Cheat na Kaineko no Okage de Rakuraku Level Up

On the first day, we succeeded in defeating three Terra Dragons and destroying one of their nests.

Dragons are intelligent creatures, and they would naturally relocate if they sensed danger in their habitat.

As dusk fell, we returned to the camp outside the forest and reported our achievements to the accompanying royal soldiers.

“Three Terra Dragons already! Your skills are indeed extraordinary!”

We were praised unreservedly, but everyone seemed a bit guilty, except for Misha.

After all, it was Misha who had contributed the most. For anyone else to boast would seem like stealing her credit.

Eventually, the other party returned, battered and bruised, having managed to drive only one Terra Dragon away from the forest. A significant achievement, but overshadowed by our own.

The kingdom had brought chefs along, and the campsite was graced with a lavish meal, uncharacteristic of a monster-fighting camp.

“Ah, this tastes like something I ate in my childhood,” Lena remarked, seemingly unimpressed, as she was accustomed to such fare. Most others, however, savored the meal.

During dinner, Martina’s party lined up in front of us, their expressions serious.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, turning towards them.

“We’d like you to join our party,” the group’s swordsman said frankly.

“Big sister… I mean, Misha, it’s not about taking credit for your achievements. We thought we could learn from your way of fighting and grow as a party.”

It seemed their strong desire to improve stemmed from their commitment to the life of high-ranking adventurers.

“Misha, you answer them,” I said, glancing at her. She was just finishing a piece of beef.

After swallowing and wiping her mouth, Misha replied, “Your feelings are appreciated. But I prefer to live at my own pace. I can’t adapt to a party’s needs.”

“Then, perhaps joining Misha’s party—”

“Either way, it’s too many people.”

Misha’s point was valid. Their whole group had come to show sincerity, knowing their request was a long shot.

“I see. Sorry to have troubled you…”

“It’s alright,” Misha said with a kind smile.

“May I ask you a question?” Martina interjected.

“Please do.”

“You’re not even an A-rank adventurer yet, Misha. With your abilities, you could easily be S-rank. Why don’t you seek that status?”

It seemed adventurer ranks like A and S were a status symbol.

“It’s simple,” Misha replied nonchalantly.

“I have more important goals. Adventurer ranks don’t matter to me.”

She then squeezed my hand, sitting next to her.

“Being with the person I love is more enjoyable. If that person understands me, it doesn’t matter if everyone else misunderstands. Don’t you agree?”

It was a bit embarrassing but not unpleasant.

“You’ve really shown us…” Martina seemed to have accepted it.

“Ah… I wish I could forget my high-sounding advice in the carriage… to think I was lecturing such a legendary adventurer…”

It must have been unexpected for her to encounter such an exceptional adventurer.

“I thought I was skilled, reaching A-rank as someone from another world… Now, it all feels like an embarrassing history…”

“It’s good to be careful. There’s nothing wrong with that,” Misha reassured her.

Thus, the other party’s attempt to recruit us failed.

“What’s going on?”

“There’s an adventurer who defeated Terra Dragons with mere physical strikes…”

“That’s more monstrous than the dragons…”

Misha’s reputation was steadily spreading among the other parties.

After dinner, the elderly lone wolf adventurer announced plans for the next day.

Adventuring alone is much more challenging than forming a party, which naturally earned him respect and a leadership role.

“It would be good to change the party combinations daily. Observing other adventurers’ fighting styles is a valuable opportunity, and we can share information about monster locations.”

There were no objections, and the combinations for the following days were quickly decided.

The party we were to join next included someone with an unusual profession.

“Ah, a ferret! Boss, isn’t it incredibly cute?”

“Indeed, there are three of them!”

Lena and Misha were excited at the sight of the ferrets, which wore collars, possibly indicating they were pets.

“Ah, those are my ferrets,” said a man with a less adventurer-like demeanor.

“I’m a beast tamer, and I use them in my work.”