The hunters looked at me strangely; they were a perfect team already.
A fighter, tanker, mage, and healer.
It was as optimal as you could get for a minor raid, and if I had a team like that, even I would feel absolutely unstoppable.
And who wouldn't?
"I'm sorry... but that isn't really our call."
The tanker spoke first, B-Rank, heavily armored with plates that glowed a slight blue. He was a towering 6'7ft; he was a literal giant, fitting for his class.
And his shield was even more imposing, quite literally the same size as him. He didn't carry a single weapon, but I'm pretty sure the shield already acted like one.
'If someone were to get bashed with a slab of metal like that, I'm sure it's just as lethal as an actual sword...'
"We'd appreciate the help, but... yeah, not our call."
The healer spoke next, wearing white robes and a simple wooden staff, his face hidden due to his hood, C-Rank.
The journalists, however, were absolutely ecstatic; this development was completely unexpected, and it meant whoever interviewed first would immediately get the clicks.
They could twist the story to whatever they want.
"This just in, folks! The famous C-Rank Dungeon clearer had just appeared and happened to want to join in on the Balboa Dungeon Raid!"
The fighter immediately noticed the journalist and sighed, brushing past the tank as he addressed me bluntly.
"You'd better go, before both of us get screwed by the media..."
The fighter... classic chainmail with padding and a simple longsword. If there was a starter kit for dungeon clearing, then he was the exact definition of it.
Another B-Rank.
"He can join in."
The mage finally joined the conversation, hands raised and smiling.
Blonde hair, blue eyes, he was as stereotypical as you can get... and what made it worse, he seemed to be the leader of this dungeon raid.
"B-But!"
The healer stammered, but the mage easily shut him up with a simple flash of his phone.
"Higher-ups' orders, they said, this'll be a good chance to gain a recruit."
"That settles it then."
The tank added, and the fighter seemed to agree, even if he told me to go away; if the higher-ups wanted me to join in, none of them could really argue.
And the journalists all around seemed to love it, already making up stories of how I was going to be a new scavenger guild hunter... which wasn't entirely incorrect considering my task, but still... they were already making stories without confirmation.
"Let's get going then."
I smiled, glad that everything went smoothly, and turned out the media coverage actually ended up helping me, making the scavenger guild notice the situation and intervene on my behalf.
Luck was on my side... I think?
*** Inside the Dungeon - B-Rank
"A snow-themed dungeon...?"
The mage spoke in an irritated voice; it was clear he didn't like cold climates, and the fact that he was only wearing a simple white suit made it worse.
"Dammit..."
He scratched his head as he flicked his fingers, a small fire appearing to keep himself warm.
"You okay?"
The fighter who was beside me spoke while we explored the dungeon, trying to make small talk, and I reciprocated that.
Fellow fighters need to work together after all, the two of us will be handling the close-range fighting, and that requires coordination.
And if we slip up? The tank is ready to cover us, and I don't have to worry about him... because seriously... even a glance at him would probably give a monster a heart attack.
"I'm used to cold dungeons."
I replied.
"Makes sense considering the amount of dungeons you cleared... You should be rich by now."
The fighter chuckled. "Call me Erick, and don't worry about introducing yourself, all of us here know who you are."
"Care to tell me about the others?"
"The big guy's Rein, the healer's Bern, and the mage is Jules." The fighter pointed at them one by one, the mage catching sight of it and waving back.
"Bern seems nice."
"Nice would be an understatement." Erick laughed.