Chapter 174 - 173: Old Teammate
"Very good."
Zelir scanned the group. "So we’re agreed?"
The three of them nodded in unison.
...
「The next day.」
「The Adventurer’s Association.」
The quest board was as deserted as it had been for days, with just a few ignored Low Level quests scattered across it.
Even the usual crowd had thinned out considerably, leaving the entire first floor feeling empty.
"Good grief... Have all the Adventurers found a place to hole up for the winter?" Zelir asked, glancing around the desolate hall. He wasn’t used to this.
"They’ve all left. Either they’ve gone home to curl up in front of a warm fireplace, or they’ve headed south to other towns," Marcus said.
"Other towns?"
"Yes, towns with more quests available."
Marcus elaborated.
"These towns are in special locations. They’re usually near large gathering places for Demons, like the Wailing Canyon."
"Or ancient ruins, like Storm Fortress. So even in the cold of winter, there’s no shortage of quests."
"Smarter Adventurers choose to go there in the autumn and winter to make money. Then, when spring arrives and the quests in Black Stone Town pick up again, they come back."
"If those places have more quests..."
Zelir frowned in thought, confused. "Then wouldn’t it be better to just stay there? Why bother coming back to Black Stone Town in the spring? It’s such a hassle to travel back and forth."
"Ha..."
Marcus chuckled.
"Because out of all the branches in the Northern Territory, Black Stone Town has the best atmosphere. There isn’t as much backstabbing and scheming."
"There’s still some friction, but overall, people follow the rules. Even if there are fewer quests, it’s a more comfortable place to be."
"Yeah, idiots like Drake are definitely in the minority here."
Gray knew a bit about this as well.
"If you go to other places, the ones with all sorts of unsavory characters, you’ll find out that Adventurers can do some truly shameless things..."
"For example, some teams will deliberately tamper with quest information to lure their rivals to the wrong location, getting them wiped out by more powerful Demons."
"Others will act like your best friend in a tavern to get your adventuring route out of you, then set up an ambush along the way and finish you off when you’re weakened from a fight."
"Not to mention the scumbags who specialize in extorting novices, or tricking rookies into being cannon fodder..."
"Is it really that bad...?" Zelir muttered under his breath.
"It’s even worse."
Marcus clapped Zelir’s shoulder, giving him a look that said, ’You’ll understand one day.’
A quick scan of the hall revealed no powerful Adventurers worth recruiting.
They were all Junior or Apprentice Level, completely unqualified for the Thousand-Teeth Rock Worm quest.
The group then walked over to the other side, which was reserved for Silver Level Adventurers.
The Adventurers here were much better equipped.
And while they didn’t have their levels written on their foreheads, you could tell at a glance that they were Middle Level Class.
You couldn’t fake that kind of aura.
Zelir first ruled out the Adventurers who were in established teams. Then, he saw a man sitting alone in the rest area.
The man wore a suit of protective Studded Leather Armor, with Chain Armor lining the parts the Armor didn’t cover.
A Longsword hung at his hip. It was about the same length as Zelir’s Fine Steel Longsword, but it was wider and thicker, more like a Heavy Sword. It would take at least two hands to wield it freely.
Zelir and Marcus exchanged a glance and both nodded slightly.
’He looks promising.’
Gray looked over as well, but his expression turned strange as he squinted, trying to get a better look.
’This guy... why does he look so familiar?’
"Hello," Zelir said, walking up to the man.
The man was looking down, stroking his Short Sword. He looked up when he heard Zelir’s voice.
"Can I help you?"
He looked fairly young, maybe twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with brown hair.
"My name is Zelir. Our party has taken on a subjugation quest for a [Challenge] rated Demon, the Thousand-Teeth Rock Worm. We’re looking for another member. Are you interested?"
"The Thousand-Teeth Rock Worm...?"
Hearing the words "Challenge Rating" and "Thousand-Teeth Rock Worm," the man’s face showed a flicker of interest.
But he glanced at the nearby quest board and, to be cautious, asked, "I don’t see a quest like that up there."
"It’s a private commission from the Alberti Clan. You’ve heard of the Alberti Family, right? They’re Nobility in Black Stone Town, so their credibility is guaranteed," Zelir explained.
"I see..."
The man nodded slightly, most of his doubts dispelled. "I’m interested. Tell me more."
"Right now, our party has four members: a Middle Level Warrior, a Middle Level Ranger, a Junior Mage, and a Junior Swordsman."
As Zelir spoke, he stepped aside to gesture at his teammates.
"Marcus."
"Valles."
The two of them announced their names in turn.
But Gray’s expression was strange. He let out a long sigh. "It really is you... Maki."
The man, now identified as Maki, also looked surprised to see Gray.
Immediately, his serious expression faded, replaced by a teasing, playful look.
"I didn’t expect it to be you, either... Gray."
"You two know each other?" Now it was Zelir’s turn to be surprised.
"More than just know each other. We were teammates once... but that was a long time ago."
Maki sized Gray up with great interest.
"I’m a little curious. If you’re forming a party to hunt a [Challenge] rated Demon, why are you bringing along a Junior Swordsman like Gray?"
"Now that’s just plain rude," Gray retorted with a dissatisfied pout.
"Because the Thousand-Teeth Rock Worm is surrounded by a swarm of Stone Maggots. We need someone to clear out the small fry," Zelir said.
"Well, that certainly sounds like a job that fits Gray’s abilities. Clearing out the trash."
Maki chuckled and stood up.
"Alright, let me introduce myself. The name’s Maki, a Middle Level Swordsman, and I specialize in the Two-Handed Heavy Sword. I’ve also worked in mines before, so I have a lot of experience dealing with this kind of Demon. I’m in."
"Wait..."
Gray quickly pulled Zelir aside. He glanced at Maki, then lowered his voice.
"Zelir, can’t we pick someone else? Do we have to choose him?"
"You heard him. He’s worked in mines, he has experience, and he’s the Swordsman we need. Who else would we pick?"
Zelir was inwardly amused to see Gray’s rarely seen look of frustration.
"Do you two have some bad blood between you?"
"Sigh, I wouldn’t say bad blood, exactly. It’s just that seeing him reminds me of the past..."
Gray sighed. "Fine, fine. If he’s a good fit, then let’s go with him..."
"What’s wrong, Gray?"
When Zelir and Gray returned to the rest area, Maki crossed his arms, his tone laced with ridicule.
"Were you secretly telling Zelir not to let me join? Still holding a grudge that I voted to kick you off the team back then?"
"I’m not that petty," Gray shot back with a sideways glance.