The apprentice shaman, who had been doing odd jobs under the old shaman, looked quite impressive.
The eyepatch that gave him a mysterious aura, the tattoos that covered his body...
He looked like a proper shaman, despite his youthful appearance.
But...
"Stop fidgeting and take off your shirt. Little warrior."
His childish voice, forced into a deep, theatrical tone, broke the illusion. Was he even blind in that eye, or was the eyepatch just for show?
Swoosh.
I sat down and took off my shirt, despite my doubts. The baby shaman immediately placed his hand on my shoulder.
And...
"You've already embraced the spirit power of the Undead."
He had figured out my path with a single touch.
His hand moved down to my chest, groping me like a pervert.
"Then let's see how close you are to the ultimate realm."
His voice was laced with skepticism.
But his skepticism didn't last long.
Swoosh.
His hand moved from my shoulder to my chest, then to my side, where my latissimus dorsi muscle was.
The location of the 3rd stage Undead Engraving.
The point where my specialization began.
"Kkeuk, kkeuk... You chose the spirit of the Wild."
That's where I obtained [Wild Release].
A tank needs a threat-generating skill.
"You're young, but you've already received the Soul of the Deceased... You must have worked hard—"
The shaman's voice trailed off as he froze. His hand had moved from my latissimus dorsi to my back.
I seriously considered punching him in the face.
But that would bring his face too close to mine.
And he was practically hugging me from behind.
Swoosh.
His hand moved up my back, reaching the nape of my neck.
"Oh... You've already opened the Spirit Path? Not bad—"
The 4th stage engraving, which increased my Mental and Soul Power stats.
His hand moved back to the front, reaching my heart.
"...Y-you've even opened the Life Path?"
His voice trembled with surprise.
It seemed like he had expected to perform a low-level engraving, based on the Marquis's explanation.
I was getting annoyed, so I forcefully removed his hand.
"W-what are you doing?! I'm performing a sacred ritual to read your path—"
That's why I'm telling you to stop. It's a waste of time.
"Spirit Path, Life Path... whatever. Stop groping me. I've already received the Weapon Soul Engraving."
"W-weapon soul... You've even opened the Blood Path...?"
The shaman flinched again when he heard I had completed the 6th stage engraving.
But he seemed to think it was too anticlimactic.
"Ah... Do you know? You need a very rare offering for the next engraving—"
"I've already brought the Soul of the Deceased, so don't worry about it."
"..."
I didn't understand why the warrior had to lead the engraving ritual... but I had given him all the necessary information.
"We've talked enough, so let's get started."
I lay down on the bed that had been prepared for me.
But the ritual didn't begin.
"Shaman, what are you doing?"
"...Wait a moment. I need to gather my breath and focus before the ritual—"
Focus?
He was just nervous.
I sat up, sensing his hesitation.
And then I voiced my suspicion.
It couldn't be true... but...
"Shaman, you don't mean to tell me..."
"..."
"You've never performed a high-level engraving before?"
"...There were no warriors who requested it. But I've learned how to do it."
Shit, that made me nervous.
__________________
I felt like I had become a guinea pig for a young shaman's training... but I didn't have a choice.
I couldn't ask them to bring the old shaman back.
And this guy didn't recognize me, so it was better to get it done here.
He was a certified shaman, after all.
He would do it properly.
That's what I thought.
Until the first needle pierced my skin.
Stab.
"Aaaaaah!"
"...!"
Stab.
"Kyaaaaaaaaah!"
"...?"
Stab.
"Hey, what the hell? You stabbed me in the wrong place!"
"...N-no, I didn't!"
"You didn't—?"
"Just be quiet! It's going well!"
Stab.
"Kyaaaaaaaaah!"
Was the Spirit Engraving always this painful?
It was excruciating before, but not this bad.
Stab.
Stab.
Stab.
Stab!
Time slowed down, and the pain intensified, searing my brain.
How long did it last?
"I-it's done..."
The exhausted shaman finally spoke.
「Undead Engraving 7th stage activated.」
A strange energy flowed into my body, revitalizing my exhausted spirit.
It felt different from the stat increase you got from absorbing an essence.
It seemed like the engraving itself was successful...
「Special stat 'Recovery Power' created.」
Recovery Power was a stat similar to Muscle Mass.
If Muscle Mass increased your total Strength by 1% per point, Recovery Power increased all healing and regeneration effects proportionally to its value.
It wasn't as noticeable as Strength, but...
「Physical stats increased by +120.」
The stat increase itself was significant.
Special stats, which couldn't be obtained from essences, were proportional to your main stats.
With my current Strength, it would be around 120, right?
"Kkeu, kkeu, kkeu..."
It was a huge reward, worth the pain and suffering.
I chuckled, forgetting the pain, and the shaman next to me let out a strange sound.
"...It's the first time I've seen a warrior smile after receiving a new soul."
"That's because you're inexperienced. Warriors always smile when they're in pain."
"That's not true...! I've engraved countless warriors—"
What? How many could he have engraved in the two years and six months I was gone?
"Yeah... good job. You did well."
I felt my energy returning, so I got up from the bed.
The room was lit by candles, and the curtains were drawn, so I hadn't noticed it was already nighttime.
'They said it could take a while, so they won't be worried.'
The shaman would return to the sanctuary on his own, so I just grabbed my clothes and left.
The servant who had guided me earlier was waiting outside.
But why was she looking at me like that?
She seemed scared...
"Um... are you alright, sir?"
Ah, she must have heard me screaming. She probably thought I had been tortured or something.
"I'm fine. I'm leaving now, so can I just go?"
I hoped they had prepared a carriage for me, like last time.
The servant hesitated and then spoke.
"The Marquis wishes to see you, sir."
"The Marquis...?"
I unconsciously dropped the honorifics, and the servant's face paled.
But she couldn't correct me in front of a guest.
"Yes, the 'Marquis' is waiting for you, sir. Please follow me."
She emphasized the honorifics and led me away.
Shit, I should be more careful.
I couldn't reveal my true identity yet.
Creak.
We arrived at the Marquis's study.
The Marquis looked up from his documents and dismissed the servant.
And then, as soon as the door closed, he greeted me.
"How was the engraving, Viscount Yandel?"
"It went well, thanks to you. But why did you call me again?"
I was tired, so I got straight to the point, but the Marquis didn't seem offended.
He just went along with it.
"I have something to tell you."
He didn't even show any displeasure.
But the more he acted friendly, the more wary I became.
"What is it?"
"First, I've finished persuading the people you wanted to recruit."
He then explained that he had successfully recruited the mage I had chosen, but the priest had refused, so the backup support ability user would be joining us.
Damn, I wish we had gotten the priestess. We would have more options.
"Well, that's the first thing. I guess there's a second."
"Indeed. The first one could have been conveyed in writing."
"I'm curious, so tell me."
"We've decided to hold a meeting with the team leaders tomorrow. I'll try to steer the conversation towards choosing the commander."
"...Tomorrow? So suddenly?"
"The labyrinth opens soon. Even if we can't launch a major operation right away, we need to finalize the organizational structure. Is there a problem?"
"No, I agree. It's better to get this done early. So how will the commander be chosen?"
"I said I would steer the conversation. All five teams have backers, so they'll all want to be the commander."
"So you're going to let them fight it out."
"That's one way to put it. So, are you okay with it?"
"Don't worry. I don't like working under someone incompetent."
This was a special forces unit for dangerous missions.
I would rather be the commander than watch some idiot screw things up.
Well, if there was a competent leader, I wouldn't mind being a subordinate...
"So, where will the meeting be held?"
"I've invited them to my mansion. We'll have lunch together tomorrow."
Lunch tomorrow...
It would be a hassle to come back again.
"Can I stay here tonight?"
"Of course. I'll help you contact your companions so they don't worry."
"Ah, then please do that."
We talked for another 30 minutes, and then the Marquis helped me contact Erwen and Amelia through the Mage Tower branch in the 7th District.
I then went to my room and got ready for bed.
Fluffy!
The Marquis's bed was unbelievably comfortable.
As always, I fell asleep as soon as I lay down.
Snore—!
