"Uncle!" Ervena jumped out of the research group and hugged my hand. "What a relief! I was so worried!

I didn't expect to see her here. This, of course, did not mean that everything was bad. I relaxed a little and looked around my surroundings. Her sister, Daria, was also here.

It doesn't look like they're all members of the same clan...

At first, I wondered if this was the clan that Ervena had joined as a mercenary, but it didn't seem so. Most of them wore the sign of the clan, but not all. In addition, each clan mark was different. If so, how did this group form?

"Miss Ervena, who is this?" The human woman, who looked to be 30 years old, asked and lowered her weapon.

Only then did Ervena let go of my hand and turn around.

"Don't worry. I know this man! And so is my sister! Isn't it, sister?

—... Faithfully. Their identities are established, so you don't have to worry that they're on Noark's side.

— The first good news in recent times.

Listening to Daria's words, the woman ordered the wary researchers to lower their weapons.

Hmm, is this woman really the boss here?

"Nice to meet you. I am Versil Gowland, Deputy Commander of Clan Larer.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel."

"Little Balkan...?"

When I shrugged, the woman seemed glad to see me.

"Wow, we met a very outstanding person.

Naturally, there was a flattering compliment in response. An ordinary barbarian would immediately become vain and arrogant. Is this really a leader's talking tactics?

"You're flattering me." Rather, I have to tell you," I replied curtly and began to watch the woman. I didn't say it out of politeness, it was true. "Clan Larer is a fairly large clan, as far as I understand.

It wasn't in the top ten, but there were enough of them to be called a big clan. The peculiarity was that 80% of the clan members were women.

"And you're their deputy commander...

In an unexpected place, I was met by a big shot, but in this situation I was not up to small talk.

"So, what are you all doing here?"

"Let me explain.

As soon as the acquaintance was over, Versil briefly outlined her circumstances. It seems that they are in a similar situation. Once in the labyrinth, they quickly headed to the 2nd floor.

"Then there was an incident.

To assess the situation, Versil led the team back to the starting point. However, this place was no different from hell. And then she began to assemble an improvised squad.

"All those we met nearby have gathered here. Their personalities are also determined.

"Determined?"

— I don't know any of them, but they are all people who have mutual acquaintances. Unfortunately, we had to exclude those who are not, so you can be sure.

Not trusting the identification labels, they used this method. Just as Ervena vouched for me, this group vouched for each other and formed a minimum level of trust.

"Our goal is simple.

After explaining the situation the group was in, Versil talked about the goal they wanted to achieve.

- Join forces for protection. Break through the enemy ranks and eventually reach a safe zone.

"By 'safe zone', do you mean the dark zone in the central region?"

"Yes, since you know, there is no need to explain. Will you join us, Mr. Yandel?"

Could it be that it was the deputy commander of a successful clan? From the way she spoke, it was felt that she was used to leading people. Her behavior was also cautious.

As a deputy commander, she must be very capable.

After a moment's hesitation, I accepted Versil's offer to join the team.

"Okay, I hope we can work together."

In the midst of chaos, where you don't know how the day will end, I have a nest where I can take a little break.

***

"You don't need to stand guard, so rest for a while. We'll leave soon, and then we'll discuss the rest.

I gratefully accepted Versil's courtesy. Either way, we desperately needed a rest. Because of the fog that limited vision, fighting humans instead of monsters, and the chaotic situation in which it was difficult to predict even an inch of progress, not only physical fatigue but also mental strain was enormous.

"In any case, let's rest."

I led the members of my team, who were behaving stiffly next to the strange researchers, to the empty space. It was time to rest.

"Everything turned out well. Meeting these people here, it means we won't die too easily... Probably, after darkness there is always light.

My teammates, who at first were busy keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings, took advantage of the brief respite with a relieved expression.

Ervena stayed next to her sister while we talked, and then, of course, she sat down next to me.

"Uncle, you made the right choice. That deputy commander over there is very strong. And the rest too. In general, I think we are really destined to meet. I only thought that I would like to see you, and you have already appeared! He he.

"Click."

Einar and Misha, who usually saw Ervena not in the best light, frowned slightly, but did not quarrel. Probably, they themselves understood how stupid it is in such a situation to create problems on the basis of personal hostility.

Raven, who had never met her, showed curiosity and joined the conversation.

"How do you know each other?" I've heard that elves and barbarians don't get along. Oh, I didn't introduce myself. I-...

"I know!" I've heard a lot about you from my uncle. He said that a very talented Magus had joined his team.

—... Did Mr. Yandel really say that?"

Well, not to the same extent, but...

Believing that this was Ervena's way of establishing a social life, I just silently watched.

"I am Ervena Fornassi di Tercia. You're Miss Arua Raven, aren't you?

"Just call me Raven."

"Then please call me just Ervena."

After completing the acquaintance in a friendly atmosphere, Ervena proudly told the story of our meeting. Mr. Bear, leaning his back against the wall, also listened attentively, pretending that he was not interested in the relationship between me and this elf.

"Your first return booze was with a beautiful elf... Yandel, the more I look at you, the more I see that you are lucky with women.

What does he hint at?

"Your name is Mr. Urikfried, isn't it?" Thank you for your kind words!

— ... Call me Abman.

"All right, Mr. Abman!"

Ervena instantly became friends with the group, showing off her youthful energy. To be honest, I was impressed.

"But how do you use this crossbow?" I don't think the average person will be able to pull it on because of the tension.

"Oh, this?" It's not that difficult. Do you want to try pulling it?

"May I?" Ooh... wow! It doesn't look like my bow at all.

