Alan observed Ryuji's actions before stroking his chin. "Interesting. You already know to take proof of your hunt. For a C-Rank, you did well—it seems I was too harsh yesterday."
It seed Alan looked at Ryuji for the first ti. He was a little shorter than Ryuji, but he wore full plate armour, making him seem imposing.
Ryuji watched Alan with narrowed eyes, a little confused that he could speak so softly.
"To be honest, Hero... Uhm, Ryuji, was it?"
"Yes. It's Ryuji Vincenzo."
"We normally only teach these things to official parties or trainee knights. I admire you. You could rember this while being the only one able to fight. The going rate for goblins is two small copper coins. I can give you the money directly, or you can add all funds to the team's budget for als, training, and other services."
Alan's atmosphere felt more human than ever before and reminded Ryuji of when he worked at his mother's dojo. 'We all wear masks, especially when working.' Maybe Alan's mask during the training was to make the heroes more desperate and to work harder.
Ryuji looked back at each mber of his party before nodding.
Although it was selfish of him to decide. "Please send all money except two small copper to the party budget."
"Hmm, may I ask why?" Alan looked at Ryuji with the first smile since they t and tapped him twice, showing his imnse power.
"Since I am going to take damage and fight for two people, I'll charge 10 per cent or two coppers if our earnings are below a silver coin."
"!!!"
"Eh?"
"Ryuji?"
Yumiko and the two behind her felt shocked, especially Akari and Ryo, who did nothing but hold torches. However, according to Ryuji, they would get an equal share of the reward, and he would only take two coins.
"A good deal for us," Yumiko said, her voice tinged with worry as she glanced at Ryuji's injuries. Closing her eyes with a troubled expression, she murmured, "He will face constant danger and endure all those wounds for a re two coins?"
Ryuji noticed Alan's gaze, which seed to be watching a strange person, and the other three, he could feel their concern for him.
'I know it might seem foolish, but my goal is to strike a deal with Alan to ensure the safety of all non-combat mbers. This will relieve knights of troubleso tasks. Additionally, this arrangent will enable to explore more dungeons and strengthen faster!'
Alan rubbed his slight stubble, then narrowed his blue eyes at the two crafters.
"Maybe... Could you offer this service to the other heroes or knights who cannot fight at the sa price?"
"Alan is quite clever. His deanour as a spoiled noble is likely a motivational tactic for us... I should strive to understand this world better and refrain from quick judgnts about its people."
Despite his racism towards Yumiko, Alan was the only bet for a partner.
Only self-righteous idiots would get involved with that botherso stuff when it's not sothing he could do anything about.
"I was hoping to free up so more of the low-level heroes burden, as my class seems well suited to solo or having a single helper with , and my partner does that well."
Alan looked at Yumiko briefly.
His eyes showed a sense of bitterness and hate, but he didn't insult her like last ti.
"Understood, if she is all you need. I will work on setting everything up. We are thankful because the heroes paired with non-combatants usually die early."
"Since I cannot join the major parties, this is the least I can do. Also, if any party needs soone to lead its C and D ranks, you can use my na at the sa rate."
This ti, it was Alan's turn to feel stunned.
This human from another world seed to have grasped their needs and wants as a kingdom in two days, even if he wasn't a top-tier hero. Alan felt a sense of respect for the young man who offered himself up for the most dangerous role.
"Hero Ryuji. I will add your na and rember it for both situations."
For the first ti, he was called a hero without ntioning rank.
It was insignificant to others, but to the knight Alan and Ryuji, it would significantly affect their growing relationship.
"I hope you can reach level ten before two weeks pass. There is an official bandit-hunting mission and a few small dungeon clearances that you might be interested in. The pay would be a flat silver coin and a portion of the loot, of course. Ryuji."
"It would be my pleasure, Sir Alan."
The pair shook hands as Alan removed the two small coins and pulled out a strange tool before adding sixteen copper coins split into four lots for Ryuji's team.
Now, the entire team could enjoy hot als and baths every day despite being low-tiered heroes. Yumiko gained the most because she didn't get a wage after leaving the kingdom.
"You should be quite tired. Take a few laps to cool down, then enjoy lunch and prepare for the afternoon lessons. Ryuji."
Thus, the group left with a nod and started their cooling-down session.
Ryu and Akari looked at him with starry eyes.
"Ryuji... how can we repay you? Just holding a torch is..."
"How about in the future, we save money, and you use your level two cooking skills to make us an enjoyable al in the dungeon?"
"Eh, are you serious?"
Yumiko, leading their group, turned back, her ears able to hear all the conversation.
The more she learned about the human Ryuji Vincenzo, the more appealing he beca to her as a man, causing her to feel conflicted.
Even if the star caused them to seek the other, it didn't change their feelings, and she worried about the future.
Shortly after their run, they made plans to apply for another dungeon visit the next day.
The fact they levelled up seed to have the party excited.
Akari could make basic cloth armour, but it was better than the poor clothes they wore under the tattered leather. She could also make padded jackets and pants at level five.
Ryo learned a simple goblin at soup that would help wounds recover and boost stamina for an entire day at level two. He only needed a water pot and herbs on sale at the cafeteria store.
****
Inside their room, Yumiko no longer seed to find issues with changing as she removed her clothes across from Ryuji, doing the sa as they both collapsed into bed.
"Let check your wound, Ryuji."
"Don't bother..."
Yumiko seed to pout, wrapping her arms around his leg and pulling up his loose shorts to see the red and purple skin from the wound.
"You seem to have accelerated healing, but you mustn't push yourself."
"I know."
While she helped deal with his wound, Yumiko asked a question while gazing at his face, curious about his reaction.
"Can we practice what you taught last night?"
"Haaa..."
Ryuji sighed while moving out of the bed, realising this woman likely forgot their age and sex difference as she moved beside him and copied his movents.
He focused on training Yumiko, who kept making strange, coquettish sounds while practising.
She probably didn't do it on purpose, but for a young man, those were enough to fuel an entire week of side dishes.
He struggled for the rest of the night as they practised together. The pair decided to bathe in the morning because they were both exhausted.
Once again in bed, they lay back to back, the warmth of each other's backs comforting them as Ryuji finally fell asleep.
Monts later, Yumiko turned over and checked he was sleeping before snuggling against his back, her nose sniffing his scent in secret.
"Be careful, taking on all that danger if you die. I will be left alone... again."
Her hand reached around, hugging Ryuji Vincenzo's body as she closed her eyes, knowing tomorrow would be another tough day.
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