Chapter 44

After finishing the hunt, we came to the Adventurers' Guild.

Today, we've been doing various things since morning, so it's already close to evening by the time we returned from hunting kobolds.

Still... I was surprised by Sisaha's combat ability. If that's a recovery equipment, I wonder what would happen if she wore combat equipment...

We reported the completion of the quest, and Sisaha's adventurer rank was successfully upgraded to F.

With that done, I was about to head back to the inn when a familiar group of four entered the guild.

The young man at the front noticed us and approached.

"Hey, isn't that Estel?"

It's Deus. As usual, he's the first to call out to Estel.

Is he... no, it's not good to doubt.

"Oh, it's been a while."

"Yeah. More importantly... Is he not here? And are these two new members?"

To my surprise, he asked if I was not there. Then, looking at me in my armor and Sisaha, he asked if we were new companions.

Huh? I thought he would try to recruit Estel as usual, but it seems different.

Still, he didn't recognize me. I thought he would notice with the rags I'm wearing.

"Hey, Deus."

"...Is that Ohtsuka? What's with that outfit?"

"Well, you see..."

I raised my hand to call Deus, and he had an expression that seemed to say, "What are you doing?"

So I told him I was going to try being a tank...

"Interesting, I do think it's a good idea. However... Isn't that outfit a bit dangerous? Please don't go out at night."

"Is it that dangerous?"

Deus looked at me with a slightly pitying gaze.

What, now I look like a weirdo. I have my pot and lid put away, and I'm just wearing rags, a full-face helmet, and sneakers.

"Big brother, when did you become friends?"

"Yeah, we met for a bit the other day. By the way, aren't you going to recruit Estel anymore?"

I tilted my head in thought when Estel spoke.

When I gave her the stinger material, we talked and got along, but at that time, she and the others were out shopping.

No wonder it seems like we suddenly became friends.

"I was a bit too hasty. I'm really sorry for what happened back then."

After the match, he continued to provoke, but now he seems to be genuinely repentant, bowing his head.

At the time, I was indeed angry, but thinking back now, he must have had his reasons.

In the end, he backed down from the bet on Estel and made it a monetary bet, so he must have had something on his mind.

"Nohl?"

"I still can't forgive you. Pfft, I can't forgive you."

I was impressed, but Nohl still doesn't seem willing to forgive.

She hasn't even looked at him since he arrived. It's really unusual for her to act this way.

I always thought she was cheerful and didn't care much about such things, but maybe she's more sensitive than I thought?

"...Ha, I seem to have been quite disliked."

"You brought it upon yourself, didn't you? You always act recklessly."

"Ugh, I'm sorry..."

Seeing Nohl's obvious dislike, he gave a dry, self-deprecating laugh.

Then, the archer girl from Deus's party joined the conversation.

She wears a black bow and black armor in some places, but it looks quite light. Is that made from the stinger's carapace?

Still, she gives a bright impression. Her orange semi-long hair suits her well.

"Mr. Ohtsuka... right? I'm Migu. I'm sorry for the trouble Deus caused the other day. I didn't stop him either, so I'm just as guilty..."

"Yes, it's Ohtsuka. At the time, it was indeed troublesome, but it's all in the past, so please don't worry about it."

I only met her during the match, but it seems the party members were concerned?

Also, the fact that he acts recklessly... I'm a bit curious about what he's done in the past.

Then, after talking with Migu, the other members also introduced themselves.

"I'm... Sumika... Nice to meet you..."

"...Gaus."

The priestess is Sumika. She seems shy, speaking in a soft voice. She has short brown hair and a cleric's outfit, which suits her well.

The other one is a man in black armor who gave a short greeting. Is he a man of few words?

He wasn't wearing a helm before, so I couldn't see his face, but he has short brown hair. He looks quite a bit older than Deus and the others. He's taller than me and has a strong presence. He seems like a reliable tank.

"Still, you've found quite a beautiful woman again. I'd like to learn your recruitment skills."

"Haha... Rather, I haven't seen you around lately. Were you on a trip?"

"Yeah, I took a guard request."

After the introductions, I decided to talk with Deus.

When asked where I found her, I laughed it off and changed the subject. I can't say I got her from a gacha.

I've been to the guild quite a bit since summoning Sisaha, but I haven't seen them recently. They must have been on a guard request far away.

"Hmm, Estel is still cute, isn't she?"

"I'm happy to be called cute, but please don't hug me."

"Aww, come on..."

Nohl and the others gathered to talk with the women.

I glanced over when I heard their voices and saw Estel being hugged by Migu.

