"Orun Doura, as of today, you’re out of the party."
I couldn't believe my ears.
We had just returned to the manor we used as our base after a routine expedition into the Great Labyrinth. I was in the middle of cataloging the Magic Stones and Magic Beast drops we’d gathered that day when the party leader, Oliver, suddenly handed me my walking papers.
It was a total bolt from the blue.
"...Is this some kind of joke?"
"I'm dead serious. I’ve kept you around this long because we’re old friends from the same village, but your skills just aren't up to the task of handling the deeper floors. To put it bluntly, you're dead weight. You're out."
Our party had currently reached the 94th Floor of the Great Labyrinth of the South—a place where no one had ever reached the 100th, the Lowest Floor.
In all of history, we were the only ones to ever set foot on the 94th.
Having achieved such an unprecedented feat, we were hailed as the Hero Party, and the eyes of the entire world were on us.
"I know I’m not the strongest," I said. "But that goes for everyone in the party. If we stay as we are, further progress will be—"
"That's because your Support Magic is garbage, you hack!"
Derrick, the party’s tank, interjected, barking over my conversation with Oliver.
"...Garbage?"
I was well aware that my Support Magic was less potent than that of a specialized Enchanter. That was exactly why I’d spent so much time developing my own Original Magic to bridge the gap.
It was thanks to those spells that we’d managed to survive even after entering the Deep Floors—the 91st and beyond.
I didn't think I deserved to be called "garbage."
"Huh? You seriously don't realize how useless you are? Hahaha! I didn't think anyone could be that thick-skinned! The only reason you’ve survived as an Explorer this long is because the rest of us are elite!"
I was genuinely speechless. I’d never experienced anything like it.
Derrick watched me, likely mistaking my stunned silence for a victory, and let out a triumphant smirk. Did he think he’d hit the nail on the head?
"We didn't realize how vital a real Enchanter actually was," Oliver said, his eyes beginning to shine as if reliving a memory. "That’s why we tolerated your bottom-tier magic for so long. But during last month’s joint subjugation, we finally saw the light. To feel your body become light as a feather... to feel your strength and defense soar like that... I never imagined real Support Magic could be so incredible."
Last month, a dragon had suddenly appeared on the surface.
Because it required immediate elimination, three S-Rank Parties had formed a joint task force to take it down.
Oliver was talking about that mission.
One of the members of that task force had been a genius hailed as the Continent's Greatest Enchanter.
Compared to her, my Support Magic certainly paled in comparison.
But—
"Being an Enchanter isn't my primary class. Of course I’m not going to match a specialist. That’s why I developed my Original Magic—"
"Quit making excuses!"
Derrick cut me off again. Seriously, let a man finish a sentence.
"The only reason you converted to Enchanter was because your sword skills couldn't keep up with Oliver's! Results are the only thing that matters for an Explorer! Nobody cares about the process! I don't care why you became an Enchanter; the fact is you’re in the party as one right now, and you’re second-rate! You don't get to complain!"
"We're the Hero Party, Orun," Oliver added. "We have to keep moving forward. We’ve already found a replacement Enchanter."
Derrick’s logic wasn't entirely wrong, but there was a way to say it.
Was this really how they treated a comrade who had bled and suffered alongside them?
Still, the message was clear: I wasn't wanted.
If they already had a replacement lined up, then I truly had no place left here.
"...Fine. I’ll go. Thanks for everything."
I turned my back on them to leave the mansion.
"Finally! Ugh, good riddance!"
Anneri, our mage, finally spoke up. Until now, she had just been watching me with a look of pure disdain.
"Your swordsmanship is half-baked and your magic is mediocre! You act like you’re so versatile, but you’re barely A-rank at anything. It was so annoying hearing you chime in with your 'opinions' all the time! You know what they call people like you? A jack-of-all-trades, master of none! It was a mistake letting someone like you into the Hero Party in the first place. Try to know your place from now on!"
I looked back at her. Anneri immediately recoiled, her bravado vanishing as she let out a weak, "W-what?"
So this was how they really felt about me.
I thought I’d given my all to this party...
Why did I ever team up with people like this?
I let out a silent sigh, pushed open the door, and walked out.
◇
Well, first things first—I need to find a place to sleep.
I cleared my head and started walking through the city, searching for a decent inn.