Chapter 196: Circumstance of the Lynxes and the Stoic Warrior (1/2)

——

The next day, we left the house early in the morning and headed to the dungeon.

Just from the fact that there’s several Chosen in this city was making it somewhat stressful to live in.

But we will be safe if we enter the dungeon.

The new guys can’t go all the way to the 3rd Floor.

We went to the guild and hired Grapefull just as usual before heading to the dungeon.

In the 1st Floor, there’s the chance there is Worigami-san, and Ferdinand’s group, but it looks like they are not here yet.

“They are not here, huh. It is nice that the masked guy and the blonde guy pair are so distinct. If we see them, let’s run.” (Jeanne)

I did explain it to them with drawings, but it is true that they are easy to tell apart. Moreover, the equipment of Chosen is unique, so that makes them even easier to differentiate.

“Jeanne-san, you haven’t met them yet, so is there really a need to run away immediately?” (Rifreya)

“Reya, you don’t get me at all. Do you think I would be able to talk with an elite like a future lawyer?” (Jeanne)

“No…I don’t even know what a lawyer is to begin with.” (Rifreya)

“Anyways, it means he is an elite. I was a woman who only played videogames all day while doing part-time jobs, you know? I am bad at dealing with elites. I am somewhat curious about this masked man though. I would like to see what kind of mask it is personally.” (Rifreya)

I feel like that’s not something you say with a proud look, but…I understand how she feels.

I am not that adverse towards elite people, but it is not like I am good with them. It would be one thing if it were like Alex, but Ferdinand felt like the type that wears his confidence as clothes. I am also bad at dealing with those types.

We easily reach the end of the 2nd Floor while talking.

We get out from the 3rd Floor after a few battles and reach the 4th Floor.

“Alright, we will challenge the Lamias too, today. Everyone, get ready.” (Jeanne)

“I am so excited-nyan. This is my first time with Lamyas, so I won’t be of use-nya, but I will be learning here-nyan.” (Full)

“Yeah, Kuro will be protecting you, Full-chan. Counting on you, Kuro.” (Jeanne)

“Got it.” (Hikaru)

I serve the role of adjuster in battle.

Rifreya is the DPS and Jeanne is the tank. The two have to maintain their attention on the enemy in front of them after all.

As such, I am left at the back protecting Full.

In that sense, we are lacking party members.

We should think about increasing our party if there’s anyone trustworthy. A party of 6 is what’s normal, and 4 people is clearly too few.

“Right. If our Scylla subjugation goes well, we are thinking about leaving the city, and heading to Gran Alismaris. Let’s go together, Full-chan.” (Jeanne)

“Nya nya?! Gran Alismaris?!” (Full)

Jeanne suddenly proposes this to Grapefull.

We have been hiring Grapefull almost exclusively at this point, but she is strictly a member of the Lynx Mutual Aid Association.

I did think that we should tell her if we are leaving the city, but it seems like Jeanne had the intention of bringing her with us.

Even if we have been in the same party, her standing is different from us 3, so we can’t just drag her into a journey to another continent, but it looks like Jeanne is not the type to bother about those details.

Of course, this all boils down to what the person herself decides though…

“N-Nyo way…that will be troubling-nyan… I still can’t become free-nya.” (Full)

“Why?” (Jeanne)

“The lynxes of the Mutual Aid Association are having their work mediated-nyan. In order to withdraw from it, there’s the need to make a contract with a Great Spirit-sama with the money you have earned on your own-nyan. It is only after making a contract with a Great Spirit-sama that you become full-fledged-nya, and you can graduate for the first time.” (Full)

“Then why don’t you just make a contract?” (Jeanne)

“I still haven’t saved up enough-nya.” (Full)

In order for a Lynx to make a Spirit contract, they need 1 gold coin; that’s what Full told me before.

1 gold is a lot. Their earnings are just a few small silver coins, so for lynxes to save that much can be said to be pretty tough.

That said, we have been giving her quite a bit ourselves. Even if it is not to the point of 1 gold, she should have a decent amount saved up…

“Hmm, if it is 1 gold, I can pay for it. Hey, Kuro, it is fine, right?” (Jeanne)

“Nya nya nya nya, I am grateful for that, but…recruitment is against the rules-nyan. If I take that, I won’t be able to show up at the Mutual Aid Association ever again-nya…” (Full)

“Really? What a pain.” (Jeanne)

“Only the coin that has been given to the Mutual Aid Association can be used as the coin for the Spirit contract-nyan… I do have a bit of coin I saved myself, but I used it to treat my juniors at the time when the dungeon was closed off…nyan…” (Full)

The lynxes were visibly dried up from the dungeon closing off after the Demon Lord subjugation.

Full, who had more earnings than the other ones, must have wanted to look after them… I also have been fishing and giving it to them, but I feel like the Mutual Aid Association should be taking out money exactly for moments like this.