Chapter 118: Chapter 118 - Adventurer Party(Part 2)

"I think you should do it, it’ll be a great opportunity," Replied Rosary, after mulling it over.

Huh? Well, that’s not how I was expecting her to respond. Really thought she’d have my back on this...I feel kinda betrayed...

"Come on, you know this is way too risky. If they find out I’m a Heretic, they’ll most likely react negatively, which means that I’ll probably have to kill them," I pointed out with a frown.

"It’s possible that they’re open-minded enough to accept it. Based on what you’ve said, it seems possible. I don’t know them very well myself, I’ve only spoken to them a few times, but I do know that they’re well-liked and held in high esteem by the other Adventurers in town," She responded, as she took a chocolate bar out of the mini-fridge in the room.

"I think you should do it too. They said it was just for a few days right, so there’s nothing to lose, and potentially plenty to gain," Chimed in Prysm objectively.

"No, quite the contrary, there’s a lot to lose. One slip up and I could be in big trouble," I sighed in exasperation.

"You’re being too pessimistic, you’ve done a fine job of hiding the full extent of what you’re capable of for all this time, after all," Pointed out Rosary.

"Yeah, precisely because I avoid crap like this. I mean, you realized that I possess the Light Attribute, didn’t you?" I countered objectively.

"Yes, because you healed me. If it wasn’t for that, I likely never would’ve suspected a thing. These people are strangers to you, so I doubt that you would take a risk like that," She replied back.

"Well, yeah, I wouldn’t heal them if it came to it, but if I myself sustained a major injury, you can bet you’re ass that I’m healing it, at least partially. And if they notice, I’ll probably have to kill them," I stated firmly.

"Since they’re high ranked and experienced Adventurers, it’s unlikely that they’ll take on anything too challenging while having an additional party member whom they’ve never worked with before. And didn’t you say that they’ve added another Adventurer as well? No decent party would ever take a serious risk with two new members," She surmised, as Prysm nodded encouragingly.

Why are they so set on making me do this? I mean, on paper it feels like I should be winning this argument, doesn’t it? So, what the hell?

"The reward isn’t worth the risk, what’s a few days of teaming up with a bunch of randos supposed to do?" I frowned apprehensively.

"More than you’d think. Having to adapt to the fighting styles of others, potentially absorbing and learning new techniques or ideas to add to your own arsenal...it can be quite the useful experience," Responded Rosary, clearly having no intention of budging.

My hands are tied, I need her to play along with me if I’m to turn down that trio without creating any friction between us. That Knight Lieutenant who survived and escaped, he recognized me...in light of that, it’s likely that the Knights will remobilize their search efforts to hunt me down.

If anyone sells me out, traveling will become a lot harder. I should probably start disguising myself again, slap on a wig and some makeup to cover my scars, plus contacts to hide my heterochromia.

"Come on, don’t make me do this, I really, really don’t want to," I groaned wearily.

"It’ll do you good to step out of your comfort zone, keep an open mind and try to enjoy yourself," Remarked Rosary with a smile.

Fine, I give up, I’ll do the stupid thing. I can’t wait to say ’I told you so’ when this inevitably goes south. I mean, seriously, there’s no way that this is going to work out the way they’re hoping it will. At least, I hope it doesn’t, otherwise they’ll be the ones saying ’I told you so’...

...

...

"Uh, hi...," I greeted awkwardly, as I walked up to the table.

"Ah, hello, Larrk. Have you made the decision to join us for the next few days?" Responded Ekspen with a smile.

"...yeah, okay, I’ll join you. Just for my own reference, exactly how many days are we talking here?" I inquired as I plastered a fake smile onto my face.

"Oh, three days. We’ll head into the Labyrinth for eight hours each day, about five hours descending and then three hours ascending back up. At most, we’ll go down to the tenth or eleventh floors, so it’s unlikely that we’ll come across anything particularly dangerous. We’ll depart around 9:30 AM, with the aim of entering the Labyrinth at 10 AM. If all goes to plan, we should be back in town by 6 PM," He informed me.

