Volume 3 Chapter 2 (2/2)

[Looks like your skills haven’t deteriorated one bit.] (Youya)

[Truth is occasionally I’ve entered the dungeons to relieve stress. Whenever I am working as a receptionist, there are many times when I’ve wished I could just let loose and fire arrows. It’s refreshing to be able to fire off a shot or two whenever I’m working.] (Phil)

[It’s a pretty flashy way to relieve your stress. I guess being a receptionist is hard work.] (Youya)

[Eh. It’s seriously tough. I’ve had to handle so many selfish adventurers, sexual and normal harassment from my senior receptionists, harsh assignments, harassment from the higher-ups, aggressive solicitations for dates, stalkers.. It’s just a whole bunch of trouble in work. Of course, there are great things too.] (Phil)

I smiled bitterly to Phil as I slashed the monster’s head in front of me without looking. Us adventurers have been relying on the receptionists without considering their feelings since we have always had a working relationship. I’ll try to be more considerate from now on.

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Although we were in an underground dungeon with limited visibility, so long Phil is around we will be able to proceed more quickly by a large margin. Plus since we are both familiar with each others movements, it is naturally simple for us to cooperate. It was a pace that is incomparable to my pace when I was alone. Although we did have a Light Crystal unlike the first time, in a blink of an eye we have already arrived at the entrance of the hidden room. I pushed the stone statue, exposing an emblem carved into a seal on the wall.

[Wow there was a hidden door behind the stone statue? I would have never notice it.] (Phil)

[Behind the door is the room where you will be able to reset your level. However, only adventurers who have reached their maximum level are able to open the door. Phil, try placing your hand on the seal.] (Youya)

Phil nodded and placed her hand on the seal. Next, the seal was unlocked and a clunking sound could be heard, opening the door. Phil swallowed her saliva and looked at me. I nodded back and the two of us continued into the path behind the door.

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We arrived at the hidden room. I nonchalantly turned my head to the crystal where I found Luna.

[It looks safe.] (Youya)

There was nothing left inside the crystal. Wait, the blue crystal was beginning to crumble. I took a piece of the crystal in my hand and felt strong magical power flowing from it. It is most likely a magic tool, however I don’t know what is it’s actual function. Back when I first met Luna, I was so anxious that I hadn’t noticed the name of the crystal. Apparently it has a name, Blue Crystal. It could be responsible for Luna’s lost memories, let’s be sure to show it to her.

[Phil, as I mentioned earlier, take a light crystal from the wall and place it in the necklace of goddess statue. Afterwards, a voice will appear in your head and if you nod in response, your level will be reset along with the benefits.] (Youya)

[It’s finally time. I’m starting to get nervous.] (Phil)

Phil grabbed a crystal from the wall with trembling hands and placed it in the statue. Then, she began staring at the statue with a look of awe. She was most likely listening to the voice of the goddess. Then, Phil’s body began to envelop in light as her level became visible to me. She was currently level 1. Other people’s levels could only be seen if their level was much lower than your own.

[Youya, I’m done. My level really returned back to 1. It’s back to level 1 now. It feels a little depressing that I am starting over but it’s exciting to know that I’ll be much stronger than before.] (Phil)

[That’s the spirit. We managed to finish this in time and thanks to Phil’s Necklace of Swiftness, our round-trip will finish even earlier than expected. If possible, I’ll like to return and have you visit the hidden room in Rumberg to fix your status gain by today. It’ll be a really harsh schedule, do you think you can do it?] (Youya)

[Of course I do. Even back then, we were travelling around without sleeping for two days, isn’t it expected?] (Youya)

[Well you’re right. It was even more unreasonable back then.] (Youya)

To become a first-rate adventurer, depending on the situation this degree of unreasonableness is expected. If it’s Phil then she can definitely do it easily.

[Now then, let’s hurry back. Now that you are level 1, take more care of yourself as a single blow is already life-threatening.] (Youya)

[That is the case. Well in the first place my equipment places emphasis on my mobility and attack power. There isn’t a single area of my equipment where I’ve compensated for my low defense.] (Phil)

Phil had noticed my intentions even though I hadn’t mention anything about it.

[Don’t leave my side.] (Youya)

She may have the one of the best possible equipment, but her level was currently level 1. I have to be the one to protect her.

[“Don’t leave my side”. Then I’m going to take advantage of that and always stick to you.] (Phil)

Phil grabbed my arm and began laughing.

[It’s not bad to spoil you but maybe now’s not the time. It’s bad that I won’t be able to move properly.] (Youya)

[I know that. But this room is safe isn’t it? I’m going to do this until we leave.] (Phil)

If that’s the case then it can’t be helped. I continued to walk while tightly holding Phil by my side.

Let’s return to Rumberg as quickly as humanly possible. If possible, let’s complete the class assignment and status gain by today, then we’ll be able to reach Flaregard at least a day early. It’ll be nice for us to hurry and join up with everyone to form the strongest party ever.

Happy new year everybody!