After a night at a surprisingly cozy inn called The Sleeping Boar, the 26 newly minted adventurers gathered in the guild's meeting room early the next morning.
A long wooden table sat in the middle, maps and quest fliers scattered across it. Takeshi yawned, scratching his stubble.
Takeshi: "Alright, people — roll call!"
Aiko: "We're all here, grandpa."
Takeshi: "I'm 42! That's premium mileage, thank you very much."
Everyone chuckled. Ms. Sato clapped her hands.
Ms. Sato: "Okay, listen up! The guildmaster suggested we split into parties to take on different quests. Groups of six would be ideal for balanced teams."
Daichi: "Makes sense. We can't exactly run around in one giant herd."
Hiroshi: "Yeah, last time we did that, Takeshi almost flattened a fruit stand."
Takeshi: "In my defense, it wasn't labeled 'no parking.'"
Aiko grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill.
Aiko: "Alright — let's divvy this up. Who wants to team with who?"
Immediately, arguments broke out.
Daichi: "I call Aiko!"
Aiko: "Not a chance."
Hiroshi: "I'll team up with anyone who can heal."
Ms. Sato: "I can do that."
Usapyon: "Pyon~ I'll go with Saintess-sensei too!"
Finally, after a good half hour of bickering, bribery, and one arm-wrestling match (which Takeshi won against a smug student), the teams were set.
Team 1:
Daichi (Holy Blade Vanguard)
Aiko (Arcane Tempest Sorceress)
Hiroshi (Beast Fist Monk)
Rina (Moonlight Rogue)
Sho (Chaos Chef)
Yumi (Dimension Archer)
Team 2:
Ms. Sato (Healing Saintess)
Usapyon (Mystic Bun Lord)
Kaoru (Dragon Whisperer)
Naomi (Light Dancer)
Ken (Shadow Brawler)
Mari (Wind Mage)
Team 3:
Takeshi (Overroad Transporter)
Nobu (Stone Knight)
Miki (Fire Caller)
Jun (Trap Master)
Aya (Beast Tamer)
Haru (Spear Warden)
Team 4:
The remaining 8 students, nicknamed "The Backup Squad."
Even the receptionist wrote it down as Backup Squad.
Takeshi: "Alright — now for the important part."
Aiko: "What's that?"
Takeshi stood, dramatically pointing to the ceiling.
Takeshi: "We need a clan name."
Silence.
Hiroshi: "Clan?"
Receptionist: "Oh — it's a guild team. Basically a registered adventurer group that works together under one banner. You get bonuses and a shared account."
The students murmured.
Daichi: "Kinda cool, actually."
Takeshi: "And I've already got the perfect name."
Aiko: "Oh no."
Takeshi grinned.
Takeshi: "Truck Survivors."
Groans erupted.
Aiko: "Seriously?!"
Hiroshi: "That sounds like a post-apocalyptic movie!"
Ms. Sato: "We should honor those we lost in that terrible crash."
Takeshi: "Nobody died permanently, Saintess-sensei. We're all standing here."
Daichi: "Fine. Truck Survivors it is."
Aiko: "I hate that I'm getting used to this."
The receptionist scribbled it down with a nervous smile.
Receptionist: "Truck Survivors is now a registered adventurer clan. Congratulations! Here's your clan crest design form."
Takeshi immediately drew a cartoon truck running over a demon.
Aiko: "Oh my god."
Takeshi: "It's symbolic."
With parties formed and their ridiculous clan officially recognized, the group selected their first batch of beginner quests — from goblin clearing to herb gathering.
Takeshi: "Alright, people. Let's hit the road."
Hiroshi: "You mean hit the trails."
Takeshi: "Same thing."
And so, Truck Survivors took their first steps as adventurers in a strange new world — 26 isekai misfits, a legendary truck, and one truly cursed name.