Miso & Magic: An Unexpected Gourmet Adventure

Adventurers make their living by defeating monsters in dungeons and selling the items they drop.

Porters assess the value of dropped items, then collect and carry them.

Skill Activation: Fire Magic D!

Alicia possessed a fire magic skill and cast a D-level spell at the monster.

When the spell hit the large rat-like monster, it immediately glowed and vanished, dropping something in its place.

A purple light—a drop item of little value. Rare items emit a yellow glow.

Come on, hurry up and go get it, you slowpoke!

Alicia kicked my butt irritably.

Um, but I'm almost at my carrying limit . . .

My backpack was already stuffed full, and the bags hanging from both shoulders were nearly at capacity too.

Huh? Did you say something, Blackeye?

Fugo, the tall swordsman standing next to Alicia, grabbed a fistful of my hair and jerked my head back. Ow! Does he want to rip my hair out or what?!

Are you talking back to us after we're doing you the favor of hiring trash like you? Huh? What was my skill again? Huh?

"Answer Fugo's questions immediately"—that had been the rule ever since I was hired as a porter by the adventurer party Lord Gri three months ago.

A-Advanced Swordsmanship. It's a wonderful skill that gives you three times the speed and power of a normal person when wielding a sword.

That's right, I'm excellent! So, what skill did you have again?

This exchange had been repeated almost daily over the past three months. Fugo wasn't asking because he didn't know my skill.

. . . Japanese Eye.

I answered quietly.

In this world, everyone manifests one skill when they turn five years old.

Some gain combat-focused abilities like Swordsmanship, various elemental attack magic, fighter techniques, Throwing, Spear Mastery, and so on.

Others gain abilities useful for business, like Calculation, Crafting, Horsemanship, Information Gathering, Memory Enhancement, and the like.

And then there are those who get completely useless skills—things like having good dreams or being able to bend their thumb backward . . .

What kind of ability does Japanese Eye let you use again?

Alicia peered at my face with amusement.

My eye . . .

Your eye?

No one knew what the skill did just from hearing the name, so I activated it right away. Ever since then, my right eye has been . . .

Oh right, I remember now. It's the skill that turns your eye black. And just one eye at that!

Alicia burst into cruel laughter.

Ahahahaha! There are tons of useless skills out there, but one that just turns your eye black—and only one eye!—that's not just useless, it's downright stupid! Ahahaha!

Japanese Eye . . . a completely worthless skill that only turns one eye black. The moment I activated it, my right eye turned pitch black and never went back to normal.

I looked down at her words. She was right. Far from being useful, some people actually found my single black eye creepy.

Remember that? Hey, you piece of trash. We're doing you a favor by hiring a useless porter like you, and you're telling us you can't carry more? What are you talking back for?

Fugo shook me back and forth while still gripping my hair.

It hurt—he was really going to rip my hair out.

I'm sorry . . .

I got it. I only had a worthless skill and was completely useless.

Most porters have skills that help with carrying loads, like Appraisal Skills or physical enhancement skills.

Appraisal Skills let you judge the value of dropped items and pick out the more valuable ones to bring back. But since I didn't have one, I had to study drop items frantically just to keep up.

Physical enhancement skills let you carry heavy loads. Since I didn't have anything like that, I had to train my body instead.

But . . . even though I'm pretending to be a boy, I'm actually a girl. No matter how much I trained, a woman's strength can never match a man's.

Without any decent skills and being physically weak as a woman, no one would hire me. So I tried dressing as a man. But no matter how I disguised myself, I was still useless . . .

Lord Gri hired a useless porter like me. I should be grateful. But I complained that I couldn't carry any more. It's my fault.

If I had mentioned earlier that I could only carry three more items, we might have been able to head back without fighting more monsters and collecting more drops. It's only natural that Alicia gets irritated and Fugo puts me in my place like this.

Ugh! You two are wasting time again. Blackeye, you're saying you can't carry any more?

