Chapter 82

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...Ah... I'll omit the rest of what happened.

My seven-year-old friend and my four-year-old brother just one-hit killed a giant Initial G, which is stronger than the boss of this floor. What's going on?

I was stunned, and then a second arrow was fired from the side, reducing the eight remaining Initial Gs to six.

This is serious; it wasn't a dream.

Moreover, the precision was excellent, as it perfectly pierced through the heads.

But then, Lara shook her head.

"Chick, Kana, that's a breach of manners."

"A breach of manners...?"

Is there even such a thing as manners at a time like this?

Three grown men were sitting on the ground, their faces covered in snot and tears. It looked like an emergency, but there are actually rules for this?

My confusion must have shown on my face, as Lara crossed her arms and looked at me, Regulus, and Kousuke with a serious expression.

"Monsters don't always drop items when they're defeated, but they often do. Adventurers make a living by selling or using the spoils they get from defeating monsters. Interrupting a battle is equivalent to stealing these spoils. Therefore, you shouldn't interfere unless the adventurer asks for help, no matter how dangerous the situation gets."

"Ah, I see..."

"If we defeat them, those guys won't be able to eat... Chick, food is important!"

Nodding at Lara's explanation, Kousuke looked thunderstruck and tried to persuade Regulus.

However, Regulus shook his head reluctantly.

"No, no, that's not good? Big brother, don't you hate them?"

"Even if I hate them, Young Master says we shouldn't take other people's food. Right?"

"U-um, yes. If they're the source of food, I guess I'm okay..."

"Got it."

Regulus's good response made the adults look at him with gentle eyes.

The atmosphere was starting to relax, but it was interrupted by a rough cry.

"Help, help meee!"

"I don't wanna dieee!"

At the tearful SOS, Lara and Mr. Romanov looked over, and Kousuke and Regulus immediately drew their bows. Then, Tara, who was connected to me by a thread, made her presence known.

The Initial Gs, which I dislike, seem to be a treat for Tara, as she looked up at me as if to say, "Can I eat them?"

"Tara, is it okay to let you go?"

"Yes, please."

"Then, here. Tara, go ahead."

I released the thread, and she jumped towards the treat.

I actually don't know how Tara hunts. Don't spiders usually wait in their webs?

As I watched, Tara created a slingshot with sticky threads and hit the giant Initial Gs one after another. The impact seemed strong, as the ones hit shuddered and fell on their backs.

After immobilizing them with more threads, she jumped to the next target. Aggressive.

To avoid interfering with Tara's hunting, Kousuke and Regulus shot the approaching ones, while Lara and Mr. Romanov used ice and lightning arrows to deal with the bugs.

In no time, all the Gs were eliminated, and their remains disappeared into Tara's stomach. Namu Amida Butsu.

When I approached the three trembling men, a pungent odor hit my nose.

I didn't want to look, but the ground where they were sitting had changed color, and there were puddles. I could guess what had happened.

Chasing after the sniffling men seemed cruel, but if they stayed like that, they might catch a cold, and it was unsanitary, especially since they were injured.

I steeled myself and took out three pairs of boxer shorts from my waist pouch, which I always carry.

These were the ones I washed after the fashion show with Ice Wheel and kept for emergencies. They were made of magical fabric, so they fit both adults and children.

"Um... these... are underwear."

"Whoa!? Ah, thanks..."

A black-haired, half-hearted, droopy-eyed man, who looked exhausted, took the boxer shorts for the group.

I wanted to hear their story and didn't want them to run away, so Mr. Romanov and Genzaburo stood guard, while Victor set up a barrier, and Utsunomiya laid out a thick cloth as a substitute for a picnic blanket.

I didn't want any lingering odors, so I used magic to clean the area and reconnected my thread with Tara, who had finished eating.

The three men, looking hesitant, came over wearing the underwear.

"Are they comfortable?"

"Yeah, they're a bit tight, but they feel stable."

"The fabric fits snugly, so they don't fall off."

"Good, please use them."

I can't use them if you return them.

I smiled, and the men, looking a bit confused, nodded. Then, Victor offered their pants.

"I washed and dried them with magic. Also, those underwear are made by Effet Papillon, the official supplier for the Kinoi Adventure Guild."

"Really!?"

"Hey, the Guild Master recommends them to promising new adventurers!"

"They're inexpensive but have added effects, so they make a big difference for newbies!"

...Wait, what kind of reputation is that?

I didn't hear about that.

I gave them a slightly suspicious look, but Victor just shrugged.

Mr. Romanov, as if to back him up, spoke to the men with a cheerful smile.

"Even I and the elf magician over there use those underwear. They come with magic power boosts and physical defense enhancements. We got a lot for free in exchange for testing the new product. Right?"

She winked at me, Victor, Regulus, Kousuke, Genzaburo, and the others who were wearing the underwear I made.

I did give them away for free.

But I didn't plan to make enough for circulation.

I'm fine as long as everyone, including myself, is wearing pumpkin pants.

I gave her a deadpan look, and Lara added fuel to the fire.

"It would be nice if there were women's versions, but no one is willing to make them."

But!

I don't know how to make women's underwear!

If someone could teach me, I'd make them, but who would teach me?

The second son?

Should I ask the second son?

While I was escaping reality, the three men, who had finished putting on their pants, finally spoke.

"Anyway, thanks for saving us."

"Thanks."

"You're our saviors."

"No, I apologize for interfering before the rules."

I bowed and invited them to the lunch blanket, and Utsunomiya immediately served tea.

It was good that I brought a bit more tea and lunch in case of an accident.

After drinking the tea, one of the men, a brown-haired, bearded one, different from the black-haired one, muttered.

The strained voice of "Damn it" made me look at him, and another man, with a large scar on his cheek, clenched his fist and hit the ground.

"Would you mind... telling us your story?"

I asked hesitantly, and the black-haired man nodded. But even if he didn't, he had no choice but to talk since we were stronger.

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