Chapter 13

Chapter 13 Like adate

Translator: Mana

What do I have to do for the second stage?

No longer feeling the challenge to the current practice, I urged Jin to continue. Jins response was far from what I expected.

Well have Note learn to activate Enemy Search and Trap Detect at the same time.

Erm thats something I can already do

Of course, Jin couldnt understand the awkwardness only I could feel. It wasnt as though I could keep my silence, so I reluctantly told Jin and Erin I was already able to activate Enemy Search and Trap Detect together.

Hah? Are you seriously saying that? Youre just lying, lying!

In contrast to Jins open surprise, Erin reacted negatively.

It wasnt a lie I might actually hate her after all

Recently, perhaps in order to seem mad at me, Erin had been retorting to everything I said in this way. Just how bad is she at maintaining distance between people? In order to deal with Erins surface-thin anger, I sighed and began my explanation.

Its not a lie though For evidence, do you remember that time? When my Trap Detect and Trap Dismantle completely dropped in level

What about that?

Erins face turned sour, as if she was remembering my disappointing past. Ignoring her, I continued talking.

It sounded like an excuse so I didnt really want to say it, but it was since then. That I started practicing using Enemy Search at the same time. After my faults were pointed out by Erin I realised I couldnt go on the way I was, so I thought about how I could change myself and this was the result. Because of that, my Trap Detect and Trap Dismantle were pretty bad for a while

Erin seemed to comprehend the full story from my explanation. She looked around awkwardly, as if seeking help. Eventually giving up on that idea, she glared at my eyes while raging with fury.

Whats with that You make it sound like I was mad this whole time over my own misunderstanding

In reality, it was exactly that But the responsibility was on me, who was originally the one slacking off and angered her, so I followed up.

It was also my fault for not talking about my own situation and making you misunderstand, so dont worry about it, Erin!

Dont suddenly start acting like an adult, Note! Youre making me sound even worse!

Sorry for causing you trouble.

Hey, dont apologise! Youre doing that on purpose to make me suffer, arent you?! I was the one who was wrong Im sorry

Erin and I both lowered our heads at each other. Even though we were supposed to be apologising, we couldnt keep the smiles off our faces. Its been three months since weve joked around like this.

From an outsiders view, it might have just been a pointless conversation, but to me it was extremely fun and something I had always been waiting for. Perhaps Erin felt the same waysuch self-conceited fantasies passed through my head. I guess that wasnt going to happen But if it did, I would be so happy.

Suddenly noticing Jins warm gaze as he watched the two of us, we jumped in shock and looked his way. At the exact same time.

No, this wasnt like that Really

Im sorry for making you worry about us too, Jin.

In the end, the one most troubled by

the bad air between Erin and I was Jin, who had to come between us many times. With all my apologies and appreciation, I properly lowered my head.

Jin scratched his cheek and answered. It was nothing. I admired how cool Jin was as the most mature and adult-like of this party.

Dont look at me like that, Ill get shy. Getting back on topic Note, youre able to activate Enemy Search and Trap Detect at the same time already, right?

Well, yes

Then well skip the second stage and go to the final stage of Enemy Search, Trap Detect, and Trap Dismantle practice!

Final stage

The words final stage made me a little nervous. I wiped my sweaty palms as I kept an ear on Jins next words.

Yup, the final stage

I took a deep breathIf this is not Binbogami WordPress then it is stolen!

Is for you to have Enemy Search and Trap Detect constantly activated 24 hours a day.

Ah I can already do that too

Erin and I were walking through the shopping district of the town of Puriff.

The reason for this had to do with the fact I had already achieved the goals for the arts Jin assigned.

The original plan was to start searching for a tank member once I entered the second stage of practice, but because I made unbidden progress on my practice we were now stuck in a situation where we couldnt go dungeon diving without a new member. I felt somewhat sorry

So now, I was being taught the other thief skills that I was meant to start learning after we began dungeon diving. Hence, I was here shopping for weapons needed for the arts with Erin.

You might question why we were the only two here. That was because of Jin.