Miles, who had been quietly listening to the exchange between Alicia and Fugo, spoke up. Lord Gri was a three-person adventurer party consisting of Alicia, Fugo, and Miles, who possessed healing skills. I was hired as their porter.

Fugo let go of my hair and looked at Miles. Though he was the smallest and youngest of the group, both Fugo and Alicia relied on Miles as their strategist.

So, which of the drop items we've collected so far are valuable?

In response, I pulled three items from my backpack.

A high potion and a bracelet . . . judging by the stone's color and pattern, it probably boosts defense by around ten points. And these shoes—I'm not sure what they do, but they glowed yellow when they dropped, so they must be valuable.

Just those three items alone should be worth at least five gold coins.

I see. Well then, I'll carry these for you. That reduces your load, right?

Miles smiled as he said this. With the bulky items removed from my bag, I'd be able to carry a few more things.

Come on, hurry up and go get them! You haven't forgotten that your income is one-tenth of what the items you carry sell for, right? You won't make any money unless you pick up and carry lots of them!

Miles was kind, always covering for my failures like this.

That's right, you can't defeat monsters by yourself, so be grateful to us! Skill Activation: Fire Magic E! Direct hit! Look, there's another drop over there!

Even excluding the drop items I gave to Miles, today's haul should sell for about fifty silver coins. Since I carried them, my share would be one-tenth of that—five silver coins. That's enough money to buy about thirty pieces of bread, or stay one night at a cheap inn.

For someone with a worthless skill like me, that's more than enough income. Today's drops were good—usually I only make about one silver coin. Even so, I can only be grateful to Lord Gri for hiring someone with a useless skill like me. But I wonder why Lord Gri, a C-rank party, would hire a porter like me who has worthless skills and can't even carry much?

Parties are ranked from S-rank down to F-rank, with S being the highest. I would think that a C-rank party could hire a much better porter. Did they take pity on me?

I hurried over to the dropped item, which was about ten meters away from the others.

I was in such a hurry that I tripped over my own feet.

Ahaha, he fell! It's not just that his skill is trash—Blackeye is trash among trash!

Fugo's laughter rang in my ears.

Hey, what are you doing spilling your stuff everywhere! Pick it all up properly!

I jolted when Alicia yelled at me. The opening of the bag I'd been carrying on my back had come undone, so when I fell, everything spilled out.

Y-yes, I'm so sorry!

Fugo was right. Even beyond my useless skill, I'm just a clumsy person. I tried to quickly gather up the scattered items, but I had hurt my hand when I fell and couldn't grip things properly.

Oh, no. While you're dawdling around, monsters are coming this way.

When I looked up at the sound of Miles's voice, a large spider-shaped monster was descending from above.

H-help me!

I called for help in a hoarse voice.

If this monster bit you, your whole body would swell up and you'd suffer from a high fever for three days.

Ahahahaha, look at Blackeye—he looks like he's about to piss himself! Pathetic!

Tee-hee! Really, such a weak monster—I could defeat one like that when I was seven years old.

If you're an adventurer . . . if you have proper skills, even a child could defeat this monster . . .

But I . . . I only have a trash skill . . .

Before the tears welling up in my eyes could stream down my cheeks, the spider's leg reached toward my face.

Help . . . me.

Very well, I'll help you out. But it won't be free, you know. How about we call it even if you give up today's pay?

Usually it's one silver coin. Today was going well and I should have earned five silver coins. With five coins, I could have sent money home . . . I could have helped Mom and Dad . . .

Miles's offer to help sent my thoughts spinning, and I couldn't answer right away.

What's that?

Alicia pointed behind me.

Hey, this is bad! We're getting out of here!

Fugo suddenly shouted.

The spider leg reaching toward my face disappeared.

What? What's happening?

Looking up, I saw the giant spider monster scrambling up its web to the ceiling, terrified of something and fleeing as fast as it could.

