Chapter 71: Impromptu Wolf Gang ⓪: The Last Member

Two weeks before the day of the mission.

We still hadn’t found the last member.

Bid-san was so overjoyed about learning Shunsoku (Swift Step), she left on an expedition under the name of “training.” She told me, “I’m expecting souvenirs!”

After finishing my first commission, I haven’t taken on any new requests.
Lately, I’ve just been going to the witch’s place.

The witch finally wrapped up a big repair job.
Her familiar’s letter said it was okay to come now.

That worked out perfectly. There was a technique I had to learn from the witch.

When I asked her, she agreed, and I started learning that technique along with self-defense training.

I want to be ready for when we finally find our last party member.

There’s not much I can do in the meantime, but I used this opportunity to upgrade my gear.

I got durable yet lightweight monster leather armour and a brand-new jacket.
Also, holy gauntlets of silence.

I want to carry more knives, but there’s a limit to what I can move around with.

Even now, carrying four is already really heavy.

So I can’t increase the number. Plus, I can’t afford to break even one of them.

I made a vow. I will not break another knife.

Still, the weight of my gear is no joke.

I’m small—thirteen years old, so that’s to be expected—but I’m also a little shorter than others my age.

But I’m not discouraged. My growth spurt just hasn’t come yet.
It just hasn’t come yet.

“…Man, I’m hungry.”

I was wiped out from training with the witch again today.

Alright, let’s go to Cidre’s Tavern.

Going eat a big plate of butter rice to grow bigger.

The tavern was as lively as ever.
I took a seat at an open table and placed my order.

Then I overheard some voices.

“Hey. Sounds like it’s almost time.”

“Time for what?”

“The city dungeon. According to the survey team’s report, it’s about to reopen.”

“Finally. There’s a bunch of backlogged requests, right?”

“Even the merchant guild had a named request, didn’t they?”

“Yeah, and there are materials you can only gather or monsters you can only hunt in that dungeon.”

“So when exactly?”

“Soonest: a week. At most: two weeks or a month.”

“Guess we’ll just chill and wait, then.”

“Yup. Hey, two ales over here!”

“Comin’ right up!”

So the city dungeon is reopening.
That means we can reach the 12th floor. The Ark Ruins, huh?
Well, first, we’ve got the junkyard’s Sanctum.

“Phew.”

“…Huh? Axe-san?”

A male faun passed by my table—it was Axe-san.

“Wof, huh.”

“Hi there.”

“…Mind if I sit here?”

“Eh? Oh, go ahead!”

Axe-san sat across from me.

“Aren’t you with Rell-san and the others?”

“Ah, well, I’m solo right now.”

“Huh? You’re not active as Thunder Fang anymore?”

“We didn’t disband or anything. It’s just… those two are… on the run.”

“…Wait, what?”

“Ah, it’s not like they committed a crime. Sorry—One giant ale, please!”

“You got it!”

Axe-san ordered from a passing waitress.

“Why are they on the run?”

“Why, huh… they’re running from Rell’s sister.”

“Ah… you mean Shesh-san.”

Juicy-san is the younger sister. Dova-san doesn’t seem like the type.

So that leaves Shesh-san, the famous mercenary and bodyguard.

Axe-san looked surprised.

“You know her?”

“Yes, I have a strange connection to those sisters, actually.”

“Is that so? Figures—you’re Wof, after all.”

“Huh?”

“Then you must know about Tasan too.”

“Yes, of course. I mean, I can see it with Rell-san, but even Hoss-san?”

I didn’t think he was involved at all.

“That idiot caught Shesh’s sword with his bare hands, on reflex.”

“Ah… yeah, that’ll do it.”

So he went and did that…

“So the two of them are lying low outside the city.”

“That’s why you’re going solo now.”

“Pretty much.”

“Here you go—one giant ale!”

“And your extra-large butter rice!”

Our orders arrived at the same time.

Axe-san grabbed the oversized mug and chugged the ale in one go.

“Puhahh! Now that’s the stuff.”

“Mmm, yes! This is it!”

I dug into my butter rice and nodded in satisfaction.

Loaded with meat and vegetables, with a hint of soy sauce for flavor—perfect.

After chewing and swallowing, I asked:

“So you don’t have any requests right now?”

“Not really. Nothing going on at the moment.”

“Then… would you be interested in a named request? Want to join us?”

“A named request?”

“Ah, right—I should mention, I became an explorer under special exception.”

“No way!?”

“Yeah, though I’m just Class V.”

“…So, the witch, huh?”

“Yep.”

As expected of Axe-san—he figured it out immediately. Haha.

“Still, a named request for a Class V? Who’s the weirdo that sent that in?”

“It’s from Alhazard Abramelin.”

“…Huh?”

“I said, Alhazard Abramelin.”
“…You sure that’s not, like… the butcher down the road or something? You know, Umbra-Mikalbi-rib-meat or whatever?”

What kind of barbecue name is that?

“Y-Yes. It’s the Grand Guildmaster, Alhazard Abramelin.”

“…Seriously?”

Axe-san stared at me in shock.

“Yes.”

When I nodded honestly, Axe-san silently downed the rest of his ale.
After emptying the oversized mug, he ordered another of the same and said to me:

“Tell me how this all happened.”

