Chapter 25

This story is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictitious and have no connection to any real entities.

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025 - I don't like it

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It was the 13th day since my reincarnation. I brought Rosalina the goblin and entered the dungeon right away.

As usual, there were thieves at the entrance to the dungeon, but I don't think they saw my face because I was wearing a deep hood.

I want to keep it a secret that our numbers have increased. If we have more people than the enemy knows about, it can be a weapon.

───Dungeon Move.

"Huh?"

Rosalina was surprised when she saw the door that appeared in the wall.

Rosalina's slave contract prevents her from speaking about me to others. Otherwise, she has a fair amount of freedom.

We emerged on the 4th floor. This is my first time here, but I have information from a booklet I bought from the guild.

"First, I'll give you this."

I handed Rosalina a mithril two-handed sword.

"I prefer to fight bare-handed."

"Use this sword until the villager reaches level 10. After that, you can fight bare-handed if you want."

In fact, I already have a plan for Rosalina's growth. The detailed appraisal skill told me the conditions for becoming a martial artist.

First, I'll level up the villager to level 10. We'll talk about what happens after that when the time comes.

Rosalina looks dissatisfied, but I need her to use the weapon. Goblins aren't that strong, so their attack power is low when they fight bare-handed.

Rosalina pouts. I'm sorry, but it's not very cute. Goblins look like elderly children, with many wrinkles, a hooked nose, and thin hair. They're not exactly good-looking, but I think Rosalina is a straightforward and honest kid. Just a bit of a martial arts fanatic.

"Can Annelise hold down monsters with Magic Hand?"

"For the monsters on the 4th floor, it's no problem."

"Then, if Rosalina is in danger, protect her."

"Understood."

I set my job to Explorer on the 4th floor and focus on treasure hunting. If Rosalina's fighting looks too risky, I'll reconsider, but as an explorer, treasure hunting is important.

I lent Rosalina the mithril two-handed sword, so I'm equipped with a steel one-handed sword and a steel shield. It's my first time using a shield, but I'll get used to it during the fight.

A Thread Spider Level 8 appeared right away, accompanied by a Worker Ant Level 8. The ant-type monster has a scorched brown body about a meter tall.

The Worker Ant's features are its strength relative to its size and its ability to spit formic acid. Formic acid reduces the durability of equipment and temporarily lowers VIT, making it a nasty attack.

"Rosalina, got it?"

"Yes, no problem."

I nodded and ran forward. Rosalina followed behind me.

First, I used the steel shield to ram into the Thread Spider, destabilizing it. It was my first time trying this, but I managed to destabilize it quite well.

I cut the Thread Spider's belly with the steel one-handed sword while it was on its hind legs. The feel was different from the mithril two-handed sword; it felt quite hard.

I dodged the counterattack and slipped past the Thread Spider.

Rosalina attacked the Thread Spider, which was focused on me, with the mithril two-handed sword.

I blocked the charging Worker Ant with the steel shield, but the impact on my arm made me wince.

I wish I could have deflected it, but since I took the full impact, most of the shock went to my arm. I'm not good at using a shield yet. This is what happens when you're just learning.

Still, the HP loss was minor. I probably felt the pain because I used the shield poorly.

I swung the steel one-handed sword to pry the Worker Ant off. When I glanced over, Rosalina had already defeated the Thread Spider.

The steel one-handed sword is not a bad weapon. It's better than what other explorers use, but it can't match the mithril two-handed sword.

The attack power of the mithril two-handed sword is truly impressive.

The Worker Ant made a nasty grinding sound and opened its sharp jaws. Is it going to spit formic acid!?

Formic acid was spat out from its mouth──Item Box!

The formic acid disappeared in front of me. The Worker Ant that spat it out was surprised.

Rosalina took advantage of the opening and struck.

The Worker Ant was still alive. It's tough.

I also attacked with the steel one-handed sword, but it didn't fall.

"Here goes!"

The mithril two-handed sword sank into the Worker Ant's chest with a squish, and it disappeared.

"Rosalina, are you not used to fighting? Is this really your first time in a dungeon?"

"I always trained thinking there would be enemies."

Is that like shadow boxing? This world has that kind of mental training too.

"Annelise, how was Rosalina's fighting?"

"Her fighting was impressive for someone who just started using a sword. To be honest, she's better than you, Master."

"Ugh... That's a bit sad..."

I used to be a hero of the two-handed sword. Thanks to the mithril two-handed sword, but is my swordsmanship really that unskilled?

