Pick Me Up!

“The ones I saved were just the newcomers. As for you guys, you’re finished.”

“W-What are you saying?”

I smirked and replied.

“It seems like the Master is really furious.”

[Master, commencing synthesis.]

[Drag and drop the hero you wish to sacrifice onto the hero you want to synthesize! You will gain experience points. The sacrificed hero will vanish.]

Iselle’s cry resonated from the square.

[Louis, Jeffery, Owen, Andio, Arnold, Duncan, Harold! Gather before me, all six of you!]

The faces of those named turned pale.

Jeffery wiped his sweat and glanced back.

“E-Everything is fine! We’re just going to hunt goblins, as usual.”

“Do you truly believe that?”

Jeffery stood frozen in place.

He was sharp-witted. That’s why he could act swiftly. If that’s the case, he must understand the significance of summoning these six individuals.

If the intention was to form a sub-party, they could have called only five. However, Iselle summoned a total of six people. It exceeded the expected number.

Hence, the objective had changed.

“We’ll divide into groups of three…”

“How funny.”

I made my way toward the sofa in the center of the lobby, taking slow steps. With each stride, people would retreat, clearing a path for me. Some of those seated on the sofa hurriedly stood up and distanced themselves, as if seeking refuge.

There was only Jenna left sitting on the sofa. I settled down beside her, crossing my legs.

“How long did you think you could survive here, neglecting your responsibilities with half-arsed efforts?”

“W-We did our best!”

“Aaron, Dica! Do you truly believe they did their best? While you two sweated it out at the training camp all day, what were those guys up to?”

The two remained silent, their heads slightly lowered in the corner of the lobby.

“Jenna! Can you recall even one instance when you were genuinely assisted in a hunt?”

“I did carry the meat after hunting the animals…”

“Even a pig can handle that. In that regard, it seems you all hold little less value than pigs.”

“Pigs?!”

I stepped forward, swiping at one of them as he attempted to rise.

He tumbled over, flipping the carpet on the floor.

“Why don’t you oink like a pig?”

Louis grabbed hold of the guy’s collar, pulling him upright.

“Please, lend us your aid! If it’s your request, even the Master will comply!”contemporary romance

[Head to the square! Can’t you hear me?!]

Iselle appeared and exclaimed.

[Louis, Geoffrey, Owen, Andio, Arnold, Duncan! If you want to avoid trouble, come out quickly!]

“What do you intend to do to us?”

“I’ll answer your question; it’s synthesis.”

‘Edis must be the target.’

The newly summoned Edis possessed a low level. It was a fitting decision. Whenever new high-ranking heroes were summoned, the surplus of lower-ranked heroes was often sacrificed.

“I won’t go, I refuse!”

The designated sacrifices fled towards the inner part of the lodging. Iselle grinned mischievously, capturing them one by one and flinging them into the square through the open door. A few others struggled with the doorknobs of rooms along the corridor, but the doors remained shut.

In the end, all six of them found themselves in the square.

And then…

[Synthesis complete!]

[‘Louis(★)’ vanishes in a radiant light.]

[‘Geoffrey(★)’ vanishes in a radiant light.]

[‘Owen(★)’… ]

[‘Edis(★★★)’, level up! Acquired Trap Disarmament skill!]

Silence fell.

The lobby fell into an eerie stillness.

I spoke.

“I don’t care who you were before coming here. It doesn’t matter if you were rich or poor. Leave all that behind.”

“…”

“Don’t rely on others. Don’t think that someone will protect you. If you want to survive, prove your worth.”

Suddenly, a person who had been hiding among the crowd stepped forward, tears streaming down their face.

“I have no talent for fighting. I tremble at the sight of a sword. What should I do? Are you telling me to die?”

“Chloe, Enok, Alter, Patrick.”

The named individuals turned their gaze toward me.

They were the four members of the supplementary team in the current waiting room: a chef, a carpenter, a blacksmith, and a tailor.

“If there’s someone who wants to learn, teach them your skills.”

“But learning the skills of a blacksmith is not easy…”

A man with a white beard spoke. It was Alter, the blacksmith.

“If they have the determination, they can learn.”

Repeated actions in the waiting room become skills. It means that skill acquisition is fast.

“If you want to fight, come to me. I can at least teach you some basic combat techniques. If you want to learn hunting and butchering, go to Jenna. For carpentry, seek Enok. There are plenty of paths available. It’s just that you haven’t taken them before.”

[Master, do you want to end the session?]

[Yes (Select) / No]

[Well then, goodbye!]

The sky grew darker.

One by one, people disappeared into their rooms. A shadow of unease fell upon their faces.

Only Jenna, Aaron, Dica, and I remained in the lobby.

Jenna, who was sitting beside me, spoke up.

“You’re kind, Oppa.”

“Me? That’s funny.”

“You showed them a way to survive.”

Her words were not inaccurate.

As long as they followed my instructions, they wouldn’t meet a foolish death. They were disposable pawns, even if it wasn’t today.

Dica muttered.

“Hyung-nim, what about us?”

“Just keep doing what you were doing.”

“Thank you.”

“I didn’t want to deal with this troublesome task.”

My head was already about to explode from my own responsibilities alone.

I recalled Edis standing still in the square. She claimed to be from a mercenary group. Having traveled extensively, she must have accumulated a wealth of experience.

The tenth floor was drawing near.

A second party was needed.

But this time, it must not be just another lackluster party. It must be a formidable force capable of rivaling the main party.

• Infinite Clone System
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done.co