Chapter 49: Teammate (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 49: Teammate (3)
With his polished appearance, delicate blond hair, height of around five-five, and scrawny figure, Riol Warb Dwalkie—a rank-eight wizard who dealt in lifestyle and administrative magic, along with some curses and cold magic—was a man who reeked of fraud the more he spoke.
Fuck, is he even a wizard?
Doubting this, I tested him a bit, but surprisingly, he really was a wizard. Looking back, he hadn't actually lied. He only said that his uncle was the baroness's third brother; he didn't say he was a nobleman himself. Well, he probably knew his place and that impersonating a noble was a felony that could lead straight to a quick execution.
"So, how about it? Do I pass?"
After much deliberation, we decided to add him to the team. "...From now on, you will be our teammate."
"Haha! How great. Since this is my first expedition, I wanted to join a team with as many warriors as possible."
His two major flaws were a personality full of bravado and hot air and zero experience in the labyrinth, but still. He was a wizard. He didn't request a bigger cut of the loot, and he even said that he would follow orders once we were in the labyrinth, so this seemed to be enough to keep him content.
After all, when something is cheap, it's for a reason.
Plus, if it became known that there was a wizard on our team, the specs of the new applicants would obviously get even better. That was because you couldn't see a wizard's personality on paper.
"Once the rest of the team has been recruited, we'll contact you."
"All right. I'll see you then."
Once Dwalkie left, Hikurod, who had been frozen for the entirety of the conversation, let out a long breath. "Isn't it amazing? That a wizard, even a nobleman, could be that humble..."
"Hikurod," I replied, utterly sincere, "you are much more amazing." It was 100 percent the truth.
***
My subsequent routine in the city was simple. Aside from visiting Raven's lab once a week, I got up at 7 a.m., grabbed a bite, and went straight to the library.
"Parsytiev."
"Have a nice day."
If I counted the last time I was here, I had been coming to the library almost every day for the past two months, but I had never had a proper conversation with this librarian lady.
Growl!
After grabbing a meal every four hours between books, it soon became time for the library to close. Today, I had an appointment. I was about to leave a little earlier than closing time when the librarian suddenly spoke to me.
"I have something to ask you."
"...What is it?"
"Why do you always wear your armor to the library?"
Oh, so that was what she was curious about. I gave an honest answer. "What if someone steals it from my room at the inn?"
"...If that's the reason, I understand." As soon as I was done answering, the librarian closed her eyes as if her business with me was now over.
Feeling like I was losing for some reason, I tossed in my own two cents. "I thought you were completely indifferent to others, but I guess that isn't the case, huh?"
A bit of displeasure appeared on the librarian's face. "We've been receiving many complaints from the library's other patrons. That they can't read because you're too distracting."
"...I-I see?"
"Yes. So, if your business here is over, please stop disturbing me and leave?"
Disturbing? You're just going to fall asleep as soon as I leave.
I wanted to say that, but if I kept bothering her and ended up banned from the library, I'd be the only one getting screwed. I ran out of the library and headed to the meeting place a little past 9 p.m.
"Over here! Bjorn! Why are you so late today?"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't find you because you're too small."
"Hahaha! More jokes! Come sit down!"
I was meeting up with Hikurod pretty often in the evenings, about three to four times a week. Of course, the purpose of these meetings was not just to be friendly, but to discuss the team.
"So, how was the person you met with this time?"
"He was a serious and reliable fellow."
"No, not that. How were his skills?"
"Oh! It wasn't as bad as I'd feared. He's had a long career as an adventurer, and I believe he can pull his weight in any situation."
"I see."
"So I ask... What do you think?" After thinking it over for a while, I nodded, and Hikurod's face brightened. "Phew, that's a relief. I was worried you'd say no again since we don't have much time left."
In that breath, I could feel the pain of the dwarf, who was practically the team's puppet leader. True, he would have been the one to suffer the most if I'd said no.
Time for a compliment. It wasn't like it cost money, right? "You did great, Hikurod. You're a great team leader. I'm glad I chose you."
"Hahaha! Is that right?"
"Of course. Is there any other team leader who respects the opinions of his team members like you do? Don't lose your focus and just do exactly what you are doing now. Then, unlike that idiot who kicked you out, you will become a great leader."
"Haha! What flattery, my friend! I was worried about trying to play this role for the first time, but I'm glad to have you with me!"
My heart soared at those words. Once, Hikurod had complained about my frequent attempts to meddle. To think he had become such a great leader. "On that note, you buy the drinks today!"
"...Again? Didn't I buy last time too?"
"Again, a good team leader shouldn't be stingy with these kinds of things!"
"I-It's not that I'm being stingy!"
There was exactly one week left before the labyrinth opened.
