Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

I'm really worried that Lily and Miss Seele might become enemies.

"Mr. Crannie, and then?"

"what?"

"I mean, what are your plans after you've got the equipment sorted out?"

"Uh... what do you mean?"

"Well, I'll get straight to the point. Mr. Craney and Miss Erd, when you restart your dungeon raid, do you plan to head straight for the 'Middle Level'?"

After hearing these words, I finally understood what Miss Ryu meant.

I exchanged a glance with Lily, who was in my team, and then turned to face her.

"I want to check my current physical condition on the 11th floor first. If I find it relatively easy to proceed, I'll check out the 12th floor."

"Yes, that's a wise move."

I told her that I wanted to first confirm my strength after the upgrade and break through to the final level of the "upper level"—the 12th level. Lily and I had discussed this before and decided to warm up and see how things went before entering the "middle level".

Miss Ryu must be worried about us.

"I might be being nosy by saying this... but I suggest you don't move into the middle management yet. Given your current situation, that's roughly my opinion."

"So, Lord Ryu believes that Lord Bell and Lily are not strong enough to deal with the mid-level?"

"I didn't say that. It's just that the upper class and the middle class are different."

"It's a well-worn topic," Miss Ryu continued.

"It's not a matter of individual ability, but rather that one person simply cannot handle it alone. The middle level is such a place. I don't know how much Miss Erd can help you, but Mr. Craney alone probably wouldn't be able to cope with the monsters or the terrain of the dungeon."

"So, what is Lord Ryu's opinion...?"

"Yes. You should find some more teammates."

It's generally believed that the basic formation for tackling dungeons is a three-man cell. At least, that's what the guild recommends.

A team of three... that is, a coordinated action system of attack, defense, and support.

When the forwards launch an attack, the center forward is responsible for defending against the opponent's counterattack, and sometimes he assists the forwards. Defenders provide long-range support for attacks, or take on the responsibility of recovering when two forwards are injured.

The same applies when adopting a passive stance. As long as the defenders have the ability to withstand the monsters, even if attacked by multiple enemies, the forwards and defenders can weather the crisis and break the deadlock.

If it becomes a two-man cell, the burden on one person will increase, not to mention a single person; conversely, to conquer a dungeon, you must be in a group of three or more, otherwise the difficulty is too high.

For a team, adding a companion is more meaningful than improving individual strength.

Miss Ryu probably thinks that our team, consisting of only Lily and me, will encounter a bottleneck when tackling dungeons in the future.

"But Ryu? Wouldn't it be easier to escape if it were just Mr. Bell and Miss Lily? With more people, won't some fall behind during the escape?"

"What Seele said makes sense, but trying to escape means that you've been driven to a dead end. Instead of thinking about a dead end from the beginning, it's more constructive to think about how to avoid it."

I couldn't help but sigh.

The adventurous experiences shared by those who have been through it are incredibly convincing and easy for us to understand.

"The more detailed the plan, the better. You'd better find at least one more companion."

I completely understand what Ms. Ryu is trying to say. Lily beside me nodded and told me it was worth considering.

But... I can't think of anyone who could be a teammate. If there were, we would have formed a team long ago. No, that's precisely why they asked me to "find" someone...

Miss Ryu seems to have some hidden story, so she's out of the running. The only person I know left is Miss Nazha from Mihe's side… no, that still won't work. She has a past trauma from monsters; how can I force her into the team?

Perhaps we should recruit some members for the [Family]?

I couldn't help but press my temples.

"Haha, troubled because you can't find teammates? [Rookie]!"

Huh? Suddenly I heard a loud voice, which made me yell out in surprise.

I looked up and saw a customer sitting at another table drinking and shouting at me.

As I stood there dumbfounded, the guest—a male adventurer—walked toward our table with two companions. He stood directly behind Miss Ryu, who had her back to them.

They... they look so fierce.

There were large scars on his forehead and cheeks... which made me inexplicably shrink back.

"We heard you—. You said you wanted companions, right? In that case, how about we let you join our team?"

“Eh!”

This time I was really startled.

A complete stranger suddenly asked me to join their team.

"W-What do you mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything by it; it's just a kind gesture. We saw our colleagues having trouble, so we generously offered our help. Hehe, don't you think we look like we belong here?"

"No, no, I didn't mean that..."

"That's what I mean! This is called mutual assistance and cooperation—besides, you're the center of attention right now, so it wouldn't hurt to have you join our team...right!"

“Ugh…!”

The smell of alcohol is so strong...!

A strong gust of air blew towards me, almost making me lean back. Miss Seele beside me wore a wry smile, while Lily wore a sour expression. Oh right, I remember now, she's allergic to adventurers…

Miss Ryu, who had her back to the adventurer, must have been more seriously injured than I was, but perhaps she was used to it, her expression remained unchanged, and she continued to sit in her chair.

