arc03 · 068-ep62

Episode 62: That's a Big Help

Once the adventurers had scattered, the three of us moved a little away from reception, to the most inconspicuous spot we could find.

"Goodness, I'm sorry. I completely forgot how crowded it gets during a holiday stretch. I never meant to put you in a tough spot. My apologies."

"No…… please don't worry about it. Having someone bow to me is worse, honestly."

"I see. You're a good guy."

"Isn't your bar for that a little low…?"

"That's just the kind of guy our leader is."

"I cause my share of trouble for the members, too. Honestly, I only manage thanks to everyone's support."

"…Right."

Now, 『Steel Wings』 is a famous A-rank party.

Their ability must be the real thing, and I'd never heard a single bad thing about them, so I'd assumed they were an incredible party… Well, I'm sure they really are incredible, but the leader was a bit different from what I'd pictured. I figured he'd be someone absolutely dripping with charisma. Then again—is this a kind of charisma too?

Still, their strength is the genuine article. Neither Kujo-san nor Akechi-san is showing any particular will to fight, and yet I can feel the pressure coming off them. Maybe it's that aura unique to the strong.

"So, I hear you wanted to talk to me?"

"Ah, that's right, that's right. Well now—you're an adventurer who fights with his fists, aren't you? As it happens, so am I. I'd been wondering what sort of kid would take on the dungeon with a hand-to-hand style these days."

"Ohh, I see. So you're a senior of mine on this path. Man, but it's fists, isn't it? Fists. Fighting at super close range is an absolute thrill, and more than anything, the rush when a hit lands right on the critical spot—there's nothing like it."

"Hahahaha, that's exactly it! You get it! So kids like this do still turn up these days after all, Akechi."

"Well~, I'd say it's rare regardless of the era. They're going out of their way to take on danger, after all."

"What are you saying—an adventurer is someone who takes on danger. Though of course, if you die it's all for nothing. Kobayakawa-kun, please be truly careful on that front."

"Yes, I'm well aware."

"Then there's nothing more to say."

Looks like Kujo-san is a hand-to-hand adventurer too.

I'm dying to know what skills he uses, what levels they're at—but I can't exactly ask.

"Oh, that's right—how about we line up our schedules sometime and have a spar?"

"Huh?"

A spar with an A-rank adventurer… Honestly, I want to. I want to see just how big the gap is. But I'd rather not stand out any more than I already have, and I want to avoid showing my hand to a whole lot of people.

"……If it's completely private, then by all means."

"But of course! I'll ask the guild to reserve the training room for us exclusively."

"In that case, I'd be the one asking you for the spar."

"Good, then it's settled. I'll pass the schedule along to your dedicated contact, so let's fight to our heart's content on a day that suits you."

"Yes, thank you very much!"

"The thanks are all mine."

We shook hands, sealing the promise of a spar.

Man, I can't wait. How well I'll stack up against him, sure—but also how much I stand to learn from it. I've got to treasure chances like this.

◇

After parting ways with the two from 『Steel Wings』 and heading back to reception, there was Sakurai-san again, wearing an apologetic look.

"I'm terribly sorry……. As expected, I couldn't very well stop members of an A-rank party. They're people the guild trusts deeply, so I didn't think they'd do anything in particular, but it seems they really have no awareness of their own influence."

"Easy there, Sakurai-san, calm down. We ended up building a good relationship out of it, and something good came of it too, so please don't worry yourself over it."

"……Is that so. No—you're right. If you're fine with it, Takeru-san, then it wasn't my place to go on about it."

"No, no—you were getting upset on my behalf, right? Thank you."

"Not at all…… Whether it's me or those people, honestly, which of us is the adult here…"

Sakurai-san muttered that last part more quietly, almost self-mockingly.

Well, sure, in this world I'm still fifteen… but in my past life I was twenty-five. I won't claim to have the mental age of a forty-year-old, but I figure I can handle things more maturely than your average high schooler. Though frankly, the fact that I'm this hooked on the dungeon already proves I'm childish, I suppose.

Even so, Sakurai-san really does look out for me. From the guild's standpoint, 『Steel Wings』 with their higher rank would be the overwhelmingly bigger clients. It does prick at my conscience a little that I'm carrying all sorts of secrets and can't say or ask much. It's not as if I'm deceiving her, though.

"Oh, that's right—on a different subject, tomorrow is your meal with the 『Braver』 people. I'll have them arrive a little before the time and wait in the café's private room, so please come at the appointed time, Takeru-san. I'll show you in myself."

"Ah, understood. That's a big help. Then I'll come to reception at nine."

"Yes. Please do."

"……Also, I agonized over whether to bring this up, but…… isn't it about time you considered some armor……?"

"Huh? Ah—……it has to be light and easy to move in, right, given my fighting style."

"I understand that, of course, but…… however dungeon-sourced the material is, that jersey of yours doesn't offer much durability. At the very least, I think you'd do better with clothing made from somewhat better material."

"Hmm…… Honestly, if you tell me to wear something easy to move in that isn't a jersey, I can't quite picture it…… Is there anything good? Any recommendations?"

"In that case, once tomorrow's meal with 『Braver』 is over, shall we look around the shops on the second floor and pick things out? I'll hear your opinions and put together a look befitting a C-rank adventurer."

"Huh, you'd do that? Then please, I'd love that tomorrow."

"Hehe. Understood."

Much obliged. From Floor 11 on, I've been taking hits pretty routinely. The jersey's already in tatters. Buy the same one again and it'll be in tatters in no time, and it looks bad besides.

If I make B-rank and end up serving as a clan's representative, I'll be expected to look the part—and getting advice from my dedicated contact is seriously appreciated.

"Well then, your reception is all taken care of, so off you go to explore the dungeon. Please be careful again today."

"Thank you—I'm heading out!"

As always, I wave to Sakurai-san and head for the dungeon.

All right, let's give it our all today, shall we.