Chapter 1

This is a fanfiction draft.

If you like, please take your time and enjoy it!

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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In the tavern attached to the Adventurer's Guild, Gurgan, the leader and a Paladin, showed the newly issued golden adventurer plate and said:

"Gaius, it's not that I don't like you... but now that we've become S-rank, we can't protect you, an Item Crafter, at the level we need to fight."

"Ah... so, this is like getting fired?"

"…To be honest, that's how it is."

I am an Item Crafter, a beginner class, so even though I have the same golden plate, I understand what Gurgan means.

Hanna, the Black Mage, Liricia, the High Priestess, and Ben, the Heavy Armored Shield Warrior, also looked somewhat apologetic.

Well, there's a reason I didn't rank up from the beginner class... but even if I tried to persuade them, I doubt they would understand.

As a combatant, I'm neither a tank nor a damage dealer. I can't use magic, so I rely on items for healing and support.

I can use a short sword to protect myself, and I have the 'Throwing' skill, so I don't need to replenish arrows. I use a magic bow (a convenient weapon that automatically channels magic into arrows) as a secondary weapon. But even that isn't much of a damage dealer. I don't miss, so I can create openings for enemies or disrupt their magic.

...Am I not pretty capable? As a support, I don't think I'm a liability, but I was starting to feel out of place.

Gurgan, Hanna, Ben, and Liricia are competent. I know that. I understand that. I'm starting to feel like I'm in the way. Anyone can use items, and since we all have money, we all have magic item pouches.

"You don't have to beat around the bush. I knew you were competent. Now that we're S-rank, I can take care of myself. I'll go back to my hometown; I have a job there."

"Is that so? Is it okay, considering our selfish reasons...?"

"That's how it is with relationships. I had a good two years. I'm still young at 19, and I'll find a job and a wife in the countryside."

"Understood. ...Here, take this as a parting gift. It's a token of our gratitude."

I've been getting a fair share of the rewards, so I have some savings. We've also been pooling money to buy items, so my finances are decent.

In the countryside, I can buy a house with a garden and live comfortably for a while. The fact that they're giving me a severance package shows they're good people.

When I checked the contents, there were at least 50 gold coins. They must have pooled their money.

...I thought about declining to consider their future, but it felt like trampling on their kindness. I accepted it with a smile and stored it in my 'Item Inventory.'

"Then, I'll leave here. I'll leave all the items and equipment I've been entrusted with. Ah, well... I hope you all are happy."

"Gaius... take care."

"If we meet again, it'll be nice. I didn't dislike you."

"It's sad... but take care, Gaius."

"See you again, someday."

With their farewells, I left the party with a smile.

First, I need to leave all the items and equipment at the base. ...We lived in a decent house with a garden because we were an A-rank party. I wonder if it will all fit. If I use the garden, it should work.

Ah, and the feed for the riding beasts... well, they'll figure it out if I leave it. My riding beast will come with me, so I need to buy new feed and water.

I was raised in an orphanage, so I'll take my time and enjoy the journey back to the countryside.

...By the way, can they handle a monster? I've never seen them do it. Well, it's fine. I'm free!