kscans

Chapter 72 - Like Cousin, Like Cousin

I arrived at the Kunaar Ruins and scanned my surroundings.

The Kunaar Ruins were not dark like the Diana Mine, they were bright. There were also more people. That said, it wasn't overflowing with people like before, just a few scattered here and there.

It was probably because it was early in the morning, but I suspect that other adventurers were exercising restraint due to the SDF's warning. The proof was that most of the adventurers here were dressed in beginner-like gear, just like me.

However, there were a few who were clearly not beginners. One person in particular, though lightly equipped, was definitely not a rookie. Because she was an A-rank.

It was Saegusa-san, the A-ranker I support the most. Well, I'm sure most guys support her.

Saegusa-san was talking with three girls who seemed to be her companions and hadn't noticed me. I decided to go over and talk to her about the Item Bag.

As I was walking towards Saegusa-san, I sensed a presence from the side. It carried a slight hint of hostility.

I slightly opened the hand not holding my sword, ready to draw it at any moment, and glanced to the side. There, a woman with a black ponytail was approaching while glaring at me.

Who is she?

I stopped and tried to recall the woman, but I couldn't. I mean, we probably weren't acquaintances. In the first place, my life hasn't exactly been filled with female connections.

The woman stopped in front of me.

"What do you want with us?"

The woman asked, still glaring. She was probably one of Saegusa-san's companions.

"I have something to discuss with Saegusa-san."

"None of that. You've got some nerve approaching her right after the notice was issued. Or are you just stupid?"

Ah, she completely thinks I'm trying to hit on her. Well, I guess so...

A man holding a sword approaches Saegusa-san... Come to think of it, this situation is no different from those adventurers yesterday. This was a mistake.

"Ah, it's not like that. I'm an acquaintance of hers."

We've only met once, but since we exchanged contact information, it's fair to call us acquaintances.

"I've heard that one so many times I'm sick of it."

Man, there are a lot of ill-mannered adventurers. I guess from their perspective, I'm one of them too? This is hopeless. I'll just call her later.

"I understand. In that case, please give her a message. About the Item Bag we discussed before—"

"Oh, Okita-kun!"

Just as I was about to ask her to pass on the message, Saegusa-san noticed me. She jogged over to where the ponytail woman and I were standing. There was a bit of a bounce to her step.

"Good morning."

As a respectable adult, I made sure to greet her properly.

"Ah, morning. Sorry, Lin. He's an acquaintance."

Saegusa-san said, patting the ponytail woman on the shoulder.

"Is that so... I apologize."

The woman called Lin apologized straightforwardly.

"No, it's fine. I was clearly in the wrong."

Eleanor, who was in the same position as you yesterday, drew her sword without hesitation!

"So, Okita-kun, did you need something?"

Saegusa-san asked.

"Oh, right. Um, we were talking about Eleanor-san before, weren't we?"

"Ah, that's right. Did you see her?"

I see her whenever I look in a mirror.

"No, that's not it, it's about selling the Item Bag. She said she'd be willing to sell the one hundred kilogram one to you personally."

"The one hundred kilogram one?"

"Yes."

"Did you hear that directly from Eleanor Ocean?"

Hmm, I should probably avoid saying I heard it directly. It's not like Okita-kun and Eleanor-san would ever run into each other.

"No, actually, a junior from my university works as a receptionist at the Ikebukuro Guild. She's the one mainly in charge of Eleanor-san, so I asked her to pass on a message."

"Huh... I wonder who?"

Saegusa-san brought a hand to her chin, trying to remember.

"Kaede-chan... Asakura-san."

"Oh, that girl. The one who was in Satsuki-nee-san's party. I know her, I know her."

Well, this person was originally affiliated with the Ikebukuro Guild, so it makes sense she'd know Kaede-chan.

"That's her. I asked Kaede-chan to relay the message, and that was the reply. Um, is it okay if I give her your contact information? I thought it would be wrong to share it without permission."

"Ah, so that's what this is about... You can give it to her. By the way, how much is the one hundred kilogram one?"

"Who knows? The auction price was around fifty million yen, right? Probably around that much?"

Incidentally, I'm thinking of selling it for forty five million, factoring in the commission.

"Hmm, it'll be a negotiation. Forty million, or maybe forty five million..."

Alright, forty five million it is!

"A-ranks are amazing."

"Well, this much is nothing..."

No matter how many Skeletons I hunt, I'll probably never reach that level... I need to hurry up and get to D-rank and move on to the next step.

"By the way, Saegusa-san, why are you in the Kunaar Ruins? Are you looking for Eleanor-san?"

"Nope, training new recruits today. Look."

Saegusa-san pointed to the three girls she was talking to earlier. They certainly looked young, and judging by their equipment, they were probably rookies.

"You do things like that too, huh."

"Well, yeah. They're girls from the same guild, so I can't help but be concerned."

They're girls, after all.

"I see."

"Want to join them?"

An unexpected invitation.

She's hitting on me again! Could this person be into me? Well, probably not...

"No, I'm good. I'd just be in the way, so I'll do it on my own."

"You sure? Ah... can I ask you one thing?"

"What is it?"

"Are you and Kaede dating?"

Did she investigate?

"Something like that. We live together."

"Huh? Huh? Something like that?"

Saegusa-san seemed confused, an expression on her face that suggested a question mark was floating above her head.

"That's right. Something like that."

"Hmm... Well, I guess it's impolite to meddle in other people's affairs..."

"You should tell that to your cousin. She tagged along when I went out for drinks with Kaede-chan."

And what's more, she drank a beer and left right away.

"That's just how she is. She's a petty person, yup... and greedy, too."

She's saying the same things as her cousin, Satsuki-san...

Thinking how similar they were, I parted ways with Saegusa-san on the spot and decided to adventure alone in my solitude.