As a tank, and with Misha as a close-range damage dealer with ice attributes, I needed to recruit three more team members to fit this composition.
‘A priest, a mage, and an archer/scout.’
That was the first composition that came to mind.
Should I call it the fundamental composition of [Dungeon & Stone]?
Since the vampire essence was gone, a priest would be a great help to the team.
But…
‘I’ll have to give up on the priest.’
Actually, even the words ‘give up’ are a bit of a misnomer.
I did ask Crobitz if he could introduce me to a priest, but he flatly refused.
He said that the team needed at least three members of 5th grade or higher, and that they needed to have a certain level of contribution to the temple.
‘The basic recruitment conditions are even stricter than in the game.’
It’s a shame, but it’s not a critical issue.
Having a priest would greatly increase the team’s stability, but it also has the disadvantage of reducing damage, so I sometimes deliberately left them out.
‘I’m starting to get a feel for how to put it together.’
That evening, after learning the shocking fact that Misha was a race supremacist, I finished organizing my thoughts, got dressed, and went out into the street.
And I went to the tavern I had remembered.
Clang-!
As soon as I opened the door, I saw a black bear-kin madam with a huge build. When I said I was alone and mentioned Bear Uncle’s name, the madam smacked her lips and pointed to one side.
Bear Uncle, a 5th-grade explorer, was wearing an apron and serving drinks and food to the customers.
“Hey, there aren’t even any customers, and you’re always calling your friends over.”
I ignored the words coming from behind me and sat down at an empty seat. And when Bear Uncle finished serving once, I quietly raised my hand and called him over.
“Ah, just a moment. I’ll be right there… Bjorn Yandel?”
“Let’s talk for a bit.”
At my words, Bear Uncle rolled his eyes and glanced at the counter. Wow, I didn’t think he was living under someone’s thumb.
I was only planning to talk briefly, but I ordered two snacks and two drinks. I figured this would make both me and that uncle feel less awkward.
“…Ahem.”
Soon, Bear Uncle, who brought the drinks and snacks, sat down opposite me with an awkward expression.
And he said, as if making an excuse.
“Well, it’s not always like this, you know? It’s just that the store has been really busy lately…”
It looked pretty quiet for being busy, but I didn’t bother to say anything.
What’s so shameful about living a domestic life?
Soon, Bear Uncle opened his mouth as if changing the subject.
“So, the fact that you came here means you left your old team, right?”
“…The team was disbanded.”
“Judging by your expression, it looks like you lost someone.”
I neither affirmed nor denied it.
However, was that silence enough to answer?
Bear Uncle gave a bitter smile and then gulped down his drink.
“It’s a real shitty thing.”
“Yeah, it’s a real shitty thing.”
I also gulped down a drink and then ordered two more. And then we started talking in earnest.
“How many people have you gathered?”
“Only two so far.”
“You and that cat-kin woman, I guess.”
“So, what’s your answer?”
“Okay, I’ll join you.”
Bear Uncle readily agreed and then asked various questions.
What floor is the goal, how will the distribution be, and how will the remaining two members be filled.
I briefly explained the structure I had in mind.
“First of all, I’m definitely going to include a mage. And the remaining spot… I’ll have to fill it with a scout.”
Actually, there was also the option of putting Erwen in the archer position instead of Bear Uncle. However, it’s uncertain how well she’ll do, since she hasn’t been taking scout lessons for long.
Besides, Bear Uncle, who has a tank summon, was able to cover the absence of a priest to some extent, so I made the above decision.
“Until a guide is found, I’ll use a scout on a hire basis. I’m thinking of distributing the rest equally.”
Bear Uncle nodded.
And then he asked, as if spitting it out.
“If I happen to be the guide, can you increase the distribution?”
“What?”
“It means exactly what I said.”
What the heck is this uncle talking about?
Is he saying he’s a guide right now?
If so, it doesn’t make any sense.
“Didn’t you say you wandered around the first floor for 19 hours last time?”
“…Did I even tell you the time?”
“The rift opened around 7 PM on the first day.”
Even at that time, Bear Uncle was wandering around the crystal cave.
Because he couldn’t find the portal to the second floor.
