Chapter 27: First Semester Dungeon Strategy – 2

After Professor Karia’s morning assembly ended, it wasn’t long before the smartphone in my pocket vibrated.

[Notification: ‘Han Sehee’ has invited ‘Seong Yujin,’ ‘Hermod Beowulf,’ and ‘Miguel Lorenzo’ to a group chat.]

It was a notification for a group chat invitation.

Judging by the name “14th Group Chat” and the composition of the invited members, it seemed to be a communication channel for the team members who would be participating in the dungeon conquest practice together.

[Han Sehee: Hello. I created a group chat for the 14th group dungeon conquest!]

[Han Sehee: Since we need to know each other’s skills and specializations, how about we meet at Training Hall No. 1?]

Han Sehee announced the creation of the group chat and suggested that we meet at Training Hall No. 1 to get to know each other.

There was no reason to refuse.

As I typed a reply, the other team members’ messages started coming in at a similar speed.

[Miguel Lorenzo: Got it. I’m heading to Training Hall No. 1 now.]

[Seong Yujin: Confirmed. Let’s meet at Training Hall No. 1.]

[Hermod Beowulf: Then I’ll bring some snacks so we can chat while eating!]

Training Hall No. 1 is located within the educational district where the Learning Centre is.

Han Sehee probably suggested meeting there because it was close by after the morning assembly had just ended.

Maybe because Hermod said he would bring snacks, I felt a bit awkward going empty-handed.

Since we’d be talking quite a bit, I decided to bring some drinks.

With that thought in mind, I nodded and was about to head to the nearest convenience store when I suddenly thought of something strange.

‘How did they get my contact information?’

I checked the contacts on my smartphone, but the screen showed only a few names.

Among them, the only fellow students were the contacts I had previously exchange with, Seria Alvhaim and Cheon Yuhwa.

Since Han Sehee invited me, she must have had my contact information.

[Han Sehee: Oh, by the way, I got Seong Yujin’s contact info from Cheon Yuhwa.]

Unable to resist my curiosity, I asked in the chat, and Han Sehee kindly answered.

It seemed she had some sort of friendship with Cheon Yuhwa to have directly received my contact information from her.

‘If there’s an issue, it’s that I don’t recognize any of these names.’

I memorized most of the names of the main and supporting characters who appeared in the main story of <World Saviour Online>, but none of the members in the 14th group were names I recognized, except for Hermod.

Not that I wanted to know him anyway.

‘It’ll work out somehow.’

Dungeon conquest practice, especially for the first semester of the first year, was notoriously easy.

Since everyone had passed Eden’s entrance exam and was admitted, there was no need to doubt or worry about their abilities.

Thinking about what drinks to buy, I headed to the convenience store.

***

“I didn’t know what everyone liked, so I bought banana milk, something simple and safe.”

“Oh!”

When I arrived at Training Hall No. 1, it looked like a college retreat scene.

The difference from a college retreat was that instead of alcohol, there was banana milk, and instead of side dishes, there were bread and snacks piled up.

For a moment, I wondered if this was really okay.

Miguel Lorenzo, who read my thoughts, burst into laughter.

He was a student with a large build and dark brown skin that reminded me of a martial artist.

“Isn’t it better to eat and drink while talking rather than just having a heavy conversation?”

“Well, that’s true…”

“And anyway, you were the one who brought the banana milk.”

Well, he had a point.

Since I brought it, we might as well enjoy it while we talk, as long as we clean up afterward.

I also preferred a comfortable and lively atmosphere over a stiff and formal one.

As I naturally sat next to Miguel Lorenzo, Han Sehee confirmed that everyone had arrived and began to speak.

“First, let’s introduce ourselves!”

Her shoulder-length hair swayed with her nod.

Her face had a puppy-like impression, or maybe a bit sharper, making her look like a mix between a wolf and a puppy.

With a bright voice, she seemed to have a lively and cheerful personality.

“As you might have seen in the chat, my name is Han Sehee. I’m majoring in magic, and I don’t have any innate mystics.”

After Han Sehee’s neat introduction, the rest of us began introducing ourselves without much burden.

“Hermod Beowulf. I’m a Exploration major and got beaten up like a dog by Seong Yujin yesterday. My mystic abilities are detection and movement-based, and my main weapon is a dagger.”

