章 13: Chapter Thirteen: Would You Guys Please Stop Flexing
As Shirou and the others ventured into the dungeon, a rumor begin to quickly spread:
"If you see a group consisting of a human archer, a cowfolk warrior, a Pallum lancer, and an elven mage, steer clear unless you want to die."
"Huh? Are they that dangerous? What level are they?"
"I don't know their levels, but apparently, the Lv4 'High Novice' Raul is working as their supporter!"
As they entered the relatively safe first level of the dungeon, Raul spoke up: "Unless it's a matter of life or death, I won't interfere. Except for Lefiya, this might be your first time entering the dungeon, so this exploration is mainly to let you experience how the dungeon works."
Raul, carrying a large backpack, followed behind the group as their supporter, but his actual role was that of a guide and mentor.
A supporter is a regular member of an adventurer party, often the weakest one — typically a Pallum — tasked with carrying equipment, potions, and the loot obtained in the dungeon.
Having a Lv4 adventurer act as a supporter for a party's first expedition is not just a "top-tier Familia" privilege; it's a "top-tier familia rising star" level treatment. In reality, Shirou was the one benefiting from someone else's perks.
This expedition was organized and led by the Loki Familia, with the true focus being the Lv2 elven girl. She probably had some sort of rare magic or skill, leading her to be recognized as an adventurer with immense potential, hence the assignment of a high-ranking Lv4 adventurer like Raul to guide and protect her.
It was Finn, the Loki Familia's captain and a renowned strategist alias "Braver," who had thought to use this opportunity to let the next generation of his Familia bond with promising rookies from allied Familias. That's how this event was planned.
Besides Raul, there were four rookies: one from the Loki Familia, two from the Ganesha Familia, and one from the Hephaestus Familia. All three Familias had First Class Adventurers at Lv5 or above, with a combined total of almost 20 top-tier adventurers (7 from the Loki Familia, 11 from the Ganesha Familia, and 1 from the Hephaestus Familia).
Shirou Emiya speculated that the two rookies from the Ganesha Familia likely had rare skills as well.
In that case, wasn't it a bit too cruel to have Raul Nord — the "High Novice" — leading this rookie squad?
"Even though it feels a bit strange for me to say this but... a supporter is a vital part of any adventuring party. Some scummy adventurers might try to bully the supporter due to their strength advantage... but that's a one-way ticket to disaster." Raul explained.
These rookies wouldn't always have a Lv4 supporter at their disposal, so it was crucial for them to understand the importance of the role. In the dungeon, logistics are paramount; never underestimate a supporter, even if they are low level and less combat-capable.
A good supporter would not only allow an adventurer party to explore longer, collect more loot, but can also keep their inventory like magic stone, spare weapons, and potions safe from danger, and they can alarmed adventurer in combat of any oncoming monster.
"Now, why don't you all introduce yourselves a bit more? Understanding your teammates is key to surviving in the dungeon. Of course, you'll also need to decide what info needs to be shared and what can be left hidden."
"I'll go first," the Pallum, Koni, spoke up eagerly. "I came to Orario because I admire Finn. My dream is to become a famous adventurer just like him."
Lefiya, the elf from the Loki Familia, couldn't help but asked what everyone else was thinking."If you admire Captain Finn so much, why didn't you join the Loki Familia?"
Koni scratched his head, embarrassed. "Well, actually, I did join the Loki Familia at first but….ok, since we're all allied Familias, I think I can trust you, so let me be honest. I used to work as a delivery boy in my hometown. Not that I'm bragging, but I was the best delivery boy in the whole city."
He shrugged. "But when I received my blessing, I got a skill and magic that only activates in sunlight or within the city. So, on Finn's advice, I was transferred to the Ganesha Familia."
Koni had both a skill and magic, but they were useless in the dungeon. That's why he wasn't suited for the Loki Familia, which focused on dungeon exploration, but was better off protecting the city under the Ganesha Familia.
