Raid Quest

Gunter and Edith were kept from the sub-space inventory, becoming more akin to personal companions or, as they both claimed–bodyguards. 

"I wonder…Is it messed up to just drop all of them into my inventory?" He audibly wondered while walking with his two familiars, heading towards the guild. 

Gunter laughed, "I wouldn't worry about it! I doubt they have an issue with it."

"I believe it is the right call," Edith assured, "With so many following you, there would surely be unnecessary attention brought–perhaps negative."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he accepted. 

Though it felt heartless in a way, it was difficult for him to feel all that down for losing the goblins, as he certainly didn't have a very good impression of the volatile species, though the loss of Aguta was one that he felt. 

'I need to be more cautious. I'm not sure if I can "resummon" anything,' he thought. 

For the time being at least, he made his way to the Guild at the top of the morning, this time arriving while it was surprisingly more empty than the previous morning. There were maybe a couple adventurers here and there, but none lingering around the tables and chatting up the place. 

"Welcome back, adventurer," the receptionist greeted him kindly. 

He glanced around as he approached the desk, "Pretty quiet this morning, huh?" 

"Oh, you didn't hear?" She tilted her head. 

"Hear what?" 

The receptionist seemed surprised that the rookie adventurer was left out-of-the-loop on whatever was going on, "A Raid Quest was commissioned to the Merdlum Guild Boards last night–oh, you must've just missed it." 

"A 'Raid Quest'? What's that?" He asked. 

It really did seem like his timing was bad if it came the night prior and he did in fact visit the Guild that night as well. 

"Hm? Ah, apologies, I believe that should've been explained to you by one of the Guild's staff," the receptionist apologized, "A Raid Quest is a quest that can be taken by more than one adventurer, and oftentimes, requires a large number of adventurers in order to complete it. Usually this is due to a Raid Quest pertaining to a large-scale extermination of monsters, but other times…"

"Yeah?" He looked at the golden-haired woman. 

She had a serious look in her eyes as she looked at the rookie, "In this case, the Raid Quest was made because the mission is to eliminate an Abyss Dragon that's shown up in the region." 

"A dragon?!" He repeated in surprise. 

The prospect of a draconic beast seemed to get both of his companions excited as well as Gunter beamed with a smile and Edith seemed ready for a fight. 

Nodding her head, the receptionist confirmed it, "It's a powerful one, too; it comes from the Abyss, so the aspect of darkness is potent within it. I am obligated to inform you that a Raid Quest is open to ALL adventurers–even a rookie such as yourself, however…I must also speak my own opinion, if you don't mind." 

"Go ahead," he said. 

"I believe if you join this Raid Quest that you are more than likely to die, or at the very least, you will sustain career-ending injuries. A Dragon is an obstacle for even the most seasoned adventurer," the receptionist warned him. 

Edith stepped forward, "My master can–"

Before the silver-haired spellblade could speak for him, he raised his hand to stop her, knowing her intentions well, though he knew the receptionist only spoke from a place of good intentions in her heart. 

"Tell me, what sort of reward does one get for slaying an Abyss Dragon?" He asked with a confident smile. 

The golden-haired woman looked perplexed, as if her warnings fell upon deaf ears, "...Five-hundred copper and, assuredly, a hefty promotion would be in order." 

CHA-CHING

–The sound of money played in his brain as the prospect of five-hundred, sparkly little coins filled his mind. To the gacha addict, there was no greater allure. 

"Count me in!" He announced. 

Gunter celebrated, "Yeah! There will be no greater cause for drinking than slaying a dragon! Ga-ha-ha-ha!"

"I will bring honor to your name, Master, and slay the great beast," Edith proclaimed. 

It seemed his companions were raring for a fight, but he wasn't much different himself, excitedly squeezing his fists. 

'I've grown a lot since last night. All of this new strength…I need to test it! Even if it's a dragon, I'll take it down and claim my prize!' He thought. 

"Are you sure?...I understand your drive, but this is–" The receptionist worriedly asked. 

As if easing her worries, he finally dropped down the four completed quests he had accepted the night prior, which caught the woman off-guard as she seemed to have forgotten about his very reason for showing up in the first place. 

"This…you completed four overnight?" She asked in surprise, lifting the documents and checking them. 

"Yup!" He answered, "I told you–I can handle myself."

"It seems so…Forgive my earlier words," the receptionist bowed her head, "I believe you may have the strength to fight in this battle, after all."

"Don't worry about it," he laughed. 

