Chapter 45

A few days have passed since the summoning. Since then, I've been hunting scorpions in the northern cave without any change.

Now, everyone is relaxing in the room, deciding what to do today.

In the end, I decided not to have a separate room and to sleep on the floor every day. Because I feel lonely.

"Hmm, even though we've renewed our equipment, we're still only hunting in the northern cave."

"The equipment is for the dungeon, so it can't be helped."

Since I replaced the heavy armor, I haven't had a chance to use it.

Well, it's probably as strong as not flinching even when hit by Stinger's attack?

As Noll said, it's for the dungeon, so it's fine, but...

"Let's go hunting in Asterios for a change to refresh our mood."

Estel clasped her hands and said something outrageous with a smile, as if it were a light outing.

"O-Oh, what are you saying? That's not the kind of monster you go hunting for just to refresh your mood!"

Just because we don't have a chance to use it, going to hunt such a monster is no joke.

I remember how my whole body ached even though I wasn't injured that time.

"Now that we have Sisha, I don't think it's that dangerous. Besides, if you keep fighting weak enemies, you won't improve, right?"

"U-Uh, you're right, but..."

Indeed, I won't improve if I keep fighting weak enemies.

I still practice with the Chief Warrior, but since I got this equipment, my sense of danger has faded.

I think I've improved to some extent, but I'm not sure if I can handle a strong enemy.

With Sisha here, I think I'll be fine even if something happens.

Maybe I have to take some risks... Otherwise, I won't be able to catch up to them in terms of skill.

"Don't worry, Mr. Oogura. As long as you're alive, I can heal you immediately. Even if you lose your limbs, I can heal them, so it's fine! But please be careful not to lose your head above the neck."

No, how is that fine?

I think Sisha is a good girl. She has a sincere and polite tone with a bright atmosphere.

Watching her, I feel like cheering her on.

However, sometimes she gives me an indescribable feeling, like now.

She tends to speak more ambiguously or indirectly.

It's clear, but it gives off a slightly scary vibe.

●

"Are you really going to do it...?"

"Look, Mr. Oogura. This is to get rid of your past trauma! If you hadn't been careless at the end, it would have ended well."

So, we came back to the Minotaur ruins.

Trauma... It's not that bad, but since then, I might have become overly sensitive to enemy attacks.

If I hadn't been careless and looked away, everything would have been fine...

If I can handle this well, I might gain some confidence.

"Before that, we need to spawn an Asterios."

As usual, this hunting ground is patrolled by Minotaurs.

Estel immediately took out her staff and grimoire to attack.

However, she was stopped before she could.

"Um, if it's okay, can I try hunting the Minotaur?"

Surprisingly, it was Sisha. She wants to hunt... How can she be so fearless when even I am scared to hunt alone?

"No, that's too much..."

"Please! I'm so happy to finally be able to fight with my own hands!"

She clasped her hands in front of her chest and pleaded with me, as if in prayer.

Her moist eyes looked at me, and her anxious expression made me feel uneasy.

Damn, I can't refuse such a beautiful girl... Men are weak for beautiful women, and there's nothing I can do about it.

"Mr. Oogura, it might be okay to let her try."

"I think Sisha will be fine even against a Minotaur."

Noll and Estel also said it would be okay, as if to encourage her.

Hmm, if they say so, maybe it's fine.

She seems to want to fight on her own, and if she can handle the offensive role, it might solve the lack of firepower.

I didn't know how strong she was against Kobolds, but against a Minotaur, I might be able to see her true strength.

"Okay, if you say so, I think it's fine... But don't take too many risks. And if you're going to do it... Noll, can you lend Sisha the bracelet? And use this too. What about your weapon?"

"Understood. Here you go."

"Thank you, Mr. Oogura, Mr. Noll! My staff is fine as a weapon."

I was worried about letting her hunt with her current equipment, so I decided to let her temporarily wear Noll's Wind Bracelet and Power Bracelet.

I also equipped her with the Guardian Ring, Nike's Shoes, and the Jewel of Life.

With this equipment, she should be fine as a melee fighter.

After preparing, we received support from Estel and rushed towards the Minotaur.

With better equipment, we moved faster than last time.

We targeted a Minotaur that was away from the others and started the attack.

The Minotaur, which had its back turned, was hit hard on the head with the staff and fell forward. It seemed to have a lot of power.

It roared, raised its axe, and turned around, but Sisha was already gone and hit its leg, making it kneel.

