Chapter 92

In the Miniella Mine Dungeon, on the 7th floor. Here, we encountered a maze floor.

On the maze floor, as long as we don't trigger any traps, no monsters appear, so we can spend the night safely without having to return to the safe area.

"But I think we still need to keep watch just in case..."

"Yeah, I think the best pairs would be me and Naga, and Crane and Reus?"

"...That sounds reasonable."

"Is that okay? Great!"

Considering our detection abilities, that makes sense... No matter what, in a stationary situation, Tiga's hearing surpasses my detection range.

Still, my detection ability is higher than Naga and Reus, so Tiga and I will be separate. And considering combat power in case of an emergency, it's better to separate Naga and me... I'm still stronger than the two of them.

"Considering Tiga's high detection ability... I also think it would be better to separate the two who can tank."

"Maybe it's better to separate the two with camping experience, as they can handle situations better. Reus, try not to be a bother, okay?"

"I understand!"

We explored the maze floor a bit and set up tents in a dead-end area without traps to prepare for the night. This time, we won't have a campfire. I don't think there will be carbon monoxide poisoning... but the maze floor is narrow, so I'm a bit worried.

Without light, it could be a problem, so I'll give Naga a magic stone I've enchanted with a light spell. Well, I haven't explained the enchantment to Reus and the others... but it should be fine.

"Then, I'll leave it to you."

"Leave it to me!"

"...Good night."

"Yeah, good night."

Naga and Tiga entered the tent.

I set up two tents just in case... but they both entered the same one. Well, it's spacious enough for three people, so it's not a problem, but is it okay for me to use the unused tent? I'll just assume it's for me.

Also, Shimaou stayed behind, and Momo followed Naga. I wonder if it's for safety...

"So... Reus, you seem like you want to say something?"

"Um, well, there are a lot of things I want to talk about... First, thank you."

"Huh?"

"I haven't properly thanked you. Thank you for saving Crow and Tiga."

"Oh, yeah."

Well, because of that, you're now slaves... I wonder if I should say that. But Reus continues with a carefree expression.

"To be honest, I thought I would die with them. I was protected by them and left the scene... but I felt lonely and went back... They scolded me a lot, but I'm really grateful."

Going back to the snake's den... It was like he wanted to die.

Well, it wasn't unexpected, but I did think that might be the case. Reus isn't the only one with mental instability.

Still, I think everyone has calmed down a lot.

"You're welcome... I'm glad. But, despite that, you want to travel with Naga and separate from the two?"

"I'm going. I want to see the outside world, right? I know Tiga and Crow don't want to go, but they'll wait for us in the town. I'll come back and tell them about my journey."

"You're surprisingly honest."

"I am honest. I go where I want to go and return where I want to return... But, can I get stronger?"

Huh? Stronger?

What's this sudden question?

"I think you can. Probably."

"Stronger than Naga and Granos?"

"...That might be tough. They are specialized in combat and are at the third stage of Unique. Reus is... at the second stage, like me, right?"

"Yeah. I was surprised too. Naga is really strong. And Naga says he can't beat Granos."

"Hmm? Well, that might be true. But my brother is strong too."

We ended up talking about this. Well, Naga is strong, and my brother is strong. I felt I couldn't keep up with them.

And... because I've seen their abilities, I can't just let Ars be. He's mentally unstable and his strength is unknown... including his injured right eye, he's quite inconsistent.

He's called the enemy of that girl, and there's a possibility he might become our enemy.

"I'm not very smart, so I don't understand why everyone looks so serious... But if I can, I want to enjoy it. I have abilities suited for the dungeon."

"...You'll get scolded by the two again. Don't talk about your abilities."

"I want to tell Crane! I want him to know about me. I'm grateful."

"...Okay, I understand. But be careful with others, okay?"

Reus's Unique Skill is called "Treasure Seeker."

He explained that it's the reason we got a lot of gems at the mining points. As expected, it's his second ability. There's also a higher level one called "Treasure Digger." I see... a Unique Skill that gives bonuses related to treasure. I didn't know such a thing existed. ...He must have really wanted to be an adventurer.

I thought Unique Skills were mostly combat-oriented, but there are also ones that give specific ability bonuses like Crow and Tiga's, which are advantageous in the dungeon. It was surprising. That space must have given abilities to help people achieve their goals...?

But, it doesn't quite sit right with me. But my Unique Skill is also support-oriented rather than combat-focused... I wonder why.

In addition to his Unique Skill, Reus chose to be a half-dragon and has taken abilities that give him dragon characteristics. His combat ability is high among the three, and he was relied upon by Crow and Tiga.

Reus had confidence in his abilities but understood that there are always stronger people after seeing Naga.

