Chapter 3

"To victory!"

Each of us raised our ale mugs, clinking them together on the table.

We had successfully purified the abyss without any damage, and we had just returned from the site by carriage. Before dispersing, it was our usual routine to hold a celebration at our regular tavern, the Boar Demon's Club.

The table was laden with well-chilled ale and a variety of dishes, most of which were meat-based. There were thick beef steaks, pork spare ribs, sausages, roasted pigeon, and braised offal, among others. Despite the greasy menu, we, who valued our bodies as our capital, cleared the plates one after another without hesitation.

Explorers are all hearty eaters. Walter, who is tall and well-built, naturally, and even Tania, the slender and only female in our group, ate far more than an average person.

As the meal progressed, the amount of alcohol consumed increased proportionally. At first, the conversation was serious, with a lot of talk about the battle, but before we knew it, the alcohol had taken effect, and we were laughing and chatting loudly, as usual. This time, the job was particularly profitable, so the alcohol flowed even faster.

"Still, we did a great job! After all, we made five million fil! Five million fil! It's our biggest earning so far!"

Walter repeated the same line he had said at least five times since we sat down. He was drunk and his mind wasn't working properly. Drunks tend to repeat the same thing loudly, which is a common sight.

Still, I could understand his feelings. I have my grandfather's strong constitution, so I don't get drunk unless I drink a large amount of very strong alcohol. But if I were drunk, I might have acted like Walter.

Five million fil—fifty gold coins, the reward for slaying a low-level vampire, were proudly displayed in the center of the table, peeking out of a leather bag.

Tania, usually composed, was entranced by their clear shine, and even Lloyd, our usually stern leader, had a relaxed look on his face.

I was happy too. Happy, but also dissatisfied. We should have made more. The fact that we only made five million fil gnawed at my chest.

"We've come this far..."

Tania murmured with a sense of accomplishment, and Lloyd, running his hand through his fiery red hair, nodded.

"We've had a smooth start in just a year. At this rate, we can aim higher. We should all reach B-rank soon."

His confident voice left no room for doubt. I felt the same way. It was almost certain that all of us would rank up.

Each job has its own requirements for ranking up. However, for B-rank, almost all the conditions are known. According to the information, we were very close to meeting the requirements.

I had three known paths for ranking up. Of course, I intended to rank up to a job that would enhance my current role. The other three had the same plan.

It had been a year since we started as explorers, and as Lloyd said, it had been a smooth start.

However, being a new group that progressed so smoothly inevitably led to a lot of envy.

The capital has several taverns dedicated to explorers. They serve not only for dining but also for information sharing and recruiting new members. As a result, each tavern has its own unspoken rank and achievement restrictions.

A C-rank explorer cannot enter a tavern frequented by B-rank explorers, and even within C-rank taverns, those with insufficient achievements can be kicked out. The violence that occurs during such incidents is almost officially sanctioned, and it's common for newbies who don't know any better to receive a harsh initiation.

This means that the Boar Demon's Club, where we were drinking and eating, was a tavern that matched our rank and achievements. However, the important point is that we had only been explorers for a year and were still young, ranging from sixteen to eighteen years old. Even with the same rank and achievements, the actual value differs based on experience and age.

Looking around the tavern, parties in similar positions to ours were enjoying themselves, but at tables with older explorers, a dark and gloomy atmosphere prevailed. These were explorers who couldn't rank up and had hit a dead end.

They had enough achievements to stay in this tavern due to their long careers, but this also meant that their pride had grown out of proportion to their abilities, and they could only harbor jealousy towards promising newbies.

Even now, someone was glaring at us with a hateful look. I glared back, and he awkwardly averted his gaze, licking his lips.

It was a hassle to pay attention to such people, but if I ignored them, they might underestimate me and try to attack me in the dark. Therefore, it was necessary to occasionally show them who's boss.

"Hey, what's wrong? You look scary."

"Nothing."

Walter, whose face was flushed, leaned in while drinking. It wasn't a conversation worth sharing. I chewed on a sausage to change the subject, but Walter persisted.

"What's the matter, what's the matter? If you have any worries, talk to me."

"Stop it, it's annoying."

"Maybe you're still holding a grudge about the reward?"

"Wrong. Just drink quietly."

"Being too concerned about money isn't good. Explorers need to have a big heart. Your beloved grandfather must have said the same thing."

"Really?"

I had intended to brush it off, but it irritated me to hear my respected grandfather used for convenience. What do you know about my grandfather and me?

I had told them I was the grandson of an immortal demon, but I don't recall ever mentioning what my grandfather had taught me. Don't speak about things you don't know.

In fact, my grandfather had taught me the opposite. He had repeatedly told me that explorers should be concerned about money.

