I thought it would've been perfect if it was raining, me slowly trudging through the lonely streets, butt the sky was clear.
Here I am, in Fielbron.
This labyrinth city is bursting with the dreams and energy of young adventurers. It grew rich from the resources pulled out of the dungeon and all the people who flock here chasing them.
"…Heehee."
A laugh slipped out.
Everyone on the street looked so alive, so full of purpose. And here I was, the only one sinking to the bottom.
Numb, I headed to an inn.
I just needed somewhere to collapse for a little while.
By chance, I ended up at the same place I stayed my very first night in town.
I unpacked my bag, flopped onto the bed, and stared up at the ceiling.
What now?
At least I've got some savings.
I never spent much.money, I always been busy, always frugal. Years with a B-rank party meant decent pay. I could coast for a while without starving.
But inns add up fast. I need a proper place soon.
Quick mental math: cheap room, cheap meals… maybe six months if I'm careful. If I can find steady work by then, I'll make it.
But what can I even do?
I could probably handle D-rank party requests solo. Or maybe I'm overestimating myself. Realistically, E-rank at best.
"Ah, I want to die."
When did that become my go-to phrase?
I never say it out loud around people, but alone? Feels like once a minute.
I didn't know what else to do, so I tried the classic: go drink alone.
Tomarieda is a little hidden izakaya down a back alley. Not my regular spot, but I drop in now and then.
"Welcome—oh, Wim!"
Grete, the shop's bright poster girl, hit me with her dazzling smile.
"I heard! Dragon's Wings took down a floor boss! Congratulations!"
Ah. Word spreads fast.
I slid quietly onto a counter seat.
The place wasn't packed, but when Grete said it, heads turned. Cheers erupted.
"Congrats!" "Yo, world's strongest!" "Wim's buying tonight?!"
"With this, you're A-rank now! Celebration time?"
Come to think of it, I usually only came here after good news.
Like celebrating a promotion by myself.
"Oh, no, actually… it's not really a celebration, hehe."
"Really?"
"For now… just one drink, please. And the sausages."
"…Coming right up!"
They brought out the specialty: a massive lamb rib sausage the size of an arm, plus a big mug of beer.
It's one dish, but heavy, only someone doing hard labor could finish it.
I stabbed it with a fork, no cutting, and dug in. Poured beer over it, devoured, drank.
Wiped my mouth with a cold towel when it got messy, then went right back.
"…Hehehe."
I couldn't really taste it.
I think it was good.
The whole place seemed to pick up that I wasn't in party mode. The excitement faded. People went back to their own tables.
Grete just watched quietly.
The silence felt kind.
"…Heehee."
No. Another laugh bubbling up.
Sometimes we all came here together to celebrate.
I wasn't invited often, maybe a handful of times. I'm bad at groups, bad at talking. All I could manage was awkward "hahaha…"
But it was fun.
It really was.
Oh no. Their eyes are stinging.
The door chimed.
"Vim!"
A clear, familiar voice cut through my shrinking world.
I turned. Twintails swaying, dark blonde streaked with vermilion, normal coloring for locals, but on her it stood out.
Probably because of that unstoppable energy. Small body, big personality. Nothing about her blends in.
"Come on in! …Oh, it's Sue the stalker." Still not sure to this day why the shopkeeper calls Heidemarie 'Sue'.
"Noisy cowgirl, shut it."
Heidemarie and Grete traded their usual jabs the second they saw each other.
Serious or not, it never felt tense. They're just good friends like that.
Petite Heidemarie next to tall, mature Grete, what an odd pair, but it works.
"Wim! Um… are you okay?"
From the way she's looking, she already knows I got kicked out.
"…It's spreading that fast?"
"I'm the only one who knows the full story. But that bastard… unbelievable."
"How'd you find out?"
"I know everything about Wim."
Don't say that so seriously. It stops sounding like a joke.
…Yeah. It's out there.
"What's up, Sue? Something with Wim?"
Heidemarie shifted uncomfortably at Grete's question.
She's kind underneath it all. Probably hates spreading rumors, even if it's about me.
I should just say it.
"Well… actually, Dragon's Wings fired me."
"Eh?"
The whole shop went dead quiet.