Jack-of-All-Trades, Party of None (勇者パーティを追い出された器用貧乏)

JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES, PARTY OF NONE

JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES, PARTY OF NONE

THE JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES' BAD FEELING COMES TRUE

Our goal for the final day is clearing the dungeon from floor 36 to floor 50.

Once we hit Floor 51, we'll use

our teleportation crystals to head back and call it a day.

Okay, we'll do our best!

What is this feeling?

The plan remains the same.

We'll be dealing with the monsters the new recruits can't handle,

and all of us chaperons will be joining in the boss fights.

This should be doable.

But for some reason, I sense something terrible from the Great Dungeon today.

Is it because of the way he's looking at me?

Hey, hey! Mister!

What kind of monsters will we see today?

I just can't wait to slaughter them! Can you?

Caroline, you can't just rush at the monsters every time.

You need to remember that you're a Defender.

But then that means everybody else has to work extra hard!

I want to be fighting on the front lines!

So I'd like some more advice on fighting...

There's a limit to what you can do as an individual.

You should start thinking of yourself as part of a team while you're still new.

You're no fun.

Orhun is being nice enough to give you advice.

Even the famous Albert said working together was important.

By Albert, you mean Albert Sensible?

You know him?

He was the undisputed ace of the Night Sky Silver Rabbits.

Everyone knows him.

I heard he died fighting the Black Dragon on Floor 92 last year...

He's still a hero to everyone in the Silver Rabbits.

But he died protecting one of his comrades.

It was actually the Defender, who was supposed to protect him.

Hey...

He knew that if he died, everyone's smile would disappear...

That if he died, nothing would be left...

So you just need to keep the people you're protecting far away from you.

If I fight alone on the front lines,

the others won't be in danger.

Caroline...

The look on her face...

As an outsider, it looks like I'd better not get involved.

Got it.

We'll be counting on you today, Caroline.

Yeah, leave it to me!

Oh, Orhun!

There was something I wanted you to tell me, too.

What is it I lack?

What do I need to get stronger?

Hmm...

That's no fair, Sophia!

Orhun, tell me what I need to get stronger, too!

Okay, okay!

SOUTHERN GREAT DUNGEON FLOOR 36

Orhun!

Today's the last day.

Let's stay sharp.

Yeah.

Looks like they've taken a liking to you.

Yes.

I was worried after that newspaper article,

but it seems they've accepted me.

Logan and Caroline can both be a handful,

but they've got bright futures.

Look after them.

Oh, you were talking about Albert, right?

Yeah.

His loss was a huge blow to us.

That's why the Heroes Party was able to take

the lead in conquering the Great Dungeon.

The Black Dragon was tough for us, too.

We might've lost someone easily, just like you lost him.

Albert was someone you could always count on.

We're still trying to fill the hole he left, but it's hard...

I hope you find someone good!

You're playing dumb, huh?

Really, though, how about it?

One party doesn't need two Enchanters.

Especially if one of them is the best Enchanter on the continent.

Our clan leader said the same thing.

But you wanted to come with us as a swordsman.

I'll be watching during the floor boss battle to see what you can do.

SOUTHERN GREAT DUNGEON FLOOR 40

We'll be splitting into groups here.

We'll meet up just before the floor boss.

Groups One through Three, go with Bernard.

Groups Four through...

It's kind of lonely that Group 10 is all by ourselves.

It just shows how much they expect of us.

But I am a little nervous, since it's just us.

There are a lot of different paths through the dungeon.

You're going to need to learn to split up and find the floor boss.

So this is training for that, huh?

But I don't like the idea of getting lost here...

That's why it's important to gather information in advance.

All the adventurers make multiple expeditions to map the floor out,

find the right path,

and share that information with others.

That's why the larger clans have an advantage.

Then we'll have to have you share some information with us!

You've been deeper into the Great Dungeon than anyone, after all!

That's right.

Tell us about the lower floors, and the deepest floors!

What are they like?

Hmm, well, the lower floors start at Floor 76.

They're like a snow-covered mountain.

When you get deeper, a blizzard starts...

What are the monsters like?

Are they strong? Are they super strong?

Well, there are ice lizards...

The deepest floors start at floor 91!

What are they like?

A swamp. There's rotten...

What are the monsters like?

What about the floor bosses?

One question per person!

Oh, Luna! What's the hurry?

Eleonora, bring the guild master here, now!

He's in a meeting. If you can wait a little—

There's no time!

We need to teleport everyone in the dungeon back to the surface, now!

Something feels... off.

Yeah, we haven't seen any monsters.

With a room this big, there should be at least one...

This is no fun at all.

Come out, monsters!

Orhun, is floor 40 usually like this?

No, actually...

It's the same nasty feeling I had since before I entered the dungeon...

It's as if the monsters are afraid of something.

It's creepy...

Want to fight! Want to fight! Want to fight!

There's one now!

Wait, Caroline!

Agility Down!

Got it!

I told you not to run off on your own.

Azure goblins are incredibly fast and strong.

If Orhun hadn't debuffed it...

Who cares? I beat it!

This time, you did.

The Defender is the core of the party.

If you're in danger,

Logan and Sophia will do everything they can to save you.

And you'll put your comrades in danger.

Okay, you're right, but...

Sorry, I didn't mean to.

Oh, fine.

Dodge-type Defenders have a type of defense called "active defense."

I'll teach you.

Really?

I'm sure you won't listen if I just tell you to focus on defense, right?

Yup, yup!

So how does it work?

Tell me, now!

It's a method of drawing the enemy's attacks and then locking them down.

Locking them down?

Every living thing will physically prepare before launching an attack.

For instance, by stepping forward before throwing a punch.

If you slash at their legs at just that moment,

they won't be able to step forward and attack.

So if you can read their movements just before they attack,

then hit the vital point they need for their strike,

you can stop them from attacking.

Wow!

So now I can fight at the front, right?

Your goal isn't to defeat them.

You can't forget that you're a Defender whose job it is

to draw the enemy's attention and stop them from attacking.

Okay, got it!

Thanks, mister!

Now teach me something!

Exactly what happened, Oliver?

We want to ask you for a force teleport.

Do you know what you're asking for?

The mana cost of that teleport is incredible.

We can't use it unless it's an emergency.

Unless something really bad has happened...

The Black Dragon, the floor boss of floor 92,

has very likely moved to somewhere in the higher, middle, or lower floors.

Wh-What?

The Black Dragon flew through a fickle gate?!