CH 30

Tenji had quietly made his way back to his hospital room.

He kept repeating some thoughts in bed, and before he knew it, he was already deeply asleep.

"Amagi-san, it's morning already!"

The next morning, Tenji was shaken awake by Imasaka, the nurse in charge.

His eyelids were still a little heavy because he was up late. Still, the hospital enforces a regular rhythm of life, so Tenji slowly awakens to consciousness.

He looked at Nurse Imasaka's face and saw her cheeks puffed out.

"What's wrong? Did something happen to your boyfriend?"

Tenji had heard Imasaka complain about her boyfriend from time to time, so he thought something was wrong.

Generally, when Imasaka was in a bad mood, it was about her boyfriend. It had only been a week, but Tenji had noticed this fact.

"I already broke up with him! That man is a scumbag! Amagi-san is also a scumbag!"

"Me?"

"Yes, that's right! The chief gave me a strict warning this morning!"

"Uh, uh, ...... what does that have to do with me?"

"What were you doing last night?"

Tenji heard a giggle and a sound.

He flinched at the all too familiar words and then closed his mouth.

"You don't have any ...... excuses, do you? Apologize."

"I'm sorry."

"I forgive you. Just apologizing is better than that lousy man!"

Breakfast had already been placed on the bedside table, and Nurse Imasaka, having finished her work, left the hospital room with a pout on her cheeks.

Relieved that the storm that had suddenly blown over had passed, Tenji muttered 'sorry' in a small voice and washed his face before eating his breakfast.

The taste was light, but it was still a meal Tenji was thankful for.

"Thank you for dinner."

He put his hands together and said quietly in the hospital room.

He then brushed his teeth and then turned on the TV. He turned the TV to a news program, listened to the audio only, and checked the changes in the 'Book of Enma'.

"Huh?"

Tenji's eyes caught sight of his status page.

The increase in experience was almost double the usual amount.

Tenji, however, quickly draws up the results.

"Ah, Maybe because I summoned a new Goblin last night, which doubled my efficiency in the Hell Realm?

He realized that if he simply unleashed two Hell Beasts, he would gain twice as much experience.

That thought was correct, and the two Goblins started in different directions, each continuing to slay monsters.

[To achieve the highest experience efficiency, do I increase the number of Hell Beasts?]

[I still haven't gained a single level, so I don't know the benefit of gaining a higher level. Still, it's always better to have a higher experience efficiency in casting the upper limit of 100.]

And so this morning, as always in the mornings, Tenji was working in his mind to find out his true calling.

Then Nurse Imasaka came to put away the dishes and returned to work, leaving the words, "The association will be here around noon, so please wait until then."

Because it was lunchtime, there was no time to exercise, so Tenji began reviewing the lecture using the textbook Maharu had brought with him.

Tenji's hospital room, where he was engrossed in his studies, was now filled with the sound of a knocking twice on the door.

Tenji looked up from his concentration and turned his gaze towards the door.

"Mr Godou!"

"Oh, Tenji! May I come in?"

"Yes, of course!"

The person who knocked on the door was  Masaki Godou, the man himself, who is now making waves in the world.

Godou had an apologetic look, but he made his way to the bed where Tenji was. A bouquet of flowers in his hand, and he knew that he had come to visit him.

Tenji thought it a little strange to use the word "sympathy" for Tenji, who had no physical problems.

Godou sat down in the chair by the bed.

And without hesitation, he bowed his head.

'I'm sorry, Tenji!! If only I had looked around more carefully ......"

Godou had always felt sorry for Tenji.

Godou wonders if he has checked his surroundings more. Tenji wouldn't have been left behind in that place.

"Stop it, Mr Godou. Raise your head, please."

Tenji was momentarily intimidated by the sudden lowering of his head by the superior Godou. Still, he hurriedly reached out a hand to his shoulder and told him to raise his head.

Even so, Godou's expression was not clear.

"No, I still wish I had more power so that I could have saved you and the others. I'm sorry."

"It's all right. See, I'm alive and well, as you can see. I'm alive thanks to Godou-san's leadership of that raid. Please don't apologize."

"Oh, yes. I was surprised when I heard that you were still alive,......."

Godou, who thought that apologizing already would be a backhanded way of apologizing, quickly switched the subject.

Tenji laughed and said while admiring that it was indeed Godou.

"I just got lucky."

