The next day we head to the dungeon with adventurers, because last night when we were eating in the inn, they told us they saw us in the dungeon, and we hit it off.
There’s also the fact that everyone got excited talking while they asked us all sorts of questions about the world outside of this city, and other countries.
Most people here were born in Altair, so a lot of them are interested in what it’s like outside. Some even travel just to see the outside world.
However, while leaving is easy, coming back is apparently tricky. When people leave, they have to be prepared for the possibility of never coming back.
That’s why I’m a little worried.
“Did hearing about that make you want to leave Altair?”
I ask the adventurers from the inn, and they say no. It’s an uneventful life, with every day feeling like the last, but they don’t want to leave so badly that they’re willing to destroy it.
Life here isn’t actually all that different than in a small town or village. The difference is that they have a security net if something happens to them. If they get sick or hurt and can’t work, they’ll be graciously taken care of.
Normal adventurers who get hurt and can’t work, lose their source of income, and worst case scenario, become debt slaves.
I guess hearing this from people who are former slaves plays a role too, but I feel like these people aren’t leaving this place unless they really have to.
“I honestly understand that sentiment.”
“Yes, so do I.”
Say Rurika and Chris.
“If that thing didn’t happen, we would probably be living in peace in our town right now.”
The world is full of danger, and not many people willingly walk towards danger like Rurika and Chris.
Of course, some people just want to be adventurers or something else, but I think most people that leave their towns or villages do so out of necessity.
That’s why they say they would still be living in their town, if they didn’t get dragged into that war and Sera and Eris didn’t go missing.
I guess that just shows how special their bond is.
“Yes, I feel the same way. If I didn’t become a saint, I’m sure I would be living with someone in my village.”
I feel like Mia whispered that without thinking, but everyone’s eyes are on her. Mia then thinks back to what she said, and faces down as her face turns red.
Why does she keep peeking at me? I tilt my head in confusion, and hear Sera sigh.
◇ ◇ ◇
“Are you coming with us again, Dutina?”
As we wait for our turn, Dutina arrives, carrying baggage,
“Yes, captain’s orders. Thank you for having me. But… Are you really going in that lightly equipped?”
She asks, because we’re all just carrying our weapons and pouches. From an outsider’s perspective, it looks like we’re not at all ready to camp.
“I… Can use storage magic. Didn’t you see me collecting the wolves with it yesterday?”
She didn’t ask, so I didn’t explain.
But it feels like she just realized it.
“Do you want me to carry that?”
She’s carrying a pretty big backpack. It’s probably not going to be a problem on a grassy field, but a forest is a different story.
Actually, it’d probably still be fine if she was just walking, but it would get in the way during a fight.
She ponders it for a bit, but eventually agrees. I don’t know what that forest is like, but I’m sure she reached the same conclusion that it’ll be easier to walk without it.
“Are you ready to go?”
I put my hand on the pillar, and it asks where I want to go.
I can pick from the second to the fifth floors. Does it warp people to the entrance of each floor?
I pick the fifth, feel like I’m floating for a second, and then the scenery in front of me changes.
Looking around, I can see most of the adventurers are checking their stuff, including some familiar faces.
I raise my hand and wave, and they do the same. They’re too far away for us to walk to each other and say hello, so I just start walking towards the stairs.
“H-hold on. Going in first could be, hum, kind of dangerous.”
Apparently monsters don’t go up the stairs, but they do gather near the entrance from time to time.
Is that why no one’s going in?
I try using Presence Detection, but I can’t detect things on the fifth floor from here.
That said, this is just a waste of time. I use a barrier spell on me and Sera, and step into the next field.
And once I step in it, Map shows me monsters.
“There are multiple monsters nearby. Do you want to hunt them before advancing?”
I ask, and get a positive response from behind me.
“Hikari took care of all the wolves yesterday, so let us handle this.”
We go to the forest with Rurika in front, followed by me and Sera.
Dutina runs forward, seemingly flustered, but by the time she catches up, the battle is already starting.
It looks like the monsters sensed our presence, and are running this way.
There are five orcs.
Rurika quickly takes one down as soon as we make contact, leaving four.
I guess we’re all fighting one each. I block an attack, and get a feel for it.
I don’t know if it’s just because my level is higher, but compared to the first time I fought orcs, there’s barely any impact when I block its sword.
I push its sword away, and when I cut at the orc without infusing my sword with magic energy, it easily rips through its flesh and bone.
I look around, and see all the other orcs are down.
“You’re all pretty strong too.”
I’m not too surprised, but Dutina sure is.
Join my patreon to support me and read ahead.
Thanks for the treat.
At this rate they should easily be able to clear the minatoars off the floor with the tree consider how strong they are. Mia thinking about ending up with mc though we know she’s no2alone in those thoughts