I love time travel the most!

With a hint of resentment, Kobayashi drew his longsword from his waist, his expression serious as he prepared to fight with all his might.

But Ais tilted her head, puzzled, and asked, "What are you doing?"

"...Huh?" Kobayashi was also taken aback, and asked in return, "Aren't you here to avenge Mr. Bert?"

That arrogant and foul-mouthed werewolf wouldn't tell anyone about his humiliation in the dungeon, but who knows if they might come looking for trouble after seeing their own clan members in such a sorry state, under the guise of getting revenge.

Surely they couldn't have come specifically to give me guidance, could they?

The naturally naive Ais asked curiously, "I did ask Bert for your location, but he didn't tell me to take revenge or anything. Did you two have a fight?"

"...No, not at all." Kobayashi asked doubtfully, "You didn't come here to fight me?"

"why?"

"Uh……"

This is embarrassing, isn't it?

Xiaolin scratched his head, feeling a strange sense of loss for some reason.

That's how people are; they resist things that are about to happen until they happen, and then feel disappointed when they don't.

Cheap or not!

I couldn't help but silently berate myself.

He quickly sheathed his longsword. It was extremely impolite to point a sword at someone, especially since the Sword Maiden Ais hadn't shown any hostility towards him, and it was all due to his misunderstanding, which only made him more embarrassed.

"Ahem, Miss Ais, you waited for me here on purpose, didn't you?"

"Yes, that's right."

Based on what was just said, it seems that Fiora Ais wanted to find Kobayashi and even specifically inquired about herself from the werewolf Bert.

This only piqued his curiosity, and he couldn't help but ask, "Miss Ais, is there something you need from me?"

Aside from a brief time traveling together in the dungeon and a casual competition to see who could kill more minotaurs, the two of them should have had no other interaction...

Why would they specifically come to find me?

"……ore."

"what?"

"The ore you gave to Mr. Raul as payment. I want to buy that ore, no matter the price."

Sword Maiden Ais said those words expressionlessly.

An aura of wealth, as if saying "Name your price, I'll accept it," wafted over, leaving Xiaolin completely bewildered.

He knew that the half-fairy girl in front of him was willing to give up everything to become stronger, but was it really a good idea to say that? He was afraid she might get sold off.

Blackie, who was hiding not far away, shared the same sentiment.

"Idiot Ais, why did you say that? Won't that just make them ask for an exorbitant price?" At this moment, Tiona was lying in the corner, constantly craning her ears to eavesdrop on the two's conversation.

Upon returning from the Gubney Familia, she noticed something was wrong with the Sword Maiden Ais.

Concerned that something might have happened to Ais, Tiona secretly followed her. When she arrived in the dungeon and saw the two meet, Tiona even wondered how the two had gotten together.

But when she heard that Ais wanted to buy ore and let the other party set the price, she couldn't help but mutter a scolding to herself for not knowing how to bargain.

Just watch, this man (Kobayashi) will definitely ask for an exorbitant price.

That's when it's her turn to appear!

However, what I never expected was—

"I don't want money."

"Then what do you want?"

"Miss Ais, hit me hard!"

"……Eh?"

Sword Maiden Ais stood there stunned.

Even the dark-skinned Tiona, who was eavesdropping from a corner in the distance, had a blank expression on her face.

I have absolutely no idea what this man is talking about. Does he have some strange, unknown fetish?

Beside her, Ryuu couldn't help but speak up, "Lord Kobayashi, I didn't expect that you would awaken the same hobby as Lord Darkness in just three days since you arrived here. Although as your servant I shouldn't say anything to my master, please don't say such strange things to outsiders, especially women. If you really need it, I will do my best to satisfy you when we get back."

Only after hearing Ryuu's sharp tongue did Kobayashi belatedly realize how easily her words could be misunderstood.

"No, no, that's not what I meant!"

He rushed forward, startling the swordswoman Ais, who instinctively distanced herself from him.

wait……!

Are you serious about taking half a step back?

Don't mistake me for that lewd, perverted old man, Loki!

