This Hero is Too Curious!

"Alright… Where to now, Onii-san?"

Erana, Kany, and I were crouched down at the intersection that we had come from once more. The smoke was billowing from the path that we had not yet gone. I am in the lead followed by Kany and Erana.

"I hate to say it, but probably deeper inside. I have a bad feeling that the source of the smoke is also where we'll find my friend."

"Jeez, Onii-san. You have the most rotten luck."

"You're one to talk, you caged thief."

"Hey let's try to get along, please? Kenji-san? Kany?"

Kany and I both grumbled at one another. It seems that both of us don't want to upset Erana any more than we need to, so we are trying to leave our differences aside for now.

"Before we do anything, I need to know something. Kany, how effective are you in combat?"

"Fufufu! I am a level 2 rogue! I can use my hide skill to sneak around and take down enemies before they notice me!"

"Wow, that sounds really useful! So if we're in a room with a lot of guys then you can take them out one at a time?"

"No. I can only do that once for a group. After I'm spotted I can't hide anymore until the enemy loses track of me again."

"S-So… How are you when it comes to combat?"

"I dodge attacks. Any of the attacks that hit me usually get healed by Erana."

"Mmhmm." Erana followed. It seems like their strategy is not too different from what Erana and my strategy was earlier.

"Okay. Wherever we're going there are probably going to be at least a few goblins. I'll grab their attention while Kany takes down the farthest one, or the most dangerous one. Erana, you provide healing support to any of us that get hit. How does that sound?"

"Understood, Kenji-san. I'll do my best!"

"Got it, Onii-san. Just so you know, a sufficiently strong enough enemy can see right through my hide skill."

"Understood. If you think they've noticed you I want you to bow out and return to the front line to provide me with support."

"Got it."

With that, we went deeper into the cave. Judging by how far I've traveled since I entered, it's probably safe to assume that this room that the smoke is billowing out of is the heart of the cave.

As we descended further down, I could begin to make out what the screams were saying.

"AAAAAAA! STOP! PLEASE! ELVES AREN'T TASTY I PROMISE! WE'RE ALL STRINGY MEAT! NO NUTRITION! I KNOW A HUMAN NEARBY THAT IS PROBABLY WAY TASTIER THAN I AM! I'LL LEAD YOU TO HIM SO PLEASE JUST STOP TRYING TO COOK ME! AAAAAA! HELP ME!"

No doubt about it, that's Tael. Wait, what did he say about a human?

"Kenji-san, is that your friend that's screaming like a little girl?"

"Y-Yeah. From the sounds of it, the goblins are trying to cook him."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go! Hide!"

"Wow…" I said out loud.

"Let's go, Kenji-san." Erana whispered to me.

"Got it! Let's save Tael!"