It was so sudden and unexpected that I had to double-check to make sure I didn't hear wrongly.
"You want me to choose?"
'Is he in his right mind?'
Dungeon selection was one of the most important aspects a team had to go through before actually diving. One might even argue it was the most important aspect since success or failure would largely be dependent on the dungeon that was chosen.
If a boss was too weak, or too powerful, then all money invested in purchasing the dungeon would go down the drain.
I couldn't understand the reasoning behind his decision.
"Who else?"
But judging from Micheal's expression he seemed serious about this.
"Just have a look. I'm not asking you to decide. I'm just trying to get you familiarized with this."
A tablet appeared before me and I hesitantly reached out for it. Grabbing it and seeing that there were no objections, my brows relaxed and I looked through the listing.
Mirage Park, Candice Street, Black Throve Plaza, Mincity Street, and Clandice Plaza.
Only five?
That was a bit surprising. For Tier 1 ― Star Chasers this was rather low. Not that I showed it in my expression as I calmly analyzed the information displayed beneath.
— ●[Dungeon Selection]●—
[Mirage Park]
﹂ Ecosystem: Aquatic, Hellfire, Random
﹂ Ratio : 50%, 15%, 35%
[Price — 5,070,000]
[Clandice Street]
﹂ Ecosystem: Frost/Tundra, Grassland, Desert, Random
﹂ Ratio : 30%, 15%, 20%, 35%
[Price — 5,000,000]
[Black Throve Plaza]
﹂ Ecosystem: Frost/Tundra, Forest, Random
﹂ Ratio : 16%, 73%, 11%
[Price — 5,500,000]
[Mincity Street]
﹂ Ecosystem: Hellfire, Forest, Desert, Random
﹂ Ratio : 20%, 43%, 21%, 16%
[Price — 7,000,000]
[Clandice Plaza]
﹂ Ecosystem: Forest, Aquatic, Random
﹂ Ratio : 71%, 10%, 19%
[Price — 3,400,000]
— ●[Dungeon Selection]●—
This...
This was my very first time seeing the selection process taken when considering a dungeon, and I couldn't help but marvel at the probabilities shown beneath each location.
'Science sure has come a long way.'
The fact that we were able to detect the probability of certain ecosystems happening within dungeons that had yet to spawn was something that still stunned me. It may not seem impressive at first glance, but to those who truly understood dungeons, they'd know just how amazing such technology was.
In any case, the technology still wasn't perfect. We were still a long way from accurately depicting what type of environment would appear within each dungeon, but we were certainly getting closer to it.
It was information like this that made dungeon diving so much easier. So long as one was prepared enough, they'd be able to breeze through the dungeon, and the more cleanly, and faster the dungeon was cleared, the higher the ratings.
This was why selecting a dungeon was so important.
Ideally, a team should possess the capability to navigate and thrive in all thirteen available biomes; Aquatic, Highland, Frost/Tundra, Grassland, Desert, Marsh, Forest, Shrubland, Swamp, Chaparral, Mesa, Hellfire, and Savanna. However, such teams were rare. In most cases, some biomes proved more difficult than others.
'Mirage Park and Candice Street are definitely a no-go.'
With one quick look, I was already able to cross out two of the options presented in front of me. The 35% random spawn rate was far too high for my liking.
This left me with three other choices: Black Throve Plaza, Mincity Street, and Clandice Plaza.
The choice wasn't hard. I already knew what I wanted to select, but for some reason, I was reminded of the vision I had moments prior.
'If what in my vision stands true, one of them is a definite bust while another is a treasure trove. Which one is which?'
This was a hard choice.
"You don't need to think hard about it. Just tell me what you think?"
"Ehmm."
My eyes swam toward the prices listed below.
"Don't worry about the prices. All that is listed are the dungeons that we can afford at the moment. They should all spawn an Orange-ranked boss... Hopefully."
I looked up to see Micheal smiling wryly.
"Just like we can't tell if a movie will do well from the script, we also can't tell how well the dungeon will be without trying it first. The energy levels suggest they're all at Orange level, but you never know..."
"Right."
I nodded. For some reason, I was once again reminded to the vision I had moments prior. It couldn't be, right?
My gaze landed on Black Throve Plaza.
'This looks like the safest choice.'
It had the lowest probability of spawning a Random environment. There weren't many things we could control during a dive, but if there was one thing we could control, it was the environment in which the team would find themselves in. It was a no-brainer.
"So you also think Black Throve Plaza?"
"Also?"
I looked up at Micheal.
Did they already choose? Black Throve Plaza at that...? My mouth dried up all of a sudden.
"Yeah, that's what the team selected. I was going to ask for a different opinion, but you also think like them."
He retrieved the tablet from my hand, at which point I stopped him.
"Wait... That's not my choice."
"Oh?"
Why does he suddenly look surprised?
