To obtain the job of a priest, it seems one must kill a monster with bare hands.
Roxane finished the final blow and obtained the job of a priest, but my job did not increase despite participating in the battle.
With no other choice, I continued to experiment, aiming to obtain the job of a priest.
"I'll deliver the final blow, so Roxane, just surround the monster and don't attack."
I challenged the Needlewood, which couldn't be defeated with a single hit even when hit by magic.
Since it can be defeated with one hit, it must be taking considerable damage.
Still, fighting it alone is very dangerous.
Actually, it's impossible.
Roxane and I surrounded it.
This way, the attacks coming at me would be halved.
Oh!
Sometimes, the branches that Roxane dodges might swing towards me.
It's not clear if the Needlewood has a front and back.
It can attack 360 degrees by swinging its branches.
Truly, it's a strange monster.
Even if we surround it from the front and back, it doesn't seem to give us much of an advantage.
However, the attacks from the monster definitely decrease.
Although I'm the only one attacking, the Needlewood doesn't focus on me alone.
Roxane looks much stronger than me.
It can't be ignored.
Roxane continues to narrowly dodge all the monster's attacks.
The Needlewood's branches never hit.
What is that movement?
Roxane lightly turns to dodge the monster's attacks.
When there's an opening, I punch.
The branches swing, and I lean back.
My upper body loses balance, but the monster targets Roxane.
Roxane easily dodges the missed attacks.
This has been repeating.
Occasionally, the monster's attacks hit me.
Of course, they don't hit Roxane.
Perhaps from the Needlewood's perspective, the attacks on Roxane seem to miss.
It might look like a close battle, but it's completely read.
The battle became prolonged because I was the only one attacking.
I throw a jab followed by a straight punch, rotating my hips to add power.
I feel like my fist took more damage.
I hurriedly dodge the swinging branches.
When the monster misses, it's a chance to counter, but my stance is also off balance.
The next time the monster attacked Roxane and missed, I took the opportunity to rush in.
I stepped forward with a left, then a right, and followed up with a left straight punch.
Finally, the monster fell.
It was a long battle.
Of course, it was a long battle only between me and the Needlewood.
Since I was the only one attacking, I made sure to deliver the final blow this time.
I focused on the job setting.
Priest Level 1
Effect: Slight increase in mental stats, slight increase in MP
Skill: Healing
Is this it?
I immediately set the job and chanted the healing spell.
Since I had been hit by the monster's attacks several times, my shoulder was painful.
"Indeed, the pain seems to have subsided. From now on, when you get hit by a monster's attack, let me know so I can use the skill to heal you."
I told Roxane.
"Can you do that?"
"Yes, in secret."
"Y-Yes, Master, you're amazing."
Roxane can use the skill if she can understand Brahim, but I feel like I've been called amazing several times already.
It's just that I can hold multiple jobs.
It feels a bit fraudulent.
According to Roxane, the priest's skill can probably only heal minor injuries.
For major injuries like losing an arm, higher-level healing potions like nourishing tablets are needed.
However, as long as I can pay, it should be manageable, which reassured me.
After that, we continued our experiments and returned to the wall of the adventurer's guild.
I confirmed that the wand had a proper effect.
There didn't seem to be much difference in power between Fireball, Firestorm, Breezeball, and Sandball.
I allocated 99 bonus points to increased strength and tried fighting with a copper sword, but I couldn't defeat the monster in one hit.
It seems that magic is generally more powerful than swords.
I wonder how amazing Durandal is.
We returned to the inn and had breakfast with Roxane.
After that, we went back to the room.
"Roxane was very helpful. I appreciate your cooperation."
I thanked Roxane and sat on the bed.
Indeed, she was very helpful.
First, she has the ability to find monsters quickly, so we can encounter them faster.
We've never killed as many monsters in one exploration.
We didn't spend much time in the dungeon, only exploring the first level, and we fought some monsters for longer than necessary to experiment and obtain the priest job.
Currently, the item box has two full rows and one item in the third row.
Since I'm now Explorer Level 27, each row can hold 27 items.
So, from this morning's exploration, I obtained 55 branches and 6 leaves.
Also, with Roxane, I can confidently leave the front line to her when attacking monsters with magic.
Today, Roxane didn't get hit by a single monster attack.
She dodged them all.
