Published: September 9, 2025
This is not Satou’s perspective. (Tama’s perspective)
Typo fixed on 1/24.
“Hey, you there! I’ll hire you, so come with me.”
“I don’t need that. Besides, today’s my day off.”
“I’m going out of my way to hire you, and you’re being so cheeky.”
“Is forcing me no good~?”
While playing with Pochi, some dog tribe kids called out to me. They’re about our age, but acting all high and mighty.
“Sorry about him. He’s got a sharp tongue.”
“Gon’s a hopeless guy who can only be mean to cute girls. Please forgive him. I’m Ken, and that tall one over there is Han.”
“Seriously, the two of you…”
They’re big, medium, and small — Han, Gon, and Ken. All three are boys from the dog tribe.
“They said I’m cute!”
“Pochi’s so cute~”
Pochi is cute, but those three boys somehow seem dirty and not cute at all.
“How about it? I can’t pay you daily wages, but if you help carry the luggage properly, I’ll treat you to a meal.”
“Meal! Meat, right?”
“Meat~?”
Today, Master said we’re having a barbecue. I’m looking forward to it.
“Got it. We’re boys too. We’ll splurge on meat today!”
“Yay~!”
“Are you sure about that, Ken? Don’t promise so easily.”
“Showing off on your own?”
Before I realized it, I ended up going to the labyrinth with those three hyped-up boys. I can’t let Pochi go alone. After all, I’m the older sister.
◇
“Gon, come back. It’s dangerous if you go that far ahead alone.”
“Heh, don’t be scared of one or two goblins.”
“Wait up, Gon and Ken. If you rush too much, the female carriers won’t catch up.”
Pochi and I exchanged looks. We’re just carrying a big bag full of the hopping potatoes that those three boys just defeated, so it’s fine.
“We’re fine.”
“Piece of cake~?”
“Y-Yeah.”
The tall Han is already out of breath. Are you okay?
“Whoa, two of them hiding in the shadows. Han, you take one. Ken, handle the other two until I take them down.”
“Got it. This is tough.”
The goblins screech and leap at the three boys.
I wanted to help by throwing stones, but when entering the labyrinth, I was told “no throwing stones from behind,” so I can’t.
So I’ll just cheer them on.
“Do your best~?”
“Good luck!”
“Yesss!”
Every time a goblin bites them, blood spurts out and it looks really painful. Pochi can’t bear to watch and covers his eyes with his palms, bowing his head.
“Want help~?”
“I’m… f-fine! Don’t worry.”
You don’t look very fine.
“Hey, dog tribe! Do you need backup?”
“Help would be great! Take these two.”
Huh? You just said you didn’t need it.
When other explorers showed up, they accepted the help without hesitation. Kind of complicated.
“Understood! Usasa, take the one on the far right.”
“Got it!”
Oh? Usasa and Labibi. Graduates of the Pandora training team. They greet with a sharp pose.
Ugh, nobody notices me.
“Wow, they took down one so fast.”
“Don’t you know? Those are ‘Pandora.’ They wear blue cloaks and are the elite graduates.”
The wounded goblins were defeated by the dog tribe boys, bleeding all over. It looked really painful. Pochi bandaged their wounds.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. We help each other when in trouble—Huh?”
Ah, Usasa finally noticed me. I greet again with a crisp pose.
“Huh? Tama and Pochi’s elder sister? What are you two doing here?”
“Side job~?”
“We’re carrying luggage!”
Usasa looks strange. Does her stomach hurt?
“Do you two know the Pandora people?”
“Yes~”
“Knowing them means they’re our buddies!”
Oh, there’s a small goblin.
I slipped over and quickly took out small daggers from my pouch, slicing it cleanly. Shadow goblins (goblin assassins) get dangerously close without warning.
“Huh? Tama-chan disappeared?”
“Ah, over there!”
I waved at Labibi who noticed.
“How can you not notice a shadow goblin sneaking up?”
“I’m being careful~”
You have to watch out or it’s dangerous, okay?
“Where did you get that sword?”
“If you notice, you lose~”