NOVEL NEXT Chapter 28 – Liliruca.
I looked at her, and she lifted her face. She looked into my eyes, and the corners of her lips lifted. "Do you need help carrying your magical stones and items? The bag you're carrying doesn't seem very large."
She glanced at the backpack on my back.
"No, I don't need help. But why did you follow me? Isn't being alone here dangerous for a small girl like you?" I asked her. Lili averted her gaze and cleared her throat.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. But are you sure you don't need help? I can accompany you. I also know about the monsters on all the beginner floors. I can help you."
"Do I look like a beginner?" I asked.
"..." Lili looked me up and down. "You do look like a beginner. You don't wear armor, your sword doesn't seem good quality, and you look very relaxed. Shouldn't you be a bit more focused?"
"Good points. But I don't want to spend money on a better weapon since I don't need it. I'm saving money to buy a house for my Familia."
"Familia?"
"Hestia Familia."
"Hestia Familia… You're part of the Hestia Familia?" Lili seemed surprised.
"Yes. Now I need to go. You can follow me if you want, but I don't intend to pay you."
"That's okay. Since I'm already here, I'll accompany you." Lili's face was a bit red, and she lowered her head. I'm sure my [Charming Aura] skill is affecting her.
But still, it's strange that she's so careless and followed me. Considering how she "works," she should be more cautious. Well, whatever.
I can interact with her and gain her trust now.
"When did you start exploring the dungeon?" Lili asked while walking right behind me. I walked slowly.
"Only a few days ago."
"So I was right when I said you were a beginner."
"Yes, but I'm a strong beginner. I've already reached the 5th floor alone and plan to go even deeper. The only problem is how long it takes to get down there. It would be incredible to have a teleportation skill or something like that."
"A skill like this…"
"I think it's impossible to acquire, but it could happen. And you, have you been working in the dungeon for a long time? As a supporter."
"Yes."
"I see... It must be a complicated job. I've heard that adventurers mistreat supporters. But don't worry, I won't do anything against you."
"..." Lili stared at me, suspicious. Even though my [Charming Aura] skill has some effect, she doesn't trust me.
"Hmm... Probably adventurers mistreated you, and you feel a lot of resentment towards them, right?"
"..." Lili's eyes widened.
"See, I'm right. That's common. I met another girl who held a lot of resentment towards adventurers. Fortunately, she let go of that resentment thanks to someone."
"Who is this girl?"
"It's a secret."
I was talking about herself, but there was no way she could know this.
And then, in silence, we continued down a few floors while I killed monsters and collected all the stones and items. Lili didn't need to do anything; she just accompanied me. Lili seemed pretty surprised by my sword skills.
Lili was also surprised by [Dark Magic] and [Fire Magic] since they were magic I could use freely.
I asked her about it, and she said it was the first time she saw someone using magic like me. I admit it is a bit foolish to show my skills to her since we're not close yet, but I don't see any problem.
I noticed that Lili became more comfortable.
When we reached the fourth floor, I finally got 50 experience points and gained one status point.
This time, I didn't kill many monsters.
After a few minutes on the fourth floor, I stopped to rest and sat on the dungeon floor. Lili stared at me as I took bread and juice from my backpack.
I always buy bread to take to the dungeon. It is tasty and cheap.
"Do you want to eat too?" I asked her.
After noticing my look, Lili turned her head to the side. Lili was moving her feet and hands as if she were anxious. "Here, take it." Seeing this, I handed her bread.
I also gave her half of my juice.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, don't worry. Please sit down; it's okay. I made you follow me here, so rest."
"I followed you because I wanted to..." Lili sat next to me after accepting the bread and juice.
Then, we remained silent while we ate together. Lili savored her bread slowly, enjoying every second of the experience. I couldn't help but laugh at the way she was eating.
"What are you laughing at?!" Lili exclaimed.
"Nothing, it's just funny the way you're eating. You look like a little animal."
"Don't call me an animal!"
"Alright, alright, I'm joking." Lili still hadn't removed her hood, but I knew her appearance.
"Hmph!" Lili bit her bread and finished it shortly after. Then, she drank all the juice I gave her and patted her belly. "It's been a while since I've eaten so well, thank you."
"No need to thank me. So, are you ready to leave now?"
"Hm? I thought you were going deeper into the dungeon. To the 5th floor."
"It's not necessary. I already got what I wanted."
"Magic stones and items?"
"Yes, but I'm talking about something else."
"?" Lili was confused.
I'm talking about the status point. My goal today was just one point. Now that I got it, I don't need to stay here. Well, I also got a large number of magic stones and items.
So, after some time, we left the dungeon.
Until the end, Lili didn't try to do anything against me. She seemed to trust me a little.
