...
{3rd POV}
Chad quickly took command of the group, giving out clear and direct instructions to everyone.
His tone was firm and confident, showing that despite his flaws, he had experience in leading battles.
Following his orders, everyone immediately took their assigned positions and began engaging the monsters.
Ember soon realized that although Chad's tactics weren't particularly creative or sophisticated, they were still quite effective and practical for the current situation.
It was clear that Chad's experience in fighting had honed his ability to make quick, reliable decisions in the heat of combat.
Bosh, the heavy-armored tanker, was positioned to shield Mika, who was in charge of offensive magic.
While Mika focused on channeling and casting her spells, Bosh simultaneously protected her and dealt powerful blows to any monster that managed to get close.
His strength was remarkable, and each swing of his heavy sword crushed or cleaved through the Killer Ants with sheer brute force.
Aika, equipped with her sword, fought at the front lines alongside Chad—and now Ember as well.
The trio served as the vanguard, facing the horde head-on.
Amalda and Newton, meanwhile, stayed at mid-range, providing support and taking down monsters that slipped past the front line.
Amalda skillfully fired arrow after arrow with precise aim, occasionally switching to her dagger when enemies got too close.
Newton, agile and quick on his feet, used a pair of long daggers to strike with deadly efficiency, weaving in and out of the fray with fluid, practiced movements.
The monsters they were facing this time were a large swarm of Killer Ants—giant, armored insects known for their numbers and tenacity.
"Take this, you damn insect!" shouted Chad as he lunged forward, slicing through one of the Killer Ants with a clean strike.
An arrow whizzed past his side at the same moment, piercing through another ant's head and killing it instantly.
Aika, fighting right beside him, swung her blade with steady determination, cutting down any ant that came too close.
But the one who truly stood out among them was Ember.
His movements were fluid, sharp, and efficient—every action deliberate and precise.
He sidestepped an incoming attack from a Killer Ant, his posture calm and composed, before driving his sword straight into its skull in a single smooth motion.
Withdrawing his blade instantly, he pivoted and delivered another swift slash, cleanly cutting down a second monster.
His speed and grace made it obvious that he wasn't some beginner or freshly awakened Adventurer; his combat sense far exceeded Chad's or anyone else's in the group.
He fought like someone who had already experienced countless battles.
"...O haze of Fire! Burn my enemies to ashes! Flame Burst!" Mika's clear, confident chant rang out through the battlefield.
The tip of her staff glowed brightly, and a torrent of blazing fire erupted forth, engulfing a section of the Killer Ant horde in a blazing inferno.
The smell of burning chitin filled the air as the monsters screeched in agony, writhing before collapsing into charred husks.
"Good job, Mika!" Aika called out, her expression brightening as she saw a large portion of the enemies incinerated.
Meanwhile, Bosh brought down his massive sword with a loud clang, crushing another Killer Ant into the ground with a single devastating strike.
His physical strength was unmatched, and among the group, he easily possessed the greatest raw power and endurance.
"These damn bugs are seriously annoying," Newton grunted, slashing through one of the ants with his dual daggers before deftly leaping backward to avoid an incoming strike.
The moment he landed, another Killer Ant lunged toward him—but before it could make contact, an arrow whistled through the air, piercing the creature directly in its eye.
The poison-coated arrow immediately took effect, and the ant let out a distorted shriek before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching as the venom consumed it from within.
"Amalda! I need some assistance here!" shouted Chad, his voice loud enough to cut through the chaos of battle.
Hearing his call, the elf immediately turned toward him and nodded with determination. Swiftly moving to his side, she raised her hand, her expression focused as she began chanting an incantation.
"O Spirits of the Forest, benevolent Goddess of Healing! Hear my plea and grant thy blessing upon this wounded child of yours! Healing Glow!" Amalda's voice rang with reverence and authority as a soft green light enveloped her palm.