Money, money, money—explorers always need money.

To gather the items needed for exploration, to buy new equipment or repair old ones, you can't do anything without money.

However, despite my grandfather's teachings and the reality of the situation, there was a trend among explorers that not being concerned about money was "cool," which often frustrated me.

In this case, if we had negotiated at the stage of accepting the mission, we could have received an additional fifty thousand fil. The materials from low-level vampires had recently become more valuable.

But when I suggested this, the other three argued that it was embarrassing to haggle over fifty thousand fil when we were already getting five million. As I wasn't the party leader, I had to give up on negotiating.

However, fifty thousand fil was not a small amount. It was a large sum. With that money, we could do a lot. But the other three, blinded by the five million, dismissed it as not worth negotiating over.

In short, they were careless. They were indifferent to the market value of demon materials and never thought about negotiating for higher rewards.

It was a frustrating situation. But I also understood that getting angry wouldn't help.

"...I'm not holding a grudge. It's over now."

I swallowed my anger with the ale and sighed. It was annoying to be underestimated, but the other person was drunk. Arguing would be a waste of effort.

"That's right, Walter is the one bringing it up. Noel did care about the reward, but in the end, he went along with us, didn't he? Right?"

Tania tried to smooth things over, seeking agreement, but I found it hard to nod. I hadn't agreed because I was convinced; I had given in because my opinion alone wouldn't change anything. It was problematic to be misunderstood.

So, I could only give an ambiguous smile, which seemed to irritate Walter. He slammed his mug on the table and started yelling.

"Stop smiling like that! I'm angry!"

"Huh?"

"Your greed for money tarnishes the reputation of our group, Azure Outliers! You need to reflect on your behavior!"

"Stop talking nonsense. You were also excited about the five million. Who are you to criticize me?"

"Of course, it's right to be happy about a fair reward! I'm not like you, trying to haggle for more out of greed!"

Despite his large build, he was acting like a child. However, arguing with a drunk was pointless. There's a proper way to deal with drunks. I decided to handle it politely and gentlemanly.

"Ah, yes, yes. It's all my fault. Walter-sama is always right. There's no room for argument. You're so great, so great."

"What's with that attitude!? I'm two years older than you!"

What does age have to do with it here? Are you saying you'll be obedient to anyone older than you? Don't make me laugh. For explorers, strength is everything. Trying to get your way by using age as an excuse is pretty weak, Walter-kun?

Walter, whose breathing had become even more labored, was glared at with a cold eye.

"What does age have to do with it here? If that's the case, would you be obedient to anyone older than you? Don't be ridiculous. Explorers are judged by their strength. Using age as an excuse is pretty childish, Walter-kun?"

"Y-You, you, you, you..."

Walter, enraged by my words, veins bulging on his forehead, looked like he was about to burst. He kicked his chair and stood up, glaring at me with a fierce look.

"Cut the crap, Noel! You, who can only give orders from the back! Don't get cocky while sitting in a safe spot!"

"Sure, sure, thanks to Walter-sama, I always get to take it easy. Your fighting spirit is truly godlike! I'm just a useless guy who can only give orders. You're the real explorer among explorers! Wow, so cool!"

I whistled to taunt him, and the simple-minded Walter clenched his teeth in anger and frustration, trembling like a newborn fawn.

"...Noel, are you ready?"

"Hey, hey, what's this? I was just praising you. You have a small heart. Explorers need to have a big heart, don't they? Do you want a pat on the head? A lullaby? You're just a big baby, Walter-chan. Ooh, be a good boy, now."

"R-r-r-r... I'll kill you!"

Walter, reaching his limit, lunged at me. I smirked, knowing I had provoked him as planned.

Bring it on, I'll take you on. Just because you're a front-liner doesn't mean you can win a fight while drunk. I've been annoyed by your insensitivity for a while. I'll make you a good punching bag.

Just as I was about to stand up and execute a throw on the charging Walter, Lloyd, who had been watching, stepped in.

"Cut it out, you're making a scene!"

I was scolded. I was about to beat Walter to a pulp, but since the leader stopped us, the fun fight is over.

Raising my hands, I sat back down, and Walter, after a single sigh, also returned to his seat.

"You two are really idiots..."

Tania sighed, and Lloyd patted her shoulder to comfort her. They are a couple. While I don't think intra-party relationships are a good idea, I have no right to say anything.

Incidentally, Walter is also in love with Tania. However, Tania chose the refined and gentle Lloyd over the tough and muscular Walter.

It's an awkward love triangle.

"Let's wrap it up. We'll distribute the reward."

Lloyd smiled brightly and took charge of the situation. His handsome smile and Walter's sullen face were a stark contrast, and I thought I would choose Lloyd over Walter if I were Tania.