"Is there something that caught your eye?"
"Not, not really, but..."
It definitely isn't Black Throve Plaza.
I wanted to add but didn't.
If what I saw was right, going to Black Throve Plaza was akin to suicide for the team. Even though I didn't like the group I was assigned to, I still wanted to do my job correctly, and while I didn't fully trust the visions just yet, I couldn't ignore the string of coincidences that led me here.
"Black Throve Plaza may seem like the safest choice, but I believe that we should give more consideration to the other options."
Now. How was I going to convince them to choose the other options?
There was simply not enough information in the visions to tell me which one of the dungeons was the treasure trove, but if things stood correct, so long as we didn't go to Black Throve Plaza, it didn't matter if it wasn't a treasure trove.
At least, we'd be able to dodge a massive bullet.
"The other choices aren't bad either. If we look at Mincity and Clandice Plaza, they too have a low random spawn rate. Plus, there are different environments too. Perhaps they can be better to show off the team's main advantages."
If only I had a better understanding of the team composition.
I silently cursed to myself as I continued to analyze the information. If I knew how they worked and what they thrived at, I could've at least given a reasonable argument. I was just speaking without knowing anything about the team.
It was like I was trying to sell a product I had no knowledge of. Do you like this pen? It's... ehm, ballpoint? Nope, never mind, fountain. See the sharp tip...? Fuck, what is this?
Still, I had one goal, and one goal only. Stop them from going to Black Throve Plaza. So long as I managed to do that, my goal was accomplished.
My mind swam with many thoughts, and just as I opened my mouth...
"If you think about i—"
"Can you shut up?"
Uh?
Abruptly, a voice interrupted me, bringing my words to a halt. Startled, I raised my head and was met with a sea of eyes fixed upon me, each pair bearing a distinct expression of annoyance.
'Derrick was it?'
The one who spoke seemed to be Derrick. He was the leader of the team and the one who first spoke to me.
He turned to look at Micheal.
"Manager, we've already made the decision. Why are you letting this guy ramble on?"
"It's good to have him learn."
"Learn? What learn?"
He turned to look at me, a scowl visible on his handsome face. Standing up from his seat, he moved up to me and poked me on the chest. Fucking...
"Your job is to do what we tell you to do. Who do you think you are? Just because you got lucky and got selected to be a trainee manager in our group doesn't give you the right to suddenly participate in our discussion. You're a newbie, just sit back and stay quiet. What would you know about selecting a dungeon? Know your place."
'The hell is this guy on about?'
Before I even had the chance to respond, Derrick turned his attention to Micheal. At the same time, he poked me in the chest again. This time, with a little bit more force.
"And you. What were you even trying to accomplish by letting this nobody select a dungeon? Are you trying to kill us? You of all people should know just how important this is for us, don't fuck it up for us."
"...You're right."
Micheal didn't even bother arguing as he retrieved the tablet from my hand. At a glance, I could tell that he already seemed to be used to the situation.
His actions, or lack of, disappointed me as I closed my eyes for a brief moment and took a deep breath.
'Is this the reality of this industry?'
Staring at the scene that unfolded before my very eyes, I felt everything I had been chasing crumble before my very eyes.
The smiling faces on the screens, the kind charitable acts... all of it. Was it fake?
Was this how Star Chasers really were behind the scenes?
No, perhaps it's just them. Perhaps not, I didn't really care anymore.
Initially, I wanted to help them. Even though I didn't like them, they were the group I was assigned to. I wanted them to thrive and do a good job. I at least owed myself that much. But now... Now, I no longer cared.
'So be it, if the vision is true, they'll disband soon enough.'
"I'm sorry I overstepped my boundaries."
I suddenly spoke up, attracting the attention of everyone present. Gently removing my blazer and undying my tie, I walked to Micheal and patted him on the shoulder.
"Thank you for everything that you've done for me, but it looks like this isn't for me."
"Uh?"
Micheal looked at me with what could only be described as shock. I could only smile at him. He was a good manager, but his luck was terrible. To have been assigned to this group, I could only feel pity for him.
"You're leaving just like that...?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry."
I apologetically nodded my head while heading for the door.
Perhaps, other people would normally suppress their resentment and continue working, but that just wasn't me. It wasn't like I demanded respect from them, but at the very least, I didn't want to be disrespected so openly like that.
I understood where they came from, but at the same time, I was no pushover. Since they didn't want me, I wasn't going to stay. It's as simple as that.
"Are you running away?"
A mocking voice suddenly echoed from behind me. When I turned around, my gaze met with Derrick's and I nodded my head.
"Yeah. You can put it that way."
I reached out for the door and opened it.
Indeed. They weren't wrong. I was running away.
But not because I was scared.
"I wish you the best of luck. If chance allows, we'll meet again in the future."
Though I doubt it.
Clank—!
I left before I could even hear the reply.