Jack of All Trades, Party of None

“Um, um…”

As I continued to gently stroke the girl’s head, she seemed to have stopped crying without me noticing, and her teary eyes looked up at me.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to touch your head without asking.”

I quickly withdrew my hand, and from the girl came a lonely little voice: “Ah…”

“Th-thank you so much for saving me…!”

The girl bowed deeply.

“You’re welcome.”

“I thought it was all over for me and had half given up… So, um, when you came to save me, I was really, really happy…”

Blushing, she smiled as she spoke.

Her face was youthful yet refined, and combined with that smile, she looked extremely adorable.

(...? Demonic beasts are approaching. This feeling… is it a group of goblins? Since we were just attacked by demonic beasts, it’s best to avoid fighting right now.)

Sensing the presence of demonic beasts, I quickly decided on our next course of action.

“It was a coincidence you came here, but I’m glad I could help. Now, let’s get out of here together.”

“Y-yes.”

I stood up and reached out my hand to the girl. “Thank you,” she said, clasping my hand.

I pulled her up and quickly checked her condition.

I had cast Healing on her earlier, and she seemed fine to walk.

Feeling her close behind me, we headed toward the entrance.

We returned to the seventh floor entrance, but the party from earlier was gone.

(They’re heartless to the end. But even if they stayed, it would probably just lead to trouble, so maybe it’s better they’re gone?)

We then held our Guild Cards to the crystal and teleported out of the dungeon entrance.

◇

Now that we were safely back above ground, my role as her escort was over.

The sun hadn’t fully set yet.

I should be fine alone from here.

“You can manage on your own from here—”

“Um, excuse me!”

Just as I was about to suggest parting ways, the girl’s loud voice cut me off.

“S-sorry for shouting all of a sudden…”

“No, that’s fine, but what’s up?”

“Well, um, once again, thank you so much for saving me!”

She bowed deeply again, thanking me once more.

(—Huh? I hadn’t paid attention before, but that outfit and the emblem I glimpsed on her cloak…)

The girl wore a blue-themed one-piece dress with black knee socks. Over it, a black cloak that clearly marked her as a mage.

And on the cloak was an emblem reminiscent of a moon.

“Oh! I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Sophia Clodel.”

That outfit, red hair, and ‘Clodel’…

“I should apologize for not introducing myself either. My name is Orun Dura.”

“Mr. Orun, what a wonderful name…”

Sophia muttered softly.

Probably just talking to herself, but unfortunately, I heard it perfectly…

I always thought my name was pretty ordinary.

Well, it’s nice to be complimented on my name, so I don’t mind.

“Th-then, Mr. Orun! I’m sorry I can’t think of a proper way to thank you…”

“I didn’t help you expecting thanks. You already said thank you, so no need for anything else.”

“That won’t do! At least let me treat you to dinner! I-it won’t be homemade, though…”

…Dinner sounds fine. If I were in the opposite position, I’d feel uneasy without some kind of thanks.

I won’t let someone younger pay for me, so I’ll make sure to cover it.

“Alright then. I’ll accept. When shall we go? I don’t have any plans, so anytime is fine.”

“T-then, how about today? I might be busy starting tomorrow…”

“…Sure. Let’s go now. Do you have a place in mind? If not, I can recommend a good spot.”

“I-I’ve already decided. It’s a cheap place… but the food is really delicious!”

“Price doesn’t matter. Delicious food sounds great.”

◇

From the dungeon entrance, Sophia and I walked through the town for a while.

“We’re here!”

(…So it’s part of the Rabbit series after all.)

She led me to a popular diner run by the major clan, the silver rabbits of the night sky.

To explain briefly, a clan is an organization that manages explorers.

Policies vary by clan, but basically explorers bring back materials from the dungeon, which are processed and sold.