Chapter 308 - Ragtag Group (2/2)

”Oh, don't worry. I might be holed up in my room but I am also taking care of my body, you don't need to worry. Also, I need to do it since my quest is basically pretty long and hard to do so I have to focus my all on it. If things went smoothly, I might be able to bring quite a lot of loot for everyone. I know you guys wanted some gifts too so you should all expect something too. There will be plenty of souvenirs.”

”That's sweet, brother! Thank you in advance! Everyone in the group would also be very delighted to hear the news too!”

”Anyways, due to that quest, I am pretty far away. There are plenty of good things and bad things here and there and this quest would have been easier if you guys are here with me to help but since it was a quest that cannot be shared, I have to solo it. So while we are speaking, what is currently happening now? Are you guys fighting properly and leveling up?”

”Of course we do! Although I am late to the party, I already achieved level 70 the other day! I can now tank harder attacks and everyone can now properly rely on me too. As for the others, I think they are hitting it close to level 99 I guess? They have been raiding dungeons here and there lately after Sigma and Mr. Teddy joined our ragtag team. Even Harmless Sparrow prioritizes partying with us rather than on her own guild. Riko even said that we are going to plan and tackle the 12-man dungeon a bit later too.”

”Sigma and Mr. Teddy?” my eyebrows furrowed. Is he talking about the same Sigma?

”Yeah, you know, the Sigma you fought against during the last arena completion? She joined us in our ragtag group. She is also didn't join a guild so we allowed her to join. And although Harmless Sparrow is in a guild, she barely has any time to her guild so yeah, she is an exception. Mr. Teddy is also quite a powerful player though he is a bit weird and he never talks. Ah, correction, he talks but only like one or two words? And yeah, he wears a teddy mask which makes him a bit weird since his character has a big and masculine body while his head has a teddy bear mask.”

I was surprised when I heard Sigma joined the ragtag group. I mean, I have a direct influence on everyone around the ragtag group and even Harmless Sparrow who I never intended to get close has also become an acquaintance too, and now a part of the main team of the ragtag group I created.

”Heh, I can't wait to meet them. Also, I hope you guys are strong enough now after I return. Maybe you guys should also surpass me. We will be tackling a raid boss after my quest is over alright?”

”Heh, I like that Manato. How about we permanently make this motley crew of us together and make a name out there without making a guild? Isn't that pretty awesome? Like you know? The group of players on that one anime where they ended up in the game world? They have one too which is similar to them. Isn't that pretty badass right?”

”...I will think about it...”

...

Returning to my room, I had a heavy feeling about what Janus said to me. Formally create the ragtag group as a whole party and make a name without creating it a guild? That is a straight copy of the Debauchery Tea Party1 but I like the sound of that. I know I am just a player who returned from the past. I wanted to do a solo playing style but ended up creating the little circle of friends of mine as a group in the game. Not only that but I ended up recruiting a bunch of NPCs on my side.

I know I have been betrayed countless times in the past timeline. In fact, isn't my main objective for going back in time is to take revenge on the guy who ruined my life? Isn't this complete makeover without any hint of revenge instead? The guy who I have been trying to take my revenge on has been struggling lately and I already robbed a few things that he should be famous in too so isn't he going to be pretty useless in this timeline already?

Perhaps I still think about revenge but it seems like I don't necessarily need to keep thinking about it either. Maybe that doesn't sound too bad at all. A group of players, all are guild-less players cleared raids, dungeons, and difficult quests and made a name out in the game world? That does sound awesome indeed.

Maybe I have unconsciously been gathering allies here and there just to create the strongest group. But heck, even if I know the future, with all the changes I have been doing, I know one day, everything I know in the past timeline would just be useless.

Perhaps... I will do it.

I closed my eyes, still thinking about our conversation as I lay down on the bed and returned back to the game.