SWNOVELXO Chapter 107
107. I Want To Join The Strategy Team
My goal is to become even stronger than I am now.
To increase the efficiency of leveling up, I have to go deeper into the dungeon.
However, the deeper I go, the slower my progress becomes. As my level increases slowly, the enemies get stronger in inverse proportion.
That’s why I was thinking that I needed to increase my companions to fight stronger enemies.
Joining the strategy team is a perfect opportunity. If possible, I want to be part of it too.
“What? You’re an adventurer, big brother?”
“Yeah. I’m still D-rank, but… I think I’m fairly skilled.”
Upon hearing my story, Fran groaned and crossed her arms.
“I think it’s difficult. Most of the people in the strategy team are hard to get along with, so they might not even listen unless you’re S-rank.”
It’s not going to be easy. Since Fran says so, it must be true.
Just as I was about to give up, Fran added.
“But.”
“I think you can at least ask! Depending on your skills, they might welcome you!”
“Really? What should I do?”
“The meeting should be ending soon, so why don’t you talk to Gelda then!”
“Gelda?”
“The leader of the strategy team! Come on, follow me! I’ll take you there!”
Fran took my hand, and we started running.
We arrived at the usual adventurer’s guild. According to Fran, the strategy team’s meeting is being held here.
As usual, I opened the door, and there were dozens of men sitting inside. However, the faces were different from usual.
The ones sitting here must be the strategy team members. On closer inspection, they seemed to have more dignity than the usual adventurers.
They are S-rank adventurers, recognized by the kingdom as the strategy team. Feeling slightly intimidated, I stepped inside with determination.
“This way, big brother!”
Fran waved at me from the back of the guild. I followed her.
“Ah! There he is! Gelda!”
Fran called out to a brown-haired man standing at the front of the group.
Gelda was sitting at the farthest seat, chatting with other members, and noticed Fran calling him.
“Hmm? What’s up, Fran?”
Gelda, who seemed to be in his thirties, stroked his unshaven chin. He looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, not particularly strong—though he must have skills.
“Actually, there’s someone who wants to join the strategy team! I brought him here to meet you!”
At Fran’s words, Gelda noticed me and Raize. He finished his drink and walked over to us.
“Is it you two that Fran is talking about?”
“Yes. We want to join the strategy team.”
Gelda scrutinized us with evaluating eyes. A tense moment passed.
I recognize this gaze. It’s the look of someone assessing another’s worth.
An uneasy feeling crept over me.
“So, how skilled are you? You must be S-rank adventurers, right?”
“No, we’re D-rank.”
“What!?”
Gelda shouted, and his face turned bright red.
“Are you joking!? There’s no way a D-rank adventurer can join the strategy team! Are you here to mock me!?”
“No! We’ve reached the 25th floor together!”
“The 25th floor… just the two of you? You defeated a Minotaur?”
Indeed, we are D-rank adventurers without any notable achievements.
However, we did defeat the Minotaur. Defeating a Minotaur, even for S-rank adventurers, is a difficult task. This should prove our skill.
“Don’t lie to me! That’s ridiculous!!”
“It’s not a lie! Look at this!”
I took out the Minotaur’s fur certificate from my inventory and handed it to Gelda.
This certificate, endorsed by the guild, objectively proves our skill.
Gelda looked at the paper I handed him and started reading it intently.
“This is nonsense! You could have bought something like this on the market and had it authenticated by the guild! It’s all fake!”
He dismissed our evidence. The certificate flew out of his hand.
Of course, as Gelda said, it’s possible to fake defeating a Minotaur. But it’s not worth the cost. An adventurer’s skill is easily revealed by an appraisal.
Even so, he showed no signs of listening to us. Instead, he seemed even more agitated, his face growing redder.
“Don’t think you can fool me with that!! Only S-rank adventurers can join the strategy team!! They have proven skills and trustworthy achievements!!”
It was clear that he wouldn’t listen to anything we said. Just as I was about to withdraw.
“What’s all the fuss about?”
Ignoring the raging Gelda, a figure boldly stepped in. I recognized this person.
“Big sister!”
“Laura…”
The blonde girl we bumped into in the capital. And a member of the strategy team. She was Fran’s sister.