Golden Experience

There is a commotion from the direction of the safety area.

Players are gathering, and it’s quite a large number.

However, there were no specific posts on the forum about this.

Why did such a large number of people come here at this timing?

At a glance, their equipment seems quite high-quality.

I don’t have a way to determine the rank of materials just by looking at them, and I don’t even know if such a skill exists, but their equipment has a sense of unity, or rather, the design is sophisticated. Whether they are players or NPCs is unknown, but someone must have designed them with a specific concept in mind.

It implies that they could afford such expenses, and normally, one wouldn’t spend that much on low-level equipment.

“There they are! That one is the rumored raid boss!”

“…Looks like the rookies were wiped out. No one’s left.”

Judging from their conversation, they don’t seem to be acquaintances of the players who were wiped out earlier. So, at least, they must have learned that I was here through social media. But then why didn’t they post about it? And how did they gather such a large number without such posts?

Roughly estimating, there are more people here than in the raid battle in the royal capital. It’s likely exceeding 40 people.

Even though there are no parties or alliances in the system, there is a limit. Unless it’s a war, such a large number against a single enemy would hinder coordination. It’s even impossible to line up all frontliners for an attack. If, for example, we were as large as Uluru, we might be able to fight with a large number, but even though we’re big, Yoroizaka-san is only about 3 meters tall.

“Are you friends of the small fry earlier? How is it that so many people were gathered?”

If they are NPCs, it wouldn’t be strange to ask in a slightly provocative manner. The leader of this group is unclear, but whoever answers is likely the leader.

“…He has a rather pretty voice for his appearance, doesn’t he? Hey, hey, you’re sure this guy is the disaster in question, right? Okay, I’m sure he’s the disaster in question.

We players have a means of communication that you monsters can’t even imagine!! Don’t get too carried away!!”

The man in splendid armor who seems like a tank shouted at the front of the group. Due to Yoroizaka’s Enhanced Hearing, I could hear even the muttered part before he raised his voice, but that’s not important.

Or rather, what I want to know is not there.

“I see. For the sake of posterity, could you tell me more about it? What exactly is that about?”

“Even if I told you about it, you wouldn’t understand!! Why bother doing that!!”

“…Those weaklings earlier mentioned something about contacting somewhere. However, no help arrived, and they ended up in despair and disappeared. Yet, you guys appear, talking as if you received their contact. What’s going on?”

This should not raise suspicions, right?

It’s probably fine. I should only mention facts that can be inferred from the information obtained in this situation.

“Ugh, how should I explain? How would one convey ‘social media’ or ‘the forum’ anyway? It’s like shouting loudly in a plaza… Even if it’s heard, there’s no need to answer… We just communicated through a clan-exclusive, password-protected community. How should I answer that…”

“No, Captain, isn’t it fine to just say ‘we don’t need to answer’? There really isn’t a need to answer. Why are you even having a polite conversation? Because its voice was cute?”

“…… We don’t need to answer!!”

“Did you say that to me? Or to that other person?”

What are these guys? Comedians or something?

However, I got the gist of it.

While there are no clan functionalities in the game system, players are free to gather and claim to be a clan. Using external services to establish a community, communicate, and organize a clan is not impossible.

But it’s not something easily done. Gathering such a large number, acting as a leader, using communication tools, and functioning as an organization require considerable charisma and know-how. The matching armor seems to contribute to enhancing their camaraderie.

Someone had inquired about clans in the FAQ, and this person might be the one.

The fact that clans don’t exist as a system is not entirely a bad thing.

It means you’re not being bound by the system for clans. Since it’s not system-bound, joining casually through verbal agreements is possible. One can remain a member without actively participating in clan activities. Leaving the clan is also free without any need for formalities.

If they discuss renting a clan house, they might need money, but if they don’t plan to accommodate everyone, funding can be managed by a few high-ranking members. Including crafting players in the group can make equipment updates smoother, and redistributing old equipment to new players can benefit all members. While purchasing equipment requires coins, it’s the same for solo players. Bulk material purchases may even lead to discounts, potentially reducing equipment costs.

The leader created such a clan, made preparations, and came here. That seems to be the case. If they were using their unique community site, it makes sense that there were no posts on the official SNS.

“…It was worth wasting the first day. Who would have thought a raid boss for the event would appear.”

“…Yeah. When I heard about the assembly on the second day, I thought we might be late.”

“…No, the leader was saying something like ‘It’s a nuisance to invade crowded places with a large number by force, so let’s find a less populated area’. Didn’t he target the first dungeon conquest? For promotion.”

“Really? The leader is something else.”

“…Then why didn’t you advertise on the forum before coming to defeat the calamity?”

“…If we did that, it would backfire if we lost.”

“…Seriously? The leader truly is something else.”

There’s something about tank players in this game; they generally seem capable. I had thought that most top players would be away on the second day, but it seems there are players with unconventional thinking like this among them.

“If you won’t answer, there’s no helping it. Can I assume you’ve come to defeat me?”

I don’t think so, but if it’s some misunderstanding, it would be awkward to crush them. Just awkward, though; even if it was a misunderstanding, I would still defeat them all.

Unlike the beginners from earlier, these guys should contribute to experience points.

“No need to say it! Let’s go!”

They’ve probably already built up some strategy. The “Calamity Subjugation Battle” was a topic on the forum, and they had checked it. Having a plan ready in such a short time, despite coming this far, suggests they may have been coordinating regularly for a raid boss.

It’s a benefit of raid bosses, I suppose.

“Sugaru.”

<Yes, boss.>

But Rare is not really a raid boss. Though that seems to be how it’s perceived, in reality, she’s just a player.

Besides, I’ve entrusted everything during this outing to Sugaru.

But since they’re playing the role of a raid boss for now, not necessarily as a continuation of the previous conversation, I could provide a bit of roleplay service.

“My right hand, the Queen of Insects, Sugaru, will be your opponent. If you can defeat her, I might consider granting you the right to challenge me. Do your best.”

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