"Darn it! I'll buy it today! We finally have all the team members we need—what's the harm in paying for some drinks?"
Finally, the team was complete.
***
There was a difference between games and reality. You couldn't enter the labyrinth just because you had a complete team. There were other things you needed to deal with first.
First, everyone should get acquainted and discuss how many floors to climb, which areas to focus on while hunting, and, as was appropriate for adventurers who were practically the embodiment of money, have a heated discussion about whether the ratio of loot distribution was fair. If there were no problems after that, you had to officially register the team with the guild. Then you had to train with each other almost every day, finalize the plans for the expedition, and more.
"...I-I see?"
"Yes. So, if your business here is over, please stop disturbing me and leave?"
Disturbing? You're just going to fall asleep as soon as I leave.
I wanted to say that, but if I kept bothering her and ended up banned from the library, I'd be the only one getting screwed. I ran out of the library and headed to the meeting place a little past 9 p.m.
"Over here! Bjorn! Why are you so late today?"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't find you because you're too small."
"Hahaha! More jokes! Come sit down!"
I was meeting up with Hikurod pretty often in the evenings, about three to four times a week. Of course, the purpose of these meetings was not just to be friendly, but to discuss the team.
"So, how was the person you met with this time?"
"He was a serious and reliable fellow."
"No, not that. How were his skills?"
"Oh! It wasn't as bad as I'd feared. He's had a long career as an adventurer, and I believe he can pull his weight in any situation."
"I see."
"So I ask... What do you think?" After thinking it over for a while, I nodded, and Hikurod's face brightened. "Phew, that's a relief. I was worried you'd say no again since we don't have much time left."
In that breath, I could feel the pain of the dwarf, who was practically the team's puppet leader. True, he would have been the one to suffer the most if I'd said no.
Time for a compliment. It wasn't like it cost money, right? "You did great, Hikurod. You're a great team leader. I'm glad I chose you."
"Hahaha! Is that right?"
"Of course. Is there any other team leader who respects the opinions of his team members like you do? Don't lose your focus and just do exactly what you are doing now. Then, unlike that idiot who kicked you out, you will become a great leader."
"Haha! What flattery, my friend! I was worried about trying to play this role for the first time, but I'm glad to have you with me!"
My heart soared at those words. Once, Hikurod had complained about my frequent attempts to meddle. To think he had become such a great leader. "On that note, you buy the drinks today!"
"...Again? Didn't I buy last time too?"
"Again, a good team leader shouldn't be stingy with these kinds of things!"
"I-It's not that I'm being stingy!"
There was exactly one week left before the labyrinth opened.
"Darn it! I'll buy it today! We finally have all the team members we need—what's the harm in paying for some drinks?"
Finally, the team was complete.
***
There was a difference between games and reality. You couldn't enter the labyrinth just because you had a complete team. There were other things you needed to deal with first.
First, everyone should get acquainted and discuss how many floors to climb, which areas to focus on while hunting, and, as was appropriate for adventurers who were practically the embodiment of money, have a heated discussion about whether the ratio of loot distribution was fair. If there were no problems after that, you had to officially register the team with the guild. Then you had to train with each other almost every day, finalize the plans for the expedition, and more.
It flew by before I even realized it. My busiest week since waking up in Bjorn Yandel's body had passed, and the long-awaited moment had arrived.
[You have entered the Crystal Cave on the first floor.]
The Crystal Cave on the first floor of the labyrinth was surrounded by brightly colored lights.
"Oh! So this is a labyrinth!"
Unlike my bygone days spent alone or in a duo, there were five men and women in our circle, including myself. They were my new teammates, with whom I was going on this expedition.
"Leait!" shouted Dwalkie as he cast a spell.
"Ah! Fuck! My eyes!" The name of this scrawny blond wizard who had shot light into our eyes before they could even adjust was Riol Warb Dwalkie. In short: Dwalkie the Weasel.
"This son of a—"
Before I could cuss him out in annoyance, the dwarf beat me to it. "Dwalkie, save your magic as much as possible."
"Mm, but it's so dark!"
"In the labyrinth, this is considered bright. If it's really dark, we can light a torch."
"Okay then. All right."
This was a change that had occurred in the previous weeks. Hikurod soon realized that Dwalkie was not a noble and began to handle him with ease. Somehow, they became quite friendly. The dwarf pretended otherwise, but each time the weasel goofed, he went all tsundere and helped him out. That was their relationship dynamic.
"Why did you pack so much in here? Are you trying to make it obvious that you're a beginner? Give it to me. I'll put it in my bag."
"I will not decline your thoughtful offer."
While Hikurod was taking care of Dwalkie as usual, I heard a high-pitched, cheerful-sounding voice. "Captain, shouldn't we get moving?"
