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Chapter 48: Reunion
Tsuna finished his conversation with Finn and the executives. With several Familia members still recovering from the Poison Worm venom, the expedition team was forced to remain on the 18th Floor until everyone was fully healed.
Two days passed. The poisoned adventurers were finally showing signs of recovery.
"Nnnngh..."
Tsuna interlaced his fingers and stretched his arms high into the air, letting out a satisfying groan as he popped his back.
"Alright. What should I do today—?"
"Tsuna."
"Hiiiih!?"
Ais's voice suddenly whispered right next to his ear. Having approached him without making a single sound or emitting a trace of presence, the sudden interruption nearly sent Tsuna's heart leaping out of his throat.
"S-Sorry... did I startle you...?" Ais asked, tilting her head.
"I-It's fine... Anyway, what's up?"
"I have a favor to ask."
I-I know where this is going... There was only one reason Ais Wallenstein would ever seek him out for a "favor."
"I-I just remembered! I have errands to run in Rivira!!"
Tsuna hated fighting on a good day, but the thought of sparring with Ais right when their grueling expedition had finally ended was an absolute nightmare. Spouting the first excuse that came to mind, he turned on his heel and bolted.
I can't believe she's challenging me to a fight right now!? he cried internally. He had just wanted to relax.
"I won't let you escape."
"Ehhh!?"
Ais's sheer determination was terrifying. She sprinted after him, completely unbothered by his head start. Tsuna yelped as he saw her rapidly closing the distance.
"It's our day off! Let's just rest!!" Tsuna pleaded over his shoulder.
"No. Ever since I saw that technique you used to obliterate the monster... I can't hold back the urge to fight you."
"That technique!? You mean the X-Burner!?"
"So it's called the X-Burner."
"Yeah... you use flames as a propulsive brace and... wait, no!!"
Tsuna had instinctively started explaining the mechanics of his attack before catching himself.
"Anyway, why don't you just fight someone else!?"
"Because I can use magic against you."
"If we get caught, Riveria's gonna chew us out again!!"
Deep-floor brawls between different Familias were strictly forbidden. When they fought on the 51st Floor, they were isolated enough that the executives could easily cover it up. But this was the 18th Floor. There were other adventurers passing through, not to mention the merchants from Rivira. If anyone saw the Sword Princess brawling with a supposedly unknown rookie, word would spread instantly, exposing the Loki Familia's breach of conduct.
"I-It's fine... As long as we don't get caught... Riveria won't yell at us..."
"You're clearly terrified right now!!"
Despite her bold claim, Ais's face was completely pale, her eyes darting nervously as she spoke. Tsuna couldn't help but shout a retort. To Ais, incurring Riveria's wrath was the scariest thing in the world. And yet, her desire to fight Tsuna outweighed even that primal fear.
"So please, fight me."
"What kind of logic is that!? Anyway, I'm not fighting you!!"
"Then I'll chase you until you do."
And so began a desperate game of tag between a boy who absolutely refused to fight and a girl who lived for the thrill of the blade.
"Please, won't you just give up already!?"
"I won't give up..."
One full hour passed. The chase showed no signs of stopping. Ais was relentless, clinging to his trail with terrifying stamina.
I can't believe this is happening in another world too!! His life back in Namimori had been a chaotic mess of Spartan tutoring and daily explosions. He had naively thought he'd find some peace and quiet here. Tsuna let out a silent wail of despair.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!" ""!?""
A massive, earth-shaking howl ripped through the forest, instantly bringing both Tsuna and Ais to a halt.
"W-What was that!?"
"It's probably Goliath's roar..." Ais murmured, her eyes narrowing toward the sound.
"Goliath?"
"The Floor Boss of the 17th Floor."
"Wait, the one that spawns right in front of the entrance to the 18th Floor?" Tsuna remembered the layout Finn had taught him during their descent.
"Yes. We killed it two weeks ago when Finn and you escorted Bell's group to the surface. It's about time for it to respawn, but..."
"But?"
"If we can hear its roar all the way out here, it means someone is probably being attacked. We have to go help."
"Ah. Wait—"
Ais didn't hesitate. She immediately dashed toward the source of the roar. Knowing he couldn't leave innocent people to die, Tsuna quickly chased after her.
They sprinted through the dense forest until they reached the entrance connecting the 17th and 18th Floors.
""Eh...!?""
The moment they arrived, both of them froze in shock. Lying face-down on the crystal earth, completely battered and covered in wounds, were Lili, a red-haired young man, and Bell.
Hearing their footsteps, Bell weakly lifted his head. His trembling hand reached out and grasped Tsuna's ankle.
"Please... help my friends..."
"Bell..."
His consciousness was fading fast. He was in so much pain he couldn't even recognize that the person standing above him was Tsuna. Mustering the absolute last of his strength to beg for help, Bell's eyes rolled back, and he passed out cold.
"Let's carry them," Ais said urgently.
"Right."
Tsuna and Ais carefully hoisted the three unconscious adventurers onto their shoulders and hurried back to the camp.
.....
Back at the Loki Familia camp, Tsuna and Ais laid the trio down on cots inside a medical tent. They immediately called for Riveria to administer healing magic.
"Their injuries were severe, but there is no danger to their lives," Riveria declared after examining them. "They should wake up soon."
"Thank you," Tsuna said, bowing his head in relief.
Riveria nodded and exited the tent to update the rest of the Familia on the situation.
"I'm so glad," Ais murmured, looking down at Bell. "I'm glad they're going to survive."
"Yeah. But still... to think we'd run into them like this."
It was a relief to see Bell again, but finding him half-dead on a dungeon floor left a bitter taste in Tsuna's mouth.
"Pardon the intrusion."
A familiar voice called out, and Tsubaki strolled into the tent.
"I knew it was you, Wel-kichi."
"Huh? You know him?" Tsuna asked.
"Aye. His real name is Welf. Just like I told you before, he's a blacksmith from our Familia."
"Oh..."
Tsubaki had heard rumors spreading through the camp about a group of half-dead adventurers being brought in. Recognizing the description of the red-haired boy, she came to check for herself.
"Still, I'm genuinely surprised someone actually bought Welf's gear. Kid must have strange tastes," Tsubaki chuckled, eyeing the lightweight armor Bell was wearing.
"Strange tastes? What do you mean?"
"The lad makes decent enough weapons and armor, but they never sell. Up until now, he hasn't had a single customer."
"If his stuff is good, why doesn't anyone buy it?"
"Because his naming sense is absolutely abysmal. No one wants to buy a sword with a name that makes them want to die of embarrassment."
That's the reason!? Tsuna stared at her in disbelief as Tsubaki facepalmed dramatically.
"Well, I've seen his face, so I'm satisfied. I'll take my leave," Tsubaki waved lazily and strolled out of the tent.
Tsuna and Ais remained by the cots, silently watching over the injured trio. Two hours passed.
"Nnnn..."
""Bell!!""
Bell's eyelids fluttered. Tsuna and Ais immediately leaned in.
"Are you okay!? Bell!?"
"Tsuna...?"
Bell's blurry vision slowly came into focus, revealing Tsuna's face hovering over him. He blinked in confusion, unable to process why his friend was here. Tsuna let out a long breath, a massive weight lifting off his chest.
"It's been a while, Bell."
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