After Rian and Catty were introduced to the rest of the party, Saga immediately led them to the receptionist's desk. With confidence, he submitted their names to register a temporary six-person party — just enough to meet the requirement for the mission he had been eyeing on the request board.
The mission was "Brutal Stone Extermination" a high-paying job that had long been left untouched by anyone brave enough to take it.
After the receptionist verified their registration and handed over the official mission scroll, they gathered at one of the empty tables in a quiet corner of the guild. The sounds of laughter and clinking mugs still filled the air around them, but at that table, the atmosphere turned serious.
Rian looked curious. What kind of mission required six members as a mandatory condition? How dangerous could the target be?
However, he kept his questions to himself. He knew his place. Saga was the captain, and it was his role to lead and plan the strategy. For now, Rian's job was simply to listen.
Saga downed the rest of his ale in a single gulp and tapped the table lightly to draw everyone's attention.
"Alright, listen up. The monster we're going to face is extremely strong. I hope none of you act recklessly against it," he began, his sharp gaze sweeping across each member one by one.
"This creature is like living stone its body is incredibly hard and can only be killed with a powerful slash that severs its head."
Everyone nodded in understanding. Berlin adjusted his glasses, Gustin grinned eagerly, and Rinrin swallowed nervously.
"That means weak attacks won't do a thing against it," Saga continued. "So, I'll be relying on Gustin's ultimate strike. Use your greatsword and chop off its head with everything you've got. I'll confront it directly and distract it using my unique skill."
Saga locked eyes with Gustin, the swordsman.
"Got it. Leave it to me," Gustin replied gruffly, patting the massive weapon strapped to his back.
"Once the monster is hit by my Debuff Attack skill, its movements will slow down. That will make it easier for me to decapitate it. So, I'll need to land a few smaller hits first to activate the effect."
"Why won't smaller attacks work on it?" Catty asked, breaking the silence.
Saga turned to her.
"Because this monster has a regeneration ability and its healing speed is insane. If we only wound it bit by bit, it'll recover within seconds. The only way to kill it is to sever its head in one strike. That will completely stop the regeneration process and kill it instantly," Saga explained.
Fast regeneration… must be decapitated… body as hard as stone…
Rian muttered to himself. These traits felt eerily familiar as if he'd faced something similar before. Memories of a brutal battle in the forest flashed through his mind.
"Oh, I see," Catty nodded in realization, now understanding how dangerous their target was.
Catty, can you hear me?
Rian tried something he hadn't done in a long time telepathic communication. The bond that had formed when Catty first became his summon should still remain.
Catty flinched slightly, startled. Rian's voice echoed clearly in her head. She turned toward him, and he gave her a small nod, confirming it was indeed his voice. Catty closed her eyes, focused, and tried to reply the same way.
Yes, I can hear you! I just remembered we used to talk like this. Since I can speak normally now, I guess I stopped using it.
Catty's mental voice sounded a bit awkward, but clear. She was no longer a mere pet, yet the bond between master and summon was something deep and eternal.
I just remembered it too, Rian replied. By the way, do you remember the troll we fought before? The one when you... died protecting me.
There was a brief pause.
Yes, I remember. Why? she asked, her voice tinged with faint sadness.
I think the monster Saga described... is a Troll. The traits match exactly, Rian guessed.
You might be right. From his explanation, it's identical. That troll also had insane regeneration, Catty confirmed.
Then this could be dangerous for them, Rian thought. Let's just follow Saga's lead. Pretend we know nothing about the monster. I want to see how they fight as a team.
Got it, Catty replied, nodding slightly though her lips didn't move.
Saga continued his plan, now turning to Berlin.
"Berlin, I want you to keep firing spells at it nonstop. Don't let up. Use your unique skill Thunder Flame. Force it to keep regenerating from burns and shocks. The more mana it spends healing itself, the faster it'll wear out."
"Alright," Berlin answered briefly, sounding uninterested.
"Rinrin," Saga turned to the support mage. "Focus on buffing the attackers me, Gustin, and Catty. Conserve your mana, but be ready to unleash full support on Gustin during the execution phase."
Rinrin nodded obediently, her face tense with concentration. Saga then shifted his gaze toward Catty.
"Even though you haven't unlocked your unique skill yet, I can tell from your stance that you're fast and agile. Attack it from the opposite side while it's focused on me. Keep it confused."
"Understood," Catty replied firmly.
Saga glanced briefly at Rian, then deliberately looked away as if he wasn't even there. He said nothing to him before finally concluding the discussion.
"That's our plan for tomorrow's mission. We move out early in the morning. Thanks for your attention."
He stood up, preparing to leave.
As the others began to rise, Rian spoke up.
"What about my role?" he asked, noticing Saga hadn't assigned him any task.
Saga stopped and turned, looking at Rian with disdain.
"You? You'll stay behind us and carry our gear. That's all your skill is good for, so there's nothing else to say. Just don't get in the way."
With that, Saga turned and left the guild hall, followed by Gustin and Berlin. Rinrin cast a brief sympathetic glance at Rian before leaving as well.
"Alright then."
Rian nodded in resignation. He could feel several adventurers' eyes on him some likely laughing inwardly at his situation.
Rian, are you okay? Do you want me to punch him? His attitude toward you really pisses me off!
Catty's angry voice echoed in his mind.
Rian looked at her and replied telepathically with a faint smile.
It's fine. Don't. We're newcomers here we can't make trouble. We have to keep a good reputation and follow his lead for now. It's all part of my plan.
After the discussion ended, Rian and Catty left the guild.
Elsewhere, at a livelier table, a group of veteran adventurers watched them leave with pity in their eyes.
"Poor newbie, joining Saga's party like that.""Yeah, they have no idea about his reputation. Sooner or later, one of them will end up as the next victim.""I heard his two former mage members didn't die from monsters, but because he abandoned them when things got bad.""Yeah, that's right. That's why no one wants to join his party, even though he's an Epic-ranked adventurer. He's greedy and doesn't care about lives.""And I heard he never splits the rewards fairly. He always takes the biggest share.""Damn… poor them. Especially that cute girl."
The murmurs drifted through the air.
Rian, walking behind the group, caught fragments of the conversation but didn't stop. He just kept walking as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Yet deep within, a cold seed of suspicion and caution began to take root. Tomorrow's mission might be far more dangerous than he had imagined.