We descended to the 4th floor, used the teleportation circle to warp back to the 1st floor, and immediately returned to the surface.
Waiting for us inside the Shinjuku Branch of the Explorer Association were several staff members. They had apparently been alerted by viewers watching Hinata-san’s stream and already knew that we had encountered a Goblin Knight on the 3rd floor.
They also seemed to have caught up on the situation via DungeonTube.
Despite that, Hinata-san and I were detained for questioning. The police arrived shortly after, and together with the Association staff, they had us explain exactly what had transpired within the labyrinth.
During the process, I curiously asked what had happened to Matsuda and Aoyama. It turned out the two of them were currently on the run. They had reached the surface before the Association could grasp the situation and disappeared without filing a report.
When Hinata-san asked if they would be arrested, both the staff and the police officers shook their heads.
Explorers have an obligation to report to the Association if they return to the surface while their comrades or other explorers are left in danger, but it is merely a "moral obligation" with no legal penalties. Even though they had abandoned Hinata-san and the others to save their own skins, they hadn't directly harmed them. There was no legal basis for a criminal charge.
At most, the Association would issue a strict warning.
However, the staff noted that since their faces had been exposed on a livestream, they would likely never find a party again. No one would want to team up with people who would abandon their allies the moment things turned dangerous.
●◯●
In the end, Hinata-san and I were stuck in a room at the Association for questioning until past 6:00 p.m.
Naturally, I had no energy left to explore that day. Once everything wrapped up, I decided to head straight home.
"Um, Samejima-san, thank you so much for saving me."
"Ah, no, don't mention it. We're all in this together when things get rough, so please don't let it weigh on you..."
I was heading toward the Association exit, finally ready to go home, when Hinata-san bowed deeply to me in the lobby. I hurriedly told her not to worry about it.
I had learned that Hinata-san was a twenty-year-old college student entering her junior year. Being treated so formally by a beautiful older woman made me feel a bit awkward.
"No, I can't just ignore it. You're my savior, Samejima-san... and your equipment was destroyed in the fight with the Goblin Knight."
She was talking about my shattered longsword and my shredded breastplate.
"I’ll compensate you for the sword and the armor, so..."
I cut her off with a firm refusal.
"No, that's not your responsibility, Hinata-san. I'll figure something out, so really, don't worry about it."
It was true that my gear had been ruined while helping her, but it wasn't her fault they broke. Besides, I felt that asking for compensation in a situation like this was just pathetic. I planned to dive into the dungeon again tomorrow anyway, so I’d just buy a new sword myself.
Hinata-san insisted several more times, but I kept telling her I was fine until I practically fled the building to get away.
Oh, and for the record.
The experience points I earned from that grueling battle against the Goblin Knight amounted to a measly 1,040.
This wasn't because the points were split with Hinata-san’s party. The party’s experience point distribution function had deactivated the moment Matsuda and the other guy fled, and Hinata-san and I weren't in a party together. During the fight, Hinata-san had focused entirely on healing and hadn't dealt any damage to the Goblin Knight.
Because of those factors, I had received all of the experience points from the kill. I confirmed this with Hinata-san later, so there was no mistake.
In other words, the experience points for a Level 13 Goblin Knight—its level was confirmed when I sold the magic stone at the Association—was exactly 1,040.
I mean, sure, it’s high... but it’s still far more efficient to grind trash mobs on the 3rd or 4th floors than to risk my life against a Goblin Knight.
Leveling is a numbers game, brother.
●◯●
After getting home, eating dinner, and taking a bath, I was relaxing in my room when my phone went off.
Ding!
It was a message from Hinata-san on LUINE. We had exchanged contact information back at the Association.
[Thank you again for everything today. Regardless of the equipment, I really want to do something to thank you. Is there anything you want?]
I replied immediately.
[No, not really. I'm honestly fine, so please don't worry about it (^-^)]
Ding!
[I can’t just let it go...]
[Ah!]
[Well, if you don't have anything specific in mind, I have a proposal...]
Hmm? I wondered what it could be.
[What is it?]
Ding!
[I’ve been thinking... I believe my healing magic could be of use to you, Samejima-san.]
[So, would you be interested in forming a party with me?]
[I’ll match my schedule to yours as much as possible, including which dungeons we visit and when we go.]
[...What do you think?]
I nodded slowly to myself.
Hinata-san possessed the rare Healing Magic skill. While Healing Magic skill orbs were known to exist, they only dropped from monsters in much deeper floors. For a rookie explorer like me, the chance to party with a healer was practically non-existent. This might be the only opportunity I'd ever get.
From her perspective, this was an incredibly generous offer. A healer could find a new party in an instant; she was surely in high demand.
And besides...
"Having someone who can restore HP and heal wounds is a huge advantage."
I thought about it for roughly three seconds.
I considered the offer, and then I reached my conclusion.
I nodded and typed my response to Hinata-san.
[I'm sorry. If we form a party, my experience points will decrease, so I can't do that.]