Kosu felt a surge of determination as he considered re-entering the Tower of Challenges, eager to tackle the trials once more. However, Khamush raised a hand, stopping him. "Not so fast, Kosu. The tower can only be attempted once a day. Even if you were to try multiple times in a single day, it wouldn't make clearing the floors any easier. You mustn't be hasty."

Kosu frowned, momentarily disappointed. "I understand. Thanks for the advice, Khamush."

Khamush smiled. "Please, call me K. It's what I prefer. Jinpei is the only one who insists on using my full name."

Kosu giggled, feeling the camaraderie in K's words. "Alright, K it is! Thanks again." With that, he made the decision to log out of the virtual world, his mind buzzing with newfound insights.

As he disconnected, Kosu felt a sense of clarity wash over him. He had gained valuable lessons from Khamush, and he was more prepared to face the challenges ahead.

The next day, he headed to the guild, a sense of expectation in his heart. However, the atmosphere there was heavy with uncertainty. There was still no news about Sakura's whereabouts, and the absence of updates weighed on everyone.

Just then, he spotted Ryota, an old comrade from the guild. Relief washed over him as he approached. Ryota had been a steadfast ally, especially during Kosu's desperate search for a cure for Jinpei's Magicule.

"Ryota!" Kosu called, a smile breaking across his face. "It's good to see you."

"Hey, Kosu!" Ryota responded, his expression brightening. "I was hoping to run into you. How have you been holding up with everything?"

Kosu sighed, the weight of recent events pressing down on him. "I've been managing. But it's hard not knowing what happened to Jinpei or Sakura's team. It feels... unsettling."

Ryota nodded, his brow furrowing. "I know what you mean. The guild is worried sick about them. We've been searching everywhere, but it's like they vanished into thin air."

Kosu's heart sank at the thought. "I can't shake the feeling that there's something more going on. Jinpei wouldn't just disappear without a reason, and Sakura's team... they wouldn't have gone down without a fight."

"Exactly," Ryota replied. "I've been trying to piece together any clues we might have. There has to be something we're missing."

They exchanged thoughts on their suspicions, discussing the possibilities of what could have happened to their friends. The conversation flowed easily, a shared camaraderie forming as they strategized their next steps.

"Let's keep each other updated," Kosu suggested. "We can't give up hope. We need to find them."

"Agreed," Ryota said, determination shining in his eyes. "We'll figure this out together."

As they discussed their next steps, Ryota turned to Kosu with a thoughtful expression. "You know, you should start recruiting more people for your team. With Jinpei missing, you'll need a solid party to tackle the dungeon effectively."

Kosu nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. "That makes sense. I was thinking about having you join me, but—"

"I have to decline," Ryota interrupted, shaking his head firmly. "You know I'm not one for adventuring outside of the library, especially if there's nothing exciting to find. I'd much rather pour over ancient texts and research."

Kosu felt a pang of disappointment at Ryota's refusal. "I understand, but it would have been great to have you by my side again. You always know how to think strategically."

Ryota offered a sympathetic smile. "I appreciate that, Kosu. But you have other options. Why not ask some of your old comrades? They might be willing to help. Or you could head over to the Human Resources department to recruit new members. They have a list of adventurers looking for parties."

Kosu considered this, feeling a flicker of hope. "That's a good idea. I'll reach out to my old comrades and see if anyone is available. And if not, I can check out HR for new recruits."

"Exactly," Ryota said, his tone encouraging. "You've got this. Just remember, the more diverse your team, the better your chances of success."

With a sense of purpose rekindled, Kosu thanked Ryota for his advice. Kosu decided to reach out to his old comrades first, hoping they might join him for the upcoming expedition.

His first stop was Thrain, a burly warrior known for his strength and unwavering loyalty. Kosu found him in the training yard, practicing his sword techniques.

"Thrain!" Kosu called, waving as he approached. "I'm putting together a team for a dungeon run. I could really use your strength."

Thrain paused, wiping sweat from his brow. "Kosu, I appreciate the offer, but I've joined up with another party. They're planning a big raid soon, and I can't back out now."

Kosu felt a twinge of disappointment but nodded. "I understand. Good luck with the raid."

Next, he sought out Elara, a skilled archer known for her keen eye and agility. He found her perched in a tree, practicing her aim.

"Elara!" he called, looking up. "I'm recruiting for a dungeon team. Would you be interested?"

She climbed down gracefully, but her expression was apologetic. "I'm honored, Kosu, but I've decided to take a break from dungeon exploring for a while. It's been overwhelming lately, and I need some time to recharge."

Kosu's heart sank further, but he respected her decision. "That's completely understandable. Take care of yourself, Elara."

Finally, Kosu made his way to find Kara, a mage with a penchant for powerful spells. He found her in the guild's library, surrounded by scrolls and tomes.

"Kara!" Kosu exclaimed, bringing her attention away from her studies. "I'm forming a party for the dungeon. I'd love for you to join me."

Kara looked thoughtful, her brow furrowing. "I appreciate the invitation, Kosu, but I'm not ready to dive into a dungeon right now. There's so much I want to learn first, and I don't want to risk getting caught up in something dangerous before I'm fully prepared."

Feeling disheartened, Kosu thanked her and left the library. He had hoped to rally the strength of his old comrades, but one by one, they had turned him down.

As he walked back toward the HR department, he couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment. It seemed that the bonds he had relied on were not as strong as he had hoped. Still, he reminded himself of Khamush's words—he had to keep pushing forward.

With renewed resolve, Kosu decided to focus on the new recruits. He would find the right people to stand by his side, even if it meant stepping into unknown territory. As he entered the HR department again, he felt a flicker of determination ignite within him. The journey was far from over, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

With a sense of purpose rekindled, Kosu thanked Ryota for his advice and made his way toward the Human Resources department. The guild hall bustled with activity, adventurers discussing quests and sharing tales of their exploits, but Kosu's mind was focused on building a solid team.

Upon arriving at the HR department, he was greeted by a friendly receptionist who smiled warmly. "Welcome! How can I assist you today?"

"I'm looking to recruit some members for my party," Kosu replied, trying to mask his nervousness. "I want to gather a team to help with an upcoming dungeon expedition."

"Of course! We keep a list of adventurers looking for parties," she said, pulling out a scroll filled with names and specialties. "What kind of skills are you looking for?"

Kosu scanned the list, his mind racing with possibilities. "I could use fighters, healers, and maybe someone with magical abilities."

The receptionist nodded, quickly highlighting a few names. "Here are some promising candidates. You can reach out to them directly or I can arrange meetings if you prefer."

"Let's set up some meetings," Kosu said, feeling a surge of excitement. He was determined to assemble a team that could face the challenges ahead.

As the receptionist arranged the meetings, Kosu's thoughts ran wild with anticipation. He felt a renewed sense of hope; with a stronger team, they could uncover the truth about Jinpei and Sakura.