Pick Me Up!

As I finally came up on deck, Priasis retrieved the rope that had been draped over the railing.

Her lips were tightly sealed in a straight line.

Her eyes mixed with surprise and confusion.

Her silver hair had grown a bit longer, and she wore a plain dress.

I looked around the ship.

It was large enough to be called a sailing vessel, but there were hardly any people in sight.

There was one man fiddling with the sail at the stern of the ship.

“You folks sure know how to surprise me time and again.”

Priasis spoke in a weak voice.

“Ah, hello?”

“What’s with her? Why is she talking like that… Ugh!”

“We’ll be going inside to rest.”

Neryssa dragged Katiio into the ship.

“You’re coming with me.”

“I should leave too right?”

“Yeah, it would be burdensome for the princess if we all crowded her at once, right?”

The other two also went inside.

On the deck, only Priasis and I remained.

As the silence lingered, I broke it.

“Should I go in too? I want to sleep.”

Priasis puffed her cheeks.

“Really! I have a mountain of questions. How did you end up on that small boat in the sea, how did you find the ship’s location, what on earth is your goal this time…!”

“It’s a mission.”

Priasis looked at me, demanding a detailed explanation, but I didn’t know either.

How would I know? It just turned out this way while doing the mission. As I kept silent, Priasis sighed deeply.

“I thought I wouldn’t get involved with you this time…”

“When we first met, you asked me to help. Why the change now?”

“Back then… I didn’t know it would be this dangerous. Several of your companions have died, haven’t they?”

“I told you to not feel burdened.”

“It’s not as easy as it sounds.”

Priasis hung her head.

‘Indeed.’

It seems she feels burdened by us.

I told her not to worry since we weren’t doing it for her, but knowing her personality, it won’t be easy.

“So, where are we now?”

“You came without even knowing that?”

Priasis looked at me as if it was ridiculous.

Once again, I had no answer.

“We are in the southeastern seas of the continent, known as the Infinite Sea…”

“Got it. Tell me what you’re looking for. Is it a key again?”

After a moment’s hesitation, she replied.

“…Yes.”

“The first was a desert, the second the sea. Quite the environmental shift.”

Priasis explained the events after the 30th floor.

After defeating the statue, returning with the key, and having its authenticity recognized by the Assinis family, she was able to receive support for their subsequent search activities.

“This ship was lent by the family, as were the sailors.”

The man adjusting the sail glanced over here before continuing his work.

“We also received a subsidy. I plan to hire mercenaries on a nearby island. With this, I should be able to find the key without your help.”

“And if a monster like before appears?”

Priasis coughed awkwardly.

“Well, anyway, we’ll turn the ship back to the port…”

“No need for mercenaries. Don’t call anyone. If you don’t want to increase the body count.”

“Then…”

“Just show us the way. We’ll handle the rest.”

The situation was similar to the 30th floor.

The only difference was a change in members.

“Still as stubborn as ever.”

Priasis gave a bitter smile.

“Sorry, but we can’t refuse our mission, whatever it may be.”

“What if the mission is to kill me?”

“I’d have to do it. Unless I want to die myself.”

I would regret it a lot, but I was already prepared for anything.

There’s no guarantee that the mission will always be about helping others or defeating monsters.

“Alright.”

Priasis rummaged through her belongings and laid down a small leather pouch.

Gold coins glittered through the opening.

“This is all my wealth. I’ll hire you as mercenaries. I’m not that shameless.”

“We don’t need it.”

“Don’t make me feel ashamed.”

Then I won’t refuse.

I accepted the gold coins.

[Negotiation Successful!]

[‘Han(★★★)’ has acquired 10,000 gold from the special NPC ‘Priasis.’]

‘10,000 gold, huh.’

In Pick Me Up, it’s not a large sum.

It’s only enough to buy two horse statues.

Nevertheless, I decided to accept it.

“…I’m counting on you again this time.”

Priasis reached out her hand with a slightly awkward gesture.

When I grabbed it, her hand shook up and down.

“When you call me…”

“Kid?”

“Call me Pria. I’ll call you by your name too.”

“Pria…”

“It’s a nickname. I’d prefer if you call me by it, Han.”

Priasis smiled faintly.

‘Hmm.’

Well, it doesn’t matter.

Afterward, Priasis shared more details about her time at sea.

Initially, they planned to stop by a pirate island teeming with mercenaries to supplement their crew, but with us joining, there was no need. They decided to head straight to the location of the key.

“And one more thing about the key.”

“Tell me.”

“If we gather all the keys… they can open a gate to a higher dimension.”

I froze at the unexpected statement.

Seeing my reaction as out of the ordinary, Priasis blinked several times.

“What’s the point of doing that?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? To save the continent…”

“What does a higher dimension have to do with the continent?”

“…That is.”

Priasis seemed unsure herself.

Frustrated. I frowned. Even if I don’t want to think too deeply, there are too many incomprehensible aspects to the mission.

“The dream…”

“Anything can be a dream. Isn’t that too convenient?”

In her dream, Priasis saw us fighting.

She also saw a future of destruction and decided to save the continent.

The keys were needed to open the gate to the higher dimension.

Thinking about it, almost all the missions were connected to her.

We directly encountered her on the 15th, 25th, and 30th floors, and the 20th floor involved a mission to subdue the leader of a force deeply involved in her pursuit.

‘How is this going to save the continent.’

The 5th and 10th floors, preventing goblin attacks, were the only ones somewhat similar.

On the windy deck, only Priasis and I were left.

The man adjusting the sail was gone.

“Are you… angry?”

“No, just thinking.”

I shut my mouth.

It feels like something is almost within reach, but not quite.

‘I need more information.’

I looked at Priasis standing blankly and said.

“About that dream, tell me more…”

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