Chapter 127 That'S Why I End Up Expecting It
"Alright, everyone, we're almost there. We just need to get past this point and we'll reach the next floor soon. Let's do our best!"
"""Roger that!"""
Aaron turned to face everyone, encouraging them with a gentle tone.
The conquest of Snowfield Floor had been extremely smooth.
They had already cleared 39 floors, and the next one would be the 40th. However, they hadn't encountered a single battle up until this point.
They had encountered monsters several times, but Aaron had skillfully led them away or hidden to avoid them, just like he did during the Frost Dragon incident.
Their route selection had been overly cautious, taking a detour, but no one complained about it anymore.
Why was that?
There were many reasons.
One of them was that they were impressed by Aaron's extraordinary abilities. However, that wasn't the only reason.
There were many rumors surrounding ≪Extreme Sword≫ Aaron Gale.
Some said he had a bad drinking habit and would often cause a ruckus at taverns, getting banned multiple times.
Some said he was a wooden sword enthusiast who would test his self-made wooden swords by slaughtering monsters in the labyrinth.
Some said he took on Sword Dance Maiden as his disciple just to get close to her physically.
Some said he would invite Sword Dance Maiden to his home, taking advantage of his position as her master, and do all sorts of things.
Some said they saw him walking around town n*ked.
Some said he would train monsters and then dump them on his clan members, laughing it off from a safe distance.
Some said he was an "An*l Crusher".
Some said he was the strongest, yet the worst, and had a terrible personality... and so on, the rumors were endless.
There were few doubts about Aaron's abilities, but his personality was a different story altogether.
(I used to believe these rumors too...)
However, the captain seemed to deny their past self, ashamed of who they used to be, deep in their heart.
These groundless rumors, especially the ones that unfairly attack the character of ≪Extreme Sword≫, are undoubtedly, all lies!!
(I should believe in one experience more than a hundred rumors.)
On the journey, Aaron was always calm and kind, never forgetting to consider those around him.
Even on the treacherous Snowfield Floor, where it's hard to get a foothold. Even if he chose a safe route, it wasn't completely risk-free.
Sometimes they had to climb steep hills, and there were times when a moment's carelessness could lead to a fall. Who was it that grabbed the arm of a team member who was about to fall, faster than anyone else?
Or when the evolved Snow Worm suddenly attacked from under the snow, who was it that quickly noticed and protected the targeted team member?
"――It's dangerous!!"
"L-Lord of Extreme Sword!?"
"Guh... I'm fine! But we need to be more vigilant around us! I don't think that thing has given up yet!"
After the first surprise attack, the Snow Worm hid deep under the snow again, carefully waiting for another chance to strike. It was undoubtedly thanks to Aaron that they were able to escape without a single injury.
Furthermore, on the Snowfield Floor, the environment itself was the greatest enemy.
A sudden, extremely strong blizzard blew in. The dropping body temperature would cloud their consciousness. And just because they're okay doesn't mean others are too.
No, in situations like this, they should be aware that their own judgment is also impaired. The captain didn't notice their subordinates' conditions.
"...Captain, it's still early for our night camp, but let's take a short break."
"What? No, Lord of Extreme Sword. We're still fine."
"No, some people are already suffering from hypothermia due to the earlier blizzard. Their focus is off, and their reactions are slow."
It wasn't until then that the captain finally noticed something was off with the subordinates.
It was a change that would normally be easy to notice. The reason the captain didn't notice was because their own judgment was impaired.
"I'll activate the barrier magic tool. After that, let's boil some water and drink something warm. ...Hehe, don't worry. It's not soup, but honey dissolved in water."
"Y-yes..."
Why was he relieved that it wasn't soup? For a moment, the captain was puzzled, but soon realized it. This was Aaron's way of being considerate.
Was it a boring joke or an intentional strange remark to imply that his physical strength was also dwindling? In other words, even he found it difficult to make a normal judgment in their current situation. It was a subtle consideration to not mind the captain's mistake.
(Thank you, Lord of Extreme Sword...)
The captain silently thanked him in their heart.
At this point, it was clear enough. Aaron Gale, as a person, was not a broken individual with a flawed personality as rumored, but a kind and compassionate person overflowing with love.
(Maybe those rumors were just jealous lies spread by other explorers who envied Lord of Extreme Sword's abilities.)
The captain suspected as much. And this thought was probably not wrong.
Anyway, after taking a short break, they resumed their exploration and continued walking until night fell in the labyrinth.
And then, night.
Although they had taken a detour, they couldn't reach the 40th floor in one day, so they had to set up camp inside the labyrinth.
However, thanks to Aaron bringing the barrier magic tool, their camp was surprisingly safe and convenient.
