"Sigh, do I have to? Can't I just leave them?"
"Stop that—didn't you say she reminded you of your mother?"
Elian scratched the back of his head briskly. It looked almost comical as his metallic skin shrieked from his gestures.
This feels like having to babysit someone else's kids or something.
Summoning all his flying axes, Elian caught them, holstering each along his belt. Given the nature of Magic bags, it could be used to explain the makeshift equipment made just this second.
He then walked towards the breaker party only to smell a foul odor. Elian followed the scent and saw the archer Bridget trying to cover her lower half awkwardly. It didn't reek of iron but urine. When the Archer saw Elian's gaze, she blushed scarlet and lowered her head in shame.
Not really minding it, Elian took a Health potion from Bianca's magic bag and popped the cork. He then gingerly took Bridget's hand and poured it over her wounds.
"T-Thank you, Sir Pen." she stammered, embarrassed.
Charlie seemed to have passed out on Sera's lap. Ryner gulped awkwardly, boring holes into Elian's armor.
Didn't anyone teach this bastard that staring is rude?
But then Sera's voice interrupted Elian's thoughts. "Thank you for saving us again Sir Pen. We would have died if not for you."
Taking the pink phone, Elian typed a reply, "[It is fine. I am glad you are all safe. I will be heading in deeper. Do you want one of the wolves I subdued?]"
Ryner then blurted out in surprise, "You are going to give it to us? A snow wolf is worth a fortune! Are you sure?"
"[I am, these are too weak. I want the strongest one.]"
"Well, given Sir Pen's strength, getting an adult would not be an issue. Charlie's bet didn't specify ours had to be an adult, let's just get the one over there and leave," Bridget added.
Sera who heard her ally, quickly pushed Charlie off her lap. Standing up, she frantically approached Elian.
"Wait! We can't leave Sir Pen alone! I'll stay! I can heal you—and I waive all my loot rights!"
Bridget grabbed Sera's shoulders and admonished her, "Sera, are you insane? You will only slow him down, do not be greedy! Do not try to profit from Sir Pen's efforts!"
"What? I am not trying to do anything of the sort! I just want to keep him safe! I am worried!"
Ryner facepalmed at her comment, "Sera, think logically for a moment. Do you seriously think anything here could hurt him? He one-shotted multiple C-Ranked beasts without even taking a cold resistance potion. And he did it without using any mana at all."
"W-What? No Mana? Is that why I can't even detect it?"
"Impossible! Just how high are his stats to move faster than our eyes can see?"
The mage shrugged as he turned to Elian, "I have the best sensitivity among us, and Sir Pen has little to no mana. He is fighting using nothing but brute strength. This is why the curse doesn't affect him. Halving 0 is still a zero. We on the other hand struggle to even get past the door."
"Hmm. This mage is quite astute. He has good eyes to see your true greatness at a glance," Bianca praised.
Why are you the one acting so smug?
Elian smiled wryly. There were still many things he wanted to ask about Breakers and their culture. As he only had student lectures, learning about them now would make it easier for him to blend in later.
Making his decision, Elian drafted a proposition on his phone. Bianca moved behind him and began to read it aloud.
"Call me Pen, do they know this is short for Penguin? You foolish boy... Let's see... I am not a knight. I was an orphan and found a cursed armor by mistake. Good—this is part of our cover story... I know little about breakers so if you can teach me, I would be grateful. What? Why do you even need them?!"
Elian couldn't help but chuckle as he explained, "Bianca, you were a breaker decades ago. Rather than risk being exposed by powerhouses, using these weaklings is better. You were right. There's still a lot I can learn from them."
"But they might take advantage of you, Elian. You must be careful."
"That is fine, I am not afraid of their schemes. I have you after all. Just who could mess with me with the Witch of the Frozen Night in my corner?"
"Sigh, Elian, why do I feel like you are being too brazen? And what's worse, I find myself agreeing to your stupidity? Fine. Leave it to your master. But change this 'In exchange, I am willing to share part of my loot except the cores.' line. It's too gracious. Just tell them you'll invoke the Right of the Blade."
"Right of the Blade?"
"It means your loot only comes from what you kill. It's a universally accepted rule of engagement—one that let's the weaker party keep their honor. If you truly want to reward them, let them land the final blow,"Bianca explained.
"I see. That is a good practice. Then I will go with that."
Editing his proposition, Elian tried to type gently. He even created extended fingers just to not break the keys on Sera's phone.
The breaker party on the other hand began to discuss their next steps. Charlie, who had just woken up, began to ask the group to separate from Elian.
"This bastard is bad news you guys. His armor is cursed, he's too strong! What if he is a monster in disguise? Haven't there been reports of intelligent monsters hiding among the humans?"
"I understand your point Charlie, but we can gain experience just from being around him as he kills the wolves. If he even kills an Alpha, it would be enough to gain our 2nd jobs!" Ryner retorted.
"I am with Ryner," Bridget declared, "Pen has saved us twice now. He even used an expensive potion for a simple wound. He is kind, strong, and innocent. The only reason he drew a blade on us is because you have been nothing but a thankless ingrate, Charlie."
"What the hell is wrong with you people! He is dangerous! Ryner didn't you mention something about the Valestra institute! That sounds shady. Sera! Say something!"
Ryner quickly covered Charlie's mouth and said in a low tone.
"SHUT UP, you bastard! If he is truly with the institute, we shouldn't mess with him! Anyone who dug too deep in that topic has mysteriously died or vanished! I have no intention to join them! Let's just get as much experience as we can and go home."
"Tsk. Typical. They really are living to breaker stereotype. Selfish, opportunistic, and vile."
"Aren't we the same? It's fine. Bianca, just think of them as the fish that cleans between a shark's teeth."
"You mean a Remora? But they are nothing but parasites!"
Elian eventually shared his proposition which Sera's party accepted without complaint. Ryner then healed the Snow wolves partly and took out two silver collars. He then slipped them on the monsters, which made them docile.
"So this is how they tame monsters?"
"No, these silver collars only scramble their brains, preventing them from functioning. It's like grafting a mind-rending migraine on a monster to placate it. It requires constant mana from the Mage. If he runs out, the wolves will be released and turn murderous."
"Well, I can understand that. I should make some of my own too."
"Elian, you don't have to get me a Snow Wolf. I wanted one in my youth."
"So? Even as you get older, I'm sure you still want one. You like cute things after all."
"What? I am the Witch of the...."
"Yes, master I am aware. Don't worry, I will get you the biggest and baddest one here. One fit for your imposing title. As long as it's not the dungeon boss—we need that bastard's core, after all."
"Elian, I am quite certain you are insulting me..."
"Haha, of course not Bianca. Let's go, your wolf awaits. Do you have a name in mind?"
"...Promise not to laugh."
"T-That's... hmph. A really good name," Elian snorted.