major injuries. I don't want to be envied or resented.

"Ah, you have a past. But why not open your own clinic?"

"Yeah, you could set up a table here. It could be like a mobile clinic."

"With your skills, I'd come here for treatment."

"I could spread the word among my fellow adventurers!"

A mobile clinic. I never thought of that. I usually spend half a day in the dungeon, then eat, drink, or watch Yuel and miniskirts in the tavern. It might be a good idea.

"Yeah, that could work!"

In a place like this, where nobles don't come, the clientele is mostly adventurers and manual laborers. There seems to be a demand.

---

When I talked to the tavern master, he readily agreed to let me set up a mobile clinic in a corner of the tavern. He welcomed the idea, as it would attract more customers. He provided a round table, a sign, and a curtain for privacy. The curtain is for negotiating, not for treatment. You never know when a customer like Luluka might come.

Now that I'm an official healer in the tavern, I won't have to deal with strange customers anymore. But that negotiation method is still a bit distasteful. It's necessary, though.