Guild Street.

Elena's workshop.

Hello.
'Oh? Who the hell are you?

A half-elf, a veteran apprentice blacksmith in overalls, comes out looking like a pain in the ass, scratching his head. His blonde hair, pulled back in a ponytail, is still beautiful despite being covered in sweat and grease.

'It's me, Rana.
'Rana ......? Hah, a costume for a horse boy! You look pretty good!

Elena laughs when she sees me in my suit.

We are invited to the back of the workshop and sit down as we did the day before yesterday.
Elena-san looks at my armor and asks me about it.

But why are you wearing a suit?
'I heard it's a tuxedo, but it looks like one with a tie.
That's not an answer.
'I changed my job to a clown.
'Wow, a clown. ............ Huh? You were a warrior until yesterday!
'That's why I changed jobs.
'How the hell did you do that? I can't believe you changed jobs except to reach level 20. .................. You can't be serious? Seriously, level?''
'Ha-ha-ha.'

Me laughing.
Elena glares at me.

Hmm. I can't cover it up anymore. Was I a little careless? No, the job will be found out anyway. ....... Besides, I'm going to be friends with Elena for a long time, so I might as well tell her at this point.

I'm actually a skill that easily levels up.
''A skill that easily increases in level?''
It's called [Breathing]. You know, you get experience just by breathing.
'You get experience just by breathing?'

Elena parrots back and forth with a quizzical expression on her face.
Her face gradually becomes stern as her understanding catches up with her.

'What ...... is ......?
'Haha ......'
'You! That's a d*mn good skill! Why the hell didn't you tell me! If I talk, I'll make a big deal out of it! So what!

Wow, this yankee sister, all by herself, all by herself.

That's what I mean. That's why I wanted you to keep it a secret. ......'
'That's fine, but ....... But if that's the case, why don't you just give away your skills and have them included in a strong party?
There is no 'advanced two-person party' that will take in a rookie on his sixth day of competition. I asked Anna to find one for me.
'Well, what about the clan? They have a lot of parties and change party members from day to day, so you guys can sneak in too, right?

Anna, the receptionist, has told me about the Clan several times.
I have considered it, but--

I'm not sure if they'll just use me as a bodyguard. I don't have anyone I can trust.
'Why don't you ask the young lady at the reception desk to talk to me?'
'I'm afraid it's going to cause friction with the other members of the group. ....... Besides, it's not worth it if I'm in a different party with Prine.''
'mmm ....... Well, that's right. ......'
'However, the deeper the level, the easier it is to raise the level, unless there is a clan that is willing to accept our conditions. ......'
'You want me to protect you guys from strong monsters in the deeper levels, but you guys must always be in the same party?'
'Yes. ....... Also, you have to finally give us the "Seeds of the Wise". Or agree to leave the group in the middle.
'Well, you're ...... asking too much ......'
'Also, don't tell me how to do my prine. I, on the other hand, am often given 'advice' by this guy who seems to be taking the shortest way around, but it doesn't look that way to others. And because he is weak-minded, he can't disagree with them, so he is forced to take inefficient measures. But the person who gave the advice--''
'He doesn't take responsibility. It happens all the time. The more people on the outside want to interfere.
'That's the way it is.'
But--that's asking too much. A clan is a bunch of parties, a crowd, if you will. It can't operate if it doesn't have proper discipline. If irregulars like you come in, it will fall apart.
Right? So if we join a clan, it will be so big that irregularities like that won't be a problem.
'Such a big clan - now it's "Silver Wings". But that's just...'
'Rookie crush'. You don't hear much good about it.
'And even if I get the 'sage seed', I'll never give it to you guys, will I?

I nodded. Even if we get it, it will be taken away from us.
And then I mention another possibility.

Or - 'the clan we make'.
I see. If you guys become the leaders, we won't have any complaints.
'Either way, it's not possible yet. For now, we will continue to attack the dungeon together as before. I believe it is the shortest way.
Well, maybe so.''

So," Elena looks at me.



'What are you doing here today? Have you come to return Ertola's cudgel? That ain't all, is it?

Elena asks as if she is expecting something. I don't know.
I gave her Eltra's club as I was told.

I thanked Elena for bringing it to me yesterday morning. And this...' I said.
'That's a mithril sword, isn't it? What the hell. Did you break it?
'I had a run-in with the devil.
Hmm. So we're just gonna have to train these guys. Good. Anything else?
'That's the thing. ....... Actually, we're going to go down to the 6th layer now...''
'Mirage Ball'? You're a Mirage Ball! Isn't that right!

Elena is leaning forward with a "gui, gui, gui".
That's a great reaction.

Do you know ......?
'Of course! It's one of the essential disciplines of a blacksmith! Mirage ball forging on the 6th layer! Well, it's finally my turn. I'm glad I spit on you guys.
'haha ....... So you'll come then?'
'I'll take care of it. I'll be ready in forty seconds!
'I see. One, two, three,''
You're a mean one, aren't you?

Elena hurriedly prepares the food while protesting against me. You're the one who said 40 seconds.





'Hey, are you sure you liked it?

I asked Prine while watching Elena-san who was getting ready for the event as if she were turning the workshop upside down.

What? What? Mr. Ra'.
'No, I revealed my family name to a nobleman just now. ......'
'Oh, ....... Yeah. I'm fine. It's true that I'm your daughter, for a start. ......'
'Just in case'.
'Even if she's adopted, she's still your daughter, isn't she?
'That's true, but... ......'
'The Master and his sisters don't care about me, so ....... 'It's nothing to make a fuss over a name.

Prine, who calls his adoptive father 'sir' even if he is not his own father.
He always looks sad and lonely when he talks about his family.
Every time he talks about his family, I feel pain in my heart. I really want to be a home for his family, a place where they can feel at home. I sincerely wish I could be a place for Prine that she probably doesn't have anywhere else in her parents' house.

If something happens, I will protect you.

Put aside the fact that you can do nothing about it.
Put a lid on the fact that you can't save Prine now.
I swear, as I always do.
Prine laughed, too. She smiled sadly and happily.

Yes. Thank you, Ra.



'Thanks for waiting, guys!

Elena shouted as she packed her backpack.
Four minutes had passed since then, but whatever.

We left the workshop and headed for the entrance of the dungeon where we were to meet Anna.

Finally, we reached the sixth level.