As Elara walked alongside Esme, her brow furrowed, replaying the tense exchange with the other adventuring team. She stole a glance at the warrior, noting her stoic expression and confident stride. Finally, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she spoke up.

"Esme," she began, her voice hesitant, "why did you do that back there? Why provoke them like that?"

Esme's steps faltered for a moment, and she turned to look at her, a hint of embarrassment flickering in her eyes. She sighed, running a hand over her bald head. "I didn't intend to provoke them initially," she admitted, her voice low. "But they just rubbed me the wrong way. And I already had some frustration to work through."

Elara nodded, a sense of understanding washing over her. She had observed the subtle signs of tension in Esme's demeanor – the clenched jaw, the rigid posture – during the exchange.

"Are you genuinely concerned about whether they depart the village or not?" Elara inquired.

Esme shrugged, her expression indifferent. "Not really," she said, her tone casual. "Having access to the smith would be nice, but it's not required."

Elara's mind flashed back to the conversation they had about the potential dangers posed by other adventuring teams. She frowned, trying to reconcile Esme's actions with her earlier words.

"But you said before that other teams often pose the most danger," she pointed out, her voice hesitant. "So why provoke them?"

She listened intently as Esme let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders sagging with the weight of her words. "Do as I say and not as I do," Esme said, her voice firm but tinged with weariness. "At some point, you will piss off other people. It is inevitable. That's just the nature of the competition between people leveling."

Esme's words struck a chord with Elara, and she found herself nodding.

"I have countless people who would not shed a tear at my demise," Esme continued, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "And even a few who would celebrate."

Elara's eyes widened at the admission, surprised by her candor. But now, she realized that even Esme had her vulnerabilities, her own set of enemies waiting in the shadows.

"But my team and I are yet to be bested," Esme said, a hint of pride creeping into her voice. She smirked, her confidence returning in full force.

"People like that team, who don't even try to compete for a good starting spot in the dungeon, clearly don't have leveling as their top priority," Esme explained, her tone matter-of-fact. "They seemed more focused on eating and drinking well."

Elara nodded, remembering the lavish spread of food and drink on the table, the way the men had lounged in their chairs with an air of indulgence.

"They won't try to hurt or sabotage another team from the Adventuring Guild," Esme assured her. "It could hurt their standing if they piss off the right person or if someone goes snitching to one of the Guild Managers."

Elara felt a wave of relief wash over her at Esme's words. She had been worried about the potential fallout from their encounter with the other team, but Esme's reassurance helped to ease her concerns.

"They won't do anything but throw words at us," Esme said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

She couldn't help but smile at that, feeling a newfound sense of security in the situation. She mulled over the tense encounter with the other adventuring team as she walked alongside Esme. While she wasn't a fan of how the situation had played out, she knew she had to rely on Esme's experience with how to handle such a situation. "Do you know who Gorvach is?" she asked.

Esme shook her head, a thoughtful expression on her face. "No, this is not a name I've heard of before," she admitted. "It means he's either a small fry, has never ventured deep into the Empire, or is new to the scene. My bet is on the first one."

Elara nodded, absorbing the information. "Do you know many teams from the Adventuring Guild?" she asked, eager to learn more about the world of adventuring.

A grin spread across Esme's face, and she chuckled. "Oh, yes, I've been an adventurer since my youth," she confessed, a hint of nostalgia coloring her voice. "Even as a child, I found the low-level tasks handed out by the Guild to be a breeze, and they brought in a good sum of coins for a kid."

Elara's eyes widened at the revelation. The idea of children being involved in the Guild was a surprise to her.

"I've been part of this world for a long time," Esme continued, her voice reflecting both pride and the wealth of experience she had accumulated over the years. "I've had the chance to mingle with and learn from all sorts of individuals and teams."

Elara listened intently, fascinated by her wealth of knowledge. She realized that there was so much more to the world of adventuring than she had initially thought, and she was eager to learn from someone as experienced as her.

Her curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't help but ask, "Is it normal for children to take jobs from the Adventuring Guild?"

