They walked back, Arthas in front, Liliruca behind. Liliruca, exhausted from Arthas's curt replies, didn't try to make conversation.
She'd met many adventurers, but none like Arthas.
The adventurers she'd encountered were either boastful but weak, or seemingly serious, promising generous pay but reneging later. Those who didn't do this were often rude.
They saw her as a lowly support member, unworthy of comparison.
Did good adventurers exist? Were they all bad?
Liliruca sometimes wondered, then dismissed it. A kind, almost foolish adventurer was impossible.
Adventurers were arrogant; speaking to a support member was a favor, they thought.
As Liliruca pondered this, they reached the seventh floor.
A strange sound startled Liliruca.
Though just a support member, she'd been in the Dungeon long enough to recognize the sound.
"Killer Ants!"
Liliruca quickly moved closer to Arthas.
Arthas, rounding a corner, was surprised. He'd actually encountered a monster?!
He was stunned for a moment.
"Mr. Arthas, a monster! Great! We won't be empty-handed!"
Liliruca said, though her tone was less enthusiastic than her words.
Ugh… a monster. I won't get paid for the first three days.
Distance?
Seeing Liliruca run towards him, Arthas realized the cause. Liliruca had fallen behind, and the monsters appeared from the walls.
They're afraid of me?
As he thought this, Liliruca hid behind him.
"Qu… quickly defeat it, Mr. Arthas."
The large insect monster looked terrifying; Liliruca's voice trembled. Arthas felt nothing but… excitement?
Finally… a month! I've finally encountered a monster in the Dungeon!
Liliruca watched, wanting to see how this supposed mage fought.
To her disappointment, Arthas didn't use his sword. Before she understood what happened, the Killer Ant was frozen.
"Eh?"
Shivering from the sudden cold, she stared at the frozen statue.
With a crack, it turned to dust, leaving nothing behind.
"What… happened?"
Liliruca asked, bewildered. Arthas looked helpless.
I got too excited… and froze the magic stones too.
Oh well, it was just a common monster's magic stone. Now I know how to encounter monsters; I can try not using magic next time.
Thinking this, Arthas looked at Liliruca; her strange expression made her shiver.
Ugh… he's thinking something scary.
"Let's go…"
Arthas didn't say, "You'll be the bait," because he knew she'd run.
It's only the first day; no need to rush. If she runs, that's bad.
Arthas stayed close to Liliruca; they encountered no more monsters and reached the surface.
Liliruca noticed something strange; Arthas's words weren't empty.
The Dungeon monsters were afraid… so they didn't appear.
The image of the Killer Ant freezing and turning to dust flashed in her mind, making her shiver.
I'm not a swordsman… I'm a mage.
A mage? A Level 1 mage can do that?
This guy is a monster!
As Liliruca thought this, Arthas spoke.
"I'll need your help tomorrow, Liliruca."
"Y… yes."
Seeing Arthas's impassive face, Liliruca's mouth twitched. She briefly considered asking if she could skip it; she'd pay him.
But she swallowed the words; she didn't dare.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow might be… tiring."
Like with Hestia, Arthas instinctively patted Liliruca's head and left.
"Tiring?"
Liliruca shivered, having bad premonitions.
"Ha…ha…ha… why tiring? You're so strong, you don't need me. Will you make me bait?"
Laughing nervously, Liliruca left the plaza, unaware of the flag she'd raised.
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