Volume 1

Chapter 1.5: Joining Party

PART 1

2nd day in this wonderful world.

He pushed open the guild's doors.

After pondering before going to bed. I decided to join up a party.

I also invested my 4 points, from level up, into Trap Detection and Disarm.

They will help me earn money and getting into a party will be easier with those skills.

I don't know if there are other major skills I need, to become a 'dungeon delver thief'. I can ask Luna about that, I suppose.

Also, I bought some beginner equipment with the money. It is a leather armor, dagger holster, etc.

Kazuma headed towards the recruitment board.

She told me about recruitment board yesterday.

I can post a recruitment myself or interview to join other parties.

To be honest, I want to create my own party.

While my goals aren't to become an full-time adventurer, I still want to adventure – experience.

Gather powerful companions.

Delve into dungeons.

After all, I had my own guild once, in an mmo-rpg.

Anyway, let's first join other party before creating my own.

He looked through the various posters that were there.

Different parties had different requirements.

Some parties welcomed both high and low tier jobs.

While other parties only wanted high tier job members or specific job member.

Kazuma's job isn't considered high tier. That doesn't mean its not strong.

Every thing has its pros and cons.

While Swordmasters could be considered very powerful, Thief job is powerful in its own way.

Not everything can be done with only brawn.

Hm... Let's just choose this one, a party with a high tier job leader.

With the poster in his hand, Kazuma moved as he read the description about the leader, to find him in the tavern.

It written here that they'll divide earnings equally.

Other rules will be explained later...

He looked around the tavern to find the person he was looking for.

Kazuma found him sitting on a table.

What an weird getup.

A mask with small cat ears. Yellow-ish Hair. Set of Pauldrons and Leg armor. That's all the man was wearing.

A hammer? That big?! Where's the chest armor? Are you wearing metal for show?

Beside the man, was a gigantic hammer.

Kazuma approached the man with a smile.

"Good morning. Galil, was it? I saw your poster."

Said Kazuma to the man who is named "Galil"

PART 2

That Galil guy said he'd only let me in the party for a single day. He wanted his party to be maximum 5 members, he already had 4.

A crusader woman joined his party too, making it 5. Only for 1 day as well, to see her skills. She wasn't with them at the moment.

He said the woman would probably drag them behind, and letting me in would be more difficult for them. Why? That's because I'm low level Thief...

I am offended but I left right away.

Once I am renowned as a powerful adventurer, that guy will regret his decision.

Well, he wasn't a bad guy though... He apologized for rejecting me.

Let's check this next party out. They already have 4 members.

Their party's chemistry in good too, a Warrior, Crusader, an Archer, and a Wizard. Meaning 2 Ranged and 2 Close Combat.

Crusaders are known for their, "Tanky-ness", in RPG words. They are great as a decoy – is what I have heard.

They also said they'll officially let me in if I am worth it.

Hm... it's written they are in guild too, naturally. Description... brown hair and eyes with a headband.

Kazuma carefully scanned the tavern.

He spotted the person he was searching for.

Sitting on a table with 2 other of his party members.

A man with bow, and a unarmed girl. The leader was carrying a large sword on his back and a shield beside him, implying that he might be a crusader.

That exactly them for sure. An Archer, the Wizard, and finally the Crusader.

Kazuma approached the party who seemed to be conversing with each other.

As Kazuma got closer and could hear their conversation, through the eavesdropping he decided that they might be very close friends.

"Um, are you Taylor-san?"

Kazuma said politely, a smile plastered on his face.

'Taylor's' party curiously observed Kazuma.

"Yeah, I'm Taylor."

Replied the man with short brown hair, Taylor.

"I saw the recruitment poster. You were recruiting someone for your party."

Said Kazuma.

"Ah, yes. We were recruiting. We won't give permanent position in party though. Also, it's better if you are a thief or something."

Taylor explained to Kazuma.

Not permanent position? Then what about proving myself?

Also, Thief requirement was written there.

"That's great! My name is Satou Kazuma. I'm a level 4, thief."

Kazuma said confidently/

"Level 4..."

Taylor's party murmured something.

"Hm?"

Kazuma hummed curiously.

Don't tell me I won't be accepted because of being level 4 again. Maybe I should have grinded a little more.

"Well, I am assuming you have necessary skills for dungeon. I did mention we were gonna go to dungeon right?"

Said Taylor stoically. His face was showing sheer confidence and seriousness. His arms crossed.

Seems like the one to shut up when not necessary to talk. This guy is someone I'd be able to make friends with.

"Well... I only have trap disarm and detection, Lurk, Enemy Detection. Is that enough?"

Kazuma spoke with a frown, fearing he'll be rejected.

Taylor's party seemed to be taken aback due to the expressions of Kazuma.

They truly thought he would be extremely sad should they reject him.

"That is all we need, if I'm correct!"

Said the Archer with a smile.

"Is that so?"

Kazuma exclaimed, again with his plastered smile. His eyes seemed to be sparkling.

He was acting as someone so innocent, they could be fooled by a rock.

Taylor's party couldn't resist smiling in return after perceiving Kazuma's happiness.

