Ch.19Shen’s Dungeon (6)

*Tsupaaat!*

“Urgh…”

The sensation of emerging from the dungeon was indescribably strange.

How should I describe this… like my entire body was being squeezed?

It felt as if I were wrapped tightly in a blanket, suffocating under its weight.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Just a bit startled, that’s all.”

I quickly regained my composure.

Though the sensation was peculiar, it wasn’t particularly unpleasant.

I looked around and spotted the party from earlier receiving treatment in the distance.

“Look over there. They’ve already made it that far and are getting treated.”

“Well, they say people exhibit extraordinary strength in crisis situations…”

We approached the field treatment center operated by the Relief Knights, and one of them responded to our presence.

“Are you the ones who treated this leg injury?”

“That’s right.”

When I confirmed, the Relief Knight nodded and continued.

“Though crude, it was appropriate treatment. Without it, he would likely be dead by now, or at the very least, crippled. I express gratitude on behalf of the Four Great Gods.”

“Well, saving lives comes first.”

While I don’t hesitate to kill when necessary, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t save someone if I could.

The effort put into saving a life can always be rewarded, and the gods will surely acknowledge my deeds.

My response seemed to please the Relief Knight, who smiled with satisfaction and handed me a potion.

“Take this. It’s a low-grade healing potion, just like the one you used. Made by the Relief Knights.”

“Ha. So we’re back to zero.”

“It may not be much as a reward for your good deed, but remember that divine protection always follows the righteous. Remember that, adventurer.”

With those words, the Relief Knight departed to tend to other injured people.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Apart from losing some of the threads used for tripwires and consuming more of our provisions than expected, we hadn’t really lost anything.

I tucked the healing potion into my chest pocket, securing it tightly to prevent leakage.

“Since we’re here, I’d like to donate blood.”

“Do you know your blood type?”

“Type A.”

“I see. Lie down over there; a doctor will be with you shortly.”

*

“Is it really necessary to donate blood too?”

“Well, it feels wrong to just take a potion and leave after coming all this way. Besides, I’ve got nothing else to do.”

Seriya took Rolly and sold the artifacts we’d collected from inside the dungeon on my behalf.

As previously agreed, I took 30 silver coins and 33 copper coins in cash, while Seriya took 113 silver coins and 21 copper coins from the artifact sales.

“We made quite a profit this time. I heard that usually, you’d be lucky to scrape together around 100 silver coins.”

“Well, having a spatial carrier significantly reduces the difficulty of collecting artifacts. That party probably didn’t have a spatial bag.”

“I see…”

While the blood donation needle was being attached, I opened my spatial storage to organize my money.

After setting aside a few coins for immediate use, I put the rest into the spatial storage. Seriya looked at me and asked:

“That spatial storage. Where exactly is the inscription?”

“Near my heart.”

“Hmm… That spatial storage. Are there any restrictions on opening it? It seems like you can only open it once a day.”

“That’s right. You get what you pay for. I bought a defective product that an artificer was selling at clearance. Small capacity, can only be opened once a day, and stays open for less than 5 minutes.”

“I see.”

Spatial artifacts are broadly divided into two types.

One is like mine, where magical inscriptions are carved into the body to store mana, and the other is like Rolly, where magic is cast on items like bags to create spatial pockets.

The former is cheaper, but the latter has more capacity, so adventurers with means tend to prefer the latter.

Of course, people like me who prefer to travel light often favor the former, which is why spatial artifacts are always in a state of competitive balance.

“If it was a defective clearance item, it must have been really cheap. How much did you pay?”

“Hmm… about 30 silver coins?”

“Wow, 30 silver coins is practically one-tenth of the normal price.”

Well-made spatial artifacts command premium prices.

The size of my spatial storage is about that of a bag.

Not a large bag, but something like what children use for school supplies or textbooks. A well-made artifact of this size would cost a minimum of 200 to 300 silver coins.

In that light, I’m getting extremely good use out of this storage, wearing it down to its limits.

“So what are we going to do now?”

“About what?”

“About our party. I mean… we’re not exactly a properly formed party, are we?”

“No, we’re not.”

“Since you’re the party leader, you decide. I owe you, so I’ll go along with whatever you choose.”

“Hmm…”

It’s sudden, but it’s an issue I can’t ignore.

Seriya is undeniably useful.

But I originally decided to adventure alone. Having a companion wasn’t particularly what I wanted.

However, after experiencing actual combat in the dungeon, I realized there’s a world of difference between having a companion and not having one.

Just look at that spell caster receiving blood donation over there. Without his companions who delayed his bleeding, he would have been sent to the afterlife in an instant, pain and all.

And while it’s easy to turn someone away, finding someone new isn’t so simple.

If I were to dismiss Seriya, there’s no guarantee that a scoundrel with the skills I need would appear when I urgently require one.

She’s clearly strong, though not as strong as me, and her talents and skills deserve my respect.

“Seriya.”

“What?”

“Just so you know, I don’t plan to settle in this city. Unlike you, my life is short, and I have reasons to continue adventuring.”

“What are they?”

Seriya asked with an interested tone.

“To visit all the famous places and renowned cities across the 13 continents. That’s the purpose of my adventure.”

“…Hmm… I see.”

Seriya didn’t ask why I harbored such a desire.

Whether she didn’t want to pry or felt no need to, I couldn’t tell.

“So I ask you this: can you cross continents with me, traverse forests and streams, and journey across snowfields and deserts?”

I asked seriously.

I will adventure.

On a dangerous and thrilling journey where the probability of death is higher than seeing it through to the end.

“…”

Seriya couldn’t answer immediately.

It was understandable.

While elves are called immortals, that only means they don’t age, not that they can’t die.

Their long lifespans aren’t just due to their nature but also their tendency to thoroughly avoid danger.

Just look at the elves in circulation; you’ll find healers and rear positions, but rarely frontline battlers.

“Well, alright. If that’s your desire, I’ll follow you.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. So stop making such a serious face. You already look older than your peers, and now you look like a real old man.”

Seriya answered, her green skin glowing.

Perhaps it was the faint moonlight, but her already pretty features seemed to shine even more.

How should I describe my feelings right now?

Yes… this emotion was like making a ‘friend’ for the first time in my life.

With a faint smile, I got up and rubbed my arm after the doctor told me the blood donation was complete.

*

We rode our pack horse down and headed to the inn where we first met.

Now that I mention it, the inn was called the Captain’s Inn.

Perhaps the owner had been in the military.

After arriving at the inn, we booked two rooms and began our somewhat late dinner.

“I… have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

Before the foam on the dark beer had even settled, Seriya began to make a request.

“Tomorrow morning, I’m going to repay a debt. Could you come with me?”

“…I thought you borrowed from a trustworthy source?”

“They are trustworthy… but I’ve had some friction with those people.”

“…”

Then how are they trustworthy?

“Tell me exactly. Where did you borrow money from?”

“From the owner of a famous gambling den in this city. Well, to be precise, I borrowed from a subordinate of a subordinate of the owner.”

“And the friction?”

“I got caught trying to rob the place.”

“Oh dear.”

Normally, I’d tease her about reaping what she sowed, but she’s my companion now.

While I could understand dying during an adventure, getting caught up in street gamblers’ violence was something I’d rather avoid.

“Alright. I’ll go with you tomorrow.”

At my words, Seriya’s expression immediately brightened.

…This development seems familiar.

I’m sure I’ve read thin books bought hastily at night where women secretly borrow money, lose their virtue, and end up being sold somewhere…

Well, with me around, it shouldn’t be a problem.