Seeker 124

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Chapter 124. Gratitude

"Phew... That was a close call. Are you okay?"

Having defeated a Mutant Ape with a [Three Strikes], I called out to the young Elf boy.

It was a precarious situation, but we made it just in time.

Returning quickly was the right decision.

There are various messages and special missions.

"Ah, yes... thank you."

The young Elf's gaze seems to hold a hint of admiration towards me. 

It's a bit embarrassing.

By the way, Elves are a long-lived race, so even this boy who appears to be in his mid-teens might be older than me in life experience...

Anyway, now I need to take care of the monsters first.

I shift my gaze to the other battlefield.

Although it seemed that battle was almost over too.

"We won't let you pass here! ── Haaaah!"

"Turn to ashes, Lance of Flames! [Flame Lance]!"

The defense line protected by the 4 Elf warriors now has Kazane-san and Yuzuki joining the battle.

Kazane-san wields two short swords, cutting down the approaching minor monsters one after another.

Yuzuki uses flame magic to incinerate each monster.

With Kazane-san and Yuzuki's participation, the slightly vulnerable Elf defense line has been reinforced into an impenetrable iron defense line.

All 4 Elf warriors are probably level 25 as well.

As expected, they're fighting remarkably, and as long as they don't face overwhelming numbers, they seem invincible.

The situation on that side seems to have reached the final stages already.

We'll wipe the monsters out shortly.

"It seems like we don't need to worry about that side. Let's attend to the wounded."

"Huh...? Ah, yes."

"You get hit by the Killer Wasp's stinger, right? Then... [Gaia Heal]."

I cast healing magic on the young Elf.

With a single [Gaia Heal], the wound is completely closed.

The young Elf checks his wound and movements, showing a surprised expression.

"Amazing... The numbness is gone too...! Th-thank you!"

"Well, I'm glad you're okay."

I pat the head of the young Elf who bows his head in thanks, unconsciously adopting a younger attitude towards him. 

I seem to be influenced by appearance and demeanor. 

But he doesn't seem to mind, so it's fine.

While we were doing that, Kazane-san and the others dealt with the remaining monsters as well.

Kazane-san and Yuzuki, who have finished their work, join me.

"Good job, both of you."

"Yeah, it was a good exercise."

"It's annoying that I can't use area magic since we can't burn the forest. I miss the mystery trees in the Dungeon Forest Floor that I can easily burn with magic. ── Anyway, Senpai, um..."

"Hmm?"

Yuzuki takes off her Mage Hat and presents her head to me.

Um...?

"Like this, right?"

I stroke Yuzuki's head.

It seems I got it right, as Yuzuki shows a genuinely happy expression.

"Hehe♪ Your head pats feel special, Senpai♪"

"Oh, I'm jealous. Daichi-kun, I want that too."

"Eh, you want it too, Kazane-san?"

"...Is it not okay for me? Even though you can do it with Hidari-chan, you can't do it with me...?"

Kazane-san gives me a slightly pouting, upward glance.

My composure is instantly get shattered.

"Then, um... Kazane-san, you too. Good job."

This time, I pat Kazane-san's head.

Kazane-san also shows a happy expression.

"Hehe♪ Daichi-kun's head pats~. Hmm, I get why Hotaru-chan likes it. It's soothing and yet not overbearing. It has substance but also sharpness?"

"I'm sorry, I have no idea what you're saying."

"Yeah, I said that just for fun. But the feeling of being patted was genuinely pleasant. Do it again sometime, Daichi-kun♪"

"Yeah, sure. I'd be happy to."

The head-patting time is over.

As usual, it was a foolish act performed in front of many Elves.

The young Elf next to me was flustered and turned red, but let's not worry about it.

And as usual, I opened the message box.

───────────────────────

Special Mission: Rescue the Elf Village attacked by a horde of monsters completed!

All party members gain 5000 experience points each!

Musou Daichi leveled up to level 28!

Kodachi Kazane leveled up to level 28!

Yuzuki Hotaru leveled up to level 28!

Current Experience:

Musou Daichi..... 108166/121037 (Next level: 12871)

Kodachi Kazane..... 107786/121037 (Next level: 13251)

Yuzuki Hotaru..... 107989/121037 (Next level: 13048)

───────────────────────

Alright, we completed the mission.

Our levels have also increased.

We resolved everything.

Now, let's finally leave the village.

When we were thinking that. An Elf warrior approached us confidently.

"Why did you come back, Human warriors? We heard you had already left."

Upon hearing that voice, I honestly felt annoyed.

It's that guy, Raul or something, who caused trouble when we first entered the village.

He's probably planning to pick a fight with us again for some reason.

We helped them out of our convenience.

It feels unpleasant to be complained about.

I was preparing to retort to what he said.

Raul, standing in front of us, unexpectedly lowered his head deeply.

"I don't know why fate brought you back, but... I want to express my sincere gratitude for saving Refil. Thank you. And I apologize for my earlier rudeness. I'm sorry."

As for us, we were left speechless.

His attitude is different from before?

Well, at least he's not complaining.

Being thanked doesn't feel bad either.

Kazane-san, Yuzuki, and I looked at each other. Then, together with smiles on our faces.

"You're welcome."

And this time, we finally left the Elf village and returned to the city.

Additionally, I'll add that we received some small tokens of appreciation.

Musou Daichi

Level: 28 (+1)

Experience: 108166/121037

HP: 180/180 (+6)

MP: 138/156 (+6)

Strength: 25

Endurance: 30 (+1)

Agility: 22 (+1)

Magic: 26 (+1)

-Skills-

[Earth Heal]

[Mapping]

[HP Up (Endurance x6)]

[MP Up (Magic x6)]

[Spear Attack Power Up (+22)]

[Rock Bullet]

[Protection]

[Gaia Heal]

[Treasure Box Drop x2]

[Three Strikes]

[Item Repair]

[Accuracy Enhancement]

[Ground Heal]

[Stealth]

Remaining Skill Points: 1

Kodachi Kazane

Level: 28 (+1)

Experience: 107786/121037

HP: 132/132 (+6)

MP: 110/110

Strength: 22 (+1)

Endurance: 22 (+1)

Agility: 37 (+1)

Magic: 22

-Skills-

[Dagger Attack Power Up (+18)]

[Mapping]

[Dual Wield]

[Sense Presence]

[Trap Detection]

[Trap Release]

[Wind Slash]

[Item Box]

[HP Up (Endurance x6)]

[Treasure Box Drop x2]

[Quickness]

[Wind Storm]

[MP Up (Magic x5)]

[Dual Wield Enhancement]

[Evasion Enhancement]

[Stealth]

Remaining Skill Points: 1

Yuzuki Hotaru

Level: 28 (+1)

Experience: 107989/121037

HP: 132/132 (+6)

MP: 253/294 (+6)

Strength: 18

Endurance: 22 (+1)

Agility: 26 (+1)

Magic: 49 (+1)

-Skills-

[Fire Bolt]

[MP Up (Magic x6)]

[HP Up (Endurance x6)]

[Magic Power Up (+12)]

[Burn Blaze]

[Monster Appraisal]

[Fire Weapon]

[Treasure Box Drop x2]

[Item Box]

[Flame Lance]

[Item Appraisal]

[Explosion]

Remaining Skill Points: 1