024. He's really damn cautious.
He's really damn cautious. Back in that other world, working with my hero party, I'd never even had a porter, but here I was, stuck with two mages as porters just to enter a D-rank dungeon. And not just one—two of them! Sure, when we were butchering demons, there was no way to keep porters safe, but wasn't this the opposite extreme? Way too luxurious?
🎉 Celebrating the harem party formation you've sung about for so long, hero! 🎉
Not exactly a harem with a 2:2 gender split, though.
Wait, no—a balanced ratio might actually be even better. Blind dates and group meetups usually stick to equal numbers anyway. Yeah, this could work out great. Going solo, I'd just be watching the mages' every move, but splitting duties with Imir might create a nice, harmonious vibe for clearing the dungeon.
...Though it was kinda weird how my brain had somehow flipped from "herb gathering" to "this feels like a date" without me noticing.
Still, I'd already committed, so the best thing was to head out stress-free and have fun. Alright, enjoyment mode it is. Harem party or whatever—just prepare thoroughly to make sure we all come back safe. A D-rank dungeon tops out at orcs, so what's the real danger? But being thorough never hurts. Let's even plan for the worst, like getting stranded.
Beaming proudly at her hero!
I packed my exploration bag more meticulously than I ever did for a pre-trip luggage check.
The promised Saturday arrived. Rally point: in front of Ichon Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where the D-rank dungeon had popped up.
"Aaah, this is my chance."
Sepine Alavad, who had been trembling and barely able to speak to him all this time, was burning with enthusiasm. They'd kept missing each other even in class group projects, so this external activity felt like heaven-sent. "Hey, I helped set this up, you know?" "Ooh, thanks, Maho—you're the MVP." Technically, it was the pink-haired girl next to her who'd pulled it off, but hey, she was basically heaven, right? Sepine, high on dopamine and endorphins, genuinely believed it.
Of course, she wasn't entirely worry-free.
"...But is this really okay?"
Sepine fiddled anxiously with the lightweight helmet covering her ivory hair. She'd always worn magic hats, never something like this. And it wasn't just the helmet—she was fully armored, top to bottom. Sure, it was lightweight material, but helmet, greaves, gloves... the works.
Isn't this overkill? She wanted to look attractive and poised, but by her standards, this was heavy battle gear for the front lines. The style was... kinda trash. Not that it was worse than turning into a goblin or anything. But what if she looked like a scaredy-cat wrapped in full plate out of fear of dying?
"Nah, you'll be fine. I bet serious types like him appreciate someone who preps thoroughly before a dungeon."
"Y-you think?"
"Plus, it looks good on you. Full armor makes you look like a valkyrie."
Sepine clutched her chest at that. Valkyrie—the term for the world's top warriors. She knew it was flattery, but it still felt good.
Though honestly, Maho suits it better than me. Same mage class, but that killer figure and flashy pink hair... She just looks prettier somehow. The more she thought about it, the more it felt like keeping a powerhouse rival right beside her.
Sigh, am I a bit chubby? Maybe she needed to diet. Switching from baggy clothes to this tight fit made her chest feel constricted too.
"...Hmm."
Sepine toyed with her breastplate, then glanced at Maho with a sudden question. "What about you? Not interested?"
"In what? Yuseong?"
"...Y-yeah."
"Not like I wanna date him or anything, but yeah, interested."
"Interested how?" Was it something shameless, like just physical without commitment? Sepine's pupils quivered, but Maho shot back with cool eyes.
"Don't get weird ideas. I just mean his skills are that impressive."
"...Oh."
"I like strong people."
"...?"
What did that even mean? Sepine was a bit confused but shut her mouth—pushing further might make her seem jealous. The opportunity was here; time to muster courage and make it count.
Just as she steeled herself, Shin Yuseong and Imir appeared from across the way, hauling rented gear from the association. Imir's androgynous, short-statured look might appeal to some, but...
"...Guh!"
Shin Yuseong in lightweight armor was devastatingly hot. Sepine didn't even register Imir. Clutching her chest plate over her pounding heart, she stared only at him. Realizing it might be bad for her health, she finally tore her eyes away.
Ichon Station Exit 2. A portal spewing blue light hovered near Yongsan Children's Park. I'd seen pics online, but seeing it up close was surreal. How did this world's god code something like this?
Guess I really haven't gotten out much. Dungeons pop up everywhere; I should've run into one by now. But nah, just house to school and back. Convenience store runs or eating out were my big adventures. Hitting the Hunter Association and a dungeon was rare for me.
Beaming proudly at her hero who's finally left the house!
Like a mom seeing her shut-in gamer kid step out.
Nods vigorously—not wrong at all!
Aaah, so that's it. All this time, she'd been like a mom trying to marry off her son. Realizing Her Majesty's grand design, I clasped my hands in prayer and focused on the party: Sepine, Maho, Imir. Three in total.
Bantering with the Goddess was fun, sure, but on the battlefield, I don't take it lightly. They could goof around smiling—this was my lead now, so I had to stay sharp. If any of the three got hurt, I'd never forgive myself. Going solo is stress-free, but I needed to learn to blend in this world. Couldn't fill a party with musclebound uncle types like my old fantasy crew.
Blesses her hero with a smiling face!
"Let's go."
"Yep."
I reined in their giddy excitement over the long-dreamed mixed-gender party and stepped into the dungeon.
‧ ‧ ‧ ‧
Right after passing through the portal, a floating sensation hit. I let my body drift until my vision shifted. No towering skyscrapers or honking traffic—just a narrow, dim passage. Looking up, stalactites dripped water steadily. Knew it wasn't picnic or date material, but seeing it confirmed.
"I'll take point. Mages in the center, Imir at the rear. Unless enemies spawn behind, maintain this formation."
"Yep!"
"Okay, got it~."
Sepine hustled behind me quick. Pink-haired Maho followed with an oddly bright expression. Imir scanned around wordlessly, jotting in her notebook. Already writing reports at the entrance? Slaying monsters was work, but that admin stuff was no joke.
Once the party was in, I scanned the surroundings and advanced. Single path, but check for side tunnels small monsters could use. Miss one, and it could flank and hit the rear.
"This way."
Sensing the whole cave with mana, but staying extra cautious against elite ambushes.
[Hero cautiously explores the cave.]
Watching the hero creep forward oh-so-carefully for the past ten minutes or so, the Goddess couldn't help blurting something crude.
"He's really damn cautious."
She'd stayed quiet since he'd gotten all serious, but come on—this was the guy who'd casually sliced dragons. Sure, his power was limited for world balance and causality, but he was near-demi-god level. He could smash most monsters here blindfolded. Wasn't this too humble?
You know that's an orc cave up ahead, right, hero?
Anyone'd think he was patrolling the Demon King's castle halls. He could take an orc hero one-on-one, so why so paranoid? Well, that mindset was why he'd eradicated demons and devils, but still—same scene over and over made her sigh.
Now that it was a mixed party, shouldn't he at least hold hands, sneak a kiss or something quick? Huh?
"Next time, send 'em somewhere fluffier and drier."
As the Goddess resolved that, a monster finally appeared before the strolling party in the cave.