Chereads / BOOK OF HIRUKO / Chapter 9 - Choice

Chapter 9 - Choice

- My friends, I think we should explore this dungeon by starting in groups of 10, as there will be 13 people in each group. I'd also suggest that each group should choose to have one person in close combat, one in ranged combat or one with an offensive magical style, as well as one healing warrior. So, if we could start by introducing ourselves... My name is Uli Philippe and my magic is of the half-distance variety. So I cover both close and distant combat. What's your name?

- ???: What kind of way is that to go about things? Where do you think you are, that we're going to trust you just like that? We don't even know each other, to remind you, and we don't come from the same place. I trust my team, with whom we qualified together in the pre-selections and in whom I've grown up a lot. So you can take your business elsewhere, sir,' says a soldier in his thirties, holding a large sword, accompanied by his three team-mates.

- Hiruko: He's not wrong. Revealing your powers like that to everyone when you don't even know each other and others might turn their backs on you in this dungeon, and after that you don't even know what instructions they've received from their kingdom. And it's not easy spending 3 days and 3 nights in a dungeon with someone you don't know.

-Goki: If I were them, I wouldn't get involved with just anyone and I'd rather do this job on my own.

*At the royal palace*

-Queen Adeline: So, you're back, Dorothy, as quick as ever. Have you finished your speech? I didn't know you could be so eloquent.

-Dorothy: You know, it's been hell for me. I like to have my tea and watch little birds by the hot baths.

-Reine Adeline: We were talking about a Kosuga, and coincidentally, he was the one who followed you first. I see, hahaha.

-Dorothy: It's not funny, but it'll be even funnier when he gets torn to pieces.

-Sir Kléon: You know they're allowed to quit, that's why we're here to rescue them. But they'll still be disqualified. All in all, I think it's better than dying stupidly.

- Dorothy: Oh dear, I forgot to tell them that you can quit in the dungeon. I'm going to kick myself for that.

- Sir Kleon: We all know you did it on purpose, you just like seeing other people get slaughtered, don't you?

-Dorothy: Far from it, I just wanted to motivate them a bit and it's never interesting to do a project knowing that you have a plan A and a plan B, it makes the first plan less feasible.

-Sir Kleon: They'll still have 3 days to spend inside.

-Queen Adeline: For a test of survival, it's the most difficult I've ever seen, apart from the one Sir Kleon put Natch through.

-Sir Kleon: No, not even that, Majesty, the candidates from 5 years ago were more competent, so we had to raise the bar, but this year's candidates will have trouble exploring this dungeon on their own.

-Reine Adeline: But we had to prepare several tests for them to get them used to working as a team.

-Sir Kleon: I don't support everything Lady Dorothy does, but they mustn't forget that they're taking a test to become Coalition soldiers. Trust and solidarity will be the things they'll have to work with to make sure they finish this dungeon, and those who rush into it alone always end up dead, unless they're very sure of ARIMA Tenbatsu.

-Dorothy: You've won if they manage to choose each other before the end of the day, I'm going to disqualify them all so nobody has to die.

-Queen & Sir Kleon: That doesn't solve anything.

-Queen: My prince, if you're not quiet, are you worried, are you still for your friend?

-Gabriel: I'm waiting to see what happens in this dungeon and how well the groups work together. I even think it will solve 2/3 of the challenge.

-Reine : You may be right, my Prince.

* at the entrance to the dungeon

- Hey, doesn't anyone want to team up with me? My name is Hiruko Kosuga. I'd love to do this dungeon with you and I'm good at teamwork. He said this as he begged the others to join him, but they refused.

-Ageel: 'I'd love to choose you, but you're too weak and you've made too much of a fuss, even in front of Chief Daimio. So you'll have to make do with your fine words.'

-HIRUKO: 'I didn't ask you to do anything! (he says, still angry).

-Ageel: hahaha, we're leaving with the other group. I think 7 of us will be more than sure to finish this dungeon.

The other candidates then chose each other and began to enter the dungeon.

-HIRUKO: After that, no one will want the three of us. And there won't be enough of us for this dungeon.

