I'm a complete mess. Things always go wrong at the critical moment.

For example, when I make a party. Because of the name I gave it, the Ghost of Sorrows was mistaken for a party of criminals (Red) and was constantly targeted by criminal organizations and parties of the same hunter all over the Imperial Capital.
For example, when we formed a clan and tried to go out to see cherry blossoms together. For some reason, a tectonic shift occurred and a high-level treasure house appeared.

More recently, when I sent Tino to the Lair of the White Wolf, an unexpected event occurred, and my decisions have rarely worked out.

I've never had much luck to begin with, but the drop in my luck since becoming a hunter has been especially noticeable.
I've gotten through all of this by being strong, following others, and getting down on my knees. But that doesn't mean that I'm okay with any bad luck, or that I'm used to it.

A few days had passed since the auction, and I was lying down on the sofa in the Clan Master's office, still unable to regain my energy.
I'm not a very energetic person by nature, but the backlash of all the hardships I've gone through in the past few days was too much for me.

When Eva told me that Miss Eclair had won the bid for the Reverse Face, I tried to look unconcerned, but the more time passed, the more I felt the repercussions.

It wasn't that I regretted bidding on the items that Citry wanted.
Most of the money was Citry's to begin with, and I really didn't need the treasure to make her cry. I'm used to Lucia being angry with me.
But that's not the same thing as this--it took me a while to come to terms with it.

I don't feel like doing anything anymore. I don't feel like going out, I don't feel like going out to eat sweets.
Everyone knows that I've been trying to get that mask. Of course, they also know that I ran away like a loser without participating in the bidding.

I'm sure that if I'm exposed to curious eyes now, I'll behave in a manner unbecoming of a top clan master. I had to avoid that.

The reason why the fourth floor of the clan house and above is off-limits to hunters is to prevent them from seeing me periodically lose my temper.

As I twist and turn on the couch, I accidentally fall to the floor.
I let out a small gasp at the impact. What a miserable, loser-worthy situation. Such thoughts flashed through my mind and made me laugh.
I'm sure Miss Eclair is laughing at me right now, mocking me as a pathetic man for running away without a fight. Perhaps I've encouraged Sir Gladys' discrimination against hunters.

And the mask I wanted so much will be given to Ark, who will not need it. Oh, how unpredictable life is.

I rolled on the floor of the clan master's room as my instincts told me to. The clan master's room is covered with a luxurious carpet, so it doesn't hurt.

I want to live like this forever, crawling on the ground like a caterpillar.
If I had a hole, I would crawl into it. I don't mean that I am ashamed or anything, but that I feel more comfortable underground. There is no concept of shame in me.

While I was engaged in this extremely meaningless act, there was a knock at the door of the Clan Master's office.
While spreading my limbs to maximize the ground area to reduce the burden of gravity, I turned my face towards the door and answered.

'Hello.

'Excuse me. Krai-sa--nngh! What are you doing?

Eva looks at me lying on the floor like a corpse and gives me a startled look.
There are only a limited number of people who can enter this room. Eva knows that I'm vulnerable, so it doesn't matter if she sees me.

For the past few days, I've been holed up in either the Clan Master's office or my room, and she's been the one who's been bringing me food.

'Don't you recognize her from ......?

I'm sure you'll agree. ............ I don't understand it at all.'

'............Do you understand? I was rolling around on the couch and I fell off.

'Oh, my God! You'll get dirty laying around like that! You're a level 8, aren't you?

Eva takes my arm and carries me up by the shoulders. She then sets me upright on the sofa, completely weak.
I'm really sorry for the trouble I've caused you.

Unlike me, Eva's clothes are in perfect order today. The white uniform of 《First Step》 suits her well. It's hard to believe that she's been working tens of times harder than I have.

...... No, zero is still zero no matter how many times you multiply it. Oh, how rude of Eva to compare her to me.

'What's wrong with you? You've been limping for the past few days!

'Same as usual.

'! It's ...... well, .......'

Eva gave me a troubled look.
My trusty assistant master only let out a single sigh when he heard that I had spent billions and that I had been unable to drop the mask due to unexpected expenses.
His pockets are so deep that it makes me want to test how much he will allow.

'............ If it's okay with me, if you have any problems, I'll listen.

I've got so many worries, if I could get as many guilders as I have worries, I'd be out of debt.
Aaaaahhhh!

I'm screwed. It's time. I'm not a vessel. Life's not always what I expect it to be. I want to retire.'

'What?

Eva's eyes widened at the standard complaint and she stepped back.

It seems I've finally become such a bad person that even the good Vice Master is turned off by me.
That's right. I'm a bad person. I'm screwed. I want to live quietly at the bottom of the sea like a clam. And then I'll probably be attacked by an octopus or something and eaten helplessly.

'............ So, this hasn't worked out yet, has it?

'On a scale of one hundred, I'd give it an extra fifteen. I didn't even get the mask.

'Fifteen points?

Eva is at the mercy of my random answers that have almost lost their soul. I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused you.
I'd like to repay you someday, but that will backfire on me anyway.

'I heard that you didn't get the treasure ...... as you were supposed to, ......?

