Chapter 43

The distribution was complete, and things had settled down for a moment.

The Adamant series I obtained this time, and the Defense Bracelet.

With this much equipment focused on defense...

"Hmm, does this mean I'm supposed to be the tank?"

"That seems to be the case. However, to be a tank, you need a spirit of steel to endure pain."

Indeed, I would have to actively receive attacks from enemies and protect my allies.

If I were afraid of pain, I might hesitate at the start.

I'm scared of pain, but if it means having a spirit of steel, I might be the right person for the job. I have a decent amount of confidence in my endurance.

"Hmm, so it's a perfect fit for me, then."

"Huh?"

"Hm?"

What are they talking about? Noelle and Estelle looked at me as if they wanted to say something. Sisha had a troubled look and a wry smile.

Wait, did I say something weird?

"Well, anyway. With this, we finally have a complete party, right?"

"But if that's the case, we're a bit short on melee damage now."

"If we aim to conquer the dungeon, we're still a bit lacking, I suppose."

"That's true."

In our current state, Noelle has to protect Estelle and the others. This means our melee damage will drop.

I'm a bit worried about fighting enemies with high magic resistance.

If I can be a tank while also dealing damage, that would be ideal... but at the very least, I'd like to have one more damage dealer or a proper tank before we head to the dungeon.

"By the way, I've been forgetting about this, but I finally decided to change my title."

"Oh, right, we had that too."

The title I had forgotten about since the beginning.

Well, the 10% boost to all stats as the guild leader was strong, so there was no need to change it.

---

- 10: Sword-wielding Guild Leader, +20% sword attack

- 20: Bow-wielding Guild Leader, +20% bow attack

- 30: Shield-wielding Guild Leader, +20% defense

- 40: Magic-wielding Guild Leader, +20% magic attack

- 50: Grandmaster, +15% to all stats

---

"Hmm? Which one should I choose?"

"Basically, go with the overall buff, and for other times, choose what you want."

Hmm, this is a bit tricky. Compared to the 15% from Grandmaster, even 20% doesn't seem that great...

Maybe I'll just stick with Grandmaster for now. Also, the titles seem different from when we were in GC.

"By the way, Sisha, can I check your level?"

"Yes, Mr. Ohtsuka, you can check anytime you like."

---

● Sisha Alv

Level: 40

HP: 1550

MP: 1800

Attack: 550

Defense: 350

Agility: 45

Magic Resistance: 20

Cost: 20

Special Ability:

【Prayer of the Holy Maiden】

- Expands healing range, allowing multiple simultaneous healing.

Skill:

【Healing Boost】

- Increases healing magic by 40%. Cooldown: 1 hour

- B: 94, W: 60, H: 88, Estimated: G-cup

---

Her stats are a bit more defensive, but still somewhat balanced. The 1-hour cooldown on the skill is quite helpful.

And... as expected, she's quite... big. I'm a bit at a loss where to look.

---

● Vithing

- +800 MP

- +800 Attack

- +30% Healing Magic

● Almatail

- +300 HP

- +200 MP

- +400 Defense

- +20% Healing Magic

- -20% Stun Time

---

The UR equipment seems to be the staff and the cross necklace. It's definitely focused on healing.

"Hey, I noticed this before with Estelle, but is the level when summoned based on mine?"

"It seems so. It's probably to make them immediately useful in battle."

Even though she's the lowest level among us, starting at level 40 is still quite high.

This means that if we get new companions in the future, we won't have to spend much time leveling them up.

The healing value of the priest depends on attack power. I wonder what would happen if I actually attacked.

"Anyway, I'll practice being a tank while doing Sisha's F-rank quests."

When I received the plate, I also decided to take on F-rank quests.

There's still time before sunset, and the targets are near the capital, so it shouldn't be a problem to start now.

---

We arrived at a nearby hunting ground for the F-rank promotion in the capital. It's a cave a little ways from the city.

In front of the cave, a dozen or so monsters were milling about.

Our target is the Kobold. They're a bit larger than goblins, with dog-like heads and stone swords in their hands.

