Chapter 21

"Main?"

What main? We're not an idol group that needs a main, right? Main vocalist?

"I mean the main of the bouquet. We need to choose a Dryad to be the center of our combat formation, the leader. Obviously, it should be me, since I'm your very first Dryad."

"Why is it called a bouquet? Wedding bouquet? Bridal bouquet?"

Suddenly, a bouquet? Or did I mishear the sub-character's sub-character?

"Jay, 'bouquet' is a term Dryads use playfully. Someone said that a group of different Dryads gathered together looks like a bouquet. More accurately, think of it as a team. Elder, use the correct term."

"So, who will be the main?"

Obviously, me? She kept pointing to herself with such confidence, insisting on being chosen as the main. I stared at Elder, imagining Elder buried in a bouquet of flowers.

If Elder is the main, the bouquet's name would be the Elder Bouquet? Haha. I just laughed because it was funny, but she misinterpreted my laughter and asked, "As expected, I'm right, aren't I?"

"Why should you be the main?"

"A bouquet needs a stable center, and an excellent recovery-type Dryad like me can provide that. If I'm the main, I can focus on recovery skills, which will improve our performance."

"Jay, what Elder is saying is that we need to choose a leader for the team. This is the Dryad who can communicate most closely with your soul. When there are more than two Dryads, it's good to have one chosen for the sake of team order and rules. In combat, the leader's intentions will be considered the same as yours."

So, you're asking me to choose a representative hero? In some games, when a representative hero is designated, the team receives a basic buff based on that hero's special effects.

From what Elder said, it seems that if a recovery-type Dryad like Elder is the representative hero, the team will receive increased recovery from healing skills.

Fortunately, I have a balanced set of Dryad characteristics: defensive, recovery, and offensive. I need to focus on one of these three characteristics to excel in combat. Should I form a tanky, defensive party, a high-damage party, or a typical and stable healer-focused party? I need to think carefully.

Mesquite, the defensive Dryad, seemed the most experienced and reliable among the Dryads. When I looked at her, she showed me a large shield.

"I don't have any desire to be the main, but if I were, the team's defense would increase."

She was indeed reliable.

Daisy, the offensive Dryad, seemed the least experienced, but all support would likely focus on her strong attacks.

Mesquite is reliable, Daisy is a new sprout who needs experience, and Elder has a pretty face. Among the five fingers, there's no finger that doesn't hurt when bitten, but if I had to choose, it would be Elder.

If I make that unruly Dryad the leader, my head will hurt. Look at her, already acting like she's the main even though I haven't decided yet.

"The main will be Daisy. Of course, only near the village. If we move farther from the village, I'll change the main to Mesquite."

"What? Why not me?"

"I'll give you diamonds, so if Daisy gets hurt, focus on healing. Use buffs actively too!"

She immediately looked sulky, so I tried to persuade her with diamonds. I'll give her one diamond for each buff and heal. Elder immediately complied.

"Mesquite, isn't it true that near the village, only weaker enemies exist?"

Aren't weaker monsters supposed to be near the village for beginners? I plan to stay near the village for a while to invest in Daisy's and my experience. I need to get familiar with the combat style and level up before tackling quests, which might be difficult.

"Hmm, it's true that many fires are relatively weakened by the World Tree's power. However, you shouldn't underestimate fires."

I plan to build a foundation with weaker enemies in the beginner hunting area and then move to other hunting areas, where it might be dangerous. I'll use Mesquite as the main to ensure safety.

Finally, we passed the fence and were completely separated from the village. Now, the safe zone was over.

As I had worried, no fire appeared as soon as we left the village. Mesquite seemed to hope we wouldn't encounter any fires, but I needed experience. Operator, spread the fires!

Walking on the well-trodden path, the tension eased as there was no aggro. What, this is boring. I started a casual conversation as if I were out for a walk.

"What does fire look like?"

"Roaring."

Elder answered half-heartedly.

Who doesn't know that? Does fire roar or whisper? She's sulking because I didn't make her the main.

"Flaring?"

"Cute!"

