Sera filed awkwardly into the Assembly Hall, trailing behind a visibly nervous Hibiscus who was wringing her hands with anxiety. There were roughly thirty to forty people among them murmuring and rustling about.
Standing in the back, Sera surveyed the scene. She recognized Administrator Takumi Arten, the one who had sent the emergency announcement. A 39-year old man with black hair, round glasses, and a severe facial expression, he stood a head taller above the others. Even though Takumi was a citizen with no supernatural powers, he was built like a giant towering above most of the A and B-rank espers. He stood at the podium, wearing a navy blue cashmere turtleneck, arms crossed and patiently waiting for the audience to settle. Beside him, was a petite blonde-haired lady, looking to be in her early 30s, with charming pink eyes, wearing a silk scarf around her neck, a long-sleeve beige knitted dress, and simple brown heels. She was tapping vigorously on a tablet, eyes focused on her work. She was Administrator Risa Agnato, a B-rank esper specializing in intelligence gathering, and the one who sent out the secondary notification.
Most of the crowd consisted of A and B-grade espers and guides. Roughly ten or so attack-oriented espers, ten support and defensive-oriented espers, and ten guides. She also spotted a good number of espers among them that she regularly guided. Ashley, Canto, Vale, Theo, oh Simon as well, Ophelia, Eran, Julia, Yoru… Actually, Sera thought, she knew quite a few of the B-rank espers here. The rest of the folks were administrators or HR personnel. It looked like no S-class folks were here yet. So why am I here? Sera wondered. I might be the only C-rank here, oh my god.
Sera felt a sinking sensation settle at the pit of her stomach as she counted the number of espers who were on her regular schedule once more.
Takumi tapped the microphone on the podium and spoke. "Attention, everyone. Espers, guides, and support personnel, thank you all for being here. We will begin our meeting on the raid for the appearance of the 4-star dungeon gate. The raid will occur in two weeks. The dungeon gate is estimated to break in 4 weeks. The raid is estimated to take 1 week inside the dungeon. For those of you that are raid veterans, you will begin pre-raid training following this briefing immediately. For those of you that are new to raiding, you will attend a 3-day informational review and then follow pre-raid training as well. Now, we will begin discussing our plan of action."
Takumi continued to discuss the raid in detail, reporting on the terrain, landscape, and strategic maneuvers the team would take.
"Based on preliminary readings, the environment seems to be a fertile, verdant biome with temperate forest-grasslands. We believe the weaker monsters will spawn in the grasslands and forests, as we traverse towards the mountains and caves where the boss monster resides, creatures will continue to get stronger. We will follow our standard A-formation. Direct forward attacks and a strong, defensive line for resupply."
An esper reached out his hand. "Mr. Arten, what types will the monsters be?"
"Scans indicate this dungeon is a fire-type and electric-type. The weaker monsters are theorized to be mammalian and reptilian in nature. Damage type is physical. Most likely the boss will be a dragon with these same elements. We don't expect any psychic or mental attributes to be cautious of."
Another guide called out. "How many S-ranks are joining the raid?" An excited murmur rippled across the crowd. S-rank espers and guides were sort of like idols or celebrities. Incredibly strong and overpowered, but rare, S-rank individuals were usually only called out for 4-star dungeon gates and above. While raids were highly dangerous and at the risk of one's life, it was still an exciting chance to see an S-rank individual in action. Especially against a monster like a dragon.
"Three, the Triad," Takumi responded. "Espers Rian Thern and Arlen Cunning, and Guide Rena Swift." Another wave of interest rippled through the crowd. These three S-ranks were called the Triad due to their close proximity in age (all of them being in their late twenties) and the ease in which they worked together.
Rian Thern, a tan indigo-haired man with bright blue eyes, was a dark and psychic-type esper known for his efficient brutality, slicing and dicing monsters mercilessly with a scythe forged from dark matter. Rian came off mercilessly aloof, cold, and sadistic. He was a rather stiff individual opting for short responses to any and every question directed his way. It was well-known that the only people Rian spoke to with ease were his fellow S-rank colleagues.
Arlen Cunning, a blue-haired, golden-eyed man, was the opposite of Rian. Sporting a friendly, golden retriever attitude to every and anyone, Arlen was a hydro mage who excelled in range attacks utilizing ice lances and water bullets. If Rian was a cold, antagonistic villain, Arlen would be the popular, warm and heroic prince.
Rena Swift was a guide for both of them. With long forest-green wavy hair tucked behind her ears and rich, calculating brown eyes, Rena was known as a cool, elegant beauty, both for her soothing guidance and refined personality to those outside of her inner circle.
These three, the Triad, had been making significant impacts to the clearing of dungeon gates the last 3 years and were well beloved by their fellow colleagues at Ratha as well as idolized by citizens across the country.
"The S-ranks have already begun training in preparation so you all will meet them one week from now for formation training," Takumi continued.
Sera raised her hand. "Yes, Sera Yun."
"Mr. Arten, why am I here?" Sera called out. "As you know, I am a C-rank, well below capability for a 4-star dungeon. Was my recruitment a mistake?"
"It was not a mistake, Ms. Yun," Risa Agnato interrupted, her gentle voice carrying deftly through the assembly hall. Risa's gaze was confidently locked on to Sera.
"Ms. Yun, you handle about 1/3rd of the espers within this room, yes?"
"Y-yes, that's correct, Ms. Agnato."
"Well then, that is why," Risa smiled, "You support a significant portion of the B-rank espers in this raid, most of them have indicated a positive mental benefit to your guidance with a statistically significant change in their work performance. You are here for morale."
"Ah," Sera couldn't respond. She heard a snicker come from a group of guides in the room and the faint whisperings of someone calling her a slut for hire. Hib wasn't the only one who had an unsavory opinion of Sera - especially amongst the guides. She wasn't going to escape those morale hire rumors now.