"Maybe you don't need it, but it's still a must have in a dungeon."

"Nah, don't worry. I'll manage."

Because first of all, I'll be attacking everything that enters my visual range because offense is the best defence. Even if something managed to breach my barrage of attacks, I would still have magical defences set up around my body.

And if someone managed to get past even that, then… he'll stab me to death and allow me to move on to my next life.

A win-win for everyone.

Well, not everyone because the guild members would probably mourn my loss and blame themselves for not forcing me to wear a motherfucking armour, but that's a small price to pay for salvation.

"Look, you can either wear it yourself, or I'll grab you from behind while Noelle would undress you and force you into that armour."

From beside him, Noelle cracked her knuckles with a smile.

"Kinky."

"What?" Noelle stopped cracking her knuckles.

"I mean, sure I'll wear it. Why do you have to be so violent about it?"

Like what, even in the worst-case scenario, by not wearing the armour I'll just die a horrific death while choking on my own blood and trying to put my entrails back in my stomach. Show some emotional maturity, chief.

"…Good."

I took the simple looking leather armour from him. However, contrary to appearances, the leather was of high quality and tough.

And were these magical runes or something?

It was expensive, that I'm sure of.

Well, I guess this IS the treatment befitting an executive of a Guild.

The armour also came with a pair of daggers, though I doubt I could wield them with my shit body. I'll probably start panting like a whore in a 100 men/women gangbang with just one swing of these daggers.

"The dungeon is not that far from the city, so you can just fly there."

"I see- wait, fly?"

"Mm. Neia has agreed to escort you to the dungeon on her back."

"I see. Thanks."

"No worries." Neia replied. "Anything for the prodigy of the millennium."

Wut? Bruh.

That's such an underwhelming evaluation, Neia, so much so that it disgusts me beyond belief.

"You exaggerate."

"I don't."

Then keep believing that, you little fucker.

"Whatever."

"Neia will explain the rest to you."

"Thanks." The friendly dragon nodded at Azell. "First of all, have you had breakfast yet?"

"Nope."

"Good. You'll probably puke it out anyway."

Bruh.

"If you're worried that killing a living lifeform for the first time would disgust me enough to make me throw up my food, then you don't need to worry. I'll be fine."

Also, like every other normal person, I don't like going on expeditions with an empty stomach.

Imagine being in the dark of the dungeon and not knowing whether the growling sounds are coming from your stomach or some monster. That's gonna be a no from me, mate.

"Everyone says that." Neia smiled.

"Well, I'm different because I've killed before."

"Really? And who have you killed?"

Did this woman just ridicule me?

"Did we perhaps not tell you how I saved Noelle's life?"

"…How did you do it?" Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"I punched a hole through the chest of a Minotaur and exchanged its lifeforce for Noelle's."

"What?" She raised her eyebrow. "Is that a joke?"

I wish it was, Neia.

I wish this was a joke and that I had exchanged my life for Noelle's. That way, I wouldn't have to deal with you guys.

"You did not tell her?" I asked Azell.

"Well… we thought it would be best to leave the decision to you."

"Seriously?"

I mean, what was there to think about it? It was just a Minotaur and a sacrificial spell; anyone could have done it.

"You… you really killed a Minotaur?" Neia asked.

"Blasted a hole straight through his heart."

"Do you really want to send him to a 1-star dungeon?" Neia asked Azell.

"Well, he killed the Minotaur by sacrificing himself. I'm sure you know that if you hadn't healed him back then, he would have died."

"Huh, fair enough." Neia nodded.

Oi.

"Well, I guess you can have breakfast. After you're done, come meet me at the roof."

"Alright. See ya later." With that, I left the office.

Neia, however, stayed. She probably had something to talk about with them.

And that something was probably moi.

Anyway, let's eat first; thinking is a hell lot easier on a full stomach, after all.

❄️❄️❄️

About half an hour later, I was on my way to the terrace of this Guild.

"Hello there." To my chagrin, I was forced to wear the leather armour, so raising my hand to greet her was a bit uncomfortable.

More than the shirt I was used to, at least.

Also, it's a bit suspicious how the armour fits me so perfectly. Did they sneak in while I was sleeping and take my sizes?

As if watching me sleep wasn't enough, they're even messing with my body now. I really need to report this guild for sexual assault.

"You look good."

Flattery won't get you anywhere, Neia.

"Thanks."

"Did you double check everything?" She asked while looking at the bag fitted to my belt.

"Yep."

The bag had all the basic things needed for a dungeon exploration, like torches, potions, ropes et cetera.

"Are you ready?"

"Yup."

"Then let's go."

"Sure."

With a nod, she started moving the mana around her. Some moments later, she turned into her Dragon form.

｢Quickly, get on.｣

｢Aight.｣

I floated using magic and landed on her back. The next moment, Neia cast a spell to turn us invisible.

Then she flapped her wings and took off, and off we went in the direction of the forest where I had first met Azell and Noelle.

The wind hitting my face was pleasant while the sun shining upon us provided us with a comfortable warmth.

Should I take a nap?

｢Hey, Samur.｣

｢Yeah?｣

Contrary to my last ride (which just reminded me this is the second time I'm riding a Dragon), I was speaking directly in Neia's mind, with the use of magic, of course; telepathy was a skill too godly for such a shit body.

｢How did you kill the Minotaur?｣

｢Well, I pulled a sneaky on it and attacked it from behind.｣

｢Yeah, but how did you produce the firepower required to kill him?｣

｢I sacrificed a bit of my lifespan.｣

｢Oh… what?｣

｢Keep that a secret between us, okay?｣

｢Uh…｣

｢Why do you ask?｣

｢Oh, n-no particular reason.｣

Lying isn't one of your strong suits, is it, Neia?

｢I see.｣