Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

After shopping, I took Miss Eina home before heading back myself.

I ran to the outside of West Street and stepped into several back alleys with complex and intersecting paths.

(I can't believe I've fallen for Miss Eina... This isn't good.)

In my mind, Miss Wallenstein was looking at me with reproach. Of course, that was just my imagination.

I can't believe I've actually changed my mind... No, I was just talking about harems not long ago. Hahaha, I let out a slightly neurotic laugh, choosing to escape reality.

I only love Miss Wallenstein. I only love Miss Wallenstein...

"...Footsteps?"

I stopped in my tracks.

From the depths of the back alley, I heard the frantic sound of someone running besides me. One person... no, two people?

Because the sound of the shoes can be clearly divided into two sizes, it is possible to tell the difference.

"Where did that come from...?"

I had just left the main street. Looking back at the road I had come from, I found myself standing in a position where I could see all the pedestrians on the main street. And the sound of footsteps was getting closer and closer.

Although there is still some distance, it is never good for trouble to happen near our headquarters.

I felt a little uneasy, so I first peeked out to look at the corner I usually take.

“Ah!”

"what?"

Suddenly, a shadow stumbled and fell in front of me. It seemed that when I leaned out from around the corner, my outstretched foot tripped the running shadow.

The faint scream startled me, and I leaned closer to take a look...

(...Palum?)

Shorter than a god, with slender, frail hands and feet that looked as if they would break at the slightest touch. Seeing this unique shape, where every part of the body was so small, I immediately thought of the name of a race.

They're those demi-humans who love to eat, dance, and make a ruckus.

"I'm sorry, are you alright?"

“Ugh…”

The small body twisted and stood up.

It was a girl. Her chestnut-brown, messy hair covered her neck.

She had a small, delicate appearance. Among her small features, her large, round eyes left a strong impression.

"Gotcha! You damn Palum!"

Just as I reached out to help her, a human appeared from the other end of the road. His explosive roar startled the girl, and I felt a pang of pity watching.

The man with the fierce look in his eyes seemed to be an adventurer.

He was around twenty years old? He was carrying a rather large sword on his back, and his physique was much better than mine.

"You can't escape...!"

The panting young man revealed a demonic expression.

Even though the spearhead wasn't pointed at me, I still wanted to back away. It was really terrifying.

—What exactly does this person want to do to this girl from Palum?

As soon as I thought of this, my body started moving on its own.

I blocked the young man's path and hid the girl's body behind my back.

"...Huh? Kid, get out of my way and get out of my way."

The man hadn't paid any attention to me until now, but this was the first time he'd noticed me.

My cheeks were twitching. No matter how many monsters I've defeated, I still wasn't used to this kind of scene.

I was somewhat intimidated by the man's boldness, but I still stubbornly stood still.

"Um... what are your plans for this child next...?"

"Shut up, brat! Get out of here right now, or I'll chop you up along with that guy behind you!"

—Oh no, we can't leave.

I made up my mind, even though I was on the verge of tears.

Although I don't know the details, this person will definitely make the girl behind me suffer.

I put down my backpack and pushed it to a corner of the alley. The male adventurers were naturally astonished by my actions, and even the Palum girl behind me couldn't hide her surprise.

The man was first speechless, then his face turned red.

"You brat...! Do you really want to die...!"

"Um, you, you need to calm down first...!"

"Shut up! What are you doing? Are you in cahoots with that shorty?!"

"This is our first time meeting."

"Then why are you protecting that guy?!"

"...Because...because she's a girl?"

"What are you even talking about...!"

Seriously, what am I even saying...?

But I guess there's nothing I can do about it. Because, in reality, that's really my only reason.

Aren't all men like that? Wouldn't they all step up to help a girl who's being attacked?

Where can I find any reason...!

"Whatever, I'll just kill you first...!"

The man reached behind his back and drew his sword.

The sheer killing intent made me sway, and I reflexively raised the Goddess Blade.

A gasp rippled through the room. I looked up and saw the girl from Palum staring at me with wide eyes.

No, she's looking at... "Goddess's Blade"?

Seeing that I was ready to fight, the man seemed surprised for a moment, but then he glared at me fiercely again.

--Oops.

My first time fighting someone... my legs started shaking. Can I even fight like this?

The murderous aura emanating from the opponent as they charged at me filled me with immense tension. I started sweating and couldn't help but swallow hard several times. Seeing my terrified and pathetic state, the male adventurer's face revealed a sinister grin. He probably realized that his opponent was nothing to fear.

The other person took a step closer to me openly. I suppressed the urge to back away and desperately tried to endure it.

All I could imagine was myself being defeated. But I couldn't back down.

I strained with all my might and opened my eyes wide.

The next instant, the man pounced on him.

"stop."

But the man's sword didn't strike me.

A strong and stern voice intervened in the scene.

The man and I were startled. When we turned around, we saw an elfin girl holding a large paper bag in one hand.

Her features were as overly perfect as Miss Eina's. The difference between her and Miss Eina, who was a half-elf, was that her sharp ears had even more angular lines.

Her sky-blue, almond-shaped eyes pierced straight into the male adventurer.

Uh, I remember she was... Ms. Ryu, a clerk at "The Abundant Mistress"?

"They're popping up one after another...! What's going on this time?!"

"The gentleman you intend to harm... he will become the life partner of an important colleague of mine. You are not allowed to lay a hand on him."

What is she saying?

"What nonsense are you all spouting...! Are you tired of living, huh?"

"Stop barking."

—The air froze instantly.

The shouting man immediately fell silent. Miss Liu, her eyes narrowed, exuded an unusually oppressive aura. His disheveled state was obvious.

Me too, I couldn't utter a single word.

"...!...?"

"I don't want to use force. I always go too far."

Bathed in the twilight shining down from the main street, Miss Ryu spoke softly.

I think that must be true.

Her posture conveyed a powerful sense of realism that made it impossible not to believe.

The male adventurer's mouth was still opening and closing, as if issuing an ultimatum, when, accompanied by a sharp sound, Miss Ryu equipped her empty hand with a small dachi.

Completely missed...

“Damn it!”

The man fled, his face ashen.

"..."

"Are you alright?"

I began to feel a little afraid of the girl in front of me who could drive away adventurers without even having to fight.

I wiped the sweat from my chin. I couldn't tell if it was from staring at the adventurer or from being intimidated by her imposing presence.

Miss Ryu, could you actually be an adventurer...?

"Th-thank you, I'm saved..."

"No, I'm just being nosy. You can definitely figure it out yourself."

"No, that's not true..."

I was terrified. I was so scared that I kept having all sorts of terrible thoughts.

I scratched my cheek and looked away.

"Miss Ryu, what brings you here?"

"I came out to buy things the shop needs for tonight. Unlike during the day, many adventurers come to the shop at night, and we'll be overwhelmed if we don't prepare in advance. I happened to see you on the road, and I couldn't resist."

Ah, I see. "The Abundant Mistress" seems to be a very popular tavern. They're not well-prepared; their food and wine must be running out soon.

But then again, she said she couldn't help herself? We probably haven't met more than a few times... Maybe she's a very righteous person?

What are you doing here?

"Oh, right, that child... wait?"

I looked around, and the girl from Palum who had been there just moments before had vanished without a trace.

Was anyone here just now?

"Uh, yeah. It was just here a moment ago..."

They probably ran away in fear.

Perhaps this is unavoidable. After all, even I am afraid.

Although I'm a little concerned...

"Then, I'll take my leave."

"Okay. Thank you so much."

Afterwards, Ms. Liu and I exchanged greetings and said goodbye on the spot.