“Indeed, this is the relic the client was seeking. So, they really have passed away…”
“Yes…”
The request we took on today was enough to leave both Roel and me disheartened. It involved searching for a fellow Adventurer who had fallen behind while fleeing, but the outcome was a gruesome sight: a body that had been mercilessly torn apart lay before us. I decided to take the ring they always wore as a relic. It seemed they had been married, and the sound of their family’s sobs tightened my chest even further. It appeared that the other members of our party had an inkling of what had happened, which is likely why they entrusted us with this task. Perhaps they couldn’t bring themselves to give up hope.
“We ended up getting a reward of 300G, Lua-chan…”
“Wasn’t it supposed to be 200G?”
It seemed Roel had leveled up once during our journey, but she showed no signs of joy. Every time we completed a request, I checked my level with that iron box, but mine never seemed to show up.
Yesterday, just before parting ways, I had asked Gantetsu about the One-Winged Demon.
“I’ve been doing this for years, but I’ve never heard of it. I don’t really know much about the monster that attacked Ikana Village either. It all happened so quickly, after all.”
Scratching his stubbly chin, Gantetsu continued, “Does it originally have only one wing? Or did it lose the other for some reason? I think that’s quite important.”
I almost thought it didn’t matter, but he was right. I should keep that in mind.
As I was lost in thought, Roel tugged at my hand.
“This might be the perfect request for us!”
“Please fetch cold water from the second floor of Avangarde Cave. There are no specific quantity requirements, but the more you bring, the more your reward will increase. Requester: Pablo, owner of Tavern Zenbei.”
Roel nodded enthusiastically as she read the posted notice aloud.
“Avangarde Cave isn’t too far from here, and its Danger Level is 3, which is just my level!”
“Alright, then there’s no reason to hesitate.”
We promptly accepted the request. It was fortunate that it was still untouched. We headed to meet Pablo to get more details about the request. Tavern Zenbei was the place Gantetsu had treated us to yesterday.
“Oh, you two are the ones who accepted that request!” A plump, round-faced man welcomed us. This must be Pablo.
“This request is actually something I put out regularly. The water there is nutritious and perfect for cooking and cocktails. There are even products sold that use it, for example…”
“Um, how much do we need to bring back?” Roel interrupted, sensing the conversation was about to drag on.
“Oh, right! Sorry about that. Please use this cart.”
He gestured to a cart with empty containers lined up on it.
“The last person who took this request looked strong, so I gave them more, but I thought this amount would be just right for you two.”
“I want more.”
“Huh?”
Pablo’s round face twisted in surprise. So, I packed dozens of containers into a bag and set off toward the dungeon. I felt like a thief with a giant bundle on my back, not exactly a flattering look. The spring was located on the second underground floor, and it seemed that even beginner Adventurers could reach it without too much trouble, as long as nothing unexpected happened. However, beyond that point, there could be monsters lurking that didn’t match the Danger Level, so Pablo repeatedly warned us not to venture further.
Before long, we arrived at the cave. Roel gripped her staff tightly, her face showing signs of tension.
“Okay, let’s go, alright?”
“You don’t need to be so nervous…”
Roel cautiously entered the cave, looking around with wide eyes. When I placed my hand on her shoulder from behind, she jumped and dropped her staff to the ground.
“Don’t do that! Come on!”
She was really mad. I realized that her anxiety might have been the reason she had struggled until now. If she continued like this, she might panic when encountering a real monster. Since the monsters here weren’t too strong, I decided to support Roel with everything I had to help her gain confidence. I thought that would be a good way to repay her kindness.
The cave was quite spacious. The entrance was a narrow path, but it opened into a large hall with several other tunnels branching off. The walls of the cave were stacked with rocks, making it look like they could collapse at any moment. If monsters appeared, it didn’t seem like we could do anything too flashy.
“I wonder which path we should take?”
I asked Roel, who was still nervously clutching her staff and looking around.
“If monsters show up, I’ll handle it.”
