Chapter 56

**Continent Flavor**

She began to speak, her current self.

"（A vague unease）"

"（Sometimes, when I'm alone in my room, I suddenly feel lonely）"

Somewhere in Hokkaido.

On the second floor of a house surrounded by pastoral scenery, she was there.

**Rara (0)** Occupation: Adventurer (self-proclaimed)

She was basking in the sunlight that had just appeared.

～What are you doing now?～

"（I'm eating）"

Her words were very few.

She was completely absorbed in taking in the sweet morning sunlight.

After a while, she deliberately poured water from a nearby bucket onto the soil to prevent the soil in the planters from drying out.

After watering, she focused on the sunlight again.

Her gaze was very serious.

About an hour after the sun came up, a man visited the room.

His face was covered by a mask, and feathers grew from his neck.

For some reason, his body was hard to see.

His presence was almost non-existent except for the mask and feathers.

"Good morning, Rara."

At first glance, he looked like a monster or a demon.

But he was her partner.

She climbed into the man's backpack, which he carried on his back.

The inside of the backpack was her workplace.

She placed her hand on the man as if she were a driver getting into the driver's seat.

Her expression was filled with determination for the work ahead.

Outside the house, they met a woman.

The woman was a member of the man's team.

She began to intimidate the woman.

This was to clearly establish the difference in their positions.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Suddenly, the masked man turned around, noticing the atmosphere.

But she quickly composed herself.

The morning intimidation was done without the man noticing.

This was a testament to her professional skill.

Her destination was the 'Dungeon.'

A place known to all as dangerous.

The 'Dungeon,' where one could lose their life.

Those who enter it are known as adventurers.

～Why such a dangerous job?～

"（If I leave him alone, he might accidentally die）"

"（I'm like a guardian）"

When a monster appeared, the man would defeat it.

She supported him to ensure he never received any attacks.

Her job was to eliminate all dangers that approached the man.

She deflected attacks and counterattacks with her bullets, one after another.

During this time, the man was constantly moving.

Sitting in the backpack on the moving man's back, she judged the battle situation in an instant and fired bullets at precise points.

She never let the masked man move a finger.

Her attacks were incredibly accurate.

It was truly professional work.

Today, the man returned from the dungeon unharmed.

However, she did not show a satisfied expression.

Her gaze was that of a professional, strict and critical.

Leaving the dungeon, her job was just beginning.

She had to return home 'safely' and 'without incident.'

—She must not let the woman get close to the masked man.

Her job was to eliminate all dangers that approached the man.

Not even a single insect could get close.

She gradually transformed her leaves into thorns.

"Kuren. Are you going to have dinner with us today?"

"Yes, yes!"

"Hey, the atmosphere!"

From a distance, the voice of the odd-job woman boomed.

She was recognized by everyone as a bit of a fool.

"Kuren, can I borrow this?"

The fool pointed at the woman.

"What's wrong?"

"It seems the measurements are a bit off."

"Measurements?"

"Yes. Don't you think your chest area is a bit loose?"

"Ugh—"

The woman's face contorted in agony at the fool's words.

"I want to fix it so it fits properly."

"I see. Kuren, do you have time?"

"Y-Yes... Yes."

"Then let's go."

The fool led the woman to a prefab.

Seeing this, she clenched her leaves.

She softened the prickly atmosphere.

With this, the major task of the day was completed peacefully.

Today, a satisfied smile finally appeared on her face.

Back at home, she entered her room and basked in the last sunlight of the day.

Even after finishing her work, she continued her solitary battle.

For an adventurer, maintaining physical condition is essential.

She went to sleep as soon as the sun set.

"（...）"

But she couldn't fall asleep right away.

"（A vague unease）"

"（Sometimes, when I'm alone in my room, I suddenly feel lonely）"

In the darkness, her breathing was faint.

The sound was somewhat like a sigh.

"Rara, are you awake?"

"（...!）"

A beam of light gently entered the dark room.

The masked man approached her and reached out his hand.

She let him touch her.

Occasionally, she would tap his hand.

But the man happily accepted the impact.

Sometimes, he would visit her room like this.

On those nights, she could sleep soundly and peacefully.

Finally, I asked her.

～Have you ever felt that this life is hard?～

"（Yes, I have. I want to quit sometimes）"

"（But...）"

"（There's no world where everything goes well and you're always happy）"

"（Happiness only appears for a moment）"

"（For that moment）"

"（I will live）"

*This story was a nonsensical SS given as a gift to the correct answerer of the 'Guess the Name of the God' quiz held previously.

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