They built a simple igloo using snow blocks, took out food from the storage ring, and ate. It was a simple meal, but cooking over a fire warmed their chilled bodies to the core.
At that time, the 'Dark Crow' members who interacted with Aaron came to sympathize with his "new explorer image."
"Lord of Extreme Sword, you're quite knowledgeable about the scouting Jobs' skills, aren't you?"
One of the team members suddenly asked a question.
The rumor that ≪Extreme Sword≫ can imitate the skills of other Jobs has already been confirmed to be true, at least halfway, during their journey so far. If not, it would be impossible to explain the various scouting skills Aaron has used.
However, they thought he had a good understanding of scouting skills.
It's not just about the types of skills or their effects, but also about how to use them and apply them in different situations. There are many things that wouldn't be noticed if they didn't think deeply about skills.
In response to the team members' questions, Aaron began to answer quietly.
"That's right... I feel a great possibility in the scouting Jobs..."
"A possibility, you say...?"
The 'Dark Crow' members looked puzzled, wondering what he meant.
Aaron nodded and continued,
"Yes, I do. I hate fighting. If possible, I wouldn't even take the life of a monster..."
It was an overly idealistic and dreamy thought. If a usual party leader said that, they would probably be laughed at.
However, the person in front of them was saying it with conviction.
They hated fighting and taking lives. It was something Aaron had actually done during their journey so far. He didn't kill the Frost Dragon or the Snow Worm, even though he had the power to do so.
He was a person who didn't just dream, but took action. No one had the right to laugh at such a person.
"Is fighting the only job of an explorer?"
Aaron continued,
"If we can avoid fighting monsters, then we should. That way, we won't put our own lives or our friends' lives in danger."
What Aaron said was exactly the same as the stance of the scouting Jobs.
Although scouting Jobs are classified as combat-type Jobs, their combat ability is undeniably low. Exceptions like Ail the Hermit are rare.
That's why they are often looked down upon by explorers from other Jobs.
There are many people who worship power among explorers. They're simple-minded folks who think that power is everything. To them, the Scout Jobs, which aren't very good at fighting, become objects of disdain.
Furthermore, the fact that Scout Jobs are favored by the powerful people in the world also becomes a reason for explorers to attack them.
Scout Jobs have many roles beyond just exploring labyrinths. They possess abilities that powerful people desire, such as espionage, counter-espionage, sabotage, assassination, and counter-assassination.
In other words, Scout Jobs can thrive in many areas without becoming explorers, and they can even earn more income from other jobs.
That's why they're often envied by other explorers, and that envy becomes a reason to attack and mock them.
The 'Dark Crow' group is no exception.
Although they're part of the explorer guild and have been working for the guild's sake, and ultimately for the explorers' sake, they've been subjected to verbal abuse and behind-the-back insults. They've had countless such experiences.
That's why...
"You can learn how to survive as a Scout even if you're not a Scout Job. You can do things even if you can't use Scout skills. If all explorers could learn that, I think the number of people who die would decrease significantly. Well..."
These are obvious words. Anyone can think of them if they just give it a little thought. However...
"After all, it's best if we have the cooperation of Scout Jobs. That's why I end up expecting it. I hope that more Scout Jobs will thrive as explorers in the future..."
The captains understood that this person genuinely wished for that.
He wanted explorers to recognize the usefulness of Scout Jobs and learn their techniques, and more than that, he wanted Scout Jobs to walk alongside explorers.
That's why he's deeply saddened by the large number of explorers who die unfortunate deaths.
"Lord of Extreme Sword...!!"
The team members were moved.
Now, as an explorer, he possesses unparalleled strength and fame as ≪Extreme Sword≫.
This person, who has deeply acknowledged their own abilities, is saying that he wants to lend his power to them. It's impossible not to be shaken in their hearts.
(What kind of person is this...?)
And the captain thinks that this person is slightly different from the rest of the team members.
(Isn't this person the one who's worthy of being the leader of the explorer guild...?)
Everyone acknowledges their exceptional strength, and they worry about the future of explorers, possessing a kind heart that can think seriously about it.
Although they've been acting strangely for the past few days, there's a certain old man who's trying to curry favor with those in power, thinking of explorers as mere targets to be exploited for money. On the other hand, there's Aaron, a person with a saintly character.
As for who's more suitable to be the guild leader, it's clear to the captain.
(It's not easy to replace the guild leader. Moreover, the timing is bad. Extreme Sword is being watched by the 4 major families, and the new guild leader appointment in Necronia can't be done without considering the 4 families' intentions... but when the time comes...)
And so, the captain begins to think about something unsettling, and the night passes.
The next day.
Aaron and his team reached the 40th floor without a single battle and ended up facing the guardian ≪Ice Elemental Treant≫.
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