The warm radiance flowed into Chad's body, mending his wounds with remarkable speed.
The smaller cuts and bruises on his arms and chest vanished within seconds, and even the deeper gashes closed up, leaving no trace behind.
Chad took a deep breath, feeling renewed vigor coursing through him.
With a confident smirk tugging at his lips, he gripped his sword tighter and roared, "Come on then, you oversized insects! Let's see what you've got!"
Reinvigorated, Chad charged straight back into the fray with renewed ferocity.
The team followed suit, their rhythm and coordination returning to perfect sync.
Everything seemed to be going exceptionally well—the group was handling the battle smoothly, taking down the Killer Ants one after another without major issues.
But then, all of a sudden, a deep, earth-shaking roar echoed across the battlefield.
The sound was so powerful that it sent a visible shiver through the trees and caused even the Killer Ants to freeze for a brief moment before scattering in panic.
The entire group stopped fighting immediately.
"Fall back! Everyone, retreat immediately!" Chad's tone turned grim and serious, leaving no room for argument.
Everyone reacted instantly, withdrawing from their positions and regrouping in a defensive formation.
The Killer Ants, now terrified, fled into the forest in every direction, their earlier aggression completely gone.
Ember glanced at the others, confusion evident in his eyes.
"What was that voice just now?" he asked, noticing that everyone else seemed to recognize the sound.
Aika grinned, though there was a trace of excitement mixed with nervousness in her smile.
"That, Sir Tithonus, was the roar of a Minotaur."
Amalda quickly turned toward Ember and spoke in a calm but serious tone.
"Sir Tithonus, please don't be alarmed. Our party has taken down a Minotaur before, so it's not entirely outside our capability. However, if there happens to be more than one of them, we'll have no choice but to retreat. And please, whatever you do, don't try to engage it head-on. That would be nothing short of suicide."
Ember gave a brief nod, acknowledging her warning just as the sound of heavy footsteps approached.
Moments later, a massive figure emerged from the dense greenery—a towering Minotaur, at least twice the height of an average man.
Its muscles rippled with raw power, and it wielded no weapons or armor, meaning it likely relied solely on its brute strength and natural defense.
Its eyes glowed faintly red, filled with feral rage.
"Captain! I've checked the surroundings—there are no other Minotaurs nearby!" shouted Newton from his vantage point high up in a tree.
His keen eyesight had quickly surveyed the area.
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted from caution to confidence, small grins appearing on their faces.
"Alright then, here's the plan!" Chad barked, taking command once again.
"Aika, Amalda, and Newton—you three will focus on distracting the Minotaur! Keep it occupied and make sure it doesn't charge at us! Bosh, you take Mika to the rear. Let her rest for a bit, recover her mana, and prepare her next spell!"
He then turned toward Ember, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"I have offensive magic," Ember said calmly before Chad could assign him a role.
Chad nodded, quickly understanding.
"Good. Then stay behind with Mika and Bosh for now. Wait for the right opening before you cast anything."
Ember gave a short nod and immediately fell back with the designated pair, maintaining distance from the front line.
Meanwhile, Aika, Amalda, and Newton spread out, forming a triangular formation around the Minotaur to split its attention.
The plan was simple but dangerous—keep the creature distracted long enough for the mages to deliver decisive magical strikes.
'So that's their strategy,' Ember thought to himself, silently observing their movements.
'They plan to weaken it through repeated distractions and coordinated attacks while waiting for the right moment to bombard it with offensive magic.'
He quickly analyzed the situation further, recognizing both its strengths and flaws.
'The plan makes sense since Minotaur outside the dungeon is just as strong as level 1, but it has plenty of risks. If their timing slips even slightly, or if the Minotaur manages to break their formation, it could easily turn into a massacre. Still, considering their teamwork and skill level, it's a workable approach. They're clearly not amateurs.'
Indeed, if not for the fact that this particular party consisted of capable and seasoned adventurers with well-defined roles, such a plan would have been suicidal.
