Mia had reached the bottom of the stairs, entering into some sort of tunnel split in two, the first half being a flat platform where people were gathered and doing various things.

Some where just idly chatting in small groups, while others were gathered around a large board looking at fliers being put up by an elf wearing the same uniform as the registration lady. And lastly a few were waiting in a line to access the other half, a weird long raft shaped like half an egg that was floating in water.

She followed the raft down the tunnel, seeing the tunnel went under the water “huh, neat. Well, the guild lady did tell me to check the request board so…” she started to head over, stopping once a familiar voice caught her attention.

“Mia, it appears you could not wait to join up with me.”

Mia halted, slowly glancing over to see Roxie leaned up against the wall in her full suit of armor, looking particularly smug.

“I congratulate you on becoming a fellow adventurer, now, I’ll do you the honors of- wait!”

Mia had started to walk away from her, but the mouse caught up to her and blocked her path.

“Wait, Don’t you know it’s rude to walk away from someone talking to you!”

“…what do you want?” Mia sighed, she just wanted to go to the dungeon already.

“Haven’t you been listening?! Clear your ears out and listen. I wa- come back!” Roxie ran out in front of her again “ok ok, sorry. I want you in my party, please!” Roxie bowed repeatedly, her giant ears creating a nice breeze.

“…Why do you want me in your party?” she asked, looking around to see if she could find anyone else alone, finding dozens “Lot of people to ask.”

“Because! You are short and a ca- wait!”

Once again, Mia had started to walk away from her but she caught up ‘She’s lucky we are in a closed space… she is fast though…’

“Sorry, sorry sorry, look.” She straightened up, pointing to her ears atop her head “No one wants a mouse for a tank, I swear I am good at my job but, I am small and other people are a lot taller than me… the only ones close to my height are children, other mouse beastman, and small beastkin. And those don’t party with other races cause they are too busy trying to get laid!” she shouted, covering her mouth once she realized it, her face going pink “S-so, please?”

“…laid?” Mia crooked her head to the side, the party of cat beastkin she had met in the forest dungeon briefly appearing in her mind.

“Hahaaa, don’t worry about it.” Roxie rubbed the back of her head “Look here.” She took out her guild card, showing it to Mia.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Do you know how hard it was to get to that level while not having a dedicated party? I put all my stats into Con, mind, and Dex! I can barely kill a gaggle of goblins!” She cried desperately “But! I can keep them all off you for as long you need. I once held off a dungeon boss for 5 hours after my last group abandoned me…thankfully another group showed up but hahahaaa….” She dropped to her knees, crying between each self pitying laugh.

“…” She felt bad for her, she really did, but she didn’t need a party member, especially one so much lower leveled than her “Sorry but, I want to go solo…” she side stepped her, then proceeded to the request board. She managed to find an open spot, looking through the lists.

The requests ranged from killing a certain amount of monsters, gathering materials, reaching the bottom floor of a local dungeon, to finding magical items.

Mia eyed the goblin one, nostalgia hitting her as she remembered her first dungeon “…might as well start small.” And it was placed low enough for her to grab. She reached out to grab it, another hand grabbing it at the same time as her.

“Wow looks at that! We took the same request so that means we can totally team up with each other, right buddy?” Roxie, appearing better than ever, had grabbed the same request as Mia, smiling ear to ear and putting on her best innocent face.

“…I regret feeling sorry for you.” Mia groaned, letting go of the paper “This place is supposed to be easy, don’t need a party.” To emphasize her point, Mia tapped her guild ID, showing it off.

Roxie took a closer look “Eight? Level 40? Ok miss hot paints…pants, but do you know the layout of these dungeons? Where to find monsters? Or how to make your way back? I’ve been here for years and know 1-A like the back of my hand.”

“er…” she had a point, she didn’t, but taking years to get to level 12 was also concerning “…ugh, fine. One time.” She said, figuring one time could not hurt. It would also be nice to have a guide, as fun as it would be to find everything out for herself, finding her way back would be a pain.

“Yes! Yes!” Roxie jumped up and down “You won’t regret this! I’ll make sure nothing touches you!” she then took out her guild card, tapped it, and then presented it to Mia “Tap your card to mine for a sec.”

Mia did so, looking at her card after words “Would you like to join the party…Little misfits?”

“Yeah, hit yes.” Roxie nodded excitedly.

“…no, change the name.” Mia hit no, crossing her arms “No little.”

“What? Self-conscious about your hei- wait ok ok I’ll change it, I’ll change it!” After catching up to Mia and convincing her to stay again, Roxie presented her with a new name.

“…Tail Chasers?” she tried to subtly glance at Roxie’s behind, not seeing a tail, but shrugged “Fine.” She hit yes.

“Yes! You won’t be disappointed! It’s in the armor, by the by.” Roxie tucked her Guild ID away, then spun around to the request board “And since you are level 40, this would be more appropriate!” she leaped up, grabbing a much higher request on the board, walking over and presenting it to her.

“…The goblins…” Mia was saddened, she really wanted to hunt some goblins for old times sake.

“We can do both, you want to rank up fast right? The tougher the request, the faster you rank.” She waved the flyer infront of Mia, who regretfully took it.

Subdue the Haunt area 1-A boss: Mad Armored Boar

“Area boss?”

“Going right for the gold!” Roxie exclaimed “Now follow me.” She rushed ahead, going to that strange raft.

“Am I going to regret this?” Mia asked herself, following after Roxie and getting in line.

[Maybe not.]

‘Hrm? You sound sure of yourself.’ The line progressed at a speedy pace, people boarding the raft after inserting their guild ID at the gate.

[Something you notice, after a while.]

‘Want to share?’ after not getting a response, Mia gave up, watching Roxie slide her card into a little slot, and jumping into the raft, waving her forward and slapping the seat next to her. Mimicking everyone else, Mia slotted her card, hearing a subtle ding in her head ‘Guess that means I pass?’ she then carefully sat down in the raft.

“Good good, you are doing great!” she smiled “Now we wait, so, where you from?”

“…”

Yup, regretted it already.