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"I reckon the 4th floor will have new goblin variants, right?"
"Yeah. They still appear in a group of 3, but encounter rate with goblin soldiers is quite high, and there is also one type specialised in ranged attack. And from 5th floor onward, the group also gets bigger. When I was here at my previous party, even trivial damage managed to turn all clothes into rags. This is why they kicked me out of party before moving up beyond 5th floor."
"It must be frustrating. Fortunately, nothing to worry about for now. It's still the 4th floor."
"Absolutely!"
Since the 3rd floor couldn't accommodate Takamiya-san, we immediately switched to the 4th floor for a trial run. We explored as Takamiya-san took the vanguard, and I followed behind her. She'd insisted on taking the lead since she had already explored up to 5th floor in her previous party.
"I found one, Senpai. There's only one so it's our best chance."
The goblin Takamiya-san spotted was quite a unique one. It carried neither a wooden stick, nor a sword, bow, or a shield, but something that resembled wooden staff. Though in appearance, it barely looked apart from run-of-the-mill goblins of the 1st floor, the small stone attached to the staff’s tip made all the difference. Plus, there was also this tattered robe it was donning.
"This must be a goblin mage, I presume?"
"Exactly. They use magic, so please be careful."
We swiftly approached it, and the latter seemed to have taken notice of us as well as it turned the tip of the staff in our direction.
"Goblin Mages can only use fireballs, but they can cast them in succession, so please watch out for them.”
"Alright."
Takamiya-san informed me, and in that brief moment, three fire balls shot out of the staff's tip.
"Woah."
One headed toward me, while the other two targeted Takamiya-san. I narrowly managed to block it with my shovel, while Takamiya-san used her Greater Shield to defend herself.
The fireball struck the shovel, and scattered, the remnants falling over me. Since it happened the moment I blocked it, I couldn't dodge them.
—*Riiiip!*
But, just when I was supposed to take the damage, I heard the sound of clothes tearing apart.
They're just sparks, so damage shouldn't be that much, however that was enough to trigger Takamiya-san's «Dress Damage» skill, and I noticed a small tear at the cuff of my shirt.
So that's how it was huh. It could be easily ignored once or twice, but repetitive attacks were bound to put clothes into that state. I could see others not wanting it.
As I felt like I understood where Takamiya-san's party was coming from in the corner of my mind, I sprinted toward the goblin mage. The latter hurled several fireballs to stop us, but to no avail. It disappeared in just one attack of mine.
"It's not a big deal at close-range, eh? It could've given us trouble if it knew other magic, but just as you said, it can only use fireballs, so it was easy."
I nonchalantly remarked while picking up the magic stone, and turned around to face Takamiya-san. But, for some reason, dark clouds were hovering above her, her face glum.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, um, your...... clothes......"
"Oh, yeah. It did get ripped earlier. What about your clothes, Takamiya-san?"
"Mhm, I managed to block everything with my shield, so it wasn't a problem."
"That's nice. Do tell me if they get torn. I will get them in shape."
I wonder what happened?
It was obvious she'd something to say with the say she was fidgeting around. I'd thought she was embarrassed about getting her clothes fixed, but even that was not it. ...I was clueless.
"You are not mad, Senpai?"
Why would I be?
"Your clothes got torn after all."
……Ah. So that’s what it was, huh.
She was kicked out of the previous party for her ability that caused party member’s clothes to get damaged. Sure, I might have the skill to mend clothes, but what if it keeps happening ad nauseam? She must've been worried I was inwardly annoyed.
Realising that crux of the matter, I took off my chest guard, and tossed aside the torn T-shirt onto the floor.
"S-senpai?"
A confusion covered Takamiya-san at my sudden action. I would've immediately answered, but the inside of the dungeon was a bit cold, so I hope she doesn't mind a moment of wait.
I invoked my skill smartphone, pulled out another T-shirt, and quickly put it over me, alongside the protector.
"Alright, I'm done, Takamiya-san."
"W-what was that all of a sudden?"
"Takamiya-san."
"Y-Yes?"
I slightly leaned over, putting myself on the same eye level as her.
"As you can see, even if my clothes get torn, I can just change to a new one. That's why, you really should stop worrying about it."
"B-but, Senpai—"
"Thank you."
"Huh?"
Takamiya-san continued with her worries, but I cut her short, and expressed my gratitude. She looked at me with a bewildering gaze.
"There's not a single scratch on me, Takamiya-san. Maybe those fireballs wouldn’t have completely injured me, but the fact that I don't have to worry about damage is really a huge lifesaver. That's why, thank you very much."
"......You're, welcome."
A slight apprehension still lurked on her face, but I guess my words had finally been conveyed to her—that I really didn't mind the inconvenience—as she replied with a smile.