I hoped no one would try to assassinate me again tonight.
__________________
The next morning.
I woke up early, even though the meeting wasn't until lunch. I had to get ready for the Marquis's sake.
The servants helped me get dressed and styled my hair.
Neatly combed hair and a well-fitting suit.
It had been a long time since I last wore such formal attire...
'Not bad.'
I looked in the mirror and was satisfied with my appearance.
Maybe it was because my body was smaller now?
It didn't feel as awkward as before.
"Please wait a moment, sir."
"Some of them have already arrived."
"We'll go when everyone is here."
I finished getting ready early, but I had to wait in my room.
It would be disrespectful to wait in the dining room.
There was a hierarchy, even in a meeting like this.
"It's time, sir. They're all waiting."
"Okay, let's go."
I followed the Marquis to the dining room.
Creak.
The servants opened the door for us.
"Greetings, Marquis Terserion."
"I didn't expect you to join us for lunch."
"It's an honor to dine with you. I'm truly grateful."
The four people who were already seated stood up and bowed to the Marquis.
The Marquis greeted them and sat down at the head of the table.
I sat down next to him, as instructed.
And...
"Bring the food."
As the servants filled the table with dishes, the Marquis started the introductions.
"Some of you are meeting for the first time, so let's introduce ourselves. What do you think?"
"Yes, then I'll go first."
The man sitting across from me stood up.
"I'll speak informally. You're all younger than me, and none of you are nobles."
Neatly combed red hair and a well-tailored uniform.
The checkered embroidery on his chest.
His name was...
"Melend Kaislan."
Ah, I remembered.
The Marquis had mentioned him yesterday.
The youngest son of Count Kaislan, a veteran knight with a long list of achievements in the military.
He was the youngest son, but he was over forty and had a family of his own.
"I've been in the military for decades, so I'm well-versed in combat. But command is a different matter. I've seen countless talented individuals die meaningless deaths under incompetent superiors."
He had stood up to introduce himself, but he launched into a lengthy self-promotion speech.
"I'm not trying to belittle anyone, but if one of us has to lead, I believe I'm the most qualified."
He was a seasoned veteran, so his military-style speech was impressive...
But it also revealed his lack of flexibility.
And it wasn't just me who noticed it.
"...Oh my, wasn't this just a simple introduction? You're making the rest of us nervous."
The dwarf woman next to him chuckled and stood up.
"I'll go next."
She was smooth.
I recognized her immediately.
There weren't many female dwarf explorers in her age range.
"Titana Akuraba."
Titana Akuraba.
She didn't reveal her age, but everyone knew she was 61.
Of course, she looked much younger than a human of the same age, thanks to her race's longevity.
But age didn't matter to her.
"...Akuraba? Are you really Titana Akuraba?"
The knight next to her looked surprised.
She was that famous.
Or rather, legendary.
"I wouldn't dare lie to the Marquis."
"Of course not. I'm just surprised. I heard you retired ten years ago."
This was the first time I had heard of her.
She had been part of a legendary team that explored the 9th floor, but she retired ten years ago and disappeared from the public eye.
In other words, she was from a completely different generation.
"Ho ho, I guess I'm back in the world. So, can I continue, young knight?"
"...Of course."
She silenced the knight and continued her self-promotion.
"I'm confident that no one here knows more about the labyrinth than me. The same goes for the unwritten rules of explorers. I think that's enough, isn't it?"
She was confident in her abilities.
But as soon as she sat down, another man stood up.
"Haha, I never thought I'd meet one of my idols here. I'll go next."
He had a lighthearted aura.
He was short, barely over 160 centimeters.
"James Kala, Vice-Captain of the Sawtooth Clan."
The Vice-Captain of the Sawtooth Clan, one of the four largest clans in the city.
He also spent a considerable amount of time promoting himself, just like the previous two.
He was up-to-date on the latest information and could synthesize everyone's opinions to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
It was clearly aimed at the old dwarf and the stubborn knight, but I wasn't impressed.
I just remembered the information I had read in the documents.
'He's an archer, right?'
That was all I remembered about him.
As soon as he finished, the paladin next to him stood up.
"Jun, from the Heindel Church. I've abandoned my secular name."
A short introduction, unlike the previous three.
"...Is that all?"
The knight asked, and the paladin clicked his tongue.
"There's nothing more fickle and dangerous than human will. Everything will happen according to fate, according to God's will."
"It seems like the Three Gods Church isn't interested in this mission."
"..."
The knight tried to probe the church's intentions, but the paladin ignored him.
And...
"Now... it's your turn."
All eyes were on me.
They were curious.
I was the Marquis's chosen representative, but they had never seen me before.
They were wary, not knowing anything about me.
Creak.
I pushed my chair back and stood up.
And I simply said my name.
"Lihen Schuitz."
They frowned.
'That's it?'
That's what their eyes were saying.
Even the Marquis looked at me with a similar expression.
He was probably wondering why I wasn't actively promoting myself like the others.
'Geez, stop rushing me. It's embarrassing.'
I wasn't going to waste my breath on a lengthy speech.
They would just forget it anyway.
Swoosh.
I slowly looked around, meeting each of their gazes.
"Knight."
First, the noble soldier.
"Explorer."
Then the old dwarf.
"Clan."
Next, the Vice-Captain.
"And God."
Finally, the paladin.
I looked down at them and said,
"I don't listen to those who are weaker than me."
A short and impactful self-introduction is the best.
-x-X-x-
Thud.
As I sat down after my declaration, a brief silence fell over the dining room.
It was to be expected.
This was a meeting where everyone was supposed to appeal to the others, explaining why they should be the leader.
They must have been offended by my words.
"Are you saying you're stronger than all of us?"
The noble knight asked, his displeasure evident in his tightly pressed lips.
I chuckled and answered.
"You understood correctly."
There was no need to deny it.
I wasn't wrong.
"..."
But surprisingly, the room remained silent.
The knight seemed like he wanted to retort, but he held back, perhaps out of respect for the Marquis.
Swoosh.
I glanced at the Marquis, and our eyes met.
He wasn't disgusted by my behavior. Instead, his eyes gleamed with interest, as if he was enjoying the situation.
Hmm, what about the others?
I looked around, and their gazes were a mixture of emotions.
"I hope your skills match your arrogance. A capable subordinate is always welcome."
Hostility stemming from displeasure.
That was the knight's gaze.
"Ho ho, men your age are all the same. Why, I find it quite manly."
Her voice was lighthearted, but her eyes were filled with disdain.
That was the old dwarf's gaze.
"Lihen Schuitz, I've heard of you. You're known as the Blood Spirit Marquis's man, right?"
Intense curiosity and analytical observation.
That was the Sawtooth Clan Vice-Captain's gaze.
"..."
The paladin, Jun, simply stared at me with an emotionless expression.
He didn't seem to care.
Their attention shifted from me to each other, their gazes meeting and clashing.
They were evaluating each other.
Trying to figure out who would be the biggest obstacle to their becoming the leader.
"The mood has become a bit heavy for such a joyous occasion. Let's eat."
The Marquis intervened, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
They all started eating and chatting, but the tension remained.
"As you all know, one of us will be chosen to lead. It's a position with great responsibility."
A position that held the lives of thirty people.
But no one was unaware of the benefits that came with it.
The Marquis had promised me generous support.
"Are you saying we're not qualified, Sir Kaislan?"
The dwarf woman spoke softly, but her message was clear.
She wasn't going to give up her chance.
"Hmm, I just wanted to confirm that you all understood the weight of this position."
The knight clicked his tongue, seemingly disappointed that the dwarf was his biggest rival.
"Haha, I understand what you mean. I also had to endure countless responsibilities and duties to become Vice-Captain."
The Vice-Captain seized the opportunity to subtly promote himself.
This was a battle of nerves.
"Jun, do you also desire this position?"
"Human emotions are fleeting. Everything will happen according to God's will."
It sounded like he was going to remain neutral.
But the knight's expression brightened prematurely.
"However, I believe I am the one who is closest to God's will."
He was joining the competition.
The knight's face darkened. He knew the paladin's backer was the Three Gods Church, a formidable opponent.
"I see."
