NOVEL NEXT Chapter 91
I found the right place.
I thought as I looked around the cave glowing with a blue light.
One of the dungeons I had planned to raid to earn Millia’s tuition.
What was the name of this dungeon…?
Anyway, the name doesn’t really matter, so let’s move on.
It’s just a bit more difficult than the goblin dungeon.
“It’s damp…”
“The humidity is no joke, right?”
“The monsters occupying this dungeon are orcs and lizardmen.”
“What an odd composition.”
It really is odd. It’s rare to see orcs and lizardmen, usually hostile to each other, coming together like this. But that’s what makes this dungeon good.
They leave behind leftovers when they fight each other.
“Elisa.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Are you ready to take the screenshot?”
I need to get a dynamic photo so that Elisa can earn a high score. Was it dungeon exploration? Or exploration studies? Either way, I want it to be surprising enough to knock the professor off his feet. That way, the other groups who haven’t recognized Elisa will take a second look at her.
Elisa’s connections are incredible!
I’ve barely managed to break through to a new dungeon for the assignment!
If I can prove Elisa’s abilities with amazing results, maybe her recognition will change a bit.
…To be honest, I’m not sure if this alone will resolve her outsider status to any degree.
Unless it’s someone who bullied her in the past, she’d probably fumble in front of someone with a dangerous face like this. How would she act in front of others?
Still, I can’t just do nothing, so here we are.
Leaving Elisa, who was looking around by the entrance, I discreetly gestured for Sif to come over. As Sif approached, keeping her mouth tightly shut, she whispered in a voice barely audible to Elisa.
“…What are you planning this time?”
“It’s about Elisa. Wouldn’t it be better to boost her confidence a little?”
“…How is that related to this dungeon?”
“Exactly…”
Before Elisa approached with a scared look, I quickly explained the operation. After hearing my plan, Sif looked at me like it didn’t make any sense, but seeing my persuasive face, she nodded in resignation.
As expected, her fingers were all extended.
“5 gold coins.”
“U-um…”
“2 gold coins.”
“4.”
“3.”
“Okay. Elisa! Let me have that screenshot!”
“W-what? The screenshot?”
“Of course! I’ll take the picture for you!”
Without giving Elisa a chance to say anything, Sif snatched the screenshot from her hand and looked it over. Has she even used a screenshot before?
“Do you know how to use that?”
“Of course! I’ve touched it once before!”
“You’re holding it upside down.”
“Ah! I’m just rusty since it’s been a while!”
I turned my gaze away from Sif, who was blushing, and looked down at the fidgeting Elisa.
Was it because we entered the dungeon?
Or was it due to the sudden situation?
Elisa looked as if she might faint at any moment, alternating her gaze between Sif and me.
“Elisa.”
“Yes…?”
“Let’s take a photo first. Stand by the entrance steps.”
“W-wait, the screenshot?”
I nodded silently. Hesitantly, Elisa walked awkwardly to the entrance area and stood there. As soon as I confirmed she was in position, I walked over and stood next to her.
“Sif! Get ready to take the picture!”
“Got it! But, Johan, kneel down! The height difference is too big to fit in the lens!”
Is it because there’s almost a two-head height difference? I said to the trembling Elisa, who was like a scared kitten.
“Relax your expression; we need a good screenshot. You’re not planning to take it with that face, right?”
“Ah, yes…”
Elisa smiled with a face that looked much better than before. It resembled a forced smile as if a murderer was holding a knife to her back and forcing her to grin. Feeling like a criminal, I tried to turn my gaze forward and put a smile on my own face.
“Alright! Stay still! One, two, three!”
Click!
That familiar yet strange, nostalgic sound echoed through the dungeon.
I felt a longing for the flash hitting my eyes after a long time and gazed at the photo popping out of the screenshot. The outfit looked like something from a fantasy, yet it was an instant camera; it felt so weird.
“Did it turn out well?”
Sif shook her head while looking at the photo. It seems the picture didn’t come out well.
“Elisa blinked! Let’s take it again!”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“No need to apologize. It’s normal to take several shots and pick the best one.”
“R-really?”
“Yep.”
