I've always tried to live quietly. No shame, no attention, just being useful to others. That was the plan.
"Get lost, you scum."
When Chronos said that right at me, my vision went completely white.
Nikla, Melis, everyone, they were all glaring at me with pure hostility.
"…Hahaha, um, can I ask… why, exactly?"
That's all I could squeeze out.
"Stop it. It's so obvious it's pathetic."
Nikla said those words coldly.
"You really didn't know the boss was there? You're supposed to be the supporter."
Melis piled on.
We were at the usual table in the party house. This spot had been everything: our dining table, meeting room, hangout spot, the heart of our group where we planned and laughed together.
Now it felt like a courtroom, and I was on trial.
Something hot surged in my chest.
This wasn't my fault.
Anyone pushing the front lines knows a surprise boss encounter is a real risk. The guild explains it a hundred times.
Besides, this dive was only supposed to be for mapping and gathering materials. Nothing more.
"That's… well, I'm sorry, but it couldn't be helped. We should've retreated right away, and…"
We had prepared for retreat. I'd begged them over and over to practice emergency withdrawals.
But Chronos, our leader, let his thirst for fame take over.
If he could beat a floor boss? His name would echo across Fielbron overnight. That dream made him reckless.
"I keep thinking we could've avoided it somehow, but this is just…" Memories of the boss fight flooded into my head.
Chronos took the first hit and flew back, knocked out cold with a concussion.
Nikla and Melis couldn't react in time. Both got slammed hard, serious injuries, out of the fight.
"Don't make excuses! Isn't this your fault?"
Melis shot out with a condescending glare.
The counterarguments built up in my head, ready to spill out.
But I realized the real reason for their anger, and the words died in my throat.
The problem was that I'd somehow beaten the boss alone.
I was desperate. Their lives were on the line, friends I'd fought with for years. It was do or die, and if I didn't pull it off, we were all gone.
By some miracle chain, I won. Pulled off the impossible. I don't even know how I did it.
Ask me to do it again? No chance.
"B-but we did it! We defeated the boss! This means Dragon's Wings gets promoted to A-rank!"
We brought back proof parts, at least.
Killing a floor boss opens the next level, brings fresh resources to town, pushes dungeon exploration forward big time.
Guild approval could launch us to the next stage. A-rank status from a boss kill? The world opens up.
I thought they'd be thrilled. "Good job," "Thanks," heck, maybe even a pat on the back.
"Wow, you're talking like it's all your achievement."
Nikla's voice was quiet, but now that I was her enemy, it cut deep.
"No! It was because everyone chipped in their respected damage! I just landed the last hit! It was pure luck, a team win, I—"
I babbled nonsense to defend myself.
Something was seriously wrong here.
I knew it, but I couldn't stop. This place was all I had.
Dragon's Wings was my home. I'd worked so hard to stay invisible, never cause trouble.
If they kicked me out…
"Shut up."
Chronos cut me off with one word.
By now, I understood it.
I was done.
I'd stood out. A nobody like me.
I was the lowest rung here, support, odd jobs. Never said out loud, but everyone knew.
No way someone like that stealing the spotlight, even by accident, wouldn't piss them off.
To stay, I couldn't mess up once.
My job: stay quiet, helpful, no drama.
Because they were letting me hang around.
I stared at Chronos in shock.
Yeah, that's what a beautiful face looks like. Even on a guy, the word fits. The chosen ones are different.
Hey, don't glare at me like that. It's scary.
I glanced back at the others for help.
Nikla, the monk. Always calm, quiet, perfect next to Chronos.
She'd seemed distant but maybe kind underneath. I'd told myself that.
No, I was right, she was kind. Just not toward me. Hostility changes everything.
Melis, the lively mage.
She liked Chronos but couldn't admit it, she was cute in her own way. I'd listened to her complaints sometimes.
She yelled at me a lot, but part of me figured she trusted me deep down.
Boy was I wrong.
Maybe from the start, maybe later, she really hated me. Probably wanted me gone forever.
"…Hahaha."
The tension snapped something. A weak, pathetic laugh slipped out.
"What are you laughing at?!"
Chronos slammed the table. My spine jolted.
"That's enough. I've already found your replacement. Come in."
Everyone looked past me.
I turned towards the guest room door opening.
A tall, striking woman stood there. Deep green hair and eyes like forest leaves. Pointed ears.
She was an elf. Obvious at a glance.
"This is Sophia. She'll more than fill the hole you're leaving."
Sophia bowed politely.
…She probably likes Chronos too, I thought.
The guy's popular. Figures.
"So get out, Wim. We don't need you anymore."
It was over.
I held back the tremor in my voice and stood.
"Let me pack my things."
"…Hurry up."
I climbed the stairs without looking at them.
"Sorry, everyone. For everything."
I muttered it like a whisper.
Years here, gone today.
I opened my bedroom door.
They even gave someone like me a private room. Dragon's Wings.
It felt stifling sometimes, but it wasn't all bad.
Doesn't matter now.
I packed quietly. Important party docs stayed behind. Just took my stuff, thrown it in fast, no more screw-ups.
What now? Everything I'd built collapsed in a second. There was nothing left.
Future looked pitch black.
"…Hehehe."
Tension drained away. That gross laugh I'd been told to fix slipped out again.