The next morning, I headed to the designated meeting spot—a wide plaza a short distance from the great labyrinth's entrance.
A large crowd had already gathered, mostly kids who hadn't even come of age yet.
Some looked younger than ten. Surely they could've excluded anyone that young.
Was this another brilliant idea from some idiot noble sponsor?
The children all stood stiff, faces tight with nerves.
"Good morning, Orun. Why are you hanging back so far?"
Selma approached while I waited off to the side.
"Morning. I'm technically an outsider. If I mix in with everyone wearing the same black-and-blue clan gear, it might just make the rookies more anxious."
Clan members wore varied styles, but the color scheme was consistent—black and blue as the base.
Rookies had role-specific outfits, but the A-rank parties I'd seen before dressed with more individuality.
Selma herself wore a black-and-blue robe embroidered with the clan emblem.
Come to think of it, the mage rookies' clothes looked different from what Sophia had worn the other day. Special issue because she's Selma's sister?
"Haha! Yeah, they're all frozen solid. Alright—time to loosen them up. Come with me."
She flashed a scheming grin and strode off.
Wait—what am I getting dragged into!?
No choice but to follow.
She led me to three other explorers, probably fellow escorts.
From their gear: two male defenders, one female healer, all in their early twenties.
"Morning, everyone."
"Good morning!"
They returned the greeting in unison.
"Let me introduce him—he's the helper I mentioned yesterday. Orun. His ability is personally guaranteed by me."
"…Your personal stamp of approval? That's promising."
One defender gave me an appraising once-over.
I'd half-expected her to mention the hero party connection, but apparently not.
"Yeah, expect big things."
Selma fanned the flames.
Don't set the bar that high…
"Please don't raise expectations… Nice to meet you all. I'm Orun, frontline attacker. Looking forward to working together."
They introduced themselves in turn—exactly as I'd guessed: two defenders, one healer.
The escort lineup was well-balanced.
Or rather—if I'd come as an enchanter, who would've handled damage output?
A-rank defenders could chip away at mid-layer floor bosses, but they weren't built for it.
This whole plan was giving me nothing but bad vibes…
I'd have to cover as much as possible.
"Alright, all four of you—three tough days ahead! Now let's go greet the rookies."
The five of us headed toward the gathered newcomers.
"Everyone! Good morning! As previously announced, today we set out for the great labyrinth's fifty-first floor!"
We stepped onto a raised stone platform for a clear view over the group.
Selma addressed them all, her voice carrying.
Every kid snapped to attention—even the ones chattering moments ago. Well-trained.
"Heh, you're all stiff as boards. Scared of pushing straight to the mid-layers? Don't worry! I, the continent's greatest enchanter, will command the whole operation. And for any emergencies, we've brought in serious backup. Meet Orun. He's reached the ninety-fourth floor—a depth even we haven't touched! How's that? Feeling like fifty-one is doable now?"
The rookies, silent until then, erupted into murmurs.
This is how you "loosen tension"!?
Look—even the other three escorts were standing there slack-jawed!
She definitely wasn't half-joking!
"He's already left the hero party, but no one here knows the great labyrinth better. Now—let's begin the expedition!"
At her call, the rookies shouted back with energy: "Ooooh!"
"Ten minutes until we move out. Form up by party and wait!"
Selma stepped down from the platform looking thoroughly pleased with herself.
…Spare me.
◇
"Alright, escorts—final check time."
We gathered off the platform.
"S-sorry about earlier. That was rude of me."
The defender who'd sized me up bowed apologetically.
"No worries. And I'm younger than you guys—drop the formal speech. Just talk normally."
"R-right. Got it. Still… is it really okay for someone from the hero party to help with our operation?"
"Former member. No issue now."
"Sorry to interrupt, but time's short. Let's start the check."
Selma's voice shifted the mood to businesslike tension.
The rundown matched yesterday's briefing.
I'd been assigned parties nine and ten.
Once finished, the escorts split toward their groups.
As I started to move, Selma called out.
"Tenth party is full of promising rookies. With good teamwork, they've got the potential to handle mid-layers just fine. Take good care of them."
Don't dump your star prospects on an outsider…
"…Understood. I'll do everything I can."