But why didn't he ask me?
That made me feel a bit left out.
______________
After the tense exchange of words ended...
The knight, with a determined look in his eyes, took charge of the conversation.
"Many desire it, but there's only one position. We have to decide who's the most qualified."
"Do you have a plan, Sir Kaislan?"
"How about we each describe our ideal leader?"
He wanted to understand their personalities and leadership styles.
"That sounds good."
The dwarf woman and the Vice-Captain readily agreed.
I didn't object either, and neither did the paladin.
"Since I initiated this conversation, I'll go first."
The knight, as always, was eager to take the lead.
He stood up and declared in a loud voice.
"A group can only achieve its true potential when it moves as one. The most important quality of a leader is leadership."
"That's too abstract. What exactly do you mean by leadership?"
"It's the ability to create and maintain order. Control starts from there. A perfectly controlled force can achieve its goals without any distractions." ṟᴀ₦ŎBΕŜ
I could already imagine what it would be like under his command.
A rigid and inflexible group, devoid of individual freedom and personality.
He continued his passionate speech, describing his vision for the unit and its advantages.
And after some time...
"That's all."
As soon as he finished, the dwarf woman took over.
"I enjoyed your speech. I'll go next."
Unlike the knight's rigid and predictable speech, the dwarf's words were intriguing.
She was a veteran explorer, after all.
What did someone like her value the most in a leader?
"Historically, most problems in the labyrinth have been solved by explorers. There have been very few instances of military intervention. Why do you think that is?"
"Because the royal family respects the way of explorers."
"That's one reason, but I believe it's because it's more efficient for them. Anything can happen in the labyrinth. They needed someone who could adapt to any situation, and that's an explorer. Armies are too cumbersome to operate in the labyrinth."
"So you're saying the ideal leader should be an explorer, Akuraba?"
"Not necessarily. I'm just saying that if someone has to lead in the labyrinth, they need extensive knowledge and experience, and the ability to make quick decisions."
Her requirements were reasonable.
Honestly, I would rather work under her than that knight.
But...
"Excuse me, but you don't have any leadership experience, do you, Senior Akuraba?"
The Vice-Captain's words made the dwarf frown.
She hadn't expected him to attack her after calling her 'senior'.
But the Vice-Captain didn't stop there.
"I heard you were always the one who followed orders when you were on a team."
"...I led a team before."
"I see. But leading a team and leading a force of thirty are two different things."
Wow, this guy was bold.
Well, it would be ridiculous to prioritize seniority in a business meeting.
"Anyway, I'm done, so you're next, James Kala."
"I'll gladly take my turn."
The Vice-Captain took over, subtly undermining the dwarf.
"The most important quality of a leader is information. Senior Akuraba said it herself, didn't she? A leader has to be able to adapt to any situation."
"And?"
"If you have the right information, you can avoid those situations altogether. And even if you do encounter a problem, you'll have more options."
He was clearly targeting the dwarf.
But she wasn't backing down.
"That's true, if you have that kind of information."
"I have the support of the Alminus Trading Company and the Explorer's Guild. Of course, I don't know everything... but..."
"..."
"I'm confident that I have the best information network here."
The dwarf couldn't refute his claim.
With the support of those two organizations, he could gather more information than anyone else in the labyrinth.
"That's all from me. Who's next?"
"I'll go next."
The paladin, Jun, was next.
He gave a lengthy sermon, like a priest giving a mass.
"Everything starts with faith, and that applies to leadership as well. Strong faith and trust create courage that can overcome any evil..."
Wow, he was talkative.
"The world is full of trials. Some overcome them, and some lose faith and fall. But do you know what?"
His eyes gleamed with passion.
I thought he was a stoic person, but...
"Those who overcome trials are always those who have faith. Only faith can unite people, and only faith can save us from trials."
But even a good sermon gets boring if it's too long.
"Haam..."
I yawned, and the paladin glared at me.
"You find my words about faith boring?"
Well, how could I not?
He glared at me, and then passed the turn.
"It's your turn now."
The others seemed relieved that it was finally my turn.
"Lihen Schuitz, what kind of person do you think should be the leader?"
The Vice-Captain asked.
His tone was subtle, as if he was trying to win my vote.
The others were the same.
"You seem like the type who prefers a strong leader."
The knight was subtly promoting himself.
"A soldier might think that way, but an explorer knows better."
The dwarf couldn't miss the opportunity to counter him.
It was ridiculous.
Why were they trying to win me over?
Didn't I make it clear?
"...Why are you laughing?"
"Because it's funny."
"...?"
"Why are you wasting your time trying to convince me?"
I had been eating while they were talking.
And...
"The strongest one wins. That's all."
I slammed my empty glass on the table.
Thud.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
But no one was surprised.
"Ha... I knew it."
"So you value strength above all else, Mr. Schuitz."
They looked at me with disdain.
They were all hypocrites.
Or maybe they just lacked imagination.
"Do you really think you can convince us with brute force?"
"Yeah."
"A leader isn't just about strength... What?"
"Why can't I convince you?"
I had finished my meal.
It was the perfect time for a workout.
"Stop talking and fight me."
I stood up, and the knight looked at me in surprise.
He was hesitant to fight me in front of the Marquis.
"I won't interfere."
The Marquis seemed to have decided to let us fight.
"I see."
I shrugged, and the dwarf woman spoke in a mocking tone.
"Even if you defeat him, we won't acknowledge you. If someone who only relies on brute force becomes the leader—"
What?
"Would you have accepted it if I said something else?"
That was the reason why I found their speeches so pointless.
I looked at them one by one.
"Strong control, experience-based judgment, a wide information network, and trust."
The qualities of a leader, as described by the four of them.
"Yeah, they're all good."
I meant it.
But there was a fundamental problem.
"But no matter how much you talk about it, do you think anyone will be convinced?"
You can't obtain what everyone desires through consensus.
Especially not with those abstract values.
But...
"Are you saying you're different?"
"Yes."
Strength is different.
"So fight me."
"Don't be foolish. Even if you defeat him—"
They wouldn't accept me.
I knew that.
But...
"Who said it was just one?"
My life as a barbarian had taught me something.
If you can't obtain consent through words...
It's because...
"All of you."
"...?"
You're not strong enough.
The four of them looked at me, their minds struggling to keep up.
I grinned.
"All of you, fight me."
There wasn't a single mage among them.
-x-X-x-
The reason I chose to fight all four of them at once was simple.
Even if I defeated them all in a 1v1 tournament, they wouldn't be convinced.
This was the only way to make them acknowledge me.
To dangle a piece of meat they couldn't resist.
"I'll say this beforehand, if I lose, I'll give up the commander position without any complaints."
An opportunity to eliminate a competitor from the stage.
"But why is everyone so quiet? Are you all lacking the confidence to win even against one person?"
My provocation finally elicited a response.
"I agree."
"What? Even if he's strong, we wouldn't go that far—"
"He's offering to step down if he loses. Why would we object?"
"Senior Akuraba is right."
The Vice-Captain agreed with the dwarf woman, creating a consensus.
The knight reluctantly nodded, and the paladin silently agreed.
They knew it too.
It might seem ridiculous to outsiders, but this was a chance to eliminate a competitor with minimal effort.
"Lihen Schuitz, was it?"
"What?"
"You'll have to keep your promise."
"Of course. If I lose, I'll gladly serve under one of you. But—"
"You want to hear our promise as well? Fine. If you somehow defeat all of us, you'll get what you want."
I made sure to get their confirmation, and the verbal contract was sealed.
It wasn't in writing, but we had a reliable witness.
"Then it's settled. Marquis, do you have a suitable location?"
"Of course."
The Marquis, without a hint of worry, readily offered us the use of his mansion's training grounds.
He probably wasn't completely trusting me.
He must have calculated that even if I lost, he could use it to his advantage.
For example, he could use it as an excuse to control me.
"We'll be waiting outside."
We went to the training grounds and I equipped myself.
「Character has equipped Adamantium Large Battle Shield.」
「Total item level increased by +1,750.」
First, the shield I had repurchased with a hefty sum after returning from the past.
