"Zelir, what do you think?" Marcus asked, his gaze questioning.

With an Assassin on the team, their party’s versatility would improve immensely, covering things like scouting, hidden weapons, poison, and diversions.

Moreover, she was a Middle Level Assassin who had mastered Fighting Qi. At a critical moment, she possessed the powerful ability to finish off a target with a single, fatal blow.

But in any case, he still had to ask for Zelir’s opinion.

"Hmm... I guess that’s fine." Zelir thought for a moment before agreeing.

"You sound so reluctant."

Hill rested her chin in one hand. "Not happy about it?"

"I am. Welcome aboard." Zelir was the first to extend his hand to Hill.

"I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do."

Hill shook Zelir’s hand and chuckled lightly. "There aren’t many Mages willing to take quests from the Adventurer’s Association these days. And you’ve even eliminated so many Demons one after another. The Fog Demon, the Giant Slime, and the Giant Winged Bat... heh."

Zelir froze.

’Why is an Assassin like you gathering so much intel on a Mage like me?!’

’I don’t have much money for you to rob!’

’If you want to kill someone, go kill those old fossils at the Mage’s Guild!’

Zelir roared internally.

"So that makes six people in the squad."

Marcus glanced around at the group.

Three Junior Warriors, one Middle Level Ranger, one Middle Level Assassin, and an exceptionally strong Magic Apprentice.

This was the most impressive lineup of his entire adventuring career.

"We shouldn’t need anyone else, right? Six should be enough," Valles said.

"Pretty much," Zelir nodded.

’Marcus and Gak will hold the front line, Gray will provide backup, and Valles and I will be the absolute core of our damage output.’

’As for Hill...’

’Let’s just consider her a rover.’

’Besides, the role of an Assassin is usually a rover anyway.’

After settling on the squad’s lineup, Marcus led them to the front counter to accept the quest.

"Eira, we’d like to take this vengeance quest."

"Okay. And the members of your party?" Eira asked as she began to write on a sheet of paper.

"Hold on!"

A rough voice boomed out, so loud it made their ears ache.

A tall, short-bearded man strode through the crowd and up to the counter.

He was followed by five squad members, and every one of them looked like they were spoiling for a fight.

"This quest, we’re taking it!"

The short-bearded man slammed his hand on the counter, completely ignoring Marcus. "Sign us up now!"

"Huh?"

A troubled expression appeared on Eira’s face. "I’m afraid that might be difficult, Mr. Drake... Another party was here first."

"Tch..."

The man called Drake sneered.

His gaze swept over Marcus’s group, with unconcealed scorn.

"Them? They’d be better off staying away from this one. You want to go get yourselves killed?"

Drake’s squad members behind him laughed along, showing no respect whatsoever. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"If you don’t know how to talk, you can shut your mouth."

Marcus said coldly, "Step aside. We’re taking this quest."

"Who are you telling to step aside?" Drake took a step forward.

"Are you deaf?" Gray shot back mockingly.

"A mere Junior Warrior. No skill, but a whole lot of attitude."

Drake shoved his way forward, his tone menacing. "Looking to die?"

"You wanna start something?" Gak said, planting himself right in front of Drake.

The two Warriors behind Drake half-drew their blades and advanced two steps.

Not to be outdone, Gray also stepped up to stand by Marcus’s side.

The air crackled with tension.

Hill just watched from the side, intrigued by the unfolding scene.

She remained silent, but at some point, a small dagger had appeared in her hand. A sharp, silver glint danced as she deftly rolled it across her knuckles.

"Adventurers, please refrain from fighting inside the Association building."

Eira looked flustered. She bowed to both sides. "Please wait, I’ll get the person in charge to handle this!"

With that, Eira quickly trotted off into a back room.

The surrounding Adventurers all looked like they were enjoying the show.

"Who’s this asshole?" Zelir whispered to Valles.

"Drake. A Middle Level Warrior, vanguard-type."

Valles recognized them; they always acted like they owned the place whenever they were in the Adventurer’s Association.

"Besides him, their party also has two other Middle Level Warriors, both Swordsmen."

’So they actually have three Middle Level Professionals in one party...’

Zelir’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’So they have some real strength. No wonder they’re acting so arrogant.’

’I just wonder if a Middle Level Warrior, even with the protection of Fighting Qi, can take a single Arcane Missile from me?’

Before long, Eira returned to the front counter, followed by a man with an imposing, upright figure.

Though his black hair was streaked with gray and he was past his physical prime, his sharply chiseled features and an unyielding presence as solid as an iron tower still broadcast his authority.

Hogan, the head of the Black Stone Town branch of the Association.

"Chairman Hogan, they’re the ones who both want to accept the same quest," Eira said respectfully.

As Hogan’s gaze swept over them, Drake and Marcus both took a step apart.

They knew they had to show some restraint in his presence.

In his younger days, Hogan had been an Upper Level Warrior and a Gold Level Adventurer, commanding immense respect.

Now, having taken a step back from the front lines, he served as the Chairman of the Adventurer’s Association’s Black Stone Town branch.

"Chairman Hogan, we have a total of three Middle Level Professionals, all of them Warriors! We’re strong and definitely more reliable than Marcus’s squad!"

Drake eagerly presented his case. "We are determined to complete this goblin extermination quest!"

"Chairman Hogan, we also have two Middle Level Professionals—an Assassin and a Ranger—and we also have a Mage. We’re very confident we can handle this quest," Marcus also spoke up.

Hogan’s gaze slowly swept over them. After a moment, he pointed at Marcus.

"Marcus, the quest goes to your squad."

"Thank you for your trust, Chairman," Marcus said, placing a hand on his chest.

"Why?! They have one fewer Middle Level Professional than we do!"

Drake immediately grew agitated. "Chairman Hogan, this is unfair!"

"The key to this mission isn’t the Beastman Goblins, but the White-haired Goblin."

Hogan glanced at the indignant Drake.

"If you can’t take out the White-haired Goblin quickly, the whole squad will be in trouble. Are you confident you can deal with the Magic it uses?"

"Your three Middle Level Professionals are all Warriors who specialize in head-on combat. They’ll be easily pinned down by the Beastman Goblins. That’s your greatest weakness."

Drake’s rebuttal caught in his throat.

Drake Squad was also a six-person team, with three Middle Level Warriors, two Junior Rangers, and a Junior Assassin.

Indeed, just as Hogan had said, their squad’s greatest weakness was its lack of a powerful ranged Professional to provide firepower.