While Roxane is engaged, I can also use Durandal.
Being able to use Durandal at any time with any opponent to recover MP will increase efficiency.
"Yes, thank you. I also appreciate your cooperation."
Roxane stood near the entrance and bowed.
Even after raising her head, she didn't seem to intend to move.
"Please."
"This is the first time I've defeated so many monsters. Master, you're amazing."
"No, it's my first time too. Thanks to Roxane's guidance, it was amazing."
"That's not true. We could defeat so many because of Master's overwhelming attack power. You were amazing in many other ways too."
We ended up praising each other.
"Come over and sit down."
"Y-Yes."
I invited Roxane.
Do I have to say it every time?
"From now on, feel free to sit down when you enter the room. Actually, it's better if you sit close to me. If you sit close, I won't, well, I won't, you know, do anything inappropriate."
When Roxane came over, I felt an urge to hug her.
I can't hold back forever.
The white skin peeking out from the collar of her tunic was enticing.
"I-I'm fine. It's okay, ah..."
She said something so sweet, and I couldn't help but hug her.
I think it's Roxane's fault.
"Does 'it's okay' mean it's okay to do anything?"
Ah, it means it's okay as long as I don't do anything inappropriate.
Damn.
Since I can't do that, I patted her dog ears to calm down.
They were soft and elastic, feeling great.
"Can I taste them?"
"Ah... I-I don't think they taste good."
No, they definitely taste good.
What am I saying?
Roxane looked a bit troubled.
No, it's not that.
I won't eat them.
I want to, but I won't.
"I won't eat them. I just want to play with them."
I want to lick and nibble them.
"Y-Yes."
"Is it okay to play with your ears like this? If it hurts or you don't like it, let me know, and I'll stop."
"It's okay as long as you don't do anything strange. Actually, being petted feels good."
Roxane said it softly, looking away, which made her incredibly cute.
Should I taste them?
However, these dog ears remind me of something.
Not the puff from baby powder, but something edible.
Not choux cream, chiffon cake, or marshmallow, but something more chewy.
That's it. Seaweed rice crackers.
The stretchy feeling of cooked mochi is similar to these floppy ears.
They are soft and elastic, captivating the heart.
Seaweed rice crackers.
A favorite snack, but I might never eat them again.
I wonder if mochi, soy sauce, and seaweed exist in this world.
"Are there seaweed rice crackers around here?"
"Seaweed rice crackers?"
"Yes. A favorite snack from my hometown."
"I don't know about this area, but if you go to the seaside, they might cook fish on the beach."
That's actually seaweed rice crackers.
It seems the Brahim language translated it directly.
Just because it's translated doesn't mean the concept exists.
"I see. I'll look for them."
"Um, Master, will you ever return to your hometown?"
Roxane asked.
Of course, it must be on her mind.
"My hometown?"
"Yes."
"I've obtained something better than returning to my hometown."
I played with her dog ears while talking.
This doesn't exist in Japan. It more than makes up for the lack of seaweed rice crackers.
Soft, smooth, and elastic, it's the best.
"..."
"I won't return to my hometown, and I probably can't."
Roxane fell silent, so I answered more seriously.
I know it's something I need to think about.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, it won't be a case where I free Roxane because I'm returning to my hometown."
I lifted her dog ears and flapped them.
"No, that's not what I meant."
"It's okay. I understand."
"Generally, slaves are sold when they are no longer needed."
I see. That's the norm.
Roxane's concern is probably about being sold.
"I intend to keep Roxane around for a long time."
"Thank you."
"However, to strengthen the party, I will likely add more members."
I declared a harem while mixing in the conversation.
I only said I would add party members, not harem members.
Logically, the front line should be tough, but the back line should be filled with beautiful girls.
"Of course."
I don't know how much Roxane understands, but I'll interpret it as a commitment.
Whether adding party members is truly necessary is unclear.
Forming a party means continuing to enter the dungeon to earn money.
However, is there any other way?
It's difficult.
I don't have any special knowledge about agriculture, cooking, commerce, or transportation that would be useful in this world.
Even if I develop something based on modern knowledge, it might not work.
I once read James Watt's biography.
He was apparently successful in business, but it was after winning patent lawsuits against rivals.
Patents don't exist in this world.
The only possibility might be making Roxane a midwife.
Midwives are probably mostly women.