「Character has equipped Steel Breastplate.」
「Total item level increased by +150.」
「Character has equipped Steel Greaves.」
「Total item level increased by +75.」
「Character has equipped War Boots.」
「Total item level increased by +45.」
The cheap equipment I had to settle for back then because of my lack of funds.
Now that I had money, I could upgrade them all to Adamantium.
「Character has equipped No. 87 Kraul's Demon Crusher.」
「Total item level increased by +4,800.」
I fully equipped myself and stepped onto the training grounds.
The four challengers soon appeared.
"It's strange. I feel more comfortable in this than in my everyday clothes."
"It's because your body has adapted. You spend more time wearing this, after all."
Their equipment looked expensive.
But even with proper maintenance, there were signs of wear and tear, especially around the joints.
I observed their equipment carefully.
'They're even wearing all their accessories... They came prepared.'
I had expected them to bring their equipment, but I didn't expect them to be this thorough.
"He's... not what I expected."
"The Blood Spirit Marquis's man... did she not even buy him decent armor?"
"Lihen Schuitz, are you really going to fight in that?"
They looked at my cheap steel armor with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.
They must have been surprised.
They hadn't expected the Marquis's chosen representative to be so poorly equipped.
"It's fine."
What was steel armor to me?
It wouldn't make a difference in this fight.
Well, their gazes did make me feel a bit self-conscious...
But it didn't matter.
"Come at me."
After all, the one who gets their head smashed would be the most embarrassed.
______________________
They say a battle between masters is decided in an instant.
But I disagree.
That might be true for agile damage dealers... but I'm a tank.
My true strength lies in endurance.
But...
The beginning, at least, was similar to the legendary battles I had imagined.
"..."
Silence fell over the training grounds.
We sized each other up, the distance between us shrinking.
Our eyes met, the tension thickening.
My muscles, honed by countless battles, tensed, ready to unleash their full power.
And...
Swoosh.
My senses, sharpened by experience, detected the first movement.
One of the challenges of a multi-opponent fight is the sheer number of things to be aware of.
So...
"What are you waiting for?"
I used their hesitation to my advantage.
I charged forward the moment they were about to answer.
My first target was the knight, who was standing at the front, his stance aggressive.
"...!"
He flinched, caught off guard.
He seemed offended that he was the first target.
Whoosh!
A seasoned knight's aura enveloped his blade, and he swung it at me.
The aura that had sliced through countless armored explorers in the labyrinth and the city.
「Character has cast [Iron Fortress].」
「[Evolved Hide] effect is increased by 1.5 times.」
I raised my shield and blocked the attack.
Clang!
The blade was deflected, and the knight's eyes widened in surprise.
But he quickly regained his composure, as expected of a veteran.
Whiiiiish!
He used the recoil to spin in midair and swung his sword again.
This time, he aimed for my lower body, a difficult angle to block with a shield.
He was targeting my calves, protected by steel greaves.
'Does he think Adamantium is the problem?'
He was quick to analyze the situation.
Unfortunately, he was wrong.
Clang!
My steel armor was unscathed.
And...
"Ugh!"
I kicked him in the jaw.
Boom!
He was launched into the air.
It was the perfect angle for a hammer swing—
「Jun Arsene has cast [Light of Protection].」
Damn it.
Kwaaang!
A divine spell activated, creating a translucent barrier that blocked my hammer.
The knight retreated, using the opportunity to create distance.
"How...?"
He looked confused, unable to comprehend the situation.
Why wasn't his aura working?
'Does he think steel armor can block aura?'
Well, it's true that the quality of the armor matters...
"His equipment is ordinary."
"Then it must be his abilities."
That's right.
[Unification] granted my equipment additional Physical Resistance, and both [Evolved Hide] and [Iron Hide] were active.
Well, my steel armor was scratched, while the Adamantium shield was unscathed...
"He blocked aura with steel armor... He's not just bluffing."
The dwarf and the Vice-Captain exchanged words, observing the situation from a distance.
"Kala, try attacking him with an arrow."
The Vice-Captain, dressed in dragon leather armor, drew his bow at the dwarf's command.
Did they already figure out my sword resistance?
「James Kala has cast [Piercing Light].」
Light gathered at the arrowhead, and I quickly retreated behind my shield.
It was too fast to block with my eyes.
Whoosh!
The arrow shot forward.
I had blocked it in time, so I was unharmed.
But...
"The arrowhead is embedded."
The dwarf pointed out, her voice filled with surprise.
The arrowhead had pierced through my Adamantium shield.
This was bad.
My trump card was exposed.
"He's immune to swords."
Damn, they were quick to figure it out.
I was about to change my strategy when...
Kwaaang!
The paladin, who had been standing still, charged at me, blocking my path.
He was wielding a mace and a shield, the classic tank combo.
Kwaaang!
He slammed his shield into me, trying to push me back.
Creeeak.
He was strong, but I held my ground.
「Jun Arsene has cast [Divine Release].」
「Jun Arsene has cast [Surging Strength].」
「Jun Arsene has cast [Sun's Blessing].」
The paladin, true to his class, started casting divine spells, his body glowing with a white aura.
And...
"You are strong."
He stopped pushing and complimented me.
Damn it, that was annoying.
But I had reached my desired distance.
「Character has cast [Transcendence].」
「Character has cast [Eye of the Storm].」
My signature grab skill, perfect for PvP.
It had a range of 20 meters, but I had deliberately closed the distance.
The shorter the range, the harder it is to react.
Whiiiiiish!
A powerful whirlwind erupted.
"Ugh...!"
My target was the Vice-Captain in the back.
It's always best to eliminate the ranged attackers first in a multi-opponent fight.
And...
'I want to rip that dragon leather armor off him.'
Dragon leather armor had high magic resistance, but it was weak to physical attacks.
One hit would be enough to cripple him.
「Character has cast [Gigantification].」
「Character's size increases, and physical stats and threat level increase proportionally to the size.」
I activated my trump card and pushed the paladin back with my increased strength.
And...
Tadat.
I leaped towards the Vice-Captain, who was being pulled towards me by the whirlwind.
[Gigantification] increased my reach, so I swung my hammer before he could even react.
「Jun Arsene has cast [Light of Protection].」
The paladin tried to block my attack with the same divine spell...
「Character has used a transformation-type ability.」
「[Primordial Cell] effect reduces the Soul Power consumption of the skill by half, and the highest stat is increased by 1.5 times.」
...but the outcome was different this time.
He had tried to block a normal attack before, but this time...
「Character has cast [Swing].」
「Blunt weapon damage is greatly increased proportionally to Strength.」
It was my only attack skill, [Swing].
Crack!
The hammer shattered the barrier like a pane of glass.
Kwagic!
The Vice-Captain's forehead exploded, splattering blood everywhere.
One knight, one tank.
And even Titana Akuraba, the 9th-floor explorer, couldn't stop me.
"..."
I counted silently in the uncomfortable silence.
"One down."
Three left.
______________________
Four high-level explorers.
Well, one of them was a knight, so should I count him out?
'This is where it gets real.'
I had easily eliminated one of them, but I wasn't getting complacent.
It was just a first-mover advantage.
"..."
The situation was a bit awkward.
The Vice-Captain, who had boasted about the importance of information, was the first to be eliminated because of his lack of information.
'Well, he's not completely out yet.'
[Dungeon and Stone] allowed you to revive fallen companions as long as they weren't dead.
「Jun Arsene has cast [Healing Touch].」
A white aura flowed from the paladin's body, enveloping the unconscious Vice-Captain.
I couldn't interrupt their healing.
He would eventually recover.
But...
'I can't let this drag on.'
I had to finish this before he could rejoin the fight.
I couldn't afford to let him recover and use his full power.
"Uwaaaaaaaaah!"
I roared and charged forward.
Kwaaang!
The paladin blocked my path.
Whoosh!
The knight, who had been knocked back earlier, attacked from behind, wielding a blunt weapon.
He had swapped his sword for a blunt weapon.
It was strange to see a knight using a non-aura weapon...
But that was a testament to his skill.
He was adapting to the situation.
Kwaaang!
The weapon slammed into my shoulder.
The impact wasn't that strong.
