Act 2-1 - Mismatch Combi

===Act 2 : Trapezohedron of Dark Radiance===

Chapter 1 : Mismatch Combi

「HAH!」

Edda’s thrust in which she put her weight into, easily pierced through the ch*est of the Mouse.

Though the Mouse was desperately turning its head with its black eyes that were opened wide, it understood what happened when it tried to reach its back with its arms.

「OI! That one is still moving!」

The mouse raised its claws, aiming for Edda.

Edda pulled her sword out from the chest of the mouse, leaped up and then kicked the Mouse’s shoulder.

The mouse’s claws which lost its target could only cut through empty air.

By then, Edda had stood on top of the giant mouse’s shoulder, and by the next moment, she had left a deep gash on the mouse’s neck.

The body of the giant mouse convulsed for a while, and then collapsed right there.

「I know that even without you telling me, and stop being a busybody.」

「Ah, I see…」

A few days had passed after the incident with Fedor.

I decided to explore 《Den of Battle Rat》 along with Edda after I heard that the Mouse’ Monster Pool which almost triggered the incident between me and Gilbert back then has ended.

Though a D rank monster pool was rather dangerous, it was resolved rather easily by skilled adventurers since it happened in the shallow floor.

In addition, the limited space for the demon beast made it easier to devise a countermeasure against them.

Especially for demon beasts like Mouse[Battle Rat] whose only means of attack was a frontal attack.

The adventurers could fight with ease as long as they have a Tulpa user or Matter-type magic user.

… Naturally, there’s fierce competition between fellow adventurers in the demon labyrinth, some were competing for killing as many demon beasts as possible… some were died because they’re too greedy.

We were hunting in UG 2nd floor of 《Den of Battle Rat》.

So far, we hunted two Fringe and three goblins of E rank, and two Mouse of D rank.

「Take its battle bone quickly. It’s about time to leave.」

「… that’s not the attitude of someone who passed the unpleasant job to the other person.」

In the end, I… am still adventurer-slash-porter to Edda.

The fighting aside, my main jobs revolved around carrying luggages and dismantling.

「… It’s true that porter is rather peculiar but, you’re the main reason why he left us in anger right?」

「The boorish one is him. I endured it since you told me to endure it and yet, he just left us like that.」

… Yes, it’s not that we didn’t hire a porter, that person just left us before we dived into 《Den of Battle Rat》 after quarreling with Edda.

I couldn’t deny that by appearance alone, Edda was a really attractive woman which made that porter more elated to do his job.

But, the unsightly scene of him trying his best to woo Edda did make me want to stop him.

For argument’s sake, it wouldn’t be a problem as long as Edda dismisses him with nice words but, I forgot that this woman has a poisonous tongue.

「But, I refuse to entrust my life to that unpleasant fellow. it’s so refreshing.」

Edda snorted as she crossed her arms.

「… I understand your feeling but, it’s not a simple matter to meet someone who meets our condition and plan. I’ve been working as a porter myself since just a while ago, and you, are a newcomer without achievement…」

… In addition, since I had zero experience exploring the dungeon as the party leader, I’ve to become the porter when push comes to shove, which narrowed the choice for our porter even further.

Anyhow, I wasn’t in the situation in which I could be picky about my comrade, maybe I failed as a leader as soon as I started thinking about correcting Edda’s common sense.

「No problem, it’s enough. I will hunt, you’ll carry the baggage for me. That’s good enough for me.」

「… Will you consider forming a party with another person?」

「Why would I? I think this formation is good enough. We don’t need more people.」

She spoke quickly with her usual cold and blunt tone.

… If I leave her as it is, I fear that she wouldn’t find another person who was willing to be in the same party with her.

Though she recognized me as her comrade in arms after that incident with Fedor, it seems she was still reluctant to allow an outsider to join our party.

This warrior girl with a communication disorder.

「If it’s just for a porter, we can use that Mani girl. I only met her twice but, I think she’s okay.」

「What’s with that condescending attitude…」

But still, I didn’t wish for Mani to suffer through such a dangerous experience.

Mani was originally a blacksmith, the reason she became porter-slash-miner has something to do with smithing.

I already lost count how many times she helped me so that I could live as an adventurer.

If possible, I want her to focus on her real job as a blacksmith since I’ve already become a proper adventurer.

「I’m used to this tone but, at least I’m not like that man who faked his kindness while preparing to stab you from behind. It’s your job to do something about my situation, right?」

Ah… I did it now.

I looked at Edda from the edge of my field of view since I thought that I might’ve irritated her againt.

Edda’s eyebrows lowered a bit as she looked down on the ground.

「… Due to our continuously wandering lives. Narc’s warriors were pursuing after power, and wouldn’t take any other duty. In addition, we believe that sevility will poison our pride. And yet, only after I arrived in this place I learned that our belief is alien to a majority of people.」 [TL : This part is so hard to tl.]

S-She was reflecting on her action.

「Dean, you’ve my gratitude for allowing me to know about this matter. Even if I look like this, I’m doing my best to get used to the common sense outside of my tribe. If it’s necessary, I’ll also learn the way to take out battle bone…」

「Edda…」

The awkward silent persisted for a while.

I was at a loss for words, I had no idea what to say at times like this.

Edda was strong.

Her strength alone would exempt her from menial jobs like dismantling.

Though I wished she would change her bossy attitude, the current her didn’t seem to be unwilling to learn dismantling.

「When you suddenly say that, it’s… rather admirable, to the point that I feels there’s something fishy about it.」

Oh cr*ap, I ended up saying too many words in my attempt to break the ice.

The moment I thought “Oh cr*ap”, it was already too late to revoke my statement.

And Edda’s fist has landed on my cheek.

We were heading toward the entrance of the demon labyrinth after I retrieved the battle bone.

Edda was walking in front of me in silence.

「… I won’t apologize for punching you back then.」

「… Er don’t worry, I was in the wrong back then.」

The result of this hunt was superb.

We got five battle bones of E rank demon beasts and two battle bones of D rank demon beast.

With this, we achieved the 100k temis mark, the target of this adventure.

My level which had risen to 【Lv:22】 after defeating Solus stayed as it was.

It seems I’ve reached the end of leveling eficiency by hunting Mouse.

That moment, I suddenly stumbled upon an idea.

Though it was true that I wanted Mani to focus on her smithing job, she often grumbled to me, saying that her current level limited the quality of weapon she crafted.

Though Mani’s 《Flame Hammer; Kaguna》 compensated her low level with its ability, the limit of metal she could process was lower C rank.

「Maybe we can employ Mani as our porter. I’ve a little request if you will agree but…」

「… What is it?」

Edda asked with a glaring look on her face, it seems her foul mouth has yet to be fixed.

「That 《Mineral’s Demon; Solus》’s demon core… is still in my custody right now but, will you give it to me? 」

「Uhm?」