The Kicked Out S-Rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild - Chapter 24

Chapter 24   The Harm of Sectionalism

The 12th level was once again within a forest.

Though it was a flat plain, making for a broad and level path, forests lined both sides.

Faced with Euphene’s awakening and the need to reorganize the troops, Laurent decided to reassess their tactics.

Using the “Healing Magic Formation” could defeat most enemies, but constantly activating magic during combat would excessively consume magical power.

No matter how vast Euphene’s magical reserves were, they couldn’t rely on it every time.

They also needed to procure items to restore their magical power.

Fortunately, Monica, using her “Hawkeye,” quickly found a location in this level where “Magic Cherries” (cherries that restore magical power when ingested) were clustered, so Laurent made that location their primary objective.

The formation was arranged as follows:

Monica would continue to use her “Hawkeye” to deal with ambushing enemies.

Euphene would only use the “Healing Magic Formation” against high-attack enemies like giant ogres.

In all other situations, Shaqma would minimize the troop’s fatigue with support magic, ensuring battles concluded in the shortest time possible.

(The issue is with Shaqma. The current method won’t suffice for another level-up. In that case…)

“Shaqma, could you also take on the command from here?”

“Me!? Is that alright? It’s true that it’s not uncommon for support mages to take command of a unit, but…”

“Yes, you’re the only one who can oversee the entire unit. Will you do it?”

“Yes. I’ll definitely do it. I’ll show you I can.”

“I knew you would say that.”

Laurent had seen that Shaqma was the type to become more motivated and perform better when given responsibility and authority.

With this arrangement, Laurent checked the quest information provided by the quest reception office.

(Our unit already has enough strength to compete with the main force of the ‘Golden Hawk.’ But it’s not enough yet. This unit can still grow. By the end of this month, in preparation for the upcoming decisive battle with the ‘Golden Hawk,’ I will promote Shaqma and Euphene to at least B-Class!)

According to the quest information, the 13th level had a quest for support mages, the ‘Summoning Magic Wizard-Using Fox,’ and the 14th level had a B-Class quest for healers, the ‘Blizzard-Spewing Hippopotamus.’

Completing either would grant B-Class certification.

With their new roles clarified, the three confirmed their responsibilities and discussed the unit’s operating procedures, then began their advance towards their goal at full speed.

“Enemy approaching from the right! Five ‘Lizardman Warriors’! Requesting support,” Monica sharply called out, having spotted the enemy with her ‘Hawkeye.’

She quickly separated from the unit, heading towards a likely shooting position.

Soon, Laurent also spotted the ‘Lizardman Warriors’ running through the woods.

They were paralleling the unit’s advance.

‘Lizardmen’ were lightly armored monsters with shields and swords.

They possessed sharp swords and thick hide, boasting high attack and defense capabilities, as well as notable speed, making them formidable opponents.

Shaqma tried to gather his thoughts while keeping an eye on the ‘Lizardmen.’

(Lizardmen… The key is how to deploy the unit against these high-agility enemies. The support magic to use is…)

“Too slow!” Laurent shouted.

Shaqma flinched.

“The key for a support mage is quick judgment. Move the unit before thinking!”

“Y-Yes. Melee unit, engage the enemy.”

Shaqma hastily gave the order, but before the melee unit could attack, Monica, already in position to shoot, released her arrow.

The arrow didn’t kill the ‘Lizardmen’ but struck their round shields.

Realizing they were outmatched, the ‘Lizardmen’ retreated before engaging in melee combat.

(Ugh, they got away.)

“Shaqma, as I said during the battle, your judgment is too slow. Even though Monica told us the type and number of enemies, starting to think after seeing them is way too late.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

(Laurent’s pressure is getting tougher. I can’t go on like this.)

While Laurent gave Shaqma harsh criticism, he praised Monica.

“Monica, your movements were excellent just now.”

“Yes, thank you.”

(Monica is indeed a model student. She’s outstanding once she overcomes her challenges.)

“Continue to secure shooting positions before the enemy does. Keep it up for the next battle too.”

“Yes!”

Monica couldn’t help but feel thrilled by Laurent’s praise.

This even led to some overthinking on her part.

(Laurent’s being strict with Shaqma and everyone else, but he’s especially kind to me, isn’t he?)

Laurent was simply praising Monica for fulfilling her role, but that didn’t stop Monica’s budding feelings from growing.

(Laurent, why are you being so kind to me? Do you have a reason? Please, Laurent, look at me more.)

Monica secretly and fervently watched Laurent’s profile, but his dark eyes, focused on the dungeon ahead, revealed nothing.

When Laurent’s group reached the area abundant with “Magic Cherries,” they gathered as many as they could and hurried on to the 13th level.

The 13th level was another ruins stage.