Kobayashi quickly explained, "Miss Ais, I really misunderstood! I meant to ask you to give me some guidance!"

“Guidance?” Ais repeated.

Kobayashi nodded and said, "That's right. Because my strength is too weak, and relying on defeating monsters to increase my strength is too slow, and it's nowhere near as fast as becoming stronger by receiving guidance from a strong person like Miss Ais, so..."

"is that so."

In DanMachi, defeating monsters is not all there is to it.

Ultimately, what you gain to become stronger is always your proficiency, not your experience points. Therefore, receiving guidance from a strong person is also a way to become stronger.

How could Kobayashi possibly let go of an experience boost like Fiora?

Ais thought about it carefully and said, "Yes, if I can help."

Actually, it's also good for her.

Kobayashi's strength is clearly beyond what a Level 1 adventurer could possess, yet he has explicitly stated that he is indeed a novice adventurer. Therefore, Ais wants to know the reason why he is so strong.

"Then let's decide on the terms of the exchange."

Equivalent exchange is a universal law, but what constitutes equivalence for both parties requires negotiation.

"How about ten guidance sessions for one piece of ore?"

"can."

"........."

Shouldn't you normally try to negotiate and bargain?

Why did you agree so readily?

The naive Sword Maiden readily agreed, leaving Kobayashi, who had prepared countless words, speechless and unable to utter a single one.

He never imagined he'd be speechless at the sheer extravagance of this nouveau riche. Was this the same arrogance Freya displayed when buying slaves? Those slave traders must have felt the same power he possessed back then. It must be said, being filled with happiness feels wonderful.

But am I suspected of deliberately deceiving a naive young girl? No, no, no, she is an adult and has to take responsibility for her choices.

"So, deal?"

Kobayashi extends his right hand.

Ais stared blankly at the outstretched hand, not understanding the meaning behind Kobayashi's action.

"Ah, this is the gesture used in my hometown to make a promise. When two people's palms touch, it means the promise is made, and both parties must strictly abide by it."

"I understand."

Ais imitated Kobayashi's action, extending her right hand as if to give him a high five.

"make a deal……"

"Give me a moment!"

A dark figure stirred up a fierce gust of wind and appeared in front of Kobayashi in the blink of an eye, shielding Ais behind him.

The small, white hand that reached out naturally did not intersect with the large hand.

"Tiona?"

Ais was slightly surprised.

She clearly hadn't expected her companion to appear here.

Although they didn't intentionally hide their whereabouts, it was still a bit unexpected that they were able to follow them.

"Ais, how could you make a promise with someone so casually!"

When Tiona appeared, she scolded Ais in an angry tone. The naive Ais blinked, unsure of what to say.

Seeing her princess's innocent appearance, the Amazon girl, who had experienced inhuman treatment, sighed deeply, then turned to Kobayashi with a bright and cheerful smile and said, "I'm sorry, my Ais seems to have made some terrible promise. If the God finds out, she'll be scolded. So, I'll take her place from now on."

Don't let Tiona's carefree and cheerful demeanor fool you; she has actually been through a lot, at least more despair than the naive Ais.

He deliberately emphasized the two words, both as a reminder and a threat, seemingly implying something.

This is a master.

Kobayashi instantly became alert, but at the same time, a look of eager anticipation spread across his face.

He was naturally pleased that his prepared remarks would come in handy.

"My Ais is a Level 5 adventurer, just one step away from Level 6. Many people would kill to have such a powerful adventurer as a teacher, so I can only instruct her twice."

"But my ore is also extremely rare, and its hardness and toughness far surpass other ores. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come looking for me specifically. So, at least eight times!"

"But Ais's teaching is very detailed, and it will definitely be of great benefit to you as a novice adventurer who is only LV1. So, a maximum of 3 times!"

"Think about it carefully! Weapons are an adventurer's greatest asset in dungeons. I don't need to elaborate on the rewards of having a good weapon, so at least 7 times!"

"Four times!"

Six times!

Five times!

"make a deal!"

Kobayashi and Tiona huddled together, panting, their foreheads touching, neither giving way to the other.