Chapter 115: - Temporary Joining
The words that Asakura said made my heartbeat accelerate. From how he stated it, undoubtedly, he has enough evidence to be ascertained that I possess that much ability.
While trying to keep myself calm, I asked.
"Why, do you think so?"
"The Dungeon collapse in Kenzaki Dungeon and the murder of a person of the association in Sumifuku Dungeon– Are those enough?"
"_-tsu"
As expected, I couldn't hide my discomposure this time. So, it's better to think that my ability really has been exposed.
That being said, it doesn't mean I could just immediately nod and say ‘Yes, that's me'.
"Do you have proof?"
"Well, you don't have to rush, I will slowly explain."
After saying that, Asakura talks about the reason why he thought I was involved in those two incidents.
About how I entered the boss room using [Transfer Within Dungeon] when the Dungeon Collapse occurred.
And about how because my younger sister’s–Hana’s life was targeted, I killed Yanagi in order to save her.
It's frustrating, but all his guesses were correct. However, there was still room for me to object.
"That assumption was made purely based on how I might have the ability to defeat the last boss and Yanagi-san, right? Don't you already know that my ability was inferior to even that of the adventurers of the same age as me?"
In response to that question, Asakura shook his head.
"That was you in the past, right? A transfer-type skill is an unparalleled skill that no one’s ever had. So, I think it may turn into a fairly powerful weapon depending on the direction of the evolution of the skill. Like evading or approaching the enemy using instant transfer, or throwing items from a long distance toward the enemy. Aa, depending on how you do it, you could even place something like a bomb inside a monster. At any rate, if you make use of it effectively, surely you could even overwhelm superior opponents."
"…."
Aside from the ‘transferring only an item from afar’ part that he said in the second half, the rest of his guesses about transfer was just as he guessed, as with that ability, my fighting prowess increased dramatically.contemporary romance
However, that wasn't the true value of [Transfer Within Dungeon]. It was about how I could capture the dungeon as many times as I wanted without needing to mind the intermission. As expected, it seems it wasn't possible to arrive at that conclusion with limited information.
Nevertheless, it would be troublesome if he realized that even if it was by chance. Thus, for the time being, let's give him a shocked expression, saying "Why do you know about that….!"
Then, Asakura nodded with satisfaction.
"Looks like my guesses are correct. Well, it can't be helped that you wanted to hide that power of yours. As when you first acquired a unique skill, you were praised by your surroundings, but, as soon as they knew that your unique skill was useless, they instantly turned their back against you. Of course, now that it became a very excellent skill, there is no way you want to spread that."
After he stopped talking for a bit, he continued.
"Not only that. Looking at the incident at Sumifuku Dungeon, at the very least, you have the power to defeat multiple monsters with a recommended level to subjugate that exceeds level 10,000. In just one year, you could reach level 10,000, which I could only say, what an abnormal growth rate. If that was exposed, undoubtedly, you might get involved in various troubles. However,"
Suddenly, Asakura made a serious expression on his face.
"You definitely can't keep hiding your power forever if you want to move forward. Therefore, let's get back to the topic, are you willing to join Yoizuki? This guild should be able to be your backing, which I don't think is a bad deal for both of us."
"Backing…"
That was something that I've always desired. A backing that could protect myself and Hana. Certainly, I did think this wasn't a bad deal for me.
But there were a few things I had to confirm before I could give him my answer.
"If your guesses are correct, then, I was the perpetrator who killed Yanagi-san and hid the truth… Are you sure that you are going to put someone like that in your guild?"
"If my guesses are correct, the one who killed Yanagi is someone who had a twisted sense of justice. In fact, after that, I learned that the perpetrator had set up a lot of evidence about Yanagi. Besides, as adventurers, conflicts between humans cannot be avoided as long as we aim to reach the top. Thus, I think someone who could swing his blade without hesitation will be always welcome."
"Conflict between humans, huh…"
Currently, the world is standing on an exquisite balance, as it has only been 20 years since the dungeons appeared, and it is still changing in a terrifying momentum even now.
The strength possessed by top-class adventurers has already far exceeded that of modern weapons, and nations with many excellent adventurers have the stronger right to speak.
For that reason, an existence that could rewrite the power balance between nations would be viewed as hostile by many nations. Of course, although the scale was quite small, the same also happens in a rivalry between guilds from the same country.
