Chapter 1

"Hey, another exile has appeared. And it seems to be a supporter of that major party, 'Baramides.'"

"Seriously? They've been popping up a lot lately... But if it's someone who was active in Baramides, they must have a lot of connections, right?"

Such conversations reached my ears, and I couldn't help but take a big gulp of the ale in my glass.

The middle-aged adventurers having this conversation weren't acquaintances of ours, but the content of their talk made it hard for me not to listen.

These days, there's an adventurer boom.

People seeking a fortune in the dungeons—layered mazes that have appeared deep underground all over the world—are rapidly increasing.

The reason is that at the deepest part of the dungeons, treasures beyond human knowledge are said to be sleeping, and those who obtain them can not only gain wealth and fame but also unimaginable glory.

Of course, since no one has actually seen them, it's just a rumor.

In reality, the allure of the dungeons isn't just about the dubious promise of treasure. The various items and materials obtained from the dungeons are also traded at high prices on the surface, which is another factor driving those with confidence in their strength to become adventurers.

Adventuring is essentially a gamble, so it's unclear what percentage of people actually think about these practical aspects.

"By the way, even major parties are kicking out supporters, huh?"

"Yeah. The trend of prioritizing attackers will only intensify. I'm glad I'm a frontline class."

"Me too. I can understand why it's frustrating, though. We put our lives on the line at the front, while they get to relax at the back."

I couldn't help but listen closely to the conversation of the adventurers.

After all, their talk wasn't just about someone else.

I am an adventurer like them, and I am a supporter, a hardcore rear-class.

There are some attackers who venture into the dungeons alone without forming a party, but there are no precedents for rear-classes doing so. As someone who supports the front-line, I know it's impossible.

In other words, rear-classes can only function as adventurers when there are front-line classes.

Rear-classes, supporters, whose contributions are often not visible, tend to be undervalued. Sometimes, they really do nothing.

For example, healers and healing mages don't need to heal if the front-line isn't injured.

Still, the general trend in the adventurer industry is equality within the party.

In essence, it means that the share of rewards is the same regardless of whether you're a front-line class putting your body on the line or a rear-class enjoying a comfortable position. While some parties don't follow this, they usually end up with a bad reputation and have trouble attracting new members.

Of course, if new members' shares are described as "a drop in the bucket," they will naturally seek better conditions.

From this trend, the current surge—indeed, a boom—of exiles has emerged. The movement to kick out unnecessary members from parties.

Simply put, reducing the number of people increases the share per person. And if rear-classes, who are often seen as dispensable, are cut, it's a natural move, albeit a sad one.

"What's wrong, Monogu?"

I had been so engrossed in the adventurers' conversation that I had neglected to pay attention to our own table. Rain, our party leader and a handsome guy, noticed and called out to me.

Rain, with his golden hair and blue eyes, looking like a prince, leaned in close. His cheeks were slightly flushed, and his eyes seemed a bit glazed.

This wasn't because he had a crush on me, but simply because he was a lightweight when it came to alcohol.

"You're not drinking at all. Come on, drink more! Don't be shy! After all, we're splitting the bill!"

Rain pushed a half-full ale glass into my face. No matter how handsome he was, he was just a drunk nuisance.

Besides, if we were splitting the bill, the money would eventually come back to me, so there was no real benefit.

"What's wrong, Monogu? Can't you drink Rain's alcohol?"

"Is that it, Monogu? Can't you drink my alcohol?"

"Huh...? Besides, Snow, you're drunk too..."

"What? When you drink alcohol, you get drunk."

Snow, shaking her wine glass, glared at me with her sharp eyes.

A beautiful girl with silver twin-tails that reflected light and glowed brightly, and crimson eyes like fresh blood.

"A little more, both of you? Monogu-kun is having trouble."

"What's wrong, Sunny? Are you trying to earn points?"

And the adult lady scolding the two drunkards. Though she was only two years older than Rain and Snow, and one year older than me, her calm and gentle personality, her ample chest exuding a sense of warmth... and the pressure from the huge bottle of alcohol in front of her, gave her an air of authority.

A beautiful woman with wavy green hair and deep green eyes. She would be even more beautiful without the bottle of alcohol...

By the way, Snow's comment about earning points was because she and Sunny both had a crush on Rain.

Rain, Snow, and Sunny are childhood friends. I say "are" because, of course, I am not their childhood friend and joined the party later.

The three of them, who are very close, form a perfect trio with the handsome Rain, making me feel like an outsider.

The adventurer party 'Stormbreaker' is essentially composed of Rain and his harem members, plus me as an extra.

In other words, I feel out of place.

"Monogu"

A small, flat voice called out to me, who had moved a bit away from the group of Rain, Snow, and Sunny.

"Sandra?"

"Pass me that fried chicken."

The last member of Stormbreaker, a small girl who is not Rain's childhood friend but is part of his harem, Sandra, pointed to a plate on the table with her fork.

When I handed her the plate, she started eating the fried chicken with her hands.

Sandra, drawn to Rain's sword skills, challenged him and, after losing, joined the party.

She is a brainy power fighter who swings a large sword bigger than her own body, and is a beautiful girl like Snow and Sunny.

With her messy purple short hair and always half-closed, sleepy-looking purple eyes, she is a small, fierce animal.

With such a lineup of beautiful girls, and Rain, who is somewhat slender but very handsome, Stormbreaker often receives envy. However, they are all top-notch adventurers and are highly regarded for their skills.

Rain, a user of dual swords known for their beauty and speed.

Snow, a powerful attack mage specializing in ice.

Sunny, a bow user with unparalleled accuracy and rapid fire.

Sandra, a strong greatsword user capable of shattering rocks.

Despite being a small party, they are all young and currently very excellent attackers.

That's why—my presence stands out negatively.

I know what other adventurers call me.

The baggage of Stormbreaker. Lazy Monogu.

Lazy, in other words, means a slacker.

The only rear-class in Stormbreaker, a support mage, and treated as dead weight because I can't fight alone.

Not only a support mage, but also responsible for various small tasks needed for adventuring, so I'm a support mage and errand boy. Yeah, that makes it even worse.

Stormbreaker could have gone further, but they can't because of me, the dead weight.

Some higher-ranking parties have even given advice to Rain, the leader, thinking it would be for the best.

(Not like the adventurers' talk earlier, but I will probably be exiled—no, it's not a matter of 'probably' but a near future.)

Now is the era of exiles. The position of rear-classes is becoming precarious. In fact, I know some adventurers who, like me, were rear-classes and were kicked out of their parties.

Some of them were even excellent.

It would be too good to be true for me, a slacker, to remain in a party while they are kicked out.

"Monogu?"

Imagining my future as an exile, I fell silent, and Sandra tilted her head and called out to me.

Not only her, but Rain and the others were also looking at me, as if worried.

I shrugged in response—

"I'm going to prepare for tomorrow. We're going to the dungeon, right?"

"Uh... yeah, that's the plan."

"There's something I need to check. It might take some time, so feel free to disband and go to bed. Don't get hung over, okay?"

"Don't worry, only Monogu would end up like that."

I smiled wryly at Snow's kind words. Indeed, as she said, I'm the only one who gets hung over in this group.

"Be careful, Monogu-kun?"

"There's nothing dangerous, really."

"I'm worried."

"No, really, I'm just going shopping... How much do you guys not trust me...?"

With the concern of Sunny, who was drinking more than a lethal dose, and the only underage member of the party, Sandra, I left the tavern.