I'm saved? I can still earn my five silver coins today.

The moment I reached for the scattered items, a swarm of vampire bat monsters came into view.

The spider monster was nothing compared to this. Vampire bats would drain you dry—they'd kill you.

H-help me!

I tried to stand up, but my legs buckled beneath me.

Help me, help me!

When I looked where the other three had been standing, they were already running for the exit.

It's Blackeye's fault! Skill Activation: Wall of Flame!

Alicia's magic created a wall of flames between me and the three of them. It didn't reach the vampire bats.

You're a porter, aren't you? Do your job and gather up the baggage.

Even we'd be in trouble with that many of them.

That's why we're using her as bait, aren't we?

It's the only useful thing someone so incompetent can do.

The three voices grew fainter as they moved away. I couldn't make out what they were saying—the sound of the vampire bats' wingbeats was too loud . . .

A sharp crack and searing pain shot through my head.

The vampire bat's sharp claws grabbed my head. The claws were digging in . . .

Everything in front of me turned red. Blood in my eyes . . . My left eye was such a beautiful blue color.

I quickly closed my left eye and wiped it with my sleeve to keep more blood from getting in.

Japanese Eye Activated

A voice echoed in my head.

Hey, you okay?! Are you alive?!

As I drifted in and out of consciousness, someone grabbed both my shoulders and shook me.

Huh?

Ah, thank goodness you're alive. What's going on? Why is a kid like you all alone in a place like this?

In front of me stood a large man who appeared to be around thirty years old. He wore expensive-looking armor and carried a sword.

The man looked around at the scattered items and muttered.

Wait, what—are you a porter?

When I looked at the man's face, white text appeared.

Western-Style Handsome Man

What? What does Western-style mean? What does handsome man mean?

I don't understand the meaning of the words, but what is this text in the first place? It suddenly appeared floating in the air. Can't the man see it? Is it something like an Appraisal Skill?

What happened to your party members? Don't tell me they were killed by the vampire bats?

The vampire bats did attack me . . . My head's still fuzzy and I can't think straight.

If you're going to cry, go cry somewhere else. The communication will cut out—just leave the bracelet and go. Sargis, wait . . . oh, no!

I quickly started collecting the scattered drop items.

Huh? Is this . . . ?

I picked up one item and held it out to the man.

What's that?

Um, well, you saved me from the vampire bat monsters, didn't you? My head's still a mess. Thank you so much, and sorry it took me so long to say it.

I really am hopeless. All those vampire bats are gone and this man is standing here.

This person must have been the one who saved me. I can't believe I didn't realize that right away.

This is a drop item from the vampire bats. I think it's a ring that raises attack power by three.

It should sell for about ten silver coins.

What? You can tell just by looking? Do you have Appraisal, kid?

My heart skipped a beat. Skills . . . I didn't want to get into that topic.

No, um, I've studied different drop items . . . Since I don't have any Appraisal Skills, I had to memorize them all instead. So, well . . .

Hmm. You worked hard, didn't you?

Worked hard? Without Appraisal Skills, I had to become a porter to make a living . . . It's not like I had a choice or anything.

Before I knew it, the man was helping me pick up the drop items. He stuffed them into my bag.

Oh, no. He packed everything up. Even that ring from before.

U-um, some of the drop items from the monsters you defeated ended up mixed in with mine . . .

You take everything, kid.

Huh?

He's giving them to me? Wait, no, I'm a porter. He wants me to carry them, right?

W-what's your name?

Ah, I'm Sargis. What about you, kid?

M-my name is . . .

Blackeye.

That's what everyone calls me, since one of my eyes is, well, black. But my real name is . . .

Rio . . .

Rioa. It's the name of a beautiful blue flower—the name my parents gave me.

I see, Rio. Sorry about this. I'd really like to escort you to the exit, but I don't have time.

Oh, you don't need to apologize—just being saved is more than enough . . .

