"Adventurer-san, did you have breakfast this morning?"
Passing the tavern as usual, Syr Flova, the waitress, seemed to be waiting for Arthas at the entrance. Holding a small basket, she smiled at him.
"Thank you for your concern, I already ate."
Declining her offer, Arthas smiled faintly.
"Are you free tonight? How about I treat you to dinner?"
"Oh… that wouldn't be right, I have to work at the shop."
Syr blushed, stammering slightly. Arthas shook his head indifferently.
"Work can wait. I'll pay your shop owner for your time."
Hestia had taken only 1,000 Valis from the 3,000 he'd earned from the Minotaur's magic crystal; Arthas had 2,000 left. With money in hand, he felt generous and wanted to repay the girl who had quietly helped and cared for him.
"Oh…"
The girl paused, unsure how to refuse. Arthas smiled and turned to leave.
"Consider it settled, then. Tonight… I'll be waiting."
Using suggestive words, he left the blushing girl and walked away.
"What… I haven't seen him for a little while, but Adventurer-san seems like a different person."
Remembering their first meeting, when Arthas had been wary and aloof, Syr felt a sense of unreality comparing him to the Arthas of today.
But… this is nice too. He looks handsome when he smiles, Adventurer-san.
Thinking this, the shy girl returned to the shop.
In the late afternoon, Eina saw a dejected Arthas at the Adventurer's Guild.
"What's wrong… didn't you encounter any monsters again?"
Raising an eyebrow, Eina asked.
"Ah… same as usual, no monsters."
Arthas said listlessly. He'd encountered a Minotaur yesterday, thinking he'd finally find monsters, but he was disappointed.
"Come with me."
The hall wasn't crowded, but it wasn't a suitable place to talk. It was best to keep Arthas's situation private; otherwise, strange rumors might spread.
In the private tutoring room, Eina sat at the table, looking seriously at Arthas.
"Which floor did you go to today?"
"The fifth floor."
Arthas confessed honestly, and Eina breathed a sigh of relief.
The fifth floor wasn't so bad; at least it was better than the ninth floor…
Oh, really?!
For an adventurer who'd only been adventuring for three days, don't make going to the fifth floor sound so casual!
"We need to address this. If you keep this up, I'll have to report you to Hestia. If you die in the deeper floors, I'll be held responsible as your advisor."
Eina said this with a troubled expression. As she expected, mentioning Hestia made Arthas behave.
"That shouldn't happen. I don't encounter monsters."
"Then how do you explain yesterday? Didn't you encounter a monster on the ninth floor?! I told you, you might be lucky and not encounter monsters for a while, but that won't last forever. What will you do then? Just close your eyes and wait to die?!"
Eina said earnestly, and Arthas could only lower his head.
"I told you before, even if you don't encounter monsters, stay on the first floor! What did you do with my advice?!"
"Ignored it."
"What did you say?!"
"No, I mean I always remember your advice, Eina."
Arthas quickly corrected himself after a slip of the tongue.
Seeing Arthas's nonchalant attitude, Eina sighed. Other adventurers valued their lives; Arthas seemed indifferent to his own life and death.
Didn't he have any sense of danger? Didn't he understand the consequences of his actions?
"I know, I'm just an advisor, and you may not listen to me. But for Hestia's sake, please value your life and stop taking such risks. Dungeon adventuring isn't something you accomplish overnight. Please proceed gradually."
"Don't worry, I won't tell Hestia about you going to the lower floors. But please be careful in the future."
"Understood."
Arthas nodded obediently, thinking, Next time, I won't tell you.
As if guessing his thoughts, Eina glared at him.
"Don't even think about hiding things from me. If I find out, you know the consequences!"
"Yes, yes. Can I go now?"
Arthas nodded repeatedly, making Eina chuckle and wave him away.
"Go, go. You act like I'm some kind of monster."
Seeing Arthas's attitude, Eina pouted slightly but said nothing more.
"That's not true, Miss Eina. You've always been concerned about me. It's my fault for worrying you. Thank you again for your concern."
At the door, Arthas turned back, speaking earnestly before leaving the room.
"What… Don't think you'll win me over with flattery."
Though she said this, Eina felt warm inside. She touched her cheek unconsciously. She wasn't completely unattractive; she'd thought this kid was immune to her charms.
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