Chapter 68 Chapter 17.3 - Normal Life
"Huh, you've got quite the sharp aim," Irina remarked with a raised eyebrow, her tone dripping with arrogance. "Mind explaining why you didn't tell us you could see in the dark?"
I met her gaze evenly; her question was hardly surprising. It was typical of her to demand answers, especially when it concerned something that could potentially benefit the group. It was expectable, but at the same time, it was annoying.
Be it her tone, her demeanor, it was all bratty, and this was a good opportunity for future explorations. For this whole semester, we were going to be a team, and establishing myself in the team would make it also easier for me.
At least, I would spend less time dealing with dungeons like this.
"No one asked."
I retorted coolly, my voice devoid of emotion. It was a simple and straightforward answer to her inquiry, also making sure that she was the one to blame for it.
Irina's eyes narrowed in response to my response. It was clear that she wasn't used to encountering people who didn't succumb to her authoritative presence. However, her ego was resilient, and she didn't back down.
"Don't play coy with me," she shot back, her annoyance evident. "In a team setting like this, information sharing is crucial. Your silence about your abilities jeopardizes our chances of success."
I weighed her words for a moment before responding, my expression neutral. "And you're right. In a team, information sharing is important. But it's a two-way street. If you had been open to input from the start, maybe we wouldn't have triggered those traps in the first place."
Irina's eyes flared with anger, her fiery disposition ignited by my words. She wasn't used to being challenged, especially not by someone who had been relatively silent until now. But I had no intention of backing down, not when I knew the truth of our situation.
"I may not have openly revealed my abilities, but that doesn't absolve you from your responsibilities as the leader," I continued, my tone unwavering. "As a team, it's your duty to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each member. Instead, you charged ahead without a thought for the consequences."
When it came to wordplay, I was confident in my ability. At the same time, it was also some sort of habit. And right now, I wanted to beat this girl's ego for some reason.
Nora and George exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the escalating tension between their leader and me. It was an uncomfortable situation for them, caught in the crossfire of a clash of personalities.
"Just like the previous dungeon exploration, it was your own fragile ego that made you lose your points, and this time too. If you are unable to utilize the strength of every person in your group as a leader because of your ego, then you are not suitable for being a leader. This is a dungeon exploration that is surveyed by the academy professors, but in real life, there won't be any surveillance, nor the traps here will be unlethal. As a leader, the life of your subordinates will be your responsibility. Can you handle when they lose their life because their leader, whose eyes were blinded by her pride, made poor decisions?"
"Looks like someone has a lot to say," Irina retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She folded her arms across her chest, her fiery gaze fixed on me. "If you're so confident in your abilities, maybe you'd like to lead the way instead?"
Her challenge was clear, a way to put me on the spot and prove her own superiority. But I didn't let her provocations rattle me. Instead, I regarded her with an unflinching gaze.
"Maybe I would," I responded evenly, my tone showcasing none of the annoyance that had welled up inside me. "But you've already shown that you're not open to collaboration. A leader should inspire trust and cooperation, not arrogance."
Irina's eyes blazed with fury; her fists clenched at her sides. It was evident that my words were getting under her skin, and part of me reveled in that realization. She was used to being the center of attention, the one who called the shots, and I was disrupting that order.
"You think you're so smart, huh?" she shot back, her voice seething with anger. "Fine, let's see how well you can navigate this dungeon. Lead us then if you're so confident. But, if you fail, I will make sure you will experience hell next time."
I could see the challenge in her eyes, a dare to prove myself in a situation that I hadn't asked for. But my goal was never to become the leader; it was simply to point out the flaws in her approach.
In the first place, my position was not fit to be a leader. As a marksman and rearguard, leading the team would be possible, but considering I also need to act as a scout, things may get messy.
'But, this is a good opportunity to test myself.'
I met her challenge with a steady gaze, "Fine then. I will be the leader." I simply answered and turned my attention to the other two. "Are you both fine with that?"
"Yes."
"I have no problem."
Thanks to Irina's overbearing atmosphere, it was very easy for the other two to accept my proposal. And, just like that, I was left with the role of the leader.
"Now, I will make it short," I announced, my tone even. "I'll be at the front, and my focus will be on detecting and avoiding traps. You both will follow exactly in my steps. The formation will be a single line to minimize the risk of triggering traps. Irina, refrain from using your fire magic for now. I suspect that the veil of darkness reacts to light sources and might attract unwanted attention from monsters. We'll need to time our use of light carefully."
Irina's expression displayed a mixture of annoyance and reluctant agreement, but she didn't challenge my plan. It was clear that she wanted to regain her perceived control over the situation, but it was also necessary to show this girl that it was important to have a good plan.
"As we move forward," I continued, "there might be intersections or forks in the road. At those points, follow my lead and await my decision. I'll take responsibility for guiding us in the right direction. You need to obey my commands exactly and listen to them cautiously. Since everyone's sight is limited, I will be your eyes."
"Any questions?"
"…."
"Good. Let's, start."
Just like that, we started moving, and from this moment on, things got easier and easier.
I was in the front, avoiding all the traps, while the other three tried to follow me. Our speed was not top-notch, but it was remarkable enough. After all, there were groups that could tank all the damage and brute force their way to the front.
