Chapter 13: First Joint Battle

“F-fufu… To think you’d dodge my tackle, as expected of you, Satou-san…”

Karen-san stood up unsteadily, holding her nose where she had hit it. Though she seemed to be in pain, there was an odd gleam of delight in her eyes. Wait—was that a tackle?

And now, with her arms spread wide as though locking onto me, she poised herself to leap at any moment. Talk about persistent!

“Please calm down for a moment. Here, take this.”

I took a handkerchief out of my pocket and offered it to Karen-san to settle her down. Her nose wasn’t bleeding, but her face was smudged, ruining her otherwise delicate and lovely features.

“Ah, thank you so much! I’ll treasure this for the rest of my life.”

Huh? Wait a second? Why is my handkerchief disappearing into Karen-san’s pocket like that?

“Um, so, what brings you here, Karen-san?”

I brushed off the odd situation for now and asked her directly.

“Of course, it’s to meet you again, Satou-san!”

“Uh… I see…”

She said it like it was the most natural thing in the world, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why. Now that I think about it, she did ask for my autograph earlier… Could it be that she’s mistaking me for someone else?

“Uh, are you sure you’re not confusing me with someone?”

“???”

Karen-san tilted her head with a confused expression.

“Yeah, no need to look so bewildered.”

“There’s no mistake, is there? You’re the one who writes that blog, Satou-san, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Which means you’re the one who saved the Luna Stars, right?”

“Well, yes…”

“So, Satou-san, that makes you a Japanese Ninja, doesn’t it?”

“???”

This time, it was my turn to tilt my head.

Somehow, Karen-san had arrived at the conclusion that I equaled a Japanese Ninja. …I guess this is my fault for spouting nonsense in the first place. Serves me right.

“By the way, Satou-san, why are you alone?”

And with that, Karen-san threw a straight pitch right at me. It’s true—dungeons are typically explored in parties. It’s no wonder she found it strange that I was by myself.

I get it, but…! That wound still runs deep in my heart.

“Well… because I’m a ninja…”

“Oh my! That’s amazing!”

She accepted my explanation without a hint of doubt.

Karen-san’s innocence and purity were enough to make my heart ache. I feel like I could convince her to buy an overpriced urn if I said, “This is necessary to become a ninja.”

“By the way, Karen-san, you’re incredibly strong, aren’t you?”

She had taken down an 《Archangel》 in a single blow, and there was almost no wasted movement. That speed suggested she was quite a skilled fighter.

“Ufufu. I’m so happy to be praised by you, Satou-san. But it’s all thanks to the information from that blog!”

Karen-san puffed out her chest with a smug expression. It bounced—I won’t specify what.

“I’m glad I could be of help.”

“Yes! So, Satou-san, what are you planning to do now?”

“I was thinking of calling it a day and heading home.”

“Oh my…!”

Her eyes sparkled. I had a bad feeling about this.

“Um, may I visit your home?”

“Whose home?”

“Yours, of course, Satou-san.”

“No.”

“Wha…!?”

Well… obviously, that’s a no.

We just met today, and I don’t know anything about Karen-san. All I know is: 【Elena-san’s older sister】【A skilled explorer】【A bit clumsy】.

“I don’t know you well enough yet.”

“We can get to know each other from now on!”

“Elena-san might get angry.”

“I’ll explain it to her myself!”

“My room is messy.”

“I’ll clean it for you!”

“Give me money.”

“I’ll give it to you! How much do you need!?”

This person might really be hopeless. She’s bound to be tricked by someone bad someday.

I’ll have to tell Elena-san to keep an eye on her (sense of duty).

“Anyway, it’s a no. Besides, you’re cute, Karen-san, so you shouldn’t say things like that so casually.”

“C-cute…!?”

Karen-san, who had been about to pull out some bills from her wallet, froze with her face turning bright red.

“Well then, see you.”

“Cute… cu…”

Leaving the completely frozen Karen-san behind, I started to walk away. But at that moment, I sensed two presences.

Two 《Archangels》 from the first floor had noticed us and were heading this way. Well, with all this commotion, it’s no wonder they’d notice.

“Karen-san, pull yourself together. Enemies are coming.”

“Huh…! You’re right…!”

Karen-san tightened her previously slack expression and readied her weapon. She’s quick to switch gears. She must have been through many tough battles.

“Shall we cooperate on this one?”

“O-of course! I’ll protect your back, Satou-san!”