His introduction was directed at me, but Miguel’s introduction naturally overshadowed his subtle provocation.

“Miguel Lorenzo. I’m a martial arts major and have combat-related mystical skills.”

Indeed, his physique emphasized solid strength.

If Cheon Yuhwa was known for her incredible strength despite her physique, this guy’s body looked like it had been honed through rigorous training.

It was my turn to introduce myself as everyone went in the circle.

“I’m Seong Yujin. I specialize in barrier magic and can handle both close-quarters and long-range combat, including combat support.”

After I finished, Han Sehee took the lead, clapping her hands.

“First, let’s chat while enjoying some snacks and banana milk! We have plenty of time!”

Miguel Lorenzo, as if waiting for those words, inserted a straw into his banana milk and grabbed a piece of bread.

His natural gesture prompted me to do the same.

The chocolate-filled bread looked delicious, so I took one.

It was sweet with rich chocolate.

“Of course, the team leader, or the strategist, should be decided first.”

“Can’t Seong Yujin just do it? He is skilled.”

Miguel Lorenzo, chewing on his bread, looked at me and said.

I was momentarily taken aback, but before I could respond, Han Sehee nodded.

“Indeed, since barrier magic is specialized in combat support. And his skills were evident in yesterday’s sparring… Ahem! Anyway, I don’t think he is bad.”

Han Sehee, who was about to mention yesterday’s training incident, quickly changed the subject.

The gaze turned to Hermod, who had been silent, but he just nodded without any objection.

So, unanimously, I became the team leader.

It was daunting, but honestly, I didn’t feel completely inadequate.

‘I should probably expand the detection barrier’s range a bit.’

With the detection barrier expanded, I could monitor what was happening in real-time within the barrier, allowing for accurate assessment of the situation and issuing instructions even without direct visual contact.

Additionally, in case of emergencies during battles inside the barrier, I could provide direct support, so I couldn’t think of anyone more suitable than myself.

“Alright, then I’ll take the lead in this dungeon raid practice.”

Even though we hadn’t discussed it beforehand, applause erupted.

Feeling pleased inside, I flashed a small smile, took a sip of banana milk, and began our preparations in earnest.

“Firstly, the terrain of the dungeon we’ve been assigned is a swamp.”

“Ah, that’s right. Close-quarters combat like mine, where you have to engage physically, would be at a disadvantage.”

Miguel frowned.

Even though the swamp itself might not pose any real danger, it was still a threat and an annoyance.

It was natural for close-quarters combat hunters, who relied on every movement on solid ground, to avoid it.

I understood his sentiment, but there was no need to understand it.

From the moment we were assigned the swamp dungeon, I had already found a solution to that problem.

“I’ll take care of that part.”

“Take care of it?”

As the party members began to look at me with scepticism, I smiled and created a barrier.

Infused with magic and emitting a faint blue light, the barrier appeared about a meter above the ground.

“Try stepping on it.”

“Hmm, alright.”

Miguel, who was sitting, stood up with a doubtful expression.

Approaching the barrier, he leaped and landed on it.

Thud.

“…Huh?”

And thus, his leap concluded as Miguel’s leg met my barrier, and he descended again, but the ground he landed on wasn’t the floor of the first training ground.

“I’ve created a platform with my barrier. This way, we can overcome the terrain issues in the swamp.”

Miguel, fascinated by my barrier, bounced his toes a few times before starting to jump around.

Curious, Han Sehee also climbed onto the barrier.

“Wow, this is amazing. I never knew this was possible with barrier magic.”

“Indeed. Seeing how stable it is even when jumping around, it seems quite sturdy.”

The meeting proceeded smoothly after that.

I was in charge of creating platforms and switching to detection barriers to assess the situation, while Miguel and Hermod took charge of the vanguard.

Han Sehee retreated to the rear to provide support fire with me or to support the front in case of emergencies.

“Let’s wrap up the meeting here and prepare for the dungeon raid individually. Don’t forget to take care of your condition.”

The meeting ended successfully in a warm atmosphere.

From Friday afternoon to Saturday and Sunday, as always, time flew by, and before I knew it, the third week’s Monday morning had arrived.