Chapter 41
41. Congratulations On Ranking Up
Come to think of it, today was my first day as a working adult.
I suddenly realize this fact.
It feels strange to have been just a student until recently.
“I still don’t feel like my adventurer life has truly begun…”
“You’ll get used to it quickly, Haruto.”
Lilith’s smile up close is still lovely.
As is her spirited and dignified beauty.
And her slightly moistened eyes, maybe due to alcohol.
And her lips, like lightly painted flowers.
As I become aware, I also feel embarrassed.
“By steadily completing quests and increasing your rank, you’ll receive more requests, and then you’ll build up achievements again… that’s the basic of the adventurer life, aiming for rank up.”
“I see…”
“When you reach the intermediate rank… B or above, the number of requests to fight demons and monsters increases, and I think Mr. Haruto’s abilities will shine~”
Alice explained with a smile.
“Well then, I’ll start by leveling up and do my best to fight alongside everyone.”
“If there’s anything I can do, I’ll help too. So that you can rank up quickly.”
“If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”
“Oh, me too, me too. Haruto-kun helped me, so now it’s my turn.”
“I also want to be helpful to you. I want to repay the debt of saving my life.”
Lilith, Alice, Sarome, and Luca each lean forward one after another.
“Thank you, everyone.”
I was filled with gratitude.
—The enjoyable banquet comes to an end, and I return to my room at the inn.
As I reach for the doorknob, I realize it’s unlocked.
“Huh, why is it open?”
I furrow my brow.
Could it be a trespasser?
Even though the capital is said to be safe, I activate my skills just in case.
My body is enveloped in a brilliant spectrum of colors—Armor Phase.
I quietly open the door and cautiously enter the room.
There it is—.
I look ahead and am taken aback.
In the center of the dimly lit room stands a slender silhouette.
A well-endowed bust.
A slender waist. Graceful legs.
And twin tails of golden hair—.
I am speechless and stand there dumbfounded.
“Huh…!?”
Wide-eyed, Lilith stares at me.
“W-What’s wrong, Lilith-chan~!?”
Alice rushes over.
“S-So bold… Aww…”
Seeing her half-naked, Alice hurriedly closes the door in a panic.
“I’ve been seen… by a man… I can never get married…”
Meanwhile, Lilith squats down in embarrassment, covering her ample chest with both hands, muttering to herself.
“Haruto-san…?”
Alice looks at me with a cold gaze.
Normally gentle, her current expression is incredibly intense.
“N-No, it’s a misunderstanding. When I entered my room, Lilith was changing—”
“So, Lilith-chan made such a bold move?”
From her previously intimidating gaze, Alice’s eyes widen in surprise.
“Hmm, love truly changes a woman, doesn’t it!”
“Haruto’s room?”
Lilith, who had been muttering about not being able to get married, raises her eyebrows in confusion.
“Room 207 is my accommodation.”
“Huh, isn’t this room 307…?”
As she starts to speak, Lilith suddenly realizes.
“Did I perhaps get the keys mixed up…?”
I left my room key on the table during the party, but maybe it got switched with Lilith’s somehow.
Since our seats were next to each other, our belongings might have gotten mixed up—.
And maybe she went to the wrong floor, resulting in this situation.
“I’m sorry for the disturbance…”
Lilith immediately bows deeply, looking apologetic.
“No, I should have double-checked… I mean, sorry. For seeing… you…”
“D-Don’t remind me, please…”
Lilith’s face blushes again.
“Embarrassing… ugh…”
“Ah, sorry…”
As I apologize, I recall the sight I saw earlier.
The first time I’ve seen a girl half-naked.
She was so beautiful, so enchanting—.
Lilith. She really does have a big bust. Yeah.
And her waist and legs, her figure is outstanding.
As I remember, blood rushes to my lower body.
Oh, this is bad.
“…Haruto?”
“N-No, I didn’t see anything. I didn’t remember anything.”
I deny it, waving my hands as Lilith stares at me with suspicion.
“This is something that must be taken responsibility for. As a noble’s daughter, it’s unacceptable to expose your skin to anyone other than your husband…!”
Alice’s tone is neither joking nor serious.
“Sis, that’s enough. Haruto is already troubled, you know.”
Lilith glances lightly at Alice.
“Ehehe, sorry, both of you. Maybe I got a bit tipsy…”
Alice sticks out her tongue.
“Anyway, I’ll finish changing, so can you turn around for a bit, Haruto?”
“Ah, sure.”
At Lilith’s request, I turn my back.
Shuffle, shuffling sounds come from behind.
It’s nerve-wracking—.
Soon, Lilith finishes changing,
“Well, then, we’ll leave it at that. Really sorry, Haruto.”
“Good night, Haruto-san~”
Along with Alice, they walk towards the exit of the room.
“Yeah, good night.”
They smile warmly at the exit,
“We had fun today. Let’s gather again with everyone.”
“I hope we can celebrate Haruto-san’s rank up next time~”
And they leave the room.
Rank up, huh? Yeah.
I’ll do my best again tomorrow.
—From the next day onwards, I continued to work mainly on gathering and exploration requests.
Thanks to my defense skills, I can complete requests in dangerous places without taking any damage.
I walk through explosions and tornadoes calmly, easily pass through monster habitats, and effortlessly conquer trap-filled dungeons.
I steadily accomplished high-difficulty requests one after another.
As I continued this lifestyle, a month passed—.
And I already rose to rank D.