Chapter 207: Talking in Guild
———Lerim———
<11: 07 am>
“How do you always look like you’re slacking off when you’re not?” Evari asked as she sat down. Where in the world did she get such a description from?
“Knock it off. What the heck is that statement?” I said, confused and a bit annoyed. Does she know how damaging that kind of statement sounds if the others heard that? My reputation has been damaged enough as is. If I got another comparison to another brutish animal again someone is getting it, just gonna drill it hard into their stupid little head.
“I’m just saying that because you have been here for a lot of time each day. Very rarely are you spotted anywhere else outside of the dungeon.” She explained. Well what in the world was she expecting?
“That’s only the case because all of you are so damn incompetent. I have already received multiple rescue requests this week, why can’t you all just save yourself instead of risking my beautiful bod from getting even a tiny scratch mark.” The only reason I frequent this place often was because of that, it’s not just the free air conditioning, it’s still cold outside so I could relax outdoors if I wanted somewhere nice and cold. The others would’ve mostly got themselves killed trying to rush in to help, considering the past few incidents. “How about all of you pull your weight? A little birdie told me most of the guild’s income came from me, which can’t even be used to boost my ego, let’s be real here.”
“Is that really the best way you’re gonna describe that?” She said, sounding a bit skeptical of my wordings. “Seriously though, not everyone can even be half as good as you are right now. Even the boss falls behind with how much paperwork needs to be done. He barely got any exercise in.”
“All I’m hearing is a bunch of excuses. Most people dabbling in this risky business probably don't have any stable income to speak of, you can’t just slack off and be lazy if this is your only venue. Who knows how long this dubious market is gonna last.” It’s a miracle it didn’t go down under by now. “I even go to the nearest monster habitat to train instead so all of you can have something to loot inside the dungeon.”
“...No wonder people don’t complain about you blitzing through everything.” She remarked. Did they really not realize that? I thought I told that guy a few times already that I won’t be hunting inside the dungeon for a while.
“See, that’s the problem. Why are they complaining instead of doing something about it? And trying to beat me up doesn't count.” That was an insane jump in logic, what was the point of that anyway? Do those slackers really think their fighting skill is worth a damn if that’s what they’re resorting to? “If they’re the one begging for help then just pay up and shut up, I already went easy on them about the compensation already.”
Before anything else could be said, someone loudly opened the door and waltzed in. Can’t whoever that was be a bit more careful?
“Hmm… The place isn't all too shabby, compared to the ones the others were talking about.” A woman with a long snake tail said as she looked around. “A lot of places can’t even afford a TV.”
“I guess the dungeon here must have quite a bit of value to it.” A guy with simply blonde hair and green eyes said, also looking around. They weren’t exactly being quiet with their judgement. I also have never seen these kids around here before. “So are you seriously gonna try doing this?”
“Why not? It’s a good way to judge their character anyway.” The snake one said. “Alright everyone! The two of us are gonna be in the dungeon for a long while and sweep the whole place. Don’t give your hopes up and expect us to not clear at least one hundred floors. Thank you, goodbye.”
“The hell was that?” Evari asked as the two rowdy kids left the building. They looked pretty young and seemed rather arrogant from just the first impression.
*Ring* *Ring* *Beep*
“What is it?” I asked when an unexpected call came in.
“<Hey, Lrem. Are you in the local dungeon right now?>” Karra asked.
“No. I’m just relaxing somewhere else. Why?” Was there a sighting of something dangerous nearby? She rarely ever contacted me directly.
“<Oh. That’s good to hear.>” She said with a more relaxed tone. “<Two of my friends were wandering around there, so I was hoping you won’t run into them and get into trouble>”
…Ah. So that’s what that was about. Seems like I got entangled in another thing related to her. Just how many times will this happen in future?
“I see… Well, if they’re going to the dungeon, they won’t meet me. They’d be fine.” I said while looking at the other adventurers talking to each other about something. They all look quite displeased with the earlier showing, even if nothing bad actually happened.
“<Ah. That’s good to hear. I’d imagine you wouldn’t want more of my classmates chasing you around. They have been starving for a challenge that won’t stomp them into the ground in a second or two.>” She replied with something rather worrying to think about.
“How? Are they really that strong or what? You rarely ever talked about them in the group chat.” Considering her standard they are probably stronger than everyone present in this lobby besides myself.
“<Oh they are very strong by the current standard. The two you could’ve met are two of the strongest. Not as strong as me, of course, but they’re not that far behind.>” She said with a slightly proud tone to it. If that’s the case then they shouldn’t have any problem with going into the dungeon.
“Well that’s a relief. If they weren’t I might need to actually go in there and check it for you.” I didn’t think that was the case, but if it was then I might need to go. “Anything else you need to add? Or are we done here?”
“<This is about it. If I really need to ask for anything else I’ll ping you on Harmonia. Later.>” She said before hanging up.
“They are starting to look concerned.” Evari mentioned as she eavesdropped on the others discussing what just happened. “Maybe they think those two will get into danger? They looked pretty young, they might get into more trouble than they’re worth.”
