"Here."
As we arrived at the eting room, Liana opened the door, gesturing for to enter first. Inside, I found the five mbers of my team already gathered around a large table, their attention shifting to as I walked in.
As I stepped into the room, my eyes quickly took in the scene before .
The five mbers of the team were all dressed in casual clothes, a contrast to the armor and gear they would don when entering a dungeon.
But even in their relaxed attire, there were subtle signs—small details that gave away more about them than they might realize.
Kurt Arlen, the heavily armored tank, was leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed over his broad chest.
His shirt was slightly wrinkled, and there was a faint scent of cologne still lingering in the air—probably from a late-night shower before he rushed out this morning.
The faintest smudge of lipstick on the collar of his shirt suggested he hadn't spent the night alone. It was clear that he had shared a passionate night, likely with soone he was close to.
Gareth Vale, the barrier mage, sat next to Kurt, sipping from a travel mug that emitted the rich aroma of strong coffee. His eyes were alert, but there was a slight redness around them, the kind that cos from lack of sleep.
The fact that he had his mug and not a disposable cup from a café hinted at a habit—he likely preferred to brew his coffee at ho.
The faint white hair on his dark jacket suggested he had a pet, probably a cat, considering how ticulous he seed otherwise.
Dorian Lehn, the dual-wielding swordsman, was perched on the edge of his chair, his fingers idly drumming on the table. His casual outfit, a loose-fitting t-shirt and jeans, was simple yet practical.
A slight sheen of sweat on his forehead and the dampness of his hair indicated he had just co from a morning workout. The energetic rhythm of his fingers on the table showed he was still riding the high of his training, his body humming with pent-up energy.
Elena Saris, the battle mage, sat with a tablet in front of her, reviewing what I assud were notes for the upcoming mission. Her hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and she wore a fitted jacket over a casual blouse.
The faint scent of herbal tea wafted from a cup beside her, still steaming slightly. A closer look at her hands revealed a faint tremor—possibly from an early start or a lingering exhaustion from late-night preparations. She seed the type to be thorough, going over every detail before a mission.
Lila Faye, the summoner, sat slightly apart from the others. Her posture was relaxed, but her eyes were alert as she watched enter. She wore a simple hoodie and leggings, a comfortable outfit that hinted at soone who valued practicality. Her sneakers were clean but well-worn, suggesting she spent a lot of ti on her feet, likely running or training.
'Indeed. Soone who trains a lot, a perfectionist.' A small, frayed bracelet on her wrist, barely visible, looked handmade—perhaps a keepsake or a gift from soone close. A faint scent of lavender clung to her clothes, possibly from a lotion or essential oil, indicating a habit of using calming scents to stay centered.
As I moved to take my place at the table, I noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere. They were sizing up as well, though perhaps not with the sa level of detail. In a team like this, understanding each other's quirks, strengths, and habits could make the difference between success and failure in the field.
Kurt offered a nod of acknowledgnt, his gaze steady. "Glad to finally et you, Astron. We've heard quite a bit about you."
That made sense, considering I would be their teammate for a while.
I returned the nod, my voice calm and asured. "Likewise. I'm looking forward to working with all of you."
There was a brief mont of silence. Soon enough, we'd be donning our gear, ready to face whatever awaited us at the gates.
Elena was the first to break the silence, her tone professional as she glanced at her tablet. "We've got a lot to cover before we head out. I assu you're already familiar with the general outline of the mission?"
I nodded. "I've been briefed on the basics. We'll be reinforcing the guild's position in several gates. My role is to assist and provide support as needed."
"That's right," Gareth set down his coffee, leaning forward slightly as the discussion moved toward the specifics of the mission. "The gates we'll be targeting have seen increased activity lately. We'll need to be precise in our approach, and everyone needs to be clear on their role."
Elena glanced at her tablet again, tapping a few notes before looking up at . "You've already gone through the team profiles, correct?"
I nodded, eting her gaze. "Yes, I've read the docunt."
Kurt, who had been watching the exchange quietly, gave a satisfied nod. "Good. That ans you're familiar with the team's formation and how we operate."
"Correct," I replied. "I understand the roles everyone plays. My job is to support the team and adapt as needed."