That's why I wanted to hide my power. I also sought a backing to protect myself from those threats. And Asakura just said that guild Yoizuki will be that backing.
"…."
I turned my gaze from the table to Asakura. Looking at his attitude when we're talking, it doesn't seem like he's lying. It was surely because he genuinely wanted to recruit me as a personnel from the bottom of his heart after seeing my true ability.
… This is it, huh.
I sighed greatly, which also contained my intention to give up. If he already has that kind of conviction after collecting this much information, then it is not possible to cover it up anymore.
Thus, I gave up and nodded.
"Just as you said, the one who defeated the Orc General and stopped Yanagi's wrongdoing was me."
"Hou, you immediately admitted as soon as you see no way to escape, huh. But, I don’t hate that kind of fast switchover. So, do you feel like joining our guild? Even if you declined, I don't plan to expose your power to the world. So, you can answer with your honest feelings."
"… I am sorry but, I don't plan to join any guild."
"Could you tell me the reason?"
The problem starts here. Even if he knew how much ability I had, I don't plan to tell him the details of how I obtained it.
"If I joined a guild, there would be many chances where I inevitably will have to work in a party. However, I wanted to continue being solo instead of belonging to a party."
"Solo? As expected, is that because your experience made you unable to believe in your comrades?"
"No, it's a matter of efficiency, as Transfer Within Dungeon can only be used for myself."
"…. I see, so it was like that. It's certainly more efficient to keep moving forward alone than to form a party and match their pace. Although the monsters and the traps that appeared along the way are troublesome, your skill is definitely suitable, especially in that kind of dungeons with attractive capture rewards."
Although I didn't tell any lies, I've deliberately omitted the fact that the intermission could be ignored. But that was still enough as a reason why I didn't want to join a guild.
It's quite painful to lose a backing but more importantly, right now I want to prioritize raising my level to the top of the world as soon as possible.
Yes, that was my reply after considering such things. But, Asakura didn't give up that easily.
"But even if it's true that it will take more time if you belong to a party, you will also be able to defeat the dungeon bosses that you couldn't defeat by yourself. Naturally, the capture reward will be increased too, and you should be able to grow more efficiently in the long run because of that. That’s why, you will miss that kind of opportunity if you decline, are you really sure with that?"
"That's…"
Asakura's advice is correct. Hence, I also had trouble answering that question. But perhaps he saw this as an opportunity, Asakura came up with an idea.
"Then, how about temporary joining first?"
"Temporary joining?"
Asakura nodded.
"Aa. It’s something like a training period to check the compatibility between the adventurer and the guild. During that period, you can basically continue your solo activities as before. In exchange, would you like to try capturing a dungeon with our high-ranked adventurers once or twice?"
"High-ranked adventurer…?"
At that moment, the figure of a girl with long silver hair– Claire crossed my mind.
If it was her, who is an S-rank adventurer, she undoubtedly can be called a high-ranked adventurer. If by chance I could be in a party with her, I might be able to know the reason for her extraordinary strength.
Truth to be told, I was very interested in that, but there was another problem.
"Honestly, that isn't a bad condition… But, I don't want to spread the knowledge of my abilities to others until I officially join the guild."
"Needless to say, I will impose a gag order on those who you form a capture party with. You can trust our members as the tightness of their mouth is genuine. But if you still can't believe it, I could only give up… So, how is it, Amane?"
"…"
Of course there is a risk. However, there are also comparable returns to that.
If my solo dungeon capture wasn't hindered, then temporary joining might be a good choice.
Thus, after thinking for a while, I made a decision.
"Understood. I will be temporarily joining the guild."
"Good decision"
There, Asakura finally showed a gentle smile after having a serious expression the whole time. Looks like he was truly delighted from the bottom of his heart because I decided on temporarily joining the guild.
Although I was curious why he was that happy, since I thought it was strange if I asked, I decided not to.
After that, Asakura and I talked about the rules and conditions for temporary joining, and also about my future plans.
Finally, after exchanging contact information, I left the guild master room and decided to leave the building since my matter here was done.
However,
"… Rin?"
"Why is Rin-senpai here?"
"Nn?"
Since I heard familiar voices from behind, I turned my body and opened my eyes, surprised at who I saw.
"… Rei and Yui"
It was Yui and Rei who stood there.
done.co