"Ugh... Everything still hurts..."

("Mom... No... Strength...")

(".....")

Huh...? Oh, sorry, I hadn't noticed you, so... Ahem...

Hello everyone!

"Aaaahhh!! My back?!"

"Was it necessary to move like that in your current condition...?"

"Of course it's necessary, Echidna!"

"Hahhh... Whatever you say. Just try to avoid moving as best you can... After all, if it weren't for Brownie, you still wouldn't be able to move."

"Right, and thanks again for this, Brownie!"

("Clinck, clanck")

... Well, I already know what you're probably wondering.

What is going on here?!

So let me explain! You see, shortly after my heroic rescue of that poor, enslaved, and definitely abused victim, after escaping that cave in just a few hours (miracle!), I was welcomed like a complete hero!

You want the truth?

Ahahaha, come on, dear reader, what I just said is the truth!

... Although half-true... But it's still the truth!

More context?

... I guess you won't stop until I talk, will you...?

Haaah... I knew it... Well, alright, alright... I'll explain, so let's start!

But first!!

"Echidna... Please... Bring out some ice cream..."

"I REFUSE"

"... Damn it!"

I must convince this greedy one to share some of her personal ice cream supply!

(We are experiencing technical difficulties. We deeply regret the inconvenience.)

MISSION:GETICECREAMFROMECHIDNA

′

SCOLLECTION

RESULT:FAILURE!!

Don't say it... Seriously... Don't mention it...

"Selfish..."

"Say what you will, unless you have a method to replenish it, I will not yield my supplies."

"......"

Changing the subject, dear reader, and as I was saying, after leaving the cave with a traumatized victim, I was greeted by members of the Adventurers Guild!

... Who took me for a suspicious person... Yep... I don't want to talk about that...

But setting aside the little "misunderstanding" (conflict) that took place at that moment!

Things calmed down thanks to the unexpected arrival of the missing guide, who confused me with Silver saying things like: "so this is his true strength" or "stop, he is my master!"

Which indeed stopped the conflict... But the truth is, I don't know how to feel about all this, I mean, he acted more respectfully when he confused me with Silver than how he usually treats me in his base state! (resentment).

But don't worry, I don't hold a grudge, because thanks to him, things calmed down peacefully... Yep... No resentment. Ahahahahaha (lie).

But getting back to the topic!!

After all that, we finally returned to the Guild where a very angry Guild Master greeted me, releasing a very intimidating pressure, which told me what was about to happen. So, with complete naturalness, I gently put the woman down on the floor, and immediately after, I went to the Guild Master and instantly blamed the guide for everything that happened on the mission (betrayal), and without giving him time to respond, I ended the resonance by falling unconscious right there on the floor!

DAMN COWARD!!

I won't deny it, but hey, it was effective!

... And the pain was momentarily infernal, so the punishment, in a way, I did receive!

So what happened next...?

Well, after leaving the poor guide to his fate (revenge), I was taken to my room by Brownie, who had adopted the form of an electronic watch, quietly going unnoticed at all times, waiting for his moment to shine.

He was there the whole time?!

Of course he was, dear reader!

Brownie had the valuable mission of being Plan B in case of anything, and as you can see... It was an excellent Plan B!!

After all, Brownie not only carried Silver, Goldie, and me—who were out of action—while taking care of defending us, but he also allowed me to move after waking up! (3 days later)

It's all thanks to his transformation as a life support exoskeleton!!

He can do that?!

Huh...? You didn't know that?!

Ah... Right... I hadn't explained it... Ahem—you see, Brownie is a kind of techno-organic mass that can combine with and assimilate all forms of technology it comes into contact with, being even capable of changing form into technology he has personally touched at least once!

Which... Is excessively useful!!

Especially in the modern era for all sorts of things!

... Although, well... In a fantasy world like this... Well... It's obvious he's not in his element...

But that doesn't mean he's weak!!

In fact, if this were a world of futuristic technology, just using Brownie would make me unrivaled!

... But unfortunately, his moment to shine hasn't arrived yet.

Although, changing the subject and with all that said! After waking up and regaining mobility (forcibly), I encountered a very haggard guide, to whom I immediately apologized, seeing his (seriously) terrible state, looking like he hadn't slept in days.

QUESTION: Do you feel guilty?

ANSWER: Obviously.

QUESTION: Would you do it again?

ANSWER: Without hesitation.

Don't look at me like that?!

To begin with, all the destruction caused by that fight was in retrospect that plant woman's fault!

After all, if she hadn't attacked me, I wouldn't have defended myself, and thus the collateral destruction would never have occurred!

So the culprit was her!!

Then, with that said, and getting back to the topic, my recovery is going strong, and I even recruited a new member for the group!

And before you ask who the new member is, I'll give you the answer!!

Well, the new member is... The woman I rescued!!

Wasn't that predictable...?

Well, no, because according to the Guild Master, she was a famous high-ranking adventurer who had disappeared, named Boudica or also nicknamed the "Mountain Breaker"!

That's right... "The Mountain Breaker!"

Do you know what this means?

That now I have justification for the "mysterious" disappearance of mountains!!

So, immediately, I accepted her request to join without consulting the unconscious guide (he fainted).

... Although frankly, if I had to say something strange about her, it's her attitude... How to put it...? Familiar?

No. That's not the word. Ah, I got it!

She behaves just like Mom (possessed) in a vulgar and masculine way! (In a bad sense).

So is she possessed?

Well, you see, I asked Echidna about that possibility, and she immediately replied that there is only one soul in her body, so she's probably not possessed, which means it's likely just a part of her personality or some trauma born from the terrible experience she went through!

So, to help her, I have been taking care of her, feeding her, and pampering her until finally...

"I will dedicate the rest of my pathetic life to you, Boss, so please don't abandon me!"

... That's what she declared to me.

So, after that "passionate" confession, I had no choice but to accept. I mean, I couldn't leave someone in that situation, could I? Or rather, I was already involved! And if I think about it, this is like recruiting an ally to form a party!

So, just like that, we gained another member, continuing our adventure...

"I regret this, but I must ask you to leave this town."

... Or so I thought until the Guild Master lowered his head, asking us to leave.