Chapter 67 - Volcano on the Sixty-first Layer (1/2)

Regarding the Enchanter who was going to be trained as a Buffer, they had originally retired as an Explorer and returned home to take over their family’s business. What Tsutomu could do about that now was to wait for them to be brought back here, so first he went to check out Ealdred Crow’s current main party Healer instead.

When Tsutomu asked Rook about the main party’s composition, he found that they had prevailed over the Fire Dragon with two Tanks, two Attackers, and one Healer. Currently, they were considering reducing the number of Attackers for the exploration of the Volcano areas.

Currently, Tsutomu was in a meet-up with the members of the main party.

“Good day. I am the one tasked with the role of Healer, Stephanie. Please make your acquaintance.”

The woman with long, bright pink, spiral-curled hair introduced herself as Stephanie and bowed ostentatiously to Tsutomu, complete with picking up the edges of the skirt of her yellow dress. She then clasped her hands together and looked up at Tsutomu.

“Mister Tsutomu, I have always wanted to meet and express my thanks to you personally, for your promotion of things such as long-ranged healing and the Healer role. Because of your contributions, I have managed to land myself a spot in the main force once again.”

“Is that so? Congratulations.”

“All that is thanks to the materials you have provided, Mister Tsutomu. Thank you very much,” she expressed her gratitude with a smile of a blooming flower.

Tsutomu had not seen her during the press conference, so he guessed that she had only recently returned to the main force from the second or third reserves. After all, her flamboyant, curly hair would have made quite a lasting impression if he were to see it among the audience.

“…Sova. Attacker,” The black-haired man greeted Tsutomu bluntly with a sullen look.

He was none other than the one who had given Tsutomu his opinion as an Attacker during the press conference, and he did not seem too thrilled about Tsutomu’s visit, as apparent from how he said nothing more.

“I am Bittman, employed by Ealdred Crow as a Tank. A pleasure to meet you.”

The man with a shaved head was not much taller than Tsutomu, being only of average height, but he had an overpowering, hard-to-approach air about him. Tsutomu, thinking how he was quite reminiscent of Garm’s initial intimidating impression, proceeded to shake hands with him, getting quite a firm grip and strong shake before letting go of his hand.

Tsutomu then turned to Rook; the latter looked back, seeming dumbfounded as he pointed at himself.

“Oh, should I do this as well? …Ahem. I’m Rook, right now a… Tank, I guess? Nice to meet you, my man!”

“Thank you. Nice to meet you all as well.”

“Since we’re all grouped up now, shall we head out? Let’s see… how about layer sixty-one? Oh, but we won’t force Tsutomu to fight alongside us, of course.”

“Oh, no, I don’t mind participating at all. It should still be relatively safe at that point of progress.”

“You’ve got a point there! But really, it’s great to finally get a change of scenery — we’re already beyond sick of the Canyons, you know! I mean, we were stuck there for almost a whole year! Not that I’m a fan of the heat, but I’m sure looking forward to seeing what the Volcano’s like!”

“Right…”

Tsutomu, seeing Rook being so full of excitement, replied vaguely.

This would be the first time Tsutomu went to the sixty-first layer himself, but he had already prepared himself somewhat by watching the Scarlet Devil Squad’s broadcasts. From what he had seen, he felt that he would have no problem going down to at least layer sixty-five.

By this time, the Scarlet Devil Squad had reached down to layer sixty-six. They had defeated the biome’s mid-boss, a lava-swimming loach-like monster, and had successfully updated their layer progression. At the rate they were going, they likely would not face any roadblocks until they reached layer sixty-nine.

Ealdred Crow’s clerks retrieved the team’s supplies from their Magic Bags and re-checked them piece by piece, while the workshops apprentices brought over their equipment. Once the main party was all geared up, they headed for the Guild.

Rook wore a full robe, while Sova was in a set of black-dyed leather armor. Bittman also wore leather armor, but one of a common variation. Stephanie, the only woman in the group, wore a yellow dress as her combat gear; it made her stand out quite a lot. She did have black stockings and long gloves on as well, so at least she was not bare-handed nor bare-legged, but it was clear that her defense rating was low.

[Not that I’m one to talk, though…]

Tsutomu’s pure white robe was a piece of equipment exclusive to White Mages found in treasure chests in the Dungeon; it had the positive correction effect to its White Mage wearer’s mental energy. On the other hand, it had almost no defensive properties, forcing one to rely on their own VIT for protection.

But then, if Tsutomu were to wear an extra layer of metal armor, he would become too heavy to move, and the common ones would break after absorbing a few hits from most monsters anyway, so it would not mean much to him in the long run. As such, if one’s VIT was not naturally high, armor would only amount to a layer of insurance.

After arriving at the Guild, registering their party, and lining up to use one of the Magic Circles, Tsutomu noticed Stephanie occasionally taking glances at him. When Tsutomu asked her what was wrong, she shyly fumbled and then dropped her gaze diagonally below her.

“Nothing much, Mister Tsutomu. I’m just… nervous. Compared to you, I’m just a Goblin Mage, after all.”

“No, you’re not — if you can do what the documents say, then you’re plenty skilled. Besides, you’ve defeated a Fire Dragon already.”

“But my power was insignificant. Mister Rook, Bittman, and Sova — they were amazing ones. They likely could have achieved victory without my contribution.”

Tsutomu continued to talk with Stephanie for a while longer, observing her gestures and manners of speech, with the latter looking down with a sullen pout the whole time. He saw neither intention of deceit nor modesty in her words; Tsutomu felt that she had truly meant everything she had said.