19 Chapter 19

"Wafu, you are okay right?" Ethan asked Wafu if he was tired pulling the wagon. Wafu shakes his head signaling that he was fine. Ethan wanted to drive the wagon but Wafu was smart enough to know where they need to go, so there was no need for a driver.

Two days ago, Ethan and Lilia decided to try exploring the slime dungeon. At the beginning, they want to depart the next day after they decide to do that but gathering supply for their travel took longer than they thought.

They met Haruto to buy more skills and told Haruto about their travel. Haruto asked if they want to complete the dungeon but Ethan said no. Haruto advised them to complete the dungeon while they were there but Ethan needed to come back after their base finished building. Upon hearing that, Haruto decided to help them to manage their base while they were gone. Ethan didn't know if he should accept the offer but Lilia said they should. So, Ethan accepted the help Haruto offered.

Haruto told Ethan and Lilia important things they needed while exploring the dungeon. According to Haruto, the slime dungeon was the easiest to complete and the part where the weakest party to complete it was a Rank 1 was an exaggeration. Even if you were not a Rank 1, you can still complete it if you strategize properly. There were a lot of Rank 0 who completed the slime dungeon in the past but their achievement was not made public.

Haruto said potions were a must have item if they wanted to explore a dungeon. They needed lots of potions because they will be exploring inside the dungeon usually for months. HP potions, MP potions, antidotes and many other potions were needed. The most dangerous things inside the dungeon was not the monster but the other adventurer inside. For food, they can eat whatever they find in the dungeon but it was better to stock as many as possible. Adventurer that went inside the slime dungeon usually brought lots of meat since no meat can be found inside the slime dungeon. There were plants, herbs and fruits but no meat can be found inside the slime dungeon because slime didn't produce meat. With Ethan's party financial and Ethan's storage, they can easily stock lots of food. Haruto also gave few other advices likes clothes and tents.

With the advices they got from Haruto, Ethan and Lilia bought many things and stored them inside Ethan's storage. It took 20 slots of Ethan's storage to fill their supply. They also bought a wagon for Wafu to pulled but not a normal wagon. Their wagon had protective barriers to protect their baggage from enemy attack. The barrier strength depended on the owner power.

"Ethan, why do you agree to travel with that guy," Lilia whispered to Ethan.

"He just wants to travel with us. There is nothing wrong to let him travel with us," said Ethan while smiling.

"But, I don't think he only wants to travel with us. I think he also wants to explore the dungeon with us," said Lilia.

Ethan looks towards Mateo and he showed an amazed face towards Mateo. Mateo was the same age as Ethan and Lilia but he looks like he was in his early 20s especially with his muscular body.

"But having him with us, it feels safer to travel because of his looks. He looks mature and any bandit or adventurer around who tries to attack us will think twice because they won't know what rank that guy is especially with that kind of body. I'm just taking advantage of this situation to secure our safety. If he wants to explore the dungeon with us too, that will be good too," said Ethan while smiling.

Upon hearing that from Ethan, Lilia looked at Ethan, 'You know, you are not that much different from him. You are muscular too though not as muscular as that guy and you also look like you are in your 20s too,' said Lilia in her mind.

"Mateo, why you are not going to the dungeon with your clan mates?" asked Ethan.

"My clan is different from the others. My clan wants us to not rely on them and becomes stronger without their help. They want us to be independent," said Mateo.

"So, you will explore the dungeon by yourself? I never expect that from a noble clan. I thought they will do anything to help their clans grow stronger. You hold 'The One' title too so I thought they will provide some helps to you and maybe protect you from dangers too," said Ethan.

"They might not help us to become stronger but they do put someone nearby to protect us from fatal danger. Right now, there is someone who follow us," said Mateo.

"Is that so," said Ethan.

"I heard a lot about your party and I thought you will look scary or something but both of you looks normal," said Mateo

"There are that kind of rumors about us? Can't they see I'm a beautiful young lady, I can understand if they said that about Ethan," said Lilia. Ethan didn't say anything when he heard Lilia said that.

"Hahaha, both of you are so cute. How long have you two been together?" asked Mateo.

"Not long, around 2 weeks," said Lilia.

When Ethan heard Lilia, he felt conflicted about it.

"Haha, that is why you two are so lovey dovey," said Mateo while giggling, "I hope I can find someone soon too," said Mateo.

Lilia got stunned and realized what Mateo actually means when he asked her that question before.

"W-W-Wait, Ethan and I are not a couple. W-w-we are just friends. We are not in that kind of relationship," Lilia flustered and her face becomes red.

"You are not?" Mateo looked at Ethan.

Ethan shakes his head and said, "We are not."

"I'm sorry if I misunderstand your relationship. It just that I saw both of you whispering something to each other and you were secretly smiling and I thought you were flirting with each other," said Mateo.

"F-F-Flirting?!! No, we are talking about you-" Lilia said that and stopped immediately.

"You were talking about me?" asked Mateo.

"We find it weird that a noble want to travel with us. We are commoners so we never get this close to a noble. Forgive us for talking about you," said Ethan politely.

"It is fine. Don't worry about it. I can understand that you are suspicious," said Mateo. "A commoner…" Mateo looked towards Lilia. Their eyes met and Lilia eyes immediately but calmly moves to her right. Mateo saw that and start laughing. Ethan got shocked that Mateo suddenly laughing like that. "So, that's how it is. A commoner," said Mateo while laughing and sweat appeared on Lilia's face.

"What happen? Is there something funny happening?" asked Ethan.

"It is fine. Don't worry," Mateo stopped laughing but he was still smiling.

"You guys are so interesting. There is a guy who tame a water buffalo instead of horse to pull their wagon, a commoner girl, an intelligent water buffalo and untamed slime in a party," said Mateo.

Ethan showed a face that he didn't know what was so interesting, Lilia showed an unhappy face, Wafu just mind his own business and Gooey just blankly stared at Mateo.

"Ethan, you can't tame this slime yet but why is this guy obey you and not just you but me too, someone he just met," asked Mateo.

"I met him when he was a baby. Maybe that's the reason, he got used to human since he was a baby," said Ethan.

"I like you guys. Can I join your party?" asked Mateo.

"I thought the Stries Clan wants you to be independent," said Ethan.

"They do wants us to be independent but forming a party is totally fine as long as the party member is not from the clan," said Mateo.

"Urgh, go join someone else," said Lilia disapproved of that.

Mateo heard Lilia and went to her side and whispered to her ear, "I know you join his party because you like him. If you let me join, I will help you and I can help you convince your clan to accept him as your husband,"

Lilia's face turned red again, "NO!!! Ethan, don't let this guy join us. Who knows what dirty plan he has in his mind," said Lilia.

Ethan just smile looking at them.