Chapter 2

I will translate the provided text into English:

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I'll be posting them in a series ('ω')!

One hour after Marina's sudden proposal.

I was in a corner of the guild-operated tavern, undergoing a new party member interview.

The interviewer was my former student.

Marina, the 'Swordmage,' was bouncing around.

Silk, the 'Ranger/Spiritualist,' a dark elf who remained calm.

Rain, the 'Cleric/Mage,' had a slightly mysterious air.

All three were just as they were during the 'Adventurer Preparatory Training.'

"Um, Mr. Ferdio? You want to join the party... is that right?"

"I guess so."

I couldn't help but chuckle at Silk's indescribable expression.

In reality, I had initially declined, but Marina's persistence wore me down.

I had set the condition that I would join if the other two agreed, which led to this situation.

"Mr. Ferdio is fine, right?"

"I think so."

Rain nodded slightly.

"I don't object... but, Mr. Ferdio, are you sure? We are a low-ranking, novice D-class party with low adventurer credibility. Wouldn't it be a waste for a B-class adventurer like you?"

"That's not a problem. Besides, it might be more suitable for me."

The 'Thunderpike' party I belonged to had three A-class members and was at the top of the dungeon exploration ranks.

The quests and dungeons we tackled were high-level, and naturally, my burden as a support member increased.

Large quantities of potions, various magic scrolls, and magical items were consumed, and the expenses came out of my pocket.

The quest we completed yesterday, for example, was a complete loss.

However, with low-ranking quests and dungeons, the consumption would decrease.

If that happened, the balance between consumption and rewards should naturally improve.

I felt that for an adventurer like me, who spends a lot of money, taking on low-ranking quests would be more appropriate.

"Then, it's settled! Decided!"

"Alright, I'll do my best. And since you're part of the party now, no 'Mr.'—just call me Yuke."

The three of them nodded at my words.

"Nice to meet you, Yuke!"

"Nice to meet you, Yuke-san."

"Nice to meet you."

This fresh feeling had been long gone.

Ever since I became an adventurer, I had always been with 'Thunderpike.'

"Then, what should we do today?"

"Do you have any plans?"

"We have a request to retrieve magic iron ore from the 'Painthall Abandoned Mine Dungeon.' There's still some time, but the client seems to be in a hurry."

The 'Painthall Abandoned Mine Dungeon' is a low-ranking small dungeon.

It's a dungeon that formed from an abandoned coal mine, and it's not very dangerous.

It only has ten floors, and it's just right for them to explore.

It would be a good start for me as well.

"Then, let's make it my first mission. I want to observe your current teamwork as a supporter."

"Is that okay?"

"Of course. I'll do my best."

I had all the necessary adventuring gear, so there was no problem.

"Then, let's go! Mr. Ferdio—... Yuke!"

"Sure. There should be a carriage to Tenet Village at this time. Let's take that."

At my words, the three of them looked surprised.

"What's wrong?"

"...? You know the carriage schedule?"

"Of course."

A supporter's duties are varied.

Knowledge of transportation and scheduling is essential for coordinating arrival times.

"Wow! Alright, let's go!"

---

After an hour on the carriage, we got off and walked for a while to reach the entrance of the 'Painthall Abandoned Mine Dungeon.'

It's close to the adventure city of Finis and remains a workplace for novice adventurers as a small, still active dungeon.

"Since it's magic iron ore, our goal is the sixth floor, right?"

"No, we aim for the fourth or fifth floor. We haven't defeated the floor boss on the fifth floor yet..."

Silk said this with some difficulty.

"Understood. Then, let's start with the fourth floor."

Magic iron ore is iron with magical properties found in mine-type dungeons.

It's used as a material for various alloys and is essential for craftsmen who want to engrave magic, but it can only be obtained in dungeons.

Therefore, it often runs out, and hurried craftsmen sometimes request adventurers to mine it.

The mining points for magic iron ore in the 'Painthall Abandoned Mine Dungeon' are mostly on the sixth floor.

While there are some on shallower floors, they are rare.

However, the floor boss on the fifth floor blocks access to the lower levels, stopping adventurers.

For a trio of novices like Marina, it might indeed be a bit dangerous.

"Let's go~!"

"Okay!"

Marina led the way into the dungeon.

She held a folding 10-foot pole. Good, she's following what I taught her.

Without a thief or scout to lead, the most robust 'Swordmage' like Marina should tap the floor to minimize risk, as most traps are set on the ground.

...But with me here, things are different.

"Marina, let me take the lead. I'll do it."

"Huh? But Yuke is a Red Mage, right?"

"I'm a jack of all trades."

I took a lantern from my bag and lit it.

A deep blue flame flickered slowly, illuminating the dim mine shaft.

"What's that? It's beautiful...!"

"It's a 'Revealing Lantern.' It helps me detect traps."

It's a magical item that burns special oil, allowing me to spot traps like an experienced thief.

I make the oil through alchemy, so it's not a significant expense.

"I can handle combat too, so Marina, stay at the back and be ready for ambushes."

"Okay! Got it."

She's as obedient as ever.

It's a bit worrying, actually.

"Alright, let's move. We'll take the shortest route to the third floor. We'll need to search from the fourth floor onward."

We moved slowly through the 'Painthall Abandoned Mine Dungeon,' matching the pace of the three.

This place hasn't changed since the old days.

The first dungeon 'Thunderpike' explored was also here.

"Watch out, get ready for combat. There's something in the small room 20 yards ahead."

At my words, the three of them readied their weapons.

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