But a searing heat spread through my body.
'What kind of weapon is that?'
No. 761 Roam's Blast Furnace Hammer.
A Triple Numbered Item.
It added fire penetration damage proportional to your physical strength.
Thankfully, my fire resistance was high enough to endure it for now.
"Uwaaaaaaaaah!"
I activated [Wild Release], my Strength surging.
I kicked the paladin back—
'What? Why isn't he moving?'
My instincts, honed by years of gaming, knew the answer.
「Jun Arsene has cast [Divine Avatar].」
He had activated his trump card.
'This is getting difficult...'
They were no longer holding back.
I couldn't rely on my Strength advantage against the paladin anymore...
「Titana Akuraba has used [No. 1911 Paveler's Broken Pocket Watch].」
And the dwarf joined the fight.
She was a support ability user.
Dwarves relied heavily on Numbered Items, and support ability users were as valuable as warriors.
「Cooldown for all skills is removed for 5 minutes.」
The pocket watch was a Double Numbered Item.
It would normally reduce cooldown by 70%... but it had a special effect for dwarves.
She must have all her core items.
She was a 9th-floor explorer, after all.
So, what was her signature skill again?
「Titana Akuraba has cast [Bloodsucking Spike].」
Ah, that's right.
A 2nd-grade skill with low MP cost, decent damage, and MP drain.
Its only drawback was the long cooldown.
Whiiiiish!
A giant spike shot towards me.
I would have dodged it... but the paladin and the knight were blocking my escape routes.
Kwaaang!
I blocked it with my shield.
It was a physical attack, despite being an ability.
My arm ached, but I could endure it.
The problem was that it left me open.
The paladin and the knight seized the opportunity and attacked.
Kwaaang!
One attack felt like my body was on fire.
Kwaaang!
The other one shattered my bones.
His [Divine Avatar] had doubled his Strength.
'Okay, let's abandon defense.'
I quickly changed my strategy.
If I was going to get hit anyway...
It was better to attack than defend.
Kwaaang!
I blocked the major attacks with my shield and focused on swinging my hammer.
The other three responded by unleashing their full power.
And...
"Wake up and grab your bow!"
The Vice-Captain rejoined the fight.
Kwaaang!
My armor was damaged, and...
Whiiiiish!
Stab!
An arrow pierced my flesh, adding to my injuries.
Whoosh!
The heat from the Blast Furnace Hammer was unbearable.
Kwaaang!
The paladin's mace shattered my bones.
Ah, they were actually shattering and regenerating in real time, right?
Well, it probably was.
But...
"Why... are you smiling?"
I smiled.
I had expected this to be a tough fight.
Whoosh!
I spat out the blood that had pooled in my mouth from biting my tongue.
It wasn't acidic blood anymore...
But it was enough to obscure their vision.
"...That monster."
"I have to admit, you're stronger than me."
The knight finally acknowledged my strength.
"But you can't fight all four of us at once. Give up."
What? Give up?
They were the ones who were exhausted.
And I still had plenty of MP left.
「Character has cast [Soul Dive].」
「Soul Power is regenerated proportionally to the amount consumed.」
My depleted MP was instantly replenished.
The battle continued.
And after a long time...
"Why... won't he fall?"
The knight, who had been urging me to surrender, muttered in disbelief.
"You're like a bottomless well..."
The paladin also seemed confused.
"Stop it. You can't win."
The dwarf, tired of my stubbornness, spoke.
"Let's forget about the agreement. How about we end this here?"
The archer seemed like he just wanted this to be over.
But...
"You're all... so talkative."
I focused on one thing.
"Are you... scared of losing?"
What I could do.
What I had to do.
And...
"Just fall already!"
What I had always done.
「Titana Akuraba has cast [Bloodsucking Spike].」
「James Kala has cast [Piercing Light].」
「Jun Arsene has cast [Healing Touch].」
I endured, and endured, and endured.
And then...
「User does not have enough Soul Power to cast the skill.」
「User does not have enough Soul Power to cast the skill.」
「User does not have enough Divine Power to cast the skill.」
The one who stands last is the strongest.
-x-X-x-
My head throbbed.
My stomach churned, my lips were parched, and my throat felt dry and scratchy.
But the discomfort was secondary to the question that filled my mind.
'Why am I here?'
James Kala, the Vice-Captain of the Sawtooth Clan, gasped for air as if he had just been resuscitated.
"Huh...!"
He looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling.
A luxurious wooden ceiling with intricate patterns, a dazzling chandelier hanging from it.
As he tried to piece together his fragmented memories, a man's face appeared before him.
"You're awake."
Jun, the paladin from the Tovera Church.
He had thought the paladin was quite handsome when he first saw him—
"Ah...!"
His last memory flashed before his eyes, and James sat up abruptly. He quickly asked the paladin, who had dodged his flailing body just in time,
"What... what happened to the fight?"
The paladin smiled awkwardly.
"You already know, don't you?"
"Then..."
"Yes, we lost. He was truly strong, in many ways."
Unlike the paladin, who seemed indifferent, James couldn't help but sigh.
"Are you having trouble accepting defeat, Sir Kala?"
"That's not... it's just... I don't know what to tell the Alminus Trading Company and the Explorer's Guild. They supported me..."
"Just tell them the truth."
"That we lost to a barbarian after ganging up on him four to one? And that we have to let him be the leader? How can I possibly... Wait, why are you laughing?"
"Ah, my apologies. The word 'barbarian' just struck me as funny."
James realized his mistake.
He shouldn't have spoken ill of the victor.
It must have sounded like he was trying to belittle him, like the despicable people he had often encountered as Vice-Captain.
"You still don't acknowledge him, do you?"
"That's..."
James trailed off and then answered in a bitter tone.
"No, I do."
He meant it.
He had initially been prejudiced against him because of his first impression.
"He's... a clever man."
The paladin nodded in agreement.
"Yes, he is."
"Looking back, we were played from the beginning. We underestimated him. We thought he was just a brute..."
"Indeed. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I didn't expect us to lose. I still have much to learn."
James agreed with the paladin.
If he had investigated him more thoroughly when he first heard the rumors... things might have been different.
"The problem is, I don't know how the others will react. Where are Sir Kaislan and Senior Akuraba?"
"They're in separate rooms. They were unconscious when I last saw them. They were more severely injured than you."
"...I should go see them."
They went to the infirmary.
The priests had already healed their injuries, so they just had to wait for them to regain consciousness.
James sat down and waited, and Titana Akuraba soon opened her eyes.
"You have that look on your face... I guess we lost."
She didn't ask any questions, unlike James.
She just sat there in silence for a while, and then asked where the others were.
"You're awake, Senior Akuraba. Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. But... where is he?"
"I don't know. Maybe he's giving us time to recover."
"He wouldn't be that considerate."
Akuraba's blunt words lightened the mood. They chatted for a while, and then Kaislan regained consciousness.
"...What... what happened to him?!"
It was time for a serious discussion.
____________________
"So... we lost."
Kaislan muttered, his voice filled with deep regret and anger.
He clenched his fist.
"I won't accept it."
"You're refusing to accept defeat?"
"No, I'm not that foolish. But losing is one thing, and letting him be the commander is another."
"Are you saying you're going to break the promise you made in front of the Marquis?"
Kaislan flinched at the mention of the Marquis's name, but he didn't back down.
"Would you accept it? Thirty lives! And not just any lives, the most talented individuals in the city! Are we going to entrust their lives to someone who only relies on brute force? I can't stand by and watch, even if it's for the greater good!"
James sighed. He hadn't expected Kaislan to be this stubborn.
"Are you saying you're more qualified than him in every other aspect?"
"Not just me, but all of us. We're better than some unknown barbarian!"
"I see. Then can you explain why?"
"Why? Didn't we have a deep conversation about the ideal leader? No one mentioned strength."
"That's true."
James agreed with the knight.
A leader shouldn't be the strongest, but the one who can wield the strongest.
But...
'It's pointless to argue. We lost, and the Marquis has already made his decision.'
James had already accepted the situation and was thinking about how to minimize the damage.
"I don't think he's less qualified than us."
"...What?!"
