Selma rallied the rookies, and day two of the guided exploration began.
"Orun-san, so you really got kicked from the hero party for being too weak? Yesterday you said it was just a 'difference in direction,' right?"
Right after entering the labyrinth, Logan threw the jab in that mocking tone.
Ah… yesterday I'd brushed him off with some half-assed excuse because it was annoying.
Should've just kept my mouth shut instead of trying to save face.
But what's said is said.
"Quit yapping and focus. The monsters here are already nastier than yesterday."
"No way I'd lose to upper-layer trash. Oh—but someone like you probably struggled even up there, huh? Too weak."
Sigh… they say the weakest dogs bark loudest, but this one's yapping is grating.
That article alone shouldn't convince anyone he's stronger than me.
"Did you not hear me say focus?"
"—! Tch… fine, whatever!"
I laced the second warning with a touch of killing intent. Finally shut him up.
…Was that too much for a grown man?
Logan wasn't the only one. Caroline's attitude had shifted too—looking down on me like I was beneath her.
These brats really…
Their behavior grated, but the exploration itself went smoothly. We reached the thirty-first floor without major issues.
From here on, I'd be giving combat orders.
They'd probably ignore me completely…
My worry proved right.
Tenth squad's first mid-layer fight: five goblins ahead, one orc slightly farther back.
"Caroline, pull the goblins! Logan, buff Caroline. Sophia, take out the orc in the rear!"
"Hah! What passive orders. Caroline, kill the orc! I'll handle the goblins. Sophia, take one goblin too."
Logan flat-out ignored me and barked his own commands.
What kind of role-ignoring nonsense was that…?
Caroline either followed Logan or just wanted the stronger monster—she blew past the goblins and charged the orc.
Logan mowed down four goblins as promised.
Sophia froze, caught between conflicting orders, and did nothing.
"Tch! Useless!"
Logan spat at her while finishing the last goblin.
Caroline took longer but eventually dropped the orc. No injuries overall.
"…What was that fight?"
I called out to tenth squad once Caroline returned.
Selma stood nearby and didn't stop me, so I continued.
"What do you mean? That's our way. No one got hurt."
"You think that was optimal?"
I forced calm despite wanting to yell.
"Yeah. Goblins are easy for me. So sending Caroline at the real threat—the orc—isn't wrong. You're too stuck on 'proper' roles, Orun-san. That rigid thinking won't get you far in labyrinths. Oh—guess that's why you got kicked out."
"…Fine. Let's say your approach was correct. No one took damage, like you said."
"At least you can admit when I'm right. I'll give you points for honesty."
Who does this kid think he is?
"But your orders were garbage."
"Huh? Where was the mistake? Don't make stuff up."
"You mocked Sophia just now, right?"
"Yeah—because she stood there useless instead of following my order."
"You're blaming her while ignoring your own screw-up?"
"My orders were fine! I told her to take one goblin too!"
"Only you—who already pictured the fight—could understand that. Five goblins: which four do you take, which one does she? Without knowing, how's she supposed to act? If you'd pre-arranged 'we split them this way in multi-kill scenarios'—sure. But you didn't. So yeah—sloppy."
"…"
He glared, seething, but had no comeback.
"Logan's getting chewed out~! Ahaha!"
Caroline laughed at him getting scolded.
"You too, Caroline. Why'd you charge the orc?"
"Eh—Logan said he'd handle goblins, and I wanna kill strong monsters!"
"You're a defender. You're in a party—so fulfill your role. If there's leeway after that, and it doesn't screw the team, do what you want. No one complains then."
"…Fiiiine."
Both wore unconvinced expressions.
Hope my words at least planted something.
"Selma-san, sorry for taking time. Let's resume."
"Got it. Everyone—move out!"
◇
We reached the thirty-sixth floor, today's goal.
Overall smooth again—no major trouble.
But tenth squad's two problem children ignored my orders until the end.
If they'd struggled even once, maybe they'd listen. Too bad their individual skill carried them through mid-layers without real difficulty.
Back on the surface, Selma dismissed the group. Day over.
I caught tenth squad before they left.
"I get it—you don't want to follow my orders. Loud and clear. But this is the clan's operation. You're clan members; I'm hired help. One more day left—tomorrow, can you just follow my lead?"
Honestly I'd rather wash my hands of these brats, but I took the clan's formal request. Gotta earn the pay.
"Sigh… No way we're learning anything from someone so weak he got kicked out. Your orders just waste time anyway."
Logan sounded genuinely exasperated.
"Then try following them once—just to see if it's really wasted."
"I already know it will be. No point in pointless effort."
Why is this kid so defiant?
Does he genuinely think he's stronger than me?
That arrogance would explain the attitude—but what mental gymnastics led him to that conclusion…?
"I-I think… following Orun-san's orders would be better…"
"Sophia, quiet. We're the only rookie party that hasn't lost once today. Results are everything for explorers! So my orders aren't wrong."
"Results matter—I agree. But you two still have margin to spare. If you've got breathing room, why not aim higher? Experiment. There's more than one answer."
"…Shut up! I don't need orders from some weakling who got kicked out!!"
Logan finally snapped.
Looks like nothing I say reaches him.
I've done enough here. That's plenty, right?
"Logan, enough."
Selma stepped in—couldn't ignore it anymore.
Logan flinched, clearly not expecting her intervention.
"—Tch… Excuse me."
He stormed off without another word.
Caroline followed.
Sophia hesitated, but Selma told her to go after them, so she did.
"Sorry, Orun. I didn't realize Logan was this stubborn…"
She apologized, so I brushed it off.
"Thanks. I'll have a strict talk with him tonight—make sure he follows your orders tomorrow."
"No need."
"…Why not?"
"A lecture now might hurt tomorrow's run. Save it for after the exploration ends. I'll cover just enough to keep them alive tomorrow."
"…Orun, Logan is an important clan member. I know it's presumptuous, but please help him before he gets hurt. I'll handle the mental side. Please."
Honestly I don't care if Logan dies, but with Selma begging like this, refusing feels wrong.
"…Fine. But since they wanna fight freely, I'll let them. I'll just backstop."
"…Yeah. That works."
Conversation over—I started to leave when—
"Hey, Orun. Got a sec?"
Two of the escorts—the defender guys—called out.
Great, now these two are gonna pick at me too…?
"…What?"
"…You look beat. Wanna grab dinner together? Drinks maybe?"
Not complaints—just an invite.
I wasn't in the mood to be alone anyway. Sounded fine.
"Sure. Let's go."