Chapter 43
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Reliable Companions
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“Let me introduce Barrel. He's right on the verge of official promotion. His speech and actions are a bit frivolous, but he's the most skilled among the apprentices.”
At Redia's explanation, the blond male knight flashed a grin.
“Haha, nice to meet you, Adventurer. I hear Senior Redia has had her eye on you lately. We're from different groups, but let's get along as fellow knights walking the same path!”
He extended his hand as if to shake, but Yoon Young's attention was solely on the chest of the dark blue-haired mage standing beside him.
'Ah, those moderately sized breasts pressing through the thin fabric... so soft and squishy. Love it.'
He wrapped his arms around her waist and rubbed his face against her bosom!
It was the kind of thing that would surely make her freak out in reality, yet the woman remained utterly expressionless, as if oblivious to it all.
“Let me introduce her too. She's one of my disciples, Riena. Her overconfidence is a flaw, but she's smart and meticulous—perfect for this kind of investigation.”
At the white-haired man's introduction, Riena glanced once at Yoon Young clinging to her.
'Ah, those pretty purple eyes... cute.'
Yoon Young locked eyes with her while kneading her butt, pressed close as they were.
Riena made no mention of his actions at all, simply whipping her head away with a haughty voice.
“...Just don't get in the way.”
“Kya.”
Yoon Young couldn't help but admire her.
This voice—cold and aloof at first, but sure to slowly turn tsundere as affection builds!
It was the epitome of a textbook character archetype.
Yoon Young considered backing off right then, but figured a character like this would taste even better with a slow burn, so he decided to stick to just groping for now.
“For now, we'll form a team of three and investigate the cave. If it feels short-handed, feel free to recruit more on your own. As the head of the Adventurer's Guild, I have high expectations for you.”
Ah, so this old man was the Adventurer's Guild Master.
No wonder he had all those small scars on his arms and face—he had that seasoned look...
[Barrel has become a companion.]
[Riena has become a companion.]
'Anyway, more companions secured. Head back right away? Stamina's still plenty.'
Yoon Young checked the quest window once more.
[Slime Cave Investigation 0/1]
All that was left was to head out and do the quest.
But before departing...
'Maybe chat her up a bit?'
Yoon Young spoke to Riena.
“If there's no special business, I'd like to head out soon.”
She shot back primly, as if chit-chat was beneath her.
Her personality was a fresh type in this world, sparking an urge to conquer her.
[Need to sync up, so maybe a simple self-introduction...]
At the prompt, she let out a small sigh, gripped her staff, and spoke.
“I'm an elemental mage, but melee combat is my specialty. I buff my body and staff with reinforcement magic and fight up close. I'll handle myself in battle, so you just look after your own body.”
She muttered at the end, as if for him to hear.
“At least don't get underfoot...”
Ah, got it—this vibe?
'Okay, okay... message received.'
And a mage specializing in melee? She must be confident.
Next, Yoon Young talked to Barrel.
Honestly, not much interest, just trying it out.
“Haha, can't wait to wrap this up quick and grab a drink. Ready to deploy anytime— just give the orders!”
The blond knight grinned cheekily.
Unlike the haughty, antisocial mage, he seemed friendly and likable.
[Need to sync up, so maybe a simple self-introduction...]
“As Senior Redia explained, I'm still an apprentice knight. Aiming for legendary Aura Knight status. Even as an apprentice, I'm confident my skills match a full knight's.”
Top apprentice knight and Guild Master's disciple...
Feels like he's just here to gain some experience.
Like Amael collecting monster trophies to become a full priest.
'Whatever, not my business.'
Yoon Young quickly headed for the cave.
“Ah, let's go together.”
“Heading out now.”
“...”
The other companions trailed after him like baby birds, same as always.
Back at the cave entrance.
Having accepted the new quest, a horde of slimes had respawned in a pile out front.
'All that is just walking EXP and money.'
As Yoon Young moved to engage them,
“I'll take point!”
Barrel stepped forward eagerly upon spotting the monsters.
“Hah!”
