Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: With a Girl
I helped the old man who was standing in front of the dungeon.
When I listened to his story, he has a sick granddaughter, but he has no money for treatment and surgery is difficult.
So it seems he decided to become an adventurer and get a healing potion (Potion) to cure the illness and injuries.
An old, trembling man becoming an adventurer... that's too reckless.
Even a Level 1 slime is suspicious...
Old men are weak to these kinds of stories.
Once I heard the story, I couldn't just abandon them, so I decided to help.
The medicine I picked up in the dungeon ruins behind my house seems to be a wonderful medicine called an Elixir.
Since the old man brought his granddaughters to the Special District, I had them enter the dungeon and gave them the Elixir.
Potions and magic become more effective the deeper you go into the dungeon.
That is why the younger sister also needed to dive into the dungeon.
I was thinking, "Can the medicine I really had actually cure an incurable disease?"...
The girl's pale complexion improved, and she started walking together with her older sister.
This is truly a miracle.
In the entrance hall, the old man is hugging his granddaughters and crying.
Well, they were on the verge of death, so it's super recovery.
The four of us left the dungeon.
"Well then, old man and the girls... take care of yourselves."
"Um, Daisuke-san."
The older sister spoke to me.
"What is it, Sana-chan?"
"Just Sana is fine..."
"You don't need to be polite, you know?"
"..."
She is thinking about something.
"What's wrong?"
"Will you not make me an adventurer?"
"Eh?! An adventurer?! Well, I don't think there's a problem with the age..."
Even if I'm told such a thing, I'm a beginner myself...
Her sister's illness is cured, but now there is a problem with daily life.
In short, they have no money.
"I earn living expenses by working part-time, but it's completely insufficient."
"Well, it's hard for a family of three to live on a girl's part-time wages..."
"I heard you can earn money if you become an adventurer."
"Before that, do you have the aptitude? Is the old man okay with this?"
"..."
Even if I oppose dangerous work, our rice money won't appear out of nowhere...
"Well, that's true."
The old man is looking down.
"If I, an old man like this, just hung myself quickly, my grandchildren wouldn't have to suffer so much..."
"Don't say things like that."
"If only I had the courage to die..."
He is still looking down, but he is probably crying.
"Stop it, Grandpa! We talked about this in the taxi!"
Hearing her words, the old man put his hand on the ground.
"...Niwa-san! I fully understand that asking someone I just met for such a thing is extremely unreasonable!"
"Hey, hey, old man..."
"My grandchildren! I beg you for my grandchildren! Look at this! Uuuu..."
Stop doing that in the middle of the street!
They're going to be the center of attention.
"Okay, okay! Old man, stop it!"
"Grandpa... Mio and I are fine. Besides, the rent is piling up, right? The landlord is a nice person, but we'll be kicked out soon."
"Uuuu..."
The old man is being comforted by his granddaughters.
Well, the old man loves his grandchildren, and it's understandable that he worries about the dangerous business of being an adventurer... but first of all, they have to earn their daily rice money.
Once the old man calmed down, I talked to Sana.
"Are you really going to become an adventurer?"
"Yes, please!"
She has plenty of spirit...
"First, you have to defeat a monster and have your status displayed, otherwise you'll be considered unqualified."
"In that case, it can't be helped."
"And... if you're a girl, it might be a bit tough unless you're in the magic line."
"I understand that too."
Well, if I pull her along and let her deliver the killing blow, her level will go up in a flash.
"What about Mio-chan?"
"I'm staying with my older sister!"
Well, that's probably better.
Although it was decided that Sana would challenge becoming an adventurer...
"What are we doing today? Shall we go home for now?"
"No... if we can decide whether we can become adventurers by tomorrow, that would be best."
"Yeah, getting a provisional license and defeating a monster in the dungeon is enough to decide."
"If that's the case, I'll stay here tonight."
The old man looks tired from walking around everywhere.
"Well then, how about the old man stays in the Special District today too?"
"No, it's fine."
"If she becomes an adventurer, we might not be able to meet often."
"..."
The old man seemed to change his mind after being told that by me.
It's not like it's a final farewell... no, being an adventurer is a dangerous business.
We don't know what will happen... though I suppose he won't die from a Level 1 slime.
Since the girl's family decided to stay in the Special District, I took them to the inn where I was staying.
I introduced the three of them to the innkeeper Oba-chan.
"I've brought some guests~"
"Welcome."
"These three, is there a room available?"
"You want a normal room, right?"
"Yeah, haha."
Obviously, a room like mine with exposed mortar would be bad.
"Sana, if you're short on money, I can lend it to you?"
"It's fine. I'll be able to earn money soon."
