Reincarnated in the game world ~ A gamer's beginning to [Dungeon job hunting recommendation]

Vol. 10 - Chapter 517 - I was told I am awful at praising, so I tried to do it seriously!

Our dungeon exploration was progressing great, as always. This time, we made a beeline for the 20th floor from the 11th floor, stopping nowhere. We went by foot, instead of the carriage, as a form of training while kicking around the monsters.

In the end, bosses were definitely the best for us. The durability and challenge they posed was really incomparable to the small fries, providing more headroom for us to introspect our actions.

I didn't forget to lead the group toward the hidden room, or dead alley for the treasure chest as well. Int-high were after all the final line before jumping onto Adv-low dungeons, so the equipment etc were quite serviceable, so it was a must to gather all that we could!

"It's an obvious thing I know, but you sure know your way to the hidden room and et cetera places huh."

"Hn, even I couldn't spot them."

"Well, you don't have any of the 'Find Hidden Room' skills, Karua."

"......Hn. I forgot that."

"So you say, but it's not like you have it either."

Argh, stupid me. I just had to step on a landmine myself, didn't I?

In my attempt to avoid Sierra's question, I dug a deeper hole for myself. No wait, I should use my good ol' method—when in my time of pinch, just bruteforce the way!

"Because I'm «Brave» after—oh wait, I mean I'm «Gloria Salvator» after all, ahaha!"

Right, this was my ace up my sleeve. My silver bullet for all the doubts, spectacular, ain't it?

"......I wasn't seriously asking either way."

Viola, mission successful! Phew, guess I have it in myself.

"Oh come on, Zephyr! You really do have some nerves to ignore the treasure, and put up with conversation! Hmph, I guess you really don't care about it huh."

"Zephyr-dono, can you please appraise it?"

In the meanwhile I was busy covering up myself, Lana and Ester returned from their treasure chest hunting. However, it seemed Lana was quite surprised that I hadn't shown my usual excitement over the treasure chest and asked back with an exasperated tone while showing the item she had found.

But in my defence, your honour, I would like to say I knew all the treasure chest drops from hidden rooms like the back of my hand. They're not random, and follow the same pattern as games. But hey, I might not have shown it, but that excitement over new treasure was still coursing through my veins.

"Ahaha, I guess I wasn't serious enough. Alright, let me show you my seriousness with this appraisal!"

"Thank you."

I took a hard look at the item Ester showed. I might have seen them countless times in the game through the screen, but it's not fantasy if you hadn't seen it up close.

"This is a headpiece—«Evil Warding Hairpin» with HP+100 effect and impressive MDF."

It looked like your average accessory, but it was a headpiece. In fact, most of the so-called hair pin shaped equipment like scrunchies, oranted hairpin, ribbons or headband were all counted among headpieces. As for its status—

?????????? Headpiece «Evil Warding Hairpin» DEF - 11 MDF - 50 (HP +100) ??????????

"Woah, it really has an impressive MDF."

"Well, that's what it specialises in after all."

"I mean, yes, but I am quite surprised this is your usual value from the Int-high dungeon's drop."

"Indeed, because they're to be used in Adv-low dungeons as well after all."

Advanced dungeons were all about advanced jobs. The status gain from moving up to advanced job wasn't a joke. Needless to say, there should also be the need for equipment befitting of their status, no? So this had been why the equipments offer high status.

"So, who's going to wear it?"

"Good question. It seems fitting for a tank, too, but Her Highness Lana can also have it."

Oh, the dilemma of who would be a better option for such excellent equipment huh.

For the backliner Lana, it would give her more survival. For the tank Sierra, it would bolster her defence further. It would also be good for Karua just in case scenario. In fact, it was serviceable even for Ester. I put my decision then.

"In that case, let Lana equip it."

"Huh, me? Are you sure, Zephyr."

"No doubt, or well, you're the only one who would benefit from it. Sierra and Karua already have good enough headpieces, same goes for Ester. You're the only one who didn't have it."

Lana was wearing a simple «Silver Tiara», and I am not sure if she liked it or for some other reason, she didn't have any headpiece.

Then again, she had barely needed it until now, and that tiara was looking good on her so there wasn't much comment from me, but it's probably the time to change.

So I had decided, but... Lana didn't like how I phrased my decision.

"Geez, I wouldn't mind some words like 'because it will look good on you' or something."

"A-Ack, alright, it's my fault. But I am sure it will look good on you."

"It gives an off-handed feeling, so re-do it."

Aww, what a strict judge I had.

Well, maybe it might have been caused by me. I just kind of used the word I had in the game. Right, they did say I am awful at praising someone. Perhaps, it was a bad habit I had gotten into. Right, I couldn't let this go on.

Alright, time to show even I can be serious!

"—Lana."

"W-What?"

Lana flinched when I called out to her in an all-serious expression.

"I really think this hairpin is a perfect match for you. It's definitely going to bring out your charm even more. I—I definitely want to see you in it."

"U-Uwaah—!!"

I took Lana's hand, and passed her the «Evil Warding Hairpin» like it was some sort of momento, while making sure I kept my eye contact with her.

Lana's face turned bright like a boiled octopus.

"T-Time out, Zephyr. And space, give me some space. I get it. I totally get it, so it's alright! —Haa, haa. I almost had my heart burst out of my chest...... phew."

Lana suddenly showed a flustered look, seemingly wanting to distance herself, and turned her back to me.

The reaction was more extreme than I had expected, but... I had confidence I aced it this time.

Hehe, now I am sure she wouldn't be able to find any fault in my praise. I must say to myself this deserves nothing less than 'great.'

"Zephyr."

"Zephyr-dono."

"Hn, Zephyr."

"H-Hey guys, what's up? And... what's with those expressions?"

For some incomprehensible reason, Sierra was giving me stern eyes, Ester was giggling, and Karua was having an expressionless face as they approached me, each calling out my name.

What, what? I thought I aced this time for sure.

"You went overboard, Zephyr."

"Yes?"

"No, I think that was a pretty nice move. If anything, please continue to praise Lana-sama in the same fashion, Zephyr-dono."

"Huh?"

"Hn, well, it's Zephyr after all."

"No, seriously what's this all about?"

I didn't quite get what was happening, but I could take that as 'amazing,' right?

I glanced at Lana, and she was staring at the «Evil Warding Hairpin» in her hand, her face beet red till her ears, while a look of delight spreading on her face. Yup, I would definitely give myself 100 points for this.

But something tells me I would be stepping on some kind of landmine if we remained on the topic, so I focused on changing the topic. Right, it was about the headpiece.

The hairpin was made of silver and consists of two pieces connected by a chain, with the base shaped like the sun. It was usable just by equipping it. In the game though, hairpieces had barely brought any changes to hairstyle so the design was whatever. But otherwise, the hairpin had quite a chic design.

I had no doubt this was a perfect match with Lana's hair.

She carefully put the hairpin, and while sorting out the hair, asked 'How... does it look?"

"Oh, you look adorable......"

"—Argh. I-It's enough, Zephyr! Yes, I need no more praise or my face may really catch fire."

At my inadvertent praise, Lana replied with a slightly flustered look. Her was a shade of crimson.

Afterward, she had Ester properly put the hairpin on her before asking, 'how...does it look now?'

My response was 'Yup, you look cute' with a thumbs up. It really did fit her like it was made for her. She killed the scene with even her fidgety look. It was a memorable scene... in lots of ways.

There was also a moment when she hammered her fist on my shoulders out of embarrassment, though the effect was zero due to her low STR status.

Meanwhile, on one side, there was Ester who watched everything with a pleasant smile, then there was Sierra who dispatched frigid glare my way.