Whummm.
A blue aura gathered on his sword, soon deploying as a shield-like barrier.
'No way... Aura Shield?'
Aura Shield was an Aura Knight exclusive skill, right?
An apprentice over level 15?
'Putting him as party leader despite being an apprentice... yeah, this just screams player power abuse.'
Either way, it was good.
With a solid Aura Shield up, Barrel began battling the slimes.
They got sliced clean off every time they touched his Aura Sword.
'Can't just sit back.'
Yoon Young joined the monster-sweeping festival.
Riena and Amael followed, jumping into the fray.
“Haat. Die...!”
Whoosh!
Riena swung her staff like an iron bar, and flames erupted, incinerating four slimes at once.
Now that he saw it, it suited a weapon more than a magic staff...
'Anyway, killer AOE. Jealous.'
If he'd known she fought like that, maybe he'd have picked a mage...
'Nah, no.'
Yoon Young shook his head.
Others' rice always looks bigger!
Right now, he was focused on reaching the realm of blasting Aura to sweep foes away.
Swinging a sword to kill monsters wasn't bad either...
“Blessings upon you...!”
A buff kicked in amid the fighting.
Time for hack-and-slash genre shift.
“Soo... haa.”
With more people, they cleared them in no time.
Yoon Young diligently picked up the dropped items.
Meanwhile, Barrel and Riena chatted.
“Indeed. Suspiciously many slimes at this cave entrance.”
“Their movements are off too. Looks like we need a proper investigation.”
Riena spoke with utmost seriousness.
“The cave will be dark, so I prepared torches.”
A torch suddenly appeared in Barrel's hand from who-knows-where.
“Oh!”
He'd forgotten how hard identification was in the dark interior.
NPC with good sense.
“Alright, let's go. I'll lead.”
Even taking initiative.
Ignored his handshake since he's male, but pretty likable.
'He isn't holding that grudge, is he?'
Lonely with only NPCs, but also convenient.
No need to mind communication much.
Treat likable NPCs kindly, handle nobodies however—no big issue.
The boldness from not seeing them as full persons.
As they advanced, Yoon Young kept Amael and Riena at his sides, stroking both their butts.
'Ah, so bouncy and soft. Nice.'
His way of relieving tension.
“Slime horde! Battle stations!”
Barrel shouted. A massive slime wave was indeed oozing toward him.
NPCs assumed combat poses.
NPCs or not, partying up made battles feel cozy and reliable.
'EXP quartered, though.'
Splash!
Whoosh!
Thud!
The party crushed the slime horde effortlessly and pressed on.
“Th-this is...!”
Barrel halted abruptly farther in.
Looking over, the torch's yellow light revealed an adventurer trapped inside a slime jelly wall.
“...!”
Shocking sight for the NPCs—their reactions matched.
Amael looked normal, maybe since not quest-tied.
“Heard rumors, but this is gruesome...”
“It's extracting life force and mana while providing nutrients. Leave it, and even if they recover, they might never use mana again.”
Enough analysis—time to rescue.
Like with the first adventurer NPC, Yoon Young carefully thrust his sword to free the NPC.
“Koff! Ugh, ahh...! Th-thought I was done for...!”
The rough-faced female adventurer NPC coughed from jelly in her throat but bowed repeatedly.
“Keh, th-thank you...! So grateful! Koff, but my comrades are deeper in...”
[I'll rescue your comrades, so don't worry and go get treated.]
The woman replied with a moved expression.
“Y-yes...! Thank you again for saving me!”
After the NPC left, Barrel's smile faded.
“This incident feels off already. What awaits at the cave's end, I wonder...”
“...Either way, our mission is to investigate to the end.”
Riena stated firmly.
But her slight tremble showed she was tense too.
Squish squish!
Another slime horde approached.
This time, a player line auto-selected.
[Slimes incoming again! Battle stations!]
“Tch.”
“Endless, really.”
Riena clicked her tongue, Barrel looking exasperated.
Why? More monsters mean more EXP and loot.
Yoon Young grinned and charged first.