Level Down 19 (Patreon)

Volume 1 Chapter 19 - Discomfort Regarding Iseria

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Allen stealthily watched from the shadows as Iseria held her sword at the ready while facing the monster. That is because, when one is fighting monsters, a basic rule is that other adventurers are not to unnecessarily interfere.

The official reason was to prevent the one fighting from getting distracted, leading into a pinch, but everyone understood that in reality, it was to avoid trouble.

(Looks like a treant. It doesn’t feel that strong, either.) (Allen)

Allen thought as he observed Iseria fighting a monster that seems to be treant. Allen thought that if her life was in danger or if there was some special situation, he would try to help her even if it meant ignoring the rules, but then he saw Iseria's condition; her breathing was a little rough, but she was not injured.

“Ha!” (Iseria)

While evading a sweep from the branch of the monster in the shape of a treant, Iseria swung her sword and caused the branch to fall to the ground instead.

Allen was relieved that there seemed to be a lot of leeway in her attacks and defenses, but as he continued to watch, he began to feel a sense of discomfort. That is...

(The way she fights is amateurish. Judging from her movements, she seems like she has better stats than the old me though.) (Allen)

Allen tilted his head as he thought about this. In Allen's estimation, Iseria's speed and strength exceeded 1000. That’s above the old Allen, on par with that of a skilled adventurer who is active on the front lines.

If she had that kind of stats, she should have no trouble defeating a treant, but Iseria still hadn't even been able to do any decisive damage to it.

(Training? Doesn't seem like it) (Allen)

After a while, all its branches had fallen, and the treant, unable to do anything, stopped moving. Iseria tilted her head at the sight of the treant not attacking her at all, and she started carefully closing the distance.

Although Iseria seemed to be a little tired, Allen saw that she still had a lot of leeway, so he decided to leave the place. Because he didn't need to watch over her anymore.

(Still, what a strange girl.) (Allen)

Allen hurried back to Nick while thinking about Iseria, but he slowed down when he clearly heard the sound of metal regularly hitting something.

And then, as Allen walked back normally, what caught his eye was a fine dining table and chair set.

“What the hell are you making?” (Allen)

“Nn, you're back? That was a long shit. Was it a lot?” (Nick)

“No, no way. More importantly, those.” (Allen)

Following where Allen pointed at with a surprised look on his face, Nick grinned.

“I was waiting too long, so I tried making them. They’re made of treant wood, so their durability is perfect. I'll give them to you, Allen.” (Nick)

“No, I appreciate that, but... am I going to carry this with me all afternoon? We’re still raising your level, you know.” (Allen)

“Ah!” (Nick)

As if he had just realized this, Nick opened his mouth and froze, then he noticed Allen's gaze and made a face saying that nothing was wrong.

“It'll be okay. If it’s Allen, you can carry it. I believe in you.” (Nick)

“Believe you say, you just forgot didn’t you?” (Allen)

“It’s your fault for shitting too long!” (Nick)

“Like I said, that ain’t it!” (Allen)

The unproductive argument between the two continued for some time after that.

.

.

.

In the end, Allen let his stats dictate and spent the afternoon exploring while carrying around the dining table and chair, and successfully finished raising Nick's level. Thanks in part to the fact that they fought until right before the gates of Lilac City closed, they managed to raise Nick's level until 45.

If he’s an adventurer, he’d be in the upper-lower or maybe lower-middle. That is to say, he’d be someone who just got out of being a beginner toward the mid-level in terms of level.

His stats, like his dexterity, were already over 300, and the difference from before he leveled up was so obvious that when Nick tried adjusting his strength on the last treant he defeated, he smiled with satisfaction.

“Thank you, Allen. I think this will help me with my work from tomorrow on.” (Nick)

“Ou, see you. Give my regards to your wife and daughter.” (Allen)

“I won’t hand...” (Nick)

“No, enough with that already.” (Allen)

Since they returned carrying the dining set, the gatekeeper looked at them suspiciously as they entered the city, and then, at the crossroad where they’d be heading to their respective homes, the two exchanged those words with smiles.

Allen then returned to his house and replaced the worn-out dining table and chairs he had been using with the ones he had brought with him.

“Phew.” (Allen)

The chair didn't make any unpleasant noises or wobble even when he sat on it, and Allen let out a deep breath and smiled at that.

Allen knew that his stats had risen and that it was impossible for him to fall behind the monsters in the lower floors of Lilac Dungeon, but he was still nervous because he was taking Nick, a civilian, into a dungeon.

“Going to the dungeon with Nick was surprisingly fun.” (Allen)

Allen smiled as he reflected on his thoughts. Exploring the dungeon with a trusted friend without worrying about money or rewards was more fun than he expected. So much that he’d be happy to go again if he was invited.

‘Still’, Allen switched his thoughts. What bothered Allen was Iseria that he saw on the 9th floor. ‘Even though her stats were high, her ability to fight monsters was amateurish’. That kind of distortion stuck somewhere in Allen's heart.

Allen thought about that for a while, but shook his head and shook it off.

“Ah, enough already. Nothing good comes from getting involved in other people's affairs. Rather than that, it's about my own adventure. The thing I ordered should come soon.” (Allen)

Allen thought about the thing he had requested from the Adventurers' Guild, and then he grinned.

It was Allen's once-in-a-lifetime purchase, using most of the 17 million zenny he earned from selling the ogre king's magic stones and horns three times.

When that thing comes, Allen's adventures will be much more efficient than before. Allen's face loosened at that thought, but then, ‘fuu’ draft came in through the crack, his body trembled a little from that, and his expression returned to its usual one.

“The money from the fourth sale should be coming in soon anyway, so from a security standpoint, I guess I'll repair this. Fortunately, I have some money left over.” (Allen)

Deciding to do so, Allen stood up and headed to the kitchen.

Allen fully demonstrated his cooking skills he gained by watching the owner of a restaurant cook when he ate out, quickly prepared dinner, and smacked his lips in satisfaction of it.

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