Chapter 49: Until Departure

POV Eliza

Since our city trip together, Lynn has been in a really good mood and bursting with energy. Before she left for winter, she wanted to reach the next boss room and ideally defeat the boss. Ken let himself get carried away and Ronnen remained silent as always. I didn't want to spoil the good mood, so I stayed quiet. It shouldn't be long before I regret this reluctance.

The first few days passed without any major incidents. So that we could make good use of our remaining time, we wanted to go to the dungeon every day. On the way out of town we heard a crier who was on behalf of the heroes. We were looking for... what exactly? Apparently several people. A scout, a bed bunny for Cornelius or another companion? I didn't really understand the request, but that didn't matter to me. It was just the heroes.

We headed towards Level 6. I knew from Lirella that caterpillars and butterflies could be found there. The caterpillars spit threads at you and bit you, while the butterflies work some kind of influencing magic. They gave off pollen, which had the effect. This gave one the state of confused, weak. The caterpillars were over a meter long and had no legs, but crawled over the ground and could stand up. They didn't just attack the legs with their biting tools. The butterflies had a wingspan of over a meter and were quite colorful. In combination with the caterpillars' threads, you quickly lost your ability to move and were bitten to death. It was best to stick to ranged combat. Ronnen led the way, taking with him his shield, which he rarely used. Ken shot his bow at the butterflies while Lynn and I cast attack spells. I stabbed butterflies that came too close with my spear. So we made progress slowly, but quite safely and steadily.

We spent three days doing this, slowly leveling up. Further rank advancements in the guild were currently not possible because you had to complete other quests. For rank C you needed quests that took you out of Tyros. This included guarding travelers or accompanying traders. The only quests that existed within Tyros were those that didn't count towards rank upgrade. Nevertheless, we were able to earn good money collecting monster parts. The caterpillars had a hidden pocket containing a type of poor quality silk. It was valuable for us to sell.

We were then about to move to level 7 when the incident happened. Ken rushed over the top of a hill behind which the portal was located without waiting for us, overmotivated. I wanted to stop him when we heard his scream. When we got there, we saw him captivated by threads, completely unable to move. Two butterflies were flying above him and four caterpillars were already near him. Ronnen grabbed his sword and charged forward to protect Ken. But before he could strike, he was enchanted by a butterfly. We heard the ring of metallic impact as the sword fell to the ground. Because we had been fighting for a while, Lynn and I didn't have many MP left. We barely managed to get the two butterflies out of the air when the caterpillars arrived at Ken and attacked him wildly. His cries of pain echoed across the plain. I had no choice but to stab wildly with my spear. Lynn frantically rummaged through her backpack for her mana potion. I had a lot of problems against the caterpillars because I didn't have a high value in the Spears skill yet and once again my low strength value was a real pain. Ken's arms and legs were already bleeding profusely. I had no idea how much longer he would last.

Then I felt movement next to me. Ronnen had woken up from his confusion and grabbed his sword. This was how he came to our aid. Lynn had now found the potion and prepared it to drink. I despaired of my inability to do much damage in close combat. I felt so useless despite my high level. I had invested most of my EXP in defensive and support skills. I desperately needed a way to do more damage. While I was stabbing and struggling with myself, Ronnen and Lynn were able to defeat the last caterpillars. I collapsed to the ground, and although I suffered no physical harm, I was exhausted from mental exhaustion. I was breathing heavily and after recovering slightly, I glanced at the others. Ken lay bleeding and unconscious on the floor with the other two kneeling next to him.

“How is he?” <Eliza>

“He's alive, but he's seriously injured. Can you cast another healing spell?” <Lynn>

"Unfortunately no. The fight cost me all the MP I have. I need a few minutes until I have enough MP again.” <Eliza>

“If only I had learned medicine. Without mana a wizard is really useless.” <Lynn>

“Don’t beat yourself up. I know the basics of medicine. Let me see.” <Eliza>

I came closer and examined his wounds. His legs especially looked bad and he couldn't walk in that condition. I took a bandage and bandaged his injuries.