Elena looked pleased with the answer, but she still pressed on, making sure everything was clear. "From the file, it seems you're proficient with both a bow and dual daggers. That gives us so flexibility in how we approach this. How do you usually prefer to position yourself in a team?"
"I'm comfortable in either role," I replied evenly. "I can function as a ranger, providing long-range support, or as a scout, getting in close and gathering information or taking down targets. It depends on what the situation calls for."
Kurt's expression remained thoughtful as he considered my response. "A flexible skill set is valuable, especially in the kind of missions we're running. We'll likely need you to switch between roles depending on the gate. So of the areas we're heading into will require more precision, while others might need a more hands-on approach."
Dorian grinned, his earlier energy still evident in his posture. "Sounds like you're ready for anything. We'll see how that plays out once we're in the field. It's one thing to be flexible in theory and another to pull it off under pressure."
Lila, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up, her voice calm but carrying a note of curiosity. "How do you usually handle transitions between those roles? If we're in the middle of a gate, and the situation changes, what's your approach?"
I appreciated the directness of her question. It showed she was already thinking ahead, considering how we'd function as a team. "I keep my gear accessible and make sure I'm aware of the flow of battle. If I need to switch from ranged to close combat, I can do it quickly without losing focus. It's all about reading the situation and knowing when to adjust."
"You are confident?"
"I am."
Lila nodded thoughtfully, seeming satisfied with the answer. The rest of the team appeared to be on the sa page, their expressions showing a mix of approval and cautious optimism. It was clear that they were a well-coordinated group, and I'd need to integrate myself into their dynamic seamlessly.
'Well, I doubt that will be hard.'
As long as a team works, I am confident that I can fit myself into every role.
Kurt nodded his head, his expression firm as he leaned forward slightly. "I like your confidence, but I still want to see your skills with my own eyes. However, we don't have much ti to spare. We've got a gate scheduled to be cleared at 8 A.M.—that's in about 50 minutes. We should start getting ready."
I nodded in agreent, already shifting my focus to the task ahead. "Understood."
Liana, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward with a small, professional smile. "Mr. Natusalune, your equipnt has been prepared."
I raised an eyebrow. "Equipnt?"
She nodded, her tone matter-of-fact. "Since we were inford that you'd be joining us, we took the liberty of reviewing your current gear. We noticed that you're using standard equipnt provided by Arcadia Hunter Academy. While their gear is certainly functional, it lacks the prestige that we would like you to project as part of Vanguard Haven."
She tapped a few buttons on her tablet, and within seconds, my smartwatch buzzed with incoming data. I opened the file, and a detailed breakdown of the new equipnt appeared on the screen.
"The weapons provided for you are [Unique] grade artifacts," Liana explained as I scanned the details. "We've selected them to complent your combat style."
The first item on the list was a pair of daggers nad Bloodthirsty Serpent Fangs. These daggers were sleek and curved, designed for dual-wielding with exceptional speed and precision.
Na: Bloodthirsty Serpent Fangs
Effects:
Venomous Edge: Each strike inflicts a venom that weakens the opponent's defenses, stacking up to three tis. The venom also induces a brief paralysis after the third stack, making the opponent more vulnerable.
Serpent's Reflex: Increases the user's reaction ti and agility, allowing for faster movent and quicker strikes, especially in close combat.
The second item was a bow nad Starpiercer Arc. The bow was crafted from a rare wood that shimred with an inner light, its string humming with latent power.
Na: Starpiercer Arc
Effects:
Piercing Shot: Arrows fired from the bow can pierce through multiple targets in a straight line, with the force of each shot increasing as it travels.
I studied the descriptions, appreciating the versatility and power of the weapons.
'Interesting. Daggers that utilize poison. It has been a while since I used one.'
Inherent poison attribute was sothing that would not be easily found in a weapon.
'It seems they really have spent quite money.'
Well, considering the plan it made sense.
"These should serve you well," Liana continued, her tone respectful. "They'll also help convey the prestige and skill that we wish to associate with your presence here."
With that, the team began to rise from their seats, each of us ntally preparing for the mission ahead. Liana gave a curt nod, signaling that it was ti to move.
"Let's gear up," Kurt said, his voice carrying the weight of a leader who knew the importance of preparation. "We've got a gate to clear, and we'll need to be at our best."
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