But with their current coordination, there was a real chance of victory—if everything went according to plan.
Ember, however, did not appear particularly intimidated by the towering Minotaur before him.
In fact, a faint look of calm confidence lingered in his eyes.
He had faced and defeated monsters far stronger than this one even before receiving his Falna, relying solely on his innate magical ability and honed swordmanship.
Now that his strength and magical capacity had grown considerably after acquiring his Falna, a mere Minotaur hardly posed a threat in his eyes.
With a deep breath, he took a firm stance and raised his small magic staff, his voice steady as he began to chant an incantation filled with fiery determination.
"O' Flames of Legends! Burn brighter than thy enemy! Turn them into cinders! Let their ashes wash in your blue flames! Cremation!"
As the final words left his lips, an immense surge of magical energy erupted from his staff.
A deafening roar of fire burst forth, and in the next moment, a colossal torrent of blue flames spiraled through the air like a raging dragon before crashing directly into the Minotaur.
The creature's defiant roar instantly turned into a gut-wrenching scream of agony.
The blue flames enveloped its enormous frame entirely, consuming its flesh and hide with ferocious speed.
In mere seconds, its powerful body was reduced to cinders before it collapsed onto the ground, writhing for one last moment before turning into black particles.
The only thing that remained in its place was a shimmering magic stone, glowing faintly amidst the charred earth.
The others stood frozen in shock. Mika, who had been in the middle of her own incantation, hadn't even managed to finish her spell before the battle was already over.
Her eyes widened as she watched the creature disintegrate, disbelief plastered across her face.
The sheer difference in destructive power had caught her completely off guard, and the sudden backlash of surprise nearly caused her to suffer Ignis Fatuus, the magical phenomenon where excessive mana instability leads to dangerous feedback.
Thankfully, she managed to cancel her spell just in time, avoiding a potential disaster.
"Am I dreaming?" Bosh finally broke the silence, his deep voice filled with disbelief.
"Normally, it takes one or two of Aika's full-powered magic blasts just to wound a Minotaur! After that, Newton and Amalda would have to use several poisoned arrows and darts to weaken it, and even then, it would take us quite a while to bring it down completely! But this… it was over with just a single hit?!"
His eyes darted toward Ember, who remained composed but internally sighed.
He had realized that he had severely overestimated the group's usual combat capabilities.
'So that was their real plan,' Ember thought to himself, analyzing the situation with a calm, calculating gaze.
'Aika's magic alone isn't powerful enough to kill the Minotaur outright, but it can effectively scorch parts of its thick hide. That would then open opportunities for Newton and Amalda to fire their poison-tipped arrows and darts into the exposed areas, gradually weakening the creature. Once it's sufficiently poisoned and slowed, they finish it off with follow-up attacks—more magic, a few arrows, and some sword slashes to bring it down.'
The logic behind their strategy became crystal clear.
It was a method that relied on patience, coordination, and exploiting small openings rather than brute force.
The reason they were confident enough to engage such a formidable opponent wasn't out of arrogance—it was because the fight promised rich rewards.
After all, defeating a Minotaur provided not only normal excelia but also high-ranking excelia, which was extremely valuable for adventurers seeking to rank up.
Though a single battle wouldn't yield an immense amount of excelia, consistent victories against such foes would steadily accumulate, significantly boosting their growth and leveling potential.
It was a dangerous yet rewarding risk, one they had clearly taken many times before.
The group now turned their collective gaze toward Ember, still reeling from what they had just witnessed.
His display of raw magical power was beyond what any of them could have expected.
Mika's mouth was slightly open, Aika's tail stiffened in awe, and even Chad's usual expression of competitiveness faltered.
Finally breaking the silence, Ember spoke in his usual composed tone, "I possess congenital magic," he explained matter-of-factly.
