Finally, my popularity phase arrived. The moment the lunch break began, I was surrounded.
The ones surrounding me were Jack (28), Markus (26), Dehann (36), Edjit (24), and Tommy (30).
And their average bust size was, surprisingly, over 100 centimeters.
However, in this joint party, Sophie was the only woman. She was currently enjoying a meal with the party members a little distance away from me. …In other words, everyone surrounding me were all men.
The term "popularity phase" refers to being popular as an adventurer. I heard there are three popularity phases in a person's life, but I wonder if this counts as one of them... It does not… right…?
"You're doing great, Haruki!! Inviting you was definitely the right call!"
"Haruki-kun, do you plan to participate in joint subjugations in the future as well? I'd love to team up with you again next time."
Their enthusiastic approach was the result of seeing my performance this morning.
My main roles were to disturb enemies with wide-area magic and to provide support to allies who were being focused on by monsters. I didn't need to defeat them. Just dealing damage and immobilizing the monsters was sufficient. Originally, this role was taken on by lower C-rank mages and was quite easy to handle.
I felt confident that I was able to perform beyond what they were expecting. Over time, I gradually took on more responsibilities, and the subjugation speed increased significantly between the beginning and before noon.
The reason for the enthusiastic approach was not just because of my superior C-rank skills, but also due to being a mage.
Only one out of ten people possess magical aptitude. Considering the ratio, it wouldn't be strange to have two or three magic users here. However, adventurers who are mages are quite rare. Other than me, there were no other mages in this party. Most mages usually worked in safe places, enjoying special treatment.
High-level healing potions, weapons and armor with enchantments, and the creation of magical tools all require the presence of high-level mages. Even lower-level mages are in high demand, being able to plow fields at tractor-like speeds, lift materials vertically without scaffolding at construction sites, and more.
Superb alchemists and magic tool craftsmen can earn billions in a year with ease. Even lower-level mages can earn around ten million gold in a year by working in agriculture or construction-related jobs.
If this world was peaceful and had good public order, I would have aimed to become an alchemist or a magic tools craftsman.
If you don't have a strong backing, being at the top level might still be manageable, but when you reach the level of being truly exceptional, you become the pets of the powerful. They wouldn't hesitate to deal with situations like robbery, kidnapping, and imprisonment, followed by a life of servitude. That's how bad public order is.
An old man who had accidentally acquired some expensive herbs and bragged about it in a tavern taught me this. The next day, he was found dead in an alley.
For a carefree harem life in this world, you need not only wealth but also strength and power. Even being a pet of someone powerful could lead to a comfortable life, so most people are content with that. However, I'm aiming for more.
There are rare cases of people who love killing monsters or fight for the noble cause of protecting humanity from them. But for adventurers who are mages, like me, the majority are seeking power and wealth.
There are no parties other than me aiming for A-rank, so I won't be scouted. However, I've been requested by all parties to continue participating in joint subjugations.
I appreciate the offer as well. There's a lot to learn from these seasoned adventurers. As long as the reward isn't significantly lower than the usual subjugation quests, I intend to actively participate.
During the lunch break, I was showered with attention from these ugly men, feeling a bit exhausted.
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In the afternoon, the subjugation pace increased even further. We understood each other's capabilities and our coordination improved, allowing us to reduce the excess safety margin. Even groups of 30 monsters that we had avoided in the morning were being taken down easily.
Although the sun wouldn't set for another two hours, the carriage's carrying capacity was already approaching its limit. The next group would be the last.
"Haruki, I'll give the signal. Cast the same magic 5 seconds after my signal."
"Got it!"
This time, our target was a group of 28 twin-tailed wolves. Individually, they were no more threatening than the monsters in the central area of Bigina Forest.
Encountering them alone meant facing death. However, with the current members, there was no problem defeating them.
Following Jack's signal, I cast my magic. It was a spell reminiscent of Stun Grenade, emitting a blinding light and loud sound. Normally, I would never use it. I was afraid of attracting more monsters with its noise.
But with knowledgeable members around who could handle the situation even if more monsters were attracted, I could only use it now.
The magic landed at the center of the group of monsters. Its killing power was non-existent, but the area of effect was wide. At the moment of impact, Jack and the others covered their eyes and ears. All the twin-tailed wolves were affected and became immobilized.
At the same time, Jack and Markus' vanguard units charged in, while Sophie and the archers started their attack.
Before the twin-tailed wolves could recover from their daze, they took down half of them, and then systematically defeated the rest one by one. Each member had the ability to defeat a twin-tailed wolf in a one-on-one battle. Since our numbers surpassed the enemies', the rest was easy.
...Or so I thought, but the situation turned slightly unfavorable.
"Haruki, we're fine here! Head over to support Markus' team instead! We'll send some others over immediately!"
"Got it!"
Jack's vanguard unit was facing nine of the twin-tailed wolves while Markus' vanguard unit was facing three, however, four of the twin-tailed wolves that Jack's team had been dealing with suddenly switched their focus to Markus' team.
The skirmish team was split between protecting the rear unit and joining Jack's vanguard unit, so Markus' vanguard unit was slightly isolated. The twin-tailed wolves were faster and it would take a bit of time for the reinforcements to arrive.
However, there was no need to panic. Markus' vanguard unit consisted of three people. It was a tough situation in terms of firepower, but all of them were wearing full-plate metal armor, prioritizing defense over agility. They wouldn't be fatally injured immediately.
I only needed to make sure they weren't overwhelmed, and once Jack's team joined, the situation would be fine.
In the worst case, we might need some expensive healing potions. That was the extent of the situation.
However, the situation took an even worse turn.
"Markus-nii!"
Worried about Markus, Sophie closed the distance between herself and the twin-tailed wolves. Her skillful shot that pierced an opponent's forehead in one shot was impressive, but her positioning was terrible.
Between Markus and Sophie were other twin-tailed wolves. Moreover, aside from their actual capabilities, the three twin-tailed wolves that appeared the weakest targeted Sophie.
Sophie was wearing leather armor, prioritizing agility. If things went wrong, she could receive a fatal injury in an instant. Markus let out a desperate shout, and Sophie's face was filled with fear as she desperately tried to put some distance between herself and the wolves.
Sophie was positioned right in the middle between the vanguard and the rear unit, and no one could reach her in time. Except for me, who had already rushed forward to support Markus.
I cast flames to block the path of the twin-tailed wolves. Due to prioritizing casting speed, the power was low, and it seemed showy. But the twin-tailed wolves wouldn't rush into flames, and they slowed down, giving me enough time to close the distance further.
Although I've learned various magic, my favorite ones are Wind Blades and Stone Bullets. I'm most skilled in the range of 10 to 15 meters, which is quite short for a mage. However, this allows for extremely high accuracy and lethality.
Switching my focus to one of the twin-tailed wolves that had come closer to me, I shattered it into pieces with stone bullets, like a shotgun. Then, I used Wind Blades to slice through the remaining two wolves that were completely immobilized. Since twin-tailed wolves have low magical detection ability, they didn't realize they were being attacked and were easily cut down.
I remained cautious of my surroundings, but there were no other individuals coming toward me. Markus' vanguard unit also regained their posture, steadily reducing the number of twin-tailed wolves.
Sophie, who had been stunned, finally regained her composure, but it was already too late. Jack's team joined and swiftly annihilated the remaining twin-tailed wolves.
The twin-tailed wolves were completely wiped out.