"Oh, you're motivated."
Hearing my words, Oba-chan made a dark face.
"Wait, is that girl also aspiring to be an adventurer?"
"Yeah, apparently that's the only job she can earn money from."
"Fuu... well, it can't be helped because it's that kind of era..."
I was about to say, "It's better than selling your body," but I stopped.
There are children involved.
The three of them seem to have a room on the floor above.
"Well then, see you tomorrow?"
"Um... is it not okay to do the adventurer registration right now?"
"Oh, I see... well, that much should be possible."
"If we register, we can head straight to the dungeon tomorrow."
"If it doesn't work out, you three just go back as is."
"Yes."
She is putting her spirit into it.
I hope her spirit is enough...
Leaving the inn with Sana, we headed for the government office.
We went to the usual counter lady and processed the paperwork.
"See, you can do it right there."
"Yes."
She started talking to the staff member.
It feels like the female staff member is glaring at me while looking at Sana's national card, but is that just my imagination?
I'm not arranging things for young girls or anything.
Being looked at like that is a bit disappointing.
Capturing such an endless well of kindness.
After waiting a few minutes, it seems the registration is finished.
Sana received the adventurer card and is happy.
She is really just an ordinary girl, but is it okay to throw such a girl into that harsh dungeon?
"If you order food at that inn, it'll probably be expensive, so it's better to buy it at a stall."
"Isn't Daisuke-san buying anything?"
"I have preserved food."
Well, there are things in the Item Box.
"Umm, I understand."
"Mio-chan just recovered from illness, so maybe something easy to digest is better..."
"She was cured with a Potion (Potion), so her stomach should be healed too, right?"
Actually, it seems to be a higher-grade medicine called an Elixir.
"Oh, maybe so... I haven't had that kind of experience either."
It seems they bought both a normal meal and something easy to digest together.
Since shopping was finished, we returned to the inn together.
"Well then, see you tomorrow morning. Come to me when you're ready."
"Understood!"
She went up the stairs holding the food she bought.
With her worried sister taken care of, her steps were light.
The old man's family also needs to discuss the future while eating.
The next day, after accidentally helping a struggling family.
While biting on bread and drinking canned coffee, the door was knocked.
Probably Sana.
When I opened the door, there was a healthy red face.
"Good morning!"
"Oh, you're energetic. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
She doesn't seem worried about whether she can become an adventurer.
Is she surprisingly thick-skinned?
She said she was working part-time to earn living expenses for her grandpa and sister, so she has guts.
"Alright, I'll get ready too, so wait a few minutes. Men's preparations end quickly."
"Yes."
For women, it takes a long time from here, but it's immediate deployment for me.
Putting on armor and slinging a backpack, preparation is complete.
"Here, sorry for the wait! Well, let's go."
"Yes."
Going down the stairs, I greeted the counter Oba-chan and checked out.
That empty room, but I quite liked it. Maybe I could rent it exclusively.
"I'm off."
"Yeah, be careful."
She probably said it to Sana, not to me.
"She's a nice person."
"Is she?"
"I received a gift yesterday."
"From that Oba-chan?"
"Yes."
I thought she was a grumpy landlord, but she has quite a nice side.
Walking through the bustle of the Special District.
I bought a chemical light and handed it to Sana.
I handed her the short sword I had put in the backpack together.
"Wa, it's heavy..."
"I see, then I'll give it to you after we enter the dungeon."
"Yes."
Since I'm high level, I've forgotten the normal state.
"Wow, it's a huge crowd, right? Have you ever been to the Special District before?"
"A few times."
"To try becoming an adventurer?"
"Y-yes... I couldn't quite make up my mind..."
"Well, if it's just one girl, that's natural."
We arrived at the gate in front of the dungeon.
"Well, from now on it's the dungeon... even though the opponent is a monster, you have to kill a living being. Do you have the resolve?"
"Y-yes... I'm fine."
A firm belief shines in her eyes.
It seems to reflect unshakable determination and strong will.
"Alright, let's go then."
"Yes!"
Passing through the automatic gate with her, we entered the entrance hall.
We went straight through and entered the dungeon.
"It's dark."
She is using the chemical light.
"As I said yesterday, I can see in the dark, so I'm fine."
I can't be bothered with slime extermination here.
Let's go straight to Level 2 and take down a wolf.
If we do that, we'll level up all at once.
The status screen appears, and even if we become adventurers, that's better.
"Um, how far are we going?"
"Level 2."
"Is-is it safe?"
"It's fine if you stick with me."
"Y-yes..."
"Should I hold your hand?"
"P-please."
Holding her hand, I feel a slight tremble within the warmth.