"Because of that, the capacity of my mind—and my ability to channel mana—is much greater than that of ordinary adventurers. The outcome you just witnessed was only natural given the difference in magical endurance and control."
His words, though spoken without arrogance, carried a quiet weight of truth.
Everyone stared at him, a mix of admiration and disbelief reflected in their eyes.
For the first time since the battle began, they realized that the white-haired elf who had joined them wasn't just skilled—he was on an entirely different level.
"Indeed! As a proud Elf, it is only natural for such magnificence to be expected from Sir Tithonus!" Amalda exclaimed with a proud and almost triumphant tone, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.
She nodded firmly, her expression glowing with genuine admiration for Ember's astounding display of power.
The pride in her voice was unmistakable—seeing another Elf demonstrate such mastery over magic clearly stirred a sense of elation within her.
Mika, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a deep pang of envy rise within her chest.
Among all the Level 1 adventurers in Argon, she was recognized as one of the most talented magicians, her magic second only to two senior magicians and, of course, the formidable Sir Romblo himself.
Being considered the "strongest magician among the Level 1 adventurers" had long been her quiet source of pride.
Yet, witnessing Ember—someone who had just joined their ranks—cast a spell so powerful that it rivaled or even surpassed the output of a Level 2 magician, left her shaken.
Her pride as a magician, and as a Chienthrope, was undeniably wounded.
Meanwhile, Chad, Aika, and Bosh exchanged brief, uncertain glances.
It was clear they wanted to say something, but the weight of Amalda's words and the sheer impact of Ember's performance left them hesitant.
As Amalda continued to shower Tithonus with praises—her tone becoming increasingly admiring—a flicker of something unpleasant flashed across Chad's eyes.
His jaw tightened, and finally, unable to hold himself back any longer, he muttered sharply,
"Enough, Amalda! Stop exaggerating! If not for the rest of us distracting the Minotaur, even with his strong magic, he wouldn't have been able to land that hit. And let's not forget—he basically stole all our excelia!"
His tone was defensive, but beneath it lingered a distinct bitterness.
His jealousy, though thinly veiled under the guise of logic, was apparent to everyone present.
Amalda's smile immediately faded, replaced by a look of displeasure as her brows furrowed.
"Chad, that's enough!" she said sternly, her voice carrying authority.
"You're only saying that because you're jealous of Sir Tithonus!"
Chad grunted in frustration but didn't respond further.
He simply looked away, clearly annoyed but unwilling to escalate the argument.
The atmosphere grew tense for a brief moment.
Newton, who had been standing quietly the entire time, merely observed the exchange with narrowed eyes.
His expression was unreadable, and no one could tell what he was thinking.
Ember, watching the situation unfold, let out a soft sigh.
He didn't like unnecessary conflict, especially when it was centered around him.
His expression turned mildly serious as he spoke, his tone calm and measured,
"Miss Amalda, while I appreciate your kind words, I must admit that it wasn't my strength alone that led to the Minotaur's defeat. It was a group effort. Without the rest of you distracting it and holding your ground, I wouldn't have been able to finish my chant in time. Even if I possess strong magic, using it directly against a Minotaur—especially for someone like me, who's only a Level 1—isn't an easy task."
His voice carried sincerity and humility, and those words seemed to ease the growing tension.
Amalda blinked in surprise for a moment before smiling softly, her pride giving way to understanding.
She gave a small nod and sighed, "You're right, Sir Tithonus. I got carried away. It truly was a victory earned together."
Her acknowledgment seemed to calm everyone else as well.
The uneasy air dispersed gradually, replaced once more by a sense of camaraderie.
Even Chad, though still visibly jealous, said nothing more and simply exhaled deeply, clearly trying to let the matter go.
With the argument behind them, the group continued their monster hunt with renewed focus.
The rest of the expedition went relatively smoothly.
They did not encounter any more exceptionally powerful monsters, though Ember did come across a few Silverbacks, mid-tier monsters known for their ferocity and high endurance.
