Seeker 7

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Chapter 7. At the Ramen Restaurant

"Wow, this is your first time exploring a dungeon today, Rikusou-san?"

"Yeah, sorry. I don't think I can be of any help."

"No, no, not at all. Ah, here are the ramen."

We're in a ramen shop just a short drive from the bank where the dungeon is.

Kodachi-san and I sat opposite each other at a table seating four people.

It was a little past lunchtime, so there were only a few customers.

At least, there was no problem for two people to occupy a table for four.

"Itadakimasu!"

"Itadakimasu!"

With chopsticks in our hands, we eat sour pork soy sauce ramen.

Kodachi-san says "Mmmm, yummy!", and slurped the rice noodles with satisfaction.

The ramen was indeed delicious, but I could not concentrate on the taste.

Why was I eating ramen with such a beautiful woman?

It would be unreasonable to say that a young man (?) of equal age who has never had a girlfriend should not be nervous.

"So, how was it? Your first time exploring a dungeon?"

Kodachi-san turns her curious eyes on me.

If she stares straight at me like that, I'll fall in love with her, so I want her to stop.

But I try to hide that kind of boyishness as much as possible.

"Something like that. I've been walking around for about four hours, and I've reached level 3."

"Wow, that's going well."

"What level are you at now, Kodachi-san?"

"I'm level 9. The first and second layers went rather smoothly. But from the third floor, there were many enemies, and very difficult. The consumption of potions is bad when you are solo. Worst case scenario, you are in the red."

Both Kodachi-san and I waver between honorifics and tame-speak.

I don't know what she was thinking, but I couldn't gauge the distance between us.

It's difficult to speak without being too formal or rude.

"Do you feel like you run out of recovery magic too soon?"

"No, no, I don't have any good recovery magic. ───What, by any chance, Rikusou-san, do you have recovery magic?"

"Yes. I have a magic called [Earth Heal]."

"It's nice! You've hit the jackpot."

"I don't know about the others, but do they?"

"Absolutely yes. There is no doubt that recovery magic is a hit. If I remember correctly, the only recovery magic that people could learn in the early stages was [Earth Heal] or [Aqua Heal]."

"Is that so? ......"

"That's right. ─ ─ Ah."

There, Kodachi-san put her hand over her mouth, looked away from me, and showed a thoughtful gesture.

What, what is it ......?

Did I say something bad?

As I was inwardly terrified, Kodachi-san opened her mouth, as if she had made up his mind.

"...... Um, Rikusou-san. If you don't mind me asking."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Would it be possible for you to form a party with me?"

"...... hmm?"

Party.

Party, party, party?

"Oh, um, do you know what a party is?"

Kodachi-san asked, probably seeing that I had frozen up.

I hurriedly shook my head.

"That's okay. I heard about it in the training. We're going to dive into the dungeon together, right?"

"That's right. I heard that Rikusou-san has recovery magic, and I know it's bold of me, but what do you think?"

"Oh, ...... I hadn't thought of that. ......"

Seekers do not necessarily explore dungeons solo; they may team up with several people and dive into dungeons together.

That's what we call 'forming a party'.

The lower you go in a dungeon, the tougher the monsters become.

I was told in the training that even if you can conquer the first floor by yourself, it gradually gets tougher as you go down to the second and third floors.

Kodachi-san said she was having a hard time on the third floor, and she said this because of the number of enemies and the heavy consumption of potions.

I know it is not strange for her to suggest me, who can use recovery magic, to form a party with her.

On the other hand, I was like, "Oh, you sure?" was my frank impression.

I was simply happy as a boy with an ulterior motive, without considering the advantages and disadvantages of being in a party with such a beautiful woman when exploring a dungeon.

No, I don't mean it in a weird way when I say I had an ulterior motive.

But it would only sound weird if I mentioned it, so I kept quiet about it.

Instead, we'd have to talk about our interests as seekers.

At least ostensibly.

"But I'm only level 3. And I have a part-time job, so I don't know if I can fit it into my schedule. ─ ─ Do you have another job, Kodachi-san?"

"Well, ...... I quit my old job for some reason. I'm just a seeker now. But yes, I am. If you become a seeker this morning, you are still at that level. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to impose."

"Oh, no, not at all. I was glad you invited me."

The talk of having a party was about to end, and the other me in my mind said, "Asshole!" and punched me in the cheek.

He told me that I waste my chance.

No, wait, it's too early to give up. My soul was screaming at me to somehow connect with Kodachi-san, to have a chance to form a party with her when she made this proposal.

"Then, why don't we at least exchange contact information? It might be useful for new rookies to exchange information with each other."

"Osu! With pleasure!"

I jumped in front of her without a second thought.

Kodachi-san looked surprised.