Reject Humanity, Return to Monke

Both Oshurkova and I went back into the Meeting Tent, along with the other Dungeon Masters who weren't disqualified during the deathless skirmish. All in all, we only lost about four Dungeon Masters, which was a low number when we were suddenly besieged by a force greater than ours.

'It seems that this group isn't any run of the mill group after all, and judging by the conversation Oshurkova had with Salama, they were at least a century-year old…' I took a seat where I sat earlier before all this fiasco happened. This time, however, there were three more vacant seats, and both Reia and her sister were out guarding the premises.

I still have no name to put on the other maid, Dungeon Master, but I can learn her name later. Right now, I am in deep shit, and if Oshurkova's face was any indication, there's a chance I might be castrated, then healed afterwards, just to give me a reminder not to do any surprising thing ever again.

"First of all… I would like to thank our new member, Jionni, for giving me another chance to lead you into the Dungeon Games event." Oshurkova started out with a heartfelt thanks to me, which was reciprocated by the other Dungeon Masters as well. "However, I would also like to reprimand him for spurring his plan from the get go. Let's just be thankful that Salama was that kind of person, otherwise, we wouldn't be here."

This caused the Dungeon Masters, and I, myself, to go silent about the mention that I had provoked a Dungeon Master who was maybe on-par or higher than our leader.

"Heh, this kid's got guts, I'll tell you that." The old mushroom, Shrum, laughed cheerfully as his lips twisted into a smile.

"Indeed, if it wasn't for his courage, bravery, and guile, Queen Oshurkova would have been forced to retire from the Dungeon Events." Typhial piped up from her seat, her wings fluttering about as she bowed her head towards mine. On the side, I could see Oshurkova groan at the mention of her being called Queen, but evidently shrug it off like there was nothing she could do.

"Bloody oath! Jionni's got balls of steel, I'll tell him that!" Arekhus couldn't help but bellow out happily as he slammed his right hand on the table, along with Tanjin, who was also roaring joyously.

"Aye! You found yerself a keeper 'ere, Lady Oshurkova." Tanjin laughed merrily along with Arekhus.

"I-I-Indeed… Such a-a-a valiant display o-o-of w-w-wit and deception…"  Pilips said with the usual stutter. 

Holy shit, either he has bad stage fright, or he's really not good with words… I'm leaning on the latter, since no one is paying attention to him.

"He may look like a brute, but I guess he's brain is bigger than the usual brute." The catwoman, whose name I still haven't heard of yet, spoke out loud with a snicker. I was torn whether to categorize that as either an insult, or praise.

"The jerk Catalina, praising someone? Has the world gone mad!?" Typhial screamed out in horror. Pure, genuine horror graced her face as she looked at the catwoman, who was on the verge of jumping from her seat and launching herself towards the harpy with malicious intent.

"Oi! You coward crow. I think that you need a reminder of who runs the show, eh?" Catalina hissed, her claws showing slightly from the tips of her fingernails. As a response, Typhial went back to her usual noble demeanor.

"Oh, so the jerk is still a jerk after all… I was worried for nothing…" Typhial sighed out, her horror-stricken face now gone to where the sun doesn't shine.

"… Okay, that's it…!" As Catalina was about to pounce on the harpy, Oshurkova slammed the desk with her monstrous strength.

"All right, enough with the banter." Suddenly, the entire Meeting Tent went silent the moment Oshurkova's voice came out. "You can praise him later, but for now, I would like to issue a warning to our new member."

I tensed, now ready for whatever warning would be heading my way.

"It's just a simple warning, nothing really major. Just tell us if you have a plan or something, don't just suddenly go 'I have a plan, time to make something happen' when you have your allies with you." Oshurkova said sternly, causing me to sheepishly rub the back of my head.

"Noted." I nodded, and placed my hands back on the table.

"Right, with that out of the way, let's return to our agendas for the day." Oshurkova looked around the meeting table and sighed. "And since some of us have been disqualified, we'll have to allocate certain jobs to the others."

