Chapter 53
#53. Rizmel of the Scout Squad
After soaking in the hot bath, Eleanor and I talked for several hours.
The topic, of course, was exactly what I had to do to break off the engagement.
"For now, it's better not to think too specifically about it. You just need to make it look like you're gradually paying attention to me."
Eleanor didn't ask me to act like an overly passionate lover. She said she'd handle that part herself.
But it was clear that I'd need to stay in the Dark Elf village for an extended period.
Apparently, I needed to make my face known to the other Dark Elves.
The 7th floor's labyrinth area isn't much to speak of anyway, and the boss is on the easier side.
There was far more to gain here in the village than by exploring the labyrinth, so I didn't mind that at all.
And beyond just making my face known, I also needed to keep building up a good impression to some extent.
"I was thinking of making you a temporary scout. Would that be all right?"
The method Eleanor came up with was for me to join the Dark Elf scouts.
The scouts are said to explore and deal with areas near the settlement where dangerous monsters appear.
They also carry out various other tasks, but temporary members aren't expected to get any of those.
In other words, I just need to go around hunting monsters nearby and make myself known.
That's no different from what I usually do.
And it's almost exactly the same route as other challengers' Dark Elf faction quests.
"There's no need to push yourself too hard. If you just pretend to fight while holding a weapon, most of them will be pleased enough."
Eleanor said it was fine if I didn't overdo it, but of course I intended to do my best.
Oh, and I also asked Eleanor why her people liked humans so much.
"Why, aren't humans mostly cute?"
It seemed Dark Elves really did think of humans like stray cats. Apparently, there wasn't any particular reason.
She said she was among the youngest of the Dark Elves, so she didn't know how the others would think.
Thinking about the Dark Elf blacksmith's attitude toward me, I figured they probably just saw me as a spirited little kid.
I suppose to a race that can live for thousands of years, humans who die before reaching a hundred probably don't seem like much more than that.
"Ah, but I do think you're quite a handsome man. I don't just think you're cute, you know."
"Oh, really."
"If you want, we could even talk things over in a man-and-woman kind of way... Just kidding, kidding."
Still, when I think about it that way, this weirdly clingy Dark Elf does start to feel a little sketchy.
"Anyway, I'll let the scouts know tomorrow, so rest for today. Humans get dizzy if they stay in the bath too long, don't they?"
My body wasn't exactly the type to get dizzy just from sitting in a tub for a while, but for now I said okay.
After sending Eleanor back, I spent the rest of the time in my room focusing on strength training.
The moment I realized that simple exercise could raise stats too, it became my everyday routine.
Rest? Like hell. I didn't have time to waste on that.
**
The next day, Eleanor introduced me to the other Dark Elves in the scouts.
"I heard he wants to help with our work while building up his skills, so I'd appreciate it if you'd give him anything to do, even if it's just something simple."
The Dark Elves in the scouting squad welcomed me with a far calmer attitude than the NPCs at the general store and grocery store I had seen yesterday.
Of course, seeing that they all had similar looks in their eyes, it was obvious they all shared that characteristic goodwill toward humans.
As expected, the moment Eleanor left me there, the Dark Elves surrounded me and started chiming in one by one.
"Haha, so you want to help with our work? What a dutiful human."
"Indeed. It's been a long time since we've interacted with humans."
But among those Dark Elves, only one was glaring at me with an irritated look.
"Hmph, what kind of help could a human possibly be? It'd be enough if you don't get in the way."
She was a Dark Elf woman with her long hair tied up, dressed in light gear and carrying a sword and bow like me.
Her status read green like the others, so I couldn't tell how strong she was, but just from her walk and presence, she didn't look weak.
I don't know since when I became able to estimate someone's strength just by the way they walk, but there's no doubt about it.
That woman is probably the strongest among the scouts here.
Can I take that snippy attitude as proof of her skill, too?
Well, it's good to have one or two people like that. If everyone around me is too friendly, I'd have trouble getting used to it.
"Don't be so hard on her, Rizmel. Eleanor seems to really cherish the human she brought here, and she hates anything frail. There must be a reason."
"She may hate frail things, but she likes the young ones, doesn't she?"