Well, it's her first dungeon, and it's pitch black, so it can't be helped.
If I were alone, I would march ahead, but Sana is not yet an adventurer, just a normal human.
I proceed with caution.
In the darkness, lights of hunting can be seen here and there.
"Is everyone hunting monsters at that light?"
"That's right."
Fortunately, we didn't encounter any monsters on Level 1.
Passing through the campsite, we proceed into Level 2.
Here, I handed her the short sword.
"I think we'll encounter something soon, so stay a little back behind me."
"Y-yes."
"And don't get caught from behind."
"I understand."
I take out the iron sand bat from the backpack and assume a stance.
I have to let Sana deliver the killing blow, so I can't finish it in one hit.
I need to leave it on the brink of death properly.
While holding the weapon, I slowly advance, and something crawls on the ground.
I was thinking a wolf would be good... but it seems it's something else.
"What is it?! A giant caterpillar?"
It's huge. I realized it was glowing in vivid colors under Sana's chemical light.
While captivated by the beauty of its colors, the slow movement has a creepy power.
"Kyaa! It's disgusting!"
I hear Sana's voice from behind.
"Beware of the surroundings."
"Y-yes! I'm fine."
While I was distracted by Sana, white stuff was spat from the caterpillar's mouth.
"Haha, I'll dodge that lightly."
It seems the white stuff is thread.
It will probably wrap me up and stop my movement before attacking.
"Ora!"
Swinging widely, I flashed the caterpillar's head.
"Bugu!"
Making a strange sound, the monster's movement stops.
"Sana! Good, come over here!"
"Y-yes."
She timidly came up to the side of the caterpillar.
"I'm watching, so stab its head with the short sword!"
"Uu."
"Come on, quickly!"
"Eeei!"
"Pugu!!"
Suddenly, the caterpillar started flailing, so I hit its head again.
"It's still alive!"
"Yaa! Yaa!"
She thrusts the short sword into the rainbow-colored monster's body, and white liquid spurts out.
The wriggling monster immediately fell silent.
"Did it! I think we got it... Sana, how is it?"
"Eh? I don't know..."
At that moment, her body is enveloped in light.
"Wawawa!"
"Good job! Level up! With this, I think the status will appear."
"R-really?"
"Yeah, it was like that for me too."
"O-okay."
While she is leveling up, I guard the surroundings.
"It's done!"
"Check your status."
"Yes... Eh?! I'm Level 5..."
"Well, you did defeat a Level 2 monster right away. Don't you remember anything?"
"...I learned magic! It's the Light [Light] magic."
"Good job! Now you can become an adventurer."
"Yay!"
She is jumping up and down, and even through her tracksuit, her large breasts are bouncing.
Mumumu... my old man's heart is bouncing too.
"Well then... let's finish here for today and go to the government office to apply?"
"Understood!"
"Once registration is complete, you're an adventurer from tomorrow?"
"Can I earn money?"
Sana does a victory pose and sniffs.
"Hahaha, probably. Before that, let's raise the level a bit more. If you raise the level, you might learn powerful magic."
"I'll do it!"
Oh, she's burning.
Surprisingly, she might be a hot-blooded type.
Since today's objective was achieved, I decided to return outside.
Turning back the way we came, we exited the dungeon from the entrance hall.
Straight from there, we headed to the government office together.
I went to the female staff member who gave the provisional license, and Sana showed her card.
The staff member was smiling, but her eyes were sharp only when looking at me.
What on earth did I do?
The procedure was completed, and Sana officially became an adventurer.
"Good job."
"It's all thanks to Daisuke-san!"
"Hahaha... well, the old man asked me to."
"So, it was a trouble, wasn't it...?"
"It's not like that."
"Thank you."
She bowed politely.
Since she said she works part-time, she seems to be able to express gratitude properly.
"Well then, let's go back to the inn and report to the old man."
"Yes!"
We returned to the inn with Sana.
"You're early today."
The counter Oba-chan said one sentence.
"She got her status on her first dungeon run. We turned back immediately and registered."
"Congratulations on that."
"Thank you."
"Well then, I'll rent that room again."
"Here, the key."
"Thanks."
Sana went up the stairs to report to the old man.
Returning to that mortar room, it was around noon.
Should I eat?
I took out potato curry from the Item Box.
"...Well, is the old man going home now?"
While eating curry, the door was knocked.
"Come in."
When I opened the door, it was the old man.
"Oh, old man. Sana seems to have the aptitude for being an adventurer. She even learned magic."
"...I am terribly sorry for the trouble. Thank you very much."
He bowed deeply.
"Well, it's a boat that's already set sail. Old man, what are you going to do from now on?"
