(Rudeus POV)
As I recollected of what my vision was about, I got off bed and put on my clothes.
In the vision, Hitogami said something about a Labyrinth. If I recall correctly, there should be a large crystal paired with a Boss-Monster on the last floor as they call it.
Zenith and Paul used to go through those in their adventurer days, together with Ghislaine and other members of their party.
But to think that Zenith would end up inside one of those is almost too crazy.
Pray that the crystal is keeping her alive and not absorbing her life force while rooting her already.
I will go around Rosenburg and find some clues regarding any Labyrinths in the north.
***
(1 hour later)
No good. There used to be a labyrinth a five days away from here but was conquered by another adventurer group a few months ago.
And since there was no report about a human being stuck inside a crystal…
Unless…
I can already feel my blood boiling from the image in my head.
After knowing this world more deeply in those three years of adventuring, am I still able to have faith in the people? Better hope so.
Anyway, that leaves me with only one option. Find another labyrinth and check up on the crystals.
I don't have to fight the Boss-Monster if she isn't there, so this should be quick enough.
As I trudged through the streets of Rosenburg, lost in thought, the signals of a group of people pushed me out.
What part of my advice didn't they understand?
As I looked to my left, I met eyes with Sara and her group.
Wait, no. There is an additional person in their midst. And I think I met him before. Was it yesterday at the guild?
"Uuuugh. What do you guys want now?" I said, the annoyance overdramatically obvious.
"Jeez. Tone it down kid, will ya?" The newbie said to me, eyes narrowed with an arrogant tone of voice.
"And who might you be if I might ask?"
But Susanne went between us, hands in position to separate us.
"Wait wait wait, both of you, calm down."
"…tsk. Fine."
Lucky bastard. Today is not the day he ignites for the last time.
He seemed to take in her advice and calmed down, stepping before me.
Why do I 'know' what he's going to ask?
"Heard you wanted to gain some fame. These guys told me your reason for that, so I might be a little helpful to you."
'Here it comes.'
"How about it, kid? My party is famous around here as an S rank party specializing in labyrinth diving. And as you are already an A rank adventurer, you would benefit from joining us."
I rolled my eyes at his obvious reason for my consent.
"And what tells me that you aren't after my King class Healing Magic?"
That must've put him into a corner as he meekly scratched the back of his head.
After my little stunt with Timothy's arm, I was getting myself ready to get confronted by greedy people like him.
Greedy people… like Phillip. God, I'm already in a terrible mood. Why do I have to remember that now?
"Rudeus, come on. You can't keep being this cautious and skeptic all the time. If you want to accomplish what you came here for then taking this offer gets you a huge step-up." Susanne inquired.
"I'm being cautious with people because I was already betrayed once for my power."
I stepped back a little before pinching the bridge of my nose.
This is nothing but going in circles here.
"My apologies for asking so late, but what's your name again?"
"It's Soldat Heckler."
"So, I'm sure that you're aware that there are people who are after me. People with connections to several mercenaries and professional assassins."
"Aren't you exaggerating a bit? What could you have done to make them angry at you?"
I looked over to [Counter Arrow] to ask with a look if they told him. It doesn't seem that way, but it's understandable.
"My uncle is the head of the Notos Greyrat household in the Asura Kingdom. Therefore, he is afraid that I may snatch his position away. The assassins were after me, not them."
He looked at me with wide eyes before turning around to get confirmation. And he did get it.
"There is actually another faction that may hunt me in the future."
Everyone's eyes were aimed at me after I said that.
"Why do you think I didn't reveal my Healing Magic earlier to get the necessary attention?"
"…" no answer from him so I answered it for him.
"The Millis religion monopolizes their Healing Magic. I never learned the incantation past advanced level, it just evolved into that level without my notice.
What do you think will happen if people from Millishion discover that? They will hunt me for accusing me of having stolen their incantation due to my appearance similar to someone of the Demon race. Meaning, I have more than the Asura nobles to worry about.
Since there is the potential threat of two factions after me, do you really think you could handle taking that risk with your people as the leader?
Face it. Whoever I'm joining up with will have the same risk as those guys. And surely, you've seen how they ended up later."
He was speechless, and I could sense anxiety slightly growing inside him.
It's understandable. Who would risk their lives for a monster of a person they don't know a thing about? I'm basically doing him a favor by telling him all this.
"May I ask you a question back then?"
"... Go on."
"How do you intend to handle all of that alone?"
"By finding a way somehow."
"Your expression suggests that you are experiencing difficulty in keeping up with that pace."
I got a bit startled by that. What's wrong with my face? Is he talking about my scars?
No, wait. It could be about my insomnia. Surely, my eyelids got worse over the past weeks.
Inevitably I touched my face and checked if there was something else on it.
"See? Even with that great talent in magic of yours, there are things you can't do alone. And it's obvious by just looking at you."
Shit! I didn't think about that. Even if I try to, I can't prevent my own feelings from showing on my face.
"*Sigh*, what do I have to do to make you leave me alone?"
He then stepped before me and put a hand on my shoulder, an odd smile plastered on his face.
For a second there, I thought I saw Paul.
"I met many people like you, doing their own thing wanting some fame that brings them money and girls-"
"Both of which I don't need or want right now."
"Sure~" he said in a teasing tone.
Again, did I just see Paul talk to me there? The Buena Village Paul, of course.
