Chapter 29

The night update is from Thunderpike's perspective ('ω')b

(Simon, the leader of 'Thunderpike', is the viewpoint character)

In a corner of the 'Mourngen Underground Waterway', where we could set up a safe camp, we were taking a break and having a meal before our operation.

This mission is to exterminate the Borgul that has taken up residence in the underground waterway.

It's not a big deal, but the request rank is quite high at B.

A Borgul is the kind of opponent that could be a D rank, so it's quite unusual to have a B rank request.

It's probably because the requester doesn't know much about monsters and set a high rank based on the success rate.

"Hey, don't we have any better food?"

"Don't complain, Jamie."

Dry bread, dried meat, and a little wine.

It's a very common ration, but for us, A-rank adventurers, it does seem a bit cheap.

If we had a quartermaster, he would have made some soup with that strange pot, but now that I mention it, it just makes me frustrated.

"Is everyone ready? How about the potions? How's your magic power?"

"Huh? I didn't bring any potions. Camilla's here, they'd be a waste."

"Don't count on me. Magic recovery potions are expensive."

"But you used to drink them like water..."

Camilla falls silent at Barry's words, starting to say, "That's..."

"Well, it's fine. We're dealing with a Borgul this time."

"Just a Borgul, I can handle it alone!"

"I can just blast them all away with my magic!"

The team's motivation is high.

"Alright, let's go!"

◇

"...It seems we've failed again. Due to the reduction in adventurer credibility, there is a possibility that our adventurer rank will be demoted."

"What!?"

"Mr. Simon Berkeley. I suggest you consider lowering the rank of the requests you accept. Currently, you have been failing A and B rank requests. Perhaps you should try a C rank request once?"

The guild clerk's matter-of-fact attitude only fuels my frustration.

To suggest that I, of all people, should do such menial work is ridiculous.

Besides, this mission was supposed to be a survey and extermination of a Borgul's nest, not a notorious one, which is a breach of contract.

"I am an A-rank adventurer!?"

"Currently, you do not have the results to maintain that rank."

"I know that! But it's not our fault, 'Thunderpike's'! We haven't had any new members introduced recently, and this was unexpected!"

"I'm sorry, but your complaints do not change the fact that the mission failed."

"Enough!"

I slam my fist on the counter and leave the scene.

They're all just trying to get in my way!

'Durability! Wearability! Protection! ...And beauty! Impress your dream partner with you!'

'A new style for the modern female adventurer! Go on a stylish and safe adventure!'

'Supporting all your adventure scenes... "Aeris"'

Looking up, I see the girls I've seen somewhere before, beaming in the advertisement for the old armory.

In the streaming feed, Yuki's shadow flickers here and there.

Yuki shielding the red-haired female swordsman at the front.

Yuki receiving healing magic from the young-looking priest.

Yuki encouraging the dark elf hunter with a smile.

Yuki, Yuki, Yuki...!

Why is that traitor so successful!?

"...The 'Clover' commercial is pretty good! The girls are really cute! They really bring out the charm of the equipment!"

"This is said to be edited from an actual dungeon attack stream."

"So, it's actual combat footage? Isn't it valuable to see Yuki using a small sword in real combat?"

"Yes. A red mage can also enhance themselves, so at his level, he is stronger than a regular front-liner."

"Plus, there are debuff spells. The relative increase in combat power from both buffs and debuffs is significant! Recently, more parties are looking for a red mage as a member."

"The impact 'Clover' has had on the adventurer industry is evident! Then, to the next stream—"

I feel a wave of nausea as I head to the table where my team is waiting, listening to the host's words.

"...How did it go?"

"It seems there's a possibility of demotion."

At my words, everyone looks bitter.

"No way! Why is this happening!?"

"Stop shouting, Jamie. It's clear that high-rank requests are difficult for a team of four."

"Then, we should add a new member! Isn't that the leader's job?"

Jamie's words make me bristle.

You don't know how hard I've worked!

You criticize me when you're always dragging us down with your frequent magic exhaustion.

"Hey, maybe we should bring Yuki back?"

"Yes. He is a well-known streamer now. We should propose that he return to 'Thunderpike'."

Barry and Camilla mention Yuki's name, having seen the stream earlier.

"If you think so, you should be the ones to persuade him. I don't want to talk to such an ungrateful person again."

"But, Simon, you said he's like a childhood friend and a junior to you. It might be easier for you to talk to him than for us."

Indeed, I was emotional at the time.

I never thought Yuki would talk back to me like that.

"Alright. But I need something to persuade Yuki. ...Money and a cover story are necessary."

"Money makes sense, but a cover story?"

At Barry's question, I sigh.

"To get his attention, we need to pretend to challenge the 'Colorless Darkness'. If we have that, he'll jump at the chance."

"The 'Colorless Darkness'? Why would he want to go there? It's not profitable."

"It's Yuki's dream. 'I want to see the end of the world,' how childish and foolish. A dungeon that doesn't yield any profit..."

The team laughs at my imitation of Yuki. I feel the heavy atmosphere lighten.

"So, before we persuade him, let's do a live stream of us challenging the 'Colorless Darkness'. Just a pretense. We can team up with another party for a joint request... and just go through the motions. That way, he'll come back, begging. He can't even challenge it with a C-rank party of beginners."

"That's a good idea. He'll come crying back."

"Ha ha ha, that's funny."

"It sounds like it will be entertaining."

My brilliant suggestion makes my teammates laugh loudly.

That's what teammates are for, after all.

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See you again tomorrow at noon!