“Hmm, a traveler from another world? Maybe…?” she murmured as she rubbed her chin in thought.
Lunaère seemed to be giving it serious consideration. Naiarotop said that other people were sent here as part of their show. If liches really lived as long as Lunaère said, she might have heard about this kind of thing happening before.
“That explains your strange outfit. I’ve never seen a face like yours either. And…you didn’t even know what a magic bag was.”
Maybe she believes me! I thought, but I needed to back my story up.
“I was flung here! I didn’t know I was on the 90th basement floor—heck, I didn’t even know this place had ninety floors! There’s no way I can fight against monsters. I’m only level 1 with basic skills and no weapons.”
“Level 1?” The air seemed to freeze around Lunaère. Her expression was still blank, but I sensed intense rage behind her bicolored eyes.
Oh, crap, did I just step on a land mine?
“Look, I’m really sorry! But, I don’t understand anything, and I…”
Lunaère walked up to me, bringing her face just a few inches from mine.
Sh-she’s so close.
“If that’s the case, even those items aren’t going to help you get out of Cocytus.” she said, and then her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Why didn’t you tell me you were only level 1?”
“You said you hated humans,” I said in a panic brought on by her proximity and aura. “I thought I would make you angry if I asked for more of your help!”
“That’s—!” She swiftly stepped back before adding, “That’s my fault. I apologize.”
She looked down, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve for a moment. Was there a good person hiding behind that expressionless face?
“Hmm, if that’s the case, what should we do?” she asked herself, chin in hand while she thought. “No matter what I give you, you won’t be able to escape this floor. If you stayed here forever, that would be inconvenient for me.”
If I’m such an inconvenience, why not let a monster eat me? I thought. It seemed like an odd line of reasoning for someone who kept insisting that she hated humans.
“Perhaps I should take you to the exit myself. Otherwise, you will most likely die at some point along the way. It’s a miracle you aren’t dead already.”
She’d get no argument from me. If I had to climb through ninety monster-infested floors, my odds weren’t good. Lunaère tilted her head back, finger to her lips.
An idea occurred to me. When I played MMORPGs, people would do something called power leveling. A high-level player would take a newbie along while they hunted. The newbie would get a lot of experience by just being in the group. Did similar rules apply in Locklore?
“So…I know it’s asking a lot, but would you be able to train me or something?”
“…Train you?” Lunaère asked stiffly.
“Never mind, it’s a dumb idea!”
Lunaère stared at me silently.
“Really, forget I said anything.”
“That would mean you’d have to spend a lot of time with me. Don’t you fear me?”
“Well, you are kind of scary. But you’ve been a really kind person—uh, lich—so I wouldn’t be afraid. Still, that’s asking too much of you.”
Lunaère was silent for a few moments. She stared at me like she was looking for something, and then she finally made up her mind. Clearing her throat, she said, “I have no other choice, then. I will train you to the bare minimum level for you to leave here and nothing more. I hate getting involved with humans, but it has to be done.”
She approved of the plan!
“R-really?!”
“You’d rather not?”
“Yes, I mean, no! Er, I-I mean, I would like that very much!”
“It’s settled. I don’t like humans hanging around, so I’m going to train you. It’s the only way to get you out of here.” she said emphatically.
“I completely understand. The only choice. No other way.” I wasn’t about to rock the boat.
“You should at least be able to avoid dying from stray shots or accidents. You won’t need to win any fights, since I’ll accompany you to the exit. So, level 100 should be fine—and it won’t take that long either.”
She really is kind, I thought, but I kept that to myself.
“What’s your name? Not that I really care, but training you will be easier if know it. There are some undead creatures who place curses on you by using your name, so feel free to use a fake one if that makes you feel better.”
“I’m Kanbara Kanata.” Then I remembered it had been flipped when I checked my status. “Though here it would be Kanata Kanbara, maybe? Where I’m from, we put the family name first.”
“I just said you can use a fake name.” I think Lunaère almost rolled her eyes. “Your complete lack of caution is a liability.”
“I trust you, Master Lunaère.”
“You probably shouldn’t. I told you I’m a lich and I’m only doing this because it’s annoying to have you loiter—Uh, Master Lunaère?”
“Lunaère-san? Or is -sama better?”
“…Whatever. I have no interest in what a human calls me.”
“A-all right, got it.”
“Good. Follow me. We’ll head back to my camp, hunting any monsters that show themselves along the way.”
Lunaère turned and began walking away. Her footsteps were buoyant, like she had a reason to be cheerful for the first time in ages.
While she tried to hide emotion on her face, she obviously felt something strongly. I thought she seemed to like being called Master, so I decided to call her that from now on.
✦ ✦ ✦
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