ch101-ch120 · 120-ch120

Chapter 120: From Two-Timer to Kept Man

"Sandwiches?"

"Yes. When it comes to dungeon lunches, this is the classic. My novelty ones are quite a hit with my old companions, you know. Of course, I've made standards as well, so do start with those."

Apparently it's all the rage, on day one of a dungeon expedition, for everyone to bring sandwiches and swap unusual fillings.

Now then, let's begin with this one with the chicken-ish filling.

"A dungeon lunch, huh... I always used 【Gate】 to head home for meal breaks, so eating inside the dungeon itself feels fresh. I was going outside to recover MP during meal times, so... thanks for the food."

"I cannot believe the words 'recovering MP' just came out of your mouth. Recovering MP on a lunch break... My senses are—jolt... That one is chicken teriyaki. Boys really do love their meat, don't they. I'm so glad I prepared it. The companions I usually eat with are all women, so sweets were always the popular choice."

Unlike onigiri, part of bread's charm is that it pairs with sweet things like jam.

Chocolate is popular too, and apparently things get lively debating which shop's chocolate makes the best sandwich filling.

Mia-san reportedly always brings luxury chocolate to put in hers, but expensive doesn't automatically mean good...

"This is really delicious. Didn't this take a tremendous amount of work?"

The teriyaki chicken inside looks homemade.

Going to this much trouble for something as simple as a sandwich...

No wonder it's so good.

"I did. I seasoned it a little on the strong side so it would suit the sandwich. If you like, have mine as well."

"I'm terribly sorry, but my hands won't stop. Thanks for the food."

"Fufu. Seeing you enjoy it makes all the effort worthwhile."

There are two of each kind, one for Kasumi-san and one for me, but I end up eating the same thing again.

It's that good.

And watching Kasumi-san laugh at me for it makes it taste even better.

Phew. This really is a date.

I was a bit worried when she went and lopped a goblin's head off, but we are doing proper date things as well.

"Is what you're eating a fruit sandwich, Kasumi-san?"

"Yes. Strawberry inside. I think this one would suit Shiraishi-san's tastes as well. Yesterday I forgot all about dessert, and it nearly turned into a serious matter..."

"Shiraishi-san, huh... Would it be difficult to bring her along?"

Actually, I did ask Shiraishi-san whether she'd like her rank raised to Triple as well, and she turned me down.

Says she hates leveling up...

Apparently that woman isn't just not Triple—she's still Single.

Said her level is 16, too.

And yet I could swear she was firing off recovery magic one cast after another...

"That's true. One of my cohort was a 【Healer】 as well—a girl who would not abide taking a life, even a monster's. Perhaps they are all like that."

They say jobs you're born with—the rare ones like 【Healer】—may spring from the holder's innate character.

【Healer】s are apparently a kind-hearted lot.

For all her appearance (sorry), she is a busybody—maybe she really is doing it all out of pure goodwill.

That said, Shiraishi-san absolutely loves meat dishes, though.

Just not the killing, huh...

"Huh? Your cohort-mate is that 【Saint】, isn't she? How did she ever level up, I wonder?"

Under Association rules, Level 30 is the minimum requirement for a Triple-Rank promotion request.

There are no exceptions for Association employees either, presumably.

Which would make her level 30 or above.

"You know of her, I see... That is indeed so. One does gain experience even without personally defeating monsters, but even then, she would have to be nearby... Perhaps there is some method? I shall ask her next time."

Well, there's her own motivation to consider, too.

Besides, even if we carried her to Floor 30 for a high-rank job, with zero skill points she couldn't make anything of it.

Having a 【Healer】 that precious cooperating with us at all is already more than enough.

The problem is that we've given nothing back in return...

A parfait every day, then. Definitely a parfait every day...

"...As I have been saying all along: for Triple-Rank promotion requests other than Mia-san's, let's proceed the ordinary way, without using your 【Gate】, Haruki-san. Your skill is—jolt... far too dangerous."

Insane, is it...

Instant round trips via 【Gate】. 1 MP a pop, MP recovery, pseudo-storage, and even toilet breaks, huh...

She has called it insane every single time.

The skill is the insane one, right? Not me?

"I don't mind going to Floor 40. Floor 50, even... I will accompany you anywhere. But let us keep the fact that we went a strict secret. For you, Haruki-san, the outside world—where your skill cannot be used—is far more terrifying than Floor 50."

There is that kidnapping business, after all.

"I was planning to keep the skill secret, but even Floor 40?"

"Yes. In this country, Quadruple adventurers are special existences—as are those who hold special skills or jobs. Did you know? Blue Ocean and the 【Saint】, my cohort-mate, live inside the Association's headquarters building. Whenever they go out, multiple bodyguards dispatched by the state escort them at all times, protecting them from the danger of kidnapping and assassination. In exchange for their fame, they have lost nearly all of their privacy. Not just adventurers—ordinary citizens are forever wanting to know what they are up to. Keeping your special skill hidden in that environment would be impossible."

It's not that I want fame.

I'm only doing this because it looks like I can—and if Kasumi-san wants to help adventurers in trouble, then I want to help that Kasumi-san.

That's all there is to it, but...

"There is also the option of going on living without ever using your skill. Quit being an adventurer and live an ordinary life. I can earn the money."

A job change from Two-Timer to Kept Man, then.

Wouldn't Endo-san just grin herself silly at this one?