"...I'm going home."
Sana came there.
"Grandpa! When you go back, tell the landlord to wait a bit longer on the rent. Your granddaughter became an adventurer and will earn money right away."
"Oh..."
The old man is not happy about his granddaughter's adventurer career.
He must have complex feelings.
It would be best if he could work himself, but that's impossible now.
He has no choice but to let his grandchildren do dangerous work and rely on that.
As a grandfather, he must have wanted to return home with his granddaughter.
Well, they can't live like that.
Anyway, if Sana has to work, she might hit the jackpot with the adventurer career.
"Curry..."
Mio-chan peeked out from behind the old man.
She seems interested in my curry.
"I don't think my curry is very delicious..."
"Curry..."
She really wants to eat curry.
This is troubling.
No, it's fine to feed her curry, but I stored the pot and dishes in the Item Box.
I can't possibly take out a pot right here.
"Hey! Mio!"
Scolded by the old man, Mio-chan hid behind me from behind the old man.
"Hahaha, well then, old man, will you eat my bad curry too?"
Of course, it's a joke.
Besides, the girl just recovered from illness, is it okay to eat curry suddenly?
What did she eat yesterday?
If she ate a normal meal and nothing happened, does that mean her stomach was super recovered too?
"No, no, I cannot be that indulgent. I will go home as is."
"I see, understood."
"Excuse me."
The old man bowed his head politely.
"I will see Grandpa off to the pier."
"Well then, will Mio-chan eat the curry?"
"I'll eat!"
"Really, I'm sorry for all sorts of things."
"Yesterday, Mio-chan also ate a meal, right? Did she eat normally? Did you make something easy to digest?"
"No, I was worried too, but Mio insisted on eating the same meal as everyone..."
"So, she was fine with that?"
"Yes."
"If so, it's fine... children want to eat curry, hahaha."
Sana and the old man went down the stairs.
"Well..."
Turning around, I took out the curry pot and dishes.
Maybe I can fool a child with this?
"Curry!"
Her eyes shone.
It seems she is focused on the curry, so where the pot came from isn't very important.
"My curry is a bit light on seasoning and has a lot of potatoes."
"There's no carrot!"
"Eh?! Do you like carrots?"
"I hate them!"
"Hahaha, I see."
My curry only has onions and potatoes in it.
"What about rice?"
"The potatoes inside are a substitute for rice."
"That's weird."
When I handed her a spoon, she started eating.
"How is it? Are you eating rice too?"
"This is fine!"
"I see."
It seems to suit the princess's palate, so that's good.
"But, it's spicy!"
"Oh, my curry is spicy..."
Turning around again, I thought there was milk in the Item Box, so I took it out for her.
When Mio finished eating the curry, the door was knocked.
Did Sana come back?
I opened the door.
"Welcome back~"
"...I-I'm h-home..."
"Will Sana eat curry too?"
"...Yes."
She seemed to hesitate a bit... but maybe seeing Mio's curry made her want to eat.
When I served her potato curry too, she ate it deliciously.
"Did the old man go home?"
"Yes."
"If we could live together, that would be best, but we need money to live..."
"That's right..."
She was eating the curry vigorously.
"It seems that archmages consume calories when using magic, so I think it's like dieting, hahaha."
"W-will I get fat?"
"No, no, I don't think you're fat, but girls often worry about dieting."
"It seems there are people who dive into the dungeons just for dieting."
"Oh, I see... if they aren't having trouble with life, that's possible too."
If they don't fight monsters and just wall-hit magic in the dungeon, they can diet.
"Big Sister! Show magic! Show magic!"
"It's not for playing... Light! [Light]."
With her magic, a ball of light appeared in the room.
It seems to decay more than when used in the dungeon, so its brilliance is weak.
Mio is playing with that floating, glowing ball.
She looks happy.
"Well, magic is finite. It's meaningless if you use it for play and can't use it in the actual dungeon."
"That's right."
She said that, but she seems to be thinking about something.
"What's wrong? Do you still have something worrying you?"
"Um... Daisuke-san."
She put down her curry plate.
"Will you form a party with me?"
"Umm, I don't mind personally..."
"Please!"
"Well, okay."
There's no problem anyway.
"Really?!"
"Yeah."
It's better to dive into the dungeon with a girl than for an old man to do it alone silently.
After all, being with a young girl changes the moisture content.
Being with a young girl lets you share their youth.
In my hometown, there are only old men and women, so I start feeling like an old man and woman myself.
Even if I have a beginner girl with me, I'm not a serious clearing team.
Besides, I myself am still a beginner.
I'll think about how to earn money in the dungeon and FIRE later.