Chapter 33: This Hero Finds Tael!

We had left the room where Kany had been held captive. After she gathered her supplies, including her weapon, we forged onwards.

"Alright…" Kany muttered. "Where to now, Onii-san?"

Erana, Kany, and I were crouched down at the intersection that we had come from. The smoke was billowing from the path that we had not yet gone. I am in the lead followed by Kany and Erana, though considering how Kany was so willing to abandon me earlier, I wish she was in front.

I scowled as I looked at where the smoke was billowing from. "I hate to say it, but probably deeper inside. I have a bad feeling that the source of the smoke is also where we'll find my friend."

Kany smiled as she stared at me lazily. "Jeez Onii-san..." She leaned backwards. "You have the most rotten luck."

I felt a twinge of anger as I turned to face her. "You're one to talk, you caged thief."

Kany stood upright in an attempt to tower over me. "Oh? Is this you saying you don't need the little girl's help? Well then, let's go Erana!"

Erana closed her eyes and frowned. "Let's try to get along, please? Kenji-san? Kany? We don't really have the luxury of wasting time right now."

Kany and I both grumbled at one another before she crouched back down. It seems that both of us don't want to upset Erana, so we are trying to leave our differences aside for now.

Honestly, I would prefer to do this by myself. Sneaking by yourself is easy. Two people makes it difficult, but still possible. Three people, however, makes it nearly impossible.

I hope Kany can actually contribute. I wonder, what classes does she have anyway? Perhaps she's a caster like Tael. Judging by the dagger and her build, she's probably something like an assassin.

"Before we do anything..." I turned my head towards the girls. "I need to know something. Kany, how effective are you in combat?"

"Fufufu!" She covered her mouth. "I am a level two rogue! I can use my hide skill to sneak around and take down enemies before they notice me!" She presented herself with pride.

Not just one, but two levels in rogue! When I played MMO's, rogues were DPS classes, so it's possible that she's the same. Perhaps I can lead her into saying more about herself?

"That sounds really useful!" I wore a synthetic smile. "So, if we're in a room with a lot of guys then you can take them out one at a time?"

"No." Her proud expression reverted back to neutral. "I can only do that once for a group. After I'm spotted, I can't hide anymore until the enemy loses track of me again. At higher levels I could disappear more often, but for now it's just once."

A one use attack? Is she as useless as me? "S-So… How are you when it comes to combat?"

"I dodge attacks." She shrugged. "Any of the attacks that hit me usually get healed by Erana."

"Mmhmm." Erana followed as she nodded. It seems like their strategy is not too different from what my strategy with Erana was earlier.

"Okay..." I turned and looked towards our destination. "Wherever we're going, there are probably going to be at least a few goblins. I'll grab their attention while Kany takes down the farthest one, or the most dangerous one. Erana, you provide healing support to any of us that get hit. How does that sound?"

"Understood, Kenji-san. I'll do my best!" Erana nodded enthusiastically.

"Got it, Onii-san." Kany gave a thumbs up. "Just so you know, a sufficiently strong enough enemy can see right through my hide skill."

"Well, I appreciate the information, but I doubt we'll see anything like that in here..." I blinked and thought for a moment before I decided to add to my previous statement. "...If you think they've noticed you I want you to bow out and return to the front line to provide me with support."

"Got it."

With that, we went deeper into the cave. Though I don't know exactly how deep I've gone, I know it's been at least an hour since I entered. Judging by how far I've traveled since I entered, it's probably safe to assume that the room the smoke is billowing out of is the center.

Slowly, as our feet scuffed against the stone floor, I could begin to make out what the screams. The voice from them was familiar.

"AAAAAAA! STOP! PLEASE! ELVES AREN'T TASTY, I PROMISE! WE'RE ALL STRINGY MEAT! NO NUTRITION! I KNOW A HUMAN NEARBY THAT IS PROBABLY WAY TASTIER THAN I AM! I'LL LEAD YOU TO HIM SO PLEASE JUST STOP TRYING TO COOK ME! AAAAAA! HELP ME!"

No doubt about it, that's Tael.

Wait, what did he say about a human?

Erana tapped me on the shoulder. "Kenji-san, is that your friend that's screaming like a little girl?"

I blinked a few times as my train of thought was interrupted. "Y-Yeah. From the sounds of it, the goblins are trying to cook him." I tightened my grip on my sword.

Kany cracked her knuckles. "What are we waiting for? Let's go! Hide!"

With that, Kany disappeared from my vision. I can no longer see her or detect her presence. It's as if she disappeared from existence.

"Wow…" I muttered.

"Let's go, Kenji-san." Erana whispered to me.

I turned to her and nodded. "Got it! Let's save Tael!"

CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Person_man

Here we can see Kenji's natural abilities to lead.

A lot of people seem to think that there are people with this special ability to lead, but in reality, it's just the confidence to make a decision based off of information. Being a leader just means you know how to use your resources as best as possible, even if those resources are people.

Catch you on the flip side!

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