Page 30

(Walson)

I have been spending most of my time disposing of the dead adventures we have encountered in the jungle. Finding information about their identities, if they have any families, any relatives still being alive, etc. Such a task wouldn't be too hard in the modern world of Earth. But in this time and age it was extremely difficult, it took me a lot of time to find what I needed. It's already nighttime.

I had a chat with Grace in the Orphanage just before I went to bed, and the moment my head hit the pillow...

[Party has gained 2357 EXP]

[Party has gained 2971 EXP]

[Party has gained 785 EXP]

[Party has gained 1243 EXP]

[Party has gained 748 EXP]

[Party has gained 3321 EXP]

...

...

...

I cannot close my mouth, my jaws have dropped to the ground in astonishment.

If anyone else was around, they would have thought I saw a ghost or something.

A continuous stream of messages ran through my head, filling my tired brain with more and more [Party has gained XXXX EXP].

Come one... it's nighttime already. What the hell is going on?

The point is, I just met Grace a few moments ago. So who is fighting right now? Is it Melon?

WHAT IS SHE DOING!?

Judging from the high number of EXP that are coming in, she is probably facing foes that are LV30 or above. The frequency of the messages also indicates that she is fighting an entire horde's worth of stuff.

#...Melon?# It was Grace that broke the silence first.

#What is going on?# I sent a telepathic message right afterward.

[Party Member - Melon - is now LV28]

#Don't worry about me, I have things under control. Please go back to your rest, Grace, Walson.# Melon gave us her curt and short reply, she did not sound like she was nervous or in distress.

Melon says "Go back to sleep" so blatantly... Who can go back to sleep in a time like this?

"... Walson, I checked. Melon isn't inside the base."

Flower petals scattered throughout my vision and Grace appeared in my room.

I wanted to send another telepathic message to Melon and make sure, but if Melon isn't in the base... then that must mean she is fighting outside. Better not distract her.

But where could she have gone to?

Then, the slew of EXP messages suddenly stopped.

And Melon suddenly had a drop in her HP.

[Party has gained 17356 EXP]

HOLY COW!? What the heck did she kill off just now?

Another long stream of [Party has gained XXXX EXP] slammed into my head.

"... Melon, reckless." Grace shook her head slightly, but her tone had zero ounces of worry in it.

... Don't tell me Melon is going all "Dynasty Warrior"/"Sengoku Musou", sweeping through monsters left and right...?

Melon's training consists of fighting against ten spinning iron dummies at once. Which probably means she has ample amount of experience when it comes to fighting multiple foes at once...

Hang on, is she doing this with her bare hands!?

I hope Melon will be alright... No, nevermind. There is no way she will lose. I can't conjure up an image of a defeated Melon.

The HP she has lost has been recovered, which means she must have taken a few bottles of potion with her. That's good to know and very reassuring.

"... She's being reckless. But we need not worry." Grace said to me.

"Did she say something to you? Do you understand why she's doing this?" I asked

"... Melon is doing it for Walson's sake."

Huh? She is doing all this for me?

"Ah?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"..." But Grace decided to stay quiet.

Is this a secret between girls, or something like that? If that's the case, then I guess I shouldn't pry.

Anyway, back to Melon.

If she is fighting monsters that are around LV30, then she should be fine. After our stroll in the jungle, I know she could handle those well enough on her own.

But I still can't shake this dread in my heart. Am I being overprotective?

The girls, both of them, are growing so splendidly. They... are no longer what they used to be.

No, in fact. It could be said that they are stronger than I am now.

Melon's senses have become stronger and can easily sense an approaching enemy, making her more prepared for ambushes. Her speed, power, and reflex are several notches better than the average adventures/

When I observed her training with the spinning iron dummies, I could barely see her movement at all, she leaves nothing but a blurring image behind.

It wouldn't be over-exaggerating if I said that Melon is quick as a flash now.

... But I have got a blessing from the Dryad. Perhaps I could close the gap in the future? Well, whatever, doesn't matter.

Grace is right. There is no need for me to worry.

"... By the way, Grace. Are you sure a lone girl barging into a boy's room is appropriate?"

The other children who used to share a room with me have all 'graduated' from the Orphanage, and currently I am the only resident of this room.

"... Um..." Grace blushed slightly from my teasing.

She is wearing a white silky dress, shimmering under the moonlight, one would be able to see the slight feminine curves on her body.

This is one of my gifts that I gave her. She didn't want to accept it at first, but I told her she could see it as a celebratory gift for being able to work in the magic stone shop.

Her black, star-like hair is reflecting the moon's light, her slightly blushing pink face...

Oh my, so cute.

"... If it's Walson, then it's fine."

Eh ?

Is she trying to indicate something?

"So you want to sleep with me tonight?" And this is just outright flirting on my part...

...

...

...

Grace responded with a kick in the balls.

"... No... not until fifteen..." she disappeared in a swarm of petals after that.

... Ow... I kind of deserved that, didn't I?

...But please, don't hit the balls next time, ow...