Chapter 92

Yugan, who had been left out of the ladder by "The Dragon's Blaze," hastily gathered the adventurers affiliated with "The Crescent Knights" for a meeting to solicit their opinions.

In this situation where "The Dragon's Blaze" cannot be trusted, he was uneasy about proceeding with the original plan.

Therefore, he wanted to gather better ideas from everyone.

The team members spoke up one after another.

They suggested being stricter with the local adventurers and imposing heavier loads.

They proposed negotiating with "The Dragon's Blaze" to get better terms.

However, all the suggestions relied on changes from others and were ideas that depended on uncertain factors.

Yugan gritted his teeth.

(Damn it. I never thought it would come to this. I’m not even good at command, yet those guys in the upper echelons pushed this troublesome task onto me. Ah, whatever.)

"The Crescent Knights" continued the meeting late into the night, but they did not achieve any significant results.

---

Meanwhile, at "The Spirit Workshop."

When Aina came to the workshop, she ran into Pat.

"Oh? You're early. Good morning..."

Aina called out, and Pat turned to her with a gloomy look.

His eyelids were drooping, and he had dark circles under his eyes, making it easy to imagine that he was sleep-deprived.

"Ah, good morning."

Pat replied with a listless, dark voice.

(Dark... so dark...)

"Hey, are you okay? You look pale."

"Sorry, I'm sleep-deprived."

"Take the day off today? I can talk to Roland for you."

"No, I'm fine. Thank you."

Pat walked unsteadily to his workstation.

(I wonder if he's okay...)

Aina watched Pat worriedly.

(Hmm. He doesn't seem like a bad person, but he's so gloomy. I just can't handle it.)

---

Even as he started his work, Pat's mood did not improve.

What troubled him was the matter concerning "The Crescent Knights."

(Sigh. "The Crescent Knights" have returned. They must be planning to hunt the "Gigantic Fire Dragon" next. But as things stand... )

Pat sighed as he thought about it.

(Damn. I can't help but think about others. I need to focus on my own work. I know that, but... )

Pat accidentally hit his finger with a hammer.

"Ouch!"

"Hey, are you okay?"

Rody, who was passing by, called out to him.

"You're injured. Get it treated."

"But..."

"I'll clean up here."

"Okay. Sorry."

---

While Pat was being treated in the break room, someone came in.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Ah, Roland."

"You don't look well. Is something bothering you?"

"...No, it's nothing."

"Okay."

Roland looked at the downcast Pat and pondered what to do.

(He's not opening up easily. He doesn't seem to like talking about himself. However, if he keeps harboring worries, it will hinder his skill development. Is there a way to get him to open up...?)

Roland decided to change his approach.

"Didn't you work at 'The Dragon's Blaze' before?"

"Yes."

"Actually, I was thinking of doing business with 'The Dragon's Blaze' before. They turned me down, but I still have some concerns. I wonder if the guild has some underlying issues."

"..."

"Would you mind telling me about your time at 'The Dragon's Blaze'? What was the guild's daily life like?"

"Alright. I'll tell you. But this is just my personal perspective..."

Pat, who had been so quiet until then, started talking about 'The Dragon's Blaze' as if it were a lie.

'The Dragon's Blaze' tends to prioritize short-term gains over long-term planning.

As a result, their attitude towards adventurers changes frequently, and they often switch sides.

This is partly due to the fact that their main clients are adventurers from outside the island.

These external adventurers can only stay on the island for a limited time, so even if 'The Dragon's Blaze' pulls the ladder out from under them, they can't continue to complain and have no choice but to accept it.

Moreover, the competitive nature of 'The Dragon's Blaze' exacerbates the problem.

In 'The Dragon's Blaze,' there is a strong emphasis on achieving results in a short period, leading to a culture where stepping on others is common. The frequent changes in personnel mean that those in leadership positions often prioritize their own safety and neglect their subordinates.

Worse still, there is a trend of considering it virtuous to make adventurers, who should be partners, cry for short-term gains.

Additionally, their deep ties with the thief guild and the non-cooperative tendencies of local guilds, despite their dependence on external guilds, mean that 'The Crescent Knights' may also end up in a miserable situation.

I am concerned about this...

Pat stopped speaking and realized he had said too much.

(Sorry. I talked too much.)

"Sorry, I got carried away."

"No, it's fine."

