Knockdown. The Class 2 delver [Doom Sword], Agaro, goes down.
Megadia turns on her heel with an air of total disinterest and walks away.
"Hey. You there."
Pakira called out.
Bold move. Megadia looked down at us.
Whoa, what an overwhelming presence.
The gothic-lolita giantess smiled sweetly.
"Oh, hello there."
"Mm. Hello."
"Hello."
"You know who I am, then. So what is it?"
"I am Pakira. A Class 3 delver. A member of Torquetam."
"I know. An all-women's..."
Megadia looked at me.
"I'm not one of them. I'm not even a delver."
"Then you must be her hireling."
I guess that about sums it up.
Pakira said, looking troubled.
"No. Wof is... Well, never mind that. If you have time, why don't we chat?"
"Sure, I'd like that. On one condition — you're buying."
"You're still drinking?"
I blurted out without thinking.
"Something to cleanse the palate. Let me see. I think I'd like cider."
Megadia smiled with her bright crimson lips.
She's still drinking?
Since she'd stand out, Barnes had arranged a seat for us on the second floor.
What a relief. The second floor had private rooms.
The so-called VIP seats.
The whole place had an air of refined luxury.
Megadia settled into an expensive-looking sofa as though lounging on a daybed.
Pakira and I took our seats on the other side of a semi-transparent table.
"This is nice. Quiet enough to drink in peace."
Megadia took a swig of cider.
"Well now. You do put it away."
"I do enjoy a good drink."
That figures.
"I appreciate you lending me your ear."
"Of course. So what do you want to ask?"
"...What would it take to reach Class 2?"
Megadia's glass of cider trembled ever so slightly.
She set it down, empty.
"So. You want to become Class 2."
"Not just me. Everyone in Torquetam wants the same."
"Why?"
"Hm?"
"You shouldn't have any trouble making a living as you are."
That's right. There shouldn't be any problem.
After all, even Class 5 delvers could make a decent living.
"If you must know, it's simple. If you can aim higher, you go as high as you can. Otherwise, what's the point? That's all there is to it."
Pakira said proudly.
Megadia sipped her cider.
"Is that how everyone in Torquetam feels?"
"That's the gist of it. Riv and Lupinus might have their own reasons and goals, to be sure. But as for me — yes, that's my purpose."
"How interesting. I love that kind of thing. It makes me want to cheer you on."
"That's reassuring."
"By the way, how about you?"
"Hm?"
Megadia suddenly turned the conversation to me.
"You're going to become a delver, right?"
"Yes."
"Are you aiming for Class 1?"
"Not really. I'm no different from the majority. As long as I can get by at around Class 5, that's fine."
"So being a delver is just a means to make a living."
"That's right."
"Huh."
What's that about? Why would she ask me that?
Pakira looked puzzled too.
"Um, why do you ask?"
"This is the normal way of thinking, isn't it?"
"Hm?"
"The normal motivation is like Wof-kun's. I was the same, back in the day."
"But you're Class 2."
"A lot happened. I'm fine with where I am now. Torquetam is aiming for Class 1, right?"
"That's right."
"That figures."
Megadia glanced at me for a brief moment.
Then she refilled her glass with cider and drank.
"Well, it doesn't matter. Anyone can reach Class 2."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"You'll understand once you reach Class 2. Anyway, let me see. That's right — all of Torquetam is Class 3, correct?"
"That's right."
"And all women, right?"
"That's right."
"Perfect timing. About the dungeon anomaly. You know about it, of course."
"Of course."
"Yes. It's been a real nuisance."
I said without thinking.
Megadia reacted with surprise.
"A nuisance? The dungeon is closed, sure, but there are others."
"The Junkyard only exists in closed dungeons."
"The Junkyard... That's right. Then it needs to be resolved quickly. Oh, that reminds me — I was looking for companions for the anomaly purge. I'd love for Torquetam to come along."
"What!?"
"What do you say?"
Pakira wore an expression close to bewilderment.
Her cat ears twitched uncertainly.
"I can't answer for the group alone. Let me consult with everyone and get back to you."
"I'll be expecting a favorable answer."
"That's great, Pakira."
"I-I suppose so..."
Pakira was flustered by the unexpected proposal.
Can't blame her. Even I could tell it was too big a deal to spring out of nowhere.
Still, it was strange.
I didn't know why.
For some reason, Megadia kept trying to pull me into the conversation.
The only one who had business with her was Pakira.
Was she trying to put me at ease out of pity for feeling left out?
I wasn't so sure.
This had nothing to do with me in the first place.
I didn't have any business with Megadia either.
And, not to be rude, she didn't seem like the considerate type.
And yet Megadia kept glancing at me.
What was it?
For now, I'd just drink my tea.
Ahh, that's soothing.
"Hey, Wof-kun."
Megadia spoke to me again.
"Yes?"
"Want to become my hireling?"
I nearly spat out my tea.