She was skillfully attacking from blind spots... Not just stats, but also technique. I think I would lose to her if I fought her, as I wouldn't be able to catch her.

It's much clearer than Noll. I want to try mimicking her, but I can't... It looks like she's predicting and moving.

"Isn't she already a monk... But she's holding a staff. What was a priest again?"

"She's doing a great job. Excellent positioning, body movement, and judgment. It's a waste to keep her as a priest."

"She's also using defensive magic. If I had to say, she's a priest-warrior, maybe?"

While toying with the Minotaur, she started kicking as well.

Because of the size difference, one kick sent it flying, but with the Kobolds, she used a leg sweep and then kicked them in the air...

She was also using defensive magic, as a blue light covered her.

"Phew, moving my body is wonderful. The sense of accomplishment from defeating a monster with my own hands, the feeling of attacking, and the cute sounds they make are exciting."

After a while, the Minotaur disappeared in a burst of light particles.

After the battle, she had a very good smile. If a man saw it, he would definitely fall in love at first sight.

But to me, her smile was scary and I couldn't feel that way.

What she said also seemed a bit off.

After that, Estel and the others joined in, and we started to exterminate the Minotaurs.

After a few minutes of hunting, we could see a Minotaur with lightning surrounding it coming our way.

"Finally, a rematch..."

"Then, the rest is up to the two of you. I'll support you, brother."

"I'll help if it gets dangerous, so please be at ease."

I thought we would all face it together, but Estel cast support magic and quickly retreated with Noll.

"Eh... Really?"

"Mr. Oogura, let's do our best, okay?"

Left were me and Sisha. She didn't seem flustered, as if she knew beforehand, and cast a defensive spell on me.

Wait, this wasn't part of the plan!

It felt so lonely without the others who had fought with us before.

Just as I was thinking about this, Asterios came running with a red aura.

"Whoa!? Ugh... T-This is tough."

Last time, Noll took the hit, but this time she wasn't there.

Of course, Sisha couldn't take it, so I had to. The impact was so strong that my arms went numb.

I was holding a pot lid with both hands, bracing myself, but every time Asterios moved his head forward, I was pushed back, digging into the ground.

I was sweating, thinking I had to endure until the end, but it ended quickly. Sisha had hit his neck with the staff during the stalemate.

It made a thud and his head was stuck in the ground.

Seeing this as an opportunity, I repeatedly stabbed his arm holding the axe with the bar to reduce his HP.

"Sisha, can you attack this guy while using me as a shield?"

"Sure, leave it to me!"

I was hoping he would go down, but it wasn't that easy.

He pulled his head out and roared, breathing heavily.

He's really angry, but for some reason, I'm not scared.

After that, I defended against his axe attacks and counterattacked with the bar, while Sisha hit him with the staff when there was an opening.

When he focused on her, I had her hide behind me and hit him when there was an opening.

Even with a defensive focus, I still took damage to my arm, so I had Sisha heal me.

This solid flow, there's no way we can lose. Haha, our victory is certain.

Oops... I almost got overconfident again.

I won't be careless this time. The most dangerous moment is when you think it's over.

It took a while to reduce Asterios's HP.

After a few minutes of this back-and-forth, he knelt down, breathing heavily, seemingly at his limit.

I readied the bar to finish him off, but just like last time, he threw his axe.

"Alright—Whoa!?"

I deflected the axe flying towards me. Since I had no weapon, I decided to finish him off.

But when I looked at Asterios, he was suddenly surrounded by a red aura and lunged at me.

"Ugh, gah, oh... Damn!"

This is bad, really bad!

I tried to hold him off with the pot lid, but unlike before, I had no time to brace myself.

I managed to hold him off, but I would be blown away like Noll if this continued.

Damn, I can't even be a proper shield.

"Haah!"

I was about to let go of the pot lid, thinking I was done for.

But before I could, Sisha screamed and hit Asterios's neck with her stocking-covered foot.

Her golden hair shook violently as she spun in the air and brought down her foot.

Her attack was like a guillotine.

Asterios's head sank into the ground with a thud, his neck bent in an unnatural direction.

He was foaming at the mouth and dead, showing how dangerous her attack was.

"Mr. Oogura! Are you okay?"

"Ah, yes, I'm... fine..."

With the object of resistance gone, I lost my strength and sat down.

She approached me, smiling and offering her hand. The sunlight behind her made her look mysterious with her clothes.

Under normal circumstances, I might have fallen in love.

But after seeing what she did, I couldn't stop shaking.

Like Estel, I swallowed, thinking this girl would be dangerous if angered.