kscans

Chapter 142 - Threat

When we entered the mine, we found the same dark cave as always.

I turned on the lantern attached to my waist. Then, Yoshino-san, who was behind me, took out a flashlight and switched it on. The two SDF personnel also activated the lights attached to their helmets.

"Are those swords your weapons?"

The two SDF members had drawn their short swords at some point.

"Yes. We are trained in a variety of weapons. Our main weapon is the spear, but a sword is better in here."

Just as you’d expect from the SDF. They seem to be capable of many things. But my swordsmanship is better. (I’m sure of it.)

"Understood. Well, it’s cramped and there are skeletons, so a sword is the better choice."

"That’s right………… Say, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Does that girl not need a light? And, uh, sunglasses?"

He had a point, it certainly was suspicious. Wearing sunglasses when it’s this dark made no sense.

"Agent Seven, they already know you’re Nanaka-san, and it’s dangerous, so take off the sunglasses."

"Huh? But if I take these off, they really won’t suit me."

Like I care.

"Just take them off."

"Fiiine…"

Nanapon removed her sunglasses and put them in her pocket.

"Hmph… You have such a baby face, you just look like a kid trying too hard to act grown up."

She was short to begin with, and had a cute face. On top of that, she had a bunny on her back. No matter how you looked at it, she was a little kid. And yet she was wearing a black suit…

"I told you so………… I’ll wear normal clothes next time."

"Do that. Yoshino-san, I’ll be counting on you."

The underground ruins of Kunaar are deserted, so her usual attire is fine there, but she has to pass through the main Kunaar Ruins to get there. It’s not good for her to go with me, so I’ll have Yoshino-san take her then.

"Mm. We can meet at the Gate and I’ll take her."

"Don’t be late."

That would leave Nanapon waiting all by herself in front of the Gate.

"I have never been late."

Hmm, I’m sure that’s true. Oh well.

"Let’s go. Nanaka-san, don’t stray from my side."

"Okay."

We decided to proceed deeper into the mine.

When Nanapon and I came here before, just the two of us, she would tell me where the monsters were, and we’d head there to level up. Today, however, our goal wasn’t leveling up. We had to create a map, which required us to walk through every nook and cranny of the mine. Because of that, I was navigating based on my own judgment.

"…………Which way was it again?"

I was slightly lost…

"We’ve been this way already. The next one is that way."

As expected of Nanapon. At this point, she might as well just see everything with her Clairvoyance and draw the map herself.

As Nanapon and I continued on, her feet suddenly stopped, so I stopped as well. Then, she raised her index finger in front of her chest, hidden from those behind us.

Does that mean one Hide Skeleton?

"Yanagi-san, Maede-san, it seems we have an enemy. If you would."

With that, Nanapon and I took a step back, lining up with Yoshino-san who was right behind us.

"Understood. Maede."

"Yes."

Yanagi-san and Maede-san immediately stepped forward. Then, Maede-san picked up a stone from the ground.

"A stone?"

What’s that for?

"She’s going to throw it. That’s how you pinpoint the location of an invisible Hide Skeleton."

As I tilted my head, Yoshino-san explained.

"I see."

With Nanapon around, I never had to worry about that, and I’ve developed the skill to pinpoint enemies by ear anyway. Besides, if Maede-san has Hellish Hearing, couldn’t she just do that…

No, wait. Come to think of it, a skill that just enhances your hearing is a bit strange. It’s underwhelming for a unique skill, and at worst, you could burst your eardrums.

Hellish Hearing… It might be something more specific, like being able to eavesdrop on people’s conversations.

I picked up a stone from the ground and dropped it. But Maede-san didn’t react at all.

"…………Can you only hear conversations?"

I murmured in a voice too quiet for even Nanapon or Yoshino-san next to me to hear, and Maede-san’s body twitched ever so slightly.

A hit… This one can eavesdrop on people’s conversations. The question is her range………… I don’t know.

"…………Tell me the effective range if you don’t want to die. Did you think you could pick a fight with me and get away with it? Or should I really close the Gate?"

I murmured again in a low voice.

"I, it’s within a fifty meter radius. And it’s blocked by obstacles."

Maede-san answered while still facing forward.

"Ma, Maede!?"

Yanagi-san, unable to grasp the situation, was shaken by Maede-san’s sudden confession.

"Good girl. But the Hide Skeleton is coming. Throw the stone."

"—! Maede!"

"Yes!"

Snapping back to her senses at Yanagi-san’s shout, Maede-san threw the stone she was holding. A few meters ahead, the stone bounced unnaturally. Seeing this, Yanagi-san stepped forward with his sword raised and swung it down.

"Nice swing."

Yoshino-san praised Yanagi-san’s sword arm.

"I’d say Swordsmanship level two."

"Well, about that, I guess? Considering he does other things too."

"Wouldn’t it be better to focus on one thing?"

"Unlike adventurers, their main operations are likely squad-based. It’s probably better for them to be able to handle a variety of situations."

Huh. So it’s more about teamwork than individual skill?

"I don’t understand at all."

Nanapon sulked a little.

"You wouldn’t. You’re a mage, aren’t you?"

"Well, I suppose so…………"

As Nanapon was looking dejected, Yanagi-san returned, holding a skeleton’s sword.

"It’s a drop item, do you want it?"

"I’ll take it."

I accepted the skeleton’s sword and put it in my bag, which also functions as an Item Bag.

"Can the SDF use magic too?"

Yoshino-san asked Yanagi-san.

"Some can. It’s a rule that every team must have at least one mage. In our case, that would be Maede."

So Maede-san can use magic. Well, that same Maede-san is currently looking completely crestfallen.

"I don’t care about any of that, let’s go. I don’t want to linger in a place like this."

I said, then stepped forward with Nanapon. I went over to the dejected Maede-san.

"I don’t know who gave you your orders, but you’d better behave yourself. You wouldn’t want to be turned into a frog and squashed, would you?"

I spoke gently to the downtrodden Maede-san and gave her shoulder a light pat.

Maede-san’s eyes were filled with terror.