But can I really carry all this stuff Sargis left with me to the exit by myself?

We were currently on the second floor of the dungeon. Terrifying monsters like the ones from earlier sometimes appeared here.

Perhaps because I looked anxious, Sargis placed his hand on my head—a large, warm hand.

Here, take this instead. It's a bracelet that can teleport you to the dungeon entrance.

Huh? Such an expensive item . . .

It must be worth ten gold coins.

Don't refuse—or rather, I don't have time, so just take it. I defeated a monster long ago and got about ten of these as drops at once, so I still have plenty. See you later, Rio!

Sargis slipped a thin bracelet with a round silver stone onto my arm, then tapped the stone lightly. Before I could even cry out, I was immediately teleported outside the dungeon entrance.

If ten of them dropped at once, it can't just be for teleportation—it must have communication functions for people wearing them too. That would make it even more expensive.

I stared down at the bracelet now wrapped around my arm.

That's it!

He wants to contact me later to collect the drop items I'm carrying. The bracelet is just on loan until then. With that realization, I hurriedly took off the bag I'd been carrying and spread out its contents.

This one's Sargis's. This one too.

I began sorting through everything. There had been quite a few vampire bats, so there were plenty of drop items. But since most were small things like rings and pendants, I'd been able to bring everything back.

Oh, there's a treasure chest too.

A small, palm-sized treasure chest. When I opened it, inside was something with a disappointing brown color.

It contained what's commonly called "crap."

Of course—a dud treasure chest that most people don't bother to take back. It must have gotten stuffed into my bag during all that commotion. Treasure chests sometimes contain valuable items, so you can imagine the disappointment when you open one with such high hopes only to find crap inside.

Ah, I need to treat my wounds before I keep sorting.

Dejected by the crap, I lowered my head and blood dripped down. I hurriedly closed my left eye to keep blood from getting in.

Japanese Eye Activated

Just as I heard a voice in my head, text appeared over the crap as I looked at it with my right eye.

Red Miso Paste: Seasoning

What? Red miso paste? I've never heard of that . . . But seasoning means things like salt and pepper . . . the expensive stuff that's hard to buy.

Is that really true? Wait, what was that text just now? I've never had text appear on anything before, so why can I see it? Can other people not see it? I heard "Japanese Eye Activated" before the text appeared—is that connected somehow?

Blackeye, you're still alive?

Fugo?

When I turned around, all three members of Lord Gri's party were standing right in front of me.

Well, you did bring all the loot back—I'll give you credit for that. Tee-hee! But goodness, you're absolutely filthy. Covered in blood.

Alicia was praising me, but it wasn't because of anything I did. I only made it back because Sargis saved me . . .

That looks painful. Skill Activation: Healing Magic - Cure Level One.

Miles healed my wounds.

Thank you.

It's not free. No pay for you today.

Miles picked up the bag.

Well then, let's go sell them. Even if it won't amount to much, something's better than nothing!

Alicia's eyes fell on the drop items from Sargis that I had sorted out.

What's this? There are more here too. You weren't trying to hoard them all for yourself, were you? Hand them over!

She reached out and grabbed five small drop items, including rings.

Wait, those are drop items from monsters that Sargis defeated—I have to return them properly . . .

I quickly reached out toward Alicia.

Oh my, what a pretty ring. It would be such a waste to sell something like this. I wonder how much it's worth? If it's cheap, maybe I'll keep it instead of selling it.

Before my outstretched hand could reach Alicia, Fugo pushed my shoulder.

Blackeye, we're the ones hiring a failure like you, aren't we? You say you can't carry any more of our stuff, but you can carry other people's stuff? Doesn't that seem weird?

Um . . .

Now that he mentioned it, maybe he was right.

That's right. Since you're our porter, anything you carry belongs to Lord Gri, doesn't it?

Miles's words made me glance down at the teleportation bracelet on my arm. Sargis will surely contact me later. There was no way I could tell him I'd lost the drop items he'd entrusted to me—not after he'd saved my life.

