episode_0075

is a remarkably well-balanced adventurer party.

An adventurer party isn’t just a single force, but a multifaceted collaboration of several individuals.

A party’s combat strength isn’t determined solely by the individual strengths of its members.

In other words, it’s a realm of multiplication, not addition.

Their combined combat strength is determined not only by each individual’s power but also by how well they utilize each other’s strengths and how seamlessly they coordinate their actions.

If an adventurer party were likened to equipment, a well-coordinated party is akin to gear with excellent set effects.

Hidden synergies, unnoticed when apart, explode into an incredible force when they work together.

Conversely, even if each member is individually powerful, a newly formed party is like piling together strong pieces of equipment without considering the combination. They simply exert the sum of their individual power, nothing more, nothing less.

From this perspective, Sasunghoe was a truly perfect party.

Just as there are class-based positions in typical RPG games, Akasto has standardized position combinations. The unfailing ‘Tank-DPS-Healer-Support’ is a prime example, having never wavered from its established role since its inception.

Terence Taker, the warrior wielding a greatsword, bears the brunt of enemy attacks at the forefront.

Joy Esmeralda, the mage, unleashes merciless magical bombardments from the center of the party.

Lily Prelude, the priestess, heals injured allies and provides various magical support.

And Rif, the ranger, oversees the whole battle, supporting each of the three positions.

Based on the atmosphere during the strategy meeting, while the personalities of each member clash slightly, the leader, Terence, smoothly mediates any conflict.

Truly befitting leadership for a party leader.

Thus, Sasunghoe formed a unified, well-balanced party.

We… um…

Hmm…

Could be summarized as… ‘unified in ‘spirit’ only—Nari and the mischievous bunch’.

The answer lies in the previous example: ‘piling together strong pieces of equipment without considering the combination’.

In a battle against Sasunghoe, Eve’s ‘Absolute Zero’ might resolve the issue… but if there were an exam to select an outstanding adventurer party, with teamwork accounting for a significant portion of the score, I’d readily admit defeat.

Our personalities—mine, Eve’s, and Nix’s—are simply too strong.

A haphazard coordinated attack would be less efficient than a tournament-style fight where we take turns.

As the information exchange concluded and the meeting reached its midpoint, we moved to the main topic and finalized the overall operation plan.

“The upper levels are more detrimental the more people there are. Because the paths are narrow and there are many traps. It’s better to move with a small, easily controlled number of people.”

“Then, it would be best to naturally split up into parties and designate an advance and a rear guard.”

Sasunghoe, having previously explored up to the safe zone at the entrance to the middle levels, was selected as the advance guard. We would follow them as the rear guard.

Terence made the suggestion first.

“Thank you. It’s a great relief to us novices that you’ll be leading the way.”

“Ha-ha- No, it’s only natural for a senior like me, you know.”

Around this time, I think we truly relaxed around each other.

I felt a comfortable atmosphere typical of same-sex friends from Terence, an atmosphere I’d forgotten.

And he probably sensed a casual nature from me, in contrast to my ‘beautiful appearance’?

Well, let’s just say that.

And we steered the conversation towards the original objective—the dungeon break that had occurred in the middle levels.

“Once we regroup at the safe zone, we’ll do a quick check-up and then advance, without dillydallying.”

This was an urgent matter; we had accepted the request and devised a plan to proceed within hours of hearing about the dungeon break. Given the situation, quick action was essential, even if it meant accepting some risk.

Terence nodded.

“Let’s do that. Next, let’s discuss battle formations…”

“Hmm… I’ve thought about this, too-”

“As expected, that would be it.”

This is a continuation of our earlier discussion—about party balance and all that.

We’ve moved from the issue of individuals composing the party—to the issue of parties forming an alliance.

Since this is the first time the two parties are working together, a lack of coordination would likely lead to disastrous results.

“If we’re not careful, we’ll end up hindering you.”

“I don’t think it will be quite that bad…”

No, it absolutely will be. Not only is our party’s combination terrible, but the overall power balance is so skewed that individual combat would be more effective.

Thus, only one answer remains.

“We should restructure into a single party.”

Kwaang—!!

The teacups rattled violently as Joy slammed her fist on the table, nearly shattering it.

“I won’t accept it!”

Whizz-

Her burning gaze was clearly directed at Eve.

I gently waved my hand.

“I believe you’re misunderstanding…”

Her face flushed crimson, as if on the verge of exploding; this level of persuasion was meaningless, but Terence intervened.

