The idea that Japanese people might not be able to adapt to the way they dress even if they went to another world - that didn't apply to Igarashi-san.

''Well...I also tried wearing the kote and gusoku (glebe), but they're not as heavy as they look. It's not as heavy as it looks, because it's 'lightweight'.

　Igarashi-san blushes, but explains her equipment to me. The scroll that appraised her armor still displays its contents on the scroll.

　◆ Light Steel Lady Armor +3◆

　Made of steel.
　This is made of steel.
　Improved evasion capability.
　Slightly improved indirect defense.
　Slightly improves magic defense.

　The "Light Steel" in front is the name of the material, and the "+" indicates the number of elements that are added.

''It would be easier to understand if we could get a numerical value for defense, but I guess we'll just have to judge it by how it looks.
''With 'Steel' and 'Lady Armor', I have a rough idea of how much defense I'm going to have. It would be hard to quantify it, because you'd have to actually take a few attacks.

　It would be very helpful if Elitia, my senior, was with me, as the explanations would come in instantly. I know that the materials and the type of armor will determine the base defense power.

''Well I don't plan to do it at the moment, but is there such a thing as testing defensive strength among friends?
'I'm sure some explorers will do that if they have to. Just one difference in the number of times the vanguard can withstand an enemy attack could cost them dearly, and the party could fall apart.

　It's not just a matter of avoiding annihilation, I don't want to lose a single party member. I have to ensure that I have not only the skills to make combat easier, but also a way to retreat safely when the time comes.


Is that...?　It's nice to have the front droop, but the sides are a bit...
'Wow, it's looking pretty cut up and risqué, isn't it? I think you need to prepare for it like you do when you put on a bathing suit.
''It's a bold piece of equipment.......but it's nice. I wonder if I'll ever be equipped like this one day...
Lady armor is gear for the warrior profession, but maybe some of the gear for priestesses is fantasy-like.
''Ah... the word 'fantasy' is sometimes mentioned by reincarnated people, isn't it? Compared to the world before you were reincarnated, is the labyrinth country a fantastic place?

　For Falma, who was born in this world, the labyrinth country is nothing but a fantastic place. That's what we are reminded of.

'Things that are talked about in our country in the imagination, or things that are supposed to happen in a fantasy world, happen here as a matter of course. It's still a constant surprise to me. Igarashi-san's armor was also imagined as a god or a warrior with great power or something like that.
'It really has become 'Valkyrie' itself! Oh, I can understand a little bit of that kind of thing too!
Well, I've seen a little bit of that in the story.
''At first you'll feel embarrassed when you're dressed like a character in a story. But no matter how resistant you are, you'll definitely get used to it... but Kyouka seems to attract a lot of attention from people around her in many ways.
''I wonder if they couldn't do something about just this place... it's armor, they could have covered it up.

　The Lady Armor has a structure that supports the chest, but there is no armor to cover the chest, and the under armor worn like underwear is visible. Igarashi-san's chest, which had asserted its undulations even in the vertical sweater, was regrettably present.

(Umm, huge.........) Louisa's breasts are out of the norm, but Igarashi-san must be in the largest class among Japanese...)

"...that periodic shift in your gaze, is that karma-proof?
No, no, I don't feel guilty about it at all. I want to see them because they look great, but isn't it rude to stare at them too long?
It's really amazing - if I wore it, I'd be all over the place.
Even a woman would see it, perfectly dressed.

　Farma would be able to wear it normally if his job title wasn't a trapper, but the chest would be even harder to wear. Of course, regardless of your body type, I'm sure you can equip it if you're in a warrior position.

　The Elitia is an armor with armor covering the chest, and it's a very strong-looking piece of equipment called "High Mithril Nightmail + 4". I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

''As for the helmet, we found a crown, so we asked him to wear it.
'Oh, that's nice. And then there's the 'cloak' for walking outside...
'That wasn't included in what was found in the box, so I'm giving you mine. I'm a little taller than you and I'm sure it will be just barely long enough.
''Thank you, for everything.

