The Gnome Fence
After leaving the restaurant, I took Radie and headed toward the entertainment district.
As expected of a place right in front of a dungeon where an almost terrifying amount of capital gathered, there were plenty of mesmerizing sights to steal one's soul.
By the time we finished watching a perilous monster circus, a magical fireworks show, and a blood-drenched gladiator tournament, Radie's hands were full of fruit skewers and ice cream.
She let out a sigh and finally spoke.
"…So, be honest with me now."
"Huh? About what?"
"Being this nice to me... you're trying to drag me back into the party, aren't you?"
"Huh? You're coming back?"
"Who said I was coming back?! Listen to what I'm saying...!"
Radie flared up and raised her voice, but I just laughed it off playfully, dodging the subject.
She let out another sigh and said, "Sigh... Even so, there's no way I'm returning. Being in a party with a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment... Once the pre-paid lodging period ends, I'm leaving the tent too."
"Sure."
"…Did you even hear what I just said? Why are you grinning like that?"
"Just because."
Radie stared up at me for a moment before shaking her head, but the messages in my log window were transparently revealing her true feelings.
Radie is happily wagging her tail! Luck increases by 1.
Radie is incredibly thrilled by the magic show, the first she has ever seen in her life!
If you propose something, Radie will gladly agree to your suggestion for today.
As I followed behind her with a smirk, Radie turned around and muttered grumpily.
"I'm going to run an errand now... Even if I tell you not to follow, you're going to follow anyway, aren't you?"
"You know me well."
"Sigh... I don't care if you follow, just don't cause trouble. Like turning into an undead in the middle of the plaza... or suddenly stripping..."
"Hey... who would do something like that?"
"……."
Since Radie was glaring at me in silence, I quietly cleared my throat and followed after her.
"…By the way, can you tell me where we're going?"
"I'm going to restock on some traps and tools at a shop run by an acquaintance."
"Oh, boosting your combat power even further?"
"Yes. I couldn't bring many supplies with me when I first came to the dungeon."
Radie and I walked side by side down the shopping street.
However, as we headed toward the outskirts, we began to notice more and more shops that were either closed down or had "temporarily closed" signs hung up.
Here and there, broken furniture lay scattered, and instead of the bustling energy that should have filled the area, a gloomy atmosphere hung in the air.
"Strange... Is it still far?"
"We have to walk a bit more. It's in a place that doesn't stand out."
"Are you sure it's okay? The atmosphere here is a bit... suspicious."
Butcher shops displaying unidentified meat, shaman shops decorated with skulls, signs painted with suspicious drawings and symbols...
Don't tell me she's dragging me to a secluded place to turn me in and claim the bounty...?
"I'm not dragging you to a secluded place to turn you in and claim a bounty, so just keep walking."
"R-Right... I trust you...?"
"…Though I am slightly curious about how much the bounty would be... Ah, found it."
With a sly smirk, Radie cracked a joke and stepped inside a tent.
Following her inside, I saw a gnome sitting at a desk, greeting us with a warm, gentle smile.
"Welcome. We have a wide variety of goods, so feel free to look around... Oh, if it isn't our little one, Radie?!"
"Hello, Gnome Grandfather. It's been a while since I saw you outside the village."
"Yes! It's so good to see you after all this time! Are you all prepared to enter the dungeon?"
"Actually, I've already been in once. I even made a bit of profit."
"Is that so? It couldn't have been easy exploring alone. You're amazing! This old man..."
In the middle of his warm greeting, the gnome spotted me standing behind her and froze. He looked at Radie and me standing unusually close together, his eyes widening—
The gnome bursts into tears!
Intelligence temporarily increases by 1.
Why on earth?
As the gnome shed fat tears, a startled Radie rushed over to him in a panic.
"A-Are you okay?! Why are you suddenly crying...?!"
"Our little one...!"
"M-Me...?"
"Radie, the pride of our village, you're finally introducing your boyfriend! To think I'd live to see such a joyous occasion before I die...! I was worried you'd die without ever dating, only caring about money!!"
What in the world...!
While Radie stood there in utter shock, I stepped in with a polite smile.
"Hello, elder. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, yes, yes! What is your name, young man? You're tall and handsome, a perfect match for our lovely little one!"
"Haha... I think there's a slight misunderstanding. I'm heterosexual, you see. Of course, I respect different preferences and values, but..."
"Huh...?"
Hearing my explanation, the gnome frowned, then quickly grabbed Radie's shoulder and whispered.
"What is he talking about, little one? If I heard correctly, this young man..."
"Yes... there's a bit of a misunderstanding, as you can see..."
"…No, he's completely out of his mind! Why didn't you tell me sooner? A single word would have sufficed..."
"I have my pride too, how could I say that with my own mouth!"
Radie vents her pent-up anger in a fit of frustration!
Agility temporarily increases by 2!
Is it a race thing?
Anyway, there was a reason she didn't get mad even when he called her a little one.
