Chapter 108

108 – A Gathering of the Strong 2

What is common among the parties in the upper ranks is strength. This is an essential condition.

Being unable to Clear a Dungeon makes it difficult to gain popularity.

It is also difficult to gain popularity just by being strong. Just like the previous parties of Nicola and Philip, just Clearing Dungeons does not attract attention.

Accumulating accolades and then one day having your popularity catch on is…a rare example.

So what Adventurers need is the establishment of a strong sense of style.

Those who have reached the top all have that.

「Oh and Wraith, you should pay respect to your seniors.」

Aerial chides Wraith.

Probably regarding his attitude towards Scathach just now.

「Respect, huh…Well, alright. Fighting together makes us allies, although temporarily. Got it. Sorry, Scathach. I got to meet Lem and got a little excited. I’ll be quiet from now on.」

Is he obedient or is he flexible?

Despite personal preferences, fighting together means they are allies. Thus, respect should be paid. This seems to be what he thinks after coming to terms with it.

Scathach was absolutely taken aback by the broad smiling Wraith.

「…No, I was being immature.」

「Not at all, I said some rude things. For that, I apologize. I hope we can win the raid battle, prove our strength and you can return to the 4th rank.」

「…Right.」

「The hell, Scathach? You should at least say『4th rank isn’t enough! I’ll become 1st rank!』, right?」

Says Herv, tauntingly.

「Heh, pulling you down a rank sounds like fun.」

「Yeah, that’s more like it. Although that’d be impossible.」

「…Try not to drop to the 4th rank when we pass you by. It won’t be exciting to pull the carpet out from under you.」

「Ahaha, I’ll send you flying, static boy.」

「Think you can do it, muscle girl?」

At first glance, their conversation looks like it’s getting dangerous, but they’re just messing around.

Being close in rank for a long time, a lot of things happen.

In fact, there is no animosity or anger from either of them. They even seem to be enjoying the conversation.

「…Scathach. No one seems to mind, but are you sure Sir Lem should be privy to such information? The raid battle has not been officially announced.」

Everyone listening to the conversation had a look of realization.

No one here knows that I work in the Demon King Castle, so it was an expected reaction.

…That would Suuri, I believe.

A member of Scathach’s party, the Hunter known as the Faceless Archer.

He is faceless not only in Dungeons but even outside of them, wearing a cape and hood that hides everything.

One of only three people in the world who can use Godspeed.

For some reason, Lily doesn’t seem to like him and one of her goals is to surpass him.

His simple bow skills are better than Lily’s and he is even better at stealth.

Scathach’s party’s gimmick is speed.

「Sorry, Lem. I’m sure you must be wondering what is the occasion that has all of us gathered here, but could you please keep it a secret?」

「Oh, yes, of course.」

「This’ll all be settled if Lem becomes my ally.」

Perhaps because he promised to keep it quiet earlier, he spoke in a quieter voice.

「I like the job I have now.」

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「…Huh? Didn’t you want to become a hero? Can you do that with your current job?」

「I sure can.」

「Hmm? I don’t really get it…No, it feels more like you can’t tell me, which is fine. To put it simply, I just have to make joining my party more attractive than your current job, right? Let me know when you’re ready. I’ll leave a slot open for you.」

Wraith’s party isn’t complete yet but I wonder what kind of style they’ll have.

「I can’t give you a good answer.」

「It’s not absolute, right? People can change their minds.」

Wraith seems confident.

「Don’t trouble Lem so much.」

「You wanted him too, old man.」

「And I was rejected just as you were.」

「I’m not giving up.」

「You should respect a person’s wish.」

「Yeah, so that’s why I’ll wait. I’ll make an effort though.」

「Hmm, if there’s a vacancy, I’ll invite you too.」

Herv joined the conversation.

「Big sis! We don’t need no man in the party!」

Herv is all about hand-to-hand combat. Their gimmick is the unrefined, head-on fight that Nicola admired.

「Oho, aren’t you popular, Lem. However, never forget that I was the first to have my eye on you.」

「I noticed he’s been training himself since he was in his previous party, though.」

「Both of you are already high-ranked. Lem like’s starting from scratch. That’s why he rejected you, right old man?」

I almost never experience me becoming a heated topic of discussion, so for some reason, I’m really embarrassed.

…No, Milla and Nicola recently talked about me excitedly. So that’s what happens when two very valuable people, my fans, encounter each other, and I didn’t know whether to be happy or embarrassed.

「……」

Scathach gazes at the conversation between those three with a deadpan look.

…Yeah, I get it. These are probably the only few people who wish to add me into their party.

Thanks to the tournament, people’s opinion of me became more favorable.

However, it’s a different matter when it concerns Dungeon Clears.

That fighting style isn’t suited for large crowds and it isn’t worth it to almost get defeated when I defeat a powerful enemy.

Black Sorcerers play a support role. You’re not supposed to let your support get out of hand and participate in the battle.

My way of fighting was originally thought up for the tournament after all, so I had no problem, but from the point of view of utilizing it in a Dungeon Clear, it’s completely useless.

These three each have their own reasons for rating me highly, but they are out of sync with the general consensus.

That’s why the existence of such people is precious and I am very grateful.

「Can’t you talk about this while eating?」

The three of them nodded at Scathach’s words.

「Oh, are you sure it’s ok for me to stay? This feels like a meeting for some kind of planning.」

「No, it’s fine, Lem. I don’t believe you’ll spread any rumors.」

「Lem, sit next to me. I want you to tell me about the tournament. I want to hear about that Insect-Human too.」

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「Oh yeah, I like her too. Where did you find her?」

「…If that’s the case, I’d like to ask about the fight with Furcus. How did you know how to steal her spear? Were you aware of a similar Magic Tool or was it simply a hunch?」

Wraith pulled me by the arm to the dinner table.

I enjoyed the meal that day, attended by those that most people could only dream of, along with two new Adventurers.

Recalling that they are all enemies, I once again think of them as threats in the corner of my mind.