In turn for the completion of the rookie quests, the receptionist slid over a hefty payment of two-hundred copper, which he tossed straight into his [Void Inventory], as lugging around a lot of money surely wasn't the best idea. 

"If you're certain you'd like to join the Raid Quest, then follow me," the receptionist told him. 

"Huh? Alright," he agreed. 

There was a bit of confusion in his mind, not knowing what accepting the Raid Quest had to do with following the woman, though he agreed anyway, walking towards a room stationed at the back of the Guild hall while his two companions dutifully followed. 

"In here," Julia showed. 

The room awaiting was occupied by a single, mystifying object: a tall, bright-blue crystal that hovered above a pedestal. There was a noticeable shift in temperature from the crystal-inhabited room from that before. 

"...What is that?" He asked. 

Standing beside the tall, magical item, the receptionist answered, "This is a Transport Crystal: each Guild possesses one in the event a Raid Quest begins. Currently, it is routed to the area just outside where the Abyss Dragon is said to be located. As soon as you place your hand on it, you will be warped to the designated location." 

"That's pretty awesome," he said, in awe of the object. 

"Whenever you're ready, just touch the crystal and say the word: 'Transport'," Julia informed him. 

"Sure, but I need to do something real quick," he told the receptionist with a smile. 

A confused look came from the woman, nodding her head before she stepped outside of the room while Jett began his preparations. 

"What is it you need to do?" Edith asked. 

"Well, I'm in need of some new abilities–and it just so happens I happened to fatten my pockets with copper, so with that being said…!" He announced, "System, give me five rolls on the Standard Weapon Banner–pronto!" 

[Summon x5 Initiated!]

In the crystal-occupied room, the summoning process began as the flashing lights and spinning wheel of silhouettes appeared. 

There were three (N) rarity weapons, which brought his pity up to [3/100], which he simply chucked into his [Void Inventory] as they were siphoned through the shadowy maw. However, two interesting results came to be:

[New Weapon Obtained: (R) Nature's Wrath | Special Traits: Visceral!]

[ATK: 6] 

A longsword with a blade that resembled a sharpened leaf came into his grip with a natural, oak handle. It was just the sort of weapon he looked for: light and with a versatile reach. For the time being, he kept it stored as well while his final summon came: 

[New Weapon Obtained: (R) Aqua Piercer | Special Traits: Fluid!] 

It was a bow made out of solidified water, having a translucent appearance with a unique trait he immediately discovered: when pulling the water string back, an arrow of the same substance conjured naturally. 

'Infinite arrows? Nice,' he thought. 

Next up, he performed five summons each on the [Standard Magic Banner] and the [Standard Skill Banner], seeking to improve his baseline. 

[New Spell Obtained | (R) Power Air Shield | Special Traits: Sturdy!] 

–A quick, efficient spell allowing him to conjure a shield made out of hardened air in front of himself, spanning a size wide enough to defend himself and any behind him. 

[New Spell Obtained | (SR) Blink | Special Traits: Instant!] 

A reset to his [Pity], though an exchange he was more than happy with as he tested it out in the same room, activating [Blink] with a thought as it allowed him to instantaneously appear to another spot closeby. 

'Awesome…!' He thought. 

"Woah! That's fast," Gunter remarked. 

Though there were only those two spells of note from the five summons, he was more than fine with the results. 

However, what came from the [Standard Skill Summon] blew everything else out of the water: 

[New Skill Obtained: (R) Super Strength I | Passive | Special Traits: Strong!] 

[New Skill Obtained: (N) Eavesdrop | Active | Special Traits: Listen Closely!] 

[New Skill Obtained: (R) Burst | Active | Special Traits: Amplification!] 

–Natural enhancements to his baseline strength were invaluable; he knew that much as he could feel a strength improvement that dwarfed that he saw from his level-ups coursing through his body. 

There was no doubt that despite having spent well over one-hundred-and-fifty copper, it was well worth that which he had gained from it. 

'The Standard Summon is amazing! I feel invincible with something like this!' He thought, clenching his fists as he could feel the new strength coiling in his altered muscles. 

"Alright, I'm ready to go!" He announced, "It's time to slay ourselves a dragon!"

"Hell yeah!" Gunter pumped his fist in the air. 

"Let's," Edith smiled. 

Edith and Gunter had been patiently waiting as he went through his summons, having acquired a new arsenal of tools at his disposal. 

Together, they each placed a hand upon the ice-cold crystal, invoking the singular word that empowered it: "Transport!"