"I'm not saying he's the best candidate. But I don't think he's worse than us."
James genuinely meant it.
If they had had time to prepare and fought him seriously from the beginning, the outcome might have been different.
But...
'It's too late now.'
"We lost, and he won. Do you know why?"
The knight glared at him, but James continued.
"Because we lacked information. He knew everything about us. Our essences, our equipment..."
"He just got the information from the Marquis!"
"That's the scary part, isn't it? We didn't even know who we were going to meet, but the Marquis did."
Kaislan didn't respond.
"So you're saying you're okay with him being the leader? You're all going to just accept it?"
James looked at Titana Akuraba.
But...
"I'm not that different."
She didn't agree with the knight.
"...Are you scared of the Marquis?"
"Not really. It's just... I don't think he's worse than us."
"What?!"
Kaislan was dumbfounded.
"I was impressed by his meticulousness."
"Meticulousness...?"
Kaislan seemed offended by the word.
"Yes, meticulousness. He acted like he didn't know anything about us, even though he did. And he provoked us into attacking."
And not just that.
He had also been meticulous in his use of skills during the fight.
He had saved his trump cards until the most opportune moment.
James Kala was a prime example.
He had been the first to fall, leaving the other three to bear the brunt of the attack.
"And his combat instincts are amazing."
"...He's a natural."
They had tried to burn him down, but they were the ones who got caught in the flames.
And he had smiled in satisfaction.
"I thought he was just fighting instinctively, but now I realize he was making calculated decisions."
"Are you saying he was being rational when he smashed Kaislan's head with his hammer after losing an eye?"
"He gained more than he lost. The front line collapsed after that."
James and the paladin exchanged compliments, and Kaislan gritted his teeth.
He couldn't understand them.
'What's wrong with them?'
They were acting like they didn't care about the commander position.
He suspected they might have made a deal with the Marquis behind his back...
But the conversation continued.
"I was most impressed by his determination."
Ha, now it was determination?
Kaislan scoffed, but the paladin continued.
"As Kala said, he wasn't overwhelmingly stronger than us. But he still challenged us."
He had been beaten to a pulp.
His bones were shattered, his insides were cooked, and he even lost an eye.
But he never fell.
He pushed through the flames, spat blood, and swung his hammer even with a dislocated shoulder.
"Can any of you do that?"
"..."
"I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've never seen anyone fight with such unwavering determination."
He hadn't enjoyed the pain.
He must have been suffering.
Anyone would have understood if he had given up.
He was at his limit.
"In that situation, most people would start making excuses. They would try to convince themselves that they had done enough, that it was time to compromise."
But he didn't.
How was that possible?
The paladin, a devout follower of God, attributed it to faith.
"It was his faith. He believed in himself, that he wouldn't fall. That's what allowed him to overcome the trial and achieve victory."
"So you're saying you're okay with him being the commander, Jun?"
The knight asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
But the paladin answered without hesitation.
"Yes. If I have to follow someone, I would choose him."
"..."
"He'll be the one who stands strong, even when everyone else falls."
It seemed like the paladin was truly smitten.
James and Akuraba were hesitant to object. James was worried about the Marquis's reaction, and Akuraba felt obligated to keep her promise.
"Just accept it. We lost. He didn't even complain when the unconscious Vice-Captain rejoined the fight. That was practically cheating."
"He must have thought we wouldn't be convinced otherwise."
With three of them agreeing, Kaislan couldn't do anything.
'Thankfully, he didn't challenge the result and ask the Marquis for a rematch. Knowing his personality, he wouldn't have allowed it.'
James was relieved that he had avoided a potential conflict.
But there was still one problem.
"I won't say anything more. But remember this, you're making a mistake. As I said, strong discipline and control create a strong group. I doubt he has that kind of leadership."
The knight was stubborn, refusing to acknowledge the victor.
He seemed like the type who would cause trouble at the first opportunity...
And that could be a problem in the labyrinth.
But...
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Ah, it seems like everyone is awake."
The door opened before anyone could answer, and a man entered.
James felt a sense of relief.
"You're all my subordinates now, so speak comfortably."
The man chuckled, even though he had never used honorifics before.
He looked at the knight and tilted his head.
"Hey, knight, why are you glaring at me like that? Did you hit your head too hard?"
It was a surprising sight.
The knight, who had been shouting about the importance of control...
"Answer me. Did you?"
"N-no, sir..."
...was now looking down.
As if it was the most natural thing in the world.
-x-X-x-
I stared at the knight, who had been glaring at me, and then changed my expression.
"It seems like I was mistaken."
My softened expression made him sigh in relief, but he still looked confused.
"Ah, I'm glad there's nothing wrong with your head."
I then checked with the other three if they had any objections to me being the leader.
They had all agreed to the bet in front of the Marquis, but you never know.
Additional treatment might be necessary.
But...
"None."
"Same here. That was the bet."
"Since it's settled, please call me if you need anything."
Surprisingly, the other three, except for the knight, didn't object at all.
Were they all so cool-headed?
I thought at least one of them would be greedy, considering their own interests and the political stakes involved.
Well, I'm glad my workload has been reduced.
"It's good to hear that there are no objections. Then I'll be going."
"Yes? Going?"
As I turned to leave, the four of them looked at me with puzzled expressions.
They must have thought we would discuss something now that the leader had been decided...
"I'm hungry."
"...?"
"I'll see you later."
I left the room, ignoring their dumbfounded expressions.
It was a kind of build-up.
I wasn't going to live as Lihen Schuitz forever, and my identity would be revealed in three months anyway.
I had to show them this side of me beforehand so they could understand when the time came.
'He acted like a barbarian, so that's why he was like that.'
"You're back."
I went to the Marquis's office.
I had to report to him before leaving.
"How did it go?"
"It went smoothly. Nothing special happened."
"They all agreed?"
"They didn't have a choice."
"That's... true. If you need anything, let me know."
"I'm counting on you."
That concluded the interim report—
"Ah, and one more thing."
"...?"
"There will be a founding ceremony soon, now that the commander has been decided."
"A founding ceremony?"
"We need a place for everyone to meet and get to know each other before entering the labyrinth. The sponsors who participated in this plan will also want to see you." ŖÀꞐоβΕṥ
"When is it?"
"I'll let you know as soon as the schedule is finalized."
It was a bit ridiculous.
There were only ten days left until the labyrinth opened, and they were planning to hold a founding ceremony and then immediately enter the labyrinth?
This was like trying to cook beans over a lightning strike.
'I wonder why they're in such a hurry.'
I briefly wondered, but the answer was obvious.
'They probably wanted to avoid the 15th, the easiest time for information to leak to Noark.'
They wanted to minimize information exposure.
I asked a few questions about the ceremony, and as expected, they said it wouldn't be a large-scale event with hundreds of people due to security concerns.
"Okay, I understand about the ceremony, but what about my teammates? Will I be able to meet them then?"
"They'll be there. If you want, I can arrange a meeting tomorrow."
"Then please send them to my house tomorrow."
"I'll do that."
The Marquis readily agreed.
Had we finished our conversation?
I was about to wrap things up when the Marquis suddenly brought up a new topic.
"There's one more thing I'd like to ask you."
"What is it?"
"About the bet you made at the dinner..."
The Marquis paused and asked,
"Were you really confident that you could win against all four of them?"
"Why are you asking?"
"I'm curious. You read the documents I prepared, so you must have known their skills. I thought you were confident you could easily defeat them."
"And?"
"But that wasn't the case. Do you know how worried I was?"
I understood what he was asking.
Why did I make such a reckless bet if I was going to barely win?
I decided to be honest.
"You're right, Marquis."
The reason for my victory was the 7th-grade Undead engraving.
The special stat, 'Recovery Power', that increased healing and regeneration efficiency.
Without it, my natural regeneration wouldn't have been enough to endure for so long.
And most importantly...
I might have run out of MP first.
Recovery Power also applied to MP regeneration.
It increased the amount of MP recovered by [Soul Dive].
That's why I thought I could win against them.
But...
"I wasn't completely sure I would win."
Still, I wasn't 100% confident.
After all, that's how battles are.
