The next day. Dawn had not yet broken.
Kael lay in bed, curled up like a shrimp, fingers clenched around his arms.
"Huff... huff..."
He gasped for air. Even with the immunity granted by[Drunken Rage], Soma's temptation remained overwhelmingly powerful.
"Curse these withdrawal symptoms!" His sweat-drenched body trembled, nearly giving out, "No wonder Liliruca would later panic at the mere mention of Soma. This isn't something any human should endure!"
Kael stared vacantly at the ceiling.
"I can't switch Skills unless absolutely necessary — not until Soma's effects wear off!"
As he contemplated his plans for the day—
Bang Bang Bang—
Violent knocks jolted him alert. The wooden door burst open with a crash as a rough-looking dwarf kicked his way in.
"How long do you plan to sleep, Kael? How dare you keep me waiting!"
Who are you? The sun's not even up!
Kael blinked, still adjusting to his surroundings.
A human swordsman sneered nearby, "Hey, Gannu. That door is Familia property. Zanis won't be happy if you break it."
Outside, two rangers — a man and a woman — chimed in: "It's his fault for oversleeping! Take the repair costs from his pay today!"
"Don't make me laugh. What pay does he even have?"
"Hahaha."
Through the laughter, Gannu kicked the wooden bed hard, "You little brat, what are you dawdling for? Grab your backpack, you useless supporter! Can you afford to waste the masters' money-making time?"
Kael came to his senses.
The four people before him were the Adventurers who had exploited him after his parents' death. Moreover, Gannu was the dwarf who, in the main story, would betray Lili while carrying Killer Ants.
Kael's eyes lit up. Well... what a coincidence!
Just yesterday he'd been thinking about finding teammates, and today they delivered themselves to his door. Though these teammates weren't exactly friendly, it didn't matter — they'd get along splendidly soon enough.
Kael unhurriedly got out of bed, smoothed down his disheveled clothes, and shouldered his massive backpack.
"You're being unusually gentle today, Lord Gannu." He glanced with surprise at the muscular dwarf leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.
Usually, this dwarf would grab him by the collar and slam him onto his backpack with a laugh. But today he'd given him time to fix his clothes.
Gannu snorted through his nose, "Tch."
The human swordsman Sven behind him said casually, "I heard you awakened a new Skill? How about graduating from support and joining our team?"
"Oh?" Kael's eyes narrowed.
So that's what they're after?
He didn't believe these scumbags had suddenly grown consciences. Were they trying to probe his abilities, afraid he'd slip from their control? If he stayed under their thumb and his Skill proved useful, they could exploit him all they wanted.
Kael was very sensitive to malicious intent. Right now... These people were just bottom-tier members of the Soma Familia, their overall strength probably between H and E rank. Not very strong...
With the added damage from Drunken Rage, his odds in a one-on-one fight were pretty good. Though... rangers were troublesome.
For now... I'll play along with you.
"Did Lord Zanis send you?" Kael asked.
His attitude made all four of them increasingly wary.
Gannu coldly snorted, "Since you already know... I won't hide it. Yes, he told us to take good care of you. Since you've accepted the reward, you need to contribute to the Familia's development!"
Sven added, "It's already 5:30, and you're still sleeping. How lazy!"
I see, thanks to old pal Zanis for sending these four special-delivery funeral packages!
Kael was delighted inside but kept a solemn face, "I understand. Since it's Lord Zanis's will, from today on, you're all my beloved family, my brothers in arms!"
"Huh?" Gannu grabbed his collar and yanked him up, "What nonsense are you spouting, brat! What brothers? What makes you worthy of being brother to the great Gannu?"
"Don't call me brat — I don't like it. From now on, call me Big Bro Kid!" Kael pried off his thick fingers, straightened his collar, and said seriously, "Are you trying to defy Lord Zanis's will? Do you know the consequences of betraying Lord Zanis and the Familia?"
Who the hell is betraying the Familia?
"Looks like I'll have to clean house!" Kael cracked his knuckles with audible pops.
Gannu and the others exchanged looks.
Wait... who gave you the courage to compare fist strength with a dwarf?
Though the Soma Familia's environment was harsh, they always handled things secretly in the Dungeon. Who would do this stuff out in the open?
Had this kid gone crazy from drinking?
Sven held back Gannu, who wanted to save face, and smiled ingratiatingly, "Let's go. Our target today is V$10,000. Brother Kael, whatever Skills you have, show us when we get to the Dungeon, alright?"
The swordsman called Sven put his hand on Kael's shoulder with false friendliness.
The four quickly left the dormitory. When passing through the hall, Kael paused and took one of the iron barrels of wine lined up along the walls, putting it in his backpack.
"What are you doing? Don't add useless weight!" The ranger Link shouted angrily.
The wine left outside was all failed product — concentrated waste meant for disposal — so taking it didn't matter. But bringing it to the Dungeon just added pointless weight, completely stupid.
He looked at Kael with displeasure, wondering why a mere supporter could suddenly be on their level, even getting more attention from Zanis!
Kael shrugged, "I just had Soma yesterday — this is to help with the cravings."
Ah, so that was it.
The four understood. They knew the desperate feeling of Soma withdrawal and had done similar things, though they'd never resorted to such low-quality substitutes.
Link clicked his tongue and turned away in disgust.
As the five passed through the gates, Kael spotted yesterday's group of collapsed newcomers. Veterans were now leading them to the Dungeon to earn money.
Catching Kael's glance, Sven flashed a fake smile, "You should thank us. Without our friendship, who knows if you'd even survive going with them?"
Gannu sneered, "That bastard Muses is probably dragging those newbies to the sixth floor right now, hehe."
The Dungeon's sixth floor was a newbie's grave. The monsters there underwent a dramatic change in both attack patterns and numbers, but...
You guys aren't much better off.
Kael rolled his eyes and walked ahead without a word.
"Hey, Boss, this kid's got some nerve — he's actually ignoring you." Emma said sarcastically.
"Just putting on an act." Link muttered.
"Let's test him out. Lord Zanis looked unhappy yesterday. Though he said to take good care of him, I'm not sure what kind of 'care' he meant." Sven rubbed his chin, "What if he has a rare Skill like the Sword Princess? Ten of us couldn't beat that."
The Sword Princess — Ais Wallenstein. She was a madwoman who reached the seventh floor immediately after becoming an Adventurer.
Whenever these rising stars appeared, Gannu and his group could only lament their own incompetence.