Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Chapter 7  Amazing guys

“I’m sorry.”

“Are you okay? Maybe you should rest a little longer?”

“Thank you. But I’m fine.”

We were still near the entrance, so we escaped to the outside of the dungeon for a moment.

Miyano and Kitahara managed to stand up somehow, albeit unsteadily. However, as soon as Kitahara emerged outside, she immediately crouched down.

Miyano didn’t crouch down like Kitahara, but she was clearly exhausted, with no spare energy to worry about Kitahara.

After that, we rested in a nearby rest area, and although it was a bit early, we had our lunch after about two hours.

Well, calling it lunch is an exaggeration. We were just eating calorie bars. We originally intended to eat inside the dungeon, so I suppose we don’t feel like eating meat or anything now.

After finishing the unexciting lunch, Miyano raised her face while expressing her apologies, indicating that she had somewhat sorted out her thoughts to the point where we could have a conversation.

“…Can I kill another ‘person’ again?”

It’s a question no one wants to hear, but I have to ask. If they can’t muster the determination to venture into the dungeon again in their current state, I’ll have to stop them, and it also affects my future team activities.

But judging by their current state…

“The way you phrased that…”

“Yes. Next time, there won’t be a problem.”

Miyano, who said those words, looked straight at me, her gaze unwavering and without any signs of hesitation.

“…Sigh, I guess it’s just a difference in talent. It’s really frustrating.”

Miyano and I… we locked eyes for about ten seconds, but it was me who looked away.

“What’s wrong? Are you bothered by how quickly I recovered?”

“Huh? No, it’s not that. When I killed that dog monster for the first time, I couldn’t recover for two days. So, I’m saying it’s amazing how you developed that ‘gaze’ in such a short time.”

When I first entered the dungeon, I had studied about dungeons to some extent, but I didn’t attend school like these kids did.

Well, for now, I did attend a school for adventurer training, but it’s questionable whether I learned properly.

Anyway, as someone who didn’t learn properly, I wasn’t mentally prepared when I first ventured into the dungeon.

In a dungeon I went to with a team different from the one introduced by the guild, I vomited when I killed a dog-like monster that attacked me.

The sensation of cutting through a living being remained on my hands.

The eyes of the creature I killed were looking at me.

It directed its killing intent towards me.

When it got close, its breath touched my face.

Unable to bear these discomforts, I ended up unable to live a normal life for two days, staying locked in my room.

Even I, an adult, experienced that.

And yet, from my perspective, a girl who can still be considered a child faced it with determination, looking forward. There are no words other than “amazing.”

“So, what about you?”

She’s already fine. She might cry or feel discomfort when she recalls it later, but at the very least, she won’t “break.”

Making that judgment, I shifted my gaze away from Miyano and directed my voice to Kitahara, who was next to her.

However, when I spoke to her, Kitahara trembled and flinched.

…She still seems to be struggling. But I won’t blame her for it. It’s a normal reaction, and besides, I have no intention of saying anything since I was the same way.

“It’s okay. I’ll protect you.”

“Yeah, that’s right. We won’t let anything harm you, Yuzu.”

However, unlike me, who had given up and accepted the situation, Miyano and Asada smiled at Kitahara Yuzu, reaching out their hands.

“I… I…”

Kitahara extended her trembling hand to respond to their gesture, but halfway through, she stopped and withdrew her hand.

“Is it okay?”

“Huh?”

Before I knew it, the words slipped out of my mouth.

Why? I shouldn’t have had any deep involvement with these guys. Even if I failed in the dungeon, as long as I survived, that would have been enough.

I wanted them to dive into the dungeon for the sake of my “duty,” but even that quota for this month was already fulfilled. I could go without diving into the dungeon for another two weeks, or even a month at most. I thought that Kitahara’s emotional issues could be resolved during that time.

So, I didn’t need to say anything in this situation. That’s how it was supposed to be. But… even so, against my own intentions, I found myself speaking up.

“…If you don’t stand up, everyone will die. A healing role is essential for conquering the dungeon, no matter how exceptional your abilities are. That doesn’t change.”

I don’t even know the reason why I called out, but since I had already spoken up, I had to say something, right?

“It’s said that abilities manifest differently depending on their nature. Didn’t you wish to help someone? That’s why you awakened the power to heal your comrades. If you keep crouching here, you won’t be able to help anyone, and you’ll end up abandoning your precious friends to their fate. Is that okay?”

“…No, it’s not.”

“I see. So, what will you do? Is it enough to just crouch there and cry? Is it okay not to stand up?”

“No, I… I…!”

Kitahara clenched her lips, then reached out her trembling hand and grabbed the hands of the two.

“I-I’m sorry. I can be useful too. I’ll help everyone. So, it’s okay.”

Fear could still be seen deep in her eyes. But for an ordinary person, that’s only natural, and yet, not giving up and standing up is truly “amazing.”

“You… well, whatever.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s nothing.”

I shifted my gaze to Asada, who had been comforting their two friends without crouching down. But there was nothing I needed to say to this person.

In their case, it would be better for them to have a conversation with their friends later rather than me asking. For now, it seems like they can endure.

…But seriously, everyone here is just extraordinary, and it’s troublesome. It’s not just about their ranks. Each of them has their own remarkable qualities.

Miyano and Kitahara, not just the two who have recovered, but Asada as well.

Even if they’re scared, the fact that they can endure for the sake of their friends is truly “amazing” in itself.

Kitahara might just be swayed by the atmosphere of the situation, but those who don’t possess the strength to stand up in the first place won’t be able to stand up even if they’re influenced.

So, being able to stand up is an impressive feat… sigh.

This is what talent is all about. Those who have it seem to have everything. It’s like I’m being shown my own inadequacy.

Well, there’s no point in saying it now, and I’ve been doing this for almost five years. I have to accept it and move on.

“So, what will you do? Retreat or move forward…”

“Let’s move forward.”

Upon Miyano’s words, the other two nodded, and we once again entered the dungeon.