An Adventurer Mom, Who Awakened [Housewife] Skill Through a Login Bonus, Is Making the Most of Her Adventurer Life With the Weekly Flyers She Gets! - Chapter 10

Two days later, when Kachua arrived at the meeting spot, Rick and Laura were already there. 

Even after Org and Ann arrived, Saza and Lucy were nowhere to be seen. Despite this, Rick looked around and said, “Everyone’s here. Shall we get going?”

Kachua asked, “Wait, what about Saza and Lucy?”

Rick replied hesitantly, “They left the party.”

“What? Why?”

According to Rick, during the dungeon exploration the previous day, the four of them had gotten lost, faced monster roadblocks, and had to turn back early, only reaching the second floor. Then, Lucy and Saza complained that Rick and Laura weren’t supporting them well, creating a hostile atmosphere.

Lucy had said, “I can’t stay in such a weak party!”

Saza added, “Exactly. We’re not the kind of people who should be stuck like this.”

With that, the two stormed out of the dungeon and quit the team.

“I think they joined the adventurer party that approached them the day before. They hinted at something like that.”

Kachua and the others listened to this story during their lunch break on the third floor.

Org took over Saza’s previous role as the front-liner, and Kachua filled Org’s former position.

After hearing the story, Rick and Laura apologized to Kachua and the others. “We’re really sorry.”

“Why?”

Rick explained, “To be honest, we knew Ann was strong, but we underestimated you and Org. It’s no excuse, but since it was our first time dungeon exploring, we didn’t realize that the smooth progress we made two days ago was all thanks to you two.”

“I don’t know about Kachua, but I didn’t really do anything,” Org said, prompting Kachua to deny it hurriedly.

“What? I didn’t really do anything either!”

“No, you’re incredibly knowledgeable about the dungeon, Kachua. And Org was an excellent rear guard.”

Laura, recalling the previous day, shivered and said, “We were ambushed from behind so many times…”

“It must’ve been tough.”

Getting ambushed from behind can destroy any party quickly, making it difficult to recover. It’s the rear guard’s job to prevent that, and when Org had been in that position, he’d done so perfectly. Although Kachua wasn’t as skilled as Org, her cautious nature had helped prevent any surprise attacks so far.

“And…” Rick glanced at Ann. “I was frustrated by what Saza said, but watching Ann today, I realized I haven’t been pushing enemies away in a way that makes it easier for everyone to fight, like Ann does. I finally understand how great everyone is.”

Ann reassured the downcast Rick, “Realizing that makes you a big deal. You’ve got the potential to be a great adventurer.”

While Rick and Laura’s situation was now clear, Kachua couldn’t help but worry about the two who left. “I hope Saza and Lucy are okay.”

“They’ll be fine,” Ann said lightly. “Swordsmen and mages are always in demand, no matter the team.”

It wasn’t unusual for adventurers to leave their teams, and Ann didn’t seem concerned. Some adventurers moved between various teams, forming new parties each time, while others preferred to work solo, only occasionally teaming up. There are many styles of adventuring.

That day, the team reached the fourth floor and identified the stairs leading to the fifth before deciding to retreat.

As they exited the dungeon, Ann asked the group, “So, what’s next for us? Should we recruit new members through party matching?”

After a brief pause, Rick spoke up, “I think the five of us are enough.”

“…I agree. It was easier this way,” Laura echoed.

Even though they’d lost two members, the party had made smoother progress than before. Fewer people also meant they were less likely to attract monsters, making it easier to move.

“I’m fine with that too, as long as everyone else is,” Org added.

Finally, Ann turned to Kachua. “What do you think, Kachua?”

“Hmm, I’m a little worried about not having a mage. I’ve heard that the Iron Ants on the tenth floor are resistant to physical attacks. So, we might need a magic-user to join us before we reach the tenth floor, or…”

“Or?”

“We could either acquire weapons with magical enhancements or buy scrolls for offensive magic.”

Weapons with magic enhancements deal damage equivalent to magic attacks and are advantageous against enemies resistant to physical attacks, but they cost about 1.5 times more than regular weapons. Magic scrolls allow non-magic users to cast spells, though they’re expensive.

Rick looked at Kachua in admiration. “Kachua, have you been to the tenth floor before?”

“No, I haven’t. Porters are only allowed up to the fifth floor. But I’ve heard stories from adventurers, and I’ve got a rough idea of the maps and monsters up to the twentieth floor.”

“…That’s impressive,” Laura muttered.

“It’s not that impressive! Any porter knows this stuff. You can look at maps and monster guides at the Adventurers’ Guild or in shops. I just read them when I’m waiting around.”

“We’ve still got time before we reach the tenth floor, so let’s stick with the five of us for now,” Ann suggested.

“Agreed.”

“No objections.”

“Okay.”

And so, they decided to continue as a party of five without recruiting anyone new for the time being.

***

The next meeting was two days later.

When Kachua arrived at the meeting spot, Rick and Laura were already there.

“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”

“Nope, you’re early.”

“Yeah.”

Their kind response made Kachua feel a little guilty. “Thanks. I’m sorry for making you adjust to my schedule. You’re both young, so you probably want to explore the dungeon more often…”

Laura, who was usually quiet, replied, “That’s okay. We’ve realized there’s plenty to do even outside the dungeon.”

“Huh?”

Rick explained, “I spent yesterday leveling up my lockpicking skills and checking out the maps at the guild like you suggested. Laura was studying magic. It was a productive day.”

“Leveling up is important, but there are things we can do besides going to the dungeon every day.”

“I see. I’m glad to hear that.”

Org and Ann soon arrived, and the party set off to explore the dungeon.