　Igarashi-san still looks uncomfortable in her armor that makes a clinking sound. I have to admit, I'm envious of her for being able to wear the equipment of another world with great skill.

''Rear-kun, I couldn't find any other metal armor, but I do have some 'hard leather' armor.
Thank you. Hardened leather........what is this stuff made of?
''It's the leather of a demon in the labyrinth called 'Marsh Ox', the 'Noon Swamp'. It's one of the elementary labyrinths in the Eighth Ward, but it's not visited very often because it's populated by dangerous demons that literally put us to sleep.

　I can use any weapon I want, but that's not always the case with armor. However, Suzuna's equipment was even more limited, and other than the cape, there was nothing else I could possibly equip but ornaments. The women started to choose their ornaments while taking advice from Falma-san and Elitia.

　I removed my previous armor and equipped the 'Hard Oxmail +2'. Thinking about it, I think that this equipment was worn by other explorers - but I can't tell how it feels to use it from its appearance.

(Wherever the source is, we can only use what we can use. I'd like to eventually have equipment made from scratch just for me, but...)

　When I looked for something else that I could use, I found something called 'Chain Grab + 1'. It looks like a small hand made of cloth, reinforced with chainmail, like a thimble glove, and is made to handle weapons and other things easily.

　Looking at the scroll containing the results of that appraisal, I almost shouted out.

　◆Light Steel Chain Grab +1 ◆

　Made of steel.
　Made of steel. ・Modified to be "lighter".
　Your ability to strengthen your allies has been slightly enhanced.

Here....!　(If the skills I'm strengthening include my support skills...!

I've never worn a ring before...
They come in different sizes, so we'll just have to wear the ones we can use without being too picky.
'It takes a lot of courage to wear it on your ring finger - and your little finger, too, in a way. Oh, I've never worn a ring on my finger, only a toy ring.
'Does Theresa care about the ring too?　I think this is good for you.
..........
You mean you want to focus on design over effect?　Theresa is a girl too!

　Does this mean that women are still attracted to ornaments? Everyone was choosing the pieces in a hurry, and Falma-san was looking at them with a smile on her face.

　◆◇◆

　I asked Farma-san to arrange for a 'courier' and left a bag full of coins in the bank, and also rented a rental warehouse to store the '++' equipment that I couldn't carry. One gold coin per month is needed for each storage unit, but that much investment is nothing to worry about.

　After having lunch at a cafeteria in the center of town, we headed to the entrance of the labyrinth. Leila-san was dealing with the other searchers at the mercenary agency, and when she saw us, she raised her hand to greet us.

　In the plaza in front of the labyrinth, Madoka is opening a stall today as well. It seems that the reincarnators have visited again, and it's quite busy - equipment other than the ones we distribute is also sold.

''Ah, brother, good morning!
'Yeah, good morning. Madoka is looking good, too.
'There are so many more of my friends and they're turning into very good equipment. I see the search was a great success.
Thanks to you, a lot of good things have come out of this. We should thank Madoka for that.
''No, no, I'm in the business of selling equipment. Just your brother's thoughts........

'No, I'm not your brother, and you don't have to raise your hand. Misaki, what's up?

　Misaki's eyes lit up as she wondered what she was going to do, and she squeezed Madoka's hand firmly.

'Eh, ah, um, what's going on?'
Don't you think arms dealers and gamblers go well together?
I'm sorry, but that's not a very good offer. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ask you out. I was incompetent to direct.
''No, no... well, how should I put it... I was surprised that it was so sudden, but I also thought it was time for me to go out on a quest, since I'm about to be down to level one, so I wanted to give this person a thought. I thought you'd read me.
Really?　See, brother, recruitment is still about feeling. Let's get more friends at this rate!

　It doesn't mean that I'm going to have a fixture in my party, but it means that I can now ask Madoka, the 'merchant', to accompany me when I need her.

''That dynamic is honestly amazing. You seem to be very good at making friends and stuff... I'm jealous.''
Misaki-chan makes friends everywhere. It's amazing how she's able to talk to people she doesn't know without fear.