“Listen until the end. We aren’t suggesting a complete merger, just temporarily, for combat.”

“…Humph.”

What kind of grudge did she hold to exhibit such a strong negative reaction? How dare she interrupt the leaders’ conversation-

I continued speaking.

“Even if our experience is lacking, we have the skill to observe and emulate proper coordination.”

“And with the exact number of people, just adding one person to each position will do nicely.”

The solution to our party’s survival—’unite and die, scatter and live’—is naturally to scatter. However, if each member supports Sasunghoe’s positions, the efficiency would improve beyond just being ‘better than nothing’.

“The question is who goes where… First, Yuri here will be carrying the luggage, so she’s fixed as rear support.”

“Then Ms. Yuri will join Lily, and since Mr. Nix is skilled in magic, he’ll support Joy.”

The position assignments proceeded smoothly. I had already conceived of our party members’ positions, and our true battlefield begins when we enter the lower levels.

However, the most crucial position was the problem.

“Absolutely not! Send that Eve to Rif’s side!”

“Terence, this is something we absolutely cannot compromise on—!”

A fierce argument erupted between Joy and Lily concerning who should take the front line. Eve, under no circumstances, must be next to Terence.

“But I need to be active in the lower levels, so I’d prefer to preserve my strength alongside the ranger…”

“No way!!“

My lips twitched, wanting to ask the reason. Honestly, it didn’t really matter which of us, Eve or I went where.

I barely managed to suppress a sigh and calmed them.

“Okay, okay. I’ll take the vanguard, so please calm down…”

This time, Terence’s intervention failed. That means that there is something going on…

We didn’t have time for more bickering.

“I think we’ve settled most of the plan. I’ll give further instructions depending on the situation on the spot.”

“We’ll follow your lead.”

Once more, I shook his hand, marking the end of preparations and the beginning of our adventure.

It happened so quickly.

Only a few days had passed since the adventurers were isolated in the ruins. The request was accepted, members recruited, and the plan finalized within less than half a day of the order.

This was thanks to Sasunghoe’s experience, the unshakable determination of the women to protect the villagers, transcending mere skill, and our incredibly opportune arrival in Evermore.

But the essence remained unchanged always. Discovering clues related to my power in the Artemis ruins and completing my mother’s research.

That was the promise I made with Leonardo.

I silently steeled my resolve and clenched my fist.

Just then, Gruenhill, who had been observing all this, approached with a small bundle.

“This is…?”

“Open it.”

A rattling sound came from inside the leather pouch, and a faint light leaked out when the opening was loosened.

It was a large quantity of return stones.

“Remember, this isn’t the only request. Please… I beseech you.”

“You intend for us to use them for the isolated adventurers?”

He nodded, a faint mixture of emotions swirling in his expression.

Relief and, paradoxically, anxiety. His mind must have been flooded with countless thoughts.

“Leave this to us, please take care of the village.”

“…Understood.”

I took the bundle and carefully tucked it into Yuri’s backpack.

“Let’s do that, you know, that thing?”

“That thing—would be…”

Ah, that. A kind of ritual to unify everyone’s spirit before setting out.

It sounds grand, but it’s just chanting a slogan.

“Let Ms. Narias do the honors.”

“Shall I? I’ve never done this before.”

No. I’d done this countless times in my past life.

I extended my hand into the circle.

Yuri and Nix scrambled to claim my hand. Eve quietly placed her hand on top of theirs.

Terence’s hand appeared above hers, causing Joy and Lily to grab it in alarm. Rif subtly covered Eve’s hand instead.

Lily, having lost at rock-paper-scissors, placed her hand on Rif’s. Then Terence, and Joy on top.

Thus, somehow, eight hands gathered. I whispered softly.

“Some of us have done this before, others haven’t. But now, experience doesn’t matter. What’s important is that we’re gathered here with the same purpose.”

We clasped hands, our thoughts interwoven. As eight expressions converged into one.

I braced myself and shouted.

“Let’s return alive. One, two, three—“

. . .

In the dead of night. Before the Artemis ruins, illuminated by five or six torches.

Two of the strongest elite adventurer parties currently assembled stood side by side.

“Advance guard, proceeding first.”

“Good luck.”

Even in the darkness that made them hard to see, Terence’s smile faintly shone.

Then, into the deepest darkness, Sasunghoe descended the stairs.

When even my [Mana Detection] could no longer sense their footsteps…

I turned to Eve.

“What exactly happened?”