"—By the way."
After we finished apologizing back and forth, I spoke up to change the subject.
"What are you planning to do now, Hinata-san? I mean, regarding your activities as an Explorer. You were actually attacked, so are you planning to join a clan after all?"
"Oh, about that," Hinata-san said, nodding immediately.
It seemed she had already decided on her course of action.
But if that was the case, our time as a party was over... Thinking about it, I felt a mix of regret and loneliness.
While I was wallowing in those thoughts, Hinata-san’s answer came from left field.
"Actually, I’m thinking about dropping out of university."
"Wait, what?!"
University?! Why university?!
"Is... is that really okay? Won’t your parents be furious...?"
If it were me, my father would definitely beat the crap out of me.
"Yeah. Probably... no, I’m sure they’ll be very angry. But I intend to properly explain everything that’s happened—how dangerous it is to have Healing Magic and all that—to persuade them."
"...May I ask why you’re quitting?"
"To devote myself to being an Explorer and protect myself. I realized I can’t just keep seeking protection from others; I have to become strong myself."
"Ah, I see..."
When she first said she was quitting university, I thought it was a bit sudden, but it made sense. In short, Hinata-san intended to focus on her life as an Explorer so she could join a clan.
Even for a promising candidate, a clan wouldn't want to invest resources in a student who could only participate about once a week. We were in the dawn of the Explorer era, after all, and the environment was evolving by the day.
By the time Hinata-san graduated and could start full-time, Healing Magic Skill Orbs might have become relatively easy to obtain. If that happened, the value of the talent the clan had scouted early would plummet. In reality, any clan would likely pressure her to focus on being an Explorer from the start.
"Yes, and that’s why... Takeo-kun."
"Yes?"
I knew the words that would follow. They were words of parting. Or, knowing Hinata-san, perhaps words of gratitude.
"Will you continue to form a party with me? I won’t be able to do it every day, obviously, but I’ll do my best to keep up with you...!!"
"Huh?"
My brain couldn't keep up with the unexpected request.
What the heck was she saying?
"Um... with me? You’re not going to join a clan?"
"No, I’m not joining one. I want to be in a party with you, Takeo-kun... Is that... a no?"
"No, I’d be happy to, but if you’re looking for protection, wouldn’t it be better to join a clan?"
"Hmm... I thought about that too, you know? It’s true that inside a dungeon, a clan could ensure my safety. But that’s not necessarily true on the surface, right? I can’t realistically ask every member of a clan to protect me on the surface like the Saint does. It's just not practical."
"Well, that’s... true. But wouldn’t it be the same if you stayed in a party with me?"
"Yes, it would. That’s why I want to be in a party with you."
"I'm not following."
"I’m Level 19 now."
"Congratulations."
Well, that made sense. I figured she would be around that level by now.
I nodded, but Hinata-san continued, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at me.
"Listen, Takeo-kun, do you realize? I’ve only dived into the dungeon twice since I started partying with you."
"Yes, of course I’m aware of that."
"Before I joined your party, I was Level 11."
"So I’ve heard."
"I was at that level after a whole year of activity, you know? Just so you know, among student Explorers, I was actually working pretty hard."
"Are you serious...?"
Inwardly, I apologized for thinking that reaching Level 11 in a year was painfully slow.
"But I reached Level 19 after only two days of diving into the dungeon with you. There was a bit of an irregular situation, but even considering that, it’s an impossible pace. To be honest, I was told that even if I joined a clan and had them do power leveling for me, my level wouldn’t go up this fast."
"Whoa..."
I wondered who told her that.
"That’s why I thought it would be better to party with you than join a clan if I want to get stronger quickly. Besides, I was told that if I keep raising my level, I might eventually be able to defend myself even when I'm attacked outside the dungeon."
"Wait, what? How does that work...?"
"Yes, Mito-san said... Oh, wait! I almost forgot!"
Mito-san? Forgot what?
Ignoring my confusion, Hinata-san stood up in a panic.
"That’s right! Obito-san and Mito-san asked me to bring you to them once you woke up!"
"Eh? Obito-san... as in Headshot Yakuza? And Mito-san? Hinata-san, could you fill me in a bit?"
"Um, apparently this is Obito-san’s home."
"What?"
Wait, what?
"His home? Headshot Yakuza’s?"
Had I intruded into my idol’s home without even knowing it? Could this be Headshot Yakuza’s bedroom?!
Crap. Maybe I should try lying down in the bed one more time?!
"—Wait, Takeo-kun?! Why are you trying to go back to sleep?!"
"No, it’s just... if this is Headshot Yakuza’s bed, I thought I should experience it one more time."
"What are you even saying?! Besides, I think this is a guest room, so I don't think Obito-san actually sleeps here!"
"Aww, man..."
Still, it didn't change the fact that this was Headshot Yakuza’s home. Maybe I should sleep in it one more time anyway?
"Listen, they’re going to be mad, so let’s go quickly, okay?"
"Right. True, it wouldn’t be good to keep Headshot Yakuza waiting. But Hinata-san, there's something I want to confirm... by any chance, was it... who saved me..."
"Oh, yes. Obito-san saved you. He... he also treated your near-fatal injuries, and he brought me here from the dungeon along with you."
"From the dungeon? I was unconscious, right? Weren’t you stopped by the Association people when you left?"
If an unconscious person came out of a dungeon, it would be a potential crime scene. Normally, they’d be stopped and questioned.
Or were we brought here after being questioned? But in that case, I’d expect to be sent home or to a hospital...
As I puzzled over this, Hinata-san said something incredible.
"We didn't stop by the Association. We came here directly from the dungeon."
"...I have no idea what you’re talking about."
To get out of a dungeon, you always have to go through the dungeon gate and return to the Association.
"Um, I think it’s better if you ask them for the details... but I think it was teleportation? Using a spell called Spatial Magic, we jumped here."
"............"
Spatial Magic? A spell like that shouldn't have been discovered yet... Wait, could it be?! Was the reason Headshot Yakuza and the others suddenly appeared in the monster room because they used teleportation?!
No, no! But wait!!
Even if I concede that they teleported inside the dungeon using Spatial Magic that shouldn't exist yet, this is the surface!
Outside the dungeon, magic cannot be used, with the exception of some magic items. That was supposed to be the absolute law of the modern world.
At least, it was supposed to be.
But if I were to believe Hinata-san, Headshot Yakuza or Mito-san used magic even outside the dungeon...!!
Wait a minute, my head is seriously spinning right now!!
"Takeo-kun, Obito-san and the others are waiting in the living room, so let’s go."
"Ah, right."
I stood up and started walking, led by Hinata-san's hand.
Then, just before leaving the room, Hinata-san turned around as if it were an afterthought.
"Oh, by the way, I still haven't heard your answer... Takeo-kun, you'll form a party with me, right...?"
"Ah, yes."
Still in a daze, I gave a half-hearted reply.
And so, I officially formed a party with Hinata-san.