Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 102: Friendship Date (2).

The Allen-Mercenary Group finally got a proper rest after a long time. Of course, even during that time, Itty Titty Natasha spent a lot of it meditating.

Particularly because of her lack of skills, she had not been able to swiftly deal with the guardian monster they needed to take down urgently, and she felt deep guilt about it.

That was entirely my responsibility…!

When she thought back to the battle scene, there were quite a few regrettable and inadequate parts. It was all due to her insufficient skills.

Thus, Natasha kept replaying that scene in her mind, constantly reflecting on the actions she should have taken.

At that moment, someone knocked on her door. She awoke from her deep contemplation, opened the door, and greeted the knocking visitor.

Standing outside the door was the Milk-Jug Mage, Elena. Despite wearing simple casual clothes, her massive chest seemed to overwhelm others as if flaunting itself.

“Natasha, don’t you want to go sightseeing with us? We’ll go to the city, and see the lake… Ordnung is coming along, too.”

However, Itty Titty Natasha, who couldn’t help lamenting her shortcomings, declined with a sense of regret.

“I have something I need to think deeply about… I’ll have to pass this time.”

“Oh, is that so? Alright, I understand. Then…”

Thus, the breast monster… no, the Mage Elena was fended off by Itty Titty Natasha, who resumed her meditation with even greater focus… Once again, she had conquered the chest with her mental strength.

However, no matter how much Natasha was obsessed with mental training, she couldn’t just sit and do that all day. Especially after contracting the demonic disease, she developed a strong desire to see the world. It was her first time here, and she couldn’t leave without seeing anything.

Moreover, there was the famous Lake Reloa, renowned for its beauty across the continent, so, at the very least, it was right to see that.

When they suggested going earlier, maybe it would’ve been better to go together…

A slight regret came over her belatedly. But the carriage had already left.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door again.

Oh!

Could it be that Elena had returned? As the daughter of a count family, the Mage might have wanted to invite her again out of courtesy.

If not, then maybe…

Itty Titty Swordsman fixed her hair and clothes neatly at the door, just in case, and even changed her posture to be alluring… no, respectful.

And when she carefully opened the door… two ugly faces appeared.

“As expected, I knew it. Holed up in your room, sulking again? Good grief, you’re a grown woman. Tsk, tsk.”

“Hehe, Senior.”

Furball Geese and Newbie Kori.

Natasha’s expectations were shattered in an instant, and she glared at the two disapprovingly.

“Why are you here again? I was meditating.”

“Oh my, we came to save you because we thought you were sulking.”

“Save me? Get out quickly.”

“Are you really not coming? They say the lake here is absolutely killer… We’re really leaving without you.”

“Go play by yourselves.”

Then Geese’s mouth twisted into a mischievous grin.

“Ah, were you waiting for the Group Leader? You looked so expectant earlier! Hehe, I knew it!”

“No, I wasn’t! Damn it, do you want to die? I told you to leave quickly!”

As Natasha threateningly waved her limbs, the two men retreated, stammering, as if avoiding a fierce wild animal.

“Sorry, but the Group Leader is mine. My chest is bigger than yours…”

The Furball, who had backed off a fair distance, grabbed his bulky chest with both hands and shook it up and down, prompting the Itty Titty Swordsman to lunge at him in a frenzy.

“Hey, you bastard, aaargh!”

Though she could tolerate other provocations, Natasha couldn’t endure that one mentally and charged at him. The Furball threw the youngest of their group as bait and ran off alone.

Naturally, the Newbie who became the bait had to face the wrath of the Itty Titty Swordsman alone.

“You brat, didn’t I tell you not to hang out with such a jerk?!”

“Ah, ah, I’m sorry.”

Still, Natasha, who couldn’t bring herself to seriously beat this little brat, gave a warning that she’d really thrash him next time if he did it again and sent the youngest away… Even though he was young, in truth, Natasha was a year younger.

Phew.

The Itty Titty Swordsman returned to her room and sprawled out on the bed… She knew she got excited whenever the Group Leader was mentioned.

This is all due to a lack of mental strength…! My training is still severely insufficient!

And naturally, several enchanting memories of the Group Leader followed. In particular, Natasha couldn’t forget the time when Allen hugged her warmly and whispered gently.