P-please give them back. I have to return all of those properly. Since I got them after you all ran away, they aren’t Lord Gri’s items . . .

At my words, Fugo flew into a rage and grabbed me by the collar.

Ran away? Say that again—are you planning to spread rumors that we're cowards who ran from monsters?

N-no, that's not what I meant . . .

How ungrateful. We did you the favor of hiring a worthless porter like you, Blackeye. Are you planning to repay our kindness with betrayal?

My throat was constricted and I could barely breathe. But I had to speak up. This wasn't just my problem.

Please give them back . . .

Oh? Are you still hiding something?

Alicia picked up the treasure chest that had been at my feet.

Ugh, it's crap! What kind of harassment is this? Bringing something like this back—you incompetent fool! Were you trying to add pointless weight to our baggage?

Alicia hurled the treasure chest at my face.

That's not right—I didn't put that in my bag . . .

Let's fire him.

Good idea. Bye-bye, Blackeye.

Miles turned his back and walked away with Alicia, his tone cold.

Fugo released me like he was discarding trash.

Cough, cough, cough.

Air rushed into my constricted throat all at once, making me choke.

Fired? No way . . . What should I do? I made all three of them angry just because I'm so clumsy. They actually hired me as a porter despite my being weak and having only a trash skill . . .

After the three left, as I crouched there in a daze, something dropped onto my hand with a soft thud.

Oh, the treasure chest . . .

It contains what's commonly called crap. But if it really is seasoning, that means it's edible, right?

I barely have any money, and now I've lost my job too. Food is precious.

I picked up the treasure chest and put it in my pocket. I gripped it tightly.

I need to go to the guild and find a new party that will hire me.

I hope I can find one soon . . .

There are no parties I can introduce you to.

I made my way to the town's guild—a stone building whose only virtue was its sturdiness, completely lacking in style.

Wooden boards lined the walls, densely covered with papers called request forms.

Um, it's true I can't carry very much, but I can at least protect myself on the first floor, and if it's just helping an F-rank party . . .

Since I only have a trash skill, I wasn't expecting to find something right away. But the woman at the guild reception counter took one look at my face and spoke coldly without even hearing my conditions.

I'd heard that guild staff usually possess decent skills or are former adventurers with years of experience. This woman probably has amazing skills too. That's why she might not even want to talk to someone with a trash skill like me. But if I can't work, I'm in trouble.

One black eye—you're Blackeye, aren't you?

The woman looked at me with contempt.

My guild card was supposed to have "Rio" written on it, not "Blackeye."

Using a false name is pointless. Anyone can tell who I am just by looking at that eye.

A false name? But I never introduced myself as Blackeye . . .

I could hear giggling from behind me.

There's been a complaint filed against you for embezzling drop items from the party that hired you.

E-embezzlement? I never did anything like that!

A complaint? Who filed it?

Ahahahaha! Serves him right!

Seriously. Did you see the look on his face?

The giggling grew louder. When I turned around, the members of Lord Gri were standing there leaning against the wall near the guild entrance.

Oh, Fugo, please! Please explain that I didn't do anything like that!

When I called out to Fugo, he strode over and stood beside me.

Blackeye, did you already forget? Who do you think filed the complaint?

Forget?

That's right. We even have witnesses who saw you trying to embezzle right at the scene!

Alicia spoke while still leaning against the wall. The guild building buzzed with activity, yet despite the distance, I could hear her voice clearly.

Heh.

The receptionist let out a scoffing laugh.

That's right. We conducted our own investigation too. Someone witnessed you splitting up the dropped loot in front of the dungeon, and also saw you trying to grab it back when the Lord Gri members tried to take your pack.

What? That was embezzlement? But I made sure to explain that those were drops from monsters that Sargis defeated . . .

See ya, Porter—well, former porter, I guess? Ahahahaha!