- Hey my friend, I'd like to join you to form a team. Says a man in his thirties.

-HIRUKO: Hmm, but you're too old, you must have failed several selection tests.

-HIRUKO: Ha ha, that's not nice, although yes, I have taken part in two selections and this is the third one for me. The man replied with a smirk.

-So you've been trying to join the coalition army for 15 years and you've never had a recommendation?' exclaimed Hiruko, Uli and Selene in astonishment.

- But yes, and if I fail this test, then I'll come back stronger after 5 years.

-HIRUKO: So...

-Selene: He gave up several times in the face of danger.

-Uli: I was told that the tests before joining the coalition army were renowned for their very high failure rate. That some candidates end up retiring but still want to take part.

-Unknown: The most important thing is not to give up, my braves. Believe me, I've got experience, being the eldest.

-HIRUKO, Selene, Uli: experience only in age!!!

-Uli: OK, we'll take you on.

-Selene: But you're not going?

Uli: It's true, we're short-staffed, he can only take a back seat, we'll do the work.

-HIRUKO: Well, you're the boss, mate.

-Thank you very much, dear comrades, and by the way, my name is FREDERICO.

-Hiruko: Nice to meet you, FREDERICO.

- ??? Hiruko: young lady, you are beautiful and magnificent. Let me be your protector in this dungeon and nothing will harm you. Instead of letting these three incompetents keep you company.

(This is how he addressed Selene.)

- SELENE: You, I'm going to insult, what gives you the right to approach me like that?

- I like them when they resist me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ismaël and you're all I need in this life full of romance.

- Get lost, stalker (Hiruko kicks him away from Selene )

-Ismael: You, it's obvious you have no taste for women.

-Hiruko: Shut up, I prefer slim women who know how to cook.

-Ismael: Fuck off, the slim ones are the best, especially when they come back tired from their day... it makes me...

- Shut up,' Selene punched them both in the head.

- You're caught!

-Hiruko & Selene: Uli, are we going to have a gathering of weirdos or what?

-Uli: We've got no choice and I'd like you to join us. There won't be two teams like these who can finish the course. All of us, even if you like to play it cool.

-Hiruko: What, you're proposing to him?

- Goki: You seem pretty sure of yourself. Do you have a magician who's good at healing?

-Ismael: I'm good at healing, don't worry about that, but on one condition.

-Goki: What's that condition?

- ISMAEL: Selena must be the first to benefit from my healing!

-HIRUKO: I'm already regretting Uli's decision.

-Goki: Hmm, okay.

-Hiruko: What? Did he agree?

-Uli: So each of you is going to tell me what your skills are, so I can use them in battle.

-HIRUKO: You already know about me and Selene, don't you?

- Uli: Yes, yes.

- And you, Frederico?

- FREDERICO: I've got a stick!

HIRUKO: Magic?

-Frederico: No, it's a stick that can be transformed into any kind of support weapon, like spears or shields. But it doesn't have enough strength for attack or defence like a normal Slaker. But also, I can carry equipment and even cook, because for three days, good soldiers will need to eat to keep their strength up.

-HIRUKO: I'm beginning to understand your usefulness, mate (he's happy, because he likes to eat).

-Uli: And you, Ismael?

-Ismael: I use a scimitar and adapt my style to that of the summoner, mixing in a bit of Samorai style.

-Uli: So it's a bit like the Paladin class.

- Goki and you? (asked Ismael).

-Goki: My katana will do.

-Uli: So I guess you're Samurai class.

-Goki, I think there are enough of us.

- HIRUKO: Well, it's Miguel... Hey, Miguel, would you like to join us? Your healing skills and heavy attacks will come in handy.

-Miguel : Unfortunately, I'll only be working in tandem with Konrad and he won't accept anyone else, apart from the two of us.

- But I can't see him, he's not here.

Miguel : He left first. I was waiting for a little extra modification to my weapon.

-HIRUKO : OK, but damage. Guys, let's go too, we've wasted enough time. And nobody's going to die.