There are countless examples of people getting knocked out by a lucky punch.
"I don't understand. Why would you make such a reckless bet if you weren't sure?"
"Well, why do you think?"
I shrugged and left the room.
After all...
'If I lost, I was planning to refuse to accept it and demand a rematch.'
You always have to have a backup plan.
_______________________
The next day at lunchtime, the two new teammates arrived at my house.
"You must be Lihen Schuitz. Nice to meet you. I'm Liard Ashid, a 3rd-grade mage from the Rengman School."
A 30-something mage with a friendly face and a surprisingly tall stature for a mage.
And...
"You're young. I'm Gruold Aldidi."
A 60-something ability user who looked much younger than I expected.
"It's nice to meet you both. I'm Lihen Schuitz."
"...Are you from the military?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"You speak so informally."
Was he trying to get some respect by bringing up his age?
I briefly wondered, but didn't dwell on it.
It wasn't important.
"Aldidi, if you came here expecting a typical explorer team, you should leave now. We'll be operating under the military for a while, and that means a strict hierarchy."
It's always best to establish dominance from the start.
My firm words made Gruold Aldidi, or Didi for short, back down.
"Haha, of course not. I was just curious. I've been an explorer for this long, I'm used to working under younger people. It's no big deal."
"That's good to hear. Mage..."
"Liard Ashid. You can call me by my first name or last name, whichever is more comfortable."
"Then I'll call you Ashid. Ashid, do you agree with him?"
"Of course. In our mage society, it's natural to be treated based on your skills. And besides... this is a great opportunity for me."
"Opportunity...?"
"We've already been promised generous rewards just for joining the expedition force. And I heard from the Marquis yesterday... you're the expedition leader, Schuitz?"
Ah, the Marquis had already told them.
"It seems like we've found a good sponsor. We'll have more opportunities to earn achievements if we're on the leader's team. Don't you agree, Aldidi?"
"Hmm, I suppose so..."
Ashid smiled gently and asked, and Didi coughed and nodded.
I looked at them.
'They both seem decent.'
Mage Ashid,
I hadn't talked to him much, but he seemed competent.
Well, most mages were intelligent, but...
Social skills and intelligence are two different things.
'And the old man doesn't seem stubborn.'
Of course, Ashid played a role in that.
He subtly emphasized their subordinate status by mentioning the opportunity and the expedition leader position.
"If you're done with the introductions, would you like to meet the other two?"
Ashid cautiously asked, and I nodded.
Erwen and Amelia introduced themselves.
"I'm Erwen Fornachi di Tersia."
"Emily Raines."
They were surprised when Erwen introduced herself as the Blood Spirit Marquis, but they just tilted their heads when Amelia introduced herself.
But...
'It's good that they didn't ask any unnecessary questions.'
Hmm, it seems like I got lucky with the recruitment.
"Come on in."
I led them inside.
I had ordered a lot of food, anticipating their arrival.
"By the way, I forgot to ask. Have you eaten?"
"We haven't. We thought we might be having lunch together."
"It's better to have an empty stomach when you have important matters to discuss."
Okay, so they're both hungry.
"We don't have much, but eat as much as you want. We can talk while we eat."
We all sat down at the table and started eating and chatting.
"This food is delicious. Who made it?"
"Haha, I did. Thank you."
"No, thank you for the meal."
"Oh my, it's nothing. Ho ho."
Ashid and Erwen's friendly banter lightened the mood.
I just focused on eating.
It wasn't like I had made the food.
I had bought it all from a restaurant this morning.
Ashid's claim wasn't entirely a lie, though.
He had arranged the food on the plates and set the table.
'If Misha were here, she would have insisted on making the food herself...'
I briefly thought of Misha, and then I sighed.
It felt strange to be welcoming new teammates.
'By the way, we haven't discussed their experience yet.'
I actively participated in the conversation and started asking questions.
There wasn't much difference from what I had heard from the Marquis.
"I last entered the labyrinth seven years ago. I was part of a clan for about five years, but it disbanded, so I've been focusing on research at the Mage Tower."
"Why did you decide to come back?"
"Same reason as everyone else."
A better life.
More opportunities.
Those reasons were much more convincing than any strange ideals or beliefs.
"What can you do in the labyrinth?"
"For a mage, it's more important to know what you can't do than what you can."
Ashid smiled and shared his skills.
"I can only use 5th-grade or higher curse magic in a limited capacity. Support and auxiliary magic up to 4th-grade. I can use most other magic, except for those unique to other schools. Ah, I'm also knowledgeable about gathering and materials since I'm interested in the labyrinth."
Ashid was a jack-of-all-trades.
He might be lacking in curse and support magic, but it wasn't a major weakness.
"If you're asking what I'm best at, it would be attack magic."
"What element?"
"I don't think I have any particular preference."
Wow, he's really versatile.
"Is the Rengman School specialized in combat magic?"
"No, it's actually focused on curse magic."
What? That's interesting.
He went to a curse magic school, but his best skill was attack magic?
There must be a story behind it...
"If you don't have any more questions for me, I'd like to hear about Aldidi's skills."
Ashid smoothly passed the turn to Didi before I could ask about his story.
'...Was that intentional?'
Well, even if it was, I didn't mind.
I wasn't planning to pry into his personal life.
"I'm a healer."
Healer was a subcategory of ability users.
Those who mimicked priests' healing abilities were called healers.
Those who could replicate mages' firepower were called spellcasters.
Spellcasters who used poison were poison masters, those who used fire were flame masters.
Those who specialized in buffs were support ability users.
And those who specialized in curses were curse ability users.
It was a common classification system, and it became more detailed and complex as you climbed higher in the labyrinth.
If I were to submit a resume to the guild, I wouldn't write 'barbarian warrior', but 'guardian'.
"A healer... that's a good balance."
Ashid seemed pleased with Didi's profession.
It was understandable.
Erwen's role as an archer was well-known, and Amelia's attire, with her leather armor and daggers, made her profession obvious.
And they had heard about me from the Marquis.
"I mostly have healing abilities, but I also have two support skills."
It meant he had buff-type skills.
Didi then explained his essences and how he used them, and then it was our turn.
Of course, we didn't need to go into detail about our essences since we weren't ability users who needed to coordinate our skills.
We just had to tell them our roles and what we could do.
And Amelia's 'Aura', 'Self-Replication', and Erwen's 'Darkness Spirit' were the only special things we had to mention.
"I think we've covered most of the important information. What are your plans for the future?"
"We should start practicing together. We'll need to coordinate our movements."
"Yes, do you have a training ground you usually go to?"
"I did, but it closed down recently."
"Then I'll find a suitable place. Ah, we'll need to contact each other in writing, so can I get your addresses?"
"Here you go."
This is what it's like to have a competent secretary.
Ashid took care of all the trivial matters, so I didn't have to worry about them.
We started practicing together at the training ground from the next day onwards.
And time flew by...
"Schuitz, the Marquis contacted me."
The day of the founding ceremony had arrived.
'How do they get things done so quickly?'
It was three days before the labyrinth expedition.
-x-X-x-
The founding ceremony was held in an empty mansion in the Imperial City.
It was a place that a certain count had been using as a villa, but he had to put it up for sale due to financial difficulties.
There was no need for a lavish ceremony, so they just set up a banquet and invited thirty expedition members and their sponsors.
And...
'It ended quickly.'
The formal part of the ceremony only took about 40 minutes.
The sponsors, including the Marquis, gave speeches encouraging and supporting the expedition.
"I'm sure you've heard enough about saving the country and being heroes, so I'll keep it short."
"Kill a lot."
"And earn a lot."
My speech, as the expedition leader, only lasted about 10 seconds.
The banquet followed the ceremony.
The sponsors included the Prime Minister, Duke Keallunus, a coalition of minor nobles, the Three Gods Church, the Alminus Trading Company, and the Explorer's Guild.
It was a gathering of influential figures, but the atmosphere was far from festive.
The food was plentiful, but it had been prepared in advance and was cold.
There was no orchestra, no servants to refill drinks, and no spectators to witness the event.
But no one complained.
Everyone knew...
This wasn't a place for laughter, music, and drunken revelry.
