I left Grandpa's shop and headed straight back to the *Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky* headquarters. Vince-san agreed to see me right away.
"Looks like giving you time to think was the right call."
The moment he saw my face, Vince-san murmured with a faint smile.
"Vince-san—no, Leader. I've decided to accept your earlier invitation. Please let me join *Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky*."
I bowed my head deeply as I said it.
The door opened almost immediately, and Selma-san stepped into the room.
She handed me a neatly folded piece of cloth.
I took it reflexively, but had no idea what to do with it. I stood there awkwardly until she spoke.
"Go ahead and unfold it."
Following her instructions, I spread it out.
"This is..."
It was a hooded long coat, primarily black and blue.
The design was different, but it looked strikingly similar to what the *Silver Rabbit* members wore during expeditions. On the left chest was embroidered the clan's emblem.
"We based it on the long coat you were wearing. Try it on."
I slipped it over my shoulders.
Naturally, no one had taken my measurements, so it was way too big—baggy and loose everywhere.
*(They went to all this trouble... but I can't wear something this oversized into the labyrinth. Sorry about that...)*
Just as the thought crossed my mind, the coat began to shrink.
It tightened gradually until it fit my body perfectly, like it had been tailored just for me.
*(What the—...?)*
I'd never seen or heard of anything like it. I couldn't hide my confusion.
"Heh. Even you didn't know about this one, huh? This is one of our clan's secret techniques. We have several more, but I'll introduce them to you in time. Naturally, this stays between us—keep it confidential."
"I had no idea such technology existed."
I spoke my honest reaction.
Just seeing this one thing already made joining feel worth it.
I'd devoured all kinds of knowledge and techniques on my own up to now.
But self-study has its limits.
The mere thought of learning things I didn't even know existed filled me with excitement.
Vince-san's expression turned serious as he spoke to me.
"You were badly betrayed by people you trusted not long ago. I can't begin to measure how deep that wound runs, but I can tell it's serious. That's exactly why we want to show you our sincerity—not just with words, but with actions. We want you to come to see us as worthy of your trust. *Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky* will definitely earn the trust of Orun Dura."
He was right.
Being kicked out of the Hero Party had hurt me far more than I'd let myself admit.
I'd been telling myself I was fine staying solo for a while—maybe even forever.
Grandpa's words had started to change that mindset.
But it wasn't just his advice.
It was also the scene right after we defeated the 50th-floor boss during the guided expedition—the way everyone praised and congratulated each other.
They were all laughing from the bottom of their hearts. Even from the outside, it looked warm and genuine.
I wanted to be part of that circle.
I wanted friends—true comrades—I could laugh with from the depths of my soul.
That desire had been inside me since I was a kid.
...Why did I feel that way again?
Wait. Really—why *did* I feel that way? Forgetting something like this is unusual for me.
"...I see. Then I'll watch closely. I'll decide for myself whether this clan is truly worthy of trust."
"That's exactly what I hoped you'd say."
◇
Nine years since I first became an adventurer.
After being driven out by the companions who'd been with me from the very beginning, my second life as an explorer was about to begin.