While the others would normally consider such beasts dangerous and best avoided, Ember faced them head-on with ease.
With precise control and swift chanting, he unleashed bursts of flame that engulfed the creatures, killing them cleanly before they could even react.
Each time, the others could only watch in awe, both impressed and slightly unnerved by just how effortlessly he handled such formidable opponents.
Even Chad, despite his jealousy, couldn't deny the truth—Ember was extraordinary.
His strength, composure, and sheer magical prowess set him apart.
Though he might not admit it aloud, a small part of Chad begrudgingly respected the Elf's power.
By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of orange and violet, the group decided to call it a day.
Their bags were filled with magic stones and some lucky drop materials, and their bodies, though tired, were brimming with satisfaction.
At last, as evening descended, they made their way back toward Argon, the faint glow of the city lights greeting them in the distance.
The day's hunt had been long, intense, and full of surprises—but it had also marked the beginning of a new dynamic between Ember and his newfound companions.
"That will be forty-seven thousand valis," said Bisha, the guild receptionist, as she handed over several small pouches filled with money.
The sound of clinking coins echoed faintly as the group received their reward.
That amount—forty-seven thousand valis—was quite substantial, especially considering that it represented the average monthly income of a non-adventurer citizen.
For regular townsfolk, such a sum could easily support a household for weeks.
However, for a party of adventurers consisting of multiple members, the amount, when divided, wasn't particularly astounding.
"Hmm, that's a bit more than yesterday's earnings," Aika remarked while looking curiously at the pouches.
Her ears twitched slightly as she leaned over to inspect them.
Mika, standing beside her, nodded in agreement before stepping forward with her usual serious expression.
"Alright, now it's time to divide the earnings," she said, taking control of the money as she began sorting and counting the coins with practiced precision.
After a few minutes of counting, she looked up and announced, "We have seven members in total, including Sir Tithonus. That means each person gets around 6,714 valis. As usual, Chad will receive a few extra valis since he's the party leader."
She began handing out the pouches accordingly, her tone matter-of-fact and steady.
Amalda nodded in agreement, watching Mika's efficient handling of the coins.
Ember, standing nearby, silently observed the entire process.
Inwardly, he thought, 'I see… So that's how they handle the division of earnings. They split the total equally among all members, giving just a slightly larger share to Chad, likely to acknowledge his position as the leader.'
It was, in truth, a clever and balanced approach.
By rounding off the uneven numbers and giving the small surplus to Chad, they ensured no arguments or resentment built up within the group.
It wasn't as though the extra amount was anything significant, but the gesture itself was important.
Giving the leader a token of appreciation—no matter how minor—kept the group harmonious and avoided unnecessary disputes over trivial sums.
Once everyone received their respective shares, Mika tied up the remaining pouch and handed it to Chad.
"Here, that should settle today's split," she said. Chad accepted it with a short nod, still maintaining his usual composed, slightly stern demeanor.
"Sir Tithonus, what do you think about our party now that you've been with us for a full day?" Mika suddenly asked, looking at Ember with curiosity.
Her tone was polite, but there was a faint trace of nervousness in her voice—perhaps hoping that the Elf's opinion would be favorable.
The others turned their attention toward him as well, clearly eager to hear what he had to say.
Ember thought for a moment before answering in his calm, composed tone.
"Well, I can say that your party is organized, dependable, and quite efficient in combat. I wouldn't mind joining hunts with you all from time to time," he said, pausing briefly before adding, "However, I still prefer to go on solo hunts whenever possible, even if it might seem a bit dangerous."
His tone wasn't arrogant—merely honest and self-assured.
Whether they took it as confidence or conceit was up to them.
For Ember, solo hunting offered freedom, control, and room for experimentation that group dynamics often restricted.
To his mild surprise, none of them reacted negatively.
Aika shrugged, Mika nodded thoughtfully, and even Chad didn't comment.