"It's an honor to meet you, Schuitz."
"I heard you fought four of Noark's guys at once? How did you win?"
"Four of them? What are you talking about?"
"Ah, you were on Sir Kaislan's team, right? Didn't he tell you about what happened?"
"It's been a while, Blood Spirit Marquis."
I was just sitting there, but countless expedition members came up to me and greeted me.
This is what it's like to be in a position of power?
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Lihen Schuitz, the expedition leader. What's your name?"
"Bentis Gerold. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I didn't turn anyone away and greeted them one by one, trying to memorize their faces and names.
They were the people whose lives I would be responsible for.
I had to know who they were.
As I was exchanging greetings, a familiar face approached me.
"I never thought I'd see the name Lihen Schuitz again, especially not at the founding ceremony."
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Bersil Gowland."
Wow, I didn't expect to see her here.
"I'm Lihen Schuitz."
"You probably don't remember me, but I—"
"I know who you are. You were the Vice-Captain of the Laレール Clan, right?"
I first met this woman when the 1st-floor Crystal Cave was in chaos.
They needed fifteen more spots for the teleportation magic, and she used dice to choose who would be left behind.
Our team was one of the unlucky ones.
Damn, it was a nightmare trying to break through with those fifteen people—
"Thank you for remembering me, but I'm not the Vice-Captain anymore."
Bersil smiled bitterly and continued in a self-deprecating tone.
"I slept for too long. When I woke up, my position was gone."
"Ah... You were caught in the explosion, right?"
"Yes. I was unconscious for over a year."
"I'm glad you're awake."
"Yes... If it weren't for the 'Agent', I would still be in that state..."
The 'Agent' was the High Priest of the Tovera Church's alias.
He was known to be the best healer in the city, even surpassing the paladins.
'But her tone is a bit strange...'
Her face and expression were also gloomy.
It didn't seem like she was grateful to the one who saved her.
"Bersil Gowland, what team are you on now?"
"I'm on the 4th Team."
"4th Team..."
The 4th Team was led by the paladin, Jun.
According to the information the Marquis had given me, the team consisted of four members, all from religious factions.
But now there was a mage on the team?
'She must be in debt.'
I could guess her situation.
And she must have realized that I had figured it out.
She looked at me with a meaningful gaze and nodded.
"...You're different from what I expected."
"What did you expect?"
"You wouldn't ask that if you had heard that speech earlier."
Haha, a short and impactful speech is the best.
That's what I learned from the principal's lectures in middle school.
"Are you going to talk to her all day?"
Erwen interrupted us.
"Blood Spirit Marquis."
"It's been a while. The last time I saw you, you were abandoning us."
"...I regret that. I really do."
"You should. Look what happened because you ran away."
Bersil glanced at me and then bowed her head before leaving.
"Good job."
Erwen smiled, as if she had done it for me.
I just chuckled.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Pike Neldain."
As soon as Bersil left, the other members swarmed around me again.
I greeted them and exchanged brief conversations.
The Marquis had only given me a list of twenty members.
It meant that the other teams weren't finalized yet—
'What? Why is he here?'
As I was greeting the members I hadn't met yet, a familiar face caught my eye.
"...Sven Parab."
The Vice-Captain of the 2nd Paladin Order of the Leathlas Church.
He was sitting in a corner, sipping his drink with a troubled expression. He looked a bit surprised to see me.
"You know me?"
Of course, I did.
I had seen him several times at the church, and I was certain he was the one behind the 'Goblin Mask'.
"Don't underestimate the Marquis's information network."
"...I wouldn't dare."
"That's good to hear."
"If you're going to stay here, I'll—"
"Let's talk."
"Yes...?"
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, of course not..."
He said that, but his face clearly showed his displeasure.
Or rather, nervousness?
"Did Jun tell you about me?"
"About the bet? Yes, I heard."
Ah, so that's why he's so tense.
He must have heard about the fight.
"But why are you here...?"
"We'll be entering the labyrinth together soon. I just wanted to greet you. We'll be working together inside."
"Y-yes, I look forward to it."
I left Sven Parab after a brief conversation.
I felt a strange mix of emotions.
'This is going to be a problem...'
Sven Parab was the Goblin Mask.
It meant he was likely to reveal information about the expedition force at the Round Table.
'Why did they choose him?'
Damn it, how can I shut him up?
I could pretend to suspect him of being an evil spirit and keep an eye on him every 15th.
Then he would be forced to log out immediately.
'...I'll think about it later.'
I continued greeting the remaining members, including those I hadn't received information about from the Marquis.
Sven Parab was a negative variable... but there was also a positive aspect to this situation.
I can't emphasize this enough.
No Hans, no pain.
There was no Hans on the team.
It was a good sign.
_______________________
The banquet continued until evening, and then the founding ceremony officially ended.
But we stayed at the mansion.
Our existence was top secret.
Most of the expedition members were well-known figures, so they decided to stay here and practice together until the labyrinth opened.
'Practice... what a joke.'
What could possibly change in two days?
It would take weeks for the five teams to gather on the 6th floor.
They would forget everything by then.
So...
"It's best for each team to fight independently and help each other in emergencies."
That was the conclusion of our leadership meeting.
It would be inefficient and problematic to force everyone to move as one unit.
"But we should at least create a formation, just in case."
They decided to categorize the members.
Mages with mages, healers with healers.
They would be given different markings to distinguish their roles, and they would be trained on their positions in the formation.
It would be much safer that way.
"Warriors with shield markings will be on the outer perimeter, and those with sword markings will be behind them."
"What about the healers?"
"They'll be in the center, of course. They need to be protected so they can heal the wounded. Archers and ranged support will be positioned to protect the healers and mages."
Okay, this should be manageable in two days.
None of them were rookies.
They all had experience working in groups.
"Schuitz, are you listening?"
"...Of course."
Geez, I was just resting my chin on my hand.
There were only two commands for the expedition leader.
Independent combat for each team.
And 'Gather!' for the entire expedition force.
Well, there would be more commands later on, like 'Charge!', 'Focus Fire!', and 'Shield Wall!'
But for now, that was all.
"Then let's leave it at that for now, and we'll continue the formation training on the 6th floor. Or rather, what do you think?"
"I agree. Let's do that."
The meeting proceeded with them discussing and then asking for my approval.
After the meeting, James Kala, the former clan Vice-Captain, diligently trained the expedition force on the 'Gather!' command.
And two days later...
「Entered the 1st-floor Crystal Cave.」
It was time to enter the labyrinth.
_______________________
The Crystal Cave, shimmering with a faint glow.
All team members were wearing robes that concealed their identities.
They wanted to avoid attention.
Tadat, tadat.
The team's movement speed was surprisingly fast, despite having a mage and an ability user who weren't known for their physical abilities.
They both had their own ways of getting around.
「Liard Ashid has cast the 4th-grade transformation magic [Foxfire].」
The mage transformed into a ball of light and flew through the air.
And...
「Gruold Aldidi has used [Luberta's Dove Boots].」
The ability user relied on a Numbered Item.
Amelia looked at the old man running effortlessly beside her with a curious expression.
"...Is that a Numbered Item?"
"It's a 3000-series Numbered Item called Luberta's Dove Boots. It can only be used outside of combat, but... it's very useful for someone like me in the labyrinth."
"Won't you run out of Soul Power if you keep using it?"
"Haha, you underestimate ability users."
Ability users always prioritized Soul Power in their builds, so they had more MP than any other profession.
"Don't worry. I usually only use it up to the 3rd floor. It's difficult to use on the 5th floor because the passages are too narrow, and on the 6th floor... we'll be sailing anyway."
Having a high-level explorer on the team was definitely convenient.
He was prepared for everything.
'Maybe we can even speedrun this time?'
"Emily, increase the speed."
I gave a new order and felt a strange sense of excitement.
Whoosh!
The ball of light flew forward like a meteor.
Whiiiish!
Didi tilted his body and ran with his feet barely touching the ground.
"...Schuitz, why are you falling behind?"
"In, case, enemies, appear, from, the rear."
Damn, I'm out of breath.
"..."
I can't believe I'm the slowest one on the team.