Well, I guess that’s not too bad. If it’s just Common and Intermediate Grade Monsters that I need to worry about, with maybe a few stray Disastrous Grades at most, I can definitely manage without my Light Attribute Spells.

"Okay, sounds good. Alright, then, uh...I guess I’ll see you at 9:30 AM tomorrow," I replied, starting to slink away.

"Wait, let us introduce you...this is the other Adventurer who will be joining us, Ilex Sarralot," Sakri gestured to a young man seated at the table.

Woah, holy crap, I didn’t even notice him! Talk about a weak presence...he had a nervous, sullen look on his face, his gaze darting about as he avoided making eye contact with anyone.

"Uh, h-hi...I’m Ilex," He muttered while fidgeting.

"Yeah, hi, I’m Larrk," I nodded politely.

He really looks like he doesn’t want to be here...I bet he was roped into this against his will too, he seems weak-willed enough that he wouldn’t be able to easily say no to people.

He was about average height with a similar build to me, with lightish green hair that was slightly brushed to the left in front of his forehead, partially covering his left eye. He had dark orange eyes and a pale complexion, along with a very nervous expression.

Still though, they did say that he’s a Platinum rank too, and he doesn’t look any more than two or three years older than I am. Appearances can be deceiving, I wonder what he’s capable of?

"Why don’t you stay and eat with us? We were just about to have dinner," Offered Dispo with a grin.

"Oh, uh, that’s very nice of you, but I’ve actually got a prior engagement. I was just stopping by to let you know that I’m accepting your offer," I turned him down, before adding as I began walking away, "Thanks anyway, and I’ll see you all tomorrow."

"W-wait...I think I should go to, I just, uh...I just remembered something I need to do!" Suddenly blurted out Ilex as he sprang onto his feet, startling the others.

That’s definitely a lie, and not a very good one, he’s clearly just desperate to get out of this. And unless the others are complete idiots, they should’ve realized that too.

"O-oh, is that so? We’re sorry for pressuring you into staying for dinner, you should go and deal with whatever it is that you have to do," Smiled Sakri apologetically, as I used the distraction to quietly and quickly head for the exit, just in case they try to get me to stay.

"R-right, sorry...," I heard Ilex mutter, before the sound of rushed footsteps heading this way echoed out.

As I walked out of the bar, he stepped out after me, letting out a strained sigh of relief as the door shut. This doesn’t concern me, I’m heading back to the hotel.

I began walking in that direction, but I could still hear his footsteps trailing behind me. Guess he lives somewhere this way, huh...don’t know why, but I feel kinda awkward...

"You, uh, heading in this direction too?" I spoke up, breaking the silence.

"H-huh? I, uh...y-yes," He responded weakly.

Is he really a Platinum rank? I have my doubts.

"You’re clearly not used to working with people, are you? Or talking to them, for that matter. Did you agree to this because you want to change that, or because you felt pressured into it?" I inquired curiously.

"Why would I-I ever agree to this willingly? This is m-my personal hell," He muttered with a slight groan.

"I have to agree, and while not quite to the same extent, I prefer not to work with people I don’t know. The only reason I caved is because I couldn’t think of a reasonable excuse, and I didn’t want to create any friction between me and the Adventurers of this town," I sighed wistfully.

Wait, why am I telling him all this? Eh, I’m sure it’s fine. Given how nervous he is around other people, I highly doubt that he’d ever tell anyone about me venting like this.

"Y-yes, exactly that!" He blurted out, before shrinking back apologetically as I jumped slightly as he startled me and glanced back at him, "S-sorry, that was loud..."

"No worries, it doesn’t bother me. You can’t help being nervous around people, right? That’s not something you can fix overnight, so I’m not gonna judge you if you say or do something awkward. Anyway, this is my stop...guess I’ll see you tomorrow," I remarked, as the hotel came into sight.

"Yeah, o-okay...see you tomorrow."

_____________________________________________ 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

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