For a guide who can accurately know the direction of the portal no matter where they are in the labyrinth to still be on the first floor at that time?
Considering that Rotmilla’s shortest record is 6 hours, it doesn’t make sense.
But…
“Ah, well… the crystal cave is a bit complicated, isn’t it?”
“Huh?”
“I know where the portal is, but it’s hard to find it every time.”
Bear Uncle continued, saying that he only told them the direction, and the other teammates found the way.
At that, I couldn’t help but ask.
“…In short, you’re a guide, but you’re bad with directions?”
“Ahem! My former colleagues used to say that. Honestly, it’s hard to accept.”
What’s so hard to accept?
Even an ordinary person can find the second floor portal in a day just by looking at a compass.
‘A guide who’s bad with directions…’
It’s hard to believe, but I tried not to show it and finished the conversation.
“I’ll think about the distribution. I need to hear the opinions of the people who will join later.”
“That’s enough.”
“Then the talk is over.”
The first teammate was found.
Abman Urikprit.
A 5th-grade archer with a tank summon, and a guide with near-zero scouting ability.
“I look forward to working with you. Bjorn, son of Yandel.”
Is it just my imagination, or does it already look like the reincarnation of the team’s half-wit, just with much higher specs?
***
We clinked glasses to celebrate becoming teammates, but only for a moment.
The madam glared at us.
“Honey, how long are you going to play around?”
“W-Wife? No, this isn’t playing around.”
Bear Uncle hurriedly got up and went to his wife, and they had a conversation that I couldn’t hear.
At first, it looked like he was being scolded, but…
“Oh my, you should have said so earlier. That you’re going to be my husband’s teammate.”
Somehow, things went well, and the madam approached me first with a friendly smile.
“Nice to meet you. I heard you’re also called Little Vulcan? You’re tall and reliable, so I feel relieved now.”
“W-Well, I’m glad to hear that.”
“Yes. Actually, I didn’t like the previous teammates. How can they be on a team for over half a year and never show their faces?”
Huh?
“…Previous teammates?”
This uncle was supposed to be soloing?
I glanced at Bear Uncle. His face was pale white, and he was shaking his head repeatedly.
I remembered our conversation from the other day.
[Is a guy with a wife going into the labyrinth alone?]
[The store is in the red these days. I have to work hard to earn money, right?]
It’s good to work hard, but I never thought he would be lying to his wife and soloing.
My fantasy is shattering after the directionally challenged incident.
I thought he would be a reliable and wise teammate like a bear.
Now it seems he’s just an uncle who lives for today.
“Anyway, consider what you had today as my treat. And please take care of my lacking husband in the future.”
I left the tavern as if running away, not wanting to get caught up in someone else’s family affairs. And soon, when I arrived at the inn.
“Oh, Uncle. Have you been drinking?”
Erwen was sitting in the lobby on the first floor, waiting for me with a drink. I wondered if she had come to finish the chat we couldn’t have earlier, but…
“I’m sorry!”
Before I could even say anything, Erwen apologized.
“Sorry, what are you talking about?”
“I didn’t even know that such a thing had happened to your teammate…”
“How did you know that?”
“Your expression looked so bad at that time, so I asked your other teammate.”
When I asked who she was talking about, she said it was the dwarf. When I said he was my former teammate, she told me about Dwarki without any suspicion…
Fortunately, it seems she left out all the talk about the oracle and the Dragon Slayer.
“You must have been in pain, right? I know how it feels to lose something.”
Erwen teared up and stroked my hand.
I felt very embarrassed. It was like being comforted by a three-year-old.
It was also a bit late.
I was already starting to get my mind in order.
“…Let’s stop talking about that. Anyway, it’s good that you came. I had something to tell you.”
“Something to tell me? Oh, there’s still something left to do…”
“Something left to do?”
“…No, it’s nothing. So, what did you want to tell me?”
I sat down directly opposite Erwen.
And I asked directly.
“I’m going to make a new team, and I was wondering if you’d like to join?”
Originally, I wasn’t planning to include Erwen.
Of course, it wasn’t because of Misha’s request.
It was just that after much deliberation, Bear Uncle was chosen as the archer, and there were no remaining spots.
However, the situation changed when I found out that Bear Uncle was a guide.
