It Started To Seem Suspicious In The Opposite Direction.

“Uh… no, I’m good.”

“Hm?”

“Even if I get hurt, I’m just losing money… and even if I don’t, it still cuts into the time I can earn…”

“Wh—!? You’re the one who said you were doubting my ability!?”

“That’s that, and this is this…”

“You’re actually pretty selfish, aren’t you!? Well, I can’t exactly talk either, but still!?”

In truth, Kikori couldn’t afford to get injured during training.

If he had that kind of leeway, it would be better to earn money instead.

Or rather, more importantly—

“And besides… skill against humans doesn’t really matter when you’re fighting monsters, does it?”

In fact, if you asked whether there was anyone at the Adventurers’ Guild Kikori could beat, it was questionable.

But even so, Kikori could split a goblin’s skull.

And against monsters with nonhuman shapes like a Horned Rabbit, human-versus-human tactics might as well not exist.

“I want to team up not with someone stronger than me, but with someone who can hunt more than me.”

“…Huh?”

Kuon stepped around in front of Kikori and grinned.

“That’s the correct argument. I think so too.”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s meet in front of the Hero Gate tomorrow.”

“Uh…?”

“If we look at each other’s hunting ability, we’ll both be satisfied, right? And if we can also check our compatibility, even better.”

“Well, sure.”

“So tomorrow, let’s try going together as a test run. Then we’ll get an answer we can both agree on.”

That really did make things faster from Kikori’s perspective.

And Kuon’s actual fighting style would probably have parts worth learning from.

Plus, being valued this much didn’t feel bad—Kikori had to admit that.

“Yeah, got it. First thing in the morning, right?”

“Of course. Today we’re just going to cash in at the Adventurers’ Guild like this, right?”

“Yeah, that’s how it’ll be.”

“Then we’re together until then. Let’s talk about all sorts of things.”

“I don’t really have much to talk about.”

“No, you’d be surprised. For example… got any siblings?”

Kuon was genuinely good at conversation, and by the time they reached the Adventurers’ Guild, Kikori had completely warmed up to him.

“…You’re easy to talk to, Kuon.”

“Right? I make an effort to be a friendly cat.”

“Somehow that makes it even more suspicious.”

“Hahaha!”

Kuon laughed, and Kikori laughed too.

Even setting aside whether they would actually team up, even Kikori could tell that this cat beastman named Kuon was a pretty good guy.

And… if he looked closely, there were beastfolk here and there around town.

It was probably hard to notice because many wore hoods or helmets, but still…

“Hey, Kuon.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s kind of what I expected, but… this town has a high ratio of my same race, doesn’t it?”

“Ah—ordinary humans? Yeah, probably. This is a fortress city of an ordinary-human country, after all.”

“…I see.”

‘I’ll ask Aria later.’

Thinking that, Kikori nodded.