I wonder who told her that. Ava's expression is serious.
I'm sure she said it in complete confidence. I'm sure there's not a single person there who believed me.

What do you mean by "as expected" ...... is it as expected that I can't get the mask I wanted? That's not true.


Everything from Akasha's exhibit to everything else was unexpected. From start to finish, I was just being swept along like kelp growing on the ocean floor.

I averted my gaze and sighed deeply. 'Shells are edible, I want to be a rock or something.

'Well, that's true, but ...... I could have done better. Life really is out of control.'

'............ Can I make you some tea? I have some herbal teas that work well for mental fatigue.'

'............'

Without waiting for an answer, Eva prepares to make the tea.
That's what makes me want to die. There are too many good people around me.

I regained a little of my will to live, moved my arms and legs, and cradled my knees on the couch.

'...... Well, don't worry about it. I'm just waiting for things to settle down.'

'......Yes.'

'I think I'm ready to get back on my feet.'

I'm inert and I can't help but take advantage of my surroundings.
Everyone around me is independent. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've. I'm the only one who might die if one of us is released.

Now that I think about it, the reason why 《Strange Grief》 gained such unparalleled strength as a party was probably because they had me to slow them down. I'm what makes them stand out.
As proof of this, the leader of Ark Brave is too strong, and the rest of the party is not very good.

I can't say it's my achievement, but...

A fancy teacup is placed in front of you. A pale lime tea. There's a faintly sweet scent in the air.

'But you need to get out ...... a little, people are worried about you. It's not good for your health. ...... I don't know what you're thinking, but ......'

The look on Eva's face said she was thinking of me. I don't know what you're thinking, I'm not thinking anything.

Don't worry, I'm vulnerable and easily influenced by circumstances, but that's why I don't worry too much.
It hurts me to worry about you, but I'm not lying when I say I think I'm ready to get over it.

I know myself best.

I pick up my teacup and slowly place my lips on it. The slight sourness and sweet scent of the tea seemed to have a restorative effect, just as Eva had said. I don't have a heart attack.

As I regained my composure, the questions I had been asking myself over and over again came to the forefront of my mind.

Oh, why hadn't I saved up?
Two hundred million. If I had saved up more than 200 million, I would have been able to get that golem that Citri wanted, and get the mask at the same time.

I'm sure I'll never be able to get the Transforming Mask again.
Even if I tried to negotiate with her, Miss Eclair hated me. There was no way she would sell it to me even if I got down on my knees as a loser who withdrew in shock, and in the first place, Miss Eclair said she would give it to Ark.

Then a revelation fell upon me.
With a shock like being struck by lightning, I opened my eyes, straightened my posture, and looked at Eva.

Oh, why hadn't I thought of something so simple before? Apparently, all that time I spent lounging around was really for nothing.

It's time. I snapped my fingers in an effort to look cool.

'What's wrong with you? Out of the blue.

'Where is ...... Ark now?'

That's right. That's right. If you can't buy him from the lady, you can negotiate with Ark.
Ark Rodin is a powerful magic swordsman. He already has the Holy Sword and doesn't need a semi-illegal mask as I told you in my previous negotiations with the lady.

In other words, he can be bought.

Some people say that me and Ark are rivals, but in reality we are not rivals. We are members of the same clan.
I think we have a good relationship. If you negotiate sincerely, that handsome man will not refuse. If you want, you can trade him for my collection.

Hmm. Miss Eclair, I'm torn.
I'm the Clan Master even if I'm a small fry. You didn't lose to me. You're not broken by me. You're broken by my connections.
I'm glad I'm a clan master.

Eva replied to my abrupt question, confused.

'What? I'm sure you've been flying around the imperial capital for the past few days on the Rodin family's business.

'............ Ark is also busy.

Even though he just came back, I'm still amazed at how hard he's working.
I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's had a bad experience.

'............Chiefly, Kry, as the master of a large clan, has been approached by many places. I'm doing all of this for ...... you, though.'

'............So, yes.'

'We've all gotten used to Kry not coming, but it would be great if you could come along, even if it's just to show your face for once. You know?

'...... Always a help, Deputy Clan Master. I've got a post for you as Clan Master of the Footprints.'

'No, thank you.'

I averted my gaze.
Even if you're not a hunter, there are many noblemen and merchants who are very intimidating.
Not a few of them must be very wise, and if I followed them, they would just roll me around in the palm of their hand.

However, the fact that she's been running around for a few days means that she probably hasn't handed over the treasure she bid for to Ark yet.

Momentum is important in this kind of thing. The transforming human mask may look strange, but if you look at it long enough, you may become attached to it. That's how it was for me.
I have to transfer ownership of the Transforming Plane to Ark before Miss Eclair changes her mind.

'Can you call Ark?

'............I'm sure it's not impossible, but Rodin is also a very difficult house. ......'

Unusually, Eva is showing some difficulty.
The Rodin family is the kind of family that once turned down a title given to them by the emperor.
Many high-level hunters are eccentric, and Rodin is no exception.

But I can't just walk away now. This might be my first and last chance.

I dropped to my knees, made a serious face, and said to Eva.

'Hurry up. You can use the name 'Thousand Transformations' if you want. Whatever it takes, I want you to call Ark right now.



This is the critical moment.