As was obvious from the triangular ears on her head, Missha Karlstein was a beastwoman. She was twenty-five, and she had five years of experience as an adventurer as of this year. Her height was around five-six, with a long, skinny figure. Combined with her lofty expression, she exuded a cold vibe.
"Stop playing around and let's go. I want to smash some monsterrr heads."
Her odd, cat-like way of speaking seemed more pronounced than most. She claimed that it was an inevitable result of the way her body was built. Ah, and one more thing about her was...
"Haha! How can I refuse the princess's command!"
"Eeet! I told you not to call me purrrincess!"
"But, you're the daughter of the chieftain of the Red Cat Tribe, how could I—"
"I'll kill you! You dwarrrf!"
Missha was a princess of the Red Cat Tribe, one of the Big Five. Did she say she was the thirteenth or the fifteenth...? I couldn't remember where she was in the birth order. In any case, there was no need for special treatment or anything like that. She was only a princess in the eyes of human society, not her own.
On the contrary, there was someone else to be careful about. "Hikurod, stop it. Even if it's a joke, she doesn't like it."
Brown Rotmiller. Race: Human. Age: 34. He was rank-seven, but with eight years of experience. No matter how meritocratic the adventuring industry may have been, he was the most experienced of us all, which was why the dwarf always backed off at Brown's words.
"Ahem, I was a bit much, wasn't I? I will be more careful in the future."
"Serves you right, dwarrrf—"
"The same goes for you, Miss Karlstein. No matter how mad you are, is it reasonable to threaten to kill your team leader?"
"...I'm sorrry..."
Personally, I liked him the best. In a way, he was the only normal person on this team. As true as that was, however, there was a disadvantage to not being able to jerk him around like the other team members.
"Hikurod, can we depart before it gets too late?"
"Ah, please."
"From now on, everyone, follow behind me," Brown ordered.
But Dwalkie spoke up just as we were about to leave. "Wait, wouldn't it be better for Bjorn or Hikurod to take the lead? They're warriors, after all..."
"We'll need their help from the third floor onward, but before that, we'll be fine with just me."
Honestly, I didn't know what this punk was so worried about. Brown was a professional scout who had survived in the labyrinth for eight years.
Even though his adventurer ranking is low compared to the time he's spent here...
I had a high opinion of him for that. Eight years was long enough to go through all sorts of things in the labyrinth, so to still be as hale as him was amazing—a product not of his combat power, but his use of his other strengths.
It must have been the result of his seriousness and refusal to bend for any reason.
Afterward, guided by Brown, we finally reached our destination, smashing the monsters that occasionally appeared on the way. The outermost part of the first floor was often called the dark zone. Even though we ran here, took the shortest route, and didn't get lost, the portal had already been opened by other adventurers.
"Of course. People got here earlier this time as well."
"Don't blame yourself. You've done enough."
"Hikurod, that is no reason not to work hard. If you don't feel frustrated by your own shortcomings, that means your life as an adventurer is over."
"I-Is that so?"
For reference, it had taken about ten hours to get here. I couldn't say this in front of the ever-passionate Brown, but this was a very good performance for the average team of adventurers. It was not like we were a speedrunning team after the portal-opening experience points. To be honest, I hadn't expected him to find the portal so easily.
If his navigation is this good as a non-guide...
While I was beginning to look forward to his other, as-yet-unseen abilities, a kind of regret also filled me.
If it were Ainar or Erwen with me, they could've earned the experience points for opening the portal.
By using the dimensional instability phenomenon, it was possible to get guaranteed portal-opening experience points. However, this method could only be used when you could ensure secrecy with a promise or an oath.
That's for later... when the team is truly reliable. After all, experience points aren't an urgent issue right now.
Taking a deep breath to shake off any remaining regrets, Hikurod shouted, "Come on then, let's go inside!" The dwarf stepped into the portal first, and I followed immediately after.
Please, I hope nothing bad happens this time...
But was that too much to ask for?
[You have entered the Den of Beasts on the second floor.]
The adventure had officially begun.
It flew by before I even realized it. My busiest week since waking up in Bjorn Yandel's body had passed, and the long-awaited moment had arrived.
[You have entered the Crystal Cave on the first floor.]
The Crystal Cave on the first floor of the labyrinth was surrounded by brightly colored lights.
"Oh! So this is a labyrinth!"
Unlike my bygone days spent alone or in a duo, there were five men and women in our circle, including myself. They were my new teammates, with whom I was going on this expedition.
"Leait!" shouted Dwalkie as he cast a spell.
"Ah! Fuck! My eyes!" The name of this scrawny blond wizard who had shot light into our eyes before they could even adjust was Riol Warb Dwalkie. In short: Dwalkie the Weasel.
"This son of a—"
Before I could cuss him out in annoyance, the dwarf beat me to it. "Dwalkie, save your magic as much as possible."
