“Go ahead, I’m listening,” I said, watching their movements closely.

In case a battle breaks out I’ll be at a clear disadvantage. Since I have no clue about their motive, I need to be on guard more than usual. Even if they were the most trustworthy people, I still feel justified to be skeptical.

“Watch your tongue, you're too disrespectful. Show some manners,” said the man who showed the same attitude about recruiting me.

I responded to his comment by simply glancing at him once and staring at the woman. I had no obligation to reply to an entitled, narcissistic person.

“I would like to formally recruit you to our team. Now I understand your suspiciousness, but here, this should be enough proof,” she said.

She stretched her hand, and opened her palm, a badge of sorts resting on her hand. I carefully took the badge, scanning for its legitimacy. The silver badge had the engraving of a snake with wings, and red eyes, gemstones in place for the eye.

Snakes with wings are an actual monster found in the dungeon, they are mostly seen in more difficult dungeons, finding one here is as likely as me dying here, impossible.

Insignia’s have different engraving depending on the noble family. Honestly speaking anyone can get one, but when you’re more important so is your insignia. In fact, there’s a sure fire way to test its validity, and that is—

To scan it with magic.

I poured mana into my eye for a second before I dispelled it. I baited them to see if they would’ve reacted to my vulnerability. Due to a lack of reaction, I was confident of my safety for the time being.

Of course, my guard didn’t lower, but it’s more calculated than before. When I once again scanned the insignia, a red dot bagan shining brightly, right at the location of the gemstones. I nodded to myself, flicking the insignia back to the woman.

“Okay, this proves you aren’t dangerous,” I said, sighing. “However, you still haven’t answered my question. For what reason are you recruiting the first person you encounter?”

Presumably, the woman is telling the truth, recruiting the first person you encounter in this dungeon is a pretty stupid descion in the first place. Who knows what kind of person they are trying to recruit, luckily it was me, the best case scenario.

“Hmm. How about you answer my question then I answer yours?” she asked, placing her hands on the ground.

I knew this back and forward would simply waste time, plus I’ll be getting my answers.

“Sure.”

“Do you recognize the noble family which the insignia belongs to? Remember no lying,” she said in a teasing manner.

“It’s from the Ballerini family, they’re known to be active in the adventurer’s guild business, specifically selling the materials gathered from dungeons,” I explained.

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“Oh? You’re quite informed,” she replied, seemingly surprised.

The talks were going well in my opinion. As such, I could avoid any conflict. However, now that I know the people I’m dealing with, adventurers related to the Ballerini’s, I couldn’t let this opportunity go to waste.

“Especially certain materials…”

The moment I uttered those words, I changed the course of the situation. Her stare turned into a glare as the atmosphere turned tense and cold.

“You know more than you let on, right? I hate people like you,” she said in disgust.

“I’m sure you don’t mean those words, hate is a strong word after all. Besides, I’m not the one engaging in illegal activities.”

“Take that back!”

That was the breaking point.

I immediately dodged the sword attempting to behead me, I leaped backwards with my shield and sword. The man who attacked clicked his tongue.

“Are you fucking stupid? You’re at a clear disadvantage yet you decide to act this way,” he said, clearly annoyed by my attitude.

“Do you really think that?” I said, shaking my head.

“Wha—“

Boom.

Smoke caused by something unknown engulfed the area. Quickly it was dispelled by one of the people yet it was evident of the unexpectedness. One of the people had her hands on the ground, a mana barrier protecting the man who attacked me.

“Tch, he has comrades near,” she grumbled, slightly wincing in pain.

“How many?” The leader asked, keeping her distance.

“I don’t know! I can’t sense their presence anymore!” she exclaimed with a panicked expression.

“More importantly,” said the girl who put the barrier up. “That attack wasn’t meant to kill anyone, only to incapacitated us. What are you planning?”

She’s correct, the spell thrown wasn’t meant to kill anyone since I didn’t want that. In fact, it wasn’t even me who charged and threw the spell, not having control on the power of the spell.

Still, why would I kill these adventures? I think it would be a waste, plus if I started killing everyone who caused inconveniences then I would be a serial killer.

“Look, I don’t want any unnecessary bloodshed. In the first place, you all are overreacting over a small comment,” I replied, a disappointment looking at them.

“Before you decide to attack me, take a look at this.”

I put my hand inside my pocket, making them react negatively, only refraining from taking actions because the leader prevented them from doing so. I took out a tiny item, and threw it at the woman, the leader.

She caught the item I threw at her. While the other protected her, she glanced at the object. Her eyes widened as she mumbled something to herself. I could tell she poured mana into her eyes as I carefully watched her movements.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath out, then she shook her head. She proceeded to throw the item back at me, her head hung low.

“I apologize for my outburst, and the hostile response. We shouldn’t have done something like that, sorry,” she said, telling the others to lower their heads, and bow.

“It’s all good, just make sure to pass a message to them “the Amagiri family is intervening with the trade.”

“Will do.”

All right, let’s head back.

Ah.

I never got her to answer my question.