Esme abruptly stopped walking and turned to look at her, her expression one of bewilderment. Elara, caught off guard by the sudden halt, also stopped, wondering what she had said to elicit such a reaction.

"Where in the capital are you from again?" Esme asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Elara felt a wave of panic wash over her. What she asked must have clued in Esme to something. She then realized she knew no districts or landmarks in the capital, and her mind raced to come up with an answer. Taking a gamble, she replied, "The northern part."

Esme's eyes widened, and her expression grew even more perplexed, if that was even possible. Elara maintained a neutral face, not letting her confusion show, but she couldn't help but wonder what had caused such a strong reaction.

"Alright," Esme said, drawing out the word, clearly still processing the information.

Sensing the awkwardness of the moment, Elara changed the subject. "About that dungeon we're going to," she began, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction. "You mentioned an expedition camp being built by the Blackwood family? And what's this about gaining the best entry spot?"

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Esme remained silent for a moment, her mind still preoccupied with her previous statement. However, she eventually answered, her voice thoughtful. "The Blackwood family was rewarded the location of the dungeon. Now that its location has been leaked, other people will come to the dungeon, whereas before, only the Blackwood family knew about it. With others arriving, the Blackwood family is forced to take charge of the dungeon, dictating who can enter and when. This is to maintain control and prioritize their own people's access."

Elara listened closely at the mention of the noble family and their involvement in the dungeon expedition.

"As for the entry spot," Esme continued, "it's all about positioning. The first teams to enter the dungeon have a better chance of securing the most valuable loot and experience points. It's a competitive advantage that can make a significant difference in the long run. Many people equals chaos if they all do their own thing. The Blackwood have properly taken a few high-level people with them to maintain order and protect their own sent here."

Elara turned to Esme, her brow furrowed in contemplation. "How does one secure a good spot?" she asked.

Esme chuckled, a knowing glint in her eye. "It's all about connections," she explained, her voice laced with experience. "First and foremost, it's who you know. The Blackwood family is more likely to pick people and teams that they either personally know or know the reputation of. Being part of a well-respected faction like the Adventuring Guild can also give you an advantage."

Elara nodded, absorbing the information like a sponge. She had never considered the importance of networking in the world of adventuring.

"Secondly, your class can play a significant role," Esme continued, her tone matter-of-fact. "Healers and bards are always in high demand. They bring valuable support to any team. As for warriors and mages, it largely depends on their specialties. If they have unique weapons or abilities that are particularly useful for the dungeon, they have a better chance of being selected."

Elara's eyes widened in surprise. She had assumed that all classes were equally valued in a dungeon expedition, but certain roles were more sought after than others.

"What about rogues?" Elara asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Esme's expression turned serious, and she shook her head. "Rogues, in general, don't get picked," she said, her voice low. "An unknown rogue is a great way to get yourself and your group killed. They're often seen as a liability, especially if their intentions and loyalties are unclear."

Esme continues, "of course, this danger counts for all classes," she explained, her voice serious. "Mages, for example, have astonishing destructive potential and can wipe out a team in one move."

Elara's eyes widened at the thought of a mage's power being unleashed on a large scale. Thinking back to what Ignatius had unleashed whilst fighting the boar.

"But there's a sort of built-in safeguard for mages," Esme continued, her tone reassuring. "They don't go from zero to a hundred in a moment. Big spells require more time to cast, which gives the rest of the team a chance to react."

Elara nodded, understanding the logic behind her words. It made sense that the most powerful abilities would come with a trade-off.

"As for warriors, they can only deal damage to those within their range," Esme explained, gesturing with her hands to emphasize her point. "They're normally limited by their physical proximity to the enemy, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the situation. Healers and bards, on the other hand, have their damage they could do largely overlooked in favor of their potential support abilities," Esme said, her voice taking on a note of admiration. "Their role is crucial in keeping the team alive and functioning, which is why they're often prioritized in dungeon expeditions."

Elara couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at that.

"And then there are rogues," Esme said. "They're the ones who, in general, can hit and disappear at a moment's notice, striking from the shadows and catching their enemies off guard."