The spot I was going to fill with a scout became vacant.
‘Her combat power is lacking right now, but if I raise her well, she’ll definitely be more than capable.’
The fact that she’s taking scout lessons from her sister was also a huge plus.
It would be perfect to find the way with Bear Uncle.
“I…”
After a long silence, Erwen finally gave an answer.
“I’m really happy that you offered. So, please don’t misunderstand?”
Well, I guess it’s a rejection.
“Is it because of your sister?”
“No. It’s because of me. I still have a lot to learn from my sister.”
It was an unexpected answer.
Well, it’s not like I don’t understand.
It’s definitely more helpful for her growth to stick with her sister right now. It’s only been a few months since she started taking scout lessons, and I can’t teach her things like spirit magic.
“I see. I understand.”
“I… you’re not angry, are you? Huh?”
“Of course not. It’s a great decision. You’ve become a true explorer now.”
“Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve been praised…”
Erwen, who had been staring blankly into the air for a moment, cleared her throat and regained her senses.
And she said in a determined voice.
“Please wait for half a year. After just half a year, I’ll have learned everything I can from my sister, and then I’ll join your team.”
Oh, I appreciate the thought, but…
It’s like I sent some kind of industrial spy.
For some reason, I could hear her sister’s heart breaking.
***
The next morning.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I headed to the sacred ground without even washing up.
It’s a reasonable decision since I’m going to a place full of barbarians anyway, so there’s no need to wash.
‘It’s like I’ve come home.’
It’s not like I’m a real barbarian, but when I see the green bushes here, I feel comfortable. It used to be uncomfortable because I was afraid of the tribal chief, but at least it’s not now.
Is that why?
‘Damn it.’
Suddenly, the oracle came to mind, and my heart grew heavy.
My intuition, honed by misfortune, was telling me.
A secret known by more than ten people can’t be kept forever.
‘Even if I finish the 6th stage today, it’ll take me a few more years to reach the 9th stage…’
Unlike other races who have abandoned the traditions of the old era, barbarians are close to insane in their stubbornness.
If it becomes known that I received an oracle from the Star Goddess instead of the ancestral gods, the tribal chief will try to exile me, no matter how much of a super rookie I am.
‘I’ll think about this part later…’
I walked through the bushes towards the center of the sacred ground.
As I did, I saw young warriors gathered in an empty clearing. Little warriors who are confined to the sacred ground, training in martial arts, waiting for the day of their coming-of-age ceremony.
It’s a sight I’ve always seen when I come here, but…
‘That’s, Caron…?’
Among the young warriors, I see a familiar barbarian face.
Caron, son of Tarson.
Once a naive baby barbarian who didn’t know the ways of the world, but who has accepted the darkness of the world and has been reborn as a full-fledged warrior.
He’s standing in front of the young barbarians.
As if he were a training instructor.
“Everyone repeat after me. Humans are?”
“Enemies!”
“Our hearts are?”
“What we must protect!”
It was an indoctrination-like education, but even this would greatly increase their survival rate.
I watched them with a pleased expression.
Until I realized one thing.
‘But what is that?’
The appearance of Caron, son of Tarson, and a few senior barbarians who seem to have followed him is strange.
For some reason, they’re carrying three or four backpacks each.
I wondered if it was a fashion trend among barbarians, but…
“Instructor! But what are those bags?”
It wasn’t just me who thought it was strange, as one of the young warriors raised his hand and asked.
Caron smiled as if he had been waiting for the question and answered.
“Good question, young warrior! This is Robert, this is John, this is Aiden…”
Caron pointed to each of the backpacks he was carrying on his left, right, front, and back, and called out their names.
“Hahaha! So, it’s like human names!”
The baby barbarian giggled.
But…
“Because they are human names.”
Caron was no longer smiling.
“…W-What does that mean?”
To the shocked baby barbarians, Caron explained in great detail how he got those backpacks.
And then he continued the mental training.
“Repeat after me one more time. Humans are?”
“Enemies!!!!!”
“Our hearts are?”
“What we must protect!!!!”
“Bjorn, son of Yandel, is?”
“A great warrior!!!!!”
Watching that, I was speechless.
“…”
…What the heck have I done?