"Hehe, I'm sorry."

Maybe because I said I was sad, Rosalina panicked in a way that was almost comical. It was a cute, small-animal-like movement.

"It's not your fault, Rosalina. Don't worry about it. This is my problem."

Since we've rented a house, I'll work harder to pay the monthly rent. Why did I start speaking so formally?

We continued through the 4th floor but haven't found any treasure yet. I think treasure would be less appreciated if it were easy to find, but it's better to find it than not.

Here we go, another battle.

"Haah!"

Rosalina avoided the formic acid and swung the mithril two-handed sword, causing the Worker Ant to disappear.

She rushed to support me, who was fighting the Thread Spider. Yeah, the roles are reversed.

I lent her the mithril two-handed sword, and my job is Explorer, so my attack power isn't high. Still, it's frustrating to be outperformed by a villager.

Rosalina's final blow finished off the Thread Spider. Her movements are getting better and better. Is it just my imagination, or is she really improving?

"The dropped items are silk and ant carapace. Both are normal drops."

The ant carapace that Annelise picked up is made from an ant's shell and is used in armor. It's quite hard, but not as hard as iron, so it's used in armor for beginner explorers.

It doesn't degrade much even when hit by formic acid, so it's useful when exploring floors with ant-type monsters. In that sense, it's better than iron.

Compared to other explorers, our battle time is much shorter, so we've been able to progress quickly.

We reached the boss room, and a party of six was waiting their turn, so we waited behind them. Here, I checked our status.

【Job】Explorer Level 9

【Skills】Dungeon Move (Low) Treasure Hunting (Low)

【Unique Skills】Detailed Appraisal (Medium) Item Box (Medium)

My job, Explorer, just reached Level 9, and the skill proficiency levels have also increased.

Rosalina's villager has been at Level 9 for quite some time. I think it's about time for her to reach Level 10. Villagers don't have skills, but Rosalina's combat sense is truly remarkable. My initial impression of her being a combat enthusiast was correct.

"Let's have a little snack."

I didn't bring the pond squid skewers. They're out of stock. I haven't been able to restock them.

Instead, I brought out water and dried meat. I sliced the dried meat thinly with a dagger and handed it to Annelise and Rosalina.

"I forgot the pond squid today. Bear with this."

It's the thieves' fault. They've made it impossible to eat from the food stalls. I need to settle this soon.

"No, this is normal."

Annelise smiled. Ah, she's so cute.

"What's pond squid?"

"Rosalina, you don't know pond squid?"

I learned about pond squid when I came to this world, but I knew about squid in general.

When Rosalina tilted her head in confusion, I told her that pond squid are caught in ponds and are delicious when grilled.

"They're very tasty, so I'll let you try them next time."

Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

"Really?"

"They're not expensive, so it's fine."

"I'm looking forward to it!"

Rosalina smiled, showing her canine teeth.

"Ke, bringing a goblin around, huh?"

What? Did you say something?

One of the six-person party waiting in front of us spat on the floor.

So what if it's a goblin? What has Rosalina done to you?

I won't do anything. I won't, but I really don't like people who discriminate based on appearance or race. I hate them.

I'll just glare at them. They started it, so it's fine to glare back.

"What's your problem?"

"Hey, cut it out."

The one who started it was a wolf beastman. A bear beastman stopped him.

A six-person party of all beastmen. The leader seems to be the bear beastman.

"Sorry..."

Rosalina looked down, dejected. It's wrong to say such things just because she's a goblin. At least Rosalina can communicate and isn't causing any trouble to anyone here. She doesn't deserve to be scolded or criticized.

"Rosalina hasn't done anything wrong, so she should hold her head high. There are small-minded people everywhere."

I ruffled Rosalina's thin hair.

"What did you say, you?"

"Small, small. Just a small-minded whiner."

"You bastard!"

The wolf beastman stood up, but the bear beastman grabbed his shoulder.

"You started it. If you don't want to be answered back, you should change your behavior."

This bear beastman is a really decent person. I don't dislike such mature adults.

"I don't want you to provoke them either."

Yes, I was warned. This is where I fail. When I see scum, I can't help but say something. That's why... No, I shouldn't think about that time.

I didn't respond and let the bear beastman's words pass. I don't think he was waiting for a response.

If they don't say anything, I won't either. If they do, I'll respond. That's all.

"There, it's open."

The door to the boss room opened, and the six entered. The wolf beastman, who was being held back by the bear beastman, glared at us until the end, so I glared back.

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