After putting Shaqma under intense pressure for one level, her judgment had sharpened significantly.

When high-agility monsters appeared, she deployed early and set up pursuit formations. If the wind was in their favor, she used “Illusion Magic” to create mist. When needing higher ground, she used “Earth Magic” to create fortifications.

Laurent frequently assessed Shaqma’s skills, checking her growth.

Once he judged that the time was right, they set out to defeat the “Summoning Magic Wizard-Using Fox.”

Thanks to Monica’s “Hawkeye,” which allowed them to survey the entire map, they minimized encounters along the way and reached the “Wizard Fox” swiftly.

The “Wizard Fox” was a bipedal fox dressed like a mage and holding a staff.

It continuously summoned monsters using summoning magic, making it a monster that required a support mage with quick judgment to defeat.

Although its health and defense were low enough for a B-class or higher warrior to defeat it in one hit, its cunning nature and quick escape made it difficult to catch.

As Laurent and his team prepared to engage, the “Wizard Fox” darted through narrow paths and gaps between buildings, summoning “Red Orcs” (which could only be damaged with “attack support magic”) and “Blue Orcs” (which could only be damaged with “defense support magic”).

Laurent’s team responded with Shaqma’s “attack enhancement magic” and “defense enhancement magic” supporting the melee unit, while relying on Monica’s “Hawkeye” to track the “Wizard Fox.” Eventually, they cornered it in an open area within the dungeon (the ruins within the dungeon were designed so that enemies could be eventually cornered into a dead end if pursued correctly).

This area was surrounded by tall buildings, with no escape routes other than the path Laurent’s team had come from.

“Finally, we’ve cornered it,” said one of the melee fighters, panting.

The “Wizard Fox,” waiting at the back of the plaza, smirked as it saw Laurent’s team.

It raised its staff and began to form a magic circle.

Though Laurent’s team had cornered the “Wizard Fox,” this open space was also ideal for the fox to deploy multiple magic circles and attack the adventurers.

Soon, “Red Orcs” and “Blue Orcs” emerged from the magic circles created by the “Wizard Fox.”

Monica shot an arrow at the “Wizard Fox,” but a “Red Orc” blocked it and easily deflected the attack.

Without “attack support magic,” no attack could affect the “Red Orc.”

The arrow bounced off the “Red Orc’s” arm and fell to the ground.

Shaqma quickly assessed the situation.

She evaluated the enemy’s composition, the terrain and wind direction, their own team’s composition, and the support magic needed.

(There are five Red Orcs and five Blue Orcs. The wind is blowing from right to left. Since the wind is neutral, using illusion magic first is not an option. Should I use attack and defense support magic on the melee unit to defeat the orcs? Or should I use earth magic to create higher ground?)

Shaqma considered everything, thinking several steps ahead before making a decision.

(Even if I use attack and defense support magic, there’s no guarantee we can defeat the orcs. Worse, we might end up on the defensive and let the Wizard Fox escape. In that case, creating height with earth magic and using archer skills is the only option! The key is to buy time and prevent the enemy from escaping!)

“Shield unit, hold off the orcs! Attack mages, cover the Wizard Fox’s escape routes! Archers, follow me!”

Shaqma quickly gave orders and dashed off.

(Unlike regular support mages, I can’t change positions frequently. I need to quickly secure a spot where I can cast all my support magic!)

Shaqma positioned herself in the center of the plaza and used earth magic to construct a fortification.

Once on top, the archers should be able to hit any enemy in the plaza.

As Shaqma began constructing the fortification, the orcs attacked her and the structure.

The shield unit rushed to hold off the orcs and protect Shaqma and the fortification.

A fierce struggle ensued on either side of the growing fortification between the orcs and the shield unit.

While the shield unit couldn’t damage the orcs, they managed to hold them at bay with their shields.

Meanwhile, Shaqma steadily built the fortification.

Despite observing this, the Wizard Fox remained calm, its eerie smile fixed on its face, as if mocking Shaqma’s efforts.

Due to the need to protect Shaqma and the fortification, Laurent’s team couldn’t approach the Wizard Fox carelessly, and the orcs were unable to break through the shield unit.

Both sides were at a stalemate without a decisive move.

(If we keep dragging this out, we’ll just get worn down.)

One of the attack mages, growing impatient, cast a fire explosion spell at the Wizard Fox.

The Wizard Fox remained unfazed even as the explosion burst in front of it.

(Damn, it didn’t even flinch with that explosion right in front of it. It knows our range completely.)

The attack mage clicked his tongue in frustration.

(I just have to trust that our support mage’s judgment is correct.)

As Shaqma was building the fortification, the Wizard Fox created another magic circle, summoning ten more orcs.