– If you’re having a hard time, tell me anytime. Don’t suffer in silence. You and I have a special relationship. My arms are always open to you. Come if you’re in pain. Come anytime. Got it?

She especially focused on the special relationship he mentioned. What was his intention when he said that?

It was deeper than a mere close friendship, yet too shallow to be seen as ardent love.

A deep friendship…!

To be close friends who share the same meaning. How noble a relationship is that?!

Natasha briefly indulged in that blissful imagination, feeling happy.

To be honest, as soon as she arrived here, she had often fantasized about going on city and lake tours alone with the Group Leader… Of course, being an extreme introvert among introverts, she couldn’t bring herself to ask Group Leader Allen to go sightseeing.

Although Natasha was the daughter of a Count, she was far from being a socialite. Not that her social skills were completely broken, but it would be more accurate to say she was more devoted to swordsmanship training.

There were indeed men who followed her around, despite her lack of femininity. Of course, back then, she had no intention of dating or marrying, so she coldly rejected them all.

As she was indulging in her gloomy fantasies alone.

Someone knocked on her door again. But having already faced failure twice, she approached the door without much expectation this time. It was most likely Victor, asking for a sparring match.

And when she flung the door open and saw the person standing outside…

“Oh, I knocked just in case, and you’re here.”

A handsome man, looking as if he had come from another world, was standing there with a gentle smile!

Group Leader Allen, who had gone to work early in the morning, seemed to have just finished and returned.

“Everyone else went to play; why are you here alone? Don’t tell me you’re training again or something?”

Ah. Natasha, who was hit right on the mark, couldn’t say a word for a moment. She could only muster a broken smile… If that furball of a bastard had said it, she would have immediately jumped up and denied it.

“No, it’s not training; just, I was thinking for a bit…”

“Don’t you want to see the lake? Let’s go together.”

Then, adding a playful remark.

“Honestly, it’s a bit awkward to go with a man who has a child. I should go with a beautiful lady like you… How about it? Does it pique your interest, Lady?”

When Allen extended his hand slightly with such a cheeky act, Natasha couldn’t help but smile faintly.

For Natasha, who had been eagerly hoping for it, it was truly an unmissable opportunity… She thought she had done well to refuse twice earlier.

“…Yes, alright. Let’s go together, Group Leader.”

As Itty Titty Lady gently held his hand, the Group Leader lightly kissed the back of her hand and flashed a charming smile.

“Thank you for accepting my date request, Lady.”

A date!

Natasha’s heart raced at the prospect of experiencing this for the first time. Of course, regardless of her true intentions, Allen escorted her out of the building in no time.

Malziel was a prosperous and wealthy mid-sized city, also known for its artistic beauty. Just like the City of Silver, Agnentia.

However, for Natasha walking alone with Allen, such artistic beauty was not in her view… She was more excited about the situation itself.

A date.

…No, this is just friendship, friendship! It’s not that kind of thing between a man and a woman!

Of course, the woman didn’t intend to daydream about passionately kissing Group Leader Allen, but for now, she firmly placed this matter under the category of friendship… Though who knows what might happen later?

The two lightly toured the city before heading to the carriage stop located on the outskirts. It was a bit too far to walk to the lake.

There were quite a lot of people wanting to see the continental landmark, Lake Reloa. Allen and Natasha also had to squeeze into the carriage, which was packed with passengers to the point where their shoulders were cramped. As a large man pushed with his shoulder, Allen had no choice but to press closely against Natasha. Close enough to feel each other’s breath… Well, it wasn’t like he could snuggle up to the big guy.

“Are you okay?”

“…Yes, I’m fine.”

“We’ll arrive soon, so please bear with it a little longer.”

Of course, Natasha’s delusions, which had been slowly showing signs of bursting since earlier, finally couldn’t withstand Allen’s face coming close and exploded.

The Lioness of Markas, with a single-minded devotion to not forming a relationship, fell into all sorts of lewd delusions.

Friendship date, friendship kiss, friendship chest, friendship cock…

Still, it was truly fortunate that he wouldn’t know all those lewd imaginations she conjured up in her head!

…Allen had read to that extent.

Just how far does Itty Titty Swordsman’s friendship allowance extend?