At my words, Liz started checking the files again.

I've listed ten treasure halls. Seven of them are level one, and the other three are level two, but they're just barely level two, so they're easy enough for an apprentice hunter to go through.
Even a hunter with no talent will be able to conquer these treasures after a few years of experience.

On the other hand, if you're at the level of Liz, you won't be able to go there because there are no advantages.

The expression on Liz's face, who had been flipping through the files many times, grew frowning.

The information about the treasure house in the clan's archives is based on materials received from the Explorers Association and information brought back by the hunters who belong to the clan, and organized by the clerks.
It is a material that is rather popular among the members of Footprints. It is also highly accurate.

Lise looks up and sees me.
I wonder if there was something that caught her attention with the sensitivity of a good hunter?

'Hey, hey, Cry-chan, ......, what's going to happen with this?

'Eh?

I'm hoping nothing will happen.

'No, I'm not doubting you, but ...... see, you said you were going to ask me to do something, right? That means it's in worse shape than the White Wolf's Den they were headed for, right?

'......Yes, that's right.'

'Hmmm,......, there are no powerful demons living around here,......, there are almost no gimmicks, and it's hard to make Tee struggle with the mana and materials accumulated in a level 1 or 2 treasure house. It is also difficult to make the tee struggle with the mana materials that can be found in level 1 and 2 treasure halls. ...... hmmm......'

'Yes, yes, yes...'

I'm not sure what to make of that.
I think you should change your character of trying to jump into danger.

I'm not sure if you'll be able to find the right one for you.

'...... Well, that's what Kry says, isn't it? It's not like you're making a wrong decision. ......'

'Yeah, yeah ...... I guess so.'

You've got a soft spot for your people.

Then Tino came back.
He had showered and changed his clothes, and his hair was still damp. He came straight in front of Liz and me and put his hands firmly on his sides to be careful.

'I've just returned. I'm back now.

'Aren't you tired? Are you okay?'



'...... Yes. No problem.'

'How can there be a problem with something like that? I'm sure you'll agree.

Tino had no expression on his face as he boasted about it.
But just before I straightened my posture, I saw that my footing had wavered.

I'm being told what to do. I'm being told what to do.
It's always too much,......, and because Tino is so serious and doesn't argue, there's no stopping him.

As a good friend of the master, and as a senior hunter, I have to give him a break.
I'm not sure if there will be any stoppers at all,........



I was just about to say this when I noticed Tino looking at me with tears in his eyes.
He looks like an abandoned puppy.

No, it's not a notice of disability. It's not a notice of disability.

'......,' I thought, 'but I think I'll ask Tino to go, too. Yes, I've picked out a few, so you can pick the one you like.'

'Ha, yes! ...... pick ...... up?'

Tino begins to roll up the file he received.
Lise is watching him closely. For some reason, she smiles arrogantly at him.

The pressure is making it hard for Tino to concentrate.
He shrinks back as if he's shrinking, and stares down at the file in concentration.

I remember asking Tino once how it was to be Liz's apprentice. He replied that it was constant training, but perhaps that's the way it is.

Tino softly looked at Liz.

'Um, ...... sister?'

'What?'

'............ Nothing, nothing at all.'

As if pressured by her gaze, Tino began frantically rolling up the file again. Like Liz before him, he started from the first page and went over it again and again.
No, there is no right answer, but... I said you can choose the one you want.

'Liz.'

I beckoned a little and put my hands to my ears.
With a curious look on her face, she covered her ears, just as I had done.
I grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around, pushing her lightly a few feet away from Tino.

Tino can't choose at all, so you have to be quiet.

The apprentice girl rolled her eyes and looked away from her master. Now there's no one in the way.

'Now, take your time and choose the one you like. I won't let Liz interfere.'

'...... too, sir. I can't ...... make a decision.'

You're looking for the right ...... answer. ...... What's the right answer?
I'd like to share my earnestness with you. ......No, Liz is serious about Hunt, too.

I think it's more fun to live a random life like me.
I'm proud to say that I'm confident without any evidence.

'Don't worry, don't worry. You'll be fine no matter which one you choose. I think I can handle it. ...... Maybe?

'!

For some reason, a short scream escaped from Tino's lips. He took a step back as if he was shocked.
He looked at me as if he were looking at a monster.

For some reason, Tino's gaze is often worse towards me than towards Liz, not just today.
I don't know what you're worried about when I say I'm fine. .......

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to try.

'Well, ...... I'm only level 4, and ............ I'm still--'

'Huh? Yeah, yeah, right?

'............'

'Yeah, yeah, yeah...'

I'm having a terrible déjà vu. I wonder if the reason Tino hasn't run away yet is because his master is nearby.


Tino's hand holding the file was completely shaking. Her lips were pressed together desperately.
Her face was pale and her beauty was ruined.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what she's afraid of. This isn't a "bone picker", it's a top 10 easy treasure trove selected by a timid person like me. I don't think there's anything to be worried about. .......

I've been waiting for you to kick the floor with your ears covered and your back turned.

'I think you should rest ......'.

'No, no, I'll do ...... it.'

You're so serious. You don't have to do this.
Tino looked up from his file and looked me up and down.

'...... So, um, ...... anything is okay, right?'

'Yeah. Anything is fine.'

'Even if it's not .................. here, is it okay?

What ......?

I didn't expect that. Tino's expression is serious.
In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at ....... I'm not offended.