"So yeah, I won't be able to show my full strength in the dungeon, but I'm fairly confident in my spear skills."
Koni was straightforward, openly sharing that he had a skill and magic, even explaining its restrictions. This level of transparency came from the trust built between their Familias.
Lefiya glanced at Raul, hesitating a little before speaking. "My magic... it's quite powerful. At full power, my damage can rival...an Lv4 adventurer."
"Wha—?"
So, you're a living cheat character. A Lv2 mage with a Lv4 damage. No wonder the Loki Familia treasured you so much.
In reality, Lefiya had still concealed quite a bit. She had an even more terrifying magic she hadn't revealed: in a world where adventurers typically have a maximum of three magic slots, Lefiya had a special magic that allowed her to learn all the magic of the elven race.
While most other people are limited to three magic, the strongest mage in the city, Riveria Ljos Alf of the Loki Familia, a Lv6 elven adventurer, had developed three different stages for each of her three magic, essentially granting her nine magic, earning her the alias of *Nine Hell*.
In contrast, Lefiya could in theory, cast hundreds or even thousands of different type of magic.
"To be honest I'm better with a sword."Shirou, knowing he couldn't hide his magic *Unlimited Blade Works* , decided to speak truthfully. "But I have a magic that lets me project weapons, so I've trained in archery as well."
He turned to Lefiya, "I'll guard the rear of the party and make sure no enemies get close to you."
The elven girl blinked in surprise. "Oh, thank you..."
Shirou's statement was reasonable, as that was the responsibility of his role, but given the difference in their levels, Lefiya couldn't help but take it lightly.
Meanwhile, the Pallum, Koni, had his mouth wide open. "Wait, let me get this straight we have a mage with superior firepower and an archer with infinite arrows. What about you… we're from the same Familia after all."
"Ah, I'm nothing special," the cowfolk, Niran, said shyly, "I just have a high endurance stat, and a skill that boosts my basic abilities when I'm injured, plus another skill that helps me recover health and stamina."
"..."
Yeah nothing special…my ass, Koni thought. A skill that boost basic abilities when injured and a self recovering skill, both are very common skill that are quite decent, however once combined—especially for cowfolk, renown for their strength and high endurance, it became a broken combination.
"…Alright, I get it," Koni nodded. "My sole magic can only be used in cities or streets, where I can briefly gain a bird's-eye view, but it consumes a lot of magic. While I can't use it in the dungeon, I've trained my spatial awareness and command abilities. If possible, I would like to be the party leader."
His admiration for Finn was genuine, and it was his motivation to become an adventurer. Besides being a Lv6 *Braver*, Finn was widely recognized as the best commander in the dungeon city.
Lefiya commented."A strategic-level bird's-eye view magic? What can I say, you're not someone to scoff at either... is this the secret weapon of a top delivery boy?"
With this being the case, no one objected to Koni taking the lead, as he was indeed the best fit for the role.
While they were sharing their skills and magics, one person suffered: Raul, the one who had started the whole conversation.
Raul: *Would…would you guys please, stop flexing!*
These rookies had a combined total of what seem like thousands of magic and skill, while he, Raul, a proud Lv4, had neither a single skill nor magic to speak of!
"I swear, this is the last straw, I'm done! I'll never visit the Entertainment District ever again. I'm going to save up and buy a grimoire!" Raul made a goal. But whether he could follow through was another matter.
"Watch out, enemies!" Koni suddenly shouted, startling Lefiya, who almost dropped her staff.
Niran instantly raised her sword and shield, what quickly followed was the sound of a bow firing and the whistling of an arrow.
In the distance, a goblin jumped out from the corner, only to have an arrow pierce its throat.
Then came the repeated sounds of bowstrings, arrows flying through the air, arrows hitting flesh, and finally the sound of monsters collapsing.
The rookie party's first encounter, a group of three goblin, was wiped out in a blink of an eye.
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