Before Mikoto could finish, Kashima cut her off.
His tone turned stern.
"I know what you want to say."
"You mean we're leaving someone to die, right?"
"But have you thought about this?"
"If someone really is calling for help."
"If they've been driven to this point by a horde of monsters at this depth."
"How are we supposed to save them?"
Kashima pointed at the companions behind him, whose equipment was well maintained but clearly somewhat old.
"With just the few of us?"
"Should we charge in and give those monsters another meal?"
"Don't forget!"
"We're not one of those large Familias with countless high-level adventurers!"
"We can't afford to lose anyone, either!"
"If any of you got hurt because of something this reckless, or even..."
Kashima gritted his teeth, leaving the worst word unspoken.
"In short."
"As captain."
"My first responsibility is to bring you all back safe and sound."
"Not to gamble the lives of our entire family on that tiny possibility!"
"..."
Those words.
Were cold and realistic.
Even.
A little heartless.
But.
Everyone present fell silent.
Because they knew their captain was right.
In a place like the Dungeon, excessive sympathy was often a prelude to death.
"..."
But.
Mikoto lowered her head, her hand loosening and tightening around her sword hilt, then tightening and loosening again.
She understood Kashima's predicament.
She also understood the [Takemikazuchi Familia]'s current situation.
But.
"I'll take a look."
After a long silence.
Mikoto suddenly raised her head and looked straight into Kashima's eyes.
"Just one look."
"I won't go near them."
"I'll just use [Concealment] to sneak over and see what's happening."
"If it really is a danger we can't handle, or just monsters fighting among themselves."
"I'll come straight back."
"I won't linger."
"Mikoto!"
"Kashima!"
Mikoto raised her