Instead, Amalda smiled softly, saying, "That's fine, Sir Tithonus. You're free to choose your own path. Still, it would be good to have you join us from time to time. Working together helps strengthen bonds—and makes stronger adventurers."
Ember nodded slightly in return, appreciating her reasonable tone.
"I'll keep that in mind, Miss Amalda," he replied politely.
After that, the group lingered for a while, chatting casually about the day's hunt, strategies for future battles, and rumors about new monsters appearing near the outer woods.
Eventually, as the evening crowd began filling the guild hall, they decided to wrap things up.
"So, tomorrow—same time?" asked Aika cheerfully, stretching her arms with a grin.
"Yes, let's regroup tomorrow for another hunt," Chad confirmed, his voice regaining its usual confident tone as he gathered his belongings.
Everyone agreed to the plan, and soon after, the party dispersed—each member heading in different directions to rest, restock, or enjoy their well-earned share of valis.
Ember, meanwhile, quietly watched them go, thinking to himself that although he preferred solitude, this group wasn't bad company to keep.
...
{Ember's POV}
I dashed forward with swift, precise steps, gripping my sword tightly in both hands.
With a clean, practiced motion, I swung it horizontally, splitting the head of the nearest Kobold into two halves.
Blood splattered across the ground as the creature fell lifelessly.
Without wasting a moment, I pivoted on my heel, turning sharply to thrust my sword through the chest of another Kobold that had lunged toward me.
The blade pierced through its ribcage with a wet crunch before I pulled it free.
I stopped for a moment, exhaling lightly as I surveyed the battlefield.
All around me, the bodies of slain Kobolds littered the forest floor—small, grotesque figures twitching weakly before going still.
A few of them had already begun to dissipate into faint motes of light as their magic stones were shattered, leaving behind only faint traces of blue mist in the air.
"Good job, team!" Chad's voice rang out from behind, firm and authoritative.
"Newton and Tithonus, you two handle collecting the magic stones. The rest of you, stay on guard and keep watch for any movement!"
It had been a week since I started hunting alongside this party.
To be honest, my relationship with Chad was still somewhat uneasy, though it had improved noticeably compared to before.
He had, thankfully, come to realize that I held no particular romantic interest in Amalda—something that seemed to have been weighing heavily on him earlier.
His attitude toward me became a little less tense afterward, much to his relief, and mine as well.
Letting out a quiet sigh, I wiped the blood off my blade and sheathed my sword.
Then I reached for the smaller dagger strapped to my left side.
I always carried three sheaths on my belt—one for my sword, another for my magic staff, and the last for the dagger, along with a small pouch designed to hold collected magic stones.
Kneeling beside one of the corpses, I began my task—carefully dismembering the Kobold bodies and extracting their faintly glowing stones.
It was dirty, tedious work, but necessary.
These stones were valuable resources, after all.
As I worked, a small thought crossed my mind: They really do trust me quite a bit, don't they?
After all, if I wanted to, I could easily pocket a few stones without anyone noticing.
And even if they suspected something, they wouldn't be able to check.
Among the races, touching or searching an Elf's belongings—or worse, their person—was considered extremely rude and a direct invasion of privacy.
Giving me this responsibility meant they genuinely trusted me to be honest.
That realization made me smirk faintly.
Once I had finished collecting all the stones, I stood up and brushed off my gloves.
That's when Amalda approached, her steps quick but silent.
"There's a horde of Orcs approximately two hundred meters from here," she reported, her tone serious but composed.
It was a little unusual for her to be doing scouting work—that was normally Newton's job—but truth be told, she was better at it.
Her sharp instincts and heightened perception always gave her an edge in such tasks.
"How many are there?" Chad asked immediately. He sounded calm, but I could tell he was already running calculations in his head.
That was another thing I'd come to realize about Chad over this past week—he wasn't really the leader because of his strength or combat ability.
He wasn't the strongest, nor the fastest, nor the most talented.