"Mm, but it's so dark!"
"In the labyrinth, this is considered bright. If it's really dark, we can light a torch."
"Okay then. All right."
This was a change that had occurred in the previous weeks. Hikurod soon realized that Dwalkie was not a noble and began to handle him with ease. Somehow, they became quite friendly. The dwarf pretended otherwise, but each time the weasel goofed, he went all tsundere and helped him out. That was their relationship dynamic.
"Why did you pack so much in here? Are you trying to make it obvious that you're a beginner? Give it to me. I'll put it in my bag."
"I will not decline your thoughtful offer."
While Hikurod was taking care of Dwalkie as usual, I heard a high-pitched, cheerful-sounding voice. "Captain, shouldn't we get moving?"
As was obvious from the triangular ears on her head, Missha Karlstein was a beastwoman. She was twenty-five, and she had five years of experience as an adventurer as of this year. Her height was around five-six, with a long, skinny figure. Combined with her lofty expression, she exuded a cold vibe.
"Stop playing around and let's go. I want to smash some monsterrr heads."
Her odd, cat-like way of speaking seemed more pronounced than most. She claimed that it was an inevitable result of the way her body was built. Ah, and one more thing about her was...
"Haha! How can I refuse the princess's command!"
"Eeet! I told you not to call me purrrincess!"
"But, you're the daughter of the chieftain of the Red Cat Tribe, how could I—"
"I'll kill you! You dwarrrf!"
Missha was a princess of the Red Cat Tribe, one of the Big Five. Did she say she was the thirteenth or the fifteenth...? I couldn't remember where she was in the birth order. In any case, there was no need for special treatment or anything like that. She was only a princess in the eyes of human society, not her own.
On the contrary, there was someone else to be careful about. "Hikurod, stop it. Even if it's a joke, she doesn't like it."
Brown Rotmiller. Race: Human. Age: 34. He was rank-seven, but with eight years of experience. No matter how meritocratic the adventuring industry may have been, he was the most experienced of us all, which was why the dwarf always backed off at Brown's words.
"Ahem, I was a bit much, wasn't I? I will be more careful in the future."
"Serves you right, dwarrrf—"
"The same goes for you, Miss Karlstein. No matter how mad you are, is it reasonable to threaten to kill your team leader?"
"...I'm sorrry..."
Personally, I liked him the best. In a way, he was the only normal person on this team. As true as that was, however, there was a disadvantage to not being able to jerk him around like the other team members.
"Hikurod, can we depart before it gets too late?"
"Ah, please."
"From now on, everyone, follow behind me," Brown ordered.
But Dwalkie spoke up just as we were about to leave. "Wait, wouldn't it be better for Bjorn or Hikurod to take the lead? They're warriors, after all..."
"We'll need their help from the third floor onward, but before that, we'll be fine with just me."
Honestly, I didn't know what this punk was so worried about. Brown was a professional scout who had survived in the labyrinth for eight years.
Even though his adventurer ranking is low compared to the time he's spent here...
I had a high opinion of him for that. Eight years was long enough to go through all sorts of things in the labyrinth, so to still be as hale as him was amazing—a product not of his combat power, but his use of his other strengths.
It must have been the result of his seriousness and refusal to bend for any reason.
Afterward, guided by Brown, we finally reached our destination, smashing the monsters that occasionally appeared on the way. The outermost part of the first floor was often called the dark zone. Even though we ran here, took the shortest route, and didn't get lost, the portal had already been opened by other adventurers.
"Of course. People got here earlier this time as well."
"Don't blame yourself. You've done enough."
"Hikurod, that is no reason not to work hard. If you don't feel frustrated by your own shortcomings, that means your life as an adventurer is over."
"I-Is that so?"
For reference, it had taken about ten hours to get here. I couldn't say this in front of the ever-passionate Brown, but this was a very good performance for the average team of adventurers. It was not like we were a speedrunning team after the portal-opening experience points. To be honest, I hadn't expected him to find the portal so easily.
If his navigation is this good as a non-guide...
While I was beginning to look forward to his other, as-yet-unseen abilities, a kind of regret also filled me.
If it were Ainar or Erwen with me, they could've earned the experience points for opening the portal.
By using the dimensional instability phenomenon, it was possible to get guaranteed portal-opening experience points. However, this method could only be used when you could ensure secrecy with a promise or an oath.
That's for later... when the team is truly reliable. After all, experience points aren't an urgent issue right now.
Taking a deep breath to shake off any remaining regrets, Hikurod shouted, "Come on then, let's go inside!" The dwarf stepped into the portal first, and I followed immediately after.
Please, I hope nothing bad happens this time...
But was that too much to ask for?
[You have entered the Den of Beasts on the second floor.]
The adventure had officially begun.