Chapter 252: Former Self-sacrificing Healer
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Two hours passed, and Stephanie, along with the lower-rankers she had been grouped with, began to line up for the Guild’s teleportation Magic Circles. Kisaragi watched from her seat inside the Guild, noting the tension that hung over the group like a dark cloud.
[It’s fine… I’ve definitely improved since last time. Plus, her party’s full of people she’s never even met, all from lower ranks. She’ll be nervous and bound to make mistakes.] As a member of Ealdred Crow, Kisaragi was well aware of Stephanie’s outstanding abilities. In fact, Stephanie was borderline legendary, so much so that even the Healers in Teams 2 and 3 would give up before the assessment even began. It was safe to assume that no Healer in Ealdred Crow could ignore her presence.
Before the Stampede, Kisaragi had never imagined she could surpass Stephanie. Being in the same Clan, she had always felt the stark difference between their abilities.
But this assessment was different from all the previous ones. Stephanie, who had been sidelined for a month, was now stuck with an unfamiliar party, and the judges seemed inclined to give the lower rankers a chance this time. On top of that, the Dungeon Maniacs would be casting their votes. The wind was at Kisaragi’s back, and her performance in the recent battle with the Winter General had been her best yet.
She had worked hard this past month. Every day she had descended into God’s Dungeon, eating only the bare minimum and sacrificing sleep. The constant strain had left her feeling hollow, but it had all been worth it to climb this far.
[Hah, you better hope you don’t mess up…!] she silently urged, her eyes locked on Stephanie, who gripped her staff like a conductor’s baton. The last thing Kisaragi wanted was for her month-long efforts to be in vain. She willed Stephanie to falter as she watched the latter’s party step onto a Magic Circle and vanish, transported to the eightieth layer.
“Oh, great, the Guild’s packed.” Came a groan amidst the crowd. “You really shouldn’t have gotten suckered into giving up our seats, Daryl.”
“I-I just couldn’t help it!”
[…Hmm?] Kisaragi’s gaze followed the sound.