Chapter 1

"Ha... ha... ha... Finally, I took it down."

I wiped the sweat from my brow and looked at the goblin's corpse lying before me.

"I have to skin the parts before other monsters show up..."

I pulled out my dagger and hurriedly cut off the ear. Having been an adventurer for a year, I no longer hesitated at this task, which I did every day.

"Phew... I wonder if this will be enough for three days' lodging?"

This time, the request was to "slay ten goblins," with a reward of five silver coins. Despite the hard work of venturing into the forest, it didn't seem worth it, but as an F-rank adventurer who hasn't been able to advance in a year, this is the only kind of job I can take.

"Apparently, some of my peers are already B-rank."

Adventurer registration is allowed from the age of fifteen, and with the support of the country, those who register at fifteen receive a small amount of startup funds and a training period.

Everyone there learned from top-notch adventurers, mastering weapon handling, magic use, and trap detection.

They formed parties and gradually completed requests, steadily advancing in rank. However, despite being taught various things, I couldn't learn anything—neither swordsmanship, magic, nor trap detection.

Because of this, I couldn't form a party with anyone and still had to take on solo requests like this.

"But someday, I will..."

Being an adventurer is a job full of dreams. Even if you're born to ordinary parents, if you become strong, you'll be noticed, earn a fortune, and gain status and honor. You might even marry a princess.

"... Ha. But first, I need to rank up."

Imagining it only made me feel empty. I sighed and headed back to town.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, here are your five silver coins."

At the reception, a familiar older sister handed me the reward.

Even though she was familiar, she glanced at me and then returned to chatting with a high-rank adventurer at the next counter.

To the Adventurer Guild, the adventurers who earn a lot of money are the most important, so it's natural that there's a difference in how they're treated.

I walked out of the guild with my shoulders slumped...

"Hey! Isn't that Tim? You're still alive, huh!"

"Harsh, Walter, I'm not that easy to die."

Four adventurers entered from the entrance. The one who spoke to me, wearing armor, was Walter, a peer and current B-rank adventurer leader.

"Of course, Leader. This guy only fights goblins, after all."

"Ugh, you're right, but you didn't have to say it like that, Red."

Red, dressed lightly, was also a peer who had always teased me for laughs.

"Cut it out, we're tired from dealing with Red Grizzly. I want to get my reward and rest."

Maron, a mage with a staff, answered with a weary face.

"Everyone, don't say it like that. I'm sorry, Tim..."

The last one to apologize, looking guilty, was Gloria, who can use holy magic.

"That's true, we've had great adventures, unlike Tim."

With that, they left. I clenched my fist and, without meeting anyone's eyes, retreated to my inn.