"Then, welcome aboard. Even if temporarily. You are member of the party."

Taylor spoke, with a confident smile, as he extended his hand towards Kazuma.

"Nice to meet you all!"

Kazuma shook Taylor's hand.

PART 3

The quest was to explore a unexplored region of a dungeon.

Explorers recently found a new region inside the dungeon.

The dungeon is not very old. There might be decent amount of monsters in there. It's quite far from the town too.

They said the quest was paying hefty sum. Plus, they'd get to keep the treasure for all the trouble.

We left immediately after forming our party.

"We didn't properly introduce ourselves. Sorry for that... I'm Taylor, a Crusader. I'm kind of this party's leader. Please follow my instructions."

Said Taylor with his signature, confident yet humble smile.

He's the stoic type of guy.

And someone who'd say 'Always follow the path of righteousness!' with one of his hand in air.

"I'm Lynn. A wizard. You don't need to worry about anything. Just guide us. I will protect you with my magic!"

Said Lynn, a girl with modest chest, cheerfully.

There's this girl. A cheerful, humble, little girl.

She's cute and flat.

Also, I've yet to see magic, so I will be observing her. Somehow, this excites me.

"Yo, I'm Keith. An Archer. You will be going ahead of us so, I will be sure to protect you with my arrows. I'm confident in my sniping."

With a wave, Keith spoke confidently.

This guy... Dunno' about him. When we were walking to the gate, he was staring at women while drooling...

Maybe drooling is a bit exaggerating, but this guy is a complete pervert.

"I see. My name is Kazuma. I'm a Thief. I'm a bit new to this adventurer thing. Please take care of me!"

Kazuma introduced himself, humbly.

"Alright. Even if it's just for today, you will still be paid equally."

Taylor said.

I don't have much experience in going through dungeon, but let's not say that.

These guys don't seem like the ones to betray, but I won't let me guard down.

I need to ask what kind of dungeon we are going to. Is it gonna be hard?

I don't think so, wouldn't they choose a experienced thief if it was a hard quest? Pretty sure they know I'm a newbie, though — my level shouts that.

Maybe experienced thief or not doesn't matter.

Am I thinking too much. Ugh!

Anyway, where's the 4th person?

"The poster mentioned there are 4 of you? I don't see anyone else."

Asked Kazuma, curiously.

The group had already started moving towards their destination, but not even half way through.

"Ah, him. His name's Dust. He's arrested currently. We really wanted to take this quest, it pays a lot, plus the area found was very recent." [1]

Said the little girl named, "Lynn". She spoke with a hint of irritation.

Her previous cheerful mood was replaced with a slight frown.

Seems like this Dust guy isn't liked much.

And currently in jail, huh? Shouldn't that be a big thing?

To be mentioning him as 4th 'permanent' member and not take about him... weird.

I suppose he's annoying but useful, and good friend of them.

"Dust is trouble maker and pervert, but he's a good guy and powerful."

Said Taylor sarcastically.

Can Taylor read my mind or something?

"He was arrested for peeping again, right? That guy!"

Keith spoke, with a hint of awe.

I felt like that was a compliment...

"You aren't any better!"

Shouted Lynn. [2]

Their conversation went on.

These guys truly are close friends, huh.

- Some time passed.

"20 or 30 minute of walk left. I told this before but, everyone be careful. The explored region might not be so dangerous, but we don't know anything about the new one. Also, it was found recently, we may as well be the first group to be going there. If anyone get injured, retreat immediately and leave valuables behind. They'll hinder your speed."

Taylor explained with serious expression. His voice had hint of dignity, and concern for others.

Upon hearing his instructions, everyone nodded.

Taylor is really a capable guy. The guy who prioritizes comrades before objective.

His instructions were thoughtful too.

"Also, we have to make sure to cover Kazuma if enemy surround us or anything."

Taylor said while looking at Kazuma.

Hm? Oh.

Kazuma looked spaced out for others.

I don't mind you protect me. In fact that'd be the most I want. But, I can't look like the greedy type now...

"Ah, there's no need to protect me all the time. I have some skill with dagger and other skills."

Kazuma said with a smile.

I am not very confident in fighting currently.

If something bad were to happen and most of us get injured, I'd dip as soon as I find opening.

If it's an dungeon, there must be a lot of monsters.

Considering we are gonna fight in close and small space, I don't think I will be able to do much.

My aim with 'Gates' is not very good as of yet.

Others merely smiled after hearing Kazuma's humble reply.

After Word:

Sorry. I did not want to upload a half chapter but... I'm disgraced at myself. I don't have a good reason for no writing. I'm just too lazy to write.

I have motivation, I have plot, and I'm excited to write this one. But... I'm too fucking lazy.

From now on, I will try my best in writing.

[1] Couldn't think of anything else. I wanted Taylor to post a recruitment poster somehow, so I used Dust's absence and high paying quest as pillars.

[2] How was the conversation in character? Forced? Not in character?

Extras:

[1] This will be a short fanfiction, and there will be time-skips.

Kazuma will most likely not leave their group. Lynn will probably be the first girl into his harem. They'll start getting along and Kazuma might become part of their party, who knows? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