Seeker 248

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Chapter 248. Strategy Meeting

The raid members who entered the village split into four parties and explored the entire village separately. 

After confirming the absence of remaining Killer Ants and any survivors who might have escaped, we, 16 adventurers gathered in the village's central square.

In the center of the square, there was a large hole in the ground. 

It was a hole large enough for humans and Killer Ants to easily crawl into.

Three more similar holes were found in the village, undoubtedly serving as entrances to Killer Ant nests.

Gadol-san, surveying the assembled raid members in the square, spoke up. 

"There are exactly four holes in the village. It would be cumbersome for a large group to enter a narrow hole. It's more efficient for each party to explore by entering one hole each. Any objections?"

Both the leaders of the other parties and I nodded in agreement with Gadol-san's strategy. 

While it might be challenging to earn extra points for subjugation, opposing this plan at this stage would be unusual. 

Sometimes it's more reassuring to operate only with one's party.

After confirming the agreement of each party, Gadol-san continued.

"Given the size of this Killer Ant swarm, there must be a Queen somewhere. As you know, if any party finds the Queen, do not engage. Withdraw immediately. Gather all parties and strike together as the entire raid force. Dealing with a Queen accompanied by guards is beyond the strength of a single party."

"Um." 

I raised my hand.

Gadoll responded."What is it?"

So I asked

"If it seems possible to defeat her, is it okay for us to take down the Queen alone?"

For mission reasons, I would prefer our party to deliver the finishing blow to the Queen.

While earning experience points might be challenging, I definitely wanted to secure the 10,000 points.

However, upon hearing my statement, laughter erupted from the surrounding adventurers.

"Hey hey hey, did you hear that just now? [If it seems possible, can we take down the Queen alone?']" 

"Haha, my stomach hurts! I'm dying of laughter!" 

"We all had fearless moments in our youth, but not knowing what you're up against is scary, huh?"

Adventurers laughed uproariously. 

I could only smile wryly, and Kazane-san and Yuzuki had similar expressions. 

The Mini Griffin on my shoulder fluttered around, emitting a disgruntled "Kupi, Kupi!" as if it were angry. 

So far, other adventurers seemed to regard it as a mysterious pet.

Gadol-san looked into my eyes and conveyed a warning tone, "Stop it. I told you, it's not the kind of strength that can handle it alone. You may be underestimating the Queen by looking at the Monster Encyclopedia data. Queens usually have numerous Killer Ants, including soldiers and mages, as their guards. Keep your confidence in check."

As Gadol-san's words indicated, the status of the Killer Ant Queen itself was not extraordinary.

 However, this was a comparison in the context of "compared to S-rank boss monsters like dragons". 

Dealing with the Queen alone might be feasible for an A-rank equivalent party.

But typically, the Queen had multiple Killer Ant guards, including higher-tier individuals. 

Considering the overall combat power, it was information I had also gleaned from the Monster Encyclopedia—clearly beyond the capabilities of an ordinary skilled adventurer party.

"Well, yeah. Ah..."

Gadol-san walked up to me, right in front of my eyes.

In a whisper so low that other adventurers wouldn't hear, he spoke,

"If you guys have done your limit break, it might be a different story."

Gadol-san stared at me intensely.

Awakened Ones who have achieved the limited break don't seem to be numerous in this world.

But they're not completely absent.

With these conditions in place, it's natural for someone to doubt the possibility.

If he finds out, is it okay? 

Well, let's play it safe for now.

I don't know if he can keep a secret.

"How about it? We might be done our limit break."

"Hmph, not planning to tell me, huh? Well, fine. I don't like it, though."

Gadol-san distanced himself from me.

Then, in a voice loud enough for other adventurers to hear, he declared.

"Fine. If you say so, go challenge the Queen on your own and die on your own. I don't intend to stop those who want to commit suicide. But in case, even if you manage to defeat the Queen alone, the credit for the subjugation belongs to the entire raid. We came this far, and we won't tolerate any reward snatching."

"Understood. Thank you, Gadol-san."

I bowed my head towards Gadol-san.

He frowned.

"You're still a strange brat, as usual."

"Hey, Gadol, do you seriously believe those guys can defeat the Queen alone?"

"I said in case. Besides, if it wasn't for them finding the Queen, that's the end. I just said it because it's a hassle. Do as you like."

Gadol-san spoke to the leader of another party.

Indeed, as Gadol-san said, the probability of us finding the Queen is one in four.

It's almost entirely a matter of luck.

Well, if it comes to attacking in the raid, we just have to finish it skillfully.

The rest is up to luck.

With that settled, the raid members split into their respective parties and scattered to different holes.