Chapter 15: Encounter – Part 10
Since the C-Class Dungeon in Euron had not yet been cleared, we spent the next two days tackling it.
It was a grueling march, advancing ten floors a day in a twenty-floor dungeon, but with the aid of Soul’s Guidance, it posed no particular problem.
The items we acquired included three: a Mithril Ingot, an Ascetic’s Staff, and a Golden Bracelet. The Ascetic’s Staff was especially noteworthy, as it emerged from a rare treasure chest and boasted a Herculean Strength +2 enhancement, making it a B-rank staff. This would serve as an upgrade for Shizuna, as it was a superior version of her current Staff of Might. The Golden Bracelet, on the other hand, was merely a decorative item.
As for skills, I gained Iron Grip, an advanced version of Grasp, allowing my hands to seize objects as if they were suction cups.
Freinir acquired Impact Absorption, a skill already possessed by Larni and the others. Given her delicate frame, having as many defensive skills as possible would only benefit her.
Larni obtained Enchantment Duration, which extends the duration of Enchantment Magic. However, since Soul’s Guidance typically favors short battles, its utility might be limited. It would be effective against foes like the Hydra we faced recently.
Sfenia received Sure Hit, an advanced version of Sniping. True to its name, this skill increases the accuracy of arrows, eventually allowing one to hit targets even with their eyes closed. It also seems to provide some enhancement to magic, making it a subtle yet powerful skill.
Mariane gained Honshin, which she likely acquired after reaching the skill cap for the lower-tier skill Acrobatics. This would further enhance her mobility.
Shizuna’s Immovable skill is, of course, the same one I possess. This skill will likely serve to strengthen the Spirits rather than herself, bolstering our rear guard’s defenses.
After exiting the dungeon and returning to the city, we headed to the Adventurers’ Guild, where I spotted a familiar face among the adventurers.
A tall, blonde beastwoman with striking features—Karma, a B-rank greatsword wielder.
“Is that you, Soushi? You finally made it back here. I heard you got caught up in something quite extraordinary,” she said.
“It’s good to see you again, Karma. I’ve been through quite a few surprises, but I managed to return,” I replied.
“I heard you were sent to Mecalinan. What was it like over there? Rumor has it there was a royal succession struggle,” she inquired.
“Indeed. The previous king was rather terrible, and the son of the former king has taken the throne…”
As I was explaining, Larni interjected.
“Actually, Soushi played a significant role in that royal succession battle. It seems there will be rewards for his efforts, and there’s even talk of the beastmen slaves being returned.”
“Wow, that’s quite a story. If it’s true, the beastmen should be grateful,” Karma remarked.
“Well, the new king will be the one to free the slaves, so it doesn’t concern me. By the way, are you here alone, Karma?” I asked, noticing the absence of her party members.
Karma’s expression turned bittersweet, almost lonely. “Actually, our party, Drunken Tiger, disbanded as each member returned to their homeland. We had a farewell party yesterday, and I came here today to decide my next destination, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
“Oh, I heard about that. I’m sorry to hear your party has disbanded. I can only imagine how you feel,” I said, empathizing with her.
“Haha… We had been together for three years, but it feels lonelier than I expected,” she said, gazing off into the distance.
At that moment, Larni perked up her ears and looked at me, as if she wanted to say something.
When I turned around, Freinir and Sfenia nodded in agreement. Mariane seemed uninterested in this kind of conversation and quietly slipped deeper into the guild. Shizuna appeared confused but nodded along after Sfenia whispered something to her.
Having received the group’s approval, I turned back to Karma. I felt a bit like a pick-up artist trying to console a heartbroken woman, but…
“Um, Karma, would you like to join our party?” I asked.
“Eh… Are you serious?” she replied, surprised.
“Of course! I believe someone of your caliber would be in high demand, and having you with us would be a tremendous boon,” I assured her.
“But, Soushi, your party already has five members, and you have a dedicated staff as well… Wait, didn’t I hear you were diving into dungeons together? How come…?”
“I can explain everything once you join our party. What do you say?”
“Well, if I can join Soushi’s party, I’d be grateful… But are you really sure about this?”
“Absolutely, I’d love to have you.”
When I said this firmly, Karma flicked her striped tail and extended her hand toward me.
“If that’s the case, I look forward to working with you. I heard from Larni that you’re seeking strength, and I’ve always envied that,” she said.
“I believe I won’t disappoint you in that regard. Likewise, I’m looking forward to it,” I replied, shaking her hand for the second time, this time without any contest of strength.
“Yay, Karma! Let’s have fun together again!” Larni exclaimed, hugging Karma as they celebrated together. It seemed that some of the gloom had lifted from Karma’s face.
With this, Soul’s Guidance now had a party of seven, six of whom were beautiful women. It felt like we were bound to attract attention, but at this point, I had resigned myself to that fact.
Still, even if we were going to stand out, I couldn’t quite shake off the feeling of wanting to blend in… a struggle that came with being an older man.