For several days after ordering the weapon, we patrolled the second floor together, and Jeanne gave me a thorough review of the map. I participated in battles along the way, but Jeanne was undeniably strong. She quickly adapted to fighting ogres and eventually managed to solo two weapon-wielding ogres.

Only an experienced adventurer of mid-to-high level could hunt two weapon-wielding ogres without magic.

She claims she's played many games, but that alone wouldn't make someone strong.

It must be her natural talent.

After confirming how far Jeanne could go on her own for a few days, it was decided that Jeanne and Flue would venture into the second floor together, focusing solely on combat training there.

Mantis can escape if the scout keeps a good grip, and in the worst case, we can always use the barrier stone. There might even be a chance of victory if it's Jeanne.

Meanwhile, I'll solo the second floor.

We both agreed that the priority right now is simply to kill monsters relentlessly and level up.

(Our party with Jeanne feels more like two solos than actual coordination.)

While stealthily eliminating a swarm of goblins in the darkness of the Dark Fog, I think to myself.

Just like Crimson Vial, Link's Moupal often advances alone through monster swarms and defeats the monsters deep within.

(The stronger I get, the more room I'll have.)

Jeanne's goal is to clear this labyrinth.

Exploring a dungeon whose lowest floor one can't even determine seems like an audacious goal, yet she won't give up. There's a single-mindedness about her—she'd rather choose death than surrender. I don't want her to die. The chance of obtaining another relic like that "Soul-Rekindling Gem" is slim. Once dead, it's over. To prevent that, I want to explore with ample safety margins. The guarantee lies in level and equipment—this relentless hunting of monsters is the only way to simultaneously address both concerns. I strike the ogre behind me from around the corner, instantly severing its spiritual energy's lifeline. Even the earth spirit stone dropped by such an ogre, which falls in just a few seconds, is worth a silver coin.

If being an explorer is a profession, then I could say I'm already in a fairly prosperous state.

(I should probably make some armor soon.)

My current equipment still consists only of the gauntlet gifted by a divine beast and the mithril gorget that safeguards the lifeblood of spirit energy.

Now, I could even craft custom armor that's lightweight and silent.

(I might as well place an order today.)

I dash toward the mantis appearing at the far end of the passage.

With Darkness Fog and Shadow Bind, even the strongest monster in this level can now be defeated with a single direct strike.

My body moves exactly as I intend, and the short sword, which should be thick and made of steel, feels as light as a stick, easily maneuverable just as I wish.

Picking up the wind spirit stone that emerged from the mantis, which had been struck down at the throat.

Only six days left until the weapon I ordered is complete.

Honestly, hunting on the second floor suits my fighting style perfectly, so I don't feel any danger—but complacency is dangerous.

The third floor, on the other hand, is a poor match; whether my partner and I can defeat a garden panther together is uncertain, and whether we can even escape is unclear.

I should wait until the weapon is ready, and perhaps gain some experience on the second floor first.

I have plenty of time, after all.

◇◆◆◆◇

"Ta-da! What do you think?"

"Nice. The engraving gives it a premium feel."

That day, after concluding our exploration, we had come to the Goojitt Plate shop.

Although Jeanne hadn't paid attention since she was already wearing full plate mail, she wasn't equipped with the Goggit Plate, which protected the vital flow of spirit energy.

So, she decided to buy it at the shop she had visited earlier with Refrea.

"Did you find something to your liking? That model is particularly popular among high-tier explorers."

"I'll take it!"

Jeanne always makes her purchases decisively—she's incredibly decisive.

"Thank you. I'll adjust it right away, so please wait a moment."

The shopkeeper took the Goggit Plate and headed into the back workshop.

The item Jeanne bought was a notably heavy model designed for front-line use, made by layering three sheets of mithril for enhanced durability.

It featured intricate engravings in places, giving it a striking appearance.

The price was double what I had paid—two gold coins, to be exact.

I managed to order Clo's gear too, so now I just have to wait for the weapons to be made.

