Chapter 15
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Team Play (1)
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Including Roin, Remina, Drake, Mering, and finally Cleng.
A total of five Apprentice Knights had formed one team.
Before submitting the comrade unit roster, Remina gathered the team members in one place.
Still havent submitted the roster?
Remina nodded at Drakes question.
I was about to, but they said Id missed one thing. Looks like we need to settle that first.
Settle what?
Drake still hadnt caught on.
Mering and Cleng, who had bandages wrapped around his forehead, showed the same reaction.
Out of them all, only Roin reacted differently.
We havent picked a leader yet.
Right.
A team needed someone to lead the members.
Remina nodded and continued.
So yesterday, I was thinking about who among us would make a good leader
She trailed off and pointed at Roin.
Id like you to do it, Roin.
Why?
Youre strong.
It was a concise reason, yet more certain than anything else.
The leader was usually the most skilled person.
In fact, the team Jerka was on had Jerka as leader.
The other comrade units were the same.
Having someone skilled with a broad perspective made running the unit easier.
What do the rest of you think? Same as me?
The other team members nodded at Reminas question.
Roin should lead.
Cleng and I think so too.
However, the one person who opposed was the man himself.
Roin.
I dont want to.
Because its a hassle?
No. Theres someone better suited than me.
The person Roin pointed to was none other than
Id like you to do it.
Remina.
She apparently hadnt expected Roin to nominate her in return, as her expression changed drastically.
It was the first time since enrollment that Remina had looked this surprised.
Remina shook her head.
More than me, you should
Im an individualist. I only think about myself. You all know that, right?
No one could deny Roins words.
Roin possessed combat prowess that surpassed even Jerka.
But leading others and commanding them?
That didnt suit his nature.
Even before reincarnating, Roin had preferred solo play over teamwork.
He found it more comfortable alone.
Because of his ugly appearance.
He hadnt worn that black helmet for nothing.
It was because others gazes bothered him.
For such a Roin, comrades?
Impossible.
Dian had truly been a special case.
Remina let out a deep sigh and spoke as if she had no choice.
Fine. Ill be the leader then. But.
There was one thing she wanted to ask.
Id appreciate it if you followed the leaders orders as much as possible.
Cant promise that.
Thats why I said as much as possible.
Remina didnt expect Roin to follow her commands completely anyway.
He was a wildcard.
One who could cause trouble, but also resolve it alone.
Roin smirked.
Alright, deal.
Reminas boldness.
Roin rather liked it.
The 159th class Apprentice Knights, now entering their third month of training.
Today, they were about to receive a special mission.
Lepid had gathered all the 159th class trainees.
From now on, youll enter the training dungeon by comrade unit.
Their first dungeon mission.
Tension began to spread across the trainees faces.
Dungeons were unknown battlegrounds, uncertain what traps lay in wait or what monsters might emerge.
Moreover, they housed monsters far trickier to deal with than regular ones.
Even Mid and Senior Knights found dungeon missions challenging.
Apprentice Knights went without saying.
However, the dungeon the 159th class had to tackle wasnt that dangerous.
Its a beginner dungeon, and you only need to go to a specific part near the entrance. No need to be so tense. If your unit syncs well, its an easy clear. Keep that in mind. Understood?
Yes, sir!
It was a mission to test the team members teamwork.
The dungeon was right next to the Loud Swordsmanship Academy training grounds.
Just looking at the entrance showed how much human hands had shaped it.
The clear condition is simple. Go in and retrieve the Salamanders Tail Flame.
The moment he heard the mission, Roin clicked his tongue briefly.
Hasnt changed at all since my time.
It was the exact same mission from Rodris days.
Hed gone through this back then too.
First year, third month. Theyd visited this dungeon, stamping only the early sections before returning.
The instructors didnt mention this fact, as it would ease the trainees tension.
Lepid noticed Roins expression change.
Roin Leyden. Whats that look? Dont tell me your face got hit by sunlight again?
Slathered on plenty of sunscreen, so Im good.
Thats a relief.
Roins obsession with his looks was now known to everyone.
But sunlight wasnt the issue.
If my memorys right
Roin began recalling the past.
In the meantime, the other units had headed into the dungeon ahead.
Next.
At the assistants call, Jerkas team rose together.