"Luck ...... is the result of your energy. The actual "Broncos" are the only team to have a chance to win the game. That's great judgment."

"Hmm?"

[I immediately noticed the discomfort.]

[What do you mean? My misinformation is being passed on to the Association?]

What came to mind at that moment was Leon's face.

When he had spoken to Kaido on the phone, he remembered vividly that Leon had said that he had put his hand around it.

(Does that mean I've reached out to the association ...... to falsely claim my calling and share false information? I don't know what you think, Leon, but I should be on board with this for the time being.)

"I'm embarrassed when Godou-san praises me."

'What, you make it sound like I'm a guy who doesn't usually give compliments. Oh, and I came to give you this today."

The atmosphere softened a little and Godou took out a thick tea envelope.

Tenji's eyes opened wide at that.

"Well, isn't that a lot of ......? I believe the contract said 120,000?"

"No, this is the official amount of compensation from our guild. What the hell, didn't you hear what Accounting said?"

Godou smirked as if he had done it and pulled a crumpled contract out of his pocket.

Tenji did not recognize the contract, and the handwriting did not belong to Tenji.

"Huh? Huh?"

"Oh, come on, I'm kidding. Of course I talked to the accountant! This is the amount of money including this inconvenience fee. Don't tell me you won't take it. I put in all the hard work and need you to keep working for me! I'm listening to you! I've heard that there's nothing wrong with your body and mind!

The way Godou said that, I felt the atmosphere was the same as usual.

"Well ...... are you sure about that? I honestly don't think I'm doing a job worth that money. ......"

"What are you talking about! I'd rather apologize for only being able to give you this small amount of money."

"So, may I take your word for it?"

"Of course! I'll pick you again next time! I promise you a safe dungeon life this time."

"Yes, yes! I would love to have you!"

Godou held out his hand.

Tenji hurriedly grabbed back his large, burly hand.

There was originally no feud or anything between them, but Tenji was happy that Godou had once again asked him to keep up the good work.

Tenji still didn't know it by heart to begin with.

Inagaki Rui who pushed him away, do you hate him or not?

I'm grateful to the Raid people to begin with, and I don't hold grudges against them.

The only thing I couldn't figure out was how I felt about Inagaki Rui.

Do I hold a grudge? I don't immediately nod.

I know I was a liability; in theory, it makes sense that I would be cut off. But logic and feelings are two different things.

Objectively speaking, Inagaki Lui was right, and his actions were right in the outcome.

However, from a subjective point of view, Tenji holds a grudge against Inagaki Rui.

I didn't know which way to look at it, objectively or subjectively.

So Tenji had spent the past week trying not to think about this too much.

I'm going to go visit the others. I'll be in touch, so don't delete my contact information. I'll be in touch, so don't delete my contact information, okay?"

'Of course, I won't turn it off! I'll keep you in mind from now on."

'Oh, well then, Tenji-kun!  Of course, you can call Maharu-chan too!

'Yes, I'll be waiting for your invitation!

Godou was relieved from the bottom of his heart to see Tenji's healthy expression as usual.

He had been worried about what he would have done if he had closed off the path of the explorer because of him. Instead, he was happy that he had even awakened to his calling and returned home.

[Tenji, you have the kind of heart that will take off in the future. Don't worry, Tenji, you're going to be strong. If it were true, I'd like to put you in the Chariot, but it's hard to do that with a fifth-grade calling,....... I'm not sure I will be able to do it.]

Godou left the hospital room thinking about Tenji's future.

Tenji, who remained alone, was proud that he had been able to be useful, seeing Godou as usual.

Then I fearfully checked the contents of the brown envelope I was given.

What?" Wait, Godou-san, ...... this is true............"

The amount in the box was one million yen in cash.

Then there was a single check cut in Godou's name, with 5 million yen written.

A small note was also enclosed that said, "Use this to feed Maharu-chan delicious food. The other is a small note enclosed with the package that reads, "Use this to give Maharu some good food. The rest can be used as you wish."

Tenji thought the envelope was thick enough to hold a million yen, but he didn't expect to find a check.

Tenji couldn't help but yearn for Godou's thoughts.

[I wish I could grow up to be that cool.]

Thanking Godou repeatedly in his mind, Tenji makes a small gut punch, thinking that now he can give Maharu plenty of delicious meat to eat.

He then hid it in his bag, holding it carefully.

The knocking sounded again.