My armor was specially ordered from a shop recommended by the dwarf master before I arrived here—Mithril scale mail, to be exact. I was worried it might be difficult since I wanted something lightweight, durable, and silent, but apparently such requests are common, and they accepted it without hesitation.

The problem is the price—eight gold coins, and it has to be paid in advance.

I'm spending money at an incredible pace, but even so, given my current exploration rate, I can still afford it easily.

Jeanne's sword costs eight gold coins, Gogjit plate costs two,

my sword costs five, and my armor costs eight.

That adds up to twenty-three gold coins total.

Actually, at the moment, the payment for the sword is slightly short, but if we can't earn enough by then, we can always sell the Mantis's Chaos Spirit Stone.

"We have ten days until the second wave arrives. I want to have things ready by then. For now, we need better equipment and a high-level 'hard-to-kill body.' As transmigrants, as long as we're alive, we'll manage."

"We've got scrolls and barrier stones."

It's uncertain how the second wave will interfere with us.

The message function is frozen, so no new information will come from Earth.

Still, to be honest, I'm not overly worried.

This town originally had only me and Alex. In other words, it's a depopulated area.

There are labyrinths too, and I suppose it wouldn't be bad if more transmigrants arrived, but judging from the map, most transmigrants seem to be concentrated in the southern or eastern continents.

Considering that, the chance of another transmigrant arriving here is low, and even if one does, it's unlikely they'd deliberately target us... well, they might make contact, but probably not risk their lives to try and kill us.

Honestly, thanks to the message being frozen and being with Jeanne, I've been able to forget about Earth's surveillance for longer than I expected.

The viewer count remains high, but it's impossible to tell whether it's because they're watching alongside 'Number One in Attention,' Jeanne, or because they still believe I'm the one who killed Nanami. Jeanne herself is undeniably charming, so I can't help but think that simply being with her would attract viewers filled with jealous curiosity.

Of course, I do remain cautious about the second wave, but according to Jeanne, we've already achieved the best possible start, so anyone attempting to interfere would have to be truly insane—and the likelihood of such a person being chosen as a transfer target to bother us is virtually nonexistent.

Now that she mentions it, I suppose that does make sense.

While we're talking, the shopkeeper returns after finishing adjusting the Goojitt plate.

She finishes paying and exits the store.

"Come to think of it, you've been wearing that Gojitt Plate the whole time.

"Yeah. It's a clear weakness, so a lot of people wear it even when not in combat. At first, it felt strange, but now I'm used to it."

"Learned it from your so-called lover?"

"Not a lover... but yeah."

"Either way, it doesn't matter. ...Well then, since I'm here, I might as well wear one too."

"It's not like you need help putting it on...

" Still, Jeanne had come to realize, even in their brief time together, that she occasionally showed this kind of affection (..).

She thought this was similar to Karen.

Jeanne's Gojitt Plate was made of multiple mithril plates, so putting it on was slightly more complicated.

From behind Jeanne's back, the plate is slipped on, and then fastened with the clasp by hugging it from behind, clicking it shut one by one.

It's true that putting this on alone might take some getting used to.

Maybe it's meant for people of high status, those who always have someone accompanying them.

"Hmph!?"

Jeanne, having just put on the Goujitt Plate, suddenly turns around and scans her surroundings.

"Is it just my imagination...? I felt a piercing, murderous glare..."

"A murderous glare...? The next transfer hasn't arrived yet, has it?"

"That's what it should be... but it's like some thick, clinging malice..."

"I don't really understand it, but if you can sense things like that, we'll feel safer when the second wave arrives."

"Maybe. Or maybe it was just my imagination."

The streets were crowded with people at dusk, so even if someone was watching us, we wouldn't know.

Still, neither I nor Jeanne are particularly famous in this town, and we don't really know anyone here.

Probably just my imagination.

"Well, it's fine. This Goujitt Plate thing isn't bad at all. It feels reassuring knowing it protects my weak points. Armor is a good thing."

I prefer lightness in combat, so armor always seems a bit cumbersome to me, but for Jeanne's fighting style, it's an indispensable companion—maybe like my own shadow spirit magic.