"All right! Work ends as planned—time for the party!"
Gerald-san—one of the executives, General Affairs head—announced.
Clan members cheered joyfully.
Apparently planned ahead—empty space on grounds quickly turned into standing buffet venue.
Drinks and food carried in massive amounts.
Almost all HQ members wrapping work early to join.
"Almost all"—some key executives/roleholders had must-finish tasks today—couldn't stay whole time.
Then—the revelry began.
"Hi-first time! Orun-san! I'm Eliza! Congrats on 93rd floor!"
"Wait—no cutting in line! Hi Orun-san—I'm Miranda!"
About a month since joining—hadn't blended with other members.
Ex-Hero Party explorer—executive right after joining.
Natural distance.
But today—talked lots with previously unreachable members—male and female.
"May sound rude—but you had unapproachable aura before... Today—gone. Wanted to talk long time—so took chance! Turns out easy to talk to—wonder why I feared it before."
She's right.
I never approached first.
Yet wanted friends.
How twisted...
But First Unit acceptance gave mental leeway.
Today—good day for *Silver Rabbit*—and me.
"Yo Orun! Long time!"
After mingling—voice from behind.
Turned—Anthem-san, Barnard-san.
Also Cathy-san and some guided expedition newbies.
Newbie count halved.
Some transferred departments—some left clan.
Understandable—terrifying experience.
"Long time, Anthem-san, Barnard-san, Cathy-san. Newbies too."
"Joined—reached 93rd immediately. Makes sense—soloed black dragon. Thought we'd catch First Unit—pulled ahead again."
"Barnard-san hit 88th recently, right?"
"Yeah! Soon escape frontline hell! Heading deep first, Anthem!"
"Talk while you can. I'll pass you soon."
Anthem-san and Barnard-san—different parties—rivaled each other.
Nice relationship.
"Orun-san—congrats on 93rd!"
"""Congrats!"""
While Anthem/Barnard bantered—newbies congratulated.
"Thanks. Heard from Estella-san—you're all working hard."
"You noticed us!?"
One girl surprised.
Not really "noticed"—just heard during Education Management progress talks with Estella-san.
Can't say that—smiled vaguely.
"Seriously! Newbies watched Master from afar whole month—never approached. Soon as Master does something amazing—sudden flip and crowd him."
Log grumbled.
"""Don't wanna hear that from you!!"""
Everyone shot him down.
But all faces smiling.
Not serious.
"Pfft. Ahahahaha! True—Log saying that..."
Couldn't hold laughter—burst out.
"Master too... Already reflected enough..."
Log—indescribable face.
Still—being teased like this means building relationships.
No need to worry about human connections much.