Chapter 36

I'll do my best today too ('ω')!

"…So, have you made up your mind?"

"Yeah, I'll take on this country's selection request."

After that, I returned to the Adventurer's Guild and handed the request form to Benwood. It seemed like he had been waiting for me, as he was leaning back at the request counter. Honestly, he's making the other adventurers nervous.

"You're taking advantage of my dream, aren't you?"

"Indeed. But I'm grateful. By the way, can I see the records of other parties?"

He apparently had this prepared; three stacks of papers were thrown onto the counter.

"These won't be of any use. Especially the ones from 'Thunderpike.' They couldn't even get past the third floor underground, and both the format and content of their reports are a mess. Their live streams are no good either."

I know about the live streams. They often cut off in the middle of a battle with monsters, making them completely useless as reference material. They probably cut out the inconvenient parts, but that just makes it obvious they're hiding something.

"I warned them to quit."

"They have no other options. They're currently A-rank due to the rules of the country's selection request, but if they don't show results here, their adventurer credibility will plummet."

"Plummet? Even with a country's selection request, it shouldn't drop that much, right?"

"They did something fraudulent to get this request. For example, Yuke from 'Clover' advertised that he would support 'Thunderpike.' A few careless sponsors ended up giving them money. …If this continues, they're in trouble."

"That's not my problem."

Sighing at my foolish childhood friend's shortsightedness, I changed the subject.

"By the way, Benwood. I want to recruit someone temporarily. Can you introduce me to a good scout?"

In planning our strategy, the biggest issue was the number of members and their roles in the 'Clover' party. Normally, a party consists of about 5 to 6 people. While it can be more or less, this number balances safety and rewards. We managed with four people because three of us had secondary roles, and the requests we took were of a lower rank.

Especially in 'Clover,' we lack a member with a scout role. I can handle some situations with magic items, but we're dealing with the 'Colorless Darkness.' We really need a specialist.

I discussed this with the three of them. They said it was fine to increase the number, as long as everyone was together.

"About that, Mamar has something to say."

Benwood smiled and pointed behind me.

"Hello, Yuke."

Mamar stood there with a female adventurer, smiling.

"I'll take the 'Temporary Recruitment Application Form.'"

"Ah, here."

I handed the 'Temporary Recruitment Application Form' to Benwood, and in return, Mamar pushed the female adventurer forward.

"Um…?"

"This is Nene, who hopes to join temporarily. Shall we start the interview now?"

The girl, who looked like a cat person, had a peculiar expression, her eyebrows drooping.

She seemed a bit shorter than me, about Marina's height. Her ears, the same color as her hair, stood up cutely… Her outfit suggested she was a scout.

"Mamar?"

"Nene, greet him."

"Nice to meet you."

She seemed rather lacking in energy, almost timid.

"Who is she?"

"She's a friend's child. She had a bit too much fun back home… I've been taking care of her and trying to straighten her out for a few years."

Poor thing. If Mamar tried to straighten her out, she'd probably be torn apart before she could improve.

"Did you just think something rude?"

"Of course not. So… Nene, you're hoping to join?"

"I'll give it my all!"

"…"

She seems to have some story, but if Mamar recommends her, she must be skilled.

"Alright, this way. Let's meet the other members and discuss the temporary joining details."

"Go on, Nene. Be polite to Yuke."

"Y-Yes!"

I led the nervous Nene to the table where Marina and the others were waiting. They were intensely reading through records.

"Everyone, I've brought a temporary joiner. This is Nene."

"Nice to meet you."

Nene bowed. Without Mamar around, she seemed a bit less tense. Mamar can make even Benwood uneasy.

"Great! She's a girl!"

"Nice to meet you."

"Cat ears…!"

Three different reactions, but the interview should be fine. I'll handle it…

"Nene, sit down. Introduce yourself briefly. Tell us your job and adventurer credibility."

"My name is Nene Silphindor… As you can see, I'm a cat person, and my job is a 'Ninja,' formerly a 'Thief.'"

"Formerly?"

"I used the 'Revelation Note.'"

I see. I know someone who changed from a 'Warrior' to a 'Knight' using the same method. It happens.

"My adventurer credibility is C-rank."

"Um… We're planning to investigate the 'Colorless Darkness' soon. Are you okay with that?"

"…Yes. I heard it would free me from my hellish days."

Should I ask about that? No, maybe later…

"I really want to be of use, so please hire me!"

Pressed by Nene's desperate determination, we decided to welcome her as a temporary scout for 'Clover.'

How was that ('ω')?

A new character has appeared.

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