(He suddenly became talkative when it came to the problems of 'The Dragon's Blaze.' I see. He's the type who doesn't shy away from negative things. This... could be useful.)

"Pat, you're interesting."

"Huh?"

"I was also interested in the situation at 'The Dragon's Blaze.'"

"..."

"I want to solve the problems of 'The Dragon's Blaze' and this island. Would you help me?"

Roland also decided to ask about the issues at 'The Spirit Workshop.'

Wayne, who is still carrying over his work style from 'The Dragon's Blaze,' is not being very cooperative.

What should be done?

Pat answered that Wayne might be afraid of being fired.

Therefore, if he is guaranteed that he won't be fired, Wayne might be able to focus on skill improvement.

Hearing this, Roland immediately gathered everyone and announced the extension of the contract period and that they would not be fired unless there was a serious violation of the job rules.

Wayne, wondering why his treatment suddenly improved, quickly showed signs of change.

(Contract extension, huh? If I have time to improve my skills, maybe I can beat Aina. I'll settle in and work on it.)

From that day on, Wayne's attitude softened, and the overt hostility he had shown towards Aina subsided. He visibly spent more time improving his skills.

Pat was surprised by Roland's quick response.

(To take the opinion of a new employee so seriously...)

Pat remembered that Roland had said he wanted to support adventurers.

(If his words are true, this workplace might be ideal for me.)

When Pat returned to the workshop, he looked unusually relieved.

"Pat, are you okay now?"

Aina asked.

"Yes, thank you."

Pat, unusually cheerful, adjusted the strings of the harp.

(Roland said I'm interesting. I've never been told that before. If I can work for someone, then I... )

[Patrick Garcia's Unique Skill]

'Tuning': B (↑1)

---

While Roland was working at 'The Spirit Workshop,' a bard who had come to repair a harp made an unusual request.

He wanted to meet the alchemist who repaired the harp.

Roland tilted his head.

"Meet the alchemist who repaired the harp? What's going on?"

"The repaired harp produces a mysterious sound that it shouldn't. It might be a magical sound that can calm monsters."

"Magical sound... Really!"

[Harps Status]

Special Effect: 'Dragon Sound C'

(As expected. It has a special effect!)

"Is something wrong?"

Pat, hearing the commotion, appeared at the entrance.

Rolan immediately evaluated Pat's skill.

['Tuning' Description]

Use alchemy to restore the out-of-tune notes of an instrument.

Performing this on equipment can sometimes grant special effects.

Can grant 'Dragon Sound' to repaired instruments.

(As expected. The description of 'Tuning' has been updated. It seems the skill has matured as it leveled up.)

"Was it you? Did you repair this harp?"

"Um, yes, that's right."

"I'd like to hear more about it..."

"Ah."

While Roland watched the bard enthusiastically talking to Pat, he considered how to interpret the situation.

(Pat's unique skill is awakening. Should I focus on developing it intensively?)

"‘Dragon Sound’...?"

In the workshop, Pat, who was spoken to by Roland, tilted his head at the unfamiliar special effect.

"Yes. The instruments you adjust with your unique skill 'Tuning' will have the special effect 'Dragon Sound,' which can calm the anger of monsters and reduce their combat will. Given the current situation where 'Fire Dragons' are threatening adventurers in the lower levels, a party with a bard who can control 'Dragon Sound' will have an advantage over other adventurer guilds. Your unique skill can help adventurers. That's the ideal we aim for at 'The Spirit Workshop.'"

(My unique skill has such an effect...)

"Of course, it's not easy. Adjusting the instrument to match the 'Dragon Sound' is a delicate and nerve-wracking task. But it's worth trying. If you're willing, the guild will support you fully. What do you think? Are you up for it?"

"...I understand. I'll try."

Pat immediately started working on creating a harp that could produce 'Dragon Sound.'

(Still, it's a challenge. I don't know how to produce a higher quality 'Dragon Sound' with my unique skill. I guess I'll have to keep making fine adjustments and have Roland evaluate it with his appraisal skill.)

While Pat was thinking about this and making fine adjustments to the harp, Roland brought someone in.

"Pat, this is the bard, Nicolas."

"Hello, I'm Nicolas. Nice to meet you."

"Ah, hello."

"I thought he could give you some technical guidance. If he plays 'Dragon Sound' for you, you can learn the sound and judge its quality without needing my appraisal every time."