“I’m not concerned, honestly. I guess they don’t have any rescue service on speed dial, but I’m not really worried either way.” I said just so she is less worked up about the whole thing.
“Huh? That’s not like you.” Evari said with a very bewildered face. “Usually you’d run after them by now, what’s the problem?”
“They’re actually very strong. I can sense their rather massive pool of mana. They’d be fine.” I answered with something that is kinda true. I can’t actually sense their overall power well since they’re keeping it locked tightly.
“Really? I can’t feel a thing, and here I thought I got the general technique down.” She replied, clearly a bit disappointed in herself. No need to be, I didn’t actually gauge them correctly off my abilities alone.
“Just keep practicing. It makes perfect, as they said.” I said before leaning back a bit. I’m still feeling kinda drowsy and I should probably go to bed if anything, but I already got here and just in case anyone needs any help, I should stay on standby in this lobby at least. “...Where did those guys go?”
“Probably trying to chase after them, maybe getting mad at them, or worried about their well-being. Neither of them are gonna be part of the rescue program we improvise.” Evari answered. Well that’s just a big waste of time. “Seems like you don’t like the idea of that?”
“Of course I don’t. Just a big waste of time. You got any of their numbers or something?” I said with my eyes closed and my head resting on the back of the chair.
“Like they’re going to believe us just from your vibe alone. Just let them do whatever they want.” She replied. If that’s the case, then let’s drop the issue.
“Then let’s just ignore that whole mess.” I said so she doesn't have to worry about that anymore. “By the way, what exactly happened yesterday? I heard you got into a scuffle?”
“Just a few rowdy adventurers. They didn't make much of a fuss once I beat them up, and the boss pardoned me.” She explained. With how he was recalling it, it sounded way more severe than that, but it could just be him being a bit dramatic. Usually his tone is like that when he’s not overworked, which probably should’ve clued me in in the first place. “It can barely be called a scuffle since they’re just a bunch of amateurs. Turns out they have only been to a dungeon for a few days at most. Probably a group of people out of a job or something.”
“Well that makes a bit more sense, they don’t quite get the hierarchy here yet.” It’s something unofficial but the feeling of it persists here for long enough. I have heard rumors of other guild branches having this issue as well, as unfortunately the poor staff members aren’t equipped to deal with that kind of system appearing.
Of course, for us it’s basically just me telling everyone what to do or they can be six feet under, it’s nothing complicated or even really oppressive. As long as no one is being an asshole who is gonna care about me bossing people around for a bit.
“...By the way, how has the guild stuff been for one of those overtaken cities?” Evari asked. I feel like just looking it up online would’ve been fine, but whatever. I guess I can tell her.
“Looks bad. It’s pretty clear that the big bad government has pulled out. They were the one subsidizing and handing out the rewards for the loot in the first place. No way they are letting those crazy people see even a lick of it.” Technically speaking it’s something the others can also invest in and reap the monster drops and potions from, but that’s the backend dealing stuff I don’t know about or really care about, just as long as someone pays me for it.
“Well that sounds quite bad. I would’ve imagined those brutes using guild works for their payday.” She said with clear skepticism that the whole violent reform plan was going to work.
“It’s definitely hasty and feels a bit late, but I don’t really know how it’s gonna pan out with the current political climate.” Not to mention how they are going to organize everything by themselves unless a few of their members already dabbled into those practices, and in that case isn’t it possible that they were part of the problem in the first place?
“A headache like no other. Was all of that planning and devastation just done at the moment?” Evari said, clearly not letting up on mocking the whole ordeal. It’s hard not to when there are reports of a lot of systems failing. Not that there weren’t some groups that were successful, but I’d imagine that someone was pulling the strings there.
“Possibly. Historically such a violent uprising isn't done with the most grace. Even if it worked out by the end you can’t really shake the feeling that those historical moments could’ve gone much worse than they did.” There were a lot of those back before the turn of the new century, and even then that kind of incident still popped up from time to time. “In any case. We aren’t involved with any of that nonsense, so we should stay put.”
“Easy for you to say. I’m pretty sure the reason nothing like that happened around here is because they were afraid of you and your goril-
“Care to elaborate?” I cut her off before she tasted the dirty floor.
“...Nevermind.” She said while looking a bit scared. Yeah, know your place.
“Anyway. Are those guys gonna get in trouble themselves? I’d imagine that at worst they’d be wasting their time.” I said, looking at the empty sets of tables and chairs that were occupied not too long ago.
“Shouldn’t you have better knowledge on dungeons than I do?” She said while scratching her head.
“I don’t know those guys too well. You have been teaming up with them at least a few times, so you get some anecdotes to work with.” I explained. Obviously I know that monsters don’t respawn that quickly unless it’s related to the layout of that dungeon floor, and it’s very deep into the dungeon until something like that even occurs.
“I don’t actually know them that well. They’re a bunch of meatheads, I guess?” Looks like she doesn’t have the best impression of them. “I genuinely don’t know.”
“...I guess we can drop that topic if neither of us get anything.” I’m just gonna go for a nap now, with so little to talk about. “Anyway, I’m gonna take a long nap. Wake me up if a rescue request is being sent out.”