The two of you were fighting until just recently How about you go shopping together to deepen your relationship?

Jin shot me a pointed look.

We werent like that

In reality, I thought it would be better to have the same-class Jin come along, but it was true that we needed to get along better as members of the same party, so I obediently went with Jins suggestion.

I reminded myself that this was in no way a date, just a weapon shopping trip for two party members.

Though there are flashy men in this world who insist going out together as a man and woman can only mean a date, I didnt think that way. If the definition of date was just to go out as a man and woman, then my jogs with Neme would be considered a date too. I shouldnt be the one saying this, but if anything, those trips were more like a kidnapping than a date

As I was pondering deeply over such thoughts, we arrived at the weapon store. Good timing.

We opened the door and a cheerful voice called from within. Welcome! It was the voice of a buff-looking bald man. Seeing as he was the only one in the store, he was probably the store owner.

Oh, little Erin! Is that your boyfriend next to you?

I wished he wouldnt drop bombs like that so suddenly.

Even the usually snappy Erin was caught unaware, awkwardly answering, N-No hes not As a result, the reality of the situation created an unpleasant atmosphere in the shop .

To clear that atmosphere, Erin changed the topic.

Whats with you! Owner! Youre more cheerful than usual today!

To call the owner Owner His name was written on his chest, you know Grey Well, whatever. Id do the same

Yep, the most expensive staff in our store just sold.

The owner proudly answered with a smile. Erin feigned disinterest as she looked around the store, then turned to the owner with a smug grin.

Well then. I guess well take the most expensive dagger in this store.

Huh? I raised my voice in shock.

Coming right up! The owner said, heading around the back of the counter.

No no, I dont have that kind of money

Its fine, Ill pay.

Why do you have to pay, Erin

Its an apology. For everything until now Erin looked at her feet.

The owner returned and showed us the dagger. It was obvious that it was a sharp blade even to amateur eyes. Especially as the price the owner showed us worth more than one year of my income as an adventurer. Even though it was a comparatively small dagger

Wait wait wait, is there really a need for Erin to pay something this expensive?

When youre a first class adventurer like me, you can afford to use money freely.

Even so, for Erin to pay

Its an apology, so shut up and take it!

Isnt it wrong to deal with apologies through money?

What are you doing getting cowardly at a price tag for!

What did you say?! You dungeonnouveau riche!

How is it that you can return from a shopping trip together on worse terms than when you left?

We couldnt say anything in return to Jins justified question.

The atmosphere in the beginning was good, if I did say so myself. Kind of like a date

The turning point was after the weapon shop when we decided we might as well eat dinner while we were out, leading to a fight over which shop to eat at, repeatedly fighting within the shop itself, arriving at now.

We were probably fated to clash like this from the beginning. Similar yet opposing existences. Never crossing with each other.

Despite this exaggeration, I did think our distance was a lot closer than three months ago. We fought with each other, but there were some feelings of consideration between us.

In the end, I convinced Erin to buy a slightly cheaper dagger, which I really was grateful for. Thats why she mocked me when I told her Id pay for her dinner, saying, Being shouted by a beggar like you doesnt make me happy at all. Ill pay for you this time. Just recalling it made me angry. Though when all was said and done, we split the bill But still, she was really infuriating

Well, I did end up experiencing Erins kindness first hand, raising my evaluation of her to as a rather likeable kind of person. Thats why I felt no discomfort in natural fights like this

As such wonderful and pure thoughts passed through my mind, Erin directed her crackling gaze my way. In opposition, I glared back, but

Wawah Neme, completely missing the situation, started panicking.

Then a loud noise suddenly echoed with a bang. It was the sound of the front door opening. From my Enemy Search I could detect that it was Forces presence.

A persons strength can be felt when the level of Enemy Search is raised, so as long as I remembered the strength level of certain people I could pull off simple tricks like this.

I really have improved a lot recently

Force charged straight into the living room, and the first thing to leave his mouth was an outrageous remark.

Im going to quit the Arrivers!