Chapter 53

### Final Day

It takes about half a day to return to town from the dungeon. Since Mr. For reported that the people dispatched from the capital have already returned, there's no need to stay longer. We can return now or stay one more night as planned.

While it's fine to return immediately, opportunities to come here are rare. The next time might be a long way off. On the other hand, guild staff and nobles won't accompany us multiple times. I got permission to gather materials in the dungeon until the evening. More materials are always better.

"So, what do you want to do?"

"I want to practice moving solo since it's a rare opportunity."

"Rejected. You're not at the appropriate level yet, so I can't allow you to act alone."

"Granos is right. I'll allow it if you move as a group of three."

"Come on, come on. Isn't it fine? If Crane is within sight, let him try. If he keeps pushing himself, it's better to let him practice under supervision, right?"

Surprisingly, Lord Raz supported me. While I'm concerned about his tendency to take risks... I don't remember doing anything that reckless... Leonis and my brother were hesitant, but ultimately gave their permission. I think the reason is that my DEF has finally exceeded 300, reducing the danger. Although I'm not at the appropriate level... it seems they think I'm close enough... I'll keep quiet about it.

### Conditions

With the condition that if any of HP, MP, or SP drops below half, the activity ends, I was allowed to move freely within 50 to 200 meters of the group. Since it's a rare opportunity, I want to try various things.

Yesterday, I gathered the necessary materials as Leonis suggested. Today, I have free rein, so I'll appraise and gather a bit of everything else. My master might be fine with materials whose effects are known, but I need to study other materials as well. There are many mushrooms and herbs that cause status abnormalities like poison and paralysis, but some might be medicinal. There are also edible fruits...

### Combat

I'll use a sword to defeat monsters. Spears are good when there are other members, but they create openings when used alone, so I didn't borrow one. Bows are also problematic because monsters can get close while I'm aiming, so I'll use only a sword.

I'll start by defeating ordinary monsters, but it's not too difficult. I've fought these monsters before, so I can predict their movements to some extent, which is an advantage. However, my STR is still low. Mushrooms are fine, but Trolls are hard to hit. Many insect-type monsters are tough, and animal-type monsters vary... but they don't appear much.

The solution is to use magic. There's no problem with using magic to finish them off while using the sword to keep them at bay. I don't need to use powerful magic like in boss battles; I can defeat them smoothly. The most convenient spell is Water Arrow. It can be aimed like a bow, and there's no need to prepare, making it easy to use.

However, I want to improve my sword attacks as well. I thought about... using magic to empower the sword, similar to a magic shield. The idea is that if I can attack with INT, my attack power will increase... I'm experimenting with it. I'm trying various attributes, but it's not easy to succeed.

If I can wrap the sword with a favorable attribute each time I fight, without enchanting the weapon, it will give me more flexibility. I want to master this while I'm in a safe environment.

Incidentally, I want to level up two more times and reach level 30. I can't do that with the group, but it's possible alone.

However, the restriction of MP consumption to half is strict. My MP consumption is high. I need to reduce it to avoid running out quickly. Instead of a full release, I need to wrap the sword thinly... yeah, it's difficult.

But even a slight glow on the sword seems to increase my attack power. I'll try a bit more with the monsters over there.

### Granos's Perspective

Five of us are watching Crane from a distance. From life detection and visual information, there are no monsters nearby, so he should be fine, but I'm a bit worried.

"Raz, what are you thinking?"

"Hmm. If he still wants to go solo after forming a party for a short time, that's fine too. Leon can't always be with him. Let him try."

"But..."

"Lord Leonis, there are no bosses, so the danger is low. He's not claiming he can do what he can't, so let's see how it goes. Besides, why don't you two also practice moving alone?"

Leonis is worried, but we think it's fine. Even if we're far away, Crane and I have high detection abilities, so we can escape if something happens. In terms of detection, Naga is the most dangerous to move alone, but it's hard to reduce his HP unless something extraordinary happens. He has high resistance to poison and paralysis, so the danger is low.

Basically, Naga and I are already at A-rank in terms of combat power. We still lack practical experience and haven't fully utilized our abilities, but we are undoubtedly S-rank material. Crane is S-rank as a healer and C to B-rank overall. His high creativity and adaptability make him effective at B-rank, according to For's assessment.

The high evaluation as a healer is due to his area recovery magic, which can be used continuously. If he can do that, he's S-rank as a healer. We don't expect healers to fight; as long as they can heal without hindering the fight, they're good.

Crane would dislike that. He says he doesn't want to be a healer.

Even at B-rank, he can come to this dungeon alone, so it's not a waste to test him here.

"Let's go gather materials."

"Then, I'll move alone too... see you later."

Since Crane is moving alone, it would be strange for Naga and me to move together, so we started gathering separately. For will monitor the situation and help if there's danger, while Leonis and Raz wait. It's challenging to gather and disassemble while maintaining vigilance. It's different from fighting multiple minions in a boss battle, and I learned that it can be difficult to handle alone.

"Phew... you're doing something interesting."

Glancing at Crane, his sword and shield are glowing. The shield glows similarly when using a magic shield, but it doesn't stay lit.

So, he's maintaining the glow himself.

He must be trying based on the idea that it's possible, but it's impressive that he can do it. Showing it to For might be a bit careless, but...

"That's using MP, huh... hmm."

His STR is insufficient for normal attacks, so he's using magic to enhance his INT. If that's possible... can he do it with SP too?

I drew my sword and used the excess SP to charge it... then released a quick draw attack.

"It works."

The technique's power increased, and the tree in front of me was cleanly cut. It seems effective for one-hit kills, but it requires practice to charge. I'll have to teach him later.

Crane will probably figure it out eventually, but I need to show off a bit as his brother.

"That looks fun."

"Need something?"

While experimenting with my sword, Raz approached. I think he's the most dangerous to move alone... but checking the surroundings, there are no monsters except near Crane... they seem to be avoiding us.

"Well, I thought I should talk to you."

"About the future? We can talk later."

"True. I need some time... before we leave... the place is... ..."

"Alright, I understand."

We need to talk in private. Making the appointment first is probably to inform Crane that we've made contact. He wouldn't like being kept in the dark...

"Brother, are you okay?"

When Raz returned to the others, Crane came over. He must have noticed...

"No problem. He wants to talk before we leave town."

"..."

"Don't worry. After spending so much time together, I can tell. Regardless of his surroundings, he's not an enemy. It's fine to cooperate."

"Well, it's your decision..."

"More importantly, watch this..."

I demonstrated the charged quick draw attack I tried earlier. The tree trunk was cleanly cut, which felt good. It uses a lot of SP, so I can't use it continuously.

"Wow... that's amazing."

"Right? It's fun once you get the hang of it."

Crane's eyes widened in surprise, and he smiled happily when I grinned.

It seems he's more relaxed in the dungeon. He's thinking a lot, but he's not as stressed. Even if his memories return, he's not dwelling on them. It's a good sign.

"Did your experiment go well?"

"Um... almost got the feel of it?"

"That's great. If your attack power increases, we'll be less worried."

"I won't take unnecessary risks... but I don't like being carried."

"I understand. You'll be fine... but as a brother, I'm worried."

"Okay, I'll be careful. I'll go hunting and level up a bit while practicing."

I watched him head towards a group of monsters far away. I can see them with my eyes, but not with life detection, which means Crane has better detection abilities.

"Phew... I need to fix his low self-evaluation too."

What's holding him back...? He can't tank, but he has the skills to excel in other roles and handle solo situations.

Considering this dungeon recommends level 40 with a party... his abilities are quite overpowered... which makes the conversation with Raz more complicated.