"Dragon characteristics seem strong enough, don't they?"

"Right? I think abilities like 'Dragon Claw' and 'Dragon Scale' are really cool."

"Huh, really?"

Are they cool? They seem like something a middle schooler would think is cool.

I wouldn't choose them, but if they're strong, that's good, I guess.

"I'm enjoying this world. But, is Crane enjoying it? You seem to be cooped up, reading books and doing various things every day."

"I decided to become a pharmacist on my own. Well, circumstances played a part. ...But I don't think I'm always cooped up."

"You go to the church and guild, but you just read books, and when the old lady comes, you're always making something... You even get attacked by weird old men and don't rest."

"Why do you know so much...? Well, I won't ask. I tried not to go outside the town because I was a target."

I thought the timing was suspicious when you called for help, but maybe Tiga was looking for me. Maybe she was watching me for a while to make a decision? Well, despite being a target, I did act recklessly at times.

But... Tiga. The ability to hear things from such a distance... It must be stressful for both her and those around her not to be able to keep secrets.

"I chose the path of a pharmacist as a foothold to survive in this world... I actually like this job. I can do things I couldn't before... If I can save people with what I make, I feel good."

"That's good if you like it."

"But when I can't help because of lack of knowledge, my stomach tightens and I can't sleep. I think I'm not cut out for it. I like making things... but facing patients can be tough. Like with Tiga, it was really tough."

Did I look like I was forcing myself? Well, there is that aspect too.

Really. When I faced Tiga, I was really struggling with what to do.

I was anxious and read a lot of books, but they didn't have the answers I needed. It was thanks to luck and Crow that I could help.

"Crane looked really bad."

"Huh?"

"In the cave where we first met, after the treatment, you were sleeping like you were dead. Momo would warn me if I got too close, so I couldn't approach you."

"? I thought Momo was with Shimaou?"

"When I got close to you, Momo would come and warn me. If I moved away, she would go back to Shimaou."

What! ...She was guarding me properly! I should have praised her. I'll give her some boa meat later.

Also, did I look that bad...? I wasn't aware that someone saw my face up close.

"Did I look that bad?"

"Yeah. Later, Crow told me that using too much MP can be dangerous? You looked exhausted... After that, you fought normally, so I thought you were an adventurer, but then I found out you're a pharmacist... I didn't know what Crane wanted to do."

No, I helped because I was asked for help.

And, I had already achieved my goal, so I could prioritize the three of your lives.

"I wanted materials that could only be found there. And I was just busy."

"Yeah, Naga told me. When you get into making things, you don't sleep and keep working. When you're under pressure, you can't calm down and keep working, like a corporate slave."

"Corporate slave... No, that's not it. But if it's fun, I keep going, right? And when I can't sleep, I do something else to distract myself... By the way, does Naga talk that much?"

"He answers if you ask."

Seriously... Maybe I should have initiated the conversation more?

Is it because we're both young? Naga hardly talks when everyone is together... But he talks a lot to Reus.

"Crane is skilled and has a lot to do, but you need to sleep properly or your body will break down."

"...I'll be careful. Reus, don't rush off on your own either."

"It's okay because I'll take Naga with me."

I see. Well, with Naga, it should be fine. Also, you two are really close. I was surprised.

Anyway, I planned to read a book to pass the time during the night, but Reus wouldn't let me, so I spent the time teaching him things like dissection techniques, footwork during battles, and things to be mindful of.

I think Reus is suited for a guerrilla position, like me. He's better suited to supporting from a bit behind, hunting small enemies, and flanking... He can use his innate speed and jumping ability to balance offense and defense well.

Well, my brother is also good at that, so there's some overlap.

"Guerrilla... Yeah, if we're facing enemies head-on, Naga is there. It might be good."

"When my brother comes back, it would be good to reference this. Practicing sparring would be very helpful... I have wooden swords prepared."

"For me?"

"No, I prepared them for myself. I'm worried, so I thought he wouldn't spar with me if they had blades."

Reus is honest. Naga is also honest, but in a different way. I can understand why the two caretakers dote on him.

But those caretakers are eavesdroppers.

Naga's conversations with Reus and our current conversation... they can hear everything. Unless they're asleep.

"I also rely on my brother for things I can't do... But I do things by my own will, so you don't need to worry."

"Got it. But if you're struggling, let me know. I won't notice."

"I will."

I don't want you to be confident in not noticing; I want you to notice. But I'll leave that to the caretakers...

Reus's brightness can also make me feel lighter. I spent the night teaching him various things.

When Naga and Tiga took over, Shimaou followed me to my tent and I fell asleep petting her.