"Are you okay?
"Ah... yeah, thank you, Mizue-kun"
Mizue gently reached out to Kusatsu, who had an unexpected buttocks.
Kusatsu grabbed the reliable hand and slowly stood up before proceeding to retrieve the blown iron sword.
In the first battle, Tachibana was in one piece and Mizue was slipping upwards to defeat two.
The three of them gather in circles with nature to play a perception battle about the current battle.
"Mizue-san, I was surprised at your current move. Would you like to fight with Mizue-san in mind in the future?
Tachibana stared at Mizue with a respectful look and said gently.
Kusatsu immediately agreed with the words and nodded forcefully.
"Yeah, I think that's better. I guess the sword wasn't good because I was dull."
"No, that was a good move. The power will be a weapon, and I think it will be enough if you train. It's just...."
Mizue gave encouragement to Kusatsu, who was about to become a nave, and turned to Fukuyama, who was waiting behind him.
Fukuyama slowly approached the three of them with a refreshing smile.
"Yeah, it was pretty good for the first fight, wasn't it? You guys are definitely smarter than me. It's just that... Mizue-kun is right, Kusatsu is not a sword but a" shield ". So, this is it. Use your shield."
Fukuyama said so and handed over his buckler to Kusatsu.
Kusatsu stared at the buckler handed over in a pressed fashion, looking back at Fukuyama with an anxious expression.
"Um, can I use Fukuyama-san's shield?
"Ah, that's not mine. I've been wondering if Kusatsu has a sword since I was waiting. That's why I brought it for you."
"I see... I'm a shield..."
"Yes, Kusatsu is a shield. Shields are often said to be quite plain, but they are the weapons that have protected lives more than any Explorer. In this short period of time, you've found yourself more personally suited to defending your allies than attacking monsters. That's why I suggest you become a shield."
"Ok! Thank you for your advice!
"That's fine. Okay, I'll keep the iron sword."
Kusatsu gave his iron sword to Fukuyama with a clear expression, so it felt a little refreshed when he received advice from a professional explorer called Fukuyama.
With a smile, Fukuyama also received the sword and went back to the back again.
"That's the deal. Kusatsu prevented the attack in the front line as a shield, and Tachibana and I reduced the number. This might be the best... but what about you?
Mizue had earned their trust on just one line and established a leader-like standing position.
Ask questions by looking at the tenge where such a river did not move a step in the current battle. His eyes were filled with a feeling of hostility stripping him of his desire to pull him in.
However, Tenji answers with a cool expression, without showing any upsetting gesture, while wrapping the iron sword around the sheath.
"Can I just wait in the back? I don't know how long this dungeon will last, and I think we should have a replacement.
"Well, that's a wise decision. Explorer, for a high school student, you said" Tenjo. "
"Well, I'm a loser. I've only had a lot of experience carrying luggage, so if there's anything I can do to improve it from behind, I'll tell you every time."
"Okay, please. When Kusatsu and Tachibana are tired, take turns with Tenjo. Let's do it while we're aware of Nagachoba. Those who first entered the sub-dungeon didn't come out after an hour. From that point of view, keep in mind that you will continue to fight for at least an hour."
Yeah, I got it.
"Yes, sir!
Well then, let's deepen our cooperation little by little with this.
In a word from Mizue, the team started moving forward again.
Participants who are alert to monsters on the road, but who sometimes try to get to know each other while having a conversation. Even if I looked at it from the side, it was an act that made a good impression.
Except for one.
There were two men watching them a little further back.
Fukuyama always asks young people who walk flat next door.
"Mr. Tenji, aren't you a little too passive? If you keep doing that, you might fail. As the commander said, I want you to show me the power of the land."
That's too passive, Tenge rethinks a bit.
However, since there was no further concealment, which could have made Fukuyama's testimony worse, Tenji decided to speak honestly.
I wasn't hiding anything. It's just hard to talk about. Still, I judged that there was no problem even if I talked to Fukuyama.
Tenji turned to Fukuyama with her eyebrows and buttocks slightly lowered.
"Um... I can't say it out loud."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll keep my mouth shut.
"Actually, I... I didn't know today was the entrance exam."
Huh?
"Yesterday, I was tired of asking if I planned to go to the 5th grade sub-dungeon and was told it was Yokohama. So when I came here today... I was told I had an entrance exam."
Fukuyama opens his mouth and is stunned without even expecting to be asked why. I thought I finally understood the content and started laughing loudly enough to echo inside the dungeon.
"Ahahahaha... seriously!?
While holding her belly, Fukuyama slapped her back with tears.
It seemed interesting from the bottom of my heart, but when I looked at the tenge, it looked like "this guy... laughed too much".
"Ha, yes... I'm serious. I thought I'd won the regular five-grade dungeon, but it was Chariot's entrance exam. I'm still a little confused."
"Ahahaha, that's a masterpiece. Well, I finally understand why Tenji was passive. But are you sure? This is a rare opportunity.
"I haven't decided my own course yet, so I think this is probably fine now. I'm a little sorry for Godo and Yama-san, but I'd appreciate it if you dropped it this time."
"All right, don't worry, I'll keep my mouth shut for the commander."
"Fukuyama-san... thank you"
"That's fine. But I'd like to see Tenji fight about once. I know it's Mr. Godo's favorite, but I don't know you very well."
"Now, if you have a chance....."
All of a sudden, the three people who were surprised at Fukuyama who started laughing in the back were looking back at what was going on here.
I want to know what happened, but I think I'm worried about whether it's okay to ask.
Fukuyama looks at the three of them with tears.
"Oh, sorry, sorry! Let's move on! You're almost in the First Boss area, so keep your guard down!
Fukuyama laughed and tricked them, telling them that the first boss area was close, and successfully distracted them from the conversation.
The three responded to the word "first boss" as soon as possible and turned it into a serious expression again. And the look said, "Why were you laughing? The question was dispelled and I felt my skill as an Explorer.
Explorers need something similar to astronauts.
No matter how talented you are in battle, it is said that you cannot become an Explorer without your skill as an Explorer.
One of these qualities is the construction of flexible relationships.
(This is Fukuyama who belongs to the A team of the Chariot Guild? Sure... he was enough to serve as deputy captain of the A team's shield. Just once, I want to see how to fight with this eye)
Looking next to the reliable Fukuyama, Tenji realized the beauty.
So they move on to the dungeon again.
Successful Mizue, who made no effort to pass the examination in earnest.
Believing in the word "honesty" for the third time, Tachibana aims to pass.
Kusatsu Kota finally started to get serious and realized his talent.
Focusing on the three of them, this team was starting to come together.