Chapter 495 - Zephyr Request (1)

Auron arrived at the Absurd's team's base camp. He was wondering about how to persuade his teammate. 

When Auron arrived, he was shocked by what he found. The base camp's condition was very different from what he had thought.

From the original 10 members excluding Auron, there were only three people left inside the base camp. It was astonishing, especially, knowing that the Absurd team's members, except Julia, rarely took a mission.

The three members left on the base camp were Smite, the team's leader, Jeffrey, the team's merchant, and, lastly, Julia. It was also astonishing to know that Julia stayed in the base camp instead of taking a mission.

Auron thought maybe the last mission really burdening Julia, and she wanted to take some break.

Auron sighed. Looking at the current number of members, it would be difficult to complete the quest. It seemed that he needed to look for outside help.

Auron went inside the base camp. Smite, who was leisurely lying on the sofa, saw Auron. He immediately greeted Auron.

"Hello. Long time no see!" 

Smite's greeting immediately brought everyone's attention to Auron, who just came. Auron nodded and greeted them back.

"Come here! Let us relax together." Smite invited Auron.

"Um... Actually, I need some help." Auron directly said.

"Ho... Please, do tell us! Maybe, we could give some help." Smite said.

However, what Auron had said piqued everyone's interest. Actually, it was not strange when someone belonged to one group asking for his group's help. But, seeing Auron's personality made this thing interesting.

Auron began to tell about his quest. Of course, Auron didn't tell everything. He just said to them that he needed to gather three kinds of herbs in an ample amount. He told the team nothing about his new sword or Zephyr.

Since these herbs were used for a quest, these herbs were categorized as a quest item. To complete the quest, Auron could not buy these herbs on the market even if there was someone who sold the herbs.

Auron could only give the team the information about the herbs' locations that Zephyr gave. Smite took the note and shared the note with the other two.

"Nope! Count me out! I don't want to go!" Jeffrey was the first one to declare. When he saw the first place, he already wanted to give up. Then, when he finished reading all of the three locations, he decided to give up.

Jeffrey was someone who disliked hard work. That was also the reason why he chose a merchant as his job. Meanwhile, he arrived at his current level all this time because he used others to help him.

Auron didn't take Jeffrey's statement to his heart. He knew that it was not easy to convince others to help him. If it was not because of the sword, Auron would not want to go to those places as well.

Auron was waiting for Smite's and Julia's statements. He hoped that the two of them could help Auron. 

"Since I am free, I will help you," Julia said.

Auron's mood brightened. He had secured one person. Although one person was not enough, it was a good start.

Smite was silent. He was still looking at the note. Then, he glanced at Julia, who had agreed, and to Jeffrey, who already declined. Lastly, he looked at Auron, who had waited for his answer.

"Okay, I will help you." At last, Smite agreed to help Auron.

However, Smite didn't stop there. After agreeing to Auron's request, he glared at Jeffrey.

Feeling Smite's intense glare, Jeffrey faced Smite and said, "What? I have nothing to do with this."

Jeffrey still didn't want to change his mind even though Smite was glaring at him. Auron also realized this situation. He didn't want to force anyone. Since Jeffrey didn't want to join, then he would not force him.

That was why Auron wanted to stop Smite. However, before he could say anything, Jeffrey finally relented.

"Okay, fine! Stop glaring! I will help. However, I need some compensation! I don't want to do this for free."

When Smite heard about the compensation, he glared at Jeffrey once again. However, Auron quickly said, "Of course, I will compensate you guys! I will not let you guys help me for free."

Jeffrey glanced back at Smite and stuck his tongue out to mock Smite. "Okay, then. Then, that is it, I will go buy some potions supply. Will be back in one hour. Bye." With that, Jeffrey quickly went out of the base camp. 

Although Auron was grateful for Jeffrey's change of mind, he still felt worried. He knew that someone who was forced would not show their all.

Smite realized what was on Auron's mind. He quickly said, "You don't have to worry. He will do his best. I can guarantee you my position as the team's leader, he will show his best and not become a burden."

"He declined because he doesn't want to go to a dangerous place without any benefit for him."

Auron's worries lessen a bit, but he still nodded. He knew that he needed to trust his teammate.

What Auron didn't know was the reason Jeffrey changed his mind was not because of the compensation, but it was because of Smite.

The only one that could change Jeffrey's mind in the team was only Smite. It was because they were best friends. They were also the first two members of the Absurd team.

Auron asked Smite, "So, how many people do you think we should recruit?"

Smite answered, "Hmm... Let's see..."

"Obviously, we need a cleric. If it is an average cleric, then we need two. Also, there is no tank yet, so we need at least two or three swordsmen or merchants who can tank."

"One archer is necessary to help with physical damage. For a thief, it was not really necessary, but if we can find a decent one, it will be great."

"What do you think?"