Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Introductions

Translator/Editor: Mana

Special Thanks: Rinkage

Since everyone is here, shall we introduce ourselves first? Jin said, and everyone quietened down.

This room was one of the rooms in the Arrivers Party House. Five people sat around a simple wooden desk. Jin, the person who invited me to the Arrivers. A young man with rather stylish blue hair and two swords at his waist. A black-robed mage with silver twintails. A little girl wearing a priestess habitwhich could probably be better expressed as a priestess habit wearing a little girl.

Followed by plain old me.

Erm what do you say in an introduction the little priestess asked hesitantly. From her wandering gaze and trembling voice, she seemed quite nervous.

To be honest, this question saved me. Since Im also the type to fret about what to say in a self-introduction Introductions are quite a torturous event for people who dont have special characteristics or abilities.

Hmm, lets see How about we do the same introduction as when we first formed the party? Our name, job, and the reason why were challenging the dungeon.

The reason why Im challenging the dungeon A tiny seed of panic bloomed within me at Jins words. What was my reason for trying to clear the dungeon? For money? For honour?

I didnt think it was for anything like that.

The reason why I originally wanted to become an adventurer wasnt particularly impressive either. When we were little, Miya and I listened to tales of Miyas adventurer father and promised each other, Lets become adventurers when we grow up!. Thats how insignificant it was.

So even if I was suddenly questioned about my reasons for challenging the dungeon, there was no way I could give a refined answer

Then lets introduce ourselves in a clockwise direction, starting from me. Note, you can go last.

Perhaps my panic had shown on my face, as Jin threw me a lifeline. This kind of consideration really helped. I was honestly glad I didnt have to go first.

My name is Jin. I dont have a last name, so just call me Jin. My job is an assassin. The reason why Im aiming to conquer the dungeon is because I want to leave my name in history, or something like that?

Because he wants to leave his name in history People like Jin sure have a different way of seeing the world I couldnt even imagine having such an outrageous goal. It didnt seem like it would be a helpful reference for my own reason.

Alright, then Im next, the blue-haired swordsman sitting on Jins left spoke up. My name is Force Granz. The leader of the Arrivers! I have only one reason for clearing dungeons! To be popular amongst women, thats it! he declared.

He declared, full of confidence.

Wait, that kind of reason for conquering dungeons is acceptable? Is that really okay? Now I feel like a fool for thinking too deeply

Looking at the expressions on the girls, they seemed halfway between glaring in disdain and giving up. It didnt seem okay after all.

The female mage went as far to say, And thats why youre not popular, Force

You just dont get it, Erin. All men are challenging dungeons to become popular Right? Newbie?

Please dont throw me such hard-to-answer questions

Am I challenging a dungeon to be popular with girls? Was I going to go dungeon diving because I wanted to be liked by Miya, because I wanted her to see me i

n a better light?

I dont think that was it.

The relationship between me and Miya was already over, and while I regret it, I do not want to start over with her. I dont even think of starting over as an option.

Hmm I wonder? I had no choice but to evasively reply to Forces question. The girls direct just a bit of their cold gazes towards me.

Its my turn next!

It was the silver twintail mages turn to introduce herself. Her height was a little shorter than me. She was a girl close to my age. Her face was kind of cute, but her eyes and expression gave off the impression of a rather strict personality.

Well, she was chewing Force out just a moment ago She definitely had a strict personality

My name is Erin Fortroad. My job is a mage. Im conquering dungeons to prove Im the best mage in the world!

She really did seem fierce.

I was amazed at how she could just declare herself the best mage in the world. But at the same time, I was also a little envious. I saw myself as inferior and didnt have any self-esteem at all, making her the complete opposite of my existence. Perhaps that was why. Even though I was listening to them boast, it strangely didnt put me in a bad mood.

Erins self-introduction had ended, and everyone simultaneously turned their attention to the little girl who had yet to introduce herself.

Under everyones gazes, the little girl startled with a Eh?

The next introduction. Its your turn, Neme, Jin said gently, seeming to grasp the situation. She hurriedly opened her mouth.

Err Im Neme Neme Parsin Im a priestess E-Erm and the reason why Im clearing dungeons is because I want to try clear the dungeons God created something like that

The little girl diagonally to my right finished her shifty introduction while sweating buckets. Her cheeks were as red as her short, red hair.

Even I started to feel a little worried for her, and asked Are you alright?

Eh? Y-Yes! A twitching reply came back at me. She didnt seem alright at all

Umm Neme is super shy around people so take it easy with her

Im not shy! Im just bad at meeting people for the first time!

The little girl instantly fired a retort at Jins follow-up comment. Now matter how you look at it, this toughness that was only directed towards acquaintances was definitely shyness

But that was what made her a cute little girl

Newbie. Looks can be misleading so Im telling you this now, but this kid is actually 21 years old. Shes the oldest out of all of us. Shes an auntie.

Eh? No way.

I couldnt hide my surprise at Forces statement. Or rather, I actually voiced my thoughts out loud. Eh? No way.

Y-Yes Its true Im a dwarf so I look younger than my age Always Also, Force! Im not an auntie! 21 is still a young miss!

She was really only tough to her acquaintances. Youre definitely shy, Miss Neme

After that, I apologised with a Sorry for speaking so rudely, Miss Neme, and she happily responded, I finally have an adoring disciple

I could still feel a wall between us, but I was sure that would disappear with time.

Note, its your turn.

At the sound of Jins voice, I remembered the fact my own introduction wasnt done yet. My conversation with Neme just now distracted me, and I had completely forgotten about it. Of course, I hadnt decided what to say yet.

Since it couldnt be helped, I just said what came to mind.

Im Note Athlon. Until now, Ive been an adventurer doing odd jobs. Ive been tentatively using a sword, but Im an amateur with practically no abilities, so Im basically useless Err, and the reason why I want to challenge the dungeon is

I hadnt thought of what to say in my introduction. Because I hadnt thought of it, the words that blurted out of my mouth were the truth.

An unforgettable past. Words that precisely expressed my vague wish within a grey reality. A wish I had always wanted, but couldnt put into words until now.

The reason I want to challenge dungeons is because I want to change myself.

To an onlooker, my reason might not make any sense. But no one in this party laughed. No one mocked me. Although everyone here had gathered for different reasons, we all had the same goal.

It was a good introduction! Now then. Once more, welcome to the Arrivers!

Because I had always been looking for a place where I belonged, Jins words to me made me truly happy.

Alright! Now lets go to the dungeon!

With a glance at the clock leaning against the wall, Force stood up.

Eh?Four voices of surprise echoed throughout the room. Were going right now?

The mage Erin raised a voice of complaint. Why do we have to leave so late today? We can just go tomorrow!

But dont you want to dive in the dungeon and find out if Notes Mapping skill can actually be used? We also need to lift Note, so can we just clear the first floor in a flash and come straight back, right?

Wondering what lift meant, I turned to Jin next to me, and asked in a whisper.

Apparently, lift was the word used to describe the action of taking people who hadnt ventured very far into the dungeon to the transport crystal in the deeper floors, then returning.

What could be the point of that action? Well apparently, transport crystals that have been previously reached can be teleported to directly from the entrance. In other words, by receiving a lift, you can instantly access the floor you reached last time.

Erin and the other members seemed to accept Forces idea.

Thus my first dungeon exploration was decided with no time for me to prepare my heart.