I took her hand. Perhaps feeling a bit more at ease, Roel finally held her staff with one hand.
“I’m sorry, Lua-chan. I feel like I’m going to be a burden.”
“You won’t be, and I won’t let you be.”
I smiled at her. Still, since I had fought alone until now, I wasn’t sure how to support her. Healers excelled at recovery magic, which was helpful. I could use a few spells, but I couldn’t use any healing magic at all. Because of that, I had often found myself retreating to rest points around the 50th floor of the Abyss Cave.
Just then, two Cave Rabbits leaped out from a deeper part of the cave. They looked cute at first glance, but their sharp fangs and claws were anything but friendly. It was clear they were not here to make friends. With their natural agility, they quickly closed the distance between us.
【Cave Rabbits have appeared!】
“Ahhh! Lua-chan, stay calm! Stay calm!”
As expected, Roel panicked and, for some reason, started tapping the ground with her staff. I had fought these monsters back when I first entered the Abyss Cave. I had suffered quite a bit from them, so they were memorable foes. Initially, they had been a challenge, but I knew they were nothing to worry about once you got used to them. It seemed that the claim that this place was manageable for beginner Adventurers was indeed true.
One of the Cave Rabbits lunged at me.
【Cave Rabbit A attacks!】
I considered putting down the containers I was holding to counterattack, but then I thought better of it. For Roel’s sake, I would take a hit this time and let her cast her healing magic on me. I deliberately let the Cave Rabbit bite my arm.
【However, Lua takes no damage!】
Its fangs failed to pierce my skin, and the rabbit continued to gnaw at my arm in vain. I could tell it was trying its hardest, but it was just flailing about, much like Roel behind me.
“He-Hey! Heal!”
For some reason, she began chanting Heal on herself. Unable to watch any longer, I took her hand again to calm her down, all while the Cave Rabbit dangled from my arm. It was starting to hurt a bit.
“Stay calm, I’m right here.”
I smiled at her. The rabbit still wouldn’t let go. Seeing this, Roel swung her staff high and brought it down. Unfortunately, she missed the rabbit and hit me instead.
【Roel is confused! Lua takes 2 damage!】
“That hurts! Just heal me already!”
This was far more painful than the monster’s attack. While I was distracted, the other Cave Rabbit charged at Roel.
This was dangerous; I intercepted it with a kick.
【You dealt 1284 damage to Cave Rabbit B!
Cave Rabbit B has been defeated!】
【Cave Rabbit HP 0/17】
I had intended to just knock it back lightly, but it vanished without a trace. That wasn’t what I had planned. Roel looked like she was about to faint.
With no other choice, I swiftly dispatched the rabbit still hanging from my arm.
【Cave Rabbit A has been defeated!
Cave Rabbit HP 0/17】
“I took care of the monsters, Roel.”
“Uh, uh, what?”
I supported Roel, who was swaying on her feet.
“Lua-chan… I really might not be cut out for this.”
She looked at me with tear-filled eyes, and after a moment of thought, I decided to reassure her.
“You saw what happened, so you know there’s no need to worry. I won’t let any monsters get to you.”
“But…”
“You believed I could defeat the Poison Salamander, right? The monsters here are much weaker than that, so let’s just stay calm and practice.”
I wasn’t sure what I could teach her, having fought alone for so long, but I realized that if I kept defeating monsters by myself, it wouldn’t mean anything. I had almost fallen into that trap, but Roel’s presence reminded me.
“Let’s go. The spring is on the second underground floor, right?”
As I reached out my hand, Roel took it and began to walk. However, I almost forgot the container, so I let go for a moment.
“Thank you, Lua-chan…”
She murmured her thanks, and her steps quickened. Although we had only just met, I felt an overwhelming desire to stay with her. For some reason, that thought resonated deeply within me.
Monster Compendium
[Cave Rabbit]
A ferocious creature known for its speed, even novice Adventurers can easily defeat it. However, caution is advised when they appear in groups. If swarmed, one could be torn apart and suffer shock death from the sheer ferocity of their attack.