I watched as Fugo left the reception area, joined Alicia and Miles, and sat down at a table in the adjoining cafeteria.

Well, there you have it. The guild's ruling on drop item embezzlement is revocation of porter qualifications. You won't be able to find work at any guild in the future.

Tears rolled down my cheeks at the woman's words.

Th-this is a problem. I . . . I need to work, I need to work . . .

The woman watched me cry with an annoyed expression.

Just get out of the guild already.

She made shooing gestures to drive me away.

Hey, hey, what's going on here?

Oh, Sargis! Sorry about this—I'll throw her out right away.

Sargis?

The woman rushed out from behind the counter and grabbed my shoulder.

Hmm? What's wrong, kid? Why are you crying?

A tall man was standing there—Sargis, who had saved me in the dungeon.

I-I'm sorry . . . I can't work as a porter anymore . . . and the drop items you entrusted to me were taken too, so I thought I'd pay you back with my earnings, but . . . I . . .

Huh? You were holding drop items?

Sargis tilted his head in confusion.

Oh, you mean those things I stuffed in your bag? Look, you don't need to return those—wait, hold on. Taken? You're saying the drop items were taken? By who?

Sargis frowned and stepped closer to me.

Sargis, you don't need to listen. This kid committed embezzlement. They're probably just scheming to get the S-rank adventurer Sargis to help them out of trouble. Come on, get out of here already! You filthy criminal. This is exactly why trash skill holders are—

I was shoved hard in the back.

The gazes of about ten adventurers inside the guild bore into me. I trudged toward the exit with heavy steps, but someone grabbed my arm.

The conversation isn't over yet, kid. What do you mean they were taken? Were they stolen?

Of course. Sargis wouldn't want to leave things unresolved like this.

They got mixed up with Lord Gri's items, so I sorted them out right after we left the dungeon.

Sorted them? With so many items, how could you tell which monster's drops belonged to whom?

I nodded at Sargis's words.

Yes, I remember them. And . . . the drops from the vampire bats you defeated have distinctive characteristics. Most are accessory-type items that are small and light. They don't assist with attacks but have effects that increase defensive power, so . . .

After hearing my words, Sargis patted my head.

That's amazing, kid. I mean, Rio, wasn't it? It's impressive that you can tell what effects drop items have just by looking at them, but you also remember what kinds of things different monsters tend to drop?

He patted my head gently, his hand warm and comforting.

Maybe he learned to identify more valuable items for embezzlement purposes?

The receptionist watched my exchange with Sargis with a displeased expression.

While I was sorting, I was told that ownership of items carried by a porter belongs to "the porter's employer" . . . Because I carried them, all the items you worked so hard to get by defeating those monsters . . . I'm sorry.

Sargis looked at the receptionist.

Hey, is there really a rule that ownership of dropped items belongs to whoever hired the porter who carried them?

The receptionist shook her head at Sargis's question.

No. While we do have porters from other parties carry items sometimes, ownership belongs to whoever caused the drop, and we pay a percentage of the sales as transport fees.

I see.

He nodded slightly and patted my head once more.

Well then, I guess I'll file a theft report. Who stole the drops from the monsters I defeated?

At Sargis's words, the receptionist's gaze shifted to the three Lord Gri members who were eating.

Blackeye, that story about you sorting drop items near the dungeon entrance and asking for them back—those were Sargis's drops?

I nodded vigorously.

But that's strange, isn't it? Why don't the Lord Gri members know about this? They should at least know the name of an S-rank adventurer like Sargis.

Sargis's expression darkened.

Because we never met. Not in the dungeon.

Huh? What do you mean . . . ?

This kid was alone in the dungeon. He was being attacked by a massive swarm of vampire bats, but there wasn't a single Lord Gri member around him.

Hal gasped in shock and immediately told a nearby adventurer to call the Lord Gri members over.