When delivering a baby, hands are disinfected with lime water.
Instruments are sterilized in boiling water.
Sheets and towels are dried in the sun for disinfection.
This should significantly reduce deaths from puerperal fever.
The Kaga Obstetrics and Gynecology might become the standard in this world.
However, it's not very practical.
First, making Roxane a midwife would be challenging.
Midwives might be different for humans, werewolves, elves, and dwarves.
Even if they can multitask, the incidence of puerperal fever might vary.
If they wash their hands with a certain herb-infused water before delivery, it would be a problem.
Besides midwifery, I could make Roxane play an instrument or become a singer and form a band.
If the modern songs I know are also popular in this world, it could work.
I know hundreds or even thousands of songs, from pop hits, oldies, children's songs, folk songs, and classical pieces. I probably won't run out.
However, I can't play an instrument or read sheet music, so it would be difficult.
It would all depend on Roxane.
Since I can change party members' jobs, I might be able to make it a job.
In the worst case, but it would involve revealing some of my abilities.
There's a risk of people targeting me for my abilities or getting involved in trouble.
It's probably safer not to.
Ultimately, earning money in the dungeon seems the most stable.
It fits my abilities.
There are benefits.
Entering the dungeon to level up and obtain new jobs will be useful in emergencies.
The dungeon isn't particularly dangerous.
Is it because I've become complacent?
However, I don't think it's that dangerous as long as I don't rush to go deeper, or rather, higher.
I can level up slowly and steadily.
I could stay in the lower levels for a long time.
I can earn thousands of nals a day, which should be enough to live on.
"Considering the future, we need a place to live. Would it be cheaper to rent a room instead of staying in a hotel?"
I muttered to myself and asked Roxane.
"Yes. I'm not sure about the details, but renting a room for a year costs 10,000 to 30,000 nals. If you can pay 50,000 nals, you can rent a large house."
I see. It's cheaper than staying in a hotel.
Hotel fees would exceed 90,000 nals for 365 days at 250 nals per day.
It would be even higher if I add more party members.
"I'll do the cleaning."
"Ah, I see. I'll be imposing on you, Roxane."
"No, it's fine."
In a hotel, the staff handle all the chores.
As a slave and maid, Roxane will have to do the work.
Of course, I'll help, but in a world without vacuum cleaners, running water, or washing machines, it will be a lot of work.
"Can Roxane cook?"
"Yes, I can cook to some extent."
Slave and maid and cook, decided.
"By the way, the owner is supposed to provide food and a place to live for slaves, but it's fine whether we stay in an inn or rent a house, right?"
"Yes, of course."
"Even in the same bed?"
I lowered my voice and hugged her.
"Y-Yes. I would be grateful."
I wanted to hear Roxane say that.
Maybe I was a bit mean.
She probably thought she would sleep on the floor, so this was her answer.
When I hugged her, the soft, plump elasticity pressed against my arms.
Under her clothes, I could feel the rise of her braless chest.
Damn.
I want to push her down, but I said I wouldn't.
Why did I say that?
"How many days are in a year?"
"Um, 360 days and a few more."
I continued asking questions.
According to Roxane, a year consists of four seasons, each 90 days long. There is a one or two-day holiday between seasons, which are probably leap days.
So, a year is 364 days plus a few more, similar to Earth.
It's early spring now.
She doesn't know the exact date.
If a year has 365 days, it's better to rent a room.
"If I rent a room, can I rent anywhere?"
"I think it's fine in a large enough town."
"I see."
In smaller villages, it might be harder for outsiders.
"However, I've heard that most explorers live in Kooltar or the capital."
"Kooltar. I've heard of it."
"Kooltar has a large dungeon. I've been there once, and there are shops for explorers, which is convenient. Since Master has magic, you can live anywhere, but..."
The magic refers to teleportation.
If I can teleport to the dungeon, it doesn't matter where I live.
"But I forgot one thing. I don't want people to know I have magic. I should live somewhere it's normal for explorers to live."
If there's a dungeon, it's normal for explorers to live in Kooltar.
I should visit once.
I have five gold coins left, so I can pay 50,000 nals.
A 30% discount probably won't apply.
Would it apply for a two-year contract?
I'll wait and see until I can prepare 100,000 nals.
However, a two-year contract is a big risk if I don't know what will happen in