As the representative team of the 159th stepped up, all eyes turned to them.
Before entering, Jerka asked Lepid.
Instructor. Just bring back the Salamanders Tail Flame?
Thats right.
Regardless of means or methods?
Dungeons are warzones with monsters. No rules or laws apply there. Thats all Ill say.
That was enough.
Jerka nodded and led his team deep into the dungeon.
Next unit, step up.
It was now the turn of Roins comrade unit.
The dungeon was divided into several rooms.
Each room held a Salamanders Tail Flame.
It was structured so multiple units could run the mission simultaneously.
No need to wait for the previous group to exit.
The moment they entered the dungeon, Roins face twisted.
Yeah, this is it.
The dryness inside the dungeon.
His lips already felt parched.
The Salamanders Tail Flames placed everywhere were drying out the interior.
But the other team members paid no mind to the dryness.
Only Roin reacted sensitively.
Wait a sec.
At Roins shout, the team tensed and lowered their stances.
What! What is it?
Did you sense a monster?
They were ready to draw their swords any second.
No. Its too dry. Lets apply some moisturizer first.
.
.
.
An unexpected answer.
The teams legs went weak for a moment.
Roin pulled out moisturizer and slathered it thickly on his face and body.
He offered his to the team.
Anyone want some?
They all shook their heads vigorously, as if by agreement.
Remina, holding the map, pointed to the entrance marked 6.
Looks like were here.
The door was firmly shut.
A stone door that looked heavy at a glance.
Remina gave her first order.
Me, Roin, and Drake push the right door. Mering and Cleng, you take the left.
That was when Roin stepped forward.
Nah, no need.
Roin lifted his right foot.
And kicked the stone door with all his might.
A massive crack formed in the door.
He kicked again, and the door crumbled down.
The team stared in stunned silence.
Reminas delicate face twisted.
We agreed to follow my lead.
As much as possible, right?
Ugh.
Since it was her own words, she couldnt argue back easily.
As they passed the crumbled door, Drake gave a wry smile.
Haha What if the assistants chew us out for breaking the door?
But Roin felt no guilt.
If anything, he was brazen.
Its their fault for not making the door sturdy.
Youre really something
A freak among freaks.
No, maybe not a freaka lone wolf.
The five trainees passed the broken stone door and entered.
A vast space opened before them.
The floor had four squares drawn on it.
In the center, a Salamanders Tail Flame blazed fiercely.
Drake pointed at it with his hand.
We just grab that, right?
But Reminas tone wasnt optimistic.
Yeah, but doesnt look easy.
Trap devices surrounded the Tail Flame.
Blades spinning rapidly.
Without stopping the trap, grabbing it seemed impossible.
Theres got to be a way to stop that device.
Remina fell into thought.
The four squares on the floor.
Wait here a sec.
She stepped onto one of the squares.
Suddenly, a strong gust blew.
Forced back by the wind, Remina had no choice but to retreat.
When she stepped off, the wind stopped.
She stepped on again, and the gust returned instantly, hindering her.
Knew it.
An idea flashed in Reminas mind.
We need four people standing on the squares nonstop. Thatll stop the trap.
And the fifth?
While four hold the squares, the last one grabs the Tail Flame.
Aha!
Thanks to master detective Remina, Drake, Mering, and Cleng reached enlightenment.
Now to decide which squares each would take.
But Roin had no such intention.
Youre right, but no need.
Roin strode toward the Tail Flame.
As he approached, the blades spun even faster.
Not even a finger could slip through.
Remina watched him anxiously.
Youre not thinking of shoving your arm in there, are you?
The moment she said it.
Roins mouth corner lifted.
Correct.
He thrust his hand in without hesitation.
At the same time, Remina and the team squeezed their eyes shut.
No matter how capable Roin was, sticking his arm into that blade grinder was suicide.
But something astonishing happened.
Open your eyes.
At Roins words, the team peeked.
Thats when they realized the traps truth.
Th-thats
Yep. An illusion.
The fiercely spinning blades.
All of it was a magical fake.
The moment Roin shoved his arm in, the phantasm vanished.
Roin picked up the Salamanders Tail Flame.
Clearing this trap didnt require knowledge or strength.
It was insight to see through the deception.
And reckless courage.