As I quietly listened to the conversation between the old man and Radie, she suddenly stomped hard on my foot and spoke.
"Anyway, enough of that... Do you have neurotoxins and spring-loaded blades? Preferably made of lightweight metal."
"Yes, I'll get them right away. Just a moment!"
The gnome stood up with a crutch and limped over to search the shelves.
Looking closely, I noticed three large, distinct scars clearly left on his leg.
He was attacked by a monster... It looks like it happened only a day or two ago.
He didn't look like the type to enter the dungeon himself, so did he get attacked by a monster roaming around the market?
You have acquired information about the 'Unidentified Attacker'!
Radie, who had also noticed the injury, frowned and asked, "…Did you hurt your leg?"
"Ah, this? It's nothing. Just a scratch, no need to worry, child."
"…That's more than a scratch. I wondered where the smell of blood was coming from... Were you attacked by a monster? Here?"
"……."
The gnome smiled bitterly and said in a gentle voice, "It's really nothing, so don't worry. You've been too soft-hearted since you were young."
"……."
"Here, these are the things you asked for. Take them."
"……Alright."
Radie pulled out silver coins from her pocket, but the gnome shook his head and refused.
"Just take them. I brought them here to give to you anyway."
"What? I can't do that! No matter our relationship, business is business...!"
"It's fine. The thought of you returning hurt from the dungeon keeps me up at night. I hope this helps, even if just a little. And..."
The gnome grandfather limped over, took my hand, and whispered so Radie couldn't hear.
"…Please take good care of her."
"……."
Faced with the old man's earnest request, I had no choice but to nod.
After leaving the gnome's workshop, Radie and I walked down the main street together.
Only now did the empty tents we saw on the way make sense.
I thought something was off...
Has a monster been roaming around here recently?
In the past, wild beasts attacking private houses happened occasionally.
Especially since security here is unstable, and it's quite far from the central district where adventurers and mercenaries usually stay.
Given the chaotic atmosphere, the monster clearly hadn't been caught yet.
Looking at Radie, who was deep in thought, I spoke up casually.
"So, why the long face?"
"…Who said I have a long face?"
"You do. You look like you're about to burst into tears right now."
"Argh! Stop bothering me and go! Our accompaniment ends here today—"
"You're worried about the Gnome grandfather, aren't you?"
"Ugh...!"
"You're concerned because he got hurt. It looks like you two have known each other for quite some time."
"……."
Hit right where it hurt, Radie fell silent.
As a mix of worry, anger, and helplessness flashed across her face, I added indifferently, "Some monsters relentlessly target the same prey they've attacked once."
"……."
"If left alone, the Gnome grandfather could get seriously hurt."
Radie's eyes wavered, then she clenched her fists tightly as if making a decision.
I looked at her and asked casually, "Want me to help?"
"…With what?"
"Hunting the monster. …We can't just leave it like this, can we? There's a limit to tracking it alone."
If left alone, Radie would definitely go after the monster by herself. Then, instead of recruiting her back, I might end up having to retrieve her corpse.
Since I couldn't enter the dungeon for a while until Malton returned anyway, winning her favor and expanding my disguise repertoire by catching the monster was killing two birds with one stone.
I had resolved to live a selfish life after transmigrating, but this was strictly for my own benefit.
While I was contemplating how to track the monster, Radie stared blankly at me, then lowered her head and muttered softly.
"Why on earth..."
"Huh?"
"Why... go that far? Even if we hunt the monster, there's nothing in it for you. I have a connection with the Gnome grandfather, but you're a stranger to him... And I've been so cold to you, saying we'd part ways after today...!"
From nursing her with expensive fever reducers to showing her a good time today.
When she thought about it, she had only been receiving.
Radie's blue eyes swirl with confusion, trying to pierce through my true intentions, a mix of suspicion and a faint desire to lean on me.
In Velheim, where everyone is busy looking out for themselves, pure goodwill is nothing but foreign!
Radie is struggling with whether she can trust you.
Meeting her deep blue gaze, the noise of the market seemed to fade for a moment.
Taking a breath at the weight of her gaze, I rolled my fingers and said in an exaggerated tone, "Well, it's all for the money. The materials from a monster that's been terrorizing the shopping street should fetch a pretty penny. Maybe there's even a bounty on it."
I acted greedy on purpose, but Radie just looked into my eyes, then lowered her head in silence.
Ding—!
Radie has seen through your lie!
Radie feels grateful to you. Luck temporarily increases by 1.
Radie scraped the dirt with the toe of her shoe for a long time, then finally looked up with determination.
"…Fine."
"Right, even for you, tracking and hunting a monster alone is impossible..."
"If you help me hunt it, I'll join your party."
"Uh... really?"
"Yes, from now on. It's not bad for me to have a fixed party anyway. ...It's annoying, but sharing a boat with a minion of the evil god doesn't seem so bad."
As Radie smiled fiercely, the three red markings on her cheeks glowed vividly.