In fact, out of all of us, he was the weakest when it came to actual combat.
He had no magic affinity and no special skills to boast of. Aika and Bosh easily outclassed him in raw physical power, while Newton was far faster and more agile.
As for Amalda—she surpassed him in almost every possible aspect except brute strength.
And Mika had her powerful offensive magic.
So why was Chad the leader?
Because he was experienced, level-headed most of the time, and—despite his insecurities—a bit brave when things got tough.
Still, he had his flaws. He was jealous, often insecure, and occasionally let those emotions cloud his judgment.
"Thirteen," Amalda replied, her voice steady.
A grin spread across my face, and the others smirked as well.
The thrill of the hunt was about to begin again.
"I guess it's time to fuck those pigs up," Aika said bluntly, cracking her knuckles.
No one even bothered to comment on her crude language—by now, everyone was used to it.
Instead, we quickly gathered around and discussed our tactics.
This time, the plan placed me on the frontlines alongside Aika and Bosh, while the others provided ranged and magical support.
After a brief rundown of our roles, we moved out, keeping low and silent as we approached the location Amalda had scouted.
Sure enough, not far ahead, we spotted the Orcs—massive, muscular creatures with thick green skin and brutish faces.
One of them lifted its head suddenly, sniffing the air before letting out a thunderous roar.
"Get ready!" Bosh shouted, raising his shield as the Orcs began charging toward us.
Before the monsters could reach, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air—thwip!—followed by a heavy thunk!
An arrow shot from the top of a nearby tree pierced clean through an Orc's skull, killing it instantly.
The horde paused for a brief moment, confused, and that was our cue.
"Now!"
I lunged forward, sword flashing as I closed the distance.
My blade slashed across the chest of an Orc, leaving a deep wound that made it howl in pain.
Before it could retaliate, Aika rushed in from the side, finishing it off with a heavy swing that crushed its skull.
Bosh, meanwhile, took a direct hit from another Orc's club but managed to deflect it with his large, reinforced shield.
Sparks flew from the impact.
"You picked the wrong guy, bastard!" he shouted, cleaving the creature's arm off with his greatsword in retaliation.
"Flame Burst!" Mika's voice echoed from behind us, followed by a rush of blazing heat. Her fire magic exploded among the Orcs, scorching their skin and throwing several of them off balance.
The air filled with the smell of burning flesh.
Taking advantage of the confusion, we pushed forward aggressively, finishing off the wounded Orcs one by one.
The battle lasted only a few minutes, and soon the forest grew quiet again—except for our heavy breathing.
Chad walked up to the last surviving Orc, which was barely clinging to life, and thrust his sword through its chest.
He exhaled slowly before turning to us.
"That was a good haul! We managed to kill a dozen Orcs!" Aika exclaimed cheerfully, wiping the blood off her blade.
I let out a small sigh as I observed the aftermath of the battle, the ground littered with the corpses of the fallen Orcs and the faint shimmer of fading magic stones.
Having a party definitely made things easier—much easier, in fact.
Fighting alongside others reduced the overall danger by a large margin.
Tasks that would normally take me hours to complete on my own were done in half the time, and with considerably less risk.
Truthfully, I had originally only planned to accompany them for a short while—just long enough to earn enough valis to stock up on potions and recovery items.
But one thing led to another, and that "short while" turned into an entire week of hunting together.
Still, now that my immediate goal was achieved, it was time to return to solo hunting, at least until my funds inevitably ran low again.
Then perhaps, I would team up with them once more.
After extracting the magic stones from the Orc corpses and even obtaining an unexpected loot drop—a rare occurrence, judging by everyone's excited reaction—we made our way back toward the guild.
The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, painting the horizon in shades of orange and crimson by the time we arrived.
At the guild counter, we exchanged the day's haul for ninety thousand valis, which was a rather impressive sum for a single day's work.
