“Oh, look at that. If it isn't the hero who took down the Black Dragon. Is it really okay for you to be idling away your time in a place like this?”
Grandpa started in with the teasing the second he saw me.
“A hero...? I’m nothing like that. Besides, how do you even know about the dragon already?”
“Ho ho ho! You took down a Deep Floor Boss all by yourself. Calling you a hero is hardly an exaggeration. Besides, the whole city is buzzing with the news right now. It’s loud enough to reach even these old, failing ears of mine.”
Failing ears, my foot.
“It was just luck. I don’t know if I could pull it off a second time if I were in the same situation.”
“Is that so? According to the rumors, Orun didn’t take a single hit.”
No, there was no way that kind of detailed information was already on the streets...
Occasionally, Grandpa displayed information-gathering skills that would put an active information broker to shame. I had known him a long time, but the man remained a complete mystery. Still, I selfishly considered him like family, so I didn’t really care what his secrets were.
“So? What brings you here today?”
“I just wanted to talk to you for a bit. I need someone to listen.”
“Ho. Let’s hear it, then.”
“A little while ago, I received a recruitment offer from the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky.”
Grandpa had listened to my complaints many times before. I had no intention of keeping secrets from him, so I gave him an honest account of what had happened.
“Well, that’s to be expected. They lost their main front-line attacker, and there’s no way the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky would overlook a swordsman capable of slaying a Black Dragon.”
“...Yeah. You’re probably right about their reasoning nine times out of ten. And honestly, it was a very attractive proposal. They offered me a spot as the front-line attacker for Selma’s Party and even said they’d prepare an executive seat for me.”
“Ho, that’s quite the favorable treatment.”
“Yeah. But... I’m hesitating.”
“And why is that?”
“Back when I was with Oliver and the others, I constantly suppressed my own needs to serve the party.”
Because of the Great Labyrinth, this city was far more vibrant than most. Young people flocked here constantly, dreaming of striking it rich. Consequently, the city was packed with distractions like casinos.
“There’s all sorts of entertainment in this city, and I was interested in it all. But I was the one handling almost all the negotiations and the miscellaneous behind-the-scenes work for the party. Luna helped me out sometimes, but between that and my own training, I never had time for fun. I became an explorer because I wanted to be strong enough that I’d never have to just roll over and take it when things got unfair. I didn’t mind the work at the time... but in the end, they kicked me out anyway.”
Some people might call being kicked out "unfair." I didn't see it that way. The party existed to conquer the Great Labyrinth; if someone couldn't keep up, there was nothing wrong with letting them go. It was a simple matter of that person lacking the necessary ability.
I understood that in my head, but my heart wasn't so logical. I was still frustrated. I couldn't help but feel bitter that I’d given them everything only to be discarded.
“After participating in their operation, I know the Silver Rabbit is a good clan. I have a strong desire to join. But I also know they’re after my knowledge. I’m afraid I’ll just be used again and then thrown away once they don’t need me anymore. When I think about that, I get scared... I just can’t bring myself to make the jump.”
“Ho ho ho ho ho!”
Grandpa suddenly burst into laughter.
“Forgive me for laughing so suddenly. It’s just that you always seemed so mature for your age, Orun. Seeing you struggle with such a youthful dilemma makes me happy, is all.”
“A youthful dilemma? You think I’m being immature?”
I felt a prickle of annoyance at his remark, but I forced myself to ask calmly.
“I do.”
He affirmed my question without a hint of hesitation.
“Listen, Orun. I believe this society is built on reciprocity.”
Reciprocity—the mutual exchange of benefits.
“No man can live alone. Everyone is supported by someone else, and sometimes you support others without even realizing it. Our relationship is the same. You use me to get what you want, and I use you to make money. It’s true that 'using' someone doesn't sound very positive, but you could just as easily call it 'compensating for each other's deficiencies.'”
“Compensating for each other's deficiencies...”
“Exactly. You seem to think that if you join the clan, only you will be providing something. But is that really true? Will the clan do nothing for you in return?”
It felt like scales had fallen from my eyes. I had been so focused on the fear of being exploited that I’d forgotten what I stood to gain.
If I joined the clan, I could leverage their connections. I would provide my strength for their conquest, and they would provide me with a level of support I’d never had. I’d been so wary of joining a group again, but my perspective shifted as I listened to him.
Up until now, the only serious labyrinth exploration I’d done was with the Hero Party. I thought exploring with the members of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky actually sounded like it might be fun.
Sure, the clan would use me. But whether I was discarded afterward depended entirely on my own efforts. Even after I’d handed over everything I knew, I just had to make myself so indispensable that the clan would never want to let me go.
Grandpa broke into a smile when he saw my face.
“It seems your mind has changed.”
“Yeah. You really are amazing, Grandpa. Thanks for listening to me.”
“You’re quite welcome. But remember this, Orun: any choice made after a period of doubt will always involve regret. Whether you join the Silver Rabbit or not, you’ll eventually look back and wonder 'what if' in some form or another. That’s why you have to make the choice that your future, regretting self can at least live with. Though, I suppose the reason we struggle now is precisely because we can't see that future.”
Always involve regret, huh.
The existence of choices meant the future was branching. Everyone thinks "if only I'd done that" from time to time. That was precisely why I needed to make a choice I could accept when I eventually looked back and felt that way.
As expected, the words of my elders carried weight.
“I’ll take that to heart. Thanks for the advice. Next time, I’ll actually come here to buy something.”
“Umu. I’ll be waiting.”