"So, we'll take you to the middle level; relatively speaking..."

……Um?

Something seems off...?

"Can we borrow these girls for a bit? Like this super hot elf girl!"

...Waaah, waaah—

"I really want the fairy to pour me some wine, you know what I mean? I don't know how much you paid, but companions should share the good times and the bad, right? That's basic, isn't it!"

Well, I did pay a lot of money... but that's not the point anymore.

Besides the person standing in the middle talking incessantly, the two people behind them were also staring at Miss Seele, Lily... well, how should I put it, with a lewd and disgusting look. Lily had completely stopped hiding her disgust.

No, I can't do that.

I could never team up with someone who looks at women like that.

Although I'm still not good at handling these kinds of situations, Miss Seele and the others are all here, so I have to show some "manliness"...!

I haven't figured out what to say to them yet, but I've decided to refuse their request for now.

"No, thank you. He doesn't need your help."

However, someone spoke up even faster than I did.

Ms. Liu, who had been silent, spoke up.

"...Oh? What's wrong, you little imp? Are you saying we're not fit to be his babysitters?"

"Yes, so please leave."

"Hey, did you guys hear that?! She said we'd actually get in the way of a newbie! She's got it backwards, haha!"

The men burst into laughter. I lost my chance to stand up and couldn't get a word in edgewise.

My back is about to get up from the chair, and I'm wondering whether I should stand up or sit down.

"Miss, don't let our appearance fool you, we've been working in the middle management for quite a while now, haven't we?"

"Yeah?"

"Yes, Lv.2. We all are."

"I understand. Then, get out of here. You are not good enough for him."

The men's hearty laughter froze instantly.

The smile on his face vanished at first, then returned. He narrowed his eyes, revealing a mask-like, fake smile.

Even I could sense that the atmosphere was starting to become dangerous.

"...Miss, are we really that unreliable? Even worse than that trashy brat over there?"

The male adventurer took a step closer, intending to place his left hand on Miss Ryu's shoulder.

Ah, just as I was about to stand up in my haste, a sentence suddenly came to mind.

—An elf will not allow someone they despise to touch their skin.

"Don't touch me."

Miss Ryu's next move was truly lightning fast.

With lightning speed, she grabbed the large beer mug containing the half-finished beer I had been drinking from and swung it behind her as if she were carrying it on her right shoulder.

The next instant, there was a "pop" sound.

The hand that was about to touch her shoulder gracefully retreated into the container. The man exclaimed, "Huh?" and his eyes widened.

Then, Ms. Liu stood up and twisted her beer glass.

"It hurts, it hurts so much!"

The burly man, whose arm was bent in an alarming direction, screamed in agony.

"No, I'm sorry. It seems like it's just my stubbornness and selfishness. I don't want Mr. Craney to team up with you."

Miss Liu spoke resolutely in front of the man who was suffering terribly.

"Furthermore, I will not allow you to insult him. He is my friend."

She glared intently at the disheveled adventurers, then twisted her beer mug again with all her might.

The screams intensified. With the help of his companions, the man's hand was finally managed to detach from the container.

With a "thud," the person fell to the floor.

"...You, how dare you!"

"That wretched woman!"

"What are you doing!"

I was deeply moved by Miss Liu's words, while the men, furious and seething, were ready to pounce on her at any moment.

Miss Ryu instantly equipped herself with a shojita, intending to face the three grown men alone. But just before that...

With a loud "clang!", a heavy sound erupted from the back of their heads.

"Ugh!"

The man's companion was knocked to the ground.

The man froze in shock, only to see two cat-like figures behind him carrying a half-destroyed chair on their shoulders.

"—Meow, you guys are completely unguarded at the back of your heads, meow."

"Men are such annoying creatures, meow—"

Miss Chloe, with her sly grin like a god, and Miss Anya, whose animal ears sway back and forth.

It was obvious that they attacked the two from behind, but... only one strike! One strike was enough to defeat the Lv.2 adventurers!

"Esteemed guest, the fairy in our shop is quite ferocious. It would be best if you didn't provoke her."

Miss Lunova, carrying a large number of used plates and beer glasses, calmly told the only remaining man.

At first glance, she didn't seem like someone who could fight, but I felt like she had already taken a fighting stance. Was there something wrong with my eyes?

I heard others around me say, "Oh dear, what a mess!" The other guests seemed to have expected this to happen; they were all smiling, their eyes fixed on the man who was now isolated and helpless.

"...What...what's wrong with you guys?!!"

The man reached to his waist and pulled out a gleaming knife under the magic light.

It's a short sword. The male adventurer is already in a state of confusion and may swing his weapon wildly at any moment.

The staff at "Abundant Mistress" all squinted at the sight.