Lost World-Chapter 51: New Teammate

After two hours of practice, Yamamoto felt something click in his mind, and almost immediately, a system notification appeared before his eyes.

[New Skill Learned! Dash Strike]

..

[Dash Strike]

Rapid forward movement (8 meters) combined with thrust attack.

Type: Active

MP Cost: 10

Effect: Move forward rapidly for a strike that deals 150% of base attack.

Range: 5 metres

Cooldown: 10 seconds

Level: 1 (Proficiency: 0/100)

...

Immediately, Yamamoto activated the skill and executed it perfectly... at least, perfectly for a beginner.

"There," Greaves said, satisfaction evident in his voice. "You’ve got the foundation. Now it’s just refinement. Practice it every day—fifty repetitions minimum. As your mastery improves, the distance will increase, the cooldown will decrease, and the damage will improve. This skill alone is enough to get you through the mid-levels, and even in the high levels if you use it wisely."

"Thank you, Master Greaves," Yamamoto said, bowing respectfully.

"Don’t thank me yet. This is just the beginning. There are dozens of techniques I can still teach teach you, but first, you need to master what you have." Greaves said as he clapped him on the shoulder. "Keep training like this, and in a year you’ll be one of the finest swordsmen in the southern territories when it comes to the younger generation."

’In a year,’ Yamamoto thought to himself. ’Worrying about top talents would be a luxury.’

...

The following week, while Yamamoto was in the Dojo, he was surprised to see Kenneth come to find him. Apparently, Tormund was calling for him.

"Got an idea what it’s about?" Yamamoto asked as they walked back.

"Not sure, but it’s something about a new guild member and very possibly a new teammate to be drafted into your team."

"Already? It’s only been two weeks since—"

"I know. But being down a member doesn’t help, and apparently, the guy who just joined really fits into your team composition. Of course, you don’t need to worry about whether Silas is being replaced. The team just needs to fill in a tactical gap... there’s a difference." He said, trying to console Yamamoto.

If only he knew his efforts were wasted.

They made their way to the guild and to Tormund’s office, where they found Cole, Ninia, and Priest Donovan already there, waiting.

From the moment he entered, Yamamoto could feel the tension in the atmosphere.

Tormund stood as soon as the door behind Yamamoto closed shut. "Good, you’re here. I’ll be direct—I’ve assigned a new member to your team. He joined the guild this morning, and his class composition fits your needs. You’re short a scout and damage dealer. He’s a warrior with Dual Blade specialization, so you know he’s close combat focused, high damage output, and brings a mobile fighting style."

"You’ve said all that, but still, who is it?" Cole asked.

Just then as if on cue, the office door opened again, and a young man stepped through.

As soon as Yamamoto saw him, he recognized him immediately.

’This guy?’

It was actually the same angry youth from the caravan journey to Mashlow! The very one who’d been self-destructive and hostile throughout the entire journey!

Kenneth’s eyes widened in recognition. "You?" He had been inside with the team, probably eager to see who the new face was.

The young boy, Thorin, casted a knowing look on both Kenneth and Yamamoto, his expression neutral, bordering on hostile. He was maybe nineteen or twenty, with short dark hair and eyes that seemed to hold barely contained fury, just like he had been when they saw him before. He wore simple but well-maintained exposed leather armor, and carried two swords sheathed at his hips.

"Me," Thorin confirmed curtly.

"You joined a guild?" Kenneth asked, clearly surprised as he spoke to himself. "I figured you for a lone wolf type. Didn’t think you’d join any guild."

"Plans change," Thorin said flatly, then looked at Tormund. "Is this the team?"

"It is. Cole Brennan here will be your leader. You’ve already met Kenneth and Yamamoto I see. The mage is Ninia Corsair, and the priest is Donovan."

Thorin’s gaze swept over them, assessing all of them. There was no friendliness in his eyes, and not even a cordial attempt at warmth. Just cold evaluation.

"What made you change your mind about guilds?" Cole asked.

"I actually tried to join Crimson Legion," Thorin said, his jaw tightening. "Didn’t work out."

"What made you change your mind about guilds?" Cole asked carefully.

"Nothing, just decided."

"And we were your first choice?" Kenneth asked.

"I tried to join Crimson Legion," Thorin said, his jaw tightening. "Didn’t work out."

Crimson Legion was one of the largest guild in Seamus, and most prestigious guild in Mashlow aside from Iron Vanguard.

"What happened?" Ninia asked gently.

"Got into an incident with someone there." Thorin’s tone made it clear this wasn’t open for discussion. "Left before it became a bigger problem. That’s all you need to know."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Cole exchanged glances with the others—this was not an auspicious start.

"Look," Thorin continued, addressing the team directly. "I’m not here to make friends or play happy family. I need a team to take quests and get stronger. You need a fifth member. That’s the arrangement."

"We’re a team," Cole said, an edge in his voice. "We work together, support each other, trust each other. If you’re just here for yourself—" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"I’ll do my job," Thorin interrupted. "I’ll fight, I’ll follow tactics, I’ll pull my weight, but don’t expect me to care about your life stories or bond over campfires. We work well together, we all benefit, we stay out of each other’s way, everyone’s happy."

The silence that followed was uncomfortable. Yamamoto could see the others bristling—they’d just lost a teammate, were still grieving, and now they had someone treating membership like a business transaction.

"We just lost someone," Cole said, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion. "A friend. A teammate. Someone who died protecting another member of this team. So forgive us if we’re not thrilled about someone who treats this like a job."

"That’s your problem, not mine," Thorin said. His tone wasn’t cruel, just matter-of-fact. "I didn’t know your friend. I’m sorry he died, but I won’t pretend his death means something to me personally. I’ll be useful in fights. I won’t drag you down. That’s what matters, isn’t it?"

His last words hit even harder, but everyone remained quiet and tried to be composed, but Ninia looked like she might cry, and even Priest Donovan seemed troubled..

’This surely isn’t going well.’