"Hey, don't walk so slow. Look at the map and show me the way."

　I was now the first one to walk through the dungeon with my pack on my back and a map on my shoulder.



　When exploring a new dungeon, I usually lead the way, and Isaac leads the way for the bosses.



　I could check the map, but I also had the skill to know the approximate number of demons in the dungeon.

　This is one of the skills of a holy beast user, the search for demons.

　The shortest time on the map does not necessarily mean the best time.



　Some demons may cunningly anticipate the paths taken by adventurers and set traps for them.



　My job is to lead my companions as far as possible along the safest route to the boss.

　Of course, it is impossible to avoid encountering monsters along the way, but by avoiding unnecessary battles, I can reduce the fatigue of my companions and increase the odds of victory.



You really can't do anything about your speed. You really are useless, aren't you?"

"No, this is ......."

Don't make excuses for me. No, this is not. Who told you to make excuses? You're really out of your depth, you know that?"



　Isaac shouts as he kicks the wall as hard as he can.

　I wish he wouldn't do that, because it's the only thing that attracts the demons, but it's useless for me to say that here.



　Isaac has been flirting with the Kid since a few minutes ago, trying to get him in his good graces.

　The dungeon had already been conquered up to the 8th level and some maps had been sold, so he was taking the best path possible.

There were no detailed maps from the ninth level, but there was a staircase to the tenth level.



"But I think there were quite a few demons in this dungeon when I came here with another party before, but this time there were not so many this time. I guess that's why even the servants can lead the way.



　Kid treats me like I'm his servant.



"Mr. Kid, have you been to this dungeon before?"



"Yes. Yes. That time was the worst. I was just starting out, but I almost died because I was partnered with a self-proclaimed great adventurer.



That's a terrible thing to have to go through.



I've been trying to avoid working with scum ever since.

　Kid looks at me.



It's really best not to work with scum. Hey, walk faster. I'm trying to keep up with your pace.



　Isaac is laughing at me with a brave and sickening smile, and he is constantly complaining about me. How can you get so worked up over someone's bad words?



　However, I'm the one dealing with the demons now, and I'm enjoying myself since I was always put in the back of the pack and not allowed to fight them in the regular dungeon exploration.



　I would like to bring back the materials of the demons I defeated, but I have to give it up because I would have a lot of trouble with my luggage if I had to collect all of the materials. However, this is a very difficult dungeon, so I would like to bring back the materials if there are any left on my way home.



　If I am going to work alone from now on, I should have enough money.



　While I was mindlessly hunting demons, someone complained to me again from behind.

"Hey, please. Hey, come on. It's not that hard. I'm just asking you to go a little faster."



　Just as the demons were winding down, I turned around and tried to explain.

　We've been doing this for a while now, and you're just hanging on because Kid's here today.



"Hey Isaac. I feel like we're going a different way than the last time I was here, is he taking the long way around?"



　The Kid suddenly snatched the map from me and complained.



"I knew it. I've been checking since we got down to this floor, and it's not the shortest way."

"What?　What are you doing? Are you jealous?　Take the shortest route. Take the shortest route.

"Really?　I want to leave as soon as possible.

"Really?"



　Emmy and Kara, who had been silent the whole time, also started to press me, as if to criticize me.

"That's why you've been ...... so upset."

　I turn to face forward and try to explain why, and suddenly Emmy slaps me on the cheek.



"Rock!　We're about to try a new level of the dungeon. This isn't a game, this is serious. Why doesn't Locke understand? If Locke's like that, then neither am I."



　Kara hugs Emmy's shoulder and pats her on the head.

　Okay. Nothing I was doing was getting through to her.

　I'd explained it many times when we first got together as a party. I'd told them that we'd all go the long way around, but that there would be fewer demons and we'd get there safer.



　How little trust did they have in me?

　I feel so ashamed.



"Okay. I'll take you to the tenth level in the shortest time. But there will be more demons.

"Oh?　It doesn't matter if there are more or less. All you have to do is hunt them properly.

I understand.



　They choose the shortest path, but the time it takes them to get there slows down as more demons appear.

"You know why we're together?　We're only together because we've known each other since childhood. You know, like you. ......"



"Isaac, focus on the enemy. If I'm not back by the end of the day, I won't be able to go shopping for clothes."



"This servant is really useless. Why do you keep him at such a good party?　Can't you just fire him already?"






　I hear the voices of three people, but I'm still fighting off the demons in front of me...

　There are enemies ahead and behind me.



　Even Emmy, who had been protecting me until I got here, was no longer saying anything to me.



　However, since there were only a few levels left, I was able to save my team members' energy and make it to the 10th level boss room. With this, my work was done. All I have to do now is to leave this party after defeating the boss.



　I wish we could have had one last friendly adventure as childhood friends.

　I went to the very back with my large baggage and looked at the back of my companions, but they were too far away from me.