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Published at 5th of January 2019 04:20:12 PM


Chapter 15: 15

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The business hour has passed, however, Jake asked for everyone to gather on the second floor before going home. Fortunately, Mari was free tonight and could join in the discussion.

The usual group was seated around the circular table. There was some food on the table but could only be categorized as a light snack. The group's attention was drawn to a single unfamiliar figure with a medium build.

Jake gestured towards Roger to stand up and introduce himself to the crowd. There was no objection from Roger as he too, felt the expectant gaze of the group.

"Hello everyone, I have just joined the guild. My name is Roger Massey. Nice to meet you."

A round of applause was given as Roger sat back on his chair. The most excited pairs were the Watanabe siblings. For them, most of the adults in the guild were like an addition to their new family. It was natural for them to celebrate the occasion with a large smile.

Adam was unaffected by Roger's appearance. He saw him earlier and have exchanged some words with him but found out that they were not too compatible. Instead, he chose to move closer to Kana, trying out his luck.

"Hey Kana, are you free tomorrow? It's the weekend, let's watch a movie together, 'kay?"

The scene was witnessed by Jake and Lee, who was on the verge of laughing. This time, they managed to hold it in by distracting themselves to fool around with the others. Lee was especially compatible with Mari since they both have a cheerful personality.

Kana struggled to force out a smile as she rejected the offer, saying that she would be busy with a project. However, Adam proved to be a tough opponent to take. He shrugged the matter off to some other days and continue chat… um… bother her.

Unable to take the pressure, Kana turned his attention towards the group and raised her voice.

"So? What's the matter? Surely you won't gather us just because of Roger, right?"

Finally, Adam stopped talking to her and turned his attention to Jake, along with everybody else. Roger, too, felt the same way and followed the others, waiting for Jake to say something.

"Ehem… of course! I have an important announcement to make. I plan for our guild to have its first expedition to a dungeon! The date would be one week from now. The reward for joining will be in the form of Silver Credits. The most active one will be given an additional reward."

The announcement took the others except for Roger and Kana by surprise. Well, Roger was a bit shocked but due to a different subject.

'The Raid… it was made just now?…'

Somehow, Roger felt a bit cheated by his new guild leader. It was too late to turn back now.

"C-can you explain about the dungeon we're going to?"

Lee's timid voice broke the silence due to the shock. He had a bitter smile on his face, probably due to his last experience inside a dungeon. At that time, he might have died if Jake was not present.

"Right. Take a look at this."

Jake turned on the TV, displaying a certain news program. Adam and Kana recognized the news from earlier.

Jake played the entire segment and paused when the screen showed the well in a distance.

"This is a potential new dungeon. I named it, the <Mysterious Well> as written on the news. Hahaha. Jokes aside. I predict that the association will soon announce the recruitment of an expedition team to explore the dungeon. They probably want to use the public to ascertain the danger inside the dungeon. That's why I put the date as one week later for us to prepare."

After the explanation, Jake's eyes fell on several people. They were Mari, Lee, Kana, and Roger as they were the only people capable of fighting against a monster. Lee and Mari had a relatively low level amongst the others but Jake thought that it was a great opportunity to raise their fighting capability. Jake was confident to be able to protect all of them as long as he's present.

The confidence came from his current strength. The production job was not as bad as he thought as it gained him a great number of stats. Right now, his stats were as follow:

==

Sylvester Atkins

Age: 20

Job: Shopmaster

Level: 19

Strength: 60

Dexterity: 65

Constitution: 56

Perception: 59

Magic: 76

Free Attributes Point: 0

==

The growth spurt was achieved by sacrificing most of his time. Jake spent his weekdays inside the workshop, mainly to train his production skill and increase his stats at the same time. The weekends were spent at Mt. Odake or other training ground, which could be accessed through the portal inside the Tokyo Station.

Sometimes Jake was too immersed in hunting until he lost track of time and got scolded by Ethel at home. However, Jake knew that his sister was feeling a bit lonely without him.

There was one thing he neglected. It was the fact on how great was Lee's trauma on his last dungeon run.

"J-jake… is it the same dungeon as last time…?"

Lee brought up the topic. His voice was shaking as he uttered the question. The group noticed the peculiarity in Lee's tone of speech.

"What's wrong? What's up with that dungeon?"