“He won't be able to walk for a while, so we'll have to carry him back. I'll scout the route and you'll follow. I will avoid any encounter.” Eliza

The other two nodded. Ronnen picked up Ken and Lynn grabbed his equipment. I took my spear and led the way. It took a long time to get out of the dungeon and even longer to get back to Tyros. The sun was already setting. Ronnen had to take several breaks and I didn't envy him, but neither Lynn nor I were strong enough to carry Ken. All we could do was take away his equipment so he had less to carry. In the red deer we took him to the room he shared with Ronnen. He slept there first. While the other two stayed behind, I went into the bar and ordered food and drink. Then I brought that up. For the next few hours, Ronnen took first watch while Lynn and I tried to sleep. I managed it more or less and after two hours I was finally able to fall asleep. I woke up the next morning without being woken up. Worried, I went to Ronnen and Ken's room and knocked. Only after a few minutes Lynn opened the door for me from the inside. She seemed completely sleepy when she let me in.

I immediately checked on Ken. He slept restlessly. His external wounds had healed though. The water healing spell only gave HP back, but didn't heal any grave injuries. He had lost a lot of blood, but the spell couldn't help against his damaged muscles. He had to heal it on his own. His wounds had also become slightly infected. That left him bedridden. We couldn't afford a healer, so he had to recover without help. This visit to the dungeon had almost gone wrong. But we had escaped with our lives, so we couldn't even complain.

Ken's recovery took a few days and understandably everyone didn't want to go back into the dungeon so quickly. So the day of departure approached without another visit to the dungeon and it was time to say goodbye to the three and the young wolves.

"Sniff, take care, Eliza, and take care of yourself, okay?" <Lynn>

“But, but, Lynn, don’t cry now. We have enough opportunities to see each other again.” <Eliza>

“I know, but still. The winter is going to be so long and I miss you already.” <Lynn>

I patted Lynn on the head. She behaved like a little child, but I let her have her way. I had enjoyed her presence too.

“Can we get to it too, Lynn? Now let her go already. You’re crushing her,” <Ken>

“But, sniff, I…. “ <Lynn>

“We’re not from the world. Eliza, we will prove to you how much stronger we become in the winter. We’ll keep training.” <Ken>

"I'm sure. Do well, Ken, and show what a hero you are.” <Eliza>

“You can count on it” <Ken>

Ken raised his fist to the sky and grinned broadly. He had recovered from his injuries and was back to his old self. Then I turned to the last of the group, Ronnen. He just stood next to Ken with his hands hidden behind his back. Then he seemed to gather courage and took a step forward. His hands emerged from behind his back, holding a single flower. He held it in my direction, his head bowed and his hands shaking. He lightly scratched the ground with his feet.

“Hmm?” <Eliza>

“Man, Ronnen, I wouldn’t have thought that. That's why you were away for a moment. Will this be a love confession?” <Ken>

While I just tilted my head in question, Ken patted him on the back. As I took the flower, Ronnen turned around and ran away.

“What’s wrong with him?” <Eliza>

“You know how shy he is. Take care, Eliza, I'll follow Ronnen. See you next year.” <Ken>

Then Ken took his luggage and ran after Ronnen, who was no longer visible. Both had left the city in the direction in which the three wanted to travel. Lynn next to me had stopped sniffling, thankfully. I was afraid she would completely burst into tears. She gave me another look, smiled, picked up her luggage and followed the two of them. I could still hear her muttering quietly to herself.

“Who would have thought Ronnen would feel this way. I have to work hard not to lose.” Lynn

I stood at the city gate, perplexed. What kind of scene was that? I watched the three of them until they were no longer visible. Then I turned and glanced at the busy city.

'So what am I going to do till and over the winter?'