Hmm, that looks nice. Even Deus has a relaxed look on his face.

"Ah, since we have the chance, can I ask Gaus for some tank tips?"

"He won't say no, but I don't recommend it?"

Since we met by chance, I thought it was a good opportunity.

I asked the leader, Deus, for permission, but his response wasn't very encouraging.

Is there something wrong? He said he doesn't recommend it, but... it's just asking, so it should be fine, right?

"Excuse me."

"...What is it?"

"I was wondering if you could give me some tank tips..."

After the introductions, I approached the man sitting alone at a table and asked him, receiving a short response.

He's scary, really scary. His low voice sends chills down my spine.

"...Alright. I'll teach you what it means to be a tank."

I was nervous about his response, but he surprisingly accepted it smoothly.

Oh, he seems kinder than he looks? Just like Sisaha, you can't judge a person by their appearance.

"First, do you know what a tank needs to do?"

"Um... First, to protect, right? And to endure pain and such."

When asked what a tank needs, I wasn't sure... I guess just protecting is enough?

Also, as Nohl said, enduring pain. If you lose focus due to pain while protecting, it could be disastrous.

"Only saying that shows you have a vague impression of what a tank does."

He put down his drink, took a breath, and looked at me straight in the eye.

It feels like he can see right through me... Indeed, I only have a vague idea of what a tank does.

"Understanding your own capabilities as a tank. Assess your strength and avoid overloading. The biggest danger to the party is when the tank fails and releases the enemies, causing the party to collapse."

Hmm, I see. If you take on too many enemies, the healer might not keep up, and the party could be overwhelmed.

If the enemies you were holding back suddenly flood in, the party could be wiped out.

"Next, prioritization. Which enemies to hold and which to let the others handle. If you make a mistake, your companions will take damage."

Enemies you don't need to hold should be left to your allies, right? That way, you avoid overloading.

But it's also difficult to judge which enemies to hold back. In my case, I can use the status app as a reference.

"Also, while holding enemies, be aware of your position relative to your allies. Don't obstruct their attacks. This is something you learn through experience."

This isn't something you can master overnight...

When I imagine it, I picture myself making strange movements and getting hit by Estel from behind.

"And... as you said, enduring pain. Sometimes you'll take direct hits that break your armor. Don't get complacent just because you're wearing armor."

Don't get complacent with your defense. When fighting kobolds, I thought their attacks wouldn't get through...

If you're going to be a tank, you need to be prepared for any attack to get through and drop your guard.

"Unexpected attacks can cause sudden pain. But enduring that pain is crucial. The pain that makes you cry out, the burning sensation, the dizziness... When you endure it, you feel most alive. If you aim to be a tank, you'll understand this feeling."

Hmm? Something seems off with him.

He was calm at first, but his words started to carry more weight.

Then, he put his hand on my shoulder, saying I would understand this feeling.

"Um... Excuse me, a bit..."

"...Do you understand? Come, let's advance together towards the unseen realm."

His eyes are filled with intense passion.

This guy is scary. The idea of feeling alive through pain... he must be a bit off, right!?

No way, I don't want to be like him.

I tried to back away, but Gaus's grip didn't let me move.

"What is that...?"

"Ah, that's what I meant when I said I don't recommend it..."

Nohl and Deus were watching the scene, saying something.

What? Is this what he meant by not recommending it!?

●

After that, I was told about the wonderful experiences a tank can have.

No... I can't keep up with this world.

The pain from strikes, slashes, pierces, status effects, and more... I was mentally drained after hearing about it in detail.

"Well, let's go to bed... I'm tired."

I was going back to the inn, having finished dinner. We were sharing a room with four people, and I was about to sleep on the floor with a sleeping bag.

"Ah, that's right. Big brother, let's sleep together."

"Right. Come over here quickly. Hurry, hurry, hurry."

The two of them stopped me before I could.

Estel sat on the same bed as Sisaha, and Nohl sat on the other bed, tapping it.

Moffu was on her lap, looking at me as if to say, "Hurry up."

"No, I'll sleep on the floor. I already have a sleeping bag."

I can manage sharing a room, but sleeping in the same bed is out of the question.

"Ohtsuka sleeping on the floor while we sleep in the bed... That's not right."

"Right. Come over here, big brother."

Sisaha joined in, and Estel followed.

Are they planning to sleep three to a bed?

"Then, Ohtsuka, who do you want to sleep with?"

I looked at Nohl, hoping for help, but she dropped a bomb.

"No, please... I really can't."

Stop, stop! Choosing someone here would be the end of me.

Seriously, stop