Five other people stood behind Elias, all with the same cruelly amused look on their faces. Marina's instincts as an adventurer told her to be careful, but Thorne was already talking.
The commander said, "We could use more strength for level five and up."
"We'd love your help if you're willing to work together."
Elias smiled more. "What a lucky thing. We agree."
That was the time for Marina to speak up and say what was bothering her. But she didn't say anything, and that silence would stay with her.
The group worked together to finish level four with surprising ease. Elias and his group were incredibly effective, cutting through monsters that had been giving the expedition trouble like they were nothing. The man with the silver hair fought in a way that was almost too easy, as if he didn't have to try very hard.