“Sure. It all started when—”

I explained it much like I did to Pakira-san and the others.
Axe-san listened as he drank his second massive ale and nodded.

“I see… But…”

“Is something wrong?”

“That mansion where it all began… I know it’s Torquetum’s base.”

“You knew?”

“Yeah. I mean, Torquetum is pretty famous. I mean, it’s three gorgeous girls, after all. Even someone like me who’s bad with women hears about them.”

“Well, true.”

They definitely stand out. But so Axe-san’s still bad with women, huh?

He continued his questioning.

“So, you entered the mansion?”

“Yeah. Liv-san invited me.”

“…That’s so like you, Wof.”

“Huh?”

“Alright. If you’re okay with it, I’d like to join.”

“Ah, thank you!”

…What does he mean by “so like me”?

This keeps happening somehow.

“So, who else is on the team?”

“Yes. Mineha-san and Liv-san.”

“Liv, as in Torquetum’s Liv?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I see. And Mineha too. By the way, where does she live?”

“Wait, you don’t know? At my house.”

“…Your house?”

“Yes. She’s been living in the courtyard tower I mentioned earlier. Moved in on her own.”

“I see… That’s so like you, Wof.”

“Huh? What exactly have I done?”

Seriously, what does he mean “that’s so like me”? Isn’t this a misunderstanding?

Axe-san looked a little awkward, then spoke.

“Ah—well, I mean, you’re still so good with girls.”

“…I can’t deny that…”

I gave a wry smile. I really couldn’t deny it.

Axe-san apologized.

“Sorry, it’s just… I’m aware that I still have a hard time with women. But it’s not like I dislike them. I’m a guy too, you know.”

“I see, yeah, that makes sense.”

“So that’s why I said ‘that’s so like you.’ My bad.”

“No, it’s fine… Now that I get it. But do you have a type, Axe-san? Like, when it comes to women?”

“That’s sudden… Uh, well, maybe elves?”

“You like elves?”

“…My mom’s an elf.”

“Ahh…”

So he’s half-elf, huh. Interesting.

“Wait, hold on! Not in a weird way, okay? Just that, well, I grew up around one.”

“Then, what about Lupinas-san?”

“Absolutely not.”

Immediate answer.

“Huh? But she’s an elf—”

“Absolutely not.”

“…Okay.”

He shot it down so fast it cut me off.

“So… what about you?”

“Huh? Me? Well, I don’t really know much about that stuff yet…”

“Alright, alright. Let’s drop it, then.”

“Sure.”

Axe-san drank his ale.

I was thirsty too, so I drank my lemonade. Puhh.

“In any case, I’m looking forward to this.”

“Me too.”

“First, to you becoming an Explorer.”

“Thank you.”

“And to the success of the named request from old man Abramelin.”

“Yes.”

With that, Axe-san toasted and chugged the ale in one go.

The next day.

We gathered at Cidre’s Tavern.
Around the table: me, Mineha-san, Liv-san, and Axe-san.

After placing orders for ale and the like, Axe-san gave a small, amused smile.

“Well, I guess there’s no need for introductions at this point.”

“Right. Axe. Long time no see. Were you able to contact master?”

“Not yet. Mom still hasn’t come back, apparently.”

“That sounds like her.”

“Exactly. And, um—hey, Liv. Long time no see.”

“Mm… Axe… An acquaintance… It’s a relief.”

“Well, this request can only be done with people we know, after all.”

“True.”

“Exactly. Alright then—shall we decide on the party name first?”

“Knew it would come to that.”

I was a little exasperated. There were no good memories tied to this sort of thing.

Mineha-san asked,

“So, do you have any ideas?”

“Mmm… Wof-sama Investigation Team.”

Liv-san was the first to speak. It sounded familiar somehow.
But no way — that’s definitely a nope.

“Well, well, that’s not a bad idea.”

“No no, why is my name even in it?”

“Because this is your designated request, obviously. So, how about this — Impromptu Wolf Gang?”

“What does that mean?”

“Mmm… wolves…?”

Well, at least it’s a hundred billion times better than Wof-sama’s Investigation Team.

Axe-san took a drink of ale and then explained:

“Other than Wof and Mineha, Liv and I are technically in parties but are currently going solo.
Being solo means we’re lone wolves.
Now, these lone wolves have gathered together for a temporary mission —
So, we’re the Impromptu Wolf Gang. How’s that?”

“I love it. It’s really great!”

I was totally in favor.
I didn’t really get the lone wolf part, but “wolf” just sounded cool.
It was a thousand billion times better than Wof-sama’s Investigation Team.

Mineha-san, eating a chicken leg as big as her whole body, said:

“Not bad. What about you, Liv?”

“Mmm… it sounds cool… so it’s good… good.”

“Then it’s settled. We’re the Impromptu Wolf Gang. Wof, you’re the leader.”

“I knew it would be me.”

“Of course. You’re the captain.”

“Yo… Captain!”

“Alright! Everyone, grab your mugs.”

We all did as Axe-san said.

“Captain Wof, give us the toast.”

“Y-Yes. Umm… cheers to the Impromptu Wolf Gang!”

“Cheers!”
“Cheers.”
“Mmm… cheers.”
“Na!”

Our mugs clinked together.

And so, the Impromptu Wolf Gang was born.

I never would have imagined…

That from this point on, we’d be using the name Impromptu Wolf Gang so many times.

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