The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 : Encounter – Part 2

"Thank you!"

The girl I had saved walked up to me.

"You saved my life. I’m Armine. I’m an advanced alchemist and also a C-rank adventurer."

She pointed to the blue plate set into her brown belt.

"I was wandering through the forest collecting alchemy materials and ran into that thing. I really thought I was going to die."

She brought her face close to mine. Her dark blue gem-like eyes reflected my image.

"Still, you’re strong, aren’t you? That attack earlier—was that a Unique Skill?"

"Yeah, it’s a Skill that lets me control paper."

As I brushed dirt off my pants, I answered Armine’s question.

"More importantly, is your leg okay?"

"Running might be tough, but I think I can manage walking."

"Then I’ll escort you to town. Even an F-rank adventurer’s better than going without a guard."

I tapped the white plate set in my own belt with a fingertip.

"Eh? You’re F-rank?"

Armine’s dark blue eyes widened in surprise.

"I totally thought you were at least C-rank. You took down that twin-headed lizard like it was nothing."

"No, it was a close call. If it had breathed fire first, I would’ve been toast."

"Heh, you’re humble too, huh?"

Armine stared at my face.

"...Well, anyway. I want to thank you properly. Would you take me to my place?"

"Ah, no need for thanks. Helping each other in situations like this is just what adventurers do."

"I like that answer too! That makes me think maybe you’d..."

Her voice faded out after that.

---

That evening, I was at Armine’s house in the northern part of Tansa town.

In the spacious living room, a wall shelf was lined with various materials—glittering Jewel Slime Fragments, a Unicorn Horn over thirty centimeters long, and jars of rainbow-colored powder I had never seen before.

So this is an alchemist’s house… Materials everywhere.

Alchemists use materials to create all kinds of items. They can craft special-effect weapons and armor, make healing potions, and even use materials to cast magic.

Having one in your party would be incredibly reliable.

"Here, Yakumo-kun."

Armine handed me a gold coin.

"This is your reward for saving me."

"Huh? A gold coin? That’s way too much."

I shook my head vigorously.

"With one gold coin, you could stay at a decent inn for ten days."

"It’s the price of a life—this is cheap, actually. Plus, it’s also for escorting me back to town."

"B-but still..."

"Don’t worry about it. If you hadn’t saved me, I’d be dead and couldn’t use money anyway."

Armine stuck out her pink tongue and smiled.

"Also, I wanted to show Yakumo-kun how generous I can be."

"Huh? Show me?"

"Yeah. I figured that way, you might want to join my party."

"Wha—!? Your party?"

My voice rose in shock.

"Wait, you’re a party leader?"

"It’s just a two-person party. But if you join, we’ll be three."

"...Are you sure I’m okay?"

"Of course. You meet my conditions perfectly."

"Conditions?"

"First, you have to be strong. But more importantly, I need someone I can trust."

She held up two fingers.

"You’re an F-rank adventurer, but you risked your life to help me when I was attacked by a twin-headed lizard."

"Isn’t that just normal?"

"Nope. Most people wouldn’t help. And that’s not a bad thing—after all, it’s their life on the line."

Armine’s voice dropped slightly.

"But that’s exactly why I trust you, Yakumo-kun. That’s what matters most to me."

"The most important thing?"

"Yeah. No matter how strong someone is, if I can’t trust them, I’d never turn my back on them in a dangerous dungeon."

"That... makes sense."

I nodded at her words.

Now that I think about it, I couldn’t really trust Alber and the others. They dumped all the grunt work on me, and they always mocked me for being a “paper user.”

"…Why are you trying to form a party?"

"Ah, I forgot to tell you."

Armine tapped her head lightly.

"My goal is to build up our achievements as a party and get permission from the kingdom to enter the Chaos Labyrinth."

"Chaos Labyrinth?"

"You’ve heard of it, right? The dungeon north of Tansa—the one known for killing adventurers."

"Yeah… I’ve heard of it."

My mouth went dry.

The Chaos Labyrinth is said to be the largest dungeon on the continent of Geme. Over a hundred floors have been confirmed, but no one has ever reached the bottom.

Originally, anyone could enter. But after thousands of adventurers died within, the kingdom of Reste took over its management.

Now, only eight guilds and seven parties are officially allowed to explore it.

"Why would you want to go into such a dangerous dungeon?"

"...The biggest reason is my father."

Armine’s voice lowered.

"My father was an alchemist. He went missing in the Chaos Labyrinth seven years ago."

"Seven years ago...?"

"Yeah. Honestly, he’s probably dead. But until I see it with my own eyes, I don’t want to give up on him."

"...I understand."

I looked at her solemn expression.

I was abandoned as a baby and grew up an orphan. I’ve never seen my parents’ faces, nor felt their love. But Armine is different. She followed in her father’s footsteps as an alchemist—she probably respects him deeply.

---

← Previous Chapter | Index | Next Chapter →

---