The Wizard Fox’s usual tactic was to keep summoning orcs, opening a path for escape while the enemies were occupied with the orcs. However, by this time, Shaqma had finished constructing the fortification to a height equivalent to one floor.

“Left flank, retreat ten steps!”

Following Shaqma’s command, she cast illusion magic. As the shield unit on the left flank retreated, the Red Orcs advanced in pursuit.

At that moment, mist began to pour from the tip of Shaqma’s staff, carried sideways by the gentle breeze. The mist enveloped the area where the shield unit had been, now occupied by the Red Orcs.

The thick, dense mist quickly filled the area like a wall.

The Red Orcs, suddenly losing sight of their enemies, fell into the illusion and began fighting each other.

Freed from their skirmish with the orcs, the melee unit on the left flank circled around the mist wall to flank the Wizard Fox.

The archers climbed the fortification and took aim at the Wizard Fox from above.

For the first time, the Wizard Fox’s expression showed signs of panic.

If things continued as they were, it would be attacked from two directions.

The Wizard Fox hastily summoned the orcs back to its side.

Monica, empowered with attack support magic, stood atop the fortification and shot an arrow at the Wizard Fox.

The Wizard Fox had a Blue Orc intercept it.

However, immediately after, an archer enveloped in the blue light of defense support magic took aim.

The Wizard Fox had a Red Orc block the shot.

Now visibly flustered, the Wizard Fox hesitated between moving the orcs or summoning more.

During this hesitation, an attack mage within range cast a fire explosion spell, obliterating the Wizard Fox without a trace.

The Wizard Fox’s staff shattered into pieces, leaving only the “Orc Summoning Stone” embedded at the tip, which rolled onto the ground.

The summoned orcs vanished as if dissipating into thin air.

Laurent picked up the “Orc Summoning Stone.”

(Alright. With this, Shaqma has reached Class B.)

While Laurent and his team were steadily clearing quests, things were dire for Cotter and his group.

Ten hours after Laurent’s team, Cotter and his group finally reached the 13th floor, only to encounter a giant ogre.

Despite their valiant efforts using healing magic and defensive support magic, their fragile front line couldn’t withstand the ogre’s attacks, forcing them to retreat.

At that moment, Savast squad, who had been exploring the dungeon, spotted them from a distance.

Having reached the 15th floor first, Savast’s team believed no guild could match them. They decided to postpone further dungeon exploration and focus on the lucrative quests on the 13th floor.

Seeing Cotter’s group, Savast frowned.

“Hey, isn’t that Cotter and his group?” Savast asked his adjutant.

“It sure is. What could they be doing here?” the adjutant replied.

“Go find out what they’re up to,” Savast ordered.

Following Savast’s command, the adjutant approached Cotter’s group.

Cotter and his team, initially disheartened, were overjoyed at the sight of Savast’s adjutant.

With Savast’s assistance, they could pursue Laurent.

They candidly explained their dire situation.

“We came to this floor for a special mission, but due to our unit’s weakness and lack of supplies, we can’t get past the giant ogre. Could the Savast squad assist us?”

Upon hearing this, Savast was furious.

“Other units are roaming this dungeon on missions? Isn’t this dungeon under the jurisdiction of the Savast squad? Special mission? Nonsense! I haven’t heard of any such thing!”

Savast was a territorial person. The idea that another unit was wandering the same dungeon for reasons unknown to him was outrageous and intolerable.

Instead of aiding Cotter’s squad, Savast demanded they hand over their items.

Cotter and his group were shocked and confused by this order and tried to explain. They insisted they had no intention of stealing Savast’s glory. They were dispatched to obstruct the “Guardians of the Magic Tree” unit.

Despite their explanation, Savast refused to listen.

“Don’t be ridiculous. If your mission is to obstruct the ‘Guardians of the Magic Tree,’ our conquest of the dungeon would suffice! I’ve never heard of two units from the same guild operating in the same dungeon without coordination. Moreover, obstructing another guild’s activities is illegal and violates the adventurers’ code! Everything you’re saying is contradictory. It seems like you’re trying to deceive us and steal our glory. If you continue to spout nonsense, we’ll attack immediately! Don’t think we’ll show mercy just because we’re in the same guild!”

Savast, unaware of the power struggle between Laurent and Wilkes within their guild, or the desperate situation on the ground exacerbated by Lucius’s unreasonable orders, couldn’t fathom the complex intrigue involving the ‘Guardians of the Magic Tree’ and the ‘Golden Hawks.’

In the end, Cotter and his team were left with only enough potions to return home, stripped of their belongings, and abandoned.

While the ‘Golden Hawks’ were entangled in their internal strife, Laurent and his team reached the 14th floor. The rankings of the units shifted, putting Laurent’s team at the forefront of the dungeon conquest. And no one noticed.