“Alright! We’re taking it again, so pay attention! Look this way!”
At Sif’s shout, I readied myself and put on a smile again. It reminded me of old times taking pictures after a long time.
Before reincarnation, I had traveled with friends and taken photos, and I had pictures with my parents, plus shots of cats on the street.
Now they’re faded memories, but people survive on memories.
I gratefully consumed that bittersweet snack of sudden recollections.
“Alright! Look this way! One! Two! Three!”
Click!
The sound of the photo being taken tickled my ears repeatedly. The flash stung my eyes, but I endured and resisted closing them. How many times did the light flicker before my eyes? After about five times, Sif came over, holding the developed photos.
“This should be good, right?”
“Hmmm…”
I accepted the stack of photos from Sif and looked at each one. A picture of Elisa with a tense face and me with a subtle smile.
Anyone could tell we looked like country bumpkins taking a picture for the first time.
Still, since it captured a bit of the atmosphere, I’ll keep it for now. I handed the photos back to Sif and said,
“Take care of them.”
“Okay!”
“It’s already very late, so let’s set off right away.”
“Finally, we’re setting off~ I hope for a lot of money~”
She’s lost it again. I looked at Sif, who was happily thinking about making money, and then glanced down at Elisa, who had gently grabbed my sleeve. Elisa spoke to me with a face full of anxiety.
“U-um… C-can we go out like this?”
“What do you mean, Elisa?”
“B-but it’s d-dangerous for three of us to venture into the dungeon…”
What Elisa said was very rational. Normally, you’d want at least a party of four or more before entering a dungeon. From what I’ve seen, I’ve never encountered an adventurer who roamed alone.
“Don’t worry too much. I won’t die.”
I survived all those years on a deserted island, overcoming countless hardships for a whole decade. I could confidently say I can survive better than anyone else. Heck, I would even survive if I came face to face with a dragon.
So willingly, I won’t die in a dungeon that isn’t that difficult—where I can smash my way out whenever I want.
As long as I don’t want to.
“B-but I’m just a burden—”
“Don’t think of yourself as a burden. You’re a witch. That alone is enough to have confidence.”
After all, just like in any fantasy, witches are rare and costly talents. Just revealing she’s a witch would earn her envious looks.
Especially being a magic department student at Kalon Academy means she’s in a position to be called an elite; there’s no need for her to be this scared. In fact, she could use that position to act a bit cocky if she wanted.
What made Elisa, who holds such a position, a shy recluse, must be the nightmare from her past.
It must relate to her upbringing.
…Maybe it would be good to talk to Professor Lennon about it. But since prying into someone else’s matters doesn’t sit well with me, I’ll wait for Elisa to tell me herself.
If we become close, she’ll probably tell me eventually.
Breaking out of my thoughts, I stole a glance at Elisa.
Her body was curled up like a mouse’s. Her face looked as if it could burst into tears with just a poke. Yet, her thin hand was still clutching my sleeve.
Am I walking around with an adult or a child?
“Elisa. If a monster appears, hide behind me. Got it?”
“Yes, yes…”
“Sif. Don’t participate in combat, just keep an eye on Elisa. If an enemy comes from behind, let me know.”
“Got it. Now, come here, Elisa!”
“W-wait, but—”
I wiggled my freed hand and loosened it up, then grabbed the shovel I had on my back.
If my vague memories from before I was reincarnated are correct, enemies should start showing up soon.
I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds. Though the light source was dim, it would be better to rely on my sense of smell and hearing instead.
Drip… Drip… Drip… Drip… Drip…
The sound of droplets filled my ears. But as I grew accustomed to that sound, I could discern another sound mixed in with the dripping.
“1st floor is a damp cave. 2nd floor is a sticky swamp. 3rd floor is…”
They’re coming.
I heightened my senses for the impending battle.
As my senses sharpened, the muscles throughout my body, which had only focused on labor for a long time, began to awaken slowly, as if recalling the memories of the struggles engraved over ten years.
Footsteps.
Five of them.
“Sif. Get ready to take the screenshot.”
Let’s see if we can catch some snake pups.
I gripped the shovel tightly.