She then looked at me, an innocent smile plastered on her face as she stood up. I stiffened, recognizing that type of smile anywhere, be it in real life, or in anime or manga.

"And since Jionni here is still a, as Tanjin calls him, greenhorn, we can freely allocate the jobs of the missing Dungeon Masters to him, to avoid increasing the workload of other Dungeon Masters." At that, I relaxed slightly.

'Okay, that's fair.' I nodded and Oshurkova sat back down, her smile still not leaving her face.

"You can count on me." I replied with a nod. "Everybody's got to earn their keep, and starting members are the most anticipated of the bunch to do so."

"Heh, right ya ahah on that one, mate." Arekhus snorted, a few chuckles leaving his mouth as his chest heaved up and down.

"Which then leads me to the jobs Jionni will have to undertake." Oshurkova pulled out a piece of paper, then began to read its contents. "Let's see here. He will have the job called the "Runner", alongside Typhial, and the "Watch", right after Keia's shift."

"Oh, you're with me then?" Typhial asked gracefully, her actions warranting another groan from Oshurkova.

"It seems that I am."

"Then, I hope the both of us get along, partner." I had the urge to smile, and didn't resist it.

"Likewise."

Both of us shared pleasantries with each other once more, before we focused back on the vampire lady.

"As for your other job, you will be standing watch inside the watchtower looking out for any type of threat in our immediate vicinity." Oshurkova said, her fingers tapping on the wooden table. "I will explain the specifics during your shift, but otherwise, this meeting is dismissed and the rest of you all can go back to your specific jobs."

Everybody nodded, including me, and I watched all of them head out of the tent to do their tasks for the day. I was about to as well, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me from doing so.

"Jionni." Oshurkova whispered, her sultry voice back in full effect. "Thanks, for saving me from forfeiting. It really means a lot to me."

"… You're welcome." I replied curtly, my head bobbing down as she let go of my shoulder. She smiled once more, her seductive looks vanishing, and replacing them was a very thankful one.

"Anyway, your first job is called a Runner." Oshurkova stated. "It's simple really. All you have to do is look where some supply packages drop, and haul them back here. The problem is that there will be competition, and most times, it will lead to a fight."

"I will not lie. There will be deaths…" Oshurkova sighed, remembering her days as a mediocre Dungeon Master. "Though, most of those would be independent Dungeon Masters. Just make sure that you do not kill a Dungeon Master who is affiliated with a group. They are easily discernible by their aura. You will know why."

She patted my back and ushered me out of the tent. "Now, go meet up with Typhial, tell her that you'll be running with her today. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some other important duties to get back to…"

She said that last bit tiredly as she looked at the light seeping out from the outside. "Damned sunlight and vampire heritage…"

Oshurkova walked out of the tent, not before securing her outfit, however. I watched her walk out of the tent and into the light, the sun's rays not bothering her due to her very thick clothing that covered 100% of her skin.

As I stood there alone, a figure appeared beside me with a grin, her skimpy maid outfit clinging to her tighter due to the sweat she secreted during the skirmish.

"My plan to hook Oshurkova with a potential mate is a success-ta!" I had to suppress the urge to facepalm at the matchmaker.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to bring you to Typhial-ta!" Reia gave me a thumbs up as she waited for me by the exit. "Come on-ta! You can't keep her waiting-ta!"

I sighed, and followed the skimpy maid out of the tent, and into the sun. The sunlight blinded me for a moment, before my eyes got used to the light and I saw the result of the skirmish earlier. Not that I didn't know, only that I was too busy wallowing in my own thoughts that I wasn't able to get a good look at my surroundings.

Destroyed tents, some charred ground, some wet ground, some sinkholes, and other obstructions.

"Follow me-ta! Typhial should be waiting at the east entrance-ta." I followed the skimpy maid and thought about my current circumstances to date.

'… When all this is over, I'm taking a break…'