"I see."

"Let's start the performance. This is a regular harp. This one has the 'Dragon Sound' effect."

Nicolas played both harps alternately.

(I see. There is indeed a subtle difference in the sound.)

"How does it sound? Can you tell the difference?"

"Yes, I can, sort of."

"Great. Let's start 'Tuning.' Nicolas, can you help him?"

"Sure."

Pat adjusted the harp, had Nicolas play it to check the sound, and listened to it himself.

Gradually, he got a feel for the depth of the 'Dragon Sound' and how to produce a better sound.

(Pat seems to be making progress. The melody is getting deeper. With this, he should be able to complete a 'Dragon Sound' B harp without waiting for a skill level up.)

While Roland was watching Pat's work, Aina approached.

"Roland, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"It's about Will and Lana's wands. I thought I'd incorporate 'Flame-Resistant Ore' to counter the 'Fire Dragon's' 'Fire Breath.' Here's the design diagram Rodi drew."

Aina handed the design diagram to Roland.

"Interesting. This should reduce the power of the 'Fire Breath.'"

Their conversation reached Pat, who was working.

(A 'Fire Breath' counter. Hmm? Does that mean the 'Fire Dragon' counter is solved? Is the harp I'm making unnecessary?)

"Hmm. Maybe I should let Aina handle it. It's not good to have overlapping roles within the same organization..."

"Huh? What are you talking about, man!"

As Pat muttered, Wayne, who was working next to him, snapped at him.

"Don't be so timid. Why are you backing down to Aina? Roland told you to do it, so just finish it. Come on, get it done."

"O-Okay."

Pat hurried to complete the work.

"Roland, it's done."

"Done? Let me see."

[Harps Status]

Special Effect: 'Dragon Sound' B

"Yep, it's 'Dragon Sound' B. Let's give it a try."

"Alright. This evens the score with Aina."

Wayne said with a smug look.

"Huh? How does that even the score? You didn't even complete the harp. Why are you getting points?"

"It's fine. Pat is like a junior to me, so it counts as my points."

"What? That's such a loose judgment. Besides, we're not even in a competition."

While Aina and Wayne were arguing, Roland was reflecting on the exchange between Pat and Wayne.

(Pat's hands stopped. Did he hesitate because of Aina? He's really bad at competing with others. But he finished it because Wayne pushed him. Maybe they're a good team... For now, I'll pair them up.)

---

Meanwhile, "The Crescent Knights" were preparing for another dungeon exploration and gathering at the "Volcano Dungeon."

They tried to negotiate better terms with "The Dragon's Blaze" and trained local adventurers as much as possible, but they did not achieve significant results.

In the end, they decided to proceed with the same method as before, adding more local guilds to the alliance, but without any significant changes.

Yugan addressed the alliance.

The content of his speech was as follows:

The success or failure of the mission depends on mental strength.

There is no problem with the interference from the thief guild.

They dealt a fatal blow to the thief guild in the previous dungeon exploration.

They are just one step away from eliminating them.

The fate of the thieves is hanging by a thread.

He expected even greater efforts from the members of "The Crescent Knights" and the local guilds that joined the alliance.

The audience cheered at Yugan's speech, and the adventurers' morale was high.

(Well, well, I have to rely on spirit talk. I can't even mock the troublemakers now.)

Yugan couldn't help but mock himself, but he quickly regained his composure.

(Don't be weak. If I show weakness, it will play into the enemy's hands. We captured over twenty prisoners from the thieves. This is a significant loss for them. We'll hold on somehow.)

---

On the other hand, the "White Wolf" camp was also preparing for the second round.

"Jamil, the new archers are ready."

Rody pointed to a group of archers he had gathered from local guilds.

They were all C-class archers.

This would almost make up for the losses from the battle with Yugan.

"Good. Well done. Our preparations are also complete. Zain."

"Sure thing."

A man appeared at Jamil's call.

The B-class mage, Zain, had the 'Dragon Head Gauntlet' on his arm.

"Nice, you made it in time. 'Dragon Head Gauntlet.'"

"Yes, it's not as powerful as the one Sain Orbesta wore, but its performance is top-notch. After all, it was made by the genius alchemist Raul. Heh heh."

(Now we're ready to counter Yugan. Just wait, 'The Crescent Knights.' This time, we'll take all the minerals you've collected!)