"Haha, that's because it's made from Troll's sinews.

Has Ervena always been so friendly? As if she was trying to please her mother-in-law.

Ah, this is not a completely wrong comparison.

Come to think of it, I told her that I was going to form a clan. Obviously, Raven and Mr. Bear were the number one candidates. Since they might one day be in the same clan, she must have decided that she needed to make a good impression beforehand.

However, it seems that she has already earned the dislike of the other two.

"Urakburak." Stop smiling. Is this a situation to laugh at!?

— ... And?

For the first time in his life, having received a slap in the face from Einar, Mr. Bear froze in a daze. Then, he belatedly realized the situation. As an excuse, he spat out unintelligible words.

"Ah!" Of course, I'm on the cat's side.

"Really?" I almost doubted you! So come here and look at my sword. Talking about bows is no fun!

"Oh... Isn't it fun?

— Of course!

Einar pulled Mr. Bear and sat him down next to her, as if kidnapping him.

"Ervena."

"Oh, sister?"

Just during this ridiculous event, Daria approached, carefully watching us from afar.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to you."

"Uh, with your uncle?"

— Yes.

Since she wanted to say something to me, I was about to get up, but Daria stopped me.

"You're resting, you don't have to do that.

"Yes?" Well, since you say so. What did you want to tell me?

When I asked, Daria straightened up and stared at me. For some reason, she was embarrassed to communicate with me. The reason for this soon became clear.

"You... I heard that you're a rank 5 researcher now?

As far as I knew, Daria was also a rank 5, and that hadn't changed even now. And here I am... Back then, I was a 9th rank rookie, but within a year, I had grown to a rank 5 researcher leading my own team. It must have been awkward.

"So what?" Is that all you wanted to ask?

—... I have a suggestion.

— Speak.

"Why don't you move with us for now?"

— In more detail.

Daria continued to my words in a strictly businesslike voice.

Apparently, there were seven teams in total, gathered for the same goal, but in the end, they remained strangers. In fact, most teams team up with teams they're familiar with.

"If you agree, the formations of our two teams will be close to each other so that we can immediately join forces if something happens.

Wherever people gathered, groups were bound to emerge. Daria offered me an alliance.

"Not a bad offer.

The offer itself was very attractive, if only one condition was met.

"But do you have permission from your leader?"

Daria was a mercenary in the 4th team of the Blue Wall clan. Naturally, the team leader was one of the leaders of the clan. Have they already discussed this?

"This man... You don't have to worry about him. I can convince him. So, what do you say?

"Good.

"Okay, then I'll come later." Ervena, come with me for now.

"Okay...

Then Daria led her sister back to the team, and I watched her. For some reason, a strange feeling seized me. The first time we met, she treated me like a young barbarian and a fool who was lounging around with her sister. I never thought that I would be the first to receive such an offer from her.

"Everyone finish their business. We're leaving soon.

After a few more minutes of rest, Versil announced the departures.

She also said in what order our team will be in the ranks: the third in front. Right behind us was Ervena's team.

It seems that something is wrong with this.

The formation was such that each team followed each other, like a train. Of course, there were no complaints here. Due to the nature of the Crystal Cavern, it was natural to move in one formation, and the team leading the way in the vanguard was the strongest: Team Versil.

"I heard from Daria and Ervina that you were called the Little Balkan?" I hope we work well together.

"Yes, I'll leave the rear to you.

Why are we ahead of them? Was it really a coincidence?

No way.

The third from the front could be similar to the fourth, but it was an inevitable fact that it was more dangerous to be closer to the front.

It was a small thing, but at the same time it is true that we were the ones who lost.

Raven seemed to think so too.

"Hey, I'm feeling uncomfortable.

"Yes?" What exactly?

— Formation. You don't think that this will continue in the future, do you? I think it would be better to alternate front and back rows.

The leader of Ervena's team, Mr. Big Jaw, laughed good-naturedly at Raven's objection.

"Haha, we have a lot of ranged fighters on our side, and you guys have a close one. This is just a reasonable decision.

"This...

"Aren't you in the safest center?" What do you think, thanks to whom? Big Jaw cut Raven off decisively.

Even the rationalist Raven could not say anything.

—…

If we really got this position thanks to him, then he must think that it is fair that we are ahead, because we have not done anything. We can say that we have only benefited from them.

But...

Can a simple group leader of a medium clan influence the deputy commander of a large clan?

As for me, this is complete nonsense. I'll have to watch him more closely.

"Okay, let's end this conversation and move on. It seems that the front has already begun to gather.

Oh, I wasn't going to argue.

I put my doubts on the back burner and moved forward.

*Top! Top!*

And so the official journey began.

***

To begin with, the journey itself went smoothly, so much so that I was beginning to think that it was luck from heaven that we had accidentally met these people, and it just so happened that Erwina was there and vouched for me.

"Deputy commander!" Sorcerers!

"Take some time." I'll deal with it.

The combat power of the team to which the deputy commander belonged was truly amazing.

It was said that their clan operated mainly on the 7th floor.

They cleared the way in front of us, and it was easy for us to follow.

So what does it feel like to be "led"?

With the exception of a few surprise attacks on the side of the road, I could count on my fingers how many times I had to use a mace.

"I have good news and bad news.

After an hour of travel, Versil stopped and spoke to us.

"The good news is that we're almost there. We will be able to enter the dark zone after 20 minutes of running.

Yes, I already knew that.

"What's the bad news?"

In response to the researcher's question, Versil muttered dispassionately:

"Not everyone will make it.

A chilling silence reigned in the cave.