This was what the main cast did in the game. But, our formation is not suited for that, neither is George's strength.
Still, as we progressed, I could feel the tension in the group begin to ease. Irina's earlier bravado had given way to a begrudging acknowledgment of my role, while Nora and George seemed more at ease, knowing that someone with a watchful eye was leading them.
Of course, they tried to make it so that Irina didn't notice it, but at the end of the day, she did. After all, she was not that stupid either, even though she was prideful.
"Stop," I commanded at a crossroads where multiple paths diverged.
Activating my [Keen Eye], I surveyed the options before us, my mind processing the information quickly. "Left," I directed, and we continued down the chosen path.
It wasn't just about avoiding traps; it was also about utilizing each member's strengths. Since the confrontation was unavoidable, it was time to make the party return to normal formation.
I instructed George, "George, I need you at the front. Your size and strength will help us clear any obstacles in our way." He nodded in understanding and moved to the front, his hulking form leading the way.
Just like that, we faced our second share of enemies. When a group of creatures emerged from the darkness, I directed George to engage them, his massive form acting as an impenetrable wall. Nora took up her position by his side, her swordsmanship fluid and precise as she struck down our foes.
Irina's fire magic came into play once again as she targeted the enemies from a distance, her flames engulfing them with powerful bursts of heat. Our coordinated efforts ensured that none of us were overwhelmed, and we emerged unharmed from each encounter.
"George, halt," I called out as we approached a suspicious section of the path. He stopped, and I could see a faint line on the ground. "Careful, there's a pressure plate here. Nora, can you disarm it?" Nora stepped forward, her skilled hands deftly disarming the pressure plate with a small tool from her equipment. "All clear," she confirmed, and we continued on our way.
At another point, we encountered a narrow passage with protruding spikes. "Irina, your fire magic could be useful here," I suggested. Irina nodded, her demeanor more cooperative now. She conjured a controlled burst of flames, melting the spikes and creating a safe path for us.
And just like that, we kept moving forward.
******
'What is with this guy?' Irina thought to herself, seeing the irritating bastard leading the group. 'How is he so good?'
Even though she didn't want to admit it, the way he led the group, the way he instantly utilized his strengths of them and made quick judgments, were worthy of praise.
However, she was annoyed.
Annoyed by the fact that she was getting beaten by him. For some reason, whenever she spoke with him, she would get annoyed.
It was his attitude. The attitude of not showing any respect. As a girl who was born in one of the most famous households of her small country and the daughter of the current fire Archmage, she was someone that was always respected by others.
She was always the center of attention, so she naturally got used to it.
But now, nothing was going the way she had expected at all.
She couldn't help but feel a mixture of begrudging respect and annoyance at his cool demeanor. Who did he think he was, taking charge of their group so confidently? And yet, she had to admit that his leadership was effective. He had a methodical way of approaching each situation, giving clear instructions and making decisions without hesitation.
"Stop," he commanded, his voice breaking the silence. She halted her steps, her annoyance flaring as she waited for his direction.
"Something is weird." He continued. She could see his brows furrowed, and since they were sticking closer, his face was visible.
'He is not bad.' She thought. She couldn't help but compare his looks to Victor, the person she liked. Of course, for her, Victor was at the peak, and it was the same for most other people, but this irritating guy before him was quite handsome too.
'Though he needs to cut these bangs. He looks like an emo kid.' She visualized herself burning his hair down and making him bald, and satisfaction welled in her heart.
'I should definitely try it.' She kept deluding herself in her delusions, but it was a mistake.
Lost in her daydreams and the inner monologue about bangs and baldness, Irina's senses were momentarily dulled.
GROWL
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the corridor, snapping her back to reality. Before she could react, a monstrous creature lunged at her from the shadows, its eyes gleaming with malevolence.
Instinct kicked in, and her body tensed to summon a burst of fire to defend herself, but Astron was quicker.
SWOOSH
His arrow whizzed through the air with deadly accuracy, piercing the monster's flank and diverting its attention away from her.
"KIEEK!"
The creature let out a howl of pain, its charge faltering as it stumbled to the side.
"What the hell are you doing?" Astron's voice was laced with frustration and anger as he swiftly knocked another arrow and fired at the monster approaching. "Use your fire magic. Their number is enormous. Three on the three clockwise, four on eleven clockwise, and another three on eight clockwise."
His instructions were clear as his cold gaze penetrated the battlefield. For a second, Irina was caught off guard as she couldn't bring herself to say anything. He was close, extremely close for a second, but then he immediately took his position behind her and knocked another bunch of arrows.
"George, cover the left side using your skill and force them to group in the middle. Nora, confront them and keep them busy. With my command, you both will retreat."
The situation was urgent, and her initial lapse in attention was unforgivable. She watched as George and Nora followed Astron's orders, creating a coordinated defense against the encroaching creatures. It was a testament to his leadership and their willingness to trust his instructions.
"Kiek!"
The creatures attacked them with a fast ambush as she watched the three fight.
"Get ready your magic; you will sweep them off with my command."
But clarity returned to her head in a matter of seconds as Irina noted the directions Astron had given to her.
"Now."
And with his words, she simply released all of the emotions inside her heart, sweeping the monsters…
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