The guild clerk handed over several pouches of coins with a polite nod, and we gathered around a nearby table to divide the earnings.
"Today's haul was great," said Bosh with a grin as he slumped onto a chair, clearly exhausted but satisfied. "We've been pushing ourselves at full force for the last week straight. How about we take a break tomorrow? A day off won't kill us."
Newton, who was leaning against the wall, nodded in agreement.
"That's a good idea. We've earned it. Everyone's been tense lately—it'd be nice to blow off some steam for once."
Aika turned toward me, brushing back her hair.
"How about you, Tithonus? What are your plans?"
I paused for a brief moment, considering my options carefully before replying.
"I think I'll go back to solo hunting for now," I said calmly.
"Sorry, but I won't be able to team up with you all for a while."
Hearing my words, Aika let out a soft sigh, though she didn't look surprised.
She had probably expected this from the start.
"Well, I can't deny that things were a lot safer with you around," said Mika, crossing her arms.
"Not only did we gain another close-combat fighter, but having someone capable of taking down Level 2 monsters was a huge advantage. It really boosted our efficiency and safety."
Her tone wasn't bitter—just genuine acknowledgment.
Still, I could tell she didn't like losing a reliable ally.
Amalda stepped in before anyone else could say more.
"Don't force him, Mika," she said, shaking her head slightly.
"Tithonus' decision is his own to make. Besides, he's working toward becoming a Magic Swordsman. For someone walking that path, solo experience is crucial. Without it, he'll never truly grow stronger."
Her words were calm, but they carried understanding and respect.
The others nodded, seemingly accepting my decision.
We chatted a little longer, dividing the valis accordingly and exchanging some light conversation about the week's hunts, injuries, and near misses.
Once I had received my share, I stood up, gave them a small nod of farewell, and made my way toward the exit.
'A party, huh?' I thought to myself as I stepped out into the evening streets of Argon, the cool breeze brushing against my face.
'It wasn't a bad experience. Not bad at all.'
Despite the faint tug of nostalgia I felt as I walked away, I wasn't sad.
After all, this wasn't goodbye—just a pause.
I had no doubt that I would eventually find myself fighting alongside them again.
To be continued...
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Hey everyone! 💖
If you're enjoying my stories, check out my Re:Zero fanfic — Re:Zero: The Great Sage!
You can also join my Membership Program to get early chapters, exclusive stories, and cool illustrations!
🌟 Membership Tiers
💠 $2.5 — Trial Tier
5 chapters of Re:Zero: The Great Sage
3 chapters of Is It Wrong to Be a High-Elf in a Dungeon?
3 chapters of Pride if Alternative
💎 $5 — Respected Member
12 chapters of Re:Zero: The Great Sage
7 chapters of Is It Wrong to Be a High-Elf in a Dungeon?
All available chapters of Pride if Alternative
Exclusive Illustrations
Discord Role
🔥 $10 — Loyal Member
20 chapters of Re:Zero: The Great Sage
15 chapters of Is It Wrong to Be a High-Elf in a Dungeon?
All available chapters of Pride if Alternative
Versatile Mage: Infinite Resources (Exclusive Fic Chapters)
Exclusive Illustrations
Discord Role
👑 $15 — Royal Member (Nearly Sold Out!)
30 chapters of Re:Zero: The Great Sage
25 chapters of Is It Wrong to Be a High-Elf in a Dungeon?
All available chapters of Pride if Alternative
Versatile Mage: Infinite Resources chapters
Exclusive Illustrations
Discord Role
💫 $20 — Mommy Minerva's Sugar Child (Sold Out!)
40 chapters of Re:Zero: The Great Sage
All available chapters of every other fic
Exclusive Illustrations
Discord Role
⚔️ $30 — King Arthur Tier
All previous perks
Special small animated scenes from my fanfics
My eternal thanks 🙏)
https://discord.gg/Xb47VnFUpQ
https://patreon.com/AkrosZero