"Are there even any humans who aren't young from our point of view? Surely she wouldn't just drag him here for that. She's not some starving beast."
The things they say among Dark Elves are seriously bothering me. Why does the expression 'starving beast' keep coming up?
And did they just say Rizmel? I'm pretty sure I've heard that name somewhere.
[Erwen's Meddling - Swordsmanship Training]
[Quest Objectives]
1. Complete Stage 3 of Rizmel's Basic Training.
2. Complete Stage 3 of Rizmel's Advanced Training. (Optional)
3. Complete Rizmel's Selection Test. (Optional)
4. Win a sparring match against Rizmel. (Optional)
That's right, she was the NPC I could use to progress the swordsmanship training quest the blacksmith had given me.
This is a lot different from the vibe I imagined. Since she was the blacksmith's relative, I thought she'd feel similar.
The only thing the two of them seem to have in common is being well-endowed in one particular area.
"What are you staring at so hard for, human!"
Of course, as long as she teaches me proper swordsmanship, I don't have any complaints.
**
I handed Rizmel the letter right away.
After taking the letter and reading it, Rizmel soon looked at me with a very shocked expression, then bit her lip.
"Why do I have to teach swordsmanship to a human... I really hate this...!"
Rizmel said that and dragged me outside. The other scouts snickered as they watched.
She says she hates it, but she doesn't seem all that disgusted. The hand tugging on my arm wasn't rough at all.
"I'm telling you in advance, if you get too annoying, I won't hold back, rookie."
Sure, and I don't plan to be annoying either.
"Will you teach me swordsmanship?"
"If you're at a level where you can learn it."
Rizmel said that and rummaged through her pocket, pulling out something that looked like a yellowed note.
"First I need to see what kind of skill you have."
The unfolded note was densely covered with black-and-white pictures and unfamiliar writing.
It looked like Dark Elf script, but the system's simple translation function couldn't read it.
But the drawings were something I knew. They were exactly the same as the 7th-floor monsters I'd seen on the Open Community.
"I was going to go subdue poison spiders today anyway. Since you said you'd help us, you won't complain, right?"
"Yeah."
"Hey, don't answer so casually! You don't even know what this is? I said poison spiders!"
When I answered casually, Rizmel was the one who looked startled and frowned.
What's the big deal? If it's a poison spider from the 7th floor, isn't it just a slightly stronger trash mob?
"It's a creature called a Twilight Spider. It's twice as big as you, its legs and claws are insanely tough, and it has venom too."
Rizmel held up the spider drawing and gave an exaggerated explanation, but those were all things I'd already read in the strategy guides.
I haven't fought one, but honestly, I think I know more about those spiders than you do.
"I do know."
"Know what, exactly!"
No, even when I say I know, why react like that? Why don't you believe me?
"You've never been hit by spider venom, have you? Do you know how dangerous it is? Once you're poisoned, your arms and legs seize up and you can't move for a while!"
I haven't been hit by spider venom yet. But I won't be in the future either. Especially if it's paralysis venom.
There's almost no chance a Floor 7 monster has venom strong enough to get past my dual resistances, and if it did, I'd actually welcome it.
My Poison Resistance skill had been stuck at level 19, which had been a bit of a nuisance. This was a good chance to push it to 20.
"I know already, so let's just go. Twilight Spider, right?"
"Hey, you!"
"If you're not coming, I'm going alone."
I opened the Open Community, pulled up the map of the area where the Twilight Spiders lived, and set off first.
Rizmel kept telling me to bring an antidote and all that, but I just ignored her.
After leaving the Dark Elf settlement, we arrived at the Twilight Spider nest.
-Kirik! Kirik!
For some reason, the spiders had come out of the nest and were swarming outside, almost as if they'd come to welcome us.
For some reason, Floor 7 seems to have a lot of parts that differ from the Community strategy guides.
Well, even so, all that means is that there are a lot more spiders.
-Shing.
I drew my sword and readjusted my shield before stepping toward the spiders.
Then Rizmel suddenly grabbed my shoulder and yanked me back.
"It's dangerous, so stay back. If a rookie like you gets taken down by spider venom, I have no intention of taking care of you!"
No, what am I supposed to do if you're the one who's supposed to be judging my skill?
What the hell is she doing?