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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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Being trusted by others is a pleasant feeling in itself.
It gives you a sense of mental satisfaction from sharing your knowledge, and a feeling of accomplishment, like you’re actually worth something.
Prieresil asking for my help was quite enjoyable, too.
Putting aside the fact that she was the top-ranked cadet, who wouldn’t feel good about being relied upon by a motivated junior?
We stopped by the snack bar.
Prieresil, explaining that she’d ended up in charge of procuring supplies as a result of our conversation, began scanning the neatly displayed items.
“What labyrinth were you assigned to?” I asked.
“A newly formed labyrinth at the edge of the desert region. It’s supposed to be ruins-like, but I don’t know the details,” she replied.
There was only one desert large enough to be called the “desert region” on the continent.
But the phrase “at the edge” was a bit vague.
How could they call it the edge without knowing where the entrance was?
Anyway, it wasn’t a place I hadn’t been to before.
I didn’t know the internal structure since it was a new labyrinth, but I knew what to watch out for in a desert labyrinth.
“Do you just want the answers, or do you want explanations too?” I asked.
“Explanations too, please!” she exclaimed.
Her enthusiastic attitude made the corners of my mouth lift involuntarily.
We needed a cadet like this on our side…
The three from my group, who had done nothing but chatter – and only one of them at that – came to mind.
Should I have subtly suggested we start preparing instead of staying silent?
…Should I prepare on my own, at least?
No, it would be better to prepare together.
I needed to gauge their level of knowledge.
Prieresil seemed deep in thought, debating whether to buy topical medicine or a potion.
“A potion would be better. In desert labyrinths, hydration is more important than dealing with monsters, and they’re generally not that difficult. You’ll be able to drink it as a substitute for water if you run out,” I advised.
I gave her my solution, shared some information based on my personal experiences, left her with the task of figuring out the rest, and left the snack bar.
I really needed to meet with those three again.
We needed to have a productive conversation, whether it was about formations, roles, or anything else.
I remembered them saying they’d return to their dorms before disbanding, so I quickly gathered the three.
“What is it? Did you forget something? Ask me anything! I’m totally ready to participate!” Chatty exclaimed.
You should cut down on the chatter, I wanted to say, but I knew that if Chatty stayed silent, the atmosphere would be unbearably awkward, so I swallowed my words.
“We haven’t really talked about the labyrinth exploration, have we? Shouldn’t we share our thoughts and strategies to make the exploration smoother?” I suggested.
“Ah! That’s true! Then let’s talk! What are our specialties!” Chatty responded.
“Right. Good point. Let’s decide on our roles first. I can’t use magic or holy power, but I’m confident in scouting,” I stated plainly.
A brief silence followed.
Even Chatty closed his mouth, seemingly displeased with the role of scout.
Well, some people felt that way.
There was a perception that anyone could be a scout.
It wouldn’t be a hindrance, though, would it?
Since everyone seemed to be assigned to new labyrinths, I could contribute effectively even at my level.
“It’s already decided, so let’s do our best. I’ll try my hardest. So, what are you guys good at?” I asked.
“Uh… well… I also specialize in scouting, so reconnaissance…” Wolf stammered.
Huh?
“I also focus on reconnaissance and first aid,” Gloomy added.
Huh?
…Seriously, you too?
“What about you?” I asked Chatty.
“I… uh… I’m… s-sorry…!” he stuttered.
“Are you also a scout?” I pressed.
“Uh… n-no… I specialize in… m-magic…” he finally confessed.
At least we avoided the worst-case scenario.
Or should I say, was it fortunate?
Three scouts and one mage.
We were an extremely unbalanced team, vulnerable to annihilation if caught off guard.
“…So, what do we do now? I never imagined three out of four of us would be scouts,” Wolf said.
“And the one we have is a mage. We don’t have anyone for the front lines…” Gloomy added.
“I… I can use magic armor…” Chatty offered weakly.
At least they were finally having a productive conversation, acknowledging the situation.
But I wasn’t going to offer any solutions.
They needed to figure it out on their own for it to truly sink in.
It wasn’t because I couldn’t think of a decent solution.
Really.
“Sh… Should we talk about our primary weapons? It doesn’t matter for the mage since he won’t be in close combat… I use daggers!” Chatty declared.
“…Me too, daggers,” Wolf agreed.
“Oh, me too,” I added.
“What… what armor do you use? I use leather…” Gloomy mumbled.
“Leather for me too,” Wolf confirmed.
