Chapter 62: Beyond the Threshold

"Will you let go of my hand?" I asked, my grip on the lot not entirely firm. Edis, on the other hand, connected and tightened her hold on my hand, showing her unwavering determination. Our hands intertwined, meeting in the middle.

Meanwhile, I turned my gaze towards the woman and exclaimed, "You!"

"Are you referring to me?" she blinked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Yes, you. Are you a performer?" I asked.

"If I may introduce myself, indeed, I am," she answered, her palm expanding with a magnificent display of flames.

The entire square was quickly engulfed in a surge of power, leaving no doubt in my mind. Only a performer could perform such feats. Promptly, I called up the status window.

[Eolka Rivel Strashur () Lv.1 (Exp 0/10)]

[Class: Magician]

[Strength: 7/7]

[Knowledge: 31/31]

[Endurance: 8/8]

[Dexterity: 7/7]

[Abilities: Intermediate Fire Wizardry (Lv.2)]

"It's confirmed," I concluded, acknowledging her true identity.

Having a performer in our party would significantly expand our strategic options. Edis understood this, which explained why she wouldn't let go of her.

In Shot in the Arm, champions and rogues could be trained and upgraded from their initial positions, but performers were different. They were rare talents that could only be obtained through paid gacha draws. The chances of acquiring performers were very slim.

"Come on, let go. If we add that lady to our party, the balance will be greatly improved," I proposed.

"Do I appear so easily swayed?" Edis replied, challenging my suggestion.

As we pondered over the lot, Jenna approached Eolka with sparkling eyes.

"An performer! I've never seen one! I've only heard rumors about people like you," Jenna exclaimed with excitement.

"But, where are we?"

"This is the gathering area. It's where summoned people like us gather and reside," Jenna figured out.

"The gathering area?" Eolka frowned, gently touching her forehead.

"It feels strange. This is the first time I've ever experienced something like this," Eolka confessed, her demeanor reflecting a mixture of wonder and confusion.

"Don't rush. Take your time to think. We still have plenty of time," Jenna reassured her.

"And what are these two doing?" Eolka said, her curiosity piqued by our interaction.

"We... Oh, by the way, did either of you sneak a peek at the lot? That's cheating. It's a game of chance," Jenna scolded, positioning herself between us and retrieving the lot container. With a quick flick of her wrist, she turned away from us and vigorously shook the container from side to side.

"I'll mix them again, but this time, don't look."

"What are you two doing?" Eolka was still puzzled.

"It's simple. We're figuring out where you'll end up."

"What?"

"You seem slower at grasping the situation compared to the gentleman next to you."

"Being suddenly dragged to a strange place and expected to grasp what is going on... How absurd!"

Eolka's voice rose in discontent. Roderick, with his arms crossed and eyes closed, murmured faintly.

"Take a moment to think."

Eolka squinted her eyes, deep in thought, and then frowned.

"Ugh..."

"Do you get it now?"

"It feels uncomfortable."

"I agree," Roderick nodded.

Jenna placed the container of lots between us, having thoroughly shuffled them.

"No cheating this time. Let's do it fair and square."

"Okay, okay."

"Regardless of who gets picked, there should be no complaints."

"Of course."

"I'll go first."

Edis took a deep breath and drew one from the left side.

"Red."

A smile played at the corners of her mouth.

"Don't hold a grudge," I laughed, while Edis pressed her lips together.

Having Roderick wasn't a bad choice either. Edis's party consisted of two close-range heroes and a rogue, without a mid-range hero.

Of course, having a performer would be ideal.

Nevertheless, the results were in. Eolka joined Party 1, while Roderick joined Party 2.

I recalled the feeling I had when I sent the duel request message.

[Han () requests the attention of Eolka () in Party 1. Will you accept?]

[Yes (Select)/No]

[Eolka () has joined Party 1!]

[Roderick () has joined Party 2 along with Edis ()]

The party distribution was complete.

Afterward, the Expert accessed the fusion menu.

[Get a hero.]

As expected, two of the 1-star individuals, eager to learn skills by attaching themselves to a support group, were drawn to Iselle.

(T/N: Support Group/Making Group)

Among them was the young man who had tearfully sought my advice earlier, expecting survival.

"Mr. Han, Mr. Han! You said we can survive if we really work hard, didn't you? This is too much! It's too much!"

He couldn't learn any additional skills.

Silently, I turned my head.

After cramming the two men into the fusion room, Iselle spoke up,

"Eolka Rivel Strashur! You're a performer, right? We needed one, and it's great luck! Go to the fusion room because there's an offering for you."

"An offering?"

"For now, just go in. Unless you want something bad to happen to you."

Surprised, Eolka entered the fusion room with a bewildered expression.

After a moment.

[Fusion complete!]

[Far off () and Jenin () transform into light and vanish.]

[Eolka () levels up!]

Next was Roderick's turn.

The wary 1-star individuals, sensing something was off, barricaded themselves in their rooms, locking the doors. But Iselle detached the door handle and emerged, dragging them along.

Eventually, all four victims turned out to be prospective members of the support group.

Some of them barely managed to acquire skills, avoiding the fusion. Whether it was a matter of talent or effort, I couldn't say for sure.

Roderick, stepping out of the fusion room, muttered with a rigid expression.

"It's pitiful..."

"Ahaha. It's okay. If you really work hard, you can survive," Jenna laughed nervously.

Aaron and Dica kept their heads bowed.

The experts who completed the fusion proceeded to the next step.

[Eolka () added to favorites.]

[Roderick () added to favorites.]

[Open, The Rift of Time and Space!]

Creak.

The front door of the square revealed its interior.

"This is..."

"They're testing the rookies. It seems like you all are up first."

[Party 2! Enter the Rift of Existence. Commence!]

As usual, Iselle appeared.

Edis let out a sigh and stood up from the chair, and Dica and Asher followed suit.

"Let's go."

"Yes."

"Sir, you're coming with us too. You're the hero of this battle, after all," Edis turned around and said.

Roderick's face froze, he drew the spear from his back and then entered

 the Rift.

The door closed.

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