[ It's this way... ] Alice pointed in a direction. With her in front, she leads their group in their tracks; resulting in them moving even faster in the dungeon than before. And Zero and Will couldn't be more satisfied with her help.
[ We're now on floor 27... U-umm... If I remember correctly, the monsters that appear here are Darkmoths... Bu-But, please! Don't take my word for it...! I didn't want to lead the way that much... ] she hesitantly waves her hand, trying not to act dominant and offend the two of them, as the same happens to the others that hire her - ending on her getting beat up.
[ Huh? What are you hesitating for, Alice-chan? It's just been a few minutes and we've already reached this far. If it wasn't for you, then we would've been able to progress as such. ]
[ That's right. We're actually having trouble finding routes earlier, but now we do not need to stroll endlessly as we did before! At this rate, we'll be able to reach the hundred floor in no time! ]
Everything she had said so far was true, to the monsters that live on each floor, and the direction they need to go into. And so the two of them complimented her, which was completely the opposite of what she usually gets from the other adventurers and mercenaries who hire her. Inside, she feels an emotion she never experienced before.
Originally, she just wanted to help these two people who saved her, but now, she was the one who's feeling being helped otherwise. Just by exchanging her work with their kind words - which had never happened before, she already felt happy and satisfied like she never did before. Even furthering her motivation and eagerness to help the two of them the best she could.
[ By the way... I've actually already lost track of what floor we are on... How were you able to know what floor we are on, Alice? ] Will asks with a thought on her head.
[ Umm... I've actually already have been here many times... I've memorized each floor and their monsters... ]
[ Ohho~? So you have your knowledge, huh? ]
[ Ye-yes! But... There are also people outside selling maps... But I can't afford any of them so I did my best to memorize all the floors I've been to the best I could... ] as usual, she said her words in a whisper.
[ Is that so? Then, how far have you gotten, Alice? ]
[ The... The 74th floor... ]
[ Huh? That far!? ]
[ Hmm... I can't imagine you, surviving that far... ] mutters Zero who knows of her level. But knowing that she's a halfling, who boasts great attribute for endurance, it was still not that completely impossible for her to survive a level of floor that high.
[ It was a dungeon expedition so there were many people that came... I was just lucky I was chosen as one of their supporters... ]
[ An expedition? I've never heard something like that before... ] she sees Zero whispering to himself, his curiosity grew as they continue to move forward; asking her more questions.
They have told her that this is their first time inside the dungeon, and it surprises her that with only the two of them, they were able to move forward at a rate faster than any of the people she's been with before, as every single time - they meet an enemy, no matter how low or high their number is, they deplete their number to zero within just seconds:
With Zero, mowing down their number first with his intense firepower, and with Will finishing their job without a dent of letting any escape her sight. Their teamwork was as simple as possible, but also as effective as it could be. Will in particular, never tirelessly cuts her enemy with a rather twisted smile on her face, the complete opposite of the seemingly gentle Zero.
She sees them as an odd duo, but the kind of duo that works well together despite being the polar opposite of each other. Additionally, there was also the odd creature that always clinging onto Zero, playing with his hair uncontrollably whenever it gets the chance, but is still being completely ignored like it doesn't even exist. Their group is a very odd one - it surely is.
~~~
Continuing their pace, they soon met another group of monsters that are now just marble-sized crystals that are on the floor - which Alice, as she always does, collected and sorted them inside her bag; separating the ones she picked up back when he was still in the other group and those which she had collected since she came together with Zero and Will. And the sacks she put them into doesn't even compare, the marble-sized crystals that she just recently collected are now overflowing on two separate sacks, while the first one is still looking empty - as the monsters the other group had defeated only produced grain-sized crystals.
With a smile on her face, she collected them on the ground together with Zear who became close with her, feeling excited to show and give them to Zero, who seems to be the leader of the group. But before she could finish, a voice called her from the back. Turning, she sees Zero, who, as always, has a gentle look on his face.
[ Alice-chan... You didn't need to pick them up yourselves... Let Zear do it... ]
[ Thi-This is all I can help you with! Please let me! ] she pleaded in a way that she was practically begging. Her eyes are serious and it doesn't seem like she will concede what she is doing. And with a sigh and as he scratches his head, Zero replied with his usual demeanor.
[ Just know that I'm not forcing you, okay? You can always rest if you want to... ]
He had asked her many times already to stop collecting the crystals for them and let Zear take care of it, but she nevertheless still bicker, saying that it's the only way she can help their group - when the fact is, she's already been helpful with her helping them to navigate each floor of the dungeon, allowing them to progress in a fast rate.
[ The next floor would be our last and we will go back after then. ]
[ Is... Is that so? ] she replied, seemingly disappointed and saddened. But, she still managed to keep her composure, replying full of motivation.
[ Le-leave it to me! I'll also do my best on the next floor! ]