The branch manager is still standing frozen in front of my status screen.
My current status is as follows:
Strength: 370 (+321)
Dexterity: 299 (+250)
Toughness: 376 (+327)
Agility: 360 (+311)
Magic: 311 (+264)
Intelligence: 276 (+229)
Luck: 732
The 'Luck' value indicates that even the most advanced adventurers have poured in the equivalent of about level 90 worth of SP. Furthermore, the growth value of the status is approximately level 70 if it is at the maximum. Additionally, it seems that the status increase for adventurers during level-ups is biased according to their combat tendencies.
Therefore, even if an adventurer's 'Strength' growth value is 4 or 5, their 'Magic' growth value is often 0 or 1. In my case, it's always 1, but I'm grateful it's not 0.
A few days ago, the branch manager saw my weak status, which was as follows:
Strength: 50 (+40)
Dexterity: 35 (+25)
Toughness: 40 (+30)
Agility: 54 (+44)
Magic: 34 (+26)
Intelligence: 30 (+22)
Luck: 112
While my 'Luck' was praised, the other statuses were pitifully weak.
At best, it was equivalent to a level 15 adventurer, and at worst, a single-digit level adventurer. That changed drastically in just a few days. It's no wonder she froze.
"What did you do to get this far..."
"That's something that hasn't been told to them, and I'm still considering whether to tell them. So, I can't answer that question."
"...I see. I understand your thinking. You don't want them to be put in danger, do you?"
"Yes."
"...With this status and the valuable skills, I can see some odd numbers... I see. You might be able to protect them to some extent."
"Yes, with this power, I will definitely protect the two of them."
"No, that's not it."
"Huh?"
Not good, did I say something wrong!?
"What you need to protect is yourself. No matter what, prioritize your own safety. By doing so, you will protect their hearts."
"My own safety, first..."
"Yes. Let's say, for example, you encounter an unknown rare monster. If you have the 'Appraisal' skill, you can clearly see the opponent's strength, right? If you can see that you can defeat them, that's fine, but if the opponent's strength surpasses yours, what will you do?"
"Of course, I will run away."
"Yes. If you can say that right away, I think you'll be fine, but just to be sure. Even if you target a rare monster, you won't know their strength until you face them. Sometimes, you might encounter an opponent you can't defeat. In such a case, you need the strength to escape from the situation."
I understand what the branch manager is saying. It was during the battle with the 'Murder Rabbit.'
With the 'Hobgoblin,' I could judge that I could defeat them, so I had the luxury to care about my surroundings. However, the 'Murder Rabbit' was different. Even without the detailed information from 'Appraisal,' I realized that they were far superior to me.
I managed to win that time, but no matter how many times I think about it, I can't come up with a way to defeat them head-on. Choosing to run away immediately after the first attack was, I think, the best option available.
However, they exceeded my expectations and had the means to escape the square. Even if I could avoid their attacks, I didn't have the mobility to outmaneuver them. So, I had no choice but to face them.
If I had the 'Adamantine Armor' now, the situation might have been different...
Yeah. Thinking about the future, I really need various skills.
"I've said this many times, but if you're going to fight on the battlefield alone, the first thing you should consider is your own safety. It's foolish to care about others when your life is in danger and you lack the strength to protect them. On the contrary, when you have the leeway, I've heard reports that you do a good job of taking care of your surroundings, and I'm not worried about that, nor is Hana."
"...I understand. I swear, with this power, I will protect myself and the hearts of the two of them."
"Good, you pass. Hana."
"Yes, Miki-san."
"What!?"
Hana appeared from nowhere. When did she get there!?
"Hehe, Shota, don't let your guard down."
"Okay, Hana, can you bring the two of them here?"
"Understood."
"...Amachi, do you understand?"
"Yes."
Thus, Hana led the two of them in, who looked nervous and hesitant.
Neither the branch manager nor Hana said anything, making them even more anxious.
Standing in front of the two, I looked them in the eyes.
"Aki, Maki. I have something important to tell you two."
"Y-Yes!"
"Y-Yeah..."
Reaching out, I asked.
"I... I care about the two of you. You are irreplaceable to me. Not as an adventurer and receptionist, but as individuals. I don't want to choose just one. I want both of you to be happy and to become a family with you. So, I want to be with you forever. You know by now, but if you can accept a dungeon-obsessed guy like me, I want you to take my hand."
My clumsy and inadequate proposal.
Maki, with tears in her eyes, was the first to place her hand on mine.
"I want to be with Shota. Please let me."
"Maki, I love you. I will protect your heart from now on."
"Yes...!"
Aki, on the other hand, seemed to be still in shock. She kept reaching out and pulling back her hand, as if she never expected to be called.
"Aki!"
"!"
"I love Aki. How about you?"
"A... Ah..."
"Sis, come on."
Maki took Aki's hand and pulled her forward.
Her hand was placed on top, and I enveloped both of their hands.
"Maki."
"Sis."
"U... I, I love you too..."
Aki, tears streaming down her face, made Maki cry as well.
Finding them so endearing, I hugged the two of them.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
"Young love is so sweet."
"Hehe, they're completely in their own world."
"After all that crying, now they're ignoring us and being all lovey-dovey... This is the branch manager's office, you know?"
"Hey, Miki-san, your smile has been wider since just now."
"...... No, that's not true. What about you?"
"I'm enjoying the view too. With these three, they might even win the annual Best Couple contest for adventurers and their dedicated partners."
"Of course. They are my daughters, after all."
"Hehe, a classic case of parental blindness. But, it's time to bring them back."
*Clap*
"!?"
Hana clapped her hands in front of the three.
It was a cat trick, but strangely, the three of them regained their composure while still feeling the heat and emotion.
"It's great that you're close, but be mindful of the place."
"Understood..."
"Shota, you had something to tell them, right?"
"Huh?"
After such a once-in-a-lifetime declaration, it seemed his memory had slipped.
"You showed the branch manager that, right?"
"Oh, right!"
Shota, who had completely forgotten, held the hands of the two again.
"Maki, how many 'Appraisal' skills do you have?"
"Actually, I have four."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Even this short exchange made Hana's smile grow wider.
Shota appreciated that Maki had never used her 'Appraisal' skill on herself, and Maki deepened her affection for Shota, who had never peeked at her skill setup. Aki also found the two of them endearing.
"Then, both of you, use 'Appraisal' to see my current status and skills."
To the readers,
If you found this work interesting and are curious about the continuation, your bookmark registration and a 5-star rating (★★★★★) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!