"Did you ever think about how to prove your 'incredible' deeds to people? Or did you think just doing some sort of lonesome adventurer thing will get you anywhere?"
"…"
This is getting ridiculous. I can already see where he's going at, and I can't even see if he's dumb or a daredevil.
"… What is it that you want?"
"Join my party. There is a big chance for you to gain some fame, and given your circumstances, I'm willing to share that."
"What does your party say about that?"
"WE will take care of that once we're there."
Aaand red flag. He is a more terrible leader than I was… maybe not that much, but that is definitely not professional.
"*Sigh*, fine. But you will have to take the blame for your team once things get ugly."
"Well, I guess that's a deal then."
***
We were now entering the guild of Rosenburg.
Susanne and the others went for a different job and already wished me good luck.
Luck. It's the blessing I'm smooching off in this entire life and yet despise so much.
But enough of that, my mission has a clear road like never.
Since Soldat's group specializes in labyrinth diving, joining his group may result in a more efficient method than solo.
"Come with me. I need to introduce you to my team."
As I followed Soldat to a certain area inside the guild, gossip already started due to my action yesterday.
I think I saw the guy I crushed with my Gravity Magic as well, but as soon as he saw me he swiftly continued slurping his drink.
We neared the table a group of four people were sitting on. 3 men and a woman.
"Hey Sol, where have you been? And who is…"
The guy with a bald head and a scar on his head called out to Soldat but as he looked at me, he stopped.
The rest of the group also directed their eyes at me and just like the bald guy, recognized me from the incident.
They then directed their attention at Soldat with eyes that asked:"What the hell is HE doing here?" And guess what his answer was.
"I recruited him to our party." Soldat says as he puts a hand on top of my head, which I pushed away a second later.
Can he get any more bold?
"My condolences to the four of you. He already informed me about doing this without any of your consent." Once I said that, I bowed my head.
Signals of anger aimed at Soldat reached me paired with those of embarrassment from Soldat.
Hope he is a better fighter than an honest leader.
"Sol, are you sure about that? Sure, we need a competent Healer in our group, but what about what the kid went through?" The girl asked.
"As of now, he is well aware of his situation. Which is also the reason he stayed solo and went alone to that Luster Grizzly quest. But once you hear his story you will have nothing against it."
Wow. Is he seriously gonna guilt trip his team to let me join their party?
But as I had a deal with him, and me needing to go labyrinth diving with an experienced group, I went along with it.
Both of us sat down and Soldat immediately ordered both of us some alcohol. Apparently on me, since I have a big loot from the Luster Grizzly hunt.
"Well kid, we already know of your name and high-class Healing and Detoxification Magic. Is there anything else we should know about your skill sets besides the chantless ability?" The guy next to the baldy asked.
"Water Magic is at King class, Earth, Wind, Fire Magic at advanced, and Healing and Detoxification at King class as well. I also learned beginner class Barrier Magic. There is also Gravity Magic, as some of you may have heard. I also know Voice Magic and Disturb Magic, and two other branchless types of Magic. Other than that, there isn't anything else significant to say about me despite having been taught the use of a sword for a while."
"…"
He was dumbfounded. No, not just him, they all are. And by all I mean anyone who listened in this hall. The animosity practically fuming towards me.
"You're kidding, right?"
"What reason would I have to lie? And if I did, you all just have to scold Soldat for it."
As I was mentioning his name, the other looked at him again, eyes questioning him if it's true.
A little bit of laughter came from behind, and I came up with a little demonstration.
With my left index finger up, I shot out a little [Electric] that made everyone in this room shut up.
Soldat's group were the closest to witnessing my spell, and they all had their jaws dropped. Probably would've gotten their eyes wide as well if it wasn't for the bright light.
"It's quite useful honestly. Used it against a Water Saint swordsman once and the lightning practically coursed through his sword into his body. I don't even know if that was normal since he was the first one to react fast enough to it."
As I spoke out the few specialties my spell has, the silence continued. The bald guy even started to sweat.
The demonstration of a powerful element of nature can cause many people to fear it.
It was only until Soldat spoke again that the silence broke completely.
"He can show off his skills on our next quest before we assign him to our party." Soldat said, all in some kind of Serious-Mode.
"This is not an appropriate job to entrust a kid with, Sol." And as did the baldy, recovering from his frightened state like everyone else tried.
So, he attempts to convince them into joining them by doing an initial initiation.
"My apologies for intervening, but, what kind of job are we talking about?"
"It's about Snow Drakes that have been getting more active as of late. There is an extermination job that we planned to go to tomorrow."
"Snow Drakes, huh."
Snow Drakes, as their name implies, are lizard type monsters that live within caves of colder biomes.
They are sensitive to light and don't go outside unless it's absolutely necessary.
They should be at A rank, S rank if they fight in a hoard. They are wingless dragons covered in pure white scales.
Since this party specializes in jobs revolving about going into caves systems, taking this job suits their sets of skills.
And as one of them already said, they require a Healer.
Seems to me that Soldat used this chances to not only get a powerful new member, but also get prepared best for their mission.
Two birds with one stone. The only problem is that I'm the stone in this situation.
For now, I will merely convince the others and not steal all the work from them.
"As long as there is no problem for you, then I will join you as an additional contributor for now."
With a nod from each one of them, it was settled that I would join for their next mission.
///