Chapter 62: Three Days Until Raid

Collin explained their situation. They were a small party. Experienced enough to handle E-rank rifts. Not experienced enough for anything higher. They had lost a member a few weeks ago—a friend who had decided to retire. They needed someone to fill the gap.

"We’re not the best," Collin admitted. "But we’re reliable. We don’t take unnecessary risks. We split rewards evenly. And we don’t leave anyone behind.

Emeric listened.

He watched them.

Collin was too honest. He spoke plainly. He didn’t try to oversell the party or undersell the risks.

Maynard was quiet. He watched Emeric with the same awe one gave an idol. He was much like his brother in that department. They seemed painfully honest and he could imagine someone else using that against them.

Mira was professional. She asked about his injuries. His healing needs. His fighting style. She wanted to know what she would be working with.

Clarisse was... different.

She didn’t ask questions. She just watched. Her eyes moved over him—his shoulders, his hands, the way he sat. She smiled at him almost in the same way that Sera did. Maybe he was overthinking it.

"So," Collin said, leaning back. "What do you think? You want to join us?"

Emeric considered.

They were odd balls. Sera had been right. But they were also honest and reliable. The kind of people he could work with.

"One condition," Emeric said.

"Name it."

"We split rewards evenly. But if I find something that’s important to me—something I need—I get first claim. I’ll compensate the party for its value. But I get first claim."

Collin frowned. "What kind of something?"

"It might be a material. An ingredient. I’ll know it when I see it."

Collin looked at Mira. She shrugged. He looked at Maynard. The younger man nodded. He looked at Clarisse and she smiled.

"Fine," Collin said. "First claim on personal items. We get compensated. Deal."

"Deal."

They shook hands.

They spent the next hour planning.

Their first raid would be in three days. A D-rank rift in the hills north of the city. A Frost Wolf den. The wolves were fast and numerous. The terrain was treacherous. A routine clear for experienced parties. A challenge for rookies.

Emeric studied the map. The terrain. The wolf patterns. He asked questions. Collin answered.

Mira outlined her healing capabilities. She was a Water mage. 7th Tier. She could heal wounds, purify poison, and soothe pain. But she couldn’t regrow limbs or reverse curses. She was honest about her limits.

Maynard spoke for the first time.

"I’ll take point," he said. "I’m faster than I look. I can scout ahead. Draw aggro if needed."

Collin nodded. "Good. I’ll hold the line. Mira stays back. Clarisse—"

"I’ll handle support," Clarisse said. Her voice was smooth. Warm. "I’m good at... distracting things."

She glanced at Emeric as she said it.

He kept his eyes on the map.

"Emeric," Collin said. "You’re the wildcard. What can you do?"

Emeric considered how much to share.

"I have Wind and Lightning affinities," he said. "I’m fast. I can hit hard. I can take a hit."

Collin nodded. "Good. We’ll put you on the front lines with Maynard. You’ll be our damage dealer."

"Works for me."

They finished planning.

The details were set as well as the meeting place. He took his time to study everything that he would need to know about the party. At the very least, before they began building real synergy. The retreat protocol if things went wrong.

Emeric stood to leave.

"One more thing," Collin said.

Emeric turned.

"We’re not the best party," Collin said quietly. "But we’re a good one. We look out for each other. If you’re going to be one of us, you need to understand that. We don’t leave anyone behind. Not ever."

Emeric met his gaze.

"I understand."

"Good." Collin smiled. "Then welcome to the party."

Emeric nodded.

He turned and walked out of the tavern.

---

Sera was waiting outside.

She leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Her smile expectant.

"What’re you doing here?" He asked.

She frowned first. "I’m on break." She said, gesturing for him to come closer.

"Well?"

"They’ll work."

"Good." She pushed off the wall. "Then you owe me."

"I know."

She stepped closer. Close enough that he could smell her perfume. It smelled like flowers and something expensive.

"I’ll collect when the time is right," she said.

Then she walked away.

Emeric watched her go.

He had a party now. A real one. The first step toward something bigger.

He started walking home.

---

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[PARTY FORMED — COLLIN’S CREW]

[MEMBERS]

- Collin (Leader, Tank) — Tier 7

- Maynard (Scout, DPS) — Tier 7

- Mira (Healer, Support) — Tier 7

- Clarisse (Support, Unknown) — Tier 6

[OBJECTIVE: COMPLETE YOUR FIRST PARTY RAID]

[REWARD: SHARED EXPERIENCE, GUILD CREDITS, REPUTATION GROWTH]

[SYSTEM NOTE: TRUST MUST BE EARNED. BUT YOU HAVE TAKEN THE FIRST STEP.]

---

He dismissed the notification.

Three days until the raid and he had work to do. For starters, Bjorn would be so pissed off at him but needed a stronger sword. The daggers he had gotten blunt and there was no better option he could work with in the system shop.

—

Three Days Until Raid.

The Vessel Guild was quieter than it had been that morning.

Most of the midday crowd had dispersed. The hall was half-empty, the bulletin boards stripped of their freshest postings. A few clerks shuffled papers behind the reception desk. A lone Vessel slept in a corner chair, his hat pulled low over his face.

Emeric crossed to the desk.

Sera was back from lunch.

She looked up as he approached, and her smile widened. She smiled a devilish smile. She leaned into him again, this time manually adjusting her outfit to expose more cleavage. The silver pendant swung gently against her skin.

Emeric groaned, looking away instantly, making her smile even more.

"People will start to talk you know?"

"I need to see the Guild Master."

Her smile didn’t waver. "I know. I told him you’d be coming."

She reached under the counter and pulled out a small brass key. It was old, worn and a little heavy for its size.

"Third floor. End of the hall. He’s expecting you."

Emeric took the key.

"Thank you."

"Don’t thank me yet." She tilted her head. "He’s not an easy man to impress. But I have a feeling you’ll manage."