Reincarnated in the game world ~ A gamer's beginning to [Dungeon job hunting recommendation]

"I believe you have noted down the strategy, Lamada-san. This is a crucial timing where we can't afford to take a misstep."

"You can rest assured, Ekatrina-dono. But, you believe Class-1 will bother coming here?"

"They will. The Zephyr-san I know will definitely launch a raid on our base."

Against a skeptical expression of Lamada, Rina confidently replied. 

As of now, the main firepower of Class-5, Class-12, and Class-51—they'll add up to 35 students---had been gathered together in expectation of a clash against Class-1, and Lamada was the chief commander of the firepower. 

To take the words of Rina, Class-1 would be gunning to rush at their base. If Karua was out of the picture, their main priority would turn to beat down the alliance, or else they would be cornered into the narrow canyon. 

The 4th and 3rd fortress happened to be too close to Class-1, which was akin to riding on their head, and obviously, Class-1 wouldn't want their moves to be caught by others. And in scenarios they're ignored, then the alliance could work more on fortifying their bases. Such was Rina's assumption. Their place was to catch Class-1 like a rat in a trap and then nip them out.  

Meanwhile, the alliance's main firepower had come from Class-5. 21 of their students were in the main offense squad, while rest spots were filled by Class-12 and Class-51 equally. That said, the two classes were mostly supportive. 

At present, the first sword of the alliance was Lamada, who was a member of «King Absolute», while the rest came from their subordinate guild or the remaining A or B-rank guilds. Their average level was far beyond that of many classes. 

The vanguard even had five of the students over LV60. With members strong enough to be comparable to leaders of other classes, Class-5 had been the 2nd favourite for this reason.

The three of the five vanguard were the acting commander of the First Fortress, Third Fortress, and Fourth Fortress team. A force to reckon with.

Of the remaining two, one was the adjutant of Lamada's squad.

"Hyeud, I am counting on you to support me."

"For Lady Ekatrina! I, Hyeud, will offer everything of mine!"

With bloodshot eyes, the boy dressed in a sharp militarist vibe replied bacK. It prompts a nod from Lamada, who then turn to the remaining person.

"Nagi, I expect you to shield Ekatrina-sama from any danger. I am counting on you."

"Yes, sir! With Tomoyo-san, it'd be a piece of cake!"

A girl, dressed in a light-weight equipment meant for agile movement, replied while glancing at the armored girl---the guard aside from Lamada who had been following Ekatrina---beside Rina.  Since he would be out for battle, he couldn't have left the escort seat for Ekatrina empty, and hence, he chose Nagi for the role. 

Though Nagi's was a support job, the details had made her a guard suitable for Rina. 

After all, Ekatrian was their lifeline. They would be shown the way out if something happened to her.

Despite the high-profile affiliation of their members, Class-5 was well aware of the threat that Class-1 and Class-8 posed. And this was why they needed the help of Class-51's brain to supplement their weak point. Plus, they'd to stand up to the expectation of high-ranking guild members that had been eyeing them. They wouldn't let an unshapely loss get the better of them.

Anyway, various expectations and their goals made them join hands with Class-51—Ekatrina to be precise.

And he was proved right on his bet. Opponent's scout was trapped, the bases were given a new lifeline by reinforming them, and sticking to them all was Rina's brilliant mind. 

And the meaning wasn't lost on Ekatrina either.

"Alright, we will be counting on you to protect Ekatrina."

"Aye-aye, captain!"

"It's safe with you here. Well then, it's about time to lead the force, Lamada-san. I will be do my own part meanwhile. I guess, the starting point is neighbor, Class-3."

◇◇◇

Jumping to another location---the situation pertained to the first base, or fortress, strengthened by the allied classes. 

The first base was located on the sharp north of the central mountain, and sandwiched between two mountains, thus leaving only the east and west as viable routes to attack them. 

A small skirmish had broken out nearby the base.

"Shit! What the hell is with that fortress? And why here of all places?!"

A certain boy groaned.

The boy was a member of Class-3, and was the squad leader who had been commanded to cover the west side map. 

It was only a five person group. They had been heading west when they noticed this eye-catching construction. At a closer look, it turned out to be a fortress. 

—Huh, are you sane? What would a fortress be doing in «Inter-Class Battle»? 

If it was told normally, this would've been a retort they would be hurling, but the oppressive presence  even stole that phrase from them. And from the glimpse of silhouette they could spy on, it was clearly a man-made construct. 

Of course, when faced with an unknown that may influence the finale's outcome, the squad leader decided to prudently spy on the situation. But... that decision aged like milk for him. 

When he realised they'd been already spotted, the retreat was closed off by enemy force. Gradually, the squad was cornered to the fortress. 

With a steep mountain wall behind them, they're forced to make their last stand.

"Darn it! We can't play in their hands like this! We have to relay the information at any cost!"

"Easier said than done, leader! Please, we're already surrounded! Heck, the tank is about to fall down too!!"

Meanwhile, their opponents were whooping twice their number. Moreover, with the glimpse of occasional mid-ranking jobs, it was clear they're facing an alliance squad.

They'd to relay this information, no matter what. And so, the squad leader made a bitter decision.

"At least one of us needs to make an escape."

"B-but!"

Squad leader gave up fighting---or maybe, he was passing the torch to his class. With their invincible leader Haku at the front, their sacrifice matters nothing as long as they could notify her. 

Squad leader swallowed the bitter pill, and pin his hope on the fastest member among them, a scout, to escape. 

"I will open the path. Follow after me. Remember, pass this information to the leader even if you have to crawl!"

"Argh, damnit! Fine!"

It was a matter of moment before even the kindle of hope went off. However, the squad leader decided to burn one last time, to illuminate the path like an ephemeral firework.

"Hmph, go down for me——!! What?!"

"This is my line!! Do not underestimate the power of Class-3, alriiiiiiiiiight!!"

Squad leader jumped out of their defensive formation, and swung down the huge mace, halting the attack even at the cost of his own HP. Needless to say, a rabbit out in the open was an easy target for predators. The barrage of attack made its way toward him.

"Grrrghhh! Gooooo! Do not stop, do not worry, just gooooo!"

"Rgh, leader! You aren't alone, I will support you! Gahh!?"

"Hey, can you do it?!"

“Ah, damn. Just go! Make it as if your life depends on it!!”

“E-Everyone, I will remember you!!”

With the help of squad leader and others stepping up to be the sacrifice, the siege was momentarily slowed down, allowing Scout a path to escape.

Scout, carrying the burden of his leader’s hope, ran desperately to convey the intel. 

But it was a pity he failed in noticing the looming shadow.