“Well, is today your first time exploring a dungeon, Rokuyari-san?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. It seems like I couldn’t be of much help.”
“Don’t worry at all. Oh, here comes the ramen!”
A ramen shop was a short distance away from the hill where the dungeon was located. Kazane and I were sitting face to face at a table for four.
Since it was already past lunchtime, there were few customers in the shop. At least, there was no issue with two people occupying a table for four.
“Thanks for the food!”
“Thank you for the food.”
We both picked up our chopsticks and started eating the pork broth soy sauce ramen. Kazane seemed satisfied as she slurped the noodles, saying “Mmm, so delicious!”
Even though the ramen was tasty, I couldn’t focus on its flavor.
Why was I having ramen with such a beautiful girl?
It’s impossible to tell a young single man not to be excited.
“So, how was it? How was your first dungeon exploration?”
Kazane looked at me with curious eyes.
When she looks at me like that directly, I feel like I could fall for her, so I preferred her to stop doing it.
I tried to hide that vulnerable part of myself as much as possible…
“I was walking for about four hours and made it up to level 3.”
“Oh, well done!”
“What level are you at now, Kazane-san?”
“I’m at level 9 at the moment. I progressed pretty well up to the first and second levels, but from the third level onwards, there are many enemies, and it gets tough. When exploring solo, the use of potions is critical. At worst, I can end up in the red.”
Both Kazane and I communicated quite closely.
I wasn’t sure how she was interpreting it, but I felt uncomfortable with the distance between us.
It’s tricky to find a balance between a conversational tone that isn’t too formal and one that isn’t impolite either.
“By the way, don’t you feel like you quickly run out of your healing spells?”
“No, I don’t have good healing spells… Huh? Rokuyari-san, do you have healing spells?”
“Yes, I have a spell called [Earth Heal].”
“You’re so lucky!”
“Is it really such a special spell?”
“Definitely. Those with healing magic are sort of chosen ones. I think initially, you could only learn [Earth Heal] or [Water Heal] as healing spells.”
“Really?”
“That’s right… Ah.”
At that moment, Kazane put her hand over her mouth and looked away from me, taking on a thoughtful pose.
What…?
Did I say something inappropriate?
While feeling nervous inside, after a while, Kazane opened her mouth as if she had made a decision.
“… Um, Rokuyari-san. If you don’t mind…”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Would you be willing to join my expedition party?”
“Huh?”
An expedition party.
Party, party… Party
“Um, do you know what an expedition party is?”
Seeing me frozen, Kazane asked me that way. I quickly nodded my head.
“I learned about it in training. It involves forming a party and exploring the dungeon together.”
“Exactly… I know I’m being a bit bold in asking, but I would like to work with you, what do you think?”
“Well…”
Seekers don’t always explore dungeons alone; sometimes they join parties and explore together.
This is called “forming an expedition party.”
It was mentioned in the training that as you descended to lower levels of the dungeon, the monsters became tougher.
Although you could clear the first level solo, it gets harder as you progress to the second, third, and so on.
Kazane had mentioned she was having difficulties on the third level, citing the large number of enemies and high potion consumption as reasons.
I understood that it wasn’t an unreasonable idea for her to propose to me to join her party, being able to use healing spells.
On the other hand, my immediate reaction was simple; “Really?”
Even though the idea of teaming up with such a beautiful girl, regardless of the pros and cons during dungeon exploration, made me happy from a male point of view, without any strange ulterior motives, of course.
But expressing that feeling could be misunderstood, so I chose to stay silent.
Instead, I should talk about the benefits and drawbacks as Seekers superficially at least.
“But I’m still on level 3. Plus, I also have a part-time job, so I’m not sure if I can commit… And you, Kazane-san? Do you have any other job?”
“Ah, it’s just that… for personal reasons, I quit my previous job. Now, I focus solely on being a Seeker… I’m sorry, I’m asking for too much…”
“Oh, don’t worry at all. I’m glad you invited me.”
It seemed like the conversation about forming a party was coming to an end when another voice inside me screamed, “Idiot!” and mentally slapped me.
How could I waste an opportunity like this!
But wait, it’s not time to give up yet. I must find a way to party up with her.
“So, why don’t we at least exchange contact information? Perhaps, as newcomers, exchanging information could be helpful.”
As if she had read my mind, she made such a proposal.
“Yes, of course!”
Without hesitation, I eagerly jumped forward.
Kazane seemed surprised by my enthusiastic reaction.