Elara listened intently as she continued to share her knowledge. "People are more open to letting an unknown warrior tag along than an unknown rogue," Esme explained, her voice matter-of-fact. "Warriors are seen as more straightforward and predictable with their skills, whereas rogues are often viewed with suspicion due to their ability to strike from the shadows."

Elara nodded, absorbing the information. But then a thought struck her, and she turned to Esme with a puzzled expression. "If that's the case, why are you and the others fine with me tagging along?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. "I mean, you don't really know me or my abilities."

To her surprise, Esme threw her head back and laughed, the sound echoing through the air. "Oh, Alira," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Such considerations of classes are stupid. The higher the level, the more unpredictable people's skills get. You can never be sure what skill the class a person has even entails."

Elara's eyes widened at her words. She had always assumed that a person's class was a defining factor in their abilities and role within a team. But it seemed that Esme had a different perspective on the matter.

"Take Ignatius, for example," Esme continued, gesturing towards the barn where the mage was still resting. "He may be a mage, but he's also skilled in close combat. He's not afraid to get up close and personal with that stick of his, when the situation calls for it."

"And then there's Tirn," Esme said, a hint of pride in her voice. "He may be a warrior, but he's also an expert tracker and hunter. His skills extend far beyond just swinging his axes. He would also fit the rogue stereotype if examined closer."

Elara nodded, beginning to understand Esme's point. It seemed that the lines between classes were not as clear-cut as she had initially believed. Each person had their own unique set of skills and abilities that defied simple categorization.

"So, you see," Esme said, her voice firm but reassuring, "we don't judge people based on their class alone. We look at the whole person, their skills, their character, and their potential."

Esme's expression softened as she continued, "You just have a few gaps in your knowledge, but you seem likable and not as dense or naive as I first thought."

Elara felt a mix of surprise and appreciation at her words, though it did catch her off guard. Suddenly, she turned to face Elara directly, ensuring that their eyes met. Elara found herself transfixed by the intensity of her gaze, unable to look away.

"I know you noticed my little ploy earlier to get you more indebted to us," Esme said, her voice firm but not unkind. Elara's eyes widened, surprised by the sudden change in the topic. She nodded, acknowledging her statement.

Esme's discomfort was palpable as she shifted uncomfortably, her expression a mix of guilt and determination. "It was not my greatest moment," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "I apologize for that."

Elara felt a wave of relief wash over her at her apology. She had been worried about the implications of the debt she owed to the group, but Esme's words helped to ease some of her concerns. However, Esme's expression hardened, and she continued, "But don't get the wrong idea. You're still indebted to us until you've repaid it by accompanying us into the dungeon."

Elara nodded, her heart sinking at the reminder of her obligation. She knew she had to prove that they were not wrong to place whatever little trust in her.

"I'm aware," she said, her voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in her stomach. "And I intend to pay you back. I am thankful for what you have done."

Esme studied her for a moment, as if gauging the sincerity of her words. Finally, she nodded, satisfied with her response. As they continue walking, Esme turned to her.

"We need to find Ignatius and see what he's managed to gather," she said, her voice firm. "He might have some information about the dungeon and the surroundings."

Elara nodded. She watched as Esme scanned the area, her eyes sharp and alert, looking for any signs of Ignatius. As they walked, Esme explained the inner workings of dungeons to Elara. "Dungeons are unpredictable," she said, her voice serious. "Each one is different, with its own set of challenges and obstacles. You never know what you might encounter inside. That is why it is important to gather information about the history of its location and how the surrounding area has reacted to its presence."

Elara listened intently, absorbing every word. "There are some general rules of thumb, though," Esme continued, her voice taking on a teaching tone. "Always stay with your team. Never wander off alone. Keep an eye out for traps and hidden dangers. Don't touch anything. And if things start to go south, have a retreat plan in place. Or two."

Elara nodded, committing the rules to memory. She knew they were essential for survival in the dungeon.

"When Tirn gets back, we'll go over some team strategies," Esme said, her voice reassuring. "We'll make sure you know where to stand and what to do so that you don't get in the way. And we'll make sure everyone knows the retreat plans, just in case."

Elara felt a sense of relief wash over her at Esme's words. She felt she was in good hands with this team.