Chapter 166: Party Quest (3)
“…”
“…”
“…”
The atmosphere in the room turned strange.
More precisely, the adventurers’ expressions toward Harang were filled with displeasure, confusion, and disdain.
‘Did I say sothing wrong?’
In the past, he might have been oblivious to the mood, staring calmly at the Yellow Magic Tower magician. But the current Harang wasn’t that clueless. He was about to apologize when—
It was too late.
Salina Mayer, the 7th-star magician who had subtly offered to recruit him, spoke with a displeased expression.
“What a foolish person. And lacking experience.”
“…”
“I’m withdrawing my offer.”
With that, she left without hesitation, along with her two party mbers.
There was no chance to explain.
They scattered with expressions as if they’d aged ten years, and soon found a new vanguard to replace Harang, forming a perfect party.
It wasn’t just them.
Most adventurers in the briefing room began ignoring Harang.
They stepped away when he approached and averted their eyes with annoyance when their gazes t.
Only then did Harang realize.
He had made a significant blunder.
“Young friend, you were quite reckless.”
“I suppose so. I only said that because I’ve never done anything with others and always felt more comfortable alone…”
“And you could monopolize the rewards ant for four.”
“…I won’t deny it.”
Harang nodded readily at the Yellow Magic Tower magician’s words, which ca as the magician approached.
It was true.
Before the briefing, Harang had checked the list of items obtainable with points at the kiosk.
He knew there were many valuable items besides the Artifact-grade sword.
So, he thought monopolizing the achievents alone would be more advantageous for acquiring multiple items…
“There are plenty of adventurers who think that way.”
“I see. But the adventurers here don’t seem to share that mindset.”
“Of course. Greedy adventurers like that tend to die early.”
“…”
“I’m telling you this because your potential is too valuable to waste. Dungeon exploration is fundantally done in parties of four or five.”
The magician went on to explain various things.
The magic dungeons in the eastern continent were far more dangerous than those in other regions.
The dinsional rift’s Magi likely increased the difficulty even further.
Thus, forming a party to maximize synergy and efficiency was only natural.
Finally, having soone to guard during vulnerable monts—like sleeping or relieving oneself—was essential.
“Do you understand now?”
“Hm… roughly.”
“You’ve been living as a rcenary in the southern continent, so you’re likely unfamiliar with dungeons. Having capable teammates is the most critical part of exploration. If you act alone, the other three adventurers will suffer. Even if you’re not used to group efforts, please understand.”
“I didn’t think about that.”
Harang nodded.
He still felt uncomfortable working in a party.
While it had lessened in the outside world, his experience in the village was entirely solitary.
‘I don’t need a watchman. I can stay alert even while sleeping.’
‘What if a party mber holds back?’
‘Can I even trust party mbers I just t today?’
‘How do we divide points? Through discussion? I’m not good with words…’
‘Being alone is just easier. A group stands out too much.’
Countless issues ca to mind.
But if he acted alone, the remaining three adventurers would have to explore the Demonic Palace with weakened strength.
Considering that, he had no choice but to follow the magician’s advice. He didn’t like the idea of causing harm to others.
Of course.
‘Hm… most adventurers are already treating like I don’t exist.’
It was inevitable.
With only 40 adventurers in the room, their keen senses ensured they’d heard the earlier commotion.
‘No need to drag in an inexperienced rookie.’
‘One weak link can ruin a party. Let’s exclude that young guy.’
‘I never understood how soone so young got into the briefing in the first place.’
With that mindset, the adventurers quickly ford groups of four.
In the end, the three left with Harang… were inevitably the rejects no other party wanted.
‘No, calling them rejects is rude.’
Harang reproached himself for the thought.
Even if they couldn’t find a party until the end, it didn’t an they lacked skill.
Even with his sharp eyes, he couldn’t fully gauge the strength of non-swordsn like magicians, archers, or spirit masters. There might be a hidden gem among them, he realized belatedly.
‘Well… even if their skills are lacking, what can I do now? We just have to get along and do our best.’
With that thought, Harang nodded.
He put on the professional smile he’d learned from Sheratiya and approached the man who looked like a Rogue and the elf woman who seed to be an archer.
