Chapter 56: Illegal Teaming

“You lucked out.”

The evil fire god’s voice echoed in Na Naya’s mind.

“Perfect chance. Just say yes.”

Na Naya ignored it, facing the team.

“Temporary teaming’s fine. Let me repay your rescue with my strength.”

“Haha, no need to be so serious.”

Stone Fang grinned.

“Welcome to the team, even if it’s just temp.”

Na Naya nodded, outlining her skills.

“As you saw, I’m a faith warrior. I use melee weapons and offensive spells. Some buff magic too, but no healing. Good at steady, sustained damage.”

Unlike Meng Linna’s spell-cannon-and-support mage role, Na Naya’s melee-ranged hybrid fit the typical faith warrior mold.

Meng Linna, usually the tactician, stayed silent.

Stone Fang stepped up, assigning Na Naya’s role.

“Since you handle both melee and ranged, stick to the back with Great Teacher Meng. If monsters get close, protect her.”

Their usual setup had Stone Fang tanking upfront, Meng Linna casting from the rear, and Kelly running between, protecting Meng Linna or aiding Stone Fang.

Na Naya’s addition freed Kelly’s firepower.

She could focus on damage, not defense.

Though Na Naya was only C-rank on paper, she added the equivalent of five C-ranks to the team.

“No problem.”

Na Naya accepted the role.

“Oh, you and Great Teacher Meng had some beef, right?”

Stone Fang glanced at the silent Meng Linna.

“If that’s—”

“No issue.”

Na Naya cut her off.

“I dislike Scumbag Miss, but as an adventurer, I’ve got basic professionalism.”

“Uh, okay.”

Stone Fang backed off.

“But, as you saw, Great Teacher Meng calls the shots. Hope you’ll follow her tactics.”

Na Naya hesitated, then nodded.

“No problem.”

With tactics set, the four climbed stairs back to the main ruin path.

***

“One last hit.”

On Meng Linna’s cue, Kelly swung her greatsword, flattening the crab.

It baffled Na Naya.

Just a common monster they’d fought before.

Yet Meng Linna directed them with rigid, by-the-book tactics.

With their experience, couldn’t they use faster, bolder strategies?

Even so, Na Naya’s addition sped up their progress.

Meng Linna finished the map’s last section, announcing.

“Today’s exploration’s done. We can head back.”

“Not bad.”

Stone Fang glanced at the still-high sun.

“I thought we’d work overtime.”

Na Naya’s joining was the right call.

The only issue?

Meng Linna seemed less lively.

Her commands felt stiff, overly cautious.

“Great Teacher Meng’s tactics were super conservative today.”

Stone Fang voiced her thoughts.

“Of course. We’ve got a temp teammate. I can’t risk bold moves.”

Meng Linna’s neck shrank, a telltale sign of guilt or fear.

She knew her tactics were off.

Na Naya sighed.

“You don’t need to be so tense. I’ll follow your lead. We’re adventuring. I won’t mess with our lives.”

Stone Fang added quietly.

“Not like adventurers have much ‘safety’ anyway.”

“Okay.”

Meng Linna agreed, but her face showed she was still wary of Na Naya.

***

“Yo, new face.”

Miao Miao waved at Na Naya behind the trio.

“You joined their team?”

Na Naya shook her head.

“No, we just—”

“Illegal teaming! That’s a fine, meow!”

Money talk lit up Miao Miao, practically leaping over the counter for Na Naya’s wallet.

Meng Linna, well-versed in guild rules, stepped in.

“Hey, we just ran into Na Naya and saved her. She was out of commission, so we escorted her. That’s not illegal teaming.”

“Ugh, you’re right…”

Miao Miao regretted giving Meng Linna data access.

Meng Linna’s rule knowledge blocked her usual scams.

No money to grab, she tallied their loot.

Her hands worked, but her mouth didn’t stop.

“Na Naya’s still here. Want me to update your team info, meow?”

“Team info?”

Stone Fang looked puzzled.

Miao Miao eyed Na Naya.

“Na Naya, why not join their adventuring team?”

Na Naya froze.

“Huh? Me, join them?”