Ugh, we were in the middle of eating. What do you want . . . Oh! It's Sir Sargis, the S-rank adventurer! Do you have business with us?

Alicia broke into a jog when she saw Sargis.

What the hell, Blackeye? You're still hanging around here?

Fugo frowned when he saw me trying to hide behind Sargis.

I entrusted the drops from the vampire bats I defeated to this kid. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?

Fugo paled at Sargis's words.

I-I don't know anything.

Oh, really? You truly don't know? You know that ownership of drop items belongs to whoever defeated the monster, right? You also know that it doesn't matter who carried them, right? Just because they got mixed in with your hired porter's items doesn't mean you wouldn't notice drops from monsters you've never defeated before, would you?

Lord Gri usually defeats monsters that frequently appear on the first and second floors. While some drop items appear regardless of which monster is defeated, others vary depending on the monster type.

Even without detailed knowledge of drop items, they should have noticed that the drops from Sargis's defeated monsters were different from what Lord Gri usually obtained.

Fugo's eyes darted around nervously.

W-we really didn't know! We left her to handle all the items . . . W-we'll return everything right away! S-so . . .

Miles bowed his head.

Stealing drop items is a one-rank demotion, isn't it?

Sargis ignored Miles's words and addressed the receptionist.

Yes. Also, abandoning a porter with no combat ability inside a dungeon and fleeing is a serious crime. That's an additional two-rank demotion.

W-wait, please! The enemy was completely beyond our capabilities. So we went to get h-help—yes, we just went to get help, we didn't flee!

Fugo responded frantically to the receptionist's words.

I see. So you definitely left him behind. If you needed help, you should have come to the guild first, shouldn't you? But no report came in. Did you really call for help?

Fugo dropped his shoulders in defeat.

U-um, wait please! Since I only have a trash skill, I should be treated differently from skilled porters, so, uh . . . Lord Gri wouldn't be punished that severely, right?

At my words, Sargis's face contorted and the receptionist let out a huge sigh.

Who told you that? Though I suppose there's no need to confirm.

The receptionist glanced at the Lord Gri members and signaled to the guild staff. Two staff members came out from the back and demanded that the Lord Gri members submit their guild cards.

Kid, by the way, how much were you getting paid as a porter?

I was paid properly. One-tenth of what I carried.

One-tenth of what you carried? Not what was collected?

Sargis raised his voice in surprise. What I carried and what was collected are different?

Besides, with a three-member party, the normal rate would be one-fourth split equally, or at minimum one-fifth as a base guarantee. One-tenth is . . .

Oh, but since I'm only half as qualified with my trash skill, my pay is also half . . .

Sargis's voice explodes with anger at my words.

Skills have nothing to do with it!

I-I'm sorry.

When I quickly apologized, Sargis fell silent for a moment before speaking again.

Ah, no, sorry. I wasn't angry at you. Hey, make sure you punish them properly.

Sargis glared at the receptionist.

And you should face punishment too, shouldn't you? You believed their lies and tried to revoke Rio's qualifications. You decided Rio was in the wrong just because he has a trash skill.

The receptionist gasped.

Lord Gri: one rank demotion for stealing drop items, and two rank demotions for abandoning a porter and fleeing—that brings them from C-rank down to F-rank. Additionally, one more rank demotion for embezzling a porter's rightful share. Since they've already dropped to the lowest F-rank, their adventurer qualifications are revoked.

Fugo shouted at the receptionist's words.

W-wait, please spare us that! Ranks can be regained even if they drop, but if we lose our qualifications . . . !

The receptionist shook her head at Fugo's plea.

Furthermore, one rank demotion for making false reports to the guild. Since this also results in qualification revocation, that means three years of forced labor in prison.

W-wait a minute! That means permanent guild banishment and becoming a criminal adventurer, right? I don't want that! We'll get tattoos on our necks, won't we? If that happens, I'll be too embarrassed to show my face in public!

Alicia looked like she was about to cry.