Since they're F-rank targets, I don't need to check their stats.

"So, we've arrived at the hunting ground. Is this outfit okay?"

"You look... different, brother."

"Well, I think I look cool, yes."

Every time I moved, I could hear the clinking of metal.

I immediately put on the Adamant series to test the feel. It's incredibly cool.

But the shield is like a pot lid, and the weapon is a crowbar. The shoes are Nike's, and they don't quite match, but it can't be helped.

The Adamant shield was too big for me to handle properly...

Plus, the full-face helm makes my voice muffled and a bit hard to understand.

"A bit hard to move in."

"You need to get used to moving first."

The armor makes my body a bit harder to move, but my defense is much higher. I'm a bit worried about my offensive capabilities, though.

"Well, since we're fighting Kobolds, it's a good opportunity to get used to it."

"Brother, I don't think anything will happen, but be careful."

Hmm, Estelle is always worried. I don't think I'll lose to a Kobold in this gear...

But I'll be careful just in case.

I received support magic from Estelle and charged at the Kobolds.

With even more clinking of metal, I raised my crowbar and headed towards the Kobolds.

The Kobolds noticed and turned to face me, readying their swords.

As soon as I was in range, I swung my crowbar.

My attack shattered their stone swords and sent the Kobold flying.

After taking down a few more, I suddenly heard a clunk from the side.

Looking over, I saw a Kobold with a broken sword. It seems he tried to attack me and broke his sword in the process.

"Hmm? The visibility is worse than I thought. Noelle, you must be really good at moving in this."

"It's a matter of getting used to it. I think this helm provides good visibility."

I took down a few more, picked up the dropped fangs, and returned to the others.

Kobolds are weak, but even they can surprise attack... I need to get used to this quickly.

If it were a stronger monster, it could be a fatal mistake.

The helm has a horizontal opening around the eyes, but it's still a bit harder to see than normal.

Noelle must be really good at fighting with this visibility.

"Sisha, sorry, but you might not get much action for a while."

"No, it's fine. I'm not very good at it, but I can do some melee combat."

"Oh, I'd like to see that."

"Sure."

"Estelle, I'll cast support magic."

Wow, she can do some melee combat. I didn't expect that from her appearance.

In GC, priests didn't participate in combat... but maybe this skirt is designed for such movements.

The other two seem interested too.

If she can do some melee combat, maybe she can handle a bit of self-defense.

Even if Noelle and I are protecting her, there might be times we can't cover everything.

"It's embarrassing to be watched like this... but here I go!"

She seemed embarrassed by our attention, looking away and fidgeting.

With Estelle's support, Sisha clenched her fists and made a determined pose.

Oh, she looks cute. As a priest, she probably doesn't have much combat power, but she should be fine against Kobolds.

Sisha, now ready, approached a few running Kobolds.

The Kobolds noticed her and readied their swords to counter.

Finally, the nearest Kobold and Sisha came into contact, and the Kobold thrust his sword at her.

She twisted her body to narrowly avoid the sword and swung her staff to smash the Kobold's head.

"Wh-What...!?"

"She's a priest... right?"

"Wow, priests are amazing."

She... she's moving really well, better than I am.

The other two, who were watching with me, were also shocked.

Sisha continued to punch, kick, and use her staff to crush the Kobolds one by one.

It's strange... her face seems to be in a state of bliss.

---

● Noelle Fanya

Level: 44 → 51

HP: 2780 → 3060

MP: 640 → 780

Attack: 860 → 1000

Defense: 525 → 595

Agility: 105 → 119

Magic Resistance: 30

Cost: 15

● Estelle

Level: 36 → 46

HP: 870 → 1230

MP: 1980 → 2240

Attack: 575 → 735

Defense: 225 → 295

Agility: 18 → 20

Magic Resistance: 40

Cost: 22

● 【Grandmaster】Ohtsuka Heishiro

Level: 43 → 50

HP: 1220 → 1360

MP: 320 → 390

Attack: 480 → 585

Defense: 420 → 525

Agility: 80 → 94

Magic Resistance: 10