“Leather is good for me too, if I wear any,” I added.
Silence.
It was such a perfect overlap that it was almost comical.
Even scouts used various equipment.
There were lightweight crossbows, spiked gauntlets, and more.
For armor, you could wear light armor to increase defense at the cost of stealth.
Swords were the most basic weapon, and anyone aspiring to be an adventurer would have learned to use them, but I never expected this much overlap.
Moreover, as inexperienced first-years, they probably hadn’t learned to use other weapons.
Warriors, who focused on physical training, could probably wield anything, but that wasn’t the case for us.
How could they expect to kill monsters with a flimsy, fluttering sword?
It was better to use the same weapon, even if it overlapped, than to use unfamiliar equipment.
“I can use other weapons too,” I said, taking a step back.
I could handle other weapons, even if I wasn’t proficient, and I was here to evaluate them anyway.
“Th… Then, could you possibly take the front?” Gloomy asked hesitantly.
“I can, but I won’t last long,” I replied honestly.
“It’s okay! We have three scouts, so let’s try to avoid monsters as much as possible! Just think of it as formally taking the front!” Chatty suggested.
Right.
That was the right approach.
Their first impression wasn’t great, but they seemed to have their heads on straight.
That was a relief.
Wolf was probably quiet because he was meeting us for the first time.
I thought he might look down on us since he was a Gold-rank, but he seemed to be blending in well.
“What about supplies? It’s better to discuss it together, right? Bandage-hyung, what do you think? Since you’ll be in the front, we’ll adjust to you,” Chatty said.
He had already given me a nickname.
“Bandages” felt a bit strange, so I told them my name.
So, they’d adjust to me?
Wouldn’t that just mean bringing more expensive potions?
They started brainstorming, offering various suggestions.
Since they were focusing on scouting, they seemed to have some basic knowledge, at least.
I had initially felt completely hopeless, but aside from having three scouts, the situation wasn’t bad.
…Maybe their initial bad impression was making their current behavior seem better than it was.
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We had a general idea of what to buy, but it felt insufficient.
What if we weren’t prepared enough and died?
Safety was paramount, even if it meant spending more money.
I insisted on bringing items they deemed unnecessary.
“…Hyung, you’re acting just like my dad,” Chatty commented.
“Huh? Why are you suddenly saying this?” I asked.
“My dad was a mercenary, you know? He’s similar to you. He always overpacks and says we need to be prepared for anything,” Chatty explained.
“…Isn’t that normal for a mercenary?” Wolf asked.
“No, he wasn’t like that before. He changed after spending a few months on the battlefield,” Chatty clarified, shaking his head.
“But hyung is acting just like him now. Considering every bad scenario and obsessively overpacking…” he added.
“No, think about it. We’re first-years, and this is the first time we’re leading a labyrinth exploration. Isn’t this level of preparation normal?” I argued.
My reasonable argument convinced them.
After the initial awkwardness, Wolf offered several good suggestions, and Chatty contributed some quality ideas as well.
Gloomy, however, just kept repeating, “Um…”
The discussion, heavily influenced by my opinions, finally concluded.
Wolf was tasked with procuring the supplies.
He volunteered enthusiastically, saying, “Then I’ll prepare everything!”
That’s right.
If there were five people, one would be useless, but there were only four of us.
That rule didn’t apply.
“Let’s do our best. Our goal is to return safely, without any injuries,” I said.
“Oh! Hyung sounds so cool! Should we put our hands together? Even though we’ll probably split up and join other groups after the labyrinth…” Chatty suggested.
“It’s important to start off strong… It’s not a bad idea to do a cheer. Shall we?” Wolf agreed.
“Um… uh… y-yes… then…” Gloomy stammered.
We had done something similar when the original Hero’s party disbanded.
Back then, I was physically and mentally exhausted, just wanting it to be over, but now it felt different.
It was probably because the people I was with were completely different.
Adventuring with strangers, with your backs against each other – I considered that the true joy of being an adventurer.
“Hyung, put your hand in! Or are you embarrassed? That’s not it, right?” Chatty teased.
“What are you talking about? I’ll shout the loudest! I’m always full of energy!” I replied, feeling strangely youthful.
Since I was a cadet now, I could enjoy this youthful feeling a bit, couldn’t I?
We raised our joined hands and shouted a cheer.
My voice was indeed the loudest. Oh, how embarrassing.
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[Just finished a 13 hour shift and i read such a wholesome chapter lmao]