How pathetic. Didn't you commit crimes knowing that criminals face punishment? Asking for forgiveness because you weren't prepared for the consequences—isn't that selfish? Tell me, how many crimes have you committed so far?

Sargis glared at Alicia.

Ha. She was so ridiculously easy to deceive, yet we get tripped up by something like this . . .

The words slipped out as Miles muttered under his breath.

Huh . . . deceive? I was . . . being deceived?

What? What are you saying, Rio? After hearing all that, anyone would figure it out!

But Sargis's voice felt distant, as if it wasn't reaching me from afar.

Guild staff pulled out ropes and started restraining the Lord Gri members.

Stop it! Help me! Let me go!

Damn it, this isn't how things were supposed to end up for me.

Forced labor . . . haha.

The Lord Gri members were tied up and dragged away.

W-wait!

Without thinking, I rushed in front of the guild staff and blocked their path.

What is it? Can't resist getting in one last cruel remark?

Are you going to laugh at us to get back at us for all the times we laughed at you?

I couldn't see any of their faces clearly—not Fugo's, not Alicia's, not even Miles's tight-lipped expression. Everything was blurred by my tears.

D-did you really deceive me?

Everyone around us fell silent at my words.

I was new to porter work, and with only a trash skill, it was so hard to find anyone who'd hire me . . . When Alicia approached me back then, I was so happy . . .

I can still remember the way her bright red lips moved when we first met.

I wouldn't mind hiring you as our porter.

That's what she told me.

Alicia always fought monsters far away from where I was standing. She was being careful so her magic wouldn't accidentally hit me . . .

T-that was . . .

Alicia opened her mouth like she wanted to say something.

When Fugo heard about my trash skill that turns one eye black, he immediately started calling me Blackeye, but . . . whenever other adventurers tried to get a look at my eye for fun, he always stopped them. "It's not interesting to look at. You might get cursed," he'd tell them . . .

It hurt when they grabbed my hair, but I was never hurt worse than that. Other people threw stones at me and beat me up, calling me a worthless trash skill user, but Fugo never hit me.

That was nothing . . .

Fugo hung his head.

And Miles always healed me right away whenever I got hurt . . .

I was getting paid for it, though.

Yeah . . . but it cost less than buying potions . . . Even when I sprained my ankle or had small injuries that others wouldn't notice, you immediately spotted them and called out to me.

Miles made an uncomfortable expression.

Because Lord Gri hired me, I was able to enter a dungeon for the first time, and I learned so much from all the different experiences . . . I can only be grateful, and besides . . .

I can tell because I watched you all for three months.

Fugo has Advanced Swordsmanship and he's incredible, so I thought that if he got lots of experience and training, he'd become an amazing swordsman . . . When I imagined being able to brag that I used to be Fugo's porter, it made me happy . . .

Fugo, who had been looking down, raised his head.

You idiot . . .

Fugo lifted the pouch hanging from his waist and tossed it to me.

Ah!

I caught it carefully, and it felt heavy in my hands. Looking inside, I saw money.

Take it. Won't be any use in prison anyway. And . . . sorry.

Prison? Prison . . .

W-wait, Miss Hal, Sargis, look! You saw it, right? I got money! I'm sure they were just holding onto my wages for me because I'm weak and someone might try to steal them if I carried them myself. See? I'm getting paid properly, so please forgive them!

As I pleaded with Miss Hal, Sargis patted my head.

Rio, you're such a fool . . .

Then Sargis scratched his head.

I was also wrong about my drop items being stolen. That settles the charges for both ranks. You guys can restart as F-rank adventurers.

Following Sargis's words, the ropes binding the three were untied.

Thank you . . .

Alicia whispered quietly, pressed a ring into my hand, and left the guild.

Fugo followed her.

You get injured too much. Don't push yourself so hard when I'm not around.

Miles stuffed a small bottle containing pills into my pocket and was the last to leave.