acquainted with that Links?""Yeah. Earlier, he got injured in his leg and

was stuck on the second floor. I just helped him get to the entrance.""…………So you've helped other girls too, besides me.""Well

, if someone's screaming 'meow meow' right in( the middle of) the second floor, you can't just

pretend not to notice.""Hikaru's so kind, aren't you?""Not really. It's just normal." While brushing

off Refleia's strange, almost jealous tone, I asked

the question that had been on my mind

. "By the way, why does Links work as a 'hired' explorer, and not like the others—freelance? What's the reason for

that?""Well, if I don't know the answer, there's no way I can tell you!"

Grapefloo cuts in on the conversation as he descends the stairs.

His large ears perk up sharply—truly a hellish sense of hearing. Indeed, he's well-suited as a scout.

"In our first party, it's customary to explain the history of the Lynx. That's why the mutual aid society's philosophy is to elevate the Lynx's social standing, even just a little."

As Grapefloo explains with a "nya," originally the Lynx were a widespread species across the world. But because they could see in the dark, had sharp hearing, moved swiftly, and could walk silently, they were often mistaken for thieves and pickpockets.

As a result, they were even falsely accused of crimes they didn't commit, gradually being pushed into a position of discrimination.

"Linkus has a racial fatal weakness. We're much weaker than other races."

"That's why you only carry such a slender sword?"

"Even with this, I can hardly swing it at all..."

Indeed, lacking strength is fatal.

Being unable to resist violence is a decisive factor that brands a race as "weak."

Especially in a world where brute strength matters, even a firearm wouldn't help much.

"So we have no choice but to venture into the labyrinth to level up?"

"No, no, that's not it. We can't level up because we can't fight. We can't even beat goblins, let alone skeletons."

"Then what do you do?"

"We're scouts. We peek ahead, then our job is just to keep watch."

"You won't get stronger like that,"

"But it's fine for now. Once we save up enough money and make a contract with the Great Spirit, Linkus can finally become an explorer,"

Ah, I see. For Linkus, "firearm" means spirit magic.

Judging from her equipment, she clearly lacks financial means.

The deposit is five silver coins, but that's what the mutual aid society collects—of course, Linkus won't receive it if she dies. Her share is only one copper coin per day's wage.

It goes up to five copper coins for the third floor, two silver coins for the fourth, but the danger increases dramatically. After all, if the entire party she's accompanying dies, Linkus can't survive either.

"So, making a contract with the Great Spirit is pretty expensive, huh?"

"One gold coin...?"

"Are you serious?"

A single gold coin was no small sum—equivalent to forty or fifty silver coins.

I couldn't imagine a Linkus earning just one silver coin a day and saving up that amount.

"W-wait a moment, please. Grapeflour, was it? The contract with the Great Spirit shouldn't cost just one gold coin. Even the contract with the Light Great Spirit is only ten silver coins. The contract with the city's Great Spirit surely wouldn't cost more than five silver coins—?"

"...Linkus is a special rate."

"Huh...?"

It seemed the prices for contracts with the Great Spirits were essentially set by the people managing the "temple" in practice. In other words, it was arbitrary pricing. Humans were charged less, while half-breeds were charged more—this was done completely without hesitation.

"I understand Link's situation. While you're with our party, I'll make sure to earn as much as possible—so just relax."

"That's right. I can't believe it's just one gold coin... That's definitely wrong..."

"Please take care of us, nya~... Wait, are we really going in with just these three?"

Once outside, Grapefloo stopped and voiced her doubt.

Well, a three-person party is definitely too small.

"That's right. Don't worry, we'll be fine."

"Yes, we're only heading to the second floor today."

A cheerful, optimistic reply from Reflair.

I wasn't as optimistic, but I still thought two floors would be manageable.

In truth, the only thing I was worried about was coordination. If we can't even explore the second floor, we wouldn't be able to enter the dungeon at all.

Worst case, if Darkness Fog covers everything, I can escape from any enemy and still have one barrier stone left. Ogres and mantises are threats, but as long as we're not ambushed, it should be fine.

Besides, I figured we might not get any viewership unless we're a bit reckless.

"Three scouts is unusual, so I just wanted to check—nyan. Your magic was impressive, and Reifrea is famous too, nyaa."

"Really? Reifrea's famous?"

"Reifrea the Radiant comes up often in casual chats with other parties, nyaa. We Linkus don't really understand human beauty, but everyone says they want to hang out with her—or even marry her, nyaa."

"That's amazing, Reifrea."

Sounds like a local idol.

If people find out I'm teaming up with you, won't I get straight-up harassed?

Beauty and ugliness—since this is ultimately another world, maybe it's different from Earth, but still, a beautiful person is a beautiful person, right?

"They really say that about me... It's scary. I'll have to be protected by Hikaru."

Reifrea tightened her grip on my arm.

Honestly, I've been like this the entire time I've been in the guild—shouldn't that be suspicious?

Isn't it already certain I'll get straight-up harassed?

I can already feel people glancing at me from the side.

"Protect you? You're the one who's stronger, Reifrea..."

"Well, sure, if we fight without magic, I'd win. But won't you protect me?"

Looking up at me from close range.

Maybe it really was true that Refrea had admitted she wasn't drunk back then.

The closeness we've grown used to yesterday remains unchanged today.

"I'll protect you. At least as long as you'll stay by my side, I absolutely will."

"Hehe~ I knew you'd say that, Hikaru."

"Nyanyanyan! I can smell love! Are you two dating now, nyaa?"

"It's not like that."

It wasn't surprising Grapefloo felt that way—Refrea was clinging to me all over.

If I weren't used to my sisters wrapping around both arms like this, it would've been dangerous.

This isn't love so much as it is pure clinginess.

　

"Ah, about that nickname 'Kengen' they're calling me—please gently correct them, okay? I'm not strong enough to deserve that name yet, Grapefruit-chan.

Nicknames, huh?

If people find out I'm teamed up with Reflair, I might end up getting called something like 'Hikaru, the Parasite' or worse.

What does 'Kengen' even mean?"

"I think it's similar to 'gorgeous' or 'luxurious.'

It kind of sounds like an insult when you think about it—maybe that's just how Japanese people think?"

"Kengen is actually my sword master's nickname. Since our fighting styles are so similar, that's why I'm being called that. But my master is a warrior who reached the Salamander level, so I'm nowhere near comparable."

"Ah, I see. That was a beautiful way of fighting. I can kind of understand it now."

The way she swung the large sword with her whole body was beautiful, almost like dancing.

That fighting style was truly "resplendent."

Combined with her own elegance, she shone brilliantly even in the dark, damp labyrinth.

"Pretty... ah, right, Hikaru was watching me fight, huh?"

"I was so mesmerized I was late helping you."

"Huh～n. You were mesmerized... so does that mean I'm getting a little closer to my master?"

"Yeah, it was definitely 'resplendent.'"

"Hehe... happy."

"Nyanyaa! I smell love!"

Anyway, everyone was finally present.

The number of viewers had skyrocketed beyond imagination.

Perhaps that's why the original potential audience was so large. If not hiding in the shadows, they'd have already surpassed a hundred million in no time.

　

I will definitely come in first at this party.

Absolutely.