Chapter 34: 34. The loser joins the team.

When Isa saw that Lin Da was still reluctant to accept, she said in a forceful tone:

"Take it. This is the unanimous decision of our Ice Flower team members after discussion. The Town Portal Scroll is the most suitable for you right now."

"Besides, I have a little additional request."

Isa blinked and, in a rare display of coquetry, said, "Mr. Linda, you won't refuse, will you?"

"That's cheating," Lin Da moved his gaze away from her slight smile, cleared his throat, and said.

Isa smiled and said, "Of course, I won't ask you to do it for free, there will be a corresponding reward."

"What is the request you're talking about?" Lin Da was curious.

From what Isa was saying, it sounded like she wanted to hire him.

"I hope that when the Ice Flower adventure team challenges the thirteenth floor, you can take on the role of remote commander just once through the sensor ladybug," Isa said earnestly.

Commander?

Lin Da frowned and thought for a moment before shaking his head: "I'm an outsider, that wouldn't be appropriate."

"It's fine. I guarantee that everyone in Ice Flower will follow your commands to the letter," Isa said with a smirk. "My team members are not like a certain red-headed fool; if I tell them to trust you, they will."

"If the thirteenth floor is successfully cleared, the Demon Core of the Secret Realm Guardian is yours."

Isa extended her hand, "This condition should be quite generous."

Remote command with no risk involved, and clearing the floor would mean earning a Boss Demon Core for free.

No matter how Lin Da thought about it, it was all to his benefit and none to his detriment.

This cooperation would also deepen the friendship with the Ice Flower adventure team, which would be greatly beneficial for the future development of his own team.

"Deal."

Lin Da nodded and shook Isa's hand.

The lunch ended in a cheerful atmosphere.

The only downside was that the portions at the upscale restaurant were too small, and both he and Kafni had not had their fill.

As they parted ways, Isa said, "The Ice Flower team's assault on the thirteenth floor is scheduled for next month, I will notify you in advance."

"No problem." Just as Lin Da was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something.

"Right, could you help me scout for a front-line professional? Preferably one with high potential."

Lin Da mentioned that his team was one member short.

Isa pondered and said, "Front-line professions are easy to find, but ones with talent..." She shrugged her shoulders, making a helpless gesture.

If Lin Da were the leader of a known team, it would be a different story, but right now he was level 0 and starting from scratch.

Truly talented warriors wouldn't opt for such a small team.

"I can only do my best to help, but I can't guarantee we'll recruit anyone," Isa said.

"That's enough," Lin Da nodded in gratitude.

The group took the elevator down together.

On Lin Da's left was Kafni and on his right, Isa dressed in an evening gown.

She seemed to have sprayed some perfume, a scent like peach blossoms that was somewhat addictive.

Lin Da glanced out of the corner of his eye at the mature and stable silver-haired girl and sighed inwardly, wishing he had met someone like Isa when he first came to this world.

In the Ice Flower adventure team, he might have reached much higher levels.

Just then, Isa suddenly looked up, somewhat unwillingly and said, "Are you sure you won't consider it? My team is really good, you know?"

Lin Da was about to refuse, but then a thought struck him, and he said, "How about we make a promise?"

"What promise?"

"Within three years, if my team surpasses the Ice Flower adventure team in the number of levels ascended in the World Tree..." Lin Da looked straight into Isa's eyes, speaking slowly, "you will join my team."

Isa was stunned.

Immediately, she laughed so hard that her body shook, clutching her stomach, wanting to stop but again amused by Lin Da's fantastical bet.

It took a while for Isa to calm down. She wiped the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes and said, "Fine. But likewise, if you can't catch up in three years, you'll have to join Ice Flower."

"It's a deal."

Lin Da extended his pinky finger.

Isa, understanding the gesture, hooked her pinky finger with his.

While Isa's fingers seemed delicate and slender, Lin Da felt many callouses from sword training when he touched them, hard, yet strong and powerful.

A sense of reliability rushed over him.

After they released hands, Lin Da looked at Isa, brimming with confidence as if she'd already won, and he couldn't help but want to laugh inside.

With an experience bar, three years would be more than enough time to catch up to the Ice Flower Adventure Team.

It was like reserving a swordsman in advance.

Isa's talent was no less than Lia's, and unlike Bilya who needed convincing, Isa was also a silver-haired beauty that Lin Da quite fancied.

Just as Isa wanted to poach him, he also wanted to pull Isa into his own team.

...

Leaving the restaurant, Lin Da and Isa waved goodbye.

He rubbed his stomach, planning to continue looking for a place to eat.

After changing classes to a Healing Hero, both his physique and appetite had greatly increased; the food he'd just eaten was barely enough to fill the gaps between his teeth.

He remembered there was a barbecue stall he used to frequent in Sparrow District, generous in serving and good in taste. seaʀᴄh thё Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Let's go have a good meal."

Lin Da patted the gold coins in his pocket, the jingling sound a satisfying feeling truly like no other.

Kafni rolled her eyes and said, "Should we sell off the town portal scroll?"

"Once sold, it's not easy to buy back. Let's keep it, just in case we flip over in the gutter and need a quick escape," Lin Da shook his head.

With his magic potions and two town portal scrolls, he could face unexpected events with composure.

Catching a carriage, he and Kafni headed back to Sparrow District.

...

Time moved on to dusk.

Inner City District.

Aiko couldn't stand the atmosphere in the villa and escaped.

After Lin Da left, Lia had turned into a personified icebox.

Wherever she went, she had a sour expression, exuding an ice-cold pressure that made breathing feel difficult.

Thanks to Toria's influence, the Snow Goose Adventure Team became unstable.

The strategy planning was temporarily handed over to the new Healer, Phyllis.

But was he trustworthy? One wrong strategy could lead the team to the abyss, and Aiko found it hard to place her trust in a newcomer.

Wheeling herself out of the neighborhood, many adventurers who knew her greeted her kindly, and adoration shone subtly in their eyes.

Aiko responded with a composed smile, nodding and waving, occasionally asking what they had for lunch.

Seeing their delighted expressions from merely conversing with her filled her with contempt, and an involuntary pride swelled in her chest.

No adventurer could resist her beauty.

With just a little tease, they would all blush, pathetically trying to stand tall, as if they were creatures even more lowly than insects.

But, there was one person... who trampled on her pride without even realizing it.

Aiko bit her lip in irritation, a flash of resentment passing through her eyes.

It was because of that incident that she set her sights on Lin Da, intending to turn him into a mindless, obedient dog, desperate for her attention.