CH 46

Chapter 46.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh... Yeah, thanks Mizue-kun."

Mizue held out his hand gently to Kusatsu but without any expression. Kusatsu had involuntarily fallen on his buttocks.

Kusatsu grabbed his trusty hand and slowly stood up before retrieving his blown-up Iron Sword.

The first battle was a good start, with Rikka defeating one and Mizue defeating two.

Then the three of them naturally gathered in a circle and started to exchange their thoughts about the current battle. Unfortunately, Tenji was not much help.

"Mizue-san, I was surprised by your move just now. From now on, why don't we fight with Mizue-san at the center?"

Rikka looked at Mizue with a respectful gaze and said with a gentle upward glance.

Kusatsu immediately agreed and nodded vigorously.

"I think it would be better for me, too. I'm still too slow, so maybe a sword would have been a bad idea for me."

"No, it was a good move. That monstrous power of mine could be this weapon. I think if you work on it, you'll do just well enough..."

Mizue spoke encouraging words to Kusatsu, who was about to become naive. They slowly turned their attention to Fukuyama.

Fukuyama smiled as if he had been waiting for them and slowly approached the three.

"Yes, I think that was pretty good for a first battle," he said.

"You guys are definitely more reasonable than I am. Just so you know as what Mizue said, Kusatsu-kun looks best with a 'shield' instead of a sword. So, here it is. You should use this shield."

Fukuyama said and handed the buckler he was holding to Kusatsu.

Kusatsu stared at the buckler given to him and looked back at Fukuyama with an anxious expression.

"Um, is it okay if I use Fukuyama-san's shield?"

"Oh, that's not mine. I was originally wondering why Kusatsu-kun was carrying a sword when I was waiting for you. That's why I brought it for you."

"Oh, I didn't know that..."

"Yes, Kusatsu-kun, it's a shield. Shields are often said to be quite plain, but they are a weapon that has protected more lives than any other among explorers. In this short time alone, I've learned that you are better suited, personality-wise, to protect your friends than to attack monsters. So, I suggest you take up the shield role."

"I understand! Thanks for your advice!"

"I mean it. And so, I'll keep that Iron Sword for you then."

Perhaps feeling a little better after receiving advice from Fukuyama, the most professional of all professional explorers, Kusatsu handed his iron sword to Fukuyama.

With a smirk, Fukuyama also received his sword and returned to the end of the line.

"Kusatsu will act as a shield, preventing attacks in the vanguard, and me and Rikka will reduce the number. This is probably best, but what about you Tenji?"

Mizue had won their trust in just one battle and established himself as a leader.

However, Tenji did not show any signs of being upset and replied with a calm expression as he sheathed his Iron Sword.

"Do you mind if I stay in the back? And we don't know how far this dungeon will go. So, it's better to have an eye back, right?"

"I see, a wise decision. You're very humble for a student of Japan Explorers High School?"

"Well, I only have plenty of experience as a Luggage Carrier, so I'll watch from behind and tell you every time I see something that could be improved."

"I understand, and I ask you to do it. When both Kusatsu or Rikka get tired, switch with Amagi. Let's do it while being aware of the long run. The first group who went into the sub-dungeon didn't come out after an hour. So, if I had to guess, you'll be fighting for at least a few hours." Fukuyama said.

"Yeah, okay."

"Yes, sir!"

"Then let's keep this up and work together a little bit more."

With Mizue's words, this team started moving forward again.

While being wary of the monsters along the way, the participants made every effort to get to know each other, interrupting the conversation from time to time. Even from the standpoint of the participants, this behavior left a good impression.

Except one.

A bit further back, two people were watching over them.

Fukuyama asks the young man who always walks calmly next to him.

"Aren't you being a little too passive, Tenji? I'm sure you'll be rejected if you continue like this. Like the Commander said, I want you to show me your true ability. You're just not participating in anything."

However, Tenji decided to be honest about it, as any further concealment might damage his credibility with Fukuyama.

It's not that he was hiding it. It was just that it was difficult to talk about it. Still, he decided that talking to Fukuyama would not be a problem.

Tenji looks at Fukuyama with his eyebrows slightly lowered as if he is troubled.

"Uhmm, I can't say this too loudly, but..."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll keep quiet about it to everyone, okay?'"

"I actually didn't know today was the entrance test..."

"What?"

The day before yesterday, I asked Inagaki Rui if he had any plans to go to the fifth-grade sub-dungeon, and he replied that he would be in Yokohama. So, I came here today and was told there would be an entrance test...

Fukuyama was stunned with his mouth hanging open, not expecting to hear such a reason. Then, when he finally understood what it was about, he began to laugh so loudly that it echoed throughout the dungeon.

"Hahahahaha... Seriously, seriously!"

Holding his stomach and bashing Tenji's back. Fukuyama had tears.

He said it was funny from the bottom of his heart, but for Tenzi, it looked like "this guy laughs too much..."

"Ha, yes... it's serious. The actual dungeon is usually a fifth-grade dungeon, but it was a chariot entrance test. I'm still a little confused."

"I finally understand why Tenji was so reluctant. But are you sure about this? It's not every day you get a chance like this."

'I haven't decided on my career path yet, so I think I'm probably fine with this for now. I'm a little sorry for Godo-san and Flame-san, but I'd be more grateful if they dropped me this time."

"I'll talk to the Commander on my end, don't worry."

"Thank you, Fukuyama-san..."

"I mean it's fine. But I'd like to see Tenji fight at least once. I know you're Godo-san's favorite, but I don't know you that well."

"Well, I'll take the opportunity too!"

Suddenly, the three people who had been startled by Fukuyama, who had started laughing behind them, turned around to see what was happening here.

Fukuyama turns to face the three of them, rubbing her tears.

"Oh, sorry, sorry! Come on, let's move on! We're almost to the first boss area, so let's keep our heads up!"

Fukuyama laughed and faked it, telling them they were close to the first boss area and successfully diverted the conversation.

The three quickly reacted to the word first boss and changed their expressions to serious once again. The question "Why were you laughing?" had been erased from their faces, showing their skill as explorers.

It is said that no matter how talented a person is in combat, they will never make it big if they do not have the right skills as an explorer.

One of these qualities is the art of building flexible relationships.

[Is this Fukuyama-san, who belongs to the Chariot Guild's A team? As I recall, he was even the deputy captain among the A team's shield players. Just once, I'd like to see how he fights.]

Watching the dependable Fukuyama next to him, Tenji realized how amazing he was.

And so, they proceed through the dungeon once more.

Mizue Katsunari never lacked the effort to pass the test seriously.

Believing in the words "third time's the charm," Rikka Tachibana aims to pass the test.

Kusatsu Gouta finally starts to get serious and realizes his talent.

With those three, this team was starting to come together.