The ground suddenly shakes. Tino shuddered at the metallic sound that reverberated through the large space.

Lizzie's leg had smashed through the metal floor. The metal tiles caved in and cracked. Will I have to replace it again?
He turned around, covered his ears, and smiled at Tino.

I'm pretty sure he can hear me. I told you not to threaten me.

Tino looked as if he was about to die. He's shaking his head in fragile resistance. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.
I smiled at the poor Tino, as if to reassure him.

'Of course you can. I've been waiting for you to say that.'

'......What?'

Tino's expression froze. The file left his hand and scattered to the ground.



§ § § §




The emergency whistle did not sound, only time passed.
The sun had already set halfway, and the temporary base we'd built in front of the White Wolf's Lair had turned a faint shade of vermilion.

We listened to the report of the returning party and compared it to the map spread out on the ground.

The Lair of the White Wolf is not a very difficult treasure house to begin with. The map is almost complete.
I show the area I've surveyed on the highly accurate map I've brought with me. We were taking a cautious approach, so progress was slow, but we had already confirmed 70% of the countless paths.


Sven's brow furrowed.
Night will soon be upon us. I've prepared the lights, but I'd like to get this over with before then if at all possible.

'Nothing unusual, huh?

'I heard that the level of the illusions is still high...'

Sven crossed his arms at the words of his companions.
The party that had embarked on this desperate mission had so far returned without a single casualty. A few people were seriously injured, but no one was killed, and those who were injured had already recovered.

The boss's room, which we thought was the most likely place for a slime outbreak, has already been checked. I had instructed them to examine the room with special care, but there seems to have been nothing unusual about it.

The remaining thirty percent of the rooms we have yet to investigate are in cul-de-sacs. It would only take a few more hours to finish checking them.
The initial sense of crisis had already dissipated. Of course, something would happen at the moment of relaxation, which was the usual way of things, but the tension would not last long.

'Has Krai's divine eye also become cloudy?'

'What if nothing happens from this?'

'Well, I guess we got lucky.'

Sven jokingly replied to his companion's words.

As the investigation progressed, some parties began to look at the Black Gold Cross as if it were a fool.
Henrik looked back at him annoyed, but he just smirked and didn't cause any problems, so we couldn't say anything.

I wonder if the reason he hasn't come out and denounced us yet is because he plans to do so after he finishes investigating the other 30%.

Like the Black Gold Cross, Thalia and the others who have never entered the treasure house as part of an anti-slime party seem uncomfortable.
I'm a little sorry, but I didn't mean to misjudge you.

'We haven't finished our investigation yet.

'If you hadn't done what you did, it would have been over by now, wouldn't it?

Sven looked up at the ridiculous tone of voice. What he saw was a party of brown-haired hunters who had been complaining about Sven and his friends at every turn.
Their ears are pierced and their hair is dyed in mesh. He looked like a thug, but he was also a hunter who followed Sven's plan even though he didn't like it.

The party members seemed to agree, and looked at Sven and the others with a mixture of hostility and caution.
Sven snapped his neck and sighed.

'We'll hear your complaints later. You've just had your turn. Now be quiet.'

'...... Tsk. At the very least, pray to that dreadful Master who hasn't even been here yet.'

I stifle my anger and spit out a few words of abandonment as the group leaves.

But I can't help but understand why you would want to say that.
If it weren't for Sven and the others, and if we hadn't taken prudent measures, we would have finished investigating the remaining 30% by now.
If that had been the case, we would have been having a party at a bar in town. That is, of course, assuming that nothing happens to the other 30%.

Suddenly, he saw the brown-haired hunter who had just left the party and was heading deep into the bushes, and shouted out.

'Hey, don't leave your post!

'Shut up, I'm taking the piss! I'll be right back. I've got a weapon.'

He slaps the sword on his hip and disappears behind the trees. Sven sighed deeply.

Well, the rest of the party is still here, and they didn't go into the White Wolf's Den.
They must know that this is a dangerous place. If you come back soon, it won't be a problem.

'He's dead, isn't he?

'Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.



Sven chuckled at Henrik's joking remark.

At first, the newcomers had been suspicious of his words, but as Sven and his team's position worsened, they had become more comfortable with him.
Henrik smiled shyly at the emotion in the gaze that was directed at him.

'I don't know Kry, but I trust Sven and the others.

'...... Well, let's pray to the Master that we can live up to that trust.'

Just then, a noise came from the forest.
Sven stands up. The people in the party who had been waiting for him became alarmed, and each drew their weapons and turned their gaze in the direction of the sound.

What came in was a large carriage. It was a fine carriage, comparable to those used by the members of the Footprints.
Sven's eyes widen at the symbol engraved on the top. As his eyes focused, the door opened.

A giant of a man steps down, moving like a sluggish bear.

Crimson armor and a crimson armor with thorns under his arm.
His height is almost the same as Sven's, but his stocky body makes him look much bigger than he is, compared to Sven's rather smart body.

His face, covered with tattoos and old scars, looked around warily, and his gaze caught Sven's.
Sven's eyes blinked at the familiar and unexpected face.

'Chief Gark? What's wrong with you, looking like that?'

From the back of the carriage, two gentlemen in the uniforms of the Imperial Relic Research Institute landed on the ground, looking fearful.
The former "war demon" snorted at Sven, who didn't understand the situation.

'Hey, thanks for waiting. Sven. I came to check on you.