Daisy answered. How can it be cute? Fire flares. When my child asked what fire looks like, I said it flares! It's adorable.

"Jay, fire looks like this."

At that moment, Mesquite's armor made a clanking sound. She quickly blocked my path and said,

Oh! What does the famous fire look like? Daisy drew two daggers from her waist and took a stance.

Elder, who had been sulky, became serious and pulled me back, sticking to Mesquite's back.

The fire was roaring as Elder described and flaring as Daisy described.

But it wasn't like the candle flame I imagined. It was more like... lava? Liquid? Slime? Or leeches? Imagining a fire scene, I was speechless to see a liquid, about the size of my head, writhing and spewing fire.

Yes, that's a monster, after all... It looks like a monster.

It looked like slag that had just spewed from a furnace, burning everything around it and intermittently spewing flames like those on the surface of the sun.

"Luckily, we've encountered a small individual. But be careful. Even though it looks small, it's still fire."

"That size, it would go out if we just poured water on it…."

Elder snorted at my mutter.

"That fire can't be extinguished with water."

"Right. Only Dryads can control fire. My master, Jay. What will you do? Will you let Daisy handle it?"

"I can do it!"

Daisy shouted, glaring at the fire.

"But fire preys on Dryads too. If you're not careful, you'll become firewood in an instant. Aren't you afraid?"

Mesquite warned Daisy, but the child didn't seem afraid at all.

"I've sworn. I'm no longer afraid of pain or death!"

Daisy shouted firmly. At that moment, I felt a connection between Daisy and me.

It wasn't just me; the other Dryads also seemed to feel it and shuddered.

Main setting. Daisy, the offensive Dryad, is the main. The determination in the Dryads' eyes burned. I realized that Daisy's team effect would likely be an increase in combat power.

Mesquite raised her shield. A brilliant golden light shot out from the center to the edge of the shield and covered it.

The light that covered the shield instantly turned into sand and seeped into the ground beneath Daisy's feet. It looked as if the ground under Daisy's feet had turned into a desert.

The sand occasionally rose like angry waves. It looked precarious, as if her feet would sink, but that was all.

"I'll block three attack damages. It will take time to reset, so you need to avoid the fire's attacks as much as possible."

Mesquite instructed Daisy, who nodded, looking curiously at the sand pit under her feet.

I poked Elder. Elder, with a bored look, asked, "Why?"

We had already moved far from Mesquite, but Elder was holding my shoulder, worried I might rush out. Even though I know my own abilities and wouldn't act recklessly.

"Can't you do anything for Daisy? Give her some buffs."

"That small thing isn't worth it."

"It's her first battle; we need to be fully prepared!"

I nagged Elder like a parent sending their child to elementary school for the first time. Elder finally swung his staff at Daisy half-heartedly. A white light wrapped around Daisy's legs.

"Your speed will increase. This buff is perfect for you, a small ball."

I praised him and gave him a diamond, patting him on the back. Elder's expression changed, and he smiled, swinging his staff at Daisy.

Elder's white petals swirled around Daisy several times and then disappeared. If only he had done this earlier. He's so cute when he listens well.

Daisy took a deep breath and glared at the small fire. Mesquite, standing beside her, raised her lance and pointed it at the fire.

"It would be best to finish it in one go, but Daisy's dagger is still dull. The longer the battle, the more disadvantageous it is for us. We need to find a method that suits Daisy. Hmm… if it's too big to swallow at once, we can divide it, right?"

Daisy looked at Mesquite with a puzzled expression at the last comment.

"I'm worried, but let's give it a try. Of course, I won't be on the front line this time. Direct experience is better than my explanations. Don't back down even if you're scared. You have capable supporters behind you, and Jay is always watching you."

Daisy nodded and crouched down.

She gathered strength in her bent legs and leaped high into the air like a rocket. As I watched in amazement, I felt Elder behind me suddenly tense up.

Daisy, who had been relaxed before the battle, now seemed like a completely different person.

High in the air, Daisy changed her direction, gathered her daggers, and plunged toward the fire.