But then—
“What? You, a reject elf, dare talk to like that?”
“Useless, I said! It’s true, isn’t it! I can handle puzzles, chanisms, and traps just fine with my superior elven senses, okay? I can disarm them all. So why do we need a Rogue who lacks firepower and can’t even stand in the vanguard?”
“What a laughable elf. Do you know how tricky the chanisms in a magician’s tomb are? No matter how hard you try, you can’t solve them!”
“I can! I’m an elf!”
“Think I’ve never seen an elf? Our Rogue guild has plenty! And most of them end up crying in dungeons, wanting to return to the forest. Unless you’re at least an elder like , you can’t handle a tomb’s complex devices!”
“Hmph! You, an elder? Even a passing dog would laugh!”
“What? This guy keeps…!”
“…”
Before Harang could introduce himself, the Rogue and the archer were already raising their voices, bickering.
There was no chance to intervene.
As their voices grew louder, surrounding adventurers gave them dismissive looks, but they didn’t stop.
‘What do I do in this situation?’
Harang couldn’t think of anything.
It couldn’t be helped. He’d always been the one starting fights, not stopping them.
In the end, all he could do was approach the female adventurer quietly watching the argunt. He thought he should at least get acquainted with her.
But…
“Do you really need to stop them?”
“What?”
“Everyone knows we’re the rejects. They’re fighting because they don’t want to admit it. Let them yell and tire themselves out; they’ll quiet down eventually.”
“Oh, I see. Then… shall we introduce ourselves?”
“I’m a Spirit Master. I can handle earth and water spirits. You’re a swordsman, right? I heard as much.”
“Yes.”
“That’s enough to know.”
“…”
“Anything else to say?”
Her response was curt, to say the least.
If Harang had been more sociable or experienced in dungeon exploration, he might’ve suggested drinks after their fight to bond and rehearse for the dungeon.
But expecting that from Harang was too much. No matter how much his social skills had improved, he was still Harang.
Of course, if the Spirit Master had taken a leadership role, things might’ve worked out…
‘Too much hassle. It’s already a ss.’
She wasn’t the type to lead either.
Moreover, she had half-given up on this party quest. After being rejected by her desired party and ending up with these misfits, she figured surviving the dungeon would be a miracle.
‘Instead of syncing with these guys, I’d rather focus on personal training. Get proper gear, take care of myself, and hope to escape the dungeon safely. Getting any reward at all is a blessing.’
With that thought, the Spirit Master nodded and said to Harang,
“The dungeon exploration is at noon three days from now, right?”
“Yes.”
“See you then.”
“Hey, wait…”
Step, step.
Clack-!
Despite Harang’s call, she left the briefing room without hesitation.
Staring blankly at her, Harang turned to the Rogue and archer.
“You pointy-eared brat, talking back to an elder!”
“What? Elder? How old are you! I’m already 73 this year!”
“73? Elves live three tis longer than humans, so you’re barely in your 30s. I’m 51! I’ve lived twice as long as you!”
“What? What kind of nonsense calculation is that…!”
“Here I am! Right here! What, scared?”
“Yeah, I’m calling you out! Stop talking and co outside. I’ll show you the taste of a Psy Forest elf’s arrows!”
“Fine, as you wish. I’ll show you the spicy skills of a Black Coin Guild elder!”
That was the end of the conversation.
The two stord out of the briefing room, snorting angrily, and never returned. Harang was left alone, staring blankly in the direction they’d gone.
“That group’s done for.”
“One party down already?”
“I’d have given up. Going into the Demonic Palace with that party, you’d barely survive.”
“The Magic Tower might even think it’s a waste to lend them recording equipnt and subspace pouches.”
“…”
Sarcastic remarks ca from all around.
Harang wanted to retort, but he couldn’t think of anything to say.
Their assessnt was accurate. They were a complete ss.
‘If it’s like this, maybe going in alone would’ve been better…’
Of course, thinking that changed nothing.
In the end, like the Spirit Master, Harang gave up and left the briefing room to return to his lodging for personal training.
“…”
And soone among the adventurers was closely watching him.
***
Three days later.
Under the Yellow Magic Tower’s lead, the secretive Demonic Palace exploration began.
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