　The 'Merchant' is a non-combat job, but apparently it's not completely unfightable compared to other mid-range types. Since Watadama can defeat them, it seems that it's safe to have them work with Misaki - if redface appears, there's no danger if you escape with a scroll. I'll keep the idea of me overseeing it in mind if necessary.

(I'll also have to look for a vanguard that specializes in defense... oh, so that's the kind of job he's in.)

　In Rival's party, there is a man with a large shield. There is also a woman with a bow and a man with a staff, and Rival-san, who seems to be in charge of the attack, is a well-balanced party.

Oh, so today is the day to traverse the third level. Be careful because there will be different demons on the third level.
I'll be on my way.

　My friends also say hello and dive into the labyrinth - my third time in. The deepest part of the beginner's labyrinth has probably been conquered by now, but I hope there's something to be gained.

　◆ ◆ ◆.

　As soon as they entered the first level, they were advancing through the field, using the sparse trees as a landmark, when five cottontails appeared.

　Elitia didn't dare to fight, and Igarashi-san and Theresia, the middle guard, stepped forward. First, I'll have Suzuna and I open up the line of fire to reduce the number of enemies.

(.........Come to think of it, Misaki, too, was a projectile weapon, for one thing.)

"Misaki, throw your weapon!
Yeah, I'm going to try.

　Current Situation

　Alihit's attack on Watadama
　Suzuna's attack hits Watadama. Taking 11 damage.
　Misaki's attack hits Watadama for support damage of 11.
　Defeat 3 "Watadama".



　Gamblers can equip daggers and such, but they can also use dice, cards, etc. that have been modified for combat. I can equip them too, but the sling is usually stronger - but if you 'support attack' it, it's a blow to Watadama.

(1 more support damage ... the effect of the chain grab. I'll have to gather this kind of equipment as a priority).

　It can also be effective on defense and recovery. At a low level, it can't be underestimated just because it's a one point difference.

''Leave the rest to us.......Let's go, Theresia-san!
-Oh!

　Running with a speed that wasn't quite as fast as the armor he was wearing, Igarashi thrust out his cross-spear. Theresia also flashed a short sword and the enemy was easily wiped out.


''With Arihito-san behind me, my attacks get stronger. But Misaki-chan's dice, you've hit it well.
I'm a lucky man, you know. When I tell you to hit it, you usually hit it.

　Even with that luck, you're not going to get a 'box' every time. Maybe the number of boxes appearing here is already trapped in the limit, though.

''I'm going to try out my new skills from the time I fight the orcs. Is that okay with you, Rear-kun?
'Yes, please. Theresia, try 'Wind Slash' too.

　I gave them instructions, regrouped the formation again, and moved on. Elitia hasn't fixed a particular position since she's a ranger, but she seems to have something on her mind, so I called her out.

''.......What?''
'I'm sorry you had to take care of me, even though I'm a wattadama. You must be so bored with nothing to do.
'Well that's not what I'm going to say, I'm not going to say anything childish because it's important for you guys to grow up.
That's good. If you're going to miss out, feel free to help me out.
'Yeah, I'm holding off on that. I'd like to have your 'support' again, and I'd like to have your 'support' again.

　Like Igarashi-san, we all find that the more we support them, the better mood we're in. Well, even in a normal party, I don't feel bad if they support me, and that's how you build up trust.

(.........Yeah, I took a skill called 'Support Elevation 1'. (This doesn't seem to work automatically, so I'll try it in the next battle)

　Then we moved smoothly up to the second level without any particular struggle with the enemies we encountered. The number of Orcs wandering around has dwindled considerably, but there are a few in the direction of our objective, so we'll fight them if we proceed normally.

''Next, let's try using our new skills. Suzuna, it might not be worth it, but when you see a 'dokuyaribachi', use 'everyone in' and try to aim at it.
Yes, I'll try.

　I use 'support uplift' after providing covering fire. What does it mean to have a 10-point increase in morale - I don't feel scared at all when the Fang Orcs who noticed us are killing and gathering together. Thinking that this was probably a sign of growth, we entered the battle for the sixth time today.