Taking Mizumochi to the dungeon daily has had a positive impact on my health. Having not exercised much before, I experienced muscle soreness after our first walk.

"I didn't realize how weak my body had become..."

If it were just for me, I might have stopped walking after one day. But knowing it was for Mizumochi, I felt compelled to continue.

After a month of working, feeding Mizumochi dinner (I've stopped drinking beer since I ride my Super Cub), and going for walks, I noticed something peculiar.

"Wait, has my stomach always been this slim?"

I used to have a sadly typical middle-aged physique, with a protruding belly, but a month of daily dungeon visits with Mizumochi seemed to have slimmed it down.

"Hehe, ever since Mizumochi arrived, it's been one good thing after another."

Feeling lighter and healthier, I've started jogging in the dungeon. No one else ever comes there, and there are no monsters, just the boss behind a door. I never challenge it; I'm just grateful for the magical energy (?) seeping out, which seems to benefit Mizumochi.

"Odd, there's someone else in the dungeon today."

Arriving at the dungeon as usual, I saw a figure near the door.

"Hello," I called out, not wanting to startle them.

"Kyagigyagi!!!"

But when the figure turned around, it was a small ogre with horns on its forehead.

"What! A goblin?"

I recognized it immediately from what I'd seen on TV.

"A monster! Run, Mizumochi!"

Monsters can't leave the dungeon. I thought if we could just get out, we'd be safe. The dungeon was about 500 meters across; if I ran full speed, I thought I could escape. But the goblin was faster than I expected, quickly catching up and cutting off our escape.

"What do we do?"

According to Anju's blog, slimes are the weakest. If Mizumochi fights, it surely won't win.

"We have no choice."

Though I knew we couldn't win, I needed to create a chance to escape. Luckily, neither the goblin nor I had weapons. And recently, I've been feeling quite fit.

"Mizumochi, it's time to fight the goblin. I'll create an opening, can you attack?"

I hated to involve Mizumochi in battle, but I felt too insecure alone. Mizumochi quivered, ready for combat. It's a creature of magic, filled with determination.

"Hehe, I feel reassured with you here."

With Mizumochi, I felt like my back was covered.

"I've never fought before, so I have no idea how to do this, but here goes."

As I approached the goblin, it laughed mockingly.

"I'll try a tackle like I saw on TV."

I crouched and mimicked the strongest primate I'd seen on TV.

Of course, it didn't work.

I took a knee to the face, hard.

"Ouch! That really hurts! Isn't this the part in stories where I miraculously become good at fighting? It hurts so much!"

Blinded by blood and tears, I panicked.

"Ouch! My hair? You're pulling my hair? That's off-limits! My hair is my life!"

I frantically waved my arms, trying to free myself from the goblin's grip. Luckily, one of my flails hit the goblin in the face, making it release me.

Mizumochi seized the opportunity to counterattack.

It charged at the goblin with unbelievable speed and engulfed its face, suffocating it.

"Wait, Mizumochi, you're too strong?"

When the goblin suffocated, it disappeared, leaving behind a small gem.

"The goblin vanished?"

The pain in my nose and hair reassured me this wasn't a dream.

"Mizumochi, thank you. You saved my life. I never thought we'd encounter a monster here... ha, me in combat..."

Thinking back, my body started shaking.

I never imagined monsters could be so terrifying.

My hands trembled, my body shook, and fear mixed with pain set in... quivering...

"Hehe, are you comforting me?"

Mizumochi came to my feet and quivered.

It had defeated the goblin.

If it weren't for Mizumochi, I might have really died. I picked up Mizumochi.

"Thank you. Mizumochi, you're my lifesaver."

I hugged Mizumochi again to express my gratitude.

Then, both I and Mizumochi began to glow.

In my mind, I heard the famous level-up sound.