Chapter 61: Trials of the New Recruits

I thought it was time to recruit some new folks. With our trio, it was inevitable that we'd need to fill those gaps. But, as it stood, there weren't any suitable candidates to join us. While some folks at the training grounds showed potential, they needed time to grow.

Nevertheless, recruiting was unavoidable.

Even though some people never made any purchases, there wasn't a single person who had only made one purchase.

I chuckled, remembering a famous saying widely shared on the official forum. Everyone should've learned something from the past incident.

You shouldn't blindly indulge in paid summons.

Even if it could partly be my fault.

But, there were rules and procedures even when it came to paid summons. If you recklessly summon unnecessarily just because you have an abundance of diamonds, you'll incur 100 percent losses.

In Shot in the Arm, it was important not to forget that each hero had unique traits and personality.

Take it slow. And gradually.

[Ace, high-level summon begins! You have selected 2 consecutive high-level summons. A total of 1,000 diamonds will be consumed. Do you wish to summon?]

[Yes (Select)/No]

With just the two of us, Edis and I could each have one.

It seemed like he finally grasped the effective method of summoning.

[Ace, high-level summon begins. I'm excited to see which heroes will appear!]

[Pound, pound, thump]

[Clang!]

[Rare!]

Ace Anytng has acquired the hero Roderek ()!

[Rare!]

Ace Anytng has acquired the hero Eolka ()!

A bright light emanated from the summoning gate.

The gaze of me and my companions met at the gate.

Eventually, a man and a woman emerged, one from each side of the summoning gate.

The man wore chain armor, with a spear strapped to his back, while the woman wore an elegant dress.

Why is she dressed like that?

"What are your names?" the man in armor asked, looking at us.

I couldn't help but notice the middle-aged guard's sturdy build beneath the armor, his hair silvered by age.

"That can wait. Do you remember why you're here?" I asked, hoping to jog his memory.

He frowned, lost in deep thought. The woman beside him seemed equally confused, her head tilted with confusion as she stood at the edge of the summoning gate.

Suddenly, the summoning gate abruptly closed, knocking the woman off balance.

"Oh my!"

She exclaimed, falling to the ground in surprise.

At the same time, Jenna arrived at the square, "Oppa, I brought you the... Huh? New people have arrived. What are your names?"

"I'm Roderick Sazan," the man in armor introduced himself.

"And what's that sister doing lying like that?"

"Mind your own business. I'm sure she'll get up on her own," I replied, dismissing her concern.

"I'm going to ask again, what are your names?" the elderly man asked.

"I'm Han, and this is Edis and Jenna," I introduced us.

Approaching Roderick, I inquired about how he ended up here. As I suspected, he couldn't recall the details. He mentioned working as a guard in a city and then finding himself in this new place, accompanied by a strong sense of duty.

"It feels like there's something I should do. Almost like being in a trance," he figured out.

Roderick was familiar with the core concepts including Expert, Summoning, and Fusion. However, he didn't know concepts like levels and skills. It was the same with Edith. Currently, the attributes of three-star heroes were laid out. I didn't even need to ask that woman.

"So, we have to face unknown foes here?" Roderick summarized, seeking confirmation.

I nodded, affirming his understanding.

Roderick let out a weary sigh.

The remaining woman lay on the ground, unable to rise.

Could it be a mistake?

There are peculiar cases when a high-ranking hero is summoned but fails to fulfill their true potential. It's like being cursed with bad luck.

Aaron, in his subtle way, approached the woman and helped her to her feet.

She stumbled, her head spinning.

"Thank you. I feel a bit dizzy."

"It's nothing."

"She's of noble birth," Edis whispered, her voice meant for me alone.

"A noble?"

"You'd know if you've spent enough time as a mercenary. She seems inexperienced, like an innocent girl. How did she end up here?"

Now that I think about it, except for me, everyone else is from Townia.

However, it was time for the draft. The expert also seemed aware, as he hadn't assigned either of them to a party yet.

"We have two lots. If you draw the red one, take the gentleman. If you draw the blue one, take the lady. Any objections?"

"None."

"Jenna, bring the lots here."

"Yes, sir. Oops."

Jenna tripped over a bump in the square. Quickly, she shifted her foot and regained her balance. In the process, the container of lots she held jostled back and forth.

"The right one is red. The left one is blue."

While I could check their status windows, I didn't have to resort to cheating even in a place like this. Even without looking, it was clear whom I should choose. A seasoned watchman with a wealth of experience and an inexperienced aristocrat.

Edis, too, had her gaze fixed on the right lot. She had deciphered the order, just like me.

"Okay, here we go!"

Jenna placed the container between me and Edis.

Even if our recent sub-capabilities were subpar, we wouldn't hold back.

I chose the right one.

Having Roderick, who wielded a spear, in our party would bolster the front line.

And then...

Whoosh.

Flames erupted from the woman's hand.

"She's a mage!"

"Left!"

As lightning-quick as our hands moved towards the left lot, they converged.

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