Chapter 13

"Look! The combat skill is starting to wear off!"

"Ugh..."

While letting out a pitiful sound, Nina released the combat skill again.

"Screech!"

"Shh!"

Dodging the Goblin Soldier's attack, Nina's right hand, wielding a steel dagger, slashed at the neck. Her left hand, holding a steel knife, cut into the abdomen.

"Maintaining the combat skill while fighting is really tough..."

"It's the training for that. Still, you've gotten pretty used to dual-wielding, haven't you?"

"Hehe, right, right♪"

Since she had obtained two weapons, I had her try dual-wielding. If my guess is correct, this should help her learn a new skill.

We are on the 2nd underground floor of a mountain cave. This cave has three underground levels, and until now, we've been fighting on the 1st and 2nd floors. As both Nina and I have leveled up, we've decided to go deeper.

"There aren't many strong enemies on the 2nd underground floor."

"Don't get complacent! There's a boss on the 3rd underground floor."

"A boss..."

In dungeons, a boss, which is stronger than regular monsters, appears. Even if a boss is defeated, it will reappear after a certain period. Although this place is a cave, not a dungeon, the monsters that survive territorial disputes among themselves rank up and become higher-level monsters.

"I know, but I'm busy making potions, so Nina, you have to defeat all the monsters."

"Wh-what? All of them!?"

"I can identify the weaknesses and abilities of the enemies, but you can't, right? This is also training to identify the enemy's abilities, habits, and weaknesses."

While saying this, I made the 7th potion. After defeating the bandits, Nina sold the equipment we obtained and bought potions. The equipment sold for 2 gold coins and 17 silver coins. I bought 5 potions for 5 half-silver coins each.

Looking at the potion recipe, I was a bit disappointed that all I needed were herbs, clean water, and Alchemy LV1. Clean water could be easily substituted with mountain spring water. Comparing the effects of the potions I made with the ones I bought, there was no noticeable difference.

I decided to sell the potions I made to traveling merchants who occasionally visit the village rather than selling them in the village. This way, no one would know I can alchemize, and I could get a better price.

"Nina, whether the enemy is a single or multiple, you need to be aware of your surroundings or you'll get hurt."

"Even if you say that, there are three Goblin Soldiers here~"

When facing multiple enemies, Nina's movements become sluggish. She panics and can't move as she usually does.

"Critical Blow!"

Nina's short sword skill activated. One of the Goblin Soldiers couldn't dodge and died instantly.

"Don't shout the magic words every time. If the enemy were human, it would be like telling them which skill you're going to use."

"Ah~ I'm still not used to using them without chanting, so please forgive me~"

Nina has learned Short Sword Skill LV1, but she still shouts the magic words when using the skill. I believe the advantage of using skills without chanting is that the enemy won't know which skill or magic you're using. In the world of adventurers, it's not uncommon for treasure theft, robbery, and sabotage to occur. Considering combat against humans, I'm training Nina to use skills without chanting.

By the time I finished, Nina had defeated all the Goblin Soldiers.

"I... I managed to... win... Haa haa"

"Good, that's enough for today. Let's head back."

"Thanks to you, Yu, my guild rank is almost E♪"

Well, it's only natural since I give her all the materials from the monsters we defeat.

On the way back, we hunt Horn Rabbits as usual. Today is the day to show Grandma Stella the newly completed bath.

"We're back~"

"Yu, Nina, welcome back."

The bath is already set up in the backyard, filled with water and heated. It should be ready by the time we finish eating.

"Grandma Stella, here."

I handed her the Horn Rabbits and the potions I made.

"You caught rabbits again today. Did you buy more potions?"

"I found a good place to gather herbs recently. I've been giving the rewards to Nina to settle the accounts..."

I'm keeping it a secret that I'm doing adventurer-like activities and making potions with alchemy. Grandma Stella has been in poor health lately, and I don't want to worry her.

"Take the potion if you don't feel well. It's easy to get."

"Thank you."

Tonight's dinner is bread and Horn Rabbit stew. As usual, Nina is eating like a fool. Grandma Stella and I have finished eating, so I take her to the backyard to show her the bath.

"Is this what you were secretly making, Yu?"

"That's right. With this, you can wash and warm up even on cold days."

"Oh, how wonderful."

Now she won't have to go to the distant water source, and it will be easier for Grandma Stella.

"The water is already hot, so go ahead and use it."

"Can I go first?"

"Of course! I made it for you, so you should go first."

"Okay."

Grandma Stella nodded with tears in her eyes. It was worth the effort. My skills in bath making and potion making have both increased to Blacksmith LV2 and Alchemy LV2. It seems they improve through crafting.

"The bath was great. Thanks to you, Yu, I feel like a king."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll go in now."

"I'm coming too~"

Nina said something incomprehensible. She's been staying over and eating with us more often lately, becoming more and more presumptuous.

"What are you talking about?"

"Yu... It's not a problem for a boy and a girl under 18 to bathe together, right?"

"!? R-really!? Even if it's true, we don't have to bathe together!"

"As your senior, I have the duty to observe... and watch over your naked body!"

Is this girl... a pervert?

Nina forcibly took me to the bath. When I undressed, she froze.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going to get in?"

"Y-Yu... No, it's nothing. I'll get in..."

What a strange girl...

I successfully tricked Yu into the bath. When I saw Yu's body after he undressed, I was shocked and froze. I hadn't noticed before, but Yu's body was covered in burn scars. They looked like small burns that had been pressed repeatedly, as if he had been tortured for years.

I was too scared to ask why he had such scars. Tears welled up in my eyes, so I hurriedly got into the bath to hide my emotions.