Jake sighed at the question. At this point, he knew that he can't dodge the question and was prepared to give an answer.

The two started to narrate their experience inside the <Goblin's Dungeon>. There are those who showed a great reaction of fear, such as the Watanabes and those who showed interest in the dungeon. Roger was part of the latter. However, it would be a lie for him to say that he wanted to go to one of those dungeons. After all, he still has his mother to take care of.

Kana knitted her brows in deep thoughts.

"This expedition will be very dangerous. I'm against the idea, I think we should wait for the green light from the association. The risks are too high."

Jake frowned at Kana's decision. He knew about the risk and was prepared to take it. The confirmation of the existence of <Demon's Mark> was worth the risk.

"Of course, it's okay if you don't want to join. I understand the risk and I won't force you to take the same risk as I did."

At Jake's words, Kana and the others have just realized. Jake didn't gather them to recruit them or ask for permission. He was just informing them about his decision. As of what purpose did he wanted to achieve? No one knows.

Kana turned to glare at Jake, she was furious and disappointed at his decision.

"This is the main reason I'm willing to join the guild. So, I'm willing to go with you."

The first one to join the expedition team is naturally, Roger, who was enticed by the promised rewards. However, no one else had the courage to lift their hands. Lee's body shook a little at the thoughts of risking his life.

Kana had no intention of joining the expedition team. She is someone who moved on profits and cherished her friends at the same time. She didn't want her friends to dive head first into an unknown place.

However, her efforts were futile in front of the current Jake. Lee's next action made it even worse for her.

"I-I'll join…"

Lee lifted his shaking hands. He managed to gather his courage and strength for that one action. Even Jake was surprised by his best friend's decision.

"Lee, are you sure?"

"Y-yes! I don't want to be left behind."

"Great!"

Jake smiled. He knew that it would be a bit difficult with Lee's current strength but actually, he has a large potential for battle, even greater than Roger's. The only thing restricting his growth was his cheerful but timid personality. In this case, the latter personality only showed itself when Lee was faced in a disadvantageous situation. Other than that, he is as fucking confident as he could be.

"Then it's decided. Next week, we will depart from here. Kana, Mari, while I'm gone, I'm placing you in charge of the shop."

The anger inside Kana's eyes hasn't been subsided as she continues to glare at Jake. However, she nodded her head eventually. In her head, she still has one last trump card to prevent Jake from going.

With the matter settled, the members are free to go and rest before the appointed time. Jake, too, decided to take a nice rest before returning to his night shift.

*

Jake exited the <Time Chamber> in the afternoon. As usual, he took a bath and went downstairs to check on the situation within the shop. However, his body froze as he saw a slender figure sitting across Kana. She was the only person he doesn't want to meet right now.

Ethel also noticed Jake from her seat and stared at him with a murderous gaze. Kana called her this morning to inform her of his brother's dangerous plan. Naturally, she was here to change his mind on going.

The appearance of Ethel was a bit unexpected. However, Jake soon understand the reason from Kana's strange smile. It seems that she told Ethel about his expedition. In that case, the current situation was not unexpected.

Jake approached Ethel with a smile, feigning his innocence.

"Sis, it's been a while since you came! Order some more food, we got a lot of new dishes on the menu."

"Hm… yeah. I saw it already. This place is turning out to be a nice place."

"Right? Haha."

"But that's not an excuse to leave it to Kana!"

Ethel's tone turned sharp. She indirectly guided the conversation to the main reason for her appearance. Jake understood his sister's personality and didn't hit around the bush. He didn't avoid her gaze and made the eye contact.

"Sis, I have made up my mind. I won't change my decision no matter what."



Silence…

Kana also didn't expect Jake to stand his ground. In their old days, he would listen to his sister without any resistance.

Ethel, on the other hand, didn't make such an exaggerated reaction as Kana. She simply continues to stare at Jake with her cold gaze. The only thoughts inside her head were the fact that her brother is starting to change. Whether it is for the better or worse? She had no idea just yet.

"*Sigh* I will you the permission under one condition."

Jake and Kana had a wonderful expression on their face. They were so shocked at Ethel's words and the turn of events.

"Ehem… what is it?"

In response to Jake's question, Ethel let out a small, but scary smile. Her beautiful face was further enhanced by the smile. However, no one would have the confidence to approach her under such a smile.

"Land a clean hit against me in a spar."




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