As the day of the expedition drew closer, the adventurers of the city buzzed with anticipation.
Many had already packed their gear and left for the noble's estate, eager to be among the first to explore the new dungeon.
Despite people urging him to hurry there, Neron, however, wasn't quite ready to leave yet.
He knew that it didn't matter if he went there early or not. What mattered at the end was the result in the dungeon so there was no need to go early to make a good first impression.
The main reason he stayed back though was because he wanted to complete one more mission before he set off.
He was out to make more money as his finance had dwindled.
His only hope was the Guild's money as usual which was where he was heading to.
The morning air was chill as he made his way down the empty streets that was just starting to rise.
As he approached the central Guild hall, he could see that the place was quiet than usual with only few people around.
He wasn't surprised as that had been the case for so ti and Adventurers were getting more scarce around.
Neron considered it a welco developnt to the racous atmosphere that usually perated the place.
Stepping into the guildhall, Neron scanned the mission board. Most of the quests left were low-level jobs, hardly worth his ti with miserly pay.
He needed sothing substantial enough that involved risk with a fair pay.
"Nero, still not gone yet?"
Without turning around, he could tell that it was the receptionist.
"Yes, I want to do one more job," He said in exasperation as she made it her point of duty whenever he ca in to remind him that he should already be in the new dungeon with the rest of the adventurers.
"You know they could really use your help there now," she said not giving up as she dusted a set of cups.
"I know, I will go there soon."
"You been saying that for a while now."
He didn't respond to her but instead focused back on the mission board.
Neron's eyes scanned the mission board again, finally landing on a quest that caught his interest: a mission involving a group of dangerous monsters terrorizing a nearby village.
The reward was significant, but the task required a party. The notice was clear: *"Solo adventurers not recomnded."*
Neron frowned, tapping his finger against the board. He was confident in his abilities, but even he knew there were limits to what he could handle alone.
These monsters were not sothing to be taken lightly. The mission would require coordination and teamwork—sothing he usually avoided.
Still, the reward was tempting, and he briefly considered taking it on despite the risks.
As he deliberated, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Thinking about taking that one on by yourself, Nero?" Legris asked with a grin, approaching with two of his party mbers in tow.
As usual, his companions looked like seasoned adventurers, their well-worn armor and confident postures marking them as experienced.
Neron turned to face them, his expression neutral. "I was considering it. The reward's worth the risk."
One of Legris' companions, a tall woman with a scar running down her cheek, chuckled. "Soloing that job? You've got guts, I'll give you that. But even the most skilled adventurers need backup against those beasts."
Neron nodded, acknowledging the truth in her words. "I know. But I'm not exactly the 'teamwork' type."
Legris laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "That's what we're here for! Why not join us for this one? We could use soone with your skills, and it'll give you a chance to warm up before the big expedition."
Neron hesitated as he glanced at Legris and his companions, weighing the offer.
Their party seed capable, and with so of their mbers already gone ahead to the dungeon site, it made sense that they'd be looking for additional help.
Still, the idea of relying on others didn't sit well with him. He had built his reputation on being self-sufficient, handling things his way.
But this wasn't the ti to let pride get in the way of practicality.
Legris, noticing his hesitation, spoke up again. "I know you prefer working solo, but trust —these beasts are no joke. The more experienced hands we have, the better our chances."
The tall woman with the scar nodded. "It's not just about survival, either. If we pull this off, it'll be a good payday. And you can head to the dungeon with so extra coin in your pocket."
Neron looked at the mission details once more. The village was desperate for help, and the monsters' growing numbers made them a significant threat.
This wasn't just about earning money anymore; it was about proving that he could handle a real challenge, even if it ant temporarily teaming up with others.
"What's your plan?" Neron asked, his tone signaling that he was considering their offer seriously.
Legris smiled, clearly pleased that Neron was coming around. "We'll head out tomorrow at first light. The village is about half a day's travel from here. We've already scouted the area, and we know the beasts' general location. They've made a den near the edge of the forest, close to where the villagers used to gather firewood. We'll lure them out into the open and take them down one by one.
With your skills, we should be able to handle them before they get too close."
The archer, who had remained silent until now, chid in. "We've got ranged attacks covered, and Lira here can handle defense. But we could use soone on the frontlines—soone who can go toe-to-toe with these monsters without flinching."
Neron considered their plan. It was solid, and with the right coordination, they could minimize the risks. He could see himself fitting into their strategy, using his swordsmanship to draw the monsters' attention while the others supported him from a distance.
"Alright," Neron finally said. "I'm in. But let's be clear—this is temporary. Once this mission is done, I'm heading to the dungeon on my own."
Legris grinned, extending his hand. "Deal. We're glad to have you with us, even if it's just for this job."
Neron shook his hand, sealing the agreent. As they discussed the final details and prepared for the mission, he couldn't help but feel a slight shift in his usual approach.
They will face the monsters together. And after that, the dungeon awaited.
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