Vol. 7 - Ch. 353 - A consultation from Misato - There seems to be too many candidates?

It was Monday, the day after our little adventure about equipment.Usually, it is the day of every week where the Quartet would show themselves with their pompous attitude, and create a ruckus.

But why Monday? Do they recharge themselves on weekends just so that they can pull that loop? Maybe I wonder if further intensifying the spartan training would solve it?

Well, that was the usual case. But after receiving a crushing defeat on saturday, they were very quiet, rare of them to do, today. As if cat got their beaks.

Hmm, is it just me, they kinda look like they are dyed in a bit of ashen color? They are even looking sooted, as if they have been in the same getup since a while ago.

"Is he alive, Saturn looks kind of morbid?"

"I think it would be better to leave them on their own. They will get back on their feet over time."

Replying to my murmuring was Misato, plopping her white rabbit ear up and down.

Their movement reflexively focused on them.

To be honest, I want to try touching them a bit. Would she mind if I do so? I guess she would. And I am sure Sierra will give me a sermon this time for sure.

Kuh, why is there something I can't do even though it was supposed to be the world of <Dungeon Activity> in the flesh!

it shouldn't be happening.

Ahem, however Misato's answer in regard to quartet was a bit dry. Maybe she knows their personality very well as the former member of <Best of the Best, the Great Star>.

"? More Importantly, I want to talk about next week, when we become D-rank."

"Ah, yeah. You wanted to talk about scouting?"

It was currently free time before the morning assembly.

As I was puzzled why Misato came to talk to me at this time, she explained. I see, she wants to discuss about recruitment after <Eden> reaches D-rank in the upcoming week after the starting of <Dungeon Week>.

Our current members have now more or less become capable enough to handle things on their own and learned the ropes, and in the coming week, most of them will most likely be challenging Intermediate-mid grade dungeons.

Once it is done, it is just a matter of time before <Eden> is promoted to D-rank. It could even happen as early as during the dungeon week....... On another thought, I think it would be asking members to overexert themselves.

It's the D-rank we are talking about.

One of the prominent hurdles newbies face.

To be frank, there aren't that many guilds who can make it this far.

One of the prerequisites for D-rank promotion is to clear at least three of the Intermediate-mid grade dungeons. This in itself is a giant wall to make a leap.

First of all, the entry condition for intermediate-mid grade dungeons is LV50, from there, the level cap can be raised to Lv75, and LV75 is the highest ceiling a base job can level up to.

From LV50, the experience required to level up to the next level becomes significantly larger, and leveling up becomes more challenging. Not to say Intermediate-mid grade dungeons all consist of 40 floors.

Even descending to the bottom takes a considerable amount of time, and the monsters along the way start appearing at around LV60, making the path itself high in difficulty.

And even after achieving D-rank, whether one can surpass this hurdle is another question.

Although a lot of guilds somehow managed to cross that hurdle, the path after the D-rank is even more steep.

The next set of intermediate-high dungeons have an entry requirement of LV60, but the cap remains at LV75, which means that's the highest you can go. Members can neither raise their level anymore, nor can they become further strong after hitting the level cap.

Usually, their tactic is to level up, become stronger, and tackle a dungeon, then rinse and repeat. But the level cap makes this strategy inviable.

This can be said to be an abysmal hurdle to cross in the truest sense.

And from D-rank upwards to C-rank guilds, they consist of only those who have cleared these challenging Intermediate-high grade dungeons. Furthermore, there is only one way to raise guild rank from D to C, <Ranking Battle>.

Challenging a C-rank guild in a duel, and only by winning can you raise your rank.

So D-rank is basically a kind of barrier that acts as a filter to many guilds.

For the <Eden> who is skillfully making an effort towards D-rank, a strategy is needed to conquer <Ranking Battle>.

To get to the point, we need new blood in our guild, an indispensable resource.

The upper limit to members for D-rank is 20. <Eden> currently has 15 members, so there's room for 5 more.

5 members more.

This 5 member slot is one of the key aspects to progress toward C-rank, hence it is more so important to be carefully looked after. Because unlike previous ranks, promotion to C-rank doesn't upgrade the maximum member count.

This is due to the frequent rank shifts between D-rank and C-rank, aiming to prevent members from leaving.

Consequently, even if the rank is elevated, new recruits cannot be added. So if the guild wants to make further progress, it has to make do with existing members.

So the current dilemma is whether to look for the members who can fill the role <Eden> severely falls short, or to further reinforce the section we are already best at. This calls for guild strategy.

Explanation got quite lengthy, in essence, it's about recruiting talent, and there is always a cut-throat competition for remarkable talent.

Tomorrow's preparation starts with the steps we take today; if we don't take action now, things are going to get dicey for us.

Misato has come to just discuss this.

"Well you see, there are a looooong line of candidates who are hoping to get into <Eden>, so I wanted to ask if interviewing them is possible."

"I am really intrigued. Are there really that many?"

As expected of Misato, a hyperactive extrovert.

<Best of the Best, the Great Star> members were also recruited by her, so there is no mistake in her ability.

She might have a natural talent to recruit members.

However not any talent will do if they want to join <Eden>.

"<Eden> is a guild destined to reach S-rank one day. Not just ambition, they also need to have adequate strength to back it up. I am not going to take anyone except them."

More precisely, having high-ranking job holders from <Combat Job> category would be even better. If luck favors, I would be happy if they also belong to any kind of <Race> category.

Well, I am not entirely fixated on them though, there are also multiple all-purpose jobs without specific categories that are quite strong, so I will look for them as well.

I am cool with other intermediate rank jobs as well, not just <Combat Jobs>. One of the reasons is jobs from production, collection and support categories tend to be intermediate level more often than finding their high-ranking variant. Therefore, setting my sights only on high-ranking jobs would be narrowing my vision.

Next important point is their academic year.

So far, we are all composed of first years, but depending on the new system academy would implement regarding <Job Transfer>, I am also hoping to attract upperclassmen.

The issue is when the system will be decided and the support structure will be in place. I hope they introduce it sooner.

"I see, leave that part to me. I will make sure to choose only the capable ones. You wouldn't mind other students with intermediate job if they wish to <Job Transfer>, right?"

"If possible, look at their personality too, you know right...... <Eden> has a lot going on."

<Eden> holds a lot of secrets. The least I expect from them is to keep this secret.

We were in a classroom, so I spoke ambiguously, but Misato seemed to have understood my concern as she nodded while laughing.

"These are all the conditions regarding the interview. Contact me once you are done with screening candidates. I would have to adjust my schedule for this then after all. Also, there are some jobs I am interested in, if it's not too much, can you look for them as well?"

"Roger~. Jobs are... ah, Phillis-sensei is here. I will catch you later~." S~ᴇaʀᴄh the NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Just as Misato was about to say something, the bell rang and Phyllis-sensei and Ladvena-